Association between sleep duration and diabetes mellitus: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies revealed an association between sleep disturbance and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. An aim of this study was to assess the relation between sleep duration and diabetes mellitus in a representative sample of the Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 12514 individuals, (6123 men and 6391 women) studied in the baseline survey of a community based program entitled Isfahan healthy heart program (IHHP). Sleep time was obtained by validated questionnaire. Diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose over 126 mg/dl or 2 hour post prandial glucose at glucose tolerance test over 200 mg/dl, or if the patient was on diabetic medication. The relation between the sleep time and diabetes was examined using categorical logistic regression with adjustment for sex, body mass index and waist circumference. RESULTS: Compared with those, sleeping 7-8 hours per night, the individuals with sleeping time of 5 hours or less and aged <60 years had an increased odd ratio for diabetes and an impaired glucose tolerance. (OR = 1.37 and 95% CI = 1.13, 1.67). CONCLUSION: Sleep duration of 5 hours or less in individuals under age 60 years is associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an impaired glucose tolerance test. This finding should be confirmed in longitudinal studies.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors, metabolic syndrome and obesity in an Iranian population.

As part of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, we evaluated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Iranians with generalized and abdominal obesity. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 3694 > or = 19 years. Overall, 36.6% of men and 35.9% of women were overweight; 11.2% of men and 28.l% of women were obese. Mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) increased with age up to 65 years. Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose increased with BMI, WC and WHR in both sexes. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 19.8% in females with normal BMI, 48.1% in overweight females and 63.2% in obese females. In males, corresponding values were 3.7%, 18.0% and 40.1%.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors, metabolic syndrome and obesity in an Iranian population

As part of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, we evaluated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Iranians with generalized and abdominal obesity. We carried out a crosssectional study on 3694 participants aged >/= 19 years. Overall, 36.6% of men and 35.9% of women were overweight; 11.2% of men and 28.1% of women were obese. Mean body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC] and waist/hip ratio [WHR] increased with age up to 65 years. Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose increased with BMI, WC and WHR in both sexes. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 19.8% in females with normal BMI, 48.1% in overweight females and 63.2% in obese females. In males, corresponding values were 3.7%, 18.0% and 40.1%

Meta-analysis of case-referent studies of specific environmental or occupational pollutants on lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Meta-analysis is a statistical tool for combining and integrating the results of independent studies of a given scientific issue. The present investigation was initiated to investigate case-referent studies of lung cancer risk from specific environmental and occupational pollutants, using detailed individual exposure data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine the risk of lung cancer associated with environmental and occupational pollutants, a meta-analysis of published case-control studies was undertaken using a random effects model. For this study, the papers were selected for review from electronic search of PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar during 1990-2006. The principal outcome measure was the odds ratio for the risk of lung cancer. Twelve study reports detailing the relationship between the lung cancer and the type of exposure were identified. RESULTS: The odds ratio of asbestos, cooking fuel, cooking fumes, motor and diesel exhaust related to lung cancer were 1.67, 1.99, 2.52 and 1.42 (P < 0.001), respectively. The odds ratio of metal fumes related to lung cancer was 1.28 (0.001 P < 0.01). The combined odds ratio for the environmental and occupational exposure related to lung cancer was 1.67 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis of the present study shows the magnitude association between asbestos, cooking fumes, cooking fuels, motor and diesel exhaust, with lung cancer risk. Lung cancer risk may be reduced by controlling exposure levels.

The metabolic syndrome in hypertensive and normotensive subjects: the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme.

INTRODUCTION: There are numerous correlations between hypertension and the metabolic syndrome, although this is not always the case. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its different phenotypes among hypertensive and normotensive subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on a representative sample of adults living in 3 cities in Iran. Among the 12,514 subjects selected by multi-stage random sampling, 1736 (13.9%) were hypertensive. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome [according to the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria] was significantly higher in hypertensive than normotensive subjects (51.6% versus 12.9%, respectively; OR, 7.15; 95% CI, 6.4 to 7.9). The metabolic syndrome was more prevalent in normotensive and hypertensive subjects living in urban areas than those living in rural areas (14.2% and 53.9% versus 9.5% and 45.6%, respectively, P < 0.05). The mean age of hypertensive subjects, with or without the metabolic syndrome, was not significantly different (55.7 +/- 12 years versus 55.4 +/- 15.5 years, P = 0.6). Hypertension with the metabolic syndrome was more prevalent in women than men (72% versus 28% respectively, P < 0.000), and in subjects living in urban areas than those in rural areas (75.1% versus 24.9%, respectively, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate the need for metabolic screening in all hypertensive patients, and emphasise the importance of promoting primary and secondary prevention of high blood pressure and associated modifiable risk factors in order to counter the upcoming epidemic of non-communicable disease in developing countries.

Effects of iodized salt consumption on goiter prevalence in Isfahan: the possible role of goitrogens.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success of the Iranian Iodine Deficiency Disorders Committee in achieving World Health Organization (WHO) goals for reducing the prevalence of goiter in children by adding iodine to table salt beginning in 1989. METHODS: In 1997, 8,000 male and female 6- to 18-year-old students were selected by cluster sampling in schools of Isfahan. Their thyroids were examined by four endocrinologists, and goiter was staged on the basis of the WHO classification. As an index of iodine consumption, urinary iodine concentrations were measured in 3,000 students. RESULTS: Goiter was observed in 62% of the students. Of the overall study group, 94% had sufficient iodine consumption (urinary iodine concentration of 10.0 microg/dL or more). Of those students who had sufficient iodine intake, 63.2% had goiter. Of the 6% of students with iodine deficiency, 5% had mild, 0.9% had moderate, and only 0.1% had severe iodine deficiency. Goiter was absent in half of the students with severe iodine deficiency. The prevalence of goiter in 6- to 10-year-old children was 65%. CONCLUSION: Despite sufficient iodine intake, the prevalence of goiter is still high in Isfahan City. Apparently, either this high prevalence has no relationship to iodine deficiency and possibly other unknown goitrogens are involved in the pathogenesis of goiter in Isfahan or the period of iodine intake has been too brief to affect thyroid sizes. Inasmuch as goiter prevalence is also high in the 6- to 10-year-old children, who have had iodized salt available for most of their lives, the second option is less probable. Another possibility is an increased rate of autoimmune thyroid diseases (because of iodine repletion) that resemble goiter during their early stages.

Personality, job level, job stressors, and their interaction as predictors of coping behavior.

Hypotheses concerning the relationships among job stressors, job level, personality, and coping responses were investigated in a sample of 305 electrical contracting employees. Coping behaviors were measured with questionnaire items based on interviews conducted with a sample of the subjects. Neuroticism (N) and Extraversion (E) were the personality variables most strongly related to coping behavior. Overall, more coping variance was explained by personality than by job stressors; however, when the effects of job level and job stressors were combined, they explained more variance in complaining/quitting and seeking social support than did the personality variables. Both work situation and personality seem to be important variables in the choice of coping behaviors. There was no evidence of interactions among personality, stressors, and job level in explaining coping behavior.