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Even though sunlight is viewed as the most important determinant of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status, several European studies have observed higher 25(OH)D concentrations among north-Europeans than south-Europeans. We studied the association between geographical latitude (derived from ecological data) and 25(OH)D status in six European countries using harmonised immunoassay data from 81 084 participants in the Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Europe (BiomarCaRE) project (male sex 48·9 %; median age 50·8 years; examination period 1984–2014). Quantile regression models, adjusted for age, sex, decade and calendar week of sampling and time from sampling to analysis, were used for between-country comparisons. Up until the median percentile, the ordering of countries by 25(OH)D status (from highest to lowest) was as follows: Sweden (at 65·6–63·8°N), Germany (at 48·4°N), Finland (at 65·0–60·2°N), Italy (at 45·6–41·5°N), Scotland (at 58·2–55·1°N) and Spain (at 41·5°N). From the 75th percentile and upwards, Finland had higher values than Germany. As an example, using the Swedish cohort as a comparator, the median 25(OH)D concentration was 3·03, 3·28, 5·41, 6·54 and 9·28 ng/ml lower in the German, Finnish, Italian, Scottish and Spanish cohort, respectively (P -value < 0·001 for all comparisons). The ordering of countries was highly consistent in subgroup analyses by sex, age, and decade and season of sampling. In conclusion, we confirmed the previous observation of a north-to-south gradient of 25(OH)D status in Europe, with higher percentile values among north-Europeans than south-Europeans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and sex hormone concentrations are the cause or the consequence of cardiometabolic diseases, however, the clinical correlates of SHBG is clearly less understood. In our study we investigate sex- and age-specific serum SHBG levels and their association with cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors and high-risk conditions in an adult cohort of Italian population. Data from 1176 men and 2236 women, aged 20–81 were analyzed and serum SHBG determined in stored samples using an immunoassay. SHBG concentrations, higher in women than in men in the younger age groups, exhibited a curvilinear increase with age in men and a U-shaped curve across the lifespan in women, with a decrease from the 2nd to the 6th decade of age and an increase after the 6th decade when SHBG concentrations were similar in both sexes. Low SHBG serum levels correlated with the traditional CVR factors diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, whereas high level of SHBG correlated with cholesterol HDL. These associations were more numerous in women than in men, in whom decreased with age. The sex- and age specific differences observed in our population-based cohort should be considered in establishing reference ranges and clinical cut-off points to improve CVR score charts and therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with severemental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, are more frequently affected by metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular (CV) diseases than the general population, with a significant reduction in life expectancy. Beyond metabolic syndrome, quantifying the risk of CV morbidity in the long-termmay help clinicians to put in place preventive strategies. In this study, we assessed 10-year CV risk in patients with SMI and healthy individuals using an algorithm validated on the Italian general population. Methods: Patients aged 35-69 years diagnosed with SMI were consecutively recruited from psychiatric acute care units. Single CV risk factors were assessed, and 10-year CV risk calculated by means of the CUORE Project 10-year CV risk algorithm, based on the combination of the following risk factors: age, systolic blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diabetes, smoking habit, and hypertensive treatment. Patients' data were compared with those from the general population. The 10-year CV risk was log-transformed, and multivariable linear regression was used to estimate mean ratios, adjusting for age, and education. Results: Three hundred patients and 3,052 controls were included in the analysis. Among men, the 10-year CV risk score was very similar between patients with SMI and the general population (mean ratio [MR]: 1.02; 95%CI 0.77-1.37), whereas a 39% increase in 10-year CV risk was observed in women with SMI compared to the general population (MR: 1.39; 95%CI 1.16-1.66). Conclusions: In our study, women with SMI were consistently more at risk than the general population counterpart, even at younger age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some epidemiological studies have identified high values of pulmonary functions as an indicator of good health. At present little is known about the distribution of these characteristics in the general adult population. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe pulmonary function in the Italian general population and to evaluate its association with some lifestyle and cardiovascular risk conditions using data of the OEC/HES (Cardiovascular Epidemiology Observatory/Health Examination Survey) Project, a cross-sectional survey based on the examination of random samples of the general population. Methods: A total of 9,108 men and women aged 35-79 years were examined between 2008 and 2012. Pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] was measured with a spirometer and anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also recorded, whereas lifestyle (physical activity, smoking habits), health status and drug treatment were assessed by a questionnaire. FEV1 and FVC % predicted were also calculated. Univariate analysis and a multiple linear regression were performed in order to assess associations. Results: FVC and FEV1 percent predicted values were 98.0 (95% CI 97.4-98.6) and 107.3 (95% CI 106.6-107.9) for men and 108.7 (95% CI 107.9-109.4) and 113.3 (95% CI 112.6-114.1) for women. A lower mean FEV1 and FVC % predicted value was found in smokers, individuals physically inactive during their leisure time, diabetics, obese individuals and hypertensive patients. Multivariate linear regression models confirmed the independent association between risk factors and FEV1 and FVC levels. Conclusion: Our data confirm the inverse relationship existing between pulmonary function and cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, dyslipidemias and hypertension, all of which are conditions related to chronic diseases. An early public healthcare intervention on lifestyle could be useful to reduce the decline in pulmonary function. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) might predict adverse health outcomes in old age. • Epidemiological data on the association of CKD with functional disability are limited. • We evaluated such a relationship using data from the population-based CARHES study. • CKD independently associated with greater disability in mobility, ADLs and IADLs. • Disability should be considered as a main outcome in the treatment of CKD patients. Abstract Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) negatively impacts aging success. This study evaluates the association between CKD and functional disability, defined as limitations in performing mobility tasks, basic (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), in a population-based sample of older adults. In particular, we examined whether such a relationship extended to mild-moderate CKD stages (G1-G3ab). Methods Data from the Cardiovascular risk profile in Renal patients of the Italian Health Examination Survey (CARHES) study were used.Prevalence of CKD was estimated by means of urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and eGFR (CKD-EPI equation-enzymatic assay of serum creatinine). A validated questionnaire was used to assess functional limitations. Potentially confounding variables, e.g. socio-demographic features, lifestyles, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and prevalent CV diseases, were considered. Results 1309 participants, age 71.4 ± 4.3 years, 53.8% men, were studied. 15.2% of participants were identified as having CKD. Of these, 11.5% were aware of the condition. Prevalence of CKD increased with age, and was similar between men and women. Mild-moderate CKD was found to be significantly associated with disability in mobility (OR = 1.05, 95%CI =1.01–1.09, p =.014) and ADLs/IADLs (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.02–1.12, p =.011) after multiple simultaneous adjustment including socio-demographic variables, CV risk profile, ACR, cognitive impairment and self-rated health. Conclusions Mild-moderate CKD independently associated with functional disability in a population-based sample of older adults. Evidence-based recommendations for disability prevention in CKD are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]