scholarly journals Incidence of completed suicide and suicide attempts in a global prospective study of Huntington's disease

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik van Duijn ◽  
A. Raquel Fernandes ◽  
Daisy Abreu ◽  
Jennifer J. Ware ◽  
Eileen Neacy ◽  
...  

Background Risk of death from suicide in Huntington's disease is notably elevated relative to that in the general population, although the incidence within HD populations has not been precisely defined. Robust incidence estimates of suicidal behavior can serve as references for HD therapeutic research and post-marketing surveillance to help evaluate the suicidality risk of novel therapeutics. Aims To estimate the incidence rate of completed suicide and suicide attempt in the global, prospective HD cohort study Enroll-HD that records these events per protocol. Method A total of 20 912 participants were available for analysis (HD gene-expansion carriers (HDGECs) n = 15 924; non-HDGECs n = 4988) representing a collective observation period of 53 390 participant-years. Each observed event was subject to clinical review and evaluation. We generated incidence rates (events per 100 000 person-years) for suicides and suicide attempts using all available data, as well as by year of study and geographical region. Proportionate mortality statistics for suicide and respective 95% confidence intervals were also generated. Results The overall incidence rate of suicide in HDGECs was 72 per 100 000 person-years, and 8 per 100 000 person-years in non-HDGECs. Proportionate mortality attributable to suicide in HDGECs was 4.6%. For suicide attempts, the global overall incidence rate observed in HDGECs was 306–375 per 100 000 person-years, and 23–38 per 100 000 person-years in non-HDGECs. Conclusions The incidence estimates calculated here can be used as a reference to help evaluate drug safety and may also be useful in assessing progress in clinical care for HDGECs once therapeutic interventions become widely available.

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (22) ◽  
pp. 10952-10961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ochaba ◽  
Gianna Fote ◽  
Marketta Kachemov ◽  
Soe Thein ◽  
Sylvia Y. Yeung ◽  
...  

Neuroinflammation is an important contributor to neuronal pathology and death in neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal injury. Therapeutic interventions blocking the activity of the inflammatory kinase IKKβ, a key regulator of neuroinflammatory pathways, is protective in several animal models of neurodegenerative disease and neuronal injury. In Huntington’s disease (HD), however, significant questions exist as to the impact of blocking or diminishing the activity of IKKβ on HD pathology given its potential role in Huntingtin (HTT) degradation. In cell culture, IKKβ phosphorylates HTT serine (S) 13 and activates HTT degradation, a process that becomes impaired with polyQ expansion. To investigate the in vivo relationship of IKKβ to HTT S13 phosphorylation and HD progression, we crossed conditional tamoxifen-inducible IKKβ knockout mice with R6/1 HD mice. Behavioral assays in these mice showed a significant worsening of HD pathological phenotypes. The increased behavioral pathology correlated with reduced levels of endogenous mouse full-length phospho-S13 HTT, supporting the importance of IKKβ in the phosphorylation of HTT S13 in vivo. Notably, many striatal autophagy genes were up-regulated in HD vs. control mice; however, IKKβ knockout partially reduced this up-regulation in HD, increased striatal neurodegeneration, and enhanced an activated microglial response. We propose that IKKβ is protective in striatal neurons early in HD progression via phosphorylation of HTT S13. As IKKβ is also required for up-regulation of some autophagy genes and HTT is a scaffold for selective autophagy, IKKβ may influence autophagy through multiple mechanisms to maintain healthy striatal function, thereby reducing neuronal degeneration to slow HD onset.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Schindler ◽  
Nicole Pizzorni ◽  
Jenny Sassone ◽  
Lorenzo Nanetti ◽  
Anna Castaldo ◽  
...  

