Anthropometric Risk Factors Research Articles

Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors in a Mediterranean diet cohort.

Erectile dysfunction affects more than 100 million men worldwide, with a wide variability in prevalence. An overall association of cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle and diet in the context of ED in a Mediterranean population is lacking. To assess ED prevalence and associated factors in a Mediterranean cohort of non-diabetic patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Observational, cross-sectional study of patients aged over 40 treated at cardiovascular risk units in Catalonia. Anthropometric data, risk factors, lifestyle and diet habits were recorded. ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function. Four hundred and forty patients included, 186 (42.3%) with ED (24.8% mild, 6.8% moderate and 10.7% severe). ED presence and severity were associated with age, obesity, waist circumference, hypertension, antihypertensive treatment and ischaemic disease. Patients with ED were more frequently smokers, sedentary and consumed more alcohol. In multivariate analysis, consumption of nuts (> twice a week) (OR 0.41 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.67) and vegetables (≥ once a day) (OR 0.47 (95% CI 0.28-0,77)), were inversely related to ED. Obesity (as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) ) (OR 2.49 (95% CI 1.48-4.17)), ischaemic disease (OR 2.30 (95% CI 1.22 to 4.33), alcohol consumption (alcohol-units a day) (OR 1.14 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.26), and age (year) (OR = 1.07 (95% CI 1.04-1.10) were directly related to ED. Erectile dysfunction is a common disorder in patients treated in lipid units in Catalonia for cardiovascular risk factors. This condition is associated with age, obesity, ischaemic disease and unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Relationship of Plasma Adiponectin and Waist-hip Ratio with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background:This study aimed to investigate correlation between adiponectin and waist-hip-ratio with severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). There is uncertainty about the association between circulating concentrations of adiponectin and CAD.Methods:We enrolled eighty-two consecutive patients undergoing non-urgent coronary angiography for CAD survey. According to the angiography results, the patients were divided into two groups in 1:1 ratio patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAD and non-CAD. We conducted hospital based research, involving study group with documented angiographically CAD, and control group without evidence of CAD. Angiograms were also quantified for the extent and severity of CAD by the Gensini scoring system. We measured baseline adiponectin levels in stored serum samples of all patients, anthropometric and biochemical risk factors were assessed in both groups.Results:The presence of CAD was associated with current smoking, male gender, waist–hip ratio (WHR) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Baseline adiponectin concentrations correlated significantly in terms of the lipid parameters, positively with HDL cholesterol concentrations (r=0.327, P=0.028, P<0.05) and serum triglyceride concentrations were correlated negatively (r=-0.513, P<0.001). No significant difference between median adiponectin levels at baseline was observed between cases and controls.Conclusion:There is a significant positive correlation between waist–hip ratio and presence and severity of coronary artery disease. In conclusion, there is a significant positive correlation between adiponectin and Gensini score among Kosovar patients.

Prevalence of hypertension in urban school going adolescents of Bangalore, India

Background: Systemic hypertension is an important condition in childhood, with estimated population prevalence of 1-2% in the developed countries. Nutritional surveys in USA shows a significant secular increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The prevalence may be high in south India, because of increased genetic inheritance and also due to altered dietary habits and life style. Therefore, the present study was undertaken. The aim and objectives of the study was to study the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in school going adolescents of urban Bangalore, India. Methods: This is a school based cross sectional study carried out in three different schools of different socioeconomic status conducted over a period of 1 year. All boys and girls between the age group of 11 and 19 were included in the study. Results: Total 748 students were included, family history of hypertension was present in 145 students (19.4%), family history of obesity seen in 76 students (10.2%), and 69.3% were non-vegetarians and 66.7% were taking junk food. Majority were in lower middle class (48.8%). Pre hypertension and stage I hypertension noted in 3.6% of students. It is significantly high in children with BMI>23. Family h/o hypertension and obesity were significant in children with pre hypertension and stage I hypertension (p<0.001). Conclusions: Hypertension is a significant problem in urban adolescents of Bangalore city. Obesity, increased BMI and increased waist hip ratio are significant anthropometric risk factors. Family histories of hypertension and obesity have a strong correlation with occurrence of hypertension.

