Changes In Lifestyle Risk Factors Research Articles

Association of changes in lifestyle with changes in sleep difficulties: an analysis of 38 400 participants over a 16-year follow-up

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between changes in lifestyle risk factors and changes is sleep difficulties.DesignLongitudinal repeated measures cohort study.SettingUniversity and national institute of occupational health.ParticipantsParticipants of the Finnish Public Sector...

Characteristics of Patients in Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Who Succeed in Changing Smoking, Weight, and Physical Activity: A Secondary Analysis of an RCT on Combined Lifestyle Interventions

Introduction: Patients addicted to alcohol or drug often have additional unhealthy lifestyles, adding to the high mortality and morbidity in this patient group. Therefore, it is important to consider lifestyle interventions as part of the usual addiction treatment. Objective: The aim was to identify predictors of successful changes in lifestyle risk factors among patients in treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a trial using a 6-week intensive integrated lifestyle intervention: The very integrated program (VIP). Patients were recruited in Addiction Centres Malmö and Psychiatry Skåne, Sweden. The primary outcome was successful changes in lifestyle, measured as quitting tobacco, exercising 30 min per day, and not being over- or underweight after 6 weeks and 12 months. Results: A total of 212 patients were included in the RCT, and 128 were included in this secondary analysis: 108 at 6 weeks and 89 at 12 months of follow-up. A total of 69 patients were respondents at both follow-ups. The follow-up rates were 51 and 42%, respectively. More education, having at least 2 lifestyle risk factors and having a high quality of life were predictors of a successful change in lifestyle after 6 weeks. After 12 months, the predictors for a successful outcome were having 3 or more risk factors, while an education level up to 3 years was a negative predictor. Conclusions: Having several unhealthy lifestyles in addition to alcohol and drug addiction was a significant predictor of successful lifestyle changes in the short- and long term after the VIP for lifestyle interventions. Likewise, education was significant. The results should be considered in future development and research among this vulnerable group of patients.

Population-level changes in lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the Heart of New Ulm Project.

Lifestyle significantly influences development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but limited data exists demonstrating lifestyle improvements in community-based interventions. This study aims to document how lifestyle risk factors changed at the population level in the context of Heart of New Ulm (HONU), a community-based CVD prevention initiative in Minnesota.HONU intervened across worksites, healthcare and the community/environment to reduce CVD risk factors. HONU collected behavioral measures including smoking, physical activity, fruit/vegetable consumption, alcohol use and stress at heart health screenings from 2009 to 2014. All screenings were documented in the electronic health record (EHR). Changes at the community level for the target population (age 40–79) were estimated using weights created from EHR data and modeled using generalized estimating equation models.Screening participants were similar to the larger patient population with regard to age, race, and marital status, but were slightly healthier in regards to BMI, LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and less likely to smoke. Community-level improvements were significant for physical activity (62.8% to 70.5%, p < 0.001) and 5+ daily fruit/vegetable servings (16.9% to 28.1%, p < 0.001), with no significant change in smoking, stress, alcohol or BMI.By leveraging local EHR data and integrating it with patient-reported outcomes, improvements in nutrition and physical activity were identified in the HONU population, but limited changes were noted for smoking, alcohol consumption and stress. Systematically documenting behaviors in the EHR will help healthcare systems impact the health of the communities they serve, both at the individual and population level.

New Onset of Chronic Diseases and Changes in Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Gulf War Veterans: A Longitudinal Comparison of High and Low Symptom Reporters.

The aim of this study was to compare new chronic diseases onset and longitudinal changes in lifestyle risk factors between Gulf War veterans with different symptom reporting. Data were collected from Gulf War veterans over two periods, and participants were grouped according to baseline symptom reporting. Logistic, nominal, and ordinal regressions were used for between-group comparisons. The veterans comprised low, moderate, and high symptom reporters. New onset of sleep apnea [odds ratio (OR) = 9.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.48 to 25.86], musculoskeletal (OR = 8.70; 95% CI = 4.17 to 18.17), psychological (OR = 5.36; 95% CI = 2.46 to 11.70), and cardiovascular (OR = 3.86; 95% CI = 1.33 to 11.23) conditions was elevated in high versus low symptom reporters. Although odds of obesity and alcohol use increased over time and smoking halved, the changes were similar across groups. These findings show increasing obesity and alcohol use, and indicate that high symptomatology among veterans may predict future disease onset.

Improvements in breast cancer survival between 1995 and 2012 in Denmark: The importance of earlier diagnosis and adjuvant treatment

Background Breast cancer mortality has declined from 1995 through 2012 which may be attributed to earlier diagnosis, changes in lifestyle risk factors, and improved treatments. To a large extent the relative contribution of these modalities are unknown. Mammography screening was introduced late in Denmark; in 1995 around 20% of the Danish female population aged 50–69 was covered by population-based screening, and this was in 2008 extended to the entire population. Breast conserving surgery gradually replaced mastectomy, and sentinel node biopsy was introduced. In the same period adjuvant treatment was extended considerable.Methods A population-based study of 68 842 breast cancer patients registered in the clinical database of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group in 1995–2012. Comprehensive data on prognostic factors, comorbidity and treatment together with complete follow-up for survival were used to evaluate improvements in mortality and standardized mortality rate in successive time periods.Results The results from this study demonstrated a significant improvement in prognosis in successive time periods covering 1995–2012. Apart from patients with a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) improvements were seen in all subgroups of patients. Prognostic factors were more favorable in the latest time period accordingly to the introduction of nationwide screening. In the study period adjuvant treatment was extended considerable.Conclusion The impact of screening was by nature of limited magnitude. The modified treatment strategies implemented by the use of nationwide guidelines seemed to have a major impact on the substantial survival improvements.

