Prevalence and risk factors of atrial fibrillation in preterminal inpatients aged 60 years and over

Background Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia and a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke. We investigated the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and its relation to age, gender and underlying heart disease in patients aged 60 years and over who died during hospitalization.
Methods Between 1955 and 2005, 1519 autopsies of in-hospital deaths in Beijing Hospital were performed. Among them, 540 cases met criteria of age ≥60 years and full clinical history including electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, myocardial perfusion images and detailed cardiac pathology records from autopsy.
Results Atrial fibrillation occurred in 193 of 540 patients and prevalence increased with age （10.5% in patients younger than 60 years, 39.6% （80-89 years） and 54.8% （≥ 90 years）） being higher in patients with underlying heart disease than without heart disease （P 〈0.0001）. Coronary artery disease （CAD）, congestive heart failure, cardiac valve dysfunction and chronic renal failure were associated with a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation （P 〈0.001）. CAD with anterior myocardial infarction or left anterior descending artery disease was also associated with an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation （P 〈0.05）. Following autopsy, clinical misdiagnosis of CAD increased with age and missed clinical diagnosis of CAD decreased with age. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed independent predictors of atrial fibrillation： age （OR=1.335, 95% CI： 1.114-1.600, P 〈0.0001）, underlying heart disease （OR=2.019, 95% CI： 1.244-3.278, P 〈0.005）, chronic heart failure （OR=1.873, 95% CI： 1.272-2.757, P 〈0.005）, mitral regurgitation （OR=2.163, 95% CI： 1.093-4.278, P 〈0.05） and mitral stenosis （OR=33.575, 95% CI： 2.852-395.357, P 〈0.05）.
Conclusions A high prevalence of atrial fibrillation was found in Chinese patients ≥60 years who died in hospital, especially when associated with underlying heart disease. The independent risk factors of atrial fibr     

Preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

CONTEXT: Atrial fibrillation, a common disorder that affects nearly one sixth of the population aged 75 years and older, is a major risk factor for stroke. OBJECTIVES: To review and evaluate the evidence supporting the use of warfarin and/or aspirin for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. DATA SOURCES: Prospective, randomized trials of patients with atrial fibrillation evaluating either warfarin or aspirin or both, from MEDLINE from January 1, 1966, to February 23, 1999. STUDY SELECTION: Five primary prevention placebo-controlled studies, which had been formally pooled, 1 study evaluating secondary prevention of stroke, 1 study comparing warfarin with aspirin, and 3 studies of warfarin in combination with aspirin were identified. DATA SYNTHESIS: The risk of developing stroke is heterogeneous and increases with each decade above 65 years; history of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, previous transient ischemic attack, or stroke; poor ventricular function; and in women older than 75 years. For patients younger than 65 years, without risk factors, and not receiving antithrombotic therapy, the risk of stroke is 1%/y; those without risk factors between the ages of 65 and 75 years have a risk of 1.1%/y if taking warfarin and 1.4%/y if taking aspirin. For all other patients, stroke risk is reduced from an untreated rate of between 4.3%/y and more than 12%/y to a rate of 1.2%/y to 4%/y with warfarin use. CONCLUSION: The protection afforded by warfarin is most pronounced in patients at the highest risk for stroke, while aspirin treatment seems adequate in low-risk populations.     

Electrical remodeling in human atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinically important cardiac arrhythmia accounting for 20％ to 25％ of strokes and is a common cause of congestive heart failure.1,2 With the aging population and changing demographics,atrial fibrillation has become an epidemic affecting 2.66 million people in the United States.The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is estimated to increase by 5 fold to 12 million by 2050.3 The diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation represent a significant health care burden of $15.7 billion per year.4 Treatment of atrial fibrillation using antiarrhythmic drugs has been disappointing,while radiofrequency ablation approaches have limitations,including unclear long-term efficacy.Innovation in treatment is needed and pursuit of novel modalities of therapy requires fundamental knowledge in the molecular mechanisms that lead to atrial fibrillation,including electrical remodeling in atrial fibrillation.     

