Large Representative Population Research Articles

Relation of Reproductive Lifespan with Obesity in Chinese Women: Results from a Large Representative Nationwide Population.

Background: Research on the association between age at menarche and menopause, reproductive lifespan, and the risk of obesity in China is unclear and requires further clarification. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the China Hypertension Survey, a cross-sectional study using a stratified multistage random sampling method, conducted from October 2012 to December 2016, with a total of 187,162 women included in the analysis. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spines were used to estimate the relationship between obesity and age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive lifespan. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age at menarche and menopause, and reproductive lifespan were 15.5 (1.8), 48.7 (3.5), and 33.2 (3.9) years, respectively. Age at menarche was negatively related to the risk of obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 0.968; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.961-0.975). There was a positive association between age at menopause and the risk of obesity in postmenopausal women (OR: 1.019; 95% CI: 1.014-1.023). Reproductive lifespan was positively related to obesity (OR: 1.020; 95% CI: 1.017-1.025). The restricted cubic spines showed the association between age at menarche, age at menopause, reproductive lifespan, and obesity was nonlinear when fully adjusted. Conclusions: Based on the large nationally representative sample, Chinese women with earlier age at menarche, later age at menopause, and longer reproductive lifespan have a higher risk of obesity.

Celiac risk doubles in patients with alopecia areata: a nationwide case -control study.

Both alopecia areata (AA) and celiac disease are common immune-mediated diseases. Despite accumulating evidence of bi-directional associations between the two disorders, data remains unclear and inconsistent. In this study we explored the association between alopecia areata and celiac disease in a large representative population cohort. Patients with alopecia areata diagnosed during 2005-2019 were compared with age and gender matched healthy controls for celiac autoimmunity. A total of 33,401 patients with alopecia areata and 66,802 controls were included in the analysis. Overall, 754 patients (0.85) had celiac disease. Compared to controls, celiac prevalence increased twofold among AA patients (1.1% Vs 0.6%, Odds ratio (OR) 1.95, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.69-2.25). Higher prevalence rates were observed among all age groups, with the highest risk in AA patients older than 40 years and older. Alopecia areata may be associated with a significant increased risk for celiac disease, suggesting early diagnostic and preventive measures.

Risk of dementia associated with anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder in adults aged ≥55 years: nested case-control study

ObjectiveTo investigate whether different anticholinergic drug treatments for overactive bladder have differential risks for incident dementia, in a large representative population of older adults in England.DesignNested case-control study.SettingGeneral practices in...

A-037 A1c by separation and enzymatic methods: what's the difference?

Abstract Background Accurate values for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes mellitus. Two common methods to measure HbA1c are capillary electrophoresis (CE) and immunoassay (IA). Many methods used to measure HbA1c are prone to interferences from hemoglobin variants and abnormalities affecting the red blood cell’s (RBC) turnover. Consequently, the average estimated glucose levels using the HbA1c value can be unreliable in diabetics with hemoglobinopathies and other RBC lifetime disorders. Separation methods such as CE can capture hemoglobinopathy information, while IA methods may not. We performed this study in a population with relatively high levels of hemoglobin disorders to evaluate the performance of HbA1c testing on the Alinity platform (IA) against the Sebia Capillarys 3 Tera instrument (CE). Methods Samples were identified retrospectively based on a search of the Electronic Medical Record for all patients with an ordered and resulted HbA1c and complete blood count in the Montefiore Medical Center the day prior to sampling. Routine HbA1c testing was performed by an Abbott Immunoassay method on the Abbott Alinity Instrument and CBC results were obtained from a Sysmex XN2100 instrument. Records were compared by patient name, medical record number, and sample collection time to identify all patients with CBC and HbA1c drawn within one hour of each other. Those samples were retrieved from storage (a 4° automated refrigerator) within 48 hours of draw and tested via the Sebia Capillarys 3 Tera instrument using HBA1c kits. Results In this large representative population study (N=2075), there was overall excellent agreement between IA and CE. The correlation coefficient (R2) of the whole dataset was 0.989, with an average bias of 2.7% between the two methods. Additional analysis was performed on those with possible RBC turnover disorder (patients with RBC counts below 4x106/uL or above 6x106/uL, MCVs above 96 fL or below 80 fL, RDW above 17%, or abnormal A2 value: total of 638 samples), those with a hemoglobin variant as detected by the Capillarys 3 instrument (162 samples), or with a measurable hemoglobin F value detected by the Capillarys 3 instrument (37 samples). Samples were sorted into these groups independently and thus there was significant overlap between groups, notably with 23 of 37 samples with elevated HbF also having a hemoglobin variant. In both the RBC disorder and hemoglobinopathies group, similar low bias and high correlations were seen. The elevated F samples showed a clear negative bias (5.6%) for all patients on the IA method as compared with CE. The IA method states that samples with HbF above 5% should not be tested. However, as this is not a separation method, there is no way to test samples for HbF before analysis, and bias was seen for samples below 5%. Conclusions The IA and CE methods showed similar performance across patients regardless of RBC lifetime or hemoglobin disorder status, though presence of HbF is a potential interference and should be considered. Further questions remain for these instruments in terms of correlation with average glucose levels as calculated through CGM instruments.

