Patterns of serum lipids derangements and cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune disease that disrupts the cholesterol metabolism. Our aim was to investigate the frequency of dyslipidemias and to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular events in a historic cohort of patients with PBC. PATIENTS: All patients attended from 2000 to 2009 with histological diagnosis of PBC were included and were compared with healthy controls. The 10-year cardiovascular risk was estimated by the Framingham risk score. RESULTS: Fifty four patients with PBC were included and compared to 106 controls. Differences in total cholesterol (263.8±123.9mg/dl vs. 199.6±40, p=0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (179.3±114.8 vs. 126.8±34.7, p=0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (62.4±36.2mg/dl vs. 47.3±12.3, p=0.0001) and triglycerides (149.1±59.1mg/dl vs. 126.4±55.4, p=0.001) were found. Hypercholesterolemia (>240mg/dl) was found in 52.4% of the patients with PBC vs. 11% in the control group, high LDL-cholesterol (160-189mg/dl) in 45.2% of the patients with PBC vs. 10% in controls and hyperalphalipoproteinemia (HDL-cholesterol >60mg/dl) in 45.2% of the patients with PBC vs. 16% in controls. The 10-year cardiovascular risk was 5.3%±5.9 in the patients with PBC and 4.1%±5.7 in the control group (p=0.723, IC 95%=0.637-1.104). Only one cardiovascular event (stroke) in a patient with PBC was registered in a mean follow up time of 57.9±36.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Marked derangements in serum lipids and a high frequency of dyslipidemias are found in patients with PBC, however, these do not increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

[Dyslipidemia and hypertension]. / Dislipidemias e hipertensión arterial.

Most of the recent observational studies have failed to find an association between dairy intake and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke, regardless of milk fat content. The purpose of this review is to examine the published research on the relationship between milk products containing milk fat and cardiovascular health. Despite their saturated fat content, there is no clear evidence of an association between dairy intake and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequently, the current dietary recommendations to restrict saturated fat should be assessed for every case.

[Results of a community-based life style intervention program for children]. / Resultados de un programa comunitario de intervención en el estilo de vida en niños.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the three-year results of a program designed for the adoption of a healthy life style in primary school students on the body mass index (BMI) and the consumption of food. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community randomized and controlled trial. Two communities in the State of Mexico with similar socio-demographic characteristics were randomized to implement the intervention (n=816) or serve as a control (n=408). The intervention was carried out in primary schools and it consisted of education on healthy habits, modification of distributed food and physical activity. The primary outcome was the change in BMI. RESULTS: After three years, intervention resulted in a lower increase of BMI (1.6 vs. 1.9 Kg/m², p< 0.01) and a decreased consumption of total calories, bread, fat and sugar consumption in the schools. CONCLUSIONS: School programs are useful to address childhood obesity, but its benefits are not immediate.

Resultados de un programa comunitario de intervención en el estilo de vida en niños / Results of a community based life style intervention program for children

Objetivo. Describir los resultados de un programa de adopción de estilo de vida saludable, aplicado durante tres años, sobre el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y el consumo de alimentos en escolares. Material y métodos. Ensayo comunitario aleatorizado y controlado. Dos comunidades del Estado de México con características sociodemográficas similares fueron aleatorizadas para implementar la intervención (n=816) o servir como control (n=408). La intervención se llevó a cabo en escuelas primarias y consistió en educación sobre hábitos saludables, modificación de los alimentos distribuidos y actividad física. El desenlace principal fue el cambio en el IMC. Resultados. Después de tres años, la intervención resultó en un menor incremento del IMC (1.6 vs. 1.9 Kg/m², p<0.01) y menor consumo escolar de calorías totales, pan, grasa y azúcar. Conclusiones. Los programas escolares son útiles para enfrentar la obesidad infantil, pero sus beneficios no son inmediatos.

Objective. Describe the three-year results of a program designed for the adoption of a healthy life style in primary school students on the body mass index (BMI) and the consumption of food. Materials and methods. Community randomized and controlled trial. Two communities in the State of Mexico with similar socio-demographic characteristics were randomized to implement the intervention (n=816) or serve as a control (n=408). The intervention was carried out in primary schools and it consisted of education on healthy habits, modification of distributed food and physical activity. The primary outcome was the change in BMI. Results. After three years, intervention resulted in a lower increase of BMI (1.6 vs. 1.9 Kg/m², p< 0.01) and a decreased consumption of total calories, bread, fat and sugar consumption in the schools. Conclusions. School programs are useful to address childhood obesity, but its benefits are not immediate.

TSH and free thyroxine concentrations are associated with differing metabolic markers in euthyroid subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between thyroid function and the components of the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in an Hispanic population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Subjects with no history of thyroid disease or diabetes were included. Thyroid function was stratified as euthyroid or subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) status and subsequently by free thyroxine (FT(4)) and TSH tertiles. The association of the metabolic syndrome components (defined by 2004 Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) and insulin resistance with thyroid status, TSH, and FT(4) were examined. RESULTS: A total of 3148 subjects were analyzed. The prevalence of SCH was 8.3%. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was similar in euthyroid and SCH patients (31.6 vs 32.06%, P=0.89). Total cholesterol was higher in patients with SCH (5.51+/-1.19 vs 5.34+/-1.05 mmol/l, P<0.032). Serum TSH values showed a positive correlation (adjusted for age and sex) with total cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist circumference. In contrast, FT(4) showed a positive correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and an inverse correlation with waist circumference, insulin, and HOMA-IR. CONCLUSION: SCH is not associated with an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome (as conceived as a diagnostic category defined by the National Cholesterol, Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III criteria). Despite this, low thyroid function (even in the euthyroid state) predisposes to higher cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels. The combined use of TSH and FT(4), compared with the assessment based on only FT(4), is a more convenient approach to evaluate the association between thyroid function and metabolic variables.