The risk factor profile of grandparents.

In the Lifeways Cross Generation Cohort Study, mothers were asked to recruit at least one of 4 potential living grandparents to the study, and 1177 grandparents became active participants who either completed a health status questionnaire only (n = 707), or subsequently underwent a cardiovascular risk assessment examination at home (n = 958). Mean age of grandfathers at baseline was 61.5 years (SD 10.3), of grandmothers 59.2 years (SD 9.1), with a range of 40-83 years, 21% of grandmothers and 16% of grandfathers were third level educated. Risk factor profile of grandparents tended to be more adverse than the general population as assessed by the standard cardiovascular risk factor SCORE. Grandparents' socio-demographic characteristics were similar, whether maternal or paternal in origin. Predictors of positive self-rated health were non smoking (OR 1.5, p = 0.06) and non GMS eligibility (OR 1.99, p < 0.001). At four year follow-up, complete general practice data were available for 285 of 488 respondents with full recruitment data (58.4%). Increased GP utilisation pattern was predicted by baseline morbidity characteristics, though heavier male drinkers were less likely to attend.

Mothers' dietary patterns during pregnancy and risk of asthma symptoms in children at 3 years.

There is increasing evidence that dietary factors in early life play a role in the aetiology of childhood asthma. Our objective in this analysis was to assess whether maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy, as measured by a validated food frequency questionnaire, influenced general practitioner diagnosis of asthma by the age of 3 years in the Life-ways cohort of children. General Practice follow-up records were available for 631 of 1001 singleton children, twins having been excluded (63% follow-up rate). Overall 10.4% of children had diagnosed asthma, a prevalence rate comparable with other studies. In logistic regression models, based on quartiles of intake, which adjusted for maternal lifestyle and socio-economic circumstances, relatively higher maternal fruit and vegetable intake and oily fish consumption were associated with lower risk of children developing asthma, whilst those with relatively higher spreadable fat intake had a higher risk of asthma. These findings warrant further investigation as they imply an important role for maternal diet in childhood asthma, though the confounding effect of other social and lifestyle factors should be assessed as the children get older.

Predictors of poor self-rated health at area level in the Eastern Regional Health Authority: a multilevel analysis.

In this analysis, employing 2002 data from SLAN Survey of Lifestyles, Attitudes and Nutrition and mortality data from the Eastern region of the Republic of Ireland, we examined predictors of area level variability in self-rated health across 101 electoral divisions (ED)s. Overall 11.5% of 1500 participants reported fair or poor health. We found area level variation in poor self-rated health (0.0357 (SE 0.160), p = 0.03), which was related significantly to area-level standardised mortality ratio. Odds of poor self-rated health, adjusted for age and sex were 1.55 (95% CI 0.89, 2.71) in average SMR areas and 2.61 (95% CI 1.38, 4.92) in high SMR areas compared to low SMR areas. Adjusted models for age, sex, general medical services eligibility, an established proxy for income, problems in the neighbourhood and smoking rates largely explained any variability, suggesting a strong role for individual disadvantage in predicting health status, regardless of area, in Ireland.

Predictors of self-reported poor mental health at area level in Ireland: a multilevel analysis of deprivation and social capital indicators.

The 2002 National Survey of Lifestyle Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN) data on self-reported mental health for 5992 adults living in 328 Electoral Divisions across Ireland. The aim of this analysis was to determine if there was significant variance in self-reported mental health at Electoral Division (ED) level, and to determine whether this could be explained by social capital and sociodemographic factors at individual or ED level. 25.0% of respondents reported poor mental health. There was significant variability at ED level (variance 0.123 SE 0.034). Controlling for individual-level social and demographic variables did not affect the variability at ED level (variance 0.131, SE 0.050). People living in rural areas were less likely to report poor mental health and were more likely to report high levels of trust, which independently reduced the risk of reporting poor mental health and significantly reduced the variability at ED level (variance 0.046 SE 0.043). Indicators of social capital may reflect well-preserved community networks and support but are not necessarily related to material or social disadvantage.

A single-centre assessment of long-term quality-of-life status after sibling allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia in first chronic phase.

A total of 75 patients underwent sibling allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for chronic myeloid leukaemia in first chronic phase from 1984 to 2000. Of these patients, 51 (68%) were alive at a median follow-up of 98 months (range 34-217 months). Nine (18%) patients relapsed and seven (14%) received donor lymphocyte transfusions. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed cross-sectionally using the EORTC QLQ-C30, a Leukaemia-BMT-specific module and questionnaires on sexual functioning, fertility and late effects. A total of 46 (90%) replied. Scores for Role (P=0.018) and Cognitive (P<0.001) function were significantly lower when compared to an age-adjusted general population. Dyspnoea (P=0.022) and Financial Difficulties (P<0.001) were significantly more common in the SCT group. No difference was found for scores in the Physical, Emotional and Social domains or the overall Global Health Status/QoL. Decreased sexual functioning was found in one-third of respondents. Although most BMT recipients reported a good QoL, a minority have difficulty with reintegration into professional roles and consequent monetary problems. Identified cognitive and sexual impairments highlight the need for long-term access to psychosocial support.

Leptospirosis in the South-Eastern Health Board region of the Republic of Ireland: 1990 to 1996.

The South-Eastern Health Board (SEHB) has the highest annual incidence of leptospirosis in the Republic of Ireland (12.3/million according to hospital inpatient enquiry data; 10.4/million by serology). Discharge diagnosis correlates strongly with numbers of cattle, but not of other livestock, which may indicate a true association with leptospirosis or may reflect an increased clinical suspicion in areas where livestock are prevalent.