Adult Danish Population Research Articles

The Prevalence of Problem Gambling in Denmark in 2005 and 2010: A Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characterization

Gambling is a worldwide phenomenon. For most persons this causes only small or no problems, but for some, pathological gambling can be the result of entering the gambling environment. The objectives were to estimate the past year and lifetime prevalence of problem gambling in the adult Danish population (16years or older) in 2010 and trends since 2005 and, furthermore, to investigate whether problem gamblers differed from non-problem gamblers with regard to sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. Data were derived from two national representative Danish health surveys. The survey in 2005 was based on region-stratified random sample of 10,916 Danish citizens (response rate: 52.1%) and the survey in 2010 was based on a random sample of 23,405 Danish citizens (response rate: 62.7%). Problem gambling was defined using the lie/bet questionnaire. The past year prevalence of problem gamblers in Denmark remained stable from 2005 to 2010 (0.9 and 0.8%, respectively). The highest past year prevalence of problem gamblers was found among young men in both 2005 and 2010. Furthermore, problem gamblers were more prevalent among men, disability pensioners, less educated and those not married or cohabiting. The present study indicates that a high level of education and being employed have a protective effect against problem gambling. More research is needed in order to understand what attracts and maintains the interest of men in gambling environments as well as why women are not occupied by gambling in the same degree as men.

Patterns of musculoskeletal pain in the population: A latent class analysis using a nationally representative interviewer‐based survey of 4817 Danes

Pain from the musculoskeletal system often occurs in more than one site. This appears to affect prognosis negatively. Knowledge about specific pain patterns is lacking. To define specific patterns of musculoskeletal co-complaints occurring alongside a primary musculoskeletal complaint. Using data from an interview-based health survey of a nationally representative sample of the adult Danish population in 1991 (n = 4817), we describe the co-occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints. Using latent class analysis, we identify clusters of musculoskeletal complaints. Forty percent reported a complaint during a 2-week period; the most common being the low back, neck, shoulder, and knee, and 40% reported more than one complaint. Two latent classes were found for each of the nine primary pain sites except for the low back where three were found. For all primary pain areas, the largest class had site-specific pain only, whereas the smallest class had diffuse pain covering large parts of the body. For participants with a primary musculoskeletal complaint in the spine, the highest probabilities for co-complaints were at other sites in the spine. For primary complaints in the extremities, co-complaints occurred most commonly at adjacent areas. One noticeable exception was a primary complaint of knee pain where co-complaints were found in more remote areas as the neck and low back. Unique clusters of musculoskeletal co-complaints can be determined based on primary pain site. These patterns are different for persons with a primary complaint in the spine compared with persons with a primary complaint in the extremities.

Validation of the 12 Item Short form Health Survey in a Sample from Region Central Jutland

In 2010 the Danish regions started a new program of public health surveillance in collaboration with the national and local health authorities using the short form health survey (SF-12) for measuring and reporting on health related quality of life among the Danish adult population. The instrument has not, however, been validated in a Danish setting. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS) score of the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) in a sample from Central Denmark Region. A total of 26,397 persons above the age of 25 were included in the analyses. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach’s α. The validity was assessed using known-groups comparisons and convergent validity. The factor structure was investigated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The Cronbach’s α showed high reliability with a score of 0.90 and 0.85 for PCS and MCS respectively. The SF-12 discriminated well with respect to gender, age, educational status and long term illness. Individual items correlated higher with own hypothesized scales than with other scales and summary measures corroborating the convergent validity. The EFA gave a two-factor structure. Irrespective of the chosen rotation method (varimax and oblimin) the items related to PCS loaded on one factor and the items related to MCS loaded on another factor. The factor structure was validated with acceptable model-fit values in CFA. The SF-12 instrument is a reliable and valid measure of health related quality of life among the population of Central Denmark Region.

