Articles tagged with Risk Factors
The UK's premature mortality rates have worsened, particularly among men older than 55 years, due to increases in drug and alcohol use disorders. The country ranks lower than other nations in several health metrics, including ischaemic heart disease, COPD, and stroke.
A large study of veterans found that HIV infection is independently associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI or heart attack), even after adjusting for standard risk factors. The study also identified other risk factors, including low CD4 cell count and hepatitis C virus, as contributing to the increased risk.
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2010 Study reveals surprising health trends around the world, including rising life expectancy but increasing sickness and disability. The study provides detailed findings on demographics, disease, and disability in 187 countries.
Researchers have identified seven new genetic regions associated with AMD, explaining up to 65% of the genetics of the disease. The study combined existing data from over 17,000 patients and 60,000 people without AMD, revealing genes involved in immune system signaling, lipid metabolism, and blood vessel development.
A large-scale genetic study has identified four shared genetic risk loci across five major psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The findings suggest that a new classification system based on underlying causes may be possible in the future.
New research suggests that reducing sedentary time by 90 minutes per day can lead to significant health benefits for individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study found that sedentary time was more strongly associated with cardiometabolic markers than total physical activity or vigorous exercise.
A new study found that CT angiography is an effective tool for determining the risk of heart attacks and other adverse cardiac events in patients with suspected coronary artery disease but no treatable risk factors. The test identified a high prevalence of coronary artery disease, even in patients without modifiable risk factors.
A study published in JAMA Network found that women are at a higher risk of hip implant failure compared to men, with a hazard ratio of 1.29 for all-cause revision and 1.32 for aseptic revision.
A study by the University of Bristol has found that almost half of dog owners reported their pet showing fear signs when exposed to loud noises, but only a quarter considered their pet fearful. The research highlights the importance of early life experience and exposure to specific loud noises in developing fear responses.
Researchers identified a protective effect of excessive threat vigilance on PTSD development in infantry soldiers during combat deployment. The study found that genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene were associated with this behavior, which can be trained through attention bias modification to reduce PTSD risk.
A recent publication by ILSI Europe identifies key contributors to child obesity, including maternal diet, gestational weight gain, and metabolic perturbations. Combining data from clinical studies could lead to more effective nutritional advice for pregnant women.
A new study has found that bronchiectasis is independently associated with an increased mortality risk in patients with moderate-to-severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The presence and severity of bronchiectasis were linked to a higher risk of death, independent of other known risk factors.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center suggests that a father's obesity may alter a genetic mechanism in the next generation, potentially raising the risk for diseases like cancer. Researchers found that paternal obesity was associated with lower DNA methylation at the IGF2 gene in offspring.
The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus has revised its guidelines for automated preschool vision screening, focusing on detecting amblyopia risk factors in young children. The new criteria include separate thresholds for different age groups, lower referral rates for young children, and the use of tradition...
A large study found that ABO blood type is a strong risk factor for venous blood clots. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also identified other genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of these conditions.
A new study found that a low subjective response to alcohol, or the ability to 'hold one's liquor,' may protect against short-term alcohol problems but increases the risk of long-term problems as tolerance develops. The study examined associations between early subjective response and acquired tolerance in heavy-drinking young adults.
Researchers found a protective association between beta carotene and type-2 diabetes risk in individuals carrying a common genetic predisposition. In contrast, gamma tocopherol was linked to an increased risk of the disease. The study suggests that protein SLC30A4 may play a crucial role in insulin regulation.
A study of 1,560 adult male twins identified six distinct trajectories of alcohol use, differing in level of use, rate of increase during adolescence, and persistence into adulthood. Novelty seeking and risk factors such as peer deviance, ADHD symptoms, and genetic risk were found to predict these trajectories.
Researchers developed a tool that combines age, gender, and common blood tests to predict mortality among trauma patients. The Intermountain Risk Score identifies high-risk patients with increased likelihood of death within a year.
