Sinus inflammation and chronic rhinosinusitis are associated with a diagnosis of new onset asthma in the following year.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma commonly co-occur. No studies have leveraged large samples needed to formally address whether preexisting CRS is associated with new onset asthma over time.

Methods: We evaluated whether prevalent CRS [identified in two ways: validated text algorithm applied to sinus computerized tomography (CT) scan or two diagnoses] was associated with new onset adult asthma in the following year.

Associations of four indexes of social determinants of health and two community typologies with new onset type 2 diabetes across a diverse geography in Pennsylvania.

Evaluation of geographic disparities in type 2 diabetes (T2D) onset requires multidimensional approaches at a relevant spatial scale to characterize community types and features that could influence this health outcome. Using Geisinger electronic health records (2008-2016), we conducted a nested case-control study of new onset T2D in a 37-county area of Pennsylvania. The study included 15,888 incident T2D cases and 79,435 controls without diabetes, frequency-matched 1:5 on age, sex, and year of diagnosis or encounter.

Strong and consistent associations of precedent chronic rhinosinusitis with risk of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and bronchiectasis commonly co-occur, but most prior studies were not designed to evaluate temporality and causality.

Objectives: In a sample representing the general population in 37 counties in Pennsylvania, and thus the full spectrum of sinonasal and relevant lung diseases, we aimed to evaluate the temporality and strength of associations of CRS with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Methods: We completed case-control analyses for each of 3 primary bronchiectasis case finding methods.

Risk factors for Lyme disease stage and manifestation using electronic health records.

Background: Little is known about risk factors for early (e.g., erythema migrans) and disseminated Lyme disease manifestations, such as arthritis, neurological complications, and carditis.

Proximity to freshwater blue space and type 2 diabetes onset: the importance of historical and economic context.

Salutogenic effects of living near aquatic areas (blue space) remain underexplored, particularly in non-coastal and non-urban areas. We evaluated associations of residential proximity to inland freshwater blue space with new onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) in central and northeast Pennsylvania, USA, using medical records to conduct a nested case-control study. T2D cases (n=15,888) were identified from diabetes diagnoses, medication orders, and laboratory test results and frequency-matched on age, sex, and encounter year to diabetes-free controls (n=79,435).

Chronic arsenic exposure and risk of carotid artery disease: The Strong Heart Study.

Background: Inorganic arsenic exposure from naturally contaminated groundwater is related to vascular disease. No prospective studies have evaluated the association between arsenic and carotid atherosclerosis at low-moderate levels. We examined the association of long-term, low-moderate inorganic arsenic exposure with carotid arterial disease.

Associations of , , , and LINE-1 methylation, measured in saliva, with waist circumference, body mass index, and percent body fat in mid-childhood.

Background: Genetics explains a small proportion of variance in body mass index at the population level. Epigenetics, commonly measured by gene methylation, holds promise for understanding obesity risk factors and mechanisms.

Methods: Participants were 431 adolescents aged 10-15 years.