Current Smoking is Associated with Incident Ankylosing Spondylitis — The HUNT Population-based Norwegian Health Study

Objective.Smoking contributes to progression of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Because smoking is also a risk factor for incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis, our aim was to test whether smoking habits are associated with incident AS.Methods.Using data from the HUNT health study of the entire adult population of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway, participants in HUNT2 (1995–1997) and HUNT3 (2006–2008) were identified who reported a diagnosis of AS in HUNT3 but not in HUNT2 (n = 107). Incident AS cases were compared with AS-unaffected individuals (n = 35,278) in a case-control design. Participants with RA were excluded.Results.Present smoking was significantly associated with incident self-reported AS in logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.28–3.11, p = 0.002). Previous smoking (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.66–2.02, p = 0.62) or total pack-years at HUNT2 (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.04, p = 0.21) were not significant. The association with present smoking remained significant in various sensitivity analyses: including only cases with high probability of true AS diagnosis (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.03–3.19, p = 0.04); including only cases with AS reported more than 3–5 years after HUNT2 (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.09–5.03, p = 0.029), or including only participants genotyped for HLA-B27 (94 cases and 859 controls) adjusting for genotype (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.04–2.85, p = 0.033). Hypertension was also significantly associated with incident AS (OR from 1.65 to 2.81).Conclusion.In the HUNT population-based study, incident AS was associated with current smoking and hypertension. If verified in further studies, this suggests that smoking should be discouraged in those at a higher AS risk, e.g., with a family history or carrying HLA-B27.

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Occupational exposure to solvents and lung function decline: A population based study

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212267 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (7) ◽

pp. 650-658 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sheikh M Alif ◽

Shyamali Dharmage ◽

Geza Benke ◽

Martine Dennekamp ◽

John Burgess ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Population Based ◽

Cumulative Exposure ◽

Health Study ◽

Lung Function Decline ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Aromatic Solvents ◽

Using Data

RationaleWhile cross-sectional studies have shown associations between certain occupational exposures and lower levels of lung function, there was little evidence from population-based studies with repeated lung function measurements.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the associations between occupational exposures and longitudinal lung function decline in the population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study.MethodsLung function decline between ages 45 years and 50 years was assessed using data from 767 participants. Using lifetime work history calendars completed at age 45 years, exposures were assigned according to the ALOHA plus Job Exposure Matrix. Occupational exposures were defined as ever exposed and cumulative exposure -unit- years. We investigated effect modification by sex, smoking and asthma status.ResultsCompared with those without exposure, ever exposures to aromatic solvents and metals were associated with a greater decline in FEV1 (aromatic solvents 15.5 mL/year (95% CI −24.8 to 6.3); metals 11.3 mL/year (95% CI −21.9 to – 0.7)) and FVC (aromatic solvents 14.1 mL/year 95% CI −28.8 to – 0.7; metals 17.5 mL/year (95% CI –34.3 to – 0.8)). Cumulative exposure (unit years) to aromatic solvents was also associated with greater decline in FEV1 and FVC. Women had lower cumulative exposure years to aromatic solvents than men (mean (SD) 9.6 (15.5) vs 16.6 (14.6)), but greater lung function decline than men. We also found association between ever exposures to gases/fumes or mineral dust and greater decline in lung function.ConclusionsExposures to aromatic solvents and metals were associated with greater lung function decline. The effect of aromatic solvents was strongest in women. Preventive strategies should be implemented to reduce these exposures in the workplace.

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Is Diabetes Associated with Shoulder Pain or Stiffness? Results from a Population Based Study

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.080349 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 371-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

ANTONIA COLE ◽

TIFFANY K. GILL ◽

E. MICHAEL SHANAHAN ◽

PATRICK PHILLIPS ◽

ANNE W. TAYLOR ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Shoulder Pain ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Study ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Current Smoking ◽

