Frequency Of Positive Family History Research Articles

Significance of family history of cholelithiasis in a Pakistani population: A single center, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Linkage studies have indicated a potential genetic predisposition to cholelithiasis. This study aims to determine the frequency of positive family history of gallstone disease in patients presenting with gallstones in a Pakistani population. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the surgical department of the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital from June 30, 2023 to August 30, 2023. A total of 102 radiologically confirmed cholelithiasis patients were enrolled. Out of 102 participants, 75.5% (n = 77) were females, with a mean age at presentation of 42.1 ± 12.1 years. The study found that 32.4% (n = 33) of participants had a single family member with gallstones, 3.9% (n = 4) had 2 family members affected, and 1% (n = 1) had 3 family members affected. The attributable risk of genetics from our study was 37.2%. Additionally, there was no significant association between positive family history and earlier onset of disease. A significant percentage of Pakistani population may have gallstone disease due to genetic factors.

Association of Overweight and Obesity with Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis in 5-15 Years Old Children

Background: Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) has increasingly been reported as a challenging issue for families and children due to its impact on the psychological aspects of children and on reducing their concentration at school the next day. Obesity might serve as a risk factor for voiding dysfunction in children. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between excess body mass index (BMI) in children and MNE. Methods and Results: This case-control study included 60 children diagnosed with MNE (the main group [MG]) and 60 children without MNE (the control group [CG]) aged 5-15 years. Proper matching between the two groups concerning age and sex was adopted. Age, weight, family history, and complete medical history were recorded for each participant. In the MG, 18(30%) children had excess BMI, and 42(70%) had normal BMI. In contrast, 9(15%) children in the CG had excess BMI, and 51(85%) children had normal BMI, indicating a statistically significant association between increased BMI and MNE (P=0.049). The frequency of positive family history was significantly higher among the MG than the CG (P=0.0001). The findings of this study showed no significant relationship between gender and a family history of enuresis with excess BMI in children with MNE (P=0.679 and P=0.234, respectively). Conclusion: Obesity and overweight in children have an influence on the development of MNE.

Clinical and functional characteristics of patients with bronchial asthma depending on body mass index

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and clinical and anamnestic data in patients with bronchial asthma (BA). Material and methods. 553 patients with BA and 95 apparently healthy individuals without medical or family history of asthma, allergy or atopy symptoms were examined. Patients were divided into three groups depending on BMI: Group I included 152 patients with normal body weight (NBW), II – 206 overweight patients, III – 195 with obesity. BA control was assessed by using the ACQ-5 questionnaire, and the AQLQ was used to assess quality of life. The study was approved by the Bioethics Commission of the Medical Institute of Sumy State University. Statistical analysis of the obtained results was carried out using the SPSS-17 program. Results. There were no significant sex– and age-related differences (p > 0.05) between clinical groups. Complaints, medical history, clinical and instrumental indicators, disease severity, control, and quality of life of patients were analyzed to identify features of BA associated with obesity. The study has found that BA patients with obesity experienced a higher frequency of positive family history (p = 0.004), exacerbations during the cold season (p = 0.001), sensitivity to weather changes (p = 0.001), acute respiratory diseases (p = 0.001), stress (p = 0.001), and a combination of non-specific triggers (p = 0.001) which could result in exacerbations compared to patients with NBW. Exacerbations caused by flowering plants were more common in BA patients with NBW (55.3 %) compared to those with obesity (43.1 %). When comparing BA in individuals with obesity to those with NBW, there were several distinctive features. These included a higher frequency of symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath at rest or with minor physical exertion, weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, heartburn; night and day symptoms when using salbutamol, a severe and uncontrolled course with more pronounced obstructive disorders and lower reversibility, pneumonia, exacerbation episodes, and lower quality of life. Conclusions. BA with obesity compared to BA with NBW is characterized by a number of differences such as non-allergic factors as triggers, more severe course, lower level of control and quality of life, pain, pronounced bronchial obstruction with lower reversibility.