Abstract Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor disturbances, cognitive decline, and behaviour changes. A well-recognized feature of advanced HD is dysphagia, which leads to malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, the latter being the primary cause of death in HD. Previous studies have underscored the importance of dysphagia in HD patients with moderate-to-advanced stage disease, but it is unclear whether dysphagia affects patients already at an early stage of disease and whether genetic or clinical factors can predict its severity. We performed fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in 61 patients with various stages of HD. Dysphagia was found in 35% of early-stage, 94% of moderate-stage, and 100% of advanced-stage HD. Silent aspiration was found in 7.7% of early-stage, 11.8% of moderate-stage, and 27.8% of advanced-stage HD. A strong correlation was observed between disease progression and dysphagia severity: worse dysphagia was associated with worsening of motor symptoms. Dysphagia severity as assessed by FEES correlated with Huntington’s Disease Dysphagia Scale scores (a self-report questionnaire specific for evaluating swallowing in HD). The present findings add to our understanding of dysphagia onset and progression in HD. A better understanding of dysphagia onset and progression in HD may inform guidelines for standard clinical care in dysphagia, its recognition, and management.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Lilja Andersson ◽  
Åsa Petersén ◽  
Caroline Graff ◽  
Anna-Karin Edberg

Background: A predictive genetic test for Huntington’s disease can be used before any symptoms are apparent, but there is only sparse knowledge about the long-term consequences of a positive test result. Such knowledge is important in order to gain a deeper understanding of families’ experiences. Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe a young couple’s long-term experiences and the consequences of a predictive test for Huntington’s disease. Research design: A descriptive case study design was used with a longitudinal narrative life history approach. Participants and research context: The study was based on 18 interviews with a young couple, covering a period of 2.5 years; starting 6 months after the disclosure of the test results showing the woman to be a carrier of the gene causing Huntington’s disease. Ethical considerations: Even though the study was extremely sensitive, where potential harm constantly had to be balanced against the benefits, the couple had a strong wish to contribute to increased knowledge about people in their situation. The study was approved by the ethics committee. Findings: The results show that the long-term consequences were devastating for the family. This 3-year period was characterized by anxiety, repeated suicide attempts, financial difficulties and eventually divorce. Discussion: By offering a predictive test, the healthcare system has an ethical and moral responsibility. Once the test result is disclosed, the individual and the family cannot live without the knowledge it brings. Support is needed in a long-term perspective and should involve counselling concerning the families’ everyday life involving important decision-making, reorientation towards a new outlook of the future and the meaning of life. Conclusion: As health professionals, our ethical and moral responsibility thus embraces not only the phase in direct connection to the actual genetic test but also a commitment to provide support to help the family deal with the long-term consequences of the test.


Author(s):  
Kori A. LaDonna ◽  
Christopher J. Watling ◽  
Susan L. Ray ◽  
Christine Piechowicz ◽  
Shannon L. Venance

AbstractBackground: Patient-centered care for individuals with myotonic dystrophy (DM1) and Huntington’s disease (HD)—chronic, progressive, and life-limiting neurological conditions—may be challenged by patients’ cognitive and behavioral impairments. However, no research has explored health care providers’ (HCPs’) perspectives about patient-centered care provision for these patients along their disease trajectory. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory informed the iterative data collection and analysis process. Eleven DM1 or HD HCPs participated in semistructured interviews, and three stages of coding were used to analyze their interview transcripts. Codes were collapsed into themes and categories.Results: Three categories including an evolving care approach, fluid roles, and making a difference were identified. Participants described that their clinical care approach evolved depending on the patient’s disease stage and caregivers’ degree of involvement. HCPs described that their main goal was to provide hope to patients and caregivers through medical management, crisis prevention, support, and advocacy. Despite the lack of curative treatments, HCPs perceived that patients benefited from ongoing clinical care provided by proactive clinicians. Conclusions: Providing care for individuals with DM1 and HD is a balancing act. HCPs must strike a balance between (1) the frustrations and rewards of patient-centered care provision, (2) addressing symptoms and preventing and managing crises while focusing on patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life concerns, and (3) advocating for patients while addressing caregivers’ needs. This raises important questions: Is patient-centered care possible for patients with cognitive decline? Does chronic neurological care need to evolve to better address patients’ and caregivers’ complex needs?


