Study of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Risk Factors in Switzerland
Author Information
Author(s): Ruegger Jessica, Stoeck Katharina, Amsler Lorenz, Blaettler Thomas, Zwahlen Marcel, Aguzzi Adriano, Glatzel Markus, Hess Klaus, Eckert Tobias
Primary Institution: University Hospital Zurich
Hypothesis
What are the potential risk factors associated with the increased incidence of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) in Switzerland from 2001 to 2004?
Conclusion
The study did not find specific explanations for the increased incidence of sporadic CJD deaths in Switzerland, suggesting improved case ascertainment as a likely reason.
Supporting Evidence
- sCJD patients were more likely to have travelled abroad and undergone certain medical procedures.
- Regular GP visits and certain dietary habits were also analyzed as potential risk factors.
- The study found no significant differences in family history or environmental exposures between cases and controls.
Takeaway
The study looked at people with a rare brain disease and their families to see if certain activities or habits might have caused more cases, but it didn't find clear answers.
Methodology
A case-control study involving interviews with close relatives of 69 sCJD patients and 224 age-matched controls, analyzing 135 potential risk factors using logistic regression.
Potential Biases
Recall bias may have affected the accuracy of responses from proxy respondents for sCJD patients.
Limitations
The study faced potential recall bias and the limitations of a small sample size due to the rarity of the disease.
Participant Demographics
The study included 69 sCJD patients and 224 controls, matched by age and sex.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI (3.63–23.91)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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