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Background and Objectives@#Previous observational studies presented a positive association between alcohol and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, previous studies using genetic polymorphisms on the causal relationship between alcohol consumption and AF have reported conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the causality between alcohol consumption and AF using the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism, which is the genetic variant with the most potent effect on drinking behavior. @*Methods@#A total of 8,964 participants from the Dong-gu Study were included in the present study. The causal association between alcohol consumption and AF was evaluated through a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism as an instrumental variable. @*Results@#No significant relationship between alcohol consumption and AF was found in the observational analysis. However, the genetic analysis using the ALDH2 polymorphism showed a significant association in men. In the MR analysis, genetically predicted daily alcohol consumption was positively related to AF. @*Conclusions@#MR analysis revealed a significant association between the amount of alcohol consumption and AF, which suggests that the association may be causal.
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Background@#Several studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels. However, the causality between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels has not been evaluated. @*Methods@#This study examined 8,922 participants from the Dong-gu Study. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism was used as an instrumental variable for alcohol consumption. The association between the genetically predicted alcohol consumption and cortisol level was evaluated with Mendelian randomization (MR) using two-stage least squares regression. @*Results@#Alcohol consumption was positively associated with the serum cortisol level in both sexes in the observational analysis. In the MR analysis, the genetically predicted alcohol consumption was positively related to the cortisol level in men, with cortisol levels increasing by 0.18 µg/dL per drink per day. However, there was no relationship in women in the MR analysis. @*Conclusion@#The predicted alcohol consumption according to the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism was positively related to the cortisol levels, suggesting a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels.
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Background@#Several studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels. However, the causality between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels has not been evaluated. @*Methods@#This study examined 8,922 participants from the Dong-gu Study. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism was used as an instrumental variable for alcohol consumption. The association between the genetically predicted alcohol consumption and cortisol level was evaluated with Mendelian randomization (MR) using two-stage least squares regression. @*Results@#Alcohol consumption was positively associated with the serum cortisol level in both sexes in the observational analysis. In the MR analysis, the genetically predicted alcohol consumption was positively related to the cortisol level in men, with cortisol levels increasing by 0.18 µg/dL per drink per day. However, there was no relationship in women in the MR analysis. @*Conclusion@#The predicted alcohol consumption according to the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism was positively related to the cortisol levels, suggesting a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and cortisol levels.
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BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor of elevated blood pressure. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism is common in Eastern Asians, and inactive ALDH2 genotypes are associated with both avoiding alcohol consumption and aldehyde accumulation. Therefore, this study assessed the associations between alcohol consumption and hypertension and blood pressure according to the ALDH2 genotypes.METHODS: This study consists of 8,526 participants in the Dong-gu Study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) according to alcohol consumption after stratifying by gender and ALDH2 genotypes. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) according to the amount of alcohol consumed.RESULTS: In men, alcohol consumption was positively associated with both SBP and DBP in active ALDH2 carriers, but not in inactive ALDH2 carriers. In active ALDH2 carriers, compared to non-drinkers, the OR of hypertension was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.49) for < 1 drink/day, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.15–1.80) for ≥ 1 drink/day in men. With each 1 drink/day increase, SBP and DBP increased by 3 and 1 mmHg in men, respectively. There was no significant association between ALDH2 genotypes and hypertension and blood pressure in women.CONCLUSION: ALDH2 genotype modified the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in men. There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in active ALDH2 carriers, but no significant relationship in inactive ALDH2 carriers.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Acetaldehyde , Alcohol Drinking , Aldehyde Dehydrogenase , Asian People , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cohort Studies , Genotype , Hypertension , Linear Models , Logistic Models , Odds Ratio , Oxidoreductases , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Elevated blood pressure is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor of elevated blood pressure. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism is common in Eastern Asians, and inactive ALDH2 genotypes are associated with both avoiding alcohol consumption and aldehyde accumulation. Therefore, this study assessed the associations between alcohol consumption and hypertension and blood pressure according to the ALDH2 genotypes.@*METHODS@#This study consists of 8,526 participants in the Dong-gu Study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) according to alcohol consumption after stratifying by gender and ALDH2 genotypes. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) according to the amount of alcohol consumed.@*RESULTS@#In men, alcohol consumption was positively associated with both SBP and DBP in active ALDH2 carriers, but not in inactive ALDH2 carriers. In active ALDH2 carriers, compared to non-drinkers, the OR of hypertension was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.49) for < 1 drink/day, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.15–1.80) for ≥ 1 drink/day in men. With each 1 drink/day increase, SBP and DBP increased by 3 and 1 mmHg in men, respectively. There was no significant association between ALDH2 genotypes and hypertension and blood pressure in women.@*CONCLUSION@#ALDH2 genotype modified the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in men. There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in active ALDH2 carriers, but no significant relationship in inactive ALDH2 carriers.
