Research on what raises a person's risk of disease and injury. Covers cardiovascular and aneurysm risk, medication in pregnancy, youth behavior, and suicide risk.
A large Canadian family study found that both fathers and mothers with multiple sclerosis equally transmitted the genetic risk of the disease to their children. The study contradicts previous findings suggesting men may be more likely to pass on the risk, contradicting the Carter effect.
A large-scale study found that high levels of urate in the blood are strongly associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease. Urate, a normal component of blood, may have beneficial effects due to its antioxidant properties.
Two studies identify smoking, low formal education, and glucose tolerance as independent predictors of rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking is associated with a higher risk, while better glucose tolerance is linked to a lower risk, suggesting alternative mechanisms may be at play.
A new study of over 7,800 high school sophomores found that boys are exposed to more risk factors and less protection for serious delinquency than girls. Boys were twice as likely to engage in seven serious delinquent behaviors, including being arrested or carrying a handgun.
Researchers found that patients who tackled all three behaviors simultaneously had better success rates in changing their habits compared to those who addressed them separately. The study suggests a simultaneous approach may be superior for long-term multiple behavior change.
Two studies identify interactions between heart disease and kidney disease, revealing that anemia, microalbuminuria, and declining eGFR are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The findings highlight the importance of screening and intervention for patients at high risk of kidney disease.
A study has identified a new genetic risk factor for coeliac disease, which lacks a protective DNA sequence in the interleukin-2 and interleukin-21 gene region. This discovery could pave the way towards improved diagnostics and treatments for the condition.
A simple test combines medical history, cognitive testing, and physical examination to predict dementia risk within six years. The 14-point index is accurate in predicting dementia with 87 percent accuracy.
Recent falls in US coronary heart disease deaths can be attributed to a combination of lifestyle changes and medical therapies. Despite decreases in risk factors such as smoking and high cholesterol, increases in obesity and diabetes offset the progress.
Child maltreatment is a worldwide problem with far more prevalence than recognized. Medical responses typically occur after the event, but prevention is advocated through measures like parental education and home visits. Diagnosis involves detecting injuries that cannot be explained by medical history or other circumstances.
A study found that only 32% of adults possess minimal medical knowledge of serious health conditions, despite higher education or personal experience not providing significant improvement. This lack of awareness poses a risk to early detection and treatment outcomes, as well as public health costs and behavior.
Research shows that treating subclinical hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone improves symptoms, cholesterol levels, and reduces heart disease risk. Patients experience increased energy, weight loss, and improved quality of life.
A study found that men with a high rate of increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels before treatment have a higher risk of death from prostate cancer. Elevated PSA velocity was a stronger predictor of poor prognosis than other single indicators, such as biopsy Gleason scores or advanced disease categories.
A new study found that both heavy drinking and neighborhood characteristics can contribute to mutual intimate partner violence among married/cohabiting adults. Women who are the heaviest drinkers are at elevated risk for mutual IPV regardless of their neighborhood context.
A new study by Research Australia found that carrying passengers increases the likelihood of a crash by 60% compared to using a mobile phone while driving. The risk is lower than mobile phone use but higher due to the prevalence of passenger transport.
Despite progress in research, malaria persists as a major public health challenge due to limited vaccine development and drug resistance. The disease causes an estimated 1 million deaths annually and affects 3 billion individuals worldwide.
Research finds patients with sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing diabetes, independent of other factors. The severity of sleep apnea is also associated with the risk, highlighting the need for further investigation into treatment options.
A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is associated with a 50% lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study tracked the health of over 43,000 US men, finding that those who followed a Western diet were more than four times as likely to develop COPD.
Researchers found that one spouse's excess drinking can help protect the other from developing alcohol dependence. The study analyzed twins and their spouses to determine if non-random mating (choosing a mate similar in personality and behaviors) contributes to higher rates of alcoholism among partners.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center developed a lung cancer risk assessment tool using standard clinical and epidemiological data. The model assigns a score assessing a person's risk for the disease, with a prediction level of about 60 percent.
