scholarly journals Increased Plasma Osteoprotegerin Concentrations Are Associated with Indices of Bone Strength of the Hip

2008 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 1789-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Samelson ◽  
Kerry E. Broe ◽  
Serkalem Demissie ◽  
Thomas J. Beck ◽  
David Karasik ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an important regulator of bone turnover through its effects on osteoclastogenesis, yet findings from previous studies of circulating OPG and commonly measured bone indices in humans have been conflicting. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between plasma OPG and femoral neck (FN) bone density (BMD) and geometry in a large cohort of women and men. Design: Participants included 1379 postmenopausal women and 1165 men, aged 50–89 yr (mean, 64 yr), in the Framingham Offspring Study. Dual x-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate FN BMD and geometry (bone width, section modulus, and cross-sectional area at the narrow neck region). Plasma OPG concentrations were measured by ELISA. Sex-specific analysis of covariance was used to calculate means and assess linear trend in BMD and geometry values across OPG quartiles, adjusted for confounders. Results: OPG concentrations were greater in women than men, increased with age, and were greater in smokers and those with diabetes and heart disease. Multivariable-adjusted mean FN BMD in women increased from the lowest to the highest OPG quartile (trend, P < 0.01). However, no linear trend between FN BMD and OPG was observed in men (trend, P = 0.34). Section modulus and bone width increased with OPG in men (trend, P < 0.01), whereas no association between hip geometry indices and OPG was observed in women. Conclusion: Higher OPG concentration may indicate greater skeletal strength in women and men, possibly through reducing bone loss in women and increasing periosteal apposition in men.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2535
Author(s):  
Vanessa Mijares ◽  
Jair Alcivar ◽  
Cristina Palacios

The objective of this study was to explore the associations between food waste and the diet quality of foods purchased and with grocery purchasing behaviors. This was a cross-sectional study among 109 primary household food providers conducting primary shopping. Participants were recruited outside of local grocery stores and were asked to complete a survey assessing amounts of avoidable food waste and grocery purchasing behaviors. The diet quality of the foods purchased was assessed from grocery receipts using the Grocery Purchase Quality Index-2016 (GPQI-2016). Variables were associated using linear regression, analysis of covariance, and point biserial correlations. We found that fresh fruits (63%) and leafy greens (70%) were the foods that were the most wasted. The GPQI-2016 total score was significantly inversely associated with the total amount of food wasted (β  =  −0.63; 95% CI: −1.14,−0.12) after adjusting for important confounders. The reason “food past the date printed on the package” was directly correlated with food wasted (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) but inversely correlated with GPQI-2016 score (r = −0.21; p = 0.04). Food wasted, but not the GPQI-2016 score, was significantly higher among those who grocery shop 2–4 times per week compared to 1 time every 1–2 weeks (p = 0.02). In conclusion, food waste is inversely associated with diet quality and directly associated with grocery purchasing frequency.


Author(s):  
Yuya Uragami ◽  
Kazuhiro Takikawa ◽  
Hajime Kareki ◽  
Koji Kimura ◽  
Kazuyuki Yamamoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Frailty is an urgent concern among an aging population worldwide. However, the relationship between frailty and number and types of medications has not been studied in detail among early-stage older patients, and it is unclear what prescriptions may have a role in preventing frailty. This study aimed to clarify the effects of number of medications and use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) on frailty among early-stage older outpatients in Japan. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken. Frailty scores and medications of outpatients aged 65–74 years who regularly visited community pharmacies were investigated. Frailty scores were classified as 0 (non-frailty), 1–2 (pre-frailty), and ≥ 3 (frailty). The association between frailty and number of medications was analyzed by age and compared between PIM use and non-use groups. The proportion of patients who used PIMs was also analyzed by frailty score. Results Of 923 older outpatients, 49 (5.3%) and 318 (34.5%) patients had frailty and pre-frailty scores, respectively. The numbers of medications among patients with pre-frailty and frailty were significantly higher than among those with non-frailty (p <  0.001 for both). A similar increase was shown for PIM use groups aged 69–71 and 72–74 years, but not for the PIM use group aged 65–68 years and all groups without PIM use. An increasing linear trend was observed for the relationship between the proportion of patients who used any PIM, as well as some subcategories of PIMs (such as NSAIDs, benzodiazepines, loop diuretics and antithrombotic drugs) and frailty score. Conclusions Unnecessary medication use among early-stage older outpatients, especially patients aged ≥69 years who use PIMs and many medications, seems to be associated with frailty, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 816-820
Author(s):  
Hitomi Suga

