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Kechagia I, Tsiampalis T, Damigou E, Barkas F, Anastasiou G, Kravvariti E, Liberopoulos E, Sfikakis PP, Chrysohoou C, Tsioufis C, Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos D. Long-Term Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Reduces 20-Year Diabetes Incidence: The ATTICA Cohort Study (2002-2022). Metabolites 2024; 14:182. [PMID: 38668310 PMCID: PMC11051724 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040182] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the 20-year incidence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adults from the ATTICA study. This study involved a prospective cohort of 3042 men and women recruited at baseline from the Attica region in Greece. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics were evaluated at baseline and follow-up examinations; adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed through the MedDietScore (range 0-55); four Mediterranean diet trajectories were identified (i.e., increasing, decreasing, and sustained high and sustained low adherence levels). For the present analysis, data from 2000 individuals with complete information were used (age 43 ± 13 years; 49% men). Over the 20-year period, 26.3% (95%CI 24.4%, 28.3%) of participants developed T2DM; men exhibited a 1.5-times higher incidence compared to women (p < 0.001). Individuals consistently close to the Mediterranean diet throughout the studied period had an improved glycemic and lipidemic profile (at baseline and at 10-y follow-up) (all p-values < 0.001) and showed a 21% reduction in their 20-year risk of developing T2DM compared to those who were consistently away (RR = 0.79, 95%CI 0.47, 0.86). A long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet is protective against the onset of T2DM and, therefore, could be incorporated in public health actions for the prevention of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kechagia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences & Education, Harokopio University, 17676 Athens, Greece
- Department of Clinical Dietetics-Nutrition, HYGEIA Hospital, 15123 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Tsiampalis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences & Education, Harokopio University, 17676 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Damigou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences & Education, Harokopio University, 17676 Athens, Greece
| | - Fotios Barkas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgia Anastasiou
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Evrydiki Kravvariti
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Liberopoulos
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P. Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Chrysohoou
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Costas Tsioufis
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Pitsavos
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences & Education, Harokopio University, 17676 Athens, Greece
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Kechribari I, Kontogianni MD, Georgoulis M, Lamprou K, Perraki E, Vagiakis E, Yiannakouris N. Associations between Vitamin D Status and Polysomnographic Parameters in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:275. [PMID: 38398784 PMCID: PMC10889962 DOI: 10.3390/life14020275] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presence and is more pronounced with increasing OSA severity; however, the relationship between these two entities remains unclear. This was a cross-sectional study among 262 adults with in-hospital-attended polysomnography-diagnosed OSA and no additional major comorbidities, aiming to explore possible associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and polysomnographic parameters. Data on demographics, medical history, anthropometric indices, and lifestyle habits were collected at enrolment. Serum 25(OH)D was evaluated using chemiluminescence, with VDD defined as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL. VDD was observed in 63% of the participants. Serum 25(OH)D correlated negatively with apnea-hypopnea index and other polysomnographic indices (all p < 0.05). In logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, dietary vitamin D intake, and season of blood sampling, serum 25(OH)D was associated with lower odds of severe OSA [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.94 (0.90-0.98)]. In the same multivariate model, VDD was associated with ~threefold higher odds of severe OSA [2.75 (1.38-5.48)]. In stratified analyses, VDD predicted OSA severity in the group of participants ≥50 y [3.54 (1.29-9.68)] and among those with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 [3.38 (1.52-7.52)], but not in the younger and non-obese adults. This study provides further evidence of an inverse association between vitamin D levels and OSA severity and underscores the importance of considering vitamin D status as a potential modifiable factor in the comprehensive management of OSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kechribari
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, Greece
| | - Meropi D. Kontogianni
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Georgoulis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, Greece
| | - Kallirroi Lamprou
- Center of Sleep Disorders, 1st Department of Critical Care, Evangelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Perraki
- Center of Sleep Disorders, 1st Department of Critical Care, Evangelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Vagiakis
- Center of Sleep Disorders, 1st Department of Critical Care, Evangelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Yiannakouris
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, Greece
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Damigou E, Detopoulou P, Antonopoulou S, Chrysohoou C, Barkas F, Vlachopoulou E, Vafia C, Tsioufis C, Liberopoulos E, Sfikakis PP, Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos D. Food Compass Score predicts incident cardiovascular disease: The ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022). J Hum Nutr Diet 2024; 37:203-216. [PMID: 37908110 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Food Compass Score (FCS) is a novel nutrient profiling system, which evaluates food and diet quality. The present study aimed to prospectively assess the relationship of FCS with short-term (10 years) and long-term (20 years) cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and to explore whether this relationship is modified by long-term adherence to a Mediterranean type diet (MTD). METHODS Volunteers of the ATTICA cohort study, with complete data for the calculation of FCS and incident CVD were included (n = 759). Development of CVD was determined at 10 and 20 years after baseline. Dietary intake was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire. The FCS was calculated for each participant based on the published algorithm. Long-term adherence to a MTD was evaluated through MedDietScore. RESULTS FCS