scholarly journals Mortality of NBA Players: Risk Factors and Comparison with the General US Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Martínez ◽  
Klaus Langohr ◽  
Julián Felipo ◽  
Martí Casals

Concerns have been raised recently by players’ associations regarding the risk of death among retired players. Using a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed factors associated with the mortality of National Basketball Association (NBA) players and compared their life expectancy with that of the general population. We analyzed a cohort of 3985 players who participated in the NBA from its inception in 1946 to April 2015 (481 active and 3504 former players). We used the data for the 3504 former NBA players, of whom 687 (19.1%) died before 15 April 2015, to study the elapsed time between the end of their NBA careers until death. Cox proportional hazards models were employed in the multivariate survival analysis. After adjusting for age at the end of the NBA career and calendar year, we found that mortality is associated with height and ethnicity. Taller players and African-American players had a higher instantaneous risk of death than shorter players or white players. In addition, the life expectancy of players (regardless of height and ethnicity) has increased since the inception of the NBA. This is one of the first studies using such an extensive cohort of professional basketball players and Cox proportional hazards models. Results confirmed that height is associated with mortality. In addition, ethnicity is also linked to mortality; white players and small players live longer. Our study is useful for devising strategies for health interventions and the proper allocation of resources with respect to the general population.

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9625-9625
Author(s):  
J. A. Berlin ◽  
P. J. Bowers ◽  
S. Rao ◽  
S. Sun ◽  
K. Liu ◽  
...  

9625 Background: When cancer patients (pts) with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) respond to erythropoietic-stimulating agents (ESA), hemoglobin (Hb) typically increases within 4–8 weeks. This exploratory analysis examined whether mortality differs depending on Hb response after 4 or 8 weeks of epoetin alfa (EPO) treatment or depending on transfusion. Methods: Pt-level data were analyzed from 31 randomized studies (7,215 pts) of epoetin alfa vs non-EPO (15 studies) or placebo (16 studies) in pts with CIA. A landmark analysis was used; Hb change was set at a specific time (4 and 8 weeks) and subsequent survival was examined separately for EPO and placebo. Pts were categorized as “Hb increased” (>0.5 g/dL), “Hb decreased” (>0.5 g/dL), or “Hb stable” (within ±0.5 g/dL) compared to baseline. Hb stable was compared to other Hb change categories with Cox proportional hazards models, stratified by study and adjusted for potential confounders. Results: The hazard ratio (HR) for Hb decreased versus Hb stable at 4 weeks was 1.44 for EPO (95% CI: 1.04, 1.99), indicating worse survival for pts with a decline in Hb. This association was weaker for placebo (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.67). Increased risk with declining Hb in EPO-treated pts was most pronounced in studies that maintained Hb ≥12 g/dL or treated pts for >12–16 weeks (1,876 pts). Patterns were similar using the 8-week landmark. In both EPO-treated and placebo pts, transfusion increased the rate of on-study death ∼3.5 fold (treating transfusion as a time-dependent variable). Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that both decreased Hb after 4 or 8 weeks of EPO treatment and transfusion are associated with increased risk of death. In spite of adjustment for other prognostic factors, it is likely that this association reflects poorer underlying prognosis of pts whose Hb fails to respond. ESAs should be discontinued in the absence of a Hb response. [Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc N. Jarczok ◽  
Julian Koenig ◽  
Julian F. Thayer

