Higher Prevalence Odds Ratio Research Articles

Association of U.S. birth, duration of residence in the U.S., and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors among Asian adults

IntroductionPrior studies have shown a direct association between U.S. birth and duration of residence with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) though, few have specifically focused on Asian Americans. MethodsWe utilized cross-sectional data from the 2006 to 2015 National Health Interview Survey. We compared prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and ASCVD among Asian American individuals by U.S. birth and duration of time spent in the U.S. ResultsThe study sample consisted of 18,150 Asian individuals of whom 20.5 % were Asian Indian, 20.5 % were Chinese, 23.4 % were Filipino, and 35.6 % were of other Asian ethnic groups. The mean (standard error) age was 43.8 (0.21) years and 53 % were women. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, U.S. birth was associated with a higher prevalence odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) of current smoking 1.31 (1.07,1.60), physical inactivity 0.62 (0.54,0.72), obesity 2.26 (1.91,2.69), hypertension 1.33 (1.12,1.58), and CAD 1.96 (1.24,3.11), but lower prevalence of stroke 0.28 (0.11,0.71). Spending greater than 15 years in the U.S. was associated with a higher prevalence of current smoking 1.65 (1.24,2.21), obesity 2.33 (1.57,3.47), diabetes 2.68 (1.17,6.15), and hyperlipidemia 1.72 (1.09,2.71). ConclusionHeterogeneity exists in cardiovascular risk factor burden among Asian Americans according to Asian ethnicity, U.S. birth, and duration of time living in the U.S.

Clustering of geriatric deficits emerges to be an essential feature of ageing - results of a cross-sectional study in Poland.

The majority of old people suffer from various clinical conditions that affect health, functioning and quality of life. This research is a part of a cross-sectional, nationwide PolSenior Study that provides a comprehensive assessment of eight geriatric impairments and their co-occurrence in a representative sample (3471 participant aged 65-104 years, mean age 78.3 years) of the old adults living in the community in Poland. The participants were recruited randomly from all administrative regions of Poland by a three-stage, proportional, stratified-by-age group selection process. Eight geriatric conditions were assessed: falls, incontinences, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, vision and hearing impairments, malnutrition, and functional dependence. We showed that the most common deficits causing disability were vision and hearing impairments, and mood disorders, with more than two thirds of the participants presented at least one geriatric deficit. We showed that presence any of the analyzed conditions significantly increased the risk for co-occurrence of other examined weaknesses. The highest prevalence odds ratios were for functional dependence and, respectively: malnutrition (8.61, 95%CI: 4.70-15.80), incontinences (8.0, 95%CI:5.93-10.70), and cognitive impairment (7.22; 95%CI:5.91-8.83). We concluded that the majority of the old people living in the community present various clinical conditions that prompt disability.

Headache and peak oxygen uptake: The HUNT3 study.

Evidence on the association between headache and physical fitness is conflicting. The aim of this population-based study was to examine the relationship between peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and headache, including migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). In the third Nord-Trøndelag Health study (HUNT3), VO2peak was measured by ergospirometry in a sample of 4631 healthy adult participants. Of these, 3899 (54% women) also answered headache questions. The cross-sectional association between headache and VO2peak was evaluated by logistic regression using a categorical approach based on quintiles. Scores in the upper quintile were used as reference. Participants age 20-50 years had significant trends of increasing prevalence of any headache ( ITALIC! p < 0.001), migraine ( ITALIC! p < 0.001), TTH ( ITALIC! p = 0.002) and unclassified headache ( ITALIC! p = 0.027) with lower VO2peak. The highest prevalence odds ratios (ORs) were found in those with VO2peak in the lower quintile: For any headache the OR was 2.3 (95% confidence interval (1.6-3.3), for TTH 1.8 (1.2-2.8), for unclassified headache 1.9 (1.1-3.8), and for migraine 3.7 (2.1-6.6). Similar results were also found among those who reported physical activity levels in accordance with current recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine but nevertheless had low VO2peak. Being in the lowest VO2peak quintile was also strongly associated with migraine aggravated by physical activity (OR 4.1, 2.1-8.1). No significant association was found between VO2peak and headache for those 50 years or older. In this large cross-sectional study, an inverse relationship was found between VO2peak and headache for adults younger than 50 years of age.

Health-Related Problems after the Great East Japan Earthquake: An Evaluation Based on the Annual Health Examination

Background: Study on the medium- to long-term effect of a great earthquake on health among the victims is limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the medium-term (i.e., three months) effect of the Great East Japan Earthquake (occurred on March 11, 2011) on health conditions (i.e., blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], blood sugar, triglyceride, and total cholesterol) among the victims, by comparing with the control population. Methods: In June 2011, taking blood pressure and blood tests were conducted for a total of 159 victims who had stayed in the shelter located in the Tohoku region since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The same tests were conducted for a total of 1,048 control participants in Tokyo from October 2010 to December 2011. Analyses of covariance and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Compared with the control group, the victim group had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure; lower HbA1c, blood sugar, triglyceride, and total cholesterol, after adjusting for age and sex. In a similar way, the victim group had a significantly higher prevalence odds ratio of hypertension; lower prevalence odds ratios of diabetes mellitus, high blood sugar, high triglyceride, and high total cholesterol than control group. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the prevalence of hypertension is higher among the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus, high blood sugar, high triglyceride, and high total cholesterol among the victims may be explained by the continued inadequate diet issues after the earthquake.

