Soyfood consumption and risk of glycosuria: a cross-sectional study within the Shanghai Women's Health Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between soyfood intake and risk of glycosuria. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants of the Shanghai Women's Health Study, a population-based cohort study of women aged 40-70 y. Information on usual intake of soyfoods was obtained at baseline survey through an in-person interview using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Included in this study were 39,385 cohort members screened for diabetes at the baseline survey and free of previously diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, and cancer. There were 323 women who tested positive for urine glucose. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to measure the association between soyfood intake and glycosuria using unconditional logistic regression. SETTING: Urban communities of Shanghai, China. RESULTS: Overall, soyfood intake was not related to the risk of glycosuria. Among postmenopausal women, however, intake of tofu and other soy products was inversely associated with risk of glycosuria after adjustment for potential confounders. The ORs across quintiles of intake were 1.0, 0.75 (95% CI=0.47-1.20), 0.79 (95% CI=0.51-1.25), 0.53 (95% CI=0.32-0.88), and 0.51 (95% CI=0.26-0.98; P for trend=0.05). Further analyses showed that the inverse association was primarily confined to postmenopausal women with a body mass index (BMI) of <25 kg/m2. The adjusted OR comparing the extreme quintiles was 0.36 (95% CI=0.13-0.97; P for trend=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Soyfoods may play a role in the development of glycosuria, an important indicator of diabetes, among postmenopausal women with a low BMI.     

Hepatitis B and C markers among alcoholics in Israel: High incidence of HCV infection

Patients with alcoholic liver disease have an increased prevalence of viral hepatitis. However, the role of demographic characteristics has not been adequately delineated. Therefore, we examined and compared the seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C in Israeli alcoholic patients to that of blood donors control group by their country of birth and origin. Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antibody and hepatitis C virus antibody testing (second generation ELISA) and a confirmatory recombinant immunoblot assay was performed on 496 alcoholic attending an alcoholic abstinence program and compared to 193,806 randomly non-alcoholic blood donors on the basis of their country of birth. Three hundred twenty-eight alcoholic patients (66%) were immigrants and Israeli born Jews and 168 (34%) were Israeli Arabs. Of the 496 alcoholic patients, 24 (4.8%) were HBsAg positive, 38 (7.6%) were anti HCV positive, and 2 (North African Jews) were positive for both markers. HBsAg was detected in 13 (3.9%) immigrant and Israeli Jews and 11 (6.5%) Israeli Arabs, significantly higher than in the adjusted non alcoholic blood donors (p < 0.01). Anti-HCV was detected in 33 (10%) immigrants and Israeli Jews and 5 (2.9%) Israeli Arabs, significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.005). In the subgroup alcoholic Jews there was no significant difference in hepatitis B seropositivity among alcoholic that were native Israeli, Eastern Europe and former USSR, and western Europe and American immigrants comparing to the control group. In contrast, anti-HCV recombinant immunoblot assay seropositivity in alcoholic Jews from all subgroups was significantly greater than in non alcoholic blood donors (p < 0.001). Odds analysis of all ethnic groups revealed that alcoholism requiring detoxification have a significant risk factor for hepatitis C more than hepatitis B (p < 0.001). The increased seroprevalence of hepatitis C among Israeli alcoholic patients, regardless their country of birth and origin, suggest that alcoholism is likely to have a predisposing factor for HCV infection.     

A cross-sectional study of dietary habits and urinary glucose excretion - a predictor of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between consumption of certain foods and macronutrients and urinary glucose excretion, which is a predictor of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study, Denmark, 1993-97. SUBJECTS: Participants in the Danish study 'Diet, Cancer and Health'. After exclusion of persons with postprandial urine samples and persons with diabetes or other diseases potentially resulting in glycosuria, the study population included 14 743 men and 18 064 women aged 50-64 y. We identified 183 men and 43 women with glucose in their urine. RESULTS: Consumption of poultry was negatively associated with glycosuria in both men (odds ratio, OR=0.87; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI=0.77-0.98) and women (OR=0.69; 0.48-1.00). Fiber from fruit showed a weak negative association with glycosuria in both men (0. 95; 0.90-1.01) and women (0.89; 0.78-1.02), whereas a significant negative association with total fiber (0.68; 0.51-0.91) and fiber from vegetables (0.94; 0.88-0.99) was seen in men. Intake of fish tended to reduce the risk of glycosuria in women only (0.80; 0.63-1. 02), whereas ingestion of milk products increased their risk significantly (1.15; 1.06-1.24). CONCLUSION: Although statistical significance and consistency in the two sexes were not achieved for all end-points, the study indicates a protective effect of dietary products like poultry, fruit and cereals against glycosuria and suggests a promoting effect of milk. SPONSORSHIP: The Danish National Board of Health and the Danish Cancer Society.     