Assessment of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Asymptomatic Patients Attending Muhoza Health Center

Background: H. pylori, is a bacterial pathogen that colonizes the gastric mucous lining and the epithelial tissue of the stomach. Helicobacter pylori strains infections can lead to several diseases such as duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, adenocarcinoma of the distal stomach, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors associated with H. pylori in asymptomatic participants attending Muhoza health center Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 13th September to 13th October. Stool samples from 60 eligible participants were collected in sterile containers and they were immunoserologicaly analysed. Rapid tests were used to detect H. pylori antigens. A liquid in the testing kit was mixed with a small portion of the stool. The mixture was poured to the sample hole on the rapid test which displayed results. Data regarding risk factors were collected using questionnaires and were analyzed statistically using SPSS 20. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 37%. Females were more affected than males, with 25% and 12% respectively. Age, education, source of water and household population were significantly associated with Helicobacter pylori with p-values < 0.05. The study was limited since it was one health center based, hence not having large representative population. Conclusion: Education of the population about prevention of the infection, supply clean, treated water for home usage and drinking, are recommended to the local government authorities in Musanze. Screening for H. pylori infection, good adherence on antibiotics against H. pylori, hand washing, and proper household settings to reduce crowding issue are recommended. Further researches are recommended for more conclusive results. Keywords: H. pylori infection, risk factors, stomach, asymptomatic.

Functional Fitness Norms of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Southern Rural Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Physical activity (PA) and functional fitness (FF) are crucial for promoting independent living and healthy aging in older adults. However, there is a lack of normative values for the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) among older adults (aged 55-90) living in southern rural Taiwan, particularly in the Chiayi region, which has been relatively underserved in terms of health-related resources compared to northern Taiwan. This study aimed to determine the age- and gender-specific normative fitness scores for a large representative population of community-dwelling older adults in southern rural Taiwan. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to obtain normative FF scores for 3332 community-dwelling elderly people (1057 men and 2275 women) in Chiayi, through the implementation of functional fitness tests across 72 Chiayi communities. The developed normative data served as a reference for exercise prescription for the elderly in southern Taiwan. The study showed that the average normative values of all functional fitness tests declined significantly with increasing age (p < 0.05). Sex differences were also found in all measures of FF tests, with elderly women scoring significantly better than men on flexibility (scratch back: -1.34 ± 9.03 vs. -6.54 ± 11.07; chair sit and reach: 6.56 ± 9.44 vs. 0.56 ± 10.40) (p < 0.05), while men scored significantly higher than women on strength (grip strength: 30.83 ± 8.06 vs. 21.82 ± 5.32; bicep curl: 19.25 ± 5.44 vs. 17.64 ± 4.98) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, four FF normative scores in southern rural Taiwan were found to be significantly higher than their counterparts living in northern Taiwan. These findings contribute positively to the evaluation of fitness levels among older adults in southern rural Taiwan and provide a concrete reference for developing sound PA programs for this population. The results suggest that strategies aimed at promoting increased participation in PA among older adults need to consider age-, sex-, and region-specific factors.

Association between composite dietary antioxidant index and cognitive function impairment among the US older adults: a cross-sectional study based on the NHANES 2011-2014.

