Gender as an independent risk factor for herpes zoster: a population-based prospective study

PURPOSE: Several studies reported a difference in herpes zoster (HZ) incidence between males and females, but limitations in design and analysis impeded the assessment of gender as an independent risk factor for HZ. This study examines the independent etiologic association between gender and HZ. METHODS: A total of 335,714 persons were observed prospectively during 2001. We registered gender and HZ occurrence, as well as other risk factors for HZ. We calculated overall crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and stratified to age. RESULTS: The HZ incidence in females was 3.9/1000 patients/year (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-4.2), and in males, 2.5/1000 patients/year (95% CI, 2.3-2.8), with a crude OR of 1.53 (95% CI, 1.36-1.74). After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted OR was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.22-1.56). The incidence was greater in females in the middle-aged (age, 25 to 64 years; OR range, 1.36 to 1.83) and youngest group (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.90-1.89). Gender effect was inverse in young adults (age, 15 to 24 years; OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41-1.03). CONCLUSION: Female gender is an independent risk factor for HZ in the 25- to 64-year-old age groups.     

血糖控制与结核病风险: 基于人群队列研究

  目的  探讨血糖控制与结核病发病风险之间的关系。  方法  在中国东部地区对40 311名研究对象开展队列研究,通过10年的随访,探讨结核病发病的危险因素。排除了基线调查时发现的结核病患者,通过与南京市结核病管理信息系统进行匹配发现结核病患者。主要通过匹配身份证号码、姓名、年龄、出生日期和地址。并建立了Cox比例风险模型,调整了年龄、性别、吸烟状况等因素。  结果  经过10年(中位随访时间为8.4年)的随访,共发现204名活动性结核病患者,发病密度为59.0/10万人年(95% CI:51.3~67.5)。其中,糖尿病患者有25人,占12.3%,发病密度为71.3/10万人年(95% CI:47.2~103.8)。共发现7名血糖控制不佳糖尿病患者发病,发病密度为84.4/10万人年(95% CI:50.8~132.4)。当把人群按照FPG是否≥7.0 mmol/L分组时,研究发现,与FPG < 7.0 mmol/L相比,FPG≥7.0 mmol/L人群发生结核病的风险提高0.89倍[风险比(hazard ratio, HR)=1.89,95% CI: 1.13~3.13,P=0.014]。  结论  此次大规模的人群队列研究发现,糖尿病患者血糖控制不佳增加了其发生结核病的风险。因此,加强对血糖控制不佳糖尿病患者的筛查可以及早发现结核病,有利于降低中国结核病的发生与流行。     

Incidence and Predictors of Hypertension Among Rural Chinese Adults: Results From Liaoning Province

OBJECTIVE We wanted to determine the incidence of hypertension and its risk factors among rural Chinese adults.METHODS A population-based sample of 24,360 rural Chinese adults aged 35 years and older and free from hypertension at baseline was observed from 2004–2006 to 2008. Incident hypertension was defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, or current use of antihypertensive medication.RESULTS During a mean follow-up period of 28 months, 29.6% of men and 23.4% of women developed hypertension. The age-adjusted incidence was higher in men (12.75 per 100 person-years) than in women (10.04 per 100 person-years). Among men, independent predictors of incident hypertension were baseline age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.13), Mongolian ethnicity (HR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01–1.18), use of alcohol, (HR = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.23), high income vs low income (HR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00–1.22; and HR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03–1.20), prehypertension vs normotension (HR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08–1.28), overweight and obesity (HR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.17–1.40), baseline salt intake (HR = 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00–1.01) and family history of hypertension (HR = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03–1.27). With the exception of use of alcohol and mean income, the results were similar for women, except that low physical activity was shown as a risk factors as well. The awareness, treatment, and control rates for newly developed hypertension were 29.9%, 19.5%, and 1.5%, respectively.CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the incidence of hypertension is high among these rural Chinese adults and that it is associated with many risk factors. Our findings further suggest that most newly developed hypertension cases are not treated. The increases in hypertension are probably related to rapid social changes in our country and may apply to other areas of the developing world. These findings call for urgent improvements in hypertension prevention and control programs in rural China.     

Incidence of GP-diagnosed respiratory tract infections according to age, gender and high-risk co-morbidity: the Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice

BACKGROUND: Figures on GP-diagnosed respiratory tract infections (RTI) are outdated because of demographic changes and increase in co-morbid conditions, respiratory vaccination programmes and change in illness behaviour. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of RTI in patients presenting to the GP according to age, gender and common high-risk co-morbidity in primary care. METHODS: In the Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice 90 computerized general practices with 358,008 patients recorded all consecutive patient contact by use of the ICPC coding system in a year. Incidences were calculated using the mid-year population in the denominator and RTI episodes as the nominator. RESULTS: In all, 4.2% of the patient population were diagnosed with RTI with an incidence rate of 144 per 1000 person-years. Upper RTI were more common in children of 0-4 years than in other year-cohorts [392 versus 80 per 1000; relative risk 4.9, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4.8-5.0]. An U-shape association was observed between age and lower RTI (78 and 70 per 1000 in children and persons aged 75 years or over, respectively, versus 23 per 1000 in other age-categories). Females had slightly higher incidence rates of URTI (relative risk 1.4, 95% CI 1.35-1.45) and similar rates for LRTI. Patients with chronic medical conditions as pulmonary and cardiac disease, and diabetes. DISCUSSION: A small proportion of the patient population present themselves to the GP with a RTI. RTI are more common among children, elderly persons and patients with pulmonary and cardiac disease, and diabetes of the ICPC coding system.     

北京市某社区中老年人群肾功能下降与心血管事件的关联研究

目的 了解肾功能下降与心血管事件是否有独立的关联关系.方法 2004年在北京市首钢社区随机抽取40岁及以上人群2500人,实际调查2315人.收集清晨首次尿标本,测量尿白蛋白和肌酐;采静脉血标本,测量血肌酐;使用简化的MDRD公式估计肾小球滤过率(eGFR),同时调查心血管病危险因素.随后对上述调查人群随访4年,记录心血管事件.根据eGFR值[ml/(min·1.73m2)]将人群分为3组,＜60、60～90、＞90.使用Cox回归模型调整混杂因素,分析慢性肾脏病与心血管事件及总事件的关联.结果 2315人中,肾功能下降(eGFR＜60)的患病率为3.3%.三组人群心血管事件发生率分别为43.9/1000人年、21.8/1000人年和11.5/1000人年,总事件发生率分别为53.7/1000人年、28.8/1000人年和14.6/1000人年.调整混杂因素后,与eGFR＞90组相比,60≤eGFR＜90组和eGFR＜60组心血管事件发生的风险(95%CI)分别为1.29(0.85～1.96)和2.14(1.02～4.50);总事件发生的风险分别为1.25(0.86～1.81)和1.95(1.00～3.80).结论 肾功能下降与心血管事件及总事件独立相关.     

北京城乡老年队列中基线痴呆的全死因死亡率及死亡风险研究

目的 通过对目标人群的追踪观察,探讨老年期痴呆的死亡率及死亡风险.方法 1997年采用按类分层、分阶段随机抽取区(县)、街道(乡)、居委会(自然村),按照整群抽样原则获得研究样本.分两阶段调查基线痴呆患病率,第一阶段完成问卷调查及筛查量表(MMSE)等测试,第二阶段由神经内科医师对MMSE得分低于界值和部分正常的老年人进行病史搜集、临床查体及神经心理测验等,最后由2名神经内科医师根据DSM-Ⅲ-R和NINCDS-ADRDA等诊断标准完成痴呆的临床诊断.最终获得有效调查样本2788例.在2000和2004年对研究样本进行全面随访同时记录死亡及失访原因和时间,总计随访7.25年.结果 基线共诊断痴呆171例,累积死亡133人.全样本的痴呆粗死亡率和年龄标化率分别为7.8/1000人年和5.5/1000人年,且随年龄的增加而呈指数增加;痴呆组其粗死亡率和年龄标化率分别为236/1000人年和206/1000人年;非痴呆组累积死亡680人,粗死亡率和年龄标化率分别为40/1000人年和31/1000人年,两组粗死亡率差异有统计学意义.痴呆的死亡风险比在60～74岁各组均高于≥75岁各组.经多因素Cox回归调整,痴呆的死亡风险比为2.181(95％CI:1.751～2.717)、阿尔茨海默病为2.524(95％CI:1.964～3.243)、血管性痴呆为1.859(95％CI:1.213～2.850).结论 老年期痴呆的粗死亡率及死亡风险比大大高于一般人群,提示痴呆是预示老年人死亡的最主要危险因素之一.     

Low incidences of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infection and declining risk behaviors in a cohort of injection drug users in Chennai, India

The authors characterized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence and prospective changes in self-reported risk behavior over 2 years among 1,158 injection drug users (IDUs) recruited in Chennai, India, in 2005-2006. At baseline, HIV prevalence was 25.3%, and HCV prevalence was 54.5%. Seropositive persons with prevalent HIV infection were used to estimate baseline HIV incidence by means of the Calypte HIV-1 BED Incidence EIA (Calypte Biomedical Corporation, Portland, Oregon). Longitudinal HIV and HCV incidence were measured among 865 HIV-negative IDUs and 519 HCV antibody-negative IDUs followed semiannually for 2 years. Participants received pre- and posttest risk reduction counseling at each visit. Estimated HIV incidence at baseline was 2.95 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21, 4.69) by BED assay; observed HIV incidence over 1,262 person-years was 0.48 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.17, 1.03). HCV incidence over 645 person-years was 1.71 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.85, 3.03). Self-reported risk behaviors declined significantly over time, from 100% of participants reporting drug injection at baseline to 11% at 24 months. In this cohort with high HIV and HCV prevalence at enrollment, the authors observed low incidence and declining self-reported risk behavior over time. While no formal intervention was administered, these findings highlight the potential impact of voluntary counseling and testing in a high-risk cohort.     

The epidemiology of viral meningitis hospitalization in childhood

BACKGROUND: There have been few long-term population-based studies of viral meningitis, and only a limited number of potential risk factors have been evaluated. METHODS: We estimated the incidence of viral meningitis hospitalization in childhood, and assessed risk factors for this disease through a population-based cohort study comprising all children born in Denmark from 1977 through 2001 (n = 1.5 million). Information on sex, number of children and adults in the household, age of parents at child's birth, degree of urbanization, birth weight, gestational age, and possible complications at birth were linked to the children in the cohort, together with information on hospitalization with viral meningitis. We calculated incidence rates of viral meningitis and estimated rate ratios according to the various risk factors using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The incidence rate was highest in the first 6 months of life (38.7 per 100,000 person-years), with a peak right after birth (58.7 per 100,000 person-years). A secondary peak was seen among 5-year-old children (15.6 per 100,000 person-years). Overall incidence rates decreased throughout the study period, with outbreaks occurring every 3 to 5 years [decrease in rate ratio per calendar year = 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.94-0.96]. Summer and early fall peaks were present. We observed independent effects of sex (girls vs. boys: rate ratio = 0.47 [95% CI = 0.43-0.53]), children in the household (eg, living with 3+ younger children vs. living with none: 1.94 [1.22-3.07]), single parenthood (living with 1 parent vs. living with 2 parents: 1.30 [1.12-1.39]), degree of urbanization (children living in the capital vs. children living in small town and rural areas: 1.54 [1.31-1.80]), low birth weight (increase in RR per 500 g reduction in birth weight = 1.05 [1.00-1.09]), prematurity (increase in RR per 1 week reduction in gestational age = 1.03 [1.01-1.04]), and cesarean section (cesarean section vs. vaginal birth: 1.29 [1.12-1.49]). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of viral meningitis hospitalization is highest immediately after birth with a secondary peak at age 5. Lack of passive maternally acquired antibodies and preferential hospitalization are the likely causes for the peak in infancy. Increased transmission in kindergarten, preschool, and day care could explain the secondary peak. The incidence decreased throughout the 25-year study period perhaps due to improved public hygiene. Among the assessed risk factors, we found the strongest to be male sex, a high number of children in the household, and degree of urbanization.     

Fracturas de cadera en pacientes tratados con fármacos antipsicóticos. Estudio de cohortes históricas en Cataluña

ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of hip fracture in patients with antipsychotic treatment, comparing it with that of individuals who have not been treated with antipsychotics.DesignRetrospective cohort study of patients treated with antipsychotic drugs (TAP) and patients without known treatment (non-TAP). The observation period was 2006–2014.SiteAll primary care teams in Catalonia of the Catalan Health Institute (ICS).ParticipantsPatients older than 44 years with TAP lasting at least 3 months. Control cohort: random selection of non-TAP patients matching for baseline comorbidities and other variables. A total of 22,010 are analyzed.Main measurements Incidence rate (1000× person-years: PY) of hip fracture in each group (TAP and non-TAP). Cox regression models to estimate adjusted risks (hazard ratio: HR).ResultsThe hip fracture incidence rate was higher in TAP patients (5.83 vs 3.58 fractures per 1000 PY), and is higher in all strata according to sex, age and type of diagnosis. The risk of suffering a hip fracture was 60% higher (HR: 1.60 95% CI: 1.34–1.92) in the TAP group than in the non-TAP group. The risk was higher in the group with schizophrenia (HR: 3.57 95% CI: 1.75–7.30), followed by bipolar disorder (HR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.39–4.92) and depression (HR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.21–1.88).ConclusionsPatients with antipsychotic treatment have a higher risk of hip fracture than those who have not been treated with antipsychotics.     

Job control and the risk of incident stroke in the working population in Sweden

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the risk of incident stroke according to the level of job control and examined whether the association between job control and the risk of stroke varied as a function of gender. METHODS: This was a register-based cohort study of nearly 3 million working people (age 30-64 years in 1990) with a 13-year follow-up (1991-2003) for incident stroke (50 114 events). Job control was aggregated to the data by a secondary data source (job-exposure matrix) in 1990. Gender-specific Cox regressions were applied. RESULTS: The age- and workhour-adjusted hazard ratio of the lowest versus the highest job control quartile was 1.25 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.17-1.32] for any stroke, 1.33 (95% CI 1.15-1.55) for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 1.22 (95% CI 1.14-1.31) for brain infarction among the women, and the corresponding figures for the men were 1.24 (95% CI 1.21-1.28), 1.30 (95% CI 1.21-1.40), 1.23 (95% CI 1.19-1.28), respectively. Adjustment for education, marital status, and income attenuated these associations to 1.07 (95% CI 1.01-1.14) for any stroke, 1.22 (95% CI 1.04-1.42) for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 1.04 (95% CI 0.97-1.12) for brain infarction for the women and to 1.08 (95% CI 1.04-1.12), 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.22), 1.08 (95% CI 1.04-1.13), respectively, for the men. CONCLUSIONS: The relative risk of stroke was higher in low job-control occupations. The association between job control and stroke subtypes varied as a function of gender. The relative risk of intracerebral hemorrhage was highest for the women in low job-control occupations.     

High risk of human immunodeficiency virus in men who have sex with men with herpes simplex virus type 2 in the EXPLORE study

The relation between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition was evaluated among 4,295 high-risk, HIV-negative men who have sex with men in an intensive behavioral intervention (colloquially referred to as "EXPLORE") study in the United States from 1999 to 2003. Sexual behavior data were obtained by computer-assisted self-interview, and sera were collected semiannually for HIV and HSV-2 serology. HSV-2 infection was classified as "recent incident" (at the first HSV-2 seropositive visit), "remote incident" (within 24 months of the first positive visit), and "prevalent" (for visits >24 months after the first HSV-2 positive visit). Baseline HSV-2 prevalence was 20.3%. HSV-2 incidence was 1.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6, 2.2) per 100 person-years; significant risk factors were African-American race, unprotected receptive anal intercourse, an HIV-positive male sex partner, and six or more male partners in the prior 6 months. The behavioral intervention did not reduce HSV-2 acquisition (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.6). Overall HIV incidence was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.7, 2.2) per 100 person-years. HIV risk was elevated among men who have sex with men with recent incident HSV-2 (adjusted HR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.7, 7.8), remote incident HSV-2 (adjusted HR = 1.7, 95% CI: 0.8, 3.3), and prevalent HSV-2 (adjusted HR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.1) infection compared with HSV-2 seronegative participants. HIV intervention strategies targeting HSV-2 prevention and suppression among men who have sex with men should be evaluated.     

Risk of stroke and heart failure attributable to atrial fibrillation in middle-aged and elderly people: Results from a five-year prospective cohort study of Japanese community dwellers

Background

The relative and absolute risks of stroke and heart failure attributable to atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been sufficiently examined.

Tumour stage and gender predict recurrence and second primary malignancies in head and neck cancer: a multicentre study within the INHANCE consortium

Recurrence and second primary cancer (SPC) continue to represent major obstacles to long-term survival in head and neck cancer (HNC). Our aim was to evaluate whether established demographics, lifestyle-related risk factors for HNC and clinical data are associated with recurrence and SPC in HNC. We conducted a multicentre study by using data from five studies members of the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology consortium—Milan, Rome, Western Europe, Sao Paulo, and Japan, totalling 4005 HNC cases with a median age of 59 (interquartile range 52–67). Multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for recurrence and SPC. During follow-up, 1161 (29%) patients had recurrence and 343 (8.6%) developed SPC. Advanced tumour stage was associated with increased risk of recurrence in HNC overall (HR?=?1.76, 95% CI 1.41–2.19). Women with laryngeal cancer had a reduced risk of recurrence compared to men (HR?=?0.39, 95% CI: 0.24–0.74). Concerning predictors of SPC, advanced age (HR?=?1.02; 95% CI: 1.00–1.04) and alcohol consumption (>?1 drink per day, HR?=?2.11; 95% CI: 1.13–3.94) increased the risk of SPC among patients with laryngeal cancer. Additionally, women were at higher risk of SPC, in HNC overall group (HR?=?1.68; 95% CI: 1.13–2.51) and oropharyngeal cancer group (HR?=?1.74; 95% CI: 1.02–2.98). Tumour stage and male gender (larynx only) were positive predictors of cancer recurrence in HNC patients. Predictors of SPC were advanced age and alcohol use among laryngeal cancer cases, and female gender for oropharyngeal and HNC overall.     

西安市军队老年人慢性阻塞性肺疾病死亡危险因素的18年队列研究

目的探讨西安市军队男性老年人慢性阻塞性肺病（COPD）死亡危险因素及相互关系。方法研究对象为1987年西安市22个军队下休所的全部男性离休干部，共计1268人。终点指标为全死因和COPD死亡。结果截止2005年6月30日，共观察18766．28人年，平均随访14．35年；死亡491例，748人存活，29人失访。死亡总例数中COPD居第二位，占16．90％；COPD单因素分析：年龄的RR值95％CI为[1．13（1．09～1．17）]、每日吸烟晕[1．04（1．02～1．06）]、吸烟年限[1．03（1．01～1．04）]、负性生活事件[1．81（2．85～6．77）]、既往COPD史[4．39（285～677）]为COPD死亡危险因素；多因素分析结果显示：年龄的RR值95％CI为[1．10（1．06～1．15）]、每日吸烟量[1．03（1．01～1．06）]、既往COPD史[3．07（1．90～4．98）]为COPD死亡危险因素；其死亡危险性随既往吸烟量的增多和吸烟年限的延长而升高，存在明确的剂量反应关系；戒烟者总死亡的危险下降了66．67％。结论队列中COPD死亡居第二位；年龄、每日吸烟量和既往COPD史是COPD死亡的危险因素；戒烟对COPD死亡的影响有待进一步观察。     

Physical activity and self-reported, physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis: is physical activity a risk factor?

This prospective study evaluated regular physical activity and self-reported physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis of the knee and/or hip joints among 16,961 people, ages 20-87, examined at the Cooper Clinic between 1970 and 1995. Among those aged 50 years and older, osteoarthritis incidence was higher among women (7.0 per 1000 person-years) than among men (4.9 per 1000 person-years, P = 0.001), while among those under 50 years of age, osteoarthritis incidence was similar between men (2.6) and women (2.7). High levels of physical activity (running 20 or more miles per week) were associated with osteoarthritis among men under age 50 after controlling for body mass index, smoking, and use of alcohol or caffeine (hazard ratio = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.9), while no relationship was suggested among women or older men. These findings support the conclusion that high levels of physical activity may be a risk factor for symptomatic osteoarthritis among men under age 50.     

Depression and cancer risk: a register-based study of patients hospitalized with affective disorders,Denmark, 1969-1993

The authors investigated the cancer risk of patients hospitalized for depression in a nationwide Danish cohort study. All 89,491 adults in Denmark who had been admitted to a hospital with depression, as defined in the International Classification of Diseases, Eighth Revision, between 1969 and 1993 were identified. There were 1,117,006 person-years of follow-up. Incidence rates of all cancers and of site-specific cancers were compared with national incidence rates for first primary cancers, with data being adjusted for sex, age, and calendar time. A total of 9,922 cases of cancer were diagnosed in the cohort, with 9,434.6 having been expected; this yielded a standardized incidence ratio of 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.07). The risk of cancer was increased for the first year after hospital admission, with brain cancer especially occurring more frequently than expected. When the first year of follow-up was excluded, the increase was attributable mainly to an increased risk of tobacco-related cancers: Standardized incidence ratios for non-tobacco-related cancers were 1.00 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.03) after 1-9 years of follow-up and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.02) after 10 or more years of follow-up. These data provide no support for the hypothesis that depression independently increases risk of cancer, but they emphasize the deleterious effect that depression can have on lifestyle factors.     

Incidence of Parkinson's disease: variation by age,gender, and race/ethnicity

The goal of this study was to estimate the incidence of Parkinson's disease by age, gender, and ethnicity. Newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease cases in 1994-1995 were identified among members of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California, a large health maintenance organization. Each case met modified standardized criteria/Hughes diagnostic criteria as applied by a movement disorder specialist. Incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated using the Kaiser Permanente membership information as the denominator and adjusted for age and/or gender using the direct method of standardization. A total of 588 newly diagnosed (incident) cases of Parkinson's disease were identified, which gave an overall annualized age- and gender-adjusted incidence rate of 13.4 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.4, 15.5). The incidence rapidly increased over the age of 60 years, with only 4% of the cases being under the age of 50 years. The rate for men (19.0 per 100,000, 95% CI: 16.1, 21.8) was 91% higher than that for women (9.9 per 100,000, 95% CI: 7.6, 12.2). The age- and gender-adjusted rate per 100,000 was highest among Hispanics (16.6, 95% CI: 12.0, 21.3), followed by non-Hispanic Whites (13.6, 95% CI: 11.5, 15.7), Asians (11.3, 95% CI: 7.2, 15.3), and Blacks (10.2, 95% CI: 6.4, 14.0). These data suggest that the incidence of Parkinson's disease varies by race/ethnicity.     

Incidence of and risk factors for asymptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease: a longitudinal study

The current study describes the age- and sex-specific incidence rates and risk factors for asymptomatic and symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) among 2,327 subjects and the incidence of intermittent claudication in asymptomatic PAOD subjects. The study population was selected from 18 general practice centers in the Netherlands. PAOD was assessed with the ankle-brachial blood pressure index, and intermittent claudication was assessed with a modified version of the Rose questionnaire. After 7.2 years, the overall incidence rate for asymptomatic PAOD, using the person-years method, was 9.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.3, 18.8) per 1,000 person-years at risk. The rate was 7.8 (95% CI: 4.9, 20.3) for men and 12.4 (95% CI: 7.7, 24.8) for women. For symptomatic PAOD, the incidence rate was 1.0 (95% CI: 0.7, 7.5) overall, 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3, 10.0) for men, and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0, 10.3) for women. Multivariate analyses showed that increasing age, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were the most important risk factors. The overall incidence rate for intermittent claudication among PAOD subjects who were asymptomatic at baseline was 90.5 per 1,000 person-years at risk (95% CI: 36.4, 378.3). The incidence of asymptomatic PAOD was higher than the incidence of symptomatic PAOD, with women developing PAOD more often than men. In the development of preventive strategies, modification of atherosclerotic risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, should be the main goals.     

Are childhood socio-economic circumstances related to coronary heart disease risk? Findings from a population-based study of older men

BACKGROUND: The independent influence of childhood social circumstances on health in later life remains uncertain. We examined the extent to which childhood socio-economic circumstances are related to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in older British men, taking account of adult social class and behavioural risk factors. METHODS: A socio-economically representative sample of 5552 British men (52-74 years) with retrospective assessment of childhood socio-economic circumstances (father's occupation and childhood household amenities) who were followed up for CHD (fatal and non-fatal) for 12 years. RESULTS: Men whose childhood social class was manual had an increased hazard ratio (HR) 1.34 (95% CI 1.11-1.63)-this effect was diminished when adjusted for adult social class and adult behavioural risk factors (cigarette smoking, alcohol, physical activity and body weight) (HR 1.19; 95% CI 0.97-1.46). Men whose family did not own a car in their childhood were at increased CHD risk even after adjustments for adult social class and behaviours (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75). Men with combined exposure to both childhood and adult manual social class had the highest risk of CHD (HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.19-1.91); this was substantially reduced by adjustment for adult behavioural risk factors (adjusted HR 1.28; 95% CI 0.99-1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Less affluent socio-economic conditions in childhood may have a modest persisting influence on risk of CHD in later life.     

Risk Factors for In‐Hospital Mortality in Heart Failure Patients: Does Rurality,Payer or Admission Source Matter?

Purpose

Considering the high prevalence of heart failure and the economic burden of the disease, factors that influence in‐hospital mortality are of importance in improving outcomes of care for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of in‐hospital mortality for adult heart failure patients.

Methods

The study design is a retrospective observational study design using the 2010 Nebraska Hospital Discharge data set including 4,319 hospitalizations for 3,521 heart failure patients admitted to 79 hospitals in Nebraska. Hierarchical logistic regression models including patient‐ and hospital‐specific random intercepts were analyzed. Covariates included in the analysis were patient age in years, gender, comorbidity status, length of stay, primary payer, type and source of admission, transfers, and rurality of county of residence.

Results

Overall, 3.5% of heart failure patients died during their hospital stay. In logistic regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities, the odds of dying in hospital for heart failure patients increased with age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.04), co‐morbidity (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.05‐1.25) and length of stay (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.05). The patient's gender, payer source, rurality of county of residence, source, and type of admission were not risk factors for in‐hospital death.

Conclusion

Increasing age, comorbidity and length of stay were risk factors for in‐hospital death for heart failure. An understanding of the risk factors for in‐hospital death is critical to improving outcomes of care for heart failure patients.