was inversely associated with CVD incidence (hazard ratio [HR] for 20-year follow-up = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95-0.99; HR for 10-year follow-up = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96-1.01) in the total sample, as well as in those with a high baseline adherence to a MTD (HR for 20-year follow-up = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93-0.99; HR for 10-year follow-up = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.02). FCS was also inversely associated with CVD risk in those who went away from the MTD (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96-0.99). CONCLUSIONS FCS, a novel tool for assessing overall diet quality, was also found to be useful in identifying potential CVD candidates in a long-term period, even in populations with good background dietary habits, such as those following a MTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Damigou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Detopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragdi Antonopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Chrysohoou
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotios Barkas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Elpiniki Vlachopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Vafia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Costas Tsioufis
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Liberopoulos
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Pitsavos
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Vassou C, Tsiampalis T, Georgousopoulou EN, Chrysohoou C, Yannakoulia M, Pitsavos C, Cropley M, Panagiotakos DB. Association Between Family History of Diabetes, Irrational Beliefs, and Health Anxiety with 10-Year Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: the ATTICA Epidemiological Study (2002-2012). Int J Behav Med 2023:10.1007/s12529-023-10189-8. [PMID: 37322363 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10189-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to examine the relationship between family history of diabetes, irrational beliefs, and health anxiety in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHOD ATTICA is a prospective, cohort study (2002-2012). The working sample included 845 participants (18-89 years), free of diabetes at baseline. Α detailed biochemical, clinical, and lifestyle evaluation was performed, while participants' irrational beliefs and health anxiety were assessed through the Irrational Beliefs Inventory and the Whiteley index scale, respectively. We evaluated the association between the participants' family history of diabetes mellitus with the 10-year risk of diabetes mellitus, both in the total study's sample and separately according to their levels of health anxiety and irrational beliefs. RESULTS The crude 10-year risk of T2DM was 12.9% (95%CI: 10.4, 15.4), with 191 cases of T2DM. Family history of diabetes was associated with 2.5 times higher odds (2.53, 95%CI 1.71, 3.75) of T2DM compared to those without family history. Among participants with family history of diabetes, the highest likelihood of developing T2DM, regarding their tested psychological features (i.e., low/high irrational beliefs in the entire group, low/high health anxiety in the entire group, and low/high irrational beliefs, low/high healthy anxiety), had people with high irrational beliefs, low health anxiety (OR 3.70, 95%CI 1.83, 7.48). CONCLUSIONS The findings underline the important moderating role of irrational beliefs and health anxiety in the prevention of T2DM, among participants at increased risk of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Vassou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave., Kallithea, Athens, 176 76, Greece
| | - Thomas Tsiampalis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave., Kallithea, Athens, 176 76, Greece
| | | | - Christina Chrysohoou
- First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mary Yannakoulia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave., Kallithea, Athens, 176 76, Greece
| | - Christos Pitsavos
- First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mark Cropley
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Demosthenes B Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave., Kallithea, Athens, 176 76, Greece.
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
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Koutsogianni AD, Liamis G, Liberopoulos E, Adamidis PS, Florentin M. Effects of Lipid-Modifying and Other Drugs on Lipoprotein(a) Levels-Potent Clinical Implications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050750. [PMID: 37242533 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050750] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The past few years have shown an ongoing interest in lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a lipid molecule that has been proven to have atherogenic, thrombogenic, and inflammatory properties. Several lines of evidence, indeed, have demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as calcific aortic valve stenosis in patients with elevated Lp(a) levels. Statins, the mainstay of lipid-lowering therapy, slightly increase Lp(a) levels, while most other lipid-modifying agents do not significantly alter Lp(a) concentrations, except for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. The latter have been shown to reduce Lp(a) levels; however, the clinical significance of this effect has not been clearly elucidated. Of note, the pharmaceutical lowering of Lp(a) may be achieved with novel treatments specifically designed for this purpose (i.e., antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)). Large clinical trials with cardiovascular outcomes with these agents are ongoing, and their results are eagerly awaited. Furthermore, several non-lipid-modifying drugs of various classes may influence Lp(a) concentrations. We have searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases up to 28 January 2023 and summarized the effects of established and emerging lipid-modifying drugs and other medications on Lp(a) levels. We also discuss the potent clinical implications of these alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Liamis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Evangelos Liberopoulos