A study found that exercise can improve aerobic fitness and reduce cardiovascular disease risk in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. After an eight-week aerobic cycling regimen, participants showed significant improvements in aerobic fitness, triglyceride levels, and resting blood pressure.
The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women provides practical suggestions for reducing heart-related problems and includes warning signs of a heart attack. The handbook offers tips on following a nutritious eating plan, physical activity program, and quitting smoking to reduce risk factors.
A scoring system based on weight, gender, age, blood pressure and clot risk accurately predicts patient mortality after gastric bypass surgery. The system categorizes patients as low-risk, medium-risk or high-risk, with those in the high-risk group facing a six times higher mortality rate.
A U of M-led study has identified 10 new genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes, which could lead to the development of new drugs and more effective treatments. The findings also improve our understanding of how these genetic factors interact with lifestyle factors.
Researchers have identified at least four new genetic variants associated with increased risk of diabetes and confirmed the existence of six more, boosting the number of known genetic variants to 10. These findings may lead to personalized medicine approaches by exploring how these genetic factors interact with lifestyle factors.
A study found that specific genetic variants in genes CFH and LOC387715 are associated with an increased risk of progressing to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Smoking and high body mass index further increase the risk, but healthy lifestyle habits can reduce it.
Researchers found HIV-infected patients had a higher incidence of heart attacks and major cardiovascular risk factors compared to noninfected patients. The study's findings indicate that HIV-infected individuals should be assessed for cardiovascular risks and that strategies to modify those risks are urgently needed.
A new study from Cornell University finds that adolescents exposed to chronic risk factors experience stress-induced physiological strain, but with responsive mothers, this toll is significantly reduced. The study also reveals that cardiovascular systems of youths are compromised regardless of their mothers' responsiveness.
A consortium of Canadian and American researchers have identified three major genetic risk factors for Crohn's disease: PHOX2B, NCF4, and ATG16L1. These findings highlight biological pathways not previously thought to play a role in the disease, including altered reactive oxygen species production and autophagic processes.
A new study by NHLBI found that elevated risk factors in young adulthood significantly increase the risk of developing coronary calcium, a predictor of heart disease. Young adults with above-optimal levels of risk factors are two to three times more likely to develop coronary calcium than those with lower levels.
A large cross-sectional survey found that frequent consumption of cured meats is associated with lower lung function test scores and increased odds of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study suggests that high dietary nitrite intake may be a novel risk factor for COPD.
A USC study found that patients with later stage cancer diagnoses were more likely to live in unsafe neighborhoods, use public transportation, and travel long distances to receive medical care. The study suggests that addressing neighborhood conditions and prioritizing health care can help reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses.
A research team has identified several novel genetic variations associated with the risk of Crohn's disease, which could improve understanding of the disease process and lead to new therapies. The study found that one of the newly identified genes, ATG16L1, plays a crucial role in autophagy, a biological pathway involved in inflammation.
A recent study failed to validate the association of 85 genetic variants with increased risk for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including heart attack and angina. The research included 811 patients with ACS, but found no conclusive evidence supporting the use of these gene variants as risk factors in clinical care.
Research suggests individuals with diabetes may have a higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, which affects thinking and learning abilities. The study found that diabetes was associated with a significantly increased risk of amnestic mild cognitive impairment, particularly in African-American and Hispanic populations.
A detectable PSA level is first indicator of recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy, with a doubling time of less than three months indicating imminent death from prostate cancer. Patients with longer doubling times are at significant risk for disease recurrence and cancer-specific death.
A study found that individuals without health insurance are more likely to forego routine physical exams and have a higher risk of unawareness of high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. Hypertension is the most powerful risk factor for stroke, and those without insurance had poorly controlled hypertension.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that African Americans have weaker muscle contraction in three main regions of the heart, increasing their risk of heart failure. In contrast, Chinese Americans' hearts had a stronger squeezing function and contracted more quickly than other ethnic groups.
Research on silent myocardial ischemia shows that anti-anginal therapy, combined with risk factor control, improves outcomes and preserves left ventricular function. Additionally, faster door-to-balloon time for STEMI patients leads to reduced healthcare costs, heart attack rates, and hospital stays.
