Etiology and Risk Factors

The etiology of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) arises from an interaction between genetic and non-genetic factors. The genes implicated vary in different ethnic groups and the incidence is increased in people with chromosomal disorders. HT is usually associated with auto-antibodies against thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyro-perioxidase (TPO) leading to primary hypothyroidism. Having other autoimmune diseases is a risk factor to develop HT. First-degree relatives of persons with HT have greater risk of developing the disease. Female gender is associated with an eight-fold increased risk for HT possibly due to the effects of sex hormones, X-chromosome-encoded susceptibility, skewed X-chromosome inactivation, pregnancy, and fetal micro-chimerism. In genetically susceptible individuals, environmental factors, including high iodine intake, selenium deficiency, infectious diseases, stress, and certain drugs, have been implicated in initiating the autoimmune process. This chapter explores the etiology and risk factors of Hashimoto's disease.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Anjewierden ◽  
Zheyi Han ◽  
Charles B. Foster ◽  
Chaitanya Pant ◽  
Abhishek Deshpande

AbstractObjective:To summarize risk factors for Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) in hospitalized pediatric patients as determined by previous observational studies.Design:Meta-analysis and systematic review.Patients:Studies evaluating risk factors for CDI in pediatric inpatients were eligible for inclusion.Method:We systematically searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE for subject headings and text words related to CDI and pediatrics from 1975 to 2017. Two of the investigators independently screened studies, extracted and compiled data, assessed study quality, and performed the meta-analysis.Results:Of the 2,033 articles screened, 14 studies reporting 10,531,669 children met the inclusion criteria. Prior antibiotic exposure (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–3.52) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.07–1.64) were associated with an increased risk of CDI in children. Subgroup analyses using studies reporting only adjusted results suggested that prior antibiotic exposure is not a significant risk factor for CDI. H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) use (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.31–5.98) and that female gender (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.74–1.03) did not play a significant role as a risk factor for developing CDI.Conclusion:Prior antibiotic exposure appears to be an important risk factor for CDI based on the combined analysis but not significant using adjusted studies. PPI use was associated with an increased risk of CDI. Judicious and appropriate use of antibiotics and PPIs may help reduce the risk of CDI in this vulnerable population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2110337
Author(s):  
Iván Ferraz-Amaro ◽  
Javier Rueda-Gotor ◽  
Fernanda Genre ◽  
Alfonso Corrales ◽  
Ricardo Blanco ◽  
...  

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients are known to have a higher prevalence of several comorbidities, including, among others, an increased risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the sum of traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is related to disease characteristics, such as disease activity, in patients with axSpA. Methods: A cross-sectional study that encompassed 804 patients with axSpA was conducted. Patients were assessed for the presence of five traditional CV risk factors (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and smoking status), and disease activity measurements. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether the number of classic CV risk factors was independently associated with specific features of the disease, to include disease activity. Results: A multivariable analysis showed that Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score–C reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) activity score was significantly higher in patients with 1 [beta coefficient 0.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1–0.5), p = 0.001] and ⩾2 [beta coefficient 0.5 (95% CI 0.3–0.7), p = 0.000] CV risk factors compared with those without CV risk factors. Similarly, patients with 1 [OR 2.00 (95%CI 0.99–4.02), p = 0.053] and ⩾2 [OR 3.39 (95%CI 1.82–6.31), p = 0.000] CV risk factors had a higher odds ratio for the presence of high disease activity compared with the zero CV category. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) activity score was significantly associated with the number of CV risk factors, being higher in patients with more CV risk factors. These relationships showed a CV risk factor-dependent effect being beta coefficients and ORs higher for the effect of ⩾2 over 1 CV risk factor. Conclusion: Among patients with axSpA, as the number of traditional CV risk factors increased, disease activity similarly increases in an independent manner.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Verdicchio ◽  
A Elliott ◽  
R Mahajan ◽  
D Linz ◽  
D Lau ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction  Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia affecting 1-2% of the global population, with the prevalence of AF increasing dramatically over the past two decades. Although low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity are predictive of cardiovascular disease onset and mortality, only recently has this emerged as a potential risk factor for AF. Purpose The aim of this meta-analysis was therefore to quantify the relationship between CRF, measured by a symptom limited exercise stress test, and incident AF. We hypothesised that there would be an inverse relationship between CRF and the incidence of AF. Methods The systematic literature review was conducted using PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, with seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis was then used to compare the multivariate risk estimates of the lowest CRF group from each cohort with the group of the highest CRF. Results Data from 206,925 individuals (55.8% males) was used for analysis with a mean age of 55 ± 2.5 years and a mean follow-up period of 10.3 ± 5 years. The total number of AF events across the studies was 19,913. The overall pooled risk of AF in the high-CRF group versus the low-CRF group showed a significant lower risk of incident AF in those with high-CRF (OR: 0.52, 95% CI, 0.44-0.605, p < 0.001). There was evidence of statistical heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 81%, p < 0.001). AF incidence rates demonstrated an overall decline in rates across the CRF quartiles from low to high. The mean incidence rate for low-CRF was 21 ± 13.4 compared to 6.9 ± 0.7 per 1000 person-years for the high CRF group (p = 0.03). Conclusion There is an inverse association between a lower CRF and an increased risk of AF, with a higher level of CRF protective against AF. This study highlights that low-CRF may be an additional risk factor for AF along with already other established lifestyle-based risk factors such as obesity and hypertension. Exercise interventions should be promoted as a primary prevention strategy in those at risk of developing AF with known risk factors. Future studies are warranted to identify the mechanism(s) through which improved CRF confers a reduction in AF incidence. Abstract Figure. AF risk between high and low-CRF


