Autoimmune Hepatitis in COVID-19 Pandemic: An Underlying Condition or A Life Defining Condition? (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahin Vuppalanchi ◽  
Kelsey Green ◽  
Kayla Gelow ◽  
Raj Vuppalanchi ◽  
Craig Lammert

BACKGROUND It is currently unknown if patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and cirrhosis on immunosuppression are at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness. The study aims were to examine the differences in known risk factors and AIH-related factors in those who experienced symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness versus those who did not. OBJECTIVE The study aims were to examine the differences in known risk factors and AIH-related factors in those who experienced symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness versus those who did not METHODS An invitation to complete a COVID-19 specific questionnaire was electronically promoted four times between April 28th and May 16th of 2020, and posted four separate times to well-established AIH patient social media cohorts. Eligibility criteria for survey participants included age ≥ 18 years, United States residency, and an AIH diagnosis by a physician. A total of 478 survey responses were received, and 420 were eligible for the study. RESULTS Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness were reported in 11% (n=48) with three patients requiring hospitalizations. BMI >40 kg/m2 (23% vs. 10%, P = 0.01) and exposure to house (33% vs. 3%, P = 0.0001) or work (38% vs. 17%, P = 0.02) contacts with COVID-19 illness were factors found significantly higher in the group with symptoms. The presence of cirrhosis or use of steroid or immune suppressants was not significantly different between the symptomatic and non-symptomatic groups. Worsening fatigue (45% vs. 30%, P = 0.06), anxiety (89% vs. 70%, P = 0.08), and itch (40% vs. 18%, P = 0.03) were more common among AIH patients reporting COVID-19 symptoms compared to those withoutBMI >40kg/m2 and exposure to contacts with COVID-19 illness but not cirrhosis or immunosuppression were associated with increased risk of COVID-19 illness in patients with AIH. CONCLUSIONS BMI >40kg/m2 and exposure to contacts with COVID-19 illness but not cirrhosis or immunosuppression were associated with increased risk of COVID-19 illness in patients with AIH. CLINICALTRIAL n/a

2021 ◽  
pp. jim-2021-001871
Author(s):  
Vahin Vuppalanchi ◽  
Kayla Gelow ◽  
Kelsey Green ◽  
Raj Vuppalanchi ◽  
Craig Lammert

The management of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in the era of SARS-CoV-2 is challenging given minimal published clinical data. We used a large cohort of patients with AIH across the USA to investigate the differences in known risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 and AIH characteristics among patients who experienced symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness versus those who did not. Additionally, we explored the effect of living through the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the extrahepatic symptoms and behaviors of patients with AIH. An invitation to complete a COVID-19-specific questionnaire was publicized in well-established social media cohorts of patients with AIH. Eligibility criteria were age ≥18 years, US residency, and an AIH diagnosis by a physician. A total of 420 individuals were eligible for the study. Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were reported in 11% (n=48) with 3 patients requiring hospitalizations. Body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2 (23% vs 10%, p=0.01) and exposure to house (33% vs 3%, p=0.0001) or work (38% vs 17%, p=0.02) contacts with COVID-19 were factors found higher in those with symptoms. Cirrhosis or steroid use or immunosuppression was not significantly different between symptomatic and non-symptomatic groups. Worsening fatigue (45% vs 30%, p=0.06), anxiety (89% vs 70%, p=0.08), and itch (40% vs 18%, p=0.03) were more common among those reporting COVID-19 symptoms compared with those without. BMI >40 kg/m2 and exposure to contacts with COVID-19 illness but not cirrhosis or immunosuppression were associated with increased risk of COVID-19 illness in patients with AIH.