The burden of chronic pain: A cross-sectional survey focussing on diseases, immigration, and opioid use

Chronic pain is currently considered a public health problem with high costs to the individual and society. To improve prevention and treatment of chronic pain, epidemiologic studies are mandatory for assessing chronic pain. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in the adult Danish population and to analyze associated factors such as diseases, immigration, and opioid use. This cross-sectional survey combines individual-based information from the Danish Health Survey (2010) and official Danish health and socioeconomic, individual-based registers. The simple random sample consisted of 25000 individuals (⩾16years old) living in Denmark. In all, 60.7% completed a mailed or online questionnaire. Associations were examined with multiple logistic regression analysis. The study population consisted of 14925 individuals in whom a high prevalence of chronic pain (26.8%, 95% confidence interval: 26.1 to 27.5) and a high prevalence of opioid consumption (4.5%) were observed. Other aspects of particular note: (1) a higher prevalence of chronic pain occurred among individuals with cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary diseases than among individuals with cancer; and (2) individuals with a non-Western background reported a higher pain prevalence, higher pain intensities, and more widespread pain than individuals with Danish background; however, opioids were more frequently used by native Danes. The prevalence of chronic pain as well as opioid use in Denmark are alarmingly high, and the relevance of opioid consumption is unknown.

Pattern of patch test reactivity among patients with clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis: a hospital-based study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESContact allergy is associated with a significant morbidity all over the world. This study was performed to investigate the pattern of sensitization by contact allergens in the local population.DESIGN AND SETTINGRetrospective study to investigate patch test reactivity among patients with clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis who were referred to the allergy clinic at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, between April 2008 and March 2010.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf the 196 patients referred to the allergy clinic over the 2-year period, 91 (46.4%) patients reacted to one or more patch test allergens, and these patients were included in this study. The study group included 82 (91.1%) of Saudi nationality and 9 (8.9%) patients of other nationalities. The patch test was performed using the T.R.U.E TEST, containing 24 allergens/allergen mixes.RESULTSOf the 91 cases who reacted positively to one or more allergens, 67 (73.6%) were females with a mean age of 37 (8.3 years) and 24 (26.4%) were males with a mean age of 34 (11.6 years). Thirty-three (36.2%) patients reacted to nickel sulfate, 14 (15.3%) to p-phenylenediamine, 13 (14.2%) to p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin, 13 (14.2%) to thimerosal, and 9 (9.8%) to colophony. Reactivity against the rest of the allergens was not remarkable. A significantly higher percentage of females reacted to nickel sulfate (84.8% vs 15.2% in males; P=.0001), p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (92.3% vs 7.7%; P=.0001), and thimerosal (76.9% vs 23.1%; P=.03).CONCLUSIONSPatch test reactivity to nickel sulfate was high. The pattern of contact allergy observed in this study indicates the need for large-scale investigations to identify local allergens responsible for contact allergy and for formulation of policies directed towards avoidance of exposure.

Antibiotic use and risk of non‐hodgkin lymphomas

Clinical case reports have suggested that specific bacterial infections are associated with certain non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes. Epidemiological case-control studies have been conducted using antibiotics as a proxy for bacterial infections, but with inconclusive results. The aim of this study was, in a cohort design, based on the unique nationwide Danish registers, to investigate the association between use of antibiotics and the risk of NHL subtypes. On the basis of the Civil Registration System, we established a cohort of the entire adult (≥ 15 years) Danish population. Information on use of antibiotics came from the Danish Drug Prescription Registry and lymphoma diagnosis from the Danish Cancer Registry. Associations were assessed by adjusted rate ratios (RRs). In total, 13,602 patients were diagnosed with one of the NHL subtypes during 51.6 million person-years of follow-up (1995-2008). We observed positive associations between use of antibiotics and plasma cell myeloma [RR = 1.11, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 1.00-1.24], chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) (RR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.20-1.45), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) (RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.04-1.88) and anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma (ALCL) (RR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.00-3.36). Among these, the increased risk of CLL/SLL, MCL and ALCL, respectively, did not vary by years since use, and only the risk of CLL/SLL risk differed by number of prescriptions. While causality could not be established in our study, an intriguing positive long-term association between antibiotic use and CLL/SLL risk was observed. To what extent these findings indicate a role for bacteria in lymphoma pathogenesis requires further investigation.

