Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Disability Retirement: A 9-Year Register Linked Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: To prospectively examine the association between physical fitness and risk of disability retirement in a large population-based cohort. METHODS: This study utilized data from Health 2011 survey Physical Activity subsample (n = 4898), combined with information on disability retirement derived from 2 national registers. In total, 2455 individuals aged 18-74 years underwent the physical fitness test protocol concerning measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and balance. The outcome variable was disability retirement, during the follow-up period of 9 years. After excluding those not at risk of disability retirement (ie, age ≥63 y) or who had already been granted disability pension, and those who had not completed the fitness protocol, the analytical sample included 1381 participants. Data were analyzed using Cox regression model with SPSS (version 29). RESULTS: During the 9-year follow-up period, 61 individuals (4.4%) transitioned to a disability retirement. Cox regression analysis showed an association between the various physical fitness subdomains and the risk of disability retirement. In model 1, all fitness tests were associated with the risk of disability retirement, except the one-leg stand test with hazard ratios ranging from 1.69 (95% CI, 0.86-3.34) to 5.75 (95% CI, 1.84-17.90). Further adjustment for sociodemographic, health behavior, and health-related covariates attenuated the associations and statistical significance was lost, except for the vertical jump test (hazard ratio = 4.33; 95% CI, 1.32-14.10) and 6-minute walk test (hazard ratio = 3.81; 95% CI, 1.35-10.70). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of physical fitness for preventing work disability.

Association between physical fitness and perceived work ability among Finnish population: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aims to examine association between different components of physical fitness and perceived work ability among working age population. METHODS: The population-based study sample included 2050 participants aged 18-74 from the Finnish national Health 2011 study. Physical fitness was assessed by the single leg stand test, the modified push-up test, the vertical jump test and the six-minute walk test, and perceived work ability was assessed via interview. Logistic regression was used for examining the associations between physical fitness and work ability. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, marital status, educational level, work characteristics, total physical activity, daily smoking, BMI and number of diseases), odds ratios indicated that good work ability was more likely among those who had better balance in single leg stand test (OR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.07-2.24), and who belonged in the high fitness thirds in six-minute walking test (OR = 2.08; 95% CI 1.24-3.49) and in vertical jump test (OR = 2.51; 95% CI 1.23-5.12) compared to lowest third. Moreover, moderate (OR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.02-3.05) to high fitness (OR = 2.87; 95% CI 1.40-5.92) in modified push-up test increased the likelihood of good work ability compared to lowest third. CONCLUSION: These study results indicate that good musculoskeletal as well as cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with better perceived work ability. Promoting physical fitness in individual and societal level may be potential targets for maintaining good work ability in working age population.

Work ability trends 2000-2020 and birth-cohort projections until 2040 in Finland.

Aims: To examine age-group and birth-cohort trends in perceived work ability in Finland in 2000-2020 and make projections of perceived work ability up to 2040 based on the observed birth-cohort development. Methods: Ten population-representative cross-sectional surveys conducted in Finland between 2000 and 2020 were used (overall N = 61,087, range 817-18,956). Self-reported estimates of current work ability in relation to the person's lifetime best on a scale from zero to ten (0-10) were classified into three groups: limited (0-5), intermediate (6-7), and good (8-10). Multiple imputation was used in projecting work ability. Results: Examining past trends by 5-year birth-cohorts born between 1961 and 1995 showed that work ability has declined steadily over time among older birth-cohorts, while in the two younger cohorts a stable development before 2017 and a steep decline between 2017 and 2020 was seen. Trends by 5-year age groups showed a declining trend of good work ability among 20-44-year-olds, a stable trend among 45-54-year-olds, and an improving trend among 55-year-olds and older was observed for the period 2000-2020. Among the under 55-year-olds the prevalence of good work ability ended up around 75% and at 68% among the 55-59-year-olds, 58% among the 60-69-year-olds and 49% among the 70-74-year-olds in 2020. Birth-cohort projections suggested a declining work ability in the future among all age groups included (30-74 years). By 2040, the prevalence of good work ability is projected to decline by 10 to 15 percentage points among 45-74-year-olds. Conclusions: The projections suggest declining work ability in the future. Efforts to counteract the decline in work ability are needed.

