Prospective Study of Falls and Risk Factors for Falls in Adults With Advanced Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (17) ◽  
pp. 2128-2133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol A. Stone ◽  
Peter G. Lawlor ◽  
George M. Savva ◽  
Kathleen Bennett ◽  
Rose Anne Kenny

Purpose Retrospective studies of inpatients with cancer suggest that a cancer diagnosis confers a high risk of falls. In adults with advanced cancer, we aimed to prospectively document the incidence of falls, identify the risk factors, and determine if falls in this population occur predominantly in older patients. Patients and Methods Patients admitted consecutively to community and inpatient palliative care services with metastatic or locoregionally advanced cancer who were mobile without assistance were recruited. Risk-factor assessment was conducted on initial encounter. Patients underwent follow-up via weekly telephone contact for 6 months or until time of fall or death. Relationship between covariates and time to fall was examined using hazard ratios (HRs) derived from univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Results Of 185 participants (52.4% men; mean age 68 ± standard deviation of 12.6 years), 50.3% fell; 35 (53%) of 66 participants age < 65 years and 58 (48.7%) of 119 age ≥ 65 years fell; 61.3% of falls occurred in the community; 42% resulted in injury. Median time to fall was 96 days (95% CI, 64.66 to 127.34). Primary brain tumor or brain metastasis (HR 2.5; P = .002), number of falls in the preceding 3 months (HR, 1.27; P = .005), severity of depression (HR, 1.12; P = .012), benzodiazepine dose (HR, 1.05; P = .004), and cancer-related pain (HR, 1.96; P = .024) were independently associated with time to fall in multivariate analysis. Conclusion Fifty percent of adults with advanced cancer, regardless of age, will experience a fall associated with high risk of physical injury. There is a compelling need to assess the efficacy of assessment and management of modifiable fall risk factors in patients with advanced cancer.

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M Brown ◽  
Joshua Richman ◽  
Vera Bittner ◽  
Cora E Lewis ◽  
Jenifer Voeks ◽  
...  

Background: Some individuals classified as having metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) are centrally obese while others are not with unclear implications for cardiovascular (CV) risk. Methods: REGARDS is following 30,239 individuals ≥45 years of age living in 48 states recruited from 2003-7. MetSyn risk factors were defined using the AHA/NHLBI/IDF harmonized criteria with central obesity being defined as ≥88 cm in women and ≥102 cm in men. Participants with and without central obesity were stratified by whether they met >2 or ≤2 of the other 4 MetSyn criteria, resulting in the creation of 4 groups. To ascertain CV events, participants are telephoned every 6 months with expert adjudication of potential events following national consensus recommendations and based on medical records, death certificates, and interviews with next-of-kin or proxies. Acute coronary heart disease (CHD) was defined as definite or probable myocardial infarction or acute CHD death. To determine the association between these 4 groups and incident acute CHD, we constructed Cox proportional hazards models in those free of CHD at baseline by race/gender group, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Results: A total of 20,018 individuals with complete data on MetSyn components were free of baseline CHD. Mean age was 64+/−9 years, 58% were women, and 42% were African American. Over a mean follow-up of 3.4 (maximum 5.9) years, there were 442 acute CHD events. In the non-centrally obese with>2 other risk factors, risk for CHD was higher for all but AA men, though significant only for white men. In contrast, in the centrally obese with >2 other risk factors, risk was doubled for women, but only non-significantly and modestly increased for men. Only AA women with central obesity and ≤2 other risk factors had increased CHD risk (Table). Conclusion: The CHD risk associated with the MetSyn varies by the presence of central obesity as well as the race and gender of the individual.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4048-4048
Author(s):  
Y. Yeh ◽  
Q. Cai ◽  
J. Chao ◽  
M. Russell

