Designing Epidemiology Studies to Determine the Incidence and Prevalence of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS)

The reported incidence and prevalence of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) varies markedly between North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Although this could reflect differences in clinical practice patterns and access to transplantation as there is no current test for early detection, and some patients may present many years after discontinuation of peritoneal dialysis (PD), there are concerns about under-reporting, particularly for those with milder forms. Currently, only PD vintage has been identified as a significant risk factor for developing EPS, although some patients can develop EPS within months of starting PD. As such, there is a need for epidemiological studies to determine the incidence and prevalence of EPS to allow for patient education and counselling in terms of dialysis modality choice and length of treatment. In addition, carefully designed epidemiological studies could potentially allow for the identification of risk factors and bio-markers that could then be used to identify patients at increased risk of developing EPS in the future. Typically, studies to date have been underpowered with inadequate longitudinal follow-up. We review the different types of epidemiological studies and provide information as to the number of patients to be recruited and the duration of follow-up required to determine the incidence and prevalence of EPS.

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Increased Risk of Valvular Heart Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: An Underrecognized Cardiac Complication

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.201005 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jrheum.201005

Author(s):

Reto D. Kurmann ◽

Edward A. El-Am ◽

Yasser A. Radwan ◽

Avneek S. Sandhu ◽

Cynthia S. Crowson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Valvular Heart Disease ◽

Cardiac Involvement ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Incident Cases

Objective Cardiac involvement is a poor prognostic marker in systemic sclerosis (SSc). While diastolic dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and arrhythmias are traditionally considered features of primary cardiac involvement in SSc, the incidence of valvular heart disease (VHD) is not well reported. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of VHD at time of SSc diagnosis and incidence of VHD during follow up compared to non-SSc subjects. Methods Medical records of patients with suspicion of SSc were reviewed to identify incident cases. SSc subjects were matched 1:2 by age- and sex to non-SSc subjects. Results The study included 78 incident SSc cases and 156 non-SSc comparators [56 years (± 15.7), 91% female]. A nearly 4-fold increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe VHD prior to SSc diagnosis compared to non-SSc subjects (6% vs. 0%; P=0.004) was identified. During follow up, 18 SSc and 12 non-SSc patients developed moderate/severe VHD. The cumulative incidence of VHD at 10 years after SSc incidence/index was 17.9% (95% CI: 10.7-29.9%) in patients with SSc compared with 2.3% (95% CI: 0.7-6.3%) in non-SSc subjects (HR: 4.23; 95% CI: 2.03-8.83). Coronary heart disease was the only significant risk factor for VHD. Conclusion SSc patients have a 4-fold increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe VHD at diagnosis compared to non-SSc patients. They also have a 4-fold increased risk of developing moderate/severe VHD after diagnosis of SSc. Aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation have a much higher prevalence in SSc patients, besides secondary tricuspid regurgitation. Underlying mechanisms for this association require further elucidation.

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Post-Anticoagulation Cessation D-Dimer Testing and VTE Recurrence in Real-World Australian Audit

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-118661 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1227-1227

Author(s):

Julie Wang ◽

Rowena Brook ◽

Alison Slocombe ◽

Lisa Hong ◽

Prahlad Ho

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Risk Of Recurrence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Recurrent Vte ◽