Ten‐year follow‐up observations of periapical and endodontic status in a Danish population

To describe changes in periapical and endodontic status in a general adult Danish population examined in 1997, 2003 and 2008. The study provides longitudinal, observational information on endodontic status for 327 individuals who participated in three consecutive full-mouth radiographic examinations performed with an approximately 5-year interval. The collected data allow changes to be investigated within and between age-cohorts. The median number of teeth declined slightly, but the number of individuals with apical periodontitis (AP) and with root filled teeth increased. The number of teeth with AP and of teeth with root fillings increased, whereas the number of root filled teeth with AP was almost stable. The proportion of individuals who had no AP and the proportion of individuals who had no root fillings decreased during the 10-year observation period. The proportion of teeth with AP/individual increased steadily with age, unaffected by the different time periods. Differences were found between the age groups for the proportion of root filled teeth/individual where the younger age-cohorts had root fillings performed later in life and at a slower rate. In the old age-cohort, the proportion of lost teeth/individual was much larger and showed a stronger increase with age, than in the younger age-cohorts. The younger age-cohorts will probably never reach the proportion of root fillings or lost teeth seen in the oldest age-cohort. However, it is disturbing that the proportion of teeth with AP/individual increased steadily with age, completely unaffected by the different time periods.

Abstract P362: Validation of a Simple Method to Estimate Populational 24-h Urinary Sodium Excretion Based on a Casual Urine Specimen in an Adult Danish Population

Background: Tanaka et al (J Hum Hypert 2002; 16: 97-103) developed a simple method to estimate populational 24-h urinary sodium excretion using a casual urine specimen. However, this method was developed and validated in a Japanese population and thus this method might not be valid in populations that differ markedly from this population. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that the 24 hour urinary sodium excretion can be estimated from a casual spot urine using the Tanaka prediction method in a Danish general population. Methods: Overall 473 Danish individuals provided both a 24h urine collection and a spot urine sample. Data were collected in the Danthyr study (248 women aged 25-30 years and 60-65 years) and the Inter99 study (102 men and 113 women aged 30-60 years), respectively. Only participants with complete 24h urine collection (validated by the PABA method) were included. We compared the estimated daily sodium excretion through 24h urine (the gold standard) with the predicted 24 h sodium excretion from a causal urine specimen, using the Tanaka prediction method. Results: The predicted median 24 h sodium excretion (median [5 and 95 percentile]) was 8.6 gram [3.7;17.5] compared with a median measured 24 h sodium excretion of 8.9 [5.4; 13:1]. The mean (sd) residual (measured minus predicted 24 h sodium excretion) was 0.08 (3.7). The correlation (Spearman) between predicted and measured 24 h sodium excretion was 0.39 and the R 2 was 0.17. The proportion of individuals classified in the same or adjacent quintiles was 67%. Gross misclassification was found for 3% of the individuals. However, a Bland-Altman plot indicated a tendency of underestimation the sodium excretion for individuals with a high level of sodium excretion (>14 g per day). Conclusion: The Tanaka prediction model gives a reasonable estimate of sodium intake in a Danish population using casual spot urines. However, the validation study showed a tendency of underestimation of the sodium intake for individuals with a high sodium excretion (>14 g per day).

