Rural implementation of the perioperative surgical home:A case-control study

BACKGROUND Perioperative surgical home(PSH)is a novel patient-centric surgical system developed by American Society of Anesthesiologist to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.PSH has proven success in large urban health centers by reducing surgery cancellation,operating room time,length of stay(LOS),and readmission rates.Yet,only limited studies have assessed the impact of PSH on surgical outcomes in rural areas.AIM To evaluate the newly implemented PSH system at a community hospital by comparing the surgical outcomes using a longitudinal case-control study.METHODS The research study was conducted at an 83-bed,licensed level-III trauma rural community hospital.A total of 3096 TJR procedures were collected retrospectively between January 2016 and December 2021 and were categorized as PSH and non-PSH cohorts(n=2305).To evaluate the importance of PSH in the rural surgical system,a case-control study was performed to compare TJR surgical outcomes(LOS,discharge disposition,and 90-d readmission)of the PSH cohort against two control cohorts[Control-1 PSH(C1-PSH)(n=1413)and Control-2 PSH(C2-PSH)(n=892)].Statistical tests including Chi-square test or Fischer’s exact test were performed for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney test or Student’s t-test were performed for continuous variables.The general linear models(Poisson regression and binomial logistic regression)were performed to fit adjusted models.RESULTS The LOS was significantly shorter in PSH cohort compared to two control cohorts(median PSH=34 h,C1-PSH=53 h,C2-PSH=35 h)(P value<0.05).Similarly,the PSH cohort had lower percentages of discharges to other facilities(PSH=3.5%,C1-PSH=15.5%,C2-PSH=6.7%)(P value<0.05).There was no statistical difference observed in 90-d readmission between control and PSH cohorts.However,the PSH implementation reduced the 90-d readmission percentage(PSH=4.7%,C1-PSH=6.1%,C2-PSH=3.6%)lower than the national average 30-d readmission percentage which is 5.5%.The PSH system was effectively established at the rural community hospital with the help of team-based coordinated multi-disciplinary clinicians or physician comanagement.The elements of PSH including preoperative assessment,patient education and optimization,and longitudinal digital engagement were vital for improving the TJR surgical outcomes at the community hospital.CONCLUSION Implementation of the PSH system in a rural community hospital reduced LOS,increased directto-home discharge,and reduced 90-d readmission percentages.

A Case-control Study of Environmental Risk Factors for Nonsyndromic Cleft of the Lip and/or Palate in Xuzhou,China

In this study, we sought to determine the association between environmental factors and nonsyndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate （NSCLP） to understand the etiology of the disease. A total of 200 NSCLP cases and 327 controls were recruited at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Xuzhou City. We conducted face-to-face interviews with the mothers of both cases and controls. The factors increasing the risk of NSCLP were a positive family history [odds ratio （OR）=56.74], pesticide exposure （OR=8.90）, and indoor decoration pollution （OR= 4.32）. On the other hand, the factors decreasing the risk of NSCLP were a high education level （OR=0.22） and supplementation of folic acid （OR=0.23） and multivitamins （OR=0.16）. Positive family history, pesticide exposure, and indoor decoration pollution are associated with the risk of NSCLP. In contrast, high education level and folic acid and multivitamin supplementation are protective factors against NSCLP.

Risk factors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients with hepatolithiasis:a case-control study

BACKGROUND:Why 3.3% to 10% of all patients with hepatolithiasis develop intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unknown.We carried out a hospital-based case-control study to identify risk factors for the development of ICC in patients with hepatolithiasis in China.METHODS:Eighty-seven patients with pathologically diagnosed hepatolithiasis associated with ICC and 228 with hepatolithiasis alone matched by sex,age (±2 years),hospital admittance and place of residence were interviewed during the period of 2000-2008.Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each risk factor.RESULTS:Among the patients with hepatolithiasis associated with ICC,the mean age was 57.7 years and 61.0% were female Univariate analysis showed that the significant risk factors for ICC development in hepatolithiasis were smoking,family history of cancer,appendectomy during childhood (under age 20),and duration of symptoms >10 years.In multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis,smoking (OR=1.931,95% CI:1.000-3.731),family history of cancer (OR=5.175,95% CI:1.216-22.022),and duration of symptoms >10 years (OR=2.348 95% CI:1.394-3.952) were independent factors.CONCLUSION:Smoking,family history of cancer and duration of symptoms >10 years may be risk factors for ICC in patients with hepatolithiasis.

