scholarly journals Asthma and Keratoconus: An analysis of the risk factors association with the severity of keratoconus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srujana Sahebjada ◽  
Elsie Chan ◽  
Jing Xie ◽  
Grant Snibson ◽  
Mark Daniel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in Australia to explore a wide range of risk factors associated with keratoconus. A questionnaire addressing age, gender, educational background, ocular and medical history, smoking and alcohol consumption, and physical examination comprising anthropometric measurements was collected; eye examination was undertaken. The associations between a range of risk factors and keratoconus was determined using univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses.Main Text: A total of 260 keratoconus subjects were included in this study. Mean age of subject was 35.5 (SD= 14.8) years and the majority of the subjects were European 171 (68.2%). Initial univariate regression analysis identified the following risk factors at the p<0.1 level with keratoconus: higher body mass index, smoking cigarettes, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma were associated with increased severity of keratoconus, whereas eczema was associated with less severe keratoconus. Following multivariable regression analysis, only asthma remained as a significant risk factor associated with 2.2 diopters (D) steeper average mean keratometry compared to keratoconus subjects having no asthma [p = 0.03; β= 2.18; 95% confidence intervals: 1.22, 4.14].Conclusion: Our study describes the comprehensive assessment of all the known risk factors in a large keratoconus cohort recruited in Australia. Our study has reported asthma as the only risk factor found to be significantly associated with keratoconus. The results of this study allow us to better understand the aetiology of keratoconus and such a knowledge could be useful in instigate systemic management of patients to slow or prevent keratoconus.

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Nila Kusumasari ◽  
Rinawati Rohsiswatmo ◽  
Djajadiman Gatot ◽  
Darlan Darwis

Background Thrombocytopenia is the most common hematological abnormality in the neonatal period. Hemorrhagic manifestations are found in 10% cases of thrombocytopenia. Neonatal thrombocytopenia commonly assumed due to sepsis, despite many risk factors that may caused thrombocytopenia.Objective To obtain incidence and risk factors of neonatal thrombocytopenia.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in April 2009. Complete blood counts investigation was performed before age of 24 hours, medical conditions and risk factors of mothers and subjects were noted, as well as hemorrhagic manifestations. Subjects with thrombocytopenia were followed for 2 weeks. The risk factors consisted of hypertension in pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, gestational diabetes mellitus, perinatal infection, asphyxia, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.Results Neonatal thrombocytopenia was found 17 (12.1%) of 140 subjects, consisted of 88.2% early onset and 11.8% late onset. Significant risk factor of mother was pre-eclampsia (PR 3.97, 95%CI 1.70 to 9.25), while significant risk factors of neonates were asphyxia (PR 5.66, 95%CI 2.49 to 12.86), sepsis (PR 5.33, 95%CI 2.33-12.19) and necrotizing enterocolitis (p=0.014; PR 9.2 95% CI 5.17 to14.84). We found 29.4% hemorrhagic cases of neonatal thrombocytopenia (i.e.,. skin, gastrointestinal, intracranial hemorrhage).Conclusions The incidence of neonatal thrombocytopenia was 12.2%. Significant risk factor of mother that caused thrombocytopenia was pre-eclampsia, while risk factors of neonates were asphyxia, sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis.[Paediatr Indones. 2010;50:31-7].


Author(s):  
K. Kokila ◽  
K. Chellavel Ganapathi

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent epidemic. The true prevalence of CKD with in a population are very difficult to estimate, since early to moderate CKD were usually asymptomatic. ESRD in the consequence of CKD is one of the most expensive diseases to treat.Only way is to prevent it and Hence this was conducted to estimate the prevalence of CKD and its associated risk factors among adults in selected slums of Chennai.Methods: This is a cross sectional study done from May 2013 to June 2014 in selected slums of Chennai. The study population includes adult males and females. Multi stage sampling method used. Sample size covered was 400. A semi structured questionnaire used as tool. Based on the serum creatinine eGFR calculated using modified MDRD study equation and CKD prevalence was identified. The data was entered in MS excel and analyzed using SPSS version 21.Results: Total of 400 participants involved. Females were predominant in the study. Among them, 67 (16.8%) were diagnosed as CKD patients and Stage 1, 4.0% had stage 2, 3.6% had stage 3, 1.3% had stage 4 and 0.5% had stage 5 at the time of diagnosis.Conclusions: This study revealed prevalence of CKD among slum population was 16.8%. This study showed that old age, uncontrolled hypertension, uneducated, Diabetes with poor control, overuse of analgesics, H/o smoking, obesity, alcoholism, passive smoking, family H/o CKD and proteinuria were significant risk factor for CKD among study subjects. Slum population with risk factors should be regularly screened for CKD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Siwila ◽  
Annette Olsen

