Is there an association between autoimmunity and endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a benign gynecologic disorder that affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial cells and stroma in various locations outside the endometrium. In some of these women there are also a chronic local inflammatory process and presence of autoantibodies. It is not known whether this process is part of the etiology or is a secondary response to the ectopic cells. Furthermore, endometriosis shares similarities with several autoimmune diseases, which include elevated levels of cytokines, decreased apoptosis, and cell-mediated abnormalities. Our aim in this paper was to review the association between autoimmunity and endometriosis. For this purpose we conducted a thorough literature review in the MEDLINE/PubMed database using the keyword endometriosis crossed with: autoimmune disease, autoimmune diseases, autoimmunity, autoantibodies, immunity, immune-modulation, endometrial antibodies, etc.     

Is there an association between septate uterus and endometriosis?

BACKGROUND: The question of whether Müllerian anomalies are significantly more often combined with endometriosis is a controversially discussed problem. Some publications described this association in patients with obstructive but not non-obstructive Müllerian anomalies or controls without Müllerian anomalies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of endometriosis in patients with a septate uterus as a non-obstructive form of Müllerian anomalies. METHODS: In a retrospective study, we evaluated 120 patients (29.4 +/- 4.7 years; mean +/- SD) with a septate uterus. The control group consisted of 486 consecutive infertile patients (30.8 +/- 6.3 years) with a normal hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. RESULTS: The incidence of dysmenorrhoea was comparable in both groups, but the incidence of endometriosis was significantly higher in patients with a septate uterus (25.8 versus 15.2%, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a higher incidence of endometriosis in patients with a septate uterus. If it can be confirmed by others, the initial finding of a septate uterus in infertile patients should be followed by a combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.     

Is there an association between astrological data and personality?

A test was made of the hypothesis that personality characteristics can be predicted on the basis of various features of the individual's astrological chart. Astrological charts were prepared for 196 college-age Ss who also were administered the MMPI and the Leary Interpersonal Check List. Ss were divided into those who had extreme scores on any of the 13 personality variables studied and those who did not. For each personality variable, comparisons were made on a large number of astrological dimensions between distributions of Ss with and without extreme test scores. Six hundred thirty-two such comparisons were made and evaluated with chi-square tests. In that the obtained number of statistically significant chi-squares was less than what would be expected on a chance basis, the hypothesis was rejected.     

Is there an association between hysterectomy and subsequent adiposity?

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between hysterectomy and subsequent adiposity and to investigate whether these associations vary by characteristics of hysterectomy and are independent of pre-hysterectomy adiposity and potential confounding factors. METHODS: Using information on women from the 1946 and 1958 British birth cohort studies (N = 1790 and 4552, respectively), collected prospectively across life, regression analyses were used to examine the associations between hysterectomy and subsequent body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses there was a difference of 1.18 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 0.64, 1.74) in mean BMI and of 2.72 cm (1.45, 3.99) in waist circumference at age 44-45 years between women who had undergone hysterectomy and those who had not in the 1958 cohort, and differences of 0.76 kg/m(2) (-0.05, 1.57) and 0.34 cm (-1.58, 2.26) at age 43 years and 0.81 kg/m(2) (0.14, 1.49) and 1.45 cm (-0.15, 3.05) at age 53 years in the 1946 cohort. These differences attenuated and were no longer significant after adjustment for pre-hysterectomy BMI and confounders. There was no strong evidence of variation in associations by oophorectomy status, timing, route of or reason for procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that British women who had previously undergone hysterectomy had higher BMI and waist circumference in middle-age than others. These differences appear to be accounted for by the higher BMI in earlier adulthood and increased levels of risk factors associated with both adiposity and hysterectomy risk among women who had undergone hysterectomy. This suggests that women are unlikely to gain weight as a direct result of hysterectomy.     

Is there an association between multiple myeloma and prostate cancer?

In a series of 700 consecutive patients with prostate cancer, four patients were noted to have a history of multiple myeloma. An association between prostate cancer and multiple myeloma had not been previously described. An exploratory investigation of the biological basis of these two malignancies was undertaken to determine a possible mechanism for this association. A review of the genetic, molecular and chemical basis of prostate cancer and multiple myeloma development and progression is presented. A model suggesting the possible impact of immunosuppression from multiple myeloma and chemokines released by circulating myeloma cells including IGF-1, IL6, SDF1 and VEGF on the progression of prostate cancer to detectable stages is presented.     

Is there an association between the use of heeled footwear and schizophrenia?