- 1st Propaideutic Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Matilda Florentin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Vassou C, Georgousopoulou EN, Yannakoulia M, Chrysohoou C, Papageorgiou C, Pitsavos C, Cropley M, Panagiotakos DB. Exploring the Role of Irrational Beliefs, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Educational Status in 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk: the ATTICA Epidemiological Study. Int J Behav Med 2023; 30:279-288. [PMID: 35474416 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-022-10091-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irrational beliefs, maladaptive emotions, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors can adversely affect health status. However, limited research has examined the association between irrational beliefs and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between irrational beliefs and the 10-year CVD incidence among apparently healthy adults, considering the potential moderating or mediating role of particular social and lifestyle factors. METHODS The ATTICA study is a population-based, prospective cohort (2002-2012), in which 853 participants without a history of CVD [453 men (aged 45 ± 13 years) and 400 women (aged 44 ± 18 years)] underwent psychological evaluations. Among other tools, participants completed the irrational beliefs inventory (IBI, range 0-88), a self-reported measure consistent with the Ellis model of psychological disturbance. Demographic characteristics, detailed medical history, dietary, and other lifestyle habits were also evaluated. Incidence of CVD (i.e., coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes, stroke, or other CVD) was defined according to the International Coding Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria. RESULTS Mean IBI score was 53 ± 2 in men and 53 ± 3 in women (p = 0.88). IBI score was positively associated with 10-year CVD risk (hazard ratio 1.07, 95%CI 1.04, 1.13), in both men and women, and more prominently among those with less healthy dietary habits and lower education status; specifically, higher educational status leads to lower IBI score, and in conjunction they lead to lower 10-year CVD risk (HR for interaction 0.98, 95%CI 0.97, 0.99). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study underline the need to build new, holistic approaches in order to better understand the inter-relationships between irrational beliefs, lifestyle behaviors, social determinants, and CVD risk in individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Vassou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave, 176 76, Kallithea, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Mary Yannakoulia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave, 176 76, Kallithea, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Chrysohoou
- First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Christos Pitsavos
- First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mark Cropley
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Demosthenes B Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave, 176 76, Kallithea, Athens, Greece.
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
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Detopoulou P, Letsiou S, Nomikos T, Karagiannis A, Pergantis SA, Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos DB, Antonopoulou S. Selenium, Selenoproteins and 10-year Cardiovascular Risk: Results from the ATTICA Study. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2023; 21:346-355. [PMID: 37526183 DOI: 10.2174/1570161121666230731142023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is involved in several pathophysiological functions. The relationship of Se with cardiovascular disease remains inconclusive, especially regarding the role of different selenospecies. OBJECTIVE The present study assessed the levels of Se distribution in plasma selenoproteins, namely glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3), selenoprotein P (SelP) and selenoalbumin (SeAlb) and total Se in selenoproteins in relation to 10-year cardiovascular risk in the ATTICA prospective study. METHODS A sub-sample from the ATTICA Study's database, consisting of 278 subjects (114 women and 164 men) with data on Se and selenoproteins levels, was considered. SeGPx3, SelP, and SeAlb in human plasma were simultaneously determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at baseline. The duration of the follow-up was 8.74 ±2.36 years (mean± standard deviation) and cardiovascular outcomes were recorded. Cox proportional hazards models were applied with total Se or selenoprotein Se as independent variables adjusted for several covariates. RESULTS Total Se in selenoproteins was positively related to 10-year relative risk of cardiovascular disease (Hazard Ratios of 3rd vs 2nd tertile 10.02, 95% CI:1.15, 92.34). Subjects with high Se but low SeGPx3, as identified by discordant percentiles in the distribution of SeGPx3 and Se, had a higher cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSION The differentiated effects of circulating selenoproteins on cardiovascular disease risk in the present study, suggest the importance of redox regulation by specific selenoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Detopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Letsiou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Tzortzis Nomikos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Karagiannis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Christos Pitsavos
- First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes B Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragdi Antonopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
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Kouvari M, Souliotis K, Yannakoulia M, Panagiotakos DB. Cardiovascular Diseases in Women: Policies and Practices Around the Globe to Achieve Gender Equity in Cardiac Health. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2020; 13:2079-2094. [PMID: 33116988 PMCID: PMC7567535 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s264672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The women's global health agenda has recently been reformulated to address more accurately cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The aim of the present work was to review the global and national policies and practices that address sex equality in health with a focus on CVDs in women. Scientific databases and health organizations' websites that presented/discussed policies and initiative targeting to enhance a sex-centered approach regarding general health and/or specifically cardiac health care were reviewed in a systematic way. In total, 61 relevant documents were selected. The selected policies and initiatives included position statements, national action plans, evidence-based guidelines, guidance/recommendations, awareness campaigns, regulations/legislation, and state-of-the art reports by national/international projects and conferences. The target audiences of large stakeholders (eg, American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) were female citizens, health professionals, and researchers. Much as policy-makers have recognized the sex/gender gap in the CVD field, there is still much to be done. Thereby, tailor-made strategies should be designed, evaluated, and delivered on a global and most importantly a national basis to achieve gender equity with regard to CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matina Kouvari
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriakos Souliotis
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Korinthos, Greece
| | - Mary Yannakoulia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes B Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, Australia
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