Cognitive function impairment (CFI) and the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) were investigated in this study. Participants from the 2011-2014 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were chosen to assess cognitive function using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word Learning Test, the Animal Fluency Test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Participants scored below the 25% percentile of any of the three tests were defined as having cognitive function impairment. 24-h recalls of diet were collected to calculate CDAI. 2,424 participants were included. The fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression model showed an increase of one CDAI unit reduced CFI risk by 5% (95% CI: 0.92 ~ 0.98, p = 0.004). When comparing individuals with the lowest CDAI in the first quartile (<-2.42), the adjusted odds ratio for CDAI and CFI were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.61 ~ 1.06, p = 0.125) in the second quartile, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.51 ~ 0.92, p = 0.012) in the third quartile, and 0.59 (95% CI: 0.43 ~ 0.82, p = 0.002) in the fourth quartile, respectively. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a steady negative linear correlation between CDAI and CFI, with a p-value for non-linearity of 0.122. Subgroup analysis did not reveal any significant interactions based on age, education level, family income, history of diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and depression. CDAI was inversely associated with CFI in a large representative American population. Further longitudinal studies are needed for causal inference.

Racial and Ethnic Distribution of Rheumatic Diseases in Health Systems of the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network.

To evaluate the relative prevalence of 8 rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) across racial and ethnic groups within the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet). Electronic health records from participating PCORnet institutions and systems from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018, were used to identify adult patients with ≥ 2 diagnosis codes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoporosis (OP), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Among those with race and ethnicity data available, we compared prevalence of RMDs by race and ethnicity. Data from 28,059,546 patients were available for analysis. RA was more common in patients who were American Indian or Alaska Native vs White, with a prevalence of 11.57 vs 10.11/1000 (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.22). SLE was more common in patients who were Black or African American (6.73/1000), American Indian or Alaska Native (3.82/1000), and Asian (3.39/1000) vs White (2.80/1000; OR 2.43, 95% CI 2.39-2.46; OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.25-1.53; OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.21-1.31, respectively). SLE was more common in patients who were Hispanic vs non-Hispanic (prevalence 3.93 vs 3.45/1000, OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12-1.16). TAK was more common in patients who were Asian vs White (prevalence 0.05 vs 0.04/1000, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.00-2.03). OP, RA, and the vasculitides were all more common in patients who were White vs Black or African American. These data provide important information on the prevalence of RMDs by race and ethnicity in the United States. PCORnet can be used as a reliable data source to study RMDs within a large representative population.

Evaluation of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation-Indian Diabetes Risk Score in detecting undiagnosed diabetes in the Indian population: Results from the Indian Council of Medical Research-INdia DIABetes population-based study (INDIAB-15).

Screening of individuals for early detection and identification of undiagnosed diabetes can help in reducing the burden of diabetic complications. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF)-Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) to screen for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in a large representative population in India. Data were acquired from the Indian Council of Medical Research-INdia DIABetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study, a large national survey that included both urban and rural populations from 30 states/union territories in India. Stratified multistage design was followed to obtain a sample of 113,043 individuals (94.2% response rate). MDRF-IDRS used four simple parameters, viz. age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes and physical activity to detect undiagnosed diabetes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) with area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess the performance of MDRF-IDRS. We identified that 32.4, 52.7 and 14.9 per cent of the general population were under high-, moderate- and low-risk category of diabetes. Among the newly diagnosed individuals with diabetes [diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)], 60.2, 35.9 and 3.9 per cent were identified under high-, moderate- and low-risk categories of IDRS. The ROC-AUC for the identification of diabetes was 0.697 (95% confidence interval: 0.684-0.709) for urban population and 0.694 (0.684-0.704) for rural, as well as 0.693 (0.682-0.705) for males and 0.707 (0.697-0.718) for females. MDRF-IDRS performed well when the population were sub-categorized by state or by regions. Performance of MDRF-IDRS is evaluated across the nation and is found to be suitable for easy and effective screening of diabetes in Asian Indians.

Sleep and seizure risk in epilepsy: bed and wake times are more important than sleep duration.

