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Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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42 hot topic(s) found with the query "Elderly"

Rethinking non-syndromic hearing loss and its mimics in the genomic era
B Vona, EJHG, March 6, 2024 (Posted: Mar 06, 2024 9AM)

From the article: "The sense of hearing plays a crucial role in everyday life, from influencing speech and language development in early childhood to reducing risk of social isolation, depression and cognitive decline in the elderly. The causes of hearing loss are numerous, although genetic causes are thought to be implicated in up to 80% of congenital diagnoses (reviewed in ref. [1]). The remarkable complexity of the auditory system is mirrored in its extensive genetic heterogeneity, with deleterious variants in hundreds of genes already associated with hearing loss and many more awaiting discovery. "

Associations of COVID-19 Symptoms with Omicron Subvariants BA.2 and BA.5, Host Status, and Clinical Outcomes: A Registry-Based Observational Study in Sapporo, Japan
S Nakabuko et al, MEDRXIV, February 7, 2023 (Posted: Feb 08, 2023 6AM)

Host immunological status, omicron subvariant, and age were associated with a spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms and outcomes. BA.5 produced a greater symptom burden than BA.2. Vaccination and prior infection mitigated systemic symptoms and improved outcomes, but increased upper respiratory tract symptom burden. Systemic, but not upper respiratory, symptoms in the elderly heralded severe disease.

Inequities in COVID-19 vaccine and booster coverage across Massachusetts ZIP codes after the emergence of Omicron: A population-based cross-sectional study.
Jacob Bor et al. PLoS medicine 2023 1 (1) e1004167 (Posted: Feb 02, 2023 7AM)

We analyzed data on 418 ZIP codes. We observed wide geographic variation in primary series vaccination and booster rates, with marked inequities by ZIP code-level education, median household income, essential worker share, and racial/ethnic composition. In age-stratified analyses, primary series vaccine coverage was very high among the elderly. However, we found large inequities in vaccination rates among younger adults and children, and very large inequities in booster rates for all age groups.

Evaluation of Potential Adverse Events Following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older: A Self-Controlled Study in the U.S.
A Shaobi et al, MEDRIV, January 23, 2023 (Posted: Jan 23, 2023 9AM)

In these two studies of the U.S. elderly we did not find an increased risk for AMI, ITP, DIC, and Myo/Peri; the results were not consistent for PE; and there was a small elevated risk of BP after exposure to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. These results support the favorable safety profile of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines administered in the elderly.

Atypical B cells and impaired SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation following booster vaccination in the elderly.
I Ferreira et al, MEDRXIV, October 13, 2022 (Posted: Oct 15, 2022 6AM)

High vaccine effectiveness against severe Covid-19 in the elderly in Finland before and after the emergence of Omicron
U Baum et al, MEDRXIV, July 6, 2022 (Posted: Jul 07, 2022 7AM)

Increasing SARS-CoV2 cases, hospitalizations and deaths among the vaccinated elderly populations during the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant surge in UK.
V Rami et al, MEDRXIV, June 28, 2022 (Posted: Jun 29, 2022 7AM)

Machine learning uncovers blood test patterns subphenotypes at hospital admission discerning increased 30-day ICU mortality rates in COVID-19 elderly patients
L Zhou et al, MEDRXIV, May 10, 2022 (Posted: May 11, 2022 7AM)

Single-cell transcriptomics reveal a unique memory-like NK cell subset that accumulates with ageing and correlates with disease severity in COVID-19
C Guo et al, Genome Medicine, May 3, 2022 (Posted: May 03, 2022 11AM)

We discovered a memory-like NK subpopulation (NK2) exhibiting the largest distribution change between elderly and young individuals among lymphocytes. Notably, we discovered a unique NK subset that was predominantly CD52+ NK2 cells (NK2.1). These memory-like NK2.1 cells accumulated with age, exhibited proinflammatory characteristics, and displayed a type I interferon response state. Integrative analyses of a large-cohort COVID-19 dataset and our datasets revealed that NK2.1 cells from elderly COVID-19 patients are enriched for type I interferon signalling, which is positively correlated with disease severity in COVID-19.

