Francisco Bolumar

Occupational risk factors in Alzheimer's disease: a review assessing the quality of published epidemiological studies

Epidemiological evidence of an association between Alzheimers disease AD and the most frequently studied occupational exposurespesticides, solvents, electromagnetic fields EMF, lead and aluminiumis inconsistent. Epidemiological studies published up to June of 2003 were systematically searched through PubMed and Toxline. Twenty-four studies 21 casecontrol and 3 cohort studies were included. Median GQI was 36.6 range 19.562.9. Most of the casecontrol studies had a GQI of <50. The study with the highest score was a cohort study. Likelihood of exposure misclassification bias affected 18 of the 24 studies. Opportunity for bias arising from the use of surrogate informants affected 17 studies, followed by disease misclassification 11 studies and selection bias 10 studies. Eleven studies explored the relationship of AD with solvents, seven with EMF, six with pesticides, six with lead and three with aluminium. For pesticides, studies of greater quality and prospective design found increased and statistically significant associations. For the remaining occupational agents, the evidence of association is less consistent for solvents and EMF or absent for lead and aluminium.

HIV testing and counselling for migrant populations living in high-income countries: a systematic review.

Background: The barriers to HIV testing and counselling that migrants encounter can jeopardize proactive HIV testing that relies on the fact that HIV testing must be linked to care. We analyse available evidence on HIV testing and counselling strategies targeting migrants and ethnic minorities in high-income countries. Methods: Systematic literature review of the five main databases of articles in English from Europe, North America and Australia between 2005 and 2009. Results: Of 1034 abstracts, 37 articles were selected. Migrants, mainly from HIV-endemic countries, are at risk of HIV infection and its consequences. The HIV prevalence among migrants is higher than the general population’s, and migrants have higher frequency of delayed HIV diagnosis. For migrants from countries with low HIV prevalence and for ethnic minorities, socio-economic vulnerability puts them at risk of acquiring HIV. Migrants have specific legal and administrative impediments to accessing HIV testing—in some countries, undocumented migrants are not entitled to health care—as well as cultural and linguistic barriers, racism and xenophobia. Migrants and ethnic minorities fear stigma from their communities, yet community acceptance is key for well-being. Conclusions: Migrants and ethnic minorities should be offered HIV testing, but the barriers highlighted in this review may deter programs from achieving the final goal, which is linking migrants and ethnic minorities to HIV clinical care under the public health perspective.

Iodine Intake and Maternal Thyroid Function During Pregnancy

Background: An adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is essential for the synthesis of maternal thyroid hormones and normal brain development in the fetus. Scant evidence is available on the effects and safety of iodine supplementation during pregnancy in areas with adequate or mildly deficient iodine intake. We examined the association of maternal iodine intake and supplementation with thyroid function before 24 weeks of gestation in population-based samples from 3 different areas in Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1844 pregnant women (gestational age range 8–23 weeks) was carried out in 3 areas in Spain (Guipúzcoa, Sabadell, Valencia), during the period 2004–2008. We measured levels of free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in serum, iodine in a spot urine sample, and questionnaire estimates of iodine intake from diet, iodized salt and supplements. Adjusted associations were assessed by multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses. Results: There was an increased risk of TSH above 3 &mgr;U/mL in women who consumed 200 &mgr;g or more of iodine supplements daily compared with those who consumed less than 100 &mgr;g/day (adjusted odds ratio = 2.5 [95% confidence interval = 1.2 to 5.4]). We observed no association between urinary iodine and TSH levels. Pregnant women from the area with the highest median urinary iodine (168 &mgr;g/L) and highest supplement coverage (93%) showed the lowest values of serum free thyroxine. (geometric mean = 10.09 pmol/L [9.98 to 10.19]). Conclusions: Iodine supplement intake in the first half of pregnancy may lead to maternal thyroid dysfunction in iodine-sufficient or mildly iodine-deficient populations.

Diet quality in early pregnancy and its effects on fetal growth outcomes: the Infancia y Medio Ambiente (Childhood and Environment) Mother and Child Cohort Study in Spain

BACKGROUND Maternal diet has been associated with fetal growth outcomes; however, evidence is scarce on the role of dietary quality. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the effect of diet quality during the first trimester of pregnancy, as measured by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) adapted for pregnancy, on fetal growth. DESIGN We studied 787 women and their newborns from a Spanish cohort study. Diet quality was assessed by using a modification of the AHEI. Adjusted birth weight, birth length, and head circumference were used as continuous outcomes. We used a customized model to define fetal growth restriction in weight, length, and head circumference. RESULTS After adjustment of multivariate models, a positive association was observed between diet quality and adjusted birth weight and adjusted birth length. The greatest differences were found between the fourth and first quintiles of the AHEI. Newborns of women in the fourth quintile were on average 126.3 g (95% CI: 38.5, 213.9 g) heavier and 0.47 cm (95% CI: 0.08, 0.86 cm) longer than those in the lowest quintile (P for trend = 0.009 and 0.013, respectively). Women with the highest AHEI scores had a significantly lower risk of delivering a fetal growth-restricted infant for weight (odds ratio: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.55; P for trend = 0.001) than did women in the lowest quintile, but this was not the case for fetal growth restriction in length (P for trend = 0.538) or head circumference (P for trend = 0.070). CONCLUSION A high-quality diet in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with birth size and the risk of fetal growth restriction.

