scholarly journals Diabetes in a TB and HIV-endemic South African population: Analysis of a virtual cohort using routine health data

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251303
Author(s):  
Tsaone Tamuhla ◽  
Joel A. Dave ◽  
Peter Raubenheimer ◽  
Nicki Tiffin

Background It is widely accepted that people living with diabetes (PLWD) are at increased risk of infectious disease, yet there is a paucity of epidemiology studies on the relationship between diabetes and infectious disease in SSA. In a region with a high burden of infectious disease, this has serious consequences for PLWD. Methods and findings Using routinely collected longitudinal health data, we describe the epidemiology of diabetes in a large virtual cohort of PLWD who have a high burden of HIV and TB, from the Khayelitsha subdistrict in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. We described the relationship between previous TB, newly diagnosed TB disease and HIV infection on diabetes using HbA1c results as an outcome measure. The study population was predominately female (67%), 13% had a history of active TB disease and 18% were HIV positive. The HIV positive group had diabetes ascertained at a significantly younger age (46 years c.f. 53 years respectively, p<0.001) and in general had increased HbA1c values over time after their HIV diagnosis, when compared to the HIV-negative group. There was no evidence of TB disease influencing the trajectory of glycaemic control in the long term, but diabetes patients who developed active TB had higher mortality than those without TB (12.4% vs 6.7% p-value < 0.001). HIV and diabetes are both chronic diseases whose long-term management includes drug therapy, however, only 52.8% of the study population with an HIV-diabetes comorbidity had a record of diabetes treatment. In addition, the data suggest overall poor glycaemic control in the study population with only 24.5% of the participants having an HbA1c <7% at baseline despite 85% of the study population being on diabetes treatment. Conclusion The epidemiologic findings in this exploratory study highlight the need for further research into diabetes outcomes in a high TB and HIV burden setting and demonstrate that routine health data are a valuable resource for understanding disease epidemiology in the general population.

1993 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Adams ◽  
R. E. Kendell ◽  
E. H. Hare ◽  
P. Munk-Jørgensen

The epidemiological evidence that the offspring of women exposed to influenza in pregnancy are at increased risk of schizophrenia is conflicting. In an attempt to clarify the issue we explored the relationship between the monthly incidence of influenza (and measles) in the general population and the distribution of birth dates of three large series of schizophrenic patients - 16 960 Scottish patients born in 1932–60; 22 021 English patients born in 1921–60; and 18 723 Danish patients born in 1911–65. Exposure to the 1957 epidemic of A2 influenza in midpregnancy was associated with an increased incidence of schizophrenia, at least in females, in all three data sets. We also confirmed the previous report of a statistically significant long-term relationship between patients' birth dates and outbreaks of influenza in the English series, with time lags of - 2 and - 3 months (the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy). Despite several other negative studies by ourselves and others we conclude that these relationships are probably both genuine and causal; and that maternal influenza during the middle third of intrauterine development, or something closely associated with it, is implicated in the aetiology of some cases of schizophrenia.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1426
Author(s):  
Mauro Lombardo ◽  
Giovanni Aulisa ◽  
Daniele Marcon ◽  
Gianluca Rizzo ◽  
Maria Grazia Tarsisano ◽  
...  

Introduction: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) may play a key mediator role in the relationship between the diet, gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in people with kidney failure. The aim of this review is to evaluate which foods have a greater influence on blood or urinary trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels. Methods: 391 language articles were screened, and 27 were analysed and summarized for this review, using the keywords “TMAO” AND “egg” OR “meat” OR “fish” OR “dairy” OR “vegetables” OR “fruit” OR “food” in December 2020. Results: A strong correlation between TMAO and fish consumption, mainly saltwater fish and shellfish, but not freshwater fish, has been demonstrated. Associations of the consumption of eggs, dairy and meat with TMAO are less clear and may depend on other factors such as microbiota or cooking methods. Plant-based foods do not seem to influence TMAO but have been less investigated. Discussion: Consumption of saltwater fish, dark meat fish and shellfish seems to be associated with an increase in urine or plasma TMAO values. Further studies are needed to understand the relationship between increased risk of cardiovascular disease and plasma levels of TMAO due to fish consumption. Interventions coupled with long-term dietary patterns targeting the gut microbiota seem promising.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-334
Author(s):  
Soo Jin Han ◽  
Seung Mi Lee ◽  
Sohee Oh ◽  
Subeen Hong ◽  
Jeong Won Oh ◽  
...  

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.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 919-928
Author(s):  
So-Ryoung Lee ◽  
Chan Soon Park ◽  
Eue-Keun Choi ◽  
Hyo-Jeong Ahn ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
...  

