Modifiable and non-modifiable epidemiological risk factors for acne, acne severity and acne scarring among Malaysian Chinese: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Acne vulgaris, a highly prevalent multifactorial inflammatory skin disease, can be categorised into different severity and scarring grades based on the type, number, and severity of lesions. While many epidemiology studies have investigated the risk factors for acne presentation, fewer studies have specifically studied the risk factors for acne severity and scarring. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of acne, acne severity and scarring grades, and their associated non-modifiable and modifiable epidemiological risk factors among Malaysian Chinese. Methods A total of 1840 subjects (1117 cases/723 controls) completed an investigator-administered questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional study, which include socio-demographics, familial history, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, and acne history. Acne cases were further evaluated for their severity (n = 1051) and scarring (n = 1052) grades by a trained personnel. Results Majority of the acne cases (up to 69%) had mild acne or Grade 1/2 scarring, while 21.6% had moderate/severe acne and 5.5% had Grade 3/4 scarring. Males had significantly higher risk of presenting with higher grades of acne scarring. Those who had acne, regardless of severity and scarring grades, had strong positive familial history (either in parents and/or sibling). Frequent consumption (most or all days) of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast (butter, probiotic drinks, cereals and milk) decreased the risk for acne presentation and higher acne scarring, while periodic consumption (once/twice per week) of nuts and burgers/fast food decreased the risk for higher acne severity. Alcohol drinking was significantly associated with increased risk for acne presentation, while paternal, parental and household smoking were associated with reduced risk of more severe acne. Conclusions In conclusion, positive familial history is a strong predisposing factor in influencing acne presentation, severity and scarring. Frequent consumption of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast is protective against acne presentation.

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Epidemiological Risk Factors Associated with Acne Vulgaris Presentation, Severity, and Scarring in a Singapore Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000516232 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Anna Hwee Sing Heng ◽

Yee-How Say ◽

Yang Yie Sio ◽

Yu Ting Ng ◽

Fook Tim Chew

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Acne Vulgaris ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Severe Acne ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Singapore Chinese ◽

Acne Scarring

Background: Acne vulgaris is classified based on the severity of skin lesions and post-healing scar types of these lesions. Numerous epidemiology studies have investigated the risk factors associated with acne presentation and severity, but studies for acne scarring are lacking. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of acne, severity, and scarring grades and their associated risk factors among Singapore Chinese. Methods: A total of 3,888 subjects (2,090 cases/1,798 controls; median age = 21 ± 4.589; range 17–71) completed an investigator-administered questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional study, which included sociodemographics, familial medical history, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, and acne history. Acne cases were further evaluated for their severity (n = 991) and scarring (n = 988) grades by a trained personnel. Results: The majority of the acne cases had mild acne/grade 1 scarring, while less than 1% had severe acne/grade 4 scarring. Parental acne was significantly associated with acne presentation and moderate/severe acne, while sibling acne was significantly associated with grade 3/4 scarring. Gender and age affected acne severity and scarring but not acne presentation, while tertiary maternal education level and the possession of ≥3 siblings were particularly associated with acne scarring. Underweight BMI was protective against acne presentation, while atopic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema) were its predisposing factors. Of the evaluated lifestyle factors, computer/TV usage had significant association with acne presentation, while alcohol consumption was significantly associated with acne severity. Frequent milk consumption was associated with a protective effect for moderate-severe acne, while frequent butter consumption had a detrimental effect on acne scarring extent. Conclusion: Positive familial history is a strong predisposing factor in determining acne presentation, severity, and scarring. Demographic factors (gender, age) and sedentary lifestyle (increased computer/TV usage) influence acne presentation, while dietary habits (milk and butter consumption) influence acne severity and scarring. The predisposing factors revealed in this study could help us to gain insights into acne pathophysiology and hence develop interventions especially targeting modifiable risk factors.