Anthropometric Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome in HIV patients

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome, which affects the general population in epidemic proportions, is associated with a set of cardiovascular disease risk factors. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine the prevalence and investigate the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in outpatients living with HIV/AIDS using anthropometric and clinical evaluations. METHOD: The study was carried out on 253 HIV infected outpatients. Metabolic syndrome was classified according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATPIII) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied from 19.4% to 26.4%, according to the criterion used. The factors associated with it in the two classifications used, when adjusted by sex and BMI, were age (≥ 40years) and subscapular skinfold (> 12 mm). In the final model, using the NCEP/ATPIII criterion the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome were age ≥ 40 years (OR = 3.18; CI95% = 1.42; 7.14) and subscapular skinfold > 12 mm (OR = 2.85, CI95% = 1.13; 7.17). In the final model, using the IDF criterion the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome were age (OR = 3.38, CI95% = 1.61; 7.10) and subscapular skinfold > 12 mm (OR = 4.37, CI95% = 1.84; 10.39). CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, the regular monitoring of subscapular skinfold can help in the identification of HIV infected individuals in risk of MS.

Relative Contribution of Risk Factors for Early-Onset Myopia in Young Asian Children.

To investigate the associations of near work, outdoor activity, and anthropometric risk factors with early-onset myopia in Singaporean preschool children. Pregnant women who attended their first-trimester clinic at two major maternity units were recruited for the GUSTO birth cohort (n = 1236). Cycloplegic autorefraction and axial length (AL) were obtained in 3-year-old children (n = 572). Parents completed detailed questionnaires on parental myopia, near work, and outdoor activities when the child was 2 years of age. Height and weight were measured in the children at various time points from birth to 3 years of age. Among the cohort of 572 children, 35 children (6.1%) had early-onset myopia. In multivariable regression models, compared to children whose parents were not myopic, those with two myopic parents were more likely to have a more myopic spherical equivalent (SE) (regression coefficient: -0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.61 to -0.11) and longer AL (regression coefficient: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.10-0.39) and more likely to have myopia (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; 95% CI: 1.4-16.6). Neither near work nor outdoor activity was associated with SE, AL, and myopia. Taller children were found to have longer AL at birth and at 12, 24, and 36 months, but there were no associations with SE. Genetic factors may have a greater contribution to early development of refractive error compared to environmental factors.

Ghrelin, adipokines, metabolic factors in relation with weight status in school-children and results of a 1-year lifestyle intervention program.

BackgroundOverweight in Guadeloupe is a public health matter affecting children and adults. In the present study we evaluated the metabolic profile, including serum ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels, in normal weight, overweight and obese school children and we analyzed the potential changes in anthropometric and metabolic risk factors after a 1-year lifestyle intervention program.MethodsParameters were assessed at baseline and at 1 year. Three groups (G) were defined according the International Obesity Task Force reference values, G1: normal weight / G2: overweight / G3: obese. The lifestyle intervention included dietary counseling, regular physical activity and family support.ResultsA total of 120 children (G1: n = 44, G2: n = 39, G3: n = 37), aged 11– 15 years and 59 % girls were enrolled. Obese children showed significant lower HDL-C, adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations, higher triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, insulin and leptin levels and also higher frequencies of abdominal obesity (G1: 2.3 %, G2: 28.2 %, G3: 73 %) and insulin resistance (GI: 39 %, G2: 72 %, G3: 89 %) than the other groups. In the overall sample, the linear regressions exploring the associations of ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin with age, gender, BMI z-score, HOMA-IR and tanner stage as independent variables showed strong associations of leptin levels with weight status and insulin resistance at baseline. The models accounted for 58 % of variability in leptin levels compared with 26 and 15 % for adiponectin and ghrelin levels respectively.In 83 children who completed the program, significant decreases in BMI z-score in overweight and obese children were noted. Leptin levels decreased significantly only in the obese group whereas adiponectin concentrations increased significantly in the three groups,In obese children, a significant correlation was found between changes in BMI Z-score, and changes in leptin levels (r = 0.39; P = 0.049) but not with changes in adiponectin levels.ConclusionsAbdominal obesity and insulin resistance were highly prevalent in obese children highlighting their risk of metabolic complications in adulthood. A 1-year long lifestyle intervention was associated with improvement in BMI z-score and metabolic parameters.

