scholarly journals Benign ethnic neutropenia: an analysis of prevalence, timing and identification accuracy in two large inner-city NHS hospitals

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Oloyede ◽  
Olubanke Dzahini ◽  
Nigel Barnes ◽  
Aleksandar Mijovic ◽  
Shreyans Gandhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Identification Accuracy ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Clozapine Treatment ◽  
Black Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) is the most common cause of chronic neutropenia seen in individuals of African, Middle Eastern and West Indian descent. This phenotype is broadly defined by an absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) below 1.8 × 109 cells/L in the absence of other causes, without an increased risk of infection. BEN has been implicated as a potential source of disparity in patients treated with clozapine, the antipsychotic of choice in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Our main objective was to examine the current level of BEN recognition in a cohort of patients treated with clozapine and the potential impact of unidentified BEN on the initiation and maintenance of clozapine treatment. Methods This was an observational, retrospective analysis of patients registered with clozapine haematological monitoring systems in two large mental health trusts, chosen because they serve an ethnically diverse population. The first objective was to establish certified BEN prevalence in current users of clozapine. The second objective was to explore the stage of treatment at which BEN was identified. The third objective was to evaluate the extent of unrecognised BEN in patients registered on the Central Non-Rechallenge Database (CNRD), a database for patients whose haematological parameters fall below set thresholds when receiving clozapine treatment, meaning they cannot ordinarily be prescribed clozapine again. Results The study population comprised of 2020 patients on the clozapine register. 111 patients were monitored under BEN criteria. BEN was mostly identified after a below threshold haematological result or clozapine rechallenge (68%) compared to at clozapine initiation (32%). Eight of the 18 (42%) black patients registered on the CNRD were classified as BEN after assessment by a haematologist. Of these 8 patients, none would have met CNRD criteria again if monitored with BEN criteria at clozapine initiation. Conclusions Current evidence suggests that BEN remains an uncommonly recognised haematological phenotype. Improved timely identification of BEN will reduce unnecessary interruption or discontinuation of clozapine treatment. Our results suggest consideration should also be given to determining BEN status prior to initiating clozapine. Moreover, adoption of current FDA BEN monitoring criteria in the UK may further reduce clozapine discontinuation due to perceived neutropenia as drug toxicity, particularly in treatment-refractory schizophrenia patients.

scholarly journals Racial Disparities in Recurrence and Overall Survival in Patients With Locoregional Colorectal Cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A Snyder ◽  
Chung-Yuan Hu ◽  
Syed Nabeel Zafar ◽  
Amanda Francescatti ◽  
George J Chang
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Risk Of Recurrence ◽  
Black Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Population ◽  
White Patients

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the association between race and long-term cancer outcomes (recurrence and overall survival) within a population of US patients with locoregional colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods A cohort study of primary patient data merged with the National Cancer Database as part of a Commission on Cancer Special Study was performed. The study population was a random sample of patients undergoing surgery for stage I to III CRC between years 2006 and 2007 with 5 years of follow-up. Propensity-weighted multivariable Cox regression was performed with pooled results to yield statistical inferences. Prespecified sensitivity analysis was performed only for patients who received guideline concordant care (GCC) of primary CRC. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results The study population included 8176 patients, 9.9% (n = 811) Black and 90.1% (n = 7365) White. Black patients were more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, have lower household income, and lower educational status (all P < .001). Rates of GCC were higher among Black vs White patients with colon cancer (76.9% vs 72.6%, P = .02), and Black and White patients with rectal cancer were treated with radiation at similar rates (69.1% vs 66.6%, P = .64). Black race was independently associated with increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26 to 1.73) and mortality (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.18 to 1.59). In sensitivity analysis of only patients who received GCC, observed effects for recurrence (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.79) and overall survival (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.18 to 1.66) persisted. Conclusions Despite higher rates of GCC for CRC, Black patients experience a higher risk of recurrence and mortality compared with White patients.

scholarly journals Women With Diabetes Are at Increased Relative Risk of Heart Failure Compared to Men: Insights From UK Biobank