4048 Background: NCCN guidelines recommend assessment of =12 lymph nodes (LN) to improve accuracy in colorectal cancer (CRC) staging. Previous studies have used various cut-points to assess the relationship between the number of LN sampled and survival. The association between NCCN guideline-compliant nodal sampling and survival is assessed, while controlling for other risk factors. Methods: We selected 145,485 adult patients newly diagnosed with stage II or III from SEER during 1990–2003. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to determine the effect of sampling ≥ 12 LN on survival. Results: Median patient follow-up was 5.7 years. The table shows overall survival rates in CRC patients with < 12 versus =12 LN assessed: After adjusting for age, sex, tumor size and grade, sampling ≥ 12 LN was independently associated with improved survival. For patients with =12 versus <12 LN assessed, survival increased by 13% for stage IIa [HR=0.75; 95%CI 0.72–0.78; p< .001], 16% for stage IIb [HR=0.69; 95%CI 0.67- 0.71; p< .001], 12% for stage IIIb [HR=0.75; 95%CI 0.72–0.77], and 10% for stage IIIc [HR=0.85, 95%CI 0.81–0.89]. The association was not statistically significant for stage IIIa patients. Conclusion: Consistent with previous reports, this analysis found that optimal nodal sampling increased survival across stage II and III, specifically when ≥ 12 LN are sampled and when controlling for other risk factors. Furthermore, the results underscore the need for adhering to the NCCN guidelines. The lack of a statistically significant association in stage IIIa patients may be due to small cohort size. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J. DiFranza

Aims:The risk factors for trying a cigarette are well known, however we were interested in the factors that determine which youths become addicted to nicotine once they have tried it.Method:To investigate this we followed a cohort of 1246 students (mean baseline age of 12.2 years) over 4 years. Subjects underwent 11 interviews during which we assessed 45 risk factors, measured diminished autonomy over tobacco with the Hooked On Nicotine Checklist, and evaluated tobacco dependence using the International Classification of Diseases-10th revision. Cox proportional hazards models were used.Results:Among 217 youths who had inhaled from a cigarette, the loss of autonomy over tobacco was predicted by feeling relaxed the first time inhaling from a cigarette (adJusted Hazard Ratio (HR)=3.26; 95% CI, 1.95-5.46; P< .001) and depressed mood (HR=1.29; 1.09-1.54; P=.004). Tobacco dependence was predicted by feeling relaxed (HR=2.43; 1.27-4.65; P=.007), familiarity with Joe Camel (HR=2.19; 1.11-4.32; P=.02), novelty seeking (HR=1.56; 1.06-2.29; P=.02), and depressed mood (HR=1.17; 1.04-1.30; P=.007).Conclusion:Once exposure to nicotine had occurred, remarkably few risk factors for smoking consistently contributed to individual differences in susceptibility to the development of dependence. An experience of relaxation in response to the first dose of nicotine was the strongest predictor of both dependence and lost autonomy. This association was not explained by trait anxiety or many other psychosocial factors. These results are discussed in relation to the theory that addiction is initiated by the first dose of nicotine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 470-470
Author(s):  
Claudia Martinez ◽  
Eduardo Ortíz-Panozo ◽  
Dalia Stern ◽  
Adrián Cortés ◽  
Josiemer Mattei ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To examine the relation between breakfast frequency and incidence of diabetes in middle-aged women. Methods The Mexican Teacher´s Cohort is a prospective study in women. We included 71,373 participants at baseline (2006–2008). Participants were classified according to breakfast frequency 0, 1–3, 4–6, or 7 d/wk; and meal frequency 1–2, 3–4, or ≥5 meals/d. Diabetes was self-reported. We used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to estimate the association between breakfast frequency and diabetes incidence. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle confounders that are associated with breakfast consumption and are risk factors for diabetes. Stratified analyses were performed for age, birth weight, indigenous background, and physical activity. Results We identified 3,613 new diabetes cases during a median of 2.2 years of follow-up. Prevalence of daily breakfast consumers was 25%. After adjustment for known risk factors for diabetes, compared to 0 d/wk, women who eat daily breakfast had 12% lower rate of diabetes (HR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 0.99; p-trend = 0.0018). One day additional per week having breakfast decreased the risk of diabetes (HR = 0.98; CI 0.97, 0.99). In stratified analysis, women with indigenous background who consumed breakfast 4–6 d/wk and 7 d/wk vs. 0 d/wk shown lower risk (HR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.47, 0.98) and HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.76 (0.51, 1.15) respectively; p-interaction = 0.197). Conclusions Daily breakfast was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes, independently of dietary and lifestyle factors. Likely effect modifiers as ethnicity warrants more research. Daily breakfast consumption is a potential component of diabetes prevention. Funding Sources This work is supported by the American Institute for Cancer Research (05B047) and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) grant S0008-2009-1: 000000000115312.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jacek Wilczyński ◽  
Magdalena Ścipniak ◽  
Kacper Ścipniak ◽  
Kamil Margiel ◽  
Igor Wilczyński ◽  
...  