Associations of non alcoholic fatty liver with the metabolic syndrome and serum carotenoids]

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the associations of non alcoholic fatty liver with metabolic syndrome and the serum carotenoids. METHODS: This study was conducted in a general hospital in South Korea from November, 2004 to August, 2005. The study subjects were 350 sampled persons who were aged from 40 years and older (males: 180, females: 170). They were grouped into the normal, mild and severe groups according to fat accumulation in their livers, as determined by ultrasonography. We analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and metabolic syndrome by multiple logistic regression analysis and we analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and the serum carotenoids by a general linear model(ANCOVA). RESULTS: After adjustment for the effect of potential covariates, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was associated with fat accumulation in the liver (p trend <0.001). If the odds ratio of normal group is 1.00, then that of the mild group is 2.80 (95% C.I=1.17-6.71) and that of the severe group is 7.29 (95% C.I=2.76-19.30). The prevalence of metabolic alterations fitting the criteria of metabolic syndrome, according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver, was significantly increased, except for criteria of high blood pressure, a large waist circumference and low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol level (p trend <0.001). The level of serum beta-carotene was decreased according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver (p trend=0.036), but the levels of serum alpha-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein were not decreased. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that non alcoholic fatty liver was associated with metabolic syndrome and with the serum beta-carotene level.     

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in alcoholic liver disease and chronic hepatitis C

In the past decade it became accepted that free radicals, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense play a role in various tissues damages, thus in certain liver diseases as well. Since only limited data have been reported concerning the oxidative stress in viral hepatitis, a comparative study was performed in patients (pts) with chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease. In addition, the effects of a flavonolignan drug silymarin were assessed. 10 pts with chronic hepatitis C, 5 pts with alcoholic hepatitis and 13 pts with alcoholic cirrhosis have been investigated. Biochemical liver tests (serum bilirubin, aminotransferases, ALT, AST, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pseudocholinesterase, prothrombin), malandialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and red blood cell (RBC) hemolysate, superoxide radical generating capacity of stimulated polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN), plasma concentrations of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, vitamin A, luteine and beta carotene, furthermore RBC superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities were determined. The level of plasma MDA--as the marker of lipid peroxidation--was highest in alcoholic cirrhosis (five times of normal) (p < 0.05), the RBC hemolysate MDA was most elevated in chronic hepatitis C (p < 0.05). The mean PMNs' superoxide radical generating capacity was 116.6% of normal control in alcoholic hepatitis, where the mean GSH level was the lowest (89.8% of normal). Plasma vitamin A content was lowest in alcoholic cirrhosis (68% of control) (p < 0.05). SOD activity was elevated in both chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic cirrhosis, where GPx activity was decreased (p < 0.05). There was a correlation between LDH and SOD activities (r = 0.77, p = 0.015). Silymarin treatment of one month duration resulted in normalization of serum bilirubin in 55% of treated pts, AST became normal in 45%, and RBC hemolyzate MDA level normalized in similar rate. A significant increase in both GSH and retinoids was found. Alterations in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system were shown in chronic hepatitis C, not only in alcoholic liver disease. The parameters of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense may be useful surrogate markers for monitoring pts with liver disease during hepatoprotective treatment.     

Alcoholic calories, red wine consumption and breast cancer among premenopausal women

The role of alcohol consumption (alcoholic calories, alcoholic beverages) on breast cancer risk was investigated in a case-control study of 154 premenopausal female patients diagnosed with primary breast carcinoma. For each case, one control was matched for age (± 3 years) and socio-economic status. The survey was carried out in Northeastern France (Lorraine) between 1986 and 1989. While taking into account total caloric intakes and various breast cancer factors, breast cancer risk was shown to increase as consumption of alcohol increased (p value for trend = 0.007). A significant relative risk (RR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.40–5.17) was shown above 60 kcal per day (approximately 9 g of alcohol per day). Breast cancer risk appeared to be restricted to red wine consumption among these premenopausal women, for monthly consumption (p value for trend = 0.003) as well as for duration of consumption (p value for trend = 0.01). A relative risk of 3.96 (95% CI: 1.59–9.84) was found for a monthly consumption higher than 4 liters per month. This reinforces the notion of a particular sensitivity of young women to breast cancer in relation to alcohol consumption.     

