Important risk factors for medical conditions

Last updated: December 26, 2022

Blood & lymphoreticular system

Important risk factors for hematological conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Burkitt lymphoma	History of infectious mononucleosis Immunosuppression (e.g., HIV infection)
Hemolytic anemia	Oxidative stress in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency Mechanical prosthetic valve
Iron deficiency anemia	Female sex Menorrhagia Pregnancy Diet lacking in iron or vitamin C Excessive consumption of cow's milk or caffeine H. pylori infection
Sickle cell disease	Both parents carry a sickle cell gene. African, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean descent

5 Ds mnemonic for risk factors for iron deficiency anemia: Diet (lacking iron and vitamin C, excessive consumption of tea, cow's milk and/or caffeine which blocks iron absorption), Decreased absorption - (due to celiac disease, atrophic gastritis, H. pylori infection), Drugs (aspirin, NSAIDs, PPIs), Donating blood, Drain (GI bleeding, hematuria, menses, pregnancy, lactation).

Nervous system & special senses

Nervous system

Important risk factors for neurological conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage	Hypertension Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Family history Genetic factors (e.g., autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
Alzheimer disease	Age ≥ 65 years Hypertension Dyslipidemia Cerebrovascular disease (e.g., cerebral small vessel disease) Genetic factors (e.g., amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, presenilin 2, APOE) Family history
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Female sex Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis Pregnancy Diabetes mellitus Hypothyroidism
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension	Female sex Bodyweight (e.g., obesity, recent weight gain) Medications (e.g., hypervitaminosis A, retinoids, growth hormone, tetracyclines)
Peripheral neuropathy	Diabetes mellitus Alcohol use disorder Genetic factors (e.g., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Krabbe disease, adrenoleukodystrophy
Stroke (hemorrhagic, ischemic)	Hypertension Dyslipidemia Diabetes mellitus Cerebrovascular disease (e.g., cerebral small vessel disease) Age ≥ 65 years African American, Native American, Native Alaskan, or Hispanic descent Male sex

For both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, age (≥ 65 years) is the most important nonmodifiable risk factor, and arterial hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor.

To remember the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, think “MEDIAN TRAP”: Myxedema (hypothyroidism), Edema, Diabetes mellitus, Idiopathic, Acromegaly, Neoplasm, Trauma, Rheumatoid arthritis, Amyloidosis, Pregnancy.

Special senses

Important risk factors for ophthalmological conditions
Condition		Risk factors
Glaucoma	Open-angle glaucoma	African or Hispanic descent Family history Age > 40 years
Glaucoma	Angle-closure glaucoma	Asian descent Family history Age > 60 years Mydriasis (e.g., due to mydriatic drugs, such as atropine)
Optic neuritis		Multiple sclerosis Infections (e.g., tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme disease) Exposure to toxins (e.g., ethambutol, methanol)

Skin & subcutaneous tissue

Important risk factors for dermatological conditions
	Risk factors
Actinic keratosis	Cumulative sun exposure Light skin (Fitzpatrick skin type I and II) Age > 50 years
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma	Cumulative sun exposure Exposure to ionizing radiation Chronic immunosuppression (e.g., due to HIV)
Decubitus ulcers	Prolonged reduction in mobility (e.g., due to illness, frailty, or paralysis) Age ≥ 80 years Decreased pain perception (e.g., due to polyneuropathy, cognitive impairment, or anesthesia) Decreased skin perfusion (e.g., due to peripheral artery disease, heart failure, vasoconstriction, shock) Cachexia or malnourishment
Melanoma	Family or personal history Light skin (Fitzpatrick skin type I and II) UVB light exposure (esp. in childhood)

