A population-based study of prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease in León, Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown an excess of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among younger adult males in the Pacific coastal region of Nicaragua and suggest a non-conventional CKD etiology in this region. These studies have been conducted in small, non-representative populations. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a large population-based cross-sectional study to estimate CKD prevalence in León, Nicaragua, and to evaluate the association between previously investigated risk factors and CKD. METHODS: Estimated glomerular filtration rate, derived using the MDRD equation, was assessed to determine CKD status of 2275 León residents. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence odds ratios. León CKD prevalence was also standardized to the demographic distributions of the León Health and Demographic Surveillance System and the León 2005 Census. RESULTS: CKD prevalence was 9.1%; twice as high for males (13.8%) than females (5.8%). In addition to gender, older age, rural zone, lower education level, and self-reported high blood pressure, more years of agricultural work, lija (unregulated alcohol) consumption, and higher levels of daily water consumption were significantly associated with CKD. Notably, self-reported diabetes was associated with CKD in adjusted models for females but not males. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are comparable to those found in regional studies and further support the hypothesis of a Mesoamerican Nephropathy.

CONTEXTE: Selon de récentes études, il existerait une prévalence d'insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC) excessive chez les jeunes adultes de sexe masculin de la côte du Pacifique du Nicaragua. Ces études, qui ont été conduites sur des échantillons non représentatifs de la population, suggèrent une étiologie non classique de l'IRC dans cette région. OBJECTIFS DE L'ÉTUDE: Nous avons effectué une étude transversale portant sur un vaste échantillon de population, afin de pouvoir estimer la prévalence d'IRC dans la ville nicaraguéenne de León, d'une part, et évaluer la présence de liens entre l'IRC et certains facteurs de risque ayant été étudiés, d'autre part. MÉTHODE: Pour déterminer le statut d'IRC de 2275 résidents de la ville de León, nous avons utilisé le débit de filtration glomérulaire estimé, selon l'équation du MDRD. Une régression logistique multivariée a été utilisée pour estimer les ratios de probabilité corrigés de prévalence. La prévalence d'IRC de León a également été normalisée sur la base de la distribution démographique du Health and Demographic Surveillance System de León et avec son recensement de 2005. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence d'IRC était de 9,1%; elle était deux fois plus élevée chez les hommes (13,8%) que chez les femmes (5,8%). D'autres facteurs ont été liés de façon significative à l'IRC: la vieillesse, la vie rurale, un niveau d'éducation faible, une hypertension autodéclarée, plusieurs années de travail en agriculture, et la consommation de lija (alcool non contrôlé) et de grandes quantités d'eau. Le diabète autodéclaré était également lié à l'IRC dans les modèles ajustés chez les femmes, mais non chez les homm es. CONCLUSIONS: Nos résultats sont comparables à ceux des études locales et supportent l'hypothèse de l'existence d'une néphropathie méso-américaine.

Burden of influenza in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Influenza causes severe morbidity and mortality. This systematic review aimed to assess the incidence, etiology, and resource usage for influenza in Latin America and the Caribbean. DESIGN: Meta-analytic systematic review. Arcsine transformations and DerSimonian Laird random effects model were used for meta-analyses. SETTING: A literature search from 1980 to 2008 in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, Ministries of Health, PAHO, proceedings, reference lists, and consulting experts. SAMPLE: We identified 1092 references, of which 31 were finally included, in addition to influenza surveillance reports. We also used information from the 10 reports from the collaborative group for epidemiological surveillance of influenza and other respiratory virus (GROG), and information retrieved from the WHO global flu database FLUNET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, percentage of influenza specimens out of the total received by influenza centers and resource-use outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 483 130 specimens of patients with influenza were analyzed. Meta-analysis showed an annual rate of 36 080 (95%CI 28 550 43 610) influenza-like illness per 100 000 persons-years. The percentage of influenza out of total specimens received by influenza centers ranged between 4.66% and 15.42%, with type A the most prevalent, and A subtype H3 predominating. The mean length of stay at hospital due to influenza ranged between 5.8 12.9 days, total workdays lost due to influenza-like illnesses were 17 150 days, and the mean direct cost of hospitalization was US$575 per laboratory-confirmed influenza case. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that seasonal influenza imposes a high morbidity and economic burden to the region. However, the vaccine-uptake rate has been low in this region. Population-based cohort studies are required to improve the knowledge about incidence and resource utilization, which would inform healthcare authorities for decision making.

