Impact of food security on glycemic control among low-income primarily Hispanic/Latino children in Los Angeles, California: A cross-sectional study

Studies examining the impact of food insecurity on metabolic markers are limited, specifically in Hispanic youth. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 218 3^rd-5^th grade students (83% Hispanic and 49% male). Anthropometrics, blood glucose, insulin, and lipids via fasting blood draw, dietary intake via Block screener, and a 5-item food security scale were collected. HOMA-Insulin Resistance was calculated. Multivariate analyses of covariance were used to examine differences in glucose and insulin indices, adiposity, metabolic and dietary intake variables between categories of food security. Food secure children had greater glycemic control and decreased insulin resistance compared to food insecure children.

Lifetime exposure to estrogens and Parkinson's disease in California teachers

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) is consistently observed to occur less frequently in women than men, prompting investigation into whether estrogen protects against neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons.

METHODS

We used baseline data in the California Teachers Study, a prospective cohort of women, to investigate whether reproductive factors indicating higher long-term estrogen levels are associated with PD using a nested case-control approach. We identified 228 PD cases and 3349 unaffected controls frequency matched by age and race.

RESULTS

Women who reported using combined estrogen/progesterone therapy or progesterone only formulations had a 57% increase in PD risk (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.06, 2.34) compared to never having used HT. Compared to women with menopause at 50-52 years, menopause at younger (<35-46 years: OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.94) and older ages (≥53 years: OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.36, 0.83) had lower PD risk. A derived composite estrogen summary score for women's exposure to both endogenous and exogenous estrogens throughout life indicated that women with presumed higher cumulative lifetime levels of estrogen (a score of 3-5) had a significantly reduced PD risk [(OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.35, 0.91) relative to those with lower lifetime estrogen exposure or a composite estrogen summary score of 0-1].

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide some support for the hypothesis that lifelong high estrogen is protective in PD, suggesting that the level and persistence of exposure over the long term may be important in PD risk reduction.

Hospitalizations due to hepatitis C in Los Angeles County, 2007-2009: case characteristics and factors associated with mortality

Morbidity and mortality due to hepatitis C (HCV) infection are rising in the United States as the highest risk cohort (those born between 1945 and 1965) ages. It is important for governments and healthcare providers to have timely, readily obtainable data to estimate the burden of HCV locally. Demographic factors, hospital charges and comorbid conditions were summarized for Los Angeles County (LAC) residents who had at least one hospitalization in California during 2007-2009 with HCV as a primary or secondary diagnosis using statewide hospital discharge data. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for factors associated with dying during hospitalization. A total of 19 907 unique patients were hospitalized with HCV during the 3-year study period; 63.0% were aged 45-65 years; 1874 (9.4%) died. Hospitalizations for HCV doubled during this time period. Total charges for hospitalizations for which HCV was coded as the principal diagnosis increased from $18 million to $58 million, with over 70% charged to government sources. After adjusting for demographic factors, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV), current alcohol abuse and kidney disease were associated with dying during hospitalization. Based on statewide hospital discharge data, morbidity and mortality from HCV infections increased in LAC from 2007-2009, and pose an economic burden to government. To lower mortality risk, HCV patients should be referred for follow-up. The expected increase in HCV hospitalizations as infected patients' age poses an increasing burden to healthcare systems.

Occurrence of depression and anxiety prior to Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between depression and anxiety and Parkinson's disease (PD).

BACKGROUND

Many people with PD suffer from depression and anxiety prior to the onset of motor symptoms. Studies suggest these psychiatric conditions may be risk factors for PD or prodromal non-motor symptoms.

METHODS

Using a population-based approach in three California counties, we recruited 371 incident PD cases, 402 population and 115 sibling controls. We recorded self-reports of lifetime depression/anxiety diagnoses and use of psychotropic medications. We adjusted for age, race, sex, pack-years of smoking, and education, and also conducted analyses after excluding (lagging) both diagnoses and medication use first occurring within 2, 5, 10, and 20 years of the index/diagnosis date.

RESULTS

Cases were more likely to have received a diagnosis of depression or anxiety at any time prior to index date (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01, 2.00), but were not more likely to have been both diagnosed and treated (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.77, 1.60). Male PD patients received diagnoses combined with treatment more often than population controls within 5 years of PD diagnosis (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.21, 4.04; 2 year lag: OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.29, 4.61; 5 year lag: OR 1.67, 95% CI 0.80, 3.49). We did not see any differences for females. Results for cases compared to sibling controls were similar to those for population controls.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that depression and anxiety may be early symptoms during the prodromal phase of PD.