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sucharitha Chadalavada ◽  
Magnus T. Jensen ◽  
Nay Aung ◽  
Jackie Cooper ◽  
Karim Lekadir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Cardiac Risk ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Uk

Aims: To investigate the effect of diabetes on mortality and incident heart failure (HF) according to sex, in the low risk population of UK Biobank. To evaluate potential contributing factors for any differences seen in HF end-point.Methods: The entire UK Biobank study population were included. Participants that withdrew consent or were diagnosed with diabetes after enrolment were excluded from the study. Univariate and multivariate cox regression models were used to assess endpoints of mortality and incident HF, with median follow-up periods of 9 years and 8 years respectively.Results: A total of 493,167 participants were included, hereof 22,685 with diabetes (4.6%). Two thousand four hundred fifty four died and 1,223 were diagnosed or admitted with HF during the follow up periods of 9 and 8 years respectively. Overall, the mortality and HF risk were almost doubled in those with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (hazard ratio (HR) of 1.9 for both mortality and heart failure) in the UK Biobank population. Women with diabetes (both types) experience a 22% increased risk of HF compared to men (HR of 2.2 (95% CI: 1.9–2.5) vs. 1.8 (1.7–2.0) respectively). Women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) were associated with 88% increased risk of HF compared to men (HR 4.7 (3.6–6.2) vs. 2.5 (2.0–3.0) respectively), while the risk of HF for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was 17% higher in women compared to men (2.0 (1.7–2.3) vs. 1.7 (1.6–1.9) respectively). The increased risk of HF in women was independent of confounding factors. The findings were similar in a model with all-cause mortality as a competing risk. This interaction between sex, diabetes and outcome of HF is much more prominent for T1DM (p = 0.0001) than T2DM (p = 0.1).Conclusion: Women with diabetes, particularly those with T1DM, experience a greater increase in risk of heart failure compared to men with diabetes, which cannot be explained by the increased prevalence of cardiac risk factors in this cohort.

scholarly journals Riboflavin status, MTHFR genotype and blood pressure: current evidence and implications for personalised nutrition

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. McAuley ◽  
H. McNulty ◽  
C. Hughes ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
M. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
C677t Polymorphism ◽  
Personalised Nutrition ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Riboflavin Status

Clinical deficiency of the B-vitamin riboflavin (vitamin B2) is largely confined to developing countries; however accumulating evidence indicates that suboptimal riboflavin status is a widespread problem across the developed world. Few international data are available on riboflavin status as measured by the functional biomarker, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient, considered to be the gold standard index. One important role of riboflavin in the form of flavin dinucleotide is as a co-factor for the folate-metabolising enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Homozygosity for the common C677T polymorphism in MTHFR, affecting over 10 % of the UK and Irish populations and up to 32 % of other populations worldwide, has been associated with an increased risk of CVD, and more recently with hypertension. This review will explore available studies reporting riboflavin status worldwide, the interaction of riboflavin with theMTHFRC677T polymorphism and the potential role of riboflavin in personalised nutrition. Evidence is accumulating for a novel role of riboflavin as an important modulator of blood pressure (BP) specifically in individuals with theMTHFR677TT genotype, with results from a number of recent randomised controlled trials demonstrating that riboflavin supplementation can significantly reduce systolic BP by 5–13 mmHg in these genetically at risk adults. Studies are however required to investigate the BP-lowering effect of riboflavin in different populations and in response to doses higher than 1·6 mg/d. Furthermore, work focusing on the translation of this research to health professionals and patients is also required.