Postmarketing surveillance of intussusception following mass introduction of the attenuated human rotavirus vaccine in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Mexico initiated mass vaccination with the attenuated human rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) in 2006. This postlicensure study aimed to assess any potential temporal association between vaccination and intussusception in Mexican infants. METHODS: Prospective, active surveillance for intussusception among infants aged less than 1 year was conducted in 221 hospitals across Mexico from the Mexican Institute of Social Security between January 2008 and October 2010. The temporal association between vaccination and intussusception was assessed by self-controlled case-series analysis. RESULTS: Of the 753 episodes of intussusception reported in 750 infants, 701 were in vaccinated infants (34.5% post-dose 1, 65.5% post-dose 2). The relative incidence of intussusception within 31 days of vaccination was 1.75 (95.5% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-2.48; P=0.001) post-dose 1 and 1.06 (95.5% CI: 0.75-1.48; P=0.75) post-dose 2. The relative incidence of intussusception within 7 days of vaccination was 6.49 post-dose 1 (95.5% CI: 4.17-10.09; P<0.001) and 1.29 post-dose 2 (95.5% CI: 0.80-2.11; P=0.29). Clustering of intussusception within 7 days of vaccination was observed post-dose 1. An attributable risk of 3 to 4 additional cases of intussusception per 100,000 vaccinated infants was estimated. CONCLUSION: This is the largest surveillance study for intussusception after rotavirus vaccination to date. A temporal increase in the risk for intussusception was seen within 7 days of administration of the first vaccine dose. It is still uncertain whether rotavirus vaccination has any impact on the overall incidence of intussusception. This finding has to be put in perspective with the well-documented substantial benefits of rotavirus vaccination.

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 1990-2010.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are in the process of implementation in Latin America. Experience in developed countries has shown that they reduce the incidence of invasive and non-invasive disease. However, there is evidence that the introduction of PCVs in universal mass vaccination programs, combined with inappropriate and extensive use of antibiotics, could be associated to changes in non-PCV serotypes, including serotype 19A. We conducted a systematic review to determine the distribution of serotype 19A, burden of pneumococcal disease and antibiotic resistance in the region. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of serotype 19A data from observational and randomized clinical studies in the region, conducted between 1990 and 2010, for children under 6 years. Pooled prevalence estimates from surveillance activities with confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: We included 100 studies in 22 countries and extracted data from 63. These data reported 19733 serotyped invasive pneumococcal isolates, 3.8% of which were serotype 19A. Serotype 19A isolates were responsible for 2.4% acute otitis media episodes, and accounted for 4.1% and 4.4% of 4,380 nasopharyngeal isolates from healthy children and in hospital-based/sick children, respectively. This serotype was stable over the twenty years of surveillance in the region. A total of 53.7% Spn19A isolates from meningitis cases and only 14% from non meningitis were resistant to penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Before widespread PCV implementation in this region, serotype 19A was responsible for a relatively small number of pneumococcal disease cases. With increased use of PCVs and a greater number of serotypes included, monitoring S. pneumoniae serotype distribution will be essential for understanding the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease.

Non-capsulated and capsulated Haemophilus influenzae in children with acute otitis media in Venezuela: a prospective epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Streptococcus pneumoniae are major causes of bacterial acute otitis media (AOM). Data regarding AOM are limited in Latin America. This is the first active surveillance in a private setting in Venezuela to characterize the bacterial etiology of AOM in children < 5 years of age. METHODS: Between December 2008 and December 2009, 91 AOM episodes (including sporadic, recurrent and treatment failures) were studied in 87 children enrolled into a medical center in Caracas, Venezuela. Middle ear fluid samples were collected either by tympanocentesis or spontaneous otorrhea swab sampling method. Standard laboratory and microbiological techniques were used to identify bacteria and test for antimicrobial resistance. The results were interpreted according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2009 for non-meningitis isolates. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.1 and Microsoft Excel (for graphical purposes). RESULTS: Overall, bacteria were cultured from 69.2% (63 of the 91 episodes); at least one pathogen (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, S. pyogenes or M. catarrhalis) was cultured from 65.9% (60/91) of episodes. H. influenzae (55.5%; 35/63 episodes) and S. pneumoniae (34.9%; 22/63 episodes) were the most frequently reported bacteria. Among H. influenzae isolates, 62.9% (22/35 episodes) were non-capsulated (NTHi) and 31.4% (11/35 episodes) were capsulated including types d, a, c and f, across all age groups. Low antibiotic resistance for H. influenzae was observed to amoxicillin/ampicillin (5.7%; 2/35 samples). NTHi was isolated in four of the six H. influenzae positive samples (66.7%) from recurrent episodes. CONCLUSIONS: We found H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae to be the main pathogens causing AOM in Venezuela. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines with efficacy against these bacterial pathogens may have the potential to maximize protection against AOM.

