Associations of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with all-cause mortality: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Health effects of different physical activity domains (ie, during leisure time, work and transport) are generally considered positive. Using Active Worker consortium data, we assessed independent associations of occupational and leisure-time physical activity (OPA and LTPA) with all-cause mortality. DESIGN: Two-stage individual participant data meta-analysis. DATA SOURCE: Published and unpublished cohort study data. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Working participants aged 18-65 years. METHODS: After data harmonisation, we assessed associations of OPA and LTPA with all-cause mortality. In stage 1, we analysed data from each study separately using Cox survival regression, and in stage 2, we pooled individual study findings with random-effects modelling. RESULTS: In 22 studies with up to 590 497 participants from 11 countries, during a mean follow-up of 23.1 (SD: 6.8) years, 99 743 (16%) participants died. Adjusted for LTPA, body mass index, age, smoking and education level, summary (ie, stage 2) hazard ration (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for low, moderate and high OPA among men (n=2 96 134) were 1.01 (0.99 to 1.03), 1.05 (1.01 to 1.10) and 1.12 (1.03 to 1.23), respectively. For women (n=2 94 364), HRs (95% CI) were 0.98 (0.92 to 1.04), 0.96 (0.92 to 1.00) and 0.97 (0.86 to 1.10), respectively. In contrast, higher levels of LTPA were inversely associated with mortality for both genders. For example, for women HR for low, moderate and high compared with sedentary LTPA were 0.85 (0.81 to 0.89), 0.78 (0.74 to 0.81) and 0.75 (0.65 to 0.88), respectively. Effects were attenuated when adjusting for income (although data on income were available from only 9 and 6 studies, for men and women, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that OPA may not result in the same beneficial health effects as LTPA.

Should workers be physically active after work? Associations of leisure-time physical activity with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality across occupational physical activity levels-An individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient evidence to provide recommendations for leisure-time physical activity among workers across various occupational physical activity levels. This study aimed to assess the association of leisure-time physical activity with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality across occupational physical activity levels. METHODS: This study utilized individual participant data from 21 cohort studies, comprising both published and unpublished data. Eligibility criteria included individual-level data on leisure-time and occupational physical activity (categorized as sedentary, low, moderate, and high) along with data on all-cause and/or cardiovascular mortality. A 2-stage individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted, with separate analysis of each study using Cox proportional hazards models (Stage 1). These results were combined using random-effects models (Stage 2). RESULTS: Higher leisure-time physical activity levels were associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk across most occupational physical activity levels, for both males and females. Among males with sedentary work, high compared to sedentary leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower all-cause (hazard ratios (HR) = 0.77, 95% Confidence interval(95%CI): 0.70-0.85) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.66-0.87) risk. Among males with high levels of occupational physical activity, high compared to sedentary leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower all-cause (HR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.74-0.97) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.60-1.04) risk, while HRs for low and moderate levels of leisure-time physical activity ranged between 0.87 and 0.97 and were not statistically significant. Among females, most effects were similar but more imprecise, especially in the higher occupational physical activity levels. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of leisure-time physical activity were generally associated with lower mortality risks. However, results for workers with moderate and high occupational physical activity levels, especially women, were more imprecise. Our findings suggests that workers may benefit from engaging in high levels of leisure-time physical activity, irrespective of their level of occupational physical activity.

Carbonated Beverage, Fruit Drink, and Water Consumption and Risk of Acute Stroke: the INTERSTROKE Case-Control Study.

