Assessment of urothelial cells atypical changes among petroleum station workers in Saudi Arabia

The aim of the present study was to assess atypical changes in urothelial cells among petroleum station workers. This is a case control study, investigating 300 participants by cytological methods. Of the 300 participants, 150 were cases (exposed to petroleum products) and 150 were controls (non-exposed). Full voided urine was obtained and was cytologically assessed. Cytological atypia was identified in nine (6%) out of the 150 cases and could not be identified in 141/150 (94%) of the cases, whereas, in the control group, cytological atypia was recognized in four (2.7%) of the 150 controls and could not be identified in 146/150 (97.3%). The risk associated with petroleum product exposure, the odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) was 2.33 (0.7015–7.7378), P = 0.1673. Exposure of petroleum station workers to petroleum products increases the risk of urothelial atypical changes, which may progress to precancerous and cancerous changes.

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Plasma acylcarnitines and risk of lower-extremity functional impairment in older adults: a nested case–control study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82912-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Francisco Félix Caballero ◽

Ellen A. Struijk ◽

Alberto Lana ◽

Antonio Buño ◽

Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Study ◽

Long Chain

AbstractElevated concentrations of acylcarnitines have been associated with higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles, and 2-year risk of incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI). This case–control study is nested in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort of community-dwelling older adults, which included 43 incident cases of LEFI and 86 age- and sex- matched controls. LEFI was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Plasma L-carnitine and 28 acylcarnitine species were measured. After adjusting for potential confounders, medium-chain acylcarnitines levels were associated with 2-year incidence of LEFI [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 2.64; p = 0.02]. Similar results were observed for long-chain acylcarnitines [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.70; 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 2.80; p = 0.04]. Stratified analyses showed a stronger association between medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines and incidence of LEFI among those with body mass index and energy intake below the median value. In conclusion, higher plasma concentrations of medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines were associated with higher risk of LEFI. Given the role of these molecules on mitochondrial transport of fatty acids, our results suggest that bioenergetics dysbalance contributes to LEFI.

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Parental risk factors for congenital diaphragmatic hernia – a large German case-control study

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02748-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Felicitas Schulz ◽

Ekkehart Jenetzky ◽

Nadine Zwink ◽

Charlotte Bendixen ◽

Florian Kipfmueller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Environmental Risk ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Alcohol Intake ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Parental Risk Factors ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Control Study

Abstract Background Evidence for periconceptional or prenatal environmental risk factors for the development of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is still scarce. Here, in a case-control study we investigated potential environmental risk factors in 199 CDH patients compared to 597 healthy control newborns. Methods The following data was collected: time of conception and birth, maternal BMI, parental risk factors such as smoking, alcohol or drug intake, use of hairspray, contact to animals and parental chronic diseases. CDH patients were born between 2001 and 2019, all healthy control newborns were born in 2011. Patients and control newborns were matched in the ratio of three to one. Results Presence of CDH was significantly associated with maternal periconceptional alcohol intake (odds ratio = 1.639, 95% confidence interval 1.101–2.440, p = 0.015) and maternal periconceptional use of hairspray (odds ratio = 2.072, 95% confidence interval 1.330–3.229, p = 0.001). Conclusion Our study suggests an association between CDH and periconceptional maternal alcohol intake and periconceptional maternal use of hairspray. Besides the identification of novel and confirmation of previously described parental risk factors, our study underlines the multifactorial background of isolated CDH.

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Associations between Red Blood Cell and Platelet Transfusions and Retinopathy of Prematurity

Neonatology ◽

10.1159/000512020 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Tobias Hengartner ◽

Mark Adams ◽

Riccardo E. Pfister ◽

Diane Snyers ◽

Jane McDougall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Same Sex ◽

Live Births ◽

Adjusted Logistic Regression ◽

Control Study

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine possible associations between the transfusion of RBC or platelets (PLTs) and the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants. Methods: This retrospective, national, case-control study included all live births in Switzerland between 2013 and 2018. We investigated preterm infants at a gestational age of <28 weeks, who developed higher stage ROP (≥stage 2, n = 178). Each case infant was matched to another of the same sex who did not develop ROP (n = 178, control group). Results: When compared with the control group, we observed higher numbers of RBC transfusions per infant and higher percentages of infants receiving PLT transfusions in the case group. An adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that both RBC (odds ratio [OR] 1.081, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.020–1.146) and PLT transfusions (OR = 2.502, 95% CI 1.566–3.998) numbers were associated with ROP development. Conclusions: Multiple RBC and PLT transfusions are associated with higher stage ROP development. Prospective studies are required to determine their potential as risk factors.

