Stroke and cardiovascular risk factors among working-aged Finnish migraineurs

Background The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk for comorbid cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases in the working-aged migraine population of Finland. Methods A total of 1505 cases who reported diagnosed migraine and 3010 controls from a cohort of 11,596 cases in the Finnish Health and Social Support Study were included. The study material was linked with two registers. ICD diagnoses I63 for ischemic stroke (IS), I21 − I22 for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and G43 for transient ischemic attack (TIA) among study participants were drawn from the national Finnish Care Register for Health Care at the follow-up in 2012. Reimbursed triptan prescriptions were drawn from the national Social Security Institution (SII) data. The self-reported vascular risk factors were hypertension, high cholesterol values, any diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, and TIA. Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence (95% CI) intervals were assessed for diagnosed stroke, myocardial infarction, and TIA. Results Migraineurs were mostly female (82%) and ≥ 54 years old (62%). Triptans were reimbursed among 34.7% of migraineurs. A self-reported hypertension (21%), high serum cholesterol (38%), and any diabetes (7%) were more common among migraineurs vs controls (p < 0.05). There was no risk for AMI. The risk for TIA (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.45–7.05) and IS (2.57, 95% CI 1.28–5.17) among migraineurs vs controls remained high after adjustment for self-reported hypertension, obesity, and smoking. The risk was higher among women in two groups ≥54 years (3.25, 95% CI 1.35–7.84 and 5.0, 95% CI 1.94–12.89, respectively). The average age for IS in migraine was 57.5 years and for TIA 58.2 years among women, and 52.8 years and 50.3 years among men, respectively. Conclusion Cardiovascular risk should be screened in the aging migraine population, and hormonal and other migraine-related risk factors should be considered, especially among women. Efficacious attack treatment with triptans should be offered to migraine patients who do not show contraindications.

A CLINICAL STUDY SHOWING ASSOCIATION OF SERUM LIPIDS WITH PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Introduction: Glaucoma, a multifactorial condition characterized by progressive optic neuropathy and distinctive visual eld loss, has become the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Many cases have shown progress despite of good control of IOP, strengthening the view that other independent risk factors play role in pathogenesis of glaucoma. Few studies have shown association of serum lipids to glaucoma. The objective of the study is to nd relation between serum lipid and POAG. Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 50 cases of glaucoma and 50 age matched controls. Detailed ophthalmic examinations were performed in all patients. Fasting lipid prole including total cholesterol, triglyceride, Low density lipoprotein(LDL),and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured and analyzed between the cases and controls. Result: Level of total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and LDLwere signicantly higher in cases than in contacts with Pvalue <0.05.Level of HDL was lowered in cases than in controls but it was not statistically signicant. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for POAG. High serum Cholesterol, high triglyceride and high serum LDLcorrelate signicantly with POAG.

Exposure of Aspergillus fumigatus to Atorvastatin Leads to Altered Membrane Permeability and Induction of an Oxidative Stress Response

Aspergillus fumigatus is a serious cause of disease in immune-deficient patients and in those with pulmonary malfunction (e.g., cystic fibrosis (CF), asthma). Atorvastatin is a member of the statin drug family, which are the main therapeutic agents used to decrease high serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme. The aim of the work presented here was to analyse the antifungal activity of atorvastatin and assess its effect on the virulence of A. fumigatus. Atorvastatin demonstrated strong antifungal activity and reduced the growth and viability of A. fumigatus. Exposure of A. fumigatus to atorvastatin led to a reduction in ergosterol content and increased membrane permeability, as evidenced by the release of protein, amino acids and gliotoxin. Proteomic analysis revealed an increased abundance of proteins associated with an oxidative stress response, such as the glutathione s-transferase family protein (+8.43-fold), heat shock protein Hsp30/Hsp42 (+2.02-fold) and 5-demethoxyubiquinone hydroxylase, mitochondrial (+1.73-fold), as well as secondary metabolites such as isocyanide synthase A icsA (+8.52-fold) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase fmpE (+3.06-fold). The results presented here indicate that atorvastatin has strong antifungal properties and may have potential application in the treatment of A. fumigatus infections alone or in combination with existing antifungal agents.

