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Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) patients are known to have medical comorbidities. This study characterized the rates of infectious diseases in FM patients compared to the general population. Methods: A nationwide population-based case-control study was conducted, including all patients diagnosed with FM by a rheumatologist compared to a matched 5:1 control group within a large health maintenance organization in Israel (January 2002 to December 2023). Demographic, anthropometric, and health habit data were extracted from medical records as well as the ICD-9 codes of diagnoses related to infectious diseases in 9232 FM patients and 46,160 controls. Infection rates in the FM patients were compared to the controls over a mean follow-up of 6.7 years. Results: The FM patients had a significantly higher incidence of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases compared to the controls. The FM patients had significantly higher odds ratios (ORs) for respiratory/sinopulmonary infections, including upper respiratory tract infections (OR = 1.49), influenza (OR = 1.80), tonsillitis (OR = 1.40), sinusitis (OR = 1.98), otitis media (OR = 1.84), otitis externa (OR = 1.48), and pneumonia (OR = 1.60), all p < 0.01. They also experienced more gastrointestinal infections, including gastroenteritis (OR = 1.40), Helicobacter pylori (OR = 2.05), candidal esophagitis (OR = 7.88), and giardiasis (OR = 3.41), all p < 0.01. They had a higher prevalence of genitourinary infections, including urinary tract infections (OR = 1.79) and pelvic inflammatory disease (OR = 3.17), p < 0.01 as well as skin infections such as abscess (OR = 1.74) and cellulitis (OR = 1.64) and systemic infections such as symptomatic COVID-19 (OR = 1.76) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (OR = 1.85), all p < 0.01. Conclusions: The FM patients had a significantly higher incidence of infectious diseases than the general population. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions to address infection risks in FM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concurrent presence of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) presents a unique clinical scenario with implications that are not yet fully understood. This study aims to characterize the distinct clinical and virological features of CHB in the context of MASLD and evaluate its impact on disease progression and outcomes. Methods: Utilizing a comprehensive health maintenance organization database, this study included 1186 patients with CHB from 2000–2020. Patients were categorized into two groups: CHB-MASLD (n = 188) and CHB alone (n = 998). CHB diagnosis was confirmed by serological markers, while MASLD was diagnosed based on imaging and cardiometabolic risk factors. Comparative analysis and multiple regression models were applied to assess variables related to viral parameters and clinical outcomes. Results: The CHB-MASLD group was older (mean age of 45.2 vs. 39.1, p < 0.001) with higher rates of obesity (46.8% vs. 23.8%, p < 0.001), diabetes (36.2% vs. 17.3%, p < 0.001), and dyslipidemia. Distinct viral profiles included higher HBeAg negativity (96.2%), a higher rate of HBeAg-negative infection (70.4% vs. 63.8%; p < 0.001), and increased HBeAg seroconversion under treatment. Cirrhosis was more prevalent in the CHB-MASLD group (9.6% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.007), while HCC rates were comparable. Multivariate analysis identified age, male gender, chronic active hepatitis, and diabetes as predictors of cirrhosis. Conclusions: CHB-MASLD patients were distinguished by a higher prevalence of metabolic features, along with a distinct viral profile marked by increased chronic HBeAg infection, higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion, and a potential association with worse disease outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are no published epidemiologic studies with regard to the prevalence of neurologic diseases among subjects with selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency (sIgAD). Objective: To investigate the prevalence of neurologic diseases among the Israeli population with sIgAD. Methods: A population-based case-control study among members of a large nationwide health maintenance organization in Israel providing services to > 700,000 members. The sIgAD group included individuals ≥4 years of age with a serum IgA level of <0.07 g/L and with a diagnosis of sIgAD. The control groupwas randomly sampled fromthe entire study population with a case-control ratio of five controls for each case (1:5), with exactmatching for age, gender, ethnic group, and socioeconomic status category. Results: A total of 796 subjects ages 20.58 6 15.46 years; 391 female subjects (49.1%) were identified as having sIgAD. The control group was constituted of 3980 matched subjects. The sIgAD group was characterized by a higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and tic disorders. Migraine was less prevalent in the sIgAD group (19 [2.39%]) than in the control group (168 [4.22%]), odds ratio (OR) 0.55 (95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.34-0.90); p = 0.016]. More cases of subjects with epilepsy were observed in the sIgAD group (14 [1.76%]) than in the control group (31 [0.80%]),OR2.28 (95% CI, 1.12 - 4.44; p = 0.015). Conclusion: Our observation raises the question of the role of IgA in noninfectious diseases of the central nervous system. Further