Dietary Inflammatory Index in relation to psoriasis risk, cardiovascular risk factors, and clinical outcomes: a case-control study in psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. Despite the understanding of disease pathogenesis, the link between diet-induced inflammation and the risk of psoriasis remains underexplored. Therefore, we examined the capability of the literature-derived energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) as a predictive tool for inflammation, incidence, and severity of psoriasis (as indexed by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)). We conducted a case-control study of 149 adults (75 cases and 74 controls). The E-DII score was calculated based on the dietary intake that was evaluated using a validated 168 item quantity food-frequency questionnaire. The E-DII tertile cut-offs were categorized based on the following cut points: tertiles 1 ≤ -1.99; tertiles 2 = -2.00 to 0.60; tertile 3 ≥ 0.61. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the multivariable odds ratio (OR) adjusted for confounders. Patients with higher pro-inflammatory E-DII had a 3.60-times increased risk of psoriasis relative to patients in tertiles 1 (E-DIIT3 vs E-DIIT1: OR = 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51 to 8.79, P = 0.005). The severity of disease as indexed by PASI remained associated with E-DII (E-DIIT3 vs E-DIIT1: OR = 3.64; 95% CI 1.74 to 7.57, P = 0.015). For each unit increase in E-DII, the probability of disease severity is increased 3 times. Patients consuming a more pro-inflammatory diet were at a greater risk of psoriasis. These patients also demonstrated increased disease severity relative to individuals consuming a more anti-inflammatory diet. Novelty: A pro-inflammatory diet is associated with higher psoriasis incidence. Subjects with higher DII scores had higher inflammatory markers levels.

Potential roles of carnitine in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is recognized as the most prevalent endocrinopathy in reproductive-aged women. This systematic review was performed with focus on the current knowledge on carnitine concerning metabolic variables in PCOS. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception until May 2018. All clinical trials and observational studies published in English-language journals were eligible. Studies that provided insufficient outcomes, animal and in vitro studies were excluded. Out of 451 articles identified in our search, only six articles were eligible for analysis. Two observational studies evaluated the association of serum carnitine levels with metabolic variables, and four clinical trials examined the effect of carnitine supplementation in patients with PCOS. Serum carnitine levels had inverse relationship with glycemic status, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Also, carnitine supplementation resulted in improved weight loss, glycemic status, oxidative stress, follicles and size of ovarian cells; no significant effects were reported on sex hormones and lipid profile. According to the current evidence, carnitine might improve weight loss, glycemic status and oxidative stress. However, to explore the exact mechanisms of carnitine role in patients with PCOS, further studies are recommended.

The Relationship between Food Insecurity and Esophageal and Gastric Cancers: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is defined as the limited or uncertain availability of enough food for permanent active and healthy life. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (esophagus and stomach) are one of five most common cancers in Iran. This study aimed to determine the association of food insecurity and upper GI cancers in newly diagnosed patients. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Overall, 120 patients with upper GI cancers as cases and 120 patients with orthopedic, ear-nose-throat (ENT), and neurologic diseases as controls were recruited from Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2013. The patients were newly diagnosed using endoscopy or imaging or biopsy methods. They were individually matched for age, sex, and residential area. The general and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) household food security questionnaires were completed. The univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression tests were applied using the Stata 11SE statistical software. RESULTS: The food insecurity prevalence was 69.2% and 43.3% in cases and controls, respectively. Food insecurity, low economic level and family history of cancer were significantly associated with cancer (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity was one of the important risk factors for upper GI cancers that health care providers should consider it.