2070例常规体检人员心房颤动发病率调查研究

目的：了解20岁以上人群心房颤动（简称房颤）的相关危险因素。方法：采用随机整群抽样法对2005年6月-2005年8月作常规体检的某单位2070例普通人群进行面对面问卷调查,内容包括一般情况、房颤及相关疾病史。实验室检查血常规、血糖、血脂等。结果：男1816例,女254例,平均年龄（46．08±11．08）岁。诊断房颤7例,占0．345％,高血压病315例,占15．22％,高血脂347例,占16．76％;糖尿病80例,占3．86％;心脏病145例,占7．00％;短暂性脑缺血发作（TIA）83例,占4．00％,房颤发病率与高血压、心脏病及年龄55岁以上密切相关（P〈0．05）;而房颤与高血脂、糖尿病、TIA、吸烟、饮洒、性别、体重指数〉24、胆固醇〉5．72mmol／L,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：普通人群中房颤率不是太高,但随着年龄增加其患病率也逐渐提高,并有较多明显的相关危险因素,故应采取积极干预措施,以降低危害。     

The Avoid Stroke as Soon as Possible (ASAP) general practice stroke audit

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of stroke risk factors in a general practice population and to identify pharmacotherapies currently used in management of stroke risk factors. DESIGN: Multicentre, observational study by 321 randomly selected general practitioners who each collected data on 50 consecutive patients attending their surgery. PATIENTS AND SETTING: 16 148 patients aged 30 years or older attending general practices across Australia during 2000. OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of hypertension, current smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, atrial fibrillation, recent history of stroke or TIA; extent of pharmacotherapy use in risk-factor management. RESULTS: 70% of patients had one or more risk factors and 34% had two or more. Hypertension was the risk factor with greatest prevalence (44%), followed by hypercholesterolaemia (43%) and current smoking (17%). The prevalence of risk factors generally increased with age, except for current smoking, where a decrease with age was seen. The most common pharmacotherapies were cardiovascular agents, followed by antiplatelet agents. Two-thirds of patients with hypertension were taking cardiovascular drugs, most commonly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke risk factors are highly prevalent in general practice patients and GPs are ideally placed for opportunistic case-finding. There is considerable scope for improving management of stroke risk factors. The Avoid Stroke as Soon as Possible (ASAP) general practice stroke audit provides a baseline against which progress in risk-factor management can be measured.     

Mental health and nutritional status among the adult Serbian minority in Kosovo

CONTEXT: Since the beginning of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization intervention in Kosovo in June 1999, few objective data have been available on relevant health indicators for the Serbian ethnic minority in Kosovo. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of undernutrition among Serbian adults aged 60 years or older and psychiatric morbidity among the adult Serbian population in Kosovo. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A systematic random sample survey of 212 households was conducted between September 27 and October 2, 1999, in Pristina, the capital city, and in 10 towns in the rural municipality of Gnjilane in Kosovo. Of the 212 households surveyed, 204 adults aged 15 years or older completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and anthropometric measurements were taken for 98 adults aged 60 years or older and for a comparison group of 51 adults aged 18 to 59 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index of less than 18.5 kg/m(2) in older adults; nonspecific psychiatric morbidity among adults; and self-reported use of health care services, access to food rations, and primary sources of prewar and postwar income. RESULTS: Undernutrition was found in 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7%-19.2%) of Serbian adults aged 60 years or older compared with 2.0% (95% CI, 0.1%-11.8%) of Serbian adults aged 18 to 59 years. The mean (SE) total score for the GHQ-28 was 13.0 (0.52). In a comparison of the GHQ-28 scores of the Serbian adults with the Kosovar Albanian adults (data from a recent survey), the mean (SE) score adjusted for age and sex was 12.8 (0.52) vs 11.1 (0.58); P =.03, respectively. The GHQ-28 scores were also higher for the Serbians in the subcategories of social dysfunction (2.8 [0.17] vs 2.2 [0.13]; P =.008) and severe depression (1.9 [0.15] vs 0.9 [0. 09]; P<.001), respectively. Serbian women and persons living alone or in small family units were more prone to psychiatric morbidity. Of the 141 respondents reporting the need for health care services, 83 (57.6%) reported not obtaining such services; 204 of 212 (96.2%) households were on a food distribution list. The majority of prewar income came from government jobs compared with farming and humanitarian aid for postwar income. CONCLUSIONS: The undernutrition of older Serbian adults in Kosovo should be monitored. The high prevalence of symptoms of social dysfunction and severe depression suggest the need for implementation of mental health programs in the Serbian community. JAMA. 2000;284:578-584     

Prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in Australia

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in a sample of patients attending general practice, in the population who attended general practice in 2005, and in the Australian population. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Secondary analyses of data from a study of prevalence of selected conditions (a substudy of the BEACH [Bettering the Evaluation And Care of Health] program); data were provided by 305 general practitioners for 9156 patients seen in July-November 2005, based on knowledge of the patient, patient self-report, and medical records. Listed conditions were classified according to the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale morbidity domains. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of morbidity in each domain; prevalence of specific patterns of multimorbidity (defined as presence of morbidity in two or more domains). RESULTS: Prevalence of multimorbidity was estimated as 37.1% of surveyed patients, 29.0% of people who attended a GP in 2005, and 25.5% of the Australian population. Prevalence and complexity (number of domains present) increased with age: 83.2% of surveyed patients aged 75 years or older had multimorbidity, 58.2% had morbidity in three or more domains, and 33.4% in four or more. Prevalence of multimorbidity did not differ between the sexes. The most common morbidity combinations were arthritis/chronic back pain + vascular disease (15.0% of sample), a psychological problem + vascular disease (10.6%) and arthritis/chronic back pain + a psychological problem (10.6%). We estimate that 10.6% of people attending a GP in 2005 and 9.3% of the population have arthritis/chronic back pain + vascular disease (+/- other morbidity types studied), and this group accounted for about 15.2 million Medicare-claimed general practice encounters in 2005. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first insight into prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in Australia. Knowledge of the common combinations of multimorbidity may help in planning the health services needed in the future by an ageing population with an increasing burden of multimorbidity.     

Association between Hypertension with Hyperhomocysteinemia and Cognitive Impairment in the Kailuan Community of China: A Cross-sectional Study

Cognitive impairment, especially dementia, is common in elderly individuals and seriously affects life quality. Dementia is the most severe expression of cognitive impairment characterized by a progressive functional decline in one or more cognitive domains. The prevalence of dementia has increased dramatically, and the number of patients with dementia will reach 130 million in 2050[1]. The worldwide prevalence of dementia among elderly individuals is approximately 5.0％[2]. In China, more than 220 million people aged over 60 years in 2016. As aging intensifies and the number of patients increases, dementia will become a significant public health problem[3].     

老年心房纤颤312例患者相关危险因素分析

目的探讨心房纤颤（房颤）患者的相关危险因素,旨在防止房颤的发生。方法对我院2007年1月~2009年12月312例老年人房颤患者住院资料进行回顾性分析,并按年龄分组,分析老年人房颤的危险因素。结果 312例房颤患者中,男162例（51.9%）,女150例（48.1%）,年龄60~107岁,平均（74.78±8.34）岁。其中60~69岁的患者35例（11.2%）,70~79岁的患者130例（41.7%）,〉80岁的患者147例（47.1%）。同期全院住院患者5362例,不同年龄组分别为：60~69岁的患者1254例,70~79岁的患者2420例,〉80岁的患者1688例。房颤患者占同年龄组住院患者的比例依次为35例（2.8%）、130例（5.4%）、147例（8.7%）;312例房颤患者,阵发性、持续性、永久性房颤患者分别为74例（23.7%）、33例（10.6%）、205例（65.7%）;基础疾病高血压占首位,其次为心功能不全、冠心病、慢性肺疾病、糖尿病、退行性钙化瓣膜病等。随年龄的增加房颤的发病率明显增加,同时312例房颤患者的左房内径与同年龄组同时期非房颤的302例患者的比较差异有统计学意义（t=16.79 P〈0.05）。而且房颤、心力衰竭、左房内径三者互为因果。结论房颤的发生随增龄而明显增加。高血压、心功能不全、冠心病、慢性肺疾病、糖尿病、退行性钙化瓣膜病、肾功能不全、风湿性心脏病均是房颤的危险因素,应早期预防、控制和治疗,以防止房颤的发生。     

Demographic and epidemiologic considerations for developing preventive strategies in the elderly

More than 29 million Americans are aged 65 and older, over 12 percent of the US population. This number is expected to increase to 35 million by the turn of the century and to 67 million by the year 2050. Growth is expected to be greatest among the oldest and most disabled members of this group, those aged 85 and older. Persons 65 and older are the largest consumers of medical care; their care needs will be even greater as we enter and move through the twenty first century. Most persons needing long-term care will reside in the community, not in nursing homes. In light of these projections, we must be concerned with community based prevention at all levels.     

