Burden and prevalence of risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease in the ageing European population – A SHARE-based analysis

Abstract Aim: International health authorities suggest that individuals aged 65 years and above and people with underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity are at increased risk of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the prevalence of risk factors is unknown in many countries. Therefore, we aim to describe the distribution of these risk factors across Europe. Subject and Methods: Prevalence of risk factors for severe COVID-19 was identified based on interview for 73,274 Europeans aged 50+ participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in 2017. Burden of disease was estimated using population data from Eurostat. Results: A total of 75.3% of the study population (corresponding to app. 60 million European men and 71 million women) had at least one risk factor for severe COVID-19, 45.9% (app. 36 million men and 43 million women) had at least two factors and 21.2% (app. 17 million men and 20 million women) had at least three risk factors. The prevalences of underlying medical conditions ranged from 4.5% for cancer to 41.4% for hypertension, and the region-specific prevalence of having at least three risk factors ranged from 18.9% in Northern Europe to 24.6% in Eastern Europe. Conclusions: Information about the prevalences of risk factors might help authorities to identify the most vulnerable subpopulations with multiple risk factors of severe COVID-19 disease and thus to decide appropriate strategies to mitigate the pandemic.

Download Full-text

Nasal symptoms increase the risk of snoring and snoring increases the risk of nasal symptoms. A longitudinal population study

Sleep And Breathing ◽

10.1007/s11325-020-02287-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Värendh ◽

Christer Janson ◽

Caroline Bengtsson ◽

Johan Hellgren ◽

Mathias Holm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Nasal Breathing ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population ◽

Independent Risk Factors

Abstract Purpose Humans have a preference for nasal breathing during sleep. This 10-year prospective study aimed to determine if nasal symptoms can predict snoring and also if snoring can predict development of nasal symptoms. The hypothesis proposed is that nasal symptoms affect the risk of snoring 10 years later, whereas snoring does not increase the risk of developing nasal symptoms. Methods In the cohort study, Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE), a random population from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, born between 1945 and 1973, was investigated by postal questionnaires in 1999–2001 (RHINE II, baseline) and in 2010–2012 (RHINE III, follow-up). The study population consisted of the participants who had answered questions on nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction, discharge, and sneezing, and also snoring both at baseline and at follow-up (n = 10,112). Results Nasal symptoms were frequent, reported by 48% of the entire population at baseline, with snoring reported by 24%. Nasal symptoms at baseline increased the risk of snoring at follow-up (adj. OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.22–1.58) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI change between baseline and follow-up, and smoking status. Snoring at baseline was associated with an increased risk of developing nasal symptoms at follow-up (adj. OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Conclusion Nasal symptoms are independent risk factors for development of snoring 10 years later, and surprisingly, snoring is a risk factor for the development of nasal symptoms.

Download Full-text

Colic in the British military working horse population: a retrospective analysis

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.104956 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 184 (1) ◽

pp. 24-24

Author(s):

Victoria J Tannahill ◽

Jacqueline M Cardwell ◽

Tom H Witte

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Population Data ◽

Horse Population ◽

Multiple Risk Factors ◽

British Military ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

Threatening Condition ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Intensively Managed ◽

Careful Management

Colic is a common and potentially life-threatening condition of horses. Multiple risk factors have been previously identified and it is known that a careful management routine can help reduce colic rates. The British military working horse population represents a unique cohort of horses that are intensively managed with a strict regimen. This retrospective study examined the incidence and mortality rate of colic within this population, as well as the signalment of affected horses, and compared these with the general population. Data for 717 horses over a five-year period (2008–2012) were analysed. Of these, 163 horses (22.7 per cent) experienced 267 colic episodes and 13 horses (1.8 per cent) died because of colic. Recurrent colic was experienced by 35 per cent (57/163) of horses. The incidence of colic was 11.1 episodes per 100 horse-years and of colic-related death was 0.5 deaths per 100 horse-years. Horses purchased from mainland Europe were more likely to suffer from colic (OR 4.6; P<0.001) and from recurrent colic (OR 6.0; P=0.005) than horses purchased from Ireland. Only 3 per cent (8/267) of colic episodes were treated surgically. It was concluded that the incidences of colic and colic-related deaths within the British military working horse population are similar to those of the general horse population.