Cardiovascular system

Important risk factors for cardiovascular conditions
Condition		Risk factors
Abdominal aortic aneurysm		Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Atherosclerosis Age ≥ 65 years Family history Male sex Dyslipidemia
Aortic dissection	Congenital	Connective tissue disease (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) Bicuspid aortic valve (e.g., due to Turner syndrome) Coarctation of the aorta
Aortic dissection	Acquired	Hypertension Blunt force chest trauma (e.g. deceleration injury due to motor vehicle collision) Vasculitis with aortic involvement (e.g., due to syphilis, Takayasu arteritis)
Aortic stenosis		Aortic valve sclerosis Congenital bicuspid aortic valve Rheumatic fever (rare in US but the most common risk factor worldwide)
Atherosclerosis		Hypertension Dyslipidemia Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Obesity Diabetes Family history Age: men ≥ 45 years, women ≥ 55 years (postmenopause) Sex: (♂ > ♀)
Atrial fibrillation		Hypertension Coronary artery disease Mitral stenosis (most common risk factor worldwide because of rheumatic fever)
Congestive heart failure		Coronary artery disease Hypertension Smoking (esp. cigarettes)
Deep vein thrombosis		Immobilization Age > 60 years Personal or family history of DVT or PE Pregnancy, OCP use Indwelling venous catheter Individuals who inject drugs Obesity Prothrombotic chronic illness (e.g., cancer, nephrotic syndrome, hereditary thrombophilia)
Hypertension		Overweight/obesity Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Family history African descent ^[1] Age ≥ 65 years Uncontrolled diabetes Physical inactivity Chronic heavy alcohol use High-sodium diet
Infective endocarditis		Rheumatic, congenital, or valvular heart disease Prosthetic heart valves Intravascular device or CIED Individuals who inject drugs
Mitral regurgitation		Degenerative mitral valve disease (e.g., mitral valve prolapse) Rheumatic fever Coronary artery disease History of myocardial infarction causing papillary muscle involvement Dilated cardiomyopathy
Mitral stenosis		Degenerative aortic stenosis Autoimmune conditions (e.g., SLE, rheumatoid arthritis) Rheumatic fever (rare in US but is the most common risk factor worldwide)

Remember DVT risk factors using the mnemonic “THROMBOSIS”: Travel, Hypercoagulable/HRT, Recreational drugs, Old (> 60), Malignancy, Blood disorders, Obesity/Obstetrics, Surgery/Smoking, Immobilization, Sickness (CHF/MI, IBD, nephrotic syndrome, vasculitis)!

You're a SAD BET with these risk factors for atherosclerosis: Sex (male), Age (advanced), Diabetes mellitus, Blood pressure (high), Elevated cholesterol, and Tobacco.

Important maternal risk factors for pediatric cardiac conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Acyanotic congenital heart defects	Intrauterine rubella infection Diabetes mellitus
Cyanotic congenital heart defects	Alcohol use Phenylketonuria Diabetes mellitus

Respiratory system

Important risk factors for respiratory conditions
Condition		Risk factors
Asthma		Atopy History of allergies Family history
COPD		Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Airway hyperresponsiveness Environmental and occupational exposures (e.g., air pollution, coal dust) α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Severe COVID-19		Age ≥ 65 years Chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes mellitus, COPD, cardiovascular disease) Immunosuppression (e.g., due to long-term use of immunosuppressive therapy, HIV infection)
Obstructive sleep apnea		Obesity BMI ≥ 30 Neck circumference > 40 cm Male sex Age > 50 years
Pulmonary embolism	Genetic	Factor V Leiden Prothrombin mutation Antithrombin III deficiency, protein C deficiency, and protein S deficiency
Pulmonary embolism	Acquired	Immobilization Recent surgery, trauma Estrogen-related factors (e.g., pregnancy, use of OCPs or HRT) Active cancer Obesity Individuals who inject drugs Smoking Personal or family history of DVT or PE
Tuberculosis	Immunocompromised host	HIV infection Substance use (e.g., recreational drugs, tobacco, alcohol) TB positive household contacts
Tuberculosis	Immunocompetent host	TB positive household contacts Migration from countries with a high TB incidence Crowded living conditions Close contact with a patient with active TB infection Working in health care

Respiratory neoplasms

Important risk factors for respiratory neoplasms
Condition	Risk factors
Lung cancer	Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Environmental exposures (e.g., secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos) Occupational carcinogens (e.g., chromium, arsenic, nickel, beryllium) Pulmonary fibrosis Family history
Malignant pleural mesothelioma	Asbestos exposure Exposure to subdiaphragmatic ionizing radiation Family history

Smokers exposed to asbestos have a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer than smokers who are unexposed.

