Presence Of Multiple Risk Factors Research Articles

Predictors of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after biventricular repair in interrupted aortic arch or aortic coarctation

BackgroundLeft ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) re-intervention is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA) after aortoplasty. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed data from neonates with IAA/CoA who underwent biventricular repair between 2012 and 2022. LVOTO events were defined by the detection of color Doppler flow acceleration ≥3.0 m/s at the valvular, subvalvular, or supravalvular regions via transthoracic echocardiography, and the necessity for surgical or catheter intervention to relieve the obstruction. ResultsAmong 121 neonates with CoA/IAA, 16 (13.7%) primary aortoplasty patients developed LVOTO. Additionally, one patient (25%) who underwent a staged Yasui operation developed LVOTO due to a narrowed ventricular septal defect–pulmonary atresia tunnel. During follow-up, 58% of patients with a bicuspid valve and 25% of patients with a subaortic ridge developed LVOTO. The combination of either a bicuspid valve, subaortic ridge, or an aortic valve annulus Z-score < −3.0 predicted a high re-intervention rate (7/8 [87.5%]). ConclusionsIn patients with IAA/CoA, the presence of multiple risk factors, including a bicuspid valve, subaortic ridge, and an aortic valve annulus Z-score < −3.0, is associated with a significantly increased rate of re-intervention for LVOTO.

Resilience Through Social Support: An Intersectional Analysis of Sexual Minority Women’s Social Resources for Wellbeing

ABSTRACT Sexual minority women (SMW) are at higher risk for a range of health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder) than heterosexual women. However, poor health outcomes do not occur for all SMW. Resilience provides a lens for understanding why some SMW maintain good mental and behavioral health despite the presence of multiple risk factors. Few studies have examined the resilience-promoting factor of social support in relation to depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder in SMW. There is a need for further research clarifying sources of social support (e.g. family, significant others, friends, LGBTQ+ community) associated with resilient outcomes for SMW. This study used data from a telephone-based survey of 520 SMW to examine the relationships between resilience and social support. We used multiple regression and tested for interactions with ethnoracial identity and sexual identity. Greater levels of overall social support were associated with greater resilience, as was social support from the LGBTQ+ community in particular. There were few differences in these relationships by ethnoracial identity, sexual identity, or their intersections. Interventions that increase social support across any of four support sources appear to have the potential to increase resilience and decrease mental and behavioral health risks for SMW.

Do Paralympic athletes suffer from brittle bones? Prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density in Paralympic athletes

BackgroundBone health may be a concern in Paralympic athletes, given the presence of multiple risk factors predisposing these athletes to low bone mineral density (BMD). Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalence of low BMD among Paralympic athletes participating in various sport disciplines, and to identify potential risk factors for low BMD. MethodsSeventy Paralympic athletes, of whom 51 % were wheelchair-dependent, were included in this cross-sectional study. BMD of the whole-body, lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Comparisons between groups were conducted by one-way ANOVA, and regression analyses were conducted to identify potential risk factors for low BMD. ResultsThe prevalence of low BMD (Z-score < −1.0) was highest at femoral neck (34 %), followed by total hip (31 %), whole-body (21 %), and lumbar spine (18 %). Wheelchair-dependent athletes had significantly lower BMD Z-scores compared to the non-wheelchair-dependent athletes at whole-body level (−0.5 ± 1.4 vs 0.2 ± 1.3; P = 0.04), total hip (−1.1 ± 1.2 vs 0.0 ± 1.1; P < 0.01), and femoral neck (−1.0 ± 1.3 vs −0.1 ± 1.2; P < 0.01). At the lumbar spine, low BMD was completely absent in wheelchair basketball and tennis players. Regression analyses identified body mass, wheelchair dependence, and type of sport, as the main risk factors for low BMD. ConclusionsIn this cohort of Paralympic athletes, low BMD is mainly present at the hip, and to a lesser extent at the whole-body and lumbar spine. The most prominent risk factors for low BMD in Paralympic athletes are related to mechanical loading patterns, including wheelchair use, the type of sport, and body mass.

