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Vasta R, Callegaro S, Sgambetterra S, Cabras S, Di Pede F, De Mattei F, Matteoni E, Grassano M, Bombaci A, De Marco G, Fuda G, Marchese G, Palumbo F, Canosa A, Mazzini L, De Marchi F, Moglia C, Manera U, Chiò A, Calvo A. Presymptomatic geographical distribution of ALS patients suggests the involvement of environmental factors in the disease pathogenesis. J Neurol 2023; 270:5475-5482. [PMID: 37491680 PMCID: PMC10576667 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11888-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given that the pathogenetic process of ALS begins many years prior to its clinical onset, examining patients' residential histories may offer insights on the disease risk factors. Here, we analyzed the spatial distribution of a large ALS cohort in the 50 years preceding the disease onset. METHODS Data from the PARALS register were used. A spatial cluster analysis was performed at the time of disease onset and at 1-year intervals up to 50 years prior to that. RESULTS A total of 1124 patients were included. The analysis revealed a higher-incidence cluster in a large area (435,000 inhabitants) west of Turin. From 9 to 2 years before their onset, 105 cases were expected and 150 were observed, resulting in a relative risk of 1.49 (P = 0.04). We also found a surprising high number of patients pairs (51) and trios (3) who lived in the same dwelling while not being related. Noticeably, these occurrences were not observed in large dwellings as we would have expected. The probability of this occurring in smaller buildings only by chance was very low (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04 for pairs and trios, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We identified a higher-incidence ALS cluster in the years preceding the disease onset. The cluster area being densely populated, many exposures could have contributed to the high incidence ALS cluster, while we could not find a shared exposure among the dwellings where multiple patients had lived. However, these findings support that exogenous factors are likely involved in the ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Vasta
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - S Callegaro
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - S Sgambetterra
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - S Cabras
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- International School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - F Di Pede
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - F De Mattei
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - E Matteoni
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - M Grassano
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - A Bombaci
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - G De Marco
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - G Fuda
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - G Marchese
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - F Palumbo
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - A Canosa
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - L Mazzini
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - F De Marchi
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - C Moglia
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - U Manera
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - A Chiò
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - A Calvo
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
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Scott J, Havyarimana E, Navarro-Gallinad A, White A, Wyse J, van Geffen J, van Weele M, Buettner A, Wanigasekera T, Walsh C, Aslett L, Kelleher JD, Power J, Ng J, O'Sullivan D, Hederman L, Basu N, Little MA, Zgaga L. The association between ambient UVB dose and ANCA-associated vasculitis relapse and onset. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:147. [PMID: 35717248 PMCID: PMC9206351 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02834-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aetiology of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and triggers of relapse are poorly understood. Vitamin D (vitD) is an important immunomodulator, potentially responsible for the observed latitudinal differences between granulomatous and non-granulomatous AAV phenotypes. A narrow ultraviolet B spectrum induces vitD synthesis (vitD-UVB) via the skin. We hypothesised that prolonged periods of low ambient UVB (and by extension vitD deficiency) are associated with the granulomatous form of the disease and an increased risk of AAV relapse. Methods Patients with AAV recruited to the Irish Rare Kidney Disease (RKD) (n = 439) and UKIVAS (n = 1961) registries were studied. Exposure variables comprised latitude and measures of ambient vitD-UVB, including cumulative weighted UVB dose (CW-D-UVB), a well-validated vitD proxy. An n-of-1 study design was used to examine the relapse risk using only the RKD dataset. Multi-level models and logistic regression were used to examine the effect of predictors on AAV relapse risk, phenotype and serotype. Results Residential latitude was positively correlated (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14–1.74, p = 0.002) and average vitD-UVB negatively correlated (0.82, 0.70–0.99, p = 0.04) with relapse risk, with a stronger effect when restricting to winter measurements (0.71, 0.57–0.89, p = 0.002). However, these associations were not restricted to granulomatous phenotypes. We observed no clear relationship between latitude, vitD-UVB or CW-D-UVB and AAV phenotype or serotype. Conclusion Our findings suggest that low winter ambient UVB and prolonged vitD status contribute to AAV relapse risk across all phenotypes. However, the development of a granulomatous phenotype does not appear to be directly vitD-mediated. Further research is needed to determine whether sufficient vitD status would reduce relapse propensity in AAV. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02834-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Scott