Intestinal parasitic infections are common among children worldwide. This study was aimed at determining risk factors for infection with soil transmitted helminths, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis, among children in preschools. The study was in two parts: a cross-sectional study in which data were collected from 403 children from 10 preschools and a longitudinal study in which 100 children from four preschools from the previous 10 were selected. Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was 12.0%, while that of hookworm was 8.3%. Overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis was 28.0% and 29.0%, respectively. Low education level of parent/guardian was a significant risk factor for A. lumbricoides (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.02–5.41; P=0.04), while roofing types other than corrugated iron sheets were found to be protective for G. duodenalis infection in both bivariate and multivariate analyses (multivariate: OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.45–0.99; P=0.04). Low socioeconomic level was found to be protective for Cryptosporidium spp. infection in multivariate analysis (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35–0.99; P=0.04). In the longitudinal study, none of the factors were associated with either infection. These findings may have implications for other preschools in other districts in Zambia.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2487-2487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francoise Bernaudin ◽  
Suzanne Verlhac ◽  
Annie Kamdem ◽  
Cécile Arnaud ◽  
Lena Coïc ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Silent infarcts are associated with impaired cognitive functioning and have been shown to be predictors of stroke (Miller ST J Pediatr 2001). Until now, reported risk factors for silent infarcts were low pain event rate, history of seizures, high leukocyte count and Sen bS haplotype (Kinney TR Pediatrics 1999). Here, we seek to define the prevalence and risk factors of silent infarcts in the Créteil SCA pediatric cohort comprising patients assessed at least yearly by transcranial doppler (TCD) since 1992, and by MRI/MRA. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed data from the Créteil cohort stroke-free SS/Sb0 children (280; 134 F, 146 M), according to institutional review board. Time-averaged mean of maximum velocities higher than 200 cm/sec were considered as abnormal, resulting in initiation of a transfusion program (TP). A switch to hydroxyurea was proposed to patients with normalized velocities (&lt; 170 cm/sec) and normal MRA on TP, although TP was re-initiated in case of abnormal velocities recurrence. Patients with “conditional” velocities (170–199 cm/sec) were assessed by TCD 4 times yearly. Alpha genes and beta-globin haplotypes were determined. Baseline biological parameters (G6PD activity; WBC, PMN, Reticulocytes, Platelets counts; Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, HbF, LDH levels; MCV; SpO2) were obtained a minimum of 3 months away from a transfusion, one month from a painful episode, after 12 months of age, before the first TCD, and always before therapy intensification. Results. Patients were followed for a total of 2139 patient-years. Alpha-Thal was present in 114/254 patients (45%) and 27/241 (11.2%) had G6PD deficiency. Beta genotype, available in 240 patients, was BaBa in 102 (42.5%), BeBe in 54 (22.5%), SeSe in 19 (7.9%) and “other” in 65 (27.1%); TCD was abnormal in 52 of 280 patients (18.6%). MRA showed stenoses in 30 of 226 evaluated patients (13.3%) while MRI demonstrated presence of silent infarcts in 81/280 patients (28.9%). Abnormal TCD (p&lt;0.001), G6PD deficiency (p=0.008), high LDH (p=0.03), and low Hb (p=0.026) were significant risk factors for stenoses by univariate analysis while multivariate analysis retained only abnormal TCD as a significant risk factor for stenoses ([OR= 10.6, 95% CI (4.6–24.4)]; p&lt;0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of silent infarcts was not related to alpha-Thal, beta genotype, abnormal TCD, WBC, PMN, platelets, reticulocyte counts, MCV, LDH level, HbF %, pain or ACS rates but was significantly associated with stenoses detected by MRA (p&lt;0.001), gender (male; p=0.04), G6PD deficiency (p=0.05), low Hb (p=0.016) and Hct (p=0.012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender ([OR= 2.1, 95% CI (1.03–4.27)]; p=0.042), low Hb ([OR= 1.4, 95% CI (1.0–1.1)]; p=0.05) and stenoses ([OR= 4.8, 95% CI (1.88–12.28)]; p=0.001) were all significant independent risk factors for silent infarcts. The presence of stenoses was the only significant risk factor for silent infarcts in patients with a history of abnormal TCD ([OR= 5.9, 95% CI (1.6–21.7)]; p=0.008). Conclusion We recently showed that G6PD deficiency, absence of alpha-Thal, and hemolysis are independent significant risk factors for abnormal TCD in stroke-free SCA patients (Bernaudin et al, Blood, 2008, in press). Here, we report that an abnormal TCD is the most significant risk factor for stenoses and, expanding previous studies, we demonstrate that stenoses, low Hb and gender are significant independent risk factors for silent infarcts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Md Khorshed Alam ◽  
Md Ariful Islam ◽  
Abhijit Das ◽  
Palash Karmakar ◽  
Pankaj Chandra Debnath ◽  
...  

