scholarly journals Risk Factors for Nodding Syndrome and Other Forms of Epilepsy in Northern Uganda: A Case-Control Study

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1451
Author(s):  
Nolbert Gumisiriza ◽  
Marina Kugler ◽  
Nele Brusselaers ◽  
Frank Mubiru ◽  
Ronald Anguzu ◽  
...  

Epidemiological studies suggest a link between onchocerciasis and various forms of epilepsy, including nodding syndrome (NS). The aetiopathology of onchocerciasis associated epilepsy remains unknown. This case-control study investigated potential risk factors that may lead to NS and other forms of non-nodding epilepsy (OFE) in northern Uganda. We consecutively recruited 154 persons with NS (aged between 8 and 20 years), and age-frequency matched them with 154 with OFE and 154 healthy community controls. Participants’ socio-demography, medical, family, and migration histories were recorded. We tested participants for O. volvulus serum antibodies. The 154 controls were used for both OFE and NS separately to determine associations. We recruited 462 people with a median age of 15 years (IQR 14, 17); 260 (56.4%) were males. Independent risk factors associated with the development of NS were the presence of O. volvulus antibodies [aOR 8.79, 95% CI (4.15–18.65), p-value < 0.001] and preterm birth [aOR 2.54, 95% CI (1.02–6.33), p-value = 0.046]. Risk factors for developing OFE were the presence of O. volvulus antibodies [aOR 8.83, 95% CI (4.48–17.86), p-value < 0.001] and being born in the period before migration to IDP camps [aOR 4.28, 95% CI (1.20–15.15), p-value = 0.024]. In conclusion, O. volvulus seropositivity was a risk factor to develop NS and OFE; premature birth was a potential co-factor. Living in IDP camps was not a risk factor for developing NS or OFE.

Author(s):  
Sadhasiva Bhavadeep Kumar Reddy ◽  
Kothareddy Dileep ◽  
Raja Reddy Ramya ◽  
Shripad B Deshpande

Introduction: Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is an important public health problem, due to its insidious course and the associated co-morbidities. Obesity has been implicated as one of the risk factor besides others. However, the reports on obesity are not consistent. Aim: To assess the association between central obesity and PVD along with other risk factors and the present study is undertaken to examine the correlation of central obesity as a risk factor for PVD. Further, the association between other risk factors and PVD was also ascertained. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 subjects were recruited in this case-control study. Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) was measured using peripheral Doppler studies. Patients with ABI <0.9 were taken as cases and with ABI >0.9 were taken as controls. Blood pressure was measured in the sitting position and the authors obtained anthropometric and demographic data. Chi-square test was used as the test of significance and p-value <0.05 to be considered as level of significance. Results: Of the total 124 participants in the study, 62 participants were the cases and 62 participants were controls. Body Mass Index (BMI) was higher in cases with PVD but Waist Circumference (WC) and hip circumference were significantly lower (p-value=0.003 and <0.001 respectively) and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) did not show any significant difference between cases and controls. Thus, fat mass is located elsewhere in these individuals, possibly it may be accumulated in the extremities. Other risk factors like history of smoking, history of alcoholism and history of diabetes mellitus had a positively significant association with PVD with p-values <0.001, 0.023 and <0.001 respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained from this data suggests that PVD is not associated with central obesity, instead it provides evidence that PVD correlates with peripheral fat mass. Subsequent studies separating central and peripheral obesity are required to get more clarity on the relationship between obesity and PVD.


Author(s):  
Sulistyawati Sulistyawati ◽  
Rokhmayanti Rokhmayanti ◽  
Maririn Devi Pradita

Context: This research is performed in Banjarnegara, an endemic malaria area in Indonesia. Considering the incidence of malaria in Indonesia in the last ten years, it is essential to assess the potential risk factors to maintain the cases and to accelerate malaria elimination. Aims: This study examined the potential risk factors from the human socio-economic aspect and human behavior for malaria cases. Settings and Design: This is a match case-control study conducted in 34 cases and 34 controls in Banjarmangu Subdistrict, Banjarnegara, Indonesia. The subjects for the two groups were based on the routine report of Banjarmangu I public health center from July 2017–March 2018. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select the subject. Statistical Analysis: Logistic regression was used to seek the association among the variables. Results: This research found that installing wire netting, not sleeping under a bed net, and consuming higher transportation costs were significant protective factors for malaria cases. Having lower family income was significant as a potential risk factor for malaria cases (OR=10.68, CI = 1.01-112.59). Conclusions: This study may explain that economic income was the essential aspect of malaria prevention as it contributed to the other health issues, such as health-seeking behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 973-973
Author(s):  
R. Gonzalez Mazario ◽  
J. J. Fragio-Gil ◽  
P. Martinez Calabuig ◽  
E. Grau García ◽  
M. De la Rubia Navarro ◽  
...  