Gastrointestinal system

Important risk factors for gastrointestinal conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Anal fissure	Chronic constipation or diarrhea Low-fiber diet Anal sex Inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn disease)
Budd Chiari syndrome	Polycythemia vera Myeloproliferative disorders (e.g., paraneoplastic thrombocytosis) Clotting disorders (e.g., factor V Leiden, antiphospholipid syndrome, protein C and S deficiencies) Pregnancy
Cholelithiasis	Obesity Female sex Age > 40 years Pregnancy European, Native American, or Hispanic descent Medications: fibrates, estrogen therapy, OCPs Family history Malabsorption (e.g., due to Crohn disease, ileal resection, cystic fibrosis)
Cirrhosis	Chronic heavy alcohol use Hepatitis B, C, and D Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Ingestion of aflatoxin Metabolic disorders (e.g., nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, α1-antitrypsin deficiency) Budd-Chiari syndrome
C. difficile colitis	Recent administration of antibiotics Recent hospitalization Immunosuppression (e.g., due to HIV infection) Gastric acid suppression therapy
Crohn disease	Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Genetic factors (e.g., mutation of the NOD2 gene, HLA-B27 association) Low-fiber, high-fat diet Vitamin D deficiency Family history OCP use
Diverticulosis	Low-fiber, high-fat diet, excessive consumption of red meat Obesity Physical inactivity
Infectious gastroenteritis	Inadequate hand hygiene (fecal-oral transmission) Consumption of undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated water Direct contact with infected animals or animal products
GERD	Increased acid production (e.g., due to smoking, caffeine, alcohol use) Increased abdominal volume (e.g., central obesity, pregnancy) Stress Hiatus hernia Scleroderma Sliding hiatal hernia
Hepatic adenoma	OCP use Glycogen storage disorders (i.e., Pompe disease and Cori disease) Anabolic steroid use Obesity Metabolic syndrome
Hepatitis B	Individuals who inject drugs Men who have sex with men Multiple sexual partners or partners who are HBV-positive Sex workers Patients undergoing hemodialysis Healthcare personnel with occupational exposure to blood or bodily fluids (e.g., due to needlestick injury)
Hepatitis C	Individuals who inject drugs Blood transfusion Sexual partner who injects drugs
Acute pancreatitis	Chronic heavy alcohol use Hypercalcemia Severe hypertriglyceridemia (> 1,000 mg/dL) Medications (e.g., statins, azathioprine, thiazides, sulfonamides, NRTIs, valproate) Cholelithiasis
Chronic pancreatitis	Chronic heavy alcohol use Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Pancreatic ductal obstruction Severe hypertriglyceridemia (> 1,000 mg/dL) Cystic fibrosis
Peptic ulcer disease	Helicobacter pylori infection Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Chronic NSAID and/or glucocorticoid use Caffeine intake Chronic heavy alcohol use

The 6-P risk factors for Budd Chiari syndrome: Polycythemia vera, Paraneoplastic thrombocytosis, Pill (OCPs), Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, Protein C and S deficiency, and Pregnancy

The 6-F risk factors for cholelithiasis: Fat, Female, Fertile, Forty, Fair-skinned, Family history

I GET SMASHED: Idiopathic, Gallstones, Ethanol, Trauma, Steroids, Mumps, Autoimmune, Scorpion poison, Hypercalcemia and hypertriglyceridemia, ERCP, and Drugs are the most common causes of acute pancreatitis.

Think “Cut out the crap!” to remember some risk factors of GERD: C (coffee, cigarettes), R (refined carbohydrates), A (alcohol, acidic food), P (prescription medication).

