The differentiating effect of COVID-19-associated stress on the morbidity of blood donors with symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa, hyperhidrosis, or psoriasis.

PURPOSE: The burden of different skin diseases may vary leading individuals to have different sensitivity to stress. Therefore, we compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stress before and during the universal stress from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-pandemic in individuals with and without hyperhidrosis, hidradenitis suppurativa, or psoriasis. METHODS: The study cohort was the Danish Blood Donor Study. Overall, 12,798 participants completed a baseline questionnaire before the pandemic, in 2018-2019, and a follow-up questionnaire during the pandemic, in 2020. Regression determined the association between the skin diseases and outcomes. Outcomes were the physical and mental component summary (MCS, PCS, respectively), which assess the mental and physical HRQoL, and the perceived stress scale, which assesses stress in the past four weeks. RESULTS: Overall, 1168 (9.1%) participants had hyperhidrosis, 363 (2.8%) had hidradenitis suppurativa, and 402 (3.1%) had psoriasis. At follow-up, the participants with hyperhidrosis had worse MCS (coefficient -0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.05, -0.13]) and higher odds of moderate-to-severe stress (odds ratio 1.37 [95% CI 1.13, 1.65]) and the participants with hidradenitis suppurativa worse PCS (coefficient -0.74 [95% CI -1.21, -0.27]) than the control groups. The associations were independent of baseline HRQoL, stress, the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale, and other covariables. Psoriasis was not associated with the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Individuals with hyperhidrosis or hidradenitis suppurativa experienced worse mental or physical well-being and individuals with hyperhidrosis also had higher stress during the pandemic compared to healthy individuals. This suggests that individuals with these skin diseases are particularly susceptible to external stress.

Human leukocyte antigen system associations in Malassezia-related skin diseases.

BACKGROUND: The human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) is divided into two classes involved in antigen presentation: class I presenting intracellular antigens and class II presenting extracellular antigens. While susceptibility to infections is correlated with the HLA system, data on associations between HLA genotypes and Malassezia-related skin diseases (MRSD) are lacking. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate associations between HLA alleles and MRSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants in The Danish Blood Donor Study (2010-2018) provided questionnaire data on life style, anthropometric measures, and registry data on filled prescriptions. Genotyping was done using Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array, and HLA alleles were imputed using the HIBAG algorithm. Cases and controls were defined using filled prescriptions on topical ketoconazole 2% as a proxy of MRSD. Logistic regressions assessed associations between HLA alleles and MRSD adjusted for confounders and Bonferroni corrected for multiple tests. RESULTS: A total of 9455 participants were considered MRSD cases and 24,144 participants as controls. We identified four risk alleles B*57:01, OR 1.19 (95% CI: 1.09-1.31), C*01:02, OR 1.19 (95% CI: 1.08-1.32), C*06:02, OR 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08-1.22), and DRB1*01:01, OR 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04-1.17), and two protective alleles, DQB1*02:01, OR 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.94), and DRB1*03:01, OR 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.94). CONCLUSION: Five novel associations between HLA alleles and MRSD were identified in our cohort, and one previous association was confirmed. Future studies should assess the correlation between Malassezia antigens and antigen-binding properties of the associated HLA alleles.

