Food insecurity and mental health among US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from National Health Interview Survey, 2020-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To examine socio-demographic disparities in food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the association between food insecurity and mental health among US adults overall and communities vulnerable to food insecurity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2020-2021 National Health Interview Survey of 57,456 US adults. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between food insecurity and anxiety or depression symptoms in overall US adults and subgroups including young adults (18-34 years), females, Hispanic people, non-Hispanic Black people, individuals with prior COVID-19 infection, the unemployed, low-income participants, participants with children, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. RESULTS: Young or middle age, female sex, Hispanic/non-Hispanic Black/other race/ethnicity, lower education level, unmarried/other marital status, unemployment, being below the federal poverty level, and greater number of persons in the household were associated with food insecurity (AOR ranged from 1.35 to 2.70, all p < 0.05). Food insecurity was independently associated with anxiety (AOR = 2.67, 99 % CI: 2.33, 3.06) or depression (AOR = 3.04, 99 % CI: 2.60, 3.55) symptoms in the overall adults. Significant associations between food insecurity and anxiety or depression symptoms were also observed in all subgroups (AOR ranged from 1.95 to 3.28, all p < 0.0001). Compared with overall adults, the magnitude of the association was greater for participants with children, females (for depression only), and non-Hispanic Black people (for depression only). LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design prevents inference of causality. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive policies are needed to ensure accessible and affordable food resources to reduce disparities in food insecurity and improve mental health, especially for those socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Vegetarian diets and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: An observational study of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018 using propensity score methods.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the association between vegetarian diets and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited and have inconsistent results. This study aims to explore the association between vegetarian diets and NAFLD and compare the stage of fibrosis between vegetarians and nonvegetarians in a US representative sample. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 23,130 participants aged ≥20 years were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2018. Vegetarian status was classified based on two 24-h dietary recalls. We examined the association between vegetarian diets and the risk of NAFLD using the propensity score weighting method. RESULTS: Vegetarian diets were significantly associated with decreases in hepatic steatosis index (HSI), US fatty liver index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score with mean differences of -2.70 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.69, -1.70), -3.03 (95% CI: -7.15, -0.91) and -0.12 (95% CI: -0.26, -0.01), respectively. While modelling the risk of NAFLD, we estimated that vegetarians were 53% less likely to have NAFLD assessed by HSI (odds ratios [OR]: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.65). The effect of vegetarian diets was higher among individuals with lower waist circumferences (OR: 0.20) than among those with higher waist circumferences (OR: 0.53, p interaction ${p}_{\text{interaction}}\,$ = 0.004). However, the association was largely attenuated after adjusting for body mass index and diabetes status. No significant association was identified between vegetarian diets and advanced fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Vegetarian diets were associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD among US adults, and the association appeared to be stronger in people with lower waist circumferences. Further studies are warranted to replicate our findings.