Residual Thrombus ◽

Repeat Imaging ◽

D Dimer

Abstract Aim Elevated D-dimer post-anticoagulation cessation is a recognised risk factor for recurrent venous thromboembolic events (VTE). In particular, raised D-dimer post cessation has been associated with increased risk of recurrence in unprovoked major VTE. Currently in Australia, D-dimer has not been widely used in practice to stratify the risk of VTE recurrence. This study aims to retrospectively analyse the effect of routine D-dimer testing and it's association with VTE recurrence. Methods A retrospective evaluation was performed on 1024 patients with a diagnosis of VTE at a tertiary hospital in Australia between January 2013 and December 2016. Data collected included demographics, results and timing of D-dimer testing and serial imaging results. Results 1024 patients were reviewed with a total median follow up of 12 months (range 0-59 months). D-dimer was tested in 189 patients (18.5%) within 90 days after cessation of anticoagulation. Of these patients, median age was 58 (18-92) and 55.3% (n=105) were female. 33.3% (n=63) had isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT), 66.3% (n=126) had above knee DVT (AKDVT)/pulmonary embolus (PE), 54.5% (n=103) of VTE were provoked. Abnormal post cessation D-dimer (>500) was found in 72 patients (37.9%). Of these, 25 patients were restarted on anticoagulation; one had recurrent VTE whilst on low dose apixaban 2.5mg BD and one had recurrence after cessation of anticoagulation at a later date. Patients with elevated D-dimer post cessation had a higher rate of recurrence with the highest risk in patients with D-dimer >1000 (RR 7.38, p=<0.01) outlined in Table 1. Of the 164 patients with post cessation D-dimer testing who remained off anticoagulation there were a total of 24 (12.6%) episodes of recurrent VTE. Elevated D-dimer post anticoagulation cessation was a significant risk factor for recurrence in both provoked VTE (RR 4.21, p=0.01) and unprovoked VTE cohorts (RR 4.55, p=0.008) outlined in Table 2. When provoked VTE were sub-categorised, raised D-dimer demonstrated the most statistical significance in VTE provoked by travel (RR 13.5 p=0.06). Of the patients with post anticoagulation cessation D-dimer testing 170 patients (89.9%) had repeat imaging to assess for residual thrombus. In the subgroup of patients with no residual thrombus, elevated D-dimer was a significant risk factor for VTE recurrence (RR 6.4, p=<0.01). Patients with normal D-dimer and no residual thrombus had the lowest rate of recurrence 5.4% (n=4) see Table 3. When stratified by type of VTE, elevated D-dimer post anticoagulation cessation was significantly related to risk for recurrence in the overall IDDVT sub-cohort (RR 4.09, p=0.007). This was not significant for the AKDVT/PE sub cohort (RR 3.24, p=0.079). However, for patients with unprovoked AKDVT or PE, having D-dimer tested post anticoagulation, regardless of result, was associated with lower rates of VTE recurrence RR 0.30 (p=0.02) compared to those who had no D-dimer testing as part of follow-up. Conclusion Post treatment D-dimer testing may have a clinical role in stratifying the risk of VTE recurrence along with repeat imaging to detect residual thrombus. Elevated D-dimer post anticoagulation cessation is associated with increased risk of VTE recurrence for both provoked and unprovoked VTE with highest risk in patients with D-dimer >1000. Patients with no residual thrombus and a negative D-dimer post anticoagulation cessation had the lowest rate of recurrence. In the subgroup of patients with provoked VTE and IDDVT a positive D-dimer post cessation was associated with 4.21 and 4.09 relative risk of recurrence respectively, suggesting that the role of D-dimer testing can be extended to these subpopulations. Interestingly, in patients with unprovoked AKDVT or PE, having post-cessation D-dimer testing performed, regardless of result, was associated with a significantly lower rate of VTE recurrence compared to patients without D-dimer testing, which may be related to specialist review and recommencement of anticoagulation in high-risk patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Incident gout and weight change patterns: a retrospective cohort study of US adults

Arthritis Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13075-021-02461-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lu Bai ◽

Jian-Bo Zhou ◽

Tao Zhou ◽

Roger B. Newson ◽

Marly Augusto Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Weight Change ◽

Population Attributable Fraction ◽

Adult Life ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Later Life ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Cox Models ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Although the relationship between obesity and incident gout has been clarified, the influence of weight changes during the transition from early adulthood to midlife and the different weight change patterns in specific age ranges on the incidence of gout in later life remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between weight change patterns across adulthood and incident gout. Methods Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we categorized individuals into four weight change patterns: those who remained obese (stable obese), those who moved from a non-obese body mass index (BMI) to an obese BMI (gaining), those who moved from an obese BMI to a non-obese BMI (losing), and those who remained non-obese (stable non-obese). Incident gout reflected its occurrence over the 10-year follow-up from the recalled midlife weight measure to the time of this survey. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals relating weight change patterns to incident gout over the 10-year follow-up period were calculated using Cox models adjusted for covariates. The hypothetical population attributable fraction (PAF) for the weight change patterns was calculated. Results Among our sample of adults aged 40–74 years at their midlife weight measure (n = 11,079), 320 developed gout. The highest risk of incident gout was found for participants with the stable obese pattern (HR 1.84; 1.08–3.14) and not for participants who remained stable non-obese during adulthood. Moreover, gaining weight was a significant risk factor for incident gout (HR 1.65; 1.19–2.29). No significant associations were found between losing weight change patterns and the risk of gout during the study period. If participants who gained weight had become non-obese during the 10-year follow-up, an estimated 3.2% (95% CI 0–6.3) of observed gout cases could have been averted. In addition, if the population had maintained a normal BMI, 32.9% (95% CI 18.2–44.9) cases could have been prevented during the 10 years. Conclusions Gaining weight over adulthood was associated with an increased risk of gout. These findings have highlighted that maintaining non-obese weight and weight loss across adulthood is essential for the prevention and treatment of gout in adult life.

