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Liu LP, Wariboko MA, Hu X, Wang ZH, Wu Q, Li YM. Factors associated with early-onset androgenetic alopecia: A scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299212. [PMID: 38451966 PMCID: PMC10919688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been associated with various chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). Gaining a deep understanding of early-onset AGA may enable earlier intervention in individuals at high risks. This scoping review aims to explore the risk factors and etiology, associated conditions, and adverse effects on wellbeing in early-onset AGA. METHODS Electronic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRIAL. Eligible studies included case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, and meta-analysis studies. Selected studies needed to clearly define early-onset AGA cases or include only cases starting before the age of 40 and compare them with appropriate controls. The exclusion criteria comprised editorials, commentaries, case series, and non-systematic reviews, among others. Data extraction involved collecting study characteristics, methodologies, main outcomes, and findings. Descriptive tables were used to summarize key information and relevant variables when necessary. RESULTS Among the 65 eligible articles, 67.69% were case-control studies and 78.46% evaluated only male patients. "Early-onset" was defined as cases developing before the age of 30 years in 43.08% of the studies. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was the most frequently used method for evaluating the severity of alopecia in men (69.23%). Reported risk factors for early-onset AGA included a family history of AGA, cigarette smoking, unhealthy dietary habits, and a high body mass index. Early-onset AGA may also be associated with hormonal profiles, 5α-reductase enzyme activity, androgen receptor genes, and some susceptibility loci. Comorbidities investigated included MetS, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and Parkinson's disease. Men with early-onset AGA may have reduced treatment efficacy with drug like rosuvastatin, metformin or lisinopril for dyslipidemia, prediabetes, or hypertension. Additionally, young men with AGA tended to suffer from psychological issues such as anxiety and low self-esteem compared to those without hair loss. CONCLUSION Early-onset AGA is a complex condition with various risk factors and etiology, associated comorbidities, and potential implications for treatment response and psychological health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mary Adumo Wariboko
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zi-Han Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu-Mei Li
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Zhu Q, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Huang H, Han J, Cao B, Xu D, Zhao Y, Chen G. Risk factors associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis based on the observational study: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1196722. [PMID: 37284659 PMCID: PMC10239956 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1196722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Though the pathogenesis of ALS is still unclear, exploring the associations between risk factors and ALS can provide reliable evidence to find the pathogenesis. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize all related risk factors of ALS to understand this disease comprehensively. Methods We searched the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Scopus. Moreover, observational studies, including cohort studies, and case-control studies, were included in this meta-analysis. Results A total of 36 eligible observational studies were included, and 10 of them were cohort studies and the rest were case-control studies. We found six factors exacerbated the progression of disease: head trauma (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.40), physical activity (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.09), electric shock (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.62, 4.56), military service (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.61), pesticides (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.7, 2.26), and lead exposure (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.44, 3.71). Of note, type 2 diabetes mellitus was a protective factor for ALS. However, cerebrovascular disease (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.75, 1.29), agriculture (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.74, 1.99), industry (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.91), service (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.19, 1.17), smoking (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.5, 3.09), chemicals (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 0.89, 6.77), and heavy metal (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.47, 4.84) were not risk factors for ALS based on meta-analyses. Conclusions Head trauma, physical activity, electric shock, military service, pesticides, and lead were risk factors for ALS onset and progression. But DM was a protective factor. This finding provides a better understanding of ALS risk factors with strong evidence for clinicians to rationalize clinical intervention strategies. INPLSY registration number https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0118/, INPLASY202290118.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaochu Zhu
- Department of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yijie Zhang
- School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hai Huang
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Han
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Biwei Cao
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Dandan Xu
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Tuina and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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Henne SK, Nöthen MM, Heilmann-Heimbach S. Male-pattern hair loss: Comprehensive identification of the associated genes as a basis for understanding pathophysiology. MED GENET-BERLIN 2023; 35:3-14. [PMID: 38835416 PMCID: PMC10842561 DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2023-2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Male-pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a highly heritable and prevalent condition that is characterized by progressive hair loss from the frontotemporal and vertex scalp. This androgen-dependent hair loss may commence during puberty, and up to 80 % of European men experience some degree of MPHL during their lifetime. Current treatment options for MPHL have limited efficacy, and improved understanding of the underlying biological causes is required to facilitate novel therapeutic approaches. To date, molecular genetic studies have identified 389 associated genomic regions, have implicated numerous genes in these regions, and suggested pathways that are likely to contribute to key pathophysiological mechanisms in MPHL. This review provides an overview of the current status of MPHL genetic research. We discuss the most significant achievements, current challenges, and anticipated developments in the field, as well as their potential to advance our understanding of hair (loss) biology, and to improve hair loss prediction and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina K. Henne