Contribution of obesity to racial and ethnic disparities in the risk of fetal myelomeningocele: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Prepregnancy obesity and racial-ethnic disparities has been shown to be associated with meningomyelocele. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association of maternal periconceptional factors, including race-ethnicity and prepregnancy body mass index, with the prevalence of isolated fetal myelomeningocele. METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention birth data from 2016 to 2021. Major structural anomalies or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. Race-ethnicity was classified as non-Hispanic White (reference population), non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, Hispanic, and others. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index was classified as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (reference group; 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), and class I (30-34.9 kg/m2), class II (35-39.9 kg/m2), and class III obesity (≥40 kg/m2). A chi-square test of independence was performed to identify factors significantly associated with myelomeningocele. These factors were then stratified into 3 adjusted clusters/levels. The prevalence was calculated per 10,000 live births. The Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to detect any significant increasing or decreasing trends. RESULTS: A total of 22,625,308 pregnancies with live birth, including 2866 pregnancies with isolated fetal myelomeningocele, were included in the analysis. The prevalence of isolated fetal myelomeningocele per 10,000 live births varied among different racial/ethnic groups, with the highest prevalence found among the non-Hispanic White (1.60 [1.52-1.67]) and lowest among the non-Hispanic Asian (0.50 [0.40-0.64]) population. The prevalence significantly increased with body mass index, with the highest prevalence found in the population with class III obesity (1.88 per 10,000 live births). Subgroup analysis of the associations between the significant variables (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and education) and each ethnicity in cases with myelomeningocele showed significant variations in prevalence of these variables among different racial/ethnic groups. Following the model with the 3 levels of adjustment described in the Methods section, prepregnancy overweight and class I, II, and III obesity remained significantly associated with the odds of isolated fetal myelomeningocele. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.32 (95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.46; P<.001) for overweight, 1.55 (95% confidence interval, 1.38-1.75; P<.001) for class I obesity, 1.68 (95% confidence interval, 1.45-1.94; P<.001) for class II obesity, and 1.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.47-2.04; P<.001) for class III obesity. Similarly, following the 3-level adjustment model, the obesity-mediated effect of maternal race-ethnicity on the odds of myelomeningocele remained significant (non-Hispanic Black: adjusted odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.05; P<.001; non-Hispanic Asian: adjusted odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.03; P<.001; Hispanic: adjusted odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.6; P<.001). The test for trend among different racial/ethnic groups did not show significant results across the past 6 years. However, the test for trend showed a significant increase in the prevalence of isolated myelomeningocele associated with class II and III obesity over the past 6 years. CONCLUSION: There has been a rising trend of fetal isolated myelomeningocele in pregnancies with maternal class II and III obesity over the past 6 years after adjusting for other covariates. Prepregnancy obesity, a modifiable risk factor, is a significant driver of racial/ethnic disparities in the overall risk for isolated fetal myelomeningocele.

E-cigarette use or dual use of E-cigarette and combustible cigarette and mental health and cognitive impairment: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey, 2020-2021.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the association between e-cigarette use and mental health are mostly among adolescents and young adults, leaving limited evidence of this association among general US adults. Besides, few studies have examined how e-cigarette use or dual use of e-cigarette and combustible cigarette is related to cognitive function. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 56,734 adults from the 2020-2021 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were applied to examine the independent association between e-cigarette use or dual use and anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, serious psychological distress (SPD), and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Compared with never e-cigarette users, current e-cigarette users had 2.10-fold (95 % CI: 1.84, 2.39), 2.53-fold (95 % CI: 2.13, 3.00), 2.02-fold (95 % CI: 1.47, 2.76), and 2.00-fold (95 % CI: 1.47, 2.72) higher odds of reporting anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, SPD, and cognitive impairment, respectively. Former e-cigarette use was also associated with all three mental conditions and cognitive impairment (AOR ranged from 1.38 to 2.53, all P < 0.01). Dual users were more likely to report all three mental conditions and cognitive impairment than those who never used combustible cigarette and e-cigarette (AOR ranged from 1.89 to 2.83, all P < 0.01). Dual users also had a greater likelihood of having anxiety or depression symptoms than exclusive combustible cigarette users (AOR ranged from 1.46 to 1.47, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use or dual use is associated with poor mental health and cognitive impairment among US adults. Regulations on e-cigarette use are needed to prevent mental illness and improve cognitive function.

SGLT2 Inhibitor Use and Risk of Breast Cancer Among Adult Women with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a relatively new class of antihyperglycemic agents, with the potential to inhibit breast cancer development. However, the association between SGLT2 inhibitors and risk of breast cancer in human studies is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to use a large national claims database to assess the association between SGLT2 inhibitor use and risk of breast cancer. METHODS: We considered a study population of 158,483 adult women with type 2 diabetes who newly initiated SGLT2 inhibitors or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors using Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2022. The association between SGLT2 inhibitor use and risk of breast cancer was examined using Cox proportional hazard models stratified by age in the overall sample and in a subsample based on propensity score and medication initiation time matching. The effect of medication use duration was explored. RESULTS: With an average follow-up of 2.2 years, 2154 breast cancer cases were identified. There was no significant association between SGLT2 inhibitor use and the risk of breast cancer in overall sample (HR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.87, 1.06), in women younger than 51 years old (HR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.59, 1.32), or in women aged 51 years or older (HR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.86, 1.04). The results remained nonsignificant using matching, medication use duration, and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest SGLT2 inhibitors use was not associated with breast cancer risk compared with DPP4 inhibitors use. Studies with longer follow-up and better adjustments are needed to confirm the finding.

Allostatic load and risk of invasive breast cancer among postmenopausal women in the U.S.