North West ◽

Second Stage ◽

The North ◽

Hba1c Levels

Objectives.To assess the association of shoulder pain and/or stiffness and diabetes mellitus in a population based cohort.Methods.Participants were randomly recruited from the North West Adelaide Health Study, a longitudinal, population based study. In the second stage, 3128 participants were assessed for diabetes mellitus and shoulder complaints via questionnaires, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), physical assessment, blood sampling for fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c levels.Results.Overall, 682 (21.8%) participants experienced shoulder pain and/or stiffness and 221 participants (7.1%) fulfilled criteria for diabetes mellitus. Those with diabetes had a higher prevalence of shoulder pain and/or stiffness (27.9% vs 21.3%; p = 0.025), and poorer SPADI disability subscore (p = 0.01) and total SPADI score (p = 0.02). After controlling for age, sex, obesity, and current smoking, the prevalence of shoulder pain and/or stiffness did not differ significantly between those with diabetes and those without (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.76–1.45), nor were there significant differences in the SPADI disability subscore (p = 0.39) or total SPADI score (p = 0.32) between the 2 groups. After adjustment for covariates, there was no association between higher levels of HbA1c and shoulder pain and/or stiffness (p > 0.8). Range of shoulder movement was significantly reduced in those with diabetes (p < 0.05).Conclusions.There is a higher prevalence of shoulder pain and/or stiffness in people with diabetes mellitus. The differences observed between those with diabetes and those without can largely be explained by the confounding factors of age, sex, obesity, and current smoking.

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Polypill eligibility and equivalent intake in a Swiss population-based study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84455-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julien Castioni ◽

Nazanin Abolhassani ◽

Peter Vollenweider ◽

Gérard Waeber ◽

Pedro Marques-Vidal

Keyword(s):

Enzyme Inhibitor ◽

Large Fraction ◽

Population Based ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Current Smoking ◽

Swiss Population ◽

Men Elderly ◽

Multivariable Adjustment

AbstractThe polypill has been advocated for cardiovascular disease (CVD) management. The fraction of the population who could benefit from the polypill in Switzerland is unknown. Assess (1) the prevalence of subjects (a) eligible for the polypill and (b) already taking a polypill equivalent; and (2) the determinants of polypill intake in the first (2009–2012) and second follow-ups (2014–2017) of a population-based prospective study conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland. The first and the second follow-ups included 5038 and 4596 participants aged 40–80 years, respectively. Polypill eligibility was defined as having a high CVD risk as assessed by an absolute CVD risk ≥ 5% with the SCORE equation for Switzerland and/or presenting with CVD. Four polypill equivalents were defined: statin + any antihypertensive with (A) or without (B) aspirin; statin + calcium channel blocker (CCB) (C); and statin + CCB + angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (D). The prevalence of polypill eligibility was 20.6% (95% CI 19.5–21.8) and 27.7% (26.5–29.1) in the first and second follow-up, respectively. However, only around one-third of the eligible 29.5% (95% CI 26.7–32.3) and 30.4% (27.9–33.0) respectively, already took the polypill equivalents. All polypill equivalents were more prevalent among men, elderly and in presence of CVD. After multivariable adjustment, in both periods, male gender was associated with taking polypill equivalent A (OR: 1.93; 95% CI 1.45–2.55 and OR: 1.67; 95% CI 1.27–2.19, respectively) and polypill equivalent B (OR: 1.52; 95% CI 1.17–1.96 and OR: 1.41; 95% CI 1.07–1.85, respectively). Similarly, in both periods, age over 70 years, compared to middle-age, was associated with taking polypill equivalent A (OR: 11.71; CI 6.74–20.33 and OR: 9.56; CI 4.13–22.13, respectively) and equivalent B (OR: 13.22; CI 7.27–24.07 and OR: 20.63; CI 6.51–56.36, respectively). Former or current smoking was also associated with a higher likelihood of taking polypill equivalent A in both periods. A large fraction of the population is eligible for the polypill, but only one-third of them actually benefits from an equivalent, and this proportion did not change over time.

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Humidifier Disinfectant Consumption and Humidifier Disinfectant-Associated Lung Injury in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6136

Author(s):

Jeonggyo Yoon ◽

Minsun Kang ◽

Jaehun Jung ◽

Min Jae Ju ◽

Sung Hwan Jeong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Insurance ◽

Lung Injury ◽

National Health Insurance ◽

Population Based ◽

Annual Number ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Annual Consumption ◽

Using Data ◽

Water Tanks ◽

Biocidal Product

Humidifier disinfectant (HD) is a household biocidal product used in humidifier water tanks to prevent the growth of microorganisms. In 2011, a series of lung injury cases of unknown causes emerged in children and pregnant women who had used HD in Korea. This study investigated changes in the nationwide number of cases of humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) in concordance with nationwide HD consumption using data covering the entire Korean population. More than 25 kinds of HD products were sold between 1994 and 2011. The number of diagnosed HDLI, assessed by S27.3 (other injuries of lungs) of the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data, sharply increased by 2005, subsequently decreased after 2005, and almost disappeared after 2011 in concordance with the annual number of HD sales. The number of self-reported HDLIs, assessed using data from all suspected HDLI cases registered in the Korea Ministry of Environment, changed with the annual number of HD sales, with a delay pattern, potentially induced by the late awareness of lung injury diseases. The present study suggests that changes in the nationwide annual consumption of HD products were consistent with changes in the annual number of HDLI cases in Korea.

