Alcohol-related disorders in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: a national cohort study

Aims The risk of alcohol‐related disorders in first‐ and second‐generation immigrants in Sweden were investigated and compared with the Swedish majority population to assess how alcohol habits are modified over generations in a new society. Design Register study based on multivariate analyses of demographic data, including information on country of birth, from the Swedish Population and Housing Census of 1985 linked to data on hospital admissions for alcohol‐related disorders during 1990–99 in the National Hospital Discharge Register. Participants The study population consisted of a national cohort of 1.25 million youth born 1968–79 and 1.47 million adults born 1929–65. Results First‐ and second‐generation immigrants from Finland had higher relative risks (RRs) for hospital admission because of an alcohol‐related disorder compared to the Swedish majority population (socio‐economic adjusted RRs 2.1 and 1.9, respectively), while first‐generation immigrants born in southern Europe, the Middle East and other non‐European countries had lower risks. Second‐generation immigrants with heritage in southern Europe, the Middle East and other non‐European countries had socio‐economic adjusted RRs that were higher relative to the first generation immigrants but lower relative to the Swedish majority population. Intercountry adoptees had the highest adjusted RR (2.5). Conclusions Patterns of alcohol abuse in the country of origin are strong determinants of alcohol‐related disorders in first‐generation immigrants. The patterns in second‐generation immigrants are influenced by parental countries of origin as well as patterns in the majority population. The Finnish minority and intercountry adoptees are of particular concern in prevention.     

Coronary heart disease risks in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: a follow-up study

OBJECTIVES: To analyse whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and first hospitalization for or death from coronary heart disease (CHD) and to analyse whether this association remains in second-generation immigrants. DESIGN: In this follow-up study, the MigMed database at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, was used to identify all hospital diagnoses of and deaths from incident CHD in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 2001. Incidence ratios standardized by age, geographical region and socio-economic status were estimated by sex in first- and second-generation immigrants; the reference group was Swedish-born people whose parents were both born in Sweden. SUBJECTS: The total Swedish population aged 25-69 years. RESULTS: First-generation immigrants from Finland, central European countries, other eastern European countries and Turkey had higher rates of CHD than men or women in the reference group. First-generation immigrant women born in southern Europe, other western European countries and Baltic countries had lower CHD risks than the reference group. Sons of both male and female first-generation immigrants showed CHD risks similar to or slightly higher than those of their parents. Amongst second-generation women, only subjects with Finnish fathers or mothers had higher risks of developing CHD than the reference. CONCLUSIONS: Increased risks of CHD found in some first-generation immigrant groups often persist in second-generation immigrant men. Healthcare professionals and policy makers should take this into account when designing and undertaking measures to prevent CHD.     

Risk of venous thromboembolism in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

Background

There are ethnic differences in the incidence of venous thromboembolism. This is the first nationwide study to examine whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and first hospitalisation for venous thrombosis (VT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and to study whether a similar association exists in second-generation immigrants.

Methods

The study is a nationwide follow-up study. The study subjects were first- and second-generation immigrants residing in Sweden between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2007. The reference population comprised first- and second-generation Swedish-born individuals. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) for VT and PE, standardised with regard to age, geographic region of residence, time period, and socioeconomic status, were estimated by sex in first- and second-generation immigrants.

Results

First-generation male and/or female immigrants from Greece, Italy, Spain, Finland, Baltic countries, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq had a lower risk of VT and/or PE than Swedish-born individuals. The lower risk of VT and/or PE in some first-generation immigrant groups was not replicated in the second generation. However, in certain second-generation immigrant groups, the risk of VT/PE was similar to that in the corresponding parental groups.

Conclusions

Country of birth affects the risk of VT and PE in several immigrant groups. Our study indicates that ethnicity-related inherited and acquired venous thromboembolism risk factors play a role in the aetiology of venous thromboembolism. Ethnic differences in thromboembolism risk even exist in Caucasian European populations, and may thus be important to consider in genetic studies.     