Introduction. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for falls in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods. The study comprised 53 participants (52.8% women and 47.2% men). The Hoehn and Yahr 5-point disability scale was used to assess the severity of Parkinson’s disease. The Tinetti Balance and Gait Scale were used to evaluate the risk of falls. The Katz scale was used to test the independence of people with PD. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International Short Form (FES-I) was implemented to assess fear of falling. Results. The majority of participants was at a high risk of falls, being at the same level for women and men. A significant relationship was noted between the risk of falls and subjective assessment of mobility ( χ 2 = 31.86 , p < 0.001 ), number of falls ( χ 2 = 37.92 , p < 0.001 ), independence of the subjects ( χ 2 = 19.28 , p < 0.001 ), type of injury suffered during the fall ( χ 2 = 36.93 , p < 0.001 ), external factors ( χ 2 = 33.36 , p < 0.001 ), and the level of fear of falling ( χ 2 = 8.88 , p < 0.001 ). A significant relationship also occurred between the number of falls and the fear of falling ( χ 2 = 33.49 , p < 0.001 ) and between the number of falls and disease severity ( χ 2 = 45.34 , p < 0.001 ). The applied physiotherapy did not reduce the risk of falls ( χ 2 = 3.18 , p = 0.17 ). Conclusions. Individuals who rated their mobility as good or excellent were at a low risk of falls. People who fell more times were at a high risk of falling. People more independent were at a low risk of falls. Previous injuries were the most associated with being at risk of falling. Uneven surfaces and obstacles on one’s path are the external factors most associated with the risk of falling. People with low levels of fall anxiety were at a low risk of falls. Most people with low fall anxiety have never fallen. Additionally, the majority of patients with stage 1 of the disease have not fallen at all. The reason for the ineffectiveness of physiotherapy may be due to the exercise programs used and the lack of systematic implementation of them. PD is different for each patient; thus, it is important to select individually customized physiotherapy depending on motor and nonmotor symptoms, as well as general health of a patient.


Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Jung Ryu ◽  
Jin-Ok Han ◽  
Sang Ah Lee ◽  
Mi Ryoung Seo ◽  
Hyo Jin Choi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To determine the risk factors for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatic diseases in Korea. Methods We used the nationwide database of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service to analyse patients aged ≥20 years who had visited a hospital more than twice for rheumatic disease as a principal diagnosis from January 2009 to April 2013. HZ was identified using HZ-related Korean Standard Classification of Diseases 6 (KCD-6) codes and the prescription of antiviral agents. The relationship between demographics, comorbidities and medications and HZ risk was analysed by Cox proportional hazards models. Results HZ developed in 1869 patients. In Cox proportional hazards models, female sex but not age showed an increased adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for HZ. Comorbidities such as haematologic malignancies, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic lung and liver diseases led to an increased HR. HZ risk was higher in patients with SLE (HR: 4.29, 95% CI: 3.49, 5.27) and Behçet’s syndrome (BS, HR: 4.54; 95% CI: 3.66, 5.64) than with RA. The use of conventional DMARDs, immunosuppressants, TNF inhibitors, glucocorticoids and NSAIDs increased the HR. Infliximab and glucocorticoids (equivalent prednisolone dose &gt;15 mg/day) produced the highest HZ risk (HR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.72, 4.89; HR: 2.85, 95% CI: 2.15, 3.77, respectively). Conclusion Female sex, comorbidities and medications increased HZ risk in patients with rheumatic diseases and even young patients could develop HZ. Compared with RA, SLE and BS are stronger HZ risk factors. Patients with rheumatic diseases and these risk factors are potential target populations for HZ vaccination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Nannan Li ◽  
Zhen Chen ◽  
Ling Ye ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
...  