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Substance misuse, psychiatric disorder and violent and disturbed behaviour

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.176.4.345 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 176 (4) ◽

pp. 345-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 167

Author(s):

Michael Soyka

Keyword(s):

Substance Misuse ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Male Gender ◽

Psychosocial Treatment ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Future Research ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Increased Risk

BackgroundEpidemiological studies suggest schizophrenia and substance misuse to be associated with a higher rate of violence and crime.AimsThe literature was evaluated to assess whether people with schizophrenia who use substances have an increased risk for violence and disturbed behaviour.MethodA detailed Medline analysis was performed and relevant studies were reviewed.ResultsA large number of studies have linked substance misuse in schizophrenia with male gender, high incidence of homelessness, more pronounced psychotic symptoms, non-adherence with medication, poor prognosis, violence and aggression. The latter has been proved by clinical, epidemiological and longitudinal prospective studies of unselected birth cohorts. The increased risk for aggression and violent acts cannot be interpreted only as a result of poor social integration. Male gender, more severe psychopathology, a primary antisocial personality, repeated intoxications and non-adherence with treatment are important confounding variables.ConclusionSubstance misuse has been shown consistently to be a significant risk factor for violence and disturbed behaviour. Future research should try to evaluate possible pharmacological and psychosocial treatment approaches.

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Incident gout and weight change patterns: a retrospective cohort study of US adults

10.21203/rs.3.rs-45368/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lu Bai ◽

JIANBO ZHOU ◽

Tao Zhou ◽

Roger B Newson ◽

Marly Augusto Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Weight Change ◽

Population Attributable Fraction ◽

Adult Life ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Later Life ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Cox Models ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract BackgroundAlthough the relationship between obesity and incident gout has been clarified, the influence of weight changes during the transition from early adulthood to midlife and the different weight change patterns in specific age ranges on the incidence of gout in later life remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between weight change patterns across adulthood and incident gout. MethodsUsing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we categorized individuals into four weight change patterns: those who remained obese (stable obese), those who moved from a non-obese body mass index (BMI) to an obese BMI (gaining), those who moved from an obese BMI to a non-obese BMI (losing), and those who remained non-obese (stable non-obese). Incident gout reflected its occurrence over the 10-year follow-up from the recalled midlife weight measure to the time of this survey. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals relating weight change patterns to incident gout over the 10-year follow-up period were calculated using Cox models adjusted for covariates. The hypothetical population attributable fraction (PAF) for the weight change patterns was calculated.ResultsAmong our sample of adults aged 40–74 years at their midlife weight measure (n=11079), 320 developed gout. The highest risk of incident gout was found for participants with the stable obese pattern (HR 1.84; 1.08–3.14) and not for participants who remained stable non-obese during adulthood. Moreover, gaining weight was a significant risk factor for incident gout (HR 1.65; 1.19–2.29). No significant associations were found between losing weight change patterns and the risk of gout during the study period. If participants who gained weight had become non-obese during the 10-year follow-up, an estimated 3.2% (95% CI: 0–6.3) of observed gout cases could have been averted. In addition, if the population had maintained a normal BMI, 32.9% (95% CI: 18.2–44.9) cases could have been prevented during the 10 years.ConclusionsGaining weight over adulthood was associated with an increased risk of gout. These findings have highlighted that maintaining non-obese weight and weight loss across adulthood is essential for the prevention and treatment of gout in adult life.