Existing etiological and pathogenetical theories of schizophrenia have only been able to find support in some epidemiological, clinical, and pathophysiological facts. A selective literature review and synthesis is used to present a hypothesis that finds support in all facts and is contradicted by none. Heeled footwear began to be used more than a 1000 years ago, and led to the occurrence of the first cases of schizophrenia. Industrialization of shoe production increased schizophrenia prevalence. Mechanization of the production started in Massachusetts, spread from there to England and Germany, and then to the rest of Western Europe. A remarkable increase in schizophrenia prevalence followed the same pattern. In Baden in Germany the increasing stream of young patients more or less hastily progrediating to a severe state of cognitive impairment made it possible for Kraepelin to delineate dementia praecox as a nosological entity. The patients continued to use heeled shoes after they were admitted to the hospitals and the disease progrediated. High rates of schizophrenia are found among first-generation immigrants from regions with a warmer climate to regions with a colder climate, where the use of shoes is more common. Still higher rates among second-generation immigrants are caused by the use of shoes during the onset of walking at an age of about 11-12 months. Other findings point to the importance of this in the later development of schizophrenia. A child born in January-March begins to walk in December-March, when it's cold outside and the chances of going barefoot are smaller. They are also smaller in urban settings. During walking synchronised stimuli from mechanoreceptors in the lower extremities increase activity in cerebello-thalamo-cortico-cerebellar loops through their action on NMDA-receptors. Using heeled shoes leads to weaker stimulation of the loops. Reduced cortical activity changes dopaminergic function which involves the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical-nigro-basal ganglia loops. Bicycle riding reduces depression in schizophrenia due to stronger stimulation by improved lengthening contractions of the triceps surae muscles. Electrode stimulation of cerebellar loops normally stimulated by mechanoreceptors in the lower extremities could improve functioning in schizophrenia. Cross-sectional prevalence studies of the association between the use of heeled footwear and schizophrenia should be made in immigrants from regions with a warmer climate or in groups of people who began to wear shoes at different ages.     

Is there an association between inhaled corticosteroids and bone density in postmenopausal women?

BACKGROUND: During the last decades, there has been increased concern about the association between oral corticosteroid (OC) therapy and osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: The question currently discussed is whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) in recommended doses have any clinically relevant effects on bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: We compared BMD in postmenopausal women exposed to corticosteroids only in inhaled form (IC group, n = 106) with that in women not exposed to corticosteroids (unexposed group, n = 674). BMD was also studied in 49 women exposed to OCs, intra-articular injections, or both in addition to ICs (OC group). The women were recruited from a population-based prospective cohort study. METHODS: We used a dietary survey, bone density measurement of the forearm, and a health questionnaire including an interview about past and present medication use. RESULTS: Mean BMD did not significantly differ between the IC group (0.434 g/cm2) and the unexposed group (0.429 g/cm2). The mean duration and dose of ICs was 8.2 +/- 5.03 years and 853 microg daily. Within the IC group, BMD stratified for cumulative dose of IC, duration, or current dose greater than or less than 1000 microg did not differ. BMD in the OC group was lower than that in the IC group (0.408 vs 0.434 g/cm2). CONCLUSION: No difference in BMD was noted between the IC group and unexposed control subjects, nor was any dose-response relationship observed between IC therapy and BMD.     

Is there an association between pemphigus and hepatitis viruses? A population-based large-scale study

The association between pemphigus and hepatitis viruses has not been investigated sufficiently and remains unclear. Our objective was to assess the association between pemphigus and chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections using a large-scale real-life computerized database. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study utilizing the database of Clalit Health Services. The proportion of chronic HBV and HCV infections was compared between patients diagnosed with pemphigus and age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls. Univariate analysis was performed using chi-square and Student’s t test, and multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. A total of 1985 pemphigus patients and 9874 controls were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of HBV chronic infection in patients with pemphigus was significantly higher than in control subjects (1.2 vs. 0.6%, respectively, p = 0.008). The prevalence rate of HCV carrier state was comparable between pemphigus patients and control subjects (1.1 vs. 1.0, respectively, p = 0.732). A multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between pemphigus and HBV with a multivariate odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–3.90], whereas no association between pemphigus and HCV was identified (OR 1.1, 95% CI, 0.7–1.7). In conclusion, patients with pemphigus have a greater proportion of chronic HBV but not HCV infection relative to matched controls.     

Is there an association of Down syndrome and omphalocele?