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Enock Havyarimana
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Arthur White
- Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jason Wyse
- Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jos van Geffen
- Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), De Bilt, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel van Weele
- Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), De Bilt, The Netherlands
| | - Antonia Buettner
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Tamara Wanigasekera
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Cathal Walsh
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Louis Aslett
- Department of Mathematical Science, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - John D Kelleher
- School of Computer Science, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julie Power
- Vasculitis Ireland Awareness, Galway, Ireland
| | - James Ng
- Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Declan O'Sullivan
- ADAPT Centre for Digital Content, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lucy Hederman
- ADAPT Centre for Digital Content, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Neil Basu
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mark A Little
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. .,ADAPT Centre for Digital Content, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Lina Zgaga
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Scott J, Hartnett J, Mockler D, Little MA. Environmental risk factors associated with ANCA associated vasculitis: A systematic mapping review. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102660. [PMID: 32947040 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare multi-system autoimmune disease, characterised by a pauci-immune necrotising small-vessel vasculitis, with a relapsing and remitting course. Like many autoimmune diseases, the exact aetiology of AAV, and the factors that influence relapse are unknown. Evidence suggests a complex interaction of polygenic genetic susceptibility, epigenetic influences and environmental triggers. This systematic mapping review focuses on the environmental risk factors associated with AAV. The aim was to identify gaps in the literature, thus informing further research. METHODS Articles that examined any environmental risk factor in AAV disease activity (new onset disease or relapse) were included. Studies had to make explicit reference to AAV, which includes the 3 clinico-pathological phenotypes (GPA, MPA and EGPA), rather than isolated ANCA-positivity. All articles identified were English-language, full manuscripts involving adult humans (>16 years). There was no restriction on publication date and all study designs, except single case reports, were included. The systematic search was performed on 9th December 2019, using the following databases: EMBASE, Medline (Ovid), Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science. RESULTS The search yielded a total of 2375 articles. 307 duplicates were removed, resulting in the title and abstract of 2068 articles for screening. Of these, 1809 were excluded. Thus, 259 remained for full-text review, of which 181 were excluded. 78 articles were included in this review. The most notable findings support the role of various pollutants - primarily silica and other environmental antigens released during natural disasters and through farming. Assorted geoepidemiological triggers were also identified including seasonality and latitude-dependent factors such as UV radiation. Finally, infection was tightly associated, but the exact microorganism(s) is not clear - Staphylococcus aureus is the most presently convincing. CONCLUSION The precise aetiology of AAV has yet to be elucidated. It is likely that different triggers, and the degree to which they influence disease activity, vary by subgroup (e.g. ANCA subtype, geographic region). There is a need for more interoperable disease registries to facilitate international collaboration and hence large-scale epidemiological studies, with novel analytical techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Scott
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jack Hartnett
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Mockler
- John Stearne Medical Library, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark A Little