Impact of rotavirus vaccination on childhood gastroenteritis-related mortality and hospital discharges in Panama.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus vaccination was introduced in Panama in March 2006. This study was carried out in order to describe the trends in gastroenteritis-related (GER) hospitalizations and mortality in children <5 years of age during the pre- and post-vaccination periods. METHODS: Data from the Expanded Program on Immunization (Ministry of Health) were used to calculate vaccine coverage. GER mortality and hospitalizations were obtained through database review of the Contraloría General de la República and hospital discharge databases of five sentinel hospitals, for the period 2000-2008. Mean rates of GER mortality and mean numbers of hospitalizations during the baseline pre-vaccination period (2000-2005) were compared to those of 2007 and 2008. RESULTS: National coverage for the second rotavirus vaccine dose increased from 30% in 2006 to 62% in 2007 and 71% in 2008, varying from 62% in the West region to 77% in the Panama region. Overall, at 2-years post-vaccine introduction, the GER mortality rate in Panama had decreased by 50% (95% confidence interval (CI) 46-54). During 2000-2005, the GER mortality rate in children (<1 year) was 73/100 000, decreasing by 45% (95% CI 40-51) in 2008. In children aged 1-4 years, the GER mortality rate was 20.3/100 000 (2000-2005), decreasing by 54% (95% CI 48-60) in 2008. The Panama region registered the highest mortality rate reduction (69%; 95% CI 58-81) for 2008. During 2008, GER hospitalizations among children <5 years of age decreased by 30% (95% CI 21-37) from the mean number of hospitalizations during 2000-2005. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial reduction in GER mortality and hospitalizations was observed following the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in Panama.

Epidemiology of acute otitis media in children of Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common childhood diseases requiring antimicrobial prescription in pre-school children. This systematic review aimed to estimate the AOM incidence, bacterial etiology and use of resources in children aged <6 years in Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C). METHODS: A systematic search using keywords otitis or middle ear and inflammation was performed for articles published during 1988-2008 in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, generic and academic internet searches, Ministries of Health, PAHO, regional proceedings, reference lists and consulting experts. Pairs of reviewers independently selected articles and assessed their methodological quality with a checklist of essential items from the STROBE statement according to pre-specified criteria. Studies involving immune-competent children with AOM were considered. Arcsine transformations were used for proportion meta-analyses. RESULTS: Annual AOM incidence in four studies in children aged <5 years ranged from 1,171-36,000 episodes/100,000 children. Meta-analysis on etiology and pneumococcal serotypes included 18 studies and 125, 519 children with AOM from six LA&C countries. Meta-analysis per serotype showed that Streptococcus pneumoniae (32.4%; 95%CI=27.1-38.0%) and Haemophilus influenzae (26%; 95%CI=19.5-33.1%), including non-typeable H. influenzae (18.3%; 95%CI=9.5-33.1%) were the most prevalent. The most commonly observed pneumococcal serotype was 19F (24.0%; 95% CI 17.0-32.0%). Data on use of health resources were scarce. CONCLUSIONS: Streptococcus pneumoniae and H. influenzae were the most frequent AOM bacterial pathogens, consistent with the international literature from other regions. Future studies on AOM incidence and health resources usage will help better define the impact of this disease.

Bacterial etiology and serotypes of acute otitis media in Mexican children.