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhan Ergin ◽  
Nevin Oruç ◽  
Galip Ersöz ◽  
Oktay Tekeşin ◽  
Ömer Özütemiz

AbstractPost Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis is one of the most serious complications of ERCP. Our study aims to investigate the risk, predisposing factors and prognosis of pancreatitis after ERCP in elderly patients. Patients referred to the ERCP unit between April 2008 and 2012 and admitted to the hospital at least 1 day after the ERCP procedure were included to the study. Information including patient’s demographics, diagnosis, imaging findings, biochemical analysis, details of the ERCP procedure and complications were recorded. The severity of post ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) was determined by revised Atlanta Criteria as well as APACHE II and Ranson scores. A total of 2902 ERCP patients were evaluated and 988 were included to the study. Patients were divided into two groups as ≥ 65 years old (494 patients, 259 F, 235 M) and < 65 years old (494 patients, 274 F, 220 M). PEP was diagnosed in 4.3% of patients aged 65 years and older. The female gender was risk factors in elderly for PEP. The Sphincter Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) and Juxta papillary diverticula (JPD) were higher in elderly patients with PEP. Age did not increase the risk of PEP development. The most important post ERCP pancreatitis risk factor in the elderly is the female gender, while the risk is enhanced slightly by SOD and JPD.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Howard ◽  
Mary Cushman ◽  
Maciej Banach ◽  
Brett M Kissela ◽  
David C Goff ◽  
...  

Purpose: The importance of stroke research in the elderly is increasing as America is “graying.” For most risk factors for most diseases (including stroke), the magnitude of association with incident events decreases at older ages. Potential changes in the impact of risk factors could be a “true” effect, or could be due to methodological issues such as age-related changes in residual confounding. Methods: REGARDS followed 27,748 stroke-free participants age 45 and over for an average of 5.3 years, during which 715 incident strokes occurred. The association of the “Framingham” risk factors (hypertension [HTN], diabetes, smoking, AFib, LVH and heart disease) with incident stroke risk was assessed in age strata of 45-64 (Young), 65-74 (Middle), and 75+ (Old). For those with and without an “index” risk factor (e.g., HTN), the average number of “other” risk factors was calculated. Results: With the exception of AFib, there was a monotonic decrease in the magnitude of the impact across the age strata, with HTN, diabetes, smoking and LVH even becoming non-significant in the elderly (Figure 1). However, for most factors, the increasing prevalence of other risk factors with age impacts primarily those with the index risk factor absent (Figure 2, example HTN as the “index” risk factor). Discussion: The impact of stroke risk factors substantially declined at older ages. However, this decrease is partially attributable to increases in the prevalence of other risk factors among those without the index risk factor, as there was little change in the prevalence of other risk factors in those with the index risk factor. Hence, the impact of the index risk factor is attenuated by increased risk in the comparison group. If this phenomenon is active with latent risk factors, estimates from multivariable analysis will also decrease with age. A deeper understanding of age-related changes in the impact of risk factors is needed.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011990
Author(s):  
Liisa Karjalainen ◽  
Minna Tikkanen ◽  
Kirsi Rantanen ◽  
Karoliina Aarnio ◽  
Aino Korhonen ◽  
...  

