Project description:We analysed cancer risks in patients with urinary tract stones but some features of the generated results alarmed us about possible surveillance bias, which we describe in this report. We used nationwide Swedish hospital records to identify patients with urinary tract stones (N = 211,718) and cancer registration data for cancer patients for years 1987 to 2012. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancer were calculated after the last medical contact for urinary tract stones. All cancers were increased after kidney (SIR 1.54, 95%CI: 1.50-1.58), ureter (1.44, 1.42-1.47), mixed (1.51, 1.44-1.58) and bladder stones (1.63, 1.57-1.70). The risk of kidney cancer was increased most of all cancers after kidney, ureter and mixed stones while bladder cancer was increased most after bladder stones. All SIRs decreased steeply in the course of follow-up time. Tumour sizes were smaller in kidney cancer and in situ colon cancers were more common in patients diagnosed after urinary tract stones compared to all patients. The results suggest that surveillance bias influenced the result which somewhat surprisingly appeared to extend past 10 years of follow-up and include cancers at distant anatomical sites. Surveillance bias may be difficult to avoid in the present type of observational studies in clinical settings.
Project description:ObjectiveTo determine the degree to which chronic conditions might contribute to the unexplained burden of herpes zoster.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study using MarketScan data from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, to investigate chronic conditions as risk factors for herpes zoster among persons 20 to 64 years old. Cases were enrollees with a herpes zoster diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 053.xx), and controls were those without a herpes zoster diagnosis, matched by age groups and insurance plan. We selected 10 chronic conditions based on their prevalence in the general population. We calculated the attributable fraction and created a comorbidity composite score by summing the significant coefficient of regression of chronic conditions. We used logistic regression to evaluate the associations between herpes zoster and chronic conditions.ResultsWe identified a total of 59,173 cases and 616,177 controls for the analysis. Risk of herpes zoster was significant for 8 of the 10 study conditions (odds ratios, 1.06-1.52). Herpes zoster risk also increased as a function of comorbidity composite score. The attributable fractions for these 8 significant conditions ranged from 0.24% to 2.89%.ConclusionThe risk of herpes zoster may be increased in people with chronic conditions. However, this risk may not contribute substantially to the burden of herpes zoster in the population. The causes for most cases of herpes zoster remain unknown.
Project description:An acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) has high possibilities to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and increased death risk. AHRF which represents a common end-point to multiple pathological processes either local or systemic may have many medical conditions as aetiology. The causes may be pulmonary and extrapulmonary. Between pulmonary determinants, pneumonia and bacterial and virus infection diseases are the most frequent disease associated with AHRF. On the other hand, many non-infectious etiologic conditions, such as blunt chest contusion, multiple injuries, aspiration of gastric contents, inhalation burns, pancreatitis, and blood transfusions may cause ARDS.
Project description:Underwater divers are susceptible to neurological risks due to their exposure to increased pressure. Absorption of elevated partial pressure of inert gases such as helium and nitrogen may lead to nitrogen narcosis. Although the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis are known, the molecular mechanisms underlying these symptoms have not been elucidated. Here, we examined the behaviour of the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans under scuba diving conditions. We analysed wild-type animals and mutants in the dopamine pathway under hyperbaric conditions, using several gas compositions and under varying pressure levels. We found that the animals changed their speed on a flat bacterial surface in response to pressure in a biphasic mode that depended on dopamine. Dopamine-deficient cat-2 mutant animals did not exhibit a biphasic response in high pressure, while the extracellular accumulation of dopamine in dat-1 mutant animals mildly influenced this response. Our data demonstrate that in C. elegans, similarly to mammalian systems, dopamine signalling is involved in the response to high pressure. This study establishes C. elegans as a powerful system to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underly nitrogen toxicity in response to high pressure.
Project description:Tracheobronchial diverticulum (TBD) is an asymptomatic, benign cystic lesion outside the lumen of the trachea and bronchus. This is the first report case of a SCUBA (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) diver diagnosed with TBD, which is a potential risk to diving. No literature or guideline is available so far on the diving fitness for patients with congenital or acquired TBD condition. A healthy 26-year-old male professional diver has records of SCUBA diving up to a depth of 40 meters sea water. He did not have any diving-related injuries or symptoms during his career and had no history of smoking, drinking, or other special illnesses except for a COVID-19 infection. A tracheal diverticulum was found accidentally by computed tomography (CT), but its communication with the trachea was not clear initially. Therefore, high-resolution CT and electronic bronchoscopy were done to clarify the situation of the diverticulum and identify the diving risk. High-resolution CT showed a possible opening in the diverticulum, but this was not seen under electronic bronchoscopy. Although a potential opening was shown in high-resolution CT, the lack of visual bronchoscopic evidence made it likely to be a dead cavity. As there is a higher theoretical risk of barotrauma during decompression, leading to pneumomediastinum, hemorrhage, or arterial gas embolism, the current clinical consensus is that air-containing tissue should be regarded as a relative contraindication for diving. Overall, it is recommended that the diver should dive carefully and avoid ascending too rapidly.