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Association between anxiety symptoms and atrial fibrillation in a community cohort of Chinese older adults: a case-control study

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-021-02278-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhu-Xia Shen ◽

Yu-Min Sun ◽

Hui-Hui Gu ◽

Yan Zhang ◽

Zhi-Wen Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Older Adults ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Community Based ◽

Control Study

Abstract Background The association between anxiety and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. Moreover, this association has rarely been studied in Chinese individuals aged 60 years or older. This study investigated the association between anxiety and AF in a community-based case-control study of older adult residents in urban China. Methods The cases and controls were from a community-based study conducted in the Jingansi community in Shanghai, China, between January 2010 and December 2012. A total of 3622 residents aged 60 years or older without severe vision, hearing, or speaking impairments were eligible to participate in the physical examinations and questionnaire survey. AF was assessed based on a previous physician’s diagnosis, electrocardiogram, ambulatory electrocardiogram, or echocardiogram. Anxiety was evaluated using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZSAS). Using the AF group as a reference, the control group consisted of randomly selected age- and sex-matched individuals in a 1:5 ratio (case:control = 1:5). The association between anxiety and AF in the AF group and the multifactor-matched control group was explored using logistic regression. Results In the AF and control groups, after adjusting for a history of coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, hypertension, stroke, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, as well as depression score, ZSAS scores (odds ratio 1.07; 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.12; p = 0.003), and anxiety symptoms (odds ratio 3.94; 95% confidence interval 1.06–14.70; p = 0.041) were associated with AF. Conclusions Anxiety symptoms were associated with AF in a Chinese older population. This suggests that older adults who have anxiety symptoms may need psychological intervention or treatment in daily life and care.

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Abstract WP369: Long Sleep Duration as a Risk Factor for Intracerebral Hemorrhage: a Nationwide, Multicenter Case-control Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.wp369 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Tae Jung Kim ◽

Chi Kyung Kim ◽

Yerim Kim ◽

Han-Gil Jeong ◽

Kiwoong Nam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Stroke Incidence ◽

Long Sleep ◽

Control Study

Introduction: Sleep duration has been regarded as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Short sleep duration is linked with higher stroke incidence, and mortality. Moreover, and paradoxically, long sleep duration is also reported to be positively associated with stroke incidence. However, the impact of sleep duration on the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk remains unclear. Hypothesis: We assessed the relationship between sleep duration and the risk of ICH. Methods: We performed a nationwide, multicenter matched case-control study to investigate the risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke, using patients from 33 hospitals in Korea. We enrolled a total of 490 patients with ICH and 980 age- and sex-matched controls. We obtained information regarding sleep, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and medical history before ICH onset, using qualified structured questionnaires. Sleep duration was categorized as ≤5, 6, 7, 8, and ≥9 hours. We chose sleep duration of 7 h as the reference duration. Results: The included patients were mostly male (58.2%) with a mean age of 57 years. The number of subjects with long sleep duration, more than 8 h, was significantly greater in the ICH group than in the control group (≥8 h, 30.4% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.002). Compared to 7 h, long sleep duration participants tended to be older, be more hypertensive, and be more likely to have blue collar jobs, lower education levels, and poorer marital status (i.e., unmarried or divorced/separated). After controlling for confounding factors, we found that longer sleep duration was independently associated with the risk of ICH in a dose-response manner (8 h: Odds ratio, 1.44; confidence interval, 1.01-2.07; ≥9 h: Odds ratio, 2.60; confidence interval, 1.50–4.49). Conclusions: In conclusion, our study suggested that long sleep duration is positively related to ICH risk in a dose-dependent manner. In this context, our data might suggest that sleep duration is a modifiable risk factor for ICH.