High vaccine effectiveness against severe Covid-19 in the elderly in Finland before and after the emergence of Omicron
U Baum et al, Research Square, April 14, 2022 (Posted: Apr 14, 2022 1PM)

The cohort included 897932 individuals. Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer) VE against Covid-19-related hospitalization was 93% (95% CI90%–95%) and 87% (95% CI 84%–89%) 14–90 and 91–180 days after the second dose; VE increased to 96% (95% CI 95%–97%) 14–60 days after the third dose. VE of other homologous and heterologous three dose series was similar. Protection against severe Covid-19 requiring ICU treatment was even better. Since January 1, 2022, Comirnaty VE was 91% (95% CI 79%–96%) and 76% (95% CI 56%–86%) 14–90 and 91–180 days after the second and 95% (95% CI 94%–97%) 14–60 days after the third dose.

Inequities in COVID-19 vaccine and booster coverage across Massachusetts ZIP codes: large gaps persist after the 2021/22 Omicron wave
J Bor et al, MEDRXIV, April 12, 2022 (Posted: Apr 12, 2022 0PM)

We analyzed data on 418 ZIP codes. We observed wide geographic variation in primary series vaccination and booster rates, with marked inequities by ZIP-code-level education, median household income, essential worker share, and racial-ethnic composition. In age-stratified analyses, primary series vaccine coverage was very high among the elderly. However, we found large inequities in vaccination rates among younger adults and children, and very large inequities in booster rates for all age groups. In multivariable regression models, each 10 percentage point increase in "percent college educated" was associated with a 5.0 percentage point increase in primary series vaccine coverage and a 4.9 percentage point increase in booster coverage.

An equitable roadmap for ending the COVID-19 pandemic
M Mukaigawara et al, Nature Medicine April 4, 2022 (Posted: Apr 05, 2022 7AM)

More than 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains unclear when and how it will end. The global outcome is dependent on multiple factors: the level of cooperation between governments; equitable access to vaccines, testing and therapeutics; local government action and the response of citizens; and competing outbreaks, conflicts or natural disasters. Ending the pandemic will also require a focus on the elderly and other vulnerable populations, as well as those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Will Omicron finally overpower China’s COVID defences? The country needs to control the virus until it has boosted vaccination rates in elderly people and reinforced the health-care system.
D Lewis, Nature, March 29, 2022 (Posted: Mar 29, 2022 6AM)

Levels of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Fully-Vaccinated Individuals With Delta or Omicron Variant Breakthrough Infections: A Prospective Cohort Study
NB Stark et al, SSRN, March 25, 2022 (Posted: Mar 28, 2022 2PM)

We observed a strong association between increasing levels of anti-spike antibodies and reduced risk of breakthrough infections with the Delta but not the Omicron variant. However, despite a high proportion of elderly participants, severe COVID-19 was rare in both Delta and Omicron infections.

Durability of Omicron-neutralizing serum activity following mRNA booster immunization in elderly individuals
K Vanshylla et al, MEDRXIV, February 2, 2022 (Posted: Feb 03, 2022 0PM)

Innate and adaptive immune defects associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine response in elderly people
J Vitale et al, MEDRXIV, January 8, 2022 (Posted: Jan 08, 2022 7AM)

Aging was associated with a lower anti-RBD IgG levels and a decreased magnitude and polyfunctionality of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell response. The dramatic decrease in thymic function in the elderly, which fueled alteration in T cell homeostasis, and lower CD161+ T cell levels were associated with decreased T cell response two months after vaccination. Additionally, a deficient dendritic cell (DC) homing, activation and Toll like receptor (TLR)-mediated function, along with a proinflammatory functional profile in monocytes, were observed in the elderly, which was also related to lower specific T cell response after vaccination.

