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Marche C, Poulain M, Nieddu A, Errigo A, Dore MP, Pes GM. Is a plant-based diet effective to maintain a good psycho-affective status in old age? Results of a survey of a long-lived population from Sardinia. Nutr Neurosci 2024; 27:382-391. [PMID: 37023016 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2023.2198115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is common among the elderly, resulting in poor quality of life and elevated healthcare expenditure. Among other factors, dietary habits could also affect this condition, although the specific food patterns involved remain to be established. The present study aimed to assess the role of plant- versus animal-dominant foods consumption on the affective state of nonagenarians from a Sardinian population, Italy, well known for its longevity (Blue Zone). METHODS Data, including demographic, education, anthropometric parameters, monthly income, and comorbidity were recorded and analyzed. Symptomatic depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) during a comprehensive home geriatric assessment; nutritional status was evaluated by a validated food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 200 elderly subjects living in the Sardinian Blue Zone (mean age 93.9 ± 3.9 years) participated in the study; symptomatic depression was present in 51% of the whole cohort and was more common among women. Multivariable logistic regression showed a significantly greater risk of depression in people consuming plantbased foods (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.04-1.93), whereas moderate animal-derived foods consumption was associated with a better affective state (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-0.98). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that a more balanced diet, including animal-derived foods, instead of an exclusive plant-dominant diet, may be more appropriate in the elderly, and abstention from animal-based food intake should not be recommended in advanced age to prevent depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Marche
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Michel Poulain
- IACCHOS, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium
- Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Alessandra Nieddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Errigo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Dore
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Farmacia, Clinica Medica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Giovanni Mario Pes
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Farmacia, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Sardinia Longevity Blue Zone Observatory, Ogliastra, Italy
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Dore MP, Fanciulli G, Manca A, Cocco V, Nieddu A, Murgia M, Pes GM. Clinically relevant thyroid disorders and inflammatory bowel disease are inversely related: a retrospective case-control study. Scand J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:171-176. [PMID: 33327797 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2020.1861323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The risk of thyroid disorders (TDs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still controversial. The aim of this retrospective, single-center, case-control study was to explore the association between clinically relevant functional TDs and IBD. METHODS Consecutive individuals for a total of 313 IBD patients [90 Crohn's disease (CD); 223 ulcerative colitis (UC)], and 833 individuals undergoing colonoscopy for screening without IBD were collected. In the study, subject's information on thyroid status were retrieved. Thyroid disorders were classified, according to the functional status, as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Patients with TDs (cases) were compared with 941 without (controls) according to IBD exposure. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS Clinically relevant TDs were detected in 205 (17,9%) patients and the prevalence was significantly lower in IBD patients compared with subjects without (8.3% vs 12.9%; p = 0.029). After adjusting for potential confounders, a higher TDs risk was confirmed in female (OR 2.72; 95%CI 1.88‒3.92) and older subjects (OR 1.01; 95%CI 1.00‒1.03), and a lower risk in IBD (OR 0.51; 95%CI 0.34‒0.76), especially for hypothyroidism (OR 0.33; 95%CI 0.17‒0.66) in UC. Among four thyroid cancers, only one was detected in IBD patients. CONCLUSIONS Overall, in our study, the risk of TDs was lower in IBD patients. To assess routinely hormones and/or thyroid gland imaging in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms seems unnecessary in IBD patients, at least in our geographic area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pina Dore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Giuseppe Fanciulli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,UOC di Endocrinologia, Malattie della Nutrizione e del Ricambio, AOU Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Manca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Valentina Cocco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Nieddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Michele Murgia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mario Pes
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Nieddu A, Vindas L, Errigo A, Vindas J, Pes GM, Dore MP. Dietary Habits, Anthropometric Features and Daily Performance in Two Independent Long-Lived Populations from Nicoya peninsula (Costa Rica) and Ogliastra (Sardinia). Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12061621. [PMID: 32492804 PMCID: PMC7352961 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Longevity Blue Zones (LBZs) are populations characterized by exceptional longevity. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the food habits of two representative samples of the oldest old subjects from the population residing in the LBZs of Nicoya peninsula (Costa Rica) and in the mountainous part of Ogliastra (Sardinia, Italy). (2) Methods: Data were collected using validated tools, including a food frequency questionnaire, Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales for functional autonomy, body mass index, and waist and limbs circumferences. (3) Results: A total of 210 subjects, 60 (31 male) from Nicoya (age range 80–109 years), and 150 (61 male) from Ogliastra (age 90–101 years) were included in the study. In both populations, the highest frequencies of consumption were recorded for plant-derived foods (cereals 60–80% daily, legumes ≥ 80% daily in Nicoya, ≥ 60% 2–5 servings/week in Ogliastra), followed by those of animal origin (dairy products, meat) ≥60% and 80% daily, in Nicoya and Ogliastra, respectively. The frequency of milk consumption showed a positive correlation with BADL (ρ = 0.268 for Nicoya and ρ = 0.214 for Ogliastra) and IADL scores (ρ = 0.466 for Nicoya and ρ = 0.471 for Ogliastra), whereas legumes consumption correlated negatively with self-rated health (ρ = −0.264) and IADL (ρ = −0.332). (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that the dominant dietary model among the elderly of Nicoya and Ogliastra is a plant-based diet complemented by a non-negligible consumption of animal products, mostly dairy products. Further prospective studies are needed to ascertain a possible cause–effect relationship between food habits and increased likelihood of reaching advanced age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Nieddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, I-07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.P.)
