IL-8 gene variants are associated with lung function decline and multidimensional BODE index in COPD patients but not with disease susceptibility: a validation study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: COPD is a leading cause of dead worldwide and tobacco smoking is its major risk factor. IL8 is a proinflammatory chemokine mainly involved in the acute inflammatory reaction. The aim of this study was to test the association of IL-8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 gene variants and COPD susceptibility as part of a replication study and explore the effect of these variations in disease progression. METHODS: 9 tagSNPs were genotyped in 728 Caucasian individuals (196 COPD patients, 80 smokers and 452 non-smoking controls). Pulmonary compromise was evaluated using spirometry and clinical parameters at baseline and annually over a 2 years period. We also determined plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-16 in COPD patients. RESULTS: There was a lack of association between gene variants or haplotypes with predisposition to COPD. No correlation was observed between the polymorphisms and cytokines levels. Interestingly, significant associations were found between carriers of the rs4073A (OR = 3.53, CI 1.34-9.35, p = 0.01), rs2227306C (OR = 5.65, CI 1.75-18.88, p = 0.004) and rs2227307T (OR = 4.52, CI = 1.49-12.82, p = 0.007) alleles in the IL-8 gene and patients who scored higher in the BODE index and showed an important decrease in their FEV1 and FVC during the 2 years follow-up period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite no association was found between the studied genes and COPD susceptibility, three polymorphisms in the IL-8 gene appear to be involved in a worse progression of the disease, with an affectation beyond the pulmonary function and importantly, a reduction in lung function along the follow-up years.

Factores asociados al conocimiento y el control de la hipertensión arterial en Canarias / Factors associated with knowledge and control of arterial hypertension in the Canary Islands

Introducción y objetivos. Analizar los factores asociados al conocimiento y el control de la hipertensión arterial en la población adulta de Canarias. Métodos. Se reclutó aleatoriamente una muestra de población general adulta (18-75 años). Se consideró hipertensión la presión arterial sistólica/diastólica >= 140/90mmHg; hipertensión conocida, la declaración de padecerla e hipertensión controlada, valores < 140/90mmHg. La asociación bivariable del conocimiento y el control de la hipertensión con edad, sexo, antropometría, lípidos séricos y estilo de vida se ajustó posteriormente por edad y sexo en un modelo logístico multivariable. Resultados. Se incluyó a 6.675 participantes. Entre los varones hay mayor prevalencia de hipertensión (el 40 frente al 31%; p < 0,001), pero menos frecuencia de tratamiento y control. El sexo femenino (p < 0,001), la edad ≥ 55 años (p < 0,001), la obesidad (p < 0,001) y la diabetes mellitus (p < 0,001) se asocian directamente con la hipertensión conocida. Los factores modificables que, pese al tratamiento, incrementaban el riesgo de mal control son consumo de alcohol (odds ratio [OR] = 2,4 si alcohol > 30g/día [p < 0,001]; OR = 2 si 15 < alcohol ≤ 30g/día [p = 0,009]; OR = 1,83 si 5 < alcohol ≤ 15g/día [p = 0,004]), obesidad (OR = 2 si índice masa corporal >= 30 [p = 0,003]; OR = 1,7 si 24,9 < índice masa corporal < 30 [p = 0,024]), colesterol sérico > 250mg/dl (OR = 1,6; p = 0,006) y frecuencia cardiaca elevada (OR = 1,45 si frecuencia > 80 lat/min [p = 0,045]; OR = 1,36 si 70 < frecuencia <= 80 lat/min [p = 0,038]). Conclusiones. El conocimiento de la hipertensión aumenta con la frecuentación del sistema sanitario y los factores asociados a ello: sexo femenino, edad y sufrir problemas de salud. Los factores modificables que incrementan el mal control de la hipertensión conocida son: consumo de alcohol, obesidad, frecuencia cardiaca elevada e hipercolesterolemia (AU)

