Decadal Trends in the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Economically Developed Regions in China.

Objective: To estimate decadal trends in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in economically developed regions in China and its association with city economic levels. Methods: Using a comprehensive Chinese healthcare database, repeated cross-sectional studies were conducted on adults who had annual health check-ups from 2012 to 2021 in 4 economically developed cities. MetS was defined by the criteria of the Chinese Diabetes Society in 2013. The crude prevalence of MetS adjusted for sex and age was reported. The association between prevalence, calendar year, and city gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was analyzed by regression model. Results: 158 274 participants aged 18 years and older were included. The unadjusted prevalence of MetS increased from 15.5% (95% CI: 14.2%-16.8%) to 20.0% (95% CI: 19.5%-20.5%) from 2012 to 2021. The adjusted overall prevalence has increased steadily from 12.8% to 20.8% after controlling age and sex (P < .001). Male and older age groups had a higher MetS prevalence. In the regression model of the association between the MetS prevalence, calendar year, and city GDP per capita, calendar year had a positive association with the prevalence (P < .001, 95% CI: 0.648-1.954) and city GDP per capita had a negative association (P = .030, 95% CI: -0.136 to -0.007). Conclusion: The MetS prevalence increased steadily in the economically developed regions in China among the health check-up population during 2012-2021. The MetS prevalence is shown to be negatively associated with GDP per capita in the study population.

Impact of Bio-impedance Emitted from Wearable Smart Watches on Skin Microbiota: A Pilot Study.

Smart watches (SWs), which offer users a variety of features including bio-impedance measurements, have grown significantly in popularity as wearable health monitoring devices. Electrical currents are used in bio-impedance technology to measure things like body composition and hydration levels. However, little is known about how these electrical currents might affect the skin's microbiota, which is vital for preserving skin health. This summary of the possible effects of bio-impedance measurements from SWs on the skin microbiota is intended. Hence, we tried to explore the effect of impedance emitted from smart watches on the skin microbiota. A total of 20 volunteers were recruited, and their skin microbial load was enumerated from the impedance-exposed region at two different time intervals and compared with non-exposed region. We found an overall 57% reduction of microbial load on impedance-exposed regions as compared to non-exposed regions. Impedance significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced the microbial load. Despite preliminary data pointing to a potential connection between bio-impedance readings from SWs and skin microbiota, further research is required to understand the impact of SWs on the human skin.

Usability of the Japanese Late-Stage Elderly Questionnaire for screening major depression.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with major depression are at risk of frailty and long-term care needs. Consequently, screening for major depression is imperative to prevent such risks. In Japan, the Late-Stage Elderly Questionnaire was developed to evaluate older adults' holistic health, including mental well-being. It comprises one specific question to gauge life satisfaction, but the effectiveness of this question to screen for major depression remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to assess the usability of this question to screen for major depression. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used a large, commercially available claims database in Japan. Participants were older adults aged ≥75 years who completed the Late-Stage Elderly Questionnaire and were classified with and without new major depression within 1 year. We evaluated the questionnaire's ability to screen for major depression using C-statistics, developing three models to assess the cut-off value based on responses to the life satisfaction question ('Satisfied', 'Somewhat satisfied', 'Somewhat unsatisfied', or 'Unsatisfied'), estimating the sensitivity and specificity of each model. RESULTS: Among 11 117 older adults, 77 newly experienced major depression within 1 year. The C-statistic for screening major depression was 0.587. The model setting the cut-off between 'Somewhat unsatisfied' and 'Unsatisfied' the demonstrated lowest sensitivity and highest specificity, while the model setting the cut-off between 'Satisfied' and 'Somewhat satisfied' demonstrated highest sensitivity and lowest specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that due to its poor screening ability and high rate of false negatives, the question assessing life satisfaction in the Late-Stage Elderly Questionnaire may not be useful for screening major depression in older adults and may require modification.