TNF-α and IL-1RA Polymorphisms and Silicosis Susceptibility in Chinese Workers Exposed to Silica Particles:A Case-Control Study

Abstract Objective To assess the association of TNF-α and IL-1RA SNPs with the risk of silicosis in Chinese workers exposed to silica particles. Methods Case-control study design was used to enroll 68 silicotic patients induced by silica particles and 68 healthy workers matched for length of silica particle exposure as controls. Both cases and controls were from the same company in southwest China, and each of them was requested to complete a questionnaire. Blood samples were drawn for genomic DNA extraction from each participant. The genotyping of TNF-α （-238 and -308） and IL-1RA （＋2018） was performed using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） and SYBR green-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction {qPCR）, respectively. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios （ORs） and their 95% confidential intervals （Cl） for SNPs. Results No significant differences were found between cases and controls in particles exposure length, body mass index （BMI）, and status of smoking and alcohol consumption except for age （P=O.O01） and blood type （P=0.042）. The frequencies of TNF-c（（-238） and IL-1RA （＋2018） genotypes in cases were significantly different from those in controls, （P=O.O01 and P=0.O02, respectively）, while a borderline significant difference was found in the frequencies of TNF-α（-308） between cases and controls （P=0.063）. The variants of three SNPs increased the risk of silicosis in the Chinese workers exposed to silica particles. The adjusted ORs of TNFα（-308）, TNF-α（-238） and IL-1RA （＋2018） were 2.8 （95% Ch 2.1-7.5）, 20.9 （95% Ch 2.8-236.4） and 4.0 （95% CI： 2.6-10.2）, respectively. Conclusion It is suggested that cytokine polymorphisms of TNF-ct （-238, -308） and IL-1RA （＋2018） are associated with the risk of silicosis in the Chinese workers exposed to silica particles. Further independent studies on the interaction between SNPs and exposure to silica particles with a larger sample size are therefore warranted.

Barriers to colorectal cancer screening:A case-control study

AIM:To investigate barriers to colorectal cancer(CRC) screening in a community population.METHODS:We conducted a community-based case-control study in an urban Chinese population by questionnaire.Cases were selected from those completing both a fecal occult blood test(FOBT) case and colonoscopy in a CRC screening program in 2004.Control groups were matched by gender, age group and community.Control 1 included those having a positive FOBT but refusing a colonoscopy.Control 2 included those who refused both an FOBT and colonoscopy.RESULTS:The impact of occupation on willingness to attend a colorectal screening program differed by gender.P for heterogeneity was 0.009 for case vs control group 1, 0.01 for case versus control group 2, and 0.80 for control group 1 vs 2.Poor awareness of CRC and its screening program, characteristics of screening tests, and lack of time affected the screening rate.Financial support, fear of pain and bowel preparation were barriers to a colonoscopy as a screening test.Eighty-two percent of control group 1 and 87.1% of control group 2 were willing attend if the colonoscopy was free, but only 56.3% and 53.1%, respectively, if it was self-paid.Multivariate odds ratios for case vs control group 1 were 0.10 among those unwilling to attend a free colonoscopy and 0.50 among those unwilling to attend a self-paid colonoscopy.CONCLUSION:Raising the public awareness of CRC and its screening, integrating CRC screening into the health care system, and using a painless colonoscopy would increase its screening rate.

Association between PPARG genetic polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in a northern Chinese Han population: a case-control study