Introduction and objectives. To analyze the factors associated with knowledge and control of hypertension in the adult population of the Canary Islands (18-75 years). Methods. We recruited a random sample of the general population aged ≥18 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure >=140/90mmHg or known hypertension (self-declared, or controlled hypertension <140/90mmHg). The bivariate association of known and controlled hypertension with age, sex, anthropometry, serum lipids, medication, and lifestyle was corroborated by adjusting a multivariate logistic model. Results. We included 6675 participants. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in men (40% vs 31%, P<.001), who also had a lower frequency of treated and controlled hypertension. Female sex (P<.001), age ≥55 years (P<.001), obesity (P<.001), and diabetes (P<.001) were associated with known hypertension. The modifiable factors that, in spite of treatment, increased the risk of poor control of hypertension were alcohol consumption (>30g/day, odds ratio [OR]=2.4, P<.001; >15-≤30g/day, OR=2, P=.009; >5-≤15, g/day, OR=1.83, P=.004), obesity (body mass index ≥30, OR=2, P=.003; >24.9-<30, OR=1.7, P=.024), serum cholesterol >250mg/dL (OR=1.6, P=.006) and elevated heart rate (>80 bpm, OR=1.45, P=.045; >70-<=80 bpm, OR=1.36, P=.038). Conclusions. The awareness of hypertension increases with frequent use of the health system and with factors associated with known hypertension: female sex, age, underlying health problems. The modifiable factors associated with poor control of known hypertension are alcohol consumption, obesity, elevated heart rate, and hypercholesterolemia (AU)

Factors associated with knowledge and control of arterial hypertension in the Canary Islands.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the factors associated with knowledge and control of hypertension in the adult population of the Canary Islands (18-75 years). METHODS: We recruited a random sample of the general population aged ≥18 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or known hypertension (self-declared, or controlled hypertension <140/90 mmHg). The bivariate association of known and controlled hypertension with age, sex, anthropometry, serum lipids, medication, and lifestyle was corroborated by adjusting a multivariate logistic model. RESULTS: We included 6675 participants. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in men (40% vs 31%, P<.001), who also had a lower frequency of treated and controlled hypertension. Female sex (P<.001), age ≥55 years (P<.001), obesity (P<.001), and diabetes (P<.001) were associated with known hypertension. The modifiable factors that, in spite of treatment, increased the risk of poor control of hypertension were alcohol consumption (>30 g/day, odds ratio [OR]=2.4, P<.001; >15-≤30 g/day, OR=2, P=.009; >5-≤15, g/day, OR=1.83, P=.004), obesity (body mass index ≥30, OR=2, P=.003; >24.9-<30, OR=1.7, P=.024), serum cholesterol >250 mg/dL (OR=1.6, P=.006) and elevated heart rate (>80 bpm, OR=1.45, P=.045; >70-≤80 bpm, OR=1.36, P=.038). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of hypertension increases with frequent use of the health system and with factors associated with known hypertension: female sex, age, underlying health problems. The modifiable factors associated with poor control of known hypertension are alcohol consumption, obesity, elevated heart rate, and hypercholesterolemia.

TNFA-863 polymorphism is associated with a reduced risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a replication study.

UNLABELLED: : BACKGROUND: TNF-α mediated inflammation is thought to play a key role in the respiratory and systemic features of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The aim of the present study was to replicate and extend recent findings in Taiwanese and Caucasian populations of associations between COPD susceptibility and variants of the TNFA gene in a Spanish cohort. METHODS: The 3 reported SNPs were complemented with nine tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the TNFA and LTA genes and genotyped in 724 individuals (202 COPD patients, 90 smokers without COPD and 432 healthy controls). Pulmonary function parameters and serum inflammatory markers were also measured in COPD patients. RESULTS: The TNFA rs1800630 (-863C/A) SNP was associated with a lower COPD susceptibility (ORadj = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.33-0.77, p = 0.001). The -863A allele was also associated with less severe forms of the disease (GOLD stages I and II) (ORadj = 0.303, 95%CI = 0.14-0.65, p = 0.014) and with lower scores of the BODE index (< 2) (ORadj = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.17-0.94, p = 0.037). Moreover, the -863A carrier genotype was associated with a better FEV1 percent predicted (p = 0.004) and a lower BODE index (p = 0.003) over a 2 yrs follow-up period. None of the TNFA or LTA gene variants correlated with the serum inflammatory markers in COPD patients (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We replicated the previously reported association between the TNFA -863 SNP and COPD. TNFA -863A allele may confer a protective effect to the susceptibility to the disease in the Spanish population.

