Plasma Carotenoid Levels in Relation to Tobacco Smoking and Demographic Factors

2003 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lagiou ◽  
Benetou ◽  
Tebelis ◽  
Papas ◽  
Naska ◽  
...  

Antioxidant compounds have been reported to play a beneficial role in the etiology of several chronic diseases. To examine the effects of tobacco smoking and demographic factors on the plasma levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and jointly, lutein-zeaxanthin, we have conducted a cross-sectional study in the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC). A random sample of 45 men and 68 women, aged 30–82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27953 volunteers, provided fasting blood samples and completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on lifestyle factors. Data were analyzed using linear regression models with the studied vitamin plasma levels as dependent variables, and tobacco smoking and demographic factors as independent variables. Older persons had significantly lower alpha-carotene levels and significantly higher lutein-zeaxanthin levels, whereas females in comparison to males had significantly higher levels of alpha-carotene and perhaps beta-carotene. Tobacco smoking tended to reduce levels of all carotenoids studied and the reduction was statistically significant with respect to beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene, whereas it was of borderline significance with respect to beta-carotene.

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Aghjayan ◽  
Rachel F. Buckley ◽  
Patrizia Vannini ◽  
Dorene M. Rentz ◽  
Jonathan D. Jackson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:Converging evidence suggests that subjective cognitive concerns (SCC) are associated with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prior to objective clinical impairment. However, the sensitivity of SCC reports in early AD may be biased by demographic factors. Here, we sought to investigate whether age, education, and sex influence the relationship between SCC and amyloid (Aβ) burden.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we examined 252 clinically normal (CN) individuals (57.7% females) enrolled in the Harvard Aging Brain Study, ages 63–90 years (mean 73.7±6) with 6–20 years of education (mean 15.8±3). SCC was assessed as a composite score comprising three questionnaires. Cortical Aβ burden was assessed with Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography imaging. A series of linear regression models assessed the potential modifying role of demographic variables with respect to Aβ burden and SCC. A post-hoc mediation model was implemented to further understand the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC via their relationship with education.Results:Age (β = −0.84, p = 0.36) and sex (β = −0.55, p = 0.22) did not modify the relationship between SCC and Aβ burden. Fewer years of education was correlated with greater SCC (r = −0.12, p = 0.05), but the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC was stronger in those with more education (β = 1.16, p < 0.05). A partial mediation effect was found of Aβ burden on SCC via education (b = −0.12, 95% CI [−0.31, −0.02]).Conclusions:These findings suggest that the association between SCC and Aβ burden becomes stronger with greater educational attainment. Thus, SCC may be of particular importance in highly educated CN individuals harboring amyloid pathology.


2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Papas ◽  
M. Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis ◽  
P. Lagiou ◽  
C. Bamia ◽  
Y. Chloptsios ◽  
...  

