Epidemiology and genetics of common mental disorders in the general population: the PEGASUS-Murcia project.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, epidemiologists, neurogeneticists and statisticians on research projects has been encouraged to improve our knowledge of the complex mechanisms underlying the aetiology and burden of mental disorders. The PEGASUS-Murcia (Psychiatric Enquiry to General Population in Southeast Spain-Murcia) project was designed to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and to identify the risk and protective factors, and it also included the collection of biological samples to study the gene-environmental interactions in the context of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PEGASUS-Murcia project is a new cross-sectional face-to-face interview survey based on a representative sample of non-institutionalised adults in the Region of Murcia (Mediterranean Southeast, Spain). Trained lay interviewers used the latest version of the computer-assisted personal interview of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0) for use in Spain, specifically adapted for the project. Two biological samples of buccal mucosal epithelium will be collected from each interviewed participant, one for DNA extraction for genomic and epigenomic analyses and the other to obtain mRNA for gene expression quantification. Several quality control procedures will be implemented to assure the highest reliability and validity of the data. This article describes the rationale, sampling methods and questionnaire content as well as the laboratory methodology. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Informed consent will be obtained from all participants and a Regional Ethics Research Committee has approved the protocol. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and presented at the national and the international conferences. DISCUSSION: Cross-sectional studies, which combine detailed personal information with biological data, offer new and exciting opportunities to study the gene-environmental interactions in the aetiology of common mental disorders in representative samples of the general population. A collaborative multidisciplinary research approach offers the potential to advance our knowledge of the underlying complex interactions and this opens the field for further innovative study designs in psychiatric epidemiology.

Alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in European men and women: influence of beverage type and body size The EPIC-InterAct study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes, and determine whether this is modified by sex, body mass index (BMI) and beverage type. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective case-cohort study. SETTING: Eight countries from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. SUBJECTS: A representative baseline sample of 16 154 participants and 12 403 incident cases of type 2 diabetes. INTERVENTIONS: Alcohol consumption assessed using validated dietary questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Occurrence of type 2 diabetes based on multiple sources (mainly self-reports), verified against medical information. RESULTS: Amongst men, moderate alcohol consumption was nonsignificantly associated with a lower incidence of diabetes with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.78-1.05) for 6.1-12.0 versus 0.1-6.0 g day(-1) , adjusted for dietary and diabetes risk factors. However, the lowest risk was observed at higher intakes of 24.1-96.0 g day(-1) with an HR of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.75-0.98). Amongst women, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes with a hazard ratio of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.92) for 6.1-12.0 g day(-1) (P interaction gender <0.01). The inverse association between alcohol consumption and diabetes was more pronounced amongst overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg m(-2) ) than normal-weight men and women (P interaction < 0.05). Adjusting for waist and hip circumference did not alter the results for men, but attenuated the association for women (HR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.79-1.03 for 6.1-12.0 g day(-1) ). Wine consumption for men and fortified wine consumption for women were most strongly associated with a reduced risk of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes amongst women only. However, this risk reduction is in part explained by fat distribution. The relation between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes was stronger for overweight than normal-weight women and men.

Incidencia de infarto agudo de miocardio en la cohorte EPIC España / Incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the Spanish epic cohort

Background. There is some evidence that Mediterraneandiet reduces risk of ischemic heart disease, and this is to beinvestigated in the Spanish cohort of the European ProspectiveInvestigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). In thispaper we present the incidence of acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in four EPIC Spanish cohorts.Method. Incidence cases were ascertained in EPIC cohortduring the follow up period (from recruitment to the end of2004), by means of self-report questionnaires, hospital morbidityand mortality registries, and population AMI registries.Analysis was restricted to aged 45 to 74. The presentstudy included data from 13,704 women and 19,410 men,after excluding a priori participants with prevalent AMI. Agestandardized incidence rate for each cohort was estimatedand compared with the available population rates.Results. The Median duration of follow-up was 9.3 years, yieldinga total of 297,704 person-years. 391 men and 99 womenpresented AMI in the four cohorts studied. Age standardizedAMI rates in men of the EPIC cohorts go from the lowest 302(CI: 268-335) per 100.000 person-year of Gipuzkoa to the highest330 (CI: 293-367) of Navarra. Women in Navarra presentedthe lowest AMI incidence with 60 (CI: 43-77) per 100,000 andthe highest was observed in Murcia (114, CI: 91-137). The AMIincidence in all EPIC centres are close to the population incidencerates and in any case these are within the EPIC 95% CI.Conclusions. The comparison of incidence in EPIC with populationrates shows very good agreement for acute myocardial infarction(AU)

