scholarly journals Occupational Exposure and Multiple Myeloma Risk: An Updated Review of Meta-Analyses

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 4179
Author(s):  
Rebecca Georgakopoulou ◽  
Oraianthi Fiste ◽  
Theodoros N. Sergentanis ◽  
Angeliki Andrikopoulou ◽  
Flora Zagouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Methylene Chloride ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hazard Surveillance ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Meta Analyses

The precise etiology of multiple myeloma remains elusive, but both genetic and environmental factors have been suggested to contribute to disease risk. Several occupational categories and toxic agents have been implicated as potentially causative, yet findings from the literature are inconsistent. The aim of this review was to summarize and critically comment on the accumulated epidemiological evidence, across published meta-analyses, about the association between occupational exposure and risk of multiple myeloma. Overall, results from eleven meta-epidemiological studies underscore a significantly increased risk for firefighters, hairdressers, and employees exposed to engine exhaust, whereas farming and methylene chloride exposure have been non-significantly correlated with the disease. Further epidemiological studies are of utmost importance whilst emphasis should be placed on occupational hazard surveillance, as such studies will obtain a more accurate picture of disease occurrence in working populations, and will enable both the implementation of preventive actions and the evaluation of their effectiveness.

Cardiovascular Complications of Sleep Disorders: A Better Night’s Sleep for a Healthier Heart / From Bench to Bedside

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodora A. Manolis ◽  
Antonis A. Manolis ◽  
Evdoxia J. Apostolopoulos ◽  
Helen Melita ◽  
Antonis S. Manolis
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Benzodiazepine Receptor ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cv Disease ◽  
Meta Analyses

: Sleep is essential to and an integral part of life and when lacking or disrupted, a multitude of mental and physical pathologies ensue, including cardiovascular (CV) disease, which increases health care costs. Several prospective studies and meta-analyses show that insomnia, short (<7h) or long (>9h) sleep and other sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, CV disease risk and/or mortality. The mechanisms by which insomnia and other sleep disorders lead to increased CV risk may encompass inflammatory, immunological, neuro-autonomic, endocrinological, genetic and microbiome perturbations. Guidelines are emerging that recommend a target of >7 h of sleep for all adults >18 years for optimal CV health. Treatment of sleep disorders includes cognitive-behavioral therapy considered the mainstay of non-pharmacologic management of chronic insomnia, and drug treatment with benzodiazepine receptor agonists binding to gamma aminobutyric acid type A (benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine agents) and some antidepressants. However, observational studies and meta-analyses indicate an increased mortality risk of anxiolytics and hypnotics, although bias may be involved due to confounding and high heterogeneity in these studies. Nevertheless, it seems that the risk incurred by the non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agents (Z drugs) may be relatively less than the risk of anxiolytics, with evidence indicating that at least one of these agents, zolpidem, may even confer a lower risk of mortality in adjusted models. All these issues are herein reviewed.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposures and Neurodegenerative Diseases—A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analyses

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars-Gunnar Gunnarsson ◽  
Lennart Bodin
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objectives: To carry out an integrated and stratified meta-analysis on occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), metals and pesticides and its effects on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and investigate the possibility of publication bias. Methods: In the current study, we updated our recently published meta-analyses on occupational exposures in relation to ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Based on 66 original publications of good scientific epidemiological standard, according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) guidelines, we analysed subgroups by carrying out stratified meta-analyses on publication year, statistical precision of the relative risk (RR) estimates, inspection of the funnel plots and test of bias. Results: Based on 19 studies the weighted RR for occupational exposure to EMFs was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.50) for ALS, 1.33 (95% CI 1.07–1.64) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.02 (95% CI 0.83–1.26) for Parkinson’s disease. Thirty-one studies concerned occupational exposure to pesticides and the weighted RR was 1.35 (95% CI 1.02–1.79) for ALS, 1.50 (95% CI 0.98–2.29) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.66 (95% CI 1.42–1.94) for Parkinson’s disease. Finally, 14 studies concerned occupational exposure to metals and only exposure to lead (five studies) involved an elevated risk for ALS or Parkinson’s disease and the weighted RR was 1.57 (95% CI 1.11–2.20). The weighted RR for all the non-lead exposures was 0.97 (95% CI 0.88–1.06). Conclusions: Exposure to pesticides increased the risk of getting the mentioned neurodegenerative diseases by at least 50%. Exposure to lead was only studied for ALS and Parkinson’s disease and involved 50% increased risk. Occupational exposure to EMFs seemed to involve some 10% increase in risk for ALS and Alzheimer’s disease only.