Gastrointestinal neoplasms

Important risk factors for GI neoplasms
Condition		Risk factors
Cholangiocarcinoma		Primary sclerosing cholangitis Cholelithiasis Chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C) Choledochal cysts
Colorectal cancer		Family history (e.g., familial adenomatous polyposis) Colorectal adenomas and serrated polyps Inflammatory bowel disease Smoking Chronic alcohol use Low-fiber, high-fat diet, excessive consumption of red meat
Esophageal cancer	Esophageal adenocarcinoma	GERD Barrett esophagus Obesity Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Age > 50 years
Esophageal cancer	Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma	Chronic heavy alcohol use Smoking (es. cigarettes) Diet low in fruits and vegetables
Gastric cancer		H. pylori infection Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Diet rich in nitrates and/or salts (e.g., dried, cured, or smoked foods) History of infectious mononucleosis Chronic atrophic gastritis
Hepatocellular carcinoma		Liver cirrhosis Hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C Chronic heavy alcohol use Chronic ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis Hemochromatosis Wilson disease α-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Laryngeal carcinoma		Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Chronic heavy alcohol use Precancerous lesions (i.e., leukoplakia, laryngeal papillomatosis, pachyderma)
Liver angiosarcoma		OCP use Exposure to anabolic steroids Exposure to radiation Exposure to vinyl chloride
Pancreatic cancer		Smoking (esp. in pancreatic adenocarcinoma) Obesity Diabetes mellitus Chronic pancreatitis Chronic heavy alcohol use Age > 50 years
Pharyngeal carcinoma		Smoking (esp. cigarettes) HPV infection Chronic heavy alcohol use Nitrosamine consumption from salted and/or preserved food

The 10-C risk factors for Cholangiocarcinoma: Chlonorchis sinensis (liver fluke), Cholangitis, Choledocholithiasis, Chronic viral hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Choledochal cysts, Congenital hepatic fibrosis, Contrast agent, ulcerative Colitis, Cigarettes

Think “HULA” to remember important risk factors of colorectal cancer: Hereditary (e.g., HNPCC, FAP, family history), Ulcerative colitis, Low-fiber diet, Adenomatous polyps.

Think “STOMACH” to remember risk factors of gastric cancer: Smoking and syndromes (e.g., Li Fraumeni, HNPCC), Talcum powder, Obesity, Menetrier disease, Chronic atrophic gastritis, H. pylori infection and high-salt diet.

Renal and urinary system

Renal and urinary conditions

Important risk factors for renal and urinary conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Acute kidney injury	Hypovolemia Sepsis Renal artery stenosis Medications that affect glomerular perfusion (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors) Hypotension Chronic kidney disease
End stage renal disease	Diabetes mellitus Proteinuria Hypertension
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)	African or Hispanic descent Individuals who inject drugs (e.g., heroin) HIV infection Obesity Genetic factors (e.g., NPHS1 and NPHS2 gene mutation)
Nephrolithiasis	Personal or family history Low fluid intake Loop diuretics
Urinary incontinence	Obesity Multiparity Age ≥ 65 years Recurrent UTIs Hyperglycemia
UTI	Urinary tract abnormalities (e.g., calculi) or indwelling catheter Female sex (due to shorter urethra, hormonal changes in pregnancy and menopause) Diabetes mellitus

For risk factors of urinary incontinence, think DIAPPERS: Delirium/confusion, Infection, Atrophic urethritis/vaginitis, Pharmaceutical, Psychiatric causes (esp. depression), Excessive urinary output (hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, CHF), Restricted mobility, Stool impaction.

Think “TONIC” to remember risk factors for acute kidney injury: Tubular necrosis (e.g., due to severe hypovolemia or hypotension), Obstruction (renal artery stenosis), Nephrotoxic drugs, Infection (sepsis), Contrast agent.

Renal and urinary neoplasms

Important risk factors for renal and urinary neoplasms
Condition		Risk factors
Bladder cancer		Smoking (esp. ciagrettes) Prolonged exposure, typically occupational, to carcinogens (e.g., azo dye, benzidine, aniline dye, heavy metals) Chronic urinary tract inflammation (e.g., due to recurrent UTI, schistosomiasis)
Renal cell carcinoma		Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Obesity Hypertension Sickle cell disease von Hippel-Lindau syndrome Male sex Age ≥ 55 years Acquired cystic kidney disease

Think “Pee Pee SACKS” to remember risk factors of bladder cancer: Predisposition (family history), Phenacetin (banned analgesic), Smoking, Azo dye, Cyclophosphamide, Keep getting infections (recurrent UTIs), Schistosomiasis.