Association between concurrence of multiple risk factors and under-5 mortality: a pooled analysis of data from Demographic and Health Survey in 61 low-and-middle-income countries

Exposure to multiple risk factors is prevalent in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), challenging one-directional strategies to address preventable under-5 mortality (U5M). This study aims to assess the associations between concurrence of multiple risk factors and U5M in LMICs. We extracted data from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2010 and 2021 across 61 LMICs. Our primary outcome was U5M, defined as deaths from birth to 59 months. Binary logistic regression model was applied to ascertain the association between U5M and a total of 20 critical risk factors. Upon identifying the risk factors demonstrating the strongest associations, we investigated the simultaneous presence of multiple risk factors in each individual and assessed their combined effects on U5M with logistic regression models. Of the 604,372 under-5 children, 18,166 (3.0%) died at the time of the survey. Unsatisfied family planning needs was the strongest risk factor for U5M (odds ratio [OR]: 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-2.1), followed by short birth interval (<18 months; OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.9-2.1), small birth size (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.8-2.1), never breastfed or delayed breastfeeding (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.9-2.0), and low maternal education (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.4-1.8). 66.7% (66.6%-66.8%) of the children had 2 or more leading risk factors simultaneously. Simultaneous presence of multiple leading risk factors was significantly associated with elevated risk of U5M and children presenting with all 5 leading risk factors exhibited an exceedingly high risk of U5M (OR: 5.2, 95% CI: 4.3-6.3); a dose-response relationship between the number of risk factors and U5M was also observed-with the increment of numbers of leading risk factors, the U5M showed an increasing trend (p-trend < 0.001). Exposure to multiple risk factors is very common in LMICs and underscores the necessity of developing multisectoral and integrated approaches to accelerate progress in reducing U5M in line with the SDG 3.2. This research is funded by Research Fund, Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University.

The Net Clinical Outcome of Dual-Pathway Inhibition in Clinical Practice: The "Xarelto plus Acetylsalicylic Acid: Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Patients with Atherosclerosis" Registry.

Background: In the COMPASS trial, the combination of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) plus 2.5 mg rivaroxaban twice daily (dual-pathway inhibition, DPI) has been shown to be superior to ASA monotherapy for the reduction in ischemic major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, i.e., cardiovascular death, stroke, or myocardial infarction). Methods: The international XATOA registry (Xarelto plus Acetylsalicylic acid: Treatment patterns and Outcomes in patients with Atherosclerosis) is a prospective post-approval registry that investigates the cardiovascular outcomes of patients taking ASA plus 2.5 mg rivaroxaban. The aim of this pre-specified analysis was to determine the net clinical outcome (NCO), i.e., a combination of MACEs and bleeding events, of DPI in patients from daily clinical practice. Results: Among the 5615 patients, the presence of multiple risk factors resulted in an increase in the total risk of experiencing an NCO event, e.g., from 1.27% (one risk factor) to 2.18% (two risk factors) and 4.07% (three or more risk factors), respectively, with ischemic MACE representing the primary driver of bleeding complications. Conclusions: In the real-world XATOA registry, the annual rate of NCO events was low and numerically similar to those seen in the treatment group in the randomized COMPASS trial.

Cutoff Point Measurement of the waist circumference for the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome in Iraqi university students

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of connected cardiovascular risk factors that characterizes the complicated illness. The waist circumference cutoff point fluctuation has so far defined Mets. Objective: This study aimed to determine the cutoff point for WC in healthy Iraqi adults. Methods: This cross-sectional survey establishes the standard value for WC among 300 healthy university students in Wasit city, Iraq. They are aged between 18-25 years. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used WC to predict the presence of two or more risk factors for MetS, as defined by IDF. Results: The cutoff level yielding maximum sensitivity and specificity for predicting the presence of multiple risk factors was 82.5cm in females (sensitivity 65%, specificity 70%) and 91cm in males(sensitivity 50%, specificity 75%). Conclusion: Results propose that 82.5cm for females and 91cm for males represent the ideal WC cutoff points for diagnosing MetS in young adult participants from Iraq.