basic studies are needed to explain our observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that more temporally regular primary care visits are associated with improved patient outcomes. Objective: To examine the association of temporal regularity (TR) of primary care with hospitalizations and mortality in patients with chronic illnesses. Also, to identify threshold values for TR for predicting outcomes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Participants: We used data from the electronic health record of a health maintenance organization in Israel to study primary care visits of 70,095 patients age 40 + with one of three chronic conditions (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Main measures: We calculated TR for each patient during a two-year period (2016–2017), and divided patients into quintiles based on TR. Outcomes (hospitalization, death) were observed in 2018–2019. Covariates included the Bice-Boxerman continuity of care score, demographics, and comorbidities. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine TR's association with hospitalization and death, controlling for covariates. Key results: Compared to patients receiving the most regular care, patients receiving less regular care had increased odds of hospitalization and mortality, with a dose–response curve observed across quintiles (p for linear trend < 0.001). For example, patients with the least regular care had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.40 for all-cause mortality, compared to patients with the most regular care. Analyses stratified by age, sex, ethnic group, area-level SES, and certain comorbid conditions did not show strong differential associations of TR across groups. Conclusions: We found an association between more temporally regular care in antecedent years and reduced hospitalization and mortality of patients with chronic illness in subsequent years, after controlling for covariates. There was no clear threshold value for temporal regularity; rather, more regular primary care appeared to be better across the entire range of the variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Although obesity has been confirmed as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severity, the role of post-bariatric surgery (BS) variables and the infection is unclear. We, therefore, aimed to study comprehensively the relationship between the extent of weight reduction after surgery and other demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables with the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed, utilizing advanced tracking methodologies on the computerized database of a nation-wide health maintenance organization (HMO). The study population included all HMO members aged ≥18 years that had been tested at least once for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period and underwent BS at least one year before their testing. Results: Of the total 3038 individuals who underwent BS, 2697 (88.78%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and 341 (11.22%) were negative. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the body mass index and the amount of weight reduction after the BS were not related to the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Post-operative low socioeconomic status (SES) and vitamin D3 deficiency were associated with significant and independent increased rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio [OR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–2.03, p < 0.001; and OR 1.55, 95% CI, 1.18–2.02, p < 0.001; respectively). Post-operative physical activity > 3 times/week was associated with a significant and independent reduced rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 0.51, 95% CI, 0.35–0.73, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Post-BS vitamin D3 deficiency, SES, and physical activity, but not the amount of weight reduction, were significantly associated with the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Healthcare workers should be aware of these associations after BS and intervene accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with chronic diseases should meet with their primary care doctor regularly to facilitate proactive care. Little is known about what factors are associated with more regular follow-up. Methods: We studied 70,095 patients age 40 + with one of three chronic conditions (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cared for by Leumit Health Services, an Israeli health maintenance organization. Patients were divided into the quintile with the least temporally regular care (i.e., the most irregular intervals between visits) vs. the other four quintiles. We examined patient-level predictors of being in the least-temporally-regular quintile. We calculated the risk-adjusted regularity of care at 239 LHS clinics with at least 30 patients. For each clinic, compared the number of patients with the least temporally regular care with the number predicted to be in this group based on patient characteristics. Results: Compared to older patients, younger patients (age 40–49), were more likely to be in the least-temporally-regular group. For example, age 70–79 had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.82 compared to age 40–49 (p < 0.001 for all findings discussed here). Males were more likely to be in the least-regular group (AOR 1.18). Patients with previous myocardial infarction (AOR 1.07), atrial fibrillation (AOR 1.08), and current