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3773-3773
Author(s):  
Adam Mendizabal ◽  
Paul H Levine

Abstract Abstract 3773 Background: Age at diagnosis of CML varies by race in the United States with median occurring around ages 54 and 63 among Black and White patients, respectively. The treatment paradigm shifted when Imatinib was approved in 2001 for treatment of CML. More recently, second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have also been used for treatment of CML. Differences in outcomes by race have been previously reported prior to the TKI treatment period. We aimed to assess whether the earlier age at diagnosis resulted in differential trends in age-adjusted incidence rates and survival outcomes by race in the post-Imatinib treatment period. Methods: Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 Registries were extracted for diagnoses between 2002 and 2009 based on the assumption that cases diagnosed after 2002 would be treated with TKI's. CML was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology 3rd edition code 9863 (CML-NOS) and 9875 (CML-Philadelphia Chromosome Positive). Cases diagnosed by autopsy or death certificate only were excluded. Incidence rates are expressed per 100,000 person-years and age-adjusted to the 2000 US Standard Population. Black/White incidence rate ratios (IRRBW) are shown with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Kaplan-Meier estimates of CML-specific survival (CPS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated at 5-years post-diagnosis with the event being time to CML-specific death or any death, respectively. Stratified Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to assess the impact of age and race on the risk of death expressed as a hazard ratio (HR). Results: Since 2002, 6,632 patients diagnosed with CML were reported to the SEER 18 registries including 5,829 White patients (87.9%) and 803 Black patients (12.1%) with 57% being male. The age-adjusted incidence rate for Blacks was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.10–1.27) per 100,000 and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.09–1.27) per 100,000 for Whites. The corresponding IRRBW was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.98– 1.14). When considering 20-year age-groups, Blacks had higher incidence rates in the 20–39 and 40–59 age groups; IRRBW of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.06–1.49; p=0.0073) and 1.23 (95% CI, 1.09–1.39; p=0.0007), respectively. No statistically significant differences in IRRBW were seen within the 0–19, 60–79 and 80+ age-groupings although Whites have higher non-significant incidence rates in the latter 2 age-groups. Differences in IRRBW prompted an assessment of survival to determine if the excess incidence observed in the younger age groups corresponded with a worse survival. CPS at 5-years was 85.5% (95% CI, 84.3–86.6). In univariate analysis, age was an important predictor of outcome (p<0.0001) with patients diagnosed after age 80 having the worse outcomes (OS: 58.3%), followed by patients diagnosed between 60 and 79 years (OS 84.7%), 0–19 years (OS: 87.1%), 40–59 years (OS: 90.2%), and 20–39 years (OS: 92.6%). When considering all age-groups, race was not a significant predictor of death (HR 0.91; 95% CI, 0.72–1.15). However, in a stratified analysis with 20-year age groups, Blacks had an increased risk of death as compared to Whites (Figure 1) in the 20–39 age group (HR: 2.94; 95% CI, 1.72–5.26; p<0.0001) and the 40–59 age group (HR: 1.67; 95% CI, 1.22–2.27; p=0.0069) while no differences were seen within the 0–19, 60–79 and 80+ age groups. Conclusions from OS models were similar to that of the CPS models. Conclusions: Through this analysis of population-based cancer registry data collected in the US between 2002 and 2009, we show that Blacks have a younger age at diagnosis with higher incidence rates observed in the 20–39 and 40–59 age-groups as compared to Whites. Both CPS and OS outcomes differed by race and age. Similar to the differences observed with the incidence rates, survival was worse in Blacks diagnosed within the 20–39 and 40–59 age-groups as compared to Whites. Although outcomes have globally improved in patients with CML since the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the persistence of incidence heterogeneity and poorer survival among Blacks warrants further attention. Access to care may be a possible reason for the differences observed but further studies are warranted to rule out biological differences which may be causing an earlier age at onset and poorer survival. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Liu ◽  
Junghwan Lee ◽  
Casey Ta ◽  
Ali Soroush ◽  
James R Rogers ◽  
...  