Objective:To investigate whether previously reported increasing incidence of pregnancy-associated stroke (PAS) is observed in chart-validated register data in Finland. In an exploratory analysis, we studied risk factors for PAS.Methods:We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study and nested case-control study in Finland 1987-2016. The Medical Birth Register (MBR) was linked with the Hospital Discharge Register to identify women with incident stroke (ischemic stroke, cerebral venous thrombosis, intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage) during pregnancy or puerperium. Cases were verified from patient records. Incidence of PAS over the study period, in 5-year age groups and pregnancy/postpartum period were calculated per number of deliveries. Three matched controls were selected for each case from MBR to compare risk factors.Results:After chart review, 29.6% (257/868) of cases were PAS. The incidence of PAS was 14.5 (95%CI: 12.8-16.3) per 100,000 deliveries. Incidence increased from 11.1 to 25.2 per 100,000 deliveries from 1987-1991 to 2012-2016 (p<0.0001). Incidence increased by age from 9.8 to 29.9 per 100,000 deliveries from ages 20-24 to ages >40 (p<0.0001). During early postpartum period, incidence was 5-fold greater compared to the first trimester. Maternal mortality was 6.6%. In the multivariable adjusted model, smoking beyond 12 gestational weeks (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95%CI: 1.2-2.7), migraine (OR 16.3, 95%CI: 5.3-49.8), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 4.0, 95%CI: 2.5-6.3) were the most important risk factors for PAS.Conclusion:PAS incidence is increasing stressing the importance of careful pregnancy surveillance and risk factor management, particularly in older expectant mothers and extending to puerperium.Classification of Evidence:This study provides Class III evidence that smoking beyond 12 gestational weeks, migraine and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of PAS.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Grosse-Wortmann ◽  
Laurine van der Wal ◽  
Aswathy Vaikom House ◽  
Lee Benson ◽  
Raymond Chan

Introduction: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) has been shown to be an independent predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The clinical significance of LGE in pediatric HCM patients is unknown. Hypothesis: LGE improves the SCD risk prediction in children with HCM. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the CMR images and reviewed the outcomes pediatric HCM patients. Results: Amongst the 720 patients from 30 centers, 73% were male, with a mean age of 14.2±4.8 years. During a mean follow up of 2.6±2.7 years (range 0-14.8 years), 34 experienced an episode of SCD or equivalent. LGE (Figure 1A) was present in 34%, with a mean burden of 14±21g, or 2.5±8.2g/m2 (6.2±7.7% of LV myocardium). The presence of ≥1 adult traditional risk factor (family history of SCD, syncope, LV thickness >30mm, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter) was associated with an increased risk of SCD (HR=4.6, p<0.0001). The HCM Risk-Kids score predicted SCD (p=0.002). The presence of LGE was strongly associated with an increased risk (HR=3.8, p=0.0003), even after adjusting for traditional risk factors (HR adj =3.2, p=0.003) or the HCM Risk-Kids score (HR adj =3.5, p=0.003). Furthermore, the burden of LGE was associated with increased risk (HR=2.1/10% LGE, p<0.0001). LGE burden remained independently associated with an increased risk for SCD after adjusting for traditional risk factors (HRadj=1.5/10% LGE, p=0.04) or HCM Risk-Kids (HRadj=1.9/10% LGE, p=0.0018, Figure 1B). The addition of LGE burden improved the predictive model using traditional risk markers (C statistic 0.67 vs 0.77, p=0.003) and HCM Risk-Kids (C statistic 0.68 vs 0.74, p=0.045). Conclusions: Quantitative LGE is an independent risk factor for SCD in pediatric patients with HCM and improves the performance of traditional risk markers and the HCM Risk-Kids Score for SCD risk stratification in this population.


