Unhealthy Alcohol Consumption Research Articles

Randomized controlled trial of a smartphone app designed to reduce unhealthy alcohol consumption

Background and aimsUnhealthy alcohol use is common and causes tremendous harm. Most people with unhealthy alcohol use will never seek formal alcohol treatment. As an alternative, smartphone apps have been developed as one means to provide help to people concerned about their alcohol use. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a smartphone app targeting unhealthy alcohol consumption in a general population sample. MethodsParticipants were recruited from across Canada using online advertisements. Eligible participants who consented to the trial were asked to download a research-specific version of the app and were provided with a code that unlocked it (a different code for each participant to prevent sharing). Those who entered the code were randomized to one of two different versions of the app: 1) the Full app containing all intervention modules; or 2) the Educational only app, containing only the educational content of the app. Participants were followed-up at 6 months. The primary outcome variable was number of standard drinks in a typical week. Secondary outcome variables were frequency of heavy drinking days and experience of alcohol-related problems. ResultsA total of 761 participants were randomized to a condition. The follow-up rate was 81 %. A generalized linear mixed model revealed that participants receiving the full app reduced their typical weekly alcohol consumption to a greater extent than participants receiving the educational only app (incidence rate ratio 0.89; 95 % confidence interval 0.80 to 0.98). No significant differences were observed in the secondary outcome variables (p > .05). Discussion and conclusionThe results of this trial provide some supportive evidence that smartphone apps can reduce unhealthy alcohol consumption. As this is the second randomized controlled trial demonstrating an impact of this same app (the first one targeted unhealthy alcohol use in university students), increased confidence is placed on the potential effectiveness of the smartphone app employed in the current trial.ClinicalTrials.org number: NCT04745325

Association between unhealthy lifestyles and hyperuricemia in occupational population and modification effect of hypertension and dyslipidemia

Objective: To understand the relationship between unhealthy lifestyle and hyperuricemia, as well as the modification effects of hypertension and dyslipidemia in occupational population and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention of hyperuricemia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, based on baseline data from the Southwest Occupational Population Cohort from China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd., which included the population in 28 prefectures from Sichuan Province and Guizhou Province, and 33 districts (counties) from Chongqing Municipality between October and December 2021. This study collected the information about the demographics characteristics, lifestyles, and prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases of the study subjects through questionnaire, physical measurement and laboratory biochemical test. The unhealthy lifestyle score was scored based on smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary patterns, physical activity, and low weight or overweight, with higher scores being associated with more unhealthy lifestyles. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between unhealthy lifestyle score, smoking, alcohol consumption, other factors and hyperuricemia, and the stratified analysis was used to explore the modification effect of hypertension and other diseases on the relationship between unhealthy lifestyle and hyperuricemia. Results: A total of 11 748 participants were included in this study, the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 34.4%. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that current/previous smoking, current/previous alcohol consumption and BMI abnormality were risk factors for hyperuricemia, and the unhealthy lifestyle score showed a "cumulative" effect on the risk for hyperuricemia, with higher score increasing the risk of hyperuricemia, and the OR increased from 1.64 (95%CI: 1.34-2.00) to 2.89 (95%CI: 2.39-3.50). Stratified analysis showed that unhealthy lifestyles had a greater impact on the risk for hyperuricemia in people with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Conclusions: The coexistence of multiple unhealthy lifestyles might increase the risk of hyperuricemia, and this effect was stronger in participants with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Timely correction of unhealthy lifestyles, and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia might reduce the risk for hyperuricemia.

Language-based EMA assessments help understand problematic alcohol consumption.