Genetic testing in inflammatory cardiomyopathy/myocarditis: a red flag for cardiomyopathy-like histologic findings

Abstract Background Myocarditis/inflammatory cardiomyopathy is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate in the myocardium. Its etiology is heterogeneous, predominantly mediated by viral infection, as well as a wide variety of toxic substances and drugs and systemic immune-mediated diseases. Outcome could vary from a complete recovery to a residual myocardial injury with the subsequent development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The factors that play a role in the disease progression are not clear, but it has been shown that inflammatory cardiomyopathy complicated by left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure or arrhythmia is associated with a poor prognosis. Purpose To characterize the genetic background of inflammatory cardiomyopathy affected patients to determine the prevalence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in cardiomyopathy-related genes and correlate to histopathologic findings in endomyocardial biopsies (EMB). Methods Eighty-nine myocarditis-affected patients (mean age 43±14, 55 males) underwent genetic screening of 200 genes related to inherited cardiomyopathies. Definite/moderate gene association with DCM and Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy was based on the ClinGen framework. Variant prioritization was carried out using American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics rules. Correlation with histopathologic findings of the endomyocardial biopsy and family history was appraised. Results Twenty of the 89 suspected myocarditis patients (22%) carried a P/LP variant in cardiac-related genes: 8 in Titin, 3 in Myosin Heavy Chain 7, 2 in Desmoplakin, 2 in Lamin A/C; and Troponin T2, Filamin-C, Myosing Binding Protein C3, Desmin and Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Alpha Subunit 5 carried one variant each. A re-analysis of the EMBs revealed that 82% of patients showed cardiomyopathy-like features at first histologic findings, with fibrosis in the myocardium and DCM-like phenotype at the second EMB. Further, 13 of the genotype-positive patients referred positive family history for cardiomyopathy and/or sudden cardiac death, whereas only 7 genotype-negative patients declared family history, showing a significant difference among both groups (p-value<0,0001). Conclusion The prevalence of P/LP variants in inflammatory cardiomyopathy/myocarditis patients is 22%, most of them associated with DCM. Cardiomyopathy-like features were already observed at the first EMB during the histologic re-evaluation in the majority of genotype-positive patients, and among them, high frequency of positive family history was observed. These findings suggest that genotype-positive inflammatory cardiomyopathy/myocarditis affected patients should be deeply clinically evaluated in order to guarantee an appropriate management for them and their families.

Increasing rate of a positive family history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in pediatric IBD patients.

The role of a positive family history in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the era of biologic therapy has not been elucidated. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children with IBD and retrieved demographic and clinical characteristics, including the presence of a positive family history of IBD, IBD phenotype, disease course, and therapy. Overall, 325 children (age range at diagnosis 11-15years) were included, of whom 82 (25.2%) had a positive family history. Children diagnosed during 2016-2020 had a higher frequency of positive family history compared to those diagnosed during 2010-2015 (31.8% versus 20.7%, respectively, p = 0.024). Children with a positive family history had a higher risk for a stricturing phenotype than those with a negative family history (11.3% versus 2.8%, respectively, p = 0.052). They more often received nutritional therapy (53.7% versus 36.6%, p = 0.007) and less often received corticosteroids (36.6% versus 52.7%, p = 0.012). More children with a negative family history needed intensification of biologic therapy (p = 0.041).Conclusion: The rate of a positive family history of IBD in the pediatric IBD population is increasing. A positive family history may have some impact upon IBD phenotype but none on IBD outcome. What is Known: •Familial clustering of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported in 5%-15% of IBD patients. •The investigation of the impact of a positive family history upon IBD characteristics and severity revealed conflicting results. What is New: •In this cohort of 325 children with IBD, 25.2% had a positive family history. •The rate of a positive family history of IBD in the pediatric IBD population is increasing. •A positive family history may have some impact upon IBD phenotype but none on IBD outcome.

Epistaxis in a Pediatric Outpatient Clinic: Could It be an Alarming Sign?