Periodontal Inflammation in Relation to Cognitive Function in an Older Adult Danish Population

Inflammation plays a significant role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Studies have shown that systemic, peripheral infections affect AD patients. Cognitive dysfunction is a consistent finding in AD and periodontal disease is a chronic, peripheral infection often resulting in tooth loss. We hypothesized that older adults with periodontal inflammation (PI) or many missing teeth would show impaired cognition compared to subjects without PI or with few missing teeth, and among subjects with PI, those with many missing teeth would show impaired cognition compared to those with few missing teeth. The effect of PI/tooth loss on cognitive function [measured by Digit Symbol (DST) and Block Design (BDT) tests] was assessed in 70-year old Danish subjects. We found: 1) subjects with PI obtained lower mean DST scores compared to subjects without PI (p < 0.05); 2) subjects with many missing teeth had lower mean DST and BDT scores compared to subjects with few missing teeth (p < 0.05); 3) the association of PI with DST and BDT scores was dependant on the number of missing teeth (interaction: p = 0.03 and p = 0.06); and 4) education and previous cognitive scores (age 50) were important covariates. Subjects with PI had significantly lower adjusted mean DST scores compared to subjects without PI. However for adjusted BDT, the significance held only for subjects with few missing teeth. No difference in the adjusted DST and BDT scores was seen between subjects with many missing teeth compared to those with few missing teeth. These results support the hypothesis that PI may affect cognition.

Increase in self-reported migraine prevalence in the Danish adult population: a prospective longitudinal population-based study

ObjectiveIt is uncertain whether migraine prevalence has increased in modern society. The aim of this study was to assess any change in migraine prevalence over an 8-year period among the...

Determinants of vitamin D status in a general population of Danish adults

Background and aimsDanish legislation regarding food fortification has been very restrictive and vitamin D deficiency is thought to be common in Denmark due to inadequate dietary intakes and the fact that in Denmark (latitude 56°N) vitamin D is only synthesized in the skin after exposure to solar radiation during summertime (April–September). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of a general adult population in Denmark and, in addition, associations between vitamin D status and distinct lifestyle factors were studied. MethodsA random sample of 6784 persons from a general population aged 30–60years participated in a health examination in 1999–2001. Serum samples from all participants were stored and levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured by HPLC in 2009. The method was compared to another HPLC method. Information on dietary intake of vitamin D and other lifestyle factors were obtained by questionnaires. A total of 6146 persons defined as ethnic Danes and with successful measurements of 25(OH)D were included in the analyses. ResultsThe overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D<25nmol/l) and insufficiency (25(OH)D<50nmol/l) were 13.8% and 52.2%, respectively. A marked seasonal fluctuation was seen in serum levels of 25(OH)D — median values of 25(OH)D were lowest in February and highest in August. In multiple logistic regression models (n=5506), low vitamin D status was significantly associated with obesity (BMI≥30), daily smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. However, measurements of 25(OH)D were not associated with the estimated dietary intake of vitamin D. Comparison of two HPLC methods demonstrated considerable differences in accuracy. Discussion and conclusionsOur results suggest that poor vitamin D status is common among adults in a Northern European country without food fortification with vitamin D. Methodological issues are, however, of great importance when using cut-off values to define poor vitamin D status. In addition, we demonstrated that low serum levels of 25(OH)D were associated with several lifestyle factors.

Incidence of Caries Lesions in Approximal Surfaces: A Radiographic Study of a General Adult Danish Population

The aim was to describe the incidence of caries lesions in a randomly selected adult population, and to identify risk factors related to the incidence of caries lesions in approximal surfaces. In 1997, 616 adults participated in a study including a radiographic survey. In 2003 these individuals were contacted again and offered a second radiographic survey; 473 consented and attended this examination. In approximal surfaces, presence/absence of caries lesions and presence and type of coronal fillings were recorded. The incidence of caries lesions in surfaces with no caries lesions in 1997 was studied. Potential risk factors included information at three levels: (1) person, (2) tooth, and (3) surface. The analysis was carried out by multilevel logistic regression. For the analyses 23,701 approximal surfaces were eligible. In 23,243 approximal surfaces no caries lesions were detected in 1997, 17,007 of these were surfaces without fillings, and 6,236 were filled surfaces. In unfilled surfaces several factors affected the risk for development of a caries lesion: young age, high number of fillings, number of teeth and status of the adjacent surface. In filled surfaces few factors affected the incidence of caries lesions: status of the adjacent surface, smoking and distal surfaces. Differences in risk factor patterns for the incidence of caries lesions were found for unfilled and filled surfaces. The study emphasizes the importance of assessing factors related to the incidence of caries lesions in adults. Further it underlines the need to analyse the fate of filled surfaces separately, because once a surface has received a filling it needs continuous attendance.