Association between glycemic index, glycemic load, and fructose with insulin resistance: the CDC of the Canary Islands study.

BACKGROUND: The involvement of carbohydrates in triggering insulin resistance (IR) remains a source of controversy. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the relation between glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), and fructose with insulin resistance in a predominantly rural population in the Canary Islands. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in 668 nondiabetic people aged 18-75. IR was estimated with serum glucose and C-peptide (HOMA2-IR). Nutrient intakes were obtained from a validated food frequency questionnaire. ANOVA was used to analyze nutrient distribution across quartiles of HOMA2-IR. Four multivariate nutrient density models (dependent variable: log-transformed HOMA2-IR) which differed only in the kinds of carbohydrates included were tested (Model 1: carbohydrates; Model 2: GI and then GL; Model 3: free fructose, other simple sugars and starch; Model 4: total fructose, remaining sugars and starch). RESULTS: There was no association between GI and IR. There was a direct association between GL (P < 0.001), fructose (free [P = 0.001], total [P = 0.013]), energy intake (P < 0.001), fruit fiber (<0.001), and glucose (P = 0.003) with IR. There was an inverse association between cereal (P = 0.008) and vegetable fiber (P < 0.001) and IR. Multivariate models corroborated the association of carbohydrates, GL, fructose, vegetable fiber, and energy intake with IR. The association between GL and IR disappeared when Model 2 was adjusted by total fructose intake. CONCLUSIONS: There was a direct association between fructose intake and IR. There was no relationship between GI and IR. Although a direct association of GL with IR was detected, it was attributable to the consumption of fructose.

[Validation of the ICE model to assess social class in the adult population]. / Validación del modelo REI para medir la clase social en población adulta.

BACKGROUND: Social class has commonly been defined by the type of employment and it is assessed as a categorical variable. However, this approach has a number of drawbacks. The objective of this article is to develop and validate a readily standardizable quantitative indicator of social class and to show its ability to measure the impact of social class as a health determinant. METHODS: In 6729 individuals we measured income, crowding index, education, occupation and employment status. Two models were adjusted to study the neighborhood, dietary pattern and health problems. RESULTS: The model that included only income, crowding index and education (ICE) yielded an indicator that correlated with age (r = -0.28; p < 0.001) and consumption of potatoes (r = -0.17; p < 0.001) and salads (r = 0.10; p < 0.001). This indicator estimated that poor social classes were at significant risk for unemployment (OR = 5,), blue collar jobs (OR = 40,9), residing in poor neighborhoods (OR = 30.2), low salad consumption (OR = 2.2) and high consumption of potatoes (OR = 4.5). They also had, especially in women, a higher risk of sedentarism (OR = 1.8), obesity (OR = 4.4), metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.4) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: The ICE index was valid, not based on occupation or employment status, readily standardizable, and suitable for measuring social class and its impact of on health.

