Inflammatory Bowel Disease Prevalence: Surveillance data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Determining the overall US prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is essential to national level prevention programs and population risk assessment; however currently US IBD prevalence remains uncertain. We used US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to estimate the population-based prevalence of a self-reported history of medically diagnosed IBD, comparing to prior reports. Lifetime IBD prevalence for adults aged 20 + years was estimated in the independently conducted NHANES II (1976-80) and NHANES 2009-10 surveys. Participants were considered to have IBD if they reported being told by a physician they had Crohn's Disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Clinically relevant NHANES data were analyzed to assess the self-reports. Survey design variables and sample weights were used to account for the complex survey design. The NHANES 2009-10 US IBD diagnosed prevalence was 1.2% (95% CI 0.8,1.6%), or an estimated 2.3 million persons. UC prevalence was 1.0% (95% CI 0.5,1.4%; 1.9 million persons) and CD prevalence was 0.3% (95% CI 0.1,0.4%; 578,000 persons). NHANES II UC prevalence was 1.0 (95% CI 0.8,1.2%), similar to 2009-10. UC prevalence was higher for ages ≥ 50 years in both surveys. NHANES 2009-10 data showed no UC sex differences, but women had higher UC prevalence in NHANES II. Remarkably, UC prevalence was similar between the two NHANES surveys fielded 30 years apart. The NHANES data are consistent with IBD prevalences reported in previous US nationally representative surveys, indicating that diagnosed IBD may affect approximately 1% of the US adult population.

Axial Pain and Arthritis in Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data.

Objective: To estimate the nationally representative prevalence of chronic axial pain, inflammatory back pain (IBP), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and peripheral arthritis in persons diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients and Methods: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from the 1976-1980 and 2009-2010 survey cycles. Results: In NHANES 1976-1980, the chronic axial pain prevalence in participants with diagnosed ulcerative colitis (UC) was 19.5% vs 7.2% in the general population (P<.01). Neck or upper back, lower back, and Amor criteria-based axial pain were also significantly increased (11.2%, 14.5%, and 13.0%, respectively, vs 3%-5% in the general population (P<.01). In those with diagnosed UC, 40% had axial pain onset at an age older than 45 years; 30.2% reported peripheral arthralgias, and 12.2% reported peripheral arthritis. Arthritis findings on examination were uncommon. In NHANES 2009-2010, axial pain in those diagnosed with IBD had similar patterns. Conclusion: Despite high rates of chronic axial pain in those with IBD, few cases met the IBP and axSpA classification criteria. This apparent discrepancy is unexplained. However, in IBD, axial pain onset at an age older than 45 years is common; and these may not meet IBP and axSpA age criteria. Also, neck pain was increased in those with IBD but is not included in most IBP and axSpA criteria. Peripheral arthralgias and chronic arthritis symptoms were common, but examination findings were not, suggesting that tenosynovitis or enthesitis is more likely than frank arthritis to occur in patients with UC.

Regional Relative Risk, a Physics-Based Metric for Characterizing Airborne Infectious Disease Transmission.

Airborne infectious disease transmission events occur over a wide range of spatial scales and can be an important means of disease transmission. Physics- and biology-based models can assist in predicting airborne transmission events, overall disease incidence, and disease control strategy efficacy. We describe a new theory that extends current approaches for the case in which an individual is infected by a single airborne particle, including the scenario in which numerous infectious particles are present in the air but only one causes infection. A single infectious particle can contain more than one pathogenic microorganism and be physically larger than the pathogen itself. This approach allows robust relative risk estimates even when there is wide variation in (i) individual exposures and (ii) the individual response to that exposure (the pathogen dose-response function can take any mathematical form and vary by individual). Based on this theory, we propose the regional relative risk-a new metric, distinct from the traditional relative risk metric, that compares the risk between two regions. In theory, these regions can range from individual rooms to large geographic areas. In this paper, we apply the regional relative risk metric to outdoor disease transmission events over spatial scales ranging from 50 m to 20 km, demonstrating that in many common cases minimal input information is required to use the metric. Also, we demonstrate that the model predictions are consistent with data from prior outbreaks. Future efforts could apply and validate this theory for other spatial scales, such as transmission within indoor environments. This work provides context for (i) the initial stages of an airborne disease outbreak and (ii) larger-scale disease spread, including unexpected low-probability disease "sparks" that potentially affect remote populations, a key practical issue in controlling airborne disease outbreaks. IMPORTANCE Airborne infectious disease transmission events occur over a wide range of spatial scales and can be important to disease outbreaks. We describe a new physics- and biology-based theory for the important case in which individuals are infected by a single airborne particle (even though numerous infectious particles can be emitted into the air and inhaled). Based on this theory, we propose a new epidemiological metric, regional relative risk, that compares the risk between two geographic regions (in theory, regions can range from individual rooms to large areas). Our modeling of transmission events predicts that for many scenarios of interest, minimal information is required to use this metric for locations 50 m to 20 km downwind. This prediction is consistent with data from prior disease outbreaks. Future efforts could apply and validate this theory for other spatial scales, such as indoor environments. Our results may be applicable to many airborne diseases a priori, as these results depend on the physics of airborne particulate dispersion.

