The effects of demographic shift on coronary heart disease mortality in a large migrant population at high risk.

Asian immigrants to the United Kingdom and elsewhere are at greater risk of mortality and morbidity from coronary heart disease (CHD) than UK whites. This predisposition has yet to be explained. More than 63,000 Asian people, a high proportion of whom are under 40, live in Leicester. Projections of the local Asian and non-Asian populations indicate that numbers of Asian people in higher-risk age groups will more than double between 1988 and 2008. In the absence of effective intervention, numbers of CHD deaths among Asian people, and the prevalence of other manifestations of CHD in this group, will rise by an equivalent amount. This predicted shift in the ethnic distribution of CHD has important implications for the planning of acute services in Leicester. Our predictions also demonstrate both a valuable opportunity and a pressing need for local research into the aetiology of CHD among Asian people, upon which preventative strategies may be based.     

Helicobacter pylori infection, garlic intake and precancerous lesions in a Chinese population at low risk of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Cangshan County of Shandong Province has one of the lowest rates of gastric cancer (GC) in China. While intestinal metaplasia (IM) and dysplasia (DYS) are less common in Cangshan than in areas of Shandong at high risk of GC, these precursor lesions nevertheless affect about 20% of adults age > or = 55. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: In order to evaluate determinants of IM and DYS in Cangshan County, a low risk area of GC a survey was conducted among 214 adults who participated in a gastroscopic screening survey in Cangshan County in 1994. METHOD: A dietary interview and measurement of serum Helicobacter pylori antibodies were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori was lowest (19%) among those with normal gastric mucosa, rising steadily to 35% for superficial gastritis (SG), 56% for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 80% for IM, and 100% for DYS. The prevalence odds of precancerous lesions were compared with the odds of normal histology or SG. The odds ratio (OR) or CAG associated with H. pylori positivity was 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] : 1.7-10.0), while the OR of IM/DYS associated with H. pylori positivity was 31.5 (95% CI: 5.2-187). After adjusting for H. pylori infection, drinking alcohol was a risk factor for CAG (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.1-9.2) and IM/DYS (OR = 7.8, 95% CI: 1.3-47.7). On the other hand, consumption of garlic showed non-significant protective effects and an inverse association with H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that infection with H. pylori is a risk factor and garlic may be protective, in the development and progression of advanced precancerous gastric lesions in an area of China at relatively low risk of GC.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection, age and epithelial cell turnover in a general population at high risk for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: H. pylori and age are two known risk factors for atrophic gastritis and high epithelial cell turnover may be an indicator for preneoplastic changes in the stomach. We searched for an association between H. pylori, age and gastritis in the general population together with the proliferative state into the antral mucosa. METHODS: We examined gastric biopsies from antrum and corpus of 117 consecutive volunteers which were endoscoped during a population study in San Marino. H. pylori status was determined by serum IgG antibodies, rapid urease test on biopsies and histology. Presence of gastritis and grading of inflammation, activity, intestinal metaplasia and atrophy were ascertained using Sydney System. On a subsample of 36 subjects without endoscopic lesions we performed an immunohistochemical study on gastric cell proliferation using PCNA. A computer-aided count was made on stained epithelial cells to evaluate labeling index. Statistical analysis was performed using chi 2 test and linear regression. RESULTS: Inflammatory infiltrate (both activity and mononuclear cells), (p < 0.0001) and intestinal metaplasia (p < 0.004) were significantly higher in H. pylori positive subjects. Atrophic gastritis was present in 82% H. pylori positive subjects vs 17.6% (p < 0.0001). Labeling Index was significantly higher in H. pylori positive subjects (p < 0.005) and it was correlated with inflammation and atrophy (p = 0.001). Elderly H. pylori negative subjects have a lower cell turnover (p = 0.006) but H. pylori infected subjects do not show any decrease of Labeling Index with age. CONCLUSIONS: In the general population of an area with high gastric cancer rate, H. pylori infection is associated with atrophic gastritis and with hyperproliferative gastric cell state. These conditions are present either in young and old age and increase the neoplastic risk of gastric mucosa.     