| | - Laura Vindas
- Asociación Península de Nicoya–Zona Azul, 145-1100 San José, Costa Rica; (L.V.); (J.V.)
| | - Alessandra Errigo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, I-07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Jorge Vindas
- Asociación Península de Nicoya–Zona Azul, 145-1100 San José, Costa Rica; (L.V.); (J.V.)
| | - Giovanni Mario Pes
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, I-07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.P.)
- Sardinia Longevity Blue Zone Observatory, 08040 Ogliastra, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Dore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, I-07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.P.)
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-079-229886
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Riezzo I, De Carlo D, Neri M, Nieddu A, Turillazzi E, Fineschi V. Heart disease induced by AAS abuse, using experimental mice/rats models and the role of exercise-induced cardiotoxicity. Mini Rev Med Chem 2011; 11:409-24. [PMID: 21443510 DOI: 10.2174/138955711795445862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are all synthetic derivates of testosterone and are commonly used as sport performance enhancers in athletes. The heart is one of the organs most frequently affected by administration of anabolic steroids. A direct myocardial injury caused by AAS is supposed to determine marked hypertrophy in myocardial cells, extensive regional fibrosis and necrosis. A number of excellent studies, using animal models, were performed to evaluate the cardiac effects of AAS. It is known that exogenous administration induced cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo, and when combined with exercise, anabolic steroid use has been shown to change exercise-induced physiological cardiac hypertrophy to pathophysiological cardiac hypertrophy. However the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. It's described that sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarct; ventricular remodelling and cardiomyopathy do to AAS is related to apoptosis and oxidative stress when associated with exercise. Mechanical stimuli and circulating humoral factors (TNF-α, HSP-70, IL-1β) released by the heart and peripheral organs are responsible. Testosterone and derivates can work through genomic (activation of specific androgen receptor, interaction with coactivators and co-repressors transcription factors, gene regulation) and non-genomic mechanism (membrane-receptor-second messenger cascades). Chronic AAS abuse results in different patterns of pathologic alterations, which depend on type, dose, frequency, and mode of use. The difficulty in interpreting experimental data on animals (mice and rats) lies in the diversity of experiments (the diversity of substances, which show different properties, different mice / rats by sex and age, duration of treatment with AAS, dosages used, type, scope and exercise duration).
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Affiliation(s)
- I Riezzo
- Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia, Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo, Foggia, Italy.
