Fruit, vegetable and dietary antioxidant intake in school age, respiratory health up to young adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Dietary antioxidants may protect the lung against oxidative damage and prevent chronic respiratory disease. We aimed to investigate fruit, vegetable and antioxidant intake (measured as total antioxidant capacity, TAC) at age 8 years in relation to asthma and lung function up to 24 years. METHODS: In this study of 2506 participants from a Swedish birth cohort, diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires. Information on asthma was collected by questionnaires, and lung function was measured by spirometry at ages 8, 16 and 24 years. Generalized estimating equations and mixed effect models were used to assess overall, age- and sex-specific associations. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounders, a higher fruit intake at age 8 years was associated with a tendency to reduced odds of prevalent asthma (T3 vs. T1, OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.60-1.01, p-trend .083), with reduced odds of incident asthma and increased odds of remittent asthma (≥median, OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99 and OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.05-2.42, respectively) up to 24 years. Comparable, but non-significant, odds ratios were observed in analyses of long-term fruit intake (mean intake at ages 8 and 16 years). In contrast, no association was observed with vegetable intake. A higher dietary TAC (T3 vs. T1) at 8 years was associated with reduced odds of prevalent asthma (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58-0.93, p-trend .010) and improved lung function development (FEV1 -z +0.11; 95% CI 0.01-0.21, p-trend .036 and FVC-z +0.09; 95% CI -0.01-0.20, p-trend .072) up to 24 years. Associations were more pronounced among males, and regarding asthma, participants sensitized to aeroallergens. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant intake in school age may improve asthma and lung function up to young adulthood. Although our results should be interpreted with caution, they emphasize the importance of following current dietary guidelines regarding consumption of antioxidant-rich foods as part of a balanced diet.

Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in childhood, FADS genotype and incident asthma.

Longitudinal evidence on the relation between dietary intake of n-3 (ω-3) very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in mid-childhood and asthma risk is scarce. We aimed to investigate whether a higher intake of EPA and DHA from fish in childhood is associated with a lower risk of incident asthma.In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, dietary intakes of EPA and DHA from fish were estimated by food frequency questionnaire at 7 years of age. We used logistic regression, controlling for confounders, to analyse associations between intake of EPA and DHA (quartiles) and incidence of doctor-diagnosed asthma at age 11 or 14 years, and explored potential effect modification by a fatty acid desaturase (FADS) polymorphism (rs1535). Replication was sought in the Swedish BAMSE birth cohort.There was no evidence of association between intake of EPA plus DHA from fish and incident asthma overall (n=4543). However, when stratified by FADS genotype, the odds ratio comparing the top versus bottom quartile among the 2025 minor G allele carriers was 0.49 (95% CI 0.31-0.79; ptrend=0.006), but no inverse association was observed in the homozygous major A allele group (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.83-2.46; ptrend=0.19) (pinteraction=0.006). This gene-nutrient interaction on incident asthma was replicated in BAMSE.In children with a common FADS variant, higher intake of EPA and DHA from fish in childhood was strongly associated with a lower risk of incident asthma up to mid-adolescence.

Dietary antioxidant intake in school age and lung function development up to adolescence.

Dietary antioxidant intake has been hypothesised to influence lung function. The association between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet at age 8 years and lung function development up to 16 years in 2307 participants from the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology) was investigated.Information on TAC was obtained from a food frequency questionnaire at 8 years. Lung function was measured by spirometry at 8 and 16 years, impulse oscillometry (IOS) and exhaled nitric oxide fraction (F eNO) at 16 years. Low lung function was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) z-score below the 25th percentile. Longitudinal associations between TAC and lung function were analysed by mixed effect models adjusted for potential confounders. Stratification by asthma at 8 years was performed to examine effect modification.The median TAC intake was 10 067 µmol Trolox equivalents (TE)·g-1, with males having a lower mean compared to females (9963 versus 10 819 µmol TE·g-1). In analyses of lung function change between 8 and 16 years, there were no statistically significant associations between TAC in tertiles and spirometry results for the total study population. Among children with asthma at 8 years (prevalence 7%), higher TAC was associated with higher mean FEV1 (0.46 sd, 95% CI 0.11-0.80) and decreased odds of low lung function at 16 years (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.65). There were no associations between TAC and forced vital capacity or IOS/F eNO results.High dietary antioxidant intake in school age may be associated with improved lung function development from school age to adolescence among children with asthma.