Abstract Background A household’s food unavailability due to financial constraints may act as a barrier to a healthy diet for children. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between food unavailability due to financial constraints and the nutrient intake of children aged 1–15 years using data of a nationwide survey among the Japanese population. Methods Datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Survey and the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan, 2014 were used for this study. The dietary intakes of energy and nutrients were estimated using a one-day dietary record. Participants were categorized into four subgroups, according to their households’ frequency of food unavailability due to financial constraints. The adjusted means and 95% confidential intervals of the energy and nutrient intakes in each subgroup were calculated using analysis of covariance. The statistical trends across the subgroups were examined using analysis of covariance. Results Of the 895 children included in the analysis, 202 (22.6%) were classified into subgroups with frequent food unavailability due to financial constraints. Significant decreases in the mean intakes of carbohydrate, calcium, retinol activity equivalents, riboflavin, folate and vitamin C were observed with increases in the frequency of households’ food unavailability. In contrast, frequent food unavailability was associated with higher total fat and vitamin B12 intake. Conclusion A substantial proportion of children in Japan experienced food unavailability due to financial constraints, and this affected their nutrient intake. Adopting a population approach may help overcome this problem.


2020 ◽  
Vol 182 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanobu Fujimoto ◽  
Jane C Khoury ◽  
Philip R Khoury ◽  
Bhanu Kalra ◽  
Ajay Kumar ◽  
...  

Objective Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2) is a metalloproteinase that cleaves IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5. Human mutations in PAPPA2 result in short stature with a low percentage of free IGF-I. Little is known about PAPP-A2 levels and the regulation of free IGF-I throughout childhood. We examined PAPP-A2 and intact IGFBP-3 levels in childhood and explored associations between PAPP-A2, free and total IGF-I, and total and intact IGFBP-3 and their relationship to the percentage of free to total IGF-I and anthropometric factors. Design Cross-sectional study at a single center. Methods PAPP-A2, free IGF-I, and intact IGFBP-3 levels were measured in childhood (3–18 years old) and an evaluation of the relationship between these proteins and anthropometric factors. Results In 838 children, PAPP-A2 consistently decreased throughout childhood. In contrast, free IGF-I increased. A pubertal peak in free IGF-I was present in females but was less evident in males. Intact and total IGFBP-3 increased throughout childhood; however, intact IGFBP-3 had a more marked rise than total IGFBP-3. Percent free IGF-I decreased with no distinct pubertal peak. PAPP-A2 levels positively correlated with the percent free IGF-I (Male, Female; r = 0.18, 0.38; P < 0.001) and negatively with intact IGFBP-3 (Male, Female; r = −0.58, −0.65; P < 0.0001). Conclusions This is the first study to describe serum PAPP-A2 and intact IGFBP-3 in children between 3 and 18 years of age. Our correlative findings suggest that PAPP-A2 is an important regulator of the percent free IGF-I which can be a marker of perturbations in the GH/IGF-I axis.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mana Kogure ◽  
Tomohiro Nakamura ◽  
Naho Tsuchiya ◽  
Takumi Hirata ◽  
Akira Narita ◽  
...  