Background and Purpose: Cold beverage intake (carbonated drinks, fruit juice/drinks, and water) may be important population-level exposures relevant to stroke risk and prevention. We sought to explore the association between intake of these beverages and stroke. Methods: INTERSTROKE is an international matched case-control study of first stroke. Participants reported beverage intake using food frequency questionnaires or were asked "How many cups do you drink each day of water?" Multivariable conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations with stroke. Results: We include 13,462 cases and 13,488 controls; mean age was 61.7±13.4 years and 59.6% (n=16,010) were male. After multivariable adjustment, carbonated beverages were linearly associated with ischemic stroke (OR 2.39 [95% CI 1.64-3.49]); only consumption once/day was associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (OR 1.58 [95% CI 1.23-2.03]). There was no association between fruit juice/drinks and ischemic stroke, but increased odds of ICH for once/day (OR 1.37 [95% CI 1.08-1.75)] or twice/day (OR 3.18 [95% CI 1.69-5.97]). High water intake (>7 cups/day) was associated ischemic stroke (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.68-0.99]) but not ICH. Associations differed by Eugeographical region-increased odds for carbonated beverages in some regions only; opposing directions of association of fruit juices/drinks with stroke in selected regions. Conclusion Carbonated beverages were associated with increased odds of ischemic stroke and ICH, fruit juice/drinks were associated with increased odds of ICH, and high water consumption was associated with reduced odds of ischemic stroke, with important regional differences. Our findings suggest optimizing water intake, minimizing fruit juice/drinks, and avoiding carbonated beverages.

Assessing the built environment through photographs and its association with obesity in 21 countries: the PURE Study.

BACKGROUND: The built environment can influence human health, but the available evidence is modest and almost entirely from urban communities in high-income countries. Here we aimed to analyse built environment characteristics and their associations with obesity in urban and rural communities in 21 countries at different development levels participating in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Study. METHODS: Photographs were acquired with a standardised approach. We used the previously validated Environmental Profile of a Community's Health photo instrument to evaluate photos for safety, walkability, neighbourhood beautification, and community disorder. An integrated built environment score (ie, a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 20) was used to summarise this evaluation across built environment domains. Associations between built environment characteristics, separately and combined in the integrated built environment score, and obesity (ie, a BMI >30kg/m2) were assessed using multilevel regression models, adjusting for individual, household, and community confounding factors. Attenuation in the associations due to walking was examined. FINDINGS: Analyses include 143 338 participants from 530 communities. The mean integrated built environment score was higher in high-income countries (13·3, SD 2·8) compared with other regions (10·1, 2·5) and urban communities (11·2, 3·0). More than 60% of high-income country communities had pedestrian safety features (eg, crosswalks, sidewalks, and traffic signals). Urban communities outside high-income countries had higher rates of sidewalks (176 [84%] of 209) than rural communities (59 [28%] of 209). 15 (5%) of 290 urban communities had bike lanes. Litter and graffiti were present in 372 (70%) of 530 communities, and poorly maintained buildings were present in 103 (19%) of 530. The integrated built environment score was significantly associated with reduced obesity overall (relative risk [RR] 0·58, 95% CI 0·35-0·93; p=0·025) for high compared with low scores and for increasing trend (0·85, 0·78-0·91; p<0·0001). The trends were statistically significant in urban (0·85, 0·77-0·93; p=0·0007) and rural (0·87, 0·78-0·97; p=0·015) communities. Some built environment features were associated with a lower prevalence of obesity: community beautification RR 0·75 (95% CI 0·61-0·92; p=0·0066); bike lanes RR 0·58 (0·45-0·73; p<0·0001); pedestrian safety RR 0·75 (0·62-0·90; p=0·0018); and traffic signals RR 0·68 (0·52-0·89; p=0·0055). Community disorder was associated with a higher prevalence of obesity (RR 1·48, 95% CI 1·17-1·86; p=0·0010). INTERPRETATION: Community built environment features recorded in photographs, including bike lanes, pedestrian safety measures, beautification, traffic density, and disorder, were related to obesity after adjusting for confounders, and stronger associations were found in urban than rural communities. The method presents a novel way of assessing the built environment's potential effect on health. FUNDING: Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences Research Institute, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Strategy for Patient Oriented Research, Ontario Support Unit, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, AstraZeneca, Sanofi-Aventis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Servier, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Sex differences in prevalence and characteristics of imaging detected atherosclerosis - a population-based study.

