Relationship between body mass index and fibromyalgia features

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and features of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). METHODS: 211 female patients with FMS seen consecutively in our rheumatology clinic were analyzed. Spearman correlation was used. Further, FMS features were compared at different levels of BMI (kg/m2), e.g., < 25.00 vs > or = 25.00 (normal vs overweight). P value of < or = 0.01 was accepted as significant. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between BMI and age (p<0.001) and a negative correlation between BMI and education (p<0.009). Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score was significantly correlated with BMI (p<0.001), whereas fatigue and number of tender points (TP) showed a trend (p=0.035 and 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSION: The HAQ score is significantly associated with BMI in FMS with a trend towards significance for fatigue and TP. Weight loss may improve physical functioning in this disorder.     

Relationship of clinical features with psychological status in primary fibromyalgia

Clinical features and psychological status determined by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) in 103 patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFS) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate techniques to determine if clinical features were related to psychological status or were intrinsic to PFS per se. The central features of PFS, e.g., number of pain sites, number of tender points, fatigue, and poor sleep, were independent of psychological status. However, discriminant analysis identified 4 variables--patient-reported depression, anxiety, stress, and pain severity--which together predicted 3 MMPI subgroups with an accuracy of 55% (P less than 0.001); the only musculoskeletal feature--pain severity--alone provided an accuracy of only 34% (P greater than 0.05). These data suggest a new concept, that the central features of fibromyalgia are independent of the psychological status and are more likely related to the PFS itself. However, pain severity may be influenced by psychological factors.     

Relationship between smoking habits and the features of the metabolic syndrome in a non-diabetic population

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effect of smoking on the pathogenic factors for the development of diabetes is little explored. We evaluate the relation of smoking with the features of the insulin resistance syndrome, insulin resistance, and insulin secretion. METHODS: 2412 non-diabetic men, aged 35-65 years, were studied. Smoking habit was investigated by questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure, forced expiratory volume (FEV1), fasting glucose, triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol, plasma free fatty acids (FFA), insulin and fibrinogen were measured. HOMA-IR and HOMA beta cell were calculated. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to ATP III criteria. RESULTS: The metabolic syndrome was more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers (OR: 1.34; 95% CI 1.01-1.77). This was mainly due to a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia - high triglycerides (46.1% vs 29.9%, p<0.001), or low HDL cholesterol (42.2% vs 30.4%, p<0.001), in smokers. In smokers, other features of insulin resistance - i.e. obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly less frequent and FFA were lower (p<0.001). Plasma insulin and HOMA beta cell were similar in the two groups (8.3 vs 8.0microU/ml and 80.7% vs 82.9%, respectively), but HOMA-IR was significantly lower in smokers (p<0.001) due to the lower glucose values observed in these people. CONCLUSIONS: Among the features of the metabolic syndrome, only dyslipidemia is associated with chronic smoking. Smoking in not associated with enhanced insulin resistance, or with impaired insulin secretion. Alternative hypotheses should be explored for the increased risk of diabetes in smokers.     

吸烟与卒中和卒中亚型的关系

吸烟是卒中的主要危险因素之一.主动吸烟和被动吸烟均会增高卒中风险,而戒烟后卒中风险可能会降低,甚至与非吸烟者无显著差异.吸烟人群因年龄、性别、吸烟量、烟龄和地区的不同,其卒中和各卒中亚型的风险也存在差异.     

吸烟与卒中和卒中亚型的关系

吸烟是卒中的主要危险因素之一.主动吸烟和被动吸烟均会增高卒中风险,而戒烟后卒中风险可能会降低,甚至与非吸烟者无显著差异.吸烟人群因年龄、性别、吸烟量、烟龄和地区的不同,其卒中和各卒中亚型的风险也存在差异.

Abstract：

Smoking is one of the major risk factors for stroke. Both active and passive smoking may increase the risks of stroke, and the risks of stroke may decrease after smoking cessation, even no significant difference with non-smokers. Because of the different age, sex, smoking quantity, years of smoking, and regions of the smoking popuation, their strokes and the risks of all stroke subtypes are also different.     