Unhealthy alcohol consumption is a severe public health problem. But low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with high subjective well-being, possibly because alcohol is commonly consumed socially together with friends, who often are important for subjective well-being. Disentangling the health and social complexities of alcohol behavior has been difficult using traditional rating scales with cross-section designs. We aim to better understand these complexities by examining individuals' everyday affective subjective well-being language, in addition to rating scales, and via both between- and within-person designs across multiple weeks. We used daily language and ecological momentary assessment on 908 US restaurant workers (12692 days) over two-week intervals. Participants were asked up to three times a day to "describe your current feelings", rate their emotions, and report their alcohol behavior in the past 24 hours, including if they were drinking alone or with others. Both between and within individuals, language-based subjective well-being predicted alcohol behavior more accurately than corresponding rating scales. Individuals self-reported being happier on days when drinking more, with language characteristic of these days predominantly describing socializing with friends. Between individuals (over several weeks), subjective well-being correlated much more negatively with drinking alone (r = -.29) than it did with total drinking (r = -.10). Aligned with this, people who drank more alone generally described their feelings as sad, stressed and anxious and drinking alone days related to nervous and annoyed language as well as a lower reported subjective well-being. Individuals' daily subjective well-being, as measured via language, in part, explained the social aspects of alcohol drinking. Further, being alone explained this relationship, such that drinking alone was associated with lower subjective well-being.

Adiposity associates with lower plasma resolvin E1 (Rve1): a population study

BackgroundInadequate inflammation resolution may contribute to persistent low-grade inflammation that accompanies many chronic conditions. Resolution of inflammation is an active process driven by Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPM) that derive from long chain n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. This study examined plasma SPM in relation to sex differences, lifestyle and a broad range cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 978, 27-year olds from the Australian Raine Study.MethodsPlasma SPM pathway intermediates (18-HEPE, 17-HDHA and 14-HDHA), and SPM (E- and D-series resolvins, PD1, MaR1) and LTB4 were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS). Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses assessed relationships between SPM and CVD risk factors. Unpaired t-tests or ANOVA assessed the effect of sex, smoking, unhealthy alcohol consumption and obesity on SPM.ResultsWomen had higher 17-HDHA (p = 0.01) and lower RvE1 (p < 0.0001) and RvD1 (p = 0.05) levels compared with men. In univariate analysis, obesity associated with lower RvE1 (p = 0.002), whereas smoking (p < 0.001) and higher alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) associated with increased RvE1. In multiple regression analysis, plasma RvE1 was negatively associated with a range of measures of adiposity including BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, abdominal subcutaneous fat volume, and skinfold thicknesses in both men and women.ConclusionThis population study suggests that a deficiency in plasma RvE1 may occur in response to increasing adiposity. This observation could be relevant to ongoing inflammation that associates with CVD and other chronic diseases.

General somatic health and lifestyle habits in individuals with obsessive- compulsive disorder: an international survey.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been associated with a broad range of health-related issues. Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption are hypothesized to contribute to this association. However, the lifestyle habits of individuals with OCD have been scarcely investigated. In this international survey, we explored the physical health and lifestyle habits of adults with a self-reported diagnosis of OCD. An online global survey available in seven languages was disseminated through interest organizations and social media between July 2021 and March 2022. The survey included questions relating to socio-demographic variables and clinical characteristics (including OCD symptom severity - as measured with the 12-item self-report scale Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory [OCI-12] - and psychotropic medication), physical health, and lifestyle habits. Frequencies and percentages, or means and standard deviations, as appropriate, were calculated. Subgroup analyses by OCD symptom severity, gender, and age group were performed. A total of 496 individuals with OCD completed the survey and were included in the analyses (mean age = 36.0 years, SD = 12.5, range 18-79; 78.8% women). Most participants were from Europe (n = 245, 49.4%) and North America (n = 187, 37.7%). OCD symptom severity scores were on the moderate range (OCI-12 mean score = 21.2, SD = 9.1). A majority (n = 354, 71.4%) reported having comorbid somatic health issues, mainly allergies, gastrointestinal conditions, and cardiometabolic conditions. Nearly half of the sample (n = 236, 47.6%) reported a body mass index ≥ 25, corresponding to at least overweight. A significant proportion of the participants reported low physical activity (n = 271, 55.0%), unhealthy dietary habits (n = 182, 36.7%), risk consumption of alcohol (n = 111, 22.3%), and non-restorative sleep (n = 268, 54.0%). Subgroup analyses showed overall similar results across groups, with some exceptions. In this sample, individuals with OCD self-reported a range of health-related issues and a number of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, most prominently a lack of physical activity. Interventions aimed at modifying unhealthy lifestyles to prevent or improve health conditions beyond the psychiatric symptoms should be considered.