OBJECTIVE: Allostatic load can reflect the body's response to chronic stress. However, little is known about the association between allostatic load and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This study used a large prospective cohort in the United States to examine the relationship between allostatic load and invasive breast cancer risk, and to evaluate the relationship by racial and ethnic identity and breast cancer subtypes. METHODS: Among 161,808 postmenopausal participants in Women's Health Initiative, eligible were a subsample of 27,393 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years old, who enrolled from 1993 to 1998, had serum test biomarkers, and were followed for breast cancer incidence through February 2022. Allostatic load at enrollment was computed based on eight biomarkers from lab serum tests and a questionnaire about participants' prescription drug use. The associations between allostatic scores and risk of breast cancer (overall and by subtypes) were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. The race and ethnic differences were examined. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up time of 17.24 years, 1722 invasive breast cancer cases were identified. High allostatic load was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (HR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.20, 1.54 for third tertile vs first tertile, Ptrend < 0.0001). Similar trends were found in White women and non-Hispanic women. Higher allostatic load was associated with hormone receptor-positive and HER2/Neu-negative breast cancer (HR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.30, 1.80 for third tertile vs first tertile, Ptrend < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that higher allostatic load was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

The association between e-cigarette use or dual use of e-cigarette and combustible cigarette and prediabetes, diabetes, or insulin resistance: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

BACKGROUND: Studies have established associations between combustible cigarette use and diabetes. However, there is limited evidence on the association between e-cigarette use or dual use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes and diabetes. METHOD: With cross-sectional data of 5101 U.S. adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study examined how e-cigarette use or dual use was related to diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance. The presence of diabetes or prediabetes was determined by fasting glucose level, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), or the use of prescribed medications. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostatic model (HOMA-IR). The independent association between e-cigarette use or dual use and outcomes was examined using weighted multivariable logistic regression models controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of all participants, 6.3% were current e-cigarette users and 17.1% were former e-cigarette users. In the fully adjusted model, e-cigarette use was not associated with prediabetes or diabetes (P>0.05). However, former e-cigarette users were 22% (95% CI: 1.00, 1.84) more likely to report higher HOMA-IR (Q3 vs Q1) than never e-cigarette users. Among ever combustible cigarette users, current e-cigarette users and former e-cigarette users were 63% (95% CI: 1.00, 2.91) and 64% (95% CI: 1.04, 2.59) more likely to report higher HOMA-IR than never e-cigarette users, respectively. There was no significant association between dual use and diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use may be associated with insulin resistance. Our findings may inform future tobacco control policies and longitudinal studies assessing insulin resistance associated with e-cigarette use.

Trends in unmet health care needs among adults in the U.S., 2019-2021.

To examine recent trends in unmet health care needs among US adults, cross-sectional data of 93,047 adults from 2019 to 2021 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. The weighted prevalence and changes in prevalence of cost-related or COVID-19-related unmet health care needs were estimated, first overall and then stratified by socio-demographic characteristics. The prevalence of cost-related unmet health care needs was 8.3% (95% CI: 7.8%, 8.8%) in 2019, which significantly decreased to 6.6% (95% CI: 6.2%, 7.0%) in 2020 and 6.1% (95% CI: 5.7%, 6.4%) in 2021. Across most socio-demographic groups, the prevalence of cost-related unmet health care needs significantly decreased between 2019 and 2020 (absolute changes ranged from -7.4% to -1%) and between 2019 and 2021 (absolute changes ranged from -10.5% to -1.2%), with significant reductions among uninsured adults, adults below the federal poverty level, and Hispanics. The prevalence of COVID-19-related unmet health care needs was 15.7% (95% CI: 14.9%, 16.4%) in 2020, which decreased to 11.9% (95% CI: 11.5%, 12.4%) in 2021. The prevalence of COVID-19-related unmet health care needs significantly decreased across most socio-demographic groups between 2020 and 2021 (absolute changes ranged from -4.9% to -2.4%), with significant reductions among the older, the unemployed, non-Hispanic Black adults, and adults with education level ≥ college. Overall, a modest decrease in the prevalence of both cost-related and COVID-19-related unmet health care needs was observed between 2019 and 2021. However, the fact that over 10% of US adults had unmet health care needs because of the COVID-19 pandemic is still concerning, warranting continued surveillance.