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) characteristics associated with critical outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported. However, CT risk factors for mortality have not been directly reported. We aim to determine the CT-based quantitative predictors for COVID-19 mortality.Methods: In this retrospective study, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients at Wuhan Central Hospital between December 9, 2019, and March 19, 2020, were included. A novel prognostic biomarker, V-HU score, depicting the volume (V) of total pneumonia infection and the average Hounsfield unit (HU) of consolidation areas was automatically quantified from CT by an artificial intelligence (AI) system. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate risk factors for mortality.Results: The study included 238 patients (women 136/238, 57%; median age, 65 years, IQR 51–74 years), 126 of whom were survivors. The V-HU score was an independent predictor (hazard ratio [HR] 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50–5.17; p = 0.001) after adjusting for several COVID-19 prognostic indicators significant in univariable analysis. The prognostic performance of the model containing clinical and outpatient laboratory factors was improved by integrating the V-HU score (c-index: 0.695 vs. 0.728; p &lt; 0.001). Older patients (age ≥ 65 years; HR 3.56, 95% CI 1.64–7.71; p &lt; 0.001) and younger patients (age &lt; 65 years; HR 4.60, 95% CI 1.92–10.99; p &lt; 0.001) could be further risk-stratified by the V-HU score.Conclusions: A combination of an increased volume of total pneumonia infection and high HU value of consolidation areas showed a strong correlation to COVID-19 mortality, as determined by AI quantified CT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jagan A. Pillai ◽  
Kou Lei ◽  
James Bena ◽  
Lisa Penn ◽  
James B. Leverenz

Background: There is significant interest in understanding the role of modifiable vascular risk factors contributing to dementia risk across age groups. Objective: Risk of dementia onset was assessed in relation to vascular risk factors of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia among cognitively normal APOE ɛ4 carriers and non-carriers. Methods: In a sample of prospectively characterized longitudinal cohort from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database, 9,349 participants met criteria for normal cognition at baseline, had a CDR-Global (CDR-G) score of zero, and had concomitant data on APOE ɛ4 status and medical co-morbidities including histories of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for well-known potential confounders were used to compare dementia onset among APOE ɛ4 carriers and non-carriers by young (≤65 years) and old (>  65 year) age groups. Results: 519 participants converted to dementia within an average follow up of 5.97 years. Among older APOE ɛ4 carriers, hypercholesterolemia was related to lower risk of dementia (HR (95% CI), 0.68 (0.49–0.94), p = 0.02). Among older APOE ɛ4 non-carriers, hypertension was related to higher risk of dementia (HR (95% CI), 1.44 (1.13–1.82), p = 0.003). These results were corroborated among a subset with autopsy data characterizing underlying neuropathology. Among younger participants, vascular risk factors did not impact dementia risk, likely from a lower frequency of vascular and Alzheimer’s as etiologies of dementia among this cohort. Conclusion: A history of hypercholesterolemia related to a lower risk of dementia among older APOE ɛ4 carriers, while hypertension related to a higher risk of dementia among older APOE ɛ4 non-carriers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Clouston ◽  
Benjamin J Luft ◽  
Edward Sun

Background: The goal of the present work was to examine risk factors for mortality in a 1,387 COVID+ patients admitted to a hospital in Suffolk County, NY. Methods: Data were collated by the hospital epidemiological service for patients admitted from 3/7/2020-9/1/2020. Time until final discharge or death was the outcome. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate time until death among admitted patients. Findings: In total, 99.06% of cases had resolved leading to 1,179 discharges and 211 deaths. Length of stay was significantly longer in those who died as compared to those who did not p=0.007). Of patients who had been discharged (n=1,179), 54 were readmitted and 9 subsequently died. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that in addition to older age, male sex, and heart failure, a history of premorbid depression was a risk factor for COVI-19 mortality. Interpretation: While an increasing number of studies have shown effects linking cardiovascular risk factors with increased risk of mortality in COVID+ patients, this study reports that history of depression is a risk factor for COVID mortality.


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