胃癌高发区男性Hp感染自然人群胃镜多点活检分析

目的探讨胃癌高发区男性自然人群Hp感染者胃体大、小弯侧内镜病理的差异。方法选择胃癌高发区6个自然村30～59岁年龄组作为研究对象,先行13C呼气试验,阳性人群1043例全部行内镜检查,并分别在胃黏膜8个位点进行病理和Hp检查,选择胃体大、小弯侧的病理结果进行对照分析。结果胃体大、小弯侧在重度与非重度炎症、活动与非活动性炎症、萎缩与非萎缩炎症、肠化与非肠化之间差异有统计学意义,在炎症与非炎症、病理染色Hp感染与非感染之间差异无统计学意义。结论胃癌高发区男性自然人群胃体小弯与大弯侧相比,炎症重,活动性炎症多,萎缩与肠化发生几率高,但Hp的分布一致。     

Carriage of N. lactamica in a population at high risk of meningococcal disease

Carriage of Neisseria lactamica among household contacts of meningococcal disease (MCD) cases was investigated during an epidemic in Auckland, New Zealand. The overall carriage rate for N. lactamica was 10.5% (95% CI 7.4-13.5%) with a peak carriage rate in 2-year-olds of 61.5% (95% CI 26.6-88.1%). Factors associated with a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the likelihood of carriage included runny nose, the number of people per bedroom and youth. Genetic analysis of isolates revealed a striking correlation of strains within the same household but a high level of diversity between households, suggesting that household contact is an important factor in acquisition. For household contacts aged less than 5 years, there was a higher rate of carriage amongst those in contact with MCD cases under 8 years old than for contacts of cases aged 8 years and over. It is likely that development of MCD is a reflection of the nature and intensity of the exposure to a virulent strain of N. meningitidis, coupled with an absence of host resistance among those individuals not carrying N. lactamica.     

Industrial activities in sites at high environmental risk and their impact on the health of the population

A second mortality analysis of 15 areas of Italy identified in 1986 by the Italian Ministry of Environment as areas at high risk of environmental crisis has confirmed and extended the findings of the first. In regional comparisons, these areas, in which potentially hazardous industries are located, show excesses of deaths from almost all cancers and other diseases, particularly among men. Although more information is needed to identify corrective public health measures, the official recognition of areas in need of cleaning up, which appears to be unique to Italy and which fostered the study, is a promising beginning.     

Management of high risk mothers and maternal mortality in Indian population

The logistic model used in this study revealed a 0.99923 probability of maternal mortality associated with severe anemia, hemorrhage, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Sensitivity of the model was 89.47%, and accuracy of prediction was 80.7% Other risk factors included in the regression were sepsis, hyperpyrexia, and birth interval. The study sample included 252 maternal deaths occurring between January 1, 1983, and December 21, 1985, at Safdarung Hospital in New Delhi, India, matched to controls; multivariate analysis was performed with 57 matched cases. The risk of anemia alone was nine times higher among women with this history. The adjusted odds ratio with severe anemia and controlling for pregnancy-induced hypertension increased to 9.151. The odds ratio for severe anemia when controlling for pregnancy-induced hypertension and hemorrhage was 8.783. The odds ratio with severe anemia and controls for hemorrhage, hyperpyrexia, and short birth interval was 9.980. The odds ratio with severe anemia and controls for hemorrhage, hyperpyrexia, short birth interval, and pregnancy-induced hypertension was 9.945. With severe anemia and controls for the remaining five risk factors, the odds ratio was 7.010. Management of high-risk mothers should reduce maternal mortality.     

Evaluating the impact of repeated community-wide health surveys on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Busselton population

