Abstract
<h3>ABSTRACT</h3> <h3>Importance</h3> Firearm violence is a significant public health and safety problem in the United States. A surge in firearm purchases following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic may increase rates of firearm violence. <h3>Objective</h3> To estimate the association between changes in firearm purchasing and interpersonal firearm violence during the coronavirus pandemic. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional time series study. We estimate the difference between observed rates of firearm purchases and those predicted by seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models. Using negative binomial models, we then estimate the association between excess firearm purchases and rates of interpersonal firearm violence within states, controlling for confounders. <h3>Setting</h3> The 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Hawaii and Alaska are excluded due to missing or incomplete data. <h3>Exposure</h3> The difference between observed and expected rates of firearm purchases in March through May 2020, approximated by National Instant Criminal Background Check System records. <h3>Main Outcome and Measure</h3> Fatal and nonfatal injuries from interpersonal firearm violence, recorded in the Gun Violence Archive. <h3>Results</h3> We estimate that there were 2.1 million excess firearm purchases from March through May 2020—a 64.3% increase over expected volume, and an increase of 644.4 excess purchases per 100,000 population. We estimate a relative rate of death and injury from firearm violence of 1.015 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.005 to 1.025) for every 100 excess purchases per 100,000, in models that incorporate variation in purchasing across states and control for effects of the pandemic common to all states. This reflects an increase of 776 fatal and nonfatal injuries (95% CI: 216 to 1,335) over the number expected had no increase in purchasing occurred. <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> We find a significant increase in firearm violence in the United States associated with the coronavirus pandemic-related surge in firearm purchasing. Our findings are consistent with existing research. Firearm violence prevention strategies may be particularly important during the pandemic. <h3>KEY POINTS</h3> <h3>Question</h3> Is the coronavirus-related surge in firearm purchasing associated with changes in rates of interpersonal firearm violence? <h3>Findings</h3> This cross-sectional time series study suggests the recent increase in firearm purchases—an estimated 2.1 million excess purchases nationally between March and May 2020—is associated with a statistically significant increase in firearm violence. We estimate an increase of 776 fatal and nonfatal injuries (95% CI: 216 to 1,335) in the US over the number expected for those months had there been no increase in purchasing. <h3>Meaning</h3> During the coronavirus pandemic, an acute increase in firearm access is associated with an increase in firearm violence.
Highlights
Phenotypic and Genetic Heterogeneity Since the first description of the disease by Paver and Pauline in 1964 [1], approximately 50 other cases and families have been reported [5,6]
We observed a high level of variability in the first 14 Familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt) families studied at our center [6], with the age at diagnosis of index cases ranging from 7 mo to 39 yr
Genomic analysis of kindreds with FHHt revealed no linkage with SLC12A3, encoding the thiazide-sensitive NaCl co-transporter (NCC) (12 and our own data)
Summary
Juliette Hadchouel,* Celine Delaloy,* Sebastien Faure,† Jean-Michel Achard,† and Xavier Jeunemaitre*. Familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt) syndrome [1,2], known as Gordon syndrome [3] or pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2 [4], is a rare inherited form of low-renin hypertension associated with hyperkalemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in patients with a normal GFR Genetic analysis has led to the identification of mutations in two genes that belong to a new family of kinases, the WNK family. The physiologic functions of these kinases and the pathophysiology of FHHt are not completely solved, these results have opened up major new avenues toward understanding the regulation of ion handling in the aldosteronesensitive nephron
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