131I-Apamistamab Effectively Achieved Durable Responses in Patients with R/R AML Irrespective of the Presence of Multiple High-Risk Factors

Background : Most older patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML cannot tolerate intensive treatment and are not eligible for curative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT). 131I-apamistamab, an anti-CD45 radioimmunoconjugate, delivers high dose targeted radiation to hematopoietic cells, allowing for myeloablation and eradication of leukemic cells while sparing toxicity to healthy organs. 131I-apamistamab led induction and conditioning can thus provide these pts with access to alloHCT. Methods: The SIERRA trial (NCT02665065) is a multi-center, randomized, controlled Phase 3 study comparing the rate of durable complete remission (dCR) lasting &amp;gt;6 months (mos) after complete remission with/without platelet recovery (CR/CRp) between two groups: 131I-apamistamab led induction and conditioning followed by alloHCT vs physician's choice of conventional care (CC). Pts were randomized (1:1) to CC or 131I-apamistamab with fludarabine and total body irradiation (2 Gy) followed by alloHCT. CR/CRp assessment was 28-56 days post alloHCT or 28-42 days post initiation of therapy on the CC group. Pts in the CC group not achieving leukemia-free state could crossover (CO) to 131I-apamistamab. Here we report the results of a post hoc analysis to determine if the presence of various risk factors (i.e., Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) &amp;lt;90, HCT Comorbidity Index &amp;gt;3, age &amp;gt;65, adverse-risk cytogenetics, venetoclax failure prior to randomization) influenced achievement of dCR in pts treated with 131I-apamistamab. Results: In total, 153 pts were randomized (CC, n=76; 131I-apamistamab, n=77). All pts who received the therapeutic dose of 131I-apamistamab (n=66) underwent alloHCT vs 14 (18.2%) in the CC group. Of evaluable pts, dCR rates at 6 mos were 22% in the 131I-apamistamab group vs 0% in the CC group (95% CI;12.29, 34.73; p&amp;lt;0.0001). A total of 19 pts (13, 131I-apamistamab group; 6, CO) achieved dCR. Table 1 shows the pt, disease, and transplant characteristics of dCR vs. non-dCR pts. Eight of the 19 pts (42.1%) had primary induction failure and the median time to randomization from diagnosis was 5.4 mos. Approximately 50% of pts (9/19) had adverse-risk cytogenetics. Over 35% (7/19) of the pts had failed prior venetoclax and the median number of prior treatments was 3 (range 1-5). A total of 10/19 (52%) pts had KPS of &amp;lt;90% and a comorbidity index of &amp;gt;3. There was no difference in the rate of dCR when stratifying by number of risk factors for a given pt (0 to 5) with 27% for pts with 0-1 risk factors, 14% for pts with 2-3 risk factors, and 11% for pts with 4-5 risk factors (p=0.251). Conclusion: Pts with R/R AML who have multiple risk factors such as adverse risk cytogenetics, age &amp;gt;65, venetoclax failure, high comorbidity index or poor KPS are typically not considered for alloHCT due to high transplant-related mortality and post-transplant relapse rates. 131I-apamistamab was effective in achieving durable responses in R/R AML pts irrespective of the presence of multiple risk factors and successfully enabled alloHCT in such pts due to its targeted mechanism of action.

A clash on the Toll pathway: competitive action between pesticides and zymosan A on components of innate immunity in Apis mellifera.