Antedecentes. Existen evidencias que sugieren que la dietamediterránea reduce el riesgo de enfermedad cardiaca isquémicay esta asociación va a ser investigada en la cohorteespañola del “Estudio europeo sobre cáncer y nutrición”(EPIC). En este artículo se presenta la incidencia de infartoagudo de miocardio (IAM) en 4 de las cohortes españolas.Método. Los casos incidentes de IAM fueron identificadosen la cohorte EPIC durante el periodo de seguimiento (delreclutamiento a finales de 2004), mediante un cuestionarioautorreportado, el registro de altas hospitalarias y de mortalidady registros poblacionales de IAM. El análisis se centróen el grupo de 45 a 74 años de edad. El estudio incluyó cuatrocohortes compuestas de 13.704 mujeres and 19.410 hombres,tras la exclusión a priori de participantes con IAM prevalentes.Se estimó la tasa de incidencia ajustada por edad paracada cohorte, y se comparó con las tasas poblacionales disponibles.Resultados. La duración mediana del seguimiento fue de9,3 años, que aportó un total de 297.704 personas-año. 391hombres and 99 mujeres presentaron IAM en las 4 cohortesestudiadas. Las tasas ajustadas por edad de IAM, en hombres,en las cohortes EPIC se movieron entre los 302 (CI:268-335) casos por 100.000 personas-año de Gipuzkoa, lamenor tasa observada, hasta los 330 (CI: 293-367) de Navarra.Las mujeres navarras presentaron las tasas más bajasde IAM con unas cifras de 60 (CI: 43-77) casos por 100.000,mientras que las mujeres murcianas presentaron las tasasmás altas (114, CI: 91-137). La incidencia de IAM en todaslas regiones EPIC fué similar a la incidencia poblacional conocidade dichas regiones, o bien se mantienen dentro delintervalo de confianza la 95%.Conclusiones. La incidencia de la cohorte EPIC muestragran concordancia con las tasas poblaciones disponiblespara el IAM(AU)

Animal foods, protein, calcium and prostate cancer risk: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

We examined consumption of animal foods, protein and calcium in relation to risk of prostate cancer among 142 251 men in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Associations were examined using Cox regression, stratified by recruitment centre and adjusted for height, weight, education, marital status and energy intake. After an average of 8.7 years of follow-up, there were 2727 incident cases of prostate cancer, of which 1131 were known to be localised and 541 advanced-stage disease. A high intake of dairy protein was associated with an increased risk, with a hazard ratio for the top versus the bottom fifth of intake of 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.41, P(trend)=0.02). After calibration to allow for measurement error, we estimated that a 35-g day(-1) increase in consumption of dairy protein was associated with an increase in the risk of prostate cancer of 32% (95% CI: 1-72%, P(trend)=0.04). Calcium from dairy products was also positively associated with risk, but not calcium from other foods. The results support the hypothesis that a high intake of protein or calcium from dairy products may increase the risk for prostate cancer.

Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio and serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in European women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) with serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and its binding protein (IGFBP)-3. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study on 2139 women participating in a case-control study on breast cancer and endogenous hormones. Data on lifestyle and reproductive factors were collected by means of questionnaires. Body height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Serum levels of IGF-I and insulin-like binding protein (IGFBP)-3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Adjusted mean levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 across quintiles of BMI, waist circumference, and WHR were calculated by linear regression. Results were adjusted for potential confounders associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3. RESULTS: Adjusted mean serum IGF-I values were lower in women with BMI<22.5 kg/m(2) or BMI>29.2 kg/m(2) compared to women with BMI within this range (P(heterogeneity)<0.0001, P(trend)=0.35). Insulin-like growth factor-I was not related to WHR after adjustment for BMI. IGF-binding protein-3 was linearly positively related to waist and WHR after mutual adjustment. The molar ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-3 had a non-linear relation with BMI and a linear inverse relationship with WHR (P (trend)=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the nonlinear relationship of circulating IGF-I to total adiposity in women. Serum IGFBP-3 was positively related to central adiposity. These suggest that bioavailable IGF-I levels could be lower in obese compared to non-obese women and inversely related to central adiposity.

Postmenopausal serum androgens, oestrogens and breast cancer risk: the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition.

