| 1. |
- Alkhawajah, N. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking and Other Multiple Sclerosis Environmental Risk Factors
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 56:2, s. 97-103
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: There are a number of well-established risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Other factors, however, showed conflicting or inconsistent results. Here, we examine some factors that are unique to or more practiced in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the Arab region such as waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), face veiling, raw milk (RM) and camel milk (CM) consumption, and tuberculosis (TB) infection in addition to other traditional factors. Methods: This is a sex- and age-matched case-control study in which we used a structured questionnaire to examine the relation between a number of factors and exposures and the risk of MS. Three hundred MS patients and 601 controls were included. Data were analyzed across different statistical models using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, marital status, duration of breastfeeding, age first joining school, coffee consumption, and face exposure. Results: Cigarette smoking (OR = 1.79, [95% CI: 1.01-3.17], p = 0.047), WTS (OR = 2.25, [95% CI: 1.21-4.15], p = 0.010), and CM consumption (OR = 2.50, [95% CI: 1.20-5.21], p = 0.014) increased the risk of MS, while performing hajj (OR = 0.47, [95% CI: 0.34-0.67], p = 0.001), TB infection (OR = 0.29, [95% CI: 0.11-0.78], p = 0.015), face veiling (OR = 0.32, [95% CI: 0.23-0.47], p = 0.001), and coffee consumption (OR = 0.67, [95% CI: 0.49-0.89], p = 0.008) appeared to be associated with decreased risk. No association was found between fast food, processed meat, soft drinks, animal milk (other than camel), or RM consumption and the risk of MS. Conclusion: The results of this case-control study confirm that different means of tobacco smoking are associated with increased risk of MS. It also sheds more light on the complex association between infections and MS.
|
|
| 2. |
- Brayne, C. E., et al.
(författare)
-
Dementia Research Fit for the Planet: Reflections on Population Studies of Dementia for Researchers and Policy Makers Alike
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 54:2, s. 157-170
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, a rapidly increasing collection of investigative methods in addition to changes in diagnostic criteria for dementia have followed "high-tech" trends in medicine, with the aim to better define the dementia syndrome and its biological substrates, mainly in order to predict risk prior to clinical expression. These approaches are not without challenge. A set of guidelines have been developed by a group of European experts in population-based cohort research through a series of workshops, funded by the Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Disorders (JPND). The aims of the guidelines are to assist policy makers and researchers to understand (1) What population studies for ageing populations should encompass and (2) How to interpret the findings from population studies. Such studies are essential to provide evidence relevant to the understanding of healthy and frail brain ageing, including the dementia syndrome for contemporary and future societies by drawing on the past.
|
|
| 3. |
- Grönberg, Angelina, et al.
(författare)
-
Incidence of Aphasia in Ischemic Stroke
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 56:3, s. 174-182
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: A decrease in ischemic stroke (IS) incidence has been observed in high income countries during the last decades. Whether this has influenced the occurrence of aphasia in IS is uncertain. We therefore examined the incidence rate and potentially related determinants of aphasia in IS. Methods: We prospectively examined consecutive patients admitted to hospital with first-ever acute IS between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2018, as part of the Lund Stroke Register (LSR) Study, comprising patients from the uptake area of Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Patients were assessed with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at stroke onset. Presence of aphasia was evaluated with NIHSS item 9 (language). We registered IS subtypes and risk factors. To investigate possible temporal changes in aphasia incidence, we made comparisons with corresponding LSR data from 2005 to 2006. Incidence rates were calculated and adjusted to the European Standard Population (ESP) and to the Swedish population. Results: Among 308 included IS patients, 30% presented with aphasia (n = 91; 95% CI: 25-35), a proportion of aphasia in IS that was similar to 2005-2006. The incidence rate of aphasia was 31 per 100,000 person-years adjusted to the ESP (95% CI: 25-38 per 100,000 person-years) corresponding to a significant decrease of 30% between 2005-2006 and 2017-2018. The decrease was significantly more pronounced in men. The initial severity of aphasia remained unchanged, with the majority of patients having severe to global aphasia. No significant differences between vascular stroke risk factors were noted among stroke patients with or without aphasia. Conclusion: Even though the overall IS incidence rate has decreased during the first decades of the 21st century, the proportion of IS patients with aphasia at stroke onset remains stable at 30%. Aphasia continues to be an important symptom that needs to be considered in stroke care and rehabilitation.
|
|
| 4. |
- Hafsteinsdottir, Brynhildur, 1986, et al.
