Diet and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in a Syrian population: a case-control study.

Diet has not been investigated as a potential risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in the Syrian Arab Republic. In a hospital-based, unmatched case-control study 108 people with cancer and 105 controls were interviewed about dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire in Arabic. Sociodemographic and health risk behavioural information were collected by a self-completed questionnaire. Adjusting for age, sex, education level, working status and tobacco smoking, the multiple regression analysis showed that low intake of vegetables (OR 3.8; 95% CI: 1.57-9.10), cereal/cereal products (OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.12-5.99) and high-caffeine beverages (OR 3.2; 95% CI: 1.34-7.43) increased the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, whereas a low level of fats and oils intake decreased the risk (OR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.24-1.30). These findings should be considered in national health promotion programmes in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Diet and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in a Syrian population: a case-control study

Diet has not been investigated as a potential risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in the Syrian Arab Republic.In a hospital-based, unmatched case-control study 108 people with cancer and 105 controls were interviewed about dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire in Arabic. Sociodemographic and health risk behavioural information were collected by a self-completed questionnaire. Adjusting for age, sex, education level, working status and tobacco smoking, the multiple regression analysis showed that low intake of vegetables [OR 3.8; 95% CI:1.57-9.10], cereal/cereal products [OR 2.6; 95% CI:1.12-5.99] and high-caffeine beverages [OR 3.2;95% CI:1.34-7.43] increased the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, whereas a low level of fats and oils intake decreased the risk [OR 0.6;95% CI:0.24-1.30]. These findings should be considered in national health promotion programmes in the Syrian Arab Republic

L'alimentation n'avait pas encore été étudiée comme facteur de risque potentiel pour le carcinoma squameux de la tête et du cou en République arabe syrienne.Dans une étude cas-témoins non appariés en milieu hospitalier,108 personnes atteintes d'un cancer et 105 témoins ont été interrogés sur leurs apports alimentaires en recourant à la version en langue arabe d'un questionnaire validé sur la fréquence de consommation alimentaire. Les données sociodémographiques et comportementales en matière de risque pour la santé ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un autoquestionnaire. Après ajustment en fonction de l'âge, du sexe,du niveau d'études et du statut professionnel et tabagique, l'analyse de régression multiple a révélé qu'une faible consommation de légumes [OR 3,8 ; IC à 95 % : 1,57-9,10], de céréales/produits céréaliers [OR 2,6 ; IC à 95 % : 1,12-5, 99] et de boissons à teneur élevée en caféine [OR 3,2 ; IC à 95 % : 1,34-7, 43] augmentaient le risque de carcinome squameux de la tête et du cou, tandis qu'un faible apport en graisses et en huiles réduisait ce risque [OR 0,6 ; IC à 95 % : 0,24 - 1,30]. Ces resultants doivent être pris en compte dans les programmes nationaux de promotion de la santé en République arabe syrienne

Dietary patterns and oral health in schoolchildren from Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.

This study investigated the association between dietary patterns and oral health in primary-school children from Damascus. A total of 504 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled and food frequency questionnaires were distributed to their guardians to evaluate food consumption. Dental health was evaluated by gingival index and presence of untreated dental caries. Consumption of food groups was lower than recommended frequencies, whereas consumption of sugars was high. High sugar consumption (OR 5.26), low consumption of dairy products (OR 2.45) and poor oral hygiene (OR 2.98) remained risk factors for dental caries in multiple regression analysis. Poor oral hygiene (OR 18.5), high consumption of sugars (OR 1.82) and low frequency of tooth brushing (OR 1.98) also remained as risk factors for gingivitis regardless of all confounders included in the analysis. Comprehensive educational programmes about dietary patterns and their relation to oral health should be provided for children and their guardians.

Dietary patterns and oral health in schoolchildren from Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

This study investigated the association between dietary patterns and oral health in primary-school children from Damascus. Atotal of 504 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled and food frequency questionnaires were distributed to their guardians to evaluate food consumption. Dental health was evaluated by gingival index and presence of untreated dental caries. Consumption of food groups was lower than recommended frequencies, whereas consumption of sugars was high. High sugar consumption [OR 5.26], low consumption of dairy products [OR 2,45] and poor oral hygiene [OR 2.98] remained risk factors for dental caries in multiple regression analysis. Poor oral hygiene [OR 18.5], high consumption of sugars [OR 1.82] and low frequency of tooth brushing [OR 1.98] also remained as risk factors for gingivitis regardless of all confounders included in the analysis. Comprehensive educational programmes about dietary patterns and their relation to oral health should be provided for children and their guardians

Prevalence of risk factors to coronary heart disease in an Arab-American population in southeast Michigan.

Although significant advances have been made in the area of cardiovascular disease, few studies have targeted ethnic groups. There is a large and growing Arab-American (AA) population living in Southeast Michigan, whose risk of cardiovascular disease may be on the increase. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and associated behavioral factors in an AA community with a large population of emigrants, subjected to significant lifestyle changes. Three hundred and fifty-two AA living in Southeast Michigan, mostly from the Middle East, were screened to determine their eating and smoking habits, body mass index (BMI) body fat analysis, blood pressure, and complete lipid profiling. Overweight was defined as a BMI greater than or equal to the 85th percentile value for age- and sex-specific reference data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Correlation analysis was used to examine factors associated with being overweight, with adjustment for age and sex. Blood cholesterol concentrations were compared with published data for Arabs from the Middle Eastern countries. The overall prevalence of being overweight in subjects aged 35 and older was significantly higher than NHANES III reference data (Men, 27.7% (95% confidence interval, 21.8-34.5); women, 33.7% (95% confidence interval, 27.9-40.1)). A mean cholesterol concentration of 210 +/- 4 mg/dl was observed in those over the age of 40. The mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels for men and women were 38 and 48 mg/dl, respectively. Greater than 54.6% of all subjects had a total cholesterol:HDL ratio > 4.5. Although being overweight and obesity were prevalent in this population, the mean BMI for men was 25.7 +/- 0.34, compared with 27 +/- 0.58 for women. Increased BMI was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with increased blood pressure, increased glucose levels, increased total cholesterol and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels (P < 0.01). Elevation in risk factors to cardiovascular disease is prevalent in this population and indicates a need for programs targeting primary prevention of obesity in men and women. These results, which could be attributed in part to lifestyle changes typical of most emigrant populations, suggest an increase in the risk for developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, this study provides a basis for future intervention to improve the health of this population.