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae have been consistently reported to be the two major bacterial pathogens responsible for acute otitis media (AOM), mainly from studies in the US and Europe. However, data on bacterial pathogens causing AOM in Latin America are limited. Understanding the relative importance of these pathogens in a specific setting, the serotype distribution, and their antibiotic susceptibility levels is important to provide local vaccine and treatment recommendations. We therefore conducted a prospective, multi-center, tympanocentesis-based epidemiological study of Mexican children three months to less than five years of age. Fifty percent of episodes were in children who had received at least one dose of PCV7. Overall, 64% of samples were culture positive for bacterial pathogens. H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were the leading causes of bacterial AOM, detected in 34% and 29% of AOM episodes, respectively. The most commonly isolated S. pneumoniae serotypes were 19A, 19F and 23F. All H. influenzae isolates were identified as non-typeable. Seventy-four percent of S. pneumoniae were susceptible to penicillin, while 97% were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanate. All H. influenzae samples were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanate and cefotaxime, 95% to cefuroxime and 75% to ampicillin. Both S. pneumoniae and non-typable H. influenzae represent important targets for vaccination strategies to reduce AOM in Mexican children.

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae as primary causes of acute otitis media in colombian children: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most frequently encountered bacterial infections in children aged < 5 years; Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) are historically identified as primary AOM causes. Nevertheless, recent data on bacterial pathogens causing AOM in Latin America are limited. This prospective study aimed to identify and characterize bacterial etiology and serotypes of AOM cases including antimicrobial susceptibility in < 5 year old Colombian children. METHODS: From February 2008 to January 2009, children ≥3 months and < 5 years of age presenting with AOM and for whom a middle ear fluid (MEF) sample was available were enrolled in two medical centers in Cali, Colombia. MEF samples were collected either by tympanocentesis procedure or spontaneous otorrhea swab sampling. Bacteria were identified using standard laboratory methods, and antimicrobial resistance testing was performed based on the 2009 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. Most of the cases included in the study were sporadic in nature. RESULTS: Of the 106 enrolled children, 99 were included in the analysis. Bacteria were cultured from 62/99 (63%) of samples with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, or S. pyogenes. The most commonly isolated bacteria were H. influenzae in 31/99 (31%) and S. pneumoniae in 30/99 (30%) of samples. The majority of H. influenzae episodes were NTHi (27/31; 87%). 19F was the most frequently isolated pneumococcal serotype (10/30; 33%). Of the 30 S. pneumoniae positive samples, 8/30 (27%) were resistant to tetracycline, 5/30 (17%) to erythromycin and 8/30 (27%) had intermediate resistance to penicillin. All H. influenzae isolates tested were negative to beta-lactamase. CONCLUSIONS: NTHi and S. pneumoniae are the leading causes of AOM in Colombian children. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that prevents both pathogens could be useful in maximizing protection against AOM.

Impact of rotavirus vaccination on childhood deaths from diarrhea in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Rotavirus vaccination was introduced in Brazil in March 2006, targeting an annual birth cohort of approximately 3.5 million. We analyzed trends in all-cause gastroenteritis-related deaths in children <5 years of age during the pre- and post-vaccination periods. METHODS: Data from the National Immunization Program and the Mortality Information System were used to calculate vaccine coverage and mortality rates related to gastroenteritis in children <1 year and 1-4 years of age, using population estimates from the census as the denominator. Relative reductions in mortality rates were calculated for 2007 and 2008, using the 2004-2005 mean as baseline before vaccine introduction. RESULTS: Coverage of two doses of human rotavirus vaccine was 39% in 2006, increasing to 72% in 2007 and 77% in 2008. During 2004-2005, the gastroenteritis mortality rate in children <1 year of age was 56.9 per 100 000, decreasing by 30% (95% confidence interval (CI) 19-41) in 2007 and by 39% (95% CI 29-49) in 2008. In children 1-4 years of age, the mortality rate was 4.5 per 100 000 during 2004-2005, decreasing by 29% (95% CI 10-49) in 2007 and by 33% (95% CI 15-52) in 2008. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased rates of childhood gastroenteritis-related deaths in Brazil following rotavirus vaccine introduction, particularly among children <1 year of age, suggest the potential benefit of vaccination.