A new study found that low-income children's participation in regular high-quality family mealtimes made a difference in their weight status. Researchers observed 200 family mealtimes and noted the importance of shared meals, mealtime behaviors, and socioeconomic factors on childhood obesity.
Clear risk factors have been identified for prolonged sports concussion symptoms, including four or more initial symptoms and drowsiness. These findings could change return to play guidelines, prioritizing individualized assessments rather than one-size-fits-all policies.
The African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research will collect detailed health and disease information from over 24,000 individuals across 10 countries. This will provide a unique framework for researchers in these countries and enable the development of long-term strategies for disease control and management.
A study published in Neurology found that smoking and poor blood pressure and cholesterol levels significantly increase the risk of death for patients who have survived subarachnoid hemorrhage. The research, which followed over 64,000 Finns, revealed that lifestyle changes can help prevent early deaths among SAH survivors.
Research shows that individuals with depression after a stroke have a tripled risk of dying early and four times the risk of death from stroke. Screening for and treating depression in stroke survivors may be key to addressing these risks, according to study author Amytis Towfighi.
Researchers found that living in a caring community can help curb teenage alcohol use, while hanging out with antisocial peers can increase the risk. The study analyzed over 200,000 students and discovered that individual, family, and peer risk factors as well as community protective factors moderately predicted alcohol use.
Italian immigrants from Switzerland have a significantly lower mortality risk compared to native-born Swiss, largely due to the 'healthy migrant effect'. However, subsequent generations born in Switzerland show a higher risk of mortality, likely due to lifestyle differences.
Researchers have identified four new regions on the human genome linked to Behcet's disease, which is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and potential blindness. The study provides insights into genetic factors contributing to the disease and suggests new therapies for treatment.
A nationwide prospective cohort study found that offspring of cancer patients diagnosed at older ages are still at higher risk of developing the same cancer. The study suggests a significant genetic component to familial risks, with increased risks observed for various cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, and prostate cancer.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that COPD is not an independent risk factor for lung cancer. Researchers associated COPD with lung cancer, but attributed this link to smoking and ascertainment bias, highlighting the need for lung cancer screenings when diagnosing COPD.
A new study suggests that early drunkenness is a greater risk factor for problem behaviors in teenagers than an early age at first drink. The research found that consuming small amounts of alcohol at a young age can lead to various adolescent problems, such as smoking, marijuana use, injuries, and low academic performance.
The study reveals that high blood pressure is the leading cause of death globally, followed by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. The analysis suggests that addressing these risk factors can help reduce disease burden and improve public health.
Blocking the endothelin receptor reduces cardiovascular risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease independent of blood pressure. The findings suggest that blocking the receptor may provide heart-related benefits to these patients, who have a higher risk of developing heart problems due to their condition.
The study reveals that high blood pressure, tobacco smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are the leading causes of death globally, with significant regional variations. Dietary factors and physical inactivity also contribute substantially to disease burden.
A study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that delaying childbirth for at least 15 years after the first menstrual period can reduce the risk of triple-negative breast cancer by up to 60%. Breastfeeding is also associated with a protective effect against this aggressive form of breast cancer.
A Wake Forest Baptist study found that gaining weight back after intentional weight loss in postmenopausal women is associated with negative long-term effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Maintaining weight loss offers the most health benefit, but even partial weight regain increases cardiovascular risk.
Researchers found that men with higher visceral and total abdominal fat had lower failure load and stiffness, two measures of bone strength. Muscle mass was also positively associated with bone strength. The study suggests that excess belly fat is a risk factor for bone loss in obese men.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that limiting neurosurgery residents' work hours hasn't decreased complication rates, but actually increased them in teaching hospitals. Complication rates remained stable in non-teaching hospitals.
A commonly prescribed inpatient sleeping drug has been associated with a significant increase in falls among hospital patients. The study found that zolpidem use was linked to a fourfold higher fall rate compared to non-users.
