Martin Bobak

Alcohol, drinking pattern and all-cause, cardiovascular and alcohol-related mortality in Eastern Europe.

Alcohol has been implicated in the high mortality in Central and Eastern Europe but the magnitude of its effect, and whether it is due to regular high intake or episodic binge drinking remain unclear. The aim of this paper was to estimate the contribution of alcohol to mortality in four Central and Eastern European countries. We used data from the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe is a prospective multi-centre cohort study in Novosibirsk (Russia), Krakow (Poland), Kaunas (Lithuania) and six Czech towns. Random population samples of 34,304 men and women aged 45–69xa0years in 2002–2005 were followed up for a median 7xa0years. Drinking volume, frequency and pattern were estimated from the graduated frequency questionnaire. Deaths were ascertained using mortality registers. In 230,246 person-years of follow-up, 2895 participants died from all causes, 1222 from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), 672 from coronary heart disease (CHD) and 489 from pre-defined alcohol-related causes (ARD). In fully-adjusted models, abstainers had 30–50xa0% increased mortality risk compared to light-to-moderate drinkers. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) in men drinking on average ≥60xa0g of ethanol/day (3xa0% of men) were 1.23 (95xa0% CI 0.95–1.59) for all-cause, 1.38 (0.95–2.02) for CVD, 1.64 (1.02–2.64) for CHD and 2.03 (1.28–3.23) for ARD mortality. Corresponding HRs in women drinking on average ≥20xa0g/day (2xa0% of women) were 1.92 (1.25–2.93), 1.74 (0.76–3.99), 1.39 (0.34–5.76) and 3.00 (1.26–7.10). Binge drinking increased ARD mortality in men only. Mortality was associated with high average alcohol intake but not binge drinking, except for ARD in men.

Psychosocial and socioeconomic determinants of cardiovascular mortality in Eastern Europe: A multicentre prospective cohort study.

Background Eastern European countries have some of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, much of which cannot be adequately accounted for by conventional CVD risk factors. Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors may affect risk of CVD, but relatively few studies on this issue have been undertaken in Eastern Europe. We investigated whether various psychosocial factors are associated with CVD mortality independently from each other and whether they can help explain differences in CVD mortality between Eastern European populations. Methods Participants were from the Health, Alcohol and Psychological factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) cohort study in Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic, including a total of 20,867 men and women aged 43–74 years and free of CVD at baseline examination during 2002–2005. Participants were followed-up for CVD mortality after linkage to national mortality registries for a median of 7.2 years. Results During the follow-up, 556 participants died from CVD. After mutual adjustment, six psychosocial and socioeconomic factors were associated with increased risk of CVD death: unemployment, low material amenities, depression, being single, infrequent contacts with friends or relatives. The hazard ratios [HRs] for these six factors ranged between 1.26 [95% confidence interval 1.14–1.40] and 1.81 [95% confidence interval 1.24–2.64], fully adjusted for each other, and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Population-attributable fractions ranged from 8% [4%–13%] to 22% [11%–31%] for each factor, when measured on average across the three cohorts. However, the prevalence of psychosocial and socioeconomic risk factors and their HRs were similar between the three countries. Altogether, these factors could not explain why participants from Russia had higher CVD mortality when compared to participants from Poland/Czech Republic. Limitations of this study include measurement error that could lead to residual confounding; and the possibilities for reverse causation and/or unmeasured confounding from observational studies to lead to associations that are not causal in nature. Conclusions Six psychosocial and socioeconomic factors were associated with cardiovascular mortality, independent of each other. Differences in mortality between cohorts from Russia versus Poland or Check Republic remained unexplained.

Cardiovascular health among the Czech population at the beginning of the 21st century: a 12-year follow-up study

Background In the late 1980s, Czechia was among the countries which had the highest cardiovascular mortality in the world. In spite of enormous improvements since that time, there are still large opportunities in further improving cardiovascular health. Methods Based on the Czech Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe sample (n=8449 at baseline, 12 years of follow-up, 494 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths up to 2015—events), the impact of selected covariates such as education, smoking habits, high blood pressure, blood cholesterol level, diabetes, obesity, physical activity and binge drinking and their multifactorial effects on cardiovascular mortality was evaluated by Cox regression. In addition, population attributable fractions (PAFs) were used to quantify the impact of these factors on CVD mortality in the population. Results Education was found as the strongest determinant of CVD mortality (primary vs university, HR 2.77, P<0.001; PAF=50.5%). CVD risk was two times higher for persons with diabetes compared with those without (HR 2.02, P<0.001, PAF=23.2%). Furthermore, significant factors found were smoking (smoker vs non-smoker, HR 1.91, P<0.001; PAF=26.5%), high blood pressure (HR 1.73, P<0.001; PAF=35.3%) and physical inactivity (none vs sufficient, HR 1.60, P<0.001; PAF=22.9%). Conversely, the effect of obesity was low (HR 1.29, P valueu2009=0.020), and binge drinking and high blood cholesterol level were not significant at all. Conclusions Education had the largest impact on cardiovascular mortality among the Czech population. More than 50% of CVD death would be prevented if the whole population had the same risk values as the highest educated population. Reducing disparities in health related to education should benefit from attention to cardiovascular health literacy.

