EPIC-NL Cohort Research Articles

The role of ultra-processed foods in plant-based diets: associations with human health and environmental sustainability.

Investigate the associations of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in healthful (hPDI) and unhealthful (uPDI) plant-based diets with all-cause mortality, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), and blue water consumption (BWC). Analyses were based on 35,030 participants (20-70 years; 74% females) from the EPIC-NL cohort who were followed up from 1993 to 1997 through 2014. Plant-based diet indices (hPDI and uPDI) and UPF consumption were calculated from a validated FFQ, assessed at baseline. Cox proportional hazard and multiple linear regression models were used to estimate associations between combined quartiles of the PDI indices and UPF consumption. With lower hPDI and higher UPF diets as the reference, we observed the following. Risk estimates of all-cause mortality were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.16) for lower UPF consumption, 0.86 (95% CI: 0.68, 1.08) for higher hPDI, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.89) for combined higher hPDI and lower UPF consumption. Results with the uPDI were inconclusive. Mean differences in GHGE and BWC were 1.4% (95% CI: 0.3, 2.4) and 1.6% (95% CI: -0.5, 3.7) for lower UPF consumption, -7.4% (95% CI: -8.6, -6.4) and 9.6% (95% CI: 7.2, 12.0) for higher hPDI, and - 6.8% (95% CI: -7.4, -6.1) and 13.1% (95% CI: 11.6, 14.8) for combined higher hPDI and lower UPF consumption. No apparent conflict between environmental impacts was observed for the uPDI; GHGE and BWC were lower for higher uPDI scores. Mortality risk and environmental impacts were mostly associated with the amount of plant-based foods and to a lesser extent UPF in the diet. Shifting to a more healthful plant-based diet could improve human health and reduce most aspects of environmental impact (GHGE, but not BWC) irrespective of UPF consumption.

Residential exposure to fast-food restaurants and its association with diet quality, overweight and obesity in the Netherlands: a cross-sectional analysis in the EPIC-NL cohort

BackgroundUnhealthy food environments may contribute to unhealthy diets and risk of overweight and obesity through increased consumption of fast-food. Therefore, we aimed to study the association of relative exposure to fast-food restaurants (FFR) with overall diet quality and risk of overweight and obesity in a sample of older adults.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data of the EPIC-NL cohort (n = 8,231). Data on relative FFR exposure was obtained through linkage of home address in 2015 with a retail outlet database. We calculated relative exposure to FFR by dividing the densities of FFR in street-network buffers of 400, 1000, and 1500 m around the home of residence by the density of all food retailers in the corresponding buffer. We calculated scores on the Dutch Healthy Diet 2015 (DHD15) index using data from a validated food-frequency questionnaire. BMI was categorized into normal weight (BMI < 25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30). We used multivariable linear regression (DHD15-index) and multinomial logistic regression (weight status), using quartiles of relative FFR exposure as independent variable, adjusting for lifestyle and environmental characteristics.ResultsRelative FFR exposure was not significantly associated with DHD15-index scores in the 400, 1000, and 1500 m buffers (βQ4vsQ1= -0.21 [95 %CI: -1.12; 0.70]; βQ4vsQ1= -0.12 [95 %CI: -1.10; 0.87]; βQ4vsQ1 = 0.37 [95 %CI: -0.67; 1.42], respectively). Relative FFR exposure was also not related to overweight in consecutive buffers (ORQ4vsQ1=1.10 [95 %CI: 0.97; 1.25]; ORQ4vsQ1=0.97 [95 %CI: 0.84; 1.11]; ORQ4vsQ1= 1.04 [95 %CI: 0.90–1.20]); estimates for obesity were similar to those of overweight.ConclusionsA high proportion of FFR around the home of residence was not associated with diet quality or overweight and obesity in this large Dutch cohort of older adults. We conclude that although the food environment may be a determinant of food choice, this may not directly translate into effects on diet quality and weight status. Methodological improvements are warranted to provide more conclusive evidence.

To what extent do dietary costs explain socio-economic differences in dietary behavior?

BackgroundLow socio-economic position is associated with consumption of lower quality diets, which may be partly explained by the cost of healthier diets. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mediating role of dietary costs in the association between educational level and diet quality.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from Dutch older adults (N = 9399) in the EPIC-NL cohort. Participants provided information about their own and their partners’ highest attained educational level (as proxy for socio-economic position). Dietary behavior was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire from which we derived two diet-quality scores, including the Dutch Healthy Diet index 2015 (DHD15-index) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Dietary cost estimates were based on food price data from food stores, and linked to reported consumption of food items. Multiple regression analyses and bootstrapping were used examine the mediating role of dietary cost in the association between educational level and diet quality.ResultsMean age of participants was 70 (SD: 10) years and 77% were women. Dietary costs significantly mediated the association between educational level and diet quality, except for high versus middle individual educational level and the DHD15-index. Depending on the dietary and educational indicator, dietary costs explained between 2 and 7% of the association between educational level and diet quality. Furthermore, associations were found to be modified by sex and age. For the DHD15-index, mediation effects were only present in females and adults older than 65 years, and for the DASH diet mediation effects were only present in females and strongest amongst adults older than 65 years compared to adults younger than 65 years.ConclusionDietary costs seems to play a modest role in explaining educational differences in diet quality in an older Dutch population. Further research is needed to investigate which other factors may explain SEP differences in diet quality.

The association of the Mediterranean diet with heart failure risk in a Dutch population

Background and aimsIt is still unclear whether a healthy diet can prevent heart failure (HF). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet, reflected by modified Mediterranean Diet Scores (mMDS), and the incidence of HF in men and women. Methods and resultsThis observational study comprised 9316 men and 27,645 women from the EPIC-NL cohort free from cardiovascular disease at baseline. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. mMDS was calculated using a 9-point scale based on consumption of vegetables, legumes, fruit, nuts, seeds, grains, fish, fat ratio, dairy, meat and alcohol. HF events were ascertained by linkage to nation-wide registries. Multivariable Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression models.Over a median follow-up of 15 years (IQR 14–16), 633 HF events occurred: 144 in men (1.5%) and 489 in women (1.8%). The median mMDS was 4 (IQR 3–5). There was significant effect modification by sex (P-value for interaction <0.001), therefore results are stratified for men and women. For men, a higher mMDS associated with lower HF risk (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.98 per point increase in mMDS; HR upper category: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.86), whereas no association was found in women (HR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.04 per point increase; HR upper category: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.83, 1.36). ConclusionAdherence to a Mediterranean-style diet may reduce HF risk, particularly in men. The underlying reasons for the differences in findings between men and women need further study.

Adherence to the Dutch dietary guidelines and 15-year incidence of heart failure in the EPIC-NL cohort.

A healthy diet may contribute to the primary prevention of heart failure (HF), but evidence is still inconclusive. We aimed to study the association between adherence to the Dutch dietary guidelines and incidence of HF. We studied 37,468 participants aged 20-70years and free of HF at baseline from the EPIC-NL cohort. At baseline (1993-1997), data were collected on demographics, lifestyle, and presence of chronic diseases. Dietary intake was assessed using a 178-item validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary intake data were used to calculate scores on the Dutch Healthy Diet 2015 Index (DHD15-index) measuring adherence to the Dutch dietary guidelines. The DHD15-index is based on the average daily intake of 14 food groups resulting in a total score ranging between 0 and 140, with higher scores indicating better adherence. HF morbidity and mortality during follow-up were ascertained through linkage with national registries. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between DHD15 adherence and HF risk, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. The average score on the DHD15-index was 71 (SD = 15). During a median follow-up of 15.2years (IQR 14.1-16.5), 674 HF events occurred. After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle characteristics, higher scores on the DHD15-index were associated with lower risk of HF (HRQ4vsQ1 0.73; 95% CI 0.58-0.93; Ptrend 0.001). In a large Dutch population of middle-aged adults, higher adherence to the Dutch dietary guidelines was associated with lower risk of HF.

Bone markers and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients

BackgroundVascular calcifications are associated with a three- to fourfold increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are highly prevalent in type 2 diabetes patients. Emerging evidence indicates that vascular calcification is a process of active bone formation regulated by stimulators and inhibitors of calcification. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether six bone markers are associated with CVD risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe used data of a case-cohort study, nested in the EPIC-NL cohort, comprising 134 CVD cases and a random subcohort of 218 participants, all with type 2 diabetes at baseline. Six bone markers (osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteonectin, osteoprotegerin, alkaline phosphatase and sclerostin) were measured in baseline plasma samples with multiplex assays and information on CVD events was obtained. The association of bone makers with CVD risk was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard analyses.ResultsHigher concentrations of plasma osteopontin were associated (ptrend < 0.01) with an increased CVD risk with a hazard ratio of 2.00 (95%-CI 1.20–3.35) for the highest versus the lowest quartile in a multivariable adjusted model. The other bone markers were not associated with CVD risk.ConclusionsHigher osteopontin concentrations were associated with an increased CVD risk in type 2 diabetes patients. No consistent associations were found for the other five bone markers and risk of CVD in type 2 diabetes patients.

The risk of cardiovascular disease following breast cancer by Framingham risk score

ObjectivesThis study evaluates the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) following breast cancer, accounting for baseline CVD risk.MethodsWithin the EPIC-NL (Dutch part of the European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition and Cancer) cohort, 1103 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. For every breast cancer patient, 3–4 women without breast cancer (n = 4328) were selected matched for age, year, and time since cohort enrollment. Based on CVD risk factors at cohort enrollment, 10-year risk of CVD was calculated and categorized: low (< 10%), intermediate (10–20%), high (> 20%). Cox proportional hazard models assessed the risk of CVD events (hospitalization or mortality) and CVD mortality of women with versus without breast cancer, adjusted for baseline CVD risk.ResultsAfter median follow-up of 5 and 6 years, 92 (8.3%) and 325 (7.5%) CVD events occurred in women with and without breast cancer, respectively. In the low CVD risk group, women with breast cancer had 1.44 (95% CI 1.00–2.06) times higher risk of CVD events than women without breast cancer. In the intermediate and high CVD risk categories, risk of CVD events was similar in women with and without breast cancer. Overall, women with breast cancer had 1.77 (95% CI 1.10–2.86) times higher risk of CVD mortality than women without breast cancer.ConclusionsAmong women with low CVD risk, women with breast cancer have a higher risk of CVD event than women without breast cancer. Overall, women with breast cancer have a higher risk of CVD mortality than women without breast cancer.

Elements of the complete blood count associated with cardiovascular disease incidence: Findings from the EPIC-NL cohort study

All blood cells (white blood cells [WBC], red blood cells [RBC] and platelets) can play a role in atherosclerosis. Complete blood count (CBC) is widely available in clinical practice but utility as potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is uncertain. Our aim was to assess the associations of pre-diagnostic CBC with incidence of CVD in 14,362 adults free of CVD and aged 47.8 (±11.7) years at baseline, followed-up for 11.4 years (992 incident cases). Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate HRs and 95%CI. Comparing the top (T3) to bottom (T1) tertile, increased total WBC, lymphocyte, monocyte and neutrophil counts were associated with higher CVD risk: 1.31 (1.10; 1.55), 1.20 (1.02; 1.41), 1.21 (1.03; 1.41) and 1.24 (1.05; 1.47), as well as mean corpuscular volume (MCV: 1.23 [1.04; 1.46]) and red cell distribution width (RDW: 1.22 [1.03; 1.44]). Platelets displayed an association for count values above the clinically normal range: 1.49 (1.00; 2.22). To conclude, total and differential WBC count, MCV, RDW and platelet count likely play a role in the aetiology of CVD but only WBC provide a modest improvement for the prediction of 10-year CVD risk over traditional CVD risk factors in a general population.

954Which elements of the complete blood count can predict the incidence of cardiovascular disease? the EPIC-NL cohort study

954Which elements of the complete blood count can predict the incidence of cardiovascular disease? the EPIC-NL cohort study

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower chronic disease burden expressed in disability-adjusted life years: a prospective cohort study

The relation of alcohol consumption with disease burden remains debated partly due to opposite associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. The relation of alcohol consumption with disease burden expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) summarizes opposing associations of alcohol consumption on chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association of alcohol consumption with chronic disease burden expressed in DALYs based on individual-participant data. The study was a prospective study among 33,066 men and women from the EPIC-NL cohort. At baseline, alcohol consumption was assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Participants were followed for occurrence of and mortality from chronic diseases and DALYs were calculated. After 12.4 years follow-up, 6647 disease incidences and 1482 deaths were documented, resulting in 68,225 healthy years of life lost (6225 DALYs). Moderate drinkers (women 5–14.9 g/day, men 5–29.9 g/day) had a lower chronic disease burden (mean DALYs −0.27; 95% CI −0.43; −0.11) than light drinkers (0–4.9 g/day), driven by a lower disease burden due to CVD (−0.18: −0.29; −0.06) but not cancer (−0.05: −0.16; 0.06). The associations were most pronounced among older participants (≥50 years; −0.32; −0.53; −0.10) and not observed among younger women (−0.08; −0.43; 0.35), albeit non-significant (pinteraction > 0.14). Substantial drinking (women 15–29.9 g/day, men 30–59.9 g/day) compared to light drinking was not associated with chronic disease burden. Our results show that moderate compared to light alcohol consumption was associated with living approximately 3 months longer in good health. These results were mainly observed among older participants and not seen among younger women.

Associations between lifestyle factors and an unhealthy diet.

: Unhealthy dietary patterns have been associated with other unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking and physical inactivity. Whether these associations are similar in high- and low-educated individuals is currently unknown. We used information of the EPIC-NL cohort, a prospective cohort of 39 393 men and women, aged 20-70 years at recruitment. A lifestyle questionnaire and a validated food frequency questionnaire were administered at recruitment (1993-97). Low adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was used to determine an unhealthy dietary pattern. Lifestyle-related factors included body mass index, waist circumference, smoking status, physical activity level, dietary supplement use and daily breakfast consumption. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for the total population and by strata of educational level. In total 30% of the study population had an unhealthy dietary pattern: 39% in the lowest educated group and 20% in the highest educated group. Physical inactivity, a large waist circumference, no dietary supplement use and skipping breakfast were associated with an unhealthy dietary pattern in both low and high educated participants. Among low educated participants, current smokers had a greater odds of an unhealthy diet compared with never smokers: OR 1.42 (95% CI: 1.25; 1.61). This association was not observed in the high educated group. Most associations between lifestyle-related factors and unhealthy diet were consistent across educational levels, except for smoking. Only among low educated participants, current smokers reported an unhealthier dietary pattern in comparison to never smokers. These results can be used in the development of targeted health promotion strategies.

Vitamin K intake and all-cause and cause specific mortality

Vitamin K has been associated with various health outcomes, including non-fatal cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer. However, little is known about the association between vitamin K intake and all-cause and cause specific mortality. This study aims to investigate the association between vitamin K intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. This prospective cohort study included 33,289 participants from the EPIC-NL cohort, aged 20-70years at baseline and recruited between 1993 and 1997. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline with a validated food frequency questionnaire and intakes of phylloquinone, and total, short chain and long chain menaquinones were calculated. Information on vital status and causes of death was obtained through linkage to several registries. The association between the different forms of vitamin K intake and mortality was assessed with Cox proportional hazards, adjusted for risk factors for chronic diseases and nutrient intake. During a mean follow-up of 16.8 years, 2863 deaths occurred, including 625 from CVD (256 from coronary heart disease (CHD)), 1346 from cancer and 892 from other causes. After multivariable adjustment, phylloquinone and menaquinones were not associated with all-cause mortality with hazard ratios for the upper vs. the lowest quartile of intake of 1.04 (0.92;1.17) and 0.94 (0.82;1.07) respectively. Neither phylloquinone intake nor menaquinone intake was associated with risk of CVD mortality. Higher intake of long chain menaquinones was borderline significantly associated (ptrend=0.06) with lower CHD mortality with a HR10μg of 0.86 (0.74;1.00). None of the forms of vitamin K intake were associated with cancer mortality or mortality from other causes. Vitamin K intake was not associated with all-cause mortality, cancer mortality and mortality from other causes.

Abstract P151: Vitamin K Intake and All-cause and Cause Specific Mortality

Background: Vitamin K has been associated with various health outcomes, including non-fatal cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, little is known about the association between vitamin K intake and all-cause and cause specific mortality. Objective: To investigate the association between vitamin K intake and all-cause and cause specific mortality. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 33,289 participants, aged 21-70 years from the EPIC-NL cohort. Participants were recruited between 1993 and 1997 and the follow-up is complete until December 2012. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline with a 178-item validated food frequency questionnaire and intakes of total vitamin K intake and its sub forms, phylloquinone, menaquinones (MK), short-chain menaquinones (SMK) and long-chain menaquinones (LMK) were calculated. Information on vital status and causes of death was obtained through linkage to several registries. The association between the different forms of vitamin K intake and mortality was assessed with Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusted for risk factors for chronic diseases (gender, age, BMI, physical activity, smoking status, education level) and nutrient intake. Results: During a median follow-up of 16.8 years, 2,863 deaths occurred, including 625 from CVD (256 CHD specific), 1,346 from cancer and 894 from other causes. After multivariable adjustment, vitamin K intake was not associated with all-cause mortality with hazard ratios for the upper vs. the lowest quartile of phylloquinone and menaquinone intake of 1.04 (0.93-1.17) and 0.94 (0.82-1.07) respectively. Phylloquinone intake nor menaquinone intake was associated with risk of CVD mortality. Higher intake of LMK was borderline significantly associated (p trend = 0.06) with lower CHD mortality with a HR per 10 μg of 0.87 (0.75-1.01). None of the forms of vitamin K intake were associated with cancer mortality or mortality from other causes. Conclusions: Vitamin K intake was not associated with all-cause mortality, cancer mortality and mortality from other causes. A higher intake of LMK tended to be associated with a lower risk of CHD mortality.

Osteocalcin Is Not Associated with the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Findings from the EPIC-NL Study

ObjectiveTo investigate whether total osteocalcin (tOC), uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and percentage of uncarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC) are associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis nested case control study included 1,635 participants, 833 incident diabetes cases and 802 non-diabetic control participants, aged 21–70 years from the EPIC-NL cohort. Baseline concentrations of tOC, ucOC and %ucOC were assessed. During 10 years of follow-up, diabetes cases were self-reported and verified against information from general practitioners or pharmacists. The association between the different forms of osteocalcin and diabetes risk was assessed with logistic regression adjusted for diabetes risk factors (waist circumference, age, sex, cohort, smoking status, family history of diabetes, hypertension, alcohol intake, physical activity and education) and dietary factors (total energy intake and energy adjusted intake of fat, fiber, protein and calcium).ResultsTOC concentration was not associated with diabetes risk, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.97 (0.91–1.03) for each ng/ml increment after adjustment for diabetes risk factors and dietary factors. No association between ucOC and %ucOC and the risk of diabetes was observed either. In sex stratified analyses (P interaction = 0.07), higher %ucOC tended to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in a multivariable model in women (OR 1.05 for each increment of 5% ucOC (1.00–1.11), Ptrend = 0.08), but not in men (OR 0.96 for each increment of 5% ucOC (0.88–1.04)). When waist circumference was replaced by body mass index, none of the osteocalcin forms were associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in the final model among both women and men.ConclusionsAvailable evidence suggests that tOC, ucOC and %ucOC are each not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, more large-scale cohort studies are needed to clarify the presence of any association between the different forms of osteocalcin and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Identifying cardiovascular risk factor–related dietary patterns with reduced rank regression and random forest in the EPIC-NL cohort

Several methods are used to determine dietary patterns. Hybrid methods incorporate information on nutrient intake or biological factors to extract patterns relevant to disease etiology. We explore differences between patterns derived with 2 hybrid methods with those obtained by a posteriori methods and compare associations of these patterns with coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke risk. Food-frequency questionnaires were used to estimate dietary intake in 34,644 participants of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Netherlands at baseline (1993-1997). Follow-up was complete until 31 December 2007. Hybrid methods to determine dietary patterns were reduced rank regression (RRR) and random forest with classification tree analysis (RF-CTA). Included risk factors were body mass index, total:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and systolic blood pressure. Results were compared with those from principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means cluster analysis (KCA), respectively. Both RRR and PCA derived a "Western," "prudent," and "traditional pattern." All RRR patterns were significantly associated with CAD risk [highest vs. lowest quartile factor score; HR: 1.45 (95% CI: 1.25, 1.69), 0.86 (0.74, 0.99), and 1.25 (1.07, 1.47), respectively]. Only the prudent RRR factor was statistically significant associated with stroke (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.97). From the PCA patterns, only the traditional pattern was associated with CAD (HR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.50). RF-CTA derived 7 dietary patterns that could be categorized as "Western-like," "prudent-like," and "traditional-like." KCA established a prudent and Western cluster. Compared with the RF-CTA "prudent-like 1" pattern, only the "traditional-like 1" pattern was associated with CAD (HR: 1.36; 955 CI: 1.12, 1.65). None of the RF-CTA groups were associated with stroke. Compared with the Western KCA cluster, the prudent cluster was not associated with CAD or stroke. Including risk factors in RRR and RF-CTA resulted in small differences in food groups, contributing to similar patterns that showed in general stronger associations with CAD than PCA and KCA, respectively.

The effect of weight change on changes in breast density measures over menopause in a breast cancer screening cohort.

IntroductionHigh weight and high percentage mammographic breast density are both breast cancer risk factors but are negatively correlated. Therefore, we wanted to obtain more insight into this apparent paradox.MethodsWe investigated in a longitudinal study how weight change over menopause is related to changes in mammographic breast features. Five hundred ninety-one participants of the EPIC-NL cohort were divided into three groups according to their prospectively measured weight change over menopause: (1) weight loss (more than −3.0 %), (2) stable weight (between −3.0 % and +3.0 %), and (3) weight gain (more than 3.0 %). SPSS GLM univariate analysis was used to determine both the mean breast measure changes in, and the trend over, the weight change groups.ResultsOver a median period of 5 years, the mean changes in percent density in these groups were −5.0 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) −8.0; −2.1), −6.8 % (95 % CI −9.0; −4.5), and −10.2 % (95 % CI −12.5; −7.9), respectively (P-trend = 0.001). The mean changes in dense area were −16.7 cm2 (95 % CI −20.1; −13.4), −16.4 cm2 (95 % CI −18.9; −13.9), and −18.1 cm2 (95 % CI −20.6; −15.5), respectively (P-trend = 0.437). Finally, the mean changes in nondense area were −6.1 cm2 (95 % CI −11.9; −0.4), −0.6 cm2 (95 % CI −4.9; 3.8), and 5.3 cm2 (95 % CI 0.9; 9.8), respectively (P-trend < 0.001).ConclusionsGoing through menopause is associated with a decrease in both percent density and dense area. Owing to an increase in the nondense tissue, the decrease in percent density is largest in women who gain weight. The decrease in dense area is not related to weight change. So the fact that both high percent density and high weight or weight gain are associated with high postmenopausal breast cancer risk can probably not be explained by an increase (or slower decrease) of dense area in women gaining weight compared with women losing weight or maintaining a stable weight. These results suggest that weight and dense area are presumably two independent postmenopausal breast cancer risk factors.

Dietary patterns in relation to quality-adjusted life years in the EPIC-NL cohort

BackgroundDietary patterns have been associated with the incidence or mortality of individual non-communicable diseases, but their association with disease burden has received little attention. ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to relate dietary patterns to health expectancy using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) as outcome parameter. MethodsData from the EPIC-NL study were used, a prospective cohort study of 33,066 healthy men and women aged 20–70 years at recruitment. A lifestyle questionnaire and a validated food frequency questionnaire were administered at study entry (1993–1997). Five dietary patterns were studied: three a priori patterns (the modified Mediterranean Diet Score (mMDS), the WHO-based Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) and the Dutch Healthy Diet index (DHD-index)) and two a posteriori data–based patterns. QALYs were used as a summary health measure for healthy life expectancy, combining a person’s life expectancy with a weight reflecting loss of quality of life associated with having chronic diseases. ResultsThe mean QALYs of the participants were 74.9 (standard deviation 4.4). A higher mMDS and HDI were associated with a longer life in good health. Participants who had a high mMDS score (6–9) had 0.17 [95% CI, 0.05; 0.30] more QALYs than participants with a low score (0–3), equivalent to two months longer life in good health. Participants with a high HDI score also had more QALYs (0.15 [95% CI, 0.03; 0.27]) than participants with a low HDI score. ConclusionA Mediterranean-type diet and the Healthy Diet Indicator were associated with approximately 2months longer life in good health.

Degree of urbanization and mammographic density in Dutch breast cancer screening participants: results from the EPIC-NL cohort.

It has been observed that women living in urban areas have a higher mammographic density (MD) compared to women living in rural areas. This association might be explained by regional differences in reproductive and lifestyle factors or perhaps by variation in exposure to ambient air pollution as air pollution particles have been described to show estrogenic activity. We investigated the association between degree of urbanization and MD, and aimed to unravel the underlying etiology. 2,543 EPIC-NL participants were studied, and general linear models were used. Urbanization was categorized into five categories according to the number of addresses/km(2). Information on reproductive and lifestyle factors was obtained from the recruitment questionnaire. Air pollution exposure was estimated using land-use regression models. MD was expressed as percent density (PD) and dense area (DA), and was quantified using Cumulus. Women living in extremely urbanized areas had a higher PD (21.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 20.5-22.3%) compared to women living in not urbanized areas (16.1, 95% CI 14.5-17.8%, P trend < 0.01).The association persisted after adjustment for reproductive and lifestyle factors as well as for individual exposure to air pollution (adjusted PDextremely_urbanized = 22.1%, 95% CI 18.0-26.5% versus adjusted PDnot_urbanized = 16.9%, 95% CI 13.0-21.2, P trend < 0.01).The results for DA showed close similarity to the results for PD. We found evidence that degree of urbanization is associated with MD. The association could not be explained by differences in reproductive and lifestyle factors or by variation in air pollution exposure.

Association between lifestyle factors and quality-adjusted life years in the EPIC-NL cohort.

The aim of our study was to relate four modifiable lifestyle factors (smoking status, body mass index, physical activity and diet) to health expectancy, using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in a prospective cohort study. Data of the prospective EPIC-NL study were used, including 33,066 healthy men and women aged 20–70 years at baseline (1993–7), followed until 31-12-2007 for occurrence of disease and death. Smoking status, body mass index, physical activity and adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (excluding alcohol) were investigated separately and combined into a healthy lifestyle score, ranging from 0 to 4. QALYs were used as summary measure of healthy life expectancy, combining a person's life expectancy with a weight for quality of life when having a chronic disease. For lifestyle factors analyzed separately the number of years living longer in good health varied from 0.12 year to 0.84 year, after adjusting for covariates. A combination of the four lifestyle factors was positively associated with higher QALYs (P-trend <0.0001). A healthy lifestyle score of 4 compared to a score of 0 was associated with almost a 2 years longer life in good health (1.75 QALYs [95% CI 1.37, 2.14]).

Adherence to dietary guidelines and cardiovascular disease risk in the EPIC-NL cohort

BackgroundGlobal and national dietary guidelines have been created to lower chronic disease risk. The aim of this study was to assess whether greater adherence to the WHO guidelines (Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI)); the Dutch guidelines for a healthy diet (Dutch Healthy Diet-index (DHD-index)); and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted among 33,671 healthy Dutch men and women aged 20–70years recruited into the EPIC-NL study during 1993–1997. We used Cox regression adjusted for relevant confounders to estimate the hazard ratios per standard deviation increase in score and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the associations between the dietary guidelines and CVD, CHD and stroke risk. ResultsAfter an average follow-up of 12.2years, 2752 CVD cases were documented, including 1630 CHD cases and 527 stroke cases. We found no association between the HDI (0.98, 95% CI 0.94; 1.02) or DHD-index (0.96, 95% CI 0.92; 1.00) and CVD incidence. Similar results were found for these guidelines and CHD or stroke incidence. Higher adherence to the DASH diet was significantly associated with a lower CVD (0.92, 95% CI 0.89; 0.96), CHD (0.91, 95% CI 0.86; 0.95), and stroke (0.90, 95% CI 0.82; 0.99) risk. ConclusionThe HDI and the DHD-index were not associated with CVD risk, while the DASH diet was significantly associated with a lower risk of developing CVD, CHD and stroke.