Influence of age and geographical origin in the prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus in migrant female sex workers in Spain.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in migrant female sex workers (FSW) according to age and geographical origin. Methods: Cross sectional study of migrant FSW attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Madrid during 2002. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive and sexual health, smoking, time in commercial sex work, history of STIs, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and genitourinary infections was collected. High risk HPV Infection was determined through the Digene HPV Test, Hybrid Capture II. Data were analysed through multiple logistic regression. Results: 734 women were studied. Overall HPV prevalence was 39%; 61% in eastern Europeans, 42% in Ecuadorians, 39% in Colombians, 29% in sub-Saharan Africans, and 24% in Caribbeans (p = 0.057). HPV prevalence showed a decreasing trend by age; 49% under 20 years, 35% in 21–25 years,14% over 36 years% (p<0.005). In multivariate analyses, area of origin (p = 0.07), hormonal contraception in women not using condoms (OR 19.45 95% CI: 2.45 to 154.27), smoking, age, and an interaction between these last two variables (p = 0.039) had statistically significant associations with HPV prevalence. STI prevalence was 11% and was not related to age or geographical origin. Conclusions: High risk HPV prevalence in migrant FSW is elevated and related to age, area of origin, and use of oral contraceptives in women not using condoms. These data support the role of acquired immunity in the epidemiology of HPV infection and identifies migrant FSW as a priority group for sexual health promotion.

The epidemiology of HIV and AIDS reports in migrants in the 27 European Union countries, Norway and Iceland: 1999–2006

BACKGROUND To describe the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS by geographical origin in the EU, 1999-2006. METHODS AIDS and HIV cases from the EU 27, Norway and Iceland reported to European Centre for Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS were analysed. RESULTS Of 75,021 AIDS reports over 1999-2006, 35% were migrants. Of 2988 heterosexual AIDS reports in 2006, 50% were migrants, largely from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), 20% of 1404 AIDS cases in men who have sex with men (MSM) were migrants from Latin-America and Western Europe. Of 57 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) AIDS cases, 23% were from SSA. AIDS cases decreased from 1999 to 2006 in natives (42%), Western Europeans (40%) and North Africa and Middle East (34%), but increased in people from SSA (by 89%), Eastern Europe (by 200%) and Latin-America (50%). Of 17,646 HIV infections in men and 9066 in females in 2006, 49 and 76% were migrants, largely from SSA. Of 169 MTCT infections, 41% were from SSA. CONCLUSION Migrants, largely from SSA, represent a considerable proportion of AIDS and HIV reports in EU, especially among heterosexual and MTCT infections. Their contribution is higher among female reports. A substantial percentage of diagnoses in MSM are migrants, largely from Western Europe and Latin-America.

Esophageal cancer risk by type of alcohol drinking and smoking: a case-control study in Spain

BackgroundThe effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on esophageal cancer (EC) has never been explored in Spain where black tobacco and wine consumptions are quite prevalent. We estimated the independent effect of different alcoholic beverages and type of tobacco smoking on the risk of EC and its main histological cell type (squamous cell carcinoma) in a hospital-based case-control study in a Mediterranean area of Spain.MethodsWe only included incident cases with histologically confirmed EC (n = 202). Controls were frequency-matched to cases by age, sex and province (n = 455). Information on risk factors was elicited by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsAlcohol drinking and tobacco smoking were strong and independent risk factors for esophageal cancer. Alcohol was a potent risk factor with a clear dose-response relationship, particularly for esophageal squamous-cell cancer. Compared to never-drinkers, the risk for heaviest drinkers (≥ 75 g/day of pure ethanol) was 7.65 (95%CI, 3.16–18.49); and compared with never-smokers, the risk for heaviest smokers (≥ 30 cigarettes/day) was 5.07 (95%CI, 2.06–12.47). A low consumption of only wine and/or beer (1–24 g/d) did not increase the risk whereas a strong positive trend was observed for all types of alcoholic beverages that included any combination of hard liquors with beer and/or wine (p-trend<0.00001). A significant increase in EC risk was only observed for black-tobacco smoking (2.5-fold increase), not for blond tobacco. The effects for alcohol drinking were much stronger when the analysis was limited to the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 160), whereas a lack of effect for adenocarcinoma was evidenced. Smoking cessation showed a beneficial effect within ten years whereas drinking cessation did not.ConclusionOur study shows that the risk of EC, and particularly the squamous cell type, is strongly associated with alcohol drinking. The consumption of any combination of hard liquors seems to be harmful whereas a low consumption of only wine may not. This may relates to the presence of certain antioxidant compounds found in wine but practically lacking in liquors. Tobacco smoking is also a clear risk factor, black more than blond.