Alcohol and Difficulty Conceiving in the SUN Cohort: A Nested Case-Control Study

The role of alcohol on fertility remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between alcohol and specific alcoholic beverages consumption and the risk of difficulty getting pregnant. We used a case-control study nested within the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort, a prospective, dynamic and multipurpose cohort of 21,705 Spanish university graduates, followed biennially with mailed questionnaires. We identified 686 case-control pairs, matched for age and time in the cohort. Cases were women reporting difficulty getting pregnant. Controls did not consult due to difficulty conceiving and had at least one child during follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounders, we found no association between self-reported difficulty getting pregnant and the number of alcoholic beverages consumed per week, (Odds Ratio [OR] > 5 drinks/week vs. none = 1.04, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.72–1.51). No association between types of alcoholic beverage and difficulty conceiving (OR > 5 drinks of wine/week vs. none = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.72–1.88; OR > 5 drinks of beer/week vs. none = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.82–1.37; OR > 5 drinks of spirits/week vs. none = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.84–1.64) was observed. In conclusion, we found no association between alcohol intake and risk of consulting a physician due to difficulty conceiving. More studies are needed to clearly elucidate the effects of alcohol intake on women’s fertility. In the meantime, recommendations about alcohol intake to couples trying to conceive have to be given cautiously.     

Acute alcohol intoxication in a two-month-old baby

A 2-month-old, well developed, healthy boy, weighing 5.55 kg, was fed 200 ml of bottle-milk containing 65 ml of sake. So-called kanzamashi (sake boiled in the evening and remaining in a bottle overnight,) was mistaken for yuzamashi (water boiled and left to cool), and used to prepare a 15% formula milk. About 10 minutes later, the baby became flushed, began to breath hard, and lose consciousness, and an alcoholic odor was noticed. He was brought to our clinic, where gastric lavage and parenteral fluid therapy were started. On admission, his main physical signs were, whole body had become red, unconsciousness, alcoholic odor, tachycardia and tachypnea, without low body temperature, while his remarked laboratory findings were metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, and high A/G ratio. Moreover, a transient proteinuria, alternately followed by a transient glycosuria, appeared within the course. About 10 hours later, he showed an obvious improvement in both physical and laboratory findings. As an explanation of these changes in his condition due to alcohol ingestion, we speculated that a metabolic acidosis with hyperglycemia caused the disturbed reabsorption in his renal tubulus, which revealed alternating proteinuria and glycosuria.     

Dietary Patterns and Total Mortality in a Mediterranean Cohort: The SUN Project

BackgroundDifferent dietary patterns have been associated with several health outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. There is little evidence on the association between empirically derived dietary patterns and all-cause mortality in Southern European populations.ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the association between an empirically derived dietary pattern and all-cause mortality.DesignThe Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project is an ongoing, multipurpose, prospective and dynamic Spanish cohort.Participants/settingParticipants were a prospective cohort of 16,008 middle-aged Spanish adults. All of them were university graduates (alumni) (59.6% women, mean age 38 years). Usual diet was assessed at baseline with a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.Main outcome measuresDeaths were confirmed by review of medical records and of the National Death Index.Statistical analysisDietary patterns were ascertained through a factor (principal component) analysis based on 30 predefined food groups. Participants were classified according to tertiles of adherence to the three main dietary patterns identified with factor analysis. Cox regression models were fitted to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs for mortality.ResultsThree major dietary patterns were identified. They were labelled Western dietary pattern (rich in red and processed meat, potatoes, and fast food), Mediterranean dietary pattern (rich in vegetables, fish and seafood, fruits, and olive oil), and alcoholic beverages dietary pattern. During follow-up, 148 deaths were reported (mean age at death 54.5 years). After adjustment for potential confounders, the lowest risk of all-cause mortality was found in the tertile of highest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (adjusted hazard ratio for third vs first tertile 0.53, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.84) (P for trend <0.01). The Western dietary pattern and alcoholic beverages dietary pattern showed no significant association with mortality.ConclusionsGreater adherence to an empirically derived dietary pattern approaching the traditional Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality among middle-aged Mediterranean adults.     