Robust immune response to the BNT162b mRNA vaccine in an elderly population vaccinated 15 months after recovery from COVID-19
HK Lee et al, MEDRXIV, September 12, 2021 (Posted: Sep 12, 2021 5PM)

Waning immunity of the BNT162b2 vaccine: A nationwide study from Israel
Y Goldberg et al, MEDRXIV, August 30, 2021 (Posted: Aug 31, 2021 8AM)

The rates of both documented SARS-CoV-2 infections and severe COVID-19 exhibit a statistically significant increase as time from second vaccine dose elapsed. Elderly individuals (60+) who received their second dose in March 2021 were 1.6 (CI: [1.3, 2]) times more protected against infection and 1.7 (CI: [1.0, 2.7]) times more protected against severe COVID-19 compared to those who received their second dose in January 2021. Similar results were found for different age groups.

Long-term immunogenicity of BNT162b2 vaccination in the elderly and in younger health care workers
PT Lau et al, MEDRXIV, August 26, 2021 (Posted: Aug 27, 2021 6AM)

Is the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination effective in elderly populations? Results from population data from Bavaria, Germany
D Gomes et al, MEDRXIV, August 21, 2021 (Posted: Aug 22, 2021 7AM)

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
P Sah et al, PNAS, August 2021 (Posted: Aug 10, 2021 11PM)

By analyzing over 350 papers, we estimated that more than one-third of infections are truly asymptomatic. We found evidence of greater asymptomaticity in children compared with the elderly, and lower asymptomaticity among cases with comorbidities compared to cases with no underlying medical conditions. Greater asymptomaticity at younger ages suggests that heightened vigilance is needed among these individuals, to prevent spillover into the broader community.

Effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine in the elderly population during a P.1 variant-associated epidemic of COVID-19 in Brazil: A test-negative case-control study
OT Ranzani et al, MEDRXIV, May 21, 2021 (Posted: May 22, 2021 11AM)

Sociodemographic inequality in COVID-19 vaccination coverage amongst elderly adults in England: a national linked data study
V Nafilyan et al, MEDRXIV, May 17, 2021 (Posted: May 18, 2021 7AM)

Impact of BNT162b first vaccination on the immune transcriptome of elderly patients infected with the B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant
L Knabl et al, MEDRXIV, May 14, 2021 (Posted: May 15, 2021 7AM)

Genomic Risk Score for Melanoma in a Prospective Study of Older Individuals.
Bakshi Andrew et al. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2021 4 (Posted: Apr 18, 2021 8AM)

We assessed a PRS for cutaneous melanoma comprising 55 variants in a prospective study of 12,712 individuals in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial. We evaluated incident melanomas diagnosed during the trial and prevalent melanomas diagnosed pre-enrolment. We found that a genomic risk score is associated with melanoma risk in older individuals, and may contribute to targeted surveillance.

Minimizing loss of life in Covid-19 in a 100 day period in the U.S.A. by personalized-dose vaccination and distribution of a limited vaccine supply
P Hunziker, MEDRXIV< February 28, 2021 (Posted: Feb 28, 2021 7AM)

Rapid reduction of Covid-19 case and death rate in the USA in 100 days with a limited vaccine supply is best achieved when personalized, age-tailored dosing for highly effective vaccines is used, according to this vaccination strategy model parameterized to U.S. demographics, Covid-19 transmission and vaccine characteristics. An 'elderly first' approach costs more lives, even in the elderly.

On-site rapid molecular testing, mobile sampling teams and eHealth to support primary care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic
NN Cheung et al, MedRXIV, November 23, 2020 (Posted: Nov 23, 2020 4PM)

The combination of rapid molecular testing and eHealth reduced the time between referral and results sent back to the GP to less than four hours. In addition, mobile sampling teams helped in reaching non-mobile, elderly patient populations with a higher prevalence of COVID-19.

Understanding COVID-19 vaccine efficacy
M Lipsitch et al, Science, October 21, 2020 (Posted: Oct 22, 2020 8AM)

The elderly and people with comorbidities are at greatest risk of severe COVID-19. A safe and effective vaccine could help to protect these groups in two distinct ways: direct protection, where high-risk groups are vaccinated to prevent disease, and indirect protection, where those in contact with high-risk individuals are vaccinated to reduce transmission.