- Trinity Health Kidney Centre, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; ADAPT Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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Benvenga S, Di Bari F, Vita R, Le Donne M, Triolo O, Granese R, Borrielli I, Sole G, Floridia M, Genovesi F, Tromba D, Tromba D. Relatively high rate of postpartum thyroiditis in the Straits of Messina area. Predictivity of both postpartum thyroiditis and permanent hypothyroidism by performing, in the first trimester of gestation, thyroid ultrasonography and measurement of serum thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin autoantibodies. J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2018; 15:12-18. [PMID: 30555788 PMCID: PMC6275208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) averages 5%, with a range from 1% (Thailand) to 22% (Wales, UK, and Liguria, Italy), but 3.6% in another Italian region (Puglia). Evolution of PPT into permanent hypothyroidism (PH) occurs in approximately 50% of cases. Positive thyroperoxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb) in a pregnant woman is a strong predictor of PPT. Because in previous gestational cohorts we found an approximate 12% rate of TPOAb positivity, which compares with 15% in the Liguria cohort and 6% in the Puglia cohort, we hypothesized that the currently unknown prevalence of PPT in Sicily would approximate the said Liguria prevalence. We also explored the predictive value of serum thyroglobulin Ab (TgAb) positivity and ultrasonographic signs suggestive of thyroiditis (UST) at first trimester of gestation for PPT. Of 412 pregnant women who were followed-up for 1 year after delivery, 63 (15.3%) developed PPT, and 54% of them had PH. Gestational rates of TPOAb positivity alone, TgAb positivity alone or UST were 11.4%, 7.8% or 35.0%, with associated PPT rates of 66%, 45% or 36%. TgAb assay allowed detection of 9/63 PPT women (14.3%) who were TPOAb-negative. However, TPOAb remained a better predictor compared to TgAb or UST (odds ratio = 32 vs 10 or 13). Lowering the positivity threshold for either Ab to ≥61 U/ml, Ab-positive were 23.8% of PPT women and 17.7% of pH women. UST was detected in 82.5% of women who developed PPT, precisely 88% of those who evolved into PH and 75.9% of those who did not. Ours is the second study of the new millennium showing a PPT frequency >10%. The dual Ab and lowered threshold strategy correctly predicts more cases of PPT and PH compared to the sole TPOAb strategy. We confirm that half of the PPT women will have PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Benvenga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Master Program on Childhood, Adolescent and Women’s Endocrine Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Interdepartmental Program on Molecular & Clinical Endocrinology, and Women’s Endocrine Health, University Hospital, A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Flavia Di Bari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Dept of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario di Messina, Padiglione H, 4th Floor, 98125 Messina, Italy.
| | - Roberto Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Le Donne
- Department of Human Pathology Gaetano Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Onofrio Triolo
- Department of Human Pathology Gaetano Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Granese
- Department of Human Pathology Gaetano Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Irene Borrielli
- Department of Human Pathology Gaetano Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sole
- Istituto Archimede, Laboratorio Eurialo, 96100 Siracusa, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Genovesi
- Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Osp Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is considered a model autoimmune disease, characterized by circulating anti-mitochondrial antibodies and a selective autoimmune destruction of intrahepatic cholangiocytes. PBC is heterogeneous in its presentation, symptomatology, disease progression, and response to therapy. The pathogenesis is still largely unknown and epidemiologic studies have facilitated the identification of risk factors and the understanding of disease prevalence, geographic variations, heterogeneity, and differences in sex ratio. Recent studies from large international cohorts have better identified prognostic factors suggesting a change in patient management based on risk-stratification tools to identify subgroups at greatest potential benefit from second-line therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan 20090, Italy; Liver Unit, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Colapietro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan 20090, Italy
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Rosa R, Cristoferi L, Tanaka A, Invernizzi P. Geoepidemiology and (epi-)genetics in primary biliary cholangitis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2018; 34-35:11-5. [PMID: 30343705 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare female preponderant chronic autoimmune cholestatic liver disease, characterized by intrahepatic ductopenia and progressive fibrosis. During last decades incidence and prevalence showed an increasing rate which vary widely worldwide demonstrating an important interaction between environmental and genetic factors. Heritability suggested by familial occurrence and monozygotic twins concordance have been confirmed in more studies. Epigenetics mechanisms such as histone modification and DNA methylation can partially explain predisposition and inheritance of this disease. Nevertheless, an association with specific class II human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants have been reported, showing an increase risk in susceptibility. More recently, data regarding a strong protective association between PBC and HLA alleles confirmed this association. After recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS), a more intricate interaction between PBC and the HLA region has been shown. Furthermore, GWAS also identified several immune-related-genes implicated. More genome-wide association studies on this disease are needed to reach a complete and systematic knowledge of this disease. In this review we discuss more recent issued data on geoepidemiology of PBC and the role of (epi-)genetic mechanisms in its pathogenesis.
