scholarly journals Below Average Cognitive Ability—An under Researched Risk Factor for Emotional-Behavioural Difficulties in Childhood

Author(s):  
Andrea K. Bowe ◽  
Anthony Staines ◽  
Deirdre M. Murray

Children with below average cognitive ability represent a substantial yet under-researched population for whom cognitive and social demands, which increase in complexity year by year, may pose significant challenges. This observational study examines the longitudinal relationship between early cognitive ability and emotional-behavioral difficulties (EBDs) between the age of three and nine. Participants include 7134 children from the population-based cohort study growing up in Ireland. Cognitive ability was measured at age three using the Picture Similarities Scale. A t-score one to two standard deviations below the mean was defined as below average cognitive ability (n = 767). EBDs were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at three, five, and nine years of age. Generalized linear mixed models and logistic regression were used to examine the relationship. Below average cognitive ability was an independent predictor of higher longitudinal SDQ scores. After adjustment, children with below average cognitive ability were 1.39 times more likely (AOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.17–1.66, p < 0.001) to experience a clinically significant EBD between the ages of three to nine years. This study demonstrates the increased risk of EBDs for children with below average cognitive ability. A scalable method of early identification of at-risk children should be a research priority for public health, enabling early intervention for cognitive and adaptive outcomes.

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (16) ◽  
pp. 2740-2747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Enander ◽  
Volen Z. Ivanov ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Ralf Kuja-Halkola ◽  
Brjánn Ljótsson ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundBody dysmorphic disorder (BDD) usually begins during adolescence but little is known about the prevalence, etiology, and patterns of comorbidity in this age group. We investigated the prevalence of BDD symptoms in adolescents and young adults. We also report on the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on BDD symptoms, and the risk for co-existing psychopathology.MethodsPrevalence of BDD symptoms was determined by a validated cut-off on the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire (DCQ) in three population-based twin cohorts at ages 15 (n = 6968), 18 (n = 3738), and 20–28 (n = 4671). Heritability analysis was performed using univariate model-fitting for the DCQ. The risk for co-existing psychopathology was expressed as odds ratios (OR).ResultsThe prevalence of clinically significant BDD symptoms was estimated to be between 1 and 2% in the different cohorts, with a significantly higher prevalence in females (1.3–3.3%) than in males (0.2–0.6%). The heritability of body dysmorphic concerns was estimated to be 49% (95% CI 38–54%) at age 15, 39% (95% CI 30–46) at age 18, and 37% (95% CI 29–42) at ages 20–28, with the remaining variance being due to non-shared environment. ORs for co-existing neuropsychiatric and alcohol-related problems ranged from 2.3 to 13.2.ConclusionsClinically significant BDD symptoms are relatively common in adolescence and young adulthood, particularly in females. The low occurrence of BDD symptoms in adolescent boys may indicate sex differences in age of onset and/or etiological mechanisms. BDD symptoms are moderately heritable in young people and associated with an increased risk for co-existing neuropsychiatric and alcohol-related problems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 2361-2367 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Torniainen ◽  
A. Wegelius ◽  
A. Tuulio-Henriksson ◽  
J. Lönnqvist ◽  
J. Suvisaari

BackgroundBoth low birthweight and high birthweight have been associated with an increased risk for schizophrenia and cognitive impairments in the general population. We assessed the association between birthweight and cognitive performance in persons with schizophrenia and their unaffected first-degree relatives.MethodWe investigated a population-based family sample comprising persons with schizophrenia (n = 142) and their unaffected first-degree relatives (n = 277). Both patients and relatives were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Clinician Version (SCID-CV) and a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered. Information on birthweight was obtained from obstetric records. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to investigate the effect of birthweight, as a continuous variable, on cognitive functioning, adjusting for within-family correlation and relevant covariates.ResultsBoth low birthweight and high birthweight were associated with lower performance in visuospatial reasoning, processing speed, set-shifting and verbal and visual working memory among persons with schizophrenia and their unaffected first-degree relatives compared to individuals with birthweight in the intermediate range. The group × birthweight interactions were non-significant.ConclusionsBoth low birthweight and high birthweight are associated with deficits in cognition later in life. Schizophrenia does not seem to modify the relationship between birthweight and cognition in families with schizophrenia.


