Association Of Famine Exposure Research Articles

Association of famine exposure and the serum calcium level in healthy Chinese adults.

ObjectiveFamine exposure and higher serum calcium levels are related with increased risk of many disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Whether famine exposure has any effect on serum calcium level is unclear. Besides, the normal reference range of serum calcium is variable among different populations. Our aims are 1) determining the reference interval of calcium in Chinese adults; 2) exploring its relationship with famine exposure.MethodsData in this study was from a cross-sectional study of the epidemiologic investigation carried out during March-August 2010 in Jiading district, Shanghai, China. Nine thousand and two hundred eleven participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60ml/min/1.73m2 were involved to calculate reference interval of total calcium from 10569 participants aged 40 years or older. The analysis of famine exposure was conducted in 9315 participants with complete serum biochemical data and birth year information.ResultsAfter rejecting outliers, the 95% reference interval of total serum calcium was 2.122~2.518 mmol/L. The equation of albumin-adjusted calcium was: Total calcium + 0.019* (49-Albumin), with a 95% reference interval of 2.151~2.500 mmol/L. Compared to the age-balanced control group, there was an increased risk of being at the upper quartile of total serum calcium (OR=1.350, 95%CI=1.199-1.521) and albumin-adjusted calcium (OR=1.381, 95%CI=1.234-1.544) in subjects experienced famine exposure in childhood. Females were more vulnerable to this impact (OR= 1.621, 95%CI= 1.396-1.883 for total serum calcium; OR=1.722, 95%CI= 1.497-1.980 for albumin-adjusted calcium).ConclusionsFamine exposure is an important environmental factor associated with the changes in circulating calcium concentrations, the newly established serum calcium normal range and albumin-adjusted calcium equation, together with the history of childhood famine exposure, might be useful in identifying subjects with abnormal calcium homeostasis and related diseases, especially in females.

Association of Famine Exposure on the Changing Clinical Phenotypes of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in 20 years

Background & AimsPrimary hyperparathyroidism(PHPT) has been evolving into a milder asymptomatic disease. No study has assessed the association between famine exposure and such a shift. We aim to explore the effects of China’s Great Famine exposure on the changing pattern of PHPT phenotypes.Methods750 PHPT patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2019 were studied. The clinical presentations were compared between them in recent 10 years (2010-2019) and previous 10 years (2000-2009). Participants were then categorized into fetal, childhood, adolescent, adult exposure, and unexposed groups. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of famine exposure as factors contributing to the changes in the clinical presentations of PHPT.ResultsSerum levels of PTH, albumin-corrected Ca, tumor size, eGFR, BMDs (all P<0.001), and clinical symptoms became milder in recent 10 years. Famine exposure (72.6% vs 58.4%, P<0.001), especially the adult exposure (18.8% vs 4.1%, P<0.001)was significant less in recent 10 years. The ORs (95%CIs) of having upper 3rd tertile PTH were 2.79(1.34,5.8), 2.07(1.04,4.11), 3.10(1.15,8.38) and 8.85(2.56,30.56) for patients with fetal, childhood, adolescent and adult famine exposure, respectively. The ORs (95%CIs) of upper 3rd tertile albumin-corrected Ca and upper 3rd tertile of tumor size was 4.78(1.39, 16.38) and 4.07(1.12,14.84) for participants with adult famine exposure, respectively. All these associations were independent of age, sex, disease duration and other confounders.ConclusionsThe clinical manifestations of PHPT in China continue to be milder. Exposure to famine is associated with PHPT. Less famine exposure might be responsible for the mile form of PHPT in recent years.