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Gatselis NK, Zachou K, Lygoura V, Azariadis K, Arvaniti P, Spyrou E, Papadamou G, Koukoulis GK, Dalekos GN, Rigopoulou EI. Geoepidemiology, clinical manifestations and outcome of primary biliary cholangitis in Greece. Eur J Intern Med 2017; 42:81-88. [PMID: 28535947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a disease with rising prevalence and considerable geographical variation. To describe the prevalence, spatial and time distribution, baseline characteristics, response to treatment, outcome and the validity of GLOBE score in a large cohort of Greek PBC patients as an independent validation of this score has not been done so far. METHODS The last 16years, 482 PBC patients (86.5% females) were evaluated and analysed retrospectively, using a prospectively collected database. Special attention was paid to the assessment of treatment response according to GLOBE score. RESULTS Age at initial evaluation was 56.3±13.7years. Among 432 Thessaly residents, prevalence was 582/million (non-homogeneous distribution). Nineteen districts showed a prevalence >800/million. Symptomatic disease onset could be identified in 91 patients, with a significant peak during spring (P=0.03). At diagnosis, 43.6% were asymptomatic and 16.2% cirrhotic. Male sex (P=0.02), older age (P<0.001), alcohol consumption (P<0.01) and concomitant liver disease (P<0.001) were negative prognostic factors for cirrhosis. During a median [interquartile range, range] follow-up of 5.1 (7.8, 15.7) years, 62 patients died or underwent liver transplantation. Patients with GLOBE score>0.30 had significantly worse prognosis (P<0.001) with 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates of 84%, 50% and 42%. CONCLUSIONS There is increased PBC prevalence in Thessaly with remarkable geographic clustering and seasonal variability. PBC is diagnosed at early stages although males had a more advanced disease. GLOBE score applies perfectly in Greek patients and this will likely help detecting patients that may benefit from new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos K Gatselis
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Zachou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Lygoura
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Azariadis
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Pinelopi Arvaniti
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elias Spyrou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Georgia Papadamou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George K Koukoulis
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Eirini I Rigopoulou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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GEO-RA Group. Latitude gradient influences the age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis: a worldwide survey. Clin Rheumatol 2017; 36:485-97. [PMID: 27995382 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-016-3481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an important outcome predictor. Northern countries report an age of RA onset of around 50 years, but apparently, variability exists across different geographical regions. The objective of the present study is to assess whether the age of onset of RA varies across latitudes worldwide. In a proof-of-concept cross-sectional worldwide survey, rheumatologists from preselected cities interviewed 20 consecutive RA patients regarding the date of RA onset (RAO, when the patient first noted a swollen joint). Other studied variables included location of each city, rheumatologist settings, latitudes (10° increments, south to north), longitudes (three regions), intracountry consistency, and countries' Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). Data from 2481 patients (82% females) were obtained from 126 rheumatologists in 77 cities of 41 countries. Worldwide mean age of RAO was 44 ± 14 years (95% CI 44-45). In 28% of patients, RA began before age 36 years and before age 46 years in 50% of patients. RAO was 8 years earlier around the Tropic of Cancer when compared with northern latitudes (p < 0.001, 95% CI 3.5-13). Multivariate analysis showed that females, western cities, and latitudes around the Tropic of Cancer are associated with younger age of RAO (R 2 0.045, p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the age of RAO and IHDI (r = 0.7, p < 0.01, R 2 0.5). RA often begins at an early age and onset varies across latitudes worldwide. We postulate that countries' developmental status and their geographical and geomagnetic location influence the age of RAO.