Risk of hospitalization for type 2 diabetes in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: a nationwide follow-up study

ObjectivesThis is the first nationwide study with the aim to analyze whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and hospitalization for type 2 diabetes (T2D), and to study whether any such association remains in second-generation immigrants.DesignIn this follow-up study, the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register was used to identify all hospital diagnoses of T2D in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2007. Hospitalization rate ratios standardized with regard to gender, age, geographical region, socioeconomic status, obesity, and family history of hospitalization for T2D were estimated in first- and second-generation immigrants.ResultsBoth increased and decreased risks of hospitalization for T2D were shown for several first-generation immigrant groups. However, only second-generation immigrants with Finnish or former Yugoslavian parents had higher rates of hospitalization for T2D than the reference group. No other differences remained in the second-generation immigrants.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that ethnic environmental factors may be more important than ethnic genetic factors in explaining the observed variation in hospitalization for T2D among first-generation immigrants.     

Incidence of celiac disease among second-generation immigrants and adoptees from abroad in Sweden: evidence for ethnic differences in susceptibility

Abstract

Background and aims. The incidence of celiac disease (CD) shows large, worldwide variation. However, whether its causes are environmental (gluten-containing diet) or genetic (specific haplotype) have not been established. The aim of the present study is to examine the incidence of CD among second-generation immigrants and adoptees from abroad to disentangle genetic/ethnic versus environmental influences (assuming that immigrants have similar gluten exposures to native Swedes, and thus differ from them only in terms of their genetic background). Methods. Second-generation immigrants and adoptees from abroad were identified in the MigMed 2 Database and were followed until diagnosis of CD, death, or the end of study. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated among these immigrants with native Swedes as the reference group. Results. A total of 1,050,569 children were defined as second-generation immigrants and the overall SIR of CD (SIR = 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.84–0.94) was significantly lower than that of native Swedes. The incidence of CD among children with parents from Western, Eastern, and Northern European countries was similar to that in native Swedes, but was lower for those with parents from low-prevalence countries, especially Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. A total of 51,557 children born in foreign countries were adopted by Swedes. Adoptees from Eastern Asia had a significantly decreased SIR of CD. Conclusions. The decreased incidence of CD in second-generation immigrants and some groups of adoptees from abroad strongly suggests that ethnic genetic heterogeneity may contribute to the worldwide variation in CD incidence.     

Acculturation and celiac disease risk in second-generation immigrants: a nationwide cohort study in Sweden

Abstract Objectives. The burden of celiac disease (CD) is increasingly recognized as a global problem. However, whether this situation depends on genetics or environmental factors is uncertain. The authors examined these aspects in Sweden, a country in which the risk of CD is generally considered to be high. If environmental factors are relevant, CD risk in second-generation immigrant children should be related to maternal length of stay in Sweden before delivery. Material and methods. Linking the Swedish Medical Birth Registry to other national registries, the authors investigated all singleton children (n = 792,401) born in Sweden between 1987 and 1993. They studied the risk of CD in children before age 6 as a function of the mother's geographical region of birth and length of stay in Sweden before delivery using Cox regression models. Results. In children whose mothers immigrated to Sweden from a country outside of Europe, a maternal length of stay in Sweden of more than 5 years increased the hazard ratio (HR) of CD (1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.81). The authors observed a similar result among children born to mothers from a Nordic country outside of Sweden (HR 1.57, 95% CI 0.89-2.75), but a non-conclusive protective effect was observed in second-generation immigrant children from a non-Nordic European country (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39-1.09). Conclusions. The risk of CD among second-generation immigrants seems to be conditioned by maternal length of stay in Sweden before delivery, suggesting that environmental factors contribute to the variation in CD risk observed across populations.     

老年急性阑尾炎行腹腔镜与开腹手术的对比分析

目的对比分析腹腔镜(LA)和开腹阑尾切除术(OA)治疗老年急性阑尾炎的手术效果。方法2003年1月至2006年1月行阑尾切除术治疗老年阑尾炎56例,其中LA27例,OA29例。比较2种术式的手术时间、下床活动时间、术后排气时间、疼痛评分、误诊率、止痛药使用率、切口感染率、置管引流率、残余脓肿发生率、住院时间和综合费用。结果LA组和OA组以上各指标(除手术时间和综合费用外)差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于老年急性阑尾炎,和OA相比,LA具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少和平均住院时间短等优点,值得临床推广。     

