Antihypertensive treatments and risks of lung Cancer: a large population-based cohort study in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing concern that the use of anti-hypertensives may be associated with an increased risk of cancer, but it remains uncertain for the association between anti-hypertensives and lung cancer risk, as well as their interaction with aspirin in chemoprotective effects. METHODS: The goal of this study is to assess the association between anti-hypertensives use and the risk of lung cancer, as well as the chemopreventive impacts from the combination usage of aspirin and anti-hypertensives. A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on all the public hospital electronic medical records in Hong Kong. Patients with prescription records of anti-hypertensives (ACEi/ARB, CCB, ß-blocker,α-blocker) and/or aspirin were included as the exposure groups. Using the Cox proportional hazards model with inverse probability weighting, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lung cancer risk from anti-hypertensives usage or combination usage of aspirin with anti-hypertensives. The likelihood ratio test and interaction model were adopted for exploring the interaction effects with aspirin. RESULTS: A total of 6592 and 84,116 lung cancer cases were identified from the groups of anti-hypertensives users and anti-hypertensives users with aspirin, respectively. The group of non-aspirin patients who received anti-hypertensives showed a significantly lower risk of lung cancer (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.60-0.66), compared to those without anti-hypertensives. When aspirin and α-blocker were used simultaneously, it could lower the risk of lung cancer significantly (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.84). Moreover, the lower risk of lung cancer persisted with a longer follow-up period of anti-hypertensives usage. Combination usage with aspirin in the users of ACEi/ARB, CCB, and α-blocker showed significant interaction effects. However, the smoking effect could not be eliminated in this analysis. DISCUSSION: Anti-hypertensive treatment was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, which is associated with the anti-hypertensives exposure period. The potential interaction on the chemopreventive influence from combination usage of α-blocker and aspirin might exist. More corroborations on these findings are needed to focus on the different settings in future studies.

Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability Increases Risks of Dementia and Cognitive Decline: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies.

[Figure: see text].

Machine Learning Clustering for Blood Pressure Variability Applied to Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) and the Hong Kong Community Cohort.

Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) has been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to classify the BPV levels using different machine learning algorithms. Visit-to-visit blood pressure readings were extracted from the SPRINT study in the United States and eHealth cohort in Hong Kong (HK cohort). Patients were clustered into low, medium, and high BPV levels with the traditional quantile clustering and 5 machine learning algorithms including K-means. Clustering methods were assessed by Stability Index. Similarities were assessed by Davies-Bouldin Index and Silhouette Index. Cox proportional hazard regression models were fitted to compare the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. A total of 8133 participants had average blood pressure measurement 14.7 times in 3.28 years in SPRINT and 1094 participants who had average blood pressure measurement 165.4 times in 1.37 years in HK cohort. Quantile clustering assigned one-third participants as high BPV level, but machine learning methods only assigned 10% to 27%. Quantile clustering is the most stable method (stability index: 0.982 in the SPRINT and 0.948 in the HK cohort) with some levels of clustering similarities (Davies-Bouldin Index: 0.752 and 0.764, respectively). K-means clustering is the most stable across the machine learning algorithms (stability index: 0.975 and 0.911, respectively) with the lowest clustering similarities (Davies-Bouldin Index: 0.653 and 0.680, respectively). One out of 7 in the population was classified with high BPV level, who showed to have higher risk of stroke and heart failure. Machine learning methods can improve BPV classification for better prediction of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of virtual reality on moods in community older adults. A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality (VR) technology is a potential method to use in cognitive intervention, but the use of VR in cognitive stimulation intervention for older adults has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mood change of older adults after participating in the VR cognitive stimulation activity. METHODS: This is a multicenter randomized controlled, cross-over trial. The intervention was a VR cognitive stimulation activity, and the control was a paper-and-pencil activity. The participants were older adults with age over 60 and recruited in the elderly community centers. The Positive and Negative Affect Score (PANAS) was used to measure mood change. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated. The Simulator sickness questionnaire was used to measure adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 236 participants from 19 community centers were recruited. After the VR activity, the participants had a significant increase in total PANAS positive affect score (MD = 2.09, 95% CI = 0.69 to 3.49), and a significant reduction in total negative affect score (MD = -1.99, 95% CI = -2.55 to -1.43). The reduction in negative affect score was significantly larger in VR activity than paper-and-pencil activity (MD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.98 to 0.00). Besides, only three participants reported severe advance events after VR activity. CONCLUSIONS: The use of VR technology is well accepted by older adults. Therefore, the use of VR technology through smartphone and a mobile app can be a potential method for future cognitive training interventions.