AbstractIn recent clinical practice, a biomarker of vagal neuroimmunomodulation (NIM), namely the ratio of vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) and CRP, was proposed to index the functionality of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. This study aims to transfer and extend the previous findings to two general population-based samples to explore the hypothesis that NIM-ratio is associated with all-cause mortality. Two large population studies (MIDUS 2: N = 1255 and Whitehall II wave 5: N = 7870) with complete data from a total of N = 3860 participants (36.1% females; average age = 56.3 years; 11.1% deaths, last exit 18.1 years post inclusion) were available. NIM indices were calculated using the vagally-mediated HRV measure RMSSD divided by measures of CRP (NIMCRP) or IL-6 (NIMIL6). The NIM-ratios were quartiled and entered into age, ethnicity and body mass index adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. For NIMIL6 the lowest quartile was 45% more likely to die during the observed period (max. 18 years follow-up) compared to the highest quartile (HR = 0.55 CI 0.41–0.73; p < .0001). NIMCRP parallel these results. Here we show that an easily computable index of IL-6 inhibition is associated with all-cause mortality in two large general population samples. These results suggest that this index might be useful for risk stratification and warrant further examination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-478
Author(s):  
Tinatin Zurabishvili ◽  
Rennie Lee ◽  
Rebecca Jean Emigh

This article examines the factors influencing age at death in the multiethnic villages, comprised mostly of Georgians and Ossets, in the Kistauri commune in the eastern Republic of Georgia between 1897 and 1997. The data are analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models using age at death as the dependent variable, and ethnicity, gender, marital status, residency status, and year of birth as the independent variables. The results show that Georgians lived longer than Ossets. Individuals who had ever been married lived longer than those who had not. The results perhaps reflect harsher living conditions for Ossets, the ethnic minority, despite Soviet ideologies about equality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangli Yin ◽  
Changfeng Man ◽  
Jiayu Huang ◽  
Shengen Liao ◽  
Xin Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In adult patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), no valid immune biomarker has been available for predicting the prognosis of untreated sHLH patients. Methods Circulating plasma levels of fibrinogen (FIB) were measured at diagnosis in 293 cases of adult sHLH. We categorized FIB levels into tertiles. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationship between FIB and survival. Restricted cubic spline models and two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards models were used to address the nonlinear association between FIB and mortality. Results During a median follow-up of 52 (interquartile ranges, 18–221) days, 208 deaths occurred, with 137 deaths in malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (MHLH) and 71 deaths in non-malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (non-MHLH). After multivariable adjustment, compared with the highest tertile of FIB, the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of survival for tertile 2 and tertile 1 were 1.06 (0.90–1.24) and 0.84 (0.71–0.98), respectively. The restricted cubic spline curve displayed a nonlinear and inverse relationship between FIB and mortality. Furthermore, the threshold effect analysis demonstrated that the inflection point for the curve was at an FIB level of 1.76 g/L. The HRs (95% CIs) for survival were 0.68 (0.55–0.83) and 1.08 (0.96–1.21) on the left and right side of the inflection point, respectively. Conclusions These results suggest that plasma fibrinogen is nonlinearly and inversely associated with the risk of mortality in adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e025124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takako Fujita ◽  
Akira Babazono ◽  
Yumi Harano ◽  
Peng Jiang

ObjectiveWe sought to examine the effect of smoking cessation on subsequent development of depressive disorders.DesignThis was a retrospective cohort study.MethodsWe used administrative claim and health check data from fiscal years 2010 to 2014, obtained from the largest health insurance association in Fukuoka, Japan. Study participants were between 30 and 69 years old. The end-point outcome was incidence of depressive disorders. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were conducted. The evaluated potential confounders were sex, age, standard monthly income and psychiatric medical history.ResultsThe final number of participants was 87 255, with 7841 in the smoking cessation group and 79 414 in the smoking group. The result of survival analysis showed no significant difference in depressive disorders between the two groups. The results of Cox proportional hazards models showed no significant difference by multivariate analysis between participants, including users of smoking cessation medication (HR 1.04, 95% Cl 0.89 to 1.22) and excluding medication use (HR 0.97, 95% Cl 0.82 to 1.15).ConclusionsThe present study showed that there were no significant differences with respect to having depressive disorders between smoking cessation and smoking groups. We also showed that smoking cessation was not related to incidence of depressive disorders among participants, including and excluding users of smoking cessation medication, after adjusting for potential confounders. Although the results have some limitations because of the nature of the study design, our findings will provide helpful information to smokers, health professionals and policy makers for improving smoking cessation.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2728-2728
Author(s):  
Tingting Shao ◽  
Yuan Feng ◽  
Ninghan Zhang ◽  
Rong Wang ◽  
Ting Pan ◽  
...  