Introduction Epistaxis is a common presentation among children. Objective To investigate the suitability of a simple tool of assessment for patients with epistaxis that could guide in subgrouping those with possible bleeding tendencies who may need further assessment. Methods Children who presented to a tertiary outpatient clinic with epistaxis of an unknown cause were recruited. They underwent thorough clinical assessment and answered the pediatric bleeding questionnaire and the epistaxis severity score. All patients underwent complete blood count as well as coagulation profile, and confirmatory diagnostic tests were performed as needed. Results Among the 30,043 patients who presented to the outpatient clinic over a year, 100 children had epistaxis, with an estimated annual frequency of 1 in 300. A total of 84% of the patients were younger than 12, and nearly half of these were younger than 6 years. Seventy-six patients had recurrent epistaxis, and 12 had systemic comorbidities. A significant higher percentage of patients presented with epistaxis in the hot months of the year. A total of 90% of the patients presented anterior bleeding, and the majority were treated with nasal compression only. Forty-three patients presented with epistaxis only; 37 of them were diagnosed as idiopathic epistaxis, and 6 had local causes. Fifty-seven patients presented with other bleeding manifestations, 47 of whom had a definite bleeding disorder and the other 10 had undiagnosed bleeding tendency. Those with other bleeding manifestations showed a higher frequency of positive family history of epistaxis; of being referred from a primary care physician; of having alarming low platelet count, and of presenting less seasonal variability. A bleeding score ≥ 2 showed significant value in suspecting an underlying systemic pathology as a cause of epistaxis. Conclusion The pediatric bleeding questionnaire is a useful and simple tool in the identification of pediatric patients who need further diagnostic testing to detect any underlying bleeding tendency.

Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis among patients with plaque psoriasis: a Brazilian retrospective study.

Psoriatic arthritis is the most frequent and impactful comorbidity among psoriatic patients and appears in most cases after skin disease. Dermatologists play a key role in its early diagnosis and treatment. To determine the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis and associated variables among patients with plaque psoriasis seen at a reference center for treating psoriasis. Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted among 300 patients at an outpatient clinic in a university center in Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. Standardized records of 300 patients with plaque psoriasis were examined. Demographic data and medical variables relating to psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), family history, age at onset and disease progression) and psoriasis arthritis (CASPAR criteria) were evaluated. Laboratory and radiographic tests in the medical records were reviewed. Seventy-three (24.3%) of these 300 patients with plaque psoriasis had psoriatic arthritis. Asymmetric oligoarthritis (58.9%) was the most common clinical form, followed by polyarthritis (20.5%), distal interphalangeal arthritis (15.2%) and spondyloarthritis (5.4%). Dactylitis was present in 21.9% and enthesitis in 35.6% of patients. Compared with patients without arthritis, patients with arthritis had higher average age, higher frequency of positive family history of psoriasis, longer duration of evolution and higher PASI rates. Psoriatic arthritis is often underdiagnosed. Since dermatologists perform the initial approach, these professionals need to be trained to diagnose this comorbidity and treat it, together with rheumatologists.

Identification of GBA mutations among neurodegenerative disease patients from eastern India

IntroductionGBA mutations have been reported in PD, PDD and DLB - but not associated with cognitive impairment for example in PSP, AD or MSA. However, frequencies of GBA mutations are ethnicity dependent. The present study aims to identify commonly reported GBA mutations (mostly from Asia), among eastern Indian patients with neurodegenerative disorders. MethodsThe patient cohort consisting of 198 classical PD cases, 136 PD cases with cognitive impairment, 184 cases with Parkinson Plus syndrome, 46 AD and 241 unrelated controls, from eastern India. Subjects were analyzed for IVS2 + 1A > G, p.Arg120Trp, p.His255Gln, p.Arg257Gln, p.Glu326Lys, p.Asn370Ser, p.Asp409His, p.Leu444Pro, & RecNciI by PCR-RFLP techniques and confirmed by Sanger sequencing method. ResultsWe have identified only p.Leu444Pro variant among nine cases; three PDD, one DLB, two PD, two PSP and one AD patients in heterozygous condition. The highest frequency for p.Leu444Pro variant was found among PDD subgroup (3.95 %, P = 0.0134). An overall significant overrepresentation of positive family history (P = 0.000049), impaired recent memory (P = 0.0123) was observed among p.Leu444Pro carriers. Further, subgroup analysis for PD, PD-MCI and PDD, revealed statistically significant higher frequency of early age at onset (P = 0.0455), positive family history (P = 0.0025), higher UPDRS III score (off state) (P = 0.006), advanced H&Y stage (P = 0.045) and anxious behaviour (P = 0.0124) among p.Leu444Pro positive patients. ConclusionThe p.Leu444Pro mutation of GBA was found in patients with PD, PDD, DLB, PSP and AD. An Overall higher frequency of positive family history and impaired recent memory are significantly associated with for p.Leu444Pro carriers from eastern India. Our study also ascertains contribution of p.Leu444Pro to an earlier onset of PD, PD-MCI and PDD, higher UPDRS III score (off state) against positive family history background. Furthermore, taking into consideration other Indian studies, we can conclude that p.Leu444Pro mutation plays a limited role in PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