Sleep duration, sleep deprivation and the sleep-wake cycle are thought to play an important role in the generation of epileptic activity and may also influence seizure risk. Hence, people diagnosed with epilepsy are commonly asked to maintain consistent sleep routines. However, emerging evidence paints a more nuanced picture of the relationship between seizures and sleep, with bidirectional effects between changes in sleep and seizure risk in addition to modulation by sleep stages and transitions between stages. We conducted a longitudinal study investigating sleep parameters and self-reported seizure occurrence in an ambulatory at-home setting using mobile and wearable monitoring. Sixty subjects wore a Fitbit smartwatch for at least 28 days while reporting their seizure activity in a mobile app. Multiple sleep features were investigated, including duration, oversleep and undersleep, and sleep onset and offset times. Sleep features in participants with epilepsy were compared to a large (n = 37 921) representative population of Fitbit users, each with 28 days of data. For participants with at least 10 seizure days (n = 34), sleep features were analysed for significant changes prior to seizure days. A total of 4956 reported seizures (mean = 83, standard deviation = 130) and 30 485 recorded sleep nights (mean = 508, standard deviation = 445) were included in the study. There was a trend for participants with epilepsy to sleep longer than the general population, although this difference was not significant. Just 5 of 34 participants showed a significant difference in sleep duration the night before seizure days compared to seizure-free days. However, 14 of 34 subjects showed significant differences between their sleep onset (bed) and/or offset (wake) times before seizure occurrence. In contrast to previous studies, the current study found undersleeping was associated with a marginal 2% decrease in seizure risk in the following 48 h (P < 0.01). Nocturnal seizures were associated with both significantly longer sleep durations and increased risk of a seizure occurring in the following 48 h. Overall, the presented results demonstrated that day-to-day changes in sleep duration had a minimal effect on reported seizures, while patient-specific changes in bed and wake times were more important for identifying seizure risk the following day. Nocturnal seizures were the only factor that significantly increased the risk of seizures in the following 48 h on a group level. Wearables can be used to identify these sleep-seizure relationships and guide clinical recommendations or improve seizure forecasting algorithms.

Handgrip strength in older adults with chronic diseases from 27 European countries and Israel.

Understanding the association of deconditioned strength with the most prevalent chronic diseases in older adults and inferring possible interventional strategies is of utmost importance. We aimed to investigate the association between handgrip strength and chronic diseases in a large representative European population of adults over the age of 50 years. Individuals aged 50 or older residing in 27 European countries and Israel participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on prior or current chronic disease and handgrip strength were retrieved from the 7th wave of Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We tested associations using binary logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Based on data from 73,463 participants, the examined diseases showed a negative association with handgrip strength in the fully adjusted model. Participants from the highest tertile of handgrip strength had particularly lower odds for Parkinson ((Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.42 [95% Confidence Interval = 0.32-0.56])), stroke (AOR = 0.51 [95% Confidence Interval = 0.44-0.59], and emotional disorders ((Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.51 [95% Confidence Interval = 0.45-0.58])) compared with participants with the lowest level of handgrip strength in the fully adjusted model. There is a negative association between handgrip strength and a wide range of chronic diseases. Evaluating handgrip strength in this population may provide a valuable clinical measure and a simple preventive strategy in relation to these diseases. The present findings support the use of resistance training for the prevention of specific chronic conditions, particularly Parkinson, stroke and emotional disorders.

Socio-economic gradients in diagnosed and undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes and its related health complications

Background and aimsDiagnosed and undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) remains a challenge in high-income countries. In addition, the presence of T2D can cause further disease burden because of its high susceptibility to complications. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence of socio-economic gradients in undiagnosed T2D and its complications in a large population cohort. We investigated this using the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study (Lifelines). Methods and resultsWithin Lifelines, baseline data of 102 163 adults aged 30 and above were collected from 2007 to 2013. The associations of Socio-Economic Status (SES), indicated by monthly household income, with the prevalence of T2D status and the number of T2D complications were assessed using multinomial Poisson and linear regressions with adjustments for age and sex. The prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed T2D was, respectively, 3.0% and 3.0% in the low SES group compared to 1.1% and 1.8% in the high SES group. Individuals with lower SES were at higher risk of having undiagnosed T2D (relative risk ratio (rrr) [95% CI]: 1.63 [1.47–1.81] for low SES and 1.16 [1.05–1.29] for middle SES) and diagnosed T2D, compared with those with high SES. Lower SES was positively associated with the number of T2D complications (low SES vs. high SES (ref); B [95% CI]: 0.15 [0.13–0.16]). ConclusionComplementing the known socio-economic gradients in diagnosed T2D, we document socio-economic gradients in undiagnosed T2D and T2D complications in a single, large general representative population. Furthermore, individuals with low SES with diagnosed or undiagnosed T2D were more susceptible to T2D complications.