The immune system of honeybees includes multiple pathways that may be affected by pesticide exposure decreasing the immune competencies of bees and increasing their susceptibility to diseases like the fungal Nosema spp. infection, which is detected in collapsed colonies. To better understand the effect of the co-presence of multiple pesticides that interact with bees like imidacloprid and amitraz, we evaluated the expression of immune-related genes in honeybee hemocytes. Imidacloprid, amitraz, and the immune activator, zymosan A, mainly affect the gene expression in the Toll pathway. Imidacloprid, amitraz, and zymosan A have a synergistic or an antagonistic relationship on gene expression depending on the level of immune signaling. The presence of multiple risk factors like pesticides and pathogens requires the assessment of their complex interaction, which has differential effects on the innate immunity of honeybees as seen in this study.

Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Small Choroidal Melanocytic Lesions

To determine the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with indeterminate small choroidal melanocytic lesions (SCMLs). Retrospective case series. Forty-seven patients with choroidal melanocytic lesions 2.5 mm or less in tumor thickness and ≤ 10 mm in largest basal diameter (LBD). Blood samples were analyzed for CTCs and the presence of monosomy-3 (M3) in CTCs. Tissue biopsy was performed in the patients who were CTC-positive (pCTC). Presence and M3 status of the CTCs with regard to the clinical characteristics and results from tissue biopsy. Median thickness of all (n= 47) lesions was 1.1 mm (range: 0.2-2.5 mm), and LBD was 5.6 mm (range: 2.0-10.0 mm). Circulating tumor cells were found in 25 patients (n= 25). This group was classified as pCTC and compared with the CTC-negative (nCTC) group consisting of 22 patients (n= 22). Median tumor dimensions in the pCTC versus the nCTC group were 1.6 mm (range: 0.6-2.5 mm) versus 0.5 mm (range: 0.2-2.5 mm) for thickness and 6.6 mm (range: 4.1-10.0 mm) versus 4.0 mm (range: 2.0-8.0 mm) for LBD, respectively. Both LBD and thickness were positively associated (P < 0.001) with the presence of CTC. Compared with the nCTC group, a higher percentage of the pCTC group exhibited LBD > 5 mm (36% vs. 88%), subretinal fluid (9.1% vs. 56%), orange pigment (4.5% vs. 60%), sonographic hollowness (9.1% vs. 60%), and the presence of multiple risk factors (0% vs. 68% for ≥3 factors) with P < 0.001 for all parameters. No significant difference was detected in the clinical parameters of the patients who had disomy-3 (D3) (n= 7) versus M3 (n= 17) in their CTC. The tissue biopsy confirmed the uveal melanoma (UM) in 22 of the 25 pCTC patients (88%), whereas no conclusive diagnosis could be determined in the remaining 3 cases because of insufficient or invalid material. We report compelling evidence for the potential of liquid biopsy as an additional tool to screen SCMLs for malignancy. These findings pave the way toward the implementation of liquid biopsy to detect small UM and monitor melanocytic lesions. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Vertebrobasilar Artery Calcification as a Risk Factor for the Development of Stroke: Case-Control Study From a Tertiary Care Center, Southern India.

Background Stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Many risk factors are well-established for the development of stroke. Atherosclerosis involving the media and intima layer of vertebrobasilar arteries has not been studied well as a risk factor for stroke. Objective To assess the degree of calcification of vertebrobasilar arteries among patients with stroke (cases), age- and gender-matched controls, and the risk of the development of stroke. Methods This was a hospital record-based case-control study with individuals with stroke as cases and age- and gender-matched individuals without stroke as controls, who underwent computed tomography imaging. The degree of calcification of vertebrobasilar arteries was assessed among cases and controls. Various other risk factors for the development of stroke such as the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and impaired lipid profile were also assessed. Results Among the 150 cases and their age- and gender-matched controls, the mean age of the subjects was 58.38 (±14.06) years. Forty percent of the individuals were males. Among the cases, right vertebral, left vertebral, and basilar artery calcifications were observed among 114 (76%), 102 (68%), and 52 (34.7%), respectively. Among controls, 71 (47.3%), 77 (51.3%), and 29 (19.3%) individuals had right vertebral, left vertebral, and basilar artery calcifications, respectively. The degree of calcification was higher among the cases in the right and left vertebral arteries than the controls (adjusted odds (aOR) of 6.61 and 2.32 and p-value <0.001 and 0.032, respectively). The risk of stroke increased with higher degrees of calcification, the presence of diabetes mellitus, and raised cholesterol levels (aOR of 9.98, 2.32, and 4 and p-value <0.001, 0.007, and 0.001, respectively). The risk of stroke increases with the presence of multiple risk factors. Conclusion The presence of higher grades of calcifications in the vertebrobasilar arteries is a major risk factor for stroke. Hence, its presence in asymptomatic individuals needs to be taken as a warning sign for the development of stroke.