Serum ferritin level is associated with liver fibrosis and incident liver-related outcomes independent of HFE genotype in the general population.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hyperferritinemia reflects iron accumulation in the body and has been associated with metabolic disturbances and alcohol use, and is also a common finding in individuals diagnosed with liver disease. The major genetic regulator of iron metabolism is the HFE gene. METHODS: The aim of this this study was to investigate the association between serum ferritin and liver fibrosis using the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test, and the association between ferritin and liver-related outcomes in a Finnish population-based cohort of 6194 individuals (45% male, mean [± standard deviation] age, 52.9 ± 14.9 years; body mass index 26.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2). The effects of HFE variants on these associations were also evaluated. RESULTS: Serum ferritin levels were significantly associated with liver fibrosis, as estimated by enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test in weighted linear regression analysis. Serum ferritin was significantly associated with both all liver-related outcomes (n = 92) and severe liver-related outcomes (n = 54) in weighted Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 SD, 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.21]; p = 0.012 and HR 1.11 [95% CI 1.02-1.21]; p = 0.013, respectively). However, there was association neither between HFE risk variants and ELF test nor between HFE risk variants and liver-related outcomes. CONCLUSION: Serum ferritin levels were associated with liver fibrosis and incident liver disease, independent of HFE genotype in the general population. Furthermore, data demonstrated that metabolic disturbances and alcohol use were major risk factors for hyperferritinemia.

Erratum to: "Enhanced Liver Fibrosis® test predicts liver-related outcomes in the general population" (JHEP Reports 2023; 5: 100765).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100765.].

Waist-hip ratio is superior to BMI in predicting liver-related outcomes and synergizes with harmful alcohol use.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with liver disease, but the best obesity-related predictor remains undefined. Controversy exists regarding possible synergism between obesity and alcohol use for liver-related outcomes (LRO). We assessed the predictive performance for LROs, and synergism with alcohol use, of abdominal obesity (waist-hip ratio, WHR), and compared it to overall obesity (body mass index, BMI). METHODS: Forty-thousand nine-hundred twenty-two adults attending the Finnish health-examination surveys, FINRISK 1992-2012 and Health 2000 studies, were followed through linkage with electronic healthcare registries for LROs (hospitalizations, cancers, and deaths). Predictive performance of obesity measures (WHR, waist circumference [WC], and BMI) were assessed by Fine-Gray models and time-dependent area-under-the-curve (AUC). RESULTS: There are 355 LROs during a median follow-up of 12.9 years (509047.8 person-years). WHR and WC emerge as more powerful predictors of LROs than BMI. WHR shows significantly better 10-year AUC values for LROs (0.714, 95% CI 0.685-0.743) than WC (0.648, 95% CI 0.617-0.679) or BMI (0.550, 95% CI 0.514-0.585) both overall and separately among men and women. WHR is predictive also in BMI strata. Absolute 10-year risks of LROs are more dependent on WHR than BMI. Moreover, WHR shows a significant supra-additive interaction effect with harmful alcohol use for liver-related outcomes (excess 10-year cumulative incidence of 2.8% from the interaction), which is not seen between BMI and harmful alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: WHR is a better predictor than BMI or WC for LROs, and WHR better reflects the synergism with harmful alcohol use. WHR should be included in clinical assessment when evaluating obesity-related risks for liver outcomes.

Obesity has been linked to liver disease, but the most accurate measure for predicting obesity-related liver disease outcomes remains uncertain. In this study, we analyzed data from over 40,000 adults to compare the extent to which different measures of obesity can predict liver-related outcomes, such as severe liver disease, liver failure, or death from liver disease. The measures of obesity were the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference (waist-hip ratio, WHR), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI). Our findings reveal that WHR and WC are stronger predictors of these outcomes than BMI. In particular, WHR demonstrated superior predictive ability and this predictive ability was influenced by harmful alcohol use. This study suggests that WHR may be a relatively simple but useful measure for clinicians to use when predicting obesity-related risks for liver health.