Reproductive lifespan in association with risk of hypertension among Chinese postmenopausal women: Results from a large representative nationwide population.

BackgroundThe association between reproductive lifespan and risk of hypertension among postmenopausal women is unclear.MethodsA total of 94,141 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 64.8 years from the China Hypertension Survey were enrolled at baseline from 2012 to 2015. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect relevant information by well-trained interviewers. Blood pressure and physical examination of the participants were performed by trained medical staff. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios for hypertension by years of reproductive lifespan.ResultsThe average years of reproductive lifespan in Chinese women was 34.0 years. Women who were longer in reproductive lifespan were more likely to have older age at recruitment, higher body mass index, larger waist circumference, lower mean systolic blood pressure, and higher mean diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). After adjustments, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for hypertension were 1.035 (0.988–1.085), 1.007 (0.966–1.048), 1.000 (reference), 0.932 (0.899–0.967), and 0.953 (0.909–0.997) for those with reproductive lifespan at ≤ 28, 29–31, 32–34 (reference), 35–37, and ≥ 38 years, respectively, with a significantly inverse association was seen in those with reproductive lifespan at 35–37 and ≥ 38 years. The overall risk of hypertension declined with the increase in reproductive lifespan, and the risk of hypertension was reduced by 1.1% for every 1-year increase in the reproductive lifespan (odds ratio, 0.989; 95% confidence interval, 0985–0.994) per year. The negative association between reproductive lifespan and hypertension was evident among age at recruitment groups, body mass index categories, and education levels, with the strongest association among women aged ≥ 70 years. Positive associations between reproductive lifespan and risk of hypertension were evident among women aged < 60 years, and this association was stronger among current alcohol drinkers.ConclusionBased on the large nationally representative sample, Chinese postmenopausal women with a shorter reproductive lifespan have a higher risk of hypertension.

Autism traits outweigh alexithymia traits in the explanation of mentalising performance in adults with autism but not in adults with rejected autism diagnosis

BackgroundPronounced alexithymia traits have been found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and recent research has been carving out the impact alexithymia traits might have on mentalising deficits associated with ASD.MethodIn this cross-sectional study, a large representative referral population for diagnostic examination for possible ASD (n = 400) was screened for clinical alexithymia with a German version of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (RME). In contrast to previous attempts to carve out the impact of alexithymia traits on mentalising deficits though, we employed dominance analysis to account for the correlation between predictors. The relative relationship between alexithymia traits and autism traits with RME performance was investigated in the group of individuals with confirmed ASD diagnosis (N = 281) and compared to the clinical referral sample in which ASD was ruled out (N = 119).ResultsDominance analysis revealed autism traits to be the strongest predictor for reduced mentalising skills in the ASD sample, whereas alexithymia contributed significantly less. In the sample of individuals with ruled out diagnosis, autism traits were the strongest predictor, but alexithymia traits were in sum equally associated to mentalising, with the External-Oriented Thinking subscale as an important predictor of this association.LimitationsIt needs to be considered that the cross-sectional study design does not allow for causal inference. Furthermore, mentalising is a highly facetted capacity and measurements need to reduce this complexity into simple quantities which limits the generalizability of results.DiscussionWhile alexithymia traits should be considered for their mental health importance, they do not dominate the explanation of reduced mentalising skills in individuals with ASD, but they might do to a larger degree in individuals with ruled out ASD.