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Abstract
Cutaneous psoriasis (e.g., psoriasis vulgaris (PsV)) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are complex heterogeneous diseases thought to have similar pathophysiology. The soluble and cellular mediators of these closely related diseases are being elucidated through genetic approaches such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), as well as animal and molecular models. Novel therapeutics targeting these mediators (IL-12, IL-23, IL-17, IL-17 receptor, TNF) are effective in treating both the skin and joint manifestations of psoriasis, reaffirming the shared pathophysiology of PsV and PsA. However, the molecular and cellular interactions between skin and joint disease have not been well characterized. Clearly, PsV and PsA are highly variable in terms of their clinical manifestations, and this heterogeneity can partially be explained by differences in HLA-associations (HLA-Cw*0602 versus HLA-B*27, for example). In addition, there are numerous other genetic susceptibility loci (LCE3, CARD14, NOS2, NFKBIA, PSMA6, ERAP1, TRAF3IP2, IL12RB2, IL23R, IL12B, TNIP1, TNFAIP3, TYK2) and geoepidemiologic factors that contribute to the wide variability seen in psoriasis. Herein, we review the complex interplay between the genetic, cellular, ethnic, and geographic mediators of psoriasis, focusing on the shared mechanisms of PsV and PsA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sukhov
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, 3301 C St. Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA, 95816, USA
| | - Iannis E Adamopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, CA, Davis, USA
| | - Emanual Maverakis
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, 3301 C St. Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA, 95816, USA.
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Ramos-Casals M, Brito-Zerón P, Kostov B, Sisó-Almirall A, Bosch X, Buss D, Trilla A, Stone JH, Khamashta MA, Shoenfeld Y. Google-driven search for big data in autoimmune geoepidemiology: analysis of 394,827 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2015; 14:670-9. [PMID: 25842074 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, although their epidemiological profile varies significantly country by country. We explored the potential of the Google search engine to collect and merge large series (>1000 patients) of SADs reported in the Pubmed library, with the aim of obtaining a high-definition geoepidemiological picture of each disease. We collected data from 394,827 patients with SADs. Analysis showed a predominance of medical vs. administrative databases (74% vs. 26%), public health system vs. health insurance resources (88% vs. 12%) and patient-based vs. population-based designs (82% vs. 18%). The most unbalanced gender ratio was found in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), with nearly 10 females affected per 1 male, followed by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (ratio of nearly 5:1). Each disease predominantly affects a specific age group: children (Kawasaki disease, primary immunodeficiencies and Schonlein-Henoch disease), young people (SLE Behçet disease and sarcoidosis), middle-aged people (SSc, vasculitis and pSS) and the elderly (amyloidosis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and giant cell arteritis). We found significant differences in the geographical distribution of studies for each disease, and a higher frequency of the three SADs with available data (SLE, inflammatory myopathies and Kawasaki disease) in African-American patients. Using a "big data" approach enabled hitherto unseen connections in SADs to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Ramos-Casals
- Josep Font Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases, CELLEX, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Department of Autoimmune Diseases, ICMiD, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Pilar Brito-Zerón
- Josep Font Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases, CELLEX, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Department of Autoimmune Diseases, ICMiD, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belchin Kostov
- Primary Care Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Primary Care Centre Les Corts, CAPSE, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Sisó-Almirall
- Primary Care Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Primary Care Centre Les Corts, CAPSE, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Bosch
- Department of Internal Medicine, ICMiD, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Buss
- Josep Font Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases, CELLEX, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Department of Autoimmune Diseases, ICMiD, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Trilla
- Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology Unit, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - John H Stone
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Munther A Khamashta
- Lupus Research Unit, The Rayne Institute, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College University, London, UK
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel Incumbent of the Laura Schwarz-Kipp Chair for Research of Autoimmune Diseases, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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