F. de Vegt

Hyperglycaemia is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the Hoorn population: the Hoorn Study

Aims/hypothesis. The degree of glycaemia has been shown to be associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetic subjects. Whether this association also exists in the general population is still controversial. We studied the predictive value of fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour post-load glucose and HbA1 c in a population-based cohort of 2363 older (50–75 years) subjects, without known diabetes. Methods. Relative risks (RR) of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were estimated by Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for age and sex, and additionally for known cardiovascular risk factors. Results. During 8 years of follow-up, 185 subjects died; 98 of cardiovascular causes. Fasting plasma glucose was only predictive in the diabetic range, although the risks started to increase at about 6.1 mmol/l. Post-load glucose and HbA1 c values were, even within the non-diabetic range, associated with an increased risk (p for linear trend < 0.05). These increased risks were mostly, but not completely, attributable to known cardiovascular risk factors. After exclusion of subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes or with pre-existent cardiovascular disease (n = 551), a 5.8 mmol/l increase of post-load glucose (corresponding to two standard deviations of the population distribution) was associated with a higher age-adjusted and sex-adjusted risk of all-cause (RR 2.24) and cardiovascular mortality (RR 3.40) (p < 0.05). After additional adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, these relative risks were still statistically significant, with values of 2.20 and 3.00 respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion/interpretation. High glycaemic variables, especially 2-h post-load glucose concentrations and to a lesser extent HbA1 c values, indicate a risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a general population without known diabetes. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 926–931]

The 1997 American Diabetes Association Criteria Versus the 1985 World Health Organization Criteria for the Diagnosis of Abnormal Glucose Tolerance: Poor agreement in the Hoorn Study

OBJECTIVE Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) introduced new diagnostic criteria. These new criteria are based on fasting plasma glucose levels, avoiding the burdensome oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We compared the 1997 ADA criteria with the 1985 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria with respect to the prevalence of diabetes and the cardiovascular risk profile in the population of the Hoorn Study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Hoorn Study is a population-based survey of 2,484 men and women, aged 50–75 years. An OGTT was performed and cardiovascular risk factors were determined in 2,378 subjects without known diabetes. Subjects were categorized according to both sets of diagnostic criteria. RESULTS Although the prevalence of diabetes was similar for both sets of criteria, 47 of 120 (39.2%) subjects who were diagnosed with diabetes according to the 1997 ADA criteria were not classified as having diabetes when using the 1985 WHO criteria. Similarly, of 285 subjects diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose by the 1997 ADA criteria, 195 (68.4%) were classified as having normal glucose tolerance by the 1985 WHO criteria. The overall agreement was poor (K 0.33; 95% CI 0.28−0.38). Subjects who were diagnosed as having diabetes by either set of criteria had an adverse cardiovascular risk profile, which was between the cardiovascular risk profiles of concordant normal and concordant diabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS In this study, both sets of criteria diagnosed a similar number of diabetic subjects, but many of the subjects shifted between glucose intolerance categories. With either set of criteria, a considerable number of subjects at risk of developing diabetes and subjects carrying an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as reflected by an adverse cardiovascular risk profile, will be missed.

A combination of high concentrations of serum triglyceride and non-high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism—The Hoorn Study

Aims/hypothesisType 2 diabetes is not only associated with hyperglycaemia, but also with disorders of lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of triglyceride and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations with cardiovascular disease in subjects with normal and abnormal glucose metabolism.MethodsSubjects were 869 men and 948 women aged 50 to 75 who participated in the Hoorn Study, a population-based cohort study that started in 1989. Glucose metabolism was determined by a 75xa0g OGTT. High fasting triglyceride and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations were defined as above the median of the study population.ResultsAfter 10 years of follow-up, the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios for cardiovascular disease were 1.35 (1.11–1.64) and 1.71 (1.40–2.08) for high triglycerides and high non-HDL-cholesterol, respectively, after mutual adjustment. After stratification for glucose metabolism status, the hazard ratios for cardiovascular disease for non-HDL-cholesterol were 1.70 (1.31–2.21) in normal glucose metabolism and 1.56 (1.12–2.18) in abnormal glucose metabolism. Triglycerides were not a risk factor in subjects with normal glucose metabolism, with a hazard ratio of 0.94 (0.73–1.22), but in subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism, the hazard ratio for cardiovascular disease was 1.54 (1.07–2.22). In subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism, the hazard ratio for the combined presence of high triglycerides and non-HDL-cholesterol was 2.12 (1.35–3.34).ConclusionOur data suggest that in people with abnormal glucose metabolism, but not in those with normal glucose metabolism, high triglyceride concentration could be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in people with high non-HDL-cholesterol.

Entering a new era of body indices: the feasibility of a body shape index and body roundness index to identify cardiovascular health status

Background The Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) are well-used anthropometric predictors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but their validity is regularly questioned. Recently, A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI) were introduced as alternative anthropometric indices that may better reflect health status. Objective This study assessed the capacity of ABSI and BRI in identifying cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular disease risk factors and determined whether they are superior to BMI and WC. Design and Methods 4627 Participants (54±12 years) of the Nijmegen Exercise Study completed an online questionnaire concerning CVD health status (defined as history of CVD or CVD risk factors) and anthropometric characteristics. Quintiles of ABSI, BRI, BMI, and WC were used regarding CVD prevalence. Odds ratios (OR), adjusted for age, sex, and smoking, were calculated per anthropometric index. Results 1332 participants (27.7%) reported presence of CVD or CVD risk factors. The prevalence of CVD increased across quintiles for BMI, ABSI, BRI, and WC. Comparing the lowest with the highest quintile, adjusted OR (95% CI) for CVD were significantly different for BRI 3.2 (1.4–7.2), BMI 2.4 (1.9–3.1), and WC 3.0 (1.6–5.6). The adjusted OR (95% CI) for CVD risk factors was for BRI 2.5 (2.0–3.3), BMI 3.3 (1.6–6.8), and WC 2.0 (1.6–2.5). No association was observed for ABSI in both groups. Conclusions BRI, BMI, and WC are able to determine CVD presence, while ABSI is not capable. Nevertheless, the capacity of BRI as a novel body index to identify CVD was not superior compared to established anthropometric indices like BMI and WC.

