The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of the Rapid Access Lung Cancer Clinic.

Background: The Rapid Access Lung Cancer Clinic (RALC) experienced fewer referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.

Aims: Our aim was to determine the impact of the pandemic on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the Cork University Hospital (CUH) RALC, using a retrospective chart review of the referrals and attendances.

Methods: The medical charts of patients referred to CUH-RALC from 03/2019 to 02/2020 (period I), and from 03/2020 to 02/2021 (period II) were reviewed.

Association Between Chronic Hypertension and the Risk of 12 Cardiovascular Diseases Among Parous Women: The Role of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background: Evidence on the association between chronic hypertension and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in mothers with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) is limited. We investigated the association between chronic hypertension and risk of CVD, considering the role of APOs.

Methods: We used linked electronic health records in the CALIBER platform to define a UK cohort of women with recorded births between 1997 and 2016.

Chemsex, Anxiety and Depression Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who have Sex with Men Living with HIV.

Chemsex is common among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). Although not always categorised as problematic, a link with psychological distress has been reported and might be exacerbated amongst gbMSM living with HIV, as HIV has been associated with anxiety and depression. A cross-sectional online survey of gbMSM living with HIV (n = 359) was performed incorporating the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and sociodemographic variables including, HIV characteristics, chemsex and sexual behaviours.

Enhancing referral processes within an integrated fall prevention pathway for older people: a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: Multifactorial interventions, which involve assessing an individual's risk of falling and providing treatment or onward referral, require coordination across settings. Using a mixed-methods design, we aimed to develop a process map to examine onward referral pathways following falls risk assessment in primary care.

Setting: Primary care fall risk assessment clinics in the South of Ireland.

Association between social deprivation and incidence of first seizures and epilepsy: A prospective population-based cohort.

Objective: Epidemiologic studies have investigated whether social deprivation is associated with a higher incidence of epilepsy, and results are conflicting, especially in children. The mechanisms underlying a potential association are unclear. This study examines whether there is an association between social deprivation and the incidence of first seizures (unprovoked and provoked) and new diagnosis of epilepsy by comparing incidence across an area-level measure of deprivation in a population-based cohort.

Role of Antihypertensive Treatment and Blood Pressure Control in the Occurrence of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: a Population-Based Study of Linked Electronic Health Records.

Background: Chronic hypertension (CH) adversely impacts pregnancy. It remains unclear whether antihypertensive treatment alters these risks. We examined the role of antihypertensive treatment in the association between CH and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Compliance with local travel restrictions and face masks during first phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland: a national survey.

Background: This study examines compliance with local travel restrictions and assesses early uptake of mask wearing, during the initial phase of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Ireland, to inform the ongoing outbreak response.

Methods: A series of four nationally representative telephone surveys were developed. Information was collected at a household level and from primary respondents.

Causes and classification of first unprovoked seizures and newly-diagnosed epilepsy in a defined geographical area- an all-comers analysis.

Purpose: The ILAE recently updated the operational definition of epilepsy and the classifications of seizures and epilepsy incorporating aetiology into the classification framework. To date, these classifications have not been applied in any whole population incidence study.

Methods: Multiple overlapping methods of case identification were applied to a defined geographical area (population 542,868 adults and children) to identify all first unprovoked seizures and new diagnosis of epilepsy presenting during the calendar year 2017.

Impact of Chronic Hypertension and Antihypertensive Treatment on Adverse Perinatal Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Maternal chronic hypertension is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous studies examined the association between either chronic hypertension or antihypertensive treatment and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effect of chronic hypertension/antihypertensive treatment on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with chronic kidney disease and chronic hypertension: a National cohort study.

Background: Maternal chronic kidney disease and chronic hypertension have been linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to examine the association between these conditions and adverse pregnancy outcomes over the last 3 decades.

Objective: We conducted this national cohort study to assess the association between maternal chronic disease (CH, CKD or both conditions) and adverse pregnancy outcomes with an emphasis on the effect of parity, maternal age, and BMI on these associations over the last three decades.

Covid-19 Estimating the burden of symptomatic disease in the community and the impact of public health measures on physical, mental and social wellbeing: a study protocol.

: Covid-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Since then, governments have implemented unprecedented public health measures to contain the virus. This study will provide evidence to inform responses to the pandemic by: i) estimating population prevalence and trends of self-reported symptoms of Covid-19 and the proportions of symptomatic individuals and household contacts testing positive for Covid-19; ii) describing acceptance and compliance with physical-distancing measures, explore effects of public health measures on physical, mental and social wellbeing; iii) developing a mathematical network model to inform decisions on the optimal levels of physical distancing measures.

Pre-diagnostic plasma lipid levels and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

To assess whether pre-diagnostic lipid levels are associated with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk. We conducted a matched case-control study nested in five large prospective US cohorts (the Nurses' Health Study, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort, the Multiethnic Cohort Study, and the Women's Health Initiative), and identified 275 individuals who developed ALS during follow-up and had provided blood samples before disease diagnosis. For each ALS case, we randomly selected two controls who were alive at the time of the case diagnosis and matched on cohort, birth year (±1 year), sex, race/ethnicity, fasting status, and time of blood draw.

Incidence of first seizures, epilepsy, and seizure mimics in a geographically defined area.