2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 501-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Naja ◽  
Nancy Kreiger ◽  
Terrence Sullivan

BACKGROUND:Helicobacter pylorihas been classified by the World Health Organization as a type I carcinogen. Nearly 50% of the world’s population is estimated to be infected withH pylori. Prevalence patterns of the infection are different between developing and developed countries. The present study had two objectives – to estimate the prevalence ofH pyloriinfection in Ontario, and to evaluate the relationship between the infection and various demographic characteristics and selected lifestyle factors.METHODS: Ten microlitres of plasma were aliquoted from stored blood of 1306 men and women, 50 to 80 years of age, from Ontario. The blood samples belonged to control patients of a colorectal cancer population-based study group. Serological testing was used to detectH pyloriinfection; information was obtained on dietary intake and lifestyle habits, as well as past and present medical history, education, income, number of siblings, ethnicity and place of birth.RESULTS: The overall weighted seroprevalence ofH pyloriwas 23.1% (95% CI 17.7% to 29.5%), with men having higher infection rates (29.4%, 95% CI 21.1% to 39.3%) than women (14.9%, 95% CI 10.1% to 21.4%). Seroprevalence of the infection increased significantly with age and number of siblings. Increased risk was also associated with being nonwhite, being born outside of Canada and immigrating at 20 years of age or older. An inverse association with seroprevalence was found for education and alcohol consumption.CONCLUSION: The prevalence ofH pyloriinfection in Ontario is comparable with that of other developed countries. Age, sex, number of siblings, ethnicity, place of birth and age at immigration are among the factors associated withH pyloriinfection.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 806-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshie Yokoyama ◽  
Terumi Oda ◽  
Noriyo Nagai ◽  
Masako Sugimoto ◽  
Kenji Mizukami

Background: The occurrence of multiple births has been recognized as a risk factor for child maltreatment. However, few population-based studies have examined the relationship between multiple births and child maltreatment. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of risk of child maltreatment among singletons and multiple births in Japan and to identify factors associated with increased risk. Methods: Using population-based data, we analyzed the database of records on child maltreatment and medical checkups for infants aged 1.5 years filed at Nishinomiya City Public Health Center between April 2007 and March 2011. To protect personal information, the data were transferred to anonymized electronic files for analysis. Results: After adjusting by logistic regression for each associated factor and gestation number, multiples themselves were not associated with the risk of child maltreatment. However, compared with singletons, multiples had a significantly higher rate of risk factors for child maltreatment, including low birth weight and neural abnormality. Moreover, compared with mothers of singleton, mothers of twins had a significantly higher rate of poor health, which is a risk factor of child maltreatment. Conclusion: Multiples were not associated with the risk of child maltreatment. However, compared with singletons, multiples and their mothers had a significantly higher rate of risk factors of child maltreatment.


Author(s):  
Liao Tzu-Han ◽  
Meng Che Wu ◽  
Cheng-Li Lin ◽  
Chien-Heng Lin ◽  
James Cheng-Chung Wei

Backgrounds Appendectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. Sepsis is an major etiology of morbidity and mortality in children. Our preliminary research revealed a positive correlation among appendectomy and future risk of sepsis in adults. However, to date, the relationship among appendectomy and future risk of sepsis in children remains unknown. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship among appendectomy and hazard of future sepsis in children. Methods We applied a nationwide population-based cohort to assess whether children who received appendectomy were at increased risk of subsequent sepsis. Overall, 57261 subjects aged below 18 undergoing appendectomy as appendectomy group and 57261 matched controls were identified as non-appendectomy group from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We use propensity score analysis to match age, sex, urbanization level, and parental occupation at the ratio to 1:1. Multiple Cox regression and stratified analyses were used to appraise the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for developing sepsis in children. Results Children who received appendectomy had a 2.63 times higher risk of developing sepsis than those who did not, and the risk was even higher in children aged under 6 years. Patients with <1 year follow-up showed a 5.64-fold risk of sepsis in the appendectomy cohort. Patients with 1–4 and ≥5 years’ follow-up showed a 2.41- and 2.02-times risk of sepsis. Conclusion Appendectomy was correlative to a 2.63-fold increased future sepsis risk in children, and the risk in younger patients aged <6 years was even higher. More studies to interpret the possible biological mechanisms of the associations among sepsis and appendectomy are warrant


2020 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2097417
Author(s):  
Carola Mayer ◽  
Benedikt M Frey ◽  
Eckhard Schlemm ◽  
Marvin Petersen ◽  
Kristin Engelke ◽  
...  