Time to use of primary health care after being informed about increased health risk in HUNT

Background Seeing a general practitioner (GP) after first discovering conditions related to ill health is important for the prevention or timely treatment of major diseases. Receiving information about increased health risk, e.g. from participating in a health study, might increase awareness and trigger a visit to the GP. The question is: Do people allocated in different socioeconomic (SE) groups respond differently to receiving information about increased health risk? This could indirectly increase socioeconomic inequalities in health. In this study we are aiming to analyse patterns of GP contact after being informed that measurements from the HUNT study had deviant values suggesting increased health risk. Methods We use data from several Norwegian national registries which were linked to the HUNT study (The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study). Cox-proportional hazard models as well as repeated measurement models are estimated in order to explore patterns of GP contact. Health exposures are: measured high blood pressure (BP) (systolic and diastolic), high blood glucose, high serum cholesterol. SE status is measured through educational attainment (low, medium, high). Preliminary results In the analysis for GP contact within a year after HUNT, we had information on 42,581 persons, with 295,188 contacts with primary health service. In our data 8% had clinical measurements indicating high BP (160/100), 60% had high serum cholesterol levels (5,2 mmol/L) and 3% had high blood glucose levels ( &gt; =9 mmol/L). Women in the lowest social group generally used less time to see their GP than both higher educational groups. For men this was less clear cut. Conclusions We aimed to analyse SE differences in response to receiving information about increased health risk. The analysis thus far suggests that women in lower SE groups see their GP a relatively short time after being informed. This is less clear cut for men. Further analysis will shed further light on utilisation patterns. Key messages Women in lower SE groups take less time to see a GP after being informed of increased health risk. SE differences in primary health care utilisation might be less clear cut than previously suggested.

Probiotics and Their Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Role for Cancer, High Serum Cholesterol, and Allergic and HIV Diseases

The potential health benefits of probiotics have long been elucidated since Metchnikoff and his coworkers postulated the association of probiotic consumption on human’s health and longevity. Since then, many scientific findings and research have further established the correlation of probiotic and gut-associated diseases such as irritable bowel disease and chronic and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, the beneficial impact of probiotic is not limited to the gut-associated diseases alone, but also in different acute and chronic infectious diseases. This is due to the fact that probiotics are able to modify the intestinal microbial ecosystem, enhance the gut barrier function, provide competitive adherence to the mucosa and epithelium, produce antimicrobial substances, and modulate the immune activity by enhancing the innate and adaptive immune response. Nevertheless, the current literature with respect to the association of probiotic and cancer, high serum cholesterol, and allergic and HIV diseases are still scarce and controversial. Therefore, in the present work, we reviewed the potential preventive and therapeutic role of probiotics for cancer, high serum cholesterol, and allergic and HIV diseases as well as providing its possible mechanism of actions.

The North Karelia Project: Cardiovascular disease prevention in Finland

The extremely high cardiovascular mortality in an eastern province North Karelia in Finland caused great concern among the local population. Action to reduce the problem was demanded in a petition to the Finnish government signed by local representatives of the population. In response, the North Karelia project was launched in 1972 to carry out a comprehensive community based prevention program. After the first five years, prevention activities were also started nationally. The main aim was to reduce the extremely high serum cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking levels with lifestyle changes and improved drug treatment, especially for hypertension. Major declines were seen in serum cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking levels. Coronary mortality reduced in middle age population by 84% from 1972 to 2014. About 2/3 of the mortality decline was explained by risk factor changes and 1/3 by improvement of new treatments developed since 1980s. Population-based prevention through changes in lifestyle and environment is the most cost effective and sustainable way of controlling cardiovascular and other major non-communicable diseases. In the current global situation it is a powerful lesson.

Cardiovascular health of the elderly

<p>Within the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 426 men and 376 women, ages 75-79 years, randomly selected from the general population were examined. Participation rate was 50%; within men 78% were hypertensives, 36% had high serum cholesterol, 28% were diabetics, 25% were obese; within women 81% were hypertensives, 55% had high cholesterol, 19% were diabetics, 37% were obese. Preventive actions at individual and community level are urgent, also at this age range.</p><p><strong>Riassunto</strong></p><p>Nell’ambito dell’Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey sono stati esaminati 426 uomini e 376 donne di età compresa fra 75-79 anni, estratti casualmente dalla popolazione generale. Il tasso di partecipazione è stato del 50%; fra gli uomini il 78% era iperteso, il 36% ipercolesterolemico, il 28% diabetico e il 25% obeso; fra le donne l’81% era ipertesa, il 55% ipercolesterolemica, il 19% diabetica, il 37% obesa. Azioni di prevenzione a livello individuale e collettivo sono urgenti sulla popolazione generale, anche in questa fascia di età.</p>