Chronic pain-mental health comorbidity and excess prevalence of health risk behaviours: a cross-sectional study.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain and anxiety/depression are significant public health problems. We hypothesised that adults with both conditions constitute a group at especially high risk of future cardiovascular health outcomes. To determine whether having comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain and anxiety/depression is associated with the excess prevalence of selected known cardiovascular health risk behaviours. A cross-sectional survey of adults aged 35+ years randomly sampled from 26 GP practice registers in West Midlands, England. Respondents were classified into four groups based on self-reported presence/absence of chronic musculoskeletal pain (pain present on most days for six months) and anxiety or depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score 11+). Standardised binomial models were used to estimate standardised prevalence ratios and prevalence differences between the four groups in self-reported obesity, tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy alcohol consumption after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, employment status and educational attainment. The excess prevalence of each risk factor in the group with chronic musculoskeletal pain-anxiety/depression comorbidity was estimated. Totally, 14519 respondents were included, of whom 1329 (9%) reported comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain-anxiety/depression, 3612 (25%) chronic musculoskeletal pain only, 964 (7%) anxiety or depression only, and 8614 (59%) neither. Those with comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain-anxiety/depression had the highest crude prevalence of obesity (41%), smoking (16%) and physical inactivity (83%) but the lowest for unhealthy alcohol consumption (18%). After controlling for covariates, the standardised prevalence ratios and differences for the comorbid group compared with those with neither chronic musculoskeletal pain nor anxiety/depression were as follows: current smoking [1.86 (95% CI 1.58, 2.18); 6.8%], obesity [1.93 (1.76, 2.10); 18.9%], physical inactivity [1.21 (1.17, 1.24); 14.3%] and unhealthy alcohol consumption [0.81 (0.71, 0.92); -5.0%]. The standardised prevalences of smoking and obesity in the comorbid group exceeded those expected from simple additive interaction.

Association between yoga and related contextual factors with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among children and youth aged 5 to 17 years across five Indian states.

Physical inactivity is one of the four key preventable risk factors, along with unhealthy diet, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption, underlying most noncommunicable diseases. Promoting physical activity is particularly important among children and youth, whose active living behaviours often track into adulthood. Incorporating yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, can be a culturally-appropriate strategy to promote physical activity in India. However, there is little evidence on whether yoga practice is associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accumulation. Thus, this study aims to understand how yoga practice is associated with MVPA among children and youth in India. Data for this study were obtained during the coronavirus disease lockdown in 2021. Online surveys capturing MVPA, yoga practice, contextual factors, and sociodemographic characteristics, were completed by 5 to 17-year-old children and youth in partnership with 41 schools across 28 urban and rural locations in five states. Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between yoga practice and MVPA. After controlling for age, gender, and location, yoga practice was significantly associated with MVPA among children and youth (β = 0.634, p < 0.000). These findings highlight the value of culturally-appropriate activities such as yoga, to promote physical activity among children and youth. Yoga practice might have a particularly positive impact on physical activity among children and youth across the world, owing to its growing global prevalence.

An alarming non-communicable diseases burden: time for adolescent health investment

In the technology era, noncommunicable diseases are increasing rapidly especially in developing countries which is majorly attributed to behavioural or lifestyle risk factors. These factors are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. These factors stem up in adolescent age due to its constant exposure and lack of monitoring by family and government as this group is believed to be healthy. Investing in adolescent health is prime with combined intervention with focus on multiple vistas like program science, behavioural science, implementation science and policy science in order to reduce the behavioural risk factors, which predispose to the noncommunicable diseases in adult life.