Pregnancy, childbirth & puerperium

Pregnancy

Important risk factors for obstetrical complications
Condition		Risk factors
Cervical insufficiency		Cervical trauma due to gynecological procedures (e.g., conization, LEEP) or childbirth (e.g., obstetric forceps delivery) Congenital cervical abnormalities (e.g., due to Ehler-Danlos syndrome, Diethylstilbestrol exposure) History of short cervical length
Chorioamnionitis		Prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labor Multiple digital vaginal examinations Cervical insufficiency
Ectopic pregnancy		History of ectopic pregnancy Tubal pathology (e.g., previous surgeries, salpingitis due to PID,)
Fetal growth restriction		Genetic abnormalities (e.g., aneuploidy, uniparental disomy) Infection (e.g., cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis) Congenital anomalies Maternal cocaine use Maternal phenylketonuria
Fetal macrosomia		Maternal obesity or excessive gestational weight gain Maternal diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes Multiparity
Placental abruption		Hypertension History of abruption Recreational drug use (e.g., cocaine) Eclampsia
Placenta previa		History of placenta previa History of cesarean delivery Multiparity
Postpartum hemorrhage		Multiparity Uterine leiomyomas History of cesarean delivery Fetal macrosomia or twins
Preeclampsia		History of preeclampsia Chronic hypertension Pregestational diabetes
Uterine inversion		History of uterine inversion Fetal macrosomia Rapid or prolonged labor and delivery
Uterine rupture	After cesarean delivery	History of uterine rupture History of hysterotomy Induction of labor
Uterine rupture	Unscarred uterus	Uterotonic medication Multiparity Uterine anomalies

To remember risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage, think “PARTUM”: Prolonged labor/polyhydramnios/previous C-section, Antepartum hemorrhage, Recent history of bleeding, Twins, Uterine leiomyomas, Multiparity.

Childbirth and puerperium

Important risk factors for childbirth and puerperium complications
Condition	Risk factors
Postpartum depression	History of antenatal or perinatal depression Excessive postnatal stress Inadequate postnatal financial and social support
Postpartum endometritis	Cesarean delivery Chorioamnionitis Prolonged labor
Preterm labor	History of preterm labor Cervical insufficiency Multiparity Infection (e.g., UTI, STI, vaginal infection)
Shoulder dystocia	Fetal macrosomia (> 4000 g) Maternal diabetes mellitus History of shoulder dystocia

Female reproductive system & breast

Gynecological conditions

Important risk factors for gynecological conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Endometriosis	Nulliparity Prolonged exposure to endogenous estrogen (e.g., due to precocious menarche, late-onset menopause) Short menstrual cycles (< 27 days) Menorrhagia (> 1 week) Family history
Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome)	Repeated dilation and curettage following pregnancy loss Myomectomy Uterine infections (e.g., chronic endometritis)
Infertility	Tubal pathology (e.g., salpingitis due to PID) Age > 35 years Premature ovarian failure Endometriosis
Gestational trophoblastic disease	History of molar pregnancy Young maternal age (< 15 years) or advanced maternal age (> 35 years) American Indian or Asian descent

Gynecological neoplasms

Important risk factors for gynecological carcinomas
Condition		Risk factors
Breast cancer		Age ≥ 65 years Female sex European descent Obesity Alcohol use Estrogen exposure (e.g.,due to nulliparity and/or absence of breastfeeding, early menarche and/or late menopause, HRT after menopause) Genetic factors (e.g., mutations including BRCA1 and BRCA2, HER2/neu, estrogen/progesterone receptors) Personal or family history
Cervical cancer	HPV-related	Multiple sexual partners Early-onset sexual activity High-risk sexual partners (e.g., HPV-positive partners)
Cervical cancer	Non-HPV-related	Low socioeconomic status OCP use Smoking (esp. cigarettes)
Endometrial cancer		Unopposed estrogen (e.g., due to PCOS, systemic estrogen therapy) Tamoxifen treatment Chronic anovulation (e.g., due to menopause transition, PCOS) Nulliparity High number of lifetime ovulatatory cycles (e.g., due to early menarche and/or late menopause) Obesity
Ovarian cancer		Age > 60 years High number of lifetime ovulatory cycles (e.g., due to early menarche and/or late menopause) Genetic factors (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation, HNPCC syndrome) Family history
Uterine leiomyosarcoma		Pelvic radiation therapy Prolonged tamoxifen treatment (> 5 years) Genetic factors (e.g., hereditary retinoblastoma)
Vulvar and vaginal cancer		HPV infection (types 16,18,33) VIN, CIN Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Precancerous lesions (e.g., lichen sclerosus)