AIMS: Men are more likely to suffer a myocardial infarction than women, but population-based studies on sex differences in imaging detected atherosclerosis are lacking. The aims were to assess sex differences in prevalence of imaging detected coronary and carotid atherosclerosis, as well as multivariable adjusted associations between sex and atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants aged 50-65, recruited from the general population to the Swedish Cardiopulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS), were included in this population-based cross-sectional study. Comprehensive diagnostics, including coronary computed tomography angiography and carotid ultrasound, were performed. The image findings were any coronary atherosclerosis, coronary stenosis ≥50%, segment involvement score (SIS) ≥4, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) ≥100, and any ultrasound-detected carotid plaque.In 25,580 participants (50% women), men had more hypertension (20.3% vs 17.0%), hyperlipidaemia (9.0% vs 5.5%), and diabetes (8.5% vs 4.7%). The prevalence was 56.2% vs 29.5% for any coronary atherosclerosis (p<0.01), 9.0% vs 2.3% for coronary stenosis ≥50% (p<0.01), 20.2% vs 5.3% for SIS≥4 (p<0.01), 18.2% vs 5.6% for CACS≥100 (p<0.01), and 60.9% vs 48.7% for carotid plaque (p<0.01), in men vs women, respectively. Multivariable adjustment only marginally changed these associations: odds ratios [OR] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 2.75 (2.53-2.99) for coronary atherosclerosis, 2.88 (2.40-3.45) for coronary stenosis ≥50%, 3.99 (3.50-4.55) for SIS≥4, 3.29 (2.88-3.75), for CACS≥100, and 1.57 (1.45-1.70) for carotid plaque. CONCLUSION: Men had higher prevalence of imaging detected carotid and coronary atherosclerosis with prevalence in women aged 65 corresponding to men 10-14 years younger. The associations remained after extensive multivariable adjustment.

Chronic Airflow Limitation, Emphysema and Impaired Diffusing Capacity in Relation to Smoking Habits in a Swedish Middle-Aged Population.

RATIONALE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes respiratory symptoms and chronic airflow limitation (CAL). In some cases, emphysema and impaired diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) are present, but characteristics and symptoms vary with smoking exposure. OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of CAL, emphysema and impaired DLCO in relation to smoking and respiratory symptoms in a middle-aged population. METHODS: We investigated 28,746 randomly invited individuals (52% women) aged 50-64 years across six Swedish sites. We performed spirometry, DLCO, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and asked for smoking habits and respiratory symptoms. CAL was defined as post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second divided by forced expiratory volume (FEV1/FVC)<0.7. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was for CAL 8.8%, for impaired DLCO (DLCO

Obesity and cardiovascular disease: an ESC clinical consensus statement.

The global prevalence of obesity has more than doubled over the past four decades, currently affecting more than a billion individuals. Beyond its recognition as a high-risk condition that is causally linked to many chronic illnesses, obesity has been declared a disease per se that results in impaired quality of life and reduced life expectancy. Notably, two-thirds of obesity-related excess mortality is attributable to cardiovascular disease. Despite the increasingly appreciated link between obesity and a broad range of cardiovascular disease manifestations including atherosclerotic disease, heart failure, thromboembolic disease, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, obesity has been underrecognized and sub-optimally addressed compared with other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. In the view of major repercussions of the obesity epidemic on public health, attention has focused on population-based and personalized approaches to prevent excess weight gain and maintain a healthy body weight from early childhood and throughout adult life, as well as on comprehensive weight loss interventions for persons with established obesity. This clinical consensus statement by the European Society of Cardiology discusses current evidence on the epidemiology and aetiology of obesity; the interplay between obesity, cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac conditions; the clinical management of patients with cardiac disease and obesity; and weight loss strategies including lifestyle changes, interventional procedures, and anti-obesity medications with particular focus on their impact on cardiometabolic risk and cardiac outcomes. The document aims to raise awareness on obesity as a major risk factor and provide guidance for implementing evidence-based practices for its prevention and optimal management within the context of primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention.

Obesity and cardiovascular disease: an ESC clinical consensus statement.