Relationship between the longitudinal trajectory of the triglyceride-glucose index and the development of CKD: an 8-year retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance, is significantly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is limited research on the longitudinal trajectory of TyG index over time and its relationship with CKD. Objective: To analyse the characteristics of the longitudinal trajectory of the TyG index over time and its association with the development of CKD in a health check-up population. Methods: Participants who underwent at least three annual health check-ups at the Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from 2015 to 2022 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. The latent class mixed model (LCMM) was used to identify the TyG index trajectory of the study population. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the CKD incidence risk in different quartile groups and the association of changes in the TyG index trajectory with the development of CKD. Results: A total of 4,921 participants were included in this study, and they were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of the baseline TyG index: Q1 (5.43-6.66), Q2 (6.67-7.04), Q3 (7.05-7.43), and Q4 (7.43-9.97). There was no difference in the risk of CKD occurrence among the TyG groups. Three different TyG index trajectories were identified in this study: a high-level group, middle-level stable group and low-level stable group, respectively. The incidence rate of CKD in the high-level TyG index trajectory group was 2.399 times greater than that in the low-level stable trajectory group (HR=2.399, 95% CI 1.167-4.935). Conclusion: Individuals with long-term exposure to high TyG index levels had a significantly greater risk of CKD. Routine monitoring of the TyG index and its longitudinal trend will aid in the risk stratification of CKD in the general population and will be helpful for CKD prevention and targeted management.

Corrigendum: Relationship between the longitudinal trajectory of the triglyceride-glucose index and the development of CKD: an 8-year retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1376166.].

Association between the utilization of senior centers and participation in health check-ups.

The global older adult population is increasing. Early detection and intervention through health check-ups are crucial for successful aging, as they play a significant role in identifying and addressing diseases. This study explored the relationship between the utilization of senior centers and the promotion of health check-ups. It utilized data from 10,097 individuals aged 65 years and above, sourced from the 2020 Elderly Survey in South Korea. The primary variable of interest was classified into two groups: those who utilized senior centers and those who did not. Subgroups were further categorized based on the frequency of usage and the presence of family members among senior centers users. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the utilization of senior centers and participation in health check-ups. Both men and women utilizing senior centers demonstrated a higher likelihood of participating in health check-ups compared with those who did not use senior centers. Participants visiting senior centers in a week exhibited a progressively higher likelihood of engaging in health check-ups compared with those who visited such senior centers zero times a week. Senior centers can serve as effective intervention methods to enhance health check-ups among older adults. Furthermore, this can contribute to fostering successful aging among older adults.

Addressing cortex dysregulation in youth through brain health check coaching and prophylactic brain development.

The Carter Center has estimated that the addiction crisis in the United States (US), if continues to worsen at the same rate, may cost the country approximately 16 trillion dollars by 2030. In recent years, the well-being of youth has been compromised by not only the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic but also the alarming global opioid crisis, particularly in the US. Each year, deadly opioid drugs claim hundreds of thousands of lives, contributing to an ever-rising death toll. In addition, maternal usage of opioids and other drugs during pregnancy could compromise the neurodevelopment of children. A high rate of DNA polymorphic antecedents compounds the occurrence of epigenetic insults involving methylation of specific essential genes related to normal brain function. These genetic antecedent insults affect healthy DNA and mRNA transcription, leading to a loss of proteins required for normal brain development and function in youth. Myelination in the frontal cortex, a process known to extend until the late 20s, delays the development of proficient executive function and decision-making abilities. Understanding this delay in brain development, along with the presence of potential high-risk antecedent polymorphic variants or alleles and generational epigenetics, provides a clear rationale for embracing the Brain Research Commission's suggestion to mimic fitness programs with an adaptable brain health check (BHC). Implementing the BHC within the educational systems in the US and other countries could serve as an effective initiative for proactive therapies aimed at reducing juvenile mental health problems and eventually criminal activities, addiction, and other behaviors associated with reward deficiency syndrome.

Waistline to thigh circumference ratio as a predictor of MAFLD: a health care worker study with 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether the waist-to-thigh ratio (WTTR) is associated with the incidence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in health care workers. METHODS: There were 4517 health care workers with baseline data and results from 2 follow-up examinations. We divided the subjects into 3 groups according to baseline WTTR and used the Cox hazard regression model to estimate MAFLD risk. RESULTS: The WTTRs were categorized by tertiles at baseline using the values 1.58 and 1.66. Patients with higher WTTR tended to have significantly greater values for the following factors, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FPG), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and neck circumference. The incidence of MAFLD significantly increased with increasing WTTR tertiles (5.74%, 12.75% and 22.25% for the first, second and third tertiles, respectively, P < 0.05 for trend). Kaplan-Meier(K-M) survival analysis revealed a significant tendency towards increased MAFLD risk with increasing WTTR tertile. In the fully adjusted model, the hazard ratios (95% CIs) for MAFLD in the second, third WTTR tertiles compared with the first quartile were 2.17(1.58,2.98), 3.63(2.70,4.89), respectively, third neck circumference tertiles compared with the first quartile were 2.84(1.89,4.25), 8.95(6.00,13.35), respectively. Compared with those of individuals with a BMI > 23 kg/m2, the associations between WTTR and MAFLD incidence were more pronounced in subjects with a BMI < 23 kg/m2. Similarly, the difference in neck circumference was more pronounced in these patients with a BMI < 23 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that the WTTR is an independent risk factor for MAFLD, and there was a dose‒response relationship between the WTTR and MAFLD risk. The neck circumference was significantly different in subjects with a BMI < 23 kg/m2. This approach provides a new way to predict the incidence rate of MAFLD.