Think “ENDOMETRIAL” to remember risk factors of endometrial cancer: Early menarche, Nulliparity, Diabetes, Obesity, Menstrual irregularities, Estrogen monotherapy, Tamoxifen treatment, RR increased (hypertension), Increased androgens (PCOS), Advanced age, Late menopause.

Breast cancer risk can be assessed by “History ALONE”: History (of breast cancer, BRCA1 or 2, HER2/neu mutation), Advanced age/Alcohol, Late menopause, Obesity, Nulliparity, Estrogen exposure (early menarche, HRT after menopause), Ethnicity.

Male reproductive system

Important risk factors for andrological conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Erectile dysfunction	Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury) Age ≥ 65 years
Penile cancer	HPV or HIV infection Phimosis (esp. if left untreated) Tobacco use
Prostate cancer	Age > 50 years Family history African descent
Testicular tumors	Cryptorchidism (increased risk for germ cell tumors) Contralateral testicular cancer Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) Klinefelter syndrome Trisomy 21

Endocrine system

Important risk factors for endocrinological conditions
Condition	Risk factors
Condition	Osteoporosis	Underweight Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Age > 70 years Estrogen-depletion (e.g., due to menopause, amenorrhea, eating disorders) Chronic heavy alcohol use Diabetes Hyperthyroidism
Type 2 diabetes	Obesity Family history Hispanic, African, or Asian descent Physical inactivity High-calorie diet Smoking (esp. cigarettes)
Papillary thyroid cancer	History of chest and/or neck exposure to ionizing radiation (esp. X-rays and/or CT scans during childhood) Genetic factors (e.g., RET/PTC rearrangements, BRAF mutations)

Think “SHATTERED family” to remember risk factors of osteoporosis: Steroids, Hyperthyroidism, Alcohol and advanced age, Tobacco, Thin (BMI < 20), Estrogen-depletion (amenorrhea, menopause), Renal or liver failure, Exercise lacking, Diet (low Ca²⁺ and vitamin D intake, malabsorption)/diabetes mellitus, and positive family history.

Behavioural health

Important risk factors for psychiatric conditions
Conditions	Risk factors
Schizophrenia	Family history Frequent use of cannabis during early teenage years Stress Psychosocial factors (e.g., living in an urban area, personal or family history of migration)
Major depressive disorder	Neurodegenerative and chronic inflammatory diseases Other psychiatric disorders (e.g., panic disorder) Family history
Suicide	History of previous suicide attempt Psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder) Alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder

Multisystem disorders and processes

Important risk factors for multisystem disorders
Conditions	Risk factors
Gout	Hyperuricemia Obesity Alcohol use Medications (e.g., aspirin, loop diuretics, thiazides, niacin, pyrazinamide) Chronic renal insufficiency
HIV	Unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse (esp. receptive anal intercourse) Multiple sexual partners with unknown HIV status Needle sharing (among individuals who inject drugs) Concurrent STIs (esp. those with ulcerative lesions, such as syphilis and genital herpes)
Hyperphosphatemia	Chronic renal failure
Osteoarthritis	Obesity Joint injury, mechanical overload, and/or malalignment Age > 55 years Female sex
Rheumatoid arthritis	Genetic factors: associated with HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR1 Smoking (esp. cigarettes) Obesity
Systemic lupus erythematosus	Female sex Hyperestrogenic states (e.g., due to OCP use, postmenopausal hormonal therapy) Smoking (esp. cigarettes) African descent

Rheumatoid arthritis: A DRone with 4 propellers and 1 camera:” rheumatoid arthritis is associated with HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR1.

References

Carson AP, Howard G, Burke GL, Shea S, Levitan EB, Muntner P. Ethnic Differences in Hypertension Incidence Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults. Hypertension. 2011; 57 (6): p.1101-1107.doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.110.168005 . | Open in Read by QxMD

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