Urban Greek Population Research Articles

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of Overweight and Obese Adults in a Representative Sample of Greek Urban Population.

Background:The main objective was to investigate the relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) and Body Mass Index (BMI) status according to gender in a representative sample of Greek urban population.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 1060 participants (mean age 47.10 yr, 95%CI 46.09–48.07, 52.7% females) in a stratified sample of representative urban population during 1–20 Apr 2016 in Athens, Greece. Socio-demographic characteristics and medical history were involved. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated, based on reported height and weight. HRQL was assessed by using the Greek version of SF36. Parametric tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to identify whether socio-demographic characteristics differed across BMI groups. Mann–Whitney test was used to detect significant differences in SF36 scales between men and women across different BMI and age groups. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the influence of sociodemographic variables on HRQL.Results:The effect of being overweight or obese differs by age and gender and that this negative impact in HRQL was greater in women than in men. More vulnerable were overweight young and obese middle-aged woman both in terms of physical and mental health. On the other hand, HRQL of normal weight men and women did not differ in almost all age groups.Conclusion:Gender differences on HRQL observed in the general population were mediated by the different way that the two genders affected by increases in body weight.

Increased Body Mass Index and Hypertension: An Unbreakable Bond.

Background:Adherence with lifestyle recommendations is low among hypertensive patients. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension among the Greek urban population and to examine how lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics differ between already known hypertensive and the rest of the population.Methods:In this cross-sectional survey, data were collected from 1,060 participants (mean age 47.1 ± 16.9 (mean ± 1standard deviation), 52.7% females). Sociodemographic characteristics, health risk factors, and medical history were involved. Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) was calculated, according to reported height and weight. Parametric tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to identify whether socio-demographic characteristics and health risk factors differed between known hypertensive and the rest of the population.Results:Already known hypertensives were 179 (101 females-78 males). The prevalence of known hypertension was 16.9% (18.1% in females and 15.6% in males). In multivariate analysis, known hypertensives were more likely to have advanced age (P < 0,001, OR = 1.101, 95%CI 1.081–1.121) and increased BMI (P < 0,001, OR = 1.138, 95%CI 1.085–1.194). Moreover, they had a higher probability of suffering from other cardiovascular diseases or sharing other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.Conclusions:Among Greek urban population, almost one to six adults knows to suffer from hypertension. In spite the recommendations, patients who were aware of their illness have increased BMI compared with the rest of the population.

Mining possible associations of faecal A. muciniphila colonisation patterns with host adiposity and cardiometabolic markers in an adult population.

We aimed to evaluate colonisation patterns of Akkermansia muciniphila in a Greek adult population and to investigate model-adjusted associations of A. muciniphila with host adiposity and cardiometabolic markers. Participants (n=125) underwent anthropometric, dietary, physical activity and lifestyle evaluation. Blood sampling for determination of blood lipid indices, glucose metabolism, adiponectin, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), inflammation and oxidative stress parameters was also performed. Stool A. muciniphila presence and levels were determined by quantitative PCR and subjects were grouped based on bimodal distribution of levels (Low vs High). A. muciniphila was detected in 88.6% of participants. Overweight/obese (OW/OB) subjects were more prone in low bimodal levels of A. muciniphila compared to normal-weight (NW) individuals (58.75 vs 27.59%, P=0.004), with a 4-time greater likelihood after multi-adjusted logistic regression analysis (P=0.016). Levels of A. muciniphila were negatively associated with total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio (log10:-0.009±0.004, P=0.033), whereas detection of this bacterium was negatively associated with both TC/HDL-C ratio (log10: -0.049±0.023, P=0.036) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (-0.407±0.176, P=0.023). Furthermore, low bimodal levels of A. muciniphila were positively associated with fasting blood glucose (log10: 0.018±0.009, P=0.037). In terms of inflammation markers, levels of A. muciniphila were positively associated with soluble cluster of differentiation-14 (sCD14) (log10: 0.012±0.004, P=0.003) and faecal detection of this bacterium had a positive association with anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 levels (log10: 0.325±0.131, P=0.015). In addition, A. muciniphila levels were positively associated with total adiponectin (log10: 0.046±0.015, P=0.002), whereas low bimodal levels of A. muciniphila had an inverse relationship with this blood marker (log10: -0.131±0.053, P=0.016). In conclusion, we confirmed the previously reported association of A. muciniphila with metabolic health for the first time in a Greek urban population; furthermore, we shed some light to novel atherosclerotic risk markers with rather unexplored connections with A. muciniphila colonisation patterns in human subjects.

Heart Score Estimation by Specialized Nurses in a Greek Urban Population.