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Physical Illness and Suicide Risk in Rural Residents of Contemporary China

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000271 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 330-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Cun-Xian Jia ◽

Lin-Lin Wang ◽

Ai-Qiang Xu ◽

Ai-Ying Dai ◽

Ping Qin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Family Income ◽

Rural China ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Health Condition ◽

Physical Illness ◽

Rural Residents ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population

Background: Physical illness is linked with an increased risk of suicide; however, evidence from China is limited. Aims: To assess the influence of physical illness on risk of suicide among rural residents of China, and to examine the differences in the characteristics of people completing suicide with physical illness from those without physical illness. Method: In all, 200 suicide cases and 200 control subjects, 1:1 pair-matched on sex and age, were included from 25 townships of three randomly selected counties in Shandong Province, China. One informant for each suicide or control subject was interviewed to collect data on the physical health condition and psychological and sociodemographic status. Results: The prevalence of physical illness in suicide cases (63.0%) was significantly higher than that in paired controls (41.0%; χ2 = 19.39, p < .001). Compared with suicide cases without physical illness, people who were physically ill and completed suicide were generally older, less educated, had lower family income, and reported a mental disorder less often. Physical illness denoted a significant risk factor for suicide with an associated odds ratio of 3.23 (95% CI: 1.85–5.62) after adjusted for important covariates. The elevated risk of suicide increased progressively with the number of comorbid illnesses. Cancer, stroke, and a group of illnesses comprising dementia, hemiplegia, and encephalatrophy had a particularly strong effect among the commonly reported diagnoses in this study population. Conclusion: Physical illness is an important risk factor for suicide in rural residents of China. Efforts for suicide prevention are needed and should be integrated with national strategies of health care in rural China.

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Long-term hematologic toxicity of 177Lu-octreotate-capecitabine-temozolomide therapy of GEPNET

Endocrine Related Cancer ◽

10.1530/erc-21-0082 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Murali Kesavan ◽

Piyush Grover ◽

Wei-Sen Lam ◽

Phillip G Claringbold ◽

J. Harvey Turner

Keyword(s):

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Baseline Risk ◽

Hematologic Toxicity ◽

Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽

Prospective Phase ◽

Grade 3

Thirty-seven patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs) were treated on a prospective phase II single-center study with 4 cycles of 7.8 GBq 177Lu-octreotate combined with capecitabine and temozolomide chemotherapy (CAPTEM). Each 8-week cycle combined radiopeptide therapy with 14 days of capecitabine (1500 mg/m2) and 5 days of temozolomide (200 mg/m2). The incidence of grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity was analysed. We found that at a median follow-up of 7-years (range 1-10), 6 (16%) patients developed persistent hematologic toxicity (PHT, defined as sustained grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity beyond 36-months follow up) and 3 (8%) developed MDS/AL with a median time-to-event of 46 and 34-months respectively. Estimated cumulative incidence of MDS/AL was 11% (95% CI: 3.45 to 24.01). Development of PHT was the only significant risk factor for secondary (RR, 16; 95% CI: 2.53 to 99.55; p<0.001). The median PFS was 48 months (95% CI: 40.80-55.20) and median OS was 86 months (95% CI: 56.90-115.13). 21 deaths were recorded, including 13 (62%) due to progressive disease and all 3 (14%) patients with MDS/AL. We conclude that 177Lu-octreotate CAPTEM therapy for GEPNETs is associated with a risk of long-term hematologic toxicity. The rising cumulative incidence of MDS/AL >10% mandates for the long-term monitoring of treated patients. However, time to onset is unpredictable and incidence does not correlate with conventional baseline risk factors. Novel methods are required for stratification of prospective patients based on genetic risk.

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Fuchs’ Heterochromic Iridocyclitis in an Italian Tertiary Referral Centre: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Prognosis

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2016/1458624 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Massimo Accorinti ◽

Giovanni Spinucci ◽

Maria Pia Pirraglia ◽

Simone Bruschi ◽

Francesca Romana Pesci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Tertiary Referral Centre ◽