Relationship between smoking cessation rates and underlying diseases]

PURPOSE: To compare smoking cessation rates among patients with underlying diseases treated with the same anti-smoking program and to analyze the relationship between disease entity and cessation rate, retrospectively. SUBJECT: Between June and December 2006, 98 patients were treated at the Nicotine Addiction Clinic in Nagoya Medical Center. Of these, 97 who had been covered by a social insurance were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Underlying diseases were psychological in 18 (20%), cancer in 9 (9%). cerebrovascular in 13 (13%), and respiratory in 9 (9%). The overall smoking cessation rate at one month was 61%. Cessation rates for each underlying disease were 100% in hypertension, 100% in ischemic heart diseases, 100% in diabetes mellitus, 89% in cancer, 85% in cerebrovascular diseases, 44% in respiratory diseases, 28% in psychological disorders, and 17% in HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent type underlying disease was psychological disorders. Smoking cessation rates were high in ischemic heart diseases, cancer, and hypertension, but low in psychological disorders and HIV infection.     

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and smoking and drinking habits

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of various gastroduodenal diseases. Some risk factors related to H. pylori infection have been reported; however, studies on the relationship between H. pylori infection and smoking or drinking habits have given conflicting results. In the present study, these relationships were investigated by collecting sera and information from 8837 subjects. METHODS: Serum H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibody was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. In addition to sex and age, information on smoking and drinking habits was collected by questionnaire. Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of smoking and alcohol consumption were calculated for H. pylori seropositivity using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Current smokers had a 0.82 (0.74-0.91)-fold greater risk of H. pylori seropositivity than those who had never smoked. Current cigarette consumption showed a dose-dependently negative association with H. pylori seropositivity, and the association between smoking and H. pylori infection was strong in younger subjects. Current drinkers had a 0.88 (0.79-0.98)-fold greater risk of H. pylori seropositivity than those who had never drunk alcohol. The volume of alcohol consumed showed a negative association with H. pylori seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, smoking was negatively associated with H. pylori infection. The risk of H. pylori seropositivity decreased linearly with cigarette consumption per day. Increased gastric acidity in the stomach through smoking may be a cause of the dose-dependently negative association between H. pylori and smoking. Drinking was negatively and dose-dependently associated with H. pylori positivity, although the effect of drinking was weaker than that of smoking.     

Relationship between smoking and diet: the MONICA-France project.

The association between smoking habits and diet was examined in a sample of 1126 men, aged 45-64 years, from the general population living in the three French MONICA monitoring areas: Bas-Rhin (BR) (n = 346), Haute-Garonne (HG) (n = 400) and Urban Community of Lille (UCL) (n = 380). Diet was assessed by the 3-day record method. The energy and nutrient intakes were calculated for each of the 3 centres, using the same food composition tables. Alcohol consumption was higher among smokers (P less than 0.001). Taking into account alcohol consumption, age, body mass index, centre, educational level and family size, the analyses showed no difference in non-alcoholic energy intake, proteins, carbohydrates, and total fat. However, smokers had a lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P less than 0.05) and dietary fibre (P less than 0.01) than non-smokers. With regard to food items, smokers had a higher intake of sucrose (P less than 0.05) and a lower intake of vegetables (P less than 0.001), dairy products (P less than 0.05) and cheese (P less than 0.05). These results suggest that analyses in future epidemiological research regarding the role of diet in the aetiology of tobacco-related diseases should consider this association of potential risk factors.     

青年人急性心肌梗死的临床特点及吸烟与其关系

目的:探讨青年人急性心肌梗死(AMI)的临床特点及吸烟与其关系。方法:比较青年组(年龄≤45岁)与中老年组(年龄>45岁)AMI患者的临床特点及吸烟情况,检测青年组不同程度吸烟者的血细胞间黏附分子(ICAM)、血管细胞间黏附分子(VCAM)、CD40L水平。结果:与老年组比较,青年组患者缺乏高血压、血脂异常、糖尿病等危险因子,青年组所有男性均吸烟是最突出的特征;青年组主要是近期大量吸烟,而老年组主要是烟龄长,有的近年已戒烟。青年中吸烟量为10～19支/d者与吸烟量>20支/d者的ICAM水平分别为:35.74士5.05和43.76士8.46(P<0.05),VCAM水平为2.31士0.82与2.71士0.98(P>0.05),CD40L水平为2.65士0.85与2.13士0.73(P>0.05)。结论:青年人AMI常为急性起病,多为血栓性病变,吸烟是青年人AMI独立危险因子。吸烟可能通过激活淋巴细胞表答ICAM-1,而触发免疫及炎症反应,引起血管痉挛及血栓形成。     