Considerable experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests that elevated endogenous sex steroids - notably androgens and oestrogens - promote breast tumour development. In spite of this evidence, postmenopausal androgen replacement therapy with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or testosterone has been advocated for the prevention of osteoporosis and improved sexual well-being. We have conducted a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Levels of DHEA sulphate (DHEAS), (Delta4-androstenedione), testosterone, oestrone, oestradiol and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in prediagnostic serum samples of 677 postmenopausal women who subsequently developed breast cancer and 1309 matched control subjects. Levels of free testosterone and free oestradiol were calculated from absolute concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol and SHBG. Logistic regression models were used to estimate relative risks of breast cancer by quintiles of hormone concentrations. For all sex steroids -the androgens as well as the oestrogens - elevated serum levels were positively associated with breast cancer risk, while SHBG levels were inversely related to risk. For the androgens, relative risk estimates (95% confidence intervals) between the top and bottom quintiles of the exposure distribution were: DHEAS 1.69 (1.23-2.33), androstenedione 1.94 (1.40-2.69), testosterone 1.85 (1.33-2.57) and free testosterone 2.50 (1.76-3.55). For the oestrogens, relative risk estimates were: oestrone 2.07 (1.42-3.02), oestradiol 2.28 (1.61-3.23) and free oestradiol (odds ratios 2.13 (1.52-2.98)). Adjustments for body mass index or other potential confounding factors did not substantially alter any of these relative risk estimates. Our results have shown that, among postmenopausal women, not only elevated serum oestrogens but also serum androgens are associated with increased breast cancer risk. Since DHEAS and androstenedione are largely of adrenal origin in postmenopausal women, our results indicated that elevated adrenal androgen synthesis is a risk factor for breast cancer. The results from this study caution against the use of DHEA(S), or other androgens, for postmenopausal androgen replacement therapy.

Diferencias sociodemográficas en la adhesión al patrón de dieta mediterránea en poblaciones de España / Sociodemographic differences in adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in Spanish populations)

Objetivos: Los grupos de nivel social más bajo tienen habitualmente una dieta menos saludable. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la adhesión al patrón de dieta mediterránea entre diferentes grupos demográficos y sociales de la población adulta. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en regiones del sur y norte de España, en voluntarios sanos (15.634 varones y 25.812 mujeres) de 29 a 69 años de edad, miembros de la cohorte EPIC en España. Se tuvo en cuenta el consumo de nueve grupos de alimentos para definir el patrón de dieta mediterránea: vegetales, frutas, legumbres, cereales, carne roja, pescado, aceite de oliva, leche y productos lácteos y vino. Se aplicaron dos técnicas de análisis: comparación de la media diaria de consumo de cada grupo, y el cálculo de un escore global para todos los alimentos, por nivel educacional y clase social de origen. Resultados: Los grupos de nivel educacional más bajo consumen más cereales y legumbres, pero menos vegetales, aceite de oliva (las mujeres), leche y productos lácteos (los varones). El consumo de vino está positivamente asociado con la educación en las mujeres y negativamente asociado en los varones. Calculando una puntuación para medir la adhesión global al patrón de dieta mediterránea, las diferencias por cada grupo de alimentos se compensan, y no hay variaciones según el nivel educacional, aunque existen pequeñas diferencias en la clase social de origen (22,52 en la clase más baja y 21,98 en la clase más alta). El índice de adhesión es más bajo en los adultos jóvenes y mujeres, y ligeramente más alto en las poblaciones del sur (23,53 en Murcia) que en las del norte de España (21,64 en Asturias). Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que el patrón de dieta mediterránea es bastante uniforme, al menos en las poblaciones adultas de las áreas incluidas en el estudio (AU)

Objectives: Lower social classes tend to eat a less healthy diet. The aim of this study was to compare adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern among different demographic and social groups in the adult population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in southern and northern regions of Spain in healthy volunteers (15,634 men and 25,812 women), aged 29-69 years, who were members of the European Prospective Investigation on Cancer cohort in Spain. Nine groups of food were included in the definition of the Mediterranean diet: vegetables and garden products, fruits, pulses, cereals, red meat, fish, olive oil, milk and milk products, and wine. Two techniques were used in the analysis: comparison of the mean daily intake of each group and calculation of an overall score for all the foods according to educational level ang original social class. Results: Groups with the lowest educational levels consumed more cereals and pulses and lower quantities of vegetables, olive oil (women), milk and milk products (men). Wine consumption was positively associated with education in women and was negatively associated in men. Calculation of a score to measure overall adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern eliminated differences according to each food category. No variations were found according to educational level, but small differences were found in original social class. The adherence score was lowest in young adults and women and was slightly higher in the south than in the north of Spain. Conclusions: The results suggest that the Mediterranean dietary pattern is fairly uniform, at least in the adult population of the regions included in this study (AU)

Estudio prospectivo europeo sobre dieta, cáncer y salud (EPIC) y la investigación sobre dieta y cáncer en Europa / European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition, Cancer and Health (EPIC) and the investigation on nutrition and cancer in Europe

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