Anthropometric Injury Risk Factors in Elite-standard Youth Soccer.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased risk of injury occurrence can be determined through frequent anthropometric measurements in elite-standard youth soccer players. Over the course of one season, we followed 101 male elite-standard youth soccer players between 11 and 19 years of age. Height and body mass were monitored at monthly measurement intervals and fat percentage was assessed every 3 months by use of the sum of skinfold method. Growth in height (cm), alternations in body mass index (kg/m(2)), fat percentage and fat-free mass index (kg/m(2)) were calculated. Injuries were recorded in accordance with the recommendations of the FIFA Consensus Model for Injury Registration. Odds ratio scores and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. The following anthropometric injury risk factors were identified: ≥ 0.6 centimeter growth per month (p=0.03; OR=1.63; 95% CI: 1.06-2.52), ≥ 0.3 kg/m(2) increase of body mass index value per month (p=0.03; OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.04-2.49) and low fat percentage; i. e., < 7% for players aged 11-16 and < 5% for players over 16 years (p=0.01; OR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.18-2.76). Individual monitoring of anthropometrics provides useful information to determine increased risk of injury occurrence in elite-standard youth soccer.

Effects of an eight-week supervised, structured lifestyle modification programme on anthropometric, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in severely obese adults.

BackgroundLifestyle modification is fundamental to obesity treatment, but few studies have described the effects of structured lifestyle programmes specifically in bariatric patients. We sought to describe changes in anthropometric and metabolic characteristics in a cohort of bariatric patients after participation in a nurse-led, structured lifestyle programme.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kgm−2 (or ≥35 kgm−2 with significant co-morbidity) who were attending a regional bariatric service and who completed a single centre, 8-week, nurse-led multidisciplinary lifestyle modification programme. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c, fasting glucose and lipid profiles as well as functional capacity (Incremental Shuttle Walk Test) and questionnaire-based anxiety and depression scores before and after the programme were compared in per-protocol analyses.ResultsOf 183 bariatric patients enrolled, 150 (81.9 %) completed the programme. Mean age of completers was 47.9 ± 11.2 years. 34.7 % were male. There were statistically significant reductions in weight (129.6 ± 25.9 v 126.9 ± 26.1 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (46.3 ± 8.3 v 44.9 ± 9.0 kgm−2, p < 0.001), waist circumference (133.0 ± 17.1 v 129.3 ± 17.5 cm in women and 143.8 ± 19.0 v 135.1 ± 17.9 cm in men, both p < 0.001) as well as anxiety and depression scores, total- and LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, with an increase in functional capacity (5.9 ± 1.7 v 6.8 ± 2.1 metabolic equivalents of thermogenesis (METS), p < 0.001) in completers at the end of the programme compared to the start. Blood pressure improved, with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from 135 ± 16.2 to 131.6 ± 17.1 (p = 0.009) and 84.7 ± 10.2 to 81.4 ± 10.9 mmHg (p < 0.001), respectively. The proportion of patients achieving target blood pressure increased from 50.3 to 59.3 % (p = 0.04). The proportion of patients with diabetes achieving HbA1c <53 mmol/mol increased from 28.6 to 42.9 %, p = 0.02.ConclusionsBariatric patients completing an 8 week, nurse-led structured lifestyle programme had improved adiposity, fitness, lipid profiles, psychosocial health, blood pressure and glycaemia. Further assessment of this programme in a pragmatic randomised controlled trial seems warranted.

Metabolic syndrome risk in irish children is associated with maternal diet: prospective findings from the lifeways cross-generation cohort study 2001–2014

Aim: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the phenotypical clustering of anthropometric and biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. There is a lack of evidence on early life factors associated with paediatric MetS. This analysis aims to outline a continuous risk score for MetS (cMyS) in a cohort of Irish children recruited antenatally and to examine the effects of maternal diet both during pregnancy and 5 years postpartum.