Joint association of alcohol and folate intake with risk of major chronic disease in women

Alcohol interferes with folate metabolism and has opposing effects on the risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The authors examined the joint association of alcohol and folate intake with risk of major chronic disease, defined as fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease or cancer, or other nontraumatic death. This study included 83,929 women aged 34-59 years with no previous history of cardiovascular disease or cancer who provided dietary data in 1980. During 16 years of follow-up, the authors documented 10,666 new cases of major chronic disease. Overall, heavy drinkers (>30 g/day) with a lower total folate intake (<180 micro g/day) had the highest risk; in comparison with abstainers with a folate intake of 400-599 micro g/day, the multivariate relative risk was 1.36 (95% confidence interval: 1.10, 1.70). However, the increased risk of major chronic disease associated with heavy drinking was largely diminished among women with a higher folate intake (p for interaction = 0.02). The positive association between heavy alcohol/low folate intake and risk of major chronic disease was most apparent among women younger than age 60 years. Adequate folate intake may be important in the primary prevention of overall major chronic disease in women, especially among younger women consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day.     

Volume intake and craving in alcohol withdrawal

AIMS: It has been shown that beer consumption is associated with alcohol craving, in contrast to wine or spirits consumption. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the daily volume intake of alcoholic beverages is associated with craving in patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal. METHODS: A total of 158 male patients were assessed using the obsessive compulsive drinking scale (OCDS) at admission. The daily volume intake of alcoholic beverages was calculated by adding the volume of all regularly consumed alcoholic beverages, disregarding their alcohol percentage. Lesch's typology was used to classify patients for subgroup analysis. RESULTS: The daily volume intake of alcoholic beverages correlated significantly with the extent of the OCDS (r = 0.33; P < 0.001). With general linear models, we found a significant association of the calculated daily volume intake of all alcoholic beverages with craving (F = 6.426; P = 0.012), but not for the daily ethanol intake. Differentiating the patients according to Lesch's typology a significant association was particularly found in Lesch Type 2 (model of anxiety) patients (F = 11.31; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that volume intake is associated with craving and suggest a role of pathophysiological changes in volume regulating mechanisms (such as vasopressin or ANP) in the neurobiology of alcohol craving, particularly in male patients of Lesch's Type 2 undergoing alcohol withdrawal.     

The Association of Dietary and Urinary Sodium With Bone Mineral Density and Risk of Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Although some earlier studies have indicated an association between dietary/urinary sodium and bone mass density (BMD), bone mass content (BMC), and the risk of osteoporosis (OS), findings are still conflicting. The aim of this study was to summarize the relation of dietary/urinary sodium with BMD, BMC, and the risk of OS.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search up to April 2017 in PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science to find relevant studies. Articles with cross-sectional and cohort designs in which odds ratios (ORs), correlations (r), or beta coefficients were reported for the association between dietary/urinary sodium and OS, BMD, or BMC were included.

Results: Pooling 11 effect sizes with a total of 39,065 people showed that higher sodium consumption significantly increased the risk of OS (OR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.41; p = 0.026), with high heterogeneity among studies (I² = 68.0%; p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed significantly higher risk of OS in premenopausal women (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01–1.69; p = 0.036), in participants with a mean age older than 50 years (OR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04–1.28; p = 0.005), in dietary sodium intake subgroup (OR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.19–1.77; p < 0.001), and in individuals with adjustment for energy (OR = 1.77; 95% CI, 1.38–2.27; p < 0.001). The correlation coefficients showed no significant association between urinary sodium and BMD (r = ?0.46; 95% CI, ?0.74 to ?0.18; p = 0.02).

Conclusions: We found a positive association between sodium intake and the risk of OS, while no association was found with urinary sodium. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between sodium intake and BMD. Due to high heterogeneity in this research, more studies are suggested.     