A large study found that patients with established arterial disease have significantly higher cardiovascular event rates than those with multiple risk factors only. The rates increased directly with the number of symptomatic arterial disease locations, emphasizing the need for improved secondary prevention and clinical outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine identified key risk factors associated with increased hospital admission rates following outpatient surgery. These risk factors include age, operating time, cardiac diagnoses, and certain medical conditions.
Research reveals that nearly one in three women experience painful sex a year after childbirth and over half have at least one sex-related health problem. Asian women were more likely to report health problems than white women, while Afro-Caribbean women displayed similar levels of ill health.
Research from the Framingham Heart Study found that people with long-lived parents are more likely to avoid high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors in middle age. Long-lived parents also conferred a lower risk of cardiovascular disease over time.
A comprehensive review highlights clinically relevant differences in women and men's heart disease prevalence, presentation, management, and outcomes. Young women with acute coronary syndrome face higher mortality rates than young men.
A study by researchers at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found that 18% of young women experienced sexual victimization over a two-year period. The majority (66%) of these cases involved intimate partners, highlighting the need for tailored prevention strategies to address both types of victimization.
Individuals with one or more long-lived parents may have fewer risk factors for heart disease in middle age, according to a study. Those whose parents survived to age 85 or older tend to have optimal blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lower cardiovascular risk scores.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that having both type 2 diabetes and depression significantly increases the risk of death for heart patients. This is because individuals with diabetes who also experience depression may be less motivated to follow their self-care regimen, thereby putting them at a higher risk.
A study found that white adolescents with high exposure to R-rated movies and unsupervised television viewing are more likely to start smoking. However, this association was not seen in black adolescents, who were equally likely to initiate smoking regardless of media exposure. The reasons for these racial differences are unclear.
A new study by the American Heart Association found that Hispanic women have a similar heart disease risk to Caucasian women who are about a decade older. This challenges the long-held belief that Hispanic women have less heart disease than Caucasian women.
Researchers discovered a rare genetic mutation that causes early onset coronary artery disease in an Iranian family. The mutation, in the LRP6 gene, leads to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all risk factors for heart disease.
Primary graft dysfunction is a significant risk factor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), a chronic scarring process that affects lung function years after transplantation. The study found that all grades of primary graft dysfunction were associated with an increased risk of BOS.
Researchers found that adult participants who met with pharmacists during a community outreach project showed significant reductions in metabolic syndrome risk factors and heart disease risk after four months. The study suggests that pharmacist-driven education and lifestyle recommendations can help combat metabolic syndrome.
A study of 110,599 women found that long-term strenuous physical activity reduced the risk of invasive and in situ breast cancer by 20% and 31%, respectively. Moderate physical activity did not show a significant impact on breast cancer risk.
A study identified pulse pressure as an important predictor of atrial fibrillation development, with increased stiffness associated with higher risk. The research found that a 20 mm Hg increase in pulse pressure was linked to a 34% increased risk of developing AF.
Researchers found that women with pre-diabetic markers are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and may benefit from more intense screening. The study suggests that the 'diabetes clock' starts ticking sooner for women than men, contributing to sex differences in heart disease mortality.
A new risk-factor list for postmenopausal women could help reduce cardiovascular disease deaths by incorporating family history and C-reactive protein. The updated criteria may change the risk scores for at least 20% of studied women.
Researchers developed and validated two clinical algorithms to predict global cardiovascular risk in women, showing improved accuracy and reclassification of 40-50% of those at intermediate risk. The Reynolds Risk Score calculator is freely accessible online.
Taking regular midday naps is linked to a lower risk of death from heart disease in Greek adults. Among working men, systematic napping for 30 minutes or more three times a week reduces the risk by 64%.
Pregnant women over 40 years old are at higher risk of stillbirth due to various pregnancy complications. Fetal testing at 38 weeks gestation is most effective in reducing stillbirth rates among older women.
Research links depressive symptoms to early signs of artery disease, including thickening of carotid arteries. The study suggests that physical symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and appetite disturbance, may play a role in the development of coronary artery disease.