Wei-Liang Chen

Relationship between Hyperuricemia and Lipid Profiles in US Adults

Background. Although the link between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome had been recognized, the association of the dyslipidemia among individuals with hyperuricemia remains not comprehensively assessed. Methods. Using NHANES III study, we examined the relation between serum lipid profiles and different serum uric acid levels, including serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein-B, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein AI, ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, and ratio of apolipoprotein-B to AI. Results. After adjusting for potential confounders, average differences (95% confidence interval) comparing the top to the bottom (reference) serum uric acid were 0.29 (0.19, 0.39) mmol/L for total cholesterol, 0.33 (0.26, 0.41) mmol/L for triglycerides, 0.14 (0.01, 0.27) mmol/L for LDL cholesterol, −0.08 (−0.11, −0.05) mmol/L for HDL, and 0.09 (0.05, 0.12) g/L for serum apolipoprotein-B. Notably, ratios of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B to AI were also linearly associated with uric acid levels (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions. This study suggested that serum LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein-B levels, ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, and ratio of apolipoprotein-B to AI are strongly associated with serum uric acid levels, whereas serum HDL cholesterol levels are significantly inversely associated. In the clinical practice, the more comprehensive strategic management to deal with dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia deserves further investigation.

Metabolic Syndrome and Short-Term Heart Rate Variability in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents autonomic functioning, and reduced HRV significantly increases cardiovascular mortality. The aims of the present paper are to assess the prevalence of MetS in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), the difference in short-term HRV between the healthy and ID population, and the association of short-term HRV with MetS. In this study, we analyzed 129 ID subjects who participated in routine health check-ups in October 2010. We measured their metabolic components and evaluated the relationships of MetS with short-term HRV indices. The study found that MetS and obesity are common in persons with ID. ID subjects have significantly lower HRV than healthy adults, and persons with ID persons with MetS have significantly lower HRV than ID subjects without MetS. The individual components of MetS are differentially associated with HRV in ID men and women. Metabolic syndrome adversely affects autonomic cardiac control, and reduced autonomic cardiac control could contribute to an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in individuals who exhibit metabolic syndrome. Sex differences in vagal activity and sympathovagal balance may partly explain the greater increase in cardiovascular risk associated with MetS in ID women compared with ID men.

Association between Gastroenterological Malignancy and Diabetes Mellitus and Anti-Diabetic Therapy: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study

Background The relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancer incidence has been evaluated in limited kinds of cancer. The effect of anti-diabetic therapy (ADT) on carcinogenesis among diabetic patients is also unclear. Materials and Methods Using population-based representative insurance claims data in Taiwan, 36,270 DM patients and 145,080 comparison subjects without DM were identified from claims from 2005 to 2010. The association between the top ten leading causes of cancer-related death in Taiwan and DM was evaluated. Whether ADT altered the risk of developing cancer was also investigated. Results Incidence of cancer at any site was significantly higher in patients with DM than in those without (p<0.001). The risk of carcinogenesis imparted by DM was greatest in gastroenterological malignancies (liver, pancreas, and colorectal cancer) as well as lung, breast and oral cancer (p<0.001). Among the oral types of ADT, metformin decreased the risk of lung and liver cancer, but had less effect on reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. α-glucosidase inhibitor decreased the risk of developing liver, colorectal, and breast cancer. Apart from intermediate-acting insulin, rapid-acting, long-acting, and combination insulin treatment significantly reduced the overall cancer risk among all DM patients. In subgroup analysis, long-acting insulin treatment significantly decreased the risk of lung, liver, and colorectal cancer. Conclusion Our results supported the notion that pre-existing DM increases the incidence of gastroenterological cancer. ADT, especially metformin, α-glucosidase inhibitor, and long-acting insulin treatment, may protect patients with DM against these malignancies. It is crucial that oncologists should closely collaborate with endocrinologists to provide an optimal cancer-specific therapy and diabetic treatment to patients simultaneously with cancer and DM.

Relationship between lung function and metabolic syndrome.

Although the link between impaired lung function and cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been recognized, the association between impaired lung function and metabolic syndrome has not been comprehensively assessed in the United States (U.S.) population. The aim of our study was to explore the association between impaired lung function and metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of men and women. This cross-sectional population-based study included 8602 participants aged 20–65 years in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). We examined the relationship between the different features of metabolic syndrome and lung function, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). After adjusting for potential confounders such as age, body mass index, inflammatory factors, medical condition, and smoking status, participants with more components of metabolic syndrome had lower predicted values of FVC and FEV1 (p for trend <0.001 for both). Impaired pulmonary function was also associated with individual components of metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p<0.05 for all parameters). These results from a nationally representative sample of US adults suggest that a greater number of features of metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with poorer FVC and FEV1. In clinical practice, more comprehensive management strategies to address subjects with metabolic syndrome and impaired lung function need to be developed and investigated.