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BACKGROUND@#Elevated blood pressure is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor of elevated blood pressure. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism is common in Eastern Asians, and inactive ALDH2 genotypes are associated with both avoiding alcohol consumption and aldehyde accumulation. Therefore, this study assessed the associations between alcohol consumption and hypertension and blood pressure according to the ALDH2 genotypes.@*METHODS@#This study consists of 8,526 participants in the Dong-gu Study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) according to alcohol consumption after stratifying by gender and ALDH2 genotypes. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) according to the amount of alcohol consumed.@*RESULTS@#In men, alcohol consumption was positively associated with both SBP and DBP in active ALDH2 carriers, but not in inactive ALDH2 carriers. In active ALDH2 carriers, compared to non-drinkers, the OR of hypertension was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.49) for < 1 drink/day, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.15–1.80) for ≥ 1 drink/day in men. With each 1 drink/day increase, SBP and DBP increased by 3 and 1 mmHg in men, respectively. There was no significant association between ALDH2 genotypes and hypertension and blood pressure in women.@*CONCLUSION@#ALDH2 genotype modified the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in men. There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in active ALDH2 carriers, but no significant relationship in inactive ALDH2 carriers.
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BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphism is associated with neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Although the effects of the gene differ by ethnic group, few studies have examined Asians. Therefore, the association between APOE polymorphism and mortality in Koreans was evaluated in this study. METHODS: This study population included participants from the Dong-gu and Namwon Studies. APOE genotypes were categorized as E2 (E2/E2 and E2/E3), E3 (E3/E3), and E4 (E3/E4 and E4/E4). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were constructed using the E3 allele as a reference. RESULTS: In the model adjusting for study site, age, gender, and lifestyle, the hazard ratio (HR) of mortality for those with the E4 allele was 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.20), while that for those with the E2 allele was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74–0.96). After adjusting for blood lipids to evaluate their mediating effects, the HRs of mortality for those with E4 and E2 alleles were 1.08 (95% CI, 0.97–1.20) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.70–0.92), respectively. These associations were more evident in younger groups, with HRs of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.52–0.92) for the E2 allele and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.03–1.53) for the E4 allele. CONCLUSION: In two large population-based cohort studies, the E2 allele was associated with a lower risk of mortality compared with the E3 allele, whereas the E4 genotype was not associated with mortality in Koreans.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alleles , Apolipoproteins E , Apolipoproteins , Asian People , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cohort Studies , Ethnicity , Genotype , Life Style , Mortality , Negotiating , Proportional Hazards ModelsABSTRACT
This study evaluated the association between falls and the fear of falling (FOF) with the risk of all-cause mortality in Korean adults. The study enrolled 4,386 subjects aged 50 years and over who participated in the Dong-gu Study. Falls in the past year were categorized as yes or no. Injurious falls were defined as falls that resulted in fractures, head injuries, sprains or strains, bruising or bleeding, or other unspecified injuries. FOF was classified as low or high. The associations of falls and fall-related characteristics with mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. The average follow-up was 7.8 years. During this period, 255 men and 146 women died. In a fully adjusted model, falls in the past year were not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85–1.58), but a history of injurious falls was associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.04–1.79). Compared with subjects without a FOF, subjects who were moderately or very afraid of falling had a higher mortality rate (HR 1.26, 95% CI 0.97–1.63). In conclusion, injurious falls and a high FOF increased the risk of all-cause mortality in Koreans. This study suggests that injurious falls and FOF can predict mortality in the general population.