COMPARISON OF BENIGN AND MALIGNANT BREAST DISEASE-RISK FACTORS AND FREQUENCIES IN SAMPLES REFERRED TO PATHOLOGY LABORATORY OF AHWAZ UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES FROM 2006 TO 2017

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women contributing to about 18% of all cancers worldwide. There are many well-known risk factors for breast cancer, and identifying these risk factors will help to reduce the mortality rate. This study is aimed to compare risk factors and the frequencies in women with benign and malignant breast tumor. This case-control study, was done with 60 women with benign breast tumors as controls and 60 women with malignant breast tumors as case They were randomly selected and checklist was made. Based on the information in the forms of pathology or from medical records or patient contact, data was completed. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-16 statistical software. The results showed that the mean age at diagnosis (p_value=0.033), the frequency of positive family history of cancer (p_value=0.028) and the mean age at menarche (p_value=0.01) in the two groups was statistically significant difference. However, the frequency of having an abortion (p_value=0.391), the mean age of first child birth (p_value=0.641), the mean months of breastfeeding (p_value=0.281) and the frequency of having a perfect pregnancy (p_value=0.58) did not show significant difference between the two groups. The mean age at diagnosis and the frequency of positive family history of tumors in the case group, and the mean age of menarche in the control group is higher implication

Risk of leukemia in first degree relatives of patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of leukemia in parents of patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or cleft palate (NSCL/P). This case-control study evaluated first-degree family members of 358 patients with NSCL/P and 1,432 subjects without craniofacial alterations or syndromes. Statistical analysis was carried out using Fisher's test. From the 358 subjects with NSCL/P, 3 first-degree parents had history of leukemia, while 2 out of 1,432 subjects from the unaffected group had a family history of leukemia. The frequency of positive family history of leukemia was not significantly increased in first-degree relatives of patients with NSCL/P.

A survey of female students with migraine: what is the influence of family history and lifestyle?

Objectives: To compare characteristics of migraine and some lifestyle habits in migraineurs with and without a positive family history for migraine. Method: The prevalence study was combined with a case-control study and comprised 245 female students with migraine. Results: Out of 245 female students with migraine, 132 (53.9%) had a positive family history for migraine. In comparison with migraineurs who had not, those with a positive family history were younger at the onset of migraine and significantly more frequently reported menstrual migraine (p < 0.001), unilateral pain ( p < 0.05) and pulsate pain ( p < 0.05) as well as severe headache ( p < 0.01). In comparison to migraineurs with a positive family history for migraine, those who did not report a significantly higher frequency of average number of meals per day of <3 ( p < 0.001), missed meals ( p < 0.05) and an average sleep duration of ≤6 h ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study are in line with literature showing a high frequency of positive family history for migraine among migraineurs. They also suggest that subjects with a positive family history have a lower “migrainous threshold” for the development of migraine and that environmental factors are more important for the occurrence of migraine in subjects without a positive family history. Accordingly, the conclusions of this study are limited to reproductive aged women.