In the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) we have conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the effect of demographic, lifestyle and nutritional factors of plant origin on retinol, α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol. Study subjects were a random sample of forty-five men and sixty-eight women, aged 30–82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27953 volunteers. Analyses were done using linear regression models with the vitamin blood levels as dependent variables, and BMI, the intake of selected food items, total energy intake and a set of demographic factors as independent variables. Women had significantly lower plasma retinol levels (P<0·006) than men. Both α- and γ-tocopherol levels increased by approximately 5 % for every additional 5 years of age. Among dietary factors, intake of non-fruity vegetables was associated with increase, while intake of added lipids other than olive oil with decrease, of plasma retinol levels. BMI was positively associated with plasma γ-tocopherol only, while none of the foods or food groups investigated significantly affected the plasma levels of either of the two tocopherols. These findings need to be confirmed before attempts are made to use them in the context of explanatory mechanistic processes.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039625
Author(s):  
Jason I Chiang ◽  
John Furler ◽  
Frances Mair ◽  
Bhautesh D Jani ◽  
Barbara I Nicholl ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the prevalence of multimorbidity as well as individual and combinations of long-term conditions (LTCs) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) attending Australian general practice, using electronic health record (EHR) data. We also examine the association between multimorbidity condition count (total/concordant(T2D related)/discordant(unrelated)) and glycaemia (glycated haemoglobin, HbA1c).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingAustralian general practice.Participants69 718 people with T2D with a general practice encounter between 2013 and 2015 captured in the MedicineInsight database (EHR Data from 557 general practices and >3.8 million Australian patients).Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of multimorbidity, individual and combinations of LTCs. Multivariable linear regression models used to examine associations between multimorbidity counts and HbA1c (%).ResultsMean (SD) age 66.42 (12.70) years, 46.1% female and mean (SD) HbA1c 7.1 (1.4)%. More than 90% of participants with T2D were living with multimorbidity. Discordant conditions were more prevalent (83.4%) than concordant conditions (69.9 %). The three most prevalent discordant conditions were: painful conditions (55.4%), dyspepsia (31.6%) and depression (22.8%). The three most prevalent concordant conditions were hypertension (61.4%), coronary heart disease (17.1%) and chronic kidney disease (8.5%). The three most common combinations of conditions were: painful conditions and hypertension (38.8%), painful conditions and dyspepsia (23.1%) and hypertension and dyspepsia (22.7%). We found no associations between any multimorbidity counts (total, concordant and discordant) or combinations and HbA1c.ConclusionsMultimorbidity was common in our cohort of people with T2D attending Australian general practice, but was not associated with glycaemia. Although we did not explore mortality in this study, our results suggest that the increased mortality in those with multimorbidity and T2D observed in other studies may not be linked to glycaemia. Interestingly, discordant conditions were more prevalent than concordant conditions with painful conditions being the second most common comorbidity. Better understanding of the implications of different patterns of multimorbidity in people with T2D will allow more effective tailored care.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1639
Author(s):  
Zhongyao Li ◽  
Dongqing Wang ◽  
Edward A. Ruiz-Narváez ◽  
Karen E. Peterson ◽  
Hannia Campos ◽  
...  

Only a few studies primarily examined the associations between starchy vegetables (other than potatoes) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to evaluate the association between starchy vegetables consumption and MetS in a population-based sample of Costa Rican adults. We hypothesized that a higher overall intake of starchy vegetables would not be associated with higher MetS prevalence. In this cross-sectional study, log-binomial regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) of MetS across quintiles of total, unhealthy, healthy starchy vegetables, and individual starchy vegetables (potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, etc.), among 1881 Costa Rican adults. Least square means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from linear regression models were estimated for each MetS component by categories of starchy vegetable variables. Higher intakes of starchy vegetables were associated with a higher prevalence of MetS in crude models, but no significant trends were observed after adjusting for confounders. A significant inverse association was observed between total starchy and healthy starchy vegetables consumption and fasting blood glucose. In this population, starchy vegetables might be part of a healthy dietary pattern.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1641
Author(s):  
Lien T. K. Nguyen ◽  
Binh N. Do ◽  
Dinh N. Vu ◽  
Khue M. Pham ◽  
Manh-Tan Vu ◽  
...  

Background: Comorbidity is common and causes poor stroke outcomes. We aimed to examine the modifying impacts of physical activity (PA) and diet quality on the association between comorbidity and disability in stroke patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 951 stable stroke patients in Vietnam from December 2019 to December 2020. The survey questionnaires were administered to assess patients’ characteristics, clinical parameters (e.g., Charlson Comorbidity Index items), health-related behaviors (e.g., PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire- short version), health literacy, diet quality (using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Quality (DASH-Q) questionnaire), and disability (using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II)). Linear regression models were used to analyze the associations and interactions. Results: The proportion of comorbidity was 49.9% (475/951). The scores of DASH-Q and WHODAS II were 29.2 ± 11.8, 32.3 ± 13.5, respectively. Patients with comorbidity had a higher score of disability (regression coefficient, B, 8.24; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 6.66, 9.83; p < 0.001) as compared with those without comorbidity. Patients with comorbidity and higher tertiles of PA (B, −4.65 to −5.48; p < 0.05), and a higher DASH-Q score (B, −0.32; p < 0.001) had a lower disability score, as compared with those without comorbidity and the lowest tertile of PA, and the lowest score of DASH-Q, respectively. Conclusions: Physical activity and diet quality significantly modified the negative impact of comorbidity on disability in stroke patients. Strategic approaches are required to promote physical activity and healthy diet which further improve stroke rehabilitation outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-370
Author(s):  
Maria Michou ◽  
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos ◽  
Christos Lionis ◽  
Vassiliki Costarelli