Multi-Scale Airborne Infectious Disease Transmission.

Airborne disease transmission is central to many scientific disciplines including agriculture, veterinary biosafety, medicine, and public health. Legal and regulatory standards are in place to prevent agricultural, nosocomial, and community airborne disease transmission. However, the overall importance of the airborne pathway is underappreciated, e.g.,, US National Library of Medicine's Medical Subjects Headings (MESH) thesaurus lacks an airborne disease transmission indexing term. This has practical consequences as airborne precautions to control epidemic disease spread may not be taken when airborne transmission is important, but unrecognized. Publishing clearer practical methodological guidelines for surveillance studies and disease outbreak evaluations could help address this situation.To inform future work, this paper highlights selected, well-established airborne transmission events - largely cases replicated in multiple, independently conducted scientific studies. Methodologies include field experiments, modeling, epidemiology studies, disease outbreak investigations and mitigation studies. Collectively, this literature demonstrates that airborne viruses, bacteria, and fungal pathogens have the capability to cause disease in plants, animals, and humans over multiple distances - from near range (< 5 m) to continental (> 500 km) in scale. The plausibility and implications of undetected airborne disease transmission are discussed, including the notable underreporting of disease burden for several airborne transmitted diseases.

Population-based estimates of humoral autoimmunity from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1960-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Based on US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, we attempted to provide an unbiased, population-based estimate of autoantibody prevalence overall and by age and sex. METHODS: US autoantibody prevalence estimates for detectable rheumatoid factor, anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroperoxidase, anti-transglutaminase, anti-endomysial, anti-GAD65, antinuclear autoantibodies, and autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens were estimated from the 1960-1962 National Health Examination Survey, NHANES III (1988-1994), and the NHANES 1999-2014 cross-sectional surveys. Survey design variables and sample weights were used to account for differential probabilities of selection within the complex survey design. Data analysis used SASTM and SUDAAN™ software. US Census Bureau data were used to estimate the absolute numbers of persons with autoantibodies. RESULTS: NHANES III data show that the overall US prevalence of having a detectable serum autoantibody is substantial in adults, in both women and men. Thyroid autoantibodies were present in 18% of US adults (31 million persons) including 10% of younger adults and 25% of older persons. Overall autoantibody prevalences increased significantly with age: 32% of US adults 60+ years of age (12.8 million persons) had at least one of the four autoantibodies rheumatoid factor, anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroperoxidase, or anti-tissue transglutaminase. Older women had higher levels of autoantibodies, but this was a relative difference. Autoantibody prevalence in both sexes was substantial (women 39%; men 22%). Fourteen percent of adults 60+ years of age have multiple autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Autoantibodies are present in a significant fraction of the general population, especially in older adults and women relative to men. Although all known clinically significant autoantibodies were not analyzed, these data provide an important population perspective on the scope and magnitude of humoral autoimmunity in the US. This is vital for prevention efforts to reduce autoimmune disease and helps clarify the potential impact of autoimmunity on the general population.

US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Arthritis Initiatives, Methodologies and Data.

The US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has collected population-based, nationally representative examination, laboratory, and radiographic data for arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases for more than 50 years. The resulting body of data and publications are substantial, yet much data remain unpublished. This review provides a basic understanding of the design and capabilities of the NHANES survey, reviewing the major accomplishments in the area of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. Currently available US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey arthritis-related datasets are identified. Guidelines for using these data, and opportunities for data analysis and designing future studies are presented.

