scholarly journals Associations between COVID-19 Incidence Rates and the Exposure to PM2.5 and NO2: A Nationwide Observational Study in Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9318
Author(s):  
Fabiana Fiasca ◽  
Mauro Minelli ◽  
Dominga Maio ◽  
Martina Minelli ◽  
Ilaria Vergallo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
Nationwide Observational Study

The COVID-19 outbreak disproportionately affected the elderly and areas with higher population density. Among the multiple factors possibly involved, a role for air pollution has also been hypothesized. This nationwide observational study demonstrated the significant positive relationship between COVID-19 incidence rates and PM2.5 and NO2 levels in Italy, both considering the period 2016–2020 and the months of the epidemic, through univariate regression models, after logarithmic transformation of the variables, as the data were not normally distributed. That relationship was confirmed by a multivariate analysis showing the combined effect of the two pollutants, adjusted for the old-age index and population density. An increase in PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations by one unit (1 µg/m3) corresponded to an increase in incidence rates of 1.56 and 1.24 × 104 people, respectively, taking into account the average levels of air pollutants in the period 2016–2020, and 2.79 and 1.24 × 104 people during March–May 2020. Considering the entire epidemic period (March–October 2020), these increases were 1.05 and 1.01 × 104 people, respectively, and could explain 59% of the variance in COVID-19 incidence rates (R2 = 0.59). This evidence could support the implementation of targeted responses by focusing on areas with low air quality to mitigate the spread of the disease.

scholarly journals Association of Calcium Supplementation During Pregnancy with the Birth Weight of Single-Born Neonates in Rural Northwest China

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1106-1106
Author(s):  
Gao Xiangyu ◽  
Mi Baibing ◽  
Dang Shaonong ◽  
Yan Hong
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Calcium Supplementation ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Shaanxi Province ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Birth Weight Percentile ◽  
Weight Percentile

Abstract Objectives To investigate the association of calcium supplementation during the pregnancy with the birth weight of single-born neonates. Methods The survey employed a multistage, stratified and random sampling to investigate 15–49 aged pregnant women in 2010 to 2013 in Shaanxi province. A self - designed questionnaire was utilized. Birth weight between the 10(th) and 90(th) percentile was classified as appropriate for gestational age(AGA) infants. Chi-square test and logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the association of calcium supplementation with single-born neonatal birth weight. Results A total of 28,490 women was enrolled in this study, 17 349 (60.9%) of participants had calcium supplementation during pregnancy. The incidence rates of small and large gestational age infants were 13.5% and 8.3%, respectively. The study conducted that calcium supplementation had a statistically significant difference in SGA (birth weight percentile <10) (P < 0.01). After adjusting the regression models by confounding factors, we found that calcium supplementation was still protective towards SGA birth, the difference was statistically significant (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82–0.96, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the birth to LGA (birth weight percentile <10). Conclusions Calcium supplementation during pregnancy reduced the risk of SGA, but was not associated with the birth of LGA. Funding Sources

scholarly journals Safety of High-Dose Dabigatran in Elderly and Younger Patients with a Low Bleeding Risk: A Prospective Observational Study

Cardiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aharon Erez ◽  
Gregory Golovchiner ◽  
Robert Klempfner ◽  
Ehud Kadmon ◽  
Gustavo Ruben Goldenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Dose ◽  
World Population ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
End Point

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk for stroke, dabigatran 150 mg twice a day (DE150) is superior to warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there is paucity of data with respect to bleeding risk at this dose in elderly patients (≥75 years). We aimed to evaluate the safety of DE150 in comparison to warfarin in a real-world population with AF and low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score ≤2). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this prospective observational study, 754 consecutive patients with AF and HAS-BLED score ≤2 were included. We compared outcome of elderly patients (age ≥75 tears) to younger patients (age &#x3c;75 years). The primary end point was the combined incidence of all-cause mortality, stroke, systemic emboli, and major bleeding event during a mean follow-up of 1 year. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 230 (30%) elderly patients, 151 patients were treated with warfarin, and 79 were treated with DE150. Fifty-two patients experienced the primary endpoint during the 1-year follow-up. Among the elderly, at 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative event rate of the combined endpoint in the DE150 and warfarin was 8.9 and 15.9% respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.14). After adjustment for age and gender, patients who were treated with DE150 had a nonsignificant difference in the risk for the combined end point as patients treated with warfarin both among the elderly and among the younger population (HR 0.58, 95% C.I = 0.25–1.39 and HR = 1.12, 95% C.I 0.62–2.00, respectively [<i>p</i> for age-group-by-treatment interaction = 0.83). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results suggest that Dabigatran 150 mg twice a day can be safely used among elderly AF patients with low bleeding risk.