Objective : To evaluate the impact of repeated community-wide mass health examinations on cardiovascular mortality and hospital morbidity trends in Busselton.
Method : Population census, hospital admission and death data were used to calculate and compare cardiovascular mortality rates from 1965 to 1998 and hospital morbidity rates from 1971 to 1998 in Busselton residents aged 40 to 84 years with the remainder of the south-west region of Western Australia.
Results : Among men aged 40–69 years, the calendar year trends in standardised cardiovascular mortality and morbidity ratios were relatively flat and nonsignificant. Among women aged 40–69 years, the mortality ratio declined significantly up to 1989 ( p =0.03) but not over the whole period ( p =0.12), and the downward trend in the morbidity ratio did not reach statistical significance ( p =0.21). Among men aged 70–84 years, both the mortality and morbidity ratios rose significantly over time, whereas among women aged 70–84 years the mortality ratios showed a flat trend and the morbidity ratios a rising trend. These increasing trends were opposite to what was expected if the surveys had a beneficial impact.
Conclusion : This analysis of trends, while failing to demonstrate a clear benefit of repeated mass health screenings on cardiovascular event rates, also highlights the difficulties in evaluating the longer-term impact on event rates of such programs and suggests that negative conclusions should be made with caution.     

Evaluating the impact of repeated community-wide health surveys on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the busselton population

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of repeated community-wide mass health examinations on cardiovascular mortality and hospital morbidity trends in Busselton. METHOD: Population census, hospital admission and death data were used to calculate and compare cardiovascular mortality rates from 1965 to 1998 and hospital morbidity rates from 1971 to 1998 in Busselton residents aged 40 to 84 years with the remainder of the south-west region of Western Australia. RESULTS: Among men aged 40-69 years, the calendar year trends in standardised cardiovascular mortality and morbidity ratios were relatively flat and non-significant. Among women aged 40-69 years, the mortality ratio declined significantly up to 1989 (p = 0.03) but not over the whole period (p = 0.12), and the downward trend in the morbidity ratio did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.21). Among men aged 70-84 years, both the mortality and morbidity ratios rose significantly over time, whereas among women aged 70-84 years the mortality ratios showed a flat trend and the morbidity ratios a rising trend. These increasing trends were opposite to what was expected if the surveys had a beneficial impact. CONCLUSION: This analysis of trends, while failing to demonstrate a clear benefit of repeated mass health screenings on cardiovascular event rates, also highlights the difficulties in evaluating the longer-term impact on event rates of such programs and suggests that negative conclusions should be made with caution.     

中国人群胃癌发病影响因素meta分析

目的 探讨中国人群胃癌发病的影响因素,为胃癌的预防控制提供参考依据。方法 检索中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）、维普中文科技期刊数据库（VIP）、中国学术文献总库（CNKI）和万方数据库,并辅以手工检索和文献追溯法收集1998年1月-2015年12月公开发表的关于中国人群胃癌发病影响因素的相关文献;应用RevMan 5.2软件对纳入的文献进行meta分析。结果 最终纳入39篇中文文献,累计病例组患者8 979例,对照组人群11 593人;meta分析结果显示,吸烟（OR=2.79,95%CI=2.41~3.24）、喜食腌制食品（OR=2.48,95%CI=2.16~2.85）、饮食不规律（OR=2.46,95%CI=2.08~2.92）、有消化系统疾病史（OR=6.85,95%CI=3.98~11.79）、饮酒（OR=2.63,95%CI=2.04~3.38）、重盐饮食（OR=2.58,95%CI=2.09~3.20）、喜食煎炸食品（OR=2.28,95%CI=1.87~2.78）、喜食烫食（OR=2.67,95%CI=2.12~3.37）、有肿瘤家族史（OR=4.50,95%CI=3.64~5.56）、喜食熏制食品（OR=2.86,95%CI=2.02~4.04）、有幽门螺杆菌感染（OR=2.48,95%CI=1.60~3.86）、进食速度快（OR=2.60,95%CI=2.06~3.30）、暴饮暴食（OR=2.30,95%CI=1.75~3.02）、喜食干硬食品（OR=3.99,95%CI=2.51~6.35）和喜食辣食（OR=2.64,95%CI=1.60~4.35）是中国人群胃癌发病的危险因素,常吃蔬菜（OR=0.58,95%CI=0.49~0.68）、常饮茶（OR=0.52,95%CI=0.42~0.64）、常吃豆及豆制品（OR=0.49,95%CI=0.36~0.67）、常吃葱蒜（OR=0.37,95%CI=0.24~0.56）、常吃奶及奶制品（OR=0.63,95%CI=0.51~0.79）和常吃水果（OR=0.56,95%CI=0.48~0.65）是中国人群胃癌发病的的保护因素;敏感性分析和发表偏倚评估结果显示,纳入的文献不存在发表偏倚,结果较为可靠。结论 吸烟饮酒情况、家族史、疾病史和饮食习惯均为中国胃癌发病的主要影响因素。     

