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Biomedical subjects

A Hofman

Publications and source records attributed to A Hofman.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure pattern in youngsters with a different family history of hypertension: the Dutch Hypertension and Offspring Study.

The offspring of hypertensive parents in general show higher casual blood pressure levels during adolescence than the offspring of normotensive parents. Comparative ambulatory blood pressure measurements might reveal the stability and pattern of this difference during circadian blood pressure variation. We studied the 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (Space-Labs 90202 monitor, Redmond, Washington, USA) in youngsters with two hypertensive parents (high; n = 62), with one hypertensive parent (mixed; n = 51) and with no hypertensive parent (low; n = 42). The pattern for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the three groups ran parallel, with the high group continuously at a higher level. A clear difference in systolic blood pressure was observed during the day period (high minus low: 5.4 mmHg; 95% confidence range 2.5-8.3). Our data show that offspring of hypertensive parents differ in ambulatory blood pressure levels, but not in the circadian pattern, from the offspring of normotensive parents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Similar plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels in children and young adults with a high and low probability of developing hypertension: the Dutch Hypertension and Offspring Study.

The role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in the genesis of primary hypertension is not clear. However, a natriuretic and blood pressure lowering effect has been observed after infusion of ANF. Therefore, subjects at risk of future hypertension might be deficient in ANF or less responsive to it. To address this question we studied ANF, sodium excretion and blood pressure in 180 young normotensive people with different probabilities of developing hypertension later in life. The 180 subjects had either two, one or no hypertensive parents. Sixty-nine offspring had a high, 58 an intermediate and 53 a small probability of developing hypertension ('high', 'mixed' and 'low' groups). Mean plasma levels of ANF did not differ among the three groups of offspring. A negative association was found between ANF and diastolic blood pressure, being most pronounced in the low-risk group. The similar levels of plasma ANF in these groups suggest that ANF is not directly related to the development of high blood pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Incidence and risk factors of Parkinson's disease in The Netherlands.

The incidence and some risk factors of Parkinson's disease were investigated in a study performed in The Netherlands. The study was based on a disease register of the Sentinel Stations, which provide a complete ascertainment of new patients with Parkinson's disease in 60 general practices in The Netherlands. The incidence rate of Parkinson's disease in The Netherlands is estimated to be 11/100,000 person-years for men and 12/100,000 person-years for women. Risk factors for Parkinson's disease were investigated in a case-control study in which 86 cases, with the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease confirmed by a neurologist, were compared with 172 reference subjects, matched for age and gender. Cigarette smoking was associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease (relative risk 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.3-1.0). No association was observed between Parkinson's disease and severe head trauma with loss of consciousness, or surgery with total anaesthesia.

Female↗
PubMed1989

History of dementia and Parkinson's disease in 1st-degree relatives of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We assessed the family history of dementia and Parkinson's disease in 198 Dutch patients with Alzheimer's disease diagnosed before the age of 70 years, and in 198 age- and sex-matched healthy population controls. Of the Alzheimer patients, 48% had at least 1 1st-degree relative with dementia, compared with 19% of the controls. There were 24 patients and 1 control with 2 or more 1st-degree relatives with dementia, yielding a relative risk of 40.0. More Alzheimer patients than controls had a 1st-degree relative with Parkinson's disease, with a relative risk of 2.9. This study strongly confirms earlier findings of familial aggregation of Alzheimer's disease and provides evidence for familial aggregation of Alzheimer's disease with Parkinson's disease. The latter may point at a joint etiology of these diseases.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Modification of risk factors for coronary heart disease. Five-year results of a school-based intervention trial.

We conducted a study of the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to modify risk factors associated with coronary heart disease among 3388 children in 37 schools in two demographically dissimilar areas (the Bronx and Westchester County) in and around New York City. Schools within each area were randomly assigned to either intervention or nonintervention groups. In schools targeted for intervention, children in the fourth through eighth grades were taught a teacher-delivered curriculum focusing on diet, physical activity, and cigarette smoking. Risk-factor levels were measured in all schools at base line and at four follow-up points. A total of 1769 of the children qualified for analysis of the intervention effect. After five years, the net mean change in plasma levels of total cholesterol was -1.7 mg per deciliter per year (-0.04 mmol per liter) (95 percent confidence interval, -2.7 to -0.7 mg per deciliter [-0.07 to -0.02 mmol per liter]) in the Westchester County schools, or -8.5 mg per deciliter (-0.22 mmol per liter) (5.1 percent) over a period of five years. In the schools in the Bronx, the net mean change was -1.0 mg per deciliter per year (-0.03 mmol per liter) (95 percent confidence interval, -2.3 to +0.3 mg per deciliter [-0.06 to +0.01 mmol per -2.3 to +0.3 mg per deciliter [-0.06 to +0.01 mmol per liter]), or -5.0 mg per deciliter (-0.13 mmol per liter) (2.9 percent) over a period of five years. Favorable trends in dietary intake and health knowledge were also observed, whereas the other targeted risk factors were not significantly altered. If these findings can be replicated, this will suggest that educational programs to modify coronary risk factors are feasible and may have a favorable (albeit small) effect on blood levels of cholesterol in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Raised plasma intact parathyroid hormone concentrations in young people with mildly raised blood pressure.