Changes in psychological well-being among older Lithuanian city dwellers: Results from a cohort study

Background/Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes of psychological well-being (PWB) in older Lithuanian city dwellers during ten years of follow-up, and to establish factors associated with it. Method: 7,115 men and women of age 45-72 years participated in the initial survey in 2006-2008. In 2016 the follow-up survey was performed among all 6,210 participants who survived. 4,266 individuals responded to postal questionnaires. PWB was evaluated by using CASP-12 questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by CES-D-10 scale. Quality of life, self-rated health, and social activity were evaluated.Socio-demographic, socio-economic factors were included into standard questionnaire. Results: PWB deteriorated in all age groups during 10-years follow-up. Poor quality of life, poor self-rated health, having depressive symptoms, and not being member of social organization are associated with lower PWB after 10 years in men and women. Employed-retired, retired, and not socially active women have higher possibility to have lower PWB over 10 years. Conclusions: PWB in older Lithuanian city dwellers deteriorates as many other socio-economic and psychosocial indicators during ten-year follow-up. Mostly psychosocial factors, but not the socio-demographic, and socio-economic ones predict PWB over 10 years. It is crucial to understand and promote predictors of PWB in older age.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 polymorphism affects the outcome of methanol poisoning in exposed humans

As the susceptibility of humans to xenobiotics often depends on genetic factors, we assumed that ADH1B and ALDH2 genetic variants may affect susceptibility to the acute methanol exposure. To evaluate the role of genetic variants of enzymes involved in methanol catabolism in humans, we analysed ADH1B (rs1229984) and ALDH2 (rs441) polymorphisms in 50 adults who survived acute methanol poisoning, 246 individuals with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and in 545 healthy controls. GG homozygotes of ADH1B were more common among methanol‐poisoned patients (98%) and among patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (98%) than among healthy controls (90%) (P = 0.08 andu2009< 0.001, respectively). Minor C allele carriers of the ALDH2 were significantly more common among methanol‐poisoned persons (46%) than among patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis or healthy controls (31% in both groups, P < 0.05 and 0.025, respectively); the odds ratios were 1.89 (95% CI 1.02‐3.52) and 1.94 (1.08‐3.48), respectively. As there was a substantial amount of subjects with alcohol abuse between both groups of patients, ADH1B is unlikely to affect the susceptibility to methanol poisoning. By contrast, the genetic variant of the ALDH2 enzyme seems to specifically affect the susceptibility to methanol in acutely exposed humans and potentially plays a role in the outcome of methanol poisoning.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MAIN DRUG THERAPY TYPES IN SUBJECTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN POPULATION

Nowadays atrial fibrillation (AF) retains its leading position among arrhythmias in the world. Despite significant progress in treatment, this rhythm disturbance remains one of the leading causes of stroke (Str) and heart failure. Obviously, more action is needed on the ascertainment and the quality control of treatment of AF. Aim. To assess the frequency and main groups of drug therapy in patients with AF in the Russian population sample of middle, elderly and senile age in cross-sectional study, 2015-2016. Material and methods. The random urban population sample of men and women of 58-82 y.o. (n=2339) was examined in 2015-2016 in Novosibirsk. The entire subsample with AF included 76 people (3,2%). The presence of AF was defined by ECG with Minnesota coding. Cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors were assessed by standard epidemiological methods. We took into account the regular intake of drugs during the last two weeks, followed by coding with Anatomical therapeutic chemical classification system. ANOVA and nonparametric statistical methods were used. Results. In studied entire subsample of subjects with AF aged 58-82 y.o., the average CHA2DS2VASc estimate of Str risk was of 4,7 in women and of 3,2 in men. Those with AF received beta-blockers (BB) in 43,4% of, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) — in 38,2%, cardiac glycosides — in 25,0%, anti-atherosclerotic drugs — about 33% and antidiabetic — 14,5%. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet were received in 42,1%, the aspirin was most frequent (25%), direct inhibitors of thrombin (NOAC) were received in 4% of subjects with AF. About 16% were in a drug-free state. Overall, the frequency of the medication taking of the drug treatment groups analyzed in the population sample was higher in women than in men. Conclusion. In 2015-2016, the general spectrum of drug treatment in subjects with AF in Russian population sample aged 58-82 was in line with the recommended standards for AF treatment, but the coverage of treatment with main drug classes is insufficient (about 40%). The most common were BB, ACEi, lipid-lowering drugs, aspirin and digoxin. Every 4th subject with AF took an aspirin for the prevention of thromboembolism, and only 4% received NOAC.