Articles: mortality.
-
Individual cohort studies concur that the amyloidogenic V142I variant of the transthyretin (TTR) gene, present in 3% to 4% of US Black individuals, increases heart failure (HF) and mortality risk. Precisely defining carrier risk across relevant clinical outcomes and estimating population burden of disease are important given established and emerging targeted treatments. ⋯ Among self-reported Black individuals, male and female V142I carriers faced similar and substantial risk for HF hospitalization, predominantly with reduced ejection fraction, and death, with steep age-dependent penetrance. Delineating the individual contributions of, and complex interplay among, the V142I variant, ancestry, the social construct of race, and biological or social determinants of health to cardiovascular disease merits further investigation.
-
Background and Objectives: Although statins are recommended for secondary prevention of acute ischemic stroke, some population-based studies and clinical evidence suggest that they might be used with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In this nested case-control study, we used Taiwan's nationwide universal health insurance database to investigate the possible association between statin therapy prescribed to acute ischemic stroke patients and their risk of subsequent intracerebral hemorrhage and all-cause mortality in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: All data were retrospectively obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. ⋯ Results: Patients receiving statin pharmacotherapy after an acute ischemic stroke had a significantly lower risk of subsequent intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.0001) and lower all-cause mortality rates (p < 0.0001). Low, moderate, and high dosages of statin were associated with significantly decreased risks for subsequent intracerebral hemorrhage (adjusted sHRs 0.82, 0.74, 0.53) and all-cause mortality (adjusted sHRs 0.75, 0.74, 0.74), respectively. Conclusions: Statin pharmacotherapy was found to safely and effectively reduce the risk of subsequent intracerebral hemorrhage and all-cause mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients in Taiwan.
-
Observational Study
Escalating climate-related health risks for Hajj pilgrims to Mecca.
Global temperatures are on the rise, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves with associated health risks. Heat-related illnesses (HRIs) are an increasing threat for travellers to hot climate destinations. This study was designed to elucidate the interplay between increasing ambient temperatures, incidence of HRIs and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies during the annual Hajj mass gathering over a 40-year period. ⋯ The study underscores the escalating climate-related health risks in Mecca over the study period. The mitigation measures' efficacy in such a globally representative setting emphasizes the findings' generalizability and the importance of refining public health interventions in the face of rising temperatures.
-
Physical inactivity, hereafter inactivity, is a serious health problem among U.S. veterans, hereafter veterans. Inactive adults are at risk for adverse cardiac events and premature mortality. Specifically, among veterans, inactivity has been associated with a 23% increase in mortality. In order to increase physical activity among veterans, we developed Veterans Affairs (VA) MapTrek, a mobile-phone-based web app that allows users to take a virtual walk in interesting locations around the world while tracking their progress against that of others like themselves on an interactive map. Steps are counted by a commercially available Fitbit triaxial accelerometer, and users see their progress along a predefined scenic path overlaid on Google Maps. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of VA MapTrek to increase physical activity in a population of veterans at risk for obesity-related morbidity. ⋯ Our study underscores the potential of VA MapTrek as an intervention for promoting walking among veterans who face elevated risks of obesity and cardiac issues. Rural veterans are a high-risk population, and new interventions like VA MapTrek are needed to improve veterans' health.
-
Multicenter Study
Hepatic steatosis, metabolic dysfunction and risk of mortality: findings from a multinational prospective cohort study.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are implicated in the aetiology of non-communicable diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate associations between NAFLD and MetS with overall and cause-specific mortality. ⋯ Our findings based on a prospective cohort suggest that individuals with hepatic steatosis or metabolic dysfunction have a higher overall and cause-specific mortality risk.