Incidence of malignant disease in biopsy-proven inflammatory myopathy. A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The validity and magnitude of an association between myositis and malignant disease continue to be debated. Such issues as the legitimacy of a myositis diagnosis and distinction among myositis subgroups in previous population-based studies remain unresolved. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk for malignant disease in patients with biopsy-proven inflammatory myopathies. DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Victoria, Australia. PATIENTS: 537 patients in whom a biopsy-positive idiopathic inflammatory myopathy was first diagnosed from 1981 through 1995. MEASUREMENTS: Standardized incidence ratios were calculated to compare the incidence of malignant disease in patients with inflammatory myopathy and the general population. RESULTS: A total of 116 cases of malignant disease were found in 104 patients. Seventy-four cases were identified concurrently with (within 7 days) or after diagnosis of myositis. The highest risk for malignant disease was associated with dermatomyositis (standardized incidence ratio, 6.2 [95% CI, 3.9 to 10.0]). The risk was also increased in polymyositis (standardized incidence ratio, 2.0 [CI, 1.4 to 2.7]), although the relative risk for malignant disease in dermatomyositis compared with polymyositis was 2.4 (CI, 1.3 to 4.2). An increased risk for malignant disease was also found in inclusion-body myositis (standardized incidence ratio, 2.4 [CI, 1.2 to 4.9]). The excess risk for malignant disease diminished with time (standardized incidence ratio, 4.4 [CI, 2.7 to 7.1] in the first year; 3.4 [CI, 2.3 to 5.1] between 1 and 3 years; 2.2 [CI, 1.3 to 3.9] between 3 and 5 years; and 1.6 [CI, 1.0 to 2.6] beyond 5 years [ P for trend, 0.002]). CONCLUSION: The risk for malignant disease is increased in biopsy-proven dermatomyositis and polymyositis and also appears to be increased in inclusion-body myositis.     

Incidence of atrial fibrillation in hemodialysis patients. A prospective long-term follow-up study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly occurring arrhythmia in the general population and is a serious health problem, its incidence in patients on hemodialysis is unknown. Our objectives were to determine the incidence of AF in our hemodialysis patients, to investigate factors that predispose to its occurrence, and to assess the clinical implications of AF. METHODS: In total, 164 patients in sinus rhythm (SR) were followed for seven years. The occurrence of AF and its influence on mortality and on the occurrence of thromboembolic events were recorded. RESULTS: In a mean follow-up period of 47 (29.5) months (i.e., 643.2 patient-years), 20 patients developed AF (3.1 per 100 patient-years). It was not possible to identify factors that predisposed to the arrhythmia. In patients aged > or =65 years, 1-year and 2-year mortality rates following the occurrence of AF were 38% and 53%, respectively, whereas the rates in those who remained in SR were 14% and 31%, respectively (P=NS). The development of AF was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality. Five patients in the AF group experienced six thromboembolic episodes in a follow-up period of 23.6 (21.4) months (i.e., 15 episodes per 100 patient-years), compared with three episodes per 100 patient-years in the SR group (relative risk=5.2; 95% CI, 2.1-12.4). CONCLUSIONS: Each year, three in every 100 patients in our dialysis unit developed AF. The occurrence of AF increased the risk of a thromboembolic complication five-fold. The use of anticoagulant treatment in these patients should be carefully evaluated.     

Prevalence and prognosis of atrial fibrillation in a hypertensive population: A prospective cohort study

Identifying risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) and evaluating their impact are essential to avoid the occurrence of adverse events. However, few studies to date have explored the prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of AF in hypertensive patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of AF in a hypertensive population and determine the relationship between AF and all-cause mortality. At baseline, a total of 8541 Chinese patients with hypertension were enrolled from the Northeast Rural Cardiovascular Health Study. A logistic regression model was established to assess the relationship between blood pressure and AF, and Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis and multivariate Cox regression were used to explore the relationship between AF and all-cause mortality. Meanwhile, subgroup analyses illustrated the robustness of results. This study found that the overall prevalence rate of AF was 1.4% in its Chinese hypertensive population. After adjusting for the confounding factors, every standard deviation increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was associated with a 37% increase in the prevalence of AF (95% confidence interval: 1.152–1.627, p < .001). Compared to hypertensive patients without AF, those with AF had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 1.866, 95% confidence interval: 1.117–3.115, p = .017) in the adjusted model. The results show that the burden of AF is quite large in rural-dwelling Chinese hypertensive patients. Focusing on the control of DBP to prevent the occurrence of AF can be helpful. Meanwhile, AF increases risk of all-cause mortality in hypertensive patients. Our results indicated a huge burden of AF. Considering that most of the risk factors of AF were unmodifiable in hypertensive individuals and given their high risk of mortality, long-term interventions, including AF education, timely screening, and widespread use of anticoagulant drugs, should be emphasized in hypertensive populations.     

