Search

Background: There is evidence for a bidirectional association between obesity and depression, and obesity is the main risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to compare oxidative stress and MetS features between depressed and non-depressed obese women and study the association of depressive symptoms, oxidative stress, and components of MetS. Methods: In this case-control study conducted in Tabriz (East Azarbaijan, Iran), obese women (body mass index [BMI]: 30-40 kg/m²) with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD; based on diagnostic interview with a psychiatrist; n = 75) and their age-matched nondepressed controls (n = 150) were enrolled. Beck Depression Inventory-version II (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms in both groups. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results: No significant differences in anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were observed between the two groups. However, FBS of the MDD group was significantly higher than the control (P < 0.05). FBS was significantly correlated with BDI-II scores (r = 0.158, P = 0.017). No significant difference in lipid profile was observed between the groups. Serum MDA level was significantly lower in the MDD group and was inversely associated with BDI-II scores (r = -0.328, P < 0.001). Overall, MDD was not significantly associated with MetS in our study (OR = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.484, 1.487; P = 0.566). Conclusion: Although we found a correlation between higher depressive symptoms and some adverse metabolic outcomes, our findings do not support a significant association between MDD and MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal complaint in the adult population worldwide; nevertheless, few studies have assessed this disorder among medical students. The stress, lifestyle, and burdensome educational curriculum exposes this particular population to GERD. To the best of our knowledge, there was no information about the frequency of GERD in Iranian medical students. We aimed to assess the prevalence of GERD as well as its risk factors among the medical students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the symptoms of GERD were investigated among 290 medical students using the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (FSSG) at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2018-2019. Additional information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and studying grade, were entered in the checklist. Results: Among the studied population, 104 (36.55%) students had GERD. Heartburn was associated with studying grade (p =0.022) and BMI (p < 0.001). Esophageal regurgitation was related to BMI only (p < 0.001). The logistic regression evaluations revealed overweight (p < 0.001; OR: 14.49; 95%CI: 7.29-28.81), obesity (p < 0.001; OR: 14.16; 95%CI: 4.38-45.74), studying the physiopathology course (p < 0.001; OR: 5.05; 95%CI: 2.07-12.30) and being in the stagership period (p = 0.007; OR: 3.50; 95%CI: 1.41-8.64) were independent predictors of heartburn, while overweight (p < 0.001; OR: 8.33; 95%CI: 4.26-16.28), obesity (p < 0.001; OR: 54.87; 95%CI: 11.31- 266.10) and being in the stagership period (p = 0.024; OR: 2.89; 95%CI: 0.87-6.22) were the predictors for esophageal regurgitation. Conclusion: Based on this study, GERD was prevalent among the medical students, and factors, including BMI and studying grade, were predictors of its incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions increasing the risk of serious diseases. This study aimed to define the predictors of MetS incident in a community-based cohort in Southern Iran, during a mean follow-up period of 5.1 years. Materials and Methods: During the mean follow-up period of 5.1 years, a cohort study was conducted on 819 Iranian adults aged ≥18 years at baseline and followed to determine the incidence and predictors of MetS progression in Shiraz, a main urban region in the southern part of Iran. The International Diabetes Federation Guideline was used to detect the MetS. Multiple Cox's proportional hazards models were also used to estimate the predictors of new-onset MetS. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 25.9% at baseline, and the overall incidence of subsequent MetS was 5.45% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.47--6.59). The incidence of MetS was significantly higher in women (7.12% [95% CI: 5.52--9.05]) than in men (3.92% [95% CI: 2.80--5.34]). Moreover, it increased by 5.02 (95% CI, 3.75--6.58) among individuals who had one metabolic component and by 12.65 (95% CI, 9.72--16.18) for those who had three or more components (P < 0001). The incidence of MetS was also analyzed using the multiple Cox's proportional hazards model for potential risk factors, and it was revealed that female gender (hazard ratio [HR] 2.45; 95% CI: 1.33, 4.50; P = 0.004), higher body mass index (HR 3.13; 95% CI: 1.43.6.84; P = 0.012), increased abdominal obesity (HR 1.45; 95% CI 0.85, 2.46; P = 0.045), smoking (HR 4.79; 95% CI 2.09, 10.97; P < 0.001), and lower high-density lipoprotein (HR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29, 1.00;P = 0.044) significantly predicted the onset of MetS at baseline; however, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, marital status, level of education, and level of physical activity did not independently predict the onset of MetS when other covariates were considered. Conclusion: This study showed the high-incidence rates of MetS in males and females residing in Southern Iran. Therefore, the prevention through community-based lifestyle modification should be implemented to reduce the burden of MetS and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. High blood pressure (HBP) is a proven risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. So, determining the extent of the contribution of the factors associated with HBP seems to be necessary. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate how much the prevalence of HBP attributed to obesity and high blood glucose (HBG). Methods. Data were collected from 7612 participants extracted from a screening program in 2018, in Iran, which was conducted on the subjects with the age of 30 years old and older to investigate the prevalence of HBP and their associated risk factors. To collect data, we used a standard checklist in terms of the WHO STEPS manual, and a stratified multistage sampling method was also applied. The adjusted population attributable risk of overweight, obesity, and HBG for HBP was calculated by the logistic regression model using the aflogit module. Results. Among the studied people, 7.4% of male and 10.8% of female subjects were hypertensive. The adjusted analysis showed that, in men, 27% and 41% and, among women, 19% and 37% of HBP prevalence rates were attributable to obesity (BMI ≥ 30) and fast blood sugar (FBS) (≥126), respectively. In people with both obesity and HBG, 59% of the prevalence rate of HBP in men and 46% of the prevalence in women were due to the abovementioned risk factors altogether. The results show that, if obesity and HBG were eliminated, the prevalence of HBP could be theoretically decreased from 7.4% to 5.4% and 4.3% in male subjects and from 10.8% to 8.7% and 6.8% in female subjects, respectively. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that how much the prevalence of HBP attributes to obesity and HBG in middle-age and older population. It seems that the prevention programs should be administered in the general population, and excess body weight prevention programs should also be implemented in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prediabetes is strongly associated with high blood pressure; however, a little is known about prediabetes and high blood pressure comorbidity in the high-risk individuals. This is the first study in the world to assess the long term effects of risk factors associated with high blood pressure and prediabetes comorbidity in the first degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Materials and Methods: The longitudinal data obtained from 1388 nondiabetic FDRs of T2DM patients with at least two visits between 2003 and 2011. We used univariate and bivariate mixed effects logistic regressions with a Bayesian approach to identify longitudinal predictors of high blood pressure and prediabetes separately and simultaneously. Results: The baseline prevalence of high blood pressure, prediabetes, and the coexistence of both was 27.4%, 19.1%, and 29.8%, respectively. The risks of high blood pressure and prediabetes were increased by one unit raise in the age (odds ratio [OR] of high blood pressure: 1.419 (95% credible intervals [CI], 1.077-1.877), prediabetes: 1.055 (95% CI: 1.040-1.068)) and one unit raise in remnant-cholesterol (OR of high blood pressure: 1.093 (95%CI, 1.067-1.121), and prediabetes: 1.086 (95% CI, 1.043-.119)). Obese participants were more likely to have high blood pressure (OR: 2.443 [95% CI, 1.978-3.031]) and prediabetes (OR: 1.399 [95% CI, 1.129-1.730]) than other participants. Conclusion: We have introduced remnant cholesterol, along with obesity and age, as a significant predictor of prediabetes, high blood pressure, and the coexistence of both in the FDRs of diabetic patients. Obesity index and remnant cholesterol showed the stronger effects on high blood pressure and prediabetes comorbidity than on each condition separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of mortality and are highly associated with lifestyle. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its major risk factors in the western Iranian city of Borujerd. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 801 subjects older than 35 years of age, recruited via cluster sampling in Borujerd. The diagnosis of CAD was based on the positive results of Rose Angina Questionnaire, Minnesota coding, or prior history of CAD. Then, the risk factors were measured by biochemistry and relevant laboratory examinations, or data extraction from the subjects' history. Results: The study sample consisted of 412 men and 389 women at a mean age of 54.82±12.11 years. The prevalence of risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity was 38.2%, 17.4%, 64%, 23.2%, and 22.8%, respectively. Based on the criteria, 19.1% and 31.7% of the CAD cases were definite and probable, respectively. Furthermore, 12.5% had definite signs and symptoms of CAD, and 5.4% had positive Rose Angina Questionnaire outcomes. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated the distribution of CAD in the Iranian city of Borujerd and it was demonstrated that obesity and smoking are the most common risk factors, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the current case-control study, an association between diagnosis of CRC, obesity and diabetes was investigated. Methods: Demographic characteristics, colonoscopy reports, history of drug, smoking, and medical history were collected from patients referred to a colonoscopy unit. The location, size and number of the polyps were recorded during the colonoscopy. Statistically, t-test was conducted for mean comparison for the groups. Pearson's chi-squared test (χ2) was applied to categorize variables. Five classification methods based on the important clinicopathological characteristics such as age, BMI, diabetes, family history of colon cancer was performed to predict the results of colonoscopy. Results: Overall, 693 patients participated in this study. In the present study, 115 and 515 patients were evaluated for adenoma/adenocarcinoma and normal colonoscopy, respectively. The mean age of patients positive for adenoma or adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than the negative groups (p value < 0.001). Incidence of overweight and/or obesity (BMI > 25 kg/m2) were significantly higher in adenoma positive patients as compared to controls (49.9 and 0.9% respectively, p value = 0.04). The results also demonstrated a significant association between suffering from diabetes and having colon adenoma (OR = 1.831, 95%CI = 1.058–3.169, p value = 0.023). The experimental results of 5 classification methods on higher risk factors between colon adenoma and normal colonoscopy data were more than 82% and less than 0.42 for the percentage of classification accuracy and root mean squared error, respectively. Conclusions: In the current study, the occurrence of obesity measured based on BMI and diabetes in the adenoma positive patient group was significantly higher than the control group although there was no notable association between obesity, diabetes and adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]