High Prevalence of Spinopelvic Risk Factors in Patients With Post-Operative Hip Dislocations

BackgroundExcessive standing posterior pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar spine stiffness, low pelvic incidence (PI), and severe sagittal spinal deformity (SSD) have been linked to increased dislocation rates. We aimed to determine the prevalence of these 4 parameters in a cohort of unstable total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients and compare these to a large representative control population of primary THA patients. MethodsForty-eight patients with instability following primary THA were compared to a control cohort of 9414 THA patients. Lateral X-rays in standing and flexed-seated positions were used to assess PT and lumbar lordosis (LL). Computed tomography scans were used to measure PI and acetabular cup orientation. Thresholds for “at risk” spinopelvic parameters were standing posterior PT ≤ −15°, lumbar flexion (LLstand–LLseated) ≤ 20°, PI ≤ 41°, PI ≥ 70°, and SSD (PI–LLstand mismatch ≥ 20°). ResultsThere were significant differences in mean spinopelvic parameters between the dislocating and control cohorts (P < .001). There were no differences in mean PI (58° versus 56°, respectively, P = .29) or prevalence of high and low PI between groups. 67% of the dislocating patients had one or more significant risk factors, compared to only 11% of the control. A total of 71% of the dislocating patients had cup orientations within the traditional safe zone. ConclusionExcessive standing posterior PT, low lumbar flexion, and a severe SSD are more prevalent in unstable THAs. Pre-op screening for these parameters combined with appropriate planning and implant selection may help identify at risk patients and reduce the prevalence of dislocation.

Epidemiology of Worsening Heart Failure in a Population-based Cohort from Alberta, Canada: Evaluating Eligibility for Treatment With Vericiguat

BackgroundPatients with heart failure (HF) and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who experience worsening HF (WHF) events are at increased risk of adverse outcomes and experience significant morbidity and mortality. We herein describe the epidemiology of these patients and identify those potentially eligible for vericiguat therapy in this population-based study. Methods and ResultsThis retrospective cohort study included hospitalized or emergency department patients with a primary diagnosis of HF and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 45% diagnosed between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2019 in Alberta, Canada, with follow-up to March 31, 2020. Inclusion criteria from the VerICiguaT Global Study in Subjects with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection (VICTORIA) trial were applied to explore eligibility for vericiguat. Among 25,629 patients with HF and LVEF data, 9948 (38.8%) had HFrEF, of which 5259 (52.8%) experienced WHF at some point during a median 5.8 years of follow-up, and 38.3% of those met the vericiguat trial eligibility criteria. Compared with patients with HFrEF without WHF, those with WHF were older, with more comorbidities, worse renal function, and similar LVEF status, but greater use of HF medications at baseline. At the time of WHF, 27% of those with HFrEF and WHF were on triple therapy, 50.6% were on dual therapy, and 15.4% were on monotherapy. All-cause mortality and the composite outcome of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization at 1-year of follow-up were higher in the HFrEF with WHF cohort compared with HFrEF without WHF (adjusted hazard ratios of 1.92 and 1.51, respectively, both P < .0001). ConclusionsApproximately one-half of patients with HFrEF experienced WHF over the long-term follow-up. Most were not on triple therapy, highlighting the underuse of the existing standard-of-care treatments and opportunities for application of newer therapies; more than one-third of patients with HFrEF may be eligible for vericiguat. Lay SummaryAmong patients with heart failure (HF), those who experience worsening HF (WHF) are at increased risk of adverse outcomes. A few new therapies, including vericiguat, have emerged recently for patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction. However, the epidemiology, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients with WHF in large representative populations is unclear. In the current study, approximately one-half of the patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction experienced WHF and 38.3% were potentially eligible for vericiguat therapy. The guideline-recommended therapies were under-utilized among patients with WHF, which highlights the need for initiatives to address this care gap.

Diagnostic accuracy of active matrix metalloproteinase-8 point-of-care test for the discrimination of periodontal health status: Comparison of saliva and oral rinse samples.

