Publications by authors named "Danial Qureshi"
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises several co-occurring vascular and cardiometabolic characteristics and might represent a novel modifiable risk factor for dementia, though findings remain inconsistent. To clarify this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies investigating the association between MetS with risk of incident all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Methods: We searched Medline, Embase and PsycINFO databases (from inception to Feb 19th, 2024) for longitudinal cohort studies investigating the association of MetS with incident all-cause dementia or key subtypes, including Alzheimer's, vascular, Lewy Body or other dementias.
Association of multimorbidity and disease clusters with neuroimaging and cognitive outcomes in UK Biobank.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
August 2025
Background: The relationship between multimorbidity, particularly disease clusters, with neuroimaging and cognitive outcomes that typically manifest prior to clinical diagnosis of dementia, remains understudied. This study investigated whether multimorbidity is associated with dementia-related neuroimaging and cognitive outcomes in the UK Biobank cohort.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from UK Biobank participants who attended imaging assessments between 2014-2023, and were free from neurological conditions, including dementia.
Background: Prescribing rates for subcutaneous medications may be an indicator of quality of end-of-life care in long-term care (LTC). It is not known if this system level measure is valid across jurisdictions. We compared prescribing rates of medications used for end-of-life symptom relief among LTC residents in Alberta and Ontario.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To evaluate 1-year outcomes (mortality, and recurrent hospital and ICU readmission) in adult survivors of COVID-19 critical illness compared with survivors of critical illness from non-COVID-19 pneumonia.
Design: Population-based retrospective observational cohort study.
Setting: Province of Ontario, Canada.
Importance: Although dementia is a contraindication for feeding tube placement, guidelines recommending against its use are inconsistently followed, and factors associated with its use are unclear.
Objective: To describe the incidence of feeding tube placement among hospitalized older adults (aged ≥65 years) with dementia and their health outcomes during and after hospitalization and to identify factors associated with placement of feeding tubes (ie, gastrostomy, gastrostomy-jejunostomy, and jejunostomy tubes).
Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using a linked database in Ontario, Canada.
Background: Surviving COVID-19 critical illness may be associated with important long-term sequelae, but little is known regarding mental health outcomes.
Research Question: What is the association between COVID-19 critical illness and new mental health diagnoses after discharge?
Study Design And Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada (January 1, 2020-March 31, 2022). We included consecutive adult survivors (aged ≥ 18 years) of COVID-19 critical illness and compared them with consecutive adult survivors of critical illness from non-COVID-19 pneumonia.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the link between metabolic syndrome—a collection of conditions like high blood pressure and obesity—and the risk of developing dementia, focusing on variations across different age groups and the impact of the duration of metabolic syndrome.
- Using data from the EPIC-Norfolk cohort, which included over 20,000 adults aged 50-79, researchers analyzed health records to track the development of dementia over time.
- Findings indicated that metabolic syndrome increased dementia risk, particularly in those aged 60-69, suggesting that both age and the length of exposure to metabolic syndrome play a role in this risk.
Objectives: To develop and validate a model to predict time-to-LTC admissions among individuals with dementia.
Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study using health administrative data.
Setting And Participants: Community-dwelling older adults (65+) in Ontario living with dementia and assessed with the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care (RAI-HC) between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2017.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how the disease trajectory and care setting affect burdensome transitions to hospitals at the end of life for older adults in Ontario, focusing on individuals aged 65 and above who died between 2015 and 2018.
- It found that over 40% of participants had organ failure, and the majority received long-term care (LTC), with significant interactions noted between disease types and care options influencing hospital transitions.
- Specifically, patients with organ failure had a higher likelihood of being hospitalized early and late, compared to those with terminal illness, while frailty increased the odds of early hospital transitions only in those receiving non-end-of-life home care.
Background: Cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) is associated with significant short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. Despite this, little is known about associated cost.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health care costs and resource use associated with AMI-CS using administrative data from the province of Ontario, Canada.
Article Synopsis
- - Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is linked to poorer brain health in adults without dementia, indicated by lower brain volume and higher levels of white matter hyperintensity.
- - A study of 37,395 adults found that individuals with MetS performed worse on various cognitive tests, including working memory and processing speed, which suggests cognitive decline may begin before dementia onset.
- - The research highlights the need for more studies to determine if improving MetS can positively impact brain health and cognitive function over time.
Association of Regular Opioid Use With Incident Dementia and Neuroimaging Markers of Brain Health in Chronic Pain Patients: Analysis of UK Biobank.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
September 2024
Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association of regular opioid use, compared with non-opioid analgesics, with incident dementia and neuroimaging outcomes among chronic pain patients.