Depression and Antidepressants as Potential Risk Factors in Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 18 Longitudinal Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether depression and/or antidepressants can be a potential risk factor for the development of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Community or clinical settings. Participants included patients with depression, antidepressant users, and the general population. MEASURES: Longitudinal studies evaluating the risks of dementia or MCI in patients with depression and/or antidepressant users were identified from the OVID database. The outcomes were the number of patients who developed dementia or MCI among the antidepressant users and nonusers. Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to evaluate the association between the use of antidepressants and the risk of dementia and MCI. Meta-analysis was used for combining the effect sizes of individual studies, and the heterogeneity test was performed. Risk of bias and reporting quality of included studies was assessed. Subgroup analyses were conducted for different types of antidepressants. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies with 2,119,627 participants with mean age ranging from 55 to 81 years were included. Among patients with depression, antidepressant users showed a significantly higher risk of dementia (RR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.11-1.70) and MCI (RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.02-1.42) than the nonusers. Besides, patients with depression who used antidepressants and who did not use antidepressants also showed significantly higher risk of dementia than the general population (RR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.26-1.78, and RR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.15-1.51, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Patients with depression are associated with a higher risk of dementia, and the use of antidepressants is not shown to be a protective factor of dementia. Further large-scale trials are required for investigation of the benefit-risk ratio between depression relapse and dementia when prescribing antidepressants.