We examined the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cortical neurodegeneration in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) by investigating whether cortical thickness is a remote effect of WMH through structural fiber tract connectivity in a population at increased risk of CSVD. We measured cortical thickness on T1-weighted images and segmented WMH on FLAIR images in 930 participants of a population-based cohort study at baseline. DWI-derived whole-brain probabilistic tractography was used to define WMH connectivity to cortical regions. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to analyze the relationship between cortical thickness and connectivity to WMH. Factors associated with cortical thickness (age, sex, hemisphere, region, individual differences in cortical thickness) were added as covariates. Median age was 64 [IQR 46–76] years. Visual inspection of surface maps revealed distinct connectivity patterns of cortical regions to WMH. WMH connectivity to the cortex was associated with reduced cortical thickness ( p = 0.009) after controlling for covariates. This association was found for periventricular WMH ( p = 0.001) only. Our results indicate an association between WMH and cortical thickness via connecting fiber tracts. The results imply a mechanism of secondary neurodegeneration in cortical regions distant, yet connected to subcortical vascular lesions, which appears to be driven by periventricular WMH.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 341-341
Author(s):  
Lewis Thomas ◽  
Mohammad Alyamani ◽  
Jianbo Li ◽  
Andrei Purysko ◽  
Eric A. Klein ◽  
...  

341 Background: While androgens drive prostate cancer (PCa), studies of systemic levels in eugonadal patients have not shown a relationship with development or progression of PCa. This study characterizes the relationship between systemic, local venous, and tissue androgen levels to understand the regulation and influence of androgens on localized PCa. Methods: Peripheral & periprostatic venous blood & prostate tissue were collected from patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Androgen levels (testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) were assessed by mass spectrometry. PCa grade and stage, PSA, prostate volume, and periprostatic vein diameter (PPVD) on MRI were recorded. A second cohort of patients undergoing just prostate MRI (non-surgical) was assessed to investigate the relationship between PPVD and disease severity. Results: Samples were collected from 176 patients. Analysis identified a subset of patients with elevated periprostatic T (ppT) relative to systemic T (sT) including 25% with ppT/sT > 2, 14% with ppT/sT > 4, and 7% with ppT/sT > 10. Patients with ppT/sT > 4 had supraphysiologic T levels in the periprostatic venous blood (mean 4223ng/mL). These patients also had higher than predicted levels of tissue T and DHT (tT/sT of 0.48 vs 0.24 (p = 0.004) and tDHT/sT of 7.31 vs 4.72 (p = 0.011)). In the surgical cohort, PPVD was increased in patients with elevated ppT/sT levels (5.8mm vs 3.7mm, p = 0.013). In the biopsy cohort (n = 200), increased PPVD was associated with an increased risk of diagnosis of PCa (4.39mm vs 3.43mm p = 0.006) and clinically significant PCa (4.35mm vs 3.43mm p = 0.01). Conclusions: In a subset of patients with PCa, periprostatic venous T levels were highly elevated compared to peripheral levels. Tissue T and DHT were also increased, and MRI demonstrated increased PPVD. We hypothesize that collateralization of venous drainage from the gonadal vein leads to both high local T and dilated veins. In a biopsy cohort, increased PPVD was associated with an increased risk of diagnosis of any and clinically significant PCa, suggesting that high periprostatic androgen levels may play a role in development of PCa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 446-446
Author(s):  
Dong Ho Lee ◽  
Jae Ho Cho ◽  
Cheol Min Shin ◽  
Kyungdo Han ◽  
Hyuk Yoon ◽  
...  