Introduction: Recently, the balance between sodium and potassium intake, i.e. sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio, has received significant attention for prevention of hypertension. Previous studies reported the positive association between urinary Na/K (uNa/K) ratio and hypertension. However, even the same uNa/K ratio value, there might be high Na/ high K ratio or low Na/ low K ratio. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that blood pressure (BP) is higher in high Na/ high K group than that in low Na/ low K group even at the same uNa/K ratio in general population in cross-sectional study. Methods: The subjects were 20 to 74 years old who participated in The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Community-based Cohort Study. Of these participants, we targeted 54,011 subjects (men: 20,505 women: 33,506 mean age: 59.9 years) who had information of BP, urinary Na and K. We estimated 24-h urinary excretion of Na and K using Tanaka formula. Urinary Na and K were each classified into quartiles (Na; Q1~Q4, K; Q1~Q4), and set all 16 groups of uNa/K ratio by combining Na and K respectively. To assess the relationship between casual uNa/K ratio and BP, we performed an analysis of covariance to calculate the adjusted mean systolic BP (SBP). We included covariate factors as age, sex, BMI and alcohol intake. We also assessed the relationship between uNa/K ratio and SBP using multiple regression analyses adjusted for covariate factors. We stratified the participants into two groups: ‘under treatment for hypertension’ (n=17,091) and ‘without treatment for hypertension (n=36,920)’. Results: The mean of uNa/K ratio for each group of Na (Q1)/K(Q1), Na (Q2)/K(Q2), Na (Q3)/K(Q3) and Na (Q4)/K(Q4) was all 4.0. As previous report showed, higher uNa/K ratio group showed higher SBP and lower uNa/K group showed lower BP. When we compared adjusted mean SBP of Na (Q1)/K(Q1) and Na (Q4)/K(Q4) the value were comparable, but the value were significantly higher in Na (Q4)/K(Q4) group (The adjusted mean SBP of Na (Q1)/K(Q1), Na (Q2)/K(Q2), Na (Q3)/K(Q3) and Na (Q4)/K(Q4) was 123.6, 124.9, 124.7 and 125.5 mmHg, respectively). The uNa/K was significantly positively associated with SBP independently of age, sex, BMI, and alcohol intake. The finding was unchanged the results in under treatment group. Conclusions: BP was significantly higher in high Na/ high K group than in low Na/ low K group even at the same uNa/K ratio. We suggested that not only increasing K intake but also reducing salt is important for preventing hypertension.


QJM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 847-853
Author(s):  
X Cao ◽  
Y Gu ◽  
J Fu ◽  
T Q C Vu ◽  
Q Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is emerging as an important public health problem, and evidences have determined that poor sleep is associated with muscle strength, but the potential effects of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), snoring and witnessed apnea on handgrip strength have not been evaluated. Aim We aimed to examine the association between EDS, snoring, witnessed apnea and muscle strength in an adult population. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 19 434 adults. Handgrip strength was measured using a handheld digital dynamometer. EDS was assessed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale, snoring and witnessed apnea during sleep were reported through simple yes/no questions. Analysis of covariance was carried out to determine the association between EDS with snoring or witnessed apnea and muscle strength. Results The means (95% confidence interval) for average handgrip strength/body weight (kg/kg) across symptoms categories were 0.396 (0.333–0.472), 0.393 (0.330–0.467), 0.396 (0.333–0.471) and 0.386 (0.325–0.460) (P < 0.0001), respectively. Similar results were observed with maximal handgrip strength/body weight (kg/kg). Conclusions Self-reported EDS accompanied with snoring or apnea is associated with lowest handgrip strength, independently of confounding factors. Whether improvement of EDS, snoring and apnea, can ameliorate age-associated decline in muscle strength warrants further studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoriyasu Uju ◽  
Tetsuto Kanzaki ◽  
Yuki Yamasaki ◽  
Tadayuki Kondo ◽  
Hideki Nanasawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background One of the main causes of death in psychiatric patients is cardiovascular diseases which are closely related with lifestyle-related diseases. Psychiatric disorders include schizophrenia and mood disorders, whose symptoms and treatment medicines are different, suggesting that they might have different metabolic disorders. Thus, we studied the differences of lifestyle-related diseases between schizophrenia and mood disorders in Japan. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from 2015 to 2017. Study participants were 189 Japanese hospitalized patients (144 schizophrenia group, 45 mood disorders group) in the department of psychiatry at Kohnodai hospital. We examined physical disorders, metabolic status of glucose and lipid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and brain magnetic resonance imaging. We compared these data between schizophrenia and mood disorders groups using analysis of covariance or logistic regression analysis. In comparisons between inpatients with schizophrenia or mood disorders group and the standard, we quoted ‘The National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan 2015’ by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as the standard. Results eGFR and prevalence of smoking were significantly lower in patients with mood disorder group than those with schizophrenia group by adjustment for age. In comparisons between patients with schizophrenia group or mood disorders group and each standard, the ratio of silent brain infarction (SBI) and cerebral infarction were significantly high in both groups. Schizophrenia group showed significantly higher prevalence of diabetes, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome and smoking than the standard. Mood disorders group had significantly high prevalence of low HDL-cholesterolemia compared with the standard. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were significantly higher in schizophrenia group and female mood disorders group than the standard. Female mood disorders group had significantly decreased eGFR with increased ratio of eGFR < 60 ml/min than the standard. Conclusions Participants of both groups had increased ratio of SBI and cerebral infarction, accompanied with glucose and lipid disorders. Compared with schizophrenia group, mood disorders group showed significantly low eGFR and prevalence of smoking.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen D. Francis ◽  
Mark L. Wieland ◽  
Sean Drake ◽  
Keri Lyn Gwisdalla ◽  
Katherine A. Julian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Many internal medicine (IM) programs have reorganized their resident continuity clinics to improve trainees' ambulatory experience. Downstream effects on continuity of care and other clinical and educational metrics are unclear. Methods This multi-institutional, cross-sectional study included 713 IM residents from 12 programs. Continuity was measured using the usual provider of care method (UPC) and the continuity for physician method (PHY). Three clinic models (traditional, block, and combination) were compared using analysis of covariance. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of practice metrics and clinic model on continuity. Results UPC, reflecting continuity from the patient perspective, was significantly different, and was highest in the block model, midrange in combination model, and lowest in the traditional model programs. PHY, reflecting continuity from the perspective of the resident provider, was significantly lower in the block model than in combination and traditional programs. Panel size, ambulatory workload, utilization, number of clinics attended in the study period, and clinic model together accounted for 62% of the variation found in UPC and 26% of the variation found in PHY. Conclusions Clinic model appeared to have a significant effect on continuity measured from both the patient and resident perspectives. Continuity requires balance between provider availability and demand for services. Optimizing this balance to maximize resident education, and the health of the population served, will require consideration of relevant local factors and priorities in addition to the clinic model.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nágila Araújo de CARVALHO ◽  
Karine Anusca MARTINS ◽  
Lucilene Maria de SOUSA

