Stroke is a leading cause of death in Vietnam. However, a comprehensive analysis of stroke burden remains limited. This study aims to investigate the burden of stroke and various risk factors in Vietnam from 1990 to 2021. We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates. For the burden of stroke, we included the following variables as age-standardized rates (ASR) per 100,000 people per year: incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality. Stroke-related mortality and DALYs associated with 23 risk factors were also analyzed. Trends were analyzed using joinpoint regression analysis. In 2021, stroke was responsible for 166,954 deaths (Males:96,764; Females:70,190). The ASR for stroke incidence was 203·36 (95%CI: 190·51-271·81) per 100,000 people, exceeding 187·98 in Southeast Asia and 141·55 globally. From 1990 to 2021, stroke incidence, death, and DALYs decreased steadily, with average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of -0·34%, -0·49%, and -0·61%. The prevalence of stroke decreased among women (AAPC:-0·19%) and increased among men (AAPC:0·26%). Metabolic risks were the largest contributors to stroke-related mortality (144·89 per 100,000) and DALYs (2,872·37 per 100,000). The analysis revealed that behavioral risks were more prevalent in males, and metabolic risks in females. Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in Vietnam. Although its overall burden has declined, the persistent and significant burden among males, coupled with specific risk factors, remains a major concern. Further researches are warranted to develop targeted interventions addressing the distinct risk factors.

Key Points: Around 25% of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) cases among dialysis patients were associated with the dialysis procedure, a rate nearly three times higher than expected by chance. SCA events were more likely to occur on dialysis days, especially after long interdialytic periods, such as on Mondays and Tuesdays. A significant portion (23.4%) of SCA events associated with dialysis occurred within the first hour postdialysis, highlighting the need for careful monitoring. Background: Individuals with ESKD may be at increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) associated with dialysis therapy. However, community-based studies with comprehensive adjudication of SCA are lacking. Methods: We conducted a community-based study using a case-case study design in a US population of approximately 1 million. All SCA cases with CKD were ascertained prospectively (2002–2020). We reviewed emergency medical services narratives and archived medical records from regional hospitals to capture patients' dialysis history, schedules, and the timing of SCA events in relation to dialysis sessions. Among those on regular hemodialysis, individuals who suffered SCA during hemodialysis or within an hour after completing hemodialysis (intradialytic/immediate posthemodialysis [IIHD]) were compared to cases with SCA at other times (non-IIHD). Noncompliant individuals or those intolerant of dialysis were excluded. Results: Of 1023 SCA cases with CKD, 195 (19.1%) were undergoing regular scheduled hemodialysis. Among these cases, 24.1% were IIHD SCA, while 75.9% occurred non-IIHD. The incidence of SCA during dialysis was 2.9 times higher than expected by chance. SCA events were more likely to occur on dialysis days (65.3% of events) versus 34.7% events on the four off dialysis days (P < 0.001). IIHD SCA had higher serum sodium (138.9±4.8 versus 135.5±5.5 mmol/L, P = 0.005), lower serum potassium (3.6±0.7 versus 5.6±1.6 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and higher bicarbonate levels (25.9±6.6 versus 20.2±5.5 mmol/L, P < 0.001) compared with their non-IIHD SCA counterparts. Regarding resuscitation details, IIHD SCA had a higher percentage of shockable rhythm (46.5% versus 32.4%, P = 0.09), witnessed collapse (85.1% versus 53.4%, P < 0.001), bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (72.3% versus 37.9%, P < 0.001), return of spontaneous circulation (66.0% versus 42.5%, P = 0.005), and survival to hospital discharge (30.4% versus 5.4%, P < 0.001) compared with non-IIHD SCA. Conclusions: In patients undergoing dialysis, SCA events were significantly more common on dialysis days and three-fold higher than expected by chance. We identified potential risk factors and survival outcome differences between IIHD versus non-IIHD SCA groups that warrant future investigation.