Effectiveness of the monovalent G1P[8] human rotavirus vaccine against hospitalization for severe G2P[4] rotavirus gastroenteritis in Belém, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Brazil initiated universal immunization of infants with the G1P[8] human rotavirus (RV) vaccine in March 2006. This study evaluated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) hospitalizations. METHODS: Matched case-control study conducted at 4 hospitals in Belém from May 2008 to May 2009. Cases were children hospitalized with RVGE age-eligible to have received 2 doses of the human RV vaccine (≥ 12 weeks of age and born after March 6, 2006). For each case, 1 neighborhood and 1 hospital control without gastroenteritis was selected, matching by birth date (± 8 and ± 6 weeks, respectively). Matched odds ratio of 2-dose RV vaccination in cases versus controls was used to estimate VE (1 - odds ratio × 100%). RESULTS: Of 538 RVGE cases, 507 hospital controls and 346 neighborhood controls included, 54%, 61%, and 74% had received both RV vaccine doses. VE against RVGE hospitalization was 75.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.1-86.0) using neighborhood controls and 40.0% (95% CI: 14.2-58.1) using hospital controls. VE in children 3 to 11 months and ≥ 12 months of age was 95.7% (95% CI: 67.8-99.4) and 65.1% (95% CI: 37.2-80.6) using neighborhood controls, and 55.6% (95% CI: 12.3-77.5) and 32.1% (95% CI: -3.7-55.5) using hospital controls. G2P[4] accounted for 82.0% of RVGE hospitalizations. G2P[4]-specific VE was 75.4% (95% CI: 56.7-86.0) using neighborhood controls and 38.9% (95% CI: 11.1-58.0) using hospital controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although fully heterotypic G2P[4] was the predominant RV strain, good VE was demonstrated. VE was highest in children aged 3 to 11 months. However, protection in children ≥ 12 months of age, important for optimal public health impact, was significantly sustained based on estimates obtained using neighborhood controls.

A hypertension risk score for middle-aged and older adults.

Determining which demographic and medical variables predict the development of hypertension could help clinicians stratify risk in both prehypertensive and nonhypertensive persons. Subject-level data from 2 community-based biracial cohorts were combined to ascertain the relationship between baseline characteristics and incident hypertension. Hypertension, defined as diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, or reported use of medication known to treat hypertension, was assessed prospectively at 3, 6, and 9 years. Internal validation was performed by the split-sample method with a 2:1 ratio for training and testing samples, respectively. A scoring algorithm was developed by converting the multivariable regression coefficients to integer values. Age, level of systolic or diastolic blood pressure, smoking, family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high body mass index, female sex, and lack of exercise were associated with the development of hypertension in the training sample. Regression models showed moderate to high capabilities of discrimination between hypertension vs nonhypertension (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.75-0.78) in the testing sample at 3, 6, and 9 years of follow-up. This risk calculator may aide health care providers in guiding discussions with patients about the risk for progression to hypertension.

Positive association of renal insufficiency with agriculture employment and unregulated alcohol consumption in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endemic renal insufficiency (RI) of unknown etiology is a major public health issue with high mortality in the Pacific coastal regions of Central America. We studied RI in León and Chinandega, Nicaragua, evaluating associations with known risk factors and hypothesized exposures. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with assessment of medical, social, and occupational history and exposures in conjunction with measurement of serum creatinine. Cases were defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 140 or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90 mmHg, or in reporting diabetes. Agricultural labor was associated with RI (OR = 2.48, 95%CI: 1.59, 3.89, p < 0.0001). There was no association with agricultural non-field work (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.60, 1.38, p = 0.65). Consumption of unregulated alcohol ("lija") was associated with RI (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.31, 3.39, p = 0.0023), as was drinking 5 L or more of water per day (OR = 3.59 vs. 1 L 95%CI: 1.52, 4.46, p = 0.0035). CONCLUSIONS: Agricultural field labor and lija consumption were associated with RI in this region. Water intake may also be important. Identifying specific risk factors for RI within these exposures, such as individual pesticides or lija ingredients, may facilitate prevention in a setting where dialysis and transplantation are limited.

Trends in hospitalizations from all-cause gastroenteritis in children younger than 5 years of age in Brazil before and after human rotavirus vaccine introduction, 1998-2007.

Rotavirus vaccination was introduced in Brazil in March 2006. We describe trends in hospitalizations from all-cause gastroenteritis in children younger than 5 years during pre- and postvaccination periods using hospital discharge data from Brazil Hospital Information System (SIH-SUS). A reduction in gastroenteritis hospitalizations of 26% and 48% in 2006 and in 2007, respectively, was observed among children younger than 1 year compared with prevaccination period (1998-2005). The largest reduction rates among children younger than 1 year were noted in the South and Southeast regions, approximately 56% in 2007, where vaccine coverage was the highest.

After the flood: an evaluation of in-home drinking water treatment with combined flocculent-disinfectant following Tropical Storm Jeanne -- Gonaives, Haiti, 2004.