The temporal association of hyperhidrosis and its comorbidities - a nationwide hospital-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Research on hyperhidrosis comorbidities has documented the co-occurrence of diseases but has not provided information about temporal disease associations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal disease trajectories of individuals with hospital-diagnosed hyperhidrosis. METHODS: This is a hospital-based nationwide cohort study including all patients with a hospital contact in Denmark between 1994 and 2018. International Classification of Diseases version-10 diagnoses assigned to inpatients, outpatients and emergency department patients were collected from the Danish National Patient Register. The main outcome was the temporal disease associations occurring in individuals with hyperhidrosis, which was assessed by identifying morbidities significantly associated with hyperhidrosis and then examining whether there was a significant order of these diagnoses using binomial tests. RESULTS: Overall, 7 191 519 patients were included. Of these, 8758 (0.12%) patients had localized hyperhidrosis (5674 female sex [64.8%]; median age at first diagnosis 26.9 [interquartile range 21.3-36.1]) and 1102 (0.015%) generalized hyperhidrosis (606 female sex [59.9%]; median age at first diagnosis 40.9 [interquartile range 26.4-60.7]). The disease trajectories comprised pain complaints, stress, epilepsy, respiratory and psychiatric diseases. The most diagnosed morbidities for localized hyperhidrosis were abdominal pain (relative risk [RR] = 121.75; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 121.14-122.35; P < 0.001), soft tissue disorders (RR = 151.19; 95% CI 149.58-152.80; P < 0.001) and dorsalgia (RR = 160.15; 95% CI 158.92-161.38; P < 0.001). The most diagnosed morbidities for generalized hyperhidrosis were dorsalgia (RR = 306.59; 95% CI 302.17-311.02; P < 0.001), angina pectoris (RR = 411.69; 95% CI 402.23-421.16; P < 0.001) and depression (RR = 207.92; 95% CI 202.21-213.62; P < 0.001). All these morbidities were diagnosed before hyperhidrosis. CONCLUSIONS: This paper ascertains which hospital-diagnosed morbidities precede hospital-diagnosed hyperhidrosis. As hyperhidrosis mainly is treated in the primary health care sector, the trajectories suggests that these morbidities may lead to a worse disease course of hyperhidrosis that necessitates treatment in hospitals. Treating these morbidities may improve the disease course of hyperhidrosis.

Incidence and remission rates of self-reported hidradenitis suppurativa - A prospective cohort study conducted in Danish blood donors.

BACKGROUND: A large discrepancy between physician-diagnosed and self-reported Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) exists. Knowledge regarding incidence and remission rates of self-reported HS is missing, but may help bridge the gap in understanding between these two phenotypes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and remission rates of self-reported HS, and to what degree these are affected by sex, smoking and BMI. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 23 930 Danish blood donors. Information on self-reported HS, symptom-localisation, sex, age, BMI and smoking status was collected at baseline and study termination. Self-reported HS fulfilled clinical obligatory diagnostic criteria. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted for both incidence and remission rates providing a hazard ratio (HR) of risk for each variable in the regression. RESULTS: Incidence rate of self-reported HS was 10.8/1000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 9.9-11.7), decreasing as a function of numbers of areas affected. Female BMI points above 25 (HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.09-1.13), male BMI points above 25 (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04-1.11), active smoking (HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.15-2.57), male sex (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.45-0.67) and years of age above 25 (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.97) were all statistically associated with the development of self-reported HS. Remission rate of self-reported HS was 256.7/1000 person-years (95% CI: 223.9-292.6), decreasing as a function of numbers of affected areas. Symptoms in ≥3 areas (HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.34-0.85), active smoking (HR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32-0.76) and female weight loss (every percentage drop in BMI: HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05-1.11) all significantly affected the remission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Both incidence and remission rates of self-reported HS are high, indicating that many with self-reported HS are unlikely to be diagnosed, as they to a higher degree experience mild transient HS symptoms.

Full exome sequencing of 11 families with Hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is not a well-studied or easily treated disease. Genetic information is essential for advances in the understanding and treatment of HS. This study aims to examine mutations in the gamma-secretase complex, the Notch signalling pathway and to perform a Mendelian analysis of genetic variants that segregated with disease in a full exome sequencing of 11 families with HS. METHOD: Whole-exome sequencing and Mendelian analysis of 11 families with HS from Denmark. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of active HS and a positive family history of HS were recruited. Consenting family members were enrolled and examined for HS as well. We included 11 families, with a total of 51 participants, 24 with HS and 27 without. Whole-exome sequencing using HiSeq platform as paired-end 2 × 150 bases was used. RESULTS: We found mutations in the Notch pathway for all families. We found mutations in the PSENEN and APH1B of the gamma-secretase genes. We also report 161 variants of unknown significance that segregated with the disease within these families. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find causative mutation for each family in this study, supporting the theory that HS is rarely caused by single-gene mutations. We suggest that future genetic studies should be focused on genome-wide association with thousands of cases, as this technique is better suited for suspected polygenic diseases.

Genetic disposition to primary hyperhidrosis: a review of literature.