Gestational Age Patterns of Fetal and Neonatal Mortality in Europe: Results from the Euro-Peristat Project

Background The first European Perinatal Health Report showed wide variability between European countries in fetal (2.6–9.1‰) and neonatal (1.6–5.7‰) mortality rates in 2004. We investigated gestational age patterns of fetal and neonatal mortality to improve our understanding of the differences between countries with low and high mortality. Methodology/Principal Findings Data on 29 countries/regions participating in the Euro-Peristat project were analyzed. Most European countries had no limits for the registration of live births, but substantial variations in limits for registration of stillbirths before 28 weeks of gestation existed. Country rankings changed markedly after excluding deaths most likely to be affected by registration differences (22–23 weeks for neonatal mortality and 22–27 weeks for fetal mortality). Countries with high fetal mortality ≥28 weeks had on average higher proportions of fetal deaths at and near term (≥37 weeks), while proportions of fetal deaths at earlier gestational ages (28–31 and 32–36 weeks) were higher in low fetal mortality countries. Countries with high neonatal mortality rates ≥24 weeks, all new member states of the European Union, had high gestational age-specific neonatal mortality rates for all gestational-age subgroups; they also had high fetal mortality, as well as high early and late neonatal mortality. In contrast, other countries with similar levels of neonatal mortality had varying levels of fetal mortality, and among these countries early and late neonatal mortality were negatively correlated. Conclusions For valid European comparisons, all countries should register births and deaths from at least 22 weeks of gestation and should be able to distinguish late terminations of pregnancy from stillbirths. After excluding deaths most likely to be influenced by existing registration differences, important variations in both levels and patterns of fetal and neonatal mortality rates were found. These disparities raise questions for future research about the effectiveness of medical policies and care in European countries.

Indicadores de salud reproductiva y perinatal en mujeres inmigrantes y autóctonas residentes en Cataluña y en la Comunitat Valenciana (2005-2006)

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of teenage maternity, preterm birth and low birth weight in Spanish and immigrant mothers from Latin America, eastern Europe, Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa resident in Catalonia and Valencia from 2005 and 2006. METHODS Using data from congenital metabolic disorders registers in both regions, proportions and 95% confidence intervals were obtained for the following: 1) mothers aged less than 20 years; 2) preterm (<37 weeks) and very preterm (<32 weeks) births; and 3) low birth weight (<2500g) and very low birth weight (<1500g) neonates. The calculations were performed for mothers from each of the geographical areas of origin (Spain, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Maghreb and Sub-Sahara). These proportions were compared in Spanish-born and immigrant women and the significance of differences was assessed using chi-squared tests. RESULTS The prevalence of teenage mothers was between three and five times higher in immigrants than in Spanish women, the highest rate being found in women from eastern Europe. Preterm births, very preterm births and very low birth weight were more frequent in eastern European women than in Spanish women. The prevalence of prematurity and very low birth weight was higher in sub-Saharan mothers than in Spanish women. CONCLUSIONS The number of births in teenage mothers was higher in immigrant mothers from all origins than in Spanish women. The highest rates of low birth weight and preterm births were found in women from eastern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.

Caesarean section rates in immigrant and native women in Spain: the importance of geographical origin and type of hospital for delivery.

BACKGROUND Spain has become a principal destination for immigrants and delivery is the major reason for hospitalization in this population. However, research about inequities between native and immigrant women regarding the quality of the care received during pregnancy and delivery is still scarce. One of the indicators used to evaluate the quality of the obstetric care is the rate of caesarean sections (CSs). METHODS A cross-sectional study of 215 379 single deliveries from Spanish and immigrant women from Latin America, East Europe and Maghreb was carried out in Spain in 2005-06. Prevalence of CS according to maternal and neonatal characteristics was calculated by geographical origin. Two associations were explored by means of multiple logistic regression analysis. First, the association between geographical origin and the risk of CS in public or private hospitals separately, and, second, the risk of CS for women from the same geographical origin depending on whether they delivered at public or private hospitals. RESULTS Overall, the risk of CS was lower for immigrants as a whole than for native women (odds ratio (OR) = 0.83 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80-0.85), but the risk varied markedly by area of origin, being higher for Latin Americans (OR = 1.09 95% CI = 1.05-1.13) and lower for East Europeans (OR = 0.61 95% CI = 0.57-0.66) and Maghrebians (OR = 0.60 95% CI =0.57-0.63). Public hospitals followed the overall pattern of risk. CS risk was higher in private than in public hospitals for all groups. However, the increase in risk was higher for immigrant than for natives. CONCLUSION Immigrants in Spain are a heterogeneous population regarding the risk of CS. Geographical origin and type of hospital are key aspects underlying such a risk.