2012-2013

IN THE NEWS

The Rochester Epidemiology Project has laid the foundation for hundreds of research studies to try and answer questions about health care issues that affect our community. Listed below are some of the news articles discussing the results of publications from 2012 and 2013 using REP data.


2013

 

December 2013

 

Rochester Epidemiology Project on Fox9
In a recent article, Jeff Baillion interviewed REP researchers, study participants, and community members about the value of population-based research. Find out more at the video link below!

Source: Fox9 INVESTIGATORS: America’s test tube

 

September 2013

 

Number of Cataract Surgeries on the Rise

 

August 2013

 

Association of Asthma and Immunodeficiency
According to an international team of researchers, having selective IgA deficiency (sigAD) or common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) affects how much antibodies a person’s immune system can produce. Having either condition may result in recurrent infections. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project’s linkage system, the team found that patients with a history of asthma had an increased chance of also having SigAD or CVID.

Original Study Abstract: Mayo Clinic Proceedings – Asthma and Risk of Selective IgA Deficiency or Common Variable Immunodeficiency: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

 

Underestimation of liver-related mortality in the United States Asrani SK, Larson JJ. Yawn B, Therneau TM, Kim WR, Gastroenterology 2013 Aug;145(2):375-382.e2. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.04.005. Epub 2013 Apr 9. PMID: 23583430 [PubMed – in process]

 

A distal forearm fracture in childhood is associated with an increased risk for future fragilty fractures in adult men, but not women. Arnin S, Melton LJ 3rd, Achenbach SJ, Atkinson EJ, Dekutoski MB, Kirmani S, Fischer PR, Khosia S. J Bone Miner Res. 2013 Aug;28(8):1751-9. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.1914.PMID: 23456800 [PubMed – in process]

 

Incidence of female urethral diverticulum: a population-based analysis and literature review. El-Nashar SA, Bacon MM, Kim-Fine S, Weaver AL, Gebhart JB, Klingele CJ. Int Urogynecol J. 2013 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23857063 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

 

June 21, 2013

 

Description of Population-based Drug Utilization
Based on the Rochester Epidemiology Project’s linkage system, researchers found that nearly 70% of the Olmsted County population received at least one prescription in 2009. Over one-fifth of the population received prescriptions from 5 or more drug groups. Most commonly prescribed types of medication include antibiotics, anti-depressants, opiod analgesics (pain killers), lipid-lowering drugs, and vaccines. Differences in number and types of prescriptions were found based on sex and age; for example, women and the elderly receive more prescriptions in general.

Additional Coverage: Mayo Clinic Research News; Minnesota Daily; U.S. News & World Report

Original Study Abstract Mayo Clinic Proceedings – Age and Sex Patterns of Drug Prescribing in a Defined American Population

 

May 31, 2013

 

Use of Procedure Saves Limbs from Amputation
Peripheral arterial disease – a common circulation condition – sometimes requires amputation of limbs. Surgeons can use other interventions such as stents and balloons. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, Dr. Peter Gloviczski and his team found that when these other treatments were used, overall rate of amputation decreased in the population.

More Information: Mayo Clinic News – Procedure saving limbs of more peripheral arterial disease patients

 

May 13, 2013

 

Herpes Zoster and Eye Complications
A recent study by Dr. Barbara Yawn (REP community advisory group co-chair) and her colleagues found that patients who were diagnosed with herpes zoster were more likely to have serious or permanent eye complications. Reviewing linked records through the Rochester Epidemiology Project, they were able to find that 2.5% of patients with herpes had eye involvement. Some patients required corneal transplants and long-term treatment. Herpes zoster can be prevented by receiving the zoster vaccine.

More Information: Mayo Clinic Preceedings – Herpes zoster eye complications: Rates and trends

 

May 3, 2013

 

No Link between Anesthesia and Dementia in Elderly
Dr. Sprung and his team used the Rochester Epidemiology Project and the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Registry to look at 900, 45+ year-old, Olmsted County residents who had dementia between 1985 and 1994. These researchers note that while other factors may influence the development of dementia, receiving general anesthesia for surgery to not worsen or contribute to the development of dementia in elderly patients.

More Information: Mayo Clinic Preceedings – Anesthesia and incident dementia: A population-based, nested, case-control study

 

May 1, 2013

 

Risk of Oophorectomy after Hysterectomy
A recenty study presents findings around the risk of receiving an oophorectomy after undergoing a hysterectomy. The research team found that the incidence of such cases is under 10%, which is about 2% greater than for women who never received a hysterectomy.

More Information: Obstet Gynecol – Risk of oophorectomy after hysterectomy.


2012

 

December 19, 2012

 

Men with Fibromyalgia Often Go Undiagnosed
Researchers from Mayo Clinic’s Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic published a new study that analyzed medical records and random surveys to find patients over age 21 that may have gone undiagnosed for fibromyalgia. The authors of the study found that there was a bigger difference in men reporting symptoms of fibromyalgia without a diagnosis than in women. Although this disease has numerous symptoms (like pain and insomnia) that often go untreated or are simply mistaken for symptoms other conditions, effective treatment is available for those who are diagnosed.

More Information: Arthritis Care & Research – Prevalence of fibromyalgia: A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project

 

 

December 11, 2012

 

KAAL TV Features the REP
Earlier this week, the Rochester Epidemiology Project was featured on ABC 6 News.

More Information: Rochester Epidemiology Project – KAAL TV

 

December 10, 2012

 

The Greatest Medical Resource You’ve Never Heard Of: Rochester Epidemiology Project
This article discusses the history of the Rochester Epidemiology Project and new directions for supporting future research in the community.

More Information: MayoClinic.org – History and Future of the Rochester Epidemiology Project

 

December 6, 2012

 

Incidence of Cutaneous Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection from 1980 to 2009
Cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections may be found in patients after surgery, cosmetic procedures (getting a tattoo), or traumatic surgery and can result in ulcers and other skin conditions. Using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, researchers have found that the occurrence of this type of bacterial infection increased three-fold between 1980 and 2009. Based on these numbers, researchers recommend that other studies should look at assessing what is the most effective and appropriate treatment for patients with NTM infections.

More Information: Mayo Clinic Proceedings – Increased Incidence of Cutaneous Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection, 1980 to 2009: A Population-Based Study

Video

 

November 30, 2012

 

History of the Rochester Epidemiology Project: Half a Century of Medical Records Linkage in a US Population
A recently published study provides a detailed narrative on the rich history of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, its role in population health research, and its vibrant relationship with the community.

More Information: Mayo Clinic Proceedings – History of the REP

Video

 

January 12, 2012

 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Relatively Low in Olmsted County Population
A new research study presents population-based estimates of chronic fatigue syndrome rates among patients in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

More Information: MayoClinicPreceedings.com – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Relatively Low in Olmsted County Population


 

Find More Publications

 

To find more publications of research studies supported by the Rochester Epidemiology Project, visit our Publications Search page. On this page, you can search hundreds of publications supported by the REP and related to almost every disease imaginable.