Impact of economic crises on offspring health and the developmental origins of health and disease concept.

There is emerging evidence that economic crises may impact long-term health. Furthermore, adversity experienced by women and their offspring might be transmitted to next generations. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) approach emphasises the importance of early life events for the state of health and risk for disease later in life. In this review, we discuss current evidence on the possible impact of economic crises on offspring health through the DOHaD framework and highlight the importance of critical periods of development for future disease risk. Therefore, successful interventions should prioritise strategies that address early life risk factors.

Dietary fibre in relation to lung function and respiratory symptoms from childhood to adulthood.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest beneficial associations between dietary fibre intake, lung function and chronic respiratory symptoms in adults. Our aim was to investigate the association between dietary fibre intake in childhood and respiratory health up to adulthood. Methods: The individual fibre intake of 1956 participants from the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE was estimated from 98- and 107-item food frequency questionnaires at ages 8 and 16 years, respectively. At 8, 16 and 24 years, lung function was measured by spirometry. Respiratory symptoms (cough, mucus production, breathing difficulties/wheeze) were assessed by questionnaires, and airway inflammation by exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FENO) (≥25 ppb) at 24 years. Longitudinal associations with lung function were analysed by mixed-effects linear regression; associations with respiratory symptoms and airway inflammation were analysed by logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: There were no associations between fibre intake at 8 years, as total and from different sources, spirometry measurements and respiratory symptoms at 24 years. Higher fruit fibre intake tended to be inversely associated with airway inflammation at 24 years (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.48-1.00), which became non-significant after exclusion of participants with food-related allergic symptoms (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.49-1.10). No associations between fibre intake at 8 and 16 years as an updated lagged exposure and spirometry measurements up to 24 years were observed. Conclusion: In this longitudinal study, we observed no consistent association between dietary fibre intake in childhood and lung function or respiratory symptoms up to adulthood. Further research on dietary fibre in relation to respiratory health across the life course is needed.

Dietary intake and plasma concentrations of PUFAs in childhood and adolescence in relation to asthma and lung function up to adulthood.

BACKGROUND: PUFAs may influence the risk of asthma; however, long-term prospective studies including objective biomarkers of PUFA intake are lacking. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to investigate the role of dietary intake and plasma concentrations of n-3 and n-6 (ω-3 and ω-6) PUFAs in childhood and adolescence for the development of asthma and lung function up to young adulthood. METHODS: The study included participants from the Swedish prospective birth cohort BAMSE. Dietary intake of PUFAs was calculated from FFQs (n = 1992) and plasma proportions of PUFAs were measured in phospholipids (n = 831). We analyzed the n-3 PUFA α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3); the sum of very-long-chain (VLC) n-3 PUFAs: EPA (20:5n-3), DHA (22:6n-3), and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3); and the n-6 PUFAs linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) and arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6). Asthma was assessed by questionnaires at 8, 16, and 24 y and lung function was measured by spirometry at 24 y. RESULTS: A high (≥median) self-reported dietary intake of LA at 8 y and AA at 16 y was associated with increased risk of prevalent asthma at 24 y (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.82 and OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.70, respectively). In contrast, plasma proportions of ALA, ∑VLC n-3 PUFAs, and AA at 8 y, as well as LA at 16 y, were inversely associated with prevalent asthma at 24 y (e.g., OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.81 for ∑VLC n-3 PUFAs). No consistent associations were observed with lung function. CONCLUSIONS: High dietary intake of certain n-6 PUFAs in childhood or adolescence may be associated with increased risk of asthma up to young adulthood, whereas dietary biomarkers of certain n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in plasma may be associated with decreased risk. Thus, the role of diet compared with altered metabolism of PUFAs needs further investigation to improve dietary preventive strategies for asthma.

Dietary fibre in relation to asthma, allergic rhinitis and sensitization from childhood up to adulthood.