Primary hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating. The estimated prevalence is between 0.6 and 4.4%, and it can have economic, psychological, and social consequences for affected individuals. Family and genetic studies have suggested a genetic component in the inheritance of the disease. In this review, we summarize the current literature on genetic disposition to primary hyperhidrosis. We Identified 20 studies on Pubmed and Embase in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Probands reported a positive family history in 5.7-65% of cases, and the inheritance appeared to be either autosomal dominant or recessive. Individuals with palmoplantar phenotypes and a positive family history had a younger age of onset. Genetic linkage and genome-wide association studies have identified loci on chromosome 2, 14, and 16. However, the evidence is heterogeneous and limited. It seems that primary hyperhidrosis is polygenically inherited, and considering the impairment, further data to understand the genetic etiology of the disease are needed.

History of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular biomarkers are associated with 30-day mortality in patients with hip fracture.

Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality and it is important to identify risk factors. This study demonstrates that preexisting cardiovascular disease as well as cardiovascular biomarkers that are associated with increased 30-day mortality. These findings can be used to identify high-risk patients who might benefit from specialized care. INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD), cardiovascular biomarkers, and 30-day mortality following a hip fracture. METHODS: The Danish National Patient Registry was used to investigate the association between CVD and mortality following hip fracture in a nationwide population-based cohort study. In a subset of the included patients (n = 355), blood samples were available from a local biobank. These samples were used for analyzing the association between specific biochemical markers and mortality. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 113,211 patients were included in the population-based cohort study. Among these, heart failure was present in 9.4%, ischemic heart disease in 15.9%, and ischemic stroke in 12.0%. Within 30 days after the hip fracture, 11,488 patients died, resulting in an overall 30-day mortality of 10.1%. The 30-day mortality was significantly increased in individuals with preexisting CVD with multivariably adjusted odds ratios of 1.69 (95% confidence interval, 1.60-1.78) for heart failure, 1.23 (1.17-1.29) for ischemic heart disease, and 1.06 (1.00-1.12) for ischemic stroke. In the local database including 355 patients, 41 (11.5%) died within 30 days. The multivariably adjusted odds ratio for 30-day mortality increased with increasing NT-proBNP (2.36 [1.53-3.64] per quartile) and decreased with increasing HDL cholesterol (0.58 [0.41-0.82] per quartile). On this basis, we established a model for predicting the probability of death based on the biochemical markers. CONCLUSION: Preexisting CVD was associated with increased 30-day mortality after a hip fracture. Furthermore, high levels of NT-proBNP and low levels of HDL cholesterol were associated with increased 30-day mortality.

Family recurrence risk of alopecia areata in the Faroe Islands.

BACKGROUND: Reports of a positive family history of alopecia areata (AA) have led to the assumption of a genetic component. The Faroe Islands population is small, has been isolated until the 20th century, and is served by only one dermatology clinic, making it highly suitable for genealogical studies. AIM: To determine the incidence of AA and to estimate the recurrence risk ratio (RRR) in five generations and in a nationwide dermatologist-based AA cohort using the Faroese genealogy database. METHODS: All registered cases of AA during the period 1973-2011 were identified from the Faroese national dermatology clinics. The AA cases were linked with the genealogy database covering the entire Faroese population, and the probability of AA among first-, second- and third-degree relatives was calculated. RESULTS: In total, 178 cases of AA were identified, giving a crude incidence of 10.1 per 100 000 person-years (10.9 for women and 9.4 for men). The cumulative incidence proportion over life was 0.8%. There was no apparent trend in the probabilities for AA in first-degree family members compared with second- and third-degree relatives. RRR was > 1 in second-degree family members only. CONCLUSION: A lower prevalence rate of AA was found than previously published. The genealogical study failed to identify any apparent trend in the RRR estimates, questioning the role of genetic factors in AA in the Faroe Islands. However, it is possible that the trend is masked by bias and low power; larger studies are therefore warranted to estimate the heritability of AA.

The healthy donor effect impacts self-reported physical and mental health - results from the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS).