Combined use of the ELF test and CLivD score improves prediction of liver-related outcomes in the general population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Effective and feasible population screening strategies are needed for the early detection of individuals at high risk of future severe liver-related outcomes. We evaluated the predictive performance of the combination of liver fibrosis assessment, phenotype profile, and genetic risk. METHODS: Data from 5795 adults attending the Finnish Health 2000 Survey were linked with healthcare registers for liver-related outcomes (hospitalization, hepatocellular cancer, and death). Fibrosis was assessed using the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test, phenotype profile by the chronic liver disease (CLivD) risk score, and genetic risk by a validated Polygenic Risk Score (PRS-5). Predictive performance was assessed by competing-risk analyses. RESULTS: During a median 13-year follow-up, 64 liver-related outcome events were recorded. ELF, CLivD score, and PRS-5 were independently associated with liver-related outcomes. The absolute 10-year risk of liver-related outcomes at an ELF value of 11.3 ranged from 0.3% to 33% depending on the CLivD score. The CLivD score added 51% of new predictive information to the ELF test and improved areas under the curve (AUCs) from 0.91, 0.81, and 0.71 for ELF alone to 0.95, 0.85, and 0.80, respectively, for ELF combined with the CLivD score at 1, 5, and 10 years. The greatest improvement was for 10-year predictions (delta-AUC 0.097, p < .0001). Adding PRS-5 did not significantly increase predictive performance. Findings were consistent in individuals with obesity, diabetes, or alcohol risk use, and regardless of whether gamma-glutamyltransferase was used in the CLivD score. CONCLUSION: A combination of ELF and CLivD score predicts liver-related outcomes significantly better than the ELF test alone.

Enhanced liver Fibrosis® test predicts liver-related outcomes in the general population.

Background & Aims: The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis® (ELF) test exhibits good discriminative performance in detecting advanced liver fibrosis and in predicting liver-related outcomes in patients with specific liver diseases, but large population-based studies are missing. We analysed the predictive performance of the ELF test in a general population cohort. Methods: Data were sourced from the Health 2000 study, a Finnish population-based health examination survey conducted in 2000-2001. Subjects with baseline liver disease were excluded. The ELF test was performed on blood samples collected at baseline. Data were linked with national healthcare registers for liver-related outcomes (hospitalisation, cancer, and death). Results: The cohort comprised 6,040 individuals (mean age 52.7. 45.6% men) with 67 liver-related outcomes during a median 13.1-year follow-up. ELF predicted liver outcomes (unadjusted hazards ratio 2.70, 95% CI 2.16-3.38). with 5- and 10-year AUCs of 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.91) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.63-0.79) by competing-risk methodology. The 10-year risks for liver outcomes increased from 0.5% at ELF <9.8 to 7.1% at ELF ≥11.3, being higher among men than women at any given ELF level. Among individuals with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, diabetes, or alanine aminotransferase >40 U/L. Five-year AUCs for ELF were 0.85, 0.87, and 0.88, respectively. The predictive ability of the ELF test decreased with time: the 10-year AUCs were 0.78, 0.69, and 0.82, respectively. Conclusions: The ELF test shows good discriminative performance in predicting liver-related outcomes in a large general population cohort and appears particularly useful for predicting 5-year outcomes in persons with risk factors. Impact and implications: The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test exhibits good performance for predicting liver-related outcomes (hospitalisation, liver cancer, or liver-related death) in the general population, especially in those with risk factors.

Persistent organic pollutants associate with liver disease in a Finnish general population sample.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have multiple adverse effects on human health. Recent studies show a possible association with liver disease, but population-based data are scarce. In this population-based study, we studied the associations between POPs and biomarkers of liver disease and incident liver disease. METHODS: This study consisted of 2789 adults that participated in the environmental toxin subset of the Finnish health-examination survey, FINRISK 2007. Toxins were measured from serum samples, and standard liver tests and dynamic aspartate aminotransferase-alanine aminotransferase ratio (dAAR) were measured as biomarkers of liver function. Associations between POPs and the biomarkers were then analysed using linear regression. Associations between POPs and incident liver disease (n = 36) were analysed by Cox regression. RESULTS: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and several perfluorinated alkyl substances exhibited statistically significant positive associations with several biomarkers of liver injury (betacoefficient per SD 0.04-0.14, p < 0.05). These associations were stronger in subgroups of individuals with obesity or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. OCPs, PCBs and perfluoro-octanoic acid also had significant positive associations with dAAR, which can be used to predict risk of incident severe liver outcomes (beta coefficient per SD 0.05-0.08, p < 0.05). OCPs and PCBs were also significantly and positively associated with incident liver disease (hazard ratio per SD 1.82 95% CI 1.21-2.73, p < 0.01 and hazard ratio per SD 1.69, 95% CI 1.07-2.68, p < 0.05 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Several POPs show positive associations with markers of liver injury and incident liver disease, suggesting that environmental toxins are important risk factors for chronic liver disease.

Poor health status before the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with unfavourable changes in health-related lifestyle.