En la población Canaria, la función de Framingham estima mejor el riesgo de mortalidad cardiovascular que la función SCORE / Framingham function estimates the risk of cardio vascular mortality more effectively than SCORE function in the population of the Canary Islands (Spain)

Objetivos: Comparar la estimación de eventos cardiovasculares fatales con las funciones de Framingham y SCORE, además de explorar su capacidad para detectar el riesgo aportado por factores no incluidos en sus ecuaciones: sedentarismo, obesidad, perímetro abdominal, razón abdomen/estatura, razón abdomen/pelvis y consumo excesivo de alcohol. Métodos: Estudio transversal de 5.289 personas, de 30 a 69 años de edad, obtenidas por muestreo aleatorio en la población general de Canarias. Se calibraron las funciones de Framingham y SCORE, y se estimó su concordancia. Se obtuvo, para estas edades, la tasa poblacional de mortalidad cardiovascular y se confrontó con el riesgo predicho por las funciones. Resultados: En los hombres, la tasa de mortalidad por 100.000 habitantes fue de 67,4, en tanto que la estimación de Framingham, SCORE-Low y SCORE-High fue de 80, 140 y 270, respectivamente. En las mujeres, frente a una tasa de 19,3, la estimación fue de 30, 50 y 70, respectivamente. Ambas funciones detectaron el incremento del riesgo aportado por los factores estudiados, con la excepción, en las mujeres, del sedentarismo con SCORE y del consumo excesivo de alcohol con ambas funciones. En los hombres, tomando para Framingham los puntos de corte de >12%, >15% y >20%, la concordancia con SCORE-Low produjo una Kappa de 0,6, 0,7 y 0,5, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La función de Framingham estimó mejor las tasas de mortalidad que la función SCORE. Únicamente la función de Framingham detectó en ambos sexos el riesgo cardiovascular aportado por el sedentarismo. En Canarias recomendamos la aplicación de la función de Framingham calibrada (AU)

Introduction: To compare the performance of the Framingham and SCORE functions to estimate fatal cardiovascular events. In addition, we explored the ability of both functions to detect the risk contributed by factors not included in their equations: sedentariness, obesity, abdominal circumference, abdomen/height razón, abdomen/pelvis ratio, and excessive alcohol consumption. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 5,289 individuals aged 30 to 69 years old, recruited by random sampling of the general population of the Canary Islands. We calibrated the Framingham and SCORE functions and estimated their concordance. The cardiovascular mortality rate for the population in this age range was compared with the risk predicted by the two functions. Results: Among males, the mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 67.4, while the Framingham, SCORE-low and SCORE-high estimations were 80, 140, and 270, respectively. Among females, the mortality rate was 19.3 while the estimations were 30, 50, and 70, respectively. Both functions detected the increased risk contributed by the factors studied, except for sedentariness among females with SCORE, and excessive alcohol consumption with both functions. Among males, taking cut points of > 12%, > 15%, and > 20% for Framingham, the concordance with SCORE-low yielded Kappa values of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.5, respectively. Conclusions: The Framingham function yielded the best estimate of cardiovascular mortality rates. Only Framingham detected the cardiovascular risk contributed by sedentariness in both genders. We recommend the use of the calibrated Framingham function for this population (AU)

Validación del modelo REI para medir la clase social en población adulta / Validation of the ICE Model to assess social class in the adult population