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Accidental Falls , Cause of Death , Cohort Studies , Craniocerebral Trauma , Follow-Up Studies , Hemorrhage , Mortality , Proportional Hazards Models , Sprains and StrainsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We investigated associations between family history of diabetes (FHD) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, among people with and without diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 7031 people without diabetes and 1918 people with diabetes who participated in the Dong-gu Study were included. Data on FHD in first-degree relatives (father, mother, and siblings) were obtained. Elevated HbA1c levels in people without diabetes and high HbA1c levels in people with diabetes were defined as the highest quintiles of HbA1c ≥5.9% and ≥7.9%, respectively. RESULTS: In people without diabetes, the odds of elevated HbA1c levels [odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13−1.59] were significantly greater in people with any FHD than in those without. Specifically, the odds of elevated HbA1c levels in people without diabetes with an FHD involving siblings were greater than in those without an FHD involving siblings. Additionally, in people with diabetes, the odds of high HbA1c levels (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02−1.72) were greater in people with any FHD than in those without such history. Moreover, people with diabetes with maternal FHD had increased odds of high HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: FHD was associated not only with high HbA1c levels in people with diabetes, but also with elevated HbA1c levels in people without diabetes.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus/blood , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Family , Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Logistic Models , Odds Ratio , Prevalence , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Previous studies have suggested that a vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the association between serum vitamin D levels and type 2 diabetes in Korean adults. This study included 9,014 subjects (3,600 males and 5,414 females) aged ≥50 years who participated in the Dong-gu Study. The subjects were divided into groups in whom the serum vitamin D level was severely deficient (<10 ng/mL), deficient (10 to <20 ng/mL), insufficient (20 to <30 ng/mL) and sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Type 2 diabetes was defined by a fasting blood glucose level of ≥126 mg/dL and/or an HbA1c proportion of ≥6.5% and/or self-reported current use of diabetes medication. Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between vitamin D status and type 2 diabetes. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 22.6%, 22.5% and 18.4% and 12.7% for severely deficient, deficient, insufficient, and sufficient, respectively. Multivariate modeling revealed that subjects with insufficient or sufficient vitamin D levels were at a lower risk of type 2 diabetes than were subjects with deficient vitamin D levels [odds ratio (OR), 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71–0.94 and OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35–0.74, respectively]. Higher serum vitamin D levels were associated with a reduced risk of diabetes in Korean adults, suggesting that vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Blood Glucose , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Fasting , Logistic Models , Prevalence , Vitamin D , Vitamin D DeficiencyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We explored whether a gender difference was evident in terms of the associations of snoring with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels in a healthy population without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 2706 males and 4080 females who participated in the baseline survey of the Namwon Study. In terms of self-reported snoring frequency, participants were classified as non-snorers or occasional (1–3 days/week), frequent (4–6 days/week), or constant (7 days/week) snorers. Participants with DM, defined as a fasting blood glucose level ≥126 mg/dL and/or use of insulin or hypoglycemic medication, were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: In females, the fully adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) HbA1c levels in non-snorers and in occasional, frequent, and constant snorers were 5.53% (5.47–5.59%), 5.53% (5.47–5.59%), 5.57% (5.49–5.64%), and 5.57% (5.51–5.64%), respectively, reflecting a dose-response relationship (p trend=0.004). Compared with female non-snorers, the risk of an elevated HbA1c level (top quintile, ≥5.9%) in constant snorers remained significant (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.66) after full adjustment. In addition, in females, a significant linear trend in HbA1c level odds ratio by increased snoring frequency was apparent (p trend=0.019 in model 3). In contrast, no significant association between snoring frequency and HbA1c level was identified in males. No significant association between snoring frequency and HOMA-IR was detected in either gender. CONCLUSION: We discovered a gender-specific association between snoring and HbA1c level in a healthy, community-dwelling population free of DM.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Blood Glucose , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Fasting , Hemoglobin A , Insulin , Insulin Resistance , Odds Ratio , Snoring , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Previous studies have suggested that a vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the association between serum vitamin D levels and type 2 diabetes in Korean adults. This study included 9,014 subjects (3,600 males and 5,414 females) aged ≥50 years who participated in the Dong-gu Study. The subjects were divided into groups in whom the serum vitamin D level was severely deficient (<10 ng/mL), deficient (10 to <20 ng/mL), insufficient (20 to <30 ng/mL) and sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Type 2 diabetes was defined by a fasting blood glucose level of ≥126 mg/dL and/or an HbA1c proportion of ≥6.5% and/or self-reported current use of diabetes medication. Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between vitamin D status and type 2 diabetes. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 22.6%, 22.5% and 18.4% and 12.7% for severely deficient, deficient, insufficient, and sufficient, respectively. Multivariate modeling revealed that subjects with insufficient or sufficient vitamin D levels were at a lower risk of type 2 diabetes than were subjects with deficient vitamin D levels [odds ratio (OR), 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71–0.94 and OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35–0.74, respectively]. Higher serum vitamin D levels were associated with a reduced risk of diabetes in Korean adults, suggesting that vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Blood Glucose , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Fasting , Logistic Models , Prevalence , Vitamin D , Vitamin D DeficiencyABSTRACT
Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, few studies have evaluated the association between vitamin D status and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We therefore aimed to investigate whether low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were associated with increased risk of PAD in the Korean population. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 8,960 subjects aged 50 years or older without known myocardial infarction or stroke. PAD was defined by an ankle brachial blood pressure index <0.9. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and risk of PAD. Of the 8,960 subjects, 3.0% had PAD and the age and sex adjusted prevalence of PAD decreased with the increasing 25(OH)D quartile. After adjusting for potential confounders and parathyroid hormones, serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with a significantly decreased risk of PAD (OR for one SD increase, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.95-1.0, P for trend=0.040). Compared with the first 25(OH)D quartile, the odds of PAD were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.62-1.21), 0.67 (95% CI, 0.46-0.97), and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.49-1.04) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively. In this cross-sectional study, we found that low serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with an increased risk of PAD, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and parathyroid hormone. Our findings suggest that low vitamin D levels may contribute to PAD in the Korean population.
Subject(s)
Ankle , Atherosclerosis , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cross-Sectional Studies , Logistic Models , Myocardial Infarction , Parathyroid Hormone , Peripheral Arterial Disease , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Stroke , Vitamin D , VitaminsABSTRACT
Many studies have investigated relationships between APOE genotype and bone mineral density (BMD). However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. Few studies have been carried out in Asian populations. We studied the relationship of the APOE gene polymorphism and BMD in two large population-based studies. The datasets included the Dong-gu Study (3575 men and 5335 women) and the Namwon Study (2310 men, 3512 women). Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. APOE genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The APOE genotypes were classified into APOE E2 (E2/E2 and E2/E3), APOE E3 (E3/E3), and APOE E4 (E3/E4 and E4/E4). The genotype distribution of the study population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There were no significant differences among APOE genotype groups in lumbar and femoral neck BMD in either cohort. Our data do not support the hypothesis that the APOE genotype is associated with BMD.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Absorptiometry, Photon , Apolipoproteins E , Asian People , Bone Density , Cohort Studies , Dataset , Femur Neck , Genotype , Polymorphism, Genetic , SpineABSTRACT
Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, few studies have evaluated the association between vitamin D status and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We therefore aimed to investigate whether low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were associated with increased risk of PAD in the Korean population. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 8,960 subjects aged 50 years or older without known myocardial infarction or stroke. PAD was defined by an ankle brachial blood pressure index <0.9. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and risk of PAD. Of the 8,960 subjects, 3.0% had PAD and the age and sex adjusted prevalence of PAD decreased with the increasing 25(OH)D quartile. After adjusting for potential confounders and parathyroid hormones, serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with a significantly decreased risk of PAD (OR for one SD increase, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.95-1.0, P for trend=0.040). Compared with the first 25(OH)D quartile, the odds of PAD were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.62-1.21), 0.67 (95% CI, 0.46-0.97), and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.49-1.04) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively. In this cross-sectional study, we found that low serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with an increased risk of PAD, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and parathyroid hormone. Our findings suggest that low vitamin D levels may contribute to PAD in the Korean population.
