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Biomedical subjects

F Gyntelberg

Publications and source records attributed to F Gyntelberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Serum selenium concentration and risk of ischaemic heart disease in a prospective cohort study of 3000 males.

Whether an association, causative or not, exists between the level of serum selenium and the risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remains unsettled. We investigated the issue in a cohort of 3387 males aged 53-74 years (mean 63). Based on information about health status, life-style and socioeconomic factors given in a prefilled comprehensive questionnaire, the men were interviewed and the information validated. Following the interview, they underwent a clinical examination and had a venous blood sample drawn for the determination of a number of biochemical characteristics. Three hundred and forty-six men were excluded due to prevalent cardiovascular disease, including stroke. During the next three years (1986-1989) 107 men (approximately 3%) suffered an IHD event; 25 events were fatal. Compared to others, men with serum selenium levels less than or equal to 1 mumol/l, approximately the lowest tertile, had a 70% increased risk of IHD, relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence limits was 1.70 (1.14-2.53). After multivariate adjustment for cholesterol, social class, smoking and age, RR was 1.55 (1.00-2.39). Serum selenium level was significantly (P less than 0.05), but not strongly, correlated with a number of IHD risk factors: serum cotinine, tobacco smoking, social class, alcohol consumption, total cholesterol, hypertension, age and physical inactivity. Body mass index, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly associated with serum selenium. We conclude that middle-aged and elderly Danish men with serum selenium less than or equal to 1 mumol/l had a significantly increased risk of ischaemic heart disease. This association was not explained by the interrelationship of serum selenium and major cardiovascular risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Health and lifestyle characteristics of professional singers and instrumentalists.

Ninety-one instrumentalists and 51 opera singers of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, were examined, in order to study the frequency of symptoms from the musculoskeletal system and upper airways. The response rate was 91 per cent. Estimates of odds ratios (OR) with 95 per cent confidence interval were calculated, using multiple logistic regression equations, adjusting for age and gender. The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints was the same in singers and instrumentalists. Musculoskeletal problems were however not identical. Instrumentalists had statistically significantly more symptoms from the arm region than singers, OR = 3.1 (1.02-9.5), P less than 0.05. In contrast, instrumentalists had significantly fewer complaints from hip-, knee- and foot joints than singers, OR = 0.2 (0.07-0.61), P less than 0.001. Singers had significantly more symptoms from mouth, lips or throat than instrumentalists, OR = 4.5 (1.7-11.5), P = 0.002. Both male and female instrumentalists had a higher blood pressure. This difference seemed at least in part to be explained by a higher alcohol intake among instrumentalists. We suggest these differences in life style and health characteristics are likely to be caused by professional, ie occupational, work loads.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Physical fitness or physical activity as a predictor of ischaemic heart disease? A 17-year follow-up in the Copenhagen Male Study.

Physical fitness and leisure time physical activity are strongly correlated, and both are inversely correlated with risk of ischaemic heart disease. Does this mean, however, that a very fit man has a lower risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), even if he is inactive? And does it also mean that an unfit, but active man, does not have a lower risk of IHD than an unfit, inactive man? In the Copenhagen Male Study, we analysed the joint effect of fitness and leisure time activity. In 1970/71, 4999 men aged 40-59 years, were classified according to level of physical fitness, i.e. indirectly measured maximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity, and their mortality was recorded over the following 17 years. In sedentary men, fitness was no predictor of future risk of IHD whatsoever. Age-adjusted baseline values were similar in later IHD cases and survivors (32.3 and 32.1 ml O2 kg-1 min-1, respectively: P = 0.91). In medium or highly active men, however, fitness was a strong predictor. The corresponding fitness values were 33.1 and 34.8 ml O2 kg-1 min-1 (P < 0.001). The least fit (two least fit quintiles) physically active men had a lower IHD mortality rate (6%) than the least fit sedentary men (10%). Adjusted for age, social class and smoking in a multiple logistic regression equation, this was estimated to an RR (95% C.I.) of 1.67 (1.06-2.64) (P = 0.027). The two major new findings of this study were (a) that being very fit, provides no protection against IHD--nor all-cause mortality--in sedentary men, and (b) that unfit but sedentary men have a higher risk of IHD than unfit but active men, i.e. those performing light physical activity for at least 4 h per week.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The Lewis blood group--a new genetic marker of ischaemic heart disease.