Changes in lifestyle risk factors: health and economic impact as estimated by the population based RHS model

Changes in lifestyle risk factors: health and economic impact as estimated by the population based RHS model

Smoking is a risk factor in the progression to kidney failure

To study the role of smoking in renal damage, we measured gender-specific effects, dose-response relationships, and whether cessation reduced the risk of smoking on future kidney failure. During a median follow-up of 10.3 years, 124 of 65,589 participants of the HUNT II study, a Norwegian population, progressed to stage 5 chronic kidney disease. Former- and current-smokers less than 70 years of age at inclusion had significant multi-adjusted hazard ratios of 3.32 and 4.01 for kidney failure compared to those who never smoked. In men, the risk increased with a significantly higher trend for cumulative smoking (pack-years); however, the risk significantly decreased with increased elapsed years since smoking cessation. Although the prevalence of current smoking did not differ between genders, females had smoked less (10.2 compared to 15.8 pack-years) and the number of kidney failure cases was lower in females than in men (46 compared to 78). The effect of smoking on the risk of kidney failure was similar (hazard ratios of 2.94 and 4.30 in current-smoking women and men, respectively), but did not reach statistical significance in women. Thus, in this large population-based sample, we found that smoking is a significant risk factor for future kidney failure. Smoking cessation decreased this risk, at least in men.

Results of Examinations Conducted at a Japanese Newspaper Company and Evaluation of Changes in Metabolic Syndrome and Lifestyle Habits

For purposes of developing effective occupational health nursing interventions, the authors clarified the long-term changes in health care data of employees in different departments at Company A, a Japanese newspaper company. Company A's clerical, sales, editing, and computer departments did not receive special occupational health activities; rather, health management centered on tertiary prevention provided through clinics. In this research, metabolic syndrome diagnostic standards were applied to all employees and changes in lifestyle risk factors over a period of 10 years were compared. The changes from 1998 to 2007 were analyzed for each occupation, and a comparison between the 1998 and 2007 groups was made using a paired t-test. Body mass index, the most significant indicator in the data, significantly increased in all departments. The researchers concluded it is essential to effectively manage employee health based on each occupation's work hours, tasks, and other work characteristics.

Results of Examinations Conducted at a Japanese Newspaper Company and Evaluation of Changes in Metabolic Syndrome and Lifestyle Habits

For purposes of developing effective occupational health nursing interventions, the authors clarified the long-term changes in health care data of employees in different departments at Company A, a Japanese newspaper company. Company A's clerical, sales, editing, and computer departments did not receive special occupational health activities; rather, health management centered on tertiary prevention provided through clinics. In this research, metabolic syndrome diagnostic standards were applied to all employees and changes in lifestyle risk factors over a period of 10 years were compared. The changes from 1998 to 2007 were analyzed for each occupation, and a comparison between the 1998 and 2007 groups was made using a paired t-test. Body mass index, the most significant indicator in the data, significantly increased in all departments. The researchers concluded it is essential to effectively manage employee health based on each occupation's work hours, tasks, and other work characteristics.

Breast cancer mortality patterns and time trends in 10 new EU member states: mortality declining in young women, but still increasing in the elderly.

Breast cancer is the cancer diagnosed most frequently in women worldwide. In Europe it is the most common cancer in the female population, with approximately 350,000 new cases diagnosed each year including 130,000 deaths. Incidence rates are increasing in the majority of European countries, whereas a decline in mortality rates has been observed in many West European countries since the late 1980s and early 1990s. Our study examines breast cancer mortality patterns and time trends in the new European Union (EU) member states and compares them with the situation in current EU member states. A Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess temporal changes in mortality rates and the trends examined in the light of known risk factors, screening programs and advances in treatment. In the majority of the countries analyzed, a deceleration in the increase of mortality rates appeared, followed by a decrease of mortality in many of them in the second half of the 1990s. The declining tendency was visible primarily in young women, and to a lesser extent in middle-aged women, whereas in elderly women a continuing increase of mortality was observed. Analysis of mortality data, information from previous publications, as well as analysis of known factors influencing breast cancer risk suggest that changes observed are due mainly to recent advances in treatment rather than changes in lifestyle risk factors or the result of screening programs. Early detection and a shift toward more favorable stage distribution could have played the leading role for mortality decline in younger patients.

The impact of heart health promotion on coronary heart disease lifestyle risk factors in schoolchildren: lessons learnt from a community-based project

A community health promotion project called Action Heart was undertaken in two electoral wards in Rotherham to try to change lifestyles of people. Schools were included within the project. Coronary heart disease lifestyle risk factors were measured at baseline and after a three year period in the intervention area and a similar control area. Lifestyle factors in schoolchildren were measured separately from adults using a different instrument. The post intervention survey of adults and economic evaluation demonstrated that Action Heart had achieved cost-effective estimated health gains. In the schoolchildren however, a mixture of positive and negative risk factor changes in both areas was demonstrated. Significant changes in lifestyle risk factors in schoolchildren were not elicited using this approach. The possible reasons for the lack of impact on lifestyle risk factors in schoolchildren are examined and the implications for further work explored.