Association between early methylmercury exposure and functional health among residents of the Shiranui Sea communities in Japan

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of estimated historical methylmercury exposure on the functional health of residents living in the Shiranui Sea communities in Japan. Functional health was measured by self-reported activities of daily living (ADL). Study areas were categorized into high, medium and low methylmercury exposure areas according to their location or distance from the Shiranui Sea. We estimated the adjusted prevalence odds ratios of impaired ADL in relation to exposure using a logistic regression model. Compared with residents in the low-exposure area, residents in the high-exposure area were significantly associated with a higher prevalence odds ratio (OR) for impaired ADL after adjustment for confounding factors (adjusted ORs = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3–6.2). These results showed strong dose-response relationships (p for trend = 0.0050). Our findings suggest that historical methylmercury exposure might cause functional impairment in later in life depending on the exposure level.

Selenium and Mercury in the Brazilian Amazon: Opposing Influences on Age-Related Cataracts

BackgroundAge-related cataracts (ARCs) are an important cause of blindness in developing countries. Although antioxidants may be part of the body’s defense to prevent ARC, environmental contaminants may contribute to cataractogenesis. In fish-eating populations of the lower Tapajós region, elevated exposure to mercury (Hg) has been reported, and blood levels of selenium (Se) range from normal to very high (> 1,000 μg/L).ObjectivesWe examined ARCs in relation to these elements among adults (≥ 40 years of age) from 12 riverside communities.MethodsParticipants (n = 211) provided blood samples and underwent an extensive ocular examination. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to assess Hg and Se in blood and plasma.ResultsOne-third (n = 69; 32.7%) of the participants had ARC. Lower plasma Se (P-Se; < 25th percentile, 110 μg/L) and higher blood Hg (B-Hg; ≥ 25th percentile, 25 μg/L) were associated with a higher prevalence odds ratio (POR) of ARC [adjusted POR (95% confidence interval), 2.69 (1.11–6.56) and 4.45 (1.43–13.83), respectively]. Among participants with high P-Se, we observed a positive but nonsignificant association with high B-Hg exposure, whereas among those with low B-Hg, we observed no association for P-Se. However, compared with the optimum situation (high P-Se, low B-Hg), the POR for those with low P-Se and high B-Hg was 16.4 (3.0–87.9). This finding suggests a synergistic effect.ConclusionOur results suggest that persons in this population with elevated Hg, the cataractogenic effects of Hg may be offset by Se. Because of the relatively small sample size and possible confounding by other dietary nutrients, additional studies with sufficient power to assess multiple nutrient and toxic interactions are required to confirm these findings.

Impact of school and vocational education on smoking behaviour: results from a large-scale study on adolescents and young adults in Germany.

While level of school education has been related to prevalence of cigarette smoking in a number of studies, less information is available on the role of vocational education and related occupational contexts. This study analyses the relative contribution of different types of educational experience to explaining prevalence and intensity of cigarette smoking in a large sample of female and male vocational trainees in Germany. A standardized questionnaire on smoking behaviour and educational performance was applied in 27 educational centers across the country, covering a total of 20,527 respondents (77.3% of the original sample; women: 59.5%, men: 40.5%). Bivariate analysis revealed a high prevalence of current smokers among vocational trainees, both men (51.2%) and women (49.4%). Men were more likely to be heavy smokers, especially with increasing age. In both sexes, prevalence of smoking was particularly high in the following occupational groups: hairdressers, butchers, painters, service personnel (hotels, restaurants), shop assistants/sellers and cooks. Multivariate analysis taking educational level, type of vocational training (occupation), age, sex and urban-rural background into account revealed the highest prevalence odds ratios (POR) of smoking in subjects with the lowest educational level (POR = 5.19 for men and 4.56 for women). Even stronger effects were observed with smoking intensity (> or = 20 cigarettes/day): in men with the lowest educational level the risk of being a heavy smoker was 8.92, and in women 13.54 compared to subjects with a high-school leaving qualification. Poor school education must be considered the relatively strongest predictor of prevalence and intensity of cigarette smoking in a large sample of female and male vocational trainees. Preventive efforts should be directed at specific target groups such as those identified by this study.

Self-reported back pain in tractor drivers exposed to whole-body vibration

A postal questionnaire on symptoms of ill health and exposure to whole-body vibration was completed by 577 workers (response rate 79%) who were employed in certain functions by two companies 11 years before. The relation between the occupational history of driving vibrating vehicles (mainly agricultural tractors) and back pain has been analyzed. The prevalence of reported back pain is approximately 10% higher in the tractor drivers than in workers not exposed to vibration. The increase is mainly due to more pain in the lower back and more pain lasting at least several days. A vibration dose was calculated by assigning each vehicle driven a vibration magnitude, estimated on the base of vibration measurements. The prevalence of back pain increases with the vibration dose. The highest prevalence odds ratios are found for the more severe types of back pain. These prevalence odds ratios do not increase with the vibration dose. This might be due to health-related selection which is more pronounced for severe back pain than for back pain in general. The two components of the vibration dose, duration of exposure and estimated mean vibration magnitude, have also been considered separately. Back pain increases with duration of exposure but it does not increase with the estimated mean magnitude of vibration. This is probably due to the inaccuracy of this estimate. The higher prevalence of back pain in tractor drivers might be (partly) caused by whole-body vibration, but prolonged sitting and posture might also be of influence.