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological disease. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) and chemotherapy are major treatment regimens for AML. However, prognostic markers cannot guide the decision for a specific treatment, as they are related with a various prognosis regardless of the given treatment. HOXA (homeobox A) genes cluster could promote tumor survival, proliferation, invasion, and increase the resistance of AML. The aim of this study was to screen potential miRNAs (microRNAs) that would target HOXA genes, and evaluate the utility of miRNAs in AML, help patients choose a better treatment between chemotherapy and allo-HCST. Methods: Clinical data and RNA-Seq expression data of selected cases were provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Genome-wide screening was performed to identify miRNA in a heterogeneous AML population. Univariable Cox proportional hazards models and Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were employed to identify whether OS and EFS would be affected by other variables. Results: In this study, totally 162 AML patients were recruited. All patients were firstly divided into the chemotherapy and allo-HSCT groups. Subsequently, according to median values of miR-340, patients were divided into miR-340high and miR-340low expressers, respectively. In chemotherapy group, no difference was found in clinical characteristics, such as the median age, FAB subtypes, karyotypes and genes mutation between miR-340high and miR-340low expressers. However, miR-340low expressers often accompanied with high first relapse rate or death rate in one year than high expressers (P=0.012; 82.2% vs 55.6%). To identify the independent prognostic role of miR-340 in chemotherapy group patients, Univariable and Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were performed. We found that miR-340lowpatients showed shorter OS (P=0.0005; 5-year OS, 35.6% vs. 5.4%) and EFS (P=0.0005) compared with high expressers. In multivariable analysis, miR-340low patients showed reduced OS (P=0.004; HR: 2.07) and EFS (P=0.01; HR: 1.909) after adjusting other co-variates, such as age, WBC count and several genes mutation in chemotherapy group. Therefore, low miR-340 amounts could be an independent adverse bio-marker in AML patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, in the allo-HSCT group, miR-340 expression level was not associated with outcome in AML patients. To further explore the potential of allo-HSCT in overcoming the adverse characteristics of low miR-340 amounts, the whole 162 patients were regrouped into miR-340low and miR-340high groups. Then patients were divided into chemotherapy and allo-HSCT subgroups. Subgroup analysis revealed that miR-340low patients had significantly longer OS (P<0.0001; HR: 0.316; 95%CI: 0.167-0.459) and EFS (P=0.002; HR: 0.391; 95%CI: 0.231-0.622) in allo-HSCT subgroup than in chemotherapy subgroup (Figure 1). However, in cases highly expressing miR-340, no difference in survival events was detected between the two treatment subgroups. These findings indicated, allo-HSCT may overcome the adverse prognostic effects of low mir-340 expression. Therefore, for low miR-340 cases, early allo-HSCT may be a better option. To explore underlying biological functions of miR-340, we examined gene expression signatures related to the miR-340 expression in AML patients. We observed 135 genes expression levels that associated with miR-340 expression, with 61 and 74 showing positive and negative correlations, respectively. Gene Ontology showed that these genes involved in cellular and developmental processes, transcription regulation, immune system process, cell apoptosis and proliferation, myeloid cell differentiation and hematopoietic organ development. Furthermore, miR-340 expression was negatively correlated with HOXA and HOXB cluster levels. Strikingly, HOXA10, HOXB2, MEIS1 and PRDM16 were predicted miR-340 targets according to in silico analysis. The results hint a prospective regulatory mechanism that links miR-340 to HOXA genes associated with AML. Conclusions: Our data indicate that decreased miR-340 expression predicts an adverse prognosis and allo-HSCT may overcome the potential adverse characteristics of low miR-340 expression. Therefore, lower miR-340 cases should be strongly considered for early allo-HSCT. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 240-240
Author(s):  
Sina Vatandoust ◽  
Ganessan Kichenadasse ◽  
Michael E O'Callaghan ◽  
Tina Kopsaftis ◽  
Scott Walsh ◽  
...  