The global prevalence of obesity has more than doubled over the past four decades, currently affecting more than a billion individuals. Beyond its recognition as a high-risk condition that is causally linked to many chronic illnesses, obesity has been declared a disease per se that results in impaired quality of life and reduced life expectancy. Notably, two-thirds of obesity-related excess mortality is attributable to cardiovascular disease. Despite the increasingly appreciated link between obesity and a broad range of cardiovascular disease manifestations including atherosclerotic disease, heart failure, thromboembolic disease, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, obesity has been underrecognized and sub-optimally addressed compared with other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. In the view of major repercussions of the obesity epidemic on public health, attention has focused on population-based and personalized approaches to prevent excess weight gain and maintain a healthy body weight from early childhood and throughout adult life, as well as on comprehensive weight loss interventions for persons with established obesity. This clinical consensus statement by the European Society of Cardiology discusses current evidence on the epidemiology and aetiology of obesity; the interplay between obesity, cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac conditions; the clinical management of patients with cardiac disease and obesity; and weight loss strategies including lifestyle changes, interventional procedures, and anti-obesity medications with particular focus on their impact on cardiometabolic risk and cardiac outcomes. The document aims to raise awareness on obesity as a major risk factor and provide guidance for implementing evidence-based practices for its prevention and optimal management within the context of primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention.

Activity limitations, use of assistive devices, and mortality and clinical events in 25 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: an analysis of the PURE study.

BACKGROUND: The focus of most epidemiological studies has been mortality or clinical events, with less information on activity limitations related to basic daily functions and their consequences. Standardised data from multiple countries at different economic levels in different regions of the world on activity limitations and their associations with clinical outcomes are sparse. We aimed to quantify the prevalence of activity limitations and use of assistive devices and the association of limitations with adverse outcomes in 25 countries grouped by different economic levels. METHODS: In this analysis, we obtained data from individuals in 25 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study (175 660 participants). In the PURE study, individuals aged 35-70 years who intended to continue living in their current home for a further 4 years were invited to complete a questionnaire on activity limitations. Participant follow-up was planned once every 3 years either by telephone or in person. The activity limitation screen consisted of questions on self-reported difficulty with walking, grasping, bending, seeing close, seeing far, speaking, hearing, and use of assistive devices (gait, vision, and hearing aids). We estimated crude prevalence of self-reported activity limitations and use of assistive devices, and prevalence standardised by age and sex. We used logistic regression to additionally adjust prevalence for education and socioeconomic factors and to estimate the probability of activity limitations and assistive devices by age, sex, and country income. We used Cox frailty models to evaluate the association between each activity limitation with mortality and clinical events (cardiovascular disease, heart failure, pneumonia, falls, and cancer). The PURE study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03225586. FINDINGS: Between Jan 12, 2001, and May 6, 2019, 175 584 individuals completed at least one question on the activity limitation questionnaire (mean age 50·6 years [SD 9·8]; 103 625 [59%] women). Of the individuals who completed all questions, mean follow-up was 10·7 years (SD 4·4). The most common self-reported activity limitations were difficulty with bending (23 921 [13·6%] of 175 515 participants), seeing close (22 532 [13·4%] of 167 801 participants), and walking (22 805 [13·0%] of 175 554 participants); prevalence of limitations was higher with older age and among women. The prevalence of all limitations standardised by age and sex, with the exception of hearing, was highest in low-income countries and middle-income countries, and this remained consistent after adjustment for socioeconomic factors. The use of gait, visual, and hearing aids was lowest in low-income countries and middle-income countries, particularly among women. The prevalence of seeing close limitation was four times higher (6257 [16·5%] of 37 926 participants vs 717 [4·0%] of 18 039 participants) and the prevalence of seeing far limitation was five times higher (4003 [10·6%] of 37 923 participants vs 391 [2·2%] of 18 038 participants) in low-income countries than in high-income countries, but the prevalence of glasses use in low-income countries was half that in high-income countries. Walking limitation was most strongly associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1·32 [95% CI 1·25-1·39]) and most consistently associated with other clinical events, with other notable associations observed between seeing far limitation and mortality, grasping limitation and cardiovascular disease, bending limitation and falls, and between speaking limitation and stroke. INTERPRETATION: The global prevalence of activity limitations is substantially higher in women than men and in low-income countries and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries, coupled with a much lower use of gait, visual, and hearing aids. Strategies are needed to prevent and mitigate activity limitations globally, with particular emphasis on low-income countries and women. FUNDING: Funding sources are listed at the end of the Article.