446 Background: The relationship between overall obesity, as measured by body mass index (BMI), and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has been reported, and it has a negative correlation. However, the relationship with abdominal obesity, as measured by waist circumference, may be different. We investigated the association between abdominal obesity and ESCC. Methods: Retrospective cohort study with 22,809,722 individuals who had undergone regular health check-ups provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation between 2009 and 2012 (median follow-up period was 6.4 years) in South Korea. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference over 90 cm for men and 85 cm for women. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Chi-squared test and Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for confounding factors. Primary outcome was newly developed esophageal cancer. Results: After adjusting for BMI, abdominal obesity increased the risk of ESCC (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.23–1.36). Waist circumference is associated with increased risk of ESCC in a dose-dependent manner ( P for trend < 0.0001). We analyzed individuals divided into five categories of BMI. Among individuals with overweight (BMI 23–24.9 kg/m2) and obese I (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), abdominal obesity was a risk factor associated with developing ESCC (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11–1.34; HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18–1.39, respectively). Conclusions: Abdominal obesity, not BMI itself, is associated with an increased risk for ESCC. Therefore, reducing abdominal obesity may affect decreasing the development of ESCC.


2012 ◽  
Vol 201 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer H. Barnett ◽  
Fiona McDougall ◽  
Man K. Xu ◽  
Tim J. Croudace ◽  
Marcus Richards ◽  
...  

BackgroundLower cognitive ability in childhood is associated with increased risk of future schizophrenia, but its relationship with adult psychotic-like experiences and other psychopathology is less understood.AimsTo investigate whether this childhood risk factor is shared with adult subclinical psychiatric phenotypes including psychotic-like experiences and general psychiatric morbidity.MethodA population-based sample of participants born in Great Britain during 1 week in March 1946 was contacted up to 20 times between ages 6 weeks and 53 years. Cognition was assessed at ages 8, 11 and 15 years using a composite of age-appropriate verbal and non-verbal cognitive tests. At age 53 years, psychotic-like experiences were self-reported by 2918 participants using four items from the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire and general psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28).ResultsPsychotic-like experiences were reported by 22% of participants, and were highly comorbid with other psychopathology. Their presence in adults was significantly associated with poorer childhood cognitive test scores at ages 8 and 15 years, and marginally so at age 11 years. In contrast, high GHQ scores were not associated with poorer childhood cognition after adjustment for the presence of psychotic-like experiences.ConclusionsPsychotic and non-psychotic psychopathologic symptoms are highly comorbid in the general population. Lower childhood cognitive ability is a risk factor for psychotic-like experiences in mid-life; these phenomena may be one end of a continuum of phenotypic expression driven by variation in early neurodevelopment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Myongsoon Sung ◽  
Dong Keon Yon ◽  
Seung Won Lee ◽  
Ju Hee Kim ◽  
Hey Sung Baek ◽  
...  

Objective. Determining sensitivity to allergens is an essential step in diagnosing children with allergic diseases. Chronic cough has remained poorly understood with causative triggers. The purpose of our study was to shed light on the relationship between sensitization to aeroallergens and chronic cough. Methods. This population-based study examined children (aged 7 years to 13 years) between June and July 2016. The 1,259 children, 72 of whom (5.7%) had a chronic cough, and 1,187 of whom (94.3%) did not (controls), completed the questionnaire, but 1,051 children completed skin prick tests (SPTs) with eight aeroallergens. Results. There were positive SPT results to at least 1 allergen in 549 children (52.2%). Sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) was most common (chronic cough = 46.9 % ; controls = 47.2 % ), followed by pollen (chronic cough = 21.9 % ; controls = 16.5 % ) in both groups, but there was no difference in allergic profile and sensitization to aeroallergen ( P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Multivariable analysis with adjustment for confounding indicated that children who were in sensitization to pollen had an increased risk of chronic cough ( aOR = 2.387 ; 95% CI: 1.115 to 5.111; P = 0.025 ). Multivariable analysis with adjustment for confounding indicated that children who were exposed to current smoking ( aOR = 4.442 ; 95% CI: 1.831 to 10.776; P = 0.001 ) and mold ( aOR = 1.988 ; 95% CI: 1.168 to 3.383; P = 0.011 ) were associated with chronic cough. Conclusion. Sensitization to pollen should be considered as a potential contributing factor to the development of chronic cough in school-aged children.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document