A study of 1,638 women found that early menarche is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, as well as overall obesity in adulthood. The researchers suggest that targeting lifestyle interventions for high-risk women may help prevent metabolic consequences of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
A study of 1,268 elderly patients receiving home healthcare found that social environmental factors, particularly informal care provided by family members or caregivers, contribute to the risk of repeated hospital admissions. Patients with good social support are more likely to maintain their functional ability and remain at home.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that physicians who commit suicide often have known mental health problems but fail to seek treatment due to stigma and lack of confidentiality. The study highlights the need for greater effort to address job stress, under-diagnosis, and treatment of depression among physicians.
Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at higher risk for cancer, broken bones increase cardiovascular disease and death, and corticosteroids remain a common treatment despite newer options. Gut bacteria also holds promise as an anti-inflammatory treatment for autoimmune disorders.
A recent study has uncovered two genetic deletions that are responsible for severely low sperm count, accounting for 8% of cases. The most common deletion increased the risk by a factor of 2, while the rare b2/b4 deletion doubled the risk and accounted for 6% of cases.
A population study found that weightlifters have a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors linked to heart disease and diabetes. Lifting weights was associated with a 37% reduction in the odds of metabolic syndrome.
A new study found that men with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a high body mass index are more likely to die from prostate cancer. Researchers also discovered that combining these metabolic factors increases the risk of death, suggesting that lifestyle changes may help prevent this.
A new study suggests that COPD readmissions are more common among patients with advanced disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, alcohol abuse, or those using supplemental oxygen. Researchers found these unmodifiable risk factors to be associated with a higher likelihood of 30-day readmission.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that high-risk children adopted from foster care do equally well with gay, lesbian or heterosexual parents. Children in these households achieved significant gains in cognitive development and stable behavior problems.
A $5.4 million grant from the Cure Alzheimer's Fund will support state-of-the-art whole genome DNA sequencing to better understand Alzheimer's disease genetics. The research aims to identify genetic switches controlling the disease, with findings made freely available to the scientific community.
Bariatric surgery radically reduces risk factors for heart disease and stroke, with an average reduction of excess weight by 54%. Cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and unfavourable blood fats improve or resolve completely after the procedure.
Suicide rates among young people have risen globally, with males outnumbering females, and are linked to psychiatric disorders, genetic vulnerability, and social factors. The progression from suicidal ideation to self-harm and suicide is not absolute, and early intervention is crucial for prevention.
A new study found that living near livestock may increase the risk of acquiring MRSA, with regional density of livestock being an important risk factor for nasal carriage. The study suggests that community members in animal-dense regions who are otherwise unaffiliated with livestock farming are at higher risk.
Researchers found that strokes among people under 55 increased from 13% to 19% over time, and the average age of people who experienced stroke fell from 71 years to 69 years. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can modify risk factors for stroke.
Intense exercise such as fast walking and jogging halves the development of metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that increase heart disease and stroke risk. The study found that it's not the length of time exercised but rather its intensity that matters.
A University of Missouri public health expert has identified factors that can help parents, medical professionals, and educators recognize teens at risk for self-injury and suicide. Factors such as parent connectedness and connections with other positive adult influences are associated with reduced likelihood of engaging in self-injury.
A new study published in The Lancet found that widespread diabetes screening programs do not reduce overall mortality rates. The study, which included over 20,000 patients, also showed no significant difference in mortality rates between screened and non-screened groups.
A Michigan State University study found that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of thin-ideal internalization, with heritability at 43%. Environmental influences also contribute to the pressure, but non-shared factors have a greater impact.
The study, which analyzed over 300 female twins, suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of body dissatisfaction and thin ideal internalization. Environmental influences, such as exposure to media, also contribute to these issues.
Long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplants are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol compared to the general population. Exposure to pre-transplant chemotherapy and radiation, as well as transplant type, contribute to this increased risk.
A Swedish study of over 45,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, a blood clot that forms within a vein. The risk remained elevated for up to 10 years after diagnosis.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that beta-blocker use was not associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events among patients with coronary artery disease or at high risk for but without established CAD. However, the study did reveal that among patients with recent MI (one year or less), beta-blocker use was linked ...