Two common polymorphisms of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG) gene, rs1801282 and rs3856806, may be important candidate gene loci affecting the susceptibility to ischemic stroke. This case-control study sought to identify the relationship between these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in a northern Chinese Han population. A total of 910 ischemic stroke participants were recruited from the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China as a case group, of whom 895 completed the study. The 883 healthy controls were recruited from the Health Check Center of the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. All participants or family members provided informed consent. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of China Medical University, China on February 20, 2012(approval No. 2012-38-1). The protocol was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration number: ChiCTR-COC-17013559). Plasma genomic DNA was extracted from all participants and analyzed for rs1801282 and rs3856806 single nucleotide polymorphisms using a SNaPshot Multiplex sequencing assay. Odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidence intervals(CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression to estimate the association between ischemic stroke and a particular genotype. Results demonstrated that the G allele frequency of the PPARG gene rs1801282 locus was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group(P < 0.001). Individuals carrying the G allele had a 1.844 fold increased risk of ischemic stroke(OR = 1.844, 95% CI: 1.286–2.645, P < 0.001). Individuals carrying the rs3856806 T allele had a 1.366 fold increased risk of ischemic stroke(OR = 1.366, 95% CI: 1.077–1.733, P = 0.010). The distribution frequencies of the PPARG gene haplotypes rs1801282-rs3856806 in the control and case groups were determined. The frequency of distribution in the G-T haplotype case group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The risk of ischemic stroke increased to 2.953 times in individuals carrying the G-T haplotype(OR = 2.953, 95% CI: 2.082–4.190, P < 0.001). The rs1801282 G allele and rs3856806 T allele had a multiplicative interaction(OR = 3.404, 95% CI: 1.631–7.102, P < 0.001) and additive interaction(RERI = 41.705, 95% CI: 14.586–68.824, AP = 0.860;95% CI: 0.779–0.940;S = 8.170, 95% CI: 3.772–17.697) on ischemic stroke risk, showing a synergistic effect. Of all ischemic stroke cases, 86% were attributed to the interaction of the G allele of rs1801282 and the T allele of rs3856806. The effect of the PPARG rs1801282 G allele on ischemic stroke risk was enhanced in the presence of the rs3856806 T allele(OR = 8.001 vs. 1.844). The effect of the rs3856806 T allele on ischemic stroke risk was also enhanced in the presence of the rs1801282 G allele(OR = 2.546 vs. 1.366). Our results confirmed that the G allele of the PPARG gene rs1801282 locus and the T allele of the rs3856806 locus may be independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in the Han population of northern China, with a synergistic effect between the two alleles.

Risk of colorectal polyps in patients with sporadic gastric polyps:A case-control study

AIM:To assess the risk of colonic polyps,adenomas and advanced neoplastic lesions(ANL) in patients with sporadic gastric polyps,especially those with fundic gland polyps(FGP).METHODS:Clinical records of patients who had performed an upper and a lower digestive endoscopy between September 2007 and August 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.A case-control study was carried out,calling patients with gastric polyps as 'cases' and patients without gastric polyps as 'controls'.The risk of colonic polyps,adenomas and ANL(villous component ≥ 25%,size ≥ 10 mm,or high grade dysplasia) was assessed [odds ratio(OR) and its corresponding 95%CI].RESULTS:Two hundred and forty seven patients were analyzed:78 with gastric polyps(cases) and 169 without gastric polyps(controls).Among the cases,the majority of gastric polyps were FGP(80%,CI:69-88) and hyperplastic(20%,CI:12-31);25% had colonic polyps(25% hyperplastic and 68% adenomas,from which 45% were ANL).Among the controls,20% had colonic polyps(31% hyperplastic and 63% adenomas,from which 41% were ANL).The patients with sporadic FGP had an OR of 1.56(CI:0.80-3.04) for colonic polyps,an OR of 1.78(CI:0.82-3.84) for colonic adenomas,and an OR of 0.80(CI:0.21-2.98) for ANL.Similar results were found in patients with gastric polyps in general.CONCLUSION:The results of this study did not show more risk of colorectal adenomas or ANL neither in patients with sporadic gastric polyps nor in those with FGP.

Risk Factors of Low Back Pain among the Chinese Occupational Population:A Case-control Study

Objective To explore the risk factors of low back pain among the Chinese occupational population in several major industries. Methods A total of 7200 subjects （3600 cases and 3600 controls） were randomly sampled from a cross-sectional study, and they were investigated for individual and occupational factors of low back pain. The potential risk factors were first selected by using chi-square tests. Secondly, collinearity diagnosis proceeded by using the Kendall＇s rank correlation. Finally, binary logistic regression model was used for multi-factor analysis. Results Collinearity diagnosis showed that there was a severe collinearity problem among the potential risk factors of low back pain. Logistic regression model included 20 variables with statistical significance. Bending neck forward or holding neck in a forward posturefor long periods （0R=1.408） was the most important risk factor inducing low back pain in this study, followed by bending heavily with the trunk （0R=1.402）, carrying out identical work almost for the whole day （0R=1.340）. Additionally, suHicient normal break was a protective factor of low back pain. Conclusion Low back pain among the Chinese occupational population was associated with body height, occupation, work organization, physical work, working posture, and others. All these risk factors could be regarded as the indicators of low back pain, and some relevant preventive measures should be taken to reduce low back pain risk.