Tropical Storm Jeanne struck Haiti in September 2004, causing widespread flooding which contaminated water sources, displaced thousands of families and killed approximately 2,800 people. Local leaders distributed PuR, a flocculent-disinfectant product for household water treatment, to affected populations. We evaluated knowledge, attitudes, practices, and drinking water quality among a sample of PuR recipients. We interviewed representatives of 100 households in three rural communities who received PuR and PuR-related education. Water sources were tested for fecal contamination and turbidity; stored household water was tested for residual chlorine. All households relied on untreated water sources (springs [66%], wells [15%], community taps [13%], and rivers [6%]). After distribution, PuR was the most common in-home treatment method (58%) followed by chlorination (30%), plant-based flocculation (6%), boiling (5%), and filtration (1%). Seventy-eight percent of respondents correctly answered five questions about how to use PuR; 81% reported PuR easy to use; and 97% reported that PuR-treated water appears, tastes, and smells better than untreated water. Although water sources tested appeared clear, fecal coliform bacteria were detected in all sources (range 1 - >200 cfu/100 ml). Chlorine was present in 10 (45%) of 22 stored drinking water samples in households using PuR. PuR was well-accepted and properly used in remote communities where local leaders helped with distribution and education. This highly effective water purification method can help protect disaster-affected communities from waterborne disease.

Association of cigarette smoking with albuminuria in the United States: the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: The association of cigarette smoking with albuminuria has been reported but not examined in a representative U.S. population. No study has evaluated the association between serum cotinine (a biological marker for tobacco exposure) and kidney damage. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 15,719 adult participants of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess the association between smoking exposure and kidney damage. Smoking was assessed by self-reported lifetime cigarette use and serum cotinine. Kidney damage was assessed by urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), with albuminuria defined as ACR of > or =17 microg/mg in males and > or =25 microg/mg in females. RESULTS: The analysis included 13,121 with normal albumin (mean ACR 6.3 microg/mg) and 2,414 with albuminuria (mean ACR 143 microg/mg); hypertension was prevalent in 27% and 59%, respectively. Former smoking was similar between groups (21%), while current smoking was more common in persons with albuminuria (26%) compared to normal ACR (21%). Adjusted for other risk factors, among hypertensives, current smokers were 1.85 (95% CI: 1.29, 2.64) times more likely to have albuminuria than never smokers. Current smokers with a > or =40 pack-year history were at highest risk for albuminuria. Among non-smoking hypertensives, those exposed to passive smoke (highest versus lowest quartile of serum cotinine) were 1.41 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.90) times more likely to have albuminuria. Former smoking with cessation of > or =1 year among hypertensives was not associated with albuminuria. Among non-hypertensives, smoking and albuminuria were not consistently associated. CONCLUSION: Current and passive smoking, but not former smoking, were associated with the presence of albuminuria in the general U.S. population with hypertension, indicating a benefit to the kidney from smoking cessation.

SCreening for Occult REnal Disease (SCORED): a simple prediction model for chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite the wide availability and low cost of serum creatinine measurement, at-risk populations are not routinely tested for chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We used a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative, population-based survey to develop a system, SCORED (SCreening for Occult REnal Disease), that uses routinely available demographic and medical information to identify individuals with an increased likelihood of CKD. The analysis included 8530 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted from 1999 to 2000 and 2001 to 2002 in the United States. Chronic kidney disease was defined as a glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2). Univariate and multivariate associations between a comprehensive set of risk factors and CKD were examined to develop a prediction model. The optimal characteristics of the model were examined with internal measures. External validation was performed using the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. A model-based numeric scoring system was developed. RESULTS: Age (P<.001), female sex (P = .02), and various health conditions (hypertension [P = .03], diabetes [P = .03], and peripheral vascular disease [P = .008]; history of cardiovascular disease [P = .001] and congestive heart failure [P = .04]; and proteinuria [P<.001] and anemia [P = .003]) were associated with CKD. The multivariate model was well validated in the internal and external data sets (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 and 0.71, respectively). A score of 4 or greater was chosen by internal validation as a cutoff point for screening based on the diagnostic characteristics (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 68%; positive predictive value, 18%; and negative predictive value, 99%). CONCLUSION: This scoring system, weighted toward common variables associated with CKD, may be a useful tool to identify individuals with a high likelihood of occult kidney disease.