A protocol of Chinese expert consensuses for the management of health risk in the general public.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Robust evidence has demonstrated that modifiable lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity are the primary causes of NCDs. Although a series of guidelines for the management of NCDs have been published in China, these guidelines mainly focus on clinical practice targeting clinicians rather than the general population, and the evidence for NCD prevention based on modifiable lifestyle factors has been disorganized. Therefore, comprehensive and evidence-based guidance for the risk management of major NCDs for the general Chinese population is urgently needed. To achieve this overarching aim, we plan to develop a series of expert consensuses covering 15 major NCDs on health risk management for the general Chinese population. The objectives of these consensuses are (1) to identify and recommend suitable risk assessment methods for the Chinese population; and (2) to make recommendations for the prevention of major NCDs by integrating the current best evidence and experts' opinions. For each expert consensus, we will establish a consensus working group comprising 40-50 members. Consensus questions will be formulated by integrating literature reviews, expert opinions, and an online survey. Systematic reviews will be considered as the primary evidence sources. We will conduct new systematic reviews if there are no eligible systematic reviews, the methodological quality is low, or the existing systematic reviews have been published for more than 3 years. We will evaluate the quality of evidence and make recommendations according to the GRADE approach. The consensuses will be reported according to the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT).

Association of Childhood Adversity With Frailty and the Mediating Role of Unhealthy Lifestyle: A Lifespan Analysis

ObjectivesChildhood adversity and lifestyle have been associated with frailty in later life, but not much is known about factors that may explain these associations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association of childhood adversity with frailty, and the mediating role of unhealthy lifestyle in the association. MethodsThis lifespan analysis included 152,914 adults aged 40–69 years old from the UK Biobank. We measured childhood adversity with five items: physical neglect, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse through online mental health survey. Frailty was measured by the frailty index; an unhealthy lifestyle score (range: 0–5) was calculated based on unhealthy body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet at the baseline survey. Multiple logistic regression and mediation analysis were performed. ResultsA total of 10,078 participants (6.6%) were defined as having frailty. Participants with any childhood adversity had higher odds of frailty. For example, in the fully adjusted model, with a one-point increase in cumulative score of childhood adversity, the odds of frailty increased by 38% (odds ratio: 1.38; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.36, 1.40). Unhealthy lifestyle partially mediated the associations of childhood adversity with frailty (mediation proportion: 4.4%–7.0%). The mediation proportions were largest for physical (8.2%) and sexual (8.1%) abuse. ConclusionsChildhood adversity was positively associated with frailty, and unhealthy lifestyle partially mediated the association. This newly identified pathway highlights the potential of lifestyle intervention strategies among those who experienced childhood adversity (in particular, physical, and sexual abuse) to promote healthy aging.

Evaluation of Lifestyle Practices Among the Kuala Lumpur Community to Assess the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the primary cause of death within the Malaysian population. Sedentary behavior, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption are firmly established as the key risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the lifestyle practices within the Kuala Lumpur community that contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, collecting data from 278 participants aged 18 and above in Kuala Lumpur. Participants completed a directly administered questionnaire, providing necessary information such as height and weight measurements for body mass index (BMI) calculation, physical activity levels, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, smoking history, and ethnic backgrounds to assess potential variations. Results: Among the 278 respondents, 114 (41%) were identified as smokers, 130 (46.8%) reported alcohol consumption, and 108 (38.8%) had a high BMI. Significant variations were observed across different ethnic groups regarding alcohol consumption and smoking, with Malays showing the lowest involvement compared to the Chinese and Indian groups. Males exhibited a higher prevalence of increased BMI than females, and older adults were more susceptible to overweight and obesity than younger age groups. Out of the total respondents, only 71 (25%) expressed a strong intention to adopt healthy dietary practices, and 82 (29%) showed a solid intention to engage in regular exercise. Conclusions: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and high BMI are highly prevalent within the Kuala Lumpur community, posing a significant risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Consequently, implementing lifestyle modifications is essential to enhance cardiovascular outcomes in the Kuala Lumpur community.