Project description:BackgroundInfants with medical risk conditions are vulnerable to childhood infections including acute gastroenteritis (AGE). To guide prevention programs, we quantified AGE incidence, severity and virus prevalence among medical risk infants in the Netherlands.MethodsThis prospective cohort-study was part of the RIVAR-project recruiting infants with prematurity, low birth weight or severe congenital conditions in 13 hospitals. Follow-up included 18 monthly health questionnaires detailing AGE symptoms and healthcare usage. Parents were also instructed to notify when an infant developed AGE, to collect a stool sample and complete a daily severity score (Modified Vesikari Severity). Stool samples were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus.ResultsBetween November 2014 and October 2017, 631 infants participated during 9125 person-months of observation. In total, 559 episodes were identified. The mean AGE incidence rate was 73.5 per 100 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval: 67.6-79.9) and increased with age [incidence rate: 48.3 (39.8-58.3) vs. 80.2 (73.0-88.1)/100 PY for ages 1-5 vs. 6-18 months, respectively]. Healthcare was attended for 38.1% (213/559) and 26.8% (68/254) were classified as severe based on the Modified Vesikari Severity. Stool samples were obtained from 254 AGE episodes. Norovirus was identified in 65 (25.6%) and rotavirus in 44 (17.7%). Adenovirus and astrovirus together accounted for 8.3% (N = 21). Severe AGE occurred most frequently in rotavirus positive episodes.ConclusionThe observed AGE incidence, severity and healthcare usage among medical risk infants confirms substantial disease burden. Norovirus and rotavirus are the dominant pathogens and severe episodes occurred most frequently in children with rotavirus infection. AGE prevention in medical risk infants should be prioritized.
Project description:BACKGROUND: To date, only a few risk factors for pancreatic cancer have been established. We examined prospectively relations between several medical conditions and pancreatic cancer incidence. METHODS: In 1986, 120 852 participants completed a baseline questionnaire on cancer risk factors, including several self-reported physician diagnosed medical conditions. At baseline, a random subcohort of 5000 participants was selected using a case-cohort approach for analysis. After 16.3 years of follow-up, 448 pancreatic cancer cases (63% microscopically confirmed) were available for analysis. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis were positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio: 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-2.87 and hazard ratio: 1.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.81, respectively). Furthermore, a positive trend in risk with increasing years of diagnosis of diabetes (P=0.004) and of hepatitis (P=0.02) was observed. However, an inverse association was observed between hypertension and pancreatic cancer risk, this was found among microscopically confirmed cases only (hazard ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.49-0.90), while years since diagnosis of hypertension significantly decreased cancer risk (P for trend=0.02). CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, a positive association was observed between self-reported physician diagnosed diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis and pancreatic cancer risk, whereas an inverse association was observed with hypertension.
Project description:BackgroundAutoimmune diseases and hematopoietic malignancies are known to cluster within individuals, suggesting intertwined etiologies. A limited number of studies have evaluated pre-existing medical conditions as risk factors for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We evaluated associations between autoimmune disease and other medical conditions and risk of MDS.MethodsCases were identified through the Minnesota Cancer Reporting System. Controls were identified through the Minnesota State driver's license/identification card list. History of autoimmune disease and other medical conditions was based on self-report; proxy interviews were not conducted. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsWe included 395 cases and 694 controls. Cases were significantly more likely to report a diagnosis of any autoimmune disease when compared with controls (aOR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.05-1.89) after adjustment for age, sex, education, NSAID use, exposure to benzene and body mass index. When we evaluated specific autoimmune conditions, a statistically significant association was observed for hypothyroidism (aOR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.39-3.34) and odds ratios were elevated for inflammatory bowel disease (aOR=1.75) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; aOR=3.65), although these associations did not reach statistical significance. Presence of an autoimmune condition did not impact overall survival (p = 0.91).ConclusionOur results validate previous findings of an association between autoimmune disease and MDS. Further studies are required to determine whether this association is due to shared etiology, treatment for autoimmune diseases, or altered immune surveillance or bone marrow damage caused by the autoimmune condition.
Project description:A key feature of private long-term care insurance is that medical underwriters screen out would-be buyers who have health conditions that portend near-term physical or cognitive disability. We applied common underwriting criteria based on data from two long-term care insurers to a nationally representative sample of individuals in the target age range (50-71 years) for long-term care insurance. The screening criteria put upper bounds on the current proportion of Americans who could gain coverage in the individual market without changes to medical underwriting practice. Specifically, our simulations show that in the target age range, approximately 30 percent of those whose wealth meets minimum industry standards for suitability for long-term care insurance would have their application for such insurance rejected at the underwriting stage. Among the general population-without considering financial suitability-we estimated that 40 percent would have their applications rejected. The predicted rejection rates are substantially higher than the rejection rates of about 20-25 percent of applicants in the actual market. In evaluating reforms for long-term care financing and their potential to increase private insurance rates, as well as to reduce financial pressure on public safety-net programs, policy makers need to consider the role of underwriting in the market for long-term care insurance.
Project description:BackgroundRecreational scuba diving involves the use of complex instruments and specialized skills in an unforgiving environment. Errors in dive preparation in such an environment may lead to unsafe conditions, mishaps, injuries and fatalities. Diving mishaps can be major and minor based on their potential to cause injury and the severity of the resulting injury. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of diving mishaps and unsafe conditions, and their associations with the participants' routine use of their own checklists.MethodsBetween June and August 2012, 426 divers participated in the control group of a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention pre-dive checklist. The current nested analysis prospectively follows the control participants, who did not receive the intervention checklist. Poisson regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate rate ratios comparing written checklist use with memorized and no checklist use.ResultsThe overall incidence of major mishaps and minor mishaps was 11.2 and 18.2 per 100 dives, respectively. Only 8% participants reported written checklist use, 71% reported using memorized checklists, and 21% did not use any checklist. The rate ratio for written checklist use as compared to using a memorized or no checklist was 0.47 (95%CI: 0.27, 0.83) for all mishaps (major and minor combined), and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.93) for major mishaps. The rate of mishaps among memorized checklist users was similar to no checklist users.ConclusionThis study reinforces the utility of written checklists to prevent mishaps and, potentially, injuries and fatalities.