Importance: Little is known about COVID vaccine breakthrough infections and their risk factors. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with COVID19 breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals and to reassess the effectiveness of COVID19 vaccination against severe outcomes using realworld data. Design, Setting, and Participants: We conducted a series of observational retrospective analyses using the electronic health records (EHRs) of Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian (CUIMC/NYP) up to September 21, 2021. New York adult residence with PCR test records were included in this analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures: Poisson regression was used to assess the association between breakthrough infection rate in vaccinated individuals and multiple risk factors, including vaccine brand, demographics, and underlying conditions while adjusting for calendar month, prior number of visits and observational days. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between vaccine administration and infection rate by comparing a vaccinated cohort to a historically matched cohort in the pre-vaccinated period. Infection incident rate was also compared between vaccinated individuals and longitudinally matched unvaccinated individuals. Cox regression was used to estimate the association of the vaccine and COVID19 associated severe outcomes by comparing breakthrough cohort and two matched unvaccinated infection cohorts. Results: Individuals vaccinated with Pfizer/BNT162b2 (IRR against Moderna/mRNA1273 [95% CI]: 1.66 [1.17 - 2.35]); were male (1.47 [1.11 - 1.94%]); and had compromised immune systems (1.48 [1.09 - 2.00]) were at the highest risk for breakthrough infections. Vaccinated individuals had a significant lower infection rate among all subgroups. An increased incidence rate was found in both vaccines over the time. Among individuals infected with COVID19, vaccination significantly reduced the risk of death (adj. HR: 0.20 [0.08 - 0.49]). Conclusion and Relevance: While we found both mRNA vaccines were effective, Moderna/mRNA1273 had a lower incidence rate of breakthrough infections. Both vaccines had increased incidence rates over the time. Immunocompromised individuals were among the highest risk groups experiencing breakthrough infections. Given the rapidly changing nature of the SARSCoV2, continued monitoring and a generalizable analysis pipeline are warranted to inform quick updates on vaccine effectiveness in real time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-507
Author(s):  
Tanya M. Bardakjian ◽  
Jennifer Klapper ◽  
Adrianna Carey ◽  
Julia Wood ◽  
Meredith Pauly ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Emma M. Waddell ◽  
Karthik Dinesh ◽  
Kelsey L. Spear ◽  
Molly J. Elson ◽  
Ellen Wagner ◽  
...  

Background: Current Huntington’s disease (HD) measures are limited to subjective, episodic assessments conducted in clinic. Smartphones can enable the collection of objective, real-world data but their use has not been extensively evaluated in HD. Objective: Develop and evaluate a smartphone application to assess feasibility of use and key features of HD in clinic and at home. Methods: We developed GEORGE ®, an Android smartphone application for HD which assesses voice, chorea, balance, gait, and finger tapping speed. We then conducted an observational pilot study of individuals with manifest HD, prodromal HD, and without a movement disorder. In clinic, participants performed standard clinical assessments and a battery of active tasks in GEORGE. At home, participants were instructed to complete the activities thrice daily for one month. Sensor data were used to measure chorea, tap rate, and step count. Audio data was not analyzed. Results: Twenty-three participants (8 manifest HD, 5 prodromal HD, 10 controls) enrolled, and all but one completed the study. On average, participants used the application 2.1 times daily. We observed a significant difference in chorea score (HD: 19.5; prodromal HD: 4.5, p = 0.007; controls: 4.3, p = 0.001) and tap rate (HD: 2.5 taps/s; prodromal HD: 8.9 taps/s, p = 0.001; controls: 8.1 taps/s, p = 0.001) between individuals with and without manifest HD. Tap rate correlated strongly with the traditional UHDRS finger tapping score (left hand: r = –0.82, p = 0.022; right hand: r = –0.79, p = 0.03). Conclusion: GEORGE is an acceptable and effective tool to differentiate individuals with and without manifest HD and measure key disease features. Refinement of the application’s interface and activities will improve its usability and sensitivity and, ideally, make it useful for clinical care and research.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Bertoglio ◽  
Jonathan Bard ◽  
Manuela Hessmann ◽  
Longbin Liu ◽  
Annette Gaertner ◽  
...  

Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes the pathologic mutant HTT (mHTT) protein with an expanded polyglutamine (PolyQ) tract. While several therapeutic programs targeting mHTT expression have advanced to clinical evaluation, no method is currently available to visualize mHTT levels in the living brain. Here we demonstrate the development of a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging radioligand with high affinity and selectivity for mHTT aggregates. This small molecule radiolabeled with 11C ([11C]CHDI-180R) enables non-invasive monitoring of mHTT pathology in the brain and can track region- and time-dependent suppression of mHTT in response to therapeutic interventions targeting mHTT expression. We further show that therapeutic agents that lower mHTT in the striatum have a functional restorative effect that can be measured by preservation of striatal imaging markers, enabling a translational path to assess the functional effect of mHTT lowering.


Author(s):  
Tiago Mestre ◽  
Miguel M Coelho ◽  
João Costa ◽  
Joaquim Ferreira ◽  
Mário Miguel Rosa ◽  
...  

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