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the factors associated with the consumption of extra institutional foods and the food preferences of full-time students. Methods A cross-sectional study with students from full-time municipal schools in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, from 6 to 14 years of age, both sexes and without food restrictions. The per capita family income, maternal education, nutritional status, the consumption of extra institutional foods (meals not provided by the school) in each meal and their source, and foods with higher or lower preference in school eating habits were verified. Both a Chi-Square and a Linear Trend tests were used to analyze the data. Results Three hundred and fifty nine students participated, most of them aged between 6 and 10. More than one third consumed extra institutional foods (44.0%), with the highest frequency of consumption during the mid-morning snack (34.0%). These foods mainly originated from their own households (48.7%) and one of the main items consumed was carton juice. There was an association between adolescents and mothers with higher education levels and the consumption of these items during lunch, and between students who are non-overweight and their consumption in the afternoon snack. The preferred foods were chocolate milk and bread with butter/margarine, rice and beans, passion fruit juice, and bread with cheese/requeijão and less preferably: caramelized milk and salt biscuit, beans and beets, coconut porridge and bread with cheese. Conclusion There was a high frequency of extra institutional food consumption, associated to the age group, to a higher educational level of the mother and students who are non-overweight. Foods of higher and lower preference included dairy foods and beans.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Merly Martinelli ◽  
Creso Machado Lopes ◽  
Pascoal Torres Muniz ◽  
Orivado Florencio de Souza

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the associations between smoking and socioeconomic status, and to analyze the profile of smokers in the city of Rio Branco, Acre. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study conducted with 1,512 adults living in urban and rural areas. Information about demographic aspects, socioeconomic status and smoking habits were collected through home interviews. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of smoking was of 19.9%. Males had a higher prevalence (22.7%) in contrast to females (17.6%). By age, a higher prevalence was observed at 50 - 59 years in males (30.9%) and at 40 - 49 years in females (23.8%). A linear trend was observed between the higher prevalence of smoking and the lower amount of years of education and income (p < 0.05). The profile of smokers indicated that the majority, in both genders, began smoking at age 15, smoked between 1 and 10 cigarettes per day, lit the first cigarette of the day 60 minutes after waking up and had tried to quit smoking at least twice. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of smoking is a relevant public health problem in Rio Branco. Community actions must be implemented for the prevention and control of tobacco use.


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