Landscape of alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma in the last 15 years highlights the need to expand surveillance programs

Alcohol abuse and metabolic disorders are leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Alcohol-related aetiology is associated with a worse prognosis compared with viral agents, because of the lower percentage of patients diagnosed with HCC under routine surveillance and a higher burden of comorbidity in alcohol abusers. This study aimed to describe the evolving clinical scenario of alcohol-related HCC over 15 years (2006-2020) in Italy. Data from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) registry were used: 1,391 patients were allocated to three groups based on the year of HCC diagnosis (2006-2010; 2011-2015; 2016-2020). Patient characteristics, HCC treatment, and overall survival were compared among groups. Survival predictors were also investigated. Approximately 80% of alcohol-related HCCs were classified as cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. Throughout the quinquennia, <50% of HCCs were detected by surveillance programmes. The tumour burden at diagnosis was slightly reduced but not enough to change the distribution of the ITA.LI.CA cancer stages. Intra-arterial and targeted systemic therapies increased across quinquennia. A modest improvement in survival was observed in the last quinquennia, particularly after 12 months of patient observation. Cancer stage, HCC treatment, and presence of oesophageal varices were independent predictors of survival. In the past 15 years, modest improvements have been obtained in outcomes of alcohol-related HCC, attributed mainly to underuse of surveillance programmes and the consequent low amenability to curative treatments. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is a widespread condition in alcohol abusers, but its presence did not show a pivotal prognostic role once HCC had developed. Instead, the presence of oesophageal varices, an independent poor prognosticator, should be considered in patient management and refining of prognostic systems. Alcohol abuse is a leading and growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide and is associated with a worse prognosis compared with other aetiologies. We assessed the evolutionary landscape of alcohol-related HCC over 15 years in Italy. A high cumulative prevalence (78%) of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, with signs of metabolic dysfunction, was observed in HCC patients with unhealthy excessive alcohol consumption. The alcohol+ metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease condition tended to progressively increase over time. A modest improvement in survival occurred over the study period, likely because of the persistent underuse of surveillance programmes and, consequently, the lack of improvement in the cancer stage at diagnosis and the patients' eligibility for curative treatments. Alongside the known prognostic factors for HCC (cancer stage and treatment), the presence of oesophageal varices was an independent predictor of poor survival, suggesting that this clinical feature should be carefully considered in patient management and should be included in prognostic systems/scores for HCC to improve their performance.

Partner Effects: Analyzing Service Member and Spouse Drinking Over Time

Excessive alcohol use is a significant problem in the military. While there is a growing emphasis on family-centered alcohol prevention approaches, little is known about the interplay between partners' drinking behaviors. This study examines how service members and their spouses influence each other's drinking behavior over time, and explores the complex individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors that may contribute to alcohol use. A sample of 3,200 couples from the Millennium Cohort Family Study was surveyed at baseline (2011-2013) and follow-up (2014-2016). The research team estimated how much partners' drinking behaviors influenced one another from baseline to follow-up using a longitudinal structural equation modeling approach. Data analyses were conducted in 2021 and 2022. Drinking patterns converged between spouses from baseline to follow-up. Participants' own baseline drinking had a small but significant effect on changes in their partners' drinking from baseline to follow-up. Results from a Monte Carlo simulation showed that the longitudinal model could reliably estimate this partner effect in the presence of several potential sources of bias, including partner selection. The model also identified several common risk and protective factors for drinking shared by both service members and their spouses. Findings suggest that changing the drinking habits of one spouse could lead to change in the drinking habits of the other, which supports family-centered alcohol prevention approaches in the military. Dual-military couples especially may benefit from targeted interventions, as they face higher risk of unhealthy alcohol consumption.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND LIFESTYLE PRACTICES AMONG ADULTS IN A RURAL COMMUNITY IN EDO STATE NIGERIA

Obesity, a growing global concern, has significant health complications. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationship the between practices/pattern of lifestyle of the rural population of Igueben and the development of obesity. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 360 participants, aged 29 to 60 years, collecting their biodata, sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle patterns including dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking. Their anthropometry as well as blood pressure and blood glucose were checked and recorded. The mean age of the study population was 45.12±08.23 years with a prevalence of hypertension and diabetes of 14.4% and 32.4% respectively. The majority of the respondents, who were farmers, had a primary level of education. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was high. Significantly associated with obesity were increasing age, female sex, and low levels of education. Other factors this study revealed to be closely associated with obesity include increasing hypertension, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, poor sleep and alcohol consumption. Periodic health education will no doubt be beneficial and prevent the concomitant of obesity-related comorbidities.