Asbestos-related chest X-ray changes among Greek merchant marine seamen

One hundred forty-one retired Greek mariners were examined radiologically for asbestos-related lung disease. Thirty-eight (27%) had small opacities classified as ILO category 1/0 or more; 37 (26%) had radiologic evidence of pleural lesions; 17 (12%) had both parenchymal and pleural lesions; and a total of 58 (41%) had one or more radiologic findings of asbestos-related lung disease. In discriminant analysis, duration of maritime employment was predictive of pleural lesions, but the association was not statistically significant (one-tail, p = .16). The prevalence of pleural lesions was also higher among sailors than among officers, and this association was statistically significant (one-tail, p = .05). In this group, none of the occupational variables studied (age, duration of maritime employment, and rank) was related to lung fibrosis. After controlling by multiple regression for mutual confounding effects, suggestive negative associations for the presence of pleural lesions were found with FVC (one-tail, p = .13) as well as with FEF25% (one-tail, p = .09) and FEF50% (one-tail, p = .07). By contrast, no association was found between pulmonary fibrosis and any of the respiratory volumes. The results of this study suggest that mariners may present evidence of asbestos-related disease after many years from onset of exposure on ships.     

Alcohol consumption and Mediterranean Diet adherence among health science students in Spain: the DiSA-UMH Study

ObjectiveTo describe the association between consumption of different alcoholic beverages and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted of the baseline data of the DiSA-UMH study, an ongoing cohort study with Spanish health science students (n = 1098) aged 17-35 years. Dietary information was collected by a validated 84-item food frequency questionnaire. Participants were grouped into non-drinkers, exclusive beer and/or wine drinkers and drinkers of all types of alcoholic beverages. Mediterranean diet adherence was determined by using a modification of the relative Mediterranean Diet Score (rMED; score range: 0-16) according to consumption of 8 dietary components. We performed multiple linear and multinomial regression analyses.ResultsThe mean alcohol consumption was 4.3 g/day (SD: 6.1). A total of 19.5%, 18.9% and 61.6% of the participants were non-drinkers, exclusive beer and/or wine drinkers and drinkers of all types of alcoholic beverages, respectively. Participants who consumed beer and/or wine exclusively had higher rMED scores than non-drinkers (β: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.25-1.27). Drinkers of all types of alcoholic beverages had similar rMED scores to non-drinkers. Non-drinkers consumed less fish and more meat, whereas drinkers of all types of alcoholic beverages consumed fewer fruits, vegetables and more meat than exclusive beer and/or wine drinkers.ConclusionsThe overall alcohol consumption among the students in our study was low-to-moderate. Exclusive beer and/or wine drinkers differed regarding the Mediterranean diet pattern from non-drinkers and drinkers of all types of alcohol. These results show the need to properly adjust for diet in studies of the effects of alcohol consumption.     

Vaginal colonization of escherichia coli and its relation to contraceptive methods

The prevalence rate of vaginal colonization with $\text{E. coli}$ was studied prospectively among 495 healthy premenopausal women, and factors associated with vaginal carriage of $\text{E. coli}$ were examined. Vaginal colonization with $\text{E. coli}$ was found in 12% of women, and was significantly correlated with phase of the menstrual cycle (p < 0.05), prior use of antibiotics (p < 0.05), current genital complaints (p < 0.05), history of previous urinary tract infection (p < 0.001), and use of diaphragm or cervical cap for contraception (p < 0.005). The high prevalence rate among diaphragm or cervical cap users remained significant when other confounding factors were kept constant (p < 0.05). This observation may explain the association of diaphragm use and urinary tract infection demonstrated in previous epidemiologic studies and confirmed in the present study (p < 0.05).     

Alcoholic parents and their children

Summary Some 211 male alcoholic in-patients were compared with a simple random sample of 200 men from Greater Stockholm. The group of male alcoholic in-patients and the random sample were subdivided with respect to alcohol consumption and use of hepatotoxic drugs: (IA) men from the random sample with low or moderate alcohol consumption and no use of drugs (n= 169); (IB) men from the random sample with low or moderate alcohol consumption with use of drugs (n= 31); (IIA) alcoholic in-patients with use of alcohol but no drugs (n= 171); (IIB) alcoholic in-patients with use of alcohol and drugs (n= 40). Earlier and more severe alcohol-related and anti-social problems were found among subjects with an alcoholic parent than among subjects without an alcoholic parent. The highest level of problems was noted for subjects with alcoholism in both parents and among the alcoholic in-patients. Groups which resembled each other were the drug users in the alcoholic group and in the general sample. Both inherited and environmental factors are important determinants and many of these individuals have psycho-social problems as children and adults. The children of those adults who used alcohol in combination with drugs (IIB) had most problems and the most severe problems. In the general population sample, those who used alcohol in combination with drugs (IB) had so many problems in the family and psycho-social problems themselves that they resembled the alcoholic in-patients and especially the group with high alcohol consumption in combination with drugs (IIB). A new finding is that the high-risk groups IB and IIB, who used both alcohol and drugs, had experienced a more disturbed school career and were more aggressive, had more nervous problems, and were more emotionally disturbed than the population studied belonged to a concealed alcoholic group raises the question whether it is really true that every sixth inhabitant of Greater Stockholm has a serious alcohol problem. However, the sample was relatively small, and this implies some uncertainty in the determination of the prevalence. A finding that indicates that the figure is not in fact so far from reality is that 65% of group IB were themselves of the opinion that they drank alcohol often or regarded themselves as alcoholics.     