Specialized nurses estimated the HeartScore in an urban Greek population by recognizing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the setting of the Onassis Cardiovascular Prevention Program (OCPP). They also provided nursing consultation and assessed the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the studied population. Individuals were recruited through TV announcements and via the website of the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre. All participants visited the Onassis Cardiac Centre from 20 September to 30 October 2011. Overall, 2,145 individuals were included in the study. CVD risk was calculated by the HeartScore and serum total cholesterol was measured (mean: 193±43 mg/dl). Although 33% of the participants reported dyslipidaemia, only 17% were on hypolipidaemic treatment. Hypertension and dyslipidaemia frequency increased with age. In the present study, specialized nurses estimated the HeartScore in a Greek urban population. The majority of the studied population was undiagnosed and untreated. These results highlight the necessity for both primary and secondary prevention programs that can be carried out by specialized nurses. Such programs may improve the diagnosis and treatment of CVD risk factors; early initiation and optimization of therapy as well as management of drug intolerance (e.g. statins) can contribute to CVD risk reduction.

HeartScore estimation by specialized nurses in a Greek urban population

Aims Specialized nurses estimated the HeartScore in an urban Greek population by recognizing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the setting of the Onassis Cardiovascular Prevention Program. They also provided nursing consultation and assessed the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the studied population. Methods and results Individuals were recruited through TV announcements and via the website of the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre. Overall, 2145 individuals were included in the study. CVD risk was calculated by the HeartScore and serum total cholesterol was measured (mean: 193 ± 43 mg/dL). Although 33% of the participants reported dyslipidaemia, only 17% were on hypolipidaemic treatment. Hypertension and dyslipidaemia frequency increased with age. Conclusions In the present study, specialized nurses estimated the HeartScore in a Greek urban population. The majority of the studied population was undiagnosed and untreated. These results highlight the necessity for both primary and secondary prevention programs that can be carried out by specialized nurses. Such programs may improve the diagnosis and treatment of CVD risk factors; early initiation and optimization of therapy as well as management of drug intolerance (e.g. statins) can contribute to CVD risk reduction.

Ten-year (2002–2012) cardiovascular disease incidence and all-cause mortality, in urban Greek population: The ATTICA Study

AimThe 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality, as well as its determinants, in a sample of men and women from Greece, was evaluated. MethodsFrom May 2001 to December 2002, 1514 men and 1528 women (>18y) without any clinical evidence of CVD or any other chronic disease, at baseline, living in greater Athens area, in Greece, were enrolled. In 2011–12, the 10-year follow-up was performed in 2583 participants (15% of the participants were lost to follow-up). Incidence of fatal or non-fatal CVD (coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes, stroke, or other CVD) was defined according to World Health Organization (WHO)–International Coding Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria. ResultsThe 10-year CVD incidence was 19.7% in men and 11.7% in women (p<0.001). Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that the determinants of CVD events were increased age (Hazard ratio (HR) per year=1.06, 95%Confidence Interval (CI): 1.04, 1.08), male sex (HR=1.40, 95%CI: 0.90, 2.19), smoking (HR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.27), C-reactive protein levels (HR per 1mg/L=1.06, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.15), as well as adherence to Mediterranean diet (protective) (HR per 1/55 units=0.98, 95%CI: 0.95, 1.01). ConclusionThe burden of CVD and its related risk factors is at emerging rates, in Greece, making the need for effective public health actions, more necessary than ever before.

Estrogen receptor (α and β) but not androgen receptor expression is correlated with recurrence, progression and survival in post prostatectomy T3N0M0 locally advanced prostate cancer in an urban Greek population.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptors (ER(α) and ER(β)) and androgen receptors (ARs) as prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence, disease progression and survival in patients with pT3N0M0 prostate cancer (PCa) in an urban Greek population. A total of 100 consecutive patients with pT3N0M0 PCa treated with radical prostatectomy participated in the study. The mean age and follow-up were 64.2 and 6 years, respectively. The HSCORE was used for semi-quantitative analysis of the immunoreactivity of the receptors. The prognostic value of the ER(α) and ER(β) and AR was assessed in terms of recurrence, progression, and survival. AR expression was not associated with any of the above parameters; however, both ERs correlated with the prognosis. A univariate Cox regression analysis showed that ER(α) positive staining was significantly associated with a greater hazard for all outcomes. Increased ER(β) staining was significantly associated with a lower hazard for all outcomes in the univariate analysis. When both ER HSCORES were used for the analysis, it was found that patients with high ER(α) or low ER(β) HSCORES compared with patients with negatively stained ER(α) and >1.7 hSCORE ER(β) had 6.03, 10.93, and 10.53 times greater hazard for biochemical disease recurrence, progression of disease and death, respectively. Multiple Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that the age, preoperative prostate specific antigen, Gleason score and ERs were independent predictors of all outcomes. ER expression is an important prognosticator after radical prostatectomy in patients with pT3N0M0 PCa. By contrast, AR expression has limited prognostic value.