[Implementation of a novel form of care for the early detection and prevention of emotional and behavioral problems in children in the pediatric setting: Qualitative interviews with pediatricians, practice staff and parents]. / Implementierung einer neuen Versorgungsform zur Früherkennung und Prävention emotionaler und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Kindern im kinderärztlichen Setting: Qualitative Interviews mit Kinderärzt*innen, Praxispersonal und Sorgeberechtigten.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of the implementation of a standardized screening using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as part of the routine pediatric health check-ups in the Dresden area (Germany) in order to detect emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) in children early and allocate them to indicated preventive programs and/or to further counselling and treatment services. METHODS: 1.) Semi-structured interviews were performed with participating pediatricians (n=4), practice staff (n=4) and custodians of screened children (n=17) and subjected to content analysis regarding feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of the screening and the targeted allocation, as well as barriers and facilitators of using the screening and the preventive programs and further services. 2.) A self-developed questionnaire survey (descriptive analysis: means and frequencies) was conducted among pediatricians (n=34/99) to inquire about the implementation of the SDQ screening regarding feasibility, advantages, disadvantages and necessary conditions for a potential adoption of the screening to standard health services. RESULTS: In the interviews, the pediatricians and practice staff reported that the SDQ screening embedded in routine pediatric health check-ups was simple and could be carried out in a few minutes. The screening helped to identify and address possible EBPs in children and to recommend a targeted service. Apart from the expenditure of time, no disadvantages were mentioned. As expected, parent-related (e.g. fears, attitudes and trust in the pediatrician), child-related (does not want to reveal any information about him- or herself , attitude and motivation), service provider-related (presentation of services), organizational (necessary signatures, financing, waiting time) and service-related (duration, costs, venue, designation) factors influenced the families' use of the screening and further services. Interviewed custodians whose child participated in an indicated preventive program within the project (n=11) would recommend the SDQ screening and preventive program to other families. In the questionnaire survey 28/31 pediatricians "completely" or "rather" agreed on a 5-point Likert scale that the SDQ screening and targeted allocation should be included in standard pediatric care. DISCUSSION: The use of the SDQ, which is one of the most widely used and, despite its brevity, most valid screening instruments for the early detection of EBPs, in routine pediatric health check-ups and the targeted allocation of further health services represent a feasible approach to the early identification and clarification of EBPs in children as well as their allocation to indicated preventive services. CONCLUSION: An adoption of the novel form of care (SDQ screening and targeted allocation to indicated preventive programs and further services) to standard pediatric care unfolds its benefits if preventive and care services for EBPs in children are made available nationwide.

Comparing screening based on the NHS Health Check and Polypill Prevention Programmes in the primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the NHS Health Check Programme with the Polypill Prevention Programme in the primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes. DESIGN: Use of published data and methodology to produce flow charts of the two programmes to determine screening performance and heart attacks and strokes prevented. SETTING: The UK population. INTERVENTION: The NHS Health Check Programme using a QRISK score on people aged 40-74 to select those eligible for a statin is compared with the Polypill Prevention Programme in people aged 50 or more to select people for a combination of a statin and three low-dose blood pressure lowering agents. In both programmes, people had no history of heart attack or stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In 1000 people, the number of heart attacks and strokes prevented in the two programmes. RESULTS: In the hypothetical perfect situation with 100% uptake and adherence to the screening protocol, in every 1000 persons, the NHS Health Check would prevent 287 cases of a heart attack or stroke in individuals who would gain on average about 4 years of life without a heart attack or stroke amounting to 1148 years in total, the precise gain depending on the extent of treatment for those with raised blood pressure, and 136 would be prescribed statins with no benefit. The corresponding figures for the Polypill Prevention Programme are 316 individuals who would, on average, gain 8 years of life without a heart attack or stroke, amounting to 2528 years in total, and 260 prescribed the polypill with no benefit. Based on published estimates of uptake and adherence in the NHS Health Check Programme, in practice only 24 cases per 1000 are currently benefitting instead of 287, amounting to 96 years gained without a heart attack or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The Polypill Prevention Programme is by design simpler with the potential of preventing many more heart attacks and strokes than the NHS Health Check Programme.

