Infection and telomere length: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Telomeres are a measure of cellular ageing with potential links to diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Studies have shown that some infections may be associated with telomere shortening, but whether an association exists across all types and severities of infections and in which populations is unclear. Therefore we aim to collate available evidence to enable comparison and to inform future research in this field.

Incident dementia risk among patients with type 2 diabetes receiving metformin versus alternative oral glucose-lowering therapy: an observational cohort study using UK primary healthcare records.

Introduction: 4.2 million individuals in the UK have type 2 diabetes, a known risk factor for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Diabetes treatment may modify this association, but existing evidence is conflicting.

Are infections associated with cognitive decline and neuroimaging outcomes? A historical cohort study using data from the UK Biobank study linked to electronic health records.

While there is growing evidence of associations between infections and dementia risk, associations with cognitive impairment and potential structural correlates of cognitive decline remain underexplored. Here we aimed to investigate the presence and nature of any associations between common infections, cognitive decline and neuroimaging parameters. The UK Biobank is a large volunteer cohort (over 500,000 participants recruited aged 40-69) with linkage to primary and secondary care records.

The bidirectional longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and HbA : A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To investigate whether there is a bidirectional longitudinal association of depression with HbA .

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and EMBASE for observational, longitudinal studies published from January 2000 to September 2020, assessing the association between depression and HbA in adults. We assessed study quality with the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale.

Assessment of common infections and incident dementia using UK primary and secondary care data: a historical cohort study.

Background: Common infections have been associated with dementia risk; however, evidence is scarce. We aimed to investigate the association between common infections and dementia in adults (≥65 years) in a UK population-based cohort study.

Methods: We did a historical cohort study of individuals who were 65 years and older with no history of dementia or cognitive impairment using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2018.

Validity of Acute Cardiovascular Outcome Diagnoses Recorded in European Electronic Health Records: A Systematic Review.

Background: Electronic health records are widely used in cardiovascular disease research. We appraised the validity of stroke, acute coronary syndrome and heart failure diagnoses in studies conducted using European electronic health records.

Methods: Using a prespecified strategy, we systematically searched seven databases from dates of inception to April 2019.

The association of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance with incident depressive symptoms over 4 years of follow-up: The Maastricht Study.

Aims/hypothesis: Depression is twice as common in individuals with type 2 diabetes as in the general population. However, it remains unclear whether hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance are directly involved in the aetiology of depression. Therefore, we investigated the association of markers of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, measured as continuous variables, with incident depressive symptoms over 4 years of follow-up.

Common Bacterial Infections and Risk of Dementia or Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review.

Background: Bacterial infections may be associated with dementia, but the temporality of any relationship remains unclear.

Objectives: To summarize existing literature on the association between common bacterial infections and the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in longitudinal studies.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of 10 databases of published and grey literature from inception to 18 March 2019 using search terms for common bacterial infections, dementia, cognitive decline, and longitudinal study designs.

Validity of acute cardiovascular outcome diagnoses in European electronic health records: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of death globally. Electronic health records (EHRs) provide a rich data source for research on CVD risk factors, treatments and outcomes. Researchers must be confident in the validity of diagnoses in EHRs, particularly when diagnosis definitions and use of EHRs change over time.

Common bacterial infections and risk of incident cognitive decline or dementia: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: The global burden of dementia is rising, emphasising the urgent need to develop effective approaches to risk reduction. Recent evidence suggests that common bacterial infections may increase the risk of dementia, however the magnitude and timing of the association as well as the patient groups affected remains unclear. We will review existing evidence of the association between common bacterial infections and incident cognitive decline or dementia.