Rod Lengthening With the Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod: Factors Influencing Rod Slippage and Reduced Gains During Distractions.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors that are associated with rod slippage and to study the pattern of achieved length gain with a standard distraction methodology. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Ability to achieve successful magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) distraction is crucial for gradual spine lengthening. Rod slippage has been described as a failure of internal magnet rotation leading to a slippage and an inability to distract the rod. However, its onset, significance, and risk factors are currently unknown. In addition, how this phenomenon pertains to actual distracted lengths is also unknown. METHODS: A total of 22 patients with MCGR and at least six distraction episodes were prospectively studied. Patients with rod slippage occurring less than six distraction episodes were considered early rod slippage whereas those with more than six episodes or have yet to slip were grouped as late rod slippage. The association of parameters including body habitus, maturity status, age of implantation, total number of distractions, months of distraction from initial implantation, initial and postoperative Cobb angle, T1-T12, T1-S1, T5-T12 kyphosis, curve flexibility, instrumented length, and distance between magnets in dual rods and between the magnets and apex of the curve with early or late onset of rod slippage were studied. Differences between expected and achieved distraction lengths were assessed with reference to rod slippage episodes and rod exchanges to determine any patterns of diminishing returns. RESULTS: Patients had mean age of 7.1 years at diagnosis with mean follow-up of 49.8 months. A mean 32.4 distractions were performed per patient. Early rod slippage occurred in 14 patients and late rod slippage occurred in eight patients. Increased height, weight, body mass index, older age, increased T1-12 and T1-S1 lengths, and less distance between magnets were significantly associated with early rod slippage. Expected distraction lengths did not translate to achieve distraction lengths and reduced gains were only observed after achieving one-third of the allowable distracted length in the MCGR. Length gains return to baseline after rod exchange. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to specifically analyze the impact of rod slippage on distraction lengths and the risk factors associated with its onset and frequency. Increased body habitus and reduced distance between internal magnets significantly influenced rod slippage events. Diminishing returns in distracted length gains were only observed after a period of usage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Learning Curve in Monitoring Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod Distractions With Ultrasound.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a learning curve exists for ultrasound measurement of magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) distractions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: For patients managed by MCGRs, close monitoring of interval distraction length gains is important to determine whether the distractions are translating into actual spine growth. Radiographs are the criterion standard for measuring length gains, but ultrasound has been shown to be effective in monitoring distraction lengths without radiation exposure. It is, however, an operator-dependent tool and thus the accuracy of ultrasound measurement of distracted length may improve with experience. METHODS: This is a prospective correlation analysis of patients who underwent MCGR treatment for scoliosis. The study period was inclusive of 19th February 2013 to 31st March 2015. All subjects were consecutively recruited in a prospective manner. Data regarding date of the distraction visit, and the interval radiograph and ultrasound measurements of the distracted lengths were collected. Only those episodes with both radiograph and ultrasound performed were used for analysis. The mean differences in change of radiograph and ultrasound measurements were plotted to determine correlation differences and to observe for a learning curve. RESULTS: A total of 379 distraction episodes were analyzed. The mean differences between ultrasound and radiograph measurements per distraction episode were -0.3 mm for the right rod and -0.1 mm for the left rod. For learning curve analysis, there were three distinct timepoints in which the difference of correlation became significantly better and were described as clusters. The correlation in the first cluster (19th February 2013 to 15th October 2013) was 0.612 (right rod) and 0.795 (left rod), the second cluster (16th October 2013 to 20th May 2014) was 0.879 (right rod) and 0.918 (left rod), and the third cluster (21st May 2014 to 31st March 2015) was 0.956 (right rod) and 0.932 (left rod). Thus, a plateau was observed at the second cluster, which translated to 97 to 146 rod measurements. CONCLUSION: Correlation between radiograph and ultrasound measurements is reasonable to begin with but improves with time. During initial use, successful distractions should correlate between the clinical feel and ultrasound confirmation. Although the absolute value may not be accurate and may require radiographs to confirm, with time and experience, ultrasound measurements can then be more reliable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Factors associated with unreliable liver stiffness measurement and its failure with transient elastography in the Chinese population.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with transient elastography is a non-invasive and reliable test for liver fibrosis. However a small proportion of patients may have unreliable LSM or LSM failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with unreliable LSM or LSM failure in Chinese patients. METHODS: We prospectively recruited liver patients for LSM. Unreliable LSM was defined as < 10 valid shots, an interquartile range (IQR)/LSM > 30%, or a success rate < 60%. LSM failure was defined as zero valid shots. RESULTS: Among 3205 patients with LSM, 371 (11.6%) and 88 (2.7%) had unreliable LSM and LSM failure, respectively. The rates started to increase when body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28.0 kg/m(2) . Comparing patients with BMI ≥ 28.0-29.9 kg/m(2) versus those with BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m², the rates of unreliable LSM (16.4% vs 18.9%; P = 0.62) and LSM failure (11.8% vs 17.8%; P = 0.16) were similar. BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m² was the most important factor associated with unreliable LSM (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-3.9, P < 0.0001) and LSM failure (OR = 10.1, 95% CI = 6.4-14.2, P < 0.0001). Central obesity, defined as waist circumference > 80 cm in women and > 90 cm in men, was another independent risk factor of unreliable LSM (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0-1.6, P = 0.04) and LSM failure (OR = 5.8, 95% CI = 2.9-11.5, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m² and central obesity were the independent risk factors of unreliable LSM and LSM failure in Chinese, and these rates were significantly higher in patients with extreme BMI.

Increased liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography in severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The proposed cut-off values for the degree of fibrosis as assessed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) might not be applicable in severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to assess the effect of necroinflammatory activity on LSM in this condition. METHODS: We prospectively recruited consecutive patients with severe acute exacerbation of CHB (alanine aminotransferase or ALT > 10x upper limit of normal). The relationship of ALT levels and LSM were serially assessed and liver biopsy was carried out after ALT normalization. RESULTS: Eleven patients (10 male, median age 43 years) were followed up for 25 weeks; nine patients received antiviral therapy. Overall, LSM was positively correlated with ALT levels (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). At initial presentation, the median serum ALT and LSM was 1136 (581-2210) IU/L and 26.3 (11.1-33.3) kPa. A progressive reduction in LSM was observed during subsequent visits in parallel with the reduction of ALT levels. At the last visit, the median ALT was 27 (11-52) IU/L and LSM was 7.7 (4.7-10.8) kPa. Among the five patients who had liver biopsy carried out at week 25, four patients had F2 fibrosis (LSM 5.7-8.1 kPa) and one patient had F3 fibrosis (LSM 8.6 kPa). CONCLUSIONS: LSM using transient elastography with the current proposed cut-off values might misdiagnose liver cirrhosis in patients suffering from severe acute exacerbation of CHB. LSM should be assessed after normalization of ALT levels in order to accurately assess the degree of fibrosis.