Incidence of rectosigmoid adenomatous polyps in subjects without prior colorectal adenoma or cancer: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND—Subjects without known colorectal adenomas or cancer constitute a large majority of the population where 85% of all cases of colorectal cancer are thought to occur. Consequently these people should be considered for screening to decrease mortality from colorectal cancer in the general population.
AIMS—To estimate the incidence rate of rectosigmoid adenomas in these subjects.
METHODS—Subjects without adenomas or cancer at a previous examination which had visualised the rectosigmoid underwent a fibre endoscopy every three years. Endoscopic data and population characteristics were collected prospectively.
RESULTS—A total of 450 subjects fulfilled the selection criteria; 287 (64%) underwent at least two examinations, and 163had three or more. At the second examination, with a mean delay of 39 months, the incidence rate of rectosigmoïd adenomas was 1.50% per patient year. The rate was 1.75% per patient year (95% CI 0.80-3.33) at the third endoscopy with an additional mean delay of 38 months. The cumulative incidence rate at six years was 7.3% (95% CI 4.3-10.3), representing a mean of 1.2% per patient year. This rate increased with age and was higher for men than for women after age adjustment (p< 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS—The incidence rates are very low compared with those of patients with prior adenomas. These results should be considered in establishing rectosigmoid adenoma screening strategies.

     

Epidemiology and the initial presentation of autoimmune hepatitis in Sweden: A nationwide study

Objective. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease, which if untreated can lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence, prevalence, diagnostic tradition and clinical initial presentation of AIH. Material and methods. Analyses were performed in 473 patients identified as having probable or definite AIH. Results. The incidence of AIH was 0.85/100,000 (95% CI 0.69–1.01) inhabitants, which is somewhat lower than reported previously. The point prevalence amounted to 10.7/100,000 (95% CI 8.8–13.1), and 76% of the cases were females. The age-related incidence curve was bimodal but men were found to have only one incidence peak in the late teens, whereas women had a peak after menopause. AIH was presented as a spectrum of clinical settings from detected “en passant” to acute liver failure. Almost 30% of patients already had liver cirrhosis at diagnosis. Autoantibodies indicative of AIH type 1 were found in 79% of cases. Other concomitant autoimmune diseases were frequently found (49%). Conclusions. The incidence and prevalence figures confirm that AIH is a fairly uncommon disease in the Swedish population. Symptoms at presentation were unspecific, but almost half of the patients were jaundiced, with around 30% having liver cirrhosis. The majority of Swedish AIH patients had AIH type 1.     

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a cohort of homosexual men. A six-year follow-up study

A cohort of 6875 homosexual men, initially seen at the San Francisco City Clinic between 1978 and 1980, were studied to determine the incidence and prevalence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, related conditions, and infection with the human T-lymphotropic virus, type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). By December 1984, 2.4% of the men had the syndrome; mortality attributable to the syndrome in 1984 was 600/100 000. For each man with the syndrome in a representative sample of 474 cohort members seen in 1984, 7.5 men had generalized lymphadenopathy, 1.1 had other prodromal findings, and 0.8 had hematologic abnormalities. Prevalence of serum antibodies to HTLV-III/LAV, measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, increased from 4.5% in 1978 to 67.4% in 1984. Of 31 persons who were seropositive and without the syndrome between 1978 and 1980, 2 developed the syndrome and 8 developed related conditions during a median follow-up of 61 months. Over a 6-year period, two thirds of cohort members were infected with HTLV-III/LAV and almost one third developed related conditions.