Design: The primary design is a prospective cohort study. To triangulate evidence, we also conducted a nested case-control study analyzing opioid prescriptions and a cross-sectional study analyzing neuroimaging outcomes.
Purpose: Cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) is associated with substantial short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. However, there are limited data on mental health sequelae that survivors experience following discharge.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada of critically ill adult (≥ 18 years) survivors of AMI-CS, admitted to hospital between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2019.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess how the prescribing of medications for end-of-life symptom management in long-term care homes changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada.
- Researchers examined data from residents who died between 2017 and 2021, comparing periods before and during the pandemic.
- The findings revealed significant differences in medication prescribing rates across various long-term care homes, with lower prescribing rates correlating with higher rates of COVID-19 outbreaks and negative outcomes for residents.
Background: Medications are often needed to manage distressing end-of-life symptoms (eg, pain, agitation).
Objectives: In this study, we describe the variation in prescribing rates of symptom relief medications at the end of life among long-term care (LTC) decedents. We evaluate the extent these medications are prescribed in LTC homes and whether prescribing rates of end-of-life symptom management can be used as an indicator of quality end-of-life care.
Dying in nonpalliative acute care is generally considered inappropriate and avoidable. Place of death, a commonly reported big-dot indicator of end-of-life care quality, is often used as a proxy for place of care despite no empirical evidence for their correlations. Thus, we examined the correlations between place of death and place of care in the last month of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssociation between metabolic syndrome and risk of incident dementia in UK Biobank.
Alzheimers Dement
January 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the connection between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the risk of developing dementia in a large group of UK Biobank participants aged 60 and older.
- Over a follow-up period of about 15 years, it was found that participants with MetS (defined by various health metrics) had a 12% increased risk of developing dementia.
- The relationship was particularly strong in individuals with four or five MetS components, and those with lower genetic risk factors for dementia showed even stronger associations.
Long-Term Outcomes of Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Myocardial Infarction.
J Am Coll Cardiol
September 2023
Background: Cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) is associated with substantial short-term mortality; however, there are limited data on long-term outcomes and trends.
Objectives: This study sought to examine long-term outcomes of AMI-CS patients.
Methods: This was a population-based, retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada of critically ill adult patients with AMI-CS who were admitted to hospitals between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2019.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the outcomes of critically ill patients without COVID-19 admitted to ICUs during the pandemic compared to the previous year, highlighting a gap in understanding the pandemic's broader impact on non-COVID patients.
- It revealed that all-cause in-hospital mortality increased during the pandemic (13.5% vs. 12.5%) along with higher rates of mortality in specific groups like patients with COPD exacerbations and recent immigrants.
- The study utilized health data from Ontario and involved over 32,000 patients during the pandemic period, showing similarities in patient demographics but variations in health outcomes.*
Article Synopsis
- Life-prolonging therapies (LPTs) for advanced prostate cancer are becoming more prevalent, but the factors influencing patient access in real-world settings are not well understood.
- A study examined 3,575 prostate cancer patients in Ontario who died between 2013 and 2017, finding that 40.4% received LPT, with usage increasing yearly, especially among those treated at Regional Cancer Centers and those who had prior prostate therapy.
- Key factors affecting LPT access included age, chronic health conditions, and residence in long-term care, while income and distance to care did not play a significant role.
Dying with Parkinson's Disease: Healthcare Utilization and Costs in the Last Year of Life.
J Parkinsons Dis
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates healthcare use and costs during the last year of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to those without it, utilizing data from Ontario, Canada.
- It found that decedents with PD had significantly higher rates of admissions to long-term care facilities and longer home care services, reflecting increased healthcare needs.
- Additionally, receiving palliative care was linked to lower odds of dying in the hospital, and overall, individuals with PD incurred higher healthcare costs in their final year ($68,391 vs. $59,244 for those without PD).
Article Synopsis
- Healthcare expenditures in ICUs are high, and this study focuses on high-cost users who make up a significant portion of these costs, assessing their health outcomes and spending patterns.
- A retrospective study of ICU patients in Ontario identified 37,006 high-cost users, characterized by older age, higher comorbidities, and significantly longer ICU stays (22.4 days vs. 5.56 days for non-high-cost users).
- Despite having lower in-hospital mortality rates, high-cost users had total healthcare costs that were five times greater than their non-high-cost counterparts, highlighting the need for further research to understand and potentially mitigate these expenses.
Importance: Recent immigrants face unique cultural and logistical challenges that differ from those of long-standing residents, which may influence the type of care they receive at the end of life.
Objective: To compare places of care among recent immigrants and long-standing residents in Canada in the last 90 days of life.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study used linked health administrative data on individuals from Ontario, Canada, who died between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016, extracted on February 26, 2020.