Update on genetics of essential tremor

Despite the research, few advances in the etiopathogenesis on essential tremor (ET) have been made to date. The high frequency of positive family history of ET and the observed high concordance rates in monozygotic compared with dizygotic twins support a major role of genetic factors in the development of ET. In addition, a possible role of environmental factors has been suggested in the etiology of ET (at least in non-familial forms). Although several gene variants in the LINGO1 gene may increase the risk of ET, to date no causative mutated genes have been identified. In this review, we summarize the studies performed on families with tremor, twin studies, linkage studies, case-control association studies, and exome sequencing in familial ET.

Latest Perspectives in Genetic Risk Factors for Restless Legs Syndrome

The high frequency of positive family history of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with this disease and the observed high concordance rates in monozygotic compared with dizygotic twins support a major role of genetic factors in the development of RLS. Although a number of variants for several genes may increase the risk of RLS, no definitive causative genes have been identified to date. In this review, we summarise the studies performed on families with RLS, twin studies, linkage studies, genome-wide association studies, case-control association studies and exome sequencing in RLS. The strongest candidate genes are ofPTPRD, BTBD9andMEIS.

Limited significance of family history for presence of BRCA1 gene mutation in Polish breast and ovarian cancer cases

It is estimated that about 5–10% of ovarian and 2–5% of all breast cancer patients are carriers of a germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Most families with detected BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation are qualified for molecular testing on the basis of family history of breast or ovarian cancers. The purpose of our study was to establish the frequency of positive family history of cancer in a series of Polish consecutive breast and ovarian cancer patients in two groups, with and without the BRCA1 gene mutations. We analysed the prevalence of four of the most common BRCA1 mutations: 5382insC (c.5266dupC), 300T>G (p.181T>G), 185delAG (c.68_69delAG) and 3819del5 (c.3700_3704del5). The patient group consisted of 1,845 consecutive female breast and 363 ovarian cancer cases. 19 out of 37 (51%) of BRCA1-positive ovarian cancer patients and 21 out of 55 (39%) BRCA1-positive breast cancer had negative family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer among first- and second-degree relatives. In ovarian cancer patients, negative family history was more frequent in those with 300T>G BRCA1 gene mutation than in 5382insC carriers. This finding indicates the necessity of searching for 300T>G mutation in families with a single diagnosis of ovarian cancer in family. The high frequency of mutations detected in breast cancer patients lacking obvious family history shows that breast cancer patients should be qualified for genetic testing on the basis of wide clinical and pathological criteria.

Familial pulmonary fibrosis is the strongest risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disorder of unknown etiology. The disease is likely the result of complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Evidence suggests that certain environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking and metal dust exposures, or comorbidities like gastroesophageal reflux, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) may increase risk to develop IPF. Substantial uncertainty remains, however, regarding these and other putative risk factors for IPF. In this study we performed a case-control analysis including 100 patients with IPF and 263 controls matched for age sex and place of residence. We used a structured questionnaire to identify potential risk factors for IPF, including environmental and occupational exposures as well as the relevance of family history of pulmonary fibrosis. The multivariate analysis revealed that family history of pulmonary fibrosis [OR = 6.1, CI95% 2.3-15.9; p < 0.0001] was strongly associated with increased risk of IPF. Actually, 20% of the cases reported a parent or sibling with pulmonary fibrosis. Gastroesophageal reflux [OR = 2.9, CI: 1.3-6.6; p = 0.007], former cigarette smoking [OR = 2.5, CI: 1.4-4.6, p = 0.003], and past or current occupational exposure to dusts, smokes, gases or chemicals [OR = 2.8, CI: 1.5-5.5; p = 0.002] were also associated with the disease. Despite being a significant risk factor on univariate analysis DM2 was not significant in multivariate analysis. These findings indicate that family history of pulmonary fibrosis is a strong risk factor for IPF. Also, we confirmed that occupational exposures, gastroesophageal reflux and former smoking increase the risk for this disease.