The association between the cumulative hypertension burden and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hypertension burden and the development of incident AF. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified 3 726 172 subjects who underwent 4 consecutive annual health checkups between 2009 and 2013, with no history of AF. During the median follow-up of 5.2 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 22 012 patients (0.59% of the total study population; 1.168 per 1000 person-years). Using the blood pressure (BP) values at each health checkup, we determined the burden of hypertension (systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg), stratified as 0 to 4 per the hypertension criteria. The subjects were grouped according to hypertension burden scale 1 to 4: 20% (n=742 806), 19% (n=704 623), 19% (n=713 258), 21% (n=766 204), and 21% (n=799 281). Compared with normal people, subjects with hypertension burdens of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were associated with an 8%, 18%, 26%, and 27% increased risk of incident AF, respectively. On semiquantitative analyses with further stratification of stage 1 (systolic BP of 130–139 mm Hg or diastolic BP of 80–89 mm Hg) and stage 2 (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg) hypertension, the risk of AF increased with the hypertension burden by up to 71%. In this study, both a sustained exposure and the degree of increased BP were associated with an increased risk of incident AF. Tailored BP management should be emphasized to reduce the risk of AF.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 1229-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi-tao Huang ◽  
Yun-fei Gao ◽  
Mei Zhong ◽  
Yan-hong Yu

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) has been recognized as a crucial long term risk factor for multiple non-communicable diseases. However, studies between the relationship of PTB and the risk of acute childhood leukemia have yielded inconclusive results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically review the current literature to investigate whether PTB is associated with increased risk of acute childhood leukemia. Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE) were searched up to December 1st, 2015. Relevant studies reporting the association between PTB and subsequent risk of acute childhood leukemia were included for further evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using Revmen 5.3 and Stata 10.0. Results: A total of 12 studies for acute childhood leukemia, eight studies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and seven studies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were included in the current meta-analyses. We calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the relationship between PTB and acute childhood leukemia as well as its two subtypes: ALL and AML. Our results suggested that PTB was significantly associated with increased risk of acute childhood leukemia (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17, P = 0.01) and AML (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.21-1.67, P < 0.01). However, PTB was not significantly associated with an increased risk of ALL (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.96-1.13, P = 0.29). Conclusion: Our data showed that PTB increased the risk of AML. Further studies are required to explore causality and dissect the biological mechanisms involved.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy T Chisare ◽  
Simbarashe Takuva ◽  
Tariro J. Basera ◽  
Natasha Khamisa ◽  
Jacqueline Witthuhn

Abstract Background In Zimbabwe, almost 25% of infants are born with low birth weight (LBW). LBW accounts for over half of the neonatal deaths in the country. Anaemia during pregnancy has been inconsistently associated with an increased risk of LBW. However, very little data is available from countries where HIV prevalence is high, wherein HIV is also known to be a common risk factor to LBW. This study examined the relationship between maternal anaemia and LBW among HIV-infected pregnant women in Zimbabwe. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of the 2015 Zimbabwe Demography and Health Survey. Data for 809 HIV positive women aged 15-49 years and their infants from all live births preceding the survey by 5 years were included in the study. Modified-Poisson regression methods were used to determine the association between anaemia and LBW while adjusting for other risk factors. Results The prevalence of maternal anaemia and LBW among the HIV-infected pregnant women was 42.3% (n=342) and 16.3% (n =132) respectively. The prevalence of LBW was14.6% (n=50) and 17.6% (n=82) among anaemic and non-anaemic HIV positive women respectively (p=0.264). HIV infected pregnant women with anaemia had a 25% less chance of giving birth to infants with LBW compared to HIV infected mothers without anaemia, however, the association was not statistically significant (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.53- 1.05). Conclusions The findings demonstrate a high prevalence of anaemia and LBW among HIV infected pregnant women. Nonetheless, maternal anaemia was not associated with LBW. There is a need for adapted monitoring of HIV-positive pregnant women and affordable improved nutrition during antenatal care to reduce the risk of LBW infants and maternal anaemia levels. Further research examining the relationship between maternal anaemia and LBW among HIV positive pregnant women whilst factoring in the role of ART and the severity of anaemia is required.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 555-563
Author(s):  
Vilde Hoff Bernstrøm ◽  
Inge Houkes