2021 ◽  
pp. 108705472110256
Author(s):  
Lingjing Chen ◽  
Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz ◽  
Emma Björkenstam ◽  
Syed Rahman ◽  
Klas Gustafsson ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate risk factors of disability pension (DP) in young adults diagnosed with ADHD in Sweden. Method: In total, 9718 individuals diagnosed with incident ADHD in young adult age (19–29 years) 2006 to 2011, were identified through national registers. They were followed for 5 years and Cox regression models were applied to analyze the DP risk (overall and by sex), associated with socio-demographics, work-related factors, and comorbid disorders. Results: Twenty-one percent of all received DP. Being younger at diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.54; 95%confidence interval [CI] 1.39–1.71); low educational level (HR = 1.97; 95%CI 1.60–2.43 for <10 years); work-related factors at baseline (no income from work [HR = 2.64; 95%CI 2.35–2.98] and sickness absence >90 days [HR = 2.48; 95%CI2.17–2.83]); and schizophrenia/psychoses (HR = 2.16; 95%CI 1.66–2.80), autism (HR = 1.87; 95%CI 1.42–2.46), anxiety (HR = 1.34; 95%CI 1.22–1.49) were significantly associated with an increased risk of DP. Similar risk patterns were found in men and women. Conclusion: Work-related factors and comorbid mental disorders need to be highlighted in early vocational rehabilitation for individuals with ADHD.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Ottosson ◽  
Einar Smith ◽  
Ulrika Ericson ◽  
Salvatore Di Somma ◽  
Paola Antonini ◽  
...  

Background Obesity is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes, however, up to 20% of patients are normal weight. Our aim was to identify metabolite patterns reproducibly predictive of BMI, and subsequently to test if lean individuals who carry an obese metabolome are at hidden high risk of obesity related diseases, such as diabetes. Methods We measured 109 metabolites in fasted plasma samples of 7663 individuals from two Swedish and one Italian population-based cohort. Ridge regression models were used to predict BMI using the plasma metabolites. Individuals with a predicted BMI either more than 5 kg/m2 higher (overestimated) or lower (underestimated) than their actual BMI were characterized as outliers and further investigated for obesity related risk factors and future risk of diabetes and mortality. Results The plasma metabolome could predict BMI in all cohorts (r2 = 0.48, 0.26 and 0.19). The overestimated group had a BMI similar to individuals correctly predicted as normal weight, similar waist circumference, were not more likely to change weight over time but had a 2 times higher risk of future diabetes and an 80 % increased risk of all-cause mortality. These associations remained after adjustments for obesity-related risk factors and lifestyle parameters. Conclusions We found that lean individuals with an obese metabolome, have an increased risk for diabetes and all-cause mortality compared to lean individuals with a healthy metabolome. Metabolomics may be used to identify hidden high-risk individuals, in order to initiate lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S758-S759
Author(s):  
Eugene Millar ◽  
Eric Laing ◽  
Adam Saperstein ◽  
Jitu Modi ◽  
Christopher Heaney ◽  
...  

Abstract Background University students, including those at military service academies, are at increased risk of acute respiratory infection (ARI), including SAR-CoV-2, due to crowded living conditions, frequent social interaction and other factors that facilitate pathogen transmission. Unlike many universities, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) continued in-person instruction in Fall 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Observational Seroepidemiologic Study of COVID-19 at the United States Naval Academy (TOSCANA,) a longitudinal cohort characterizes the burden and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 in USNA midshipmen. Methods Midshipmen were enrolled August- October 2020. Participants were queried about their ARI risk factors, COVID-19 history, and recent receipt of medical care for any ARI at enrollment, in December 2020 and again in May 2021. Subjects were also asked to provide blood and saliva samples to assess their SARS-CoV-2 serostatus at the same three timepoints. A saliva sample was collected by a subset of subjects in February 2021. Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG in dried blood spots and saliva was measured by multiplex magnetic microparticle-based immunoassays. Results 181 midshipmen consented to the study and completed the baseline survey (Table 1). 17 (17.5%) of the 97 subjects who submitted baseline blood sample were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Only 4 (24%) positive individuals reported having been tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to arrival at USNA. 121 participants completed the midyear survey, of whom 61 (50%) submitted a blood sample. 16 (26%) of the midyear specimens were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Of these, 3 were new infections. 73 subjects completed the May survey, and 63 (100%) of the submitted blood samples were positive. 83 subjects provided baseline saliva samples, and ~55 submitted saliva at each successive time point. 1 (5%) was positive at enrollment, 9 (17%) were positive at midyear and 47 (96%) were positive in May. Table 1. Key characteristics of TOSCANA participants Conclusion SAR-CoV-2 prevalence in a sample of USNA midshipmen was &lt; 20% at enrollment. A small proportion of subjects seroconverted between the September and December visits. SARS-CoV-2 positivity rose in May, following a COVID-19 outbreak in February and COVID-19 vaccination efforts in March at USNA. Disclosures Jitu Modi, MD, GSK (Speaker’s Bureau)


