Liisa Hiltunen

Prevalence and associated factors of restless legs in a 57-year-old urban population in northern Finland.

Juuti AK, Läärä E, Rajala U, Laakso M, Härkönen P, Keinänen‐Kiukaanniemi S, Hiltunen L. Prevalence and associated factors of restless legs in a 57‐year‐old urban population in northern Finland.
Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122: 63–69.
© 2009 The Authors Journal compilation

Coffee consumption and mortality in a 14-year follow-up of an elderly northern Finnish population

The present study assessed the relationship between coffee consumption and mortality in a home-dwelling elderly population. A population-based cohort of 817 men and women born in 1920 or earlier and living in northern Finland provided complete data on daily coffee consumption and other variables at the baseline examination in 1991-1992. Deaths were monitored through to the end of 2005 by national death certificates, resulting in 6960 person-years of follow-up. Hazard rate ratios for mortality by daily coffee intake were estimated by Poisson regression models adjusted for some known predictors of mortality. During 14.5 years of follow-up, 623 deaths occurred. The total mortality rate was inversely related to the number of cups (average volume, 125 ml) of coffee consumed daily. After adjustment for age, sub-period of follow-up, sex, marital status, basic educational level, previous occupational group, current smoking, BMI, history of myocardial infarction, self-rated health and presence of diabetes, cognitive impairment or physical disability, the estimated relative risk reduction of total mortality per an increment of one more cup of coffee per d reported at baseline was 4 (95% CI 0, 8) %. The observed associations between coffee consumption and mortality from CVD, cancer, and other or unknown causes, respectively, were qualitatively similar to that of total mortality but the estimates were less precise. The effect of coffee consumption at baseline appeared to attenuate after 10 years since the start of follow-up. The present study provides evidence for daily (caffeine-containing) coffee intake being inversely associated with mortality in the elderly.

Occurrence of parent‐reported food hypersensitivities and food allergies among children aged 1–4 yr

Food allergies (FAs) and hypersensitivities (FHSs) have rarely been studied in large unselected child populations. This population‐based cross‐sectional survey estimated the occurrence of FHS as perceived by parents and that of FA diagnosed by a physician among children aged 1–4 yr in south‐eastern Finland. Before the scheduled annual follow‐up visit to the local child health clinic, the parents of children who were born between 1 April, 2001 and 31 March, 2005, and living in the Province of South Karelia (data from Finnish Population Register) were mailed a questionnaire containing items on the child’s background, physician‐diagnosed FAs and FHSs perceived by the parents. The questionnaires were returned during the visit. Three thousand three hundred and eight (69%) out of the 4779 questionnaires were returned. The lifetime prevalence of physician‐diagnosed FAs was 9%. In an additional 21%, FHSs were perceived by the parents only. In a further 19% at least one food item had been eliminated from the diet without any perception of symptoms, this proportion having a downward trend by age. Physician‐diagnosed FAs were more common in boys than in girls. Cow’s milk was the most commonly reported cause of food‐associated symptoms (13% of all children). One‐third of the children aged 1–4 yr suffered from food‐associated symptoms, and in an additional fifth at least one food item had been eliminated from their diet, implying that every other child had possibly been subjected to some form of elimination diet.

Obesity and Low-Grade Inflammation among Young Finnish Men with Early-Onset Alopecia

Background: Previous investigations have revealed an association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), especially in younger subjects with severe early-onset AGA, with ischemic heart disease. Objective: To examine the possible association between early-onset alopecia and low-grade inflammation measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) that has been recommended for the assessment of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods: The study population consisted of young men (n = 727, aged 25–34 years) participating in a national survey. The grade of alopecia was assessed by a trained nurse using the Norwood/Hamilton Classification Scale. Results: Men with moderate to extensive alopecia (17%) had a higher body mass index and larger waist, upper arm, hip and waist circumference than those with little to no alopecia (p < 0.05), and statistically insignificant differences were seen in the waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), diastolic blood pressure and hs-CRP. With increasing hs-CRP, the mean WHR increased, but only among men with moderate to extensive alopecia (p = 0.043). Conclusion: Our findings show a relation between moderate to extensive alopecia and low-grade inflammation – a predictor of a future CVD – especially combined with central obesity, among men younger than 35 years.

Resolution of periodontal inflammation does not guarantee improved glycemic control in type 1 diabetic subjects

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to find out if periodontal therapy has any effect on glycemic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS The periodontal health status of 65 type 1 diabetic subjects was assessed at the baseline and 8 weeks after completion of periodontal therapy. Glycemic control was assessed on both visits by measuring the percentage of glycosylated haemoglobin (GHbA1c). The change in HbA1c (DeltaHbA1c) was assessed by using both a positive or negative change >or=0.5% and any change in HbA1c. RESULTS The mean HbA1c level (+/-SD) of the whole study group was 8.6% (+/-1.5) at the baseline and 8.5% (+/-1.5) after treatment. Glycemic control improved during the study period in 23 subjects (35%) and worsened in 18 subjects (28%). Approximately 78% of the bleeding sites and 87% of the sites with probing depth >or=4 mm presented healing. DeltaHbA1c associated significantly with baseline HbA1c but not with baseline periodontal health status or periodontal healing. CONCLUSION Regardless of a significant resolution of periodontal infection, a great majority of the subjects did not present any improvement in their glycemic control.

