Influence of risk behavior aggregation in different categories of physical activity on the occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors

The influence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors on cognition, functioning, and inflammatory markers in first-episode psychosis: Results from a 2-year follow-up study

To explore the influence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) on cognitive symptoms, functional impairment, and systemic inflammatory markers in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Method: In a sample of 70 FEP patients and 85 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, we assessed nine modifiable CVRFs. All participants were classified into two subgroups according to their CVRF profile: lower (0-1 CVRFs) or higher (≥2 CVRFs). The following outcomes were measured at baseline and 2-year follow-up: cognition; functional outcomes; and white blood cell (WBC) subtype. Adjusted general linear models were conducted to study the effect of diagnosis and CVRF profile on cognition, functioning, WBC, and longitudinal changes in these variables. At baseline, FEP patients with a higher CVRF profile showed a significantly slower performance on the TMT-A test for psychomotor speed and higher lymphocyte levels than patients with a lower CVRF profile. No longitudinal changes were observed in primary outcomes at 2-year follow-up. Among FEP patients with a higher CVRF profile, slower psychomotor speed performance did not correlate with increased lymphocyte levels. Our findings suggest that the cognitive effects of CVRFs manifest early in the course of psychosis, thus highlighting the importance of targeting both CVRFs and cognitive deficits in FEP.

Desfechos entre diferentes questionários validados para a avaliação do nível de atividade física em cardiopatas adeptos a um programa de reabilitação

Resumo Introdução O Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) e o inventário de Baecke são comumente utilizados em rotinas de reabilitação cardiovascular. Assim, entende-se que investigações sobre a equiva-lência de desfechos entre essas duas ferramentas possam ser relevantes para mensurar a magnitude da possível reprodutibilidade e correlação entre tais métodos. Objetivo Comparar em cardiopatas o nível de atividade física obtido por meio do IPAQ e do Baecke e correlacionar desfechos obtidos com o teste de cami-nhada de 6 minutos (TC6). Métodos Foram incluídos no estudo 65 cardiopatias inseridos em um programa de reabilitação cardiovascular, sendo 40 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino, com idade média correspondente a 65,8 ± 10,5 anos. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de um formulário padronizado, contendo os objetos de estudo propostos (IPAQ e Baecke). Além disso, dados referentes a medidas antropométricas (massa corporal, estatura e índice de massa corpórea), relação de cintura quadril, pressão arterial e TC6 foram avaliados. Resultados Os principais desfechos se referem à fraca associação entre os instrumentos avaliados, que demonstraram relação forte somente entre atividade física de tempo livre (r = 1), sendo que nas demais categorias e quando comparadas ao TC6 a concordância verificada não apresentou significância estatística. Conclusão Os questionários se equivalem fortemente somente quando diz respeito à atividade física de tempo livre. Desta forma, não faz sentido a implementação de prática clínica que considere a utilização das ferramentas IPAQ e Baecke com equivalência, o que verificou-se não existir.

Factors associated with metabolic syndrome among Korean office workers

To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and identify risk factors associated with MetS among Korean office workers, this cross-sectional study was conducted with 776 office workers. The prevalence of MetS was 13.5%; elevated waist circumference (27.5%), elevated fasting glucose (23.1%), elevated triglycerides (22.2%), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (13.4%), and elevated BP (9.4%). Having any medical health problems (OR = 3.98, 95% CI: 2.01-7.85), more knowledge of MetS (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.56), higher BMI (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.30-1.57), current smoking (OR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1.04-13.73), and physical inactivity (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.21-8.58) were significantly associated with increased likelihood of MetS. Addressing the influence of these factors on MetS could lead to the development of workplace-based intervention strategies to encourage lifestyle changes and prevent the risk of MetS among Korean office workers.

Office Workers' Risk of Metabolic Syndrome-Related Indicators: A 10-Year Cohort Study

The purpose of the study is to assess the relationship between the prevalence of metabolic syndrome-related risk factors and work tenure among office workers. A 10-year cohort analysis was conducted using employees' health examinations given to new employees within 1 or 2 years of joining the firm and every 5 years thereafter. Age-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval [CI], p < .05) were calculated based on a contrast test with general estimating equations. Specifically, the age-adjusted odds ratios and CIs of those with 20 ± 1 years of work, compared with those with 1 to 2 years of work, were as follows: triglycerides (≥150 mg/dl) 3.01 (2.11, 4.28), waist circumference (male ≥90 cm) 2.70 (1.63, 4.45), and fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dl) 2.67 (1.78, 4.01). The findings of the relationship between metabolic syndrome risk and work tenure as well as the baseline health data of new employees provide a foundation for developing a workplace health management system.

The association between cardiovascular risk factors and high blood pressure in adolescents: a school-based study

OBJECTIVE

Although previous studies have analyzed the association between cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure in adolescents, few studies conducted in developing countries analyzed whether the aggregation of risk factors contributes to an increased risk of high blood pressure in adolescents. The objective of this study was to assess the association between cardiovascular risk factors (including general overweight, abdominal obesity, high consumption of foods rich in fats, and insufficient physical activity levels) and high blood pressure in adolescents.

METHODS

This study was carried out from 2007 to 2008 with 1021 adolescents (528 girls) from primary schools located in the city of Londrina- Brazil. Blood pressure was assessed using an oscillometric device. General overweight was obtained through body mass index, abdominal obesity was assessed using waist circumference, and the consumption of foods rich in fat and physical activity were assessed using a questionnaire. The sum of these risk factors was determined.

RESULTS

Adolescents with three or four aggregated risk factors were more likely to have higher values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with adolescents who did not have any cardiovascular risk factors (P = 0.001 for both). Logistic regression indicated that groups of adolescents with 2 (OR= 2.46 [1.11-5.42]; P = 0.026), 3 (OR= 4.97 [2.07-11.92]; P = 0.001) or 4 risk factors (OR= 6.79 [2.24-19.9]; P = 0.001) presented an increased likelihood of high blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of cardiovascular risk factors was found to be related to high blood pressure in adolescents.