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Self-reported Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis Has Low Accuracy: Data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.161396 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (8) ◽

pp. 1134-1141 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Vibeke Videm ◽

Ranjeny Thomas ◽

Matthew A. Brown ◽

Mari Hoff

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Population Based ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Study ◽

Primary Study ◽

Case File ◽

Norwegian Population ◽

Case Files ◽

Accuracy Data

Objective.Self-reported diagnoses of inflammatory arthritis are not accurate. The primary study aim was to ascertain self-reported diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the Norwegian population-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) using hospital case files. The secondary aim was to provide updated estimates of the prevalence and incidence of RA and AS.Methods.All inhabitants ≥ 20 years old from the county of Nord-Trøndelag were invited. Data from 70,805 unique participants from HUNT2 (1995–1997) and HUNT3 (2006–2008) were included. For participants who self-reported RA or AS, case files from all 3 hospitals in the catchment area were evaluated using standardized diagnostic criteria.Results.Of 2703 self-reported cases of RA, 19.1% were verified in hospital files. Of 1064 self-reported cases of AS, 15.8% were verified. Of 259 cases self-reporting both RA and AS, 8.1% had RA and 5.4% had AS. Overall, a self-report of 1 or both diagnoses could not be verified in 82.1%, including 22.8% with insufficient information or no case file. The prevalence of RA was 768 (95% CI 705–835) per 100,000. The incidence of RA from HUNT2 to HUNT3 was 0.48 (0.41–0.56) per 1000 per year. The prevalence of AS was 264 (228–305) per 100,000. The incidence of AS from HUNT2 to HUNT3 was 0.19 (0.15–0.24) per 1000 per year.Conclusion.Self-reported diagnoses of RA and AS are often false-positive. The prevalence and incidence of RA were comparable to reports from similar populations. The incidence of AS was higher than previously reported in a mixed population from Norway.

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Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in apparently healthy adult population of Tamil Nadu, India: a population-based study

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/095646204322637272 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 51-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

A G Joyee ◽

S P Thyagarajan ◽

P Rajendran ◽

R Hari ◽

P Balakrishnan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Healthy Adult ◽

Adult Population ◽

Population Based ◽

Genital Infection ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Apparently Healthy

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Authors’ response: Mushroom intake and depression: A population-based study using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2005–2016

Journal of Affective Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.047 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Djibril M. Ba ◽

Xiang Gao ◽

Laila Al-Shaar ◽

Joshua Muscat ◽

Vernon Chinchilli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Population Based ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Us ◽

Using Data

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Prevalence of self-medication in Brazil and associated factors

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s1518-8787.2016050006117 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (suppl 2) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Paulo Sérgio Dourado Arrais ◽

Maria Eneida Porto Fernandes ◽

Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol ◽

Luiz Roberto Ramos ◽

Sotero Serrate Mengue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Population Based ◽

Use Of Self ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

The North ◽

Using Data ◽

Prevalence Ratios ◽

Use Of Health Services

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the prevalence and associated factors regarding the use of medicines by self-medication in Brazil. METHODS This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using data from the PNAUM (National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines), collected between September 2013 and February 2014 by interviews at the homes of the respondents. All people who reported using any medicines not prescribed by a doctor or dentist were classified as self-medication practitioners. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (Poisson regression) and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated in order to investigate the factors associated with the use of self-medication by medicines. The independent variables were: sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions and access to and use of health services. In addition, the most commonly consumed medicines by self-medication were individually identified. RESULTS The self-medication prevalence in Brazil was 16.1% (95%CI 15.0–17.5), with it being highest in the Northeast region (23.8%; 95%CI 21.6–26.2). Following the adjusted analysis, self-medication was observed to be associated with females, inhabitants from the North, Northeast and Midwest regions and individuals that have had one, or two or more chronic diseases. Analgesics and muscle relaxants were the therapeutic groups most used for self-medication, with dipyrone being the most consumed medicines. In general, most of the medicines used for self-medication were classified as non-prescriptive (65.5%). CONCLUSIONS Self-medication is common practice in Brazil and mainly involves the use of non-prescription medicines; therefore, the users of such should be made aware of the possible risks.

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