ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis is one of the recognized features of AS. It is known that RANK ligand (RANKL), which binds to RANK, can cause the activation of bone resorption. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) also competes with RANK by binding to RANKL and inhibiting bone absorption. Therefore, we designed a case-control study to evaluate the association between occurrence and clinical features of AS and RANK, RANKL and OPG genetic polymorphisms. METHODS: A total of 330 AS patients and 330 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to identify RANK C575T, RANKL C-290T and OPG G1181C genotypes. RESULTS: OPG GG genotype carriers had an elevated risk of AS compared with those with the GC and CC genotypes (matched odds ratio 1.74; 95% CI 1.26, 2.40). Age of symptom onset and frequency of peripheral arthritis significantly differed among AS patients by OPG G1181C genotypes. HLA-B27(+) patients with the OPG C allele had the earliest age of symptom onset [mean (s.d.) 26.6 (9.6) years], followed by HLA-B27(+) patients with the OPG G allele [32.6 (12.2) years], HLA-B27(-) patients with the OPG G allele [38.1 (13.6) years] and HLA-B27(-) patients with the OPG C allele [38.6 (9.8) years]. CONCLUSION. OPG G1181C polymorphism may be associated with AS development and clinical manifestations.
Subject(s)
Osteoprotegerin/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/genetics , Adult , Age of Onset , Bone Resorption/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Female , HLA-B27 Antigen/genetics , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoporosis/genetics , RANK Ligand/geneticsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Professional bus drivers are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, but the underlying causes are unclear. Professional bus drivers often follow shift schedules. Especially, an association between shift work and early manifestations of cardiovascular disease has not been elucidated. Thus we investigated the links between shift work and arteriosclerosis risk in professional bus drivers. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 184 bus drivers on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and occupational history from 5 transportation companies in Taiwan. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured using a volume-plethysmographic apparatus. Body mass index, waist circumference, biochemical variables, and blood pressure were also measured. RESULTS: Arteriosclerotic risk factors (age, weekly driving hours, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and insulin level) differed in part among different groups of drivers. Long-term shift drivers had higher baPWV compared to regular drivers and short-term shift drivers (1594 cm/s vs. 1497 and 1432, p<0.01). Our multiple regression model showed that age (p<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.01) were positively associated with baPWV in our professional drivers. After adjusting for all covariates, we observed that baPWV increased by 3.6 cm/s for per 1-year increment in years of shift driving. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term shift work could increase the risk of arteriosclerosis in professional bus drivers. Larger studies would be necessary to provide further evidence regarding this finding.
Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Disease/etiology , Motor Vehicles , Transportation , Work Schedule Tolerance/physiology , Adult , Anthropometry , Blood Pressure , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Taiwan , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: About 50% of lung cancer deaths in Taiwan are not related to cigarette smoking. Environmental exposure may play a role in lung cancer risk. Taiwanese households frequently burn mosquito coil at home to repel mosquitoes. The aim of this hospital-based case-control study was to determine whether exposure to mosquito coil smoke is a risk for lung cancer. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 147 primary lung cancer patients and 400 potential controls to ascertain demographic data, occupation, lifestyle data, indoor environmental exposures (including habits of cigarette smoking, cooking methods, incense burning at home, and exposure to mosquito coil smoke ), as well as family history of cancer and detailed medical history. RESULTS: Mosquito coil smoke exposure was more frequent in lung cancer patients than controls (38.1% vs.17.8%; p<0.01). Risk of lung cancer was significantly higher in frequent burners of mosquito coils (more than 3 times [days] per week) than nonburners (adjusted odds ratio = 3.78; 95% confidence interval: 1.55-6.90). Those who seldom burned mosquito coils (less than 3 times per week) also had a significantly higher risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio = 2.67; 95% confidence interval: 1.60-4.50). CONCLUSION: Exposure to mosquito coil smoke may be a risk factor for development of lung cancer.
