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Szilagyi A, Smith BE, Sebbag N, Xue X. Global associations of national economic wealth are more robust with inflammatory bowel diseases than with obesity. Med Hypotheses 2021; 148:110505. [PMID: 33515916 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The inflammatory bowel diseases consisting of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis have expanded into previously low incidence areas of the world. The spread follows the relatively recent pandemic of global obesity. Pathological relations have been proposed between these two diseases. Both inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity originated in wealthier western societies marked by high gross domestic product per capita. The pathogenic influence of national wealth on the inflammatory bowel diseases has been recognized but are less clear with obesity. Parallel correlations of national wealth with obesity would further strengthen relations between these two diseases. Alternatively, diverging relations could suggest that obesity is less dependent on wealth. As such it would supports another earlier hypothesis that obesity depends on adoption of western diet which precedes national acquisition of wealth. Previously ecological modifiers of global disease patterns, including latitude and lactose digestion status have shown different influences on IBD compared with obesity. We evaluate. the influence of the Gross Domestic Product on these two diseases taking into consideration the former's relationship with ecological markers. Patterns of correlations could suggest contributing mechanisms how these ecological parameters influence some disease distributions. The literature and internet were searched for national rates of obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, national gross domestic product per capita and national lactase distribution rates. National average latitudes were calculated previously. Pearson correlations were used to compare variables in three regions; global, European and Asian theaters. SAS statistical package was used and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Globally and in Europe correlations of gross domestic product were moderate and significant r = 0.55 and r = 0.6 respectively with Crohn's disease but weaker with ulcerative colitis. The results were negligible in Asia. Obesity was weakly correlated with gross domestic product globally r = 0.32 and negligible in Europe and Asia. In addition, gross domestic product was moderately correlated with latitude r = 0.6, and inversely with lactase non persistence r = -0.6 both globally and in Europe. This relationship is similar to that with inflammatory bowel diseases, but less related to obesity. Overall results suggest unequal effect of national wealth and industrialization on obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases. It has been suggested that western type diet precedes full industrialization and this could promote obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Szilagyi
- Department of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada.
| | - Brian E Smith
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Canada
| | | | - Xiaoqing Xue
- Department of Emergency Medicine Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal QC, Canada
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Szilagyi A, Smith BE, Sebbag N, Leighton H, Xue X. Changing Patterns of Relationships Between Geographic Markers and IBD: Possible Intrusion of Obesity. CROHN'S & COLITIS 360 2020; 2:otaa044. [PMID: 36777297 PMCID: PMC9802469 DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otaa044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Latitude and lactase digestion status influence incidence and prevalence rates of some noncommunicable diseases. Latitudinal correlations helped define beneficial roles of vitamin D in many diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In view of recent global expansion of IBD and population migrations, we reexamine relations with these markers. As these changes also paralleled the pandemic of obesity, we explore possible interactions with IBD. Methods We undertook a literature review to compare rates of obesity, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis with the geographic markers of lactase digestion status, average population-weighted national latitude, and national yearly sunshine exposure. Pearson correlations were used throughout to determine r correlation factors. Statistical significance was accepted at P <0.05 using 2-tailed tests. Results Forty-seven countries were matched with various data sets that could be analyzed (range of availability was 49%-85%). While global correlations of IBD with latitude and lactase status remain similar to previous analyses, in Europe and Asia, outcomes were different. Global outcome contains a statistical paradox related to combining countries from Europe and Asia. Obesity showed moderate global correlations with IBD but weak and negligible correlations in Europe and Asia. There was also a weak global correlation with latitude. Conclusions It is suggested that global correlations point to parallel geographic spread of IBD and obesity. The lack of latitudinal relations with obesity suggests reduced vitamin D effect. The paradox supports epidemiological differences in western and eastern IBD. Obesity combined with IBD may contribute to different relations, partly due to variable vitamin D effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Szilagyi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Address correspondence to: A. Szilagyi, MD, 3755 Cote St. Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2 ()