Risk of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Patients with Coal Workers'Pneumoconiosis:A Case-control Study in China

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between occupational, environmental, behavioral risk factors, and active pulmonary tuberculosis（PTB） among coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis（CWP） patients. A matched case-control study was conducted in 86 CWP patients with active PTB and 86 CWP controls without TB. A standardized questionnaire was used for risk factors assessment. Conditioned logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between the risk factors and active PTB among CWP patients. The results showed that the stage of CWP, poor workplace ventilation, family history of TB, and exposure to TB were independent risk factors for active PTB in patients with CWP with which recommendations for improving work environments, and for case finding activities in patients with CWP could be made.

Glutathione S-transferases M1,T1 genotypes and the risk of gastric cancer:A case-control study

AIM: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the detoxification of many potential carcinogens and appear to play a critical role in the protection from the effects of carcinogens. The contribution of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 genotypes to susceptibility to the risk of gastric cancer and their interaction with cigarette smoking are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any relationship between genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTT1 and gastric cancer. METHODS: A population based case-control study was carried out in a high-risk area, Changle County, Fujian Province, China. The epidemiological data were collected by a standard questionnaire and blood samples were obtained from 95 incidence gastric cancer cases and 94 healthy controls. A polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTT1 and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA. Logistic regression model was employed in the data analysis. RESULTS: An increase in risk for gastric cancer was found among carriers of GSTT1 null genotype. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.63 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 1.17-5.88, after controlling for age, gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and fish sauce intake. The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype in cancer cases (43.16%) was not significantly different from that in controls (50.00%). However, the risk for gastric cancer in those with GSTT1 null and GSTT1 non-null genotype was significantly higher than in those with both GSTT1 and GSTT1 non-null genotype (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.15-6.77). Compared with those subjects who never smoked and had normal GSTT1 genotype, ORs were 1.60 (95% CI:0.62-4.19) for never smokers with GSTT1 null type, 2.33 (95% CI 0.88-6.28) for smokers with normal GSTT1, and 8.06 (95% CI 2.83-23.67) for smokers with GSTT1 null type. CONCLUSIONS: GSTT1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility of stomach cancer and may modulate tobacco-related carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

Environmental and Psycho-social Factors Related to Prostate Cancer Risk in the Chinese Population:a Case-control Study

Objective To study the risk environmental and psycho-social factors associated to prostate cancer （PCa） in Chinese population. Methods 250 PCa patients and 500 controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Information was collected and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios （OR） and 95% confidence intervals （95% CI） for relationship between lifestyle, eating habits and psycho-social factors with PCa risk. Results Green vegetables and green tea were associated with a decreased risk of PCa （0R=0.39, 95% CI： 0.28-0.53; 0R=0.59, 95% Cl： 0.40-0.87, respectively）. Family history of PCa （0R=7.16, 95% CI： 2.01-25.49）, history of prostate diseases （0R=2.28, 95% Cl： 1.53-3.41）, alcohol consumption （0R=1.97, 95% CI： 1.33-2.90）, red meat consumption （0R=1.74, 95% CI： 1.20-2.52）, barbecued （0R=2.29, 95% CI： 1.11-4.73） or fried （0R=2.35, 95% CI： 1.24-4.43） foods were related with increased PCa risk. Negative psycho-social factors including occupational setbacks （0R=1.61, 95% CI： 2.00-2.59）, marital separation （0R=1.94, 95% CI： 1.29-2.91）, self-contained suffering {0R=2.37, 95% CI： 1.58-3.55）, and high sensitivity to the personal comments （0R=1.73, 95% CI： 1.18-2.54） were related to PCa. Conclusion Regular consumption of green vegetables and green tea may suggest protective effects on PCa. Alcohol consumption, red meat consumption and barbecued or fried foods were associated with PCa. Negative psycho-social factors may also play a role in the incidence of PCa in Chinese population.