Diets with Higher Anti-inflammatory Potential Associated with Lower Risk of Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Early-Stage of Fibrosis Among US Adults.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence of how dietary inflammatory potential influences nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. AIMS: Our study aims to evaluate the association of dietary inflammatory index (DII) with liver fibrosis, a hallmark feature of NAFLD, among US adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional data consisting of 5,506 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018 were used. Energy adjusted-DII (E-DII) scores were calculated using 2 days of 24-h dietary recall data. We used a partial proportional odds model to determine risk at each stage of fibrosis according to the E-DII score. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of NAFLD (assessed by US fatty liver index) was 34.5%, with 23.2% (assessed by NAFLD Fibrosis Score) having mild fibrosis, 10.4% intermediate fibrosis, and 0.9% advanced fibrosis. When comparing the most pro-inflammatory diets to the most anti-inflammatory diets (AIDs) in the multivariable model, the marginal probability effect (MPE) of NAFLD, mild fibrosis and intermediate fibrosis increased by 11.7% (95% CI 6.6%, 16.9%), 7.0% (95% CI 3.5%, 10.4%) and 4.0% (95% CI 0.3%, 7.5%), respectively. The MPE of advanced fibrosis was not significant (MPE = 0.7%; 95% CI - 1.1%, 2.8%). Similar associations were observed when applying Fibrosis-4 and transient elastography as fibrosis diagnostic measurements. CONCLUSIONS: An AID was associated with lower risk of development of NAFLD and early-stage of fibrosis among US adults. But the associations became attenuated and dissipated as the fibrogenesis became severe. Further studies are needed to re-confirm our observations.

Associations between e-cigarette use or dual use of e-cigarette and combustible cigarette and metabolic syndrome: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

PURPOSE: Examine associations between e-cigarette use or dual use of e-cigarette and combustible cigarette and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 5121 U.S. adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Weighted multivariable Poisson regression models were used to examine associations between e-cigarette use or dual use and MetS and its components. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Current and former e-cigarette users were 30% (95% CI: 1.13, 1.50) and 15% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.28) more likely to have MetS than never e-cigarette users. Current or former e-cigarette use was also associated with elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and elevated blood pressure (AOR ranged from 1.15 to 1.42, all P < 0.05). The prevalence of MetS for dual users was 1.35-fold (95% CI: 1.15, 1.58) higher than that for never smokers and 1.21-fold (95% CI: 1.00, 1.46) higher than that for combustible cigarette-only users. Dual users were also more likely to report elevated triglycerides and reduced HDL cholesterol than never smokers or combustible cigarette-only users (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use or dual use is associated with MetS. Our findings may inform tobacco control policies regarding regulations of e-cigarette use.

The association between food insecurity and cognitive impairment among the US adults: The mediation role of anxiety or depression.

BACKGROUND: Using a nationally representative sample, this study aimed to examine (1) socio-demographic and health-related disparities in cognitive impairment, (2) the association between food insecurity and cognitive impairment, and (3) the mediation role of anxiety or depression in the pathway between food insecurity and cognitive impairment. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 28,508 adults from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations with cognitive impairment. Mediation analyses were conducted using the four-way decomposition method under a counterfactual framework. RESULTS: Disparities in cognitive impairment were observed across socio-demographic and health-related characteristics (all p < 0.0001). Food insecurity was significantly associated with cognitive impairment in the overall population and the magnitude of the association was greater for the young or middle-aged, females and non-Hispanic Blacks than the general population (AOR ranged from 1.19 to 2.54, all p < 0.01). With anxiety as a mediator, 28.66 % of the total effect of food insecurity on cognitive impairment was attributable to mediation only, and 22.39 % was attributable to interaction (between food insecurity and anxiety) and mediation. With depression as a mediator, 22.33 % of the total effect was attributable to mediation only, and 16.00 % was attributable to interaction (between food insecurity and depression) and mediation. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design prevents inference of causality. CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring available and adequate food resources is important to prevent adverse cognitive outcomes. Clinical interventions or treatments for anxiety or depression may help improve cognitive function.