Factors associated with risky alcohol consumption in Hungarian university students

ABSTRACT Background Considerable amount of students consume excessive amount of alcohol on a regular basis during their university studies, with known health and academic consequences. This study explores the reasons for this behavior and how mental health and physical fitness influence the process. Methods Risky alcohol consumption (AUDIT), mental health (DASS-21) and physical fitness (IFIS) were assessed with standardized questionnaires. Hierarchical binary logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of university-related factors job, scholarship, living location during term, study years, controlled for demographics (age, gender, marital status) and health status (BMI, stress, anxiety, depression, and physical fitness) on the likelihood that students have risky alcohol consumption. Results 520 university students were surveyed, mean age of 22.16 (2.80) years (66.2% female). 28.1% of the students showed risky alcohol consumption. Logistic regression revealed that among college students being male and young increases the likelihood of risky drinking. Mental health was not found to be an adverse factor, while physical fitness was not found to be a contributing factor. Conclusions These results suggest changes associated with university life do not necessarily lead to unhealthy alcohol consumption. To prevent it, the effectiveness of university alcohol policies might be examined.

Cholesterol, Exercise and Diet: A Cross-sectional Survey of Middle-aged Maltese Adults

Researchers have shown that poor lifestyle habits like unhealthy dietary intake, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption exert negative effects on the cholesterol levels and risk of adverse health outcomes in most segments of the population. For middle-aged adults, specifically, high cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, represents a key risk factor in the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are considered to be the leading cause of death in this age cohort and result in substantial public health care costs at both a European and local level. Maltese researchers have meanwhile posited that poor awareness exists in the local population about the harmful effects of unhealthy lifestyle factors on cholesterol levels. Given the generally high obesity rates in Malta and the prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors, like smoking and physical inactivity in particular, a cross-sectional survey was designed to explore risk factors for hypercholesterolemia in a sample of 37 middle-aged adults having undergone a cholesterol test in the previous 12 months. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to ascertain the effects of exercise, diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption on the total cholesterol ratio (TCR). The findings suggest that exercise constitutes a particularly vital component of any intervention aimed at improving cholesterol levels due to its significant influence on TCR. Furthermore, the effect of exercise on lowered TCR values was not dependent on diet. The findings also do not support the idea that popular unhealthy foods unique to the Maltese context have any significant effects on cholesterol levels while controlling for overall dietary habits.

The Impact of Taste Preference-Related Gene Polymorphisms on Alcohol Consumption Behavior: A Systematic Review.

Unhealthy alcohol consumption is recognized as a leading contributory factor to mortality and disability. In addition to other factors, taste sensation also mediates alcohol intake. The orosensation provoked by alcoholic drinks may vary across individuals and may be responsible for differences in preference for alcoholic beverages. Thus, individual genetic variability of taste preference may have an impact on alcohol consumption practices. The present review aimed to explore the associations between different taste preference polymorphisms and alcohol consumption behavior. Based on the PRISMA statement, the three databases PubMed, Web of Science and ProQuest Central were searched to identify articles and the Q-Genie tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Among the 17 studies included in this review, 5 and 12 were of good and moderate quality, respectively. Most of the studies analyzed TAS2R38 (taste 2 receptor member 38) rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939 polymorphisms. Due to the inconclusive findings on these variants and the very limited number of studies on other polymorphisms, additional extensive research is recommended to replicate the existing findings, to generate new knowledge to enhance our understanding of the complexity of alcohol consumption behavior and to aid the development of personalized recommendations on unhealthy alcohol use.

Role of the ghrelin system in alcohol use disorder and alcohol-associated liver disease: A narrative review.