(författare)
-
Decreased incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective population-based study
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 57:1, s. 1-6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome is an immune-mediated acute inflammatory polyneuropathy that is associated with various triggers, including certain infections and vaccines. It has been suggested that both SARS-CoV2 infection and vaccination may be triggering factors for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but evidence remain equivocal. Here we conducted a population-based incidence study of Guillain-Barre syndrome spanning the three years immediately prior to and the two years during the pandemic. Methods: Cases were identified by searching a regional diagnostic database for the ICD-10 code for Guillain-Barre syndrome. Individuals who fulfilled the Brighton Criteria for Guillain-Barre syndrome were included. Information on clinical presentation, laboratory values, and vaccination status were retrieved from medical records. We calculated the incidence immediately prior to and during the pandemic.Results: The Guillain-Barre syndrome incidence rate was 1.35/100,000 person-years for the pre-pandemic period, and 0.66/100,000 person-years for the pandemic period (incidence rate ratio: 0.49; p = 0.003). Three cases were temporally associated with SARS-CoV2 infection, and one case each to the Astra Zeneca and Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccines.Conclusions: Our results show that the incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome decreased during the pandemic. This is most likely due to decreased prevalence of triggering infections, due to social restrictions. Our findings do not support a causal relationship between Guillain-Barre syndrome and COVID-19.
|
|
| 5. |
- Kneider, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
Upper Respiratory Infections and MRI Activity in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 45:2, s. 83-89
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although clinical reports have suggested a relationship between systemic infections and multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, MRI evidence supporting an association is conflicting. Here we evaluated the temporal relationship between upper respiratory infections (URIs) and MRI activity in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Methods: We combined individual data on URI with data on active lesions in pre-scheduled MRI examinations performed every 4 weeks for 28 weeks in 69 patients. A 4-week at-risk (AR) period started, by definition, 1 week before the onset of a URI. We recorded the relationship between the number of active lesions in each MRI with (1) the number of days of AR time in the immediately preceding 4-week period and (2) the number of days passed since the onset of a preceding URI. Results: Average MRI lesions/day showed no difference between AR (0.0764) and not-AR (0.0774) periods. The number of lesions in 483 pre-scheduled MRI examinations did not correlate with the AR proportion in the prior 4-week period (rho = -0.03), and time from URI onset did not correlate with lesion number on the next MRI examination (rho = 0.003). Conclusion: The occurrence of a URI did not increase the risk of MRI activity evaluated in an adjacent 4-week window in RRMS.
|
|
| 6. |
- Lindén, Thomas, 1962, et al.
(författare)
-
Cognitive impairment and dementia 20 months after stroke.
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 23:1-2, s. 45-52
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dementia is common after stroke, but the dementia syndrome does not cover the whole spectrum of cognitive impairment. Our aim was to quantify and compare dementia and cognitive impairments in elderly patients 1.5 years after stroke and a matched normal population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined dementia and cognitive impairments in 149 out of an initial total of 243 acute stroke patients after a mean 20 months. Inclusion criteria were age > or =70 years, not living in an institution and no previous cerebral lesion. The patients' mean age was 81 years. Five controls matched by age and gender and fulfilling the same exclusion criteria were selected for each patient (n = 745) from a population-based survey in the same area. Dementia was diagnosed according to the DSM-III-R criteria, and impairments in different dimensions of cognitive function were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalence of dementia was 28% in the stroke patients and 7.4% in the controls (OR 4.7; 95% CI 3.0-7.5). Seventy-two percent of the patients had cognitive impairments compared to 36% in the controls. Cognitive impairments were more common in nondemented stroke patients than in nondemented controls: 61 vs. 31% (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3-5.3). The risk increase attributable to stroke was highest for patients below 80 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke confers an increased risk of dementia and cognitive impairments in the elderly, especially in the younger ones. Apraxia is the most frequent neuropsychiatric impairment after stroke. The concept of dementia does not describe cognitive impairments well, since it underestimates their extent not only after stroke but also in normal ageing.
|
|
| 7. |
- Madureira, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
-
Development of a neuropsychological battery for the Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly study (LADIS): Experience and baseline data
- 2006
-
Ingår i: NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 27:2, s. 101-116
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The relationship between age-related white matter changes and cognitive performance in independent elderly people is still not clear. The Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly study (LADIS) involves 11 European centers. It aims to assess the role of the age-related white matter changes as an independent factor in the transition to disability, and in cognitive performance of an independent elderly population. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was constructed in order to harmonize the cognitive assessment across countries. Patients were evaluated at baseline and during the 3-year follow-up with the Mini-Mental State Examination, a modified version of the VADAS-Cog (Alzheimer’s Dementia Assessment Scale plus tests of Delayed recall, Symbol digit, Digit span, Maze, Digit cancellation and Verbal fluency), Trail making and Stroop test. Six hundred thirty-eight patients (mean age 74 ± 5 years; mean educational level 10 ± 4, F/M: 351/287) were included in this study. Neuropsychological data were analyzed test by test and also grouped in three compound measures (executive, memory and speed/motor control domains). Older subjects (>74 years) performed significantly worse than younger subjects on the ADAS-Mod and on the tests of memory (t<sub>631</sub> = 3.25; p = 0.001), executive functions (t<sub>581</sub> = 4.68; p = 0.001) and speed/motor control (t<sub>587</sub> = 4.01; p = 0.001). Participants with higher educational level (>8 years of school) showed better performances on the compound measures for memory (t<sub>631</sub> = 3.25; p = 0.001), executive functions (t<sub>581</sub> = 4.68; p = 0.001) and speed/motor control (t<sub>587</sub> = 4.01; p = 0.001). Using multiple regression analysis models to study the influence of demographic variables on cognitive performance, age and education remained important variables influencing test performance. In the LADIS population baseline data, older age and lower educational levels negatively influence neuropsychological performance.
|
|
| 8. |
- Mehlig, Kirsten, 1964, et al.