Download Full-text

Preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Where Should We Begin?

Nephron ◽

10.1159/000515165 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Leonardo V. Riella ◽

Jamil R. Azzi ◽

Paolo Cravedi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

General Population ◽

Kidney Transplant ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Population Data ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽

Viral Spread ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Uk

Context: Chronic immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of opportunistic infections. Although kidney transplant recipients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have higher mortality than the general population, data on their risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are unknown. Subject of Review: A recent single-center screening study from the UK (Transplantation. 2021 Jan 1;105(1):151–7) showed that 89 (10.4%) of 855 consecutive kidney transplant recipients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Risk factors for infection included a nonwhite background, diabetes, and a history of allograft rejection. Risk factors for mortality in individuals who developed COVID-19 were older age and receiving steroids. Second Opinion: This study shows that the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in kidney transplant recipients is similar to the one observed in the general population in the same area (13%), indicating that transplant recipients are not at increased risk of COVID-19. However, the investigators raise the interesting point that since transplant individuals were advised to shelter earlier than the general population, they may be in fact more susceptible. This statement is hard to substantiate, but the identification of specific risk factors for infection and poor outcomes is crucial to tailor strategies to prevent spread of the infection. This is particularly important, considering that kidney transplant recipients may be at increased risk of prolonged viral spread and in-host viral mutations, making them not just a particularly fragile population for COVID-19 but also a potentially major source of further contagions.

Download Full-text

Gut microbiota-generated metabolite, trimethylamine-N-oxide, and subclinical myocardial damage: a multicenter study from Thailand

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93803-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vichai Senthong ◽

Songsak Kiatchoosakun ◽

Chaiyasith Wongvipaporn ◽

Jutarop Phetcharaburanin ◽

Pyatat Tatsanavivat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Cardiovascular Events ◽

Troponin T ◽

Myocardial Damage ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Multiple Risk Factors ◽

Study Population ◽

Traditional Risk Factors

AbstractPlasma Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite from dietary phosphatidylcholine, is mechanistically linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and adverse cardiovascular events. We aimed to examine the relationship between plasma TMAO levels and subclinical myocardial damage using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT). We studied 134 patients for whom TMAO data were available from the Cohort Of patients at a high Risk of Cardiovascular Events—Thailand (CORE-Thailand) registry, including 123 (92%) patients with established atherosclerotic disease and 11 (8%) with multiple risk factors. Plasma TMAO was measured by NMR spectroscopy. In our study cohort (mean age 64 ± 8.9 years; 61% men), median TMAO was 3.81 μM (interquartile range [IQR] 2.89–5.50 μM), and median hs-cTnT was 15.65 ng/L (IQR 10.17–26.67). Older patients and those with diabetic or hypertension were more likely to have higher TMAO levels. Plasma TMAO levels correlated with those of hs-cTnT (r = 0.54; p < 0.0001) and were significantly higher in patients with subclinical myocardial damage (hs-cTnT ≥ 14 ng/L; 4.48 μM vs 2.98 μM p < 0.0001). After adjusting for traditional risk factors, elevated TMAO levels remained independently associated with subclinical myocardial damage (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.58; 95% CI 1.24–2.08; p = 0.0007). This study demonstrated that plasma TMAO was an independent predictor for subclinical myocardial damage in this study population.