scholarly journals Type 2 diabetes-related variants influence the risk of developing multiple myeloma: results from the IMMEnSE consortium

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Ríos ◽  
Carmen Belén Lupiañez ◽  
Daniele Campa ◽  
Alessandro Martino ◽  
Joaquin Martínez-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Stratified Analysis

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been suggested to be a risk factor for multiple myeloma (MM), but the relationship between the two traits is still not well understood. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether 58 genome-wide-association-studies (GWAS)-identified common variants for T2D influence the risk of developing MM and to determine whether predictive models built with these variants might help to predict the disease risk. We conducted a case–control study including 1420 MM patients and 1858 controls ascertained through the International Multiple Myeloma (IMMEnSE) consortium. Subjects carrying the KCNQ1rs2237892T allele or the CDKN2A-2Brs2383208G/G, IGF1rs35767T/T and MADDrs7944584T/T genotypes had a significantly increased risk of MM (odds ratio (OR)=1.32–2.13) whereas those carrying the KCNJ11rs5215C, KCNJ11rs5219T and THADArs7578597C alleles or the FTOrs8050136A/A and LTArs1041981C/C genotypes showed a significantly decreased risk of developing the disease (OR=0.76–0.85). Interestingly, a prediction model including those T2D-related variants associated with the risk of MM showed a significantly improved discriminatory ability to predict the disease when compared to a model without genetic information (area under the curve (AUC)=0.645 vs AUC=0.629; P=4.05×10−06). A gender-stratified analysis also revealed a significant gender effect modification for ADAM30rs2641348 and NOTCH2rs10923931 variants (Pinteraction=0.001 and 0.0004, respectively). Men carrying the ADAM30rs2641348C and NOTCH2rs10923931T alleles had a significantly decreased risk of MM whereas an opposite but not significant effect was observed in women (ORM=0.71 and ORM=0.66 vs ORW=1.22 and ORW=1.15, respectively). These results suggest that TD2-related variants may influence the risk of developing MM and their genotyping might help to improve MM risk prediction models.

scholarly journals O2C.1 Worker compensation: are epidemiological studies fit for purpose?

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A15.3-A16
Author(s):  
Lesley Rushton
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Compensation Scheme ◽  
Worker Compensation ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Exposure Metrics

IntroductionEvery year, large numbers of workers have an injury at work or develop a work-related disease. A range of worker compensation systems exist across countries for which epidemiological studies potentially provide critical evidence. This paper discusses the adequacy of current epidemiological research for this purpose.MethodsCompensation schemes need to identify the occupational circumstances, or dose, that increase (e.g. double) the risks of the disease, and to define these so they can be administered effectively by decision-makers who lack epidemiological experience. Large studies or meta-analyses with effective control for confounders, adequate exposure assessment, and clear case definition are (ideally) required.ResultsAlthough epidemiological studies may show consistent evidence of an increased health risk from an occupational exposure, definitions of exposure are often unsuitable for converting into an appropriate exposure schedule for a compensation scheme. Direct measurements of occupational exposure are usually scarce and not available for individual workers; both claimants, perhaps, assessors would find these measurements difficult to access and use. Exposures defined by industry or job title, particularly with a qualifying time-period, although perceived by epidemiologists as rather simplistic, are more straightforward to use, e.g. ‘osteoarthritis in miners who have worked 10 or more years underground’. If quantitative exposure measurements are unavailable, epidemiologists often define qualitative metrics such as ‘high’, ‘medium’, or ‘low’ or develop more complex semi-qualitative exposure metrics such as ‘exposed or not’ at a given level of certainty or probability; intensity of exposure based on expert judgement of proximity to the substance and effectiveness of control procedures. Application of these in a compensation scheme may be problematical.DiscussionEpidemiology plays a vital role in ensuring workers are compensated for work-related ill-health. Epidemiological study design, exposure metrics and primary and subsidiary analyses should be tailored to directly support compensation schemes.