Impact of asthma on the brain: evidence from diffusion MRI, CSF biomarkers and cognitive decline.

Chronic systemic inflammation increases the risk of neurodegeneration, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Part of the challenge in reaching a nuanced understanding is the presence of multiple risk factors that interact to potentiate adverse consequences. To address modifiable risk factors and mitigate downstream effects, it is necessary, although difficult, to tease apart the contribution of an individual risk factor by accounting for concurrent factors such as advanced age, cardiovascular risk, and genetic predisposition. Using a case-control design, we investigated the influence of asthma, a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, on brain health in participants recruited to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (31 asthma patients, 186 non-asthma controls, aged 45-90 years, 62.2% female, 92.2% cognitively unimpaired), a sample enriched for parental history of Alzheimer's disease. Asthma status was determined using detailed prescription information. We employed multi-shell diffusion weighted imaging scans and the three-compartment neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging model to assess white and gray matter microstructure. We used cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers to examine evidence of Alzheimer's disease pathology, glial activation, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We evaluated cognitive changes over time using a preclinical Alzheimer cognitive composite. Using permutation analysis of linear models, we examined the moderating influence of asthma on relationships between diffusion imaging metrics, CSF biomarkers, and cognitive decline, controlling for age, sex, and cognitive status. We ran additional models controlling for cardiovascular risk and genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease, defined as a carrier of at least one apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele. Relative to controls, greater Alzheimer's disease pathology (lower amyloid-β42/amyloid-β40, higher phosphorylated-tau-181) and synaptic degeneration (neurogranin) biomarker concentrations were associated with more adverse white matter metrics (e.g. lower neurite density, higher mean diffusivity) in patients with asthma. Higher concentrations of the pleiotropic cytokine IL-6 and the glial marker S100B were associated with more salubrious white matter metrics in asthma, but not in controls. The adverse effects of age on white matter integrity were accelerated in asthma. Finally, we found evidence that in asthma, relative to controls, deterioration in white and gray matter microstructure was associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Taken together, our findings suggest that asthma accelerates white and gray matter microstructural changes associated with aging and increasing neuropathology, that in turn, are associated with more rapid cognitive decline. Effective asthma control, on the other hand, may be protective and slow progression of cognitive symptoms.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: An assessment of prognostic factors and the role of early pigtail drainage

Abstract Introduction: The management of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), a necrotizing renal infection, has shifted from more invasive to less invasive approach in due course of time with decrease or reduction in mortality rate. Aim: To analyze the clinical spectrum, prognostic factors, different management strategies, and the outcome of the patients of EPN with the role of early pigtail drainage. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to December 2021 and included patients who were diagnosed with EPN. The data on the demographic profile, clinical features, biochemical parameters, imaging studies, management, and outcome of patients of EPN were recorded. Results: A total of 51 patients of EPN were studied and were divided into two groups, responders (40 patients) and nonresponders (11 patients), based on their clinical progression and outcome. Among responders and nonresponders, a significant difference was seen in terms of age, presentation of altered consciousness and shock, average hemoglobin, average serum creatinine, and presence of thrombocytopenia. Out of total 51 patients, 13 (25.49%) showed a response with antibiotics only, DJ stenting was done in five (9.8%) patients, and pigtail catheterization in 33(64.7%) patients. There was a significant difference seen in the response with early pigtail drainage. Nephrectomy was needed in eight (15.68%) patients, and the mortality rate was 9.8%, with the death of five patients. Conclusion: Advanced age, lower hemoglobin levels, thrombocytopenia, raised serum creatinine levels, altered mental status, and presence of shock can be used as a score for poor prognosis. With the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and early pigtail drainage, a large number of patients with EPN can be managed effectively. Nephrectomy should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to conservative management or those with advanced disease with the presence of multiple risk factors.