Anthropometric Risk Factors for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Young Men and Women From Eastern France: A Case-Control Study.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has risen over the past decade, along with a rise in obesity. We studied the role of anthropometric risk factors for differentiated thyroid cancer at the time of diagnosis and at age 20 years in a case-control study conducted in eastern France between 2005 and 2010. The study included 761 adults diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer before 35 years of age between 2002 and 2006. They were matched with 825 controls from the general population. Odds ratios were calculated using conditional logistic regression models and were reported for all participants, those with papillary cancer only, and women only. The risk of thyroid cancer was higher for participants with a high body surface area (BSA), great height, or excess weight and for women with a high body fat percentage. Conversely, no significant association was found between body mass index and the risk of thyroid cancer. In the present study, we provide further evidence of the role of BSA and excess weight in the risk of thyroid cancer. These epidemiologic observations should be confirmed by further exploration of the biological mechanisms responsible for the associations of obesity and BSA with thyroid cancer.

Longer Term Effect of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension on Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension

Background: Pregnancy-Induced-Hypertension (PIH) is claimed to create greater risk of hypertension (HTN) and chronic-kidney- diseases (CKD) at later life of the women. Objective: To explore what proportion of women with history of PIH develop HTN and CKD in later stages after delivery and, to study the interrelation of HTN and CKD with socio-demographic, anthropometric and biochemical risk factors. Methods: Under an observational case-control design 133 women with previous history of PIH [PIH group; Age(yrs), Median(range) 31(25–45), and BMI [(kg/m2, (Mean ± SD)(25.2 ± 2.1)] were compared with 113 women without history of PIH (Non-PIH group), Age(yrs) Median(range) 34(25–45), and BMI [(kg/m2, Mean ± SD) (25.8 ± 2.9)] for the development of HTN (SBP > 130 mmHg; DBP > 90 mmHg; or MBP > 105 mmHg) and CKD [as measured by total-urinary-protein and elevated urinary-protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR)]. Clinical and anthropometric parameters were measured by standard techniques, lipids by enzymatic-colorimetric method, urinary total protein by pyrogallol-red method, urinary-protein by strip method and urinary-creatinine was measured by alkaline-picrate method. Results: Out of the 133 women in PIH group 43(32.3%) developed HTN and 41 (30.8%) developed CKD in the Non-PIH group 17(15%) developed HTN and 16 (14.2%) developed CKD. SBP, DBP and MBP, all were significantly higher in the PIH compared to the Non-PIH group. PIH group had 4 times higher chance of developing HTN (Odds Ratio 4.2). In parallel to the findings on HTN, PIH group showed a significantly higher proportion of CKD [Proteinuric 10(7.5%)]. Both urinary-total-protein and UPCR were significantly higher in PIH group as compared to Non-PIH group. The PIH group had almost 3 times chance of developing CKD compared to the Non-PIH group. A significant correlation of MBP was found with UPCR, Total-cholesterol and serum-uric-acid. UPCR was also correlated with SBP. On logistic regression, MBP had a positive association with UPCR and Uric Acid. Conclusions: PIH-group is more vulnerable compare to Non-PIH group.

Associations between a common variant near the MC4R gene and serum triglyceride levels in an obese pediatric cohort.

Polymorphisms near the MC4R gene may be related to an increased risk for obesity, but studies of variations in this gene and its relation to cardiometabolic profiles and food intake are scarce and controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the variants rs12970134 and rs17782313 near the MC4R gene in food intake, binge eating (BE) behavior, anthropometric parameters, body composition, metabolic profile, and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study that included obese children and adolescents. We evaluated anthropometric, metabolic parameters and cardiometabolic risk factors, including hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-cholesterol. BE was assessed through the BE scale, and a 24-h recall was used to evaluate total caloric intake and percentage of macronutrients and types of dietary fat. The MC4R variants rs12970134 and rs17782313 were genotyped using TaqMan assay. To assess the magnitude of risk, a logistic regression adjusted for Z-BMI, age, and gender was performed, adopting the significance level of 0.05. The study included 518 subjects (52.1 % girls, 12.7 ± 2.7 years old, Z-BMI = 3.24 ± 0.57). Carriers of the variant rs17782313 exhibit increased triglyceride levels (108 ± 48 vs. 119 ± 54, p = 0.034) and an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.985, 95 % CI 1.288-3.057, p = 0.002). There was no association of the SNP rs12970134 with clinical, metabolic, or nutritional parameters. The variant rs12970134 and rs17782313 did not influence food intake or the presence of BE. The variant rs17782313 is associated with an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia in obese children and adolescents.