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (10) ◽  
pp. 1712-1723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmijn F. Timp ◽  
Sigrid K. Braekkan ◽  
Henri H. Versteeg ◽  
Suzanne C. Cannegieter

Abstract Cancer-associated venous thrombosis is a common condition, although the reported incidence varies widely between studies depending on patient population, start and duration of follow-up, and the method of detecting and reporting thrombotic events. Furthermore, as cancer is a heterogeneous disease, the risk of venous thrombosis depends on cancer types and stages, treatment measures, and patient-related factors. In general, cancer patients with venous thrombosis do not fare well and have an increased mortality compared with cancer patients without. This may be explained by the more aggressive type of malignancies associated with this condition. It is hypothesized that thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients might improve prognosis and quality of life by preventing thrombotic events. However, anticoagulant treatment leads to increased bleeding, particularly in this patient group, so in case of proven benefit of thromboprophylaxis, only patients with a high risk of venous thrombosis should be considered. This review describes the literature on incidence of and risk factors for cancer-associated venous thrombosis, with the aim to provide a basis for identification of high-risk patients and for further development and refinement of prediction models. Furthermore, knowledge on risk factors for cancer-related venous thrombosis may enhance the understanding of the pathophysiology of thrombosis in these patients.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F Waters ◽  
Brian L Hoh ◽  
Michael J Lynn ◽  
Tanya N Turan ◽  
Colin P Derdeyn ◽  
...  

Background: The SAMMPRIS trial showed that aggressive medical therapy was more effective than stenting for preventing stroke in high-risk patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis. However, 15% of patients in the medical group still had a primary endpoint (any stroke or death within 30 days of enrollment or stroke in the territory beyond 30 days) during a median follow-up of 32.7 months. We sought to determine baseline risk factors that were associated with a primary endpoint in the medical arm of SAMMPRIS. Methods: Data on 227 patients randomized to the medical group in SAMMPRIS were analyzed. Baseline demographic features, vascular risk factors, qualifying event, brain imaging and angiographic features were analyzed. The hazard ratio and p-value from a Cox proportional hazard regression model relating time until a primary endpoint to each factor were calculated. Results: Female gender, diabetes, stroke as the qualifying event (especially non-penetrator stroke), old infarct in the territory of the stenotic artery, and > 80% stenosis were associated (p < 0.10) with a higher risk of the primary endpoint on univariate analysis (see accompanying table) (multivariate analysis will be available by the time of ISC). Variables not associated with a higher risk of a primary endpoint in the medical arm included: age, race, antithrombotic therapy at the time of a qualifying event, time from qualifying event to enrollment (< 7 days vs. > 7 days), and location of stenosis. Conclusions: Several features were associated with an increased risk of the primary endpoint in the medical group in SAMMPRIS. On univariate analysis, the most important risk factors were an old infarct in the territory of the stenotic artery and stroke (especially non-penetrator stroke) as the qualifying event. These features will be useful for identifying particularly high-risk patients who should be targeted for future clinical trials testing alternative therapies to aggressive medical management.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.Y. Blay ◽  
A. Le Cesne ◽  
C. Mermet ◽  
C. Maugard ◽  
A. Ravaud ◽  
...  