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Adjacent-Level Ossification Development in Single-Level Standalone Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With Plate

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568220902749 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 219256822090274

Author(s):

Christopher Huang ◽

Ralph Mobbs ◽

Michael Selby ◽

Kevin Phan ◽

Prashanth Rao

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Adjacent Level ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Surgical Data ◽

Control Study

Study Design: Retrospective case control study. Objectives: Adjacent-level ossification development (ALOD) is a distinct form of adjacent segmental degeneration that has been recognized to occur after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). It is unclear whether ACDF with plate versus standalone has an effect on rates of ALOD. This retrospective case-control study aims to assess the rate of ALOD in a large series of patients undergoing ACDF with and without plate and factors causing ALOD. Methods: Data was collected for patients undergoing ACDF from January 2009 to July 2016. Data collected was from multiple centers and included demographic data, surgical data, radiological imaging at time of surgery, and serial follow-up imaging. The radiology for ALOD was independently reviewed. Cohorts were divided into ACDF with plate (Group P = plate) and ACDF without plate (Groups S = standalone) and outcomes were compared. Results: There were 260 patients with 138 (53%) in Group P and 122 (47%) in Group S. ALOD was observed in 15.3% of patients overall, 29% in group P and 2.8% in group S ( P < .001). Following multivariate adjustment, statistically significant association was found between use of plate and ALOD (odds ratio = 12.8, 95% confidence interval = 3.52-45.45, P < .001). Plate-to-disc distance <5 mm was significantly associated with ALOD (odds ratio = 13.5, 95% confidence interval = 3.83-47.62, P < .001). Conclusion: The use of anterior plate with ACDF was associated with ALOD. Plate-to-disc distance <5 mm was significantly associated with ALOD even after adjustment for confounding factors. We conclude utilization of standalone cages or cages with plate with more than 5 mm distance from adjacent disc to minimize ALOD.

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The Association between Hyperhomocysteinemia and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Chinese Population

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/4691026 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Jianqing Deng ◽

Jie Liu ◽

Long Cao ◽

Qun Wang ◽

Hongpeng Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Regression Models ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Control Study

Objective. To shed light on the association between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). Methods. From July 2013 to March 2017, we conducted a matched case–control study involving individuals who presented to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital and underwent thoracoabdominal magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography. A total of 73 patients with TAAAs were enrolled in the case group, and 219 sex-matched subjects without TAAAs were included in the control group. We then examined the relationship between HHcy and TAAAs by logistic regression models and subgroup as well as interaction analyses. Results. Serum total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations and the proportion of HHcy were significantly higher in the patients with TAAAs than in those without TAAAs (P<0.001). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression models indicated that participants with HHcy had a 2.14-fold higher risk of TAAAs than those with a normal serum tHcy level (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–4.56). Similarly, each 1 μmol/L increase in the serum tHcy concentration was associated with a 4% higher risk of TAAAs (adjusted OR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.07). Subgroup analyses indicated that HHcy tended to be associated with a greater risk of TAAAs in all stratified subgroups (adjusted ORs>1). Furthermore, the interaction analyses revealed no interactive role in the association between HHcy and TAAAs. Conclusions. The present case–control study suggests that HHcy is an independent risk factor for TAAAs. Larger prospective cohort studies are warranted to validate these findings.

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Current status of eye disorders caused by docetaxel administration every 3 weeks: A case-control study in Japanese patients

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/1078155219868761 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 655-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yusuke Noguchi ◽

Yugo Kawashima ◽

Megumi Maruyama ◽

Hiroko Kawara ◽

Yoko Tokuyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Japanese Patients ◽