Fundamento: La clase social generalmente se mide de manera categórica y basada en la ocupación laboral, lo cual tiene múltiples limitaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es elaborar un indicador cuantitativo de clase social, fácilmente estandarizable, validarlo en población adulta y comprobar su aptitud para medir el impacto de la clase social como determinante de salud. Métodos: estudio transversal de 6.729 individuos para medir la clase social con las variables: Renta familiar per cápita, Índice de hacinamiento, Estudios realizados, Ocupación laboral y Situación laboral. Se crearon dos modelos y mediante curvas COR se seleccionó el mejor para validarlo analizando su capacidad de estimar los riesgos relativos de: residir en barrio pobre o rico, mantener un patrón dietético típico de clases sociales pobres y presentar problemas de salud actualmente asociados a la pobreza. Resultados: el modelo sólo incluyó las variables Renta, Estudios e Índice de hacinamiento (REI), produjo un indicador con rango de valores entre 4 y 21 y mostró correlación inversa con la edad (r= -0,28; p<0,001), con el consumo de papas (r= -0,17; p<0,001) y con el consumo de legumbres (r= -0,03; p=0,01), además de correlación directa con el consumo de ensalada (r = 0,10; p<0,001); su sensibilidad para detectar la residencia en barrio pobre alcanzó el 97% para valores menores a 10. REI estimó que las clases sociales pobres presentan riesgos significativos de situación laboral de desempleo (OR=5,4), ocupación laboral de baja cualificación (OR=40,9), habitar en barrios pobres (OR =30,2), bajo consumo de ensaladas (OR = 2,2), gran consumo de papas (OR = 4,5) y alto consumo de legumbres (OR = 1,6). En ambos sexos las clases pobres presentaron mayor riesgo de problemas de salud, con mayor fuerza en las mujeres: sedentarismo (OR = 1,8), obesidad (OR = 4,4), obesidad abdominal (OR = 5,4), síndrome metabólico (OR = 3,4) y diabetes mellitus (OR = 2,0). Conclusiones: REI es un indicador válido, no basado en la ocupación ni en la situación laboral, fácilmente estandarizable, apto para medir cuantitativamente la clase social en estudios que precisen analizar el impacto de la misma como determinante de salud (AU)

Background: Social class has commonly been defined by the type of employment and it is assessed as a categorical variable. However, this approach has a number of drawbacks. The objective of this article is to develop and validate a readily standardizable quantitative indicator of social class and to show its ability to measure the impact of social class as a health determinant. Methods: In 6729 individuals we measured income, crowding index, education, occupation and employment status. Two models were adjusted to study the neighborhood, dietary pattern and health problems. Results: The model that included only income, crowding index and education (ICE) yielded an indicator that correlated with age (r = –0.28; p < 0.001) and consumption of potatoes (r = –0.17; p < 0.001) and salads (r = 0.10; p < 0.001). This indicator estimated that poor social classes were at significant risk for unemployment (OR=5,), blue collar jobs (OR=40,9), residing in poor neighborhoods (OR = 30.2), low salad consumption (OR = 2.2) and high consumption of potatoes (OR = 4.5). They also had, especially in women, a higher risk of sedentarism (OR = 1.8), obesity (OR = 4.4), metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.4) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.0). Conclusions: The ICE index was valid, not based on occupation or employment status, readily standardizable, and suitable for measuring social class and its impact of on health (AU)

[Framingham function estimates the risk of cardio vascular mortality more effectively than SCORE function in the population of the Canary Islands (Spain)]. / En la población Canaria, la función de Framingham estima mejor el riesgo de mortalidad cardiovascular que la función SCORE.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the performance of the Framingham and SCORE functions to estimate fatal cardiovascular events. In addition, we explored the ability of both functions to detect the risk contributed by factors not included in their equations: sedentariness, obesity, abdominal circumference, abdomen/height razón, abdomen/pelvis ratio, and excessive alcohol consumption. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 5,289 individuals aged 30 to 69 years old, recruited by random sampling of the general population of the Canary Islands. We calibrated the Framingham and SCORE functions and estimated their concordance. The cardiovascular mortality rate for the population in this age range was compared with the risk predicted by the two functions. RESULTS: Among males, the mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 67.4, while the Framingham, SCORE-low and SCORE-high estimations were 80, 140, and 270, respectively. Among females, the mortality rate was 19.3 while the estimations were 30, 50, and 70, respectively. Both functions detected the increased risk contributed by the factors studied, except for sedentariness among females with SCORE, and excessive alcohol consumption with both functions. Among males, taking cut points of > or = 12%, > or = 15%, and > or = 20% for Framingham, the concordance with SCORE-low yielded Kappa values of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Framingham function yielded the best estimate of cardiovascular mortality rates. Only Framingham detected the cardiovascular risk contributed by sedentariness in both genders. We recommend the use of the calibrated Framingham function for this population.