Lifestyle and sociodemographic risk factors for gastroschisis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (8) ◽  
pp. 756-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Baldacci ◽  
Michele Santoro ◽  
Alessio Coi ◽  
Lorena Mezzasalma ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Genetic Risk Factors ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Black Mothers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sociodemographic Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses

BackgroundGastroschisis is strongly associated with young maternal age. This association suggests the need for further investigations on non-genetic risk factors. Identifying these risk factors is a public health priority in order to develop prevention strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence and health consequences in offspring.ObjectiveTo systematically assess and quantitatively synthesise the available epidemiological studies to evaluate the association between non-genetic risk factors and gastroschisis.MethodsLiterature from PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus was searched for the period 1990–2018. Epidemiological studies reporting risk estimates between lifestyle and sociodemographic risk factors and gastroschisis were included. Two pairs of reviewers independently extracted information on study characteristics following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and MOOSE (Meta-analysis Of Oservational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. Relative risk (RR) estimates were calculated across the studies and meta-analysis was performed using random-effects model.ResultsWe identified 58 studies. Meta-analyses were conducted on 29 studies. Maternal smoking (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.74), illicit drug use (RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.48 to 3.07) and alcohol consumption (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.70) were associated with an increased risk of gastroschisis. A decreased risk among black mothers compared with non-Hispanic white mothers (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.63) was found. For Hispanic mothers no association was observed.ConclusionsExposure to smoking, illicit drugs and alcohol during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of gastroschisis. A significantly decreased risk for black mothers was observed. Further epidemiological studies to assess the potential role of other environmental factors are strongly recommended.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018104284.

scholarly journals Cannabis Use and Risk of Schizophrenia: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Study Designs

Background and Objective: Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug worldwide. The similarity in the chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabinol to the brain chemical anandamide allows the body to recognize it and alter normal brain functioning. The objective of this review article is to summarize the evidence for the association between cannabis and schizophrenia. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database and other sources. The keywords used were “cannabis” and “psychosis” and “schizophrenia.” Fifty-two articles relevant to our topic have been selected for this review. Results: Evidence from observational epidemiological studies has shown a positive association between regular cannabis use and schizophrenia risk. Meta-analyses and Mendelian randomization studies support the evidence from observational study designs. Discussion and Conclusions: The association between cannabis and schizophrenia is biologically plausible. Moreover, there has been emerging evidence of genes interacting with cannabis use to confer a higher risk for schizophrenia. There are enough reason and sufficient epidemiological evidence to warn people about the risk of developing schizophrenia with cannabis use. Scientific Significance: The increasing legalization of cannabis for recreational use is of significant concern. Long-term cannabis use might predispose people to increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Health professionals have a major role to play by taking maximum advantage of social and psychological interventions to educate people about the potential danger associated with cannabis and avoid its use.

Health Risks Associated with Meat Consumption: A Review of Epidemiological Studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyne Battaglia Richi ◽  
Beatrice Baumer ◽  
Beatrice Conrad ◽  
Roger Darioli ◽  
Alexandra Schmid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Mortality ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Red Meat ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Protein Supply