Trends in the Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease in the U.S.: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2012.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated recent trends in the prevalence of coronary heart disease in the U.S. population aged ≥40 years. METHODS: A total of 21,472 adults aged ≥40 years from the 2001-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the analysis. The analysis was conducted in 2015. Coronary heart disease included myocardial infarction, angina, and any other type of coronary heart disease, which were defined as a history of medical diagnosis of these specific conditions. Angina was also defined as currently taking anti-angina medication or having Rose Angina Questionnaire responses that scored with a Grade ≥1. Trends from 2001 to 2012 were analyzed overall, within demographic subgroups, and by major coronary heart disease risk factors. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2012, the overall prevalence of coronary heart disease significantly decreased from 10.3% to 8.0% (p-trend<0.05). The prevalence of angina significantly decreased from 7.8% to 5.5% and myocardial infarction prevalence decreased from 5.5% to 4.7% (p-trend <0.05 for both groups). Overall coronary heart disease prevalence significantly decreased among women, adults aged >60 years, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, adults who did not complete high school, adults with more than a high school education, and adults who had health insurance (p-trend <0.05 for all groups). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of coronary heart disease including angina and myocardial infarction decreased significantly over the 12-year survey period. However, this reduction was seen mainly among persons without established coronary heart disease risk factors. There was no change in coronary heart disease prevalence among those with specific coronary heart disease risk factors.

Preventive Aspirin and Other Antiplatelet Medication Use Among U.S. Adults Aged ≥ 40 Years: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012.

OBJECTIVE: We estimated the prevalence of preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medication use and the dosage of aspirin use in the U.S. adult population. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of a representative sample (n=3,599) of U.S. adults aged ≥ 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012. RESULTS: In 2011-2012, one-third of U.S. adults aged ≥ 40 years reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, 97% of whom indicated preventive aspirin use. Preventive aspirin use increased with age (from 11% of those aged 40-49 years to 54% of those ≥ 80 years of age, p<0.001). Non-Hispanic white (35%) and black (30%) adults were more likely to take preventive aspirin than non-Hispanic Asian (20%, p<0.001) and Hispanic (22%, p=0.013) adults. Adults with, compared with those without health insurance, and adults with ≥ 2 doctor visits in the past year, diagnosed diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol were twice as likely to take preventive aspirin. Among those with cardiovascular disease, 76% reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, of whom 91% were taking preventive aspirin. Among adults without cardiovascular disease, 28% reported taking preventive aspirin. Adherence rates to medically recommended aspirin use were 82% overall, 91% for secondary prevention, and 79% for primary prevention. Among current preventive aspirin users, 70% were taking 81 milligrams (mg) of aspirin daily and 13% were taking 325 mg of aspirin daily. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of antiplatelet therapy is preventive aspirin use. A health-care provider's recommendation to take preventive aspirin is an important determinant of current preventive aspirin use.

Cigarette smoking and lung obstruction among adults aged 40-79: United States, 2007-2012.

During 2007-2012, about 46% of U.S. adults aged 40-79 with lung obstruction currently smoked cigarettes. This was more than double the smoking rate for those without lung obstruction (19.8%). In the United States, a greater percentage of men (20.5%) than women (15.3%) were current cigarette smokers in 2013. Some studies have suggested that women are more susceptible than men to the effects of tobacco smoke. Since 2000, the number of women dying from COPD has exceeded the number of men dying from the disease. In the present report, a similar percentage of men and women overall, and at each level of lung obstruction severity, currently smoked cigarettes. Notable differences were seen in smoking rates by race and Hispanic origin. Among adults aged 40-79 with mild lung obstruction, a significantly greater percentage of non-Hispanic black adults currently smoked cigarettes compared with the two other race and Hispanic origin groups. With moderate or worse lung obstruction, however, a significantly greater percentage of non-Hispanic white adults currently smoked cigarettes compared with those in the other race and Hispanic origin groups. Smoking rates among those with lung obstruction also varied by education, with progressively higher rates of smoking among those with decreasing levels of education. This inverse relationship between smoking and education level is consistent across all severity levels of lung obstruction. Smoking tobacco can increase respiratory symptoms, loss of lung function, and the progression of COPD. The data presented here show that during 2007-2012, almost one-half of U.S. adults aged 40-79 with lung obstruction currently smoked cigarettes.

Prevalence of Airflow Obstruction in U.S. Adults Aged 40-79 Years: NHANES Data 1988-1994 and 2007-2010.