Individual and combined association analysis of famine exposure and serum uric acid with hypertension in the mid-aged and older adult: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundMalnutrition in early life may affect health in later life. The associations between malnutrition and serum uric acid (SUA) and hypertension were inconsistent. The present study aimed to investigate the individual and combined association between famine exposure and serum uric acid and hypertension in middle-aged and older Chinese.MethodsData were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) Wave2011. The analytic sample included 9368 individuals aged 45 to 90. Differences between baseline characteristics and famine exposure/SUA level were evaluated using the Chi-square test, t-test, and F-test. Then, the differences in the prevalence of hypertension between characteristic groups was also estimated by the Chi-square and t-test. Finally, multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models examined association of famine exposure and serum uric acid with odds of prevalence of hypertension.ResultsA total of 9368 individuals were enrolled in the study, 4366 (46.61%) and 5002 (53.39%) were male and female, respectively. Among males, 459 (10.51%) had been exposed to the Chinese famine during the fetal stage, whereas 1760 (40.31%) and 1645 (37.68%) had been exposed to the famine during childhood and adolescence/adult stage, respectively. Among females, 635 (12.69%) had been exposed to the Chinese famine during the fetal stage, whereas 1988 (39.74%) and 1569 (31.37%) had been exposed to the famine during childhood and adolescence/adult stage, respectively. Regarding the participants with SUA level measurements, 290 (6.64%) reported having Hyperuricemia (HUA) in males and 234 (4.68%) in the females. Furthermore, 1357 (31.08%) reported having hypertension in male and 1619 (32.37%) in the female. In multivariable-adjusted model, famine exposure and serum uric acid were associated with prevalence of hypertension independently in total populations [(1) Model fourd, fatal exposed group vs non-exposed group: 1.25 (95% CI 1.03, 1.52); childhood-exposed group vs non-exposed group:1.60 (95% CI 1.37, 1.87); adolescence/adult exposed group vs non-exposed group: 2.87 (95% CI 2.44, 3.37), P for trend < 0.001; (2) Model four e, high vs normal:1.73 (95% CI 1.44, 2.08)]. When stratified by sex, the results in both males and females were similar to those in the total population. In general, interaction analysis in the multivariable-adjusted model, compared with the combination of normal SUA level and no-exposed famine stage, all groups trended towards higher odds of prevalence of hypertension [the greatest increase in odds, adolescence/adult exposed stage and high SUA level in total participants: OR4.34; 95%CI 3.24, 5.81; P for interaction < 0.001]. When stratified by sex, the results in both males and females were also similar to those in the total population.ConclusionOur data support a strongly positive individual and combined association of famine exposure and serum uric acid with hypertension in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Association between famine exposure in early life with insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction in adulthood

ObjectivesFamine exposure in early life was associated with type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome, etc. But evidence in early famine exposure and insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction were limited. We aimed to investigate whether the association existed between famine exposure in early life and beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in adulthood.MethodsIn all, 7912 non-diabetic participants were included in this study, based on SPECT-China study. Participants with fetal or childhood famine exposure (birth year 1949–1962) were exposure group. Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Beta cell function, represented by insulin secretion, was estimated by the disposition index. The associations of famine exposure with HOMA-IR and disposition index were assessed via linear regression.ResultsIn men, we did not observe a significant association between early life famine exposure and ln(HOMA-IR) in all three models (P > 0.05 for all). However, in women, early life famine exposure were found to have significant association with ln(HOMA-IR) after adjustments for urbanization, severity of famine exposure, current smoker, waist circumference, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (unstandardized coefficients 0.055, 95% confidence interval 0.021, 0.088, P = 0.001). Early life famine exposure was observed to be negatively associated with ln(disposition index) after adjustments for the above potential confounders, both in men (model 3: unstandardized coefficients −0.042, 95% confidence interval −0.072,−0.012, P = 0.006) and women (model 3: unstandardized coefficients −0.033, 95% confidence interval −0.058,−0.009, P = 0.008).ConclusionsIn conclusion, exposure to famine in fetal- and childhood- life period is associated with beta cell dysfunction in males and females without diabetes, but early life famine exposure was only associated with insulin resistance in non-diabetic females. These results indicate that malnutrition in early life period may offer a modifiable factor for type 2 diabetes development.

220-LB: Early-Life Famine Exposure and Hyperuricemia in Adulthood

Background and Aims: Hyperuricemia is a pathological condition associated with hypertension, metabolic dysfunctions, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiologic studies indicated that early life famine exposure influences later risk of chronic disorders. But evidence in the association between famine exposure and hyperuricemia were limited. We aimed to investigate whether the association existed between famine exposure in early life and hyperuricemia in adulthood. Methods: 12666 participants were enrolled in China based on SPECT-China study (ChiCTR-ECS-14005052, www.chictr.org.cn). Hyperuricemia was defined as UA &amp;gt;420 μmol/L for men and &amp;gt;360 μmol/L for women. The associations of famine exposure with hyperuricemia were assessed via logistic regression. Results: For famine exposed women, fetal famine exposure was significantly associated with hyperuricemia (1.63 (95% CI 1.04-2.54), P=0.031). Early life famine exposure was only associated with hyperuricemia in lean women (fetal exposed: 1.9 (95% CI 1.11-3.24); childhood exposed: 1.91 (95% CI 1.05-3.47), P&amp;lt;0.05), but not in obese subjects. Moreover, the insulin resistant female had a marginal significance of the association between fetal famine exposure and hyperuricemia (1.85 (95% CI 0.92-3.72), P=0.082). Significant association between fetal and childhood famine exposure and hyperuricemia was observed in lean and insulin resistant female (fetal exposed: 3.32 (95% CI 1.13-9.76); childhood exposed: 3.57 (95% CI 1.06-12.01), P&amp;lt;0.05). However, no association was observed in male subjects. Conclusions: Exposure to famine in early life period may lead to hyperuricemia in female, which indicates malnutrition in early life period may offer a modifiable factor for hyperuricemia development. Disclosure Y. Wang: None. W. Zhang: None. H. Wan: None. C. Chen: None. Y. Chen: None. F. Xia: None. B. Han: None. Q. Li: None. N. Wang: None. Y. Lu: None. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China (91857117, 81570726, 81600609, 81600614, 81800694]; Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (18410722300, 16411971200, 16410723200); Commission of Health and Family Planning of Pudong District (PWZxq2017-17, PW2015D-5); Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning (15GWZK0202, 20164Y0079); Municipal Human Resources Development Program for Outstanding Young Talents in Medical and Health Sciences in Shanghai (2017YQ053); Clinical Research Plan of SHDC (16CR3076B)

MON-158 Association between Famine Exposure in Early Life with Insulin Resistance and β-cell Dysfunction in Adulthood

Context Insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction are pivotal to the progression of metabolic diseases. Previous studies suggested famine exposure in early life was associated with type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome, etc. But evidence in early famine exposure and insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction were limited. Objective We aimed to investigate whether the association existed between famine exposure in early life and β cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in adulthood. Design and setting 10772 non-diabetic participants were enrolled in China based on SPECT-China study (ChiCTR-ECS-14005052, www.chictr.org.cn). Main outcome measure Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Beta cell function, represented by insulin secretion, was estimated by the disposition index. The associations of famine exposure with HOMA-IR and disposition index were assessed via linear regression. Results In both men and women, the disposition indices were lower in fetal- and childhood- exposed subjects than non-exposed subjects. In women, the HOMA-IR levels were higher in fetal- and childhood- exposed subjects than non-exposed subjects. In men, we did not observe a significant association between the fetal- and childhood- exposed subjects and ln(HOMA-IR). However, in women, fetal- and childhood- exposed subjects were found to have significant association between famine exposure and ln(HOMA-IR). In both genders, the ln(disposition index) was observed to be significantly associated with fetal exposure to famine. Conclusions Exposure to famine in fetal- and childhood life period may lead to beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in non-diabetic male or/and females, which indicates malnutrition in early life period may offer a modifiable factor for type 2 diabetes development.