Effects of an 8-week supervised, structured lifestyle modification programme on anthropometric, metabolic, and cardiovascular risk factors in severely obese adults

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Influence of exercises combinations and anthropometric risk factors for the development of hypertension in elderly

Influence of exercises combinations and anthropometric risk factors for the development of hypertension in elderly

Characterization of metabolically unhealthy normal-weight individuals: Risk factors and their associations with type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveA proportion of type 2 diabetes cases arise from normal-weight individuals who can therefore be considered to be “metabolically unhealthy normal-weight” (MUH-NW). It remains unclear which factors account for this access risk. Our aims were to identify risk factors for type 2 diabetes in normal-weight individuals and to compare the strengths of their associations with type 2 diabetes to that observed in overweight and obese participants. MethodsA case-cohort, including 2027 sub-cohort participants and 706 incident type 2 cases, was designed within the population-based European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Potsdam study. Adjusted means and relative frequencies of anthropometric, lifestyle and biochemical risk factors were calculated in groups stratified by BMI and incident diabetes status. Cox regressions were applied to evaluate associations between these variables and diabetes risk stratified by BMI category. ResultsMUH-NW individuals were characterized by known diabetes risk factors, e.g. they were significantly more likely to be male, former smokers, hypertensive, and less physically active compared to normal-weight individuals without incident diabetes. Higher waist circumference (women: 75.5 vs. 73.1cm; men: 88.0 vs. 85.1cm), higher HbA1c (6.1 vs. 5.3%), higher triglycerides (1.47 vs. 1.11mmol/l), and higher levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (0.81 vs. 0.51mg/l) as well as lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (1.28 vs. 1.49mmol/l) and adiponectin (6.32 vs. 8.25μg/ml) characterized this phenotype. Stronger associations with diabetes among normal-weight participants compared to overweight and obese (p for interaction<0.05) were observed for height, waist circumference, former smoking, and hypertension. ConclusionsNormal-weight individuals who develop diabetes have higher levels of diabetes risk factors, however, frequently still among the normal range. Still, hypertension, elevated HbA1c and lifestyle risk factors might be useful indicators of risk.

Dietary patterns in India and their association with obesity and central obesity.

Obesity is a growing problem in India, the dietary determinants of which have been studied using an 'individual food/nutrient' approach. Examining dietary patterns may provide more coherent findings, but few studies in developing countries have adopted this approach. The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns in an Indian population and assess their relationship with anthropometric risk factors. FFQ data from the cross-sectional sib-pair Indian Migration Study (IMS; n 7067) were used to identify dietary patterns using principal component analysis. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine associations with obesity and central obesity. The IMS was conducted at four factory locations across India: Lucknow, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The participants were rural-to-urban migrant and urban non-migrant factory workers, their rural and urban resident siblings, and their co-resident spouses. Three dietary patterns were identified: 'cereals-savoury foods' (cooked grains, rice/rice-based dishes, snacks, condiments, soups, nuts), 'fruit-veg-sweets-snacks' (Western cereals, vegetables, fruit, fruit juices, cooked milk products, snacks, sugars, sweets) and 'animal-food' (red meat, poultry, fish/seafood, eggs). In adjusted analysis, positive graded associations were found between the 'animal-food' pattern and both anthropometric risk factors. Moderate intake of the 'cereals-savoury foods' pattern was associated with reduced odds of obesity and central obesity. Distinct dietary patterns were identified in a large Indian sample, which were different from those identified in previous literature. A clear 'plant food-based/animal food-based pattern' dichotomy emerged, with the latter being associated with higher odds of anthropometric risk factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to further clarify this relationship in India.

Higher serum concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide associate with prevalent hypertension whereas lower associate with incident hypertension.