To study the role of parathyroid gland activity in early primary hypertension plasma concentrations of intact parathyroid hormone were measured in 90 untreated young subjects, aged 16-29, with stable midly raised blood pressure and in 40 normotensive control subjects selected from the same population in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. Intact parathyroid hormone concentration was significantly higher in the hypertensive than the normotensive group (2.34 (SE 0.11) pmol/l v 1.47 (0.13) pmol/l, respectively; difference 0.87 pmol/l; 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 1.21; p less than 0.0001). Serum total calcium concentration was 2.36 (0.01) mmol/l in the hypertensive group and 2.42 (0.01) mmol/l in the normotensive group (difference 0.06 mmol/l; 95% confidence interval 0.02 to 0.09; p = 0.02). Urinary calcium excretion over 24 hours did not differ significantly between the two groups (4.17 (0.28) mmol/24 h in the hypertensive group and 3.89 (0.39) mmol/24 h in the normotensive group; difference 0.28 mmol/24 h; 95% confidence interval -0.66 to 1.22). In the hypertensive group both systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased slightly though significantly with intact parathyroid hormone concentrations. No obvious associations between serum calcium concentration and blood pressure were observed. These findings support the view that enhanced activity of the parathyroid gland may play a part in the early stage of primary hypertension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Serum copper and zinc and the risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease.

To investigate the association of serum copper and zinc with mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease, the authors performed a case-control analysis of data obtained in a Dutch prospective follow-up study. Cancer (n = 64) and cardiovascular disease (n = 62) deaths and their matched controls were taken from a cohort of 10,532 persons examined in 1975-1978. Trace elements were measured in baseline serum samples, which had been stored during the six to nine years of follow-up. The adjusted risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease was about four times higher for subjects in the highest serum copper quintile (greater than 1.43 mg/liter) compared with those with normal levels. The excess mortality observed in subjects with low copper status suggests a U-shaped relation. No significant change in the risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease was found for subjects with low or high baseline levels of serum zinc. However, a protective effect of a high zinc status on the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease is compatible with the data. For definitive conclusions, analysis of larger prospective data sets is recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Experiences with the lateral calcaneal artery flap.

A chronic ulcer of the posterior heel or lateral ankle can be a large problem for the patient. The lateral calcaneal artery flap is a reliable neurovascular local skin flap that can cover the defect after excision of the ulcer in this area. The flap includes the lateral calcaneal artery, sural nerve, and lesser saphenous vein. We performed seven lateral calcaneal artery flaps from 1974 to 1986 for chronic ulcers of the heel or lateral malleolus. None failed. All patients can wear closed shoes. Two donor sites showed secondary healing. One donor site showed hyperkeratosis resulting from inappropriate planning of the flap.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Change in blood pressure in offspring of parents with high or low blood pressure: the Dutch Hypertension and Offspring Study.

A family history of hypertension is an important predictor of high blood pressure. We investigated the question of whether this predisposition affects the level and change of blood pressure early in life, and in particular, at what age the familial aggregation of blood pressure occurs. Blood pressure and related characteristics were studied in children whose parents both had relatively high blood pressure ('high') and the results were compared with those from children whose parents both had a relatively low blood pressure ('low') and with children with one parent high and the other parent low ('mixed'). At the age of 8 years there were no clear differences in pressure but at the age of 20 years there was a difference of 7 mmHg for both systolic and diastolic pressure between the high- and low-risk offspring. These findings suggest that the magnitude of familial aggregation of blood pressure increases during childhood and adolescence.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1988

Importance of body weight in determining rise and level of blood pressure in postmenopausal women.

Blood pressure in women rises after menopause. In the same period of their lives many women gain weight. Both menopause and increases in body weight may influence blood pressure elevation. To study the association between changes in body weight, age at menopause and duration of menopause, and blood pressure, a prospective follow-up study was conducted in 1167 Dutch women initially aged 45-64 years. After an average follow-up period of 8.9 years 855 women, of 1009 alive at that time, were re-examined (85%). This study indicated that age at menopause and number of postmenopausal years are not directly related to blood pressure rise in middle-aged and elderly women. However, an increase in the body mass index is an important and potentially preventable determinant of increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension in women of this age group.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Socioeconomic status, ethnic origin, and risk factors for coronary heart disease in children.

The associations between socioeconomic status, ethnic origin, and risk factors for CHD were studied in 2,591 white and black children from two socioeconomically dissimilar populations in the New York City area. The study subjects were selected from all fourth graders in 44 elementary schools. Blood pressure, plasma lipids, body mass index, and physical fitness were measured. In a random subsample of 353 subjects, a 24-hour dietary recall interview was performed. White children in the lower socioeconomic area had the most unfavorable risk factor profile. Differences between the groups in mean level of plasma total cholesterol primarily were associated with factors related to area of residence. Children in a lower socioeconomic environment may be considered to be candidates for especially intensive intervention strategies for the primary prevention of CHD.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1987

Serum selenium, vitamin antioxidants, and cardiovascular mortality: a 9-year follow-up study in the Netherlands.

The association between low serum selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin E levels and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) was investigated in a case-control study nested in a 9-yr prospective study in the Netherlands. For 10,532 persons aged greater than or equal to 5 yr who participated in a 1975-1978 medical survey, serum was stored at -20 degrees C. For the 84 of 106 subjects aged 37-87 yr who died of CVD after the baseline exam, 168 cohort members alive at the end of 1983 and matched for age and gender were selected as controls. No significant associations between serum selenium. vitamin A, vitamin E, and CVD mortality were observed before and after multivariate analyses. The adjusted risk of death from CVD for subjects in the lowest selenium quintile (less than 105.0 micrograms/L) was 1.6 (95% CI, 0.8-3.2). For coronary and stroke death risk, estimates were 1.1 (95% CI, 0.5-2.6) and 3.2 (95% CI, 0.8-12.1). Our findings do not show a clear CVD risk from low selenium and vitamin levels. Although some of the risk estimates were strong, larger studies are required for definitive conclusions.

Adult↗