Few large-scale epidemiologic studies have quantified the possible link between obesity and chronic renal failure (CRF). This study analyzed anthropometric data from a nationwide, population-based, case-control study of incident, moderately severe CRF. Eligible as cases were all native Swedes who were aged 18 to 74 yr and had CRF and whose serum creatinine for the first time and permanently exceeded 3.4 mg/dl (men) or 2.8 mg/dl (women) during the study period. A total of 926 case patients and 998 control subjects, randomly drawn from the study base, were enrolled. Face-to-face interviews, supplemented with self-administered questionnaires, provided information about anthropometric measures and other lifestyle factors. Logistic regression models with adjustments for several co-factors estimated the relative risk for CRF in relation to body mass index (BMI). Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m 2 ) at age 20 was associated with a significant three-fold excess risk for CRF, relative to BMI <25. Obesity (BMI >30) among men and morbid obesity (BMI > 35) among women anytime during lifetime was linked to three-to four-fold increases in risk. The strongest association was with diabetic nephropathy, but two-to three-fold risk elevations were observed for all major subtypes of CRF. Analyses that were confined to strata without hypertension or diabetes revealed a three-fold increased risk among patients who were overweight at age 20, whereas the two-fold observed risk elevation among those who had a highest lifetime BMI of >35 was statistically nonsignificant. Obesity seems to be an important-and potentially preventable-risk factor for CRF. Although hypertension and type 2 diabetes are important mediators, additional pathways also may exist.

Background:Venous thromboembolism (VTE) frequently complicates cancer. Data on tumour-specific VTE predictors are limited, but may inform strategies to prevent thrombosis.Methods:We computed incidence rates (IRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for VTE hospitalisation in a cohort of cancer patients (n=57 591) and in a comparison general-population cohort (n=287 476) in Denmark. The subjects entered the study in 1997–2005, and the follow-up continued through 2006. Using Cox proportional-hazards regression, we estimated relative risks (RRs) for VTE predictors, while adjusting for comorbidity.Results:Throughout the follow-up, VTE IR was higher among the cancer patients (IR=8.0, 95% CI=7.6–8.5) than the general population (IR=4.7, 95% CI=4.3–5.1), particularly in the first year after cancer diagnosis (IR=15.0, 95% CI=13.8–16.2, vs IR=8.6, 95% CI=7.6–9.9). Incidence rates of VTE were highest in patients with pancreas (IR=40.9, 95% CI=29.5–56.7), brain (IR=17.7, 95% CI=11.3–27.8) or liver (IR=20.4, 95% CI=9.2–45.3) tumours, multiple myeloma (IR=22.6, 95% CI=15.4–33.2) and among patients with advanced-stage cancers (IR=27.7, 95% CI=24.0–32.0) or those who received chemotherapy or no/symptomatic treatment. The adjusted RR (aRR) for VTE was highest among patients with pancreas (aRR=16.3, 95% CI=8.1–32.6) or brain cancer (aRR=19.8 95% CI=7.1–55.2), multiple myeloma (aRR=46.1, 95% CI=13.1–162.0) and among patients receiving chemotherapy, either alone (aRR=18.5, 95% CI=11.9–28.7) or in combination treatments (aRR=16.2, 95% CI=12.0–21.7).Conclusions:Risk of VTE is higher among cancer patients than in the general population. Predictors of VTE include recency of cancer diagnosis, cancer site, stage and the type of cancer-directed treatment.

Bone metastasis and skeletal related events predict poor prognosis in men with prostate cancer.

MDS patients in the United States have substantial transfusion needs, and use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and are seldom considered for bone marrow transplantation or clinical trials. These data may be useful in characterizing the health care resource use and pharmacoeconomic impact of MDS in the United States.