Prevalence and mortality of heavy drinkers in a general medical hospital unit

This study was performed in order to analyse the prevalence, clinical characteristics and mortality of heavy drinkers among hospitalized patients during a 2-year period. Chronic excessive alcohol consumption (daily intake >80 g of ethanol for males and >40 g for females) was found in 278 of 2913 hospital admissions and was strongly associated with the male sex (90.69%). Heavy drinkers were significantly younger than other admissions (15 and 10 years for men and women, respectively), but showed similar mortality rates to other admissions, despite a much earlier age at death (19.5 years for men and 22 years for women). There was a trend towards higher mortality rates among severe alcoholic women than severe alcoholic men and non-alcoholic women. Liver cirrhosis was the entity most frequently observed in the heavy drinkers, and was significantly more prevalent in alcoholic women.     

Intake of alcoholic beverages is a predictor of iron status and hemoglobin in adult Tanzanians

Iron deficiency is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, but its predictors are not fully understood. We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults around Lake Victoria to describe iron status and asses the role of dietary and infectious predictors. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the role of infections and intake of meat, fish, fruit/vegetables, alcoholic beverages, and soil on hemoglobin and serum ferritin, while controlling for elevated serum alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT). Among 1498 participants, the mean age was 33.3 (14-87) y with 53.9% females. More than one-half ate fish daily, 6% ate fruit/vegetables daily, and only 11% ate meat weekly. One-third consumed alcoholic beverages and one-fifth of females consumed soil. Hookworm (80.3%), Schistosoma mansoni (64.7%), and HIV (7.3%) infection were common. Anemia was found in 48.2% of females (<120 g/L hemoglobin) and 40.1% of males (<130 g/L hemoglobin), and 22.3% of females and 7.0% of males had depleted iron stores (serum ferritin <12 microg/L). In multivariate analyses, alcoholic beverage consumption and HIV were positive, whereas soil eating and hookworm infection were negative predictors of serum ferritin. Alcoholic beverage consumption was a positive predictor of hemoglobin, and soil eating, HIV, and hookworm infection were negative predictors. Intakes of meat, fish, and fruit or vegetables were not predictors. Elevated serum ACT was a predictor of both hemoglobin and serum ferritin. Anemia and depleted iron stores were common, whereas iron overload was rare. In conclusion, the associations between alcoholic beverage intake and hemoglobin and iron status suggest that alcoholic beverages may contain micronutrients essential to erythropoiesis. The role of alcoholic beverage intake and other determinants of hemoglobin and iron status in low-income populations needs to be better elucidated.     

Epidemiology of overweight and obesity in a Greek adult population: the ATTICA Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of overweight and obesity in a Greek random sample. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: From 2001 to 2002, 1514 men (20 to 87 years old) and 1528 women (20 to 89 years old) were enrolled into the study. Among several sociodemographic, lifestyle, and bioclinical factors, anthropometric characteristics were also recorded. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. RESULTS: The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 53% and 20% in men and 31% and 15% in women (p for gender differences < 0.05). The age-adjusted peak prevalence of obesity was observed in men older than 40 years old and women between 50 and 59 years old (Bonferonni alpha < 0.001). Central obesity prevailed in 36% of men and 43% of women (p for gender differences < 0.001). Obesity varied from 10% in rural to 25% in urban areas, but this difference was explained mainly by differences in occupational status (p = 0.9). Moreover, obese and overweight participants were older, less educated, more frequently sedentary, consumed higher quantities of alcoholic beverages, and were devoted to an unhealthier diet as compared with those of normal weight (all p < 0.05). A positive association was also observed between BMI and diastolic and systolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels (all p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Overweight and obesity seem to be a great health problem in the Greek population, especially in middle-aged and older adults. Unfavorable lifestyle habits, low education, and the classical cardiovascular risk factors were associated with the prevalence of these health conditions.