Debnath Chaudhuri

Associação entre marcadores inflamatórios e fatores de risco cardiovascular em mulheres de Kolkata, W.B, Índia

BACKGROUND Recent research has focused on the use of inflammatory biomarkers in the prediction of cardiovascular risk. However, information is scant regarding the association between these inflammatory markers with other cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians, particularly in women. OBJECTIVE To explore the association between inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count and cardiovascular risk factors such as overall and central adiposity, blood pressure, lipid and lipoprotein variables and fasting glucose. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on 100 women aged 35-80 years. Participants were selected following cluster sampling methodology from 12 different randomly selected urban wards of Kolkata Municipal Corporation. RESULTS Hs-CRP has a significant association with body mass index (BMI) ( p < 0.001) and waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.002). Significant inverse associations were observed between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and both inflammatory markers, hs-CRP (p = 0.031) and WBC count, (p = 0.014). Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) was also negatively associated with hs-CRP. WBC count has significant correlation with fasting glucose and total cholesterol (TC) /HDL-C ratio. Using logistic regression, adjusting for age, BMI (odds ratio/OR, 1.186; confidence interval/CI, 1.046-1.345; p = 0.008) and WC (OR, 1.045; CI, 1.005-1.087; p = 0.027) were the covariates significantly associated with hs-CRP. CONCLUSION In the present study, risk factors like BMI, WC, and HDL-C and apo A1 show significant association with hs-CRP. WBC count was significantly correlated with HDL-C, fasting glucose, TC/HDL-C ratio in women.FUNDAMENTO: Recientes investigaciones se han concentrado en el uso de biomarcadores inflamatorios en la prevision de riesgo cardiovascular. Entre tanto, la informacion es escasa en relacion a la asociacion entre esos marcadores inflamatorios con otros factores de riesgo cardiovasculares en indios asiaticos, particularmente en mujeres. OBJETIVO: Explorar la asociacion entre marcadores inflamatorios tales como proteina C-reactiva de alta sensibilidad (PCR-as) y recuento de leucocitos (LEU) y factores de riesgo cardiovascular tales como adiposidad general y central, presion arterial, variables lipidicas y lipoproteicas y glucemia de ayuno. METODOS: Condujimos un analisis transversal de 100 mujeres con edad entre 35-80 anos. Las participantes fueron seleccionadas a traves de la metodologia de muestreo por cluster, de 12 distritos urbanos seleccionadas al azar en la Corporacion Municipal de Kolkata, India. RESULTADOS: La PCR-as presento una asociacion significativa con el indice de masa corporal (IMC) (r=0,373, p<0,001) y circunferencia de la cintura (CCI) (r=0,301, p=0,002). Asociaciones significativas inversas fueron observadas entre la lipoproteina de alta densidad colesterol (HDL-c) y ambos marcadores inflamatorios (r= -0,220, p=0,031 y r= -0,247, p=0,014 para PCR-as y LEU, respectivamente). La apo-lipoproteina A1 (Apo A1) tambien estaba negativamente asociada con la PCR-as (r= -0,237, p=0,031). El recuento de leucocitos presento una correlacion significativa con la glucemia de ayuno (r=0,253, p=0,011) y la razon colesterol total (CT) /HDL-C (r=0,284, p=0,004). Usando regresion logistica ajustada para edad, IMC (odds ratio/OR, 1,186; intervalo de confianza/IC, 1,046-1,345; p=0,008) y LEU (OR, 1,045; IC, 1,005-1,087; p=0,027) fueron las covariantes significativamente asociadas con la PCR-as. CONCLUSION: En el presente estudio, los factores de riesgo tales como IMC, CCI y HDL-c y Apo-A1 mostraron una asociacion significativa con PCR-as. El recuento de leucocitos estaba significativamente asociado a los niveles de HDL-c, glucemia de ayuno, razon CT/HDL-c en mujeres.