Review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis and prevention of atrial fibrillation after pacemaker implantation.

Cardiac pacemaker implantation is an important treatment for symptomatic bradycardia. However, epidemiological data show that the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is significantly higher in patients with implanted pacemakers than in the general population, which may be related to the preoperative presence of multiple risk factors for AF, improvement of diagnostic sensitivity and the pacemaker itself. The pathogenesis of AF after the implantation of pacemaker is related to cardiac electrical remodeling, structural remodeling, inflammation, and autonomic nervous disorder, which are induced by the pacemaker. Moreover, different pacing modes and pacing sites have various effects on the pathogenesis of postoperative AF. Recent studies have reported that reducing the proportion of ventricular pacing, improving the pacing site and setting up special pacing procedures might be highly useful in prevention of AF after pacemaker implantation. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, influencing factors, and preventive measures regarding AF after pacemaker surgery.

Chemoprophylaxis and Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Microvascular Surgery.

This review aims to highlight the common pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions utilized for thromboprophylaxis as well as flap salvage in microsurgery. A literature review was conducted in PubMed/National Center for Biotechnology Information, Scopus, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases. Articles with a focus on thromboprophylaxis in microsurgical procedures spanning head and neck surgery, breast and extremity microvascular reconstruction, deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus in microvascular surgery, and flap thrombosis and salvage were included in this review. The majority of available evidence supports mechanical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in all patients undergoing microsurgery given the presence of multiple risk factors for VTE within this particular patient population. Based on the literature review, addition of VTE chemoprophylactic agents is beneficial and an algorithmic approach to thromboprophylaxis in microsurgery patients and management of patients with thrombosis based on literature review and senior authors' experience is recommended and outlined.

Risk factors for falls in different age groups of patients with chronic cerebral ischaemia

Introduction. Cognitive impairment, gait and balance disorders are the most important risk factors for falls in older persons. These neurological impairments are the main clinical manifestations of chronic cerebral ischaemia (CCI), and can develop at a younger age.&#x0D; Aim: to evaluate the risk factors for falls in patients with CCI in different age groups and to identify the most significant predictors of falls.&#x0D; Materials and methods. We examined 104 patients with CCI. Patients were divided into three age groups: middle age (4059 years old; n = 13), older age (6074 years old; n = 62), and the elderly (75 years and older; n = 29). We assessed the frequency of falls and the presence of risk factors.&#x0D; Results. Thirty-seven (36%) patients had a history of falls, with its incidence increasing from 8% in the middle-aged group to 37% in the older persons and 45% in the elderly. Some patients had multiple risk factors for falls, while the presence of 5 risk factors increased the risk of falling fourfold. The most common factors in middle age were pain due to degenerative spine conditions (85%), anxiety (54%), and visual impairment (31%); in older age back pain (77%), cognitive impairment (45%), visual impairment (39%), and decreased walking speed (23%); in the elderly visual impairment (76%), cognitive impairment (69%), back pain (69%), decreased walking speed (38%), and orthostatic hypotension (28%). Discriminant analysis revealed that the best predictors of falls in CCI were female sex, age over 69 years, depression, cognitive impairment, and a walking speed below 1 m/sec.&#x0D; Conclusion. Falls were observed in all age groups of people with CCI. Not only the presence of a specific risk factor for falls, but the presence of multiple risk factors, has predictive value. The presence of five or more risk factors, as well as a walking speed below 1 m/sec, can indicate a high risk of falls.