Background:Cardiovascular disease (CV) is the most frequent cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. It is well known that RA acts as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.Objectives:To assess the CV risk in RA patients using carotid ultrasonography (US) additionally to the traditional CV risk factors.Methods:A prospective transversal case control study was performed, including adult RA patients who fulfilled ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria and healthy controls matched according to CV risk factors. Population over 75 years old, patients with established CV disease and/or chronic kidney failure (from III stage) were excluded. The US evaluator was blinded to the case/control condition and evaluated the presence of plaques and the intima-media thickness. Statistical analysis was performed with R (3.6.1 version) and included a multivariate variance analysis (MANOVA) and a negative binomial regression adjusted by confounding factors (age, sex and CV risk factors).Results:A total of 200 cases and 111 healthy controls were included in the study. Demographical, clinical and US data are exposed in table 1. Not any difference was detected in terms of CV risk factors between the cases and controls. In both groups a relationship between age, BMI and high blood pressure was detected (p<0.001).Table 1.Table 2.RA basal characteristicsDisease duration (years)16,98 (11,38)Erosions (X-Ray of hands/feet)163 (81,5%)Seropositive (RF/anti-CCP)146 (73%)Extra-articular symptoms44 (22%)Intersticial difusse lung disease10 (5%)Rheumatoid nodules14 (7%)Prednisone use103 (51,5%)Median dose of Prednisone last year (mg)2,34 (2,84)sDMARDsMethotrexate104 (52%)Leflunomide29 (14,5%)Hydroxycloroquine9 (4,5%)bDMARDs89 (44,5%) TNFi41 (20,5%) Abatacept15 (7,5%) IL6i22 (11%) RTX11 (5,5%)JAKi26 (13%) Baricitinib11 (5,5%) Tofacitinib15 (7,5%)DAS 28-ESR3,1 (2,3, 3,9)SDAI7,85 (4,04, 13,41)HAQ0,88 (0,22, 1,5)RF (U/mL)51 (15, 164,25)Anti-CCP (U/mL)173 (22, 340)Patients showed higher intima-media (both right and left) thickness compared to controls (p<0.006). Moreover it was also related to the disease duration and DAS28 score (p<0.001). A higher plaque account was noted in cases(p<0.004) and it was also related to the disease duration (p<0.001).Conclusion:RA implies a higher CV risk. Traditional CV risk factors explains only partially the global risk. These findings support that RA acts as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-685
Author(s):  
Til Bahadur Basnet ◽  
Cheng Xu ◽  
Manthar Ali Mallah ◽  
Wiwik Indayati ◽  
Cheng Shi ◽  
...  

Abstract There are well-known traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Among them, smoking is one of the most prominent and modifiable risk factors. This study aims to determine the magnitude of smoking as a risk factor for CAD in the Nepalese population. A hospital-based age- and sex-matched case–control study was carried out with a total of 612 respondents. Bivariate analysis showed that the risk of developing CAD in ex-smokers and current smokers was higher (odds ratio (OR): 1.81 (confidence interval (CI): 1.21–2.7) and OR: 5.2 (CI: 3.4–7.97)), with p-values less than 0.004 and &lt;0.00001, respectively, compared to the risk in never smokers. From stratified socio-demographic, cardio-metabolic, behavioural and psychosocial risk factor analysis, smoking was found to be associated with CAD in almost all subgroups. In the subsequent multivariate analysis, adjustment for socio-demographic, cardio-metabolic and psychosocial risk factors showed a steady increase in risk. However, further adjustment for behavioural risk factors (alcohol use and physical activity) showed that the risk was attenuated by 59% in current smokers. After adjusting for the covariates, current smokers and ex-smokers had an increased risk of CAD (OR: 6.64, 95% CI: 3.64–12.12, p &lt; 0.00001; OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.08–3.31, p &lt; 0.012, respectively) compared with non-smokers. In conclusion, smoking was found to increase the risk of CAD in the Nepalese population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkareem Ali Hussein Nassar ◽  
Amr Abdulaziz Torbosh ◽  
Yassin Abdulmalik Mahyoub ◽  
Mohammed Abdullah Al Amad

Abstract Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is a significant health problem in Yemen especially in the coastal areas. On November 6, 2018, Taiz governorates surveillance officer notified the Ministry of Public Health and Population on an increase in the number of suspected DF in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate. On November 7, 2018, Field Epidemiology Training Program sent a team to perform an investigation. The aims were to confirm and describe the outbreak by person, place and time in Taiz governorate, and identify its risk factors.Methodology: Descriptive and case-control study (1:2 ratio) were conducted. WHO case definition was used to identify cases in Al Qahirah or Al Mudhaffar districts during August-November 2018. Control was selected from the same districts who did not suffer from DF. Predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic, behavioral and environmental characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate backward stepwise analyses were used. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. A P value < 0.05 was considered as the cut point for statistically significant. Epi info version 7.2 was used.Results: A total of 50 DF cases were found. Almost 52% were males and 76% were <30 years of age. The overall attack rate was 1/10,000 of the population. Case fatality rate was 4%. In multivariate analysis, not working (aOR = 26.6, 95% CI: 6.8–104.7), not using mosquito repellent (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI:1.4–136.8), wearing short sleeves/pants (aOR = 27.3, 95% CI: 4.8–156.8), poor sanitation (aOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.4–20.3), presence of outdoor trees (aOR = 13.2, 95% CI: 2.8–63.0) and houses without window nets (aOR = 15.7, 95% CI: 3.9–63.4) were statistically significant risk factors associated with DF outbreak. Eleven 11 (58%) of blood samples were positive for DF IgM.Conclusions: DF outbreak in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate was confirmed. This study provides evidence-based information regarding the identified risk factors that contributed to the occurrence of this outbreak. Raising community awareness on the importance of personal protection measures and improving the sanitation services are strongly recommended.


2009 ◽  
Vol 67 (2a) ◽  
pp. 229-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kátia Regina Penha da Silva ◽  
Regina Maria Papais Alvarenga ◽  
Oscar Fernandez y Fernandez ◽  
Hélcio Alvarenga ◽  
Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler

PURPOSE: To evaluate potential risk factors for the development of multiple sclerosis in Brazilian patients. METHOD: A case control study was carried out in 81 patients enrolled at the Department of Neurology of the Hospital da Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro, and 81 paired controls. A standardized questionnaire on demographic, social and cultural variables, and medical and family history was used. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and conditional logistic regression models with the SPSS for Windows software program. RESULTS: Having standard vaccinations (vaccinations specified by the Brazilian government) (OR=16.2; 95% CI=2.3-115.2), smoking (OR=7.6; 95% CI=2.1-28.2), being single (OR=4.7; 95% CI=1.4-15.6) and eating animal brain (OR=3.4; 95% CI=1.2-9.8) increased the risk of developing MS. CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS of this study may contribute towards better awareness of the epidemiological characteristics of Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis.


Author(s):  
Niaz Mustafa Kamal ◽  
Nasih Othman

Congenital anomalies comprise a wide range of abnormalities in body structure or function that are present at birth and are of prenatal origin. These are defined as structural changes that have significant medical, social or cosmetic consequences for the affected individual, and typically require medical intervention. According to our Knowledge, research is scarce on these conditions in Sulaimaniyah city. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate potential risk factors for congenital anomalies. A case-control study was carried out from March to August 2017 involving 400 children (200 cases and 200 controls) aged 0-5 years. Required data were obtained on the risk factors through face to face interviews with mothers of cases and controls. The data were using descriptive statistical methods, Chi-square and Logistic Regression using STATA 11, calculating odds ratios and condensing P value less than 0.05 as statistically significant. The mean age of the children was 1.9 years and age of their mothers at the time of pregnancy was 28 years. Congenital heart anomalies were the commonest type accounting for 27.5%. Significant risk factors for congenital anomalies were family history (OR=2.24, P= 0.007), maternal obesity (OR= 2.26, P= 0.001), mothers age over 30 (OR=2.78, P= 0.002) and mothers not using folic acid during pregnancy (OR=2.12, P= 0.0007). In general, in order to control and prevent the cases of CM, it is important to provide health education and policies to reduce environmental and maternal risk factors. Further, studies with larger sample size are needed to investigate incidence and risk factors of congenital anomalies.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e052582
Author(s):  
Martin Holmbom ◽  
Maria Andersson ◽  
Sören Berg ◽  
Dan Eklund ◽  
Pernilla Sobczynski ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify prehospital and early hospital risk factors associated with 30-day mortality in patients with blood culture-confirmed community-acquired bloodstream infection (CA-BSI) in Sweden.MethodsA retrospective case–control study of 1624 patients with CA-BSI (2015–2016), 195 non-survivors satisfying the inclusion criteria were matched 1:1 with 195 survivors for age, gender and microorganism. All forms of contact with a healthcare provider for symptoms of infection within 7 days prior CA-BSI episode were registered. Logistic regression was used to analyse risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality.ResultsOf the 390 patients, 61% (115 non-survivors and 121 survivors) sought prehospital contact. The median time from first prehospital contact till hospital admission was 13 hours (6–52) for non-survivors and 7 hours (3–24) for survivors (p<0.01). Several risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality were identified: prehospital delay OR=1.26 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.47), p<0.01; severity of illness (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score) OR=1.60 (95% CI: 1.40 to 1.83), p<0.01; comorbidity score (updated Charlson Index) OR=1.13 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.22), p<0.01 and inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy OR=3.92 (95% CI: 1.64 to 9.33), p<0.01. In a multivariable model, prehospital delay >24 hours from first contact remained an important risk factor for 30-day all-cause mortality due to CA-BSI OR=6.17 (95% CI: 2.19 to 17.38), p<0.01.ConclusionPrehospital delay and inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy were found to be important risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality associated with CA-BSI. Increased awareness and earlier detection of BSI in prehospital and early hospital care is critical for rapid initiation of adequate management and antibiotic treatment.


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