BACKGROUND: The study evaluated the change in the prevalence of airflow obstruction in the U.S. population 40-79 years of age from years 1988-1994 to 2007-2010. METHODS: Spirometry data from two representative samples of the U.S. population, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted in 1988-1994 and 2007-2010, were used. The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) criteria were used to define airflow obstruction. RESULTS: Based on ATS/ERS criteria, the overall age-adjusted prevalence of airflow obstruction among adults aged 40-79 years decreased from 16.6% to 14.5% (p < 0.05). Significant decreases were observed for the older age category 60-69 years (20.2% vs. 15.4%; p < 0.01), for males (19.0% vs. 15.4%; p < 0.01), and for Mexican American adults (12.7% vs. 8.4%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of moderate and more severe airflow obstruction decreased also (6.4% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.01). Based on ATS/ERS criteria, during 2007-2010, an estimated 18.3 million U.S. adults 40-79 years had airflow obstruction, 5.6 million had moderate or severe airflow obstruction and 1.4 million had severe airflow obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The overall age-adjusted prevalence of airflow obstruction among U.S. adults aged 40-79 years decreased from 1988-1994 to 2007-2010, especially among older adults, Mexican Americans, and males.

Reference values and factors associated with exhaled nitric oxide: U.S. youth and adults.

BACKGROUND: Normative values for fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the associated co-factors are important in understanding the role of FeNO as a biomarker in airway disease. The objective of this study is to establish reference FeNO values for youth and adult asymptomatic, lifetime nonsmokers in the United States, and to describe the factors affecting these levels. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2010. The analytic sample consisted of 4718 youth and adults, ages 6-79 years, who were lifelong nonsmokers, and free of asthma, and other respiratory conditions and symptoms. Loge FeNO values were used as dependent variables to test associations of demographic and health related-covariates. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the independent effect and covariate-adjusted contribution of the factors. RESULTS: The geometric mean FeNO level was 8.3, 12.1, and 16.2 ppb for males 6-11, 12-19, and 20-79 years, and 8.4, 10.9, and 12.6 ppb for females in the corresponding age groups. Overall, FeNO levels increased with increasing age (p < 0.001), and height (p < 0.001). In all age groups, FeNO levels were positively associated with eosinophil counts, and with testing in the morning. Among youths 6-11 and 12-19 years, non-Hispanics whites had lower FeNO values than non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanic youths. No race-ethnic difference in FeNO levels was evident for adults 20-79 years. Among adolescents and adults, FeNO levels were higher for males than for females, controlling for all other factors. CONCLUSIONS: These reference values and associated attributes in youths and adults are useful in evaluating the role of FeNO in airway diseases.

Trends in antihypertensive medication use and blood pressure control among United States adults with hypertension: the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: The monitoring of national trends in hypertension treatment and control can provide important insight into the effectiveness of primary prevention efforts for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to examine recent trends in antihypertensive medication use and its impact on blood pressure control among US adults with hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 9320 hypertensive people aged ≥18 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 to 2010 were included in this study. The prevalence of antihypertensive medication use increased from 63.5% in 2001 to 2002 to 77.3% in 2009 to 2010 (P(trend)<0.01). Most notably, there was a large increase in the use of multiple antihypertensive agents (from 36.8% to 47.7%, P(trend)<0.01). Overall, the use of thiazide diuretics, ß-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers increased by 23%, 57%, 31%, and 100%, respectively. In comparison with monotherapy, single-pill combinations and multiple-pill combinations were associated with 55% and 26% increased likelihoods of blood pressure control, respectively. By the 2009 to 2010 time period, 47% of all hypertensive people and 60% of treated hypertensive people had blood pressure controlled. However, higher treated but uncontrolled hypertension rates continued to persist among older Americans, non-Hispanic blacks, diabetic people, and those with chronic kidney disease. Also, Mexican Americans with hypertension were still less likely to take antihypertensive medication than non-Hispanic whites with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive medication use and blood pressure control among US adults with hypertension significantly increased over the past 10 years. Combination therapy regimens can facilitate achievement of blood pressure goals.