Examining the Association Between Quadriceps Strength and Cognitive Performance in the Elderly.

AbstractEmerging evidences showed impaired muscle strength was prevalent in older adults with mild cognition impairment or dementia. However, little was known about the role of quadriceps strength in the cognition decline among older population. The objective of our study was to investigate the relation between quadriceps strength and cognitive performance. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2002), a total of 1799 participants aged ≥60 years were enrolled in the study. Every subject completed a household interview, digit symbol substitution test (DSST), physical performances, and a questionnaire regarding personal health. Estimation of relationship between quadriceps strength and cognition was using multiple linear regression and quartile-based analysis with an extended-model approach for covariates adjustment. In a model adjusted for demographics, chronic diseases, health behaviors, and levels of folate and vitamin B12, the level of quadriceps strength was significantly associated with the scores of DSST. The &bgr; coefficient interpreted as change of DSST scores for each Newton increment in quadriceps strength comparing participants in the highest quartile of quadriceps strength to those in the lowest quartile was 5.003 (95% confidence interval, 2.725–7.281, P < 0.001). The trends of incremental DSST score across increasing quartiles of quadriceps strength were statistically significant (all P for trend <0.001). Higher quadriceps strength was associated with better cognitive performance.

Components of Metabolic Syndrome as Risk Factors for Hearing Threshold Shifts

Background Hearing loss was a common, chronically disabling condition in the general population and had been associated with several inflammatory diseases. Metabolic syndrome, which was associated with insulin resistance and visceral obesity, was considered a chronic inflammatory disease. To date, few attempts had been made to establish a direct relationship between hearing loss and metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and hearing loss by analyzing the data in the reports of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004. Methods This study included 2100 participants aged ≤ 65 years who enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2004). We examined the relationship between the presence of different features of metabolic syndrome in the participants and their pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds, including low-frequency and high-frequency thresholds. Results After adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, medical conditions, and smoking status, the participants with more components of metabolic syndrome were found to have higher hearing thresholds than those with fewer components of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05 for a trend). The low-frequency hearing threshold was associated with individual components of metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and a low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.05 for all parameters). Conclusions The results indicated that the presence of a greater number of components of metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with the hearing threshold in the US adult population. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, the most apparent association was observed between low HDL and hearing loss.

Increased risk of cognitive impairment in patients with components of metabolic syndrome.

AbstractThe number of old adults with cognitive impairment or dementia is anticipated to increase rapidly due to the aging population, especially the number of patients with multiple chronic conditions or metabolic perturbation. Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is among the most hazardous risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is linked to a chronic inflammatory disease. We investigated the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 1999 to 2002 to explore the connection between Mets and cognitive decline.A total of 2252 NHANES (1999–2002)-registered individuals who were stroke-free and aged ≧60 years were enrolled in this study. This study surveyed the effects of the existence of diverse characteristics of Mets on the individuals’ cognitive performances as measured with the digit symbol substitution test (DSST).The individuals with more features of Mets achieved lower DSST scores than those with fewer constituents of Mets (P < 0.001 for the trend) after adjustments for covariates. The &bgr; coefficients for the DSST scores of the participants with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 features of Mets were −1.545, −3.866, −4.763, and −5.263, respectively. Cognitive decline was correlated with each of the constituents of Mets, which included high plasma glucose, elevated blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05 for the above factors), with the exception of high triglyceride levels (P > 0.05).Mets was positively associated with cognitive decline in individuals aged ≧60 years. The characteristics of Mets that were most strongly associated with cognitive decline were high plasma glucose and elevated blood pressure.

Components of Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Disability among the Elderly Population

The direct relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and function disability has not been established. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between MetS and functional disability in the elderly. This retrospective observational study included 1,778 participants aged 60–84 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2002). Impairments in activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure and social activities (LSA), lower extremity mobility (LEM), and general physical activities (GPA) were assessed. Additionally, the associations between the features of MetS and disability were evaluated. MetS was associated with a high prevalence of functional dependence in ADL, IADL, LSA, LEM, and GPA. After adjusting for potential confounders, a high number of MetS components was found to be associated with increased disability (P = 0.002). Additionally, associations were observed between MetS components, including abdominal obesity and high triglycerides levels, and functional dependence in ADL, IADL, LSA, LEM, and GPA (all, P < 0.05). A linear increase in disability might be associated with the number of MetS components in an elderly population. Additionally, MetS abnormalities, particularly abdominal obesity and high triglycerides levels, might be highly predictive of functional dependence in the elderly.