AIMS: The effects of COVID-19 containment measures on health-related lifestyle have been both favourable and unfavourable for health. Factors predisposing to unfavourable changes are still poorly known. In this short communication, we aimed to examine which socioeconomic and health-related factors predicted unfavourable lifestyle changes based on data from the same individuals before (2017) the pandemic and during the second wave (2020) of the pandemic in Finland. METHODS: This individual-level follow-up study was based on a nationally representative, two-stage stratified cluster sample of Finnish adults from the FinHealth 2017 Study, conducted in Spring 2017, and its follow-up survey, conducted in Autumn 2020. A total of 3834 men and women aged 25-69 years at baseline had information of selected lifestyle factors (vegetable consumption, leisure-time physical activity, sleeping problems and nightmares) available at both time points. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for unfavourable lifestyle changes (yes/no) according to socioeconomic and health-related factors were calculated using logistic regression models taking into account the sampling design and non-response. RESULTS: We found that those having poor health (i.e. psychological distress, poor self-rated health or chronic diseases) or disadvantaged socioeconomic background before the pandemic were prone to unfavourable lifestyle changes during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Observed unfavourable lifestyle changes in vulnerable population groups may accelerate health inequalities. Targeted health promotion actions are needed to prevent this unfavourable development.

Abdominal obesity and alcohol use modify the impact of genetic risk for incident advanced liver disease in the general population.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Genetic variants, abdominal obesity and alcohol use are risk factors for incident liver disease (ILD). We aimed to study whether variants either alone or when aggregated into genetic risk scores (GRSs) associate with ILD, and whether waist-hip ratio (WHR) or alcohol use interacts with this risk. METHODS: Our study included 33 770 persons (mean age 50 years, 47% men) who participated in health-examination surveys (FINRISK 1992-2012 or Health 2000) with data on alcohol use, WHR and 63 genotypes associated with liver disease. Data were linked with national health registers for liver-related outcomes (hospitalizations, malignancies and death). Exclusions were baseline clinical liver disease. Mean follow-up time was 12.2 years. Cox regression analyses between variants and ILD were adjusted for age, sex and BMI. RESULTS: Variants in PNPLA3, IFNL4, TM6SF2, FDFT1, PPP1R3B, SERPINA1 and HSD17B13 were associated with ILD. GRSs calculated from these variants were not associated with WHR or alcohol use, but were exponentially associated with ILD (up to 25-fold higher risk in high versus low score). The risk of ILD in individuals with high GRS and high WHR or alcohol use compared with those with none of these risk factors was increased by up to 90-fold. GRSs provided new prognostic information particularly in individuals with high WHR. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of multiple genetic variants on the risk of ILD is potentiated by abdominal obesity and alcohol use. Simple GRSs may help to identify individuals with adverse lifestyle who are at a particularly high risk of ILD.

Atlas of plasma NMR biomarkers for health and disease in 118,461 individuals from the UK Biobank.

Blood lipids and metabolites are markers of current health and future disease risk. Here, we describe plasma nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) biomarker data for 118,461 participants in the UK Biobank. The biomarkers cover 249 measures of lipoprotein lipids, fatty acids, and small molecules such as amino acids, ketones, and glycolysis metabolites. We provide an atlas of associations of these biomarkers to prevalence, incidence, and mortality of over 700 common diseases ( nightingalehealth.com/atlas ). The results reveal a plethora of biomarker associations, including susceptibility to infectious diseases and risk of various cancers, joint disorders, and mental health outcomes, indicating that abundant circulating lipids and metabolites are risk markers beyond cardiometabolic diseases. Clustering analyses indicate similar biomarker association patterns across different disease types, suggesting latent systemic connectivity in the susceptibility to a diverse set of diseases. This work highlights the value of NMR based metabolic biomarker profiling in large biobanks for public health research and translation.

The association between body mass index groups and metabolic comorbidities with healthcare and medication costs: a nationwide biobank and registry study in Finland.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of obesity imposes a significant cost burden on individuals and societies worldwide. OBJECTIVE: In this nationally representative study, the association between body mass index (BMI) groups and the number of metabolic comorbidities (MetC) with total direct costs was investigated in the Finnish population. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study cohort included 5,587 adults with BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2 who participated in the cross-sectional FinHealth 2017 health examination survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Data on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and drug purchases were collected from national healthcare and drug registers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was total direct costs (costs of primary and secondary HCRU and prescription medications). RESULTS: Class I (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m2) and class II - III (BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2) obesity were associated with 43% and 40% higher age- and sex-adjusted direct costs, respectively, compared with normal weight, mainly driven by a steeply increased comorbidity in the higher BMI groups. In all BMI groups combined, individuals with ≥2 MetCs comprised 39% of the total study population and 60% of the total costs. CONCLUSION: To manage the cost burden of obesity, treatment should be given equal consideration as other chronic diseases, and BMIs ≥30.0 kg/m2 should be considered in treatment decisions.