Caesarean section and allergic manifestations: insufficient evidence of association found in population-based study of children aged 1 to 4 years

To provide evidence on the association between caesarean section and allergic manifestations in an unselected child population.

Heredity of food allergies in an unselected child population: An epidemiological survey from Finland

To cite this article:Pyrhönen K, Hiltunen L, Kaila M, Näyhä S, Läärä E. Heredity of food allergies in an unselected child population: An epidemiological survey from Finland.Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e124–e132.

Health-related quality of life and physical well-being among a 63-year-old cohort of women with androgenetic alopecia; a Finnish population-based study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the possible associations between female androgenetic alopecia (AGA), insulin resistance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)-linked factors in women. We hypothesized that not only the mental aspects but also certain physical aspect of womens health, such as insulin resistance, have an important role in the determination of HRQOL among women with hair loss.MethodsA population-based cohort of 330 healthy women aged 63 years, who participated in this study in the City of Oulu in Northern Finland, underwent a medical check-up including assessment of hair status on Ludwigs scale. Background data were collected with a standard questionnaire including a validated RAND 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36) questionnaire.Results105 (31%) women with AGA and 225 (69%) controls completed the RAND-36 questionnaire. The women with AGA were more insulin-resistant than the women with normal hair (QUICKI 0.337 vs. 0.346, p = 0.012). Impaired glucose regulation (IGR) was more prevalent among the former than the latter group (39% vs. 25%). The mean RAND-36 scores were significantly lower on the dimensions of physical functioning, role limitation due to physical health and general health, but not on the mental or social dimensions, among the women with AGA compared with the controls. In multivariate logistic regression analyses with the lowest quintiles of the HRQOL dimensions as the dependent variables and AGA, depression, marital status, education and IGR or QUICKI as independent variables, AGA was independently associated with role limitations due to physical health (2.2, 95% CI 1.20–4.05, 2.45 95% CI 1.32–4.55, respectively).ConclusionIn women aged 63 years, AGA was associated with role limitations due to physical health. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of IGR and insulin resistance measured by QUICKI were higher among the women with hair loss than those with normal hair.

IL-6(-174) genotype associated with the extent of periodontal disease in type 1 diabetic subjects.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphism in certain cytokine and receptor molecule genes and diabetic status associate with the extent of periodontal disease in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty patients with type 1 DM participated. Visible plaque, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PD) and attachment level (AL) were examined clinically and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were used to assess the glycemic control of DM. CD-14, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and TLR-4 gene polymorphisms were studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS The 3-year HbA1c was good (<7.5%) in 16%, acceptable (7.5-8.5%) in 36% and poor (>8.5%) in 48% of the subjects. IL-6(-174) genotype and 3-year GHbA1c associated significantly with BOP and PD>or=4 mm, subjects with the GG genotype of the IL-6(-174) exhibiting more severe periodontal disease than those with the GC/CC genotype. After stratification by IL-6 genotype, associations between the extent of periodontal disease and 3-year HbA1c levels remained significant in subjects carrying the GC/CC but not the GG genotype. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the HbA1c level, the IL-6(-174) genotype is a significant susceptibility factor for periodontal disease among type 1 diabetics.

Does glucose tolerance affect quality of life in an elderly population

The aim of the present study was to describe the associations between glucose tolerance and quality of life in an unselected non-institutionalised elderly population aged 73 years or over (n = 259, of whom 93 were men). Diabetes was assessed on the basis of self-reports and 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests (1985 WHO criteria). Quality of life was evaluated with the Nottingham Health Profile instrument (NHP). A greater proportion of the previously diagnosed diabetic patients reported to have problems on all the three energy items, on nearly all the physical mobility items and on half of the pain items compared to the subjects with undiagnosed diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or normal glucose tolerance. The results of the second part of the NHP were in line with those of the first part, showing that more of the persons with previously diagnosed diabetes had problems on the following items: jobs around the house, hobbies and holidays compared to the other study groups. As for the six quality of life dimensions in the first part of the NHP, the previously diagnosed diabetic persons scored clearly higher on the energy, pain and physical mobility dimensions of the NHP compared to all the other subjects. To conclude, elderly subjects with previously diagnosed diabetes had a poorer quality of life compared to those with undiagnosed diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or normal glucose tolerance.