起始年龄对结直肠癌高危人群进展期病变检出的影响研究

目的 比较不同筛查起始年龄对结直肠癌高危人群的进展期病变检出的影响。方法 基于浙江省嘉善县结直肠癌早诊早治筛查项目,以2007年1月至2020年12月两轮筛查中初筛阳性的结直肠癌高危人群为研究对象,剔除信息不全者后,最终分别纳入27 130例和31 205例。采用基于广义加性模型的样条分析拟合高危人群进展期病变检出率的年龄变化趋势。进一步计算50、45和40岁3种不同起始年龄的进展期病变检出率和需镜检人数,并采用χ²拟合优度检验比较检出率差异。结果 两轮筛查分别有21 077例（77.69%）和25 249例（80.91%）参与了肠镜检查,分别检出结直肠进展期病变（癌与进展期腺瘤）1 097例（52.05‰）和1 151例（45.59‰）。结直肠癌和进展期腺瘤的检出率均随年龄增长而显著增加（趋势检验P<0.05）,且第一轮检出率显著高于第二轮（P<0.05）。分别以50、45和40岁为起始年龄的结直肠进展期病变检出率在第一轮筛查中依次为61.11‰、56.14‰和52.05‰,在第二轮中依次为49.10‰、46.75‰和45.59‰。χ²拟合优度检验表明,以40岁为起始年龄的进展期病变检出率显著低于以50岁为起始年龄的进展期病变检出率（P<0.05）。相应地,50、45和40岁3种起始年龄每检出1例进展期病变的需镜检人数在第一和第二轮筛查中分别为17、18、20人和21、22、22人。结论 结直肠进展期病变检出率随年龄增长而增大。因此,筛查起始年龄提前会使进展期病变检出率减小,但实际差异有限。     

Second primary gastric cancers in a region with an overall high risk of gastric cancer

ObjectiveTo compare the incidence rates of gastric cancer among cancer survivors with those in the general population, and estimate the probability of a gastric second primary cancer being diagnosed 10 years after any other first primary cancer.MethodA cohort of first primary cancers (other than gastric) diagnosed in Northern Portugal between 2000 and 2006 (n = 64,648) was followed until 31/12/2012 for gastric second primary cancers. Incidence rates, standardized incidence ratios and the cumulative incidence of gastric second primary cancers were calculated.ResultsOverall, 330 patients developed gastric second primary cancers (21.2% within two months). The incidence rate of gastric second primary cancers was higher within two months of the first primary cancer (standardized incidence ratios: 5.20 in males and 7.89 in females), particularly among survivors of cancers of the oesophagus, colon and rectum, than in the remaining period (standardized incidence ratios: 0.64 in males and 0.74 in females). The 10-year risk of a gastric second primary cancer was 0.6% (males: 0.7%; females: 0.4%).ConclusionThe incidence rate of gastric second primary cancers among cancer survivors was higher than in the general population only soon after the first primary cancer, and lower thereafter. Despite the high mortality, the probability of a gastric second primary cancer within 10-years of the first primary cancer was 0.6%.     

Disparities in mortality among high risk pregnant women in Illinois: a population based study

PURPOSE: Researchers are increasingly studying maternal mortality in the context of maternal morbidity in order to identify risk and protective factors operating at each point along the morbidity-mortality continuum. This study examined factors associated with mortality in pregnant women with severe morbidity. In particular, the Black-White disparity was examined. METHODS: Illinois vital records data were linked to identify maternal deaths and other pregnant women with severe morbidity. Pregnancy-related deaths and high risk survivors were compared and case fatality rates were computed. Condition-specific and multivariable analyses were conducted, and time of death was examined. RESULTS: The overall risk of maternal death was 37.1 per 10,000 high risk pregnant women in Illinois from 1994 to 1998. Women who were older, African American, unmarried, or living in Chicago were at elevated risk of death. The adjusted relative risk for the Black-White disparity was 3.7 among all high risk pregnant women and 8.5 among women with hypertensive disorders. A greater proportion of African American and Hispanic women died within 7 days of delivery compared to White women. CONCLUSIONS: Medical risk status alone cannot explain disparities in maternal mortality. The Black-White disparity for risk of death persisted in both overall and condition-specific analyses.     