Malnutrition, measles, mortality, and the humanitarian response during a famine in Ehiopia

CONTEXT: The World Food Programme estimated that 10 million people were at risk of starvation in Ethiopia in 2000 but later reported that a famine had been averted. However, no population-based data on mortality or nutrition existed for Gode district, at the epicenter of the famine in the Somali region of Ethiopia. OBJECTIVES: To estimate mortality rates, determine the major causes of death, and estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among children and adults for the population of Gode district. DESIGN AND SETTING: Two-stage cluster survey conducted from July 27 through August 1, 2000, which included anthropometric measures and 8-month retrospective mortality data collection. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 595 households comprising 4032 people living in Gode district of Ethiopia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Crude mortality rates and mortality rates for children younger than 5 years, causes of death, weight for height of less than -2 z scores among children aged 6 months to 5 years, and body mass index of less than 18.5 kg/m(2) among adults and older persons. RESULTS: Of the 595 households, 346 (58.2%) were displaced from their usual places of residence. From December 1999 through July 2000, a total of 293 deaths occurred in the sample population; 159 (54.3%) deaths were among children younger than 5 years and 72 (24.6%) were among children aged 5 to 14 years. The crude mortality rate was 3.2/10 000 per day (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-3.8/10 000 per day), which is 3 times the cutoff used to define an emergency. The mortality rate for children younger than 5 years was 6.8/10 000 per day (95% CI, 5.4-8.2/10 000 per day). Approximately 77% of deaths occurred before major relief interventions began in April/May 2000. Wasting contributed to 72.3% of all deaths among children younger than 5 years. Measles alone or in combination with wasting accounted for 35 (22.0%) of 159 deaths among children younger than 5 years and for 12 (16.7%) of 72 deaths among children aged 5 to 14 years. The prevalence rate for wasting (weight for height of <-2 z score) among children aged 6 months to 5 years was 29.1% (95% CI, 24.7%-33.4%). Using a method to adjust body mass index for body shape, the prevalence of undernutrition (body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2)) among adults aged 18 to 59 years was 22.7% (95% CI, 17.9%-27.5%). CONCLUSIONS: To prevent unnecessary deaths, the humanitarian response to famine needs to be rapid, well coordinated, and based on sound epidemiological evidence. Public health interventions, such as mass measles vaccination campaigns with coverage extended to children aged 12 to 15 years should be implemented as the first priority. The prevalence of wasting and undernutrition among children and adults, respectively, should be assessed in all prolonged, severe famines.     

Echocardiographic findings in a contemporary Afro-Caribbean population referred for evaluation of atrial fibrillation or flutter

Atrial fibrillation and/or flutter is the most common and the most significant cardiac arrhythmia in the Caribbean. This study is an attempt to determine the echocardiographic findings in a current, consecutive series of Afro-Caribbean patients referred for evaluation of atrial fibrillation and flutter. Between May 1998 and June 2000, 50 patients (mean age 67 years, 58% male) had echocardiograms done. Measurements included left atrial dimension (LA), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD), LV end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), LV posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) and ventricular septal thickness (VST). Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was calculated. LA > 4 cm, LVPWT or VST > 13 mm, and LVEF < 50% were considered abnormal. Atrial fibrillation was seen in 92%, atrial flutter in 8%; 60% were chronic, 40% paroxysmal; 56% had congestive heart failure. The most frequent echocardiographic finding was LV hypertrophy (19/50, 38%). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in 12/50, 24% (25% with LV hypertrophy also). Valvular disease (abnormal appearing valve, no Doppler study), was seen in 9/50, 18%. Normal findings ("lone atrial fibrillation") were seen in 10/50, 20%. Increased LA dimension was seen in 39/50, 78%. Patients with lone atrial fibrillation were younger (mean 56 years) than those with valvular disease (mean 64 years), LV systolic dysfunction (mean 69 years) and those with LV hypertrophy (mean 72 years). Thus, LV hypertrophy, probably secondary to hypertension, is the most frequent echocardiographic finding, with LV dysfunction (such as seen in coronary artery disease) seen less often. Valvular disease and lone atrial fibrillation rates are similar to rates in developed countries.     