Healthy donor effect: its magnitude in health research among blood donors.

BACKGROUND: The healthy donor effect has been mentioned as a methodologic problem in blood donor health research. The aim of this study was to investigate different elements of the healthy donor effect.

Association between thyroid function, thyroid autoimmunity, and state and trait factors of depression

van de Ven AC, Muntjewerff J‐W, Netea‐Maier RT, de Vegt F, Ross HA, Sweep FCGJ, Kiemeney LA, Vos PE, Buitelaar JK, Hermus ARMM, den Heijer M, Janzing JGE. Association between thyroid function, thyroid autoimmunity, and state and trait factors of depression.

Pattern of follow-up care and early relapse detection in breast cancer patients

Routine breast cancer follow-up aims at detecting second primary breast cancers and loco regional recurrences preclinically. We studied breast cancer follow-up practice and mode of relapse detection during the first 5xa0years of follow-up to determine the efficiency of the follow-up schedule. The Netherlands Cancer Registry provided data of 6,509 women, operated for invasive non-metastatic breast cancer in 2003–2004. In a random sample including 144 patients, adherence to follow-up guideline recommendations was studied. Mode of relapse detection was studied in 124 patients with a second primary breast cancer and 160 patients with a loco regional recurrence. On average 13 visits were performed during the first 5xa0years of the follow-up, whereas nine were recommended. With one, two and three medical disciplines involved, the number of visits was 9, 14 and 18, respectively. Seventy-five percent (93/124) of patients with a second primary breast cancer, 42xa0% (31/74) of patients with a loco regional recurrence after breast conserving surgery and 28xa0% (24/86) of patients with a loco regional recurrence after mastectomy had no symptoms at detection. To detect one loco regional recurrence or second primary breast cancer preclinically, 1,349 physical examinations versus 262 mammography and/or MRI tests were performed. Follow-up provided by only one discipline may decrease the number of unnecessary follow-up visits. Breast imaging plays a major and physical examination a minor role in the early detection of second primary breast cancers and loco regional recurrences. The yield of physical examination to detect relapses early is low and should therefore be minimised.

Considering early detection of relapsed ovarian cancer: a review of the literature.

Introduction: Patients treated for ovarian cancer with curative intent receive an intensive follow-up program in the years after treatment. However, the aimed improved survival through early detection of recurrence is subject to debate. Theoretically, the survival benefit depends on the lead time and the preclinical detection rate and on the effectiveness of recurrence treatment. This systematic review aimed at determining the effectiveness of early detection of recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods: A systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was performed for articles published in 1985 to 2009 in English, German, or Dutch, excluding editorials, letters, and case reports. Results: In total, 67 articles were included. Of 4 observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial, only 1 observational study reported a better survival for patients who attended routine follow-up compared with those who did not. The sensitivity of cancer antigen 125 for a preclinical recurrence, based on 38 articles using 35 U/mL as a cutoff level, was 65%, with a median lead time of 3 months (range, 1-7 months). Seven studies showed that, on average, 67% (ranging from 20% to 80%) of the 798 relapsed patients had no clinical symptoms when recurrent ovarian cancer was diagnosed. Conclusions: Routine follow-up may detect 2 of 3 recurrences asymptomatically with a lead time of 3 months. Recurrence treatment may extend survival by several months, but published studies did not show a survival advantage of early detection by routine follow-up examinations. Therefore, the content and aims of routine follow-up should be reconsidered, whereas routine cancer antigen 125 testing with the aim to improve life expectancy should be omitted.

No supportive evidence for clinical benefit of routine follow-up in ovarian cancer: a Dutch multicenter study.

Introduction: Routine follow-up is standard medical practice in ovarian cancer patients treated with curative intent. However, no strong evidence exists indicating that prognosis is improved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the routine follow-up schedule for ovarian cancer patients regarding the adherence to the Dutch protocol, the detection of recurrences, and the follow-ups impact on overall survival. Methods: All 579 consecutive patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer in 4 Dutch hospitals between 1996 and 2006 were selected. Only patients in complete clinical remission after primary treatment were studied. Compliance to the Dutch follow-up guideline was assessed in a random sample of 68 patients. Of the 127 patients with recurrence, the mode of recurrence detection was addressed. Survival time since primary treatment was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The patients received more follow-up visits than was recommended according to the guideline. The cumulative 5-year risk of recurrence was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43%-67%). The survival of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer detected asymptomatically at a routine visit (n = 51) tended to be better compared with patients with symptomatic detection at a routine (n = 31) or diagnosed after an interval visit (n = 31). The median survival times were 44 (95% CI, 38-64), 29 (95% CI, 21-38), and 33 months (95% CI, 19-61), respectively (P = 0.08). The median time from primary treatment to recurrence was similar for the 3 groups: 14, 10, and 11 months, respectively (P = 0.26). Conclusions: Follow-up in line with (inter)national guidelines yields a seemingly longer life expectancy if the recurrence was detected asymptomatically. However, this result is expected to be explained by differences in tumor biology and length-time bias.

The interaction between cerebrovascular disease and neuroticism in late-life depression: a cross-sectional study

Vascular disease and neuroticism are both risk factors for late‐life depression. In this study we examined the interaction between vascular disease and neuroticism as determinants of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (CRDS) in late‐life.