scholarly journals The Duffy-null genotype and risk of infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (20) ◽  
pp. 3341-3349
Author(s):  
Sophie E Legge ◽  
Rune H Christensen ◽  
Liselotte Petersen ◽  
Antonio F Pardiñas ◽  
Matthew Bracher-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
African Ancestry ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Many medical treatments, from oncology to psychiatry, can lower white blood cell counts and thus access to these treatments can be restricted to individuals with normal levels of white blood cells, principally in order to minimize risk of serious infection. This adversely affects individuals of African or Middle Eastern ancestries who have on average a reduced number of circulating white blood cells, because of the Duffy-null (CC) genotype at rs2814778 in the ACKR1 gene. Here, we investigate whether the Duffy-null genotype is associated with the risk of infection using the UK Biobank sample and the iPSYCH Danish case-cohort study, two population-based samples from different countries and age ranges. We found that a high proportion of those with the Duffy-null genotype (21%) had a neutrophil count below the threshold often used as a cut-off for access to relevant treatments, compared with 1% of those with the TC/TT genotype. In addition we found that despite its strong association with lower average neutrophil counts, the Duffy-null genotype was not associated with an increased risk of infection, viral or bacterial. These results have widespread implications for the clinical treatment of individuals of African ancestry and indicate that neutrophil thresholds to access treatments could be lowered in individuals with the Duffy-null genotype without an increased risk of infection.

scholarly journals Thyroid hormone in health and disease

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Boelaert ◽  
J A Franklyn
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Osteoporosis Risk

Thyroid disease is common, affecting around 2% of women and 0.2% of men in the UK. Our understanding of the effects of thyroid hormones under physiological circumstances, as well as in pathological conditions, has increased dramatically during the last two centuries and it has become clear that overt thyroid dysfunction is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Both hypo-and hyperthyroidism and their treatments have been linked with increased risk from cardiovascular disease and the adverse effects of thyrotoxicosis in terms of osteoporosis risk are well established. Although the evidence suggests that successful treatment of overt thyroid dysfunction significantly improves overall survival, the issue of treating mild or subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism remains controversial. Furthermore, the now well-established effects of thyroid hormones on neurodevelopment have sparked a whole new debate regarding the need to screen pregnant women for thyroid function abnormalities. This review describes the current evidence of the effects of thyroid hormone on the cardiovascular, skeletal and neurological systems, as well as the influence of thyroid diseases and their treatments on the development of malignancy. Furthermore we will describe some recent developments in our understanding of the relationship between thyroid status and health.

Physical Illness and Suicide Risk in Rural Residents of Contemporary China

Crisis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 330-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cun-Xian Jia ◽  
Lin-Lin Wang ◽  
Ai-Qiang Xu ◽  
Ai-Ying Dai ◽  
Ping Qin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Population

Background: Physical illness is linked with an increased risk of suicide; however, evidence from China is limited. Aims: To assess the influence of physical illness on risk of suicide among rural residents of China, and to examine the differences in the characteristics of people completing suicide with physical illness from those without physical illness. Method: In all, 200 suicide cases and 200 control subjects, 1:1 pair-matched on sex and age, were included from 25 townships of three randomly selected counties in Shandong Province, China. One informant for each suicide or control subject was interviewed to collect data on the physical health condition and psychological and sociodemographic status. Results: The prevalence of physical illness in suicide cases (63.0%) was significantly higher than that in paired controls (41.0%; χ2 = 19.39, p < .001). Compared with suicide cases without physical illness, people who were physically ill and completed suicide were generally older, less educated, had lower family income, and reported a mental disorder less often. Physical illness denoted a significant risk factor for suicide with an associated odds ratio of 3.23 (95% CI: 1.85–5.62) after adjusted for important covariates. The elevated risk of suicide increased progressively with the number of comorbid illnesses. Cancer, stroke, and a group of illnesses comprising dementia, hemiplegia, and encephalatrophy had a particularly strong effect among the commonly reported diagnoses in this study population. Conclusion: Physical illness is an important risk factor for suicide in rural residents of China. Efforts for suicide prevention are needed and should be integrated with national strategies of health care in rural China.

Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Peripheral Artery Disease: Current Evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (38) ◽  
pp. 4511-4515 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Koutsoumpelis ◽  
C. Argyriou ◽  
K.M. Tasopoulou ◽  
E.I. Georgakarakos ◽  
G.S. Georgiadis
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Novel Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Cardiac Events ◽  
Traditional Therapy ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Artery Disease

Background: Peripheral artery disease is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis which strongly correlates to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, the progression of peripheral artery disease leads to an increased risk of limb loss. In order to reduce these events, the benchmark of treatment and research over the last years has been the antiplatelet therapy which aims at inhibition of platelet aggregation. Over the last years, new studies combining antiplatelet agents in different therapeutic schemes have been proven efficacious. Unfortunately, patients remain still at high risk of CV events. Novel Oral Anticoagulants have been introduced as alternatives to warfarin, in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. The rationale of using medication which acts on platelet activation and the coagulation pathway of thrombosis has led investigators to examine the role of Noac's in preventing CV events in patients with peripheral artery disease, stable or unstable. Methods: The aim of this study is to review the current evidence with respect to recently published studies concerning the use of Novel anticoagulants in peripheral artery disease. Results: The Compass trial has shown that a combination of rivaroxaban with traditional therapy may produce promising results in reducing amputation rates, stroke, cardiac events, and mortality, however, there are still safety issues with bleeding requiring acute care. The ePAD study has provided us with insight concerning safety and efficacy after peripheral angioplasty or stenting and actually the need for further research. The Voyager Pad study, following the steps of Compass, is studying the effect and safety of the addition of rivaroxaban to traditional therapy in the highest risk population aka patients undergoing peripheral revascularization. The evidence concerning patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation appears to be insufficient, however, recent guidelines propose the use of novel oral anticoagulants. Conclusion: For the time being, novel oral anticoagulants in combination with aspirin may provide an alternative treatment in PAD, however, it is deemed necessary to identify patient subgroups who will benefit the most.

Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mechanistic Links: From Pathophysiology to Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 431-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Fragoulis ◽  
Ismini Panayotidis ◽  
Elena Nikiphorou
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
The Past ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cv Disease ◽  
Obesity Hypertension ◽  
Inflammatory Burden

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation, however, can spread beyond the joints to involve other organs. During the past few years, it has been well recognized that RA associates with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) compared with the general population. This seems to be due not only to the increased occurrence in RA of classical CVD risk factors and comorbidities like smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and others but also to the inflammatory burden that RA itself carries. This is not unexpected given the strong links between inflammation and atherosclerosis and CVD. It has been shown that inflammatory cytokines which are present in abundance in RA play a significant role in every step of plaque formation and rupture. Most of the therapeutic regimes used in RA treatment seem to offer significant benefits to that end. However, more studies are needed to clarify the effect of these drugs on various parameters, including the lipid profile. Of note, although pharmacological intervention significantly helps reduce the inflammatory burden and therefore the CVD risk, control of the so-called classical risk factors is equally important. Herein, we review the current evidence for the underlying pathogenic mechanisms linking inflammation with CVD in the context of RA and reflect on the possible impact of treatments used in RA.

Short- and long-term outcomes of preterm spontaneous twin anemia-polycythemia sequence

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-334
Author(s):  
Soo Jin Han ◽  
Seung Mi Lee ◽  
Sohee Oh ◽  
Subeen Hong ◽  
Jeong Won Oh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
Monochorionic Twin ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Population

AbstractBackgroundIn monochorionic twin pregnancy, placental anastomosis and inter-twin blood transfusion can result in specific complications, such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). It is well established that adverse outcomes are increased in TTTS, but reports on the neonatal and long-term outcomes of TAPS are lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes in spontaneous TAPS.MethodsThe study population consisted of monochorionic twin pregnancies with preterm birth (24–37 weeks of gestation) between November 2003 and December 2016 and in which cord blood was taken at the time of delivery. According to the result of hemoglobin in cord blood, the study population was divided into two groups: a spontaneous TAPS group and a control group. Neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared between the two groups.ResultsDuring the study period, 11 cases were diagnosed as spontaneous TAPS (6.4%). The TAPS group had lower gestational age at delivery and had a higher risk for cesarean delivery. However, neonates with TAPS were not at an increased risk for neonatal mortality and significant neonatal morbidity. In addition, the frequency of severe cerebral lesion during the neonatal period and the risk of cerebral palsy at 2 years of age were not different between the two groups.ConclusionThe spontaneous TAPS diagnosed by postnatal diagnostic criteria was not associated with the increased risk of adverse neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the morbidity of antenatally diagnosed TAPS.

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