心房颤动与炎症

心房颤动(AF)是临床常见的心律失常,在人群中的患病率正在不断增高,严重影响患者的生活质量。虽然近年来不乏对AF的基础和临床研究,也取得了一些进步,但其发病机制尚不明确。炎症作为近几年对AF较有影响的因素备受关注。现就影响AF的炎性因子及可能发病机制作一综述,以AF的病理生理学为基础,在对C反应蛋白、白细胞介素6、白细胞介素18等炎性因子的研究中阐述炎症在AF中可能的作用机制。     

Present treatment options for atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the commonest sustained cardiac arrhythmia. It accounts for >35% of all hospital admissions for cardiac arrhythmias in the United States. The presence of atrial fibrillation increases the mortality of a population by up to twofold. The risk of stroke increases from 1.5% in patients with atrial fibrillation from 50-59 years of age to up to 23.5% for such patients aged 80-89 years. Although the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is usually straightforward, effective treatment is not. This article will discuss how rhythm control of atrial fibrillation can best be achieved, the controversy over the rhythm versus rate control, the maintenance of sinus rhythm with antiarrhythmic drugs after cardioversion, and prevention of thromboembolism. Finally, the recent advances in various non-pharmacological approaches for the treatment of atrial fibrillation will be highlighted.     

上海中心城区50岁以上人群心房颤动患病率调查及风险分析

目的 获得上海市中心城区50岁以上人群心房颤动的患病率及其相关的危险因素.方法 对社区50岁以上人群进行问卷调查及心电图检查,对其生活习惯、疾病史及房颤发病率进行统计.应用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析房颤的危险因素. 结果 共计入选50岁以上人群3804人.男性1691人,占总人群的44.4%.平均年龄(70.6±8.84)岁.调查明确诊断房颤患者130例,房颤患病率为3.42%,其中男性3.55%,女性3.31%,男女差异无统计学意义(P=0.69).随着年龄的增长,无论男女,房颤的患病率逐渐升高.Logistic多因素回归分析显示,年龄(OR=1.05,95%CI 1.02-1.07)、既往有冠心病(OR=5.44,95%CI 3.60-8.22)或瓣膜病(OR=5.90,95%CI 2.36-14.77)为房颤的危险因素,P均<0.05.结论 上海中心城区(静安区)50岁以上人群房颤患病率较高,高龄、冠心病或瓣膜病患者更易发生房颤.     

An estimate of diabetes prevalence from a national population sample: a male excess

We report the prevalence of diabetes in a population sample of 10,083 persons who were aged 25 to 64 years in eight city centres. One hundred and sixty-nine persons were known to have diabetes and 48 persons were newly-discovered to have diabetes on the basis of fasting hyperglycaemia (plasma glucose level, equal to or greater than 7.8 mmol/L). Type-1 diabetes was identified by clinical criteria and accounted for 19% of cases of known diabetes, but this proportion ranged from 67% of persons with known diabetes in the age-group of 25-29 years, to between 9% and 15% in the age-groups of persons who were 50 years of age and over. For both known and newly-discovered cases, persons with type-2 diabetes showed a significant male preponderance, which suggests that an environmental factor is operating preferentially on male subjects to cause this form of diabetes. The results of the present study, when taken with those of other recent prevalence studies, enable an approximate estimate of numbers of persons with diabetes in Australia. Approximately 250,000 persons have diagnosed diabetes, of whom 40,000 persons have type-1 diabetes, including 7000 persons who are less than 25 years of age. The number of persons with undiagnosed diabetes who could be identified on the basis of fasting hyperglycaemia is estimated to be 75,000; an additional 150,000 persons would be diagnosed to have diabetes if they were to undergo glucose tolerance tests. This study gave prevalence rates for known diabetes in Australia in 1984 of 1.6% at all ages and 2.4% for adults who were 21 years of age and older; additionally, the estimated prevalence rates for undiagnosed diabetes were 1.4% for all ages and 2.2% for adults.     