Risk factors for hypertension in a population-based sample of postmenopausal women in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide. However, limited information is available regarding the risk factors for hypertension in postmenopausal women, particularly in urban populations in developing countries such as India. To investigate whether adiposity measures, serum lipids and lipoproteins as well as fasting plasma glucose can predict the risk of hypertension in a population based sample of postmenopausal women in Kolkata, India, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 415 postmenopausal women (aged 40 to 85), selected by cluster sampling from 12 wards of Kolkata. After multivariate adjustment, apolipoprotein B (apo B) and waist circumference (WC) showed the strongest association with hypertension. The risk of hypertension in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile was 2.57 (95% confidence interval = 1.00-6.61) for apo B and 2.55 (95% confidence interval = 1.07-6.06) for WC. Apo B and WC were the strongest risk factors for predicting hypertension among postmenopausal women in Kolkata.

Food safety: A public health priority.

Safe and nutritious food in adequate amounts is required for the sustenance of life and the promotion of good health. However, food provides an environment for microbial growth and, when contaminated, can act as a vector for bacteria, viruses, parasites, and prions, causing food poisoning. Besides, it is often contaminated with toxic chemicals present naturally and/or mixed accidentally or intentionally, which are also potentially harmful. Almost any kind of food can spread disease, and unsafe food is responsible for creating a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, affecting all, but particularly infants, young children, and the elderly.

Assessment of Nutritional Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults (65 to 75 Years) in Kolkata, India

This study was conducted to profile nutritional risk factors in a population of community-dwelling older adults in Kolkata, India. We applied the short version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA-SF) questionnaire among 500 participants (65 to 75 years)—263 males and 237 females. The prevalence of undernutrition was 8.8% in females and 4.9% in males; a risk of undernutrition was found in 24.5% females and 17.5% males. All those with undernutrition or at-risk were studied further using the full version of the MNA. Data regarding education, occupation, socioeconomic status, and food intake pattern were also collected. Females had a significantly lower (P < 0.01) education level than males; 73.4% males were financially independent, whereas 72.7% females were financially dependent on others. Moderate appetite loss was commonly found (64.9%), and in 24.3% of the participants appetite loss was severe. Digestive and chewing problems were present in 32.4% and 21.6% of study participants, respectively. The rate of psychological stress and/or acute disease 3 months prior to study was 47%, and 62.2% of the study population were taking 3 or more medicines per day. Weight loss of greater than 3 kg and of 1 to 3 kg during past 3 months of the study period was observed in 27% and 32.5% of the population, respectively. Undernourished individuals were also found to consume fewer protein-rich foods. We hypothesize that low education levels and lack of financial independence were the strongest underlying causes of high undernutrition in this population, particularly, among females.

Prevalence and association of metabolic syndrome and vitamin D deficiency among postmenopausal women in a rural block of West Bengal, India

Background Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and vitamin D deficiency was reported among postmenopausal women (PMW) in India. However, no report is available regarding the association of MS and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] among PMW in India. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of MS and 25(OH)D status as well as their association among rural PMW of West Bengal, India. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 randomly selected rural PMW in Singur Block, West Bengal, India. Serum 25(OH)D, Blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured using standard procedures. MS was defined as per International Diabetes Federation, 2005 (for Asian-Indians) criteria. Statistical tests were done using SPSS software. Results Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 46%. 51% and 19% PMW were vitamin D insufficient and deficient, respectively. 22% and 53% women having MS were vitamin D insufficient and deficient, respectively. Among the PMW, 21% and 47% with WC≥80cm; 22% and 62% with FBG≥110mg/dl; 21% and 54% with TG≥150mg/dl; 23% and 51% with HDL-C<50mg/dl, 15% and 55% with BP≥130/85mm of Hg were vitamin D insufficient and deficient, respectively. Significant statistical association between FBG and 25(OH)D status existed (p = 0.01). Significant positive correlation between WC and 25(OH)D level (p = 0.004) and significant negative correlation between FBG and 25(OH)D level observed (p = 0.02). WC was the only statistically significant predictor of the dependent variable. Odds of non-sufficient 25(OH)D level increased with decrease in WC. Conclusion High prevalence of MS as well as vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency existed among PMW of Singur block, West Bengal, India. 25(OH)D had significant inverse and direct relationship with FBG and WC. Low 25(OH)D may be one of the potential risk factors for developing MS in PMW or vice-versa.