Diagnostic value of interleukin-8 in colorectal cancer:A case-control study and meta-analysis

AIM: To assess the diagnostic value of serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Risk factors for the occurrence of insulinoma: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: The etiology of insulinoma is poorly understood. Few studies investigated the possible roles of environmental factors and lifestyle in the pathogenesis of insulinoma. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with occurrence of insulinoma in the Chinese population. METHODS: This study consisted of 196 patients with insulinoma and 233 controls. Demographic information of the patients and controls and risk factors of the disease were analyzed. Univariate and unconditional multivariable logistic regression analyses were made to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and possible risk factors. RESULTS: Approximately 68.88% (135/196) of the patients were from rural areas in contrast to 10.30% (24/233) of the controls (P【0.0001). This difference was confirmed by the multivariate analysis (OR=4.950; 95% CI: 2.928-8.370). Family history of pancreatic endocrine tumor (OR=16.754; 95% CI: 2.125-132.057) and other cancers (OR=2.360; 95% CI: 1.052-5.291) was also related to a high-risk population of insulinoma. CONCLUSION: Rural residents or people who have a family history of pancreatic endocrine tumor and other cancers are a high-risk population of insulinoma.

How Work Organization Affects the Prevalence of WMSDs: A Case-control Study

Objective In this study, we aimed at exploring the association between work-related musculoskeletal disorders（WMSDs） and work organization based on a case-control study. Methods A total of 1938 workers who claimed to suffer from WMSDs were selected from Beijing, Henan, Hubei, and the Guangdong province. The control group consisted of 2009 workers employed in similar industries without severe disease or musculoskeletal discomforts. We used a modified version of the questionnaire developed by the NMQ and the DMQ to investigate individual and work-related factors. Results A total of 13 variables（P〈0.1） were selected by the chi-square test and finally, 7 variables entered into the equation, with 6 variables reaching statistical significance（P〈0.05）. The odds ratios（OR） of ＇work changing with season＇ and ＇sufficient rest time＇ did not reach 1（0.749 and 0.441, respectively）. In addition, ＇sufficient rest time＇ seemed to be the stronger protective factor according to its higher standardized coefficient. And ＇repetitive work every minute＇, ＇constantly repetitive work＇（every day）, ＇shortage of site personnel＇, and ＇often switching shifts with others＇ seemed to be the risk factors. Conclusion Work organization may have comprehensive effects on the occurrence of WMSDs. This pattern of associations suggests that further investigation into the mechanism of how work organization affects the prevalence of WMSDs is required.

Associations between coagulation factorⅫ,coagulation factorⅪ,and stability of venous thromboembolism:A case-control study

BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism(PE)is a fatal clinical syndrome that is generally caused by an embolus from unstable deep venous thrombosis(DVT).However,clinical and biochemical factors that are related to the stability of DVT are not fully understood.AIM To evaluate the relationships between plasma antigen levels of factor XII(FXII:Ag)and factor XI(FXI:Ag)with the stability of DVT.METHODS Patients with DVT and no PE,DVT and PE,and controls with no DVT or PE that matched for age,gender,and comorbidities were included in this study.FXII:Ag and FXI:Ag in peripheral venous blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.RESULTS Using the 95th percentile of FXI:Ag in patients with DVT and PE as the cut-off,a higher FXI:Ag was associated with a higher risk of unstable DVT(odds ratio:3.15,95%confidence interval:1.18-8.43,P=0.019).Stratified analyses showed consistent results in patients≤60 years(P=0.020),but not in those>60 years(P=0.346).CONCLUSION Higher plasma FXI:Ag might be a marker for unstable DVT,which might be associated with PE in these patients.

Strong Correlation of Abnormal Serum and Urinary Iodine Levels with Papillary Thyroid Cancer:A Case-control Study

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system,and its incidence is increasing worldwide.In China,its incidence has increased from 1.78/104 in 1988 to 10.58/104 in2013.Thyroid cancers are mainly classified into papillary thyroid cancer(PTC),follicular thyroid cancer(FTC),medullary thyroid cancer(MTC).

Incidence, risk factors, and cumulative risk of delirium among ICU patients: A case-control study

Objectives: Delirium is a common acute cognitive impairment syndrome among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.This study was aimed to investigate the incidence,risk factors,and cumulative risk of delirium among ICU patients.Methods: A case-control study including clinical records of 452 patients were retrospectively analyzed.Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and Richmond Agitation -Sedation Scale.Results: We found that 163 out of the 452 patients (36.1%) had delirium.Multivariate analysis showed that use of sedatives,length of ICU hospitalization,and physical restraint were independent risk factors for delirium.The additive effect of all three factors resulted to an odds ratio of 30.950.Conclusion: The incidence of delirium remained high.Thus,nurses shall strengthen the monitoring of delirium,regularly access the patient's level of calmness,and limit the use of physical restraint.