Subject(s)
Ankle , Atherosclerosis , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cross-Sectional Studies , Logistic Models , Myocardial Infarction , Parathyroid Hormone , Peripheral Arterial Disease , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Stroke , Vitamin D , VitaminsABSTRACT
Many studies have investigated relationships between APOE genotype and bone mineral density (BMD). However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. Few studies have been carried out in Asian populations. We studied the relationship of the APOE gene polymorphism and BMD in two large population-based studies. The datasets included the Dong-gu Study (3575 men and 5335 women) and the Namwon Study (2310 men, 3512 women). Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. APOE genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The APOE genotypes were classified into APOE E2 (E2/E2 and E2/E3), APOE E3 (E3/E3), and APOE E4 (E3/E4 and E4/E4). The genotype distribution of the study population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There were no significant differences among APOE genotype groups in lumbar and femoral neck BMD in either cohort. Our data do not support the hypothesis that the APOE genotype is associated with BMD.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Absorptiometry, Photon , Apolipoproteins E , Asian People , Bone Density , Cohort Studies , Dataset , Femur Neck , Genotype , Polymorphism, Genetic , SpineABSTRACT
We evaluated the association of the APOE polymorphism with serum C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count in two large population-based studies in Korean. The datasets included the Dong-gu study (n = 8,893) and the Namwon Study (n = 10,032). APOE genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship of APOE genotypes with C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and serum lipids. In the multivariate model, carriers of E3E4 or E4E4 genotype had significantly lower C-reactive protein levels compared with carriers of E3E3 genotype group (0.50 mg/L vs. 0.67 mg/L; 0.37 mg/L vs. 0.67 mg/L, respectively, for the Dong-gu Study and 0.47 mg/L vs. 0.66 mg/L; 0.45 mg/L vs. 0.66 mg/L, respectively, for the Namwon Study). However, there was no difference in white blood cell count among APOE genotypes. We found that the APOE E4 allele is associated with lower C-reactive protein levels, but not white blood cell count. Our results suggest that APOE genotype may influence C-reactive protein levels through non-inflammatory pathway.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Apolipoproteins E/genetics , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Genetic Association Studies , Genotype , Inflammation/blood , Leukocyte Count , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Prospective Studies , Republic of KoreaABSTRACT
We investigated the association of depressive symptoms with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques in the general Korean population. A total of 7,554 Korean males and females aged 45-74 yr who were free from cardiovascular diseases were included in the analyses. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Subjects with a score of > or =16 were classified as having clinically significant depressive symptoms. Carotid ultrasonography was used to measure mean carotid IMT (C-IMT) and to determine the presence of plaques. A significant association between depressive symptoms and C-IMT was observed only in females. After adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors, females with depressive symptoms had significantly greater C-IMT than females without depressive symptoms (mean difference 0.011+/-0.004 mm; 95% confidence interval, 0.003-0.019 mm). Compared with controls, the fully adjusted risk of females with depressive symptoms for abnormal C-IMT (> or =1.0 mm) was significant (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.30). No significant association between depressive symptoms and carotid plaques was observed in either gender. This study shows a significant association between depressive symptoms and C-IMT in middle-aged and older females.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Alcohol Drinking , Asian People , Carotid Artery Diseases/complications , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/diagnosis , Odds Ratio , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Surveys and Questionnaires , Republic of Korea , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , SmokingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population, and their results are inconsistent. METHODS: The current study population was composed of 9,033 subjects aged > or = 50 years who participated in the baseline survey of the Dong-gu Study, which was conducted in Korea between 2007 and 2010. APOE polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. RESULTS: Individuals with the APOE E2 allele had significantly lower total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, those with the APOE E4 allele had lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and those with the APOE E3 allele had lower log-triglyceride levels. Adjusting for covariates (sex, age, body mass index, smoking, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, log-transformed triglycerides, and log-transformed albumin to creatinine ratio), mean eGFR was not significantly different among APOE alleles (E2, 69.4 mL/min/1.73 m2; E3, 69.5 mL/min/1.73 m2; E4, 69.4 ml/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.873). Additionally, the odds ratios (ORs) indicated that APOE polymorphisms were not independent risk factors for CKD (OR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.26 for the E2 vs. E3 allele; OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.16 for the E4 vs. E3 allele). CONCLUSION: APOE polymorphisms were not associated with either eGFR or CKD in the general Korean population.
Subject(s)
Alleles , Apolipoproteins E , Apolipoproteins , Blood Pressure , Body Mass Index , Cholesterol , Cholesterol, HDL , Cholesterol, LDL , Creatinine , Surveys and Questionnaires , Diet , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Hypertension , Korea , Lipoproteins , Odds Ratio , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Genetic , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Risk Factors , Smoke , Smoking , TriglyceridesABSTRACT
Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism and maintaining bone health. Recently, new evidence has revealed that vitamin D affects chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an urban Korean population. This study included 8,976 participants (3,587 men and 5,389 women) aged 50 yr and older. Serum 25(OH)D level was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] was 59.7% and 86.5% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased significantly with age in men, but not in women and it decreased from April to July, more prominently in men than in women. These results suggest that sun exposure, intake of vitamin D supplement, and regular physical activities is recommended in an urban Koreans, especially in women.