Abstract Severe thrombocytopenia is a rare but life-threatening side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy for which risk factors are not well known. Our objective was to delineate a risk model for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusions in cancer patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusions were performed on the cohort of the 1,051 patients (CLB 1996) treated with chemotherapy in the Department of Medicine of the Centre Léon Bérard (CLB) in 1996. In univariate analysis, performance status (PS) greater than 1, platelet count less than 150,000/μL at day 1 (d1) before the initiation of chemotherapy, d1 lymphocyte count ≤700/μL, d1 polymorphonuclear leukocyte count less than 1,500/μL, and the type of chemotherapy (high risk v others) were significantly associated (P &lt; .01) with an increased risk of severe thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusions. Using logistic regression, d1 platelet count less than 150,000/μL (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 9.6), d1 lymphocyte counts ≤700/μL (OR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.77 to 6.4), the type of chemotherapy (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.77 to 6.4), and PS greater than 1 (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.1) were identified as independent risk factors for platelet transfusions. The observed incidences of platelet transfusions were 45%, 13%, 7%, and 1.5% for patients with ≥3, 2, 1, or 0 risk factors, respectively. This model was then tested in 3 groups of patients treated with chemotherapy used as validation samples: (1) the series of 340 patients treated in the CLB in the first 6 months of 1997, (2) the prospective multicentric cohort of 321 patients of the ELYPSE 1 study, and (3) the series of 149 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated in the CLB within prospective phase III trials (1987 to 1995). In these 3 groups, the observed incidences of platelet transfusions in the above-defined risk groups did not differ significantly (P &gt; .1) from those calculated in the model. This risk index could be useful to identify patients at high risk for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusions.


Author(s):  
Yuting Dong ◽  
Zheng Huang ◽  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Yingying X.G. Wang ◽  
Yang La

Lyme disease, recognized as one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide, has been increasing in incidence and spatial extend in United States. In the Northeast and Upper Midwest, Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis. Currently, many studies have been conducted to identify factors influencing Lyme disease risk in the Northeast, however, relatively few studies focused on the Upper Midwest. In this study, we explored and compared the climatic and landscape factors that shape the spatial patterns of human Lyme cases in these two regions, using the generalized linear mixed models. Our results showed that climatic variables generally had opposite correlations with Lyme disease risk, while landscape factors usually had similar effects in these two regions. High precipitation and low temperature were correlated with high Lyme disease risk in the Upper Midwest, while with low Lyme disease risk in the Northeast. In both regions, size and fragmentation related factors of residential area showed positive correlations with Lyme disease risk. Deciduous forests and evergreen forests had opposite effects on Lyme disease risk, but the effects were consistent between two regions. In general, this study provides new insight into understanding the differences of risk factors of human Lyme disease risk in these two regions.


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari Hemminki ◽  
Seyed Mohsen Mousavi ◽  
Andreas Brandt ◽  
Jianguang Ji ◽  
Jan Sundquist