(författare)
-
Physical Activity, Weight Status, Diabetes and Dementia: A 34-Year Follow-Up of the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 42:4, s. 252-259
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is evidence of a synergistic interaction between obesity and sedentary lifestyle with respect to diabetes. Although diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia, it is unclear if both diseases have common aetiologies. Methods: A community-based sample of 1,448 Swedish women, aged 38-60 years and free of diabetes and dementia in 1968, was followed by means of up to 5 examinations spread over 34 years. 9.6% of all women developed diabetes and 11.4% developed dementia (over 40,000 person-years of follow-up for each disease). Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the influence of selected risk factors on both diseases, and the relation between diabetes and dementia. Results: Comparing risk factors for incident diabetes and dementia, both diseases showed a synergistic association with obesity combined with a low level of leisure time physical activity [hazard ratio (HR) for interaction = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 1.2-6.3 for diabetes and HR = 3.3, 95% Cl = 1.1-9.9 for dementia]. Development of diabetes doubled the risk for subsequent dementia (HR = 2.2, 95% Cl = 1.1-4.4), which was slightly reduced upon adjustment for common risk factors. Conclusions: Shared risk factors suggest a similar aetiology for diabetes and dementia and partially explain the association between diseases. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
|
|
| 9. |
- Pantoni, Leonardo, et al.
(författare)
-
Impact of age-related cerebral white matter changes on the transition to disability -- the LADIS study : rationale, design and methodology.
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 24:1-2, s. 51-62
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) on brain MRI have been associated with cognitive, motor, mood and urinary disturbances. These factors are known to contribute to disability in elderly people, but the impact of ARWMC and of their progression on the transition to disability is not determined. The LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly) study aims at assessing the role of ARWMC as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in initially nondisabled elderly (65–84 years). Subjects who are not impaired or impaired on only 1 item of the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale, presenting with different grades of ARWMC severity, were enrolled. Eleven European centers are involved. All the patients were assessed at baseline using an extensive set of clinical and functional tests including global functioning, cognitive, motor, psychiatric and quality of life measures. MRI studies were performed at baseline and will be repeated at the end of the follow-up period to evaluate changes of ARWMC and other lesions. ARWMC were categorized into mild, moderate or severe using the scale of Fazekas et al. For each ARWMC severity class, the primary study outcome is the transition to disability defined as an impairment on 2 or more IADL scale items. Secondary outcomes are the occurrence of dementia, depression, vascular events or death. Six-hundred and thirty-nine subjects (mean age 74.13 ± 5.0 years, M/F: 288/351) were enrolled in a hospital-based setting and are being followed up for up to 3 years. The large and comprehensive set of measures in LADIS enables a comprehensive description of their functional and clinical features to be examined in relation to different morphological patterns and severity of ARWMC. The longitudinal design will give insight into the possible role of ARWMC and their progression as an independent contributor to disability in the elderly, eventually helping to develop preventive strategies to reduce the burden of disability in late life. The study results may also help to standardize, on an international basis, tools and criteria to identify early stages of disability.
|
|
| 10. |
- Smyth, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Renal Impairment and Risk of Acute Stroke: The INTERSTROKE Study
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 55:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Previous studies reported an association of renal impairment with stroke, but there are uncertainties underpinning this association. Aims: We explored if the association is explained by shared risk factors or is independent and whether there are regional or stroke subtype variations. Methods: INTERSTROKE is a case-control study and the largest international study of risk factors for first acute stroke, completed in 27 countries. We included individuals with available serum creatinine values and calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Renal impairment was defined as eGFR Results: Of 21,127 participants, 41.0% were female, the mean age was 62.3 +/- 13.4 years, and the mean eGFR was 79.9 +/- 23.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The prevalence of renal impairment was higher in cases (22.9% vs. 17.7%, p < 0.001) and differed by region (p < 0.001). After adjustment, lower eGFR was associated with increased odds of stroke. Renal impairment was associated with increased odds of all stroke (OR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.24-1.47), with higher odds for intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.35-1.89) than ischemic stroke (OR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.17-1.42) (p(interaction) 0.12). The largest magnitudes of association were seen in younger participants and those living in Africa, South Asia, or South America (p(interaction) < 0.001 for all stroke). Renal impairment was also associated with poorer clinical outcome (RRR 2.97; 95% CI: 2.50-3.54 for death within 1 month). Conclusion: Renal impairment is an important risk factor for stroke, particularly in younger patients, and is associated with more severe stroke and worse outcomes.
|
|