The polypill in the primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes: Overcoming barriers to implementation.

This commentary, linked to our paper in the same issue of the Journal of Medical Screening, discusses the reluctance to consider and adopt the polypill in the primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes, access to the polypill as a public health service, the formulation of the polypill in current use, its prescription as an unlicensed medicine, and what can be done to facilitate the adoption of the polypill approach as a routine public health service.

Association between subjective physical function and occurrence of new fractures in older adults: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The Late-Stage Elderly Questionnaire has been incorporated into health assessments for older adults in Japan, encompassing three self-administered questions on subjective physical function: subjective gait speed decline, recent fall history, and exercise habits. Nevertheless, its efficacy in predicting new fracture occurrences remains uncertain. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized Japan's DeSC database, a large commercially available claims database. Participants were older adults aged ≥75 years and provided complete responses to the Late-Stage Elderly Questionnaire at health check-ups. We performed two Cox regression analyses for new fractures based on the responses to the three questions (Model 1) and on age, sex, and responses to the three questions (Model 2). The predictive abilities of the 1-year occurrence of new fractures were compared between the two models. RESULTS: Of 11 683 eligible older adults, 927 (7.93%) experienced new fractures. Model 1 revealed significant associations between new fractures and subjective gait speed decline (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-1.89), recent fall history (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.77-2.33), and absence of exercise habits (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13-1.47). Model 2 demonstrated superior predictive ability (area under the curve, 0.677; 95% CI, 0.659-0.695) compared with Model 1 (area under the curve, 0.633; 95% CI, 0.614-0.652), with a net reclassification improvement of 0.383 (95% CI, 0.317-0.449). CONCLUSION: Three subjective physical well-being factors were significantly associated with new fracture development in older adults. These results suggest that the three-question assessment may be a valuable screening tool for identifying new fractures. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 337-343.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Check-ups in 2021 and 2022: A Nationwide Follow-up Survey of Healthcare Facilities in Japan Society of Ningen Dock.

Introduction: Preventive programs, including screenings for cancer and diabetes, were disrupted globally due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. We previously conducted a nationwide survey to investigate the initial impact of the pandemic on health check-ups; however, the impact in the second and third years of the pandemic has not yet been elucidated. Here, we conducted a follow-up survey targeting healthcare facilities to evaluate the impact of the pandemic until the end of 2022. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted between December 15, 2022, and February 10, 2023, targeting member facilities of Japan Society of Ningen Dock. The survey consisted of two parts. Part I comprised a web-based questionnaire, in which the facilities were asked about their commitment to COVID-19-related care, precautions against COVID-19, and whether the pandemic had a negative financial impact on the management of health check-ups. In Part II, the facilities were asked about the number of examinees who underwent health check-ups between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of those who needed and adhered to follow-up visits, and the number of cancer cases found between 2019 and 2021. Results: Of the 1,343 eligible facilities, 885 participated (response rate: 65.9%). The observation that the number of people undergoing mandatory check-ups increased while those undergoing nonmandatory check-ups (e.g., cancer screenings by local governments) decreased in 2021, compared with that of 2019, persisted into 2022. Approximately 60% of the facilities reported a negative financial impact on the management of health check-ups, even in 2022. Conclusions: In 2022, the pandemic's detrimental effects on health check-ups persisted.

Preventive Health Checkup: Utilization, Motivators, and Barriers Among the General Population in a Rural District in Tamil Nadu, India.

BACKGROUND: The main goals of preventive health care include the early detection of disease by screening, identifying and reducing disease risk factors, and improving the current disease processes. Moreover, early disease discovery in the latent stage facilitates prompt intervention, reducing morbidity and death. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of people who have availed preventive health check-ups in Perambalur and to determine the motivators and barriers to health check-ups among adults (age group: 18 years and above). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among the general population from September 2021 to November 2021. A total of 436 participants were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic characteristics and preventive health check-up details, along with the motivators and barriers. The data were entered in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA), and analysis was done using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULT: The mean ± SD of the age of the general population was 52.27 ± 21.09. Out of 436 participants, only 130 (29.82%) had undergone preventive health check-ups in the past. The subjects with young age (p = 0.006), those who obtained COVID-19 vaccination (p = 0.001), subjects with stable occupation (p = 0.002), and those with higher education (p < 0.001) (chi-square test) had preventive health check-ups. A significant association was found between motivators and barriers for age, gender, education, occupation, marital status, the presence of comorbidities, and vaccination status against COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Preventive health check-up is still not up the ladder of health care for the general population. The health programmes should orient the public towards the concept of individual responsibility in health.