The prevalence of HLA-B27 in the US: data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out the first large-scale population study of the prevalence of HLA-B27 in the US, which is needed for public health planning purposes because of recent improvements in medical therapy and diagnostic testing for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: The national prevalence of HLA-B27 was determined as part of the 2009 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey monitoring the health and nutritional status of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized population. DNA polymerase chain reaction analysis was conducted in samples from 2,320 adults ages 20-69 years from this nationally representative sample. RESULTS: The age-adjusted US prevalence of B27 was 6.1% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.6-8.2). By race/ethnicity, the prevalence of B27 was 7.5% (95% CI 5.3-10.4) among non-Hispanic whites and 3.5% (95% CI 2.5-4.8) among all other US races/ethnicities combined. In Mexican Americans, the prevalence was 4.6% (95% CI 3.4-6.1). The prevalence of B27 could not be reliably estimated for other US racial/ethnic groups because of the low number of B27-positive individuals in those groups. For adults 50-69 years of age, the prevalence of B27 was 3.6% (95% CI 2.2-5.8), which suggested a decrease in B27 with age. These prevalence estimates took into account the NHANES survey design and are reviewed with respect to data from the medical literature. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide the first US national prevalence estimates for HLA-B27. A decline in the prevalence of HLA-B27 with age is suggested by these data but must be confirmed by additional studies.

Resting pulse rate reference data for children, adolescents, and adults: United States, 1999-2008.

OBJECTIVE: This report presents national reference data on resting pulse rate (RPR), for all ages of the U.S. population, from 1999-2008. METHODS: During 1999-2008, 49,114 persons were examined. From this, a normative sample comprising 35,302 persons was identified as those who did not have a current medical condition or use a medication that would affect the RPR. RPR was obtained after the participant had been seated and had rested quietly for approximately 4 minutes. RESULTS: RPR is inversely associated with age. There is a mean RPR of 129 beats per minute (standard error, or SE, 0.9) at less than age 1 year, which decreases to a mean RPR of 96 beats/min (SE 0.5) by age 5, and further decreases to 78 beats/min (SE 0.3) in early adolescence. The mean RPR in adulthood plateaus at 72 beats/min (SE 0.2) (p < 0.05 for trend). In addition, there is a significant gender difference, with the male pulse rate plateauing in early adulthood, while the female resting pulse plateaus later when middle-aged. There are two exceptions, that is, infants under age 1 year and adults aged 80 and over, when the mean RPR is statistically and significantly higher in females than in males (females under age 20 have an RPR of 90 beats/min, SE 0.3, and males under age 20 have an RPR of 86 beats/min, SE 0.3, p <0.05; females aged 20 and over have an RPR of 74 beats/min, SE 0.2, and males aged 20 and over have an RPR of 71 beats/min, SE 0.3, p <0.05). After controlling for age effects, non-Hispanic black males have a significantly (p <0.001) lower mean RPR (74 beats/min) than non-Hispanic white males (77 beats/min) and Mexican-American males (76 beats/min). Among females, non-Hispanic black females (79 beats/min) and Mexican-American females (79 beats/min) had statistically and significantly (p < 0.01) lower mean RPRs compared with non-Hispanic white females (80 beats/min). Among males, the prevalence of clinically defined tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate, RPR 100 beats/min) is 1.3% (95% CI = 1.1-1.7), and the prevalence of clinically defined bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate, RPR < 60 beats/min) is 15.2% (95% CI = 14.1-16.4). For adult females, these prevalences are 1.9% (95% CI = 1.6-2.3) for clinical tachycardia and 6.9% (95% CI = 6.2-7.8) for clinical bradycardia. Controlling for age, males have higher odds (2.43, 95% CI = 2.09-2.83) of having bradycardia, and notably lower odds (0.71, 95% CI = 0.52-0.97) of having tachycardia than women. CONCLUSIONS: The data provides current, updated population-based percentiles of RPR, which is one of the key vital signs routinely measured in clinical practice.

The United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the epidemiology of ankylosing spondylitis.

Currently available U.S. population-based data for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), spondyloarthritis and inflammatory back pain (IBP) from the nationally representative U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) include both NHANES I (1971-1975) and NHANES II (1976-1980) surveys. The pelvic radiographs obtained in NHANES I provided U.S. prevalence estimates for radiographic sacroiliitis, an important component of the AS case definition. AS and spondyloarthritis prevalences cannot readily be calculated from NHANES I survey data; however, IBP prevalence (Rudwaleit et al Criteria 7b) can be estimated from NHANES II. The NHANES II estimate for IBP is 0.8% of the adult population ages 25 to 49 years. The prevalence of IBP in the subset of persons with a history of a back pain episode lasting 2 or more weeks was 6.7%. The 2009-2010 NHANES U.S. Inflammatory Back Pain/Spondyloarthritis survey is currently fielded.