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Cross-sectional study discloses a positive family history for Parkinson’s disease and male gender as epidemiological risk factors for substantia nigra hyperechogenicity

Journal of Neural Transmission ◽

10.1007/s00702-007-0725-5 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 114 (9) ◽

pp. 1167-1171 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

K. J. Schweitzer ◽

S. Behnke ◽

I. Liepelt ◽

B. Wolf ◽

C. Grosser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Family History ◽

Substantia Nigra ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Male Gender ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Substantia Nigra Hyperechogenicity ◽

Epidemiological Risk

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Epidemiology of wheeze among preschool children: a population-based cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046688 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e046688

Author(s):

Shashanka Indeevara Rajapakse Rajapakse Mudiyanselage ◽

Wadu Arachchige Dharshika Lakmali Amarasiri ◽

Bannek Mudiyanselage Gedara Duminda Yasaratne ◽

Janith Warnasekara ◽

Suneth Agampodi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Skipjack Tuna ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frequent Consumption ◽

Independent Risk Factors

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of wheeze and factors associated with its severity among 3–6 years old children.MethodologyDesignA population-based, cross-sectional study using the WHO 30 cluster methodology with probability proportionate to size sampling.Setting36 preschools registered at the divisional secretariat offices of Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.ParticipantsWe recruited 1060 preschool children from 36 preschools aged 3–6 years.Main outcome measurementsWe used the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaire to assess the prevalence, symptomatology and associated factors of wheeze.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 548 (51.70%) male and 512 (48.30%) female children with a mean age of 4.41 (±0.66) years. At least one wheezing episode ever was reported in 323 (30.47%; 95% CI 27.71% to 33.34%) children and 247 (23.30%; 95% CI 20.79% to 25.97%) children had a wheezing attack in the preceding year. Severe episodes of wheezing were reported in 76 (7.17%; 95% CI 5.69% to 8.89%) participants. However, only 27 (35.53%; 95% CI 24.88% to 47.34%) children with severe wheezing had been diagnosed as asthmatics by a clinician. The identified independent risk factors for severe wheeze were allergic rhinitis (OR 6.90; 95% CI 3.84 to 12.40), domestic dog(s) (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.01 to 5.40), frequent consumption of skipjack tuna (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.39) and passive smoking (OR 1.70; 95% CI 0.93 to 3.11) while living in a house with a cement floor is a protective factor (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.80).ConclusionWheezing commonly affects one-fourth of preschool children in rural Sri Lanka. Severe wheezing is often not diagnosed as asthma despite frequent symptoms, probably due to hesitancy in labelling preschool children as asthmatics. Allergic rhinitis, domestic dogs, frequent consumption of Skipjack tuna fish and exposure to passive smoking were independent risk factors for severe wheeze.

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PRRSV: Risikofaktoren und Herdenprävalenz in Deutschland

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G Großtiere / Nutztiere ◽

10.1055/a-0867-8990 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (02) ◽

pp. 132-132

Author(s):

Sebastian Ganz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Klinische Symptome

Nathues C, Janssen E, Duengelhoef A et al. Cross-sectional study on risk factors for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus sow herd instability in German breeding herds. Acta Vet Scand 2018; 60 (1): 1–8 In mit PRRSV (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrom Virus) infizierten Schweinebeständen zeigen die Tiere oftmals ernsthafte klinische Symptome. Die Schwere der Symptomatik hängt von der Virulenz der jeweiligen Virusstämme ab. Deshalb ist die Impfung gegen diesen Erreger sinnvoll und wird empfohlen, auch wenn sie nicht immer klinische Fälle verhindert bzw. das Virus vollends eliminiert. Aufgrund dessen rückt die Prävention durch Verbesserung der innerbetrieblichen Abläufe zunehmend in den Fokus. Um solche Maßnahmen erfolgreich etablieren zu können, ist es wichtig, den epidemiologischen Status der Herde und mögliche Risikofaktoren zu kennen. Ziel der Studie war deshalb, die Prävalenz der Infektion in Sauenbetrieben in Norddeutschland zu eruieren und verschiedene Arbeitsabläufe hinsichtlich des Risikos der Erregerverbreitung zu untersuchen.

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