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Rinaldi P, Spazzafumo L, Mastriforti R, Mattioli P, Marvardi M, Polidori MC, Cherubini A, Abate G, Bartorelli L, Bonaiuto S, Capurso A, Cucinotta D, Gallucci M, Giordano M, Martorelli M, Masaraki G, Nieddu A, Pettenati C, Putzu P, Tammaro VA, Tomassini PF, Vergani C, Senin U, Mecocci P. Predictors of high level of burden and distress in caregivers of demented patients: results of an Italian multicenter study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2005; 20:168-74. [PMID: 15660409 DOI: 10.1002/gps.1267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considerable suffering is experienced by carers of patients with dementia. Most existing studies do not consider the coexistence of subjective and objective aspects that cause, interacting to each other, this suffering. OBJECTIVES In this study we: (1) define the high-risk group of caregivers on the bases of the scores obtained on the four scales evaluating burden, distress, depression and anxiety (BDDA) taken into account simultaneously and (2) evaluate risk factors related to the high level of BDDA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS 419 elderly outpatients with dementia and their caregivers were enrolled. Patients were evaluated for their cognitive, neuropsychological and functional impairment and for comorbidity. Caregivers were evaluated with four scales for the assessment of burden, distress related to neuropsychological disturbances, depression and anxiety. Cluster analysis was used to identify the group with the High level of BDDA (HBDDA). RESULTS By multiple logistic analysis, disability, specific behavioural disturbances of the patients as well as caregiver's age, type of relationship and living in the south of Italy were observed to be a major risk factor for HBDDA. CONCLUSION The targeted use of scales specifically assessing BDDA of the caregiver and the identification of particular patient and caregiver characteristics are able to allow a precise and early definition of caregivers at high risk of burden and distress. This might be helpful in planning the correct social/clinical/rehabilitative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rinaldi
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Tanzi ML, Veronesi L, Nieddu A, Camerlengo P, Boccelli V, Bellelli E. [Measurement of anti-HBs antibodies in a population of 18-year-olds 6 years after the primary vaccination series]. Ann Ig 2000; 12:265-71. [PMID: 11140092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
We have analized the persistence of vaccine-induced antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, in a cohort of 445 eighteen-year-old males, who had been immunized against hepatitis B six years earlier (when they were 12 years old, according to the Italian law). These young men were about to begin their military service and were going through the routine check-up. They came from two different towns Reggio Emilia and Mantova, in the north of Italy, and were divided into two groups (group A no 258 men, group B no 187 men) depending on where they had been vaccinated. The serologic results showed that 97% of subjects had anti-HBs and 94% anti-HBs protective levels (> or = 10 mIU/ml). Moreover 81% of responder subjects showed titles > or = 100 mIU/ml, and 25% showed titles even > or = 1000 mIU/ml. Anti-HBs GMT of the total responders was 367.1. Differences have been found in the anti-HBs levels of men vaccinated in the two different towns.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Tanzi
- Ist. di Igiene, Università degli Studi di Parma
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Patti AM, Santi AL, Bellucci C, Ciapetti C, Fara GM, Germinario C, Calvario A, Lopalco PL, Barbuti S, Tanzi ML, Affanni P, Nieddu A, Bellelli E, Vellucci L, Caraffa De Stefano D. Serological survey on immunity status against polioviruses in Italian young adults and in immigrants. Ann Ig 1999; 11:353-9. [PMID: 10596422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A M Patti
- Inst. of Hygiene, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Deiana L, Ferrucci L, Pes GM, Carru C, Delitala G, Ganau A, Mariotti S, Nieddu A, Pettinato S, Putzu P, Franceschi C, Baggio G. AKEntAnnos. The Sardinia Study of Extreme Longevity. AGING (MILAN, ITALY) 1999; 11:142-9. [PMID: 10476308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes an epidemiological study performed in all centenarians living in Sardinia, a large island located in the Mediterranean sea, 120 Km from the Italian coast. Due to its long-standing isolation, low immigration rate, high endogamy and rather uniform lifestyle, Sardinia offers an ideal setting in which to study the genetic traits associated with extreme longevity and successful aging. A total of 233 potentially eligible centenarians were traced in the entire territory. Of these, 66 died prior to being interviewed, 11 were not found and unknown, and 15 refused to be interviewed. A multidimensional home interview was administered to 141 centenarians, and an equivalent number of 60-year-old controls matched for gender and area of residence. Furthermore, 41 living siblings of the centenarians, and 41 age- and sex-matched controls for these siblings were also studied. The prevalence of centenarians was 13.56 per 100,000, and the female/male ratio was approximately 2. Prevalence and female/male ratio were consistent across the four Sardinian municipalities and are, respectively, higher and lower than those reported in other population-based surveys. A number of methodological problems confronted in doing the field work, and plans for future analysis of this rich dataset are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Deiana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy
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Lami F, Callegari C, Nieddu A, Miglioli M, Barbara L. [Fecal chymotrypsin test in the diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency]. Recenti Prog Med 1985; 76:95-9. [PMID: 3873092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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