Ganoderma lucidum is traditionally used to prevent and treat some diseases such as liver disorders, hypertension, insomnia, diabetes, and cancer. G. lucidum spore extracts are also reported to share similar bioactivities as extracts from its other parts. However, there is no systematic review that elucidates its pharmacological effect. Our aim is to comprehensively summarise current evidence of G. lucidum spore extracts to clarify its benefits to be applied in further studies. We searched five primary databases: PubMed, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Global Health Library (GHL), System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe (SIGLE), and Google Scholar on September 13, 2021. Articles were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A manual search was applied to find more relevant articles. Ninety studies that reported the pharmacological effects and/or safety of G. lucidum spores were included in this review. The review found that G. lucidum spore extracts showed quite similar effects as other parts of this medicinal plant including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, and immunomodulation. G. lucidum sporoderm-broken extract demonstrated higher efficiency than unbroken spore extract. G. lucidum extracts also showed their effects on some genes responsible for the body's metabolism, which implied the benefits in metabolic diseases. The safety of G. lucidum should be investigated in depth as high doses of the extract could increase levels of cancer antigen (CA)72-4, despite no harmful effect shown on body organs. Generally, there is a lot of potential in the studies of compounds with pharmacological effects and new treatments. Sporoderm breaking technique could contribute to the production of extracts with more effective prevention and treatment of diseases. High doses of G. lucidum spore extract should be used with caution as there was a concern about the increase in CA.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia worldwide, imposing a substantial health and economic burden. In Vietnam, an aging population and rapid socioeconomic changes have intensified concerns about AD and other dementias burden. We analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database to estimate age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, prevalence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs) for AD in Vietnam from 1990 to 2021. Trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression, and risk factors were examined based on their contributions to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and mortality. Subgroup analysis by age and sex were also conducted. In 2021, the ASRs for AD and other dementias incidence and prevalence in Vietnam were 110.09 (95 % UI: 96.21–126.57) and 649.42 (95 % UI: 556.89–744.39) per 100,000 persons which were comparable to those in the Southeast Asia region and globally, with the burden predominantly observed in individuals aged 65 and older. Despite a declining trend in incidence and prevalence over the study period (AAPC –0.185 % and –0.199 %), both DALYs and mortality rates increased significantly (AAPC 0.155 % and 0.339 %). High fasting plasma glucose, elevated body mass index (BMI), and smoking emerged as the most significant risk factors. Despite a decline in incidence and prevalence from 1990 to 2021, rising DALYs and mortality rates highlight the growing burden of AD and other dementias in Vietnam. High fasting plasma glucose, elevated BMI, and smoking are important risk factors.

Background: Moderate kidney dysfunction is independently associated with increased cardiovascular death. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) accounts for at least 25% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) death. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of moderate CKD on SCA risk. Methods: We conducted a case–control study within a community‐based investigation of SCA in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area from February 1, 2002, to December 31, 2020. Analysis included individuals aged 40 to 75 years who experienced SCA (cases) and individuals with no history of SCA (controls), with creatinine levels measured before SCA/enrollment. Moderate CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 30 to <60 mL/min per 1.73 m ² (2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula). A population‐based SCA study in southern California was used for validation. Results: We compared 2068 SCA cases and 852 controls (mean ages, 61.4±8.5 and 62.7±8.0 years, respectively; men: 69.9% and 67.4%, respectively). SCA cases had more moderate CKD (17.7% versus 14.7%, P <0.001) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (74.7 versus 80.9 mL/min per 1.73 m ² , P <0.001) than controls. Multivariable regression demonstrated that moderate CKD was an independent risk factor for SCA (odds ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.02–1.71]). Each 10 mL/min per 1.73 m ² estimated glomerular filtration rate drop to <90 increased SCA risk (odds ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.18–1.31]). Similar findings were observed in the validation cohort (817 SCA and 3249 controls), where moderate CKD was associated with SCA (odds ratio, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.18–2.00]). Conclusions: Moderate CKD is associated with an increased risk of SCA in the general population. Further research into the potential integration of moderate renal dysfunction into SCA risk stratification are warranted.