Abstract. Recent evidence from large prospective US and European cohort studies and from meta-analyses of epidemiological studies indicates that the long-term consumption of increasing amounts of red meat and particularly of processed meat is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes, in both men and women. The association persists after inclusion of known confounding factors, such as age, race, BMI, history, smoking, blood pressure, lipids, physical activity and multiple nutritional parameters in multivariate analysis. The association has not always been noted with red meat, and it has been absent with white meat. There is evidence of several mechanisms for the observed adverse effects that might be involved, however, their individual role is not defined at present. It is concluded that recommendations for the consumption of unprocessed red meat and particularly of processed red meat should be more restrictive than existing recommendations. Restrictive recommendations should not be applied to subjects above about 70 years of age, as the studies quoted herein did not examine this age group, and the inclusion of sufficient protein supply (e. g. in the form of meat) is particularly important in the elderly.

scholarly journals Occupational exposure to pesticides and respiratory health

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (136) ◽  
pp. 306-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Mamane ◽  
Isabelle Baldi ◽  
Jean-François Tessier ◽  
Chantal Raherison ◽  
Ghislaine Bouvier
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Chronic Bronchitis ◽  
Respiratory Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

This article aims to review the available literature regarding the link between occupational exposure to pesticides and respiratory symptoms or diseases. Identification of epidemiological studies was performed using PubMed. 41 articles were included, 36 regarding agricultural workers and five regarding industry workers.Among the 15 cross-sectional studies focusing on respiratory symptoms and agricultural pesticide exposure, 12 found significant associations with chronic cough, wheeze, dyspnoea, breathlessness or chest tightness. All four studies on asthma found a relationship with occupational exposure, as did all three studies on chronic bronchitis. The four studies that performed spirometry reported impaired respiratory function linked to pesticide exposure, suggestive of either obstructive or restrictive syndrome according to the chemical class of pesticide.12 papers reported results from cohort studies. Three out of nine found a significant relationship with increased risk of wheeze, five out of nine with asthma and three out of three with chronic bronchitis. In workers employed in pesticide production, elevated risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (two studies out of three) and impaired respiratory function suggestive of an obstructive syndrome (two studies out of two) were reported.In conclusion, this article suggests that occupational exposure to pesticides is associated with an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, asthma and chronic bronchitis, but the causal relationship is still under debate.

scholarly journals Lifetime stress experience: transgenerational epigenetics and germ cell programming

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Epigenetic Marks ◽  
Increased Risk

The transgenerational epigenetic programming involved in the passage of environmental exposures to stressful periods from one generation to the next has been examined in human populations, and mechanistically in animal models. Epidemiological studies suggest that gestational exposures to environmental factors including stress are strongly associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. Both maternal and paternal life experiences with stress can be passed on to offspring directly during pregnancy or through epigenetic marks in the germ cell. Animal models of parental stress have examined relevant offspring phenotypes and transgenerational outcomes, and provided unique insight into the germ cell epigenetic changes associated with disruptions in neurodevelopment. Understanding germline susceptibility to exogenous signals during stress exposure and the identification of the types of epigenetic marks is critical for defining mechanisms underlying disease risk.

Longer Duration of Sleep and Risk of Cognitive Decline: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Bae Kim ◽  
Seung-Kwon Myung ◽  
Sun-Mi Lee ◽  
Yon Chul Park ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background: Previous observational epidemiological studies have reported inconsistent findings about the association between longer durations of sleep and the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. To investigate the association between longer durations of sleep and the risk of cognitive decline, we performed a meta-analysis of observational studies. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the bibliographies of relevant articles to retrieve additional studies in July 2015. A total of 53,942 participants (mean age 66.9 years) were included in the final analysis. Three evaluators independently reviewed and selected articles, based on pre-determined selection criteria. Results: Among a total of 695 articles, 10 observational epidemiological studies with 3 case-control studies and 7 cohort studies were included in the final analysis. Compared to the average sleep duration, the odds ratio or relative risk of the longest sleep duration was 1.42 (95% CI 1.27-1.59) for cognitive decline in the fixed-effect meta-analysis, 1.38 for cognitive impairment (95% CI 1.23-1.56), and 1.42 for dementia (95% CI 1.15-1.77). Subgroup meta-analyses by various factors such as study design, type of cognitive decline, gender, region, age, and methodological quality of study showed consistent findings. Conclusion: The current meta-analysis found that longer duration of sleep is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline.

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