Download Full-text

Identifying children at high risk for recurrence child abuse

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery ◽

10.1177/2309499021996411 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 230949902199641

Author(s):

Jidapa Wongcharoenwatana ◽

Jariya Tarugsa ◽

Kamolporn Kaewpornsawan ◽

Perajit Eamsobhana ◽

Chatupon Chotigavanichaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Child Abuse ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Abused Children ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Two Factors ◽

Death Cases ◽

Child Age

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of abused children, families and abusive event and to identify risk factors associated with recurrence of child abuse. Methods: Retrospective data from 133 children aged between 2 months to 15 years old who were diagnosed as abuse between year 2002 and 2017. Thirteen items related to characteristics of the child, families, abusive event were selected. These factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model for association with repeated child abuse. Results: Total of 133 subjects with average age of 5.25 ± 4.65 years old. There were 54 cases (40.60%) reported of repeated abuse. Majority of repeated abuse type in this study was physical abuse (73.68%). Most perpetrators were child’s own parents (45.10%). Factors associated with increased risk of repeated abuse were child age 1–5 years old (AOR = 4.95/95%CI = 1.06–23.05), 6–10 years old (AOR = 6.80/95%CI = 1.22–37.91) and perpetrator was child’s own parent (AOR = 21.34/95%CI = 3.51–129.72). Three cases of mortality were found with single-visit children and one case in recurrence. Most of death cases were children less than 1-year-old with average age of 7 months. Causes of death were subdural hematoma with skull and ribs fracture. Conclusions: Identifying risk factors for repeated child abuse help in recognizing child at risk to provide prompt intervention. This study found two factors associated with higher risk of abuse recurrence: child age 1–10 years old and abusive parents. Children who presented with these risk factors should be recognized and intensively monitored.

Download Full-text

Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus and Atrial Fibrillation Prevalence in the Polish Population. A Report From the Non-Invasive Monitoring for Early Detection of Atrial Fibrillation (NOMED-AF) Prospective Cross-Sectional Observational Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-443959/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jakub Janusz Gumprecht ◽

Gregory Y.H Lip ◽

Adam Sokal ◽

Beata Średniawa ◽

Katarzyna Mitręga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Artery Bypass ◽

Bypass Graft ◽

Coronary Intervention ◽

European Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Population ◽

Shared Risk

Abstract Background:The global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is constantly rising, leading to an increasing healthcare burden of stroke. AF often remains undiagnosed due to the occurrence in an asymptomatic, silent form, i.e., silent AF (SAF).The study aims to evaluate the relationships between DM and AF prevalence using a mobile long-term continuous ECG telemonitoring vest in a representative Polish and European population ≥65 years, for detection of AF, symptomatic or silent.Methods:A representative sample of 3014 participants from the cross-sectional NOMED-AF study was enrolled in the analyses (mean age 77.5, 49.1% female): 881 (29.2%) were diagnosed with DM. AF was screened using a telemonitoring vest for a mean of 21.9± 9.1days. Results:Overall, AF was reported in 680 (22.6%) of the whole study population. AF prevalence was higher among subjects with concomitant DM (DM+) versus those without DM (DM-) [25%, 95%CI 22.5-27.8% vs 17%; 95%CI 15.4-18.5% respectively, p<0.001]. DM patients were commonly associated with SAF [9%; 95%CI 7.9-11.4 vs 7%; 95% CI 5.6-7.5 respectively, p<0.001], and persistent/permanent AF [12.2%; 95% CI 10.3-14.3 vs 6.9%; 95% CI 5.9-8.1 respectively, p<0.001] compared to subjects without DM. The prolonged screening was associated with a higher percentage of newly established AF diagnosis in DM+ vs DM- patients (5% vs 4.5% respectively, p<0.001). In addition to shared risk factors, DM+ subjects were associated with different AF and SAF independent risk factors compared to DM- individuals, including thyroid disease, peripheral/systemic thromboembolism, hypertension, physical activity and prior percutaneous coronary intervention/coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Conclusions:AF affects 1 out of 4 subjects with concomitant DM. The higher prevalence of AF and SAF among DM subjects than those without DM highlights the necessity of active AF screening specific AF risk factors assessment amongst the diabetic population. Trial registration: NCT03243474.