Modifiable risk factors in adults with and without prior cardiovascular disease: findings from the Indonesian National Basic Health Research

BackgroundsThe majority of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are modifiable. Continuous monitoring and control of these factors could significantly reduce the risk of CVDs-related morbidity and mortality. This study estimated the prevalence of modifiable risk factors in Indonesia and its co-occurence of multiple risk factors stratified by prior CVDs diagnosis status and sex.MethodsAdult participants (> 15 years, N = 36,329, 57% women) with median age of 40 years were selected from a nationwide Indonesian cross-sectional study called Basic Health Research or Riset Kesehatan Dasar (Riskesdas) conducted in 2018. Thirteen risk factors were identified from the study, including smoking, a high-risk diet, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, a low physical activity level, the presence of mental-emotional disorders, obesity, a high waist circumference (WC), a high waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), hypertension, diabetes, a high total cholesterol level, a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, and a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Age-adjusted prevalence ratios stratified by CVDs status and sex were calculated using Poisson regression with the robust covariance estimator.ResultsCVDs were found in 3% of the study population. Risk factor prevalence in the overall population ranged from 5.7 to 96.5% for diabetes and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption respectively. Smoking, a high-risk food diet, and a low HDL cholesterol level were more prevalent in men, whereas a low physical activity level, the presence of mental-emotional disorders, obesity, a high WC, a high WtHR, hypertension, diabetes, a high total cholesterol level, and a high LDL cholesterol level were more prevalent in women. Approximately 22% of men and 18% of women had at least 4 risk factors, and these proportions were higher in participants with prior CVDs diagnosis.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors in the Indonesian adult population. Sex, age, and the presence of CVD are major determinants of the variations in risk factors. The presence of multiple risk factors, which are often inter-related, requires a comprehensive approach through health promotion, lifestyle modification and patient education.

Association between depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or opioid use and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor persistence in inflammatory arthritis.

Depression, anxiety, and chronic pain are common comorbidities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and may substantially impact patient outcomes. We aimed to determine whether these comorbidities were associated with earlier TNF-inhibitor (TNFi) discontinuation. This retrospective cohort study using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database 2000-2014 identified patients with RA, PsA, and AS initiating a first TNFi. Depression/anxiety, chronic pain, and opioid use were identified using diagnosis codes and prescription fill data. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare time to medication discontinuation in patients with or without each of these risk factors and to assess the additive effect of having multiple risk factors. Among 33,744 patients initiating a TNFi (23,888 RA, 6443 PsA, 3413 AS), depression/anxiety, chronic pain, and opioid use were common, with ≥ 1 risk factor in 48.1%, 42.5%, and 55.4% of patients with RA, PsA, and AS respectively. Each risk factor individually was associated with a 5-7-month lower median treatment persistence in each disease (all p < 0.001). Presence of multiple risk factors had an additive effect on time to discontinuation with HR (95% CI) 1.19 (1.14-1.24), 1.41 (1.33-1.49), and 1.47 (1.43-1.73) for 1, 2, or 3 risk factors respectively in RA. Findings were similar in PsA and AS. Depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and opioid use are common in inflammatory arthritis and associated with earlier TNFi discontinuation. Recognizing and managing these risk factors may improve treatment persistence, patient outcomes, and cost of care. Key Points • Depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and opioid use are common in patients with inflammatory arthritis. • In patients initiating treatment with a TNF-inhibitor, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or recent opioid use are associated with sooner discontinuation of TNFi therapy. • Patients with multiple of these risk factors are even more likely to discontinue therapy sooner.