Case Control ◽

Current Status ◽

Eye Drops ◽

Eye Disorders ◽

Control Study

Purpose Docetaxel is known to cause eye disorders. In this study, current status of eye disorders caused by docetaxel administration every 3 weeks in Japanese patients was examined. Methods This case-control study targeted patients who were newly administered docetaxel at the Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2018. Eye disorder occurrence was defined as an event in which the pharmacist confirmed the symptoms in a patient interview and the ophthalmologist diagnosed the disorder. Results Of the 89 subjects, 7 (7.9%) had eye disorders. The symptoms were watering eyes (7.9%), a stye and eye discharge (2.2% each), corneal and conjunctival disorder, visual acuity reduction, and blepharedema (1.1% each). Four patients who presented with watering eyes, eye discharge, or corneal and conjunctival disorder showed improvement with the use of eye drops such as artificial tears. Two patients who presented with a stye showed improvement with the use of oral cefcapene. One patient with mild symptoms showed spontaneous improvement. However, one patient had irreversible visual acuity reduction. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a cumulative docetaxel dose of ≥300 mg/m2 (odds ratio: 15.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.37–175.00, p = 0.027) and concomitant cyclophosphamide use (odds ratio: 13.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–153.00, p = 0.039) were significant risk factors associated with eye disorders. Conclusion In conclusion, it was determined that docetaxel-related eye disorders might be influenced by the cumulative dose of docetaxel and concomitant cyclophosphamide use. In addition, relatively mild symptoms improved with medication.

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α+-thalassemia protects African children from severe malaria

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2003-11-4090 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (7) ◽

pp. 2003-2006 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Frank P. Mockenhaupt ◽

Stephan Ehrhardt ◽

Sabine Gellert ◽

Rowland N. Otchwemah ◽

Ekkehart Dietz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Natural Selection ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Severe Malaria ◽

High Frequency ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Study ◽

Selection Of

Abstract The high frequency of α+-thalassemia in malaria-endemic regions may reflect natural selection due to protection from potentially fatal severe malaria. In Africa, bearing 90% of global malaria morbidity and mortality, this has not yet been observed. We tested this hypothesis in an unmatched case-control study among 301 Ghanaian children with severe malaria and 2107 controls (62% parasitemic). In control children, α+-thalassemia affected neither prevalence nor density of Plasmodium falciparum. However, heterozygous α+-thalassemia was observed in 32.6% of controls but in only 26.2% of cases (odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.98). Protection against severe malaria was found to be pronounced comparing severe malaria patients with parasitemic controls (adjusted OR in children < 5 years of age, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34-0.78) and to wane with age. No protective effect was discernible for homozygous children. Our findings provide evidence for natural selection of α+-thalassemia in Africa due to protection from severe malaria.

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A case-control study of risk factors of chronic venous ulceration in patients with varicose veins

Phlebology The Journal of Venous Disease ◽

10.1177/0268355516687677 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 60-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gohar Abelyan ◽

Lusine Abrahamyan ◽

Gayane Yenokyan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Varicose Veins ◽

Case Control ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Venous Ulceration ◽

History Of ◽

Control Study

Background/objectives Venous ulcers carry psychological and high financial burden for patients, causing depression, pain, and limitation of mobility. The study aimed to identify factors associated with an increased risk of venous ulceration in patients with varicose veins in Armenia. Methods A case-control study design was utilized enrolling 80 patients in each group, who underwent varicose treatment surgery in two specialized surgical centers in Armenia during 2013–2014 years. Cases were patients with varicose veins and venous leg ulcers. Controls included patients with varicose veins but without venous leg ulcers. Data were collected using interviewer-administered telephone interviews and medical record abstraction. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of venous ulceration. Results There were more females than males in both groups (72.5% of cases and 85.0 % of controls). Cases were on average older than controls (53.9 vs. 39.2 years old, p ≤ 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the estimated odds of developing venous ulcer was higher in patients with history of post thrombotic syndrome (odds ratio = 14.90; 95% confidence interval: 3.95–56.19; p = 0.001), with higher average sitting time (odds ratio = 1.32 per hour of sitting time; 95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.61; p = 0.006), those with reflux in deep veins (odds ratio = 3.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.23–10.31; p = 0.019) and history of leg injury (odds ratio = 3.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.18–8.23; p = 0.022). Regular exercise in form of walking (≥5 days per week) was found to be a protective factor from venous ulceration (odds ratio = 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.90; p = 0.034). Conclusion We found that reflux in deep veins, history of leg injury, history of post thrombotic syndrome, and physical inactivity were significant risk factors for venous ulceration in patients with varicose veins, while regular physical exercise mitigated that risk. Future studies should investigate the relationships between the duration and type of regular exercise and the risk of venous ulceration to make more specific recommendations on preventing ulcer development.

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