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Biomedical subjects

Cyrus Cooper

Publications and source records attributed to Cyrus Cooper.

95 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Polymorphism of the IGF2 gene, birth weight and grip strength in adult men.

BACKGROUND: Grip strength is a simple measure of skeletal muscle function but a powerful predictor of disability, morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence has shown that prenatal and infant growth influence grip strength in later life; this may reflect genetic influences on muscle size and function, although strong candidate genes have not been identified. IGF II has proliferative effects in adult muscle and is one of the major determinants of fetal growth; polymorphism in the IGF2 gene could therefore link early growth to adult grip strength. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether polymorphism of the IGF2 gene influences adult grip strength and mediates the association between size at birth and grip strength in later life. METHODS: Polymorphism of the ApaI marker in the IGF2 gene was determined for 693 Hertfordshire men and women born between 1920 and 1930 who had taken part in a study linking early growth to ageing. Grip strength was measured using isometric dynamometry. Genotyping assay development was undertaken in Southampton Genetic Epidemiology Laboratories (http://www.sgel.humgen.soton.ac.uk). RESULTS: In univariate analyses, IGF2 genotype and birth weight were both significant predictors of adult grip strength in the men after adjustment for age and current height. Significant associations were not seen in the women. When IGF2 genotype and birth weight in men were studied simultaneously, both contributed significantly to grip strength after adjustment for age and adult height. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that polymorphism of the IGF2 gene and birth weight have independent effects on adult grip strength in men and suggest that IGF2 polymorphism does not explain the association between size at birth and grip in later life. This study provides preliminary evidence for independent genetic and early environmental programming of adult muscle strength.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Recent developments in the epidemiology of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a widespread condition, often unrecognised in clinical practice, which may have devastating health consequences through its association with fragility fractures. Osteoporotic fractures represent an enormous public health burden. The total number of fractures, and hence the cost to society, will increase dramatically over the next 50 years as a result of demographic changes in the number of elderly people. This article reviews the latest advances in our knowledge of epidemiologic aspects of osteoporosis, including the epidemiology of fragility fracture, the determinants of fracture risk, and genetic, intrauterine, and environmental risk factors for osteoporosis. Novel relationships between breast cancer and bone mineral density will also be discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Systemic vasculitis.

The systemic vasculitides are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessel walls. They can be classified according to the size of vessel affected and also into primary de novo vasculitides and secondary to other disease processes. Treatments differ and overlap depending on the type of vasculitis. It is therefore important to make the correct diagnosis and treat appropriately to achieve remission as there is a substantial mortality implication.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Sports injury, occupational physical activity, joint laxity, and meniscal damage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for meniscal damage, an important determinant of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: We studied 243 men and women aged 20-59 years in whom the diagnosis of a meniscal tear was confirmed for the first time at arthroscopy, over a 25 month period, in 2 British hospitals. Each case was compared with one or 2 community controls, matched by age and sex, who were registered with the same general practitioner. Information on exposure to risk factors was obtained by a structured questionnaire and physical examination. RESULTS: Meniscal tear was strongly associated with participation in sports during the 12 months preceding the onset of symptoms; the risk was particularly high for soccer (OR 3.7; 95% CI 2.1-6.6). Higher body mass index and occupational kneeling (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.3-11.0) and squatting (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.0-8.0) were associated with an increased risk of degenerative meniscal lesions, after adjustment for social class, joint laxity, and sports participation. Joint laxity was associated with degenerative meniscal lesions independently of occupational physical activity, sports, and obesity. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the importance of sporting activities entailing knee torsion in acute meniscal tear. They also point to a role for occupational activity, adiposity, and joint laxity in the pathogenesis of degenerative meniscal lesions. Modifying these mechanical risk factors may serve to reduce the risk of meniscal injury and may also help to prevent later knee osteoarthritis.

Adult↗