Adverse childhood experiences, parenting, and socioeconomic status: Associations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescence

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs), low socioeconomic status (SES), and harsh parenting practices each represent well-established risk factors for mental health problems. However, research supporting these links has often focused on only one of these predictors and psychopathology, and interactions among these variables in association with symptoms are not well understood. ObjectiveThe current study utilized a cross-sectional, multi-informant, and multi-method design to investigate the associations of ACEs, SES, parenting, and concurrent internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents. Participants and settingData are from a volunteer sample of 97 adolescents and their caregivers recruited from 2018 to 2021 in a southern U.S. metropolitan area to sample a range of exposure to ACEs. MethodsMultiple linear regression models were used to assess associations among adolescents' ACEs exposure, SES, observed parenting practices, and symptoms of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. ResultsLower SES was associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, while higher ACEs exposure and observed parenting were related to externalizing but not internalizing symptoms. Associations of adolescents' exposure to physical abuse and perceived financial insecurity with externalizing symptoms were moderated by warm and supportive parenting behaviors. Conversely, harsh parenting was linked to increased levels of externalizing symptoms, particularly in the context of low income. ConclusionsFindings suggest that the presence of multiple risk factors may incur greater vulnerability to externalizing problems, while warm and supportive parenting practices may provide a buffer against externalizing problems for adolescents exposed to physical abuse. Links between ACEs, SES, parenting, and youth adjustment should continue to be explored, highlighting parenting as a potentially important and malleable intervention target.

Estimation and inference of predictive discrimination for survival outcome risk prediction models.

Accurate risk prediction has been the central goal in many studies of survival outcomes. In the presence of multiple risk factors, a censored regression model can be employed to estimate a risk prediction rule. Before the prediction tool can be popularized for practical use, it is crucial to rigorously assess its prediction performance. In our motivating example, researchers are interested in developing and validating a risk prediction tool to identify future lung cancer cases by integrating demographic information, disease characteristics and smoking-related data. Considering the long latency period of cancer, it is desirable for a prediction tool to achieve discriminative performance that does not weaken over time. We propose estimation and inferential procedures to comprehensively assess both the overall predictive discrimination and the temporal pattern of an estimated prediction rule. The proposed methods readily accommodate commonly used censored regression models, including the Cox proportional hazards model and the accelerated failure time model. The estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal, and reliable variance estimators are also developed. The proposed methods offer an informative tool for inferring time-dependent predictive discrimination, as well as for comparing the discrimination performance between candidate models. Applications of the proposed methods demonstrate enduring performance of the risk prediction tool in the PLCO study and detected decaying performance in a study of liver disease.

The interrelationship and accumulation of cardiometabolic risk factors amongst young adults in the United Arab Emirates: The UAE Healthy Future Study

IntroductionSimilar to other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), people who develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) typically have more than one risk factor. The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors begins in youth, early adulthood, and middle age. The presence of multiple risk factors simultaneously has been shown to increase the risk for atherosclerosis development in young and middle-aged adults and risk of CVD in middle age.ObjectiveThis study aimed to address the interrelationship of CVD risk factors and their accumulation in a large sample of young adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsBaseline data was drawn from the UAE Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS), a volunteer-based multicenter study that recruits Emirati nationals. Data of participants aged 18 to 40 years was used for cross-sectional analysis. Demographic and health information was collected through self-reported questionnaires. Anthropometric data and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples were collected.ResultsA total of 5126 participants were included in the analysis. Comorbidity analyses showed that dyslipidemia and obesity co-existed with other cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs) more than 70% and 50% of the time, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the risk factors with age and gender showed that all risk factors were highly associated with each other. The strongest relationship was found with obesity; it was associated with four-fold increase in the odds of having central obesity [adjusted OR 4.70 (95% CI (4.04–5.46)], and almost three-fold increase odds of having abnormal glycemic status [AOR 2.98 (95% (CI 2.49–3.55))], hypertension (AOR 3.03 (95% CI (2.61–3.52))] and dyslipidemia [AOR 2.71 (95% CI (2.32–3.15)]. Forty percent of the population accumulated more than 2 risk factors, and the burden increased with age.ConclusionIn this young population, cardiometabolic risk factors are highly prevalent and are associated with each other, therefore creating a heavy burden of risk factors. This forecasts an increase in the burden of CVD in the UAE. The robust longitudinal design of the UAEHFS will enable researchers to understand how risk factors cluster before disease develops. This knowledge will offer a novel approach to design group-specific preventive measures for CVD development.