Neuroepidemiology最新文献

Introduction: Advanced age is an important nonmodifiable risk factor for stroke. Little data are available on stroke in older people in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the clinical features of stroke and identify the predictive factors for poor outcomes in this age group.

Methods: A 4-month retrospective study was conducted using the Stroke Registry of Douala General Hospital. The main outcomes were mortality, poor functional recovery at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3), and recurrence at 1 year. Factors associated with poor outcomes were determined using binary logistic regression. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The significance threshold was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Elderly patients represented 38.6% of all stroke cases (n = 1,260). Male represented 48.6% of the old patients. The incidence of hypertension, diabetes, previous stroke, and cardiopathies was significantly higher in older patients (p < 0.05). Ischemic stroke accounted for 73.1% of stroke types. Cardiopathies, GCS 8-12, GCS <8, hemorrhagic stroke, NIHSS >14, and Barthel index at 1 month were independently associated with mortality. Being divorced, a modified Rankin scale score ≥3 at 1 month, and a Barthel index ≤60 at 1 month were independently associated with poor functional recovery at 3 months. Old patients represented 50% of recurrent stroke cases. Age >90 years (p < 0.001) and NIHSS <5 were independently associated to recurrence at 1 year.

Conclusion: Approximately two out of five stroke cases were old. Cardiopathies, hemorrhagic stroke, and data related to stroke severity contribute to poor outcomes. A management approach that considers the particularities of this age group could contribute to improving the outcomes of these patients.

Introduction: Although the relationship between migraine and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported, the risk of migraine in MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the risk of migraine in the Korean MS and NMOSD populations.

Methods: This study analyzed claims data from 1,492 patients with MS and 1,551 patients with NMOSD based on diagnostic codes in the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Migraine risk was compared with a control group (matched 1:5 for age, sex, and comorbidities) using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Patients aged <20 years and with previous migraine were excluded.

Results: Migraine risk was higher in patients with MS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.62) but did not differ significantly in patients with NMOSD (aHR 1.05; 95% CI: 0.87-1.27) compared to controls. No significant sex-based differences in migraine risk were observed. Patients with NMOSD showed decreasing risk with age (p for interaction = 0.040). Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia did not significantly alter migraine risk in either group.

Conclusion: The study results revealed an increased risk of migraines in patients with MS but not in patients with NMSOD compared with matched controls.

Background: There is a growing body of evidence indicating that the worldwide distribution of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is far from uniform. This is evident through variations in the epidemiology, genetics, and phenotypical characteristics of ALS and other motor neuron diseases (MND) across different regions. However, comprehensive ALS epidemiological studies are still lacking in many parts of the world, especially in Africa. Therefore, we propose the establishment of a population-based register for ALS/MND in Egypt, an important part of Africa with a population of more than 100 millions of people.

Summary: Given Egypt's distinctive social and demographic characteristics, it is highly recommended to employ specific, recently developed epidemiological techniques for assessing the prevalence and incidence of these diseases within the country. By utilizing these methods, we can gather invaluable data that will contribute to a deeper understanding of ALS and enable us to effectively address its impact on the population of Egypt.

Key messages: Our goal with this pioneering ALS/MND population-based register in Egypt is to define the burden of ALS in this part of Africa and to increase the chances for this consanguineous population to get access to modern individualized genetic therapies. Additionally, we aspire to uncover potential environmental factors and gene-environment interactions that contribute to the development of ALS. This knowledge of MND individual and group risk in Egypt will not only open doors for interventions but also provide opportunities for future research and discovery.

Objective: This study aims to precisely determine the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in China, acknowledging its significance as a preclinical stage of dementia and a potential "intervention window." The acceleration of the aging process in China underscores the urgency of this research.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, WFD, VIP, and CBM databases from their inception until March 1, 2023. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) methodology checklist guided our quality assessment. A random-effects model meta-analysis was employed to synthesize the pooled prevalence data of MCI in China.

Results: Our analysis encompassed 139 studies, incorporating data from 393,525 individuals aged 40 years and above. The studies were predominantly rated as moderate-to-high quality. The overall prevalence of MCI was determined to be 19.6% (95% CI: 17.7-21.6%). Subgroup analyses indicated variations in prevalence: 20.8% (95% CI: 18.9-22.7%) for P-MCI compared to 16.2% (95% CI: 11.7-20.7%) for DSM criteria. Geographically, prevalence in Southern China (21.0%, 95% CI: 18.1-23.9%) exceeded that in Northern China (17.6%, 95% CI: 15.9-19.4%). Notably, prevalence in hospitals (61.7%, 95% CI: 27.8-95.7%) was significantly higher than in nursing homes (16.1%, 95% CI: 14.3-17.9%) and communities (25.3%, 95% CI: 17.4-33.2%), especially after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Conclusion: The study confirms a 19.6% prevalence rate of MCI in China, influenced by factors such as sample sources, beginning year of survey, and regional differences. It highlights the need for targeted screening and resource allocation to subpopulations at risk, aiming to prevent the progression to dementia.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate mid-life food insecurity over time in relation to subsequent memory function and rate of decline in Agincourt, rural South Africa.

Methods: Data from the longitudinal Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (Agincourt HDSS) were linked to the population-representative Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI). Food insecurity (yes vs. no) and food insecurity intensity (never/rarely/sometimes vs. often/very often) in the past month were assessed every 3 years from 2004 to 2013 in Agincourt HDSS. Cumulative exposure to each food insecurity measure was operationalized as 0, 1, and ≥2 time points. Episodic memory was assessed from 2014/15 to 2021/22 in HAALSI. Mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted to investigate the associations of each food insecurity measure with memory function and rate of decline over time.