This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the individual awareness, related risk factors and complications of diabetes with socio-demographic profiles of the study individuals in Noakhali region, Bangladesh during June to December, 2013. A total 250 participants were selected randomly and data were collected using structured questionnaire. Among the respondents 47.20% were found male and 52.80% were female and majorities (52.00%) of the respondents were urban people. Respondents completed secondary study level or below were the dominant group. 9.20%, 27.20%, 12.80% and 34.40% respondents were agriculturist, businessman and housewives respectively. Women showed better knowledge about overall diabetes (20.00%) and blood glucose level (9.60%), in case of causes, symptoms and management men (12.80%, 23.20% and 18.40% respectively) were found dominant than women (10.00%, 16.00% and 12.00% respectively). It was found that 13.20% respondents were suffering from impaired glucose tolerance and 79.20% had diabetes mellitus where female were more vulnerable than male. Family history was found the significant risk factor (p= 0.016; Ç2 = 5.849) for diabetes (total 62%, male 40.65% and female 59.35%), Other risk factors like age (67.20%), obesity (46.40%), hypercholesterolemia (82.00%), excess triglyceride (78.00%) and hypertension (29.60%) remained insignificant respectively and in every cases female were found more vulnerable than men. Study revealed that knowledge regarding diabetes was not up to the mark to the respondents though it is now one of the most pandemic diseases in the world.Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2016; 27(1) : 8-15


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Christina Shanty ◽  
Sherly Yuniarchan ◽  
Mia Ratwita Andarsini ◽  
I Dewa Gede Ugrasena ◽  
Bambang Permono ◽  
...  

Objective: Wilms’ tumor is the most common childhood renal tumor for about 6% of pediatric malignant disease. The 5-year survival rate in United States increased from approximately from 70% (1970-1973) to 92% (1989-1996). This study was aim to analyze the risk factors of mortality in children with Wilms’ tumor. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in children with Wilms’ tumor at Soetomo Hospital during 2006-2011. The data of demographic, clinical profile, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, glomerular filtration rate, histological type, disease stage, metastases and relapse were analyzed as risk factors of mortality using logistic regression. Results: There were 37 Wilms’ tumor children and 5 children were excluded because of incomplete data. The mean age was 3.0 (SD 2.6) years, and male-to-female ratio was 2.5 : 1. There were 5/32 children in stage I, 7/32 children in stage II, 8/32 children in stage III, 11/32 children in stage IV, and 1/32 children in stage V. There were 15/32 children underwent operation. Complete remission occurred in 12/32 children and 1/32 children relapsed. There were 20/32 children died, associated with anemia (P=0.033, OR=6.111, 95% CI=1.056-35.352) and advanced stage (P=0.021, OR=8.000, 95% CI=1.575-40.632). The risk of mortality increased 3.284 folds with every increased stage (P=0.007, 95% CI=1.338-7.775). Conclusion: Disease stage is the significant risk factor of mortality in children with Wilms’ tumor.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Fonkeng Sama ◽  
Michel Noubom ◽  
Romeo Joël Nguekam ◽  
Solange Dabou ◽  
Thibau Flaurant Tchouangueu ◽  
...  

