We systematically evaluated studies published through May 2014 in which investigators assessed the dose-response relationship between serum levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM), and we investigated the extent and sources of interstudy heterogeneity. The dose-response relationship between serum TCDD and DM across studies was examined using 2 dependent variables: an exposure level–specific proportion of persons with DM and a corresponding natural log-transformed ratio measure of the association between TCDD and DM. Regression slopes for each dependent variable were obtained for each study and included in a random-effects meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the influence of inclusion and exclusion decisions, and sources of heterogeneity were explored using meta-regression models and a series of subanalyses. None of the summary estimates in the main models or in the sensitivity analyses indicated a statistically significant association. We found a pronounced dichotomy: a positive dose-response in cross-sectional studies of populations with low-level TCDD exposures (serum concentrations <10 pg/g lipid) and heterogeneous, but on balance null, results for prospective studies of persons with high prediagnosis TCDD body burdens. Considering the discrepancy of results for low current versus high past TCDD levels, the available data do not indicate that increasing TCDD exposure is associated with an increased risk of DM.
Differences of sex development (DSD or disorders of sex development) are uncommon congenital conditions, characterized by atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex. Objective: Dermatologic care is an important component of the multidisciplinary care needed for individuals with DSD. This article discusses the most common primary dermatologic manifestations of DSD in addition to the cutaneous manifestations of hormonal and surgical therapies in individuals with DSD. Data sources: Published articles including case series and case reports on PubMed. Study selections: Selection was conducted by examining existing literature with a team of multidisciplinary specialists. Methods: Narrative review. Limitations: This article was not conducted as a systematic review. Results: In Klinefelter syndrome, refractory leg ulcers and incontinentia pigmenti have been described. Turner syndrome is associated with lymphatic malformations, halo nevi, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Virilization can be seen in some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where acne and hirsutism are common. Conclusion: Dermatologists should consider teratogenic risk for treatments of skin conditions in DSD depending on pregnancy potential. Testosterone replacement, commonly used for Klinefelter syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome, 5-alpha reductase deficiency, gonadal dysgenesis, or ovotesticular DSD, may cause acne.
Purpose: To assess the prevalence and motivations for obtaining tattoos among transgender persons. Methods: A survey of 696 transgender persons recruited from the Study of Transition, Outcomes, and Gender (STRONG) cohort evaluated the prevalence of tattoos and motivations for acquiring tattoos. Results: Transmasculine persons were more likely than transfeminine persons to have tattoos (66.5% versus 24.0%, P<0.05). Most commonly reported motivators were personal preference, aesthetics, and/or symbolism (61.8%). Scar coverage and replacement of anatomic features accounted for 10.2% of responses. Conclusion: Future studies should look into the relationship between tattoos and health status in the transgender population.
HIV infection is associated with increased incidence of malignancies, such as lymphomas and testicular cancers. We reviewed the relationship between HIV infection and prostate cancer in a contemporary series of prostate biopsy patients. The study is a retrospective analysis of consecutive prostate biopsies performed at a VA Medical Center. The indications for performing a prostate biopsy included an abnormal digital rectal examination and/or an elevated PSA. Patients were categorized according to their HIV status, biopsy results, and various demographic and clinical characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses compared distributions of HIV status, and various clinical and demographic characteristics. The adjusted measures of association between HIV status and positive biopsy were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). The likelihood of positive biopsy was significantly higher among 18 HIV-positive patients compared to patients with negative HIV tests (adjusted OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.3-11.5). In analyses restricted to prostate cancer patients, HIVpositive patients were not different from the remaining group with respect to their prostate cancer stage, PSA level, PSA velocity, PSA density, or Gleason grade. There is an association between HIV infection and prostate biopsy positive for carcinoma in a population referred for urologic workup. Further confirmation of this association by prospective studies may impact the current screening practices in HIV patients.