smokers (AOR 1.12) were more likely to have an irregular pattern of care. In contrast, patients with diabetes (AOR 0.79) or osteoporosis (AOR 0.86) were less likely to have an irregular pattern of care. Clinic-level number of patients with irregular care, compared with the predicted number, ranged from 0.36 (fewer patients with temporally irregular care) to 1.71 (more patients). Conclusions: Some patient characteristics are associated with more or less temporally regular patterns of primary care visits. Clinics vary widely on the number of patients with a temporally irregular pattern of care, after adjusting for patient characteristics. Health systems can use the patient-level model to identify patients at high risk for temporally irregular patterns of primary care. The next step is to examine which strategies are employed by clinics that achieve the most temporally regular care, since these strategies may be possible to emulate elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is complex and not yet fully elucidated, being related to many variables; these include human microbiome and immune status, which are both affected for a long period by antibiotic use. We therefore aimed to examine the association of previous antibiotic consumption and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large-scale population-based study with control of known confounders. Methods: A matched case–control study was performed utilizing the electronic medical records of a large Health Maintenance Organization. Cases were subjects with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 31,260), matched individually (1:4 ratio) to controls without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test (n = 125,039). The possible association between previous antibiotic use and SARS-CoV-2 infection was determined by comparing antibiotic consumption in the previous 6 and 12 months between the cases and controls. For each antibiotic consumed we calculated the odds ratio (OR) for documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, 95% confidence interval (CI), and p-value using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The association between previous antibiotic consumption and SARS-CoV-2 infection was complex and bi-directional. In the multivariate analysis, phenoxymethylpenicillin was associated with increased rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 1.110, 95% CI: 1.036–1.191) while decreased rates were associated with previous consumption of trimethoprim-sulfonamides (OR 0.783, 95% CI: 0.632–0.971) and azithromycin (OR 0.882, 95% CI: 0.829–0.938). Fluroquinolones were associated with decreased rates (OR 0.923, 95% CI: 0.861–0.989) only in the univariate analysis. Previous consumption of other antibiotics had no significant association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Previous consumption of certain antibiotic agents has an independent significant association with increased or decreased rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Plausible mechanisms, that should be further elucidated, are mainly antibiotic effects on the human microbiome and immune modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases (IDs) pose a heavy burden on children. An association between pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific IDs has been documented. Our objective was to test the possibility that ADHD is associated with increased likelihood for pediatric IDs at large. A population-based case-control study was conducted using Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) of a national Health Maintenance Organization, Leumit Health Services (LHS). ICD-9/10 criteria were used for all diagnoses. The study population consisted of all children and adolescents (aged 5-18 years), members of LHS between January 1, 2006-June 30, 2021. Case patients met International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9/10) criteria for ADHD. Controls included randomly selected persons without ADHD (2:1 ratio), matched individually by demographic indices. The EMRs retrieved 3 exposure categories: pediatric ID, anti-infective medications use, and number of physician visits. The study was approved by the review board of Shamir Medical Center and the Research Committee of LHS. Cases patients comprised 18,756 participants, with a mean age of 8.3 ± 2.6 years and a male/female ratio of 63%:37%. Matched controls comprised 37,512 participants, with a mean age of 8.3 ± 2.6 years and a male/female ratio of 63%:37%. Demographic variables were similar between the groups. The rates of all IDs were significantly higher in participants with ADHD than in controls and were not restricted to a single body system, including acute respiratory infection (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3-1.4, p <.001), acute gastroenteritis (OR = 1.3,95% CI 1.3-1.4, p <.001), salmonellosis (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 2.3-3.5, p <.001), and urinary tract infection (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2-1.4, p <.001). All anti-infective agents were prescribed significantly more often to children with ADHD. There were significantly higher rates of physician visits for participants with ADHD. Study findings suggest an association between ID and pediatric ADHD Health care providers should be aware of this potential association. The Health and Economic Impact of Treated and Untreated ADHD; https://www.shamir.org/ ; 005-18-LEU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]