Consumption of Dietary Supplements among Working-Age Residents of Lithuania in the Period from 2021 to 2023.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of dietary supplements (DS) among working-age residents of Lithuania from 2021 to 2023 with respect to social and demographic factors and an assessment of personal health. Materials and Methods: Using stratified sampling techniques, this study included three samples of working-age residents (1600 each year, 4800 total). Three surveys were conducted, the distribution of the respondents between groups was compared using the χ2 test. Results: The consumption of DS significantly differed each year and accounted for 78.1%, 71.6%, and 72.7% of the respondents, respectively (p < 0.05). In 2022, the prevalence of the consumption of DS was lower in the majority of social and demographic groups (p < 0.05). In 2023, it was higher among females, younger residents, and those from larger families, who suffered from COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Despite similar changes found in the consumption of DS among those who negatively assessed their health, this group showed more prevalent consumption of DS among residents with non-university education, unemployed respondents, and those with lower income (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Despite a significantly lower prevalence in the consumption of DS in 2022, it was higher again in 2023. The assessment of personal health shows different habits in the consumption of DS.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Consumption of Dietary Supplements among Adult Residents of Lithuania.

In the light of the changing pattern of the consumption of dietary supplements among adults in other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, we aim to assess the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements with respect to the purpose of consumption and sociodemographic factors among adults in Lithuania. This study included two samples of adults from Lithuania: 870 in 2019 and 1600 in 2021. Anonymous original questionnaires were used to collect the data about the consumption of dietary supplements before and during the pandemic. The consumption of dietary supplements was prevalent among 67.2% and 78.1% of the samples, respectively. Although the majority (73.7%) of the respondents indicated that the pandemic had no effect on their use of dietary supplements, every fourth respondent's (24.6%) consumption increased. In 2021, the consumption was more prevalent among females, respondents with university education, urban citizens, employed respondents, respondents without children, with higher income, and those who knew a person with COVID-19 (p < 0.05). During the pandemic, the strengthening of the immune system and the body were the leading reasons for consumption (49.0% and 43.5%, respectively). The consumption of dietary supplements appropriate for these purposes increased among 63.3% and 66.9% of respondents, respectively. To conclude, the consumption of dietary supplements among adults in Lithuania increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trends in Pancreatic Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Lithuania, 1998-2015.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. The aim of this study was to examine the time trends in the incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer for the period of 1998-2015 for the first time in Lithuania by sex, age, subsite, and stage. METHODS: This study was based on all cases (deaths) of pancreatic cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2015. Age-standardized incidence (mortality) rates and group-specific rates were calculated for each sex using the direct method (European Standard). TNM classification-based information reported to the cancer registry was grouped into three categories: (1) localized cancer: T1-3/N0/M0; (2) cancer with regional metastasis: any 1-3/N+/M0; (3) advanced cancer: any T/any N/M+. Joinpoint regression was used to provide annual percentage changes (APCs) and to detect points in time where statistically significant changes in the trends occurred. RESULTS: Overall, 8514 pancreatic cancer cases (4364 in men and 3150 in women) were diagnosed and 7684 persons died from cancer of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer incidence rates were considerably lower for women than for men, with a female:male ratio of 1:2. Incidence rates changed during the study period from 14.2 in 1998 to 15.0/100,000 in the year 2015 in men, and from 6.7 to 9.8/100,000 in women. Incidence rates over the study period were stable for men (APC = 0.1%) and increasing for women by 1.1% per year. Similarly, mortality rates increased in women by 0.9% per year, and were stable in men. During the study period, incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer were close. For the entire study period, rates increased significantly in the 50-74 years age group; only cancer of the head of pancreas showed a decline by 0.9%, while tail and not-specified pancreatic cancer incidence increased by 11.4% and 4.51%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing pancreatic cancer incidence trend in the Lithuanian population may be related to the prevalence of its main risk factors (smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, diet, and diabetes).