Comparison of associations between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome according to three definitions: The Swedish INTERGENE study.

Background: While prevalence estimates differ by definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS), it is less clear how different definitions affect associations with alcohol consumption. Methods: We included 3051 adults aged 25-77 from the baseline examination of the Swedish INTERGENE cohort (2001-2004). Using multiple logistic regression, we investigated cross-sectional associations between ethanol intake and MetS defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Joint Interim Statement (JIS). Alcohol exposure categories comprised abstinence, and low, medium, and high consumption defined via sex-specific tertiles of ethanol intake among current consumers. Covariates included sociodemographics, health, and lifestyle factors. Results: MetS prevalence estimates varied between 13.9 % (ATP III) and 25.3 % (JIS), with higher prevalence in men than women. Adjusted for age and sex, medium-high alcohol consumption was associated with lower odds of MetS compared to low consumption, while no difference was observed for abstainers. Only the most specific (and thus severe) definition of MetS (ATP III) showed decreasing odds for ethanol intake when adjusted for all covariates. Conclusion: Our study shows that alcohol-related associations differ by definition of MetS. The finding that individuals with the most stringently defined MetS may benefit from alcohol consumption calls for further well-controlled studies.

Long-term exposure to transportation noise and obesity: A pooled analysis of eleven Nordic cohorts.

Background: Available evidence suggests a link between exposure to transportation noise and an increased risk of obesity. We aimed to assess exposure-response functions for long-term residential exposure to road traffic, railway and aircraft noise, and markers of obesity. Methods: Our cross-sectional study is based on pooled data from 11 Nordic cohorts, including up to 162,639 individuals with either measured (69.2%) or self-reported obesity data. Residential exposure to transportation noise was estimated as a time-weighted average Lden 5 years before recruitment. Adjusted linear and logistic regression models were fitted to assess beta coefficients and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for body mass index, overweight, and obesity, as well as for waist circumference and central obesity. Furthermore, natural splines were fitted to assess the shape of the exposure-response functions. Results: For road traffic noise, the OR for obesity was 1.06 (95% CI = 1.03, 1.08) and for central obesity 1.03 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.05) per 10 dB Lden. Thresholds were observed at around 50-55 and 55-60 dB Lden, respectively, above which there was an approximate 10% risk increase per 10 dB Lden increment for both outcomes. However, linear associations only occurred in participants with measured obesity markers and were strongly influenced by the largest cohort. Similar risk estimates as for road traffic noise were found for railway noise, with no clear thresholds. For aircraft noise, results were uncertain due to the low number of exposed participants. Conclusion: Our results support an association between road traffic and railway noise and obesity.

Hip fractures in patients with primary aldosteronism - a Swedish nationwide study.

In this large population-based matched cohort study, patients with primary aldosteronism were at increased risk of hip fracture, particularly subgroups traditionally considered at higher risk of osteoporosis such as women, patients older than 56 years at diagnosis, patients with established cardiovascular disease at diagnosis, and patients treated with MRA. PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with dysregulated bone homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of hip fractures in patients with PA. METHODS: We studied a nationwide cohort of 2419 patients with PA (1997-2019) and 24 187 age and sex matched controls from the general population. Hip fractures were identified by ICD codes in the Swedish National Patient Register. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for incident hip fractures, adjusted for prior fractures, socioeconomic factors, diabetes, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pairwise subgroup comparisons were performed by age (18-56 and > 56 years), sex, CVD at baseline, and treatment for PA. RESULTS: During a mean follow up of 8 ± 5 years, 64 (2.6%) patients had a hip fracture after being diagnosed with PA, compared to 401 (1.7%) controls. After adjustments, PA was associated with a 55% increased risk of hip fracture compared to controls (HR 1.55 [1.18-2.03]). HRs were increased in women (HR 1.76 [95% CI 1.24-2.52]), patients aged > 56 years (HR 1.62 [95% CI 1.21-2.17]), and patients with CVD at diagnosis (HR 2.15 [95% CI 1.37-3.37]). PA patients treated with adrenalectomy did not have higher risk than controls (HR 0.84 [95% CI 0.35-2.0]), while patients treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) retained a greater risk (HR 1.84 [95% CI 1.20-2.83]). CONCLUSION: PA is associated with increased hip fracture risk, especially in women, patients diagnosed after the age of 56 years and patients with established CVD at diagnosis. Also, patients treated with MRA seem to have an increased risk of hip fractures, while adrenalectomy may be protective.