AIMS: This study aimed at quantifying the healthy donor effect by comparing self-perceived mental and physical health between blood donors and non-donors. BACKGROUND: In theory, the selection process known as the healthy donor effect should result in better self-perceived, health-related quality of life in donors than in non-donors. METHODS: The Short Form-12 data from the Danish Twin Registry (DTR) was compared with the data from the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS). Data on age, sex and smoking status were included in the analyses. The multivariable linear regression analysis was stratified by sex and age group intervals. Outcome variables were the mental component score (MCS) and the physical component score (PCS). RESULTS: A total of 28 982 and 36 913 participants from the DTR and the DBDS, respectively, were included in this study. Younger donors had higher MCS than non-donors, whereas MCS was only marginally high in older donors compared with non-donors. In contrast, PCS was almost similar for both young donors and non-donors. With the increase in age, non-donors had lower PCS than donors. CONCLUSIONS: Two selection patterns were revealed. Among young individuals, better self-perceived mental health was associated with a blood donor. With the increase in age, better self-perceived physical health was associated with blood donation.

Iron deficiency among blood donors: experience from the Danish Blood Donor Study and from the Copenhagen ferritin monitoring scheme.

Blood components collected from blood donors are an invaluable part of modern-day medicine. A healthy blood donor population is therefore of paramount importance. The results from the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) indicate that gender, number of previous donations, time since last donation and menopausal status are the strongest predictors of iron deficiency. Only little information on the health effects of iron deficiency in blood donors exits. Possibly, after a standard full blood donation, a temporarily reduced physical performance for women is observed. However, iron deficiency among blood donors is not reflected in a reduced self-perceived mental and physical health. In general, the high proportion of iron-deficient donors can be alleviated either by extending the inter-donation intervals or by guided iron supplementation. The experience from Copenhagen, the Capital Region of Denmark, is that routine ferritin measurements and iron supplementation are feasible and effective ways of reducing the proportion of donors with low haemoglobin levels.

Prevalence of patients with self-reported hidradenitis suppurativa in a cohort of Danish blood donors: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent inflamed nodules. No pathognomonic test is available for HS; hence the diagnosis is based on three clinical criteria. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the cross-sectional prevalence and characterize patients with HS in the Danish Blood Donor Study cohort. METHODS: A questionnaire previously developed containing HS screening questions, the Major Depression Inventory, the Short Form-12, as well as questions about height, weight and drinking habits was answered by 27 765 blood donors. RESULTS: The prevalence of HS was 1·8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·6-2·0%] in the cohort of Danish blood donors. Donors with HS were on average 4·7 years younger (P < 0·001), had 1·3 kg m-2 higher mean body mass index (BMI) (P < 0·001) and were significantly more likely to smoke [odds ratio (OR) 1·44, 17·9% vs. 13·1%, P = 0·002] compared with donors without HS. Furthermore, significantly more donors with HS were classified as having moderate depression (3·2% vs. 0·7%, P < 0·001). Also, significantly more patients with HS were apprenticeship educated, received educational support and sickness or cash benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HS in the cohort of blood donors was estimated to 1·8% (95% CI 1·6-2·0%). Donors with HS reported characteristics similar to those reported for hospital-based patients with HS such as higher BMI, smoking rates and lower socioeconomic status than donors without HS.

Low vs. high haemoglobin trigger for transfusion in vascular surgery: protocol for a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: In patients with cardiovascular disease, guidelines for administration of red blood cells (RBC) are mainly based on studies outside the vascular surgical setting with the recommendation to use a haemoglobin (hb) trigger-level lower than by guidelines from The European Society for Vascular Surgery. Restricting RBC transfusion may affect blood O2 transport with a risk for development of tissue ischaemia and postoperative complications. METHODS: In a single-centre, open-label, assessor blinded trial, 58 vascular surgical patients (> 40 years of age) awaiting open surgery of the infrarenal aorta or infrainguinal arterial bypass surgery undergo a web-based randomisation to one of two groups: perioperative RBC transfusion triggered by hb < 8 g/dl or hb < 9.7 g/dl. Administration of fluid follows an individualised strategy by optimising cardiac stroke volume and near-infrared spectroscopy determines tissue oxygenation. Serious adverse event rates are: myocardial injury (troponin-I ≥ 45 ng/l or ischaemic electrocardiographic findings at day 30), acute kidney injury, death, stroke and severe transfusion reactions. A follow-up visit takes place 30 days after surgery and a follow-up of serious adverse events in the Danish National Patient Register within 90 days is pending. DISCUSSION: This trial is expected to determine whether a RBC transfusion triggered by hb < 9.7 g/dl compared with hb < 8 g/dl results in adequate separation of postoperative hb levels, transfusion of more RBC units and maintains a higher tissue oxygenation. The results will inform the design of a multicentre trial for evaluation of important postoperative outcomes.

Digital questionnaire platform in the Danish Blood Donor Study.

OBJECTIVES: The Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) is a prospective, population-based study and biobank. Since 2010, 100,000 Danish blood donors have been included in the study. Prior to July 2015 all participating donors had to complete a paper-based questionnaire. Here we describe the establishment of a digital tablet-based questionnaire platform implemented in blood bank sites across Denmark. METHODS: The digital questionnaire was developed using the open source survey software tool LimeSurvey. The participants accesses the questionnaire online with a standard SSL encrypted HTTP connection using their personal civil registration numbers. The questionnaire is placed at a front-end web server and a collection server retrieves the completed questionnaires. Data from blood samples, register data, genetic data and verification of signed informed consent are then transferred to and merged with the questionnaire data in the DBDS database. RESULTS: The digital platform enables personalized questionnaires, presenting only questions relevant to the specific donor by hiding unneeded follow-up questions on screening question results. New versions of questionnaires are immediately available at all blood collection facilities when new projects are initiated. CONCLUSION: The digital platform is a faster, cost-effective and more flexible solution to collect valid data from participating donors compared to paper-based questionnaires. The overall system can be used around the world by the use of Internet connection, but the level of security depends on the sensitivity of the data to be collected.

Low-grade inflammation is associated with lower haemoglobin levels in healthy individuals: results from the Danish blood donor study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic inflammation can lead to anaemia of chronic disease due to the sequestration of iron caused by inflammatory cytokines and the protein hepcidin. However, the effect of low-grade inflammation (LGI) on haemoglobin among healthy individuals is not known. This study examines the effect of LGI on haemoglobin among Danish blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed multivariable linear regression to assess the effect of LGI (i.e. high-sensitivity C-reactive protein above 3 mg/l but below 10 mg/l) on haemoglobin in 17 322 Danish blood donors. We also performed multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the effect of LGI on the risk of having low haemoglobin (below the 10th percentile among men and women, respectively). We adjusted for donation activity, age, sex, low ferritin, oral contraceptives and menopause. All analyses were stratified by current smoking status. RESULTS: LGI was associated with lower haemoglobin (0·08 mm lower [0·12 g/dl], 95% confidence interval (CI): -0·11-0·05) and increased risk of low haemoglobin (OR = 1·22, 95% CI: 1·05-1·43) in non-smokers. Conversely, LGI was associated with higher haemoglobin in smokers (0·12 mm [0·19 g/dl], 95% CI: 0·06-0·18). CONCLUSION: In this first study of LGI and haemoglobin in healthy individuals, there was a negative association between LGI and haemoglobin in non-smokers. The association was positive in smokers, probably because smoking leads to both increased inflammation and increased haemoglobin through CO exposure.

Heritability of psoriasis in a large twin sample.

BACKGROUND: Previous twin studies have shown greater concordance rates for psoriasis in MZ than in DZ twins, and heritability estimates between 66% and 90%. This supports a genetic influence on psoriasis, but also highlights the fact that genes are not the only explanation for the disease. OBJECTIVES: To study the concordance of psoriasis in a population-based twin sample. METHODS: Data on psoriasis in 10 725 twin pairs, aged 20-71 years, from the Danish Twin Registry was collected via a questionnaire survey. The concordance and heritability of psoriasis were estimated. RESULTS: In total, 4·1% of the men and 4·2% of the women had a lifetime history of psoriasis. The proband-wise concordance for psoriasis was larger in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins, 0·33 vs. 0·17. Genetic factors explained 68% (60-75%) of the variation in the susceptibility to psoriasis, whereas the rest of the variation was explained by nonshared environmental factors. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that psoriasis is a complex multifactorial disease controlled by both exogenous and endogenous factors.