Sex differences in depression among older adults: are older women more vulnerable than men in social risk factors? The case of open care centers for older people in Greece

This study examined depression, which, research has indicated, is the most common mental health problem affecting older people, especially women. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of depression among older people in an urban Greek population and to investigate the covariates of depression symptoms prevalence by gender. The sample consisted of 360 individuals, 218 women and 142 men, aged 60years or older, members of four open care centers for older people in Greece. A questionnaire for socio-demographic and medical data was used. Depression was probed by use of the geriatric depression scale short form. One-hundred and nine persons (30.3%), 32 men (22.53%) and 77 women (35.12%) were found to have depressive symptoms. The results indicated that women have more depression symptoms than men. Being currently unmarried and suffering from multimorbidity were associated with depression symptoms in both gender groups. Meetings with friends were found to be protective factors for both sexes; care of grandchildren and participating in outings and excursions seemed to be protective factors for women only. Unfavorable economic situations, and being childless, were associated with prevalence of depression symptoms among women only. This study confirmed the relationship between depression symptoms and gender and the importance of social and medical factors in the prevalence of depression symptoms, in both gender groups. It also indicated the greater vulnerability of women to some social factors.

Neck Pain in a Sample of Greek Urban Population (Fifteen to Sixty-Five Years)

A cross-sectional study of neck pain and its related aspects in a sample of Greek urban population (15-65 years). To estimate the prevalence of neck pain in a Greek urban population (15-65 years) and to study the association of neck pain with several socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The results of several prevalence studies carried out in different populations indicate a high frequency of neck pain in the general population. Socioeconomic and demographic factors are likely to influence neck pain frequency and neck pain-associated burden. A 1000-person sample of the general Greek population (15-65 years) living in the Greek capital and other urban centers of the country was selected by multiple-stage sampling, with definition of sample quotas based on demographic characteristics. Data on neck pain and its related aspects, including healthcare utilization, as well as demographic, socioeconomic, and employment data, were collected through personal interviews. Of the 204 individuals who reported neck pain during the last month, 35 (17.2%) consulted a physician, 72 (35.3%) received medication, and 15 (7.4%) stayed in bed for some time, during this period and because of neck pain. The mean duration of pain for individuals who reported neck pain during the last month was 12 days. A total of 8.6% of working individuals who experienced neck pain during the last month reported work absenteeism due to this pain, during this period; the mean duration of absence was 4.6 days. Neck pain frequency was related to several sociodemographic factors. Female sex, increased age, and being married showed a statistically significant association with the presence of neck pain. The present results indicate that neck pain is a common symptom in the studied Greek urban population. Nevertheless, relatively few individuals seek medical advice for this symptom. Neck pain frequency is associated with age, sex, and marital status.

Patterns of antibiotic use among adults and parents in the community: A questionnaire-based survey in a Greek urban population

The purpose of this study was to look for factors that affect attitudes to antibiotic use in Greek urban settings. By using a questionnaire-based survey, we conducted 323 face-to-face interviews (173 adults, 150 carers of children). In the adult group, 74.6% admitted using non-prescribed antibiotics, while only 22.7% of parents had administered non-prescribed antibiotics to their children. Around 50% of adults discontinued therapy earlier, more than 10% did not follow the correct dosage instructions and about 55% admitted using leftover antibiotics. Of the parents, 18.7% discontinued therapy earlier and 7.3% admitted keeping leftover antibiotics. Our results showed that adults were likely to show unsatisfactory compliance and to use non-prescribed antibiotics, while parents were less likely to use non-prescribed antibiotics for their children and were more compliant.

Prevalence of diabetes among glycosuric individuals in an urban area of Greece.

Epidemiologic data on the frequency of diabetes in the urban Greek population were lacking in Greece. Postpranadial urine samples of 21,410 inhabitants of a subturb of Athens were examined for glycosuria by two different enzymatic methods. It was found that 569 persons, i.e. 3.20% of the whole population aged 10 or more, presented postprandial glycosuria (cases of previously known diabetes were excluded); 417 persons out of these were submitted to an OGTT (50 g) and 135 new cases of diabetes were discovered. Glycosuria was associated with diabetes mostly in the age-groups above 40. Obesity was frequent among the newly discovered diabetes. Two thirds had abnormal blood sugar levels already in the fasting condition. The prevalence of non-diabetic glycosuria was 2.70% in males and 1.60% in females. The frequency of a family history positive for diabetes was found to be approximately twice as high in diabetics compared to subjects without glycosuria.

Intestinal transit in rural and urban population of Greece.

Intestinal transit times and daily stool weights were measured in 14 residents of Athens and 22 residents of a small village of Greece. Subjects in rural Greece have significantly shorter transit times (38.4 vs 56.8 hr) and heavier daily stools (172 vs 131 g) than those living in Athens. These findings may be attributable to the more refined diet of the urban Greek population and may explain the different incidence of certain bowel diseases in the urban and rural population of Greece.