Risk of thyroid cancer, brain cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma after adult leukemia: a nationwide study

AbstractPatients with childhood leukemia surviving into adulthood have elevated risk of developing thyroid cancer, brain cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); these risks cannot automatically be extrapolated to patients surviving adult leukemia. We tested whether survivors of adult leukemia are at increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, brain cancer, and NHL. We included the entire adult Danish population (14 years of age or older), in a 28-year follow-up period from 1980 through 2007, composed of 6 542 639 persons; during this period, 18 834 developed adult leukemia, 4561 developed thyroid cancer, 13 362 developed brain cancer, and 15 967 developed NHL. In nested studies using Cox regression models on individual participant data, we found that, after adult leukemia, the multivariate adjusted hazard ratios were 4.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-8.5) for thyroid cancer, 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.1) for brain cancer, and 3.3 (95% CI, 2.5-4.4) for NHL. Corresponding hazard ratios after childhood leukemia were 10.4 (95% CI, 0.4-223) for thyroid cancer, 7.2 (95% CI, 2.0-26) for brain cancer, and 6.5 (95% CI, 0.4-110) for NHL. Patients with adult leukemia have excess risk of thyroid cancer, brain cancer, and NHL, similar to patients with childhood leukemia.

Quality of life of eye amputated patients

To evaluate eye-amputated patients' health-related quality of life, perceived stress, self-rated health, job separation because of illness or disability and socioeconomic position. Patients were recruited from a tertiary referral centre situated in Copenhagen. Inclusion criteria were eye amputation, i.e. evisceration, enucleation, orbital exenteration or secondary implantation of an orbital implant during the period 1996-2003, and participation in a previous investigation (2005). In total, 159 eye-amputated patients were included, and completed a self-administered questionnaire containing health-related quality of life (SF-36), the perceived stress scale and answered questions about self-rated health, job changes because of illness or disability and socioeconomic status. These results were compared with findings from the Danish Health Interview Survey 2005. The eye-amputated patients had significantly (p < 0.05) lower scores (poorer health) on all SF-36 subscales and more perceived stress compared to the general population. In all, 43.3% of the patients rated their health as excellent or very good compared to 52.1% of the general population. In total, 25% of the study population has retired or changed to a part-time job because of eye disease. The percentage of eye amputated patients, who were divorced or separated, was twice as high as in the general population. The impact of an eye amputation is considerable. The quality of life, perceived stress and self-rated health of many eye-amputated patients are drastically changed. Eye amputation has a marked negative influence on job separation because of illness or disability and on socioeconomic position.

Consequences of spinal pain: Do age and gender matter? A Danish cross-sectional population-based study of 34,902 individuals 20-71 years of age