The changes of cancer incidence upon immigration have been used as an estimator of environmental influence on cancer risk. The previous immigrant studies have indicated that the origins of testicular cancer are at an early age in life, probably in the intrauterine period. We wanted to reexamine the critical periods on histology-specific testicular cancer in sons of immigrants to Sweden. We used the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for testicular cancer in sons of parents immigrating to Sweden from low- and high-risk countries compared with the native Swedes. Among the large immigrant groups, the SIRs for sons of two Finnish and Asian parents were decreased if the sons were born outside Sweden. The sons of a Danish immigrant couple showed an increased risk of testicular cancer. The changes in SIR were most systematic for seminoma. The present patterns of testicular cancer risk among sons of immigrants point to the early environmental risk factors, which influence the risk probably after the intrauterine period. These factors appear to influence seminoma risk in a more enduring way than they influence non-seminoma.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 5060-5060
Author(s):  
Grace Kam ◽  
Richard Yiu ◽  
Ai Leen Ang ◽  
Yvonne SM Loh ◽  
Yeh Ching Linn ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 5060 Less than 20% of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) are diagnosed below the age of 60. Patients with ET have increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding and potential for progression to myelofibrosis (MF) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In limited studies of young patients, the clinical course has been relatively benign with low rates of transformation to AML or MF. Thrombohemorrhagic events are generally few, but higher than that of the general population. This study aims to characterize of a group ET patients diagnosed at age ≤40, their thrombotic and hemorrhagic events, disease progression and treatment given. Patients were identified through a single institution MPN registry. This is an IRB approved registry that captures comprehensive information about patients with ET. Data on patient demographics, treatment, and disease-related events were obtained. Patients were diagnosed from 1975–2011, using either WHO or PVSG criteria depending on date of diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. 59 patients were diagnosed with ET at age ≤40. Median age of diagnosis was 31. 5years (range 16–40), with a median follow up of 7. 7years (0. 4–33. 8). All were of Asian descent: 81. 4% Chinese, 11. 9% Malay, 3. 4% Indian and 3. 4% Filipino. 40. 7% were male. JAK2 V617F mutation was screened for in 61%. Of these patients, 11 were positive, 25 negative for the mutation. Mean presenting counts were: WBC 10. 7 × 109/L (5. 9–21. 3), Hb 13. 6g/dL (9. 7–16. 4), platelets 957 × 109/L (449–2377). Splenomegaly was noted in 3 patients. 20. 3% had underlying hypertension, 16. 9% hyperlipidemia and 5. 1% diabetes mellitus. One patient had a prior stroke. Another had prior portal vein thrombosis. At diagnosis, 23. 7% were symptomatic, with microvascular symptoms of headache (11. 9%) and giddiness (6. 8%) being most common. The remainder were diagnosed incidentally, on health screening or when seeking medical attention for unrelated conditions. One patient presented with a myocardial infarction at diagnosis, while another had a significant bleeding post hemorrhoidectomy with drop in Hb by >2g/dL (platelet 2457 × 109/L). Based on a history of prior thrombosis, 3 patients were defined as high risk for thrombotic events. 67. 8% of patients had cytoreduction, indications being platelets ≥1500 × 109/L (n=16), presence of risk factors for atherosclerotic disease (n=11) and history/onset of thrombosis (n=5). In 8, the reason for cytoreduction could not be ascertained. Hydroxyurea was most commonly used (62. 7%), followed by anagrelide in 52. 5% and interferon 25. 4%. 5. 1% received busulphan, and 1. 7% 32P. Use of antiplatelet therapy was noted in 83. 8%, most frequently aspirin (76. 5%) and ticlopidine (11. 9%). On follow up, 2 arterial thromboses occurred (stroke, TIA), giving a thrombosis rate of 0. 39%/patients/year. Neither was a recurrent thrombosis. No venous thrombosis or major bleeds occurred. 20. 4% had minor mucocutaneous bleeding; 5 had platelets ≥1500 × 109/L at that time. 3. 4% had disease progression due to MF and another 3. 4% had AML. 3. 4% of patients died due to AML. Median survival was 33. 8years (95% confidence interval 30. 3–35. 5). Initial blood counts, presence of JAK2 and high risk disease status did not correlate with thrombotic risk, risk of death or disease progression. Use of antiplatelet agents and a platelet count ≥1500 × 109/L did not correlate with bleeding risk. Few studies have looked exclusively at young patients with ET. In this group, most patients were asymptomatic and well, ET being diagnosed incidentally. They were predominantly at low risk for thrombosis and other ET-related complications. The period of follow up was comparable to that of other studies and during that time, the rate of complications and risk of disease progression was low. The thrombosis rate of 0. 39% per patient year was less than that reported by other groups (2. 2–2. 6 thromboses/100patients/year) (Leukaemia 2007;21:1218–1223, Clin Appl Thrombosis/Hemostasis 2000;6(1):31–35) but similar to the 0. 74%/patient year reported by Barbui (Blood. Epub. June 13 2012). Overall findings generally complemented those reported by other groups. No risk factors were found to influence the occurrence of complications, but the number of events was small. Follow up of this group of patients over time is essential to see if their disease course remains benign or if complications will increase with time. Soli Deo Gloria Disclosures: Kam: Shire Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, grant to support the MPN registry Other.


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