Background: Dietary fibre may reduce the risk of allergy. Our aim was to investigate the association between fibre intake in childhood, asthma, allergic rhinitis and IgE sensitization up to adulthood. Methods: The individual fibre intake of 2285 participants from the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE was estimated between 98- and 107-item food frequency questionnaires at ages 8 and 16 years, respectively. At 8, 16 and 24 years, asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms were assessed by questionnaires, and sensitization to common allergens by serum IgE. Longitudinal associations were analysed by generalized estimating equations, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: An inverse overall association was indicated between fibre intake at 8 years and allergic rhinitis symptoms up to 24 years (OR per 5 g/d 0.86; 95% CI 0.77-0.96), particularly in combination with airborne (0.74; 0.62-0.89) and food (0.69; 0.54-0.88) allergen sensitization. Higher fibre intake was also associated with specific allergen sensitization, for example, birch (0.77; 0.67-0.88) and soy (0.68; 0.53-0.87). No association was observed with asthma. Regarding sources, fruit (0.79; 0.67-0.94) and other (potatoes, chips/popcorn, legumes, and nuts, 0.71; 0.50-0.99), but not cereal or vegetable fibre were associated with allergic rhinitis. In additional analyses, including long-term fibre intake at 8 and 16 years, excluding participants with food-related allergic symptoms to examine reverse causation, as well as adjusting for antioxidant intake, associations were attenuated and became non-significant. Conclusion: Higher fibre intake in mid-childhood may be inversely associated with allergic rhinitis and sensitization to specific allergens up to adulthood. However, avoidance of food triggers of allergic symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients may contribute to the protective associations.

Dietary Fibre Intake in Relation to Asthma, Rhinitis and Lung Function Impairment-A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

A high intake of dietary fibre has been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases. This study aimed to review the current evidence on dietary fibre in relation to asthma, rhinitis and lung function impairment. Electronic databases were searched in June 2021 for studies on the association between dietary fibre and asthma, rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung function. Observational studies with cross-sectional, case-control or prospective designs were included. Studies on animals, case studies and intervention studies were excluded. The quality of the evidence from individual studies was evaluated using the RoB-NObs tool. The World Cancer Research Fund criteria were used to grade the strength of the evidence. Twenty studies were included in this systematic review, of which ten were cohort studies, eight cross-sectional and two case-control studies. Fibre intake during pregnancy or childhood was examined in three studies, while seventeen studies examined the intake during adulthood. There was probable evidence for an inverse association between dietary fibre and COPD and suggestive evidence for a positive association with lung function. However, the evidence regarding asthma and rhinitis was limited and inconsistent. Further research is needed on dietary fibre intake and asthma, rhinitis and lung function among adults and children.

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage, policies, and practical implementation across Europe.

BACKGROUND: Our objectives were to describe Human Papillomavirus vaccination coverage rates (HPV-VCR), policies, and practical steps for programme implementation that may be linked to high uptake in the population targeted by routine programmes across 30 European Union/European Economic Area Member States and Switzerland. METHODS: Information from institutional websites and from articles indexed in Medline between 01/2006 and 01/2017 was reviewed and extracted using a standardised form. In 12/2017, a cross-sectional survey was administered to national experts, in order to update the compiled information. RESULTS: Data were available in 31 countries, and validated by national experts in 28 of them. National vaccination programmes targeted girls 9-15 years of age in 30 countries and boys in 11 countries. HPV-VCR in girls was monitored in 25 countries: VCR was reported ≥71%(high) in ten countries, 51-70% in seven, 31-50% in four, and ≤30%(very low) in four. In high VCR countries, HPV vaccination was mainly delivered through school health services, and invitation and reminders to attend for vaccination were used. In areas with very low VCR, vaccination tended to be opportunistic and no reminders were used. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, school delivery within structured vaccination programmes and the use of reminders tended to be associated with highest HPV-VCR.

Quantifying outcome misclassification in multi-database studies: The case study of pertussis in the ADVANCE project.