BackgroundWhile low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) have been extensively studied, knowledge on mid back pain (MBP) is still lacking. Furthermore, pain from these three spinal areas is typically studied or reported separately and in depth understanding of pain from the entire spine and its consequences is still needed.ObjectivesTo describe self-reported consequences of pain in the three spinal regions in relation to age and gender.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional postal survey, comprising 34,902 twin individuals, representative of the general Danish adult population. The variables of interest in relation to consequences of spinal pain were: Care-seeking, reduced physical activity, sick-leave, change in work situation, and disability pension.ResultsAlmost two-thirds of individuals with spinal pain did not report any consequence. Generally, consequences due to LBP were more frequently reported than those due to NP or MBP. Regardless of area of complaint, care seeking and reduced physical activities were the most commonly reported consequences, followed by sick-leave, change of work, and disability pension. There was a small mid-life peak for care-seeking and a slow general increase in reduced activities with increasing age. Increasing age was not associated with a higher reporting of sick-leave but the duration of the sick-leave increased somewhat with age. Disability pension due to spinal pain was reported exceedingly rare before the age of 50. Typically, women slightly more often than men reported some kind of consequences due to spinal pain.ConclusionsMost people reporting spinal pain manage without any serious consequences. Low back pain more commonly results in some kind of consequence when compared to NP and MBP. Few age-related trends in consequences were seen with a slight predominance of women reporting consequences.

Intake of micronutrients among Danish adult users and non-users of dietary supplements

Objectives: To evaluate the intake of micronutrients from the diet and from supplements in users and non-users of dietary supplements, respectively, in a representative sample of the Danish adult population. A specific objective was to identify the determinants of supplement use.Design: A cross-sectional representative national study of the intake of vitamins and minerals from the diet and from dietary supplements.Method: The Danish National Survey of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity, 2000–2004. Participants (n=4,479; 53% females) aged 18–75 years gave information about the use of dietary supplements in a personal interview. The quantification of the micronutrient contribution from supplements was estimated from a generic supplement constructed from data on household purchases. Nutrient intakes from the diet were obtained from a self-administered 7-day pre-coded dietary record. Median intakes of total nutrients from the diets of users and non-users of supplements were analysed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.Results: Sixty percent of females and 51% of males were users of supplements. With the exception of vitamin D, the intake of micronutrients from the diet was adequate at the group level for all age and gender groups. Among females in the age group 18–49 years, the micronutrient intake from the diet was significantly higher compared with the non-users of dietary supplements. The use of dietary supplements increased with age and with ‘intention to eat healthy.’Conclusion: Intake of micronutrients from the diet alone was considered adequate for both users and non-users of dietary supplements. Younger females who were supplement users had a more micronutrient-dense diet compared to non-users.

Sterol transporter adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G8, gallstones, and biliary cancer in 62,000 individuals from the general population

Gallstone disease, a risk factor for biliary cancer, has a strong heritable component, but the underlying genes are largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that ABCG8 (adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G8) Asp19His (D19H) genotype predicted risk of gallstones and biliary cancer in the general population, we studied 62,279 white individuals from The Copenhagen City Heart Study and The Copenhagen General Population Study, randomly selected to reflect the adult Danish population aged 20 to 80+ years. Endpoints were recorded from January 1976 through May 2009. During a mean follow-up of, respectively, 31 and 4.4 years, 3124 participants developed symptomatic gallstone disease and 30 developed biliary cancer. The multifactorially adjusted hazard ratio for symptomatic gallstone disease was 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.7-2.1) in DH heterozygotes (prevalence, 12%), and 3.3 (2.3-4.6) in HH homozygotes (0.4%) versus noncarriers (P for trend <0.001). Mean age at onset of symptomatic gallstone disease was 56 years for noncarriers, 54 for DH heterozygotes, and 52 for HH homozygotes (P for trend <0.001). The fraction of all gallstones attributed to D19H was 11%. The multifactorially adjusted hazard ratio for biliary cancer was 4.0 (1.9-8.4) in DH heterozygotes and HH homozygotes combined versus noncarriers (P < 0.001). The fraction of all biliary cancers attributed to the D19H genotype was 27%. Finally, D19H genotype associated with stepwise increases in plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase of up to 14% and 25% in HH homozygotes, and with corresponding stepwise reductions in plasma levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of up to 5% versus noncarriers (all comparisons, P for trend <0.001). In this general population cohort, ABCG8 D19H genotype was an important predictor of both symptomatic gallstone disease and biliary cancer.