Download Full-text

Factors Associated With an Increased Risk of Recurrence After a First-Time Patellar Dislocation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546519888467 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (10) ◽

pp. 2552-2562 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lachlan S. Huntington ◽

Kate E. Webster ◽

Brian M. Devitt ◽

John P. Scanlon ◽

Julian A. Feller

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Patellar Dislocation ◽

Trochlear Dysplasia ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Recurrence ◽

Multiple Risk Factors ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Lateral Patellar Dislocation ◽

History Of ◽

First Time

Background: Recurrent dislocations after a first-time lateral patellar dislocation may occur in more than 50% of patients and can cause long-term disability. Many factors have been suggested to influence the risk of recurrence. Purpose: To systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the literature for factors associated with an increased risk of recurrence after a first-time patellar dislocation. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Methods: A total of 4 electronic databases were searched to identify relevant studies published before February 7, 2019. A quality assessment was performed with the National Heart, Lung, and Bone Institute quality assessment score. Factors assessed for their effect on the recurrence rate were documented, and the rates of recurrence were compared. Pooled dichotomous data were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis with odds ratios (ORs). Results: A total of 17 studies met the criteria for inclusion. The overall rate of recurrent dislocations after a first-time lateral patellar dislocation was 33.6%. An increased risk of recurrence was reported in patients with a younger age (OR, 2.61; P < .00001), open physes (OR, 2.72; P < .00001), trochlear dysplasia (OR, 4.15; P = .009), an elevated tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance (OR, 2.87; P < .00001), and patella alta (OR, 2.38; P = .004). Sex, patterns of medial patellofemoral ligament injury, and history of contralateral dislocations were not found to be associated with an increased recurrence rate ( P≥ .05). In studies that reported on the presence of multiple risk factors, recurrence rates were 7.7% to 13.8% when no risk factors were present but increased to 29.6% to 60.2% when 2 risk factors were present and to 70.4% to 78.5% when 3 risk factors were present. Conclusion: Younger age, open physes, trochlear dysplasia, elevated TT-TG distance, and patella alta were key risk factors for the recurrence of lateral patellar dislocations. Despite being not infrequently cited as risk factors, patient sex and a history of contralateral dislocations were not found to be significant risk factors. The presence of multiple risk factors increased the risk, and the development of predictive instability scores in large patient cohorts using all established risk factors should be a focus of future studies.

Download Full-text

Susceptibility to Aneuploidy in Young Mothers of Down Syndrome Children

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2009.122 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 1052-1060 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Lucia Migliore ◽

Francesca Migheli ◽

Fabio Coppedè

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Down Syndrome ◽

Germ Line ◽

Young Age ◽

Chromosome 21 ◽

Chromosome Damage ◽

Multiple Risk Factors ◽

Genetic Mosaic ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Age Studies

We recently observed an increased frequency of binucleated micronucleated lymphocytes in women who had a Down syndrome (DS) child before 35 years of age and the fluorescencein situhybridization analysis revealed that micronuclei were mainly originating from chromosomal malsegregation events, including chromosome 21 malsegregation. That study indicated that women who have a DS child at a young age might have a genetic predisposition to chromosome malsegregation in both somatic and germ line cells. Further studies from our group confirmed increased chromosome damage in blood cells of women who had a DS child at a young age and pointed to a possible role for polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing genes in affecting both chromosome damage and DS risk. In the present article, we review the most recent findings on mechanisms and risk factors for chromosome 21 nondisjunction that lead to DS. Multiple risk factors are likely involved in chromosome nondisjunction; they act at different times in the meiotic process and can be of genetic or environmental (epigenetic) origin. We also discuss the increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life that was observed in women who had a DS child at a young age. Studies performed in the last years that have shown that the brain is, in fact, a complex genetic mosaic of aneuploid and euploid cells support the unified hypothesis trying to relate DS, trisomy 21, and AD.