scholarly journals A study of crystalluria: effectiveness of including hygienic-dietary recommendations in laboratory reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Sienes Bailo ◽  
María Santamaría González ◽  
Silvia Izquierdo Álvarez ◽  
Raquel Lahoz Alonso ◽  
Patricia Serrano Frago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Renal Colic ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Abstract Objectives To assess the effectiveness of incorporating hygienic-dietary recommendations in laboratory reports in reducing the incidence of renal colic (RC). A study was performed to compare the incidence of RC in two groups of patients who had suffered at least a crystalluria event associated with the risk of urolithiasis. Recommendations were only incorporated in the laboratory reports of one group. Methods A retrospective observational study. The study sample was composed of patients who had at least an episode of crystalluria associated with a higher risk of urolithiasis. The laboratory reports of patients in Group A (n=1,115), treated in 2017, did not include any hygienic-dietary recommendations, whereas patients in Group B (n=1,692), treated in 2018, received hygienic-dietary recommendations through their laboratory reports. χ2 and Mann-Whitney U test were used to assess differences based on sex, age, and type of urinary crystals. Results The incidence of RC was 2.02 times higher in group A (2.24%) than in group B (1.12%). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of RC based on the type of urinary crystal. The incidence of RC was substantially higher in patients who suffered at least an event of crystalluria associated with a higher risk for urolithiasis as compared to the general population during the same period (0.46%, consistently with the incidence rates reported in the literature). Conclusions The incorporation of messages alerting on the risk of urolithiasis and the inclusion of hygienic-dietary recommendations in laboratory reports may be useful for reducing the incidence of RC.

scholarly journals A novel causality-centrality-based method for the analysis of the impacts of air pollutants on PM2.5 concentrations in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bocheng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Causal Direction ◽  
Northern Cities ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Centrality Analysis

AbstractIn this paper, we analyzed the spatial and temporal causality and graph-based centrality relationship between air pollutants and PM2.5 concentrations in China from 2013 to 2017. NO2, SO2, CO and O3 were considered the main components of pollution that affected the health of people; thus, various joint regression models were built to reveal the causal direction from these individual pollutants to PM2.5 concentrations. In this causal centrality analysis, Beijing was the most important area in the Jing-Jin-Ji region because of its developed economy and large population. Pollutants in Beijing and peripheral cities were studied. The results showed that NO2 pollutants play a vital role in the PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing and its surrounding areas. An obvious causality direction and betweenness centrality were observed in the northern cities compared with others, demonstrating the fact that the more developed cities were most seriously polluted. Superior performance with causal centrality characteristics in the recognition of PM2.5 concentrations has been achieved.

scholarly journals Pathophysiology and Treatment of Pruritus in Elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Bo Young Chung ◽  
Ji Young Um ◽  
Jin Cheol Kim ◽  
Seok Young Kang ◽  
Chun Wook Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Signaling Mechanisms ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Neuropathic Pruritus ◽  
Chronic Pruritus

Pruritus is a relatively common symptom that anyone can experience at any point in their life and is more common in the elderly. Pruritus in elderly can be defined as chronic pruritus in a person over 65 years old. The pathophysiology of pruritus in elderly is still unclear, and the quality of life is reduced. Generally, itch can be clinically classified into six types: Itch caused by systemic diseases, itch caused by skin diseases, neuropathic pruritus, psychogenic pruritus, pruritus with multiple factors, and from unknown causes. Senile pruritus can be defined as a chronic pruritus of unknown origin in elderly people. Various neuronal mediators, signaling mechanisms at neuronal terminals, central and peripheral neurotransmission pathways, and neuronal sensitizations are included in the processes causing itch. A variety of therapies are used and several novel drugs are being developed to relieve itch, including systemic and topical treatments.

Epidemiology of first and recurrent venous thromboembolism: A population-based cohort study in patients without active cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (08) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander T. Cohen ◽  
Luke Bamber ◽  
Stephan Rietbrock ◽  
Carlos Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Clinical Practice Research Datalink ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Recurrent Vte ◽  
Active Cancer

SummaryContemporary data from population studies on the incidence and complications of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are limited. An observational cohort study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of first and recurrent VTE. The cohort was identified from all patients in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) with additional linked information on hospitalisation and cause of death. Between 2001 and 2011, patients with first VTE were identified and the subset without active cancer-related VTE observed for up to 10 years for recurrent VTE. The 10-year cumulative incidence rates (CIR) were derived with adjustment for mortality as a competing risk event. A total of 35,373 first VTE events (12,073 provoked, 16,708 unprovoked and 6592 active cancer-associated VTE) among 26.9 million person-years of observation were identified. The overall incidence rate (IR) of VTE was 131.5 (95% CI, 130.2–132.9) per 100,000 person-years and 107.0 (95% CI, 105.8–108.2) after excluding cancer-associated VTE. DVT was more common in the young and PE was more common in the elderly. VTE recurrence occurred in 3671 (CIR 25.2%). The IR for recurrence peaked in the first six months at around 11 per 100 person years. It levelled out after three years and then remained at around 2 per 100 person years from year 4–10 of follow-up. The IRs for recurrences were particularly high in young men. In conclusion, VTE is common and associated with high recurrence rates. Effort is required to prevent VTE and to reduce recurrences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document