Compliance to multiple interventions in a high risk population.

PURPOSE: Assess compliance with study medications and examine reasons for noncompliance. Individuals with peripheral arterial disease present the clinician with a unique combination of symptoms and therapeutic needs; the treatment of this population has not been adequately studied. METHODS: The Arterial Disease Multiple Intervention Trial was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial that randomized 468 participants to a combination of antioxidants, niacin and warfarin or matching placebos. Men and women (mean age 65 yrs) with peripheral arterial disease and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) < 190 mg/dl were enrolled and followed for one year. Compliance to the study medications was measured by pill count for each medication. An overall measure of compliance was determined by combining pill counts from all study visits. RESULTS: Mean overall pill counts ranged from 88 to 94% in the eight treatment groups. No statistically significant differences were found in mean pill counts over time or between active and placebo groups. History of coronary artery disease and number of follow-up visits were associated with higher overall pill counts while low compliance during screening was associated with lower counts during follow-up. Participants with an overall mean pill count < 80% had more adverse events compared to those with a higher count. Side effects were reported as the reason for missing pills significantly more often in the active versus placebo niacin group. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with peripheral arterial disease were able to comply with the complex drug regimen. The ability of this drug combination to reduce cardiovascular events and improve quality of life warrants study.     

肿瘤家族史和吸烟在肺癌发生中的交互作用研究

对肿瘤家庭聚集性的研究表明，遗传因素对包括肺癌在内的恶性肿瘤的发生具有重要影响。在肺癌流行病学研究方面，以往对吸烟和肿瘤家族史的单独研究相对较多，而对两者之间联合作用的研究较少。本研究拟对肿瘤家族史和吸烟与肺癌发生之间的关联及其交互作用进行深入探讨。     

回族人群饮食习惯与胃癌发生的相关性研究

目的研究回族人群独特的饮食习惯与胃癌患病的相关性,并进一步探讨与回族人群胃癌发病相关的饮食危险因素。方法采用1︰1配对的病例对照研究方法,问卷调查126例胃癌和贲门癌回族患者以及126例非病例回族人群的饮食习惯,采用单因素和多因素条件Logistic回归模型进行数据分析。结果经单因素与多因素条件Logistic回归分析结果显示,三餐不定时、常食腌制食品、常食油炸食品均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05,OR值分别为3.054,2.363,1.915)。常食水果可降低胃癌的发生(OR=0.281,P﹤0.01)。结论三餐不定时、常食腌制食品及常食油炸食品可能会增加回族人群胃癌患病的危险性,而多食水果是回族胃癌的保护因素。     

Initial results of a study into the effectiveness of breast cancer screening in a population identified to be at high risk

BACKGROUND: Women are frequently referred to genetic clinics because of a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, conferring a moderate increased risk of the disease, but not sufficient in itself to indicate gene mutation analysis. One possible management strategy is to offer regular mammographic screening, possibly earlier in life and more frequently than in the general population. This strategy is used in many parts of the UK, although it has not been formally evaluated. METHODS: In this paper we present some early results on the effectiveness of a programme of mammography in 2,998 women aged 19-71 with a moderate family history of breast cancer in Manchester. We estimated the test and programme sensitivity and sojourn time, using different statistical methods. RESULTS: Fifty breast cancers were diagnosed. The incidence rate observed was 4.46 per thousand person-years. The incidence expected from the segregation analysis of Claus et al. was 3.75 per thousand person-years. Screen-detection rates at first and subsequent screens were 5.00 and 4.93 per thousand respectively. Interval cancer incidence in the first year following a negative screen was 0.91 per thousand person-years. Screening test sensitivity was estimated conservatively as 83%, programme sensitivity as 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Early indications are that the programme is likely to be effective. Further follow-up, analysis of tumour size, node status and malignancy grade, and subsequent mortality from breast cancer is required to confirm this.