Results: A total of 3,186 participants (mean age [SD] in 2004: 53 [12.87]; range: 30-96) were included and 1,173 (36%) participants experienced food insecurity in 2004, while this figure decreased to 490 (15%) in 2007, 489 (15%) in 2010, and 150 (5%) in 2013. Experiencing food insecurity at one time point (vs. never) from 2004 to 2013 was associated with lower baseline memory function (β = -0.095; 95% CI: -0.159 to -0.032) in 2014/15 but not rate of memory decline. Higher intensity of food insecurity at ≥2 time points (vs. never) was associated with lower baseline memory function (β = -0.154, 95% CI: -0.338 to 0.028), although the estimate was imprecise. Other frequencies of food insecurity and food insecurity intensity were not associated with memory function or decline in the fully adjusted models.

Conclusion: In this setting, mid-life food insecurity may be a risk factor for lower later-life memory function, but not decline.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, is already amongst the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but its burden continues to rise. Over time, relevant risk factors for CVD have been identified, many of which are modifiable. More recently, the relationship of sleep and CVD has been of interest, specifically increased rates of disrupted and disordered sleep, which have been found to be associated with CVD. Longitudinal studies have linked sleep difficulties to a predisposition of vascular risk factors, suggesting a potential role for sleep improvement in primary and secondary CVD.

Summary: In the present narrative review article, we summarize the current body of research linking suboptimal sleep (e.g., short/long sleep, fragmented sleep) as well as nonbreathing-related sleep disorders (i.e., insomnia, restless legs syndrome/peripheral leg movements of sleep, narcolepsy) to modifiable CVD risk factors and CVD outcomes (morbidity and mortality).

Introduction: Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder. Despite extensive research on symptom progression and sex differences in Western populations, little is known about these aspects within the Chinese context. The objective of this study was to investigate the temporal trends of symptoms in individuals with HD in China.

Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in Chinese individuals diagnosed with HD. Symptom progression over time, encompassing physical, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms, was self-reported. We calculated the proportions of individuals who currently had each symptom by disease duration, and tested corresponding temporal trends by linear regression analyses.

Results: A total of 269 individuals diagnosed with HD were included. Specific symptoms were found to progress more significantly in males compared to females over time, including psychotic symptoms (p = 0.007), urinary incontinence (p = 0.013), reduced concentration (p = 0.005), font alteration (p = 0.029), atypical facial expression (p = 0.037), and suicidal ideation (p = 0.047). In terms of cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, no significant temporal trends were identified in females, while males demonstrated significant increasing trends, with reduced concentration (p = 0.005) and psychotic symptoms (p = 0.007) standing out.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes the existence of sex-specific symptom progression in HD within the Chinese population, underscoring the importance of considering sex in clinical practice. Further research should investigate the mechanisms behind these differences and explore tailored treatment options.

Introduction: Several cross-sectional studies have shown that long-term exposures to air pollutants are associated with smaller brain cortical volume or thickness. Here, we investigated longitudinal associations of long-term air pollution exposures with cortical thickness and subcortical volume.

Methods: In this longitudinal study, we included a prospective cohort of 361 adults residing in four cities in the Republic of Korea. Long-term concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of ≤10 μm (PM10) and ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at residential addresses were estimated. Neuroimaging markers (cortical thickness and subcortical volume) were obtained from brain magnetic resonance images at baseline (August 2014 to March 2017) and at the 3-year follow-up (until September 2020). Linear mixed-effects models were used, adjusting for covariates.

Results: A 10-μg/m3 increase in PM10 was associated with reduced whole-brain mean (β = -0.45, standard error [SE] = 0.10; p < 0.001), frontal (β = -0.53, SE = 0.11; p < 0.001) and temporal thicknesses (β = -0.37, SE = 0.12; p = 0.002). A 10-ppb increase in NO2 was associated with a decline in the whole-brain mean cortical thickness (β = -0.23, SE = 0.05; p < 0.001), frontal (β = -0.25, SE = 0.05; p < 0.001), parietal (β = -0.12, SE = 0.05; p = 0.025), and temporal thicknesses (β = -0.19, SE = 0.06; p = 0.001). Subcortical structures associated with air pollutants included the thalamus.

Conclusions: Long-term exposures to PM10 and NO2 may lead to cortical thinning in adults.

Background: Previous studies have suggested a connection between impaired olfactory function and an increased risk of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the potential impact of olfactory dysfunction on the long-term patterns of sleep disorders among early PD patients.

Methods: Data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative program included 589 participants with assessments of sleep disorders using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and RBD Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ). Olfactory dysfunction at baseline was measured using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. Trajectories of sleep disorders over a 5-year follow-up were identified using group-based trajectory modeling, and the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and sleep disorder trajectories was examined through binomial logistic regression.

Results: Two distinct trajectories of sleep disorders over the 5-year follow-up period were identified, characterized by maintaining a low or high ESS score and a low or high RBDSQ score. An inversion association was observed between olfactory function measures and trajectories of excessive daytime sleepiness (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95, 1.00, p = 0.038), after controlling for potential covariates. Similarly, olfactory function showed a significant association with lower trajectories of probable RBD (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94, 0.98, p = 0.001) among early PD individuals. Consistent findings were replicated across alternative analytical models.

Conclusions: Our findings indicated that olfactory dysfunction was associated with unfavorable long-term trajectories of sleep disorders among early PD.