Disability in older Australians: projections for 2006-2031

OBJECTIVES: To provide detailed projections for the prevalence of disability and associated common health conditions for older Australians for the period 2006-2031. DESIGN: Secondary analyses of datasets (national 1998 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers; and projections of Australia's population from 2006-2031) collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) The projected number of people with differing levels of disability (core activity restrictions in self-care, mobility or communication) up to 2031; (ii) The projected number of people with the main health conditions associated with disability in 2006 and 2031. RESULTS: Projections indicate a 70% increase in the number of older people with profound disability over the next 30 years. The main conditions associated with profound or severe core activity restriction in older Australians are musculoskeletal, nervous system, circulatory and respiratory conditions and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In the future, there will be many more older Australians requiring assistance because of disability. This will present a challenge to families, friends, volunteers and paid service providers. The Australian planning ratio for residential aged-care services and community aged care services should be changed to take account of the shift to an older population with greater need of support.     

大鼠心房肌增龄性变化对心房颤动发生率及持续时间的影响

目的:研究大鼠心房肌缝隙连接蛋白Cx40增龄性改变及增龄导致心房颤动发生率增高及房颤持续时间延长的原因。方法:随机取9~12月龄(青年组)、16~19月龄(中年组)、24~26月龄(老年组)健康雄性SD大鼠,每组24只。每组随机取12只通过尾静脉注射乙酰胆碱Ach-氯化钙混合液0.1 m L/100 g诱发房颤,监测其肢体导联心电图,记录各组大鼠房颤发生率及房颤持续时间。每组余下的12只大鼠麻醉后取心房组织,各组心房肌组织分别用苏木素一伊红及马森染色观察心房肌细胞及基质的改变,运用免疫荧光染色结合激光扫描共聚焦成像技术及免疫印迹技术检测Cx40的分布及量的改变。结果:老年组12只大鼠房颤发生率(83.3%,10只)及房颤持续时间均高于其他两组(P<0.05),其心房肌细胞肥大,细胞排列稀疏,心肌纤维化明显。Cx40的表达量随增龄显著减少,老年组与青年组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且缝隙连接蛋白的分布由端端排列为主渐趋杂乱。结论:老年组大鼠心房颤动诱发率较高及房颤持续时间长可能与心房组织形态结构增龄性重构、心房内缝隙连接蛋白Cx 40的数量减少及分布改变相关。     

HATCH评分系统评价心房颤动转归的研究进展

心房颤动(简称房颤)是一种临床上最常见的心律失常之一.HATCH评分系统包括高血压(H)、年龄(A)、脑卒中或短暂性脑缺血发作(T)、慢性阻塞性肺疾病(C)和心力衰竭(H)五项因素.研究发现,高龄、高血压、心衰和卒中等心血管合并症在房颤病程进展中的重要作用,明确了HATCH评分在评估房颤及转律治疗后的进展中的重要地位....     

Association of dental caries and blood lead levels.

CONTEXT: Experiments show that dental caries rates are higher among lead-exposed animals, but this association has not been established in humans. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between blood lead levels and dental caries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey conducted from 1988 to 1994 that included a dental examination and venipuncture blood lead assay. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 24901 persons aged 2 years and older who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which assessed the health and nutritional status of children and adults in the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For children aged 2 to 11 years, the sum of decayed and filled deciduous or primary surfaces; for persons aged 6 years and older, the sum of decayed and filled permanent surfaces; for those 12 years and older, the sum of decayed, missing, and filled surfaces. RESULTS: The log of blood lead level was significantly associated with the number of affected surfaces for both deciduous and permanent teeth in all age groups, even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, diet, and dental care. Among children aged 5 to 17 years, a 0.24-micromol/L (5-microg/dL) change in blood lead level was associated with an elevated risk of dental caries (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.5). Differences in blood lead level explained some of the differences in caries prevalence in different income levels and regions of the United States. We estimated the population attributable risk of lead exposure to be 13.5% and 9.6% of dental caries occurring in 5- to 17-year-olds exposed to the high and moderate levels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental lead exposure is associated with an increased prevalence of dental caries in the US population. Findings may help explain the distribution of caries by income and region of the United States.