Download Full-text

The Role of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 1 Insertion/Deletion Genetic Polymorphism in the Risk and Severity of COVID-19 Infection

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.798571 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Halim Saad ◽

Karna Jabotian ◽

Carine Sakr ◽

Rami Mahfouz ◽

Imad Bou Akl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Genetic Polymorphism ◽

Potential Role ◽

Medical Center ◽

Positive Association ◽

American University ◽

American University Of Beirut ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population

Background: Individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus present with different symptoms of varying severity. In addition, not all individuals are infected despite exposure. Risk factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities play a major role in this variability; however, genetics may also be important in driving the differences in the incidence and prognosis of the disease. An Insertion/Deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE1 gene (rs1799752) may explain these genetic differences. The aims of this study were to determine the potential role of ACE1 I/D genetic polymorphism in the risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as predicting the severity of COVID-19 infection.Methods: Three-hundred and eighty-seven non-related Lebanese subjects, 155 controls and 232 cases, who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) for COVID-19 PCR testing were recruited. Clinical data were collected via filling a questionnaire and accessing the medical records. Peripheral blood was withdrawn for DNA isolation, and genotyping performed with standard PCR followed by band visualization on agarose gel.Results: In our study population, previously described risk factors such as gender, age, and comorbidities were associated with increase in disease susceptibility and severity. ACE1 I was the least common allele, and there was a positive association between ACE1 I and the risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease. More specifically, the frequency of II genotype was significantly higher among cases when compared to controls (P = 0.035) with individuals with the II genotype having greater risk for contracting the COVID-19 disease: OR = 2.074, P = 0.048 in the multivariate analysis. As for disease severity, the DD genotype and D allele were associated with increased risk for developing severe symptoms (OR = 2.845, P = 0.026 and OR = 2.359, P = 0.014, respectively), and the DD genotype with necessitating hospitalization (OR = 2.307, P = 0.042). In parallel, D allele carriers showed a significantly increased risk for developing hypoxia: OR = 4.374, P = 0.045.Conclusion: We found a positive association between ACE1 I and the risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease, and between ACE1 D and a worse outcome of the COVID-19 infection. Therefore, genotyping for ACE1 I/D polymorphism could be used to assess risk and predict severity for better prognosis and management of the disease.

Download Full-text

Overview of European population clustering based on 23 Y-STR loci

Genetika ◽

10.2298/gensr1503901d ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 901-908 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Serkan Dogan ◽

Adna Asic ◽

Sanida Buljubasic ◽

Larisa Besic ◽

Monia Avdic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Tandem Repeats ◽

Population Data ◽

European Population ◽

Human Populations ◽

Str Loci ◽

Autosomal Str ◽

Haplotype Data ◽

Study Population ◽

Regional Clustering

Short tandem repeats (STRs) located on the Y-chromosome are a useful tool for various scientific fields, such as forensic investigation, but also for the investigation of population structure and molecular history. In this study, population data based on 23 Y-STR loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, GATAH4, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, and DYS643) from 23 European human populations were compared. All haplotype data for this research were gathered from previously published articles. Arlequin v3.5.1.2, POPTREE2, and MEGA 5.1 software packages were used for the calculation of allelic frequencies and genetic distance, and the construction of the European, as well as worldwide phylogenetic trees. Obtained results indicate a formation of several distinct sub-clusters within European population cluster. Observed sub-clusters were mostly recognized within geographically closer populations, meaning that neighboring populations were a part of the same sub-cluster in most of the cases. Compared with the previously published results obtained using autosomal STR markers, a significant level of concordance was detected. However, it seems that Y-STRs analyzed in this study are more informative since they enabled regional clustering in addition to continental clustering. Also, the use of a larger number of loci yielded clustering that is more specific than what has been calculated to date. Finally, it can be concluded that this study has shown that the application of a larger number of loci enables the more detailed insight into the relationships between European populations, compared to what has been published before.

Download Full-text