General Population Sample Of Men Research Articles

Serum Copper and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality among Men without Diabetes: A 26-year Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Longitudinal studies assessing the association between copper and the risk of CVD mortality among aging populations without diabetes are scarce. We sought to examine the prospective association between serum copper and future risk of CVD mortality among a general population sample of men without diabetes in Finland. Method: We used the population-based data from the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study, comprising men aged 42-60years at baseline. Serum copper concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and categorized into quartiles. The associations with CVD mortality were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression models. Results: After a median follow-up period of 26years, 524 CVD deaths occurred among 2,395 men. After adjustment for age, BMI, blood pressure, history of coronary heart disease(CHD), high-density cholesterol, total cholesterol, smoking, alcohol and socioeconomic status, the hazard ratios (and 95% CIs) for CVD mortality for serum copper concentrations in the second, third and fourth quartiles were 1.03(0.78-1.36), 1.32(1.04-1.68) and 1.50(1.18-1.91) respectively (using the first quartile as the referent). The association remained consistent following the exclusion of men with a history of CHD. Conclusions: This study reveals that elevated serum copper concentrations at baseline are associated with future risk of CVD mortality. Thus, prompting the possible role of serum copper levels as a biomarker for CVD mortality in men without diabetes. The role of serum copper as a putative risk factor for CVDs requires further exploration. The exact mechanisms underlying the association between elevated serum copper concentration and the risk of CVD mortality are yet to be unraveled.

Sex differences in psychosocial impairment associated with eating-disordered behavior: What if there aren't any?

ObjectiveWe sought to test the hypothesis that eating-disordered behavior (EDB) is associated with comparable levels of impairment in psychosocial functioning in men and women. MethodPostal questionnaires that assessed EDB (binge eating, purging, extreme dietary restriction, excessive exercise and weight/shape overvaluation) and psychosocial impairment (general psychological distress, life satisfaction and social support) were completed by a general population sample of men (n=957) and women (n=1899). ResultsBinge eating, purging and overvaluation were associated with comparable levels of psychosocial impairment for both men and women and this was the case for each of the three measures of psychosocial functioning employed. Extreme dietary restriction was associated with greater psychosocial impairment in women than in men, whereas excessive exercise was not associated with psychosocial impairment in either women or men. ConclusionsThere appear to be few differences between men and women in terms of psychosocial impairment associated with EDB. It may no longer be appropriate to base the development of eating disorder prevention programs on the premise that EDB is primarily a problem of women. Health professionals may be more likely to see more men with EDB in their practices in the future.

Factors Associated With Paraspinal Muscle Asymmetry in Size and Composition in a General Population Sample of Men

Paraspinal muscle asymmetry in cross-sectional area (CSA) and composition have been associated with low back pain and pathology. However, substantial multifidus muscle asymmetry also has been reported in men who were asymptomatic, and little is known about other factors influencing asymmetry. The goal of this study was to identify behavioral, environmental, and constitutional factors associated with paraspinal muscle asymmetry. A cross-sectional study of 202 adult male twins was conducted. Data were collected through a structured interview, physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging. Measurements of multifidus and erector spinae muscle CSA and the ratio of fat-free CSA to total CSA were obtained from T2-weighted axial images at L3-L4 and L5-S1. In multivariable analyses, greater asymmetry in multifidus CSA at L3-L4 was associated with lower occupational physical demands and less disk height narrowing. Handedness was the only factor associated with multifidus muscle CSA asymmetry at L5-S1. For the erector spinae muscle, greater age, handedness, and disk height narrowing were associated with CSA asymmetry at L3-L4, and sports activity, handedness, disk height narrowing, and familial aggregation were associated with CSA asymmetry at L5-S1. In multivariable analyses of asymmetry in muscle composition, familial aggregation explained 7% to 20% of the variance in multifidus and erector spinae muscle side-to-side differences at both levels measured. In addition, handedness and pain severity entered the model for erector spinae muscle asymmetry at L5-S1, and disability, handedness, and disk height narrowing entered the model for multifidus muscle asymmetry at L5-S1. Reliance on participants' recall for low back pain history, occupation, and physical activity levels was a limitation of this study. Few of the factors investigated were associated with paraspinal muscle asymmetry, and associations were inconsistent and modest, explaining little of the variance in paraspinal muscle asymmetry.

Sex differences in health‐related quality of life impairment associated with eating disorder features: A general population study

To determine sex differences in the prevalence and impact of specific eating disorder features on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A general population sample of men (n = 1,479) and women (n = 1,555) completed interviews that assessed HRQoL (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, SF-36), and current regular occurrence of binge eating, extreme dietary restriction, purging, and overevaluation of weight or shape. Men constituted a substantial minority (23-41%) of participants reporting eating disorder features. Objective binge eating had a greater impact on mental health impairment in men versus women, whereas the overevaluation of weight or shape had a greater impact on general and mental health impairment in women compared with men. Eating disorder features that impact on HRQoL are now common in men; however, the impact of specific features may differ between sexes.

Substance-related problems and treatment among men who have sex with men in comparison to other men in Chicago

This study compares a sample of urban men who have sex with men (MSM) with a general population sample of men in the same city on self-reported problems with substance use indicative of dependence and history of substance use treatment. Both samples were randomly selected using multistage probability methods. All participants completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews, including questions on substance use, problems related to substance use experienced in the past 12 months, and substance treatment. Problem use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine did not differ between samples. Compared to men in the general population sample, MSM were significantly more likely to experience problems related to the use of sedatives, tranquilizers, or prescription pain relievers. Among MSM, history of substance treatment was associated with a positive HIV test, and treatment usually preceded HIV diagnosis. Research is needed on effective methods for integrating HIV prevention for MSM into substance treatment settings, including physician-administered buprenorphine treatment for opiate addiction.

Validity of Self-Reported Substance Use in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Comparisons With a General Population Sample

To understand the validity of self-reported recent drug use in men who have sex with men (MSM). We obtained a probability sample of Chicago men who have sex with men (MSM; n=216) and administered urine and saliva drug testing after a self-administered interview. Analyses examined participation in drug testing, the agreement between self-reported past month drug use and drug test results, correlates of underreporting, and the relative utility of drug testing versus self-reports in identifying recent marijuana and cocaine use. For marijuana and cocaine, findings were compared with those obtained from a general population sample of men (n=241). More than three quarters of the participants in both samples provided at least one specimen for drug testing. Self reports in both samples showed a high degree of correspondence with drug tests for marijuana but not for cocaine. Sensitivity for cocaine use reporting was 60% for the MSM sample and 40% for the general-population men. Conditional kappa and sensitivity statistics for marijuana, cocaine, 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (i.e., MDMA, "ecstacy"), and methamphetamine suggested that self reports among MSM are provided with a high degree of validity. Underreporting was a correlate of social class (education, income, and employment) in the general population but not in the MSM sample. The utility of drug testing was dependent on social class in the general population sample. Drug testing is feasible in epidemiological surveys of drug use. Self reports among MSM are at least as valid as those provided by a general population sample of men. In some instances (e.g., cocaine use), they may actually be of higher quality. Although the findings support the merit of epidemiological studies of MSM drug use that have relied completely on self-reporting, drug tests may be useful for clarifying club drug ingestion patterns.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Upper or Mid-Back Pain in Finnish Men

Descriptive epidemiologic study. To examine the 1-year prevalence, severity, and frequency of mid-back pain in a general population sample of men, with comparisons to neck and low back pain. No previous studies reporting the characteristics of mid-back pain in a general population were found. A total of 600 Finnish men 35 to 70 years of age were drawn from a population-based twin sample and interviewed with standardized pain questions. The 1-year prevalence of mid-back pain was 17.0% (95% confidence interval, 14.3-19.7) compared to 64.0% (95% confidence interval, 60.6-67.5) for neck and 66.8% (95% confidence interval, 63.4-70.3) for low back pain. The frequency of pain over the previous year among those with mid- and low back pain was less than for neck pain. The mean severity of the worst pain episode was highest for low back pain followed by mid-back and neck pain, which were similar. Associated disability tended to be less frequent from mid-back pain (23.5% vs. 30.3%-41.1%). Odds ratios for neck and low back pain when mid-back pain was reported were 2.32 and 2.86, respectively. The prevalence of mid-back pain was approximately one fourth that of neck and low back pain and was somewhat less likely to be disabling. In cases of mid-back pain, spinal comorbidity was nearly always reported.

Prevalence and psychological sequelae of self-reported childhood physical and sexual abuse in a general population sample of men and women

Objective: This study examined the prevalence and psychological sequelae of childhood sexual and physical abuse in adults from the general population. Method: A national sampling service generated a geographically stratified, random sample of 1,442 subjects from the United States. Subjects were mailed a questionnaire that included the Traumatic Events Survey (TES) [Traumatic Events Survey, Unpublished Psychological Test, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles] and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) [Trauma Symptom Inventory Professional Manual, Psychological Assessment Resources, Odessa, FL]. Of all potential subjects, 935 (64.8%) returned substantially completed surveys. Results: Sixty-six men and 152 women (14.2% and 32.3%, respectively) reported childhood experiences that satisfied criteria for sexual abuse, and 103 males and 92 females (22.2% and 19.5%, respectively) met criteria for physical abuse. Twenty-one percent of subjects with one type of abuse also had experienced the other type, and both types were associated with subsequent adult victimization. After controlling for demographics, adult history of interpersonal violence, and other child abuse, childhood sexual abuse was associated with all 10 scales of the TSI, and physical abuse was related to all TSI scales except those tapping sexual issues. Sexual abuse predicted more symptom variance than did physical abuse or adult interpersonal victimization. Various aspects of both physical and sexual abuse experiences were predictive of TSI scores. Abuser sex, however, both alone and in interaction with victim sex, was not associated with additional TSI symptomatology. Conclusions: Childhood sexual and physical abuse is relatively common in the general population, and is associated with a wide variety of psychological symptoms. These relationships remain even after controlling for relevant background variables.

Serum lipids in fathers and sons at middle age: the study of sons to men born in 1913.

To relate lipid levels in middle-aged men to that of their fathers at 50 years of age measured 30 years earlier. In 1963, 855 men born in 1913 took part in a cardiovascular risk factor survey when they were at 50 years of age. In 1993, 475 sons to these men, aged 44-56, were invited to another examination; 263 of these men were examined (response rate: 56%) and compared with their 217 fathers when they were examined at 50 years of age in 1963. In the 1993 survey, 798 men aged 50, were also examined, from a general population sample of men born in 1943 (response rate: 55%). City of Göteborg, Sweden. Serum lipids in sons as a function of lipids in their fathers. Compared with the men born in 1913, both sons and men born in 1943 had lower mean serum cholesterol, but higher body mass index (BMI) and serum triglycerides. There was a significant relation between serum cholesterol in sons and their fathers (r = 0.25; P < 0.0001). Amongst sons to fathers in the highest cholesterol quartile (>6.9 mmol x L(-1)), 37% had serum cholesterol above 6.5 mmol x L(-1), compared with 16% amongst sons to fathers in the lowest quartile (<5.7 mmol x L(-1)) [adjusted odds ratio 3.73 (1.52-9.12)]. Sons to fathers with the highest serum cholesterol levels had slightly lower BMI; otherwise there was no relation between serum cholesterol in the father and any other lifestyle or biological risk factor in the sons. Serum triglyceride concentration in the father was unrelated to any variable in the son. There was a moderately strong association between serum cholesterol concentration in fathers and sons at middle age. However, secular trends were also important in determining serum cholesterol concentrations in those born at a later period, indicating a major role of environmental factors.

Lipoprotein (a) and coronary heart disease: a prospective case-control study in a general population sample of middle aged men.

To examine the association between the serum lipoprotein (a) concentration and subsequent coronary heart disease. Prospective case-control study based on a six year follow up of a general population sample of men aged 50 at baseline in 1983-4. Serum samples were frozen at the time of the baseline examination and kept at -70 degrees C for six years, after which the lipoprotein (a) concentrations in the samples were measured in cases and controls. City of Gothenburg, Sweden. 26 Men, from a general population sample of 776 men, who had sustained a myocardial infarction or died of coronary heart disease during the six years and 109 randomly selected controls from the same sample who had remained free of myocardial infarction. In neither cases nor controls was there a history of myocardial infarction at baseline. Proportion of myocardial infarction or deaths from coronary heart disease, or both, in relation to the serum lipoprotein (a) concentration. Men who suffered coronary heart disease had significantly higher serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations than controls (mean difference 105 mg/l; 95% confidence interval 18 to 192 mg/l). Men with the highest fifth of serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations (cut off point 365 mg/l) suffered a coronary heart disease rate which was more than twice that of men with the lowest four fifths of concentrations. Logistic regression analysis showed the serum lipoprotein (a) concentration to be significantly associated with coronary heart disease independently of other risk factors. The serum lipoprotein (a) concentration in middle aged men is an independent risk factor for subsequent myocardial infarction or death from coronary heart disease.