| | - Brian E Smith
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natanel Sebbag
- School of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Henry Leighton
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiaoqing Xue
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Szilagyi A. Relationship(s) between obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases: possible intertwined pathogenic mechanisms. Clin J Gastroenterol 2019; 13:139-152. [PMID: 31452062 PMCID: PMC7101293 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-019-01037-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's and ulcerative colitis have increased in incidence and prevalence from the mid-eighteen to the late nineteen centuries. From then to the current twenty-first century there has been a more rapid expansion of these disease to areas previously experiencing low rates. This latter expansion coincides with the current obesity pandemic which also began toward the end of the last century. Although the two diseases have radically different frequencies, there are interesting links between them. Four areas link the diseases. On an epidemiological level, IBD tends to follow a north-south gradient raising the importance of vitamin D in protection. Obesity has very weak relationship with latitude, but both diseases follow adult lactase distributions colliding in this plane. Is it possible that obesity (a low vitamin D condition with questionable response to supplements) reduces effects in IBD? On a pathogenic level, pro-inflammatory processes mark both IBD and obesity. The similarity raises the question of whether obesity could facilitate the development of IBD. Features of the metabolic syndrome occur in both, with or without obesity in IBD. The fourth interaction between the two diseases is the apparent effect of obesity on the course of IBD. There are suggestions that obesity may reduce the efficacy of biologic agents. Yet there is some suggestion also that obesity may reduce the need for hospitalization and surgery. The apparent co-expansion of both obesity and IBD suggests similar environmental changes may be involved in the promotion of both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Szilagyi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University Medical School, 3755 Cote St Catherine Rd, Room E110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada.
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Szilagyi A, Ishayek N. Lactose Intolerance, Dairy Avoidance, and Treatment Options. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10121994. [PMID: 30558337 PMCID: PMC6316316 DOI: 10.3390/nu10121994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactose intolerance refers to symptoms related to the consumption of lactose-containing dairy foods, which are the most common source for this disaccharide. While four causes are described, the most common is the genetically-determined adult onset lactose maldigestion due to loss of intestinal lactase governed by control of the gene by a 14,000 kb promoter region on chromosome 2. Gastrointestinal symptoms from lactose have expanded to include systemic effects and have also been confounded by other food intolerances or functional gastrointestinal disorders. Partly because lactose maldigestion is often interpreted as lactose intolerance (symptoms), focus of therapy for these symptoms starts with lactose restriction. However, withholding of dairy foods completely is not appropriate due to a more favorable impact on health. Industrial efforts to substitute with plant-based products is not completely successful at this time. This narrative article reviews the complexities of the perception of lactose intolerance, its epidemiology, and pathogenesis. Treatments are discussed, including the inappropriateness of dairy avoidance. In conjunction, effects of dairy products on 19 common diseases are reviewed. Different methods of treatment, lactose-reduced products, plant-based dairy substitutes, adaptation, prebiotics, exogenous lactase, probiotics, and some other dietary interventions are further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Szilagyi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University School of Medicine, 3755 Cote St Catherine Rd, Room E110, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
| | - Norma Ishayek
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University School of Medicine, 3755 Cote St Catherine Rd, Room E110, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
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Geographic associations between lactase phenotype, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel diseases; Does obesity trump geography? Med Hypotheses 2016; 96:68-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Lucas RM, Norval M, Neale RE, Young AR, de Gruijl FR, Takizawa Y, van der Leun JC. The consequences for human health of stratospheric ozone depletion in association with other environmental factors. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2015; 14:53-87. [DOI: 10.1039/c4pp90033b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ozone depletion, climate and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. M. Lucas
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health
- The Australian National University
- Canberra 2601
- Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute
| | - M. Norval
- Biomedical Sciences
- University of Edinburgh Medical School
- Edinburgh EH8 9AG
- UK
| | - R. E. Neale
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- Brisbane 4029
- Australia
| | - A. R. Young
- King's College London (KCL)
- St John's Institute of Dermatology
- London SE1 9RT
- UK
| | - F. R. de Gruijl
- Department of Dermatology
- Leiden University Medical Centre
- NL-2300 RC Leiden
- The Netherlands
| | - Y. Takizawa
- Akita University Graduate School of Medicine
- Akita Prefecture
- Japan
- National Institute for Minamata Diseases
- Kumamoto Prefecture
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Szilagyi A, Leighton H, Burstein B, Xue X. Latitude, sunshine, and human lactase phenotype distributions may contribute to geographic patterns of modern disease: the inflammatory bowel disease model. Clin Epidemiol 2014; 6:183-98. [PMID: 24971037 PMCID: PMC4070862 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s59838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Countries with high lactase nonpersistence (LNP) or low lactase persistence (LP) populations have lower rates of some "western" diseases, mimicking the effects of sunshine and latitude. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ie, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is putatively also influenced by sunshine. Recent availability of worldwide IBD rates and lactase distributions allows more extensive comparisons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which modern day lactase distributions interact with latitude, sunshine exposure, and IBD rates. National IBD rates, national distributions of LP/LNP, and population-weighted average national annual ultraviolet B exposure were obtained, estimated, or calculated from the literature. Negative binomial analysis was used to assess the relationship between the three parameters and IBD rates. Analyses for 55 countries were grouped in three geographic domains, ie, global, Europe, and non-Europe. In Europe, both latitude and ultraviolet B exposure correlate well with LP/LNP and IBD. In non-Europe, latitude and ultraviolet B exposure correlate weakly with LP/LNP, but the latter retains a more robust correlation with IBD. In univariate analysis, latitude, ultraviolet B exposure, and LP/LNP all had significant relationships with IBD. Multivariate analysis showed that lactase distributions provided the best model of fit for IBD. The model of IBD reveals the evolutionary effects of the human lactase divide, and suggests that latitude, ultraviolet B exposure, and LP/LNP mimic each other because LP/LNP follows latitudinal directions toward the equator. However, on a large scale, lactase patterns also follow lateral polarity. The effects of LP/LNP in disease are likely to involve complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Szilagyi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital,
McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Henry Leighton
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada
| | - Barry Burstein
- Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada
| | - Xiaoqing Xue
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University,
Montreal, QC, Canada
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Marton A, Xue X, Szilagyi A. Meta-analysis: the diagnostic accuracy of lactose breath hydrogen or lactose tolerance tests for predicting the North European lactase polymorphism C/T-13910. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35:429-40. [PMID: 22211845 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04962.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic accuracy of two indirect tests of lactose digestion, lactose breath hydrogen and lactose tolerance tests, have not been systematically reviewed for comparison with available publications on genotype. AIM To perform a meta-analysis of available studies that compares the north-European genetic polymorphism C/T-13910 with the lactose breath hydrogen and the lactose tolerance tests, to determine their ability to predict geno/phenotype relationships. We examine the effects of lactose loading dose, inclusion of children and latitudes of study centre on comparative outcome. METHODS An electronic database of the literature as well as individual references in articles were searched with the theme of genetics of lactase and comparisons with breath or lactose tolerance tests were carried out. Random effect and fixed effect models were used for breath and lactose tolerance tests respectively, to report summary accuracy measures with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS The search revealed 19 studies: 17 evaluated breath hydrogen, five lactose tolerance test (3/17 overlapped). Overall sensitivity was 0.88 (CI, 0.85-0.90), specificity was 0.85 (CI, 0.82-0.87) for breath test. Heterogeneity was explored by adjusting for studies including children, high or low dose lactose and to some extent by site of study. The lactose tolerance test showed sensitivity of 0.94 (0.9-0.97) and specificity of 0.90 (0.84-0.95) with a nonsignificant heterogeneity. CONCLUSION The diagnostic accuracy of both tests individually reflects expected geno/phenotypes when the populations are well defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Marton
- Department of Medicine, MUHC, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University School of Medicine, Montreal, QC, Canada
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