Relationship between body adiposity parameters and insulin resistance: a preliminary study of surrogate markers in Japan.

PURPOSE: According to the Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey 2019, the proportion of people with prediabetes is estimated to be 27.3%. Western-style dietary habits can lead to obesity and a functional abnormality of the adipose tissue, which can cause insulin resistance and predispose one to diabetes. We examined the relationship between insulin resistance using body adiposity parameters as surrogate markers. METHODS: This study enrolled 248 healthy participants to determine the association of six body adiposity parameters, namely, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product index (LAP), waist circumference-triglyceride index (WTI), and triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio with insulin resistance. Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were performed to assess the accuracy of these parameters in identifying insulin resistance. RESULTS: The data of the 248 participants (women 79 and men 169) were examined in this study. WC showed the highest accuracy in the obese women group (cut-off value: 89.8 with sensitivity: 0.900 and specificity: 0.522, AUC: 0.680) and men group (cut-off value: 90.0 with sensitivity: 0.862 and specificity: 0.508, AUC: 0.701). The TG/HDL ratio showed the highest accuracy in men with non-obesity (cut-off value: 0.8 with sensitivity: 0.857 and specificity: 0.649, AUC: 0.780). CONCLUSION: Application of this finding should be useful in the early screening of obesity in men with non-obesity, such as during regular health check-up with the TG/HDL ratio in addition to the usually used WC, to assess insulin resistance and prevent lifestyle-related diseases that can lead to cardiovascular events.

Effect of periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.

AIM: This study aimed to elucidate the impact of periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes and various baseline blood glucose levels using a large-scale claims database from Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the JMDC Claims Database, we identified individuals with type 2 diabetes who underwent health check-ups in the fiscal years 2018 or 2019 and were followed up until the next year's health check-up. We conducted a weighted cohort analysis using stabilized inverse probability weights for treatment and censoring to estimate the effect of periodontal therapy on changes in haemoglobin A1c levels within a year. Analysis was done for different baseline haemoglobin A1c categories: 6.5%-6.9%, 7.0%-7.9% and ≥8.0%. RESULTS: Of the 4279 insured persons included in the study, 957 received periodontal therapy. Overall, there was a tendency towards improved glycaemic control among those who received periodontal therapy. Participants with baseline haemoglobin A1c levels of 7.0%-7.9% who received periodontal therapy exhibited significantly better glycaemic control compared with those without dental visits (difference; -0.094 [95% confidence interval: -0.181 to -0.007]). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal therapy may improve glycaemic control in individuals with diabetes, especially in those with haemoglobin A1c levels ≥7.0%.

Targeted Lung Health Check: breast related incidental findings-imaging appearances and lessons learned.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC) to screen for lung cancer has highlighted that incidental findings are common and require management strategies. This study analyses retrospectively, incidentally detected breast lesions reported as part of the TLHC referred to the Breast Cancer clinicians. METHODS: All participants with incidental breast nodules referred to the Breast Cancer team in the first year of screening were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-two participants (48 female; 92.3%) were referred to the Breast Multidisciplinary Team Meeting for assessment of 43 breast nodules, 8 breast asymmetry/dense breasts, and 2 likely breast related metastatic disease. One participant declined breast team referral. For the 42 breast nodules investigated, the final diagnoses were 5 breast carcinomas, 10 normal breast tissue, and 27 benign nodules. One male patient was diagnosed with breast carcinoma. The 29 breast nodules classified as smooth and well defined were all benign. No malignancy was demonstrated in the group with asymmetric or dense breast tissue. Metastatic breast carcinoma was confirmed in two participants. Twenty-six out of thirty-seven (54%) females had prior breast screening mammograms precluding further investigation. CONCLUSION: Incidental breast nodules are common on THLC scans. Smooth, sharply defined breast nodules are likely to be benign but low-dose CT is poor at accurately assessing breast nodules. Agreed breast referral pathways prior to starting the Lung Cancer Screening programme are recommended. Access to screening mammograms can reduce referrals to the Breast clinic. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Lessons learned from TLHC pilot studies can be useful to sites commencing national TLHC programme.