BACKGROUND: Low Health Literacy (HL) and Nutrition Literacy (NL) are associated with serious negative health outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate certain lifestyle factors and obesity, in relation to HL and NL. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban area of the Attica region, in Greece. The sample consisted of 1281 individuals, aged ≥18 years. HL, NL sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption,) were assessed. Mann-Whitney U, the Kruskall Wallis, Pearson chi-square tests and multiple linear regression models were used. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis has shown that smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity, were associated with HL levels (–1.573 points for ex-smokers in comparison to smokers, p = 0.035, –1.349 points for alcohol consumers in comparison to non-consumers, p = 0.006 and 1.544 points for physically active individuals to non-active, p = 0.001). With respect to NL levels, it was also not associated with any of these factors. Obesity was not associated with HL and NL levels. CONCLUSIONS: Certain lifestyle factors, including physical activity, are predicting factors of HL levels, in Greek adults. The results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between lifestyle factors and HL and should be taken into account when HL policies are designed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2501-2506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Suarez-Ahedo ◽  
Chengcheng Gui ◽  
Stephanie M. Rabe ◽  
Sivashankar Chandrasekaran ◽  
Parth Lodhia ◽  
...  

Background: Hip pain remains a challenge given the multiple factors that can cause damage to the articular cartilage, such as traumatic injury, metabolic damage, and morphologic variations such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and that can contribute to progression of osteoarthritis. However, a direct relationship between patient characteristics, the extent of acetabular chondral damage, and topologic characteristics of chondral lesions has not been established. Purpose: To compare the grade of acetabular chondral damage, measured in terms of acetabular labrum articular disruption (ALAD) classification, to the size and position of the chondral lesions, matching patients’ demographic factors such as age and body mass index (BMI). Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study included all hip arthroscopies performed by the corresponding author from August 7, 2008, to November 19, 2014, in which acetabular chondral lesions were intraoperatively identified and measured in terms of ALAD grade, clockface location, and size. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression were used to identify the demographic factors, characteristics of the acetabular chondral lesion, and other anatomic characteristics that were related to the ALAD grade of the acetabular chondral lesion. Results: Acetabular chondral lesions were measured in 1502 patients during the study period. Multivariate analysis showed that higher ALAD grade of acetabular chondral damage was significantly related to male sex, more advanced age, the area of the acetabular chondral lesion, anterior extension of the acetabular chondral lesion within the anterosuperior quadrant, labral detachment from the acetabular cartilage, and posterior extension of the labral tear. Conclusion: Higher grades of acetabular chondral damage were related to male sex, increased age, height, weight, BMI, and the size of the lesion. Chondral lesions were generally found in the anterosuperior region of the acetabulum, consistent with labral lesions and the weightbearing area of the acetabulum.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutango D. Simangwa ◽  
Anne N. Åstrøm ◽  
Anders Johansson ◽  
Irene K. Minja ◽  
Ann-Katrin Johansson

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-388
Author(s):  
Marcela Martins Soares ◽  
Leidjaira Lopes Juvanhol ◽  
Andreia Queiroz Ribeiro ◽  
Patrícia Feliciano Pereira ◽  
Sylvia C. C. Franceschini ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: to investigate the relation between maternal overweight and child’s anthropometric indices, identifying the interaction with the child's age. Methods: a cross-sectional study with mothers and their children under 2 years old. The mothers’ body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio was calculated. In children, we calculated height/age (H/A), body mass index/age (BMI/A), weight/height (W/H) and weight/age (W/A) indices. The means of the anthropometric indices of children with excess weight and maternal cardiometabolic risk were compared. Mothers and children’s anthropometric indices were correlated. Linear regression models were proposed. We investigated the child's age interaction with anthropometric variables of the dyad. Results: the means of BMI/A and W/H were higher in children of overweight mothers and the means of BMI/A, W/H and W/A were higher when mothers had increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases. There was an association of maternal weight and height with the W/A index; maternal BMI with W/H; maternal height with H/A; maternal weight, BMI and waist circumference with BMI/A. The children's age did not interact with the assessed parameters. Conclusion: children under 2 years of age, whose mothers are overweight, tend to show changes in weight, regardless of age.


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