Objective: To determine the incidence of first seizures, epilepsy, and seizure mimics in a geographically defined area using the updated 2014 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) definition, which allows an epilepsy diagnosis after a single seizure when the risk of further seizures over the next 10 years is ≈60% or greater. This replaced the 1993 definition by which epilepsy was diagnosed when a person had ≥2 seizures separated by 24 hours.

Methods: Using multiple overlapping methods of case ascertainment followed by individual case classification by an epileptologist, we identified all first seizures, new diagnosis of epilepsy, and seizure mimics occurring in a defined geographic area (population 542,868) from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017.

Long-Term Use of Antibiotics and Risk of Parkinson's Disease in the Nurses' Health Study.

Objective: Antibiotic use is one of the strongest environmental predictors of an altered and less diverse gut microbiome, which has been linked to Parkinson's disease. To our knowledge, no prior study has examined the association between long-term antibiotic use and Parkinson's disease.

Design: We conducted a prospective study of 59,637 women in the Nurses' Health Study who reported total duration of antibiotic use at ages 20-39, 40-59, 60 +, or during the past 4 years.

Augmented exercise in hospital improves physical performance and reduces negative post hospitalization events: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: To measure the effects of an augmented prescribed exercise programme versus usual care, on physical performance, quality of life and healthcare utilisation for frail older medical patients in the acute setting.

Methods: This was a parallel single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Within 2 days of admission, older medical inpatients with an anticipated length of stay ≥3 days, needing assistance/aid to walk, were blindly randomly allocated to the intervention or control group.

Substitution of sugar-sweetened beverages for other beverages and the risk of developing coronary heart disease: Results from the Harvard Pooling Project of Diet and Coronary Disease.

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake is associated with metabolic disorders. The reduction of SSB intake has been promoted to prevent death and disability from chronic diseases. We investigated the association between SSB intake and the risk of coronary events and death, and assessed if substitution of coffee, tea, milk, fruit juice and artificially-sweetened beverages (ASB) for SSBs was associated with a reduced risk of coronary events and death.

Prediagnostic plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To examine the association between prediagnostic plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids levels (PUFA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: We identified 275 individuals who developed ALS while enrolled in 5 US prospective cohorts, and randomly selected 2 controls, alive at the time of the case diagnosis, matched on cohort, birth year, sex, ethnicity, fasting status, and time of blood draw. We measured PUFA, expressed as percentages of total fatty acids, using gas liquid chromatography and used conditional logistic regression to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between PUFA and ALS.

Application of Recent International Epidemiological Guidelines to a Prospective Study of the Incidence of First Seizures, Newly-Diagnosed Epilepsy and Seizure Mimics in a Defined Geographic Region in Ireland.

Studies adherent to international guidelines and epilepsy classification are needed to accurately record the incidence of isolated seizures, epilepsy and seizure-mimics within a population. Because the diagnosis of epilepsy is largely made through clinical assessment by experienced physicians, seizures and epilepsy are susceptible to misdiagnosis. Previous epidemiological studies in epilepsy have not captured "seizure mimics".

Prediagnostic plasma metabolomics and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To identify prediagnostic plasma metabolomic biomarkers associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: We conducted a global metabolomic study using a nested case-control study design within 5 prospective cohorts and identified 275 individuals who developed ALS during follow-up. We profiled plasma metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and identified 404 known metabolites.

Use of Negative Control Exposure Analysis to Evaluate Confounding: An Example of Acetaminophen Exposure and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Nurses' Health Study II.

Frequent maternal use of acetaminophen in pregnancy has been linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, but concerns regarding uncontrolled confounding remain. In this article, we illustrate use of the negative control exposure (NCE) approach to evaluate uncontrolled confounding bias in observational studies on pregnancy drug safety and explain the causal assumptions behind the method. We conducted an NCE analysis and evaluated the associations between maternal acetaminophen use during different exposure periods and ADHD among 8,856 children born in 1993-2005 to women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study II cohort.

Association of fish intake and smoking with risk of rheumatoid arthritis and age of onset: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Prior studies suggest that fish may be protective for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk perhaps through the anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3 fatty acid, but this relationship has not been clearly established. Therefore, we investigated fish intake and RA risk by serologic status, age of onset, and smoking using a prospective cohort study with large sample size, repeated measures of dietary intake, and lengthy follow-up.

Methods: We studied fish intake and RA risk among 166,013 women in two prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS, 1984-2014) and NHSII (1991-2015).

Prediagnostic plasma branched-chain amino acids and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To assess whether prediagnostic levels of plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk.

Methods: We included participants from 5 large cohort studies-The Nurses' Health Study, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition, the Multiethnic Cohort Study, and the Women's Health Initiative-and identified 275 individuals who developed ALS during follow-up. Two controls were randomly selected for each case, matched on cohort, age, sex, fasting status, and time of blood draw.

Association of Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol During Pregnancy With Multigenerational Neurodevelopmental Deficits.

Importance: Animal evidence suggests that endocrine disruptors affect germline cells and neurodevelopment. However, to date, the third-generation neurodevelopmental outcomes in humans have not been examined.

Objective: To explore the potential consequences of exposure to diethylstilbestrol or DES across generations-specifically, third-generation neurodevelopment.