Assessment of biomarkers, specifically active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), in saliva/oral rinses is a promising diagnostic approach for periodontal health and disease. Different oral fluids have specific advantages and limitations. This study investigates the effect of sampling different fluids on the accuracy of an aMMP-8 point of care test (POCT). Unstimulated whole saliva, a first, and a second oral rinse were sequentially taken from 95 consecutive adults. aMMP-8 was quantitatively determined with a lateral flow immunoassay (index test). A full-mouth periodontal examination was used to establish a diagnosis according to the 2017 World Workshop classification of periodontal diseases (reference standard). Diagnostic measures of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity were assessed and compared. In all oral fluid samples, periodontitis patients (N=61) had significantly elevated aMMP-8 levels and increased test positivity rates compared with subjects with periodontal health or gingivitis (N=34). The intra-individual comparison showed that aMMP-8 levels were significantly higher in 1st oral rinse compared with other samples (1st oral rinse > saliva=2nd oral rinse, p=.007). The aMMP-8 test using 1st oral rinse exhibited the best accuracy for detecting periodontitis with a sensitivity of 80.3%, a specificity of 67.8% and an AUROC of 0.740. A 30-second oral rinse with water omitting the prerinse provided the best accuracy to discriminate periodontal health and disease with an aMMP-8 POCT. This regimen seems promising for further studies in large representative populations to verify the current findings.

Psychometric properties and modification of the 15-item geriatric depression scale among Chinese oldest-old and centenarians: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundThe 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) shows good performance in detecting depression among older persons, but its applicability has not been well studied in non-Western oldest-old adults and centenarians. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric property of the GDS-15 and a simplified version among a large representative longevous population in China.MethodsA total of 1624 individuals (786 oldest-old persons aged from 80 to 99 years; 838 centenarians aged 100+ years) participated in this study. Home interviews with structured questionnaires were conducted to collect sociodemographic data. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Chinese GDS-15 version. We implemented mixed methods for the psychometric evaluation of the GDS-15. Cronbach’s α coefficient and item-total correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the internal consistency. A standard expert consultation was conducted to test the content validity of each item. Multiple factor analyses were used to explore the optimal factor structure and measurement invariance.ResultsThe α coefficient of the GDS-15 was 0.745, while two items impaired the overall consistency reliability. Nineteen experts rated the applicability for each item and provided removal suggestion. Five items with less validity were removed, and a simplified 10-item GDS model with three-factor structure was proposed as an optimal solution. The GDS-10 model showed factorial equivalence across age, sex, residence, and education in multi-group confirmatory factor analyses.ConclusionsThe original GDS-15 has acceptable internal reliability, known-group validity, and concurrent validity among Chinese community-dwelling oldest-old and centenarians; however we provided preliminary evidence indicating that individual items related to somatic function or social activities may not be applicable for this population. The modified GDS-10 can be proposed as a potentially more practical and comprehensible instrument for depression screening.

The Unequal Consequences of the Covid‐19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Large Representative German Population Survey

We use panel data from three waves of a large representative population survey carried out between June and November 2020 to assess in what regards and to what extent different groups of the German population are affected by the COVID‐19 crisis. Using common factor analysis, we show that people’s lives are mainly affected in two ways: First, a notable fraction of the population is concerned that they or their family members and friends may get infected with the coronavirus. Second, many people suffer from socio‐economic consequences of the crisis, including a discontinuation of employment, a decrease in household income, and worries about financial troubles. Regressing these two factors on several socio‐demographic characteristics reveals that especially the socio‐economic consequences vary across population groups. Self‐employed persons, marginally employed workers, low‐income households, and families with children appear to be burdened overproportionally.

Aspirin use in patients with diagnosed diabetes in the United States and China: Nationally representative analysis.

BackgroundThe epidemiological data on the use of aspirin in diabetic patients is very limited. The main purpose of this study is to examine the current status of aspirin use in the United States (US) and China in large representative populations.MethodsData came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and China Hypertension Survey (CHS), two nationally representative cross-sectional studies.ResultsThe percentage of aspirin use was 73.8% in US diabetic patients with ASCVD, and the percentage of aspirin use in diabetic patients with high ASCVD risk was marginally higher in men (p = .052), 54.5% in men and 37.1% in women. The percentages of aspirin use in diabetic patients with intermediate and low ASCVD risk were 55.1% and 35.0%, respectively. In China, the percentage of aspirin use in diabetic patients with ASCVD was 53.5%, and were 14.3%, 9.7%, and 3.2% among diabetic patients with high, intermediate, and low ASCVD risk, respectively.ConclusionsIn summary, the percentage of aspirin use in primary prevention in US diabetic patients in men was higher than in women, and this percentage for primary and secondary prevention in US patients was higher than that in Chinese patients.