NHS Health Check attendance is associated with reduced multiorgan disease risk: a matched cohort study in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: The NHS Health Check is a preventive programme in the UK designed to screen for cardiovascular risk and to aid in primary disease prevention. Despite its widespread implementation, the effectiveness of the NHS Health Check for longer-term disease prevention is unclear. In this study, we measured the rate of new diagnoses in UK Biobank participants who underwent the NHS Health Check compared with those who did not. METHODS: Within the UK Biobank prospective study, 48,602 NHS Health Check recipients were identified from linked primary care records. These participants were then covariate-matched on an extensive range of socio-demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors with 48,602 participants without record of the check. Follow-up diagnoses were ascertained from health records over an average of 9 years (SD 2 years) including hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, stroke, dementia, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, liver failure, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease (stage 3 +), cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. Time-varying survival modelling was used to compare adjusted outcome rates between the groups. RESULTS: In the immediate 2 years after the NHS Health Check, higher diagnosis rates were observed for hypertension, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease among health check recipients compared to their matched counterparts. However, in the longer term, NHS Health Check recipients had significantly lower risk across all multiorgan disease outcomes and reduced rates of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The NHS Health Check is linked to reduced incidence of disease across multiple organ systems, which may be attributed to risk modification through earlier detection and treatment of key risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol. This work adds important evidence to the growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of preventative interventions in reducing longer-term multimorbidity.

Oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines following perchloroethylene exposure in young female dry-cleaning workers.

BACKGROUND: The involvement of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in the development of autoimmune diseases has been reported. However, few studies investigated immunotoxicity in PCE-exposed workers. OBJECTIVE: To study changes in the oxidative stress and cytokine profile of young female dry-cleaning workers exposed to PCE. METHODS: Thirty-eight exposed workers and 38 unexposed controls were recruited. All the participants were young nonsmoker females. Individual interviews were conducted by a physician. Blood samples were collected and hematological tests were performed by an automated Coulter Counter. Plasma PCE levels were determined using gas chromatography/flame ionization detection. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using the colorimetric method. The levels of plasma cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured by commercially kits. RESULTS: The levels of plasma PCE averaged 561±96 ng/ml in the exposed group compared with 1.3±0.5 ng/ml in the controls. The hematological tests failed to find abnormalities in the exposed workers. Exposed workers presented significantly increased plasma levels of MDA, SOD and CAT. There were no significant differences between the two groups for level of plasma TAC. Significantly increased plasma IL-1ß and TNF-α and decreased IL-2 and IL-8 levels were seen in the exposed workers. There were no significant differences between the two groups for IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: PCE exposure resulted in changed cytokine profile in dry-cleaning workers, suggesting the potential immunotoxicity of PCE at low exposure levels.

Socioeconomic Disparities in the Association Between All-Cause Mortality and Health Check-Up Participation Among Healthy Middle-Aged Workers: A Nationwide Study.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the relationship between non-participation in health check-ups and all-cause mortality and morbidity, considering socioeconomic status. METHODS: Healthy, middle-aged (35-54 years) working individuals who maintained either self-employed or employee status from 2006-2010 were recruited in this retrospective cohort study from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. Health check-up participation was calculated as the sum of the number of health check-ups in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of all-cause mortality were estimated for each gender using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for age, income, residential area, and employment status. Interaction of non-participation in health check-ups and employment status on the risk of all-cause mortality was further analyzed. RESULTS: Among 4,267,243 individuals with a median 12-year follow-up (median age, 44; men, 74.43%), 89,030 (2.09%) died. The proportion (number) of deaths of individuals with no, one-time, and two-time participation in health check-ups was 3.53% (n = 47,496), 1.66% (n = 13,835), and 1.33% (n = 27,699), respectively. The association between health check-up participation and all-cause mortality showed a reverse J-shaped curve with the highest adjusted HR (95% CI) of 1.575 (1.541-1.611) and 1.718 (1.628-1.813) for men and women who did not attend any health check-ups, respectively. According to the interaction analysis, both genders showed significant additive and multiplicative interaction, with more pronounced additive interaction among women who did not attend health check-ups (relative excess risk due to interaction, 1.014 [0.871-1.158]). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the significant reverse J-shaped association between health check-up participation and all-cause mortality. A pronounced association was found among self-employed individuals, regardless of gender.