Unhealthy alcohol consumption is a global health problem. Adverse individual, public health, and socioeconomic consequences are attributable to harmful alcohol use. Epidemiological studies have shown that alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) are the top two pathologies among alcohol-related diseases. Consistent with the major role that the liver plays in alcohol metabolism, uncontrolled drinking may cause significant damage to the liver. This damage is initiated by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, which can further progress to advanced liver disease. The only effective therapeutic strategies currently available for ALD are alcohol abstinence or liver transplantation. Any molecule with dual-pronged effects at the central and peripheral organs controlling addictive behaviors and associated metabolic pathways are a potentially important therapeutic target for treating AUD and ALD. Ghrelin, a hormone primarily derived from the stomach, has such properties, and regulates both behavioral and metabolic functions. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the peripheral and central functions of the ghrelin system and its role in AUD and ALD pathogenesis. We first discuss the correlation between blood ghrelin concentrations and alcohol use or abstinence. Next, we discuss the role of ghrelin in alcohol-seeking behaviors and finally its role in the development of fatty liver by metabolic regulations and organ crosstalk. We propose that a better understanding of the ghrelin system could open an innovative avenue for improved treatments for AUD and associated medical consequences, including ALD.

Impact of alcohol-induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in a rodent model of Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. While genetics are important in the development of AD, environment and lifestyle are also important factors influencing AD. One such lifestyle factor is alcohol consumption. Unhealthy and excessive chronic alcohol consumption is associated with a greater risk of all types of dementia, especially AD. Alcohol consumption has numerous effects on the body, including alterations to the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) and intestinal barrier dysfunction (leakiness and intestinal hyperpermeability), with evidence indicating that inflammation resulting from dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction can promote neuroinflammation impacting brain structure and function. Objective: This study sought to determine the impact of alcohol-induced dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction on AD-like behavior and brain pathology using a transgenic rodent model of AD (3xTg-AD). Methods: Alcohol (20%) was administered to 3xTg-AD mice in the drinking water for 20 weeks. Intestinal (stool) microbiota, intestinal barrier permeability, systemic inflammation (IL-6), behavior, and AD pathology (phosphorylated tau and β-amyloid), and microglia were examined. Results: Alcohol consumption changed the intestinal microbiota community (dysbiosis) and increased intestinal barrier permeability in both control and 3xTg-AD mice (oral/urine sugar test and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP)). However, alcohol consumption did not influence serum IL-6, behavior, or β-amyloid, phosphorylated tau, or microglia in 3xTg-AD mice. Important differences in genotype and sex were noted. Conclusion: Alcohol-induced microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction did not exacerbate behavior or AD-like brain pathology in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of AD which could, in part, be the result of a lack of systemic inflammation.

Predictors of 30-Day Pulmonary Complications after Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Lobectomy.

Pulmonary complications are the most common adverse event after lung resection, yet few large-scale studies have examined pertinent risk factors after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Veterans, older and less healthy compared with nonveterans, represent a cohort that requires further investigation. Our objective is to determine predictors of pulmonary complications after VATS lobectomy in veterans. A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent VATS lobectomy from 2008 to 2018 using the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on development of a pulmonary complication within 30 days. Patient characteristics were compared via multivariable analysis to determine clinical predictors associated with pulmonary complication and reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Patients with preoperative pneumonia, ventilator dependence, and emergent cases were excluded. In 4,216 VATS lobectomy cases, 480 (11.3%) cases had ≥1 pulmonary complication. Preoperative factors independently associated with pulmonary complication included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (aOR = 1.37 [1.12-1.69]; p = 0.003), hyponatremia (aOR = 1.50 [1.06-2.11]; p = 0.021), and dyspnea (aOR = 1.33 [1.06-1.66]; p = 0.013). Unhealthy alcohol consumption was associated with pulmonary complication via univariable analysis (17.1 vs. 13.0%; p = 0.016). Cases with pulmonary complication were associated with increased mortality (12.1 vs. 0.8%; p < 0.001) and longer length of stay (12.0 vs. 6.8 days; p < 0.001). This analysis revealed several preoperative factors associated with development of pulmonary complications. It is imperative to optimize pulmonary-specific comorbidities such as COPD or dyspnea prior to VATS lobectomy. However, unhealthy alcohol consumption and hyponatremia were linked with development of pulmonary complication in our analysis and should be addressed prior to VATS lobectomy. Future studies should explore long-term consequences of pulmonary complications.