In a cohort of 3383 men aged 53 to 74 in the Copenhagen Male Study we investigated the association between ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and the Lewis blood group, assigned to chromosome 19. Among men with the Le(a-b-) phenotype, 8% had a history of non-fatal myocardial infarction, among others the frequency was 4%. The corresponding odds ratio was (95% confidence interval: CI) 1.9 (1.2-3.0) P < 0.01, men with Le(a-b-) had a risk-factor profile and pattern of disease resembling that of Reaven's syndrome X. In a subsequent prospective study 343 men with arteriosclerotic stigmas were excluded. The men had their morbidity and mortality recorded over the next 4 years. One-hundred-and-one men suffered IHD; 26 dying from IHD. In total 162 men died. Men with Le(a-b-) had an increased risk of death from IHD compared with others. Adjusted for age, relative risk (RR) (95% CI) was: 4.4 (1.9-10.3), P < 0.001, and for all causes of mortality: RR = 1.6 (1.0-2.6), P < 0.05. Men with the Le(a-b-) phenotype had an increased risk of an IHD event compared to men with other phenotypes (RR = 1.6 (0.9-2.8), P = 0.10) and a significantly higher IHD case fatality rate (RR = 2.8 (1.5-5.2), P = 0.01). The finding that the Le(a-b-) phenotype is a genetic marker of IHD risk may have implications in terms of prevention. The Le(a-b-) phenotype may also contribute to providing an explanation for the substantial ethnic differences found in the incidence of IHD. The similar risk-factor profile and pattern of disease found between Le(a-b-) men and individuals with Reaven's syndrome X is hypothesized to be due to a close genetic relationship on chromosome 19.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ischaemic heart disease incidence by social class and form of smoking: the Copenhagen Male Study--17 years' follow-up.

The Copenhagen Male Study is a prospective, cardiovascular cohort study initiated in 1970 and consisting of 5249 employed men aged 40-59 years. A total of 4710 men, who had reported their smoking habits and were free of ischaemic heart disease, had their mortality recorded over a 17-year period: 585 men suffered a first incident of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and 248 cases were fatal. There was a strong social gradient in the risk of IHD (Kendall's Tau B = 0.12, P less than 0.001). Adjusting for age, blood pressure, physical activity, body mass index and alcohol consumption in a multiple logistic regression equation, men in the lowest social class had a relative risk (95% confidence interval) of IHD of 3.6 (2.5-5.3) compared to men in the highest social class. We determined whether differences in smoking habits could explain at least some of this large increase in risk. Adjustment for the above factors and also inclusion of the form of tobacco smoked, the amount of tobacco smoked and presence or absence of inhalation, had very little effect on the estimate: the relative risk was 3.5 (2.4-5.2). There was no social gradient in age at the start of smoking. According to smoking habits, comparing social class V with social class I, the relative risk was 7.7 (2.6-22.4) in cigarette smokers, 6.0 (1.1-32.1) in pipe smokers, 3.5 (1.7-7.1) in mixed smokers, 2.25 (0.4-12.9) in cheroot smokers, 3.8 (2.4-5.9) in all smokers, 1.95 (0.8-4.6) in ex-smokers, and 4.7 (1.01-22.2) in non-smokers. In the upper social classes, 50-75% of IHD events could be ascribed to smoking, and in the lowest classes only about 20%. We conclude that the substantial social inequalities in risk of ischaemic heart disease are not accounted for by differences in smoking habits.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Recovery following thiopentone or propofol anaesthesia assessed by computerized coordination measurements.