The association between chronic conditions, COVID-19 infection, and food insecurity among the older US adults: findings from the 2020-2021 National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to examine how the presence of chronic conditions or positive COVID-19 infection (as exposures) is related to food insecurity (as an outcome) in the older population and whether there is a dose-response relationship between the number of chronic conditions and the severity of food insecurity. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 17,977 older adults (≥ 65 years) from the 2020-2021 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Chronic conditions included physical health conditions (i.e., arthritis, coronary heart diseases, hypertension, stroke, prediabetes, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and disability) and mental health conditions (i.e., anxiety and depression disorder). COVID-19 infection status was determined by a self-reported diagnosis of COVID-19. Household food insecurity was measured using the 10-item US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Security Survey Module with a 30-day look-back window. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the association between health conditions and food insecurity controlling for socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: Our results indicated that 4.0% of the older adults lived in food-insecure households. The presence of chronic conditions was significantly associated with higher odds of being food insecure independent of socio-demographic factors (AOR ranged from 1.17 to 3.58, all p < 0.0001). Compared with participants with 0-1 chronic condition, the odds of being (low or very low) food insecure was 1.09 to 4.07 times higher for those with 2, or ≥ 3 chronic conditions (all p < 0.0001). The severity of food insecurity significantly increased as the number of chronic conditions increased (p for trend < 0.0001). Besides, COVID-infected participants were 82% more likely to be very low food secure than the non-infected participants (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.80, 1.84). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of chronic conditions or positive COVID-infection is independently associated with household food insecurity. Clinical health professionals may help identify and assist individuals at risk of food insecurity. Management and improvement of health conditions may help reduce the prevalence and severity of food insecurity in the older population.

Diabetes, metformin use and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in postmenopausal women: A prospective cohort analysis in the Women's Health Initiative.

Epidemiologic evidence is limited about associations between T2DM, metformin, and the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We aimed to examine associations between T2DM, metformin, and the risk of NHL in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study. Information on T2DM status (diabetes status/types of antidiabetic drug use/diabetes duration) from study enrollment and during follow-up were assessed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate associations of T2DM status with risks of overall NHL and its three major subtypes [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, n = 476), follicular lymphoma (FL, n = 301) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL, n = 136)] based on multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. During a median follow-up of 18.86 years (range, 0.01-25.13; SD ± 6.55), a total of 1637 women developed NHL among 147 885 postmenopausal women. Women with T2DM and with self-reported oral medication use had 38% and 55% higher risk of DLBCL, respectively [multivariable-adjusted model HR = 1.38, 95% CI (1.06-1.81) and HR = 1.55, 95% CI (1.16-2.06)] compared to the reference group (nondiabetics/untreated diabetes). Risks of NHL and DLBCL [multivariable-adjusted model: HR = 1.28, 95% CI (1.06-1.54) and HR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.13-2.14), respectively] were significantly higher in associations with relatively short duration (≤7 years) of diabetes, compared to reference group. Additionally, an increased risk of DLBCL [HR = 1.76, 95% CI (1.13-2.75)] was found in metformin users compared to the reference group. Postmenopausal women who had T2DM, who were oral antidiabetic drug users, especially metformin, and who had a shorter diabetes duration may have higher risks of DLBCL. Further well-designed research is needed to confirm our findings.

Association of plasma endothelin-1 with blood pressure progression among Blacks: The Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite pathophysiological links between endothelin (ET)-1 and hypertension in Black adults, there is no population-based data appraising the association of plasma ET-1 with longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes in Blacks. METHODS: We analyzed data from 1197 Jackson Heart Study participants without hypertension (mean age 47.8 years [SD: 12.0]; 64.2% women), with plasma ET-1 available at the baseline examination (2000-2004). Poisson regression with robust variance was used to generate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of BP progression (an increase by ≥1 BP category based on the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification) and incident hypertension (BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication) at follow-up (2005-2008 or 2009-2013). RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 7 years (range: 4-11), 71.2% (n = 854) progressed to a higher BP stage and 64.6% (n = 773) developed hypertension. After adjusting for possible confounders, each unit increment in baseline log (ET-1) was associated with higher risks of BP progression (RR 1.15 [95% CI 1.03-1.29], P = .016) and incident hypertension (RR 1.15 [95% CI 1.01-1.31], P = .032). Compared to those in the lowest ET-1 quartile, participants in the highest quartile had significantly higher risks of BP progression (RR 1.20 [95% CI 1.05-1.37], P = .007) and incident hypertension (RR 1.16 [95% CI 1.00-1.36], P = .052). CONCLUSIONS: In a large, community-based sample of African Americans, higher plasma ET-1 concentrations were associated with higher risks of BP progression and incident hypertension.