Tea and coffee consumption and risk of acute stroke: The INTERSTROKE Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading global cause of death and disability. Daily tea/coffee intake is consumed by > 50% of populations and may represent an important population-level exposure. Therefore, it is first essential that we better understand the associations between the tea/coffee intake and stroke. AIMS: This research aims to generate hypotheses about the global associations between tea and coffee intake and stroke. These insights will identify interventions for stroke prevention that can be further explored using alternative study designs. METHODS: INTERSTROKE is a large international matched case-control study of first stroke from 32 countries. Participants were asked "how many cups do you drink each day?" of coffee, green tea, black tea, and other tea. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between intake and stroke. RESULTS: We included 13,462 cases and 13,488 controls from INTERSTROKE; mean age was 61.7 (13.4) years and 59.6% (n = 16,010) were male. Overall, 19.4% (n = 5239) did not consume tea/coffee, 47.0% (n = 12,666) consumed tea only, 14.9% (n = 4024) consumed coffee alone, and 18.6% (n = 5021) consumed both, with significant regional variations. After multivariable adjustment, there was no association between low/moderate coffee intake and stroke, but high consumption (> 4/day) was associated with higher odds of all stroke (OR = 1.37 (95% CI = 1.06-1.77)) or ischemic stroke (OR = 1.32 (95% CI = 1.00-1.74)). Tea consumption was associated with lower odds of all (OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.69-0.94) for highest intake) or ischemic stroke (OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.68-0.98) for highest intake). CONCLUSIONS: High coffee consumption was associated with higher odds of all or ischemic stroke; low-moderate coffee had no association with stroke. In contrast, tea consumption was associated with lower odds of stroke. These associations suggest that individuals consider avoiding high coffee consumption (⩾ five cups/day) to impact future stroke risk. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: The design and rationale of INTERSTROKE was published previously. Individual participant data, or other documents are not available.

Risk of heart failure in inflammatory bowel disease: a Swedish population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dysregulation of inflammatory and immune responses has been implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). But even if inflammation is a prerequisite for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), little is known about HF risk in IBD. METHODS: In this Swedish nationwide cohort, patients with biopsy-confirmed IBD were identified between 1969 and 2017 [n = 81 749, Crohn's disease (CD, n = 24 303), ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 45 709), and IBD-unclassified (IBD-U, n = 11 737)]. Each patient was matched with up to five general population reference individuals (n = 382 190) and IBD-free full siblings (n = 95 239) and followed until 31 December 2019. Flexible parametric survival models estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and standardized cumulative incidence for HF, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: There were 5582 incident HF identified in IBD patients (incidence rate [IR]: 50.3/10 000 person-years) and 20 343 in reference individuals (IR: 37.9) during a median follow-up of 12.4 years. IBD patients had a higher risk of HF than reference individuals (aHR 1.19, 95% CI 1.15-1.23). This increased risk remained significant ≥20 years after IBD diagnosis, leading to one extra HF case per 130 IBD patients until then. The increased risk was also observed across IBD subtypes: CD (IR: 46.9 vs. 34.4; aHR 1.28 [1.20-1.36]), UC (IR: 50.1 vs. 39.7; aHR 1.14 [1.09-1.19]), and IBD-U (IR: 60.9 vs. 39.0; aHR 1.28 [1.16-1.42]). Sibling-controlled analyses showed slightly attenuated association (IBD: aHR 1.10 [1.03-1.19]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD had a moderately higher risk of developing HF for ≥20 years after IBD diagnosis than the general population.

Heart disease in pregnancy and risk of pre-eclampsia: a Swedish register-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pre-eclampsia complicates 3-5% of pregnancies worldwide and is associated with adverse outcomes for the mother and the offspring. Pre-eclampsia and heart failure have common risk factors, including hypertension, obesity and diabetes. It is not known whether heart failure increases the risk of pre-eclampsia. This study examines whether pregestational heart failure increases the risk of pre-eclampsia. METHODS: In a registry-based case-cohort study that included all pregnancies in Sweden (n=3 125 527) between 1990 and 2019, all pregnancies with pre-eclampsia (n=90 354) were identified and up to five control pregnancies (n=451 466) for each case were chosen, matched on the mother's birth year. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of heart failure on the risk of pre-eclampsia, with adjustment for established risk factors and other cardiovascular diseases. RESULTS: Women with heart failure had no increased risk for pre-eclampsia, OR 1.02 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.50). Women with valvular heart disease had an increased OR of preterm pre-eclampsia, with an adjusted OR of 1.78 (95% CI 1.04 to 3.06). Hypertension and diabetes were independent risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Obesity, multifetal pregnancies, in vitro fertilisation, older age, Nordic origin and nulliparity were more common among women who developed pre-eclampsia compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Women with heart failure do not have an increased risk of pre-eclampsia. However, women with valvular heart disease prior to pregnancy have an increased risk of developing preterm pre-eclampsia independent of other known risk factors.

Blood pressure variability in acute stroke: Risk factors and association with functional outcomes at 1 month.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Blood pressure variability, in acute stroke, may be an important modifiable determinant of functional outcome after stroke. In a large international cohort of participants with acute stroke, it was sought to determine the association of blood pressure variability (in the early period of admission) and functional outcomes, and to explore risk factors for increased blood pressure variability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: INTERSTROKE is an international case-control study of risk factors for first acute stroke. Blood pressure was recorded at the time of admission, the morning after admission and the time of interview in cases (median time from admission 36.7 h). Multivariable ordinal regression analysis was employed to determine the association of blood pressure variability (standard deviation [SD] and coefficient of variance) with modified Rankin score at 1-month follow-up, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for blood pressure variability. RESULTS: Amongst 13,206 participants, the mean age was 62.19 ± 13.58 years. When measured by SD, both systolic blood pressure variability (odds ratio 1.13; 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.24 for SD ≥20 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure variability (odds ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.26 for SD ≥10 mmHg) were associated with a significant increase in the odds of poor functional outcome. The highest coefficient of variance category was not associated with a significant increase in risk of higher modified Rankin score at 1 month. Increasing age, female sex, high body mass index, history of hypertension, alcohol use, and high urinary potassium and low urinary sodium excretion were associated with increased blood pressure variability. CONCLUSION: Increased blood pressure variability in acute stroke, measured by SD, is associated with an increased risk of poor functional outcome at 1 month. Potentially modifiable risk factors for increased blood pressure variability include low urinary sodium excretion.

Associations of the glycaemic index and the glycaemic load with risk of type 2 diabetes in 127 594 people from 20 countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The association between the glycaemic index and the glycaemic load with type 2 diabetes incidence is controversial. We aimed to evaluate this association in an international cohort with diverse glycaemic index and glycaemic load diets. METHODS: The PURE study is a prospective cohort study of 127 594 adults aged 35-70 years from 20 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries. Diet was assessed at baseline using country-specific validated food frequency questionnaires. The glycaemic index and the glycaemic load were estimated on the basis of the intake of seven categories of carbohydrate-containing foods. Participants were categorised into quintiles of glycaemic index and glycaemic load. The primary outcome was incident type 2 diabetes. Multivariable Cox Frailty models with random intercepts for study centre were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs). FINDINGS: During a median follow-up of 11·8 years (IQR 9·0-13·0), 7326 (5·7%) incident cases of type 2 diabetes occurred. In multivariable adjusted analyses, a diet with a higher glycaemic index was significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes (quintile 5 vs quintile 1; HR 1·15 [95% CI 1·03-1·29]). Participants in the highest quintile of the glycaemic load had a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes compared with those in the lowest quintile (HR 1·21, 95% CI 1·06-1·37). The glycaemic index was more strongly associated with diabetes among individuals with a higher BMI (quintile 5 vs quintile 1; HR 1·23 [95% CI 1·08-1·41]) than those with a lower BMI (quintile 5 vs quintile 1; 1·10 [0·87-1·39]; p interaction=0·030). INTERPRETATION: Diets with a high glycaemic index and a high glycaemic load were associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a multinational cohort spanning five continents. Our findings suggest that consuming low glycaemic index and low glycaemic load diets might prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. FUNDING: Full funding sources are listed at the end of the Article.