Quantitative measurements of coordination ability and performance speed were carried out on 76 female day-case patients undergoing minor gynaecological operations. The women were assigned at random to the anaesthetic agent used, propofol 2.5 mg/kg or thiopentone 4 mg/kg. Spacing control, timing control and performance speed were recorded using a newly developed computerized coordination ability test system. The patients were tested once before the operation and 0.5, 1 and 2 h after awakening. Postoperatively the initial impairment and the subsequent regression towards preoperative test results were very similar whether the anaesthetic agent was propofol or thiopentone. Although the test apparatus was able to detect even minor differences, no postoperative test showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. We find it reasonable to conclude that there is no difference in recovery of coordination ability following propofol- or thiopentone-induced anaesthesia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Cardiovascular risk factors in snorers. A cross-sectional study of 3,323 men aged 54 to 74 years: the Copenhagen Male Study.

Former studies on the association between snoring and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have only partly taken established CVD risk factors into consideration. In the Copenhagen Male Study, 3,323 men aged 54 to 74 years were classified according to self-reported snoring habits. Eleven CVD risk factors were examined. The prevalence of snoring decreased with age, with a 50 percent higher frequency of snorers among the youngest quintile than among the oldest (p < 0.00001). Snoring, age adjusted, was positively associated with tobacco smoking (p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.0001), serum triglyceride level (p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) and nearly significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.07). Snorers were less physically active in leisure time than others (p < 0.01). The association between self-reported snoring and blood pressure disappeared when other factors, including BMI, were taken into consideration. No significant associations were found between snoring and social class, snoring and low- or high-density lipoprotein or between snoring and hypertension. We conclude that snoring is associated with major cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, it is evident that in studies on snoring and CVD, proper controlling for the influence of potential confounders is a sine qua non.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Lung cancer risk and social class. The Copenhagen Male Study--17-year follow up.

The Copenhagen Male Study is a prospective cohort study initiated in 1970/71 comprising 5249 employed men between the ages of 40 and 59 years. Included in a registry follow up of lung cancer were 4931 men who responded sufficiently to a number of questions on tobacco habits and who could be classified into social classes. During the 17 years of follow up, lung cancer was diagnosed in 144 men. By the end of the follow up period, 135 had died. Substantial social inequalities in the risk of lung cancer were found with a gradually increased risk with low social class, Kendall's tau B = 0.07, p less than 0.001. In multivariate analysis, compared with the highest social class (highly educated, administrators), the lowest social class (unskilled workers), had a highly increased risk, relative risk (with 95% confidence limits), RR = 3.7 (1.9-7.3). If in the analysis, adjustments were made for form of smoking, amount smoked, whether inhalation took place, number of pack-years and age, the increased risk dropped to RR = 2.9 (1.5-5.9). We conclude that the substantial social inequalities in lung cancer risk are only to a minor degree explained by social class differences in tobacco smoking habits.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Cerebral symptoms in 3,387 men and occupational exposure to organic solvents. An epidemiological study].

In The Copenhagen Male Study, an epidemiological study comprising 3,387 men aged 53 to 75 years, 3,303 men with valid questionnaire answers to questions on occupational organic solvents exposure, four cerebral symptoms and current work status were examined. Two hundred and ninety-five men had been occupationally exposed to mixed organic solvents for a period of five years or more. Among the exposed persons, 178 had retired, while 117 were still gainfully employed. The exposed men in both groups had highly significantly more complaints of decreased concentration and defective memory. Among the exposed retired men a higher prevalence of headache was found. Among the exposed men who were still employed a trend towards a higher prevalence of vertigo was found. This study was conducted within a cardiovascular study with no focus on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and cerebral symptoms, a design reducing the risk of overreporting. If overreporting was responsible for the differences found between solvent exposed and unexposed a similar pattern for reporting of acute and chronic symptoms should be expected. This was not the case. Our results support the hypothesis, that occupational exposure to organic solvents for a period of five years or more increases the risk of developing persistent defective memory and decrease in concentration.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical environmental medicine. An examination of a case load from a 2-year project].

In a two year experimental project, 38 persons were referred to clinical examination at a clinic for occupational medicine. Admission was based upon suspicion of health damage caused by environmental factors outside the occupational setting. Twentyseven persons were suspected of indoor exposure with unspecified dust as the dominating factor. In the general environment, suspected exposure from polluted soil was the main reason for admission of 11 patients. In 22 cