Reproductive period and risk of dementia in postmenopausal women

CONTEXT: Exogenous estrogen use may lower risk of dementia in postmenopausal women. A relationship between long-term exposure to endogenous estrogens and incident dementia has been hypothesized but not studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a longer reproductive period, as an indicator of longer exposure to endogenous estrogens, is associated with lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD) in women who have natural menopause. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Rotterdam Study, a population-based prospective cohort study conducted in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3601 women aged 55 years or older who did not have dementia at baseline (1990-1993) and had information on age at menarche, age at menopause, and type of menopause. Participants were reexamined in 1993-1994 and 1997-1999 and were continuously monitored for development of dementia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of dementia, based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition criteria, and AD, based on National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria, compared by quartiles of reproductive period among women with natural menopause. RESULTS: During 21 046 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up, 6.3 years), 199 women developed dementia, including 159 who developed AD. After adjusting for age, dementia was not clearly associated with length of reproductive period. However, after adjusting for multiple covariates, women with natural menopause and more reproductive years had an increased risk of dementia (adjusted rate ratio [RR] for women with >39 reproductive years [highest quartile] compared with <34 reproductive years [lowest quartile], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.84). The adjusted RR per year of increase was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.08). For risk of AD, the adjusted RRs were 1.51 (95% CI, 0.91-2.50) and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.00-1.07), respectively. Risk of dementia associated with a longer reproductive period was most pronounced in APOE epsilon4 carriers (adjusted RR for >39 reproductive years compared with <34 reproductive years, 4.20 [95% CI, 1.97-8.92] for dementia and 3.42 [95% CI, 1.51-7.75] for AD), whereas in noncarriers, no clear association with dementia or AD was observed. CONCLUSION: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that a longer reproductive period reduces risk of dementia in women who have natural menopause.     

Racial disparity in influenza vaccination: does managed care narrow the gap between African Americans and whites?

CONTEXT: Substantial racial disparities exist in use of some health services. Whether managed care could reduce racial disparities in the use of preventive services is not known. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the magnitude of racial disparity in influenza vaccination is smaller among managed care enrollees than among those with fee-for-service insurance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The 1996 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey of a US cohort of 13 674 African American and white Medicare beneficiaries with managed care and fee-for-service insurance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of respondents (adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, clinical comorbid conditions, and care-seeking attitudes) who received influenza vaccination and magnitude of racial disparity in influenza vaccination, compared among those with managed care and fee-for-service insurance. RESULTS: Eight percent of the beneficiaries were African American and 11% were enrolled in managed care. Overall, 65.8% received influenza vaccination. Whites were substantially more likely to be vaccinated than African Americans (67.7% vs 46.1%; absolute disparity, 21.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.2%-25.0%). Managed care enrollees were more likely than those with fee-for-service insurance to receive influenza vaccination (71.2% vs 65.4%; difference, 5.8%; 95% CI, 3.6%-8.3%). The adjusted racial disparity in fee-for-service was 24.9% (95% CI, 19.6%-30.1%) and in managed care was 18.6% (95% CI, 9.8%-27.4%). These adjusted racial disparities were both statistically significant, but the absolute percentage point difference in racial disparity between the 2 insurance groups (6.3%; 95% CI, -4.6% to 17.2%) was not. CONCLUSION: Managed care is associated with higher rates of influenza vaccination for both whites and African Americans, but racial disparity in vaccination is not reduced in managed care. Our results suggest that additional efforts are needed to adequately address this disparity.     

Risk of Dementia Among White and African American Relatives of Patients With Alzheimer Disease

Context  Evidence exists that the incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD), as well as risk attributable to specific genetic factors such as apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, may vary considerably among ethnic groups. Family studies of probands with AD offer an opportunity to evaluate lifetime risk of dementia among relatives of these probands. Objective  To compare lifetime dementia risk estimates among relatives of white and African American probands with probable or definite AD. Design and Setting  Risk analysis using data collected by questionnaire and supplemental records between May 1991 and March 2001 at 17 medical centers contributing to the Multi-Institutional Research in Alzheimer's Genetic Epidemiology Study. Participants  A total of 17 639 first-degree biological relatives and 2474 spouses of 2339 white AD probands, and 2281 first-degree biological relatives and 257 spouses of 255 African American AD probands. Main Outcome Measures  Cumulative risk of dementia by age 85 years, stratified by ethnicity and sex of relatives and by APOE genotype of probands. Results  Cumulative risk of dementia in first-degree biological relatives of African American AD probands by age 85 years was 43.7% (SE, 3.1%), and the corresponding risk in first-degree biological relatives of white AD probands was 26.9% (SE, 0.8%), yielding a relative risk (RR) of 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.9; P<.001). The risk in spouses of African American AD probands of 18.5% (SE, 8.4%) was also higher than the risk in white spouses of 10.4% (SE, 1.7%) but did not reach statistical significance (RR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.5-6.0; P = .34), likely due to the smaller sample size of African Americans. The proportional increase in risk of dementia among white first-degree biological relatives compared with white spouses of 2.6 (95% CI, 2.1-3.2) was similar to that of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.3-4.4) in African American first-degree biological relatives compared with African American spouses. Female first-degree biological relatives of probands had a higher risk of developing dementia than did their male counterparts, among whites (31.2% vs 20.4%; RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7; P<.001) as well as among African Americans, although this was not significant among African Americans (46.7% vs 40.1%; RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.9-1.7, P = .30). The patterns of risk among first-degree biological relatives stratified by APOE genotype of the probands were similar in white families and African American families. Conclusion  First-degree relatives of African Americans with AD have a higher cumulative risk of dementia than do those of whites with AD. However, in this study, the additional risk of dementia conferred by being a first-degree relative, by being female, or by the probability of having an APOE 4 allele appeared similar in African American and white families. These data provide estimates of dementia risk that can be used to offer counseling to family members of patients with AD.      

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal neoplasia in average-risk people: evaluation of a five-year rescreening interval

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia detected by rescreening people with average risk five years after initial screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective survey of results of a colorectal cancer screening program. PARTICIPANTS: People aged 55-64 years with no symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer who were recruited from the community for flexible sigmoidoscopy screening five years previously (July 1995 to December 1996) and had no colorectal neoplasms detected. SETTING: Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia, a community-based teaching hospital, December 2000 to June 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and size of colorectal neoplasms (adenomas or cancer) compared between rescreened patients and initial screening population (all 982 people screened between July 1995 and December 1996). RESULTS: 803 people were eligible for rescreening; 138 were no longer at the recorded address, and 361 of the remaining 665 (54%) were rescreened. Rescreening found a significantly lower prevalence of colorectal adenomas than initial screening (8% [95% CI, 5%-11%] versus 14% [95% CI, 13%-15%]; P < 0.05) and also a lower percentage of adenomatous polyps over 5 mm in diameter (32% [95% CI, 15%-49%] versus 51% [95% CI, 46%-56%]; no significant difference). CONCLUSION: Average-risk people who have been screened for colorectal neoplasms, with none found, have a low prevalence of neoplastic lesions five years later. Longer rescreening intervals need to be considered.     

非穿透性小梁手术治疗开角型青光眼的Meta分析

目的：对非穿透性小梁手术治疗开角型青光眼的疗效进行Meta分析。方法：检索MEDLINE和中国生物医学文献数据库，获得以往发表的相关论文。根据临床和统计标准进行合并分析，评价非穿透性小梁手术的降压效果。结果：总计有26篇文献纳入Meta分析。无需降压药物治疗而术后眼压控制良好患者的合并百分率：单纯深层巩膜切除术为71．3％[95％CI为56．2％～86．5％]，深层巩膜切除术联合胶原植入物为58．5％[95％CI为47．8％～69．2％]，深层巩膜切除术联合交键透明质酸植入物为62．0%[95％CI为51．0％～73．0％]，粘性小管切除术为69．7％[95%CI为50．5％～88．9％]。非穿透性小梁手术和小梁切除术的合并危险差为2％[95％CI为-8％0～12％]。结论：非穿透性小梁手术是药物难以控制的开角型青光眼的一种很好的治疗措施，治疗成功率超过60％，眼压控制效果和标准小梁切除术近似。但联合植入物的应用并没有显著改善治疗效果的意义。     

Hospital in the home: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To compare treatment of acute illness at home and in hospital, assessing safety, effect on geriatric complications, and patient/carer satisfaction. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary referral hospital affiliated with the University of New South Wales. PARTICIPANTS: 100 patients (69% older than 65 years) with a variety of acute conditions, who were assessed in the emergency department as requiring admission to hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were allocated at random to be treated by a hospital-in-the-home (HIH) service in their usual residence or to be admitted to hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Geriatric complications (confusion, falls, urinary incontinence or retention, faecal incontinence or constipation, phlebitis and pressure areas), patient/carer satisfaction, adverse events, and death. RESULTS: There was a lower incidence of confusion (0 v. 20.4% [95% CI, 9.1%-31.7%]; P = 0.0005), urinary complications (incontinence or retention) (2.0% [95% CI, -1.8%, 5.8%] v. 16.3% [95% CI, 6.0%, 26.6%]; P = 0.01), and bowel complications (incontinence or constipation) (0 v. 22.5% [95% CI, 10.7%, 34.1%]; P = 0.0003) among HIH-treated patients. No significant difference in number of adverse events and deaths (to 28 days after discharge) in the two groups was found (although numbers were small). Patient and carer satisfaction was significantly higher in the HIH group. CONCLUSIONS: Home treatment appears to provide a safe alternative to hospitalisation for selected patients, and may be preferable for some older patients. We found high levels of both patient and carer satisfaction with home treatment.     

Survival in end-stage dementia following acute illness

CONTEXT: Little is known about the prognosis of acutely ill patients with end-stage dementia or about the type of care that these patients receive. If their prognosis is poor, then emphasis should be placed on palliative care for these patients rather than on curative interventions. OBJECTIVES: To examine survival for patients with end-stage dementia following hospitalization for hip fracture or pneumonia and to compare their care with that of cognitively intact older adults. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with 6 months of follow-up. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Patients aged 70 years or older who were hospitalized with hip fracture (cognitively intact, n=59; with end-stage dementia, n=38) or pneumonia (cognitively intact, n=39; with end-stage dementia, n=80) in a large hospital in New York, NY, between September 1, 1996, and March 1, 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, treatments directed at symptoms, and application of distressing and painful procedures in cognitively intact patients vs those with end-stage dementia. RESULTS: Six-month mortality for patients with end-stage dementia and pneumonia was 53% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41%-64%) compared with 13% (95% CI, 4%-27%) for cognitively intact patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.8-11.8). Six-month mortality for patients with end-stage dementia and hip fracture was 55% (95% CI, 42%-75%) compared with 12% (95% CI, 5%-24%) for cognitively intact patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.7-20.4). Patients with end-stage dementia received as many burdensome procedures as cognitively intact patients and only 8 (7%) of 118 patients with end-stage dementia had a documented decision made to forego a life-sustaining treatment other than cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Only 24% of patients with end-stage dementia and hip fracture received a standing order for analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients with advanced dementia and hip fracture or pneumonia had a very poor prognosis. Given the limited life expectancy of patients with end-stage dementia following these illnesses and the burdens associated with their treatment, increased attention should be focused on efforts to enhance comfort in this patient population. JAMA. 2000;284:47-52     

中国社区老年人衰弱发病及影响因素分析

目的 了解我国社区60岁及以上老年人衰弱的发病情况,探讨其衰弱发生的主要影响因素。方法 利用中国健康和养老追踪调查2011~2015年的数据,以2011年基线调查时60岁及以上非衰弱的老年人建立研究队列,评估随访至2015年队列人群的衰弱发生情况;采用巢式病例对照研究方法,分析老年人衰弱发生的影响因素。结果 本研究队列人群共计随访14 351人年,随访期内共有248人发生衰弱,衰弱的发病密度为17.28/1000人年,男性（14.63/1000人年）低于女性（20.14/1000人年）,年龄越大衰弱的发病密度越高（60~64、65~69、70~74、75~79、80岁及以上老年人衰弱的发病密度分别为：8.90/1000、16.77/1000、24.04/1000、35.27/1000、64.67/1000人年）。多因素条件logistic回归结果显示,有抑郁症状（OR=2.534,95% CI：1.714~3.748）、吸烟（OR=1.713,95% CI：1.081~2.715）、生活自理能力有困难（OR=1.684,95% CI：1.155~2.456）等因素是老年人衰弱发生的危险因素。未婚/离婚/丧偶（OR=0.432,95% CI：0.278~0.673）、认知功能得分高（OR=0.919,95% CI：0.870~0.970）、小学毕业（OR=0.453,95% CI：0.254~0.806）、饮酒（OR=0.520,95% CI：0.323~0.837）等因素是老年人衰弱发生的保护因素。 结论 我国60岁及以上社区老年人衰弱的发病率低于全球发病水平,不同性别、年龄之间老年人衰弱发病存在差异。有抑郁症状、吸烟、生活自理困难是我国社区老年人衰弱发生的主要危险因素。     

Modified conditioning regimen busulfan-cyclophosphamide followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma

Background Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a potential curative approach in patients with multiple myeloma. The very high transplant related mortality associated with standard allogeneic stem cell transplantation is currently the major limitation to wider use of this potentially curative treatment modality. The challenge for clinical investigators is to reduce the incidence of post-transplant complications for patients receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantion for multiple myeloma. In this study the toxicity and efficacy of modified myeloablative conditioning regimen followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation was investigated in patients with multiple myeloma. Methods The conditioning regimen consisted of hydroxyurea, cytarabine, busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and semustine. Ten patients underwent allogeneic transplantation among them hydroxyurea （40 mg/kg） was administered twice on day -10 and cytarabine （2 g/ms） was given on day -9, busulfan was administered orally in four divided doses daily for 3 days （days -8 to -6）. The dose of busulfan was 12 mg/kg in the protocol followed by cyclophosphamide intravenously over 1 hour on days -5 and -4 （1.8 g/m^2）, and with semustine （Me-CCNU） 250 mg/m^2 on day -3. Results Chimerism data were available on all patients and all patients achieved full donor chimerism without graft failure. Six patients had not acute graft-versus-host disease （GVHD, 36.4%; 95% CI： 13.9%-38.6%）. Two patients （18.2%） developed grade Ⅰ acute GVHD （95% CI： 10.9%-35.9%） and grade Ⅱ acute GVHD occurred in one patient （9.1%; 95% Cl. 8.4%-32.3%）. Severe grade IVa GVHD was seen in one patient, who died from acute GVHD. The incidence of chronic GVHD was 22.2% （95% Cl： 11.7%-36.7%）, among them one died of severe grade IV GVHD and one developed multiorgan failure on day ＋170; the treatment-related mortality was 22.0% （95% Cl： 10.3%-34.1%）. The overall 4-year survival rate was 67.8% （95% Cl： 16.3%-46.7%）. The estimated 4-year progression-free survival rate was 58.5% （95% CI： 13.7%-41.8%）. The 4-year complete remission was 72.7% （95% CI： 27.8%-49.6%）. One patient relapsed after 4 months and achived the complete remission after receiving the donor lymphocyte infusion. Conclusions Modified conditioning regimen busulfan-cyclophosphamide with peripheral blood stem cells＋bone marrow cells transplantation result in a low incidence of severe GVHD with a relatively low treatment-related mortality, high complete remission rates and a long-term survival.     

中国2004—2010艾滋病母婴传播率及母婴阻断药物应用状况的系统评价

目的:了解我国2004-2010年艾滋病母婴传播及母婴阻断药物应用状况。方法：全面检索CBM和Pubmed等中英文数据库,检索时间均从建库到2013年5月。对纳入的文献采用参照AHRQ横断面研究评价标准和STROBE声明拟定的四条标准进行质量评价。并将样本量、监测地点和监测年份作为主要异质性来源进行meta回归分析。采用Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2.0 software 进行meta分析。结果：共检索到文献2356篇,最终纳入51篇进行分析。2004-2010年我国艾滋病母婴传播率依次分别为12.90%（95% CI: 7.48 %- 21.36%）,16.35%（95% CI: 10.41%- 24.73%）,6.45%（95% CI: 3.73 %- 10.93%）,6.25%（95% CI: 2.39%- 15.36%）,5.56%（95% CI: 2.79 %- 10.76%）,3.10%（95% CI: 1.59 %- 5.97%）,2.29%（95% CI: 1.36 %- 3.83%）。2004-2010年,我国艾滋病孕产妇中阻断药物应用率依次分别为70.39%（95% CI: 24.42%-94.59%）,71.99%（95% CI: 61.49%-80.54%）,78.79%（95% CI: 70.19%-85.43%）,86.84%（95% CI: 79.24%-91.94%）,82.71%（95% CI: 76.62%-87.48%）,81.85%（95% CI: 75.55%-86.80%）,86.16%（95% CI: 53.20%-97.15%）。2005-2010年婴儿阻断药物应用率依次分别为80.72%（95%CI: 72.89%-86.70%）,81.84%（95% CI:71.55%-88.98%）,85.43%（95% CI:80.99%-88.97%）,89.75%（95% CI: 81.82%-94.45%）,92.39%（95% CI: 84.97%-96.31%）,90.34%（95% CI: 85.50%-93.68%）。 结论：近年来我国艾滋病母婴传播率呈下降趋势,孕产妇及婴儿阻断药物应用率都有所升高。     

Changes in beliefs about cancer in Western Australia, 1964-2001

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in people's knowledge and beliefs about cancer between 1964 and 2001. DESIGN: Questions in a 1964 survey of beliefs about cancer (randomly selected households) were replicated in a 2001 telephone survey (random-digit dialing). SETTING: Perth, Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 984 and 491 participants aged 20 years or older in the 1964 and 2001 surveys, respectively (response rates, 86.8% and 47.0%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in knowledge and beliefs about cancer. RESULTS: Between 1964 and 2001, there were major improvements in knowledge about the causes of cancer, with several myths dispelled. In 1964, the proportion of Perth residents surveyed who believed that cancer is contagious was 20% (95% CI, 18%-22%), compared with 3% (95% CI, 2%-4%) in 2001. Similarly, the proportion who believed cancer is caused by "a knock" was 25% (95% CI, 22%-28%) in 1964, compared with 1% (95% CI, 0-2%) in 2001. Cancer screening participation rates also greatly improved, from 18% (95% CI, 16%-20%) in 1964 to 77% (95% CI, 73%-81%) in 2001. Changes in participants' sources of knowledge about cancer were also evident, with family members and television increasing markedly as sources of information. CONCLUSIONS: Improved education of the public in health matters over the past four decades appears to have had a major and positive impact on knowledge about cancer.     

Overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome in rural southeastern Australia

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of overweight, obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rural Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in two rural areas in Victoria and South Australia in 2004-2005. A stratified random sample of men and women aged 25-74 years was selected from the electoral roll. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire, physical measurements and laboratory tests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of overweight and obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference; prevalence of MetS and its components. RESULTS: Data on 806 participants (383 men and 423 women) were analysed. Based on BMI, the prevalence of overweight and obesity combined was 74.1% (95% CI, 69.7%-78.5%) in men and 64.1% (95% CI, 59.5%-68.7%) in women. Based on waist circumference, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in women (72.4%; 95% CI, 68.1%-76.7%) than men (61.9%; 95% CI, 57.0%-66.8%). The overall prevalence of obesity was 30.0% (95% CI, 26.8%-33.2%) based on BMI (> or = 30.0 kg/m(2)) and 44.7% (95% CI, 41.2%-48.1%) based on waist circumference (> or = 102 cm [men] and > or= 88 cm [women]). The prevalence of MetS as defined by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2005 criteria was 27.1% (95% CI, 22.7%-31.6%) in men and 28.3% (95% CI, 24.0%-32.6%) in women; based on International Diabetes Federation criteria, prevalences for men and women were 33.7% (95% CI, 29.0%-38.5%) and 30.1% (95% CI, 25.7%-34.5%), respectively. Prevalences of MetS, central (abdominal) obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertension and hypertriglyceridaemia increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: In rural Australia, prevalences of MetS, overweight and obesity are very high. Urgent population-wide action is required to tackle the problem.     

Experience with cardiac valve operations in Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands, Australia

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of valve surgery, for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and non-RHD, in residents of Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands referred to the Cairns Base Hospital specialist outreach service. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective review of medical records on all patients residing in the outreach area who had surgery for valvular heart disease between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operation type and perioperative characteristics; 5- and 10-year survival rates; reoperation rates; complications. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients met the selection criteria; the median age was 40 years (range, 4-76 years); and 39 patients were Indigenous. RHD was the predominant cause of valve dysfunction (30/47 patients). Thirty-seven patients had valve replacements, six had valve repair and four had balloon valvotomy as the initial procedure. There were three bleeding complications, two episodes of operated valve endocarditis, and six embolic complications. There were nine valve-related deaths (six in the first 5 years). At 5 years, all seven patients who had had valve repair or balloon valvotomy were alive. Seven of the 47 patients required reoperation. Survival analysis showed freedom from valve-related deaths to be 83% (95% CI, 66%-92%) at 5 years and 61% (95% CI, 33%-80%) at 10 years. Freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 88% (95% CI, 71%-95%). Among the 30 patients with RHD, freedom from valve-related death was 80% (95% CI, 60%-92%) at 5 years and 52% (95% CI, 21%-75%) at 10 years. In patients with RHD, freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 87% (95% CI, 65%-96%). CONCLUSION: Valvular heart disease results in substantial morbidity and mortality, despite intervention. Efforts need to focus on prevention of rheumatic fever and closer follow-up.     

Effect of ramipril vs amlodipine on renal outcomes in hypertensive nephrosclerosis: a randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT: Incidence of end-stage renal disease due to hypertension has increased in recent decades, but the optimal strategy for treatment of hypertension to prevent renal failure is unknown, especially among African Americans. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ramipril), a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (amlodipine), and a beta-blocker (metoprolol) on hypertensive renal disease progression. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Interim analysis of a randomized, double-blind, 3 x 2 factorial trial conducted in 1094 African Americans aged 18 to 70 years with hypertensive renal disease (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] of 20-65 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)) enrolled between February 1995 and September 1998. This report compares the ramipril and amlodipine groups following discontinuation of the amlodipine intervention in September 2000. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned to receive amlodipine, 5 to 10 mg/d (n = 217), ramipril, 2.5 to 10 mg/d (n = 436), or metoprolol, 50 to 200 mg/d (n = 441), with other agents added to achieve 1 of 2 blood pressure goals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the rate of change in GFR; the main secondary outcome was a composite index of the clinical end points of reduction in GFR of more than 50% or 25 mL/min per 1.73 m(2), end-stage renal disease, or death. RESULTS: Among participants with a urinary protein to creatinine ratio of >0.22 (corresponding approximately to proteinuria of more than 300 mg/d), the ramipril group had a 36% (2.02 [SE, 0.74] mL/min per 1.73 m(2)/y) slower mean decline in GFR over 3 years (P =.006) and a 48% reduced risk of the clinical end points vs the amlodipine group (95% confidence interval [CI], 20%-66%). In the entire cohort, there was no significant difference in mean GFR decline from baseline to 3 years between treatment groups (P =.38). However, compared with the amlodipine group, after adjustment for baseline covariates the ramipril group had a 38% reduced risk of clinical end points (95% CI, 13%-56%), a 36% slower mean decline in GFR after 3 months (P =.002), and less proteinuria (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Ramipril, compared with amlodipine, retards renal disease progression in patients with hypertensive renal disease and proteinuria and may offer benefit to patients without proteinuria.     

The APOE-{epsilon}4 Allele and the Risk of Alzheimer Disease Among African Americans, Whites, and Hispanics

Context.— Although the association between Alzheimer disease (AD) and the apolipoprotein E 4 (APOE-4) allele has been confirmed worldwide, it appears to be inconsistent among African Americans, Hispanics, and Nigerians. Objective.— To investigate the association between the APOE-4 allele and AD in elderly African Americans, Hispanics, and whites. Design.— Prospective, population-based, longitudinal study over a 5-year period (1991-1996). Setting.— The Washington Heights–Inwood community of New York City. Participants.— A total of 1079 Medicare recipients without AD or a related disorder at baseline. Main Outcome Measures.— Risk of clinically diagnosed AD in the 3 ethnic groups and among individuals with and without an APOE-4 allele. Results.— Compared with individuals with the APOE-3/3 genotype, the relative risk (RR) of AD associated with 1 or more copies of the APOE-4 allele was significantly increased among whites (RR, 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-6.4), but not among African Americans (RR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.6-1.6) or Hispanics (RR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7-1.6). In the absence of the APOE-4 allele, the cumulative risks of AD to age 90 years, adjusted for education and sex, were 4 times higher for African Americans (RR, 4.4; 95% CI, 2.3-8.6) and 2 times higher for Hispanics (RR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.3) than for whites. In the presence of an APOE-4 allele, the cumulative risk of AD to age 90 years was similar for individuals in all 3 ethnic groups. Conclusion.— The presence of an APOE-4 allele is a determinant of AD risk in whites, but African Americans and Hispanics have an increased frequency of AD regardless of their APOE genotype. These results suggest that other genes or risk factors may contribute to the increased risk of AD in African Americans and Hispanics.      

An ambulatory stabilisation program for children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVES: (i) To evaluate the benefits and adverse effects of a Diabetes Day Care Program (DDCP); and (ii) to compare outcomes in two cohorts diagnosed before and after implementing the DDCP ("pre-DDCP" and "post-DDCP"). DESIGN: Outcomes from the pre-DDCP cohort were compared with those of the post-DDCP cohort. SETTING: The study was conducted from March 2001 to October 2002 at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. PARTICIPANTS: The pre-DDCP cohort comprised all children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from March 2000 to November 2000 (n = 49). The post-DDCP cohort were those diagnosed from November 2000 to August 2001 (n = 61). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of stay, adverse events, insulin requirement and glycohaemoglobin (HbA(1c)) level over the first year after diagnosis were ascertained from medical records. Questionnaires to measure parents' knowledge of diabetes, emotional adjustment to diabetes, and responsibility for and conflict over specific diabetes management tasks were completed by parents at 6-monthly intervals. RESULTS: Median length of hospital stay decreased from 5.14 days (range, 2-10) to 1.70 days (range, 0-10) (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the two cohorts in insulin requirement at 12 months (pre-DDCP: 0.9 U/kg [95% CI, 0.8-1.0]; post-DDCP: 0.8 U/kg [95% CI, 0.7-0.9]; P = 0.22), HbA(1c) level at 12 months (pre-DDCP: 8.4% [95% CI, 8.0%-8.9%]; post-DDCP: 8.2% [95% CI, 7.9%-8.5%]; P = 0.37) and adverse events over the first year after diagnosis. Both groups reported similar scores for the parental questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory stabilisation of children with type 1 diabetes provides similar metabolic outcomes for the child, and comparable levels of diabetes knowledge and similar psychosocial outcomes for the family, to inpatient stabilisation programs.     

Decrease in breast cancer incidence following a rapid fall in use of hormone replacement therapy in Australia

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the recent rapid fall in use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Australia has been followed by a reduction in breast cancer incidence among women aged 50 years or older, but not among younger women. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of trends in annual prescribing of HRT, using Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data, and in annual age-standardised breast cancer incidence rates in Australian women for the period 1996-2003. RESULTS: In Australia, prescribing of HRT increased from 1996 to 2001, but dropped by 40% from 2001 to 2003. Age-standardised breast cancer incidence rates in women aged > or = 50 years also increased to 2001 but declined thereafter. The incidence rates in this age group were lower by 6.7% (95% CI, 3.9%-9.3%; P < 0.001) in 2003 compared with 2001, equivalent to 600 (95% CI, 350-830) fewer breast cancers (out of about 9000 incident breast cancers annually for women this age). There was no significant change in breast cancer incidence for women aged < 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: While other factors may have contributed to a recent reduction in breast cancer incidence among Australian women aged > or = 50 years, the available evidence suggests that much of the decrease is due to the recent fall in use of HRT. This is consistent with other evidence that the HRT-associated increase in risk of breast cancer is reversible after ceasing use of HRT.     

Race, gender, and partnership in the patient-physician relationship.

CONTEXT: Many studies have documented race and gender differences in health care received by patients. However, few studies have related differences in the quality of interpersonal care to patient and physician race and gender. OBJECTIVE: To describe how the race/ethnicity and gender of patients and physicians are associated with physicians' participatory decision-making (PDM) styles. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Telephone survey conducted between November 1996 and June 1998 of 1816 adults aged 18 to 65 years (mean age, 41 years) who had recently attended 1 of 32 primary care practices associated with a large mixed-model managed care organization in an urban setting. Sixty-six percent of patients surveyed were female, 43% were white, and 45% were African American. The physician sample (n = 64) was 63% male, with 56% white, and 25% African American. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patients' ratings of their physicians' PDM style on a 100-point scale. RESULTS: African American patients rated their visits as significantly less participatory than whites in models adjusting for patient age, gender, education, marital status, health status, and length of the patient-physician relationship (mean [SE] PDM score, 58.0 [1.2] vs 60.6 [3.3]; P = .03). Ratings of minority and white physicians did not differ with respect to PDM style (adjusted mean [SE] PDM score for African Americans, 59.2 [1.7] vs whites, 61.7 [3.1]; P = .13). Patients in race-concordant relationships with their physicians rated their visits as significantly more participatory than patients in race-discordant relationships (difference [SE], 2.6 [1.1]; P = .02). Patients of female physicians had more participatory visits (adjusted mean [SE] PDM score for female, 62.4 [1.3] vs male, 59.5 [3.1]; P = .03), but gender concordance between physicians and patients was not significantly related to PDM score (unadjusted mean [SE] PDM score, 76.0 [1.0] for concordant vs 74.5 [0.9] for discordant; P = .12). Patient satisfaction was highly associated with PDM score within all race/ethnicity groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that African American patients rate their visits with physicians as less participatory than whites. However, patients seeing physicians of their own race rate their physicians' decision-making styles as more participatory. Improving cross-cultural communication between primary care physicians and patients and providing patients with access to a diverse group of physicians may lead to more patient involvement in care, higher levels of patient satisfaction, and better health outcomes.     

北京城镇职工2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中发病率及主要危险因素

目的: 通过对新发2型糖尿病患者进行前瞻性观察,探究2型糖尿病发病后缺血性脑卒中的发病特点,并进一步分析2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中发病的危险因素。方法: 数据资料来源于北京市城镇职工基本医疗保险信息系统数据库。研究采用前瞻性设计,对2010年新诊断为2型糖尿病的患者在2010—2017年缺血性脑卒中的发病情况进行描述,采用Logistic回归模型分析2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中发病的危险因素。结果: 共纳入185 813例新发2型糖尿病患者,平均年龄(58.5±13.2)岁,男性占49.0%。随访7年内出现新发缺血性脑卒中患者10 393例,累积发病率为5.6%,发病密度为8.1/1 000人年。2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中在各个年龄段均有发生,不同年龄组累积发病率分别为:≤44岁组1.5%(95%CI:1.3%~1.6%),45~54岁组3.6%(95%CI:3.4%~3.7%),55~64岁组5.4%(95%CI:5.2%~5.5%),≥65岁组9.2%(95%CI:9.0%~9.4%),累积发病率随年龄升高而增加(P<0.05)。男性累积发病率(6.8%,95%CI: 6.7%~7.0%)高于女性(4.4%,95%CI: 4.3%~4.6%);<80岁的患者中,男性在各年龄段累积发病率均高于女性;≥80岁的患者中,女性累积发病率(9.2%)高于男性(7.9%)。进一步分析2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中发病的危险因素,发现患有冠心病(OR=3.18,95%CI:2.72~3.72)、心力衰竭(OR=1.53,95%CI:1.32~1.79)、肾衰竭(OR=1.45, 95%CI:1.20~1.75)等合并症与2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中的发病有关。结论: 2型糖尿病患者缺血性脑卒中发病率仍处于较高水平,应针对老年患者加强危险因素管理,尽早筛查2型糖尿病患者的合并症情况并采取针对性的预防控制措施。