BACKGROUND: The Accelerated Development of VAccine beNefit-risk Collaboration in Europe (ADVANCE) is a public-private collaboration aiming to develop and test a system for rapid benefit-risk (B/R) monitoring of vaccines using European healthcare databases. Event misclassification can result in biased estimates. Using different algorithms for identifying cases of Bordetella pertussis (BorPer) infection as a test case, we aimed to describe a strategy to quantify event misclassification, when manual chart review is not feasible. METHODS: Four participating databases retrieved data from primary care (PC) setting: BIFAP: (Spain), THIN and RCGP RSC (UK) and PEDIANET (Italy); SIDIAP (Spain) retrieved data from both PC and hospital settings. BorPer algorithms were defined by healthcare setting, data domain (diagnoses, drugs, or laboratory tests) and concept sets (specific or unspecified pertussis). Algorithm- and database-specific BorPer incidence rates (IRs) were estimated in children aged 0-14 years enrolled in 2012 and 2014 and followed up until the end of each calendar year and compared with IRs of confirmed pertussis from the ECDC surveillance system (TESSy). Novel formulas were used to approximate validity indices, based on a small set of assumptions. They were applied to approximately estimate positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivity in SIDIAP. RESULTS: The number of cases and the estimated BorPer IRs per 100,000 person-years in PC, using data representing 3,173,268 person-years, were 0 (IR = 0.0), 21 (IR = 4.3), 21 (IR = 5.1), 79 (IR = 5.7), and 2 (IR = 2.3) in BIFAP, SIDIAP, THIN, RCGP RSC and PEDIANET respectively. The IRs for combined specific/unspecified pertussis were higher than TESSy, suggesting that some false positives had been included. In SIDIAP the estimated IR was 45.0 when discharge diagnoses were included. The sensitivity and PPV of combined PC specific and unspecific diagnoses for BorPer cases in SIDIAP were approximately 85% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Retrieving BorPer cases using only specific concepts has low sensitivity in PC databases, while including cases retrieved by unspecified concepts introduces false positives, which were approximately estimated to be 28% in one database. The share of cases that cannot be retrieved from a PC database because they are only seen in hospital was approximately estimated to be 15% in one database. This study demonstrated that quantifying the impact of different event-finding algorithms across databases and benchmarking with disease surveillance data can provide approximate estimates of algorithm validity.

Twins and socioeconomic factors: changes in the last 20 years.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic factors associated with twins/multiples have been sparsely studied. METHODS: Data, regarding twin out of total births from 1996 to 2015, were extracted from databases of the Hellenic Statistical Authority and analyzed. RESULTS: Twinning rate in Greece has increased from 1996 and onwards, in parallel with advanced maternal age and decline in total births. Higher twin rates are associated with higher maternal education, better paid parental occupations, and thus wealthier families, married maternal status, while immigrants present a lower twinning rate than Greeks. Lastly, the years of the economic crisis, starting in the year 2008 and still continuing, are characterized by a higher percentage of twins. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings should be mainly attributed to the postponement of fertility, as well as the treatment of infertility with transfer of multiple embryos, when assisted reproductive technologies are applied.

Cluster of late preterm and term neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis symptomatology: descriptive and case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cluster of late preterm and term neonates (gestational age ≥34 weeks). METHODS: We conducted a descriptive and a case-control study. Medical records of neonates with modified Bell stage ≥ IB NEC and matched controls were reviewed, in addition to microbiological and environmental investigation. Study variables included maternal/delivery and neonatal factors, medications, procedures and feeding practices. Univariable/multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for all and for stage ≥ II cases. RESULTS: Out of 1841 late preterm and term neonates, 10 stage IB and 10 stage ≥ II [mean(SD) birthweight 2529.3 (493.04) g, gestational age 36.96 (1.48) weeks] presented with NEC symptomatology at mean 4.6 (range 2-8) days. Nearly all (19/20) resulted from high-risk pregnancies and received postpartum intermediate care. All were exclusively or partly formula fed. Most (14/20) were born by cesarean delivery. Eight underwent surgery, with no fatality. Intermediate care (p = 0.006), transient tachypnea (p = 0.049), not receiving breast milk (p = 0.019) and in addition intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (p = 0.017) for stage ≥ II cases were independently associated with NEC. CONCLUSIONS: Late preterm and term neonates in need of intermediate care, with IUGR and transient tachypnea were susceptible to NEC; feeding with breast milk was an important protective factor.