A correction score to compare aortic calcification in contrast enhanced and non-contrast measurements from computed tomography scans.

BACKGROUND: Aortic wall calcification shows strong promise as a cardiovascular risk factor. While useful for visual enhancement of vascular tissue, enhancement creates heterogeneity between scans with and without contrast. We evaluated the relationship between aortic calcification in routine abdominal computed tomography scans (CT) with and without contrast. METHODS: Inclusion was limited to those with abdominal CT-scans with and without contrast enhancement within 120 days. Analytic Morphomics, a semi-automated computational image processing system, was used to provide standardized, granular, anatomically indexed measurements of aortic wall calcification from abdominal CT-scans. Aortic calcification area (ACA) and aortic wall calcification percent (ACP) and were the outcomes of interest. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship of aortic measurements. Models were further controlled for age and sex. Stratification of measurements by vertebral level was also performed. RESULTS: A positive association was observed for non-contrast calcification in ACP ß 0.74 (95% CI 0.72, 0.76) and ACA ß 0.44 (95% 0.43, 0.45). Stratified results demonstrated the highest coefficient of determination at L2 for percent and L3 for area models [R2 0.91 (ACP) 0.74 (ACA)]. Adjusted lumber-level associations between non-contrast and contrast measurements ranged from (ß 0.69-0.82) in ACP and (ß 0.37-0.54) in ACA. CONCLUSION: A straightforward correction score for comparison of abdominal aortic calcification measurements in contrast-enhanced and non-contrast scans is discussed. Correction of aortic calcification from CT scans can reduce scan heterogeneity and will be instrumental in creating larger cardiovascular cohorts as well as cardiovascular risk surveillance programs.

Smoking trajectories from adolescence to early adulthood as a longitudinal predictor of mental health in adulthood: evidence from 21 years of a nationally representative cohort.

AIMS: To measure the prospective relationship between smoking trajectories from adolescence to young adulthood and mental health in later adulthood and test whether this relationship was mediated by concurrent co-use of alcohol and marijuana. DESIGN: Longitudinal study using data drawn from rounds 1 to 18 of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97), a nationally representative cohort study spanning 21 years. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: The analytical sample included those who completed survey items about smoking behaviors on at least half the data collection opportunities in adolescence and young adulthood (n = 8570, 48.9% female, 66.2% white). MEASUREMENTS: Mental health in adulthood was measured using the five-item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5; range = 0-100) at round 18. Seven trajectories of smoking from adolescence to young adulthood were identified by group-based multi-trajectory modeling, using data over 11 years from rounds 1 to 11. FINDINGS: Late-onset moderate smokers [ß = -1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.61 to -0.29], late-onset accelerated smokers (ß = -2.53, 95% CI = -4.28 to -0.78), early-onset heavy smokers (ß = -3.72, 95% CI = -5.59 to -1.85) and early-onset moderate smokers (ß = -2.66, 95% CI = -4.48 to -0.84) showed poorer regression-adjusted mean MHI-5 scores in later adulthood than stable abstainers, even after controlling for baseline mental health and covariates. Whether or not a difference in MHI-5 scores was present between quitters and stable abstainers was inconclusive. The concurrent co-use of alcohol and marijuana in young adulthood significantly mediated the relationship between smoking trajectory and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Continued smoking, especially early-onset and heavy smoking from adolescence to young adulthood, appears to increase the risk of poor mental health later in mid-adulthood, and quitting smoking in young adulthood may mitigate such risk even among early-onset smokers. Mediation analyses underscore the role of using multiple substances in this pathway.