- University Hospital of Bonn & University of BonnInstitute of Human GeneticsBonnGermany
| | - Markus M. Nöthen
- University Hospital of Bonn & University of BonnInstitute of Human GeneticsBonnGermany
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Koseoglu E, Kutuk B, Nalbantoglu OU, Koseoglu R, Kendirci M. Arsenic and selenium measurements in nail and hair show important relationships to Alzheimer's disease in the elderly. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2021; 64:126684. [PMID: 33285443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH QUESTION The relationships of Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are not clearly known. This case-control observational study aims to investigate the possible relationship of these elements to the diagnosis and pathophysiology of the disease. METHODS This case-control observational study was performed using 40 AD patients in different clinical stages and 40 healthy control subjects, living in a similar environment with low As exposure. The levels of As and Se in nail and hair were measured with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The results were analysed with regards to clinical condition, age, disease duration, sex, education, living environment, and the relationship of the two elements using Mann Whitney U test and Spearman Rho or Pearson correlation tests as appropriate. RESULTS The levels of As and Se were not related to age, disease duration, sex, education, or living environment in the study groups (p > 0.05). The levels of As and Se in hair and nail samples of all patients and patient subgroups were higher than those in the healthy subjects (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the levels of As and Se in both hair and nail samples only in the patient group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION According to the results, As and Se levels probably increase due to some metabolic or genetic factors affecting both of them together. There may be an increase in the unregulated pool (selenomethionine) and a decrease in the regulated pool of Se (selenosycteine) in AD. Our findings need verification and the subject seems to deserve more elaborate evaluations including genetic analyses and analysis of different chemical forms of these elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Koseoglu
- Erciyes University, Medicine Faculty, Neurology Department, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Burak Kutuk
- Erciyes University, Medicine Faculty, Neurology Department, Kayseri, Turkey
| | | | - Rahmi Koseoglu
- Erciyes University, Science Faculty, Physics Department, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Murat Kendirci
- Erciyes University, Medicine Faculty, Neurology Department, Kayseri, Turkey
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Sawal N, Kaur J, Kaur K, Gombar S. Dihydrotestosterone in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-The missing link? Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01645. [PMID: 33047895 PMCID: PMC7667368 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Testosterone has been postulated to be involved in ALS causation. MATERIALS AND METHODS CSF levels of free testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured in 13 ALS patients [7 males, 6 females] and 22 controls [12 males, 10 females]. RESULTS CSF free testosterone levels did not show any significant differences but CSF dihydrotestosterone levels were significantly decreased in all male and female ALS patients. CONCLUSIONS DHT is probably integral to survival of motor neurons. In patients predisposed to develop ALS, there is possibly a sort of "testosterone resistance" at level of blood-brain barrier [BBB] existing right from birth and is likely the result of dysfunctional transport protein involved in testosterone transfer across the BBB. In these patients, lesser amount of testosterone is able to breach the BBB and enter the central neural axis. Lesser amount of testosterone is available to 5 α reductase in the anterior pituitary to be converted to DHT and lesser amount of DHT is generated. There is inadequate negative feedback suppression of LH at the level of anterior pituitary by DHT. As a result of higher LH levels, testosterone levels rise in the peripheral testosterone fraction [the fraction outside the BBB] and this explains the various physical attributes of ALS patients like lower Ratio of the index and ring finger lengths (2D:4D ratio), increased incidence of early onset alopecia etc. This deficiency of DHT leads to motor neuron death causing ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishit Sawal
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jasbinder Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kamaljeet Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Satinder Gombar
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive care, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
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Tsai CP, Hu C, Lee CTC. Finding diseases associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a total population-based case-control study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 20:82-89. [PMID: 30422689 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1522354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate diseases associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by using a total population-based medical database. METHODS This study included 705 ALS patients aged older than 15 years diagnosed from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2013, along with 14,100 controls matching in sex, age, residence, and insurance premium. Data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) and Serious Disabling Diseases (SDD) database in Taiwan were used to conduct a total population-based case-control study. Prior diseases were categorized as being diagnosed 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 years before first ALS diagnosis. Chi-square or t test was used to examine differences in demographic characteristics between the new patients with ALS and controls. Previous diseases were screened using a conditional logistic regression model. Multivariate analysis was performed using stepwise selection to evaluate the association between these diseases and the risk of ALS. The path analysis was conducted to analyze the pathway between prior diseases and ALS. RESULTS In total, 28 diseases were associated with ALS, including 17 positive associations and 11 negative associations. The path analysis revealed that the 11 negatively associated diseases could be attributed to diabetes mellitus and its comorbidities. The 17 positively associated diseases could be categorized as metabolic syndrome, neuroinflammation, head trauma, sports injuries, infections, and their comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that diseases developing prior to ALS diagnoses are hypermetabolic disorders. Hypometabolic disorders may have a beneficial effect on ALS incidence. Defective energy metabolism may play a role in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Piao Tsai
- a Department of Biotechnology , Asia University , Taichung , Taiwan.,b Beito Health Management Hospital , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Chenyu Hu