Tobacco use and risk of acute stroke in 32 countries in the INTERSTROKE study: a case-control study.

Background: Smoking is a major risk factor for the global burden of stroke. We have previously reported a global population attributable risk (PAR) of stroke of 12.4% associated with current smoking. In this study we aimed to explore the association of current tobacco use with different types of tobacco exposure and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on the risk of stroke and stroke subtypes, and by regions and country income levels. Methods: The INTERSTROKE study is a case-control study of acute first stroke and was undertaken with 13,462 stroke cases and 13,488 controls recruited between January 11, 2007 and August 8, 2015 in 32 countries worldwide. Association of risk of tobacco use and ETS exposure were analysed with overall stroke, ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and with TOAST etiological stroke subtypes (large vessel, small vessel, cardioembolism, and undetermined). Findings: Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of all stroke (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% CI 1.46-1.84), and had a stronger association with ischemic stroke (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.61-2.11) than ICH (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.00-1.41). The OR and PAR of stroke among current smokers varied significantly between regions and income levels with high income countries (HIC) having the highest odds (OR 3.02 95% CI 2.24-4.10) and PAR (18.6%, 15.1-22.8%). Among etiological subtypes of ischemic stroke, the strongest association of current smoking was seen for large vessel stroke (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.63-2.87) and undetermined cause (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.55-2.50). Both filtered (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.50-1.99) and non-filtered (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.79-3.77) cigarettes were associated with stroke risk. ETS exposure increased the risk of stroke in a dose-dependent manner, exposure for more than 10 h per week increased risk for all stroke (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.69-2.27), ischemic stroke (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.59-2.24) and ICH (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.60-2.50). Interpretation: There are significant variations in the magnitude of risk and PAR of stroke according to the types of tobacco used, active and ETS exposure, and countries with different income levels. Specific strategies to discourage tobacco use by any form and to build a smoke free environment should be implemented to ease the global burden of stroke. Funding: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Stroke Network, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, The Health & Medical Care Committee of the Regional Executive Board, Region Västra Götaland, and through unrestricted grants from several pharmaceutical companies with major contributions from Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada), Pfizer (Canada), MERCK, Sharp and Dohme, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, UK Chest, and UK Heart and Stroke.

Pre-morbid sleep disturbance and its association with stroke severity: results from the international INTERSTROKE study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whilst sleep disturbances are associated with stroke, their association with stroke severity is less certain. In the INTERSTROKE study, the association of pre-morbid sleep disturbance with stroke severity and functional outcome following stroke was evaluated. METHODS: INTERSTROKE is an international case-control study of first acute stroke. This analysis included cases who completed a standardized questionnaire concerning nine symptoms of sleep disturbance (sleep onset latency, duration, quality, nocturnal awakening, napping duration, whether a nap was planned, snoring, snorting and breathing cessation) in the month prior to stroke (n = 2361). Two indices were derived representing sleep disturbance (range 0-9) and obstructive sleep apnoea (range 0-3) symptoms. Logistic regression was used to estimate the magnitude of association between symptoms and stroke severity defined by the modified Rankin Score. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 62.9 years, and 42% were female. On multivariable analysis, there was a graded association between increasing number of sleep disturbance symptoms and initially severe stroke (2-3, odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.94; 4-5, OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.23-2.25; >5, OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.83-3.66). Having >5 sleep disturbance symptoms was associated with significantly increased odds of functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01-2.34). A higher obstructive sleep apnoea score was also associated with significantly increased odds of initially severe stroke (2-3, OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.20-1.83) but not functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.93-1.52). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbance symptoms were common and associated with an increased odds of severe stroke and functional deterioration. Interventions to modify sleep disturbance may help prevent disabling stroke/improve functional outcomes and should be the subject of future research.