ObjectiveShift work is known to be related to several negative health consequences and sickness absence. Research results regarding the relationship between types of shift schedules and sickness absence and whether and how individual factors moderate this relationship, are mixed though. The present paper aims to provide more insight in these relationships.MethodsWe used registry data from a large Norwegian hospital gathered for the years 2012–2016, for >14 000 employees. With random effects at the individual and unit levels, we analysed the relationship between shift schedule worked and sickness absence in the same year.ResultsThe results showed increased risk of short-term sickness absence for two-shift and three-shift rotations, as well as fixed night shifts compared with fixed-day shifts. We also found an increased number of absence periods for two-shift rotations without nights and three-shift rotations. Results for long-term sickness absence were mixed, with increased odds for two-shift rotations without nights, but reduced odds for three-shift rotations. We found partial support for a moderating influence of age, gender and parental status.ConclusionsThere is a clear relationship between working shifts and increased risk of short-term sickness absence. The relationship persists across gender, age group and parental status. The relationship between shift work and long-term sickness absence appears to be schedule and population specific. These findings may have implications for HR policies and the organisation of shift work in healthcare organisations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 448-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxing Li ◽  
Jing Huang ◽  
Jinwei Wang ◽  
Minghui Zhao ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  

BackgroundFine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an important environmental risk factor for cardiopulmonary diseases. However, the association between PM2.5 and risk of CKD remains under-recognized, especially in regions with high levels of PM2.5, such as China.MethodsTo explore the association between long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 and CKD prevalence in China, we used data from the China National Survey of CKD, which included a representative sample of 47,204 adults. We estimated annual exposure to PM2.5 before the survey date at each participant’s address, using a validated, satellite-based, spatiotemporal model with a 10 km×10 km resolution. Participants with eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 or albuminuria were defined as having CKD. We used a logistic regression model to estimate the association and analyzed the influence of potential modifiers.ResultsThe 2-year mean PM2.5 concentration was 57.4 μg/m3, with a range from 31.3 to 87.5 μg/m3. An increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 was positively associated with CKD prevalence (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 1.35) and albuminuria (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.32 to 1.47). Effect modification indicated these associations were significantly stronger in urban areas compared with rural areas, in males compared with females, in participants aged <65 years compared with participants aged ≥65 years, and in participants without comorbid diseases compared with those with comorbidities.ConclusionsThese findings regarding the relationship between long-term exposure to high ambient PM2.5 levels and CKD in the general Chinese population provide important evidence for policy makers and public health practices to reduce the CKD risk posed by this pollutant.


2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372095225
Author(s):  
Siqi Xue ◽  
M. Ishrat Husain ◽  
Haoyu Zhao ◽  
Arun V. Ravindran

Objectives: Cannabis use is proposed as a risk factor for psychosis and is associated with depressive disorders. However, the relationship between recreational cannabis use and its longitudinal implications on anxiety conditions is less studied. The aim of this investigation is to systematically evaluate published literature and perform a meta-analysis of the data. Methods: A systematic search was performed of MEDLINE, Embase, and PsychINFO from inception to May 31, 2020, in addition to a hand search. Longitudinal studies that evaluated the relationship of cannabis use and development of anxiety were included. Where applicable, adjusted odds ratios ( ORs) were extracted, pooled, and evaluated using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: After screening of unique abstracts ( n = 6835), the final evaluation included 24 studies, of which 10 reported ORs that were analyzed quantitatively. Cannabis use was significantly associated with increased odds of developing any anxiety conditions ( OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.54). Cannabis use was not significantly associated with developing generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder. Review of studies not reporting OR revealed mixed results but are suggestive of a link between cannabis use and increased rates/severity of anxiety. Conclusions: Published evidence suggests that cannabis use is likely associated with increased risk of anxiety in the long term but variability of study designs precludes declaration of a causal relationship. Awareness of this association is of relevance for both clinical practice and mental health policy implementation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anniken Grønstad ◽  
Lars Erik Kjekshus ◽  
Trond Tjerbo ◽  
Vilde Hoff Bernstrøm

Abstract Background Organizational change is often associated with reduced employee health and increased sickness absence. However, most studies in the field accentuate major organizational change and often do not distinguish between and compare types of change. The aim of this study was to examine the different relationships between six unit-level changes (upsizing, downsizing, merger, spin-off, outsourcing and insourcing) and sickness absence among hospital employees. Methods The study population included employees working in a large Norwegian hospital (n = 26,252). Data on unit-level changes and employee sickness absence were retrieved from objective hospital registers for the period January 2011 to December 2016. The odds of entering short- (< = 8 days) and long-term (> = 9 days) sickness absence for each individual employee were estimated in a longitudinal multilevel random effects logistic regression model. Results Unit-level organizational change was associated with both increasing and decreasing odds of short-term sickness absence compared to stability, but the direction depended on the type and stages of change. The odds of long-term sickness absence significantly decreased in relation to unit-level upsizing and unit-level outsourcing. Conclusions The results from this study suggested that certain types of change, such as unit-level downsizing, may produce greater strain and concerns among employees, possibly contributing to an increased risk of sickness absence at certain stages of the change. By contrast, changes such as unit-level insourcing and unit-level upsizing were related to decreased odds of sickness absence, possibly due to positive change characteristics.


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