Early-life exposure to severe famine and subsequent risk of depressive symptoms in late adulthood: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

The Chinese Great Famine caused widespread starvation in 1959-1961. Its long-term association with depressive symptoms has not been studied.AimsTo estimate the burden of depressive symptoms and the association of famine exposure with depressive symptoms. The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study is a nationwide representative survey of 17 708 Chinese adults aged ≥45. Propensity score matching and modified Poisson regression were used to evaluate the association between self-reported famine exposure in early life and depressive symptoms among the overall participants. Such associations were also assessed by developmental stage using modified Poisson regression and logistic regression. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 26.2% (95% CI 25.1-27.3%) in 2011. As defined by loss of family members because of starvation, 11.6% (95% CI 10.1-13.1%) of this population experienced severe famine. When compared with participants who did not experience starvation, those who had experienced severe famine during fetal, mid-childhood, young-teenage and early-adulthood stages had 1.87 (95% CI 1.36-2.55), 1.54 (95% CI 1.23-1.94), 1.47 (95% CI 1.09-2.00) and 1.77 (95% CI 1.42-2.21) times higher odds of having depressive symptoms in late adulthood, respectively. The first two trimesters of pregnancy were a critical time window during the fetal stage when severe famine had a stronger association with depressive symptoms. Famine during infant, toddler, preschool or teenage stages was not associated with depressive symptoms. Overall, famine contributed to 13.6% of the depressive symptom burden in this population. The Chinese Great Famine contributed substantially to the burden of depressive symptoms in China.Declaration of interestNone.

Association of famine exposure during early life with the risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood: a meta-analysis

The association between famine exposure (defined as lengthy and continuous deprivation of food) during early life and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in adulthood remains controversial. A meta-analysis was performed to better clarify the relation of famine exposure to later T2DM risk. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for relevant available articles. The articles were limited to those in English or Chinese from January 1990 to June 2016. Observational studies evaluating the association between famine exposure and T2DM were included. The pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the effect of famine exposure on T2DM. The I 2 was used to assess heterogeneity, and the random effects model (REM) was adopted as the pooling method. We included 11 published articles with 12391 T2DM cases for this meta-analysis. A significant association of early life famine exposure with increased risk of T2DM was observed (RR=1.38, 95% CI 1.17-1.63; I 2=63.4%; P heterogeneity=0.002). Compared with the unexposed, the RRs of T2DM were 1.36 (95% CI 1.12-1.65) for fetal-infant exposed and 1.40 (95% CI 0.98-1.99) for childhood exposed. After excluding one article that had a strong effect on heterogeneity, the pooled RR was 1.46 (95% CI 1.27-1.69). The meta-analysis indicates that famine exposure during early life especially fetal-infant exposure may increase the risk of T2DM in adulthood. Measures should be taken to prevent malnutrition during important stages of growth and development to reduce the prevalence of T2DM.

Prenatal famine, birthweight, reproductive performance and age at menopause: the Dutch hunger winter families study

Is there an association between acute prenatal famine exposure or birthweight and subsequent reproductive performance and age at menopause? No association was found between intrauterine famine exposure and reproductive performance, but survival analysis showed that women exposed in utero were 24% more likely to experience menopause at any age. Associations between prenatal famine and subsequent reproductive performance have been examined previously with inconsistent results. Evidence for the effects of famine exposure on age at natural menopause is limited to one study of post-natal exposure. This cohort study included men and women born around the time of the Dutch famine of 1944-1945. The study participants (n = 1070) underwent standardized interviews on reproductive parameters at a mean age of 59 years. The participants were grouped as men and women with prenatal famine exposure (n = 407), their same-sex siblings (family controls, n = 319) or other men and women born before or after the famine period (time controls, n = 344). Associations of famine exposure with reproductive performance and menopause were analysed using logistic regression and survival analysis with competing risk, after controlling for family clustering. Gestational famine exposure was not associated with nulliparity, age at birth of first child, difficulties conceiving or pregnancy outcome (all P> 0.05) in men or women. At any given age, women were more likely to experience menopause after gestational exposure to famine (hazard ratio 1.24; 95% CI 1.03, 1.51). The association was not attenuated with an additional control for a woman's birthweight. In this study, there was no association between birthweight and age at menopause after adjustment for gestational famine exposure. Age at menopause was self-reported and assessed retrospectively. The study power to examine associations with specific gestational periods of famine exposure and reproductive function was limited. Our findings support previous results that prenatal famine exposure is not related to reproductive performance in adult life. However, natural menopause occurs earlier after prenatal famine exposure, suggesting that early life events can affect organ function even at the ovarian level. This study was funded by the NHLBI/NIH (R01 HL-067914). Not applicable.