Scavenger receptor AI/II truncation, lung function and COPD: a large population-based study

The scavenger receptor A-I/II (SRA-I/II) on alveolar macrophages is involved in recognition and clearance of modified lipids and inhaled particulates. A rare variant of the SRA-I/II gene, Arg293X, truncates the distal collagen-like domain, which is essential for ligand recognition. We tested whether the Arg293X variant is associated with reduced lung function and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population. We genotyped 48,741 individuals from the adult Danish general population for Arg293X, and recorded lung function and spirometry-defined COPD. Arg293X homozygotes (n = 5) and heterozygotes (n = 587), compared with noncarriers (n = 48,149), had a 6% and 1% reduction in predicted percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC % predicted) (P = 0.05) and a nonsignificant 7% and 1% reduction in predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1) % predicted) (P = 0.06), respectively. The Arg293X genotype interacted with gender (P = 0.004) and α(1) -antitrypsin MZ heterozygosity (P = 0.049), but not with superoxide dismutase-3 E1I1 heterozygosity (P = 0.11) in determining FEV(1) % predicted. Amongst men, FEV(1) % predicted and FVC % predicted were both reduced by 4% (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0003, respectively) in Arg293X heterozygotes compared with noncarriers. Corresponding values were 14% (P = 0.03) and 11% (P = 0.04) amongst MZ heterozygotes, and 9% (P = 0.03) and 8% (P = 0.04) amongst E1I1 heterozygotes, compared with noncarriers. Lung function did not differ between Arg293X heterozygotes and noncarriers amongst females or individuals without MZ and E1I1. Arg293X heterozygosity was associated with spirometry-defined COPD amongst men [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.7 (1.1-2.4)], but not with COPD in the whole cohort or in any other subgroup. SRAI/II Arg293X heterozygotes have reduced lung function and increased COPD risk amongst men. They also have reduced lung function amongst individuals heterozygous for the α(1)-antitrypsin MZ and superoxide dismutase-3 E1I1 genotypes.

Replacement Rates may Vary for Amalgam Versus Nonmetal Restorations

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Prevalence and incidence of caries lesions in relation to placement and replacement of fillings: a longitudinal observational radiographic study of an adult Danish population. Kirkevang LL, Vaeth M, et al. Caries Res 2009;43:286-93 . Reviewer Eleni D. Roumanas, DDS Purpose/Question Is there a difference in caries incidence and in the frequency of replacement of amalgam verses nonmetal restorations? Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Cohort study Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable

Surfactant protein B polymorphisms, pulmonary function and COPD in 10,231 individuals

The surfactant protein (SP)-B gene may influence chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, thus, personalised medicine. We tested whether functional polymorphisms in SP-B (rs1130866 (1580T>C), rs2077079 (-18A>C) and rs3024791 (-384G>A)) associate with reduced lung function and risk of COPD in the general population. We genotyped 10,231 individuals from the general adult Danish population, and recorded spirometry and hospital admissions due to COPD. Because we previously found an association between the rare SP-B 121ins2 mutation and COPD among smokers, we stratified the analyses for smoking status. None of the individual SP-B genotypes or genotype combinations were associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) % predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) % pred and FEV₁/FVC overall or among smokers (p = 0.25-0.99). The odds ratio for spirometrically defined COPD did not differ from 1.0 for any of the SP-B genotypes or genotype combinations overall or among smokers (p = 0.17-0.78). Similar results were obtained for hospitalisation due to COPD (p = 0.07-0.93); we could exclude overall hazard ratios for heterozygotes of 1.18-1.21 and for homozygotes of 1.25-1.57 or larger for all three polymorphisms. In conclusion, the functional rs1130866, rs2077079 and rs3024791 polymorphisms in the SP-B gene are not associated with reduced lung function or risk of COPD, making it unlikely that these variants will be useful in personalised medicine.