Plasma Adiponectin and Blood Pressure Progression in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known on the association of plasma adiponectin with blood pressure (BP) changes in African Americans (AAs). We evaluated the associations between plasma adiponectin and BP progression among AAs. METHODS: We analyzed data from 1,184 participants without hypertension at baseline (2000-2004) with ≥1 follow-up visits in the Jackson Heart Study. We used robust Poisson regression to generate risk ratios (RRs) for BP progression (an increase by ≥1 BP stage) and incident hypertension. RESULTS: Over a median of 7 years, 71% progressed to higher BP stage and 65% developed hypertension. We found evidence of interaction by sex (P-interaction = 0.088). Compared with those in the lowest quartile (Q1), male participants in the highest adiponectin quartile (Q4) had reduced risks of BP progression (RR 0.76 [95% confidence interval, CI, 0.60-0.96]) and incident hypertension (RR 0.74 [95% CI 0.56-0.97]). After accounting for body mass index, this relation persisted among obese men (RR for the highest [vs. lowest] adiponectin quartile: 0.59 [95% CI 0.36-0.97] for incident hypertension, and 0.69 [95% CI 0.45-1.06] for BP progression). Among women, adiponectin was not associated with BP outcomes (RR [95% CI] for Q4 vs. Q1: 1.03 [0.86-1.23] and 1.01 [0.83-1.23] for BP progression and incident hypertension, respectively). Our findings were consistent across both the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) and Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC-7) BP categories. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, community-based sample of AAs, higher adiponectin concentrations were associated with lower risks of BP progression and incident hypertension in men, but no significant association was observed in women.

Associations between air pollution indicators and prevalent and incident diabetes in an African American cohort, the Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is especially prevalent among African Americans. Prior studies suggest that long-term exposure to ambient air pollution may be associated with greater incidence of diabetes, but results remain heterogeneous. Few studies have included large numbers of African Americans. METHODS: We assessed diabetes status and concentrations of 1- and 3-year fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) among African American participants of the Jackson Heart Study at visits 1 (2000-2004, N = 5128) and 2 (2005-2008, N = 2839). We used mixed-effect modified Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incidence of diabetes by visit 2 and prevalence ratios (PRs) of the association between air pollution exposure and prevalent diabetes at visits 1 and 2. We adjusted for potential confounding by patient characteristics, as well as inverse probability weights of diabetes at visit 2, accounting for clustering by census tract. RESULTS: We observed associations between incident diabetes and interquartile range increase in 1-year O3 (RR 1.34, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.61) and 3-year O3 (RR 0.88, 95% CI = 0.76, 1.02). We observed associations between prevalent diabetes and 1-year PM2.5 (PR 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.17), 1-year O3 (PR 1.18, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.27), and 3-year O3 (PR 0.95, 95% CI = 0.90, 1.01) at visit 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide some evidence of positive associations between indicators of long-term PM2.5 and O3 exposure and diabetes. This study is particularly relevant to African Americans, who have higher prevalence of diabetes but relatively few studies of environmental pollution risk factors.

Plasma Leptin and Blood Pressure Progression in Blacks: The Jackson Heart Study.

[Figure: see text].

Long-Term Air Pollution and Blood Pressure in an African American Cohort: the Jackson Heart Study.

INTRODUCTION: African Americans are disproportionately affected by high blood pressure, which may be associated with exposure to air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter and ozone. METHODS: Among African American Jackson Heart Study participants, this study examined associations between 1-year and 3-year mean fine particulate matter and ozone concentrations with prevalent and incident hypertension at Visits 1 (2000-2004, n=5,191) and 2 (2005-2008, n=4,105) using log binomial regression. Investigators examined associations with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure using linear regression and hierarchical linear models, adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics. Analyses were conducted in 2017-2019. RESULTS: No associations were observed between fine particulate matter or ozone concentration and prevalent or incident hypertension. In linear models, an IQR increase in 1-year ozone concentration was associated with 0.67 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure (95% CI=0.27, 1.06), 0.42 mmHg higher diastolic blood pressure (95% CI=0.20, 0.63), and 0.50 mmHg higher mean arterial pressure (95% CI=0.26, 0.74). In hierarchical models, fine particulate matter was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure (-0.72, 95% CI= -1.31, -0.13), diastolic blood pressure (-0.69, 95% CI= -1.02, -0.36), and mean arterial pressure (-0.71, 95% CI= -1.08, -0.33). Attenuated associations were observed with 1-year concentrations and at Visit 1. CONCLUSIONS: Positive associations were observed between ozone and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure, and inverse associations between fine particulate matter and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure in an African American population with high (56%) prevalence of hypertension. Effect sizes were small and may not be clinically relevant.