COVID-19 and Down’s syndrome: are we heading for a disaster?
R Dard et al, EJHG, July 20, 2020 (Posted: Jul 21, 2020 7AM)

Given that people with DS are often intellectually impaired, measures designed to prevent transmission of the virus will certainly be more difficult to apply in this population. Furthermore, most adults with DS live in institutions where the risk of contagion is significant or with their elderly parents, who themselves constitute a high-risk group.

Using Digital Data to Protect and Promote the Most Vulnerable in the Fight Against COVID-19
R Chunara et al, Frot Public Health, June 12, 2020 (Posted: Jun 12, 2020 4PM)

The digital divide shows that the most vulnerable (e.g., elderly, certain socioeconomic or cultural groups) may not often have access to the same digital tools, nor follow the same patterns of illness and reporting as other populations. This may present issues when population-level inferences are to be made from such data.

Population-level COVID-19 mortality risk for non-elderly individuals overall and for non-elderly individuals without underlying diseases in pandemic epicenters
JP Ioannidis et al, MEDRXIV, May 6, 2020 (Posted: May 06, 2020 8AM)

Risk factors for severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients : a systematic review and meta analysis
L Xu et al, MEDRXIV, April 1, 2020 (Posted: Apr 02, 2020 10AM)

In this review and meta-analysis, we found that elderly male patients with a high body mass index, high breathing rate and a combination of underlying diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were more likely to become critically ill.

How sick will the coronavirus make you? The answer may be in your genes
J Kaiser, Science Magazine, March 27, 2020 (Posted: Mar 29, 2020 8AM)

Only some infected people get sick, and although most of the critically ill are elderly or have complicating problems, some killed by the disease are previously healthy and even relatively young. Researchers are now gearing up to scour the patients’ genomes for DNA variations that explain this mystery.

The Medical Genome Reference Bank contains whole genome and phenotype data of 2570 healthy elderly
M Pinese, Nature Communications, January 2020 (Posted: Jan 25, 2020 8AM)

The Genome Reference Bank (MGRB), comprising whole genome sequence and phenotype of 2570 elderly Australians depleted for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. MGRB individuals have fewer disease-associated common and rare germline variants, relative to both cancer cases and the gnomAD and UK Biobank cohorts,

The Medical Genome Reference Bank: a whole-genome data resource of 4000 healthy elderly individuals. Rationale and cohort design
P Lacaze et al, EJHG, October 24, 2018 (Posted: Oct 24, 2018 3PM)

DNA Methylation Signatures of Depressive Symptoms in Middle-aged and Elderly Persons: Meta-analysis of Multiethnic Epigenome-wide Studies.
Story Jovanova Olivera et al. JAMA psychiatry 2018 Jul (Posted: Jul 17, 2018 8AM)

An Evaluation of the Cost-effectiveness of Comprehensive MTM Integrated with Point-of-Care Phenotypic and Genetic Testing for U.S. Elderly Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
Okere Arinze Nkemdirim et al. Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy 2018 Feb 24(2) 142-152 (Posted: Feb 07, 2018 10AM)

Epigenetic drift in the aging genome: a ten-year follow-up in an elderly twin cohort
Q Tam et al, INt J epidemiology, August 2016 (Posted: Aug 07, 2016 4PM)

Genetic Variants of Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Genes (KCNQ1, KCNH2, and KCNE1) Affected the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients.
Li Li et al. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2015 Jun 11. (Posted: Jun 21, 2015 7PM)

Mendelian randomization studies in the elderly.
Boef Anna G C et al. Epidemiology 2015 Mar (2) e15-6 (Posted: Feb 16, 2015 9AM)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Brand (Posted: Jan 11, 2014 11AM)

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. Healthy people typically experience mild, cold-like symptoms and recover in a week or two. However, RSV can be serious, particularly for infants and the elderly. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.

Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version
Brand (Posted: Jan 11, 2014 11AM)

Overview Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Screening, Gastric Cancer Treatment, and Levels of Evidence for Cancer Screening and Prevention Studies are also available. Who Is at Risk? People at elevated risk for gastric cancer include elderly patients with atrophic gastritis or pernicious anemia, patients with sporadic gastric adenomas,[1] familial adenomatous polyposis,[2] or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer,[3] and immigrant ethnic populations from countries with high rates of gastric carcinoma.[4,5] Workers in the rubber and coal industries are also at increased risk.[6] Risk factors for gastric cancer include the presence of precursor conditions such as chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, pernicious anemia, and gastric adenomatous polyps. Genetic factors include a family history of gastric cancer, Li Fraumeni syndrome, and Type A blood type.[6] Environmental factors include low consumption of fruits and vegetables; consumption of salted, smoked, or poorly preserved foods; cigarette smoking; and radiation exposure.[6-8] There is consistent evidence that Helicobacter pylori infection, also known as H. pylori infection, of the stomach is strongly associated with both the initiation and promotion of carcinoma of the gastric body and antrum and of gastric lymphoma.[9-11] The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies H. pylori infection as a cause of noncardia gastric carcinoma and gastric low-grade B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue or MALT lymphoma (i.e., a Group 1 human carcinogen).[12,13] Compared with the general population, people with duodenal ulcer disease may have a lower risk of gastric cancer.[14] Interventions for Reduction of Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Risk Smoking cessation Based on solid evidence, smoking is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.[15-17] The 2004 Surgeon General?s report identifies cigarette smoking as a cause of stomach cancer, with an average relative risk (RR) in former smokers of 1.2 and in current smokers of 1.6.[18] Compared with persistent smokers, the risk of stomach cancer decreases among former smokers with time since cessation. This pattern of observations makes it reasonable to infer that cigarette smoking prevention or cessation would result in a decreased risk of gastric cancer. Magnitude of Effect: A systematic review and meta-analysis showed a 60% increase in gastric cancer in male smokers and a 20% increase in gastric cancer in female smokers compared with nonsmokers.[15] Study Design: Evidence obtained from case-control and cohort studies. Internal Validity: Good. Consistency: Good. External Validity: Good. H. Pylori infection eradication Based on solid evidence, H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. A meta-analysis of seven randomized studies, all conducted in areas of high-risk gastric cancer and all but one conducted in Asia, suggests that treatment of H. pylori may reduce gastric cancer risk (from 1.7% to 1.1%; RR = 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.43?0.98).[19] Only two studies assessed gastric cancer incidence as the primary study outcome, and two different studies were double blinded. It is unclear how generalizable the results may be to the North American population. In the initial report from a clinical trial, 3,365 randomized subjects were followed in an intention-to-treat analysis; it was shown that short-term treatment with amoxicillin and omeprazole reduced the incidence of gastric cancer by 39% during a period of 15 years following randomization, with similar but not statistically significant reductions for gastric cancer mortality.[20] Magnitude of Effect: Risk of cancer may be reduced; effect on cancer mortality is not known. Study Design: Randomized controlled trials of H. pylori eradication. Internal Validity: Good. Consistency: Good. External Validity: Good. Interventions With Inadequate Evidence as to Whether They Reduce the Risk of Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Diet Based on fair evidence, excessive salt intake and deficient dietary consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Dietary intake of vitamin C contained in vegetables, fruits, and other foods of plant origin is associated with a reduced risk of gastric cancer. Diets high in whole-grain cereals, carotenoids, allium compounds, and green tea are also associated with a reduced risk of this cancer. However, it is uncertain if changing one's diet to include more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains would reduce the risk of gastric cancer. Magnitude of Effect: Small, difficult to determine. Study Design: Cohort or case-control studies. Internal Validity: Good. Consistency: Small number of studies. External Validity: Fair (populations vary greatly in their underlying nutritional status). Cancer


Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by Public Health Genomics Branch to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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