Blurred Vision ◽

Visual Prognosis ◽

Presenting Symptoms ◽

Significant Incidence ◽

Keratic Precipitates

Purpose. To study epidemiology, clinical findings and visual prognosis of patients with Fuchs’ Heterochromic Iridocyclitis (FHI).Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 158 patients with FHI. Thirty-five patients were observed only once; the remaining 123 had a mean follow-up of 30.7 months (50 of them had a mean follow-up of 63.5 months) and in those we assessed complications, medical and surgical treatment, and long-term visual prognosis.Results. Average age at uveitis diagnosis was 27.2 years and 18.3% of patients were children. Blurred vision (54.5%) and floaters (40.5%) were the most frequent presenting symptoms. Small to medium-sized keratic precipitates (95.6%), iris atrophy (86.8%), and vitreous opacities (91.2%) were the most common signs; the prevalence of cataract and IOP increase was 63.5% and 20.1%, respectively, and their incidence was 0.1 and 0.06 eye/year. Significant risk factor for visual loss was IOP increase at presentation (p=0.02). At final examination 98% of the eye had a visual acuity ≥ 0.6, and topical (p<0.001) and systemic (p<0.001) corticosteroids therapy were used less frequently than before referral.Conclusions. FHI has a good visual prognosis, despite the significant incidence of cataract and glaucoma. A correct and prompt diagnosis might avoid unnecessary therapies and provide excellent visual outcomes.

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Depressive symptoms in a treated multiple sclerosis cohort

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1191/1352458503ms960oa ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 616-620 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Scott B Patten ◽

Shanika Fridhandler ◽

Cynthia A Beck ◽

Luanne M Metz

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Interferon Beta ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The University ◽

Depression Ratings

Background: Recent side effect data from clinical trials of interferon beta in multiple sclerosis (MS) have failed to confirm that these medications are associated with an increased risk of depression. However, these studies have used highly selected samples and the results may not be generalizable to real world settings. Methods: C linical data on subjects from southern A lberta who have applied for, or are receiving, public reimbursement for MS treatment are maintained in a database at the University of C algary Multiple Sclerosis C linic. Depression ratings obtained using the C enter for Epidemiological Studies Depression Rating Scale (C ES-D) are included in this database. In the current analysis, these longitudinal data were used to determine whether depressive symptoms were associated with disease-modifying treatments. Results: A t baseline, ratings were available for 163 subjects. Those choosing interferon beta resembled those choosing glatiramer acetate in most respects. During follow-up, no differences were observed in the prevalence or incidence of depression and C ES-D scores were not found to differ between the treatment groups. Conclusions: The failure to identify higher rates of depression both in previous intervention studies and in the current observational study provides confirmation that these drugs are not substantially associated with the occurrence of depression.

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Every-other-day interferon beta-1b versus once-weekly interferon beta-1a for multiple sclerosis (INCOMIN Trial) II: analysis of MRI responses to treatment and correlation with NAb

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1191/135248506ms1247oa ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 72-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

P Barbero ◽

M Bergui ◽

E Versino ◽

A Ricci ◽

J J Zhong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Interferon Beta ◽

Active Lesion ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Different Types

Background In RRMS, clinical exacerbations are usually associated with different types of active lesions at MRI, including: hyperintense lesions on T1-weighted post-gadolinium sequences; new hyperintense lesions or enlarging old lesions on PD/T2-weighted scans; or new hypointense lesions on T1-weighted pre-Gd sequences. Objective/methods Primary outcome was the occurrence of patients with at least one active MRI lesion of the different types indicated above during treatment with 250 mg every other day (EOD) interferon beta (IFNβ)-1b or 30 mg once weekly (OW) IFNβ-1a in outpatients with RRMS (INCOMIN Trial). Results The number of patients with at least one ‘active’ lesion, evaluated over the two-year follow-up, was significantly (P=0.014) lower in the EOD IFNβ-1b arm (13/76, 17%) then in the OW IFNβ-1a arm (25/73, 34%). NAb frequency over two-year follow-up was 22/65 (33.8%) in the EOD IFNβ-1b arm and 4/62 (6.5%) in the OW IFNβ-1a arm, significantly greater in the EOD IFNβ-1b arm. Conclusions The development of MRI active lesions is strongly reduced by EOD-IFNβ-1b compared with OW-IFNβ-1a, indicating that EOD-IFNβ-1b is more effective than OW-IFNβ-1a in reducing ongoing inflammation and demyelination in MS. Logistic regression showed that NAb status did not affect the risk of MRI activity.

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