Nutrient patterns and risk of cataract：a case-control study

AIM：To assess the relation between nutrient patterns and cataract risk.METHODS：This is a hospital-based case-control study with 97 cataract patients and 198 matched controls.Dietary consumption was collected through a valid food frequency questionnaire（FFQ）.Nutrient patterns were detected by applying factor analysis.Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratio（ORs） and 95%CIs.RESULTS：We extracted 5 main nutrient patterns.Factor 1 included niacin,thiamin,carbohydrates,protein,zinc,vitamin B6 and sodium（sodium pattern）.Factor 2 was characterized by oleic acid,monounsaturated fats,polyunsaturated fats,linoleic acid,trans fatty acid,linolenic acid,vitamin E and saturated fats（fatty acid pattern）.The third factor represented high intake of vitamin B12,vitamin D,cholesterol and calcium（mixed pattern）.The 4^（th） pattern was high in intake of beta and alpha carotene,vitamin A and vitamin C（antioxidant pattern）.Finally,the 5^（th） pattern loaded heavily on docosahexaenoic acid（DHA） and eicosapentaenoic acid（EPA）（omega-3 pattern）.In crude and multivariate analysis,the sodium pattern was associated with increased risk of cataract（OR=1.97,95%CI：1.09-3.96）.The fatty acid pattern elevated the risk of cataract（OR=1.94,95%CI：1.1-3.86）.Antioxidant pattern was associated with a significant 79% reduced risk（2^（nd） category compared with the 1st）.Omega-3 pattern was significantly negatively associated with risk of cataract（P=0.04）.CONCLUSION：These findings imply that nutrient patterns reflecting a combined consumption of nutrients might be important in the etiology of cataract.Additional studies with more efficient designs are warranted to confirm our findings.

Association between diabetes mellitus,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,chronic viral hepatitis,and the risk of multiple myeloma:a case-control study

Objective This case-control study aimed to investigate whether diabetes mellitus(DM),hypertension,hyperlipidemia,and chronic viral hepatitis are risk factors for multiple myeloma(MM).Moreover,the clinical characteristics of MM patients with or without the abovementioned exposure factors were analyzed.Methods In total,340 MM patients and 680 patients with benign diseases who were hospitalized from January 2012 to December 2017 were classified under the case group and control group,respectively.Data about medical history of DM,hypertension,hyperlipidemia and chronic viral hepatitis were collected by reviewing medical records.Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to compare the history of DM,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,and viral hepatitis between the two groups.Considering DM,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,and chronic viral hepatitis as exposure factors,clinical characteristics,such as renal function and presence of fungal and other types of infections,between the exposed and nonexposed groups were analyzed.Results No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of DM,hypertension,and hyperlipidemia between the case and control groups.MM patients had a higher prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis than those with benign diseases.No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of renal dysfunction,fungal infection,and non-fungal infections in MM patients with or without DM,hypertension,and hyperlipidemia.MM patients with chronic viral hepatitis had a significantly higher prevalence of nonfungal infections during hospitalization than those without.Conclusion No significant association was noted between MM and DM,hypertension,and hyperlipidemia.Chronic viral hepatitis is correlated to a significantly higher risk of MM,and MM patients with chronic viral hepatitis were more susceptible to non-fungal infections during hospitalization.Although a non-significant trend was observed in this study,we believe that DM and hypertension might be associated with a higher risk of MM.Thus,large-scale studies must be conducted to validate the results of the current study.

A Case-control Study on Children with Guillain-barre Syndrome in North China

To explore the risk factors for Guillain-barre syndrome. Methods Case-control study design was used in 51 cases of Guillain-barre syndrome,and 51 matched controls.All of the 51 cases in this study had been examined by electrophysiology. Serum IgG antibodies specific for C. jejuni were determined in all the subjects by ELISA. Each case and control were interviewed using an ad hoc questionnaire, including his/her demographic information,onset of the illness, their personal hygiene and so on. Results The study showed that Guillain-barre syndrome was associated with a few factors, such as polio vaccine immunization before onset of illness (OR=7.27), no hand washing after defecation and before meals (OR=6.15). Infection of C. jejuni was strongly associated with the illness (OR=9.5,P<0.001). Conclusion It is suggested that occurrence of Guillain-barre syndrome may correlate to infection of C. jejuni and poor personal hygiene in children.