Probable Sarcopenia, Obesity, and Risk of All-Cause Mortality: A Pooled Analysis of 4,612 Participants.

INTRODUCTION: Conflicting evidence exists concerning whether having sarcopenic obesity has additive mortality risk over having only sarcopenia or obesity. We examined the independent and combined associations of obesity and probable sarcopenia with all-cause mortality. METHODS: The pooled analysis included three large, harmonized datasets (Health 2000 Survey; Health, Aging and Body Composition Study; Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam) with mortality follow-up data on individuals aged 70 years and over at baseline (n = 4,612). Obesity indicators included body mass index and waist circumference, and probable sarcopenia was defined based on grip strength. The mixed effects Cox model was used for statistical analyses, adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, race, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and baseline diseases. RESULTS: Risk of death increased for those having probable sarcopenia only (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-1.85) or probable sarcopenia with obesity (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.13-1.64) but not for the obese-only group (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85-1.01), when compared to non-obese non-sarcopenic individuals. The results were similar regardless of adjustments for covariates or different obesity criteria applied. CONCLUSION: Probable sarcopenia, whether combined with obesity or not, is associated with increased mortality. Obesity did not increase mortality among older adults. Maintaining muscle strength and identifying older adults at risk of sarcopenia is important for the prevention of premature mortality.

Obesity and metabolic state are associated with increased healthcare resource and medication use and costs: a Finnish population-based study.

AIM: To characterize healthcare resource (HCRU) and medication use and associated costs in individuals with obesity compared with individuals with normal weight or overweight in a population-based cohort of Finnish adults. The association between metabolic state and direct costs was also assessed. METHODS: The study cohort included 5587 randomly selected individuals who participated in the national FinHealth 2017 health examination survey. Data on healthcare visits and hospital stays, including diagnoses (ICD-10), and purchases and costs of prescription medicines were collected from the nationwide registers by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The healthcare costs were calculated based on standard unit costs reported by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. RESULTS: The total annual direct costs were €2665 (SD €5673) and €1799 (SD €3874) per person with obesity and with normal weight or overweight, respectively. Obesity was associated with significantly increased total direct (age- and sex-adjusted cost rate ratio, RR, 1.356; p < 0.001), HCRU-related (1.273; p = 0.002), and medication (1.669; p < 0.001) costs. A vast majority (90%) of individuals with obesity were classified as metabolically unhealthy based on clinical measurements. The metabolically unhealthy state was associated with increased costs in individuals with obesity but not in individuals with normal weight or overweight. CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with a significant and complex direct cost burden to society, arising primarily from increased comorbidity. Metabolically healthy obesity is uncommon and obesity prevention and timely treatment should be of high priority to tackle the increasing burden of obesity.

Development of non-communicable disease risk factors in Finland: projections up to 2040.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. They share the same behavioural risk factors (smoking, sedentary behaviour, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet), all of which are modifiable risk factors, and biological consequences (hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, obesity and diabetes). METHODS: Using data from a series of cross-sectional health examination surveys conducted among the adult population in Finland from 1997 to 2017, a projection of risk factor development (smoking, leisure time sedentary behaviour, hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, overweight and obesity, and diabetes) up to the year 2040 was made. The projections were estimated using a multiple imputation method. RESULTS: Smoking prevalence is estimated to continue to decline up to 2040, similar to hypertension and elevated total cholesterol. By contrast, obesity and diabetes will develop unfavourably, with an increase in prevalence. The increase in obesity is mainly due to polarisation - that is, normal-weight people remain of a normal weight, but overweight people tend to gain more weight and become obese. The observed and estimated changes for leisure time sedentary lifestyle were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Projections of risk factors for non-communicable diseases are needed to guide public health policies and programmes, decision-making and the allocation of health care resources for prevention and care. In Finland, favourable developments have been seen in many of the risk factors, but obesity and diabetes show unfavourable development. There is a need to continue regular, systematic monitoring of the development of risk factors through health examination surveys and to set national goals and programmes to tackle the existing problems.

Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland - a series of cross-sectional surveys.