The need for information on nutrition among adolescents and adult knowledge regarding food consumption recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: The eating habits of most Lithuanian people do not adhere to the recommendations for a healthy diet. If children and adolescents were provided with the relevant information, it would not only improve their nutritional knowledge, but also their eating habits in adulthood and the subsequent health of their children. The objective of this study was to determine the need for information on nutrition among Lithuanian adolescents, the current knowledge of adults regarding recommendations for the consumption of various food groups, and the factors that influence both the need for information and the current knowledge. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted, consisting of 3,574 adolescents aged 14-18 years and 1,007 adults aged 18-75 years. Logistic regression models with confidence intervals of 95% were used to determine the influence of various socio-demographic factors on the adolescent need for information on nutrition and the adult knowledge of nutrition. RESULTS: A total of 66.7% of adolescents stated that they need information regarding nutrition, whereas 29.8% indicated that they lack such information. Significantly more girls than boys, and more students from schools in urban areas than students from schools in rural areas, expressed their need for information on nutrition. Lithuanian adults lacked knowledge of recommendations for the consumption of various food groups. Women and respondents with higher education degrees were found to have more knowledge on recommendations of the consumption of various food groups compared to men and respondents of other levels of education respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the required information on nutrition must be continuously provided via various channels to both adolescents and adults, and socio-demographic factors must be taken into account when planning public health intervention measures.

Risk of Endometrial Cancer in Women with Diabetes: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between type 2 diabetes (T2DM), use of glucose-lowering medications and endometrial cancer (EC) risk. METHODS: The risk of EC incidence among women with T2DM in Lithuania was assessed using a retrospective cohort study design. Female patients who were registered with T2DM between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012 were identified in the National Health Insurance Fund database. EC cases (ICD-10 code C54) were identified from the Lithuanian Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by dividing the observed numbers of EC among patients with T2DM by the expected number of EC, calculated using national rates. RESULTS: A total of 77,708 diabetic women were included in the analysis, and 995 cases of EC were identified. A significantly increased EC risk in diabetic women was found as compared to the general population (SIR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.59-1.80). The greatest EC risk was found among younger patients at T2DM diagnosis, and the risk declined gradually with increasing age but persisted in being significantly increased among all age groups. The risk for EC increased with increasing duration of diabetes, and the highest EC risk was observed more than 10 years after T2DM diagnosis. A significantly higher EC risk than expected from the general population was found in all patient groups by glucose-lowering medication combinations. The lowest EC risk was observed in diabetic women who were users of "oral only" (without metformin) (SIR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.83) and "metformin only" (SIR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.49-1.92) medications. A two times greater EC risk was observed among the remaining glucose-lowering medication categories. In contrast, use of insulin only was not related to a higher EC incidence risk (SIR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.23-0.86); however, the risk estimation was based on nine cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a significantly increased EC risk in diabetic women as compared to the general population. In this study, a significantly higher EC risk was found in all patient groups by glucose-lowering medication combinations, except for insulin only users.

Evaluation of public knowledge and beliefs of adverse health effects of unhealthy food and knowledge and beliefs based inequalities among various socio-demographic groups in Lithuania.

OBJECTIVES: The availability of information on healthy products does not ensure the empowerment of people with the knowledge on how to choose or avoid food products or dishes depending on unhealthy factors. Public knowledge and beliefs of unhealthy food effects on health needs to be evaluated so that appropriate measures can be taken to properly inform people and relevant socio-demographic groups. METHODS: The original survey questionnaire containing questions about specific food groups and various health effects was compiled. A total of 1,007 respondents, Lithuanian residents aged 18-75 years, were surveyed in March 2019. Multilevel stratified probability sampling method was used for data representativeness. RESULTS: Almost half of respondents (46.2%) knew that deep-fried food could cause cancer. The majority of respondents (68.4%) were aware that sugar causes obesity and 61.7% were aware that sugar increases the risk of diabetes mellitus; 41.6% (more often those living in non-rural areas) know that grilled meat may cause cancer. More than half of respondents (57.2%) (more likely those living in non-rural areas and those with a university degree) were aware that smoked meat products may cause cancer. Only 46.4% were aware of the fact that salt raises blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSION: Only about half of Lithuanian residents aged 18-75 were aware of the scientifically proven harmful effects of unhealthy food groups. Socio-demographic factors influence the knowledge and beliefs of the population.