Incidence of Cardiovascular Events in Which 2 Thiazolidinediones Are Used as Add-on Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Taiwanese Population

BACKGROUND Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are oral antihyperglycemic drugs that are used to treat insulin resistance. Rosiglitazone is a TZD that has been found to increase the risk of cardiovascular events, especially of myocardial ischemic events. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to conduct a direct comparison of TZDs (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) and their relationship to cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction [MI], angina, congestive heart failure [CHF], and cerebral vascular accident [CVA]) in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS A retrospective study with second data analysis was performed from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2006. We selected those who were prescribed only 1 kind of TZD for at least 120 days in the 180-day period; those who switched to another TZD during the above-mentioned periods and had cardiovascular events before the use of TZD were excluded. Stringent definitions for MI, angina, CHF, and CVA were set, and survival analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 7725 type 2 DM cases were included in the final analysis. In our model, the hazard ratio (HR) for development of MI in rosiglitazone-treated patients was 0.539 (95% CI, 0.327-0.889; P = 0.015) compared with pioglitazone-treated patients for whom age, gender, medical specialist, duration of DM, and histories of antihypertensive, statin, and fibrate medications were controlled. There were no significant differences in HRs among angina (HR = 0.543; 95% CI, 0.293-1.006; P = 0.052), CHF (HR = 0.820; 95% CI, 0.619-1.086; P = 0.166), and CVA (HR = 0.949; 95% CI, 0.724-1.244; P = 0.705) groups. Antihypertensive and statin therapy led to significantly different HRs for cardiovascular events depending on when they were first prescribed. If statins were prescribed after TZD, the HR relative to patients who never used statins was 3.896 for MI (95% CI, 2.071-7.328; P < 0.001), 3.194 for angina (95% CI, 1.514-6.737; P = 0.002), and 1.303 for CHF (95% CI, 1.011-1.678; P = 0.041). If antihypertensives were prescribed after TZD, the HR relative to patients never treated with antihypertensives was 7.654 for angina (95% CI, 1.922-32.921; P = 0.004), 3.900 for CHF (95% CI, 2.437-6.242; P < 0.001), 2.242 for CVA (95% CI, 1.613-3.116; P < 0.001), and 2.325 for MI (95% CI, 1.109-4.873; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggested that, as an add-on treatment for diabetic patients, rosiglitazone had significantly lower HRs for MI compared with those for pioglitazone. Diabetic hypertensive patients treated with TZD were at a high risk for angina, CHF, CVA, and MI, whereas statin use increased the risk for MI, angina, and CHF. There are some potential limitations to this study owing to the analysis methodology and retrospective design. In addition, all enrolled type 2 DM patients were treated with TZD medications, but diabetes patients treated with nonpharmacologic therapy, including lifestyle modifications, were not included.

All-cause mortality risk in elderly individuals with disabilities: a retrospective observational study

Objectives Disability is considered an important issue that affects the elderly population. This study aimed to explore the relationship between disability and all-cause mortality in US elderly individuals. Design Retrospective and longitudinal designs. Setting Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999–2002) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants A total of 1834 participants in the age range 60–84 years from NHANES 1999–2002. Main outcome measures We acquired five major domains of disability (activities of daily living (ADL), general physical activities (GPA), instrumental ADL (IADL), lower extremity mobility (LEM) and leisure and social activities (LSA)) through self-reporting. We applied an extended-model approach with Cox (proportional hazards) regression analysis to investigate the relationship between different features of disability and all-cause mortality risk in the study population. Results During a mean follow-up of 5.7 years, 77 deaths occurred. An increased risk of all-cause mortality was identified in elderly individuals with disability after adjustment for potential confounders (HR 2.23; 95% CI 1.29 to 3.85; p=0.004). Participants with more than one domain of disability were associated with a higher risk of mortality (ptrend=0.047). Adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for each domain of disability were 2.53 (1.49 to 4.31), 1.99 (0.93 to 4.29), 1.74 (0.72 to 4.16), 1.57 (0.76 to 3.27) and 1.52 (0.93 to 2.48) for LEM, LSA, ADL, IADL and GPA, respectively. Conclusions The results of this study support an increased association between disability and all-cause mortality in the elderly in the USA. Disability in LEM may be a good predictor of high risk of all-cause mortality in elderly subjects.