PURPOSE
Previous research found inverse associations between oxidative balance and risk of colorectal adenoma. However, these measures were limited to extrinsic (dietary and lifestyle) exposures and did not account for intrinsic factors, specifically antioxidant enzymes responsible for cellular defense against oxidative stress. We investigated whether the association between an oxidative balance score (OBS) and colorectal adenoma may vary according to polymorphisms in genes that encode three antioxidant enzymes: manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1).
METHODS
Using data pooled from three colonoscopy-based case-control studies of incident, sporadic colorectal adenoma, we constructed an OBS reflecting pro- and anti-oxidant exposures. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess whether the association between the OBS and colorectal adenoma differed according to polymorphisms in the genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes.
RESULTS
The OBS was inversely associated with colorectal adenoma, adenoma risk was not associated with the genetic polymorphisms, and there was no consistent pattern of effect modification by individual genotypes or combined gene scores.
CONCLUSIONS
Variations in the antioxidant enzyme genes SOD2, CAT, and GSTP1 do not appear to substantially modify associations of environmental exposures related to oxidative balance with risk for sporadic colorectal adenoma.
by
Tomi Akinyemiju;
Justin Xavier Moore;
Maria Pisu;
Suzanne E. Judd;
Michael Goodman;
James M. Shikany;
Virginia J. Howard;
Monika Safford;
Susan C. Gilchrist
Objective: This study examined whether metabolic health status is associated with risk of cancer mortality and whether this varies by body mass index (BMI) category. Methods: A prospective study of 22,514 participants from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort was performed. Metabolically unhealthy status was defined as having three or more of the following: (1) elevated fasting glucose, (2) high triglycerides, (3) dyslipidemia, (4) hypertension, and (5) elevated waist circumference. Participants were categorized into normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) groups. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to estimate hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer mortality during follow-up. Results: Among participants with normal weight, participants who were metabolically unhealthy had an increased risk of cancer mortality (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.20-2.26) compared with metabolically healthy participants. The overall mortality risk for participants who were metabolically unhealthy and had normal weight was stronger for obesity-related cancers (HR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.17-4.91). Compared with participants with normal weight, those who were metabolically healthy and overweight were at a reduced risk of any cancer mortality (adjusted HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.63-0.99). Conclusions: There was an increased risk of overall and obesity-related cancer mortality among metabolically unhealthy participants with normal weight.
by
Douglas Roblin;
Joshua Barzilay;
Dennis Tolsma;
Brandi Robinson;
Laura Schild;
Lee Cromwell;
Hayley Braun;
Rebecca Nash;
Joseph Gerth;
Enid Hunkeler;
Virginia P. Quinn;
Vin Tangpricha;
Michael Goodman
Purpose: We describe a novel algorithm for identifying transgender people and determining their male-to-female (MTF) or female-to-male (FTM) identity in electronic medical records of an integrated health system. Methods: A computer program scanned Kaiser Permanente Georgia electronic medical records from January 2006 through December 2014 for relevant diagnostic codes, and presence of specific keywords (e.g., "transgender" or "transsexual") in clinical notes. Eligibility was verified by review of de-identified text strings containing targeted keywords, and if needed, by an additional in-depth review of records. Once transgender status was confirmed, FTM or MTF identity was assessed using a second program and another round of text string reviews. Results: Of 813,737 members, 271 were identified as possibly transgender: 137 through keywords only, 25 through diagnostic codes only, and 109 through both codes and keywords. Of these individuals, 185 (68%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 62%-74%) were confirmed as definitely transgender. The proportions (95% CIs) of definite transgender status among persons identified via keywords, diagnostic codes, and both were 45% (37%-54%), 56% (35%-75%), and 100% (96%-100%). Of the 185 definitely transgender people, 99 (54%, 95% CI: 46%-61%) were MTF, 84 (45%, 95% CI: 38%-53%) were FTM. For two persons, gender identity remained unknown. Prevalence of transgender people (per 100,000 members) was 4.4 (95% CI: 2.6-7.4) in 2006 and 38.7 (95% CI: 32.4-46.2) in 2014. Conclusions: The proposed method of identifying candidates for transgender health studies is low cost and relatively efficient. It can be applied in other similar health care systems.