BACKGROUND: Public health recommendations and governmental restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic have affect everyday life. This study aimed to examine temporal changes in health-related lifestyle and the accumulation of positive and negative changes in the key lifestyle factors (vegetable consumption, leisure-time physical activity, sleeping, alcohol consumption, smoking) in the same individuals among Finnish adults during the epidemic. METHODS: This study was based on a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted between April 2020 and June 2021 to investigate antibody levels for the new coronavirus in the population. In each survey, a random sample of adults (18 to 69 years) from five university hospital regions were invited. A total of 5655 (response rate 32%) responded to the questionnaire including questions on lifestyle changes during epidemic. RESULTS: On average one-sixth of respondents (17%) reported at least two negative changes in the key lifestyle factors during the study period. An increase in snacking and sleep problems and decrease in leisure-time physical activity and active commuting to work were the most common of individual negative changes. The proportion of negative changes in physical activity increased as the epidemic drags on. In contrast, on average every seventh of the respondents (14%) reported at least two positive lifestyle changes in the key lifestyle factors. The most common individual positive changes were increased consumption of fruit, berries and vegetables and decreased consumption of alcohol. More negative changes were reported on average, when both negative and positive changes in the key lifestyle factors were summed. The most negative changes were reported in the late 2020. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that the lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 epidemic have been diverse being on average more commonly unfavorable than favorable for health. The deteriorated epidemic situation in the late 2020 and, on the other hand, prolonged epidemic predisposed to negative lifestyle changes. Further studies are important to examine whether these changes are maintained over time and to identify the factors that contribute to changes and their accumulation in the same individuals. Health promotion actions are needed to prevent the long-term effects of the epidemic on health and welfare.

Comparison of various strategies to define the optimal target population for liver fibrosis screening: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver fibrosis screening is recommended in high-risk populations, but the optimal definition of "high risk" remains to be established. We compared the performance of several risk-stratification strategies in a population-based setting. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Finnish population-based health examination surveys Health 2000 and FINRISK 2002-2012. The Chronic Liver Disease Risk Score (CLivD) was compared to previously published risk-stratification strategies based on elevated liver enzymes, alcohol use, diabetes, fatty liver index, body mass index, and/or metabolic risk factors for their ability to detect either advanced liver fibrosis or incident severe liver events. Advanced fibrosis was defined as an Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELFTM ) score >9.8 in the Health 2000 study (n = 6084), and incident liver events were ascertained from registry linkage in the combined FINRISK 2002-2012 and Health 2000 cohort (n = 26,957). RESULTS: Depending on the cohort, 53%-60% of the population was considered at risk using the CLivD strategy (low-intermediate-high risk, excluding the minimal-risk category), compared to 30%-32% according to the other risk-stratification strategies. The CLivD captured 85%-91% of cases in the population with advanced liver fibrosis and 90% of incident severe liver events within 10 years from baseline. This compares to 33%-44% and 56%-67% captured by the other risk-stratification strategies, respectively. The 10-year cumulative incidence of liver events varied by risk-stratification strategy (1.0%-1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to previously reported traditional risk factor-based strategies, use of the CLivD captured substantially more cases with advanced liver disease in the population and may be superior for targeting further fibrosis screening.

Association between arterial hypertension and liver outcomes using polygenic risk scores: a population-based study.

Arterial hypertension (HTA) is associated with liver disease, but causality remains unclear. We investigated whether genetic predisposition to HTA is associated with liver disease in the population, and if antihypertensive medication modifies this association. Participants of the Finnish health-examination surveys, FINRISK 1992-2012 and Health 2000 (n = 33,770), were linked with national electronic healthcare registers for liver-related outcomes (K70-K77, C22.0) and with the drug reimbursement registry for new initiation of antihypertensive medication during follow-up. Genetic predisposition to HTA was defined by polygenic risk scores (PRSs). During a median 12.9-year follow-up (409,268.9 person-years), 441 liver-related outcomes occurred. In the fully-adjusted Cox-regression models, both measured systolic blood pressure and clinically defined HTA were associated with liver-related outcomes. PRSs for systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly associated with liver-related outcomes (HR/SD 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.24, and 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.25, respectively). In the highest quintile of the systolic blood pressure PRS, new initiation of antihypertensive medication was associated with reduced rates of liver-related outcomes (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.97). HTA and a genetic predisposition for HTA are associated with liver-related outcomes in the population. New initiation of antihypertensive medication attenuates this association in persons with high genetic risk for HTA.