BackgroundThe role of the natriuretic peptides (NPs) in hypertension is complex. Thus, a higher blood NP concentration is a robust marker of pressure-induced cardiac damage in patients with hypertension, whereas genetically elevated NP concentrations are associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and overweight individuals presumably at high risk of hypertension have lower NP concentrations.ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), used as a surrogate marker for active BNP, and prevalent as well as 5-year incident hypertension in a Danish general population sample.MethodsCross-sectional and prospective population-based study.ResultsAt baseline, among 5,307 participants (51.3% women, mean age 46.0±7.9 years) with a complete set of data, we recorded 1,979 cases with prevalent hypertension (PHT). Among 2,389 normotensive participants at baseline with a complete set of data, we recorded 324 cases with incident hypertension (IHT) on follow-up 5 years later. In models adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle, social, dietary, anthropometric, pulmonic, lipid, metabolic and renal risk factors, as well as heart rate and baseline blood pressure (only incident model), one standard deviation increase in baseline log-transformed NT-proBNP concentrations was on one side associated with a 21% higher risk of PHT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.30], P<0.001), and on the other side with a 14% lower risk of IHT (OR: 0.86 [95%CI:0.76-0.98], P = 0.020).ConclusionsHigher serum concentrations of NT-proBNP associate with PHT whereas lower concentrations associate with IHT. This suggests that a lower amount of circulating BNP, resulting in diminished vasodilation and natriuresis, could be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in its early stages.

Fatores de risco para incontinência urinária em mulheres idosas praticantes de exercícios físicos

To analyze the risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) in older women practicing physical exercises (PE). A total of 152 older women with a mean age of 68.6±5.8 years who regularly practiced PE participated in the study. The presence of UI and gynecological, obstetric, clinical, behavioral, hereditary and anthropometric risk factors was determined identified. It was also applied the Domain 4 of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine the level of physical activity and body mass index and waist circumference were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the level of significance set at 5%. The prevalence of UI in the sample was 32.2%. Among the factors evaluated, only the use of diuretics (OR=2.7; 95%CI 1.0-7.0) and a positive family history of urinary incontinence (OR=2.3; 95%CI 1.1-4.8) were associated with UI symptoms. The use of diuretics is considered to be a modifiable risk factor for UI, whereas a family history is not considered to be a modifiable risk factor.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene polymorphism and its serum level have an impact on anthropometric and biochemical risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Indian population.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), encoded by gene CCL-2 (Chemokine C-C motif 2), is the ligand of chemokine receptor CCR-2. Concurrent clinical alteration in several metabolic aspects, including central obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension, is clinically characterized as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Role of MCP-1 in each of these aspects has been established in vitro and in animal studies as well. We here report genetic association of -2518 A>G MCP-1 (rs 1024611) gene polymorphism and level of MCP-1 with MetS in North Indian subjects. We analysed (n=386, controls and n=384, MetS subjects) for MCP-1 gene polymorphism using PCR-RFLP, its serum level using ELISA, anthropometric (body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist-hip ratio and blood pressure) and biochemical (serum lipids, plasma glucose and insulin levels) variables in a genetic association study. The body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, serum lipids, insulin and fasting plasma glucose level were significantly high in MetS subjects. Regression analysis showed significant correlation of body mass index, waist and hip circumference, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with MetS. MCP-1 allele and genotype were significantly associated with MetS. Serum MCP-1 level was high in overall cases. In conclusions, the MCP-1 2518A>G (rs 1024611) polymorphism has significant impact on risk of MetS, and MCP-1 level correlates with anthropometric and biochemical risk factors of MetS.

Thyroid Dysfunction and Associated Risk Factors among Nepalese Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Objectives. To assess thyroid function and associated risk factors in Nepalese diabetes mellitus patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 419 diabetes mellitus patients at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Information on demographic and anthropometric variables and risk factors for thyroid dysfunction was collected. Blood samples were analysed to measure thyroid hormones, blood sugar, and lipid profile. Results. Prevalence rate of thyroid dysfunction was 36.03%, with subclinical hypothyroidism (26.5%) as the most common thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction was much common in females (42.85%) compared to males (30.04%) (p = 0.008) and in type 1 diabetes (50%) compared to type 2 diabetes mellitus (35.41%) (p = 0.218). Diabetic patients with thyroid dysfunction had higher total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol in comparison to patients without thyroid dysfunction. Significant risk factors for thyroid dysfunction, specifically hypothyroidism (overt and subclinical), were smoking (relative risk of 2.56 with 95% CI (1.99–3.29, p < 0.001)), family history of thyroid disease (relative risk of 2.57 with 95% CI (2.0–3.31, p < 0.001)), and female gender (relative risk of 1.44 with 95% CI (1.09–1.91, p = 0.01)). Conclusions. Thyroid dysfunction is common among Nepalese diabetic patients. Smoking, family history of thyroid disease, and female gender are significantly associated with thyroid dysfunction.