- c Department of Health Promotion and Health Education , National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Charles Tzu-Chi Lee
- c Department of Health Promotion and Health Education , National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei , Taiwan
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Watanabe Y, Watanabe T. Meta-analytic evaluation of the association between head injury and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Epidemiol 2017; 32:867-879. [DOI: 10.1007/s10654-017-0327-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Wang MD, Little J, Gomes J, Cashman NR, Krewski D. Identification of risk factors associated with onset and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurotoxicology 2017; 61:101-130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Meta-analysis identifies novel risk loci and yields systematic insights into the biology of male-pattern baldness. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14694. [PMID: 28272467 PMCID: PMC5344973 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Male-pattern baldness (MPB) is a common and highly heritable trait characterized by androgen-dependent, progressive hair loss from the scalp. Here, we carry out the largest GWAS meta-analysis of MPB to date, comprising 10,846 early-onset cases and 11,672 controls from eight independent cohorts. We identify 63 MPB-associated loci (P<5 × 10-8, METAL) of which 23 have not been reported previously. The 63 loci explain ∼39% of the phenotypic variance in MPB and highlight several plausible candidate genes (FGF5, IRF4, DKK2) and pathways (melatonin signalling, adipogenesis) that are likely to be implicated in the key-pathophysiological features of MPB and may represent promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic options. The data provide molecular evidence that rather than being an isolated trait, MPB shares a substantial biological basis with numerous other human phenotypes and may deserve evaluation as an early prognostic marker, for example, for prostate cancer, sudden cardiac arrest and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Heilmann-Heimbach S, Hochfeld LM, Paus R, Nöthen MM. Hunting the genes in male-pattern alopecia: how important are they, how close are we and what will they tell us? Exp Dermatol 2016; 25:251-7. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Lara M. Hochfeld
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dermatology Research Centre; Institute of Inflammation and Repair; University of Manchester; Manchester UK
- Department of Dermatology; University of Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Markus M. Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
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Parkin Kullmann JA, Hayes S, Wang MX, Pamphlett R. Designing an Internationally Accessible Web-Based Questionnaire to Discover Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2015; 4:e96. [PMID: 26239255 PMCID: PMC4705359 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.4840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a typical survival of three to five years. Epidemiological studies using paper-based questionnaires in individual countries or continents have failed to find widely accepted risk factors for the disease. The advantages of online versus paper-based questionnaires have been extensively reviewed, but few online epidemiological studies into human neurodegenerative diseases have so far been undertaken. Objective To design a Web-based questionnaire to identify environmental risk factors for ALS and enable international comparisons of these risk factors. Methods A Web-based epidemiological questionnaire for ALS has been developed based on experience gained from administering a previous continent-wide paper-based questionnaire for this disease. New and modified questions have been added from our previous paper-based questionnaire, from literature searches, and from validated ALS questionnaires supplied by other investigators. New criteria to allow the separation of familial and sporadic ALS cases have been included. The questionnaire addresses many risk factors that have already been proposed for ALS, as well as a number that have not yet been rigorously examined. To encourage participation, responses are collected anonymously and no personally identifiable information is requested. The survey is being translated into a number of languages which will allow many people around the world to read and answer it in their own language. Results After the questionnaire had been online for 4 months, it had 379 respondents compared to only 46 respondents for the same initial period using a paper-based questionnaire. The average age of the first 379 web questionnaire respondents was 54 years compared to the average age of 60 years for the first 379 paper questionnaire respondents. The questionnaire is soon to be promoted in a number of countries through ALS associations and disease registries. Conclusions Web-based questionnaires are a time- and resource-efficient method for performing large epidemiological studies of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. The ability to compare risk factors between different countries using the same analysis tool will be of particular value for finding robust risk factors that underlie ALS.
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Vinceti M, Mandrioli J, Borella P, Michalke B, Tsatsakis A, Finkelstein Y. Selenium neurotoxicity in humans: bridging laboratory and epidemiologic studies. Toxicol Lett 2013; 230:295-303. [PMID: 24269718 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Selenium is a metalloid of considerable interest in the human from both a toxicological and a nutritional perspective, with a very narrow safe range of intake. Acute selenium intoxication is followed by adverse effects on the nervous system with special clinical relevance, while the neurotoxicity of long-term overexposure is less characterized and recognized. We aimed to address this issue from a public health perspective, focusing on both laboratory studies and the few epidemiologic human studies available, with emphasis on their methodological strengths and limitations. The frequently overlooked differences in toxicity and biological activity of selenium compounds are also outlined. In addition to lethargy, dizziness, motor weakness and paresthesias, an excess risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the effect on the nervous system which has been more consistently associated with chronic low-level selenium overexposure, particularly to its inorganic compounds. Additional research efforts are needed to better elucidate the neurotoxic effects exerted by selenium overexposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Trace Element Institute for Unesco Satellite Center, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Local Health Unit of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Borella
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Trace Element Institute for Unesco Satellite Center, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Bernhard Michalke
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Yoram Finkelstein
- Neurology and Toxicology Service and Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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