240 Background: In 15-30% of pts with metastatic PCa who progress on Maximal Androgen Blockade (MAB), withdrawal of the antiandrogen agent (AAWD) and continuing the LHRH agonist alone, leads to PSA decreases of ≥50% and prolonged progression free survival. Here we describe patient and disease characteristics, treatment history and outcomes of pts who have been managed with AAWD. Methods: Data were obtained from SA-PCCOC (a longitudinal, observational registry of biopsy-proven PCa cases, throughout the Australian state of South Australia since 1998). Proportions were compared using a Chi squared test. A multivariable model used competing risks (Fine and Gray) and Cox proportional Hazards models to assess overall survival and Prostate cancer specific mortality (PCSM). Survival was calculated from the date of rising PSA for patients on LHRH and AA. Results: 140 pts were found to have MAB. Of these, 31(22.1%) had AAWD. In the AAWD group, median age was 81y (51-95). Age at diagnosis, Gleason score at biopsy and diagnostic PSA were not significantly different amongst the two groups. Treatment PSA was significantly lower in the AAWD group (20.55 (range 0.6-9,995) vs 50.50 (range 0.95-4378) p= 0.02). There was a significant association of AAWD with PCSM (sHR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16-0.76; p = 0.008). Also significant in the model was prior time on hormones (sHR [per month increase] 0.96 95% CI 0.95-0.98, p<0.001). There was also a significant association of AAWD with overall survival (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.46; p <0.001). Again, prior time on hormones was also significant (HR [per month increase] 0.96 95% CI 0.95-0.98, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis was performed on data from 80 pts (60 pts omitted due to missing data). Conclusions: Pts in whom AAWD was used were older and had lower treatment PSA. In this small cohort, AAWD was associated with both reduced PCSM and overall risk of death. The time spent on MAB also appeared to be significant. This retrospective observational study may be subject to confounding, however the observation warrants further investigation in larger cohorts and in a prospective setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16659-e16659
Author(s):  
Sunyoung S. Lee ◽  
Yehia I. Mohamed ◽  
Aliya Qayyum ◽  
Manal Hassan ◽  
Lianchun Xiao ◽  
...  

e16659 Background: Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score is widely used in the assessment of prognosis of HCC and CTP-A is the standard criterion for active therapy and clinical trials entry. Recently, ALBI and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF)-CTP scores have been reported to improve survival prediction over CTP score. However, comparative studies to compare both scores and to integrate IGF into Albi score are lacking. Methods: After institutional board approval, data and samples were prospectively collected. 299 HCC patients who had data to generate both IGF-CPG and Albi index were used. The ALBI index, and IGF score were calculated, Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to evaluation the association between overall survival (OS) and CTP, IGF-CTP, Albi and IGF, albumin, bilirubin. Harrell’s Concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate the ability of the three score system to predict overall survival. And the U-statistics was used to compare the performance of prediction of OS between the score system. Results: OS association with CTP, IGF-CTP and Albi was performed (Table). IGF-CTP B was associated with a higher risk of death than A (HR = 1.6087, 95% CI: 1.2039, 2.1497, p = 0.0013), ALBI grade 2 was also associated with a higher risk of death than 1 (HR = 2.2817, 95% CI: 1.7255, 3.0172, p < 0.0001). IGF-1(analyzed as categorical variable) was independently associated with OS after adjusting for the effects of ALBI grade. Which showed IGF-1 ≤26 was significantly associated with poor OS, P = 0.001. Conclusions: Although ALBI grade and IGF-CTP score in this analysis had similar prognostic values in most cases, their benefits might be heterogenous in some specific conditions. We looked into corporation of IGF-1 into ALBI grade, IGF score with cutoff ≤26 which clearly refined OS prediction and better OS stratification of ALBI-grade.


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