Genetic Insights into Early-onset Parkinson's Disease

Early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is defined as disease onset before 40 or 50 years of age. The clinical characteristics of EOPD are very similar to those of late-onset PD, but dystonia is more often a presenting symptom, dementia is rare and disease progression may be slower. Mutations in several genes have been described in cases with EOPD, often with strong family history, including mutations in α-synuclein (SNCA),DJ-1,PTEN-induced kinase-1 (PINK-1) andATP13A2. However, the most common mutations identified in EOPD are in Parkin (PRKN), leucinerich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and glucocerebrosidase (GBA). With the exception ofSNCAandATP13A2carriers, mutation carriers are often indistinguishable from non-carriers. Large series of EOPD cases that are not ascertained by family history estimate mutation frequency at 4–16%. Given that the frequency of positive family history is much higher, we believe that many genetic risk factors are yet to be discovered.

Genetic Insights into Early-onset Parkinson’s Disease

Early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) is defined as disease onset before 40 or 50 years of age. The clinical characteristics of EOPD are very similar to those of late-onset PD, but dystonia is more often a presenting symptom, dementia is rare, and disease progression may be slower. Mutations in several genes have been described in cases with EOPD, often with strong family history, including mutations in α-synuclein (SNCA),DJ-1, PTEN-induced kinase-1 (PINK-1), andATP13A2. However, the most common mutations identified in EOPD are in Parkin (PRKN), leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), and glucocerebrosidase (GBA). With the exception ofSNCAandATP13A2carriers, mutation carriers are often indistinguishable from non-carriers. Large series of EOPD cases that are not ascertained by family history estimate mutation frequency at 4–16%. Given that the frequency of positive family history is much higher, we believe that many genetic risk factors are yet to be discovered.

Increased frequency of positive family history of dementia in sporadic CJD

Objective To analyze whether a positive family history of dementia (PFHD) is more common in sporadic CJD (sCJD) than in healthy/population controls and to study associated risk factors. Patients/methods Six hundred and eighty-five sCJD patients and 659 sex-/age-matched controls were included. A PFHD in parents/grandparents/siblings was evaluated. The PRNP M129V polymorphism and ApoE genotype in sCJD with/without PFHD were determined by PCR. Results PFHD was found in 12.1% of sCJD patients and 5.6% of controls ( p < 0.001). No significant difference in M129V polymorphism was found between sCJD with and without PFHD. Thirty-six percent of sCJD patients with PFHD, 26% without PFHD and 19% of healthy controls had at least one ApoE4 allele. Compared to controls, ApoE4 allele frequency ( p = 0.005) and proportion of ApoE4 allele carriers ( p = 0.019) were significantly higher in sCJD with PFHD. Interpretation A higher frequency of the ApoE4 allele in sCJD with a PFHD could be indicative of an additional risk factor in CJD.

The frequency of positive family histories in patients with disseminated thyroid autonomy, unifocal or multifocal thyroid autonomy

The frequency of positive family histories in patients with disseminated thyroid autonomy, unifocal or multifocal thyroid autonomy

Cerebrovascular Disease and Late-Life Depression

Depression may occur as a result of vascular disease in a significant subpopulation of elderly persons. Indirect support for vascular disease as an underlying etiology of late-life depression includes the high rate of depression in patients with vascular disease, the frequency of silent stroke and white-matter hyperintensities in late-life depression, and the lower frequency of positive family histories of depression in such patients. The authors evaluate the associations of late-life depression with cerebrovascular disease by reviewing the existing pathophysiological, prognosis, and treatment-outcomes studies. Findings are based on review of the current literature systematically searched in electronic databases. Review of such studies indicates a high frequency of depression in older patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the possibility of a bidirectional relationship between depression and vascular disease. Studies examining patients with vascular depression have found that such patients have different symptom profiles, greater disability, and higher risk for poorer outcomes than those with nonvascular depression. Since the vascular depression hypothesis was proposed as a conceptual framework, evidence has accumulated that patients with vascular depression may have poorer outcomes that may be related in part to executive dysfunction and consequent disability. However, the association of vascular risk factors with geriatric depression has not been consistent in the studies to-date. Although an association between a subset of late-life depression and vascular disease is clear, significant gaps remain in our understanding. Further research is needed to establish the precise linkages and interactions between vascular disease and geriatric depression.