The possible association of Down syndrome (DS) with omphalocele is controversial. We reviewed the 2,979 live births and stillbirths with DS born from 1983 to 1993 in the catchment area of the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program (CBDMP). We observed one infant with both defects, a number that did not differ significantly from what was expected (P < 0.40). We also reviewed the pathological reports of one of us (L.H.H.) from a series of 36 DS fetuses and neonatal deaths; none had an omphalocele. We then reviewed the literature for epidemiological studies of DS and for epidemiological, surgical, prenatal, and familial studies of omphalocele. Possible biases inherent in each type of study were evaluated. The majority of epidemiological studies showed no association of DS with omphalocele. In surgical series, the occasional infant with both defects was more likely to undergo surgery than infants with omphalocele and trisomies 13 and 18 or other severe birth defects. Inclusion of both omphalocele and umbilical hernia in the same ICD-9 code may explain some of the correlations with DS noticed in a few epidemiological studies. In conclusion, our data suggest that trisomy 21 does not predispose the fetus to an increased risk for an omphalocele. Am. J. Med. Genet. 73:400–403, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Is there an association between postural balance and pulmonary function in adults with asthma?

OBJECTIVE:

Asthma may cause systemic repercussions due to its severity and the effects of treatment. Our objective was to compare posture, balance, functional capacity, and quality of life (QOL) according to the severity of disease, as assessed by pulmonary function levels.

METHOD:

This cross-sectional study evaluated fifty individuals with asthma. We compared two groups of adult individuals who were divided according to the median of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) as follows: group A  =  FEV₁>74% predicted; group B  =  FEV₁<74% predicted. All patients underwent the following tests: spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), respiratory muscle strength, posture assessment, stabilometry, six-minute walking distance (6MWD), and QOL.

RESULTS:

All pulmonary function variables exhibited statistically significant differences between the two groups, except for the DLco. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and 6MWD were lower in group B. The maximal mediolateral velocity and the mediolateral displacement were significantly different, while the postural changes and QOL were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

In adult individuals with asthma, the pulmonary function is associated with balance control in the mediolateral direction but does not influence the postural changes or QOL.     

Is there an association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and family history of depression?

BACKGROUND: To date, research examining the relationship between the serotonin transporter gene and depression has yielded both positive and negative results. This study will attempt to add further evidence to that body of literature by examining the relationship between the serotonin transporter gene and a family history of depression while controlling for a family history of completed suicide. METHODS: Forty-seven volunteers responded to questionnaires regarding family history of depression and suicide, and provided buccal swabs to allow for analysis of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. RESULTS: Individuals with the s/s genotype were significantly more likely to have two or more first-degree relatives with a history of depression even when controlling for a family history of completed suicides. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size, particularly in the group of individuals with the s/s genotype, is a limitation of this study. Assessment of family history was conducted in abbreviated fashion. Information regarding participants' personal history of depression and suicide was not collected, so no conclusions regarding participants' own mental health can be drawn. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship between family history of depression and the s/s genotype was found, despite the small sample size and while controlling for family history of suicide. Whatever risk short alleles may confer for depression may be distinct from the risk they confer for suicidality.     

Is there an association between alopecia areata and systemic lupus erythematosus? A population-based study

Immunologic Research - The coexistence of alopecia areata (AA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been described, but the association between these conditions is yet to be firmly...     

Is there association between TLR9 polymorphism and SLE susceptibility?

After reading the article “Susceptibility to SLE in South Indian Tamils may be influenced by genetic selection pressure on TLR2 and TLR9 genes”, we have some doubt. As the differences existed in genetic risk factors, SLE symptoms, and disease severity between the childhood-onset and adult-onset SLE patients, the association analyses in study population including both childhood-onset and adult-onset SLE patients might be inappropriate. Besides, in order to explore whether TLR9 (−1237C/T) polymorphism impact SLE occurrence, we reviewed current studies and conducted a meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed no significant correlation between TLR9 (−1237C/T) and SLE susceptibility in total population (allele model OR = 0.97, 95%CI (0.81–1.14)), or in Caucasians (allele model OR = 1.05, 95%CI (0.72–1.39)) and in Asians (allele model OR = 0.94, 95%CI (0.54–1.35)). Therefore, confirmative evidence reveals that TLR9 (−1237C/T) polymorphism does not correlate with SLE susceptibility.     

Is there a relationship between Wolfram syndrome carrier status and suicide?

Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is a rare, autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder. An increased risk of psychiatric disorders and suicide has been reported for heterozygote carriers. In this study we investigated whether mutations in the WFS gene are associated with suicide in the general population. The gene for WFS (WFS1) has recently been mapped to chromosome 4p16.1, and its genomic structure has been characterized. We screened the entire WFS1 ORF in a panel of 100 completed suicides, 60 blood donors not known to have psychiatric illness, and 100 donors with a negative history of depression or suicidal behavior. We did not find evidence of an increased incidence of WFS carriers in the suicide panel and concluded that WFS1 carrier status is not a significant contributor to suicide in the general population. Screening of this highly polymorphic gene resulted in the detection of 33 variants, 13 of which cause amino acid changes. Seven of these changes have not been previously reported and six were unique to our suicide panel. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.