Background:Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in the genitourinary tract is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) worldwide. Genital chlamydial infection has a huge impact on sexual and reproductive health, and it is very common in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalance and risk factors for C. trachomatisinfection in women seeking medical care in the locality of Mbouo-BanjounWest Region of Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital based study from November 2016 to June 2017 in which we recruited 204 consenting women aged 18 to 55 years. A questionnaire was administered to study participants and potential risk factors for Chlamydia exposure sought. Venous blood was collected and serum from each participant analysed for C. trachomatis infection as evidenced by positive anti-C. trachomatisIgG and IgM antibodies detected using the Sandwich Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The proportion of anti-C. trachomatis antibody was calculated and predictors of C. trachomatis infection analysed by univariate and multivariate regression. Epi-Info 7 was used for statistical analyses. A p < 0.05 was considered significant in all analyses. Results: The seroprevalence of anti-C. trachomatisantibodies (IgM or IgG) was found to be62.25% [127/204]. Among seropositive women, 37.15% [77/204] were seropositive for IgG antibodies while 47.54% [97/204] were seropositive for IgM antibodies and 23.04% [47/204] where seropositive for both IgM and IgG antibodies. Among the risk factors evaluated, marital status (P= 0.03) and knowledge of Chlamydia (P= 0.001) were observed to be an independent risk factor of C. trachomatisinfection. Conclusions: Our findings suggest recent C. trachomatisexposure is high in our study population, and may constitute a significant risk factor for, ocular and pulmonary infection in new born child, infertility to women. Education and screening of HIV-positive individuals and pregnant women for C. trachomatisinfection may be important primary prevention strategies in this population.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshihiko Yanase ◽  
Ikumi Yanagita ◽  
Yuya Fujihara ◽  
Chikayo Iwaya ◽  
Yuichi Kitajima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Frailty is broadly characterized by vulnerability and decline in physical, mental and social activities and is more common in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Frailty is closely associated with nutrition, muscle strength, inflammation, and hormones etc. In hormones, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and cortisol are suggested to be such candidates affecting frailty. Little investigation has been performed using a wider range of measures of frailty to clarify risk factors for frailty including the above two hormones. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the risk factors for frailty in elderly T2DM patients (n=148; ≥65 years), using a broad assessment, the clinical frailty scale. We compared parameters between the non-frail and frail groups using the unpaired t and Mann-Whitney U tests. The Jonckheere-Therpstra test was used to identify relationships with the severity of frailty and risk factors were identified using binary regression analysis.Results: Simple regression analysis identified a number of significant risk factors for frailty, including DHEAS <70 µg/dL and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio ≥0.2. Multiple regression analysis showed that low albumin (<4.0 g/dl) (odds ratio [OR]=5.79, p<0.001), low aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (<25 IU/L) (OR=4.34, p=0.009), and low body mass (BM) (<53 kg) (OR=3.85, p=0.012) were independent risk factors for frailty. A significant decrease in DHEA-S and a significant increase in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio occurred alongside increases in the severity of frailty. DHEA-S concentration positively correlated with both serum albumin and BM.Conclusions: Hypoalbuminemia, low AST, and low BM are independent risk factors for frailty in elderly T2DM patients, strongly implying relative malnutrition in these frail patients. DHEA-S may be important for the maintenance of liver function and BM. A decrease in DHEA-S and an increase in the cortisol/DHEAS ratio may be involved in the mechanism of the effect of malnutrition in elderly T2DM patients. trial registration number: UMIN (number 000031357)


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Yubi ◽  
Jun Hata ◽  
Tomoyuki Ohara ◽  
Naoko Mukai ◽  
Yoichiro Hirakawa ◽  
...  

BackgroundWe investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in a cross-sectional study of a general population of Japanese elderly.MethodsIn 2012, brain MRI scanning at 1.5T and comprehensive health examination were conducted for 1281 residents aged 65 years or older. CMBs were defined as ovoid hypointensity lesions less than 10 mm in diameter on T2*-weighted images and classified into deep/infratentorial or lobar CMBs. Age- and sex-specific and overall prevalence of CMBs were estimated, and the associations of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and APOE polymorphism with the presence of CMBs were examined using a logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe crude prevalences of total, deep/infratentorial, and lobar CMBs were 18.7% (n = 240), 13.5% (n = 173), and 9.6% (n = 123), respectively. The prevalence of total CMBs was 23.0% in men and 15.5% in women and increased with aging in both sexes (both p for trend <0.01). Hypertension was significantly associated with the presence of both deep/infratentorial and lobar CMBs. Lower serum total cholesterol was a significant risk factor for deep/infratentorial CMBs, but not for lobar CMBs, while APOE ε4 carriers had a significantly higher likelihood only of lobar CMBs compared with noncarriers.ConclusionsOur study suggests that approximately 1 of 5 Japanese elderly people have CMBs, and that risk factors for deep/infratentorial and lobar CMBs are different, indicating the distinct pathologic backgrounds of these lesions.


Author(s):  
Murniati Murniati ◽  
Etih Sudarnika ◽  
Yusuf Ridwan

The aims of this research were to estimate the prevalence and to determine the risk factors related to Toxocara cati (T. cati) infection in pet cats in Bogor. This study was cross sectional study using two types of data; laboratory examination results of feces samples and interview results of the cat owner using a structured questionnaires including characteristics of pet owner and pet care management. The data obtained from this study was analyzed using chi-square test. The results showed that 85 of 243 cats were positively infected by T. cati with 35% prevalence. The significant risk factor associated with the T. cati infection were: sex, sand provided, deworming and type of feed. Pet care management in Kota Bogor were well managed, however the prevalence of T. cati infection was still high. Therefore it can be a potential public health problem especially on cat owners.


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