吸烟与颈动脉粥样硬化患者血清高敏C反应蛋白水平的相关性研究

目的观察颈动脉粥样硬化吸烟患者血清高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)变化,并分析其在不同动脉粥样硬化亚型中的差异,探讨其临床意义。方法纳入颈动脉粥样硬化的吸烟患者298例为吸烟组,颈动脉粥样硬化的非吸烟患者120例为非吸烟组,无颈动脉粥样硬化的健康吸烟者50例和非吸烟者50例分别为对照1组和对照2组。采用胶体强化免疫比浊法检测各组血清hs-CRP水平。吸烟组再按斑块是否为稳定分为稳定性斑块及不稳定性斑块,分析吸烟对颈动脉粥样硬化患者hs-CRP水平的影响。结果吸烟组血清hs-CRP水平明显高于非吸烟组[(7.26±4.24)mg/L vs(3.56±2.28)mg/L],对照1组hs-CRP水平高于对照2组[(4.34±2.74)mg/L vs(3.17±1.68)mg/L],差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。吸烟指数与血清hs-CRP水平呈显著正相关(r=0.395,P0.01)。不稳定性斑块患者的每日吸烟量、吸烟时间及吸烟指数明显高于稳定性斑块患者(P0.05),高hs-CRP水平吸烟患者发生缺血及脑卒中复发事件比例显著高于低hs-CRP水平患者(11.36%vs 2.00%,P0.01)。结论吸烟可导致颈动脉粥样硬化患者血清hs-CRP水平增高,其可能与斑块的稳定性及缺血性脑卒中的复发密切相关。     

Association between thyroid autoimmunity and fibromyalgia

Evidence exists that autoimmune thyroiditis is present in a high percentage of fibromyalgia (FM) and associated with the presence of typical symptoms of FM. However, the role of thyroperoxidase antibody (TPO Ab) in the manifestation of FM is still unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of positive TPO Ab in euthyroid FM patients, and whether TPO Ab positivity is associated with the clinical manifestations in euthyroid FM patients.Thyroid assessment was done by free T4, TSH and TPO Ab. The clinical parameters including Fibromyalgia Impact questionnaire (FIQ), pain visual analogical scale (VAS) and tender point counts were evaluated in euthyroid primary FM patients, not associated with autoimmune rheumatic disease. The immunologic tests including rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody were measured. We compared the prevalence of positive TPO Ab between FM patients, and healthy control. We also compared clinical and laboratory parameter in FM patients according to the presence of TPO Ab.149 patients of FM, 68 healthy controls were recruited. FM patients showed higher prevalence of positive TPO Ab than healthy controls (28 out of 149 patients, 19%; 5 out of 68 healthy controls, 7%; P=0.04). There was no difference of clinical and laboratory parameters in FM patients between 2 groups subdivided by the presence of TPO Ab.In our study, euthyroid FM patients showed significantly higher prevalence of positive TPO Ab, as compared to age and sex matched healthy control. However, TPO Ab positivity was relatively low and not associated with the clinical manifestations in euthyroid FM patients. This finding support thyroid autoimmunity may influence the development of FM, but the evidence which support that FM is related to autoimmune etiology is not clear, and FM severity may not be affected by the presence of thyroid autoantibody.     

Relationship between smoking and human papillomavirus infections in HIV-infected and -uninfected women

Background. Smoking may increase the risk of cervical cancer, a disease that is related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, the effects of smoking on the natural history of HPV are poorly understood, especially in women coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Methods. HIV-infected (n=1797) and HIV-uninfected (n=496) women were assessed every 6 months for type-specific HPV DNA. Smoking status was self-reported. Covariates included age, parity, sexual behavior, HIV load, CD4(+) T cell count, and antiretroviral therapy.Results. Smoking was positively associated with HPV prevalence at baseline in HIV-infected women (P=.002) and was significantly associated with type-specific HPV detection (e.g., type 18, odds ratio [OR], 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86-3.22). In Cox models, detection of HPV was significantly associated with smoking in HIV-infected women (relative hazard [RH], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.10-1.60; P=.003), but HPV persistence was not (RH, 0.97; 95% CI, 80-1.16; P=.72). The overall likelihood of acquiring persistent HPV was higher in smokers (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05-1.86; P=.023) because of greater incidence.Conclusions. Among HIV-infected women, smoking is associated with a significantly higher prevalence and incidence of HPV infection. Smoking during HIV infection may alter the natural history of HPV infection and increase the risk of cervical disease.