Prescription drug use continues to increase: U.S. prescription drug data for 2007-2008.

KEY FINDINGS: Over the last 10 years, the percentage of Americans who took at least one prescription drug in the past month increased from 44% to 48%. The use of two or more drugs increased from 25% to 31%. The use of five or more drugs increased from 6% to 11%. In 2007-2008, 1 out of every 5 children and 9 out of 10 older Americans reported using at least one prescription drug in the past month. Those who were without a regular place for health care, health insurance, or prescription drug benefit had less prescription drug use compared with those who had these benefits. The most commonly used types of drugs included: asthma medicines for children, central nervous system stimulants for adolescents, antidepressants for middle-aged adults, and cholesterol lowering drugs for older Americans.

Effects of statins on serum inflammatory markers: the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment on serum inflammatory markers using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2004). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 9,128 individuals aged 40 and older participated in the NHANES. The inflammatory markers studied were white blood cell counts (WBC), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin. Other covariables were: age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, prescription or nonprescription medication use within the previous 30 days (statins, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). Four analytic groups for drug use were defined: Statin users; AI/Antibiotic users (use of either anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs); Combination group (use of both Statins and anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs), and a Non-use group (taking none of the listed drugs). The mean CRP level was significantly lower in the Statin use group than the Non-use group (0.3 mg/dL, 95%CI: 0.3-0.3 and 0.4 mg/dL, 95%CI: 0.4-0.5). In multivariable regression modeling, the Statin use group had significantly lower predicted mean WBC (Beta Coeff: -0.2, p < 0.05) and CRP (Beta Coeff: -0.1, p < 0.01) values than the Non-use group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with statins was significantly associated with decreased WBC and CRP levels in this large population-based sample.

Elevated cadmium exposure may be associated with periodontal bone loss.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Association of environmental cadmium exposure with periodontal disease in US adults. Arora M, Weuve J, Schwartz J, Wright RO. Environ Health Perspect 2009;117:739-44. REVIEWERS: Bruce A. Dye, DDS, MPH, Charles F. Dillon, MD, PhD. PURPOSE/QUESTION: Is environmental cadmium associated with periodontal disease? SOURCE OF FUNDING: Information not available. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3: Other evidence. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION GRADE: Not applicable.

Vision, hearing, balance, and sensory impairment in Americans aged 70 years and over: United States, 1999-2006.

KEY FINDINGS: Sensory impairments are a substantial problem for older Americans: One out of six has impaired vision; one out of four has impaired hearing; one out of four has loss of feeling in the feet; and three out of four have abnormal postural balance testing. Sensory impairments increase with age: Vision and hearing impairments each double, and loss of feeling in the feet increases by 40% in persons aged 80 years and over compared with persons aged 70-79 years. One in five Americans below the poverty threshold has impaired vision: 50% higher than other Americans. Balance problems are also common among the poor. Over one-half of those with impaired vision could improve their eyesight by using glasses or by getting a corrected prescription. For those with hearing problems, 72% might benefit from a hearing aid but do not use one.

Association of hypertension treatment and control with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among US adults with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have provided convincing evidence that blood pressure (BP) lowering treatment reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the association of hypertension treatment, control, and BP indexes with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among US adults with hypertension. METHODS: Persons aged > or =18 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were identified as hypertensives based on a BP > or =140/90 mm Hg or current treatment for hypertension. Vital status in 2006 was ascertained by passive follow-up using the National Death Index. Cox regression models were used to assess correlates of survival. RESULTS: At baseline, 52% of hypertensive adults reported currently taking prescription medicine for high BP and 38% of treated persons had BP controlled. Compared to treated controlled hypertensives, treated uncontrolled hypertensives had a 1.57-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-1.91) and 1.74-fold (95% CI 1.36-2.22) risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality; untreated hypertensives had a 1.34-fold (95% CI 1.12-1.62) and 1.37-fold (95% CI 1.04-1.81) risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. The association persisted after further excluding persons with pre-existing hypertension comorbidities. Mortality risk was linearly increased with systolic BP (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MBP), whereas diastolic BP (DBP) was not a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality overall. No significant associations were observed between drug classes and mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that uncontrolled and untreated hypertension was associated with increased risk of total and cardiovascular mortality among the general hypertensive population.