Author(s):  
Cassie A Simmons ◽  
Nicolas Poupore ◽  
Fernando Gonzalez ◽  
Thomas I Nathaniel

Introduction : Age is the single most important risk factor for stroke and an estimated 75% of all strokes occur in people >65 years of age. In addition, adults >75 years’ experience more hospitalization stays and higher mortality rates with an estimated 50% in the occurrence of all strokes. Several comorbidities have been linked to an increased risk and severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). How these factors differentially contribute to the severity of stroke in patients ages >65 and <75 as well as those ≥75 is not known. In this study, we aim to investigate how age, coupled with various clinical risk factors, affects AIS severity within these two age categories. Methods : This retrospective data analysis study was conducted using the data collected from the PRISMA Health Stroke Registry between 2010 and 2016. Baseline clinical and demographic data for patients ages >65 and <75 as well as those ≥75 was analyzed using univariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariate regression models were used to examine the association of specific baseline risk factors or comorbidities associated with worsening or improving neurologic functions. The primary functions were risk factors associated with improving or worsening neurologic outcome in each age category. Results : Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that AIS population of patients >65 and <75 experiencing heart failure (OR = 4.398, 95% CI, 3.912 – 494.613, P = 0.002) and elevated HDL levels (OR = 1.066, 95% CI, 1.009 – 1.126, P = 0.024) trended towards worsening neurologic functions while patients experiencing obesity (OR = 0.177, 95% CI, 0.041 – 0.760, P = 0.020) exhibited improving neurologic functions. For the patients ≥75 years of age, direct admission (OR = 0.270, 95% CI, 0.085 – 0.856, P = 0.026) was associated with improvement of patients treated in the telestroke. Conclusions : Age is a strong risk factor for AIS, and aged stroke patients have higher morbidity and worsening functional recovery than younger patients. In this study, we observed differences in stroke risk factor profiles for >65 and <75 and ≥75 age categories. Heart failure and elevated HDL levels were significantly associated with worsening neurologic functions among AIS for patients aged >65 and <75. Obese patients and individuals ≥75 years who were directly admitted were most likely to exhibit improving neurologic functions. Most importantly, findings from this study reveal specific risk factors that can be managed to improve the care in older stroke patients treated in the telestroke network.


Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gearoid M McMahon ◽  
Sarah R Preis ◽  
Shih-Jen Hwang ◽  
Caroline S Fox

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an important public health issue and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Risk factors for CKD are well established, but most are typically assessed at or near the time of CKD diagnosis. Our hypothesis was that risk factors for CKD are present earlier in the course of the disease. We compared the prevalence of risk factors between CKD cases and controls at time points up to 30 years prior to CKD diagnosis. Methods: Participants were drawn from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤60ml/min/1.73m2. Incident CKD cases occurring at examination cycles 6, 7, and 8 were age- and sex-matched 1:2 to controls. Risk factors including systolic blood pressure (SBP), hypertension, lipids, diabetes, smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and dipstick proteinuria were measured at the time of CKD diagnosis and 10, 20 and 30 years prior. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and time period, were constructed to compare risk factor profiles at each time point between cases and controls Results: During follow-up, 441 new cases of CKD were identified and these were matched to 882 controls (mean age 69.2 years, 52.4% women). Up to 30 years prior to CKD diagnosis, those who ultimately developed CKD were more likely to have hypertension (OR 1.74, CI 1.21-2.49), be obese (OR 1.74, CI 1.15-2.63) and have higher triglycerides (OR 1.43, CI 1.12-1.84, p=0.005 per 1 standard deviation increase). Each 10mmHg increase in SBP was associated with an OR of 1.22 for future CKD (95% CI 1.10-1.35) Additionally, cases were more likely to have diabetes (OR 2.90, CI 1.59-5.29) and be on antihypertensive therapy (OR 1.65, CI 1.14-2.40, p=0.009) up to 20 years prior to diagnosis. Increasing HDLc was associated with a lower risk of CKD (OR 0.84, CI 0.81-0.97 per 10mg/dl). Conclusions: As many as 30 years prior to diagnosis, risk factors for CKD are identifiable. In particular, modifiable risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia are present early in the course of the disease. These findings demonstrate the importance of early identification of risk factors in patients at risk of CKD through a life-course approach.


2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S4-S8
Author(s):  
Erland Erdmann

Diabetes is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Coronary heart disease and left ventricular dysfunction are more common in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients, and diabetic patients benefit less from revascularisation procedures. This increased risk can only partly be explained by the adverse effects of diabetes on established risk factors; hence, a substantial part of the excess risk must be attributable to direct effects of hyperglycaemia and diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia have a number of potential adverse effects, including effects on endothelial function and coagulation. Risk factor modification has been shown to reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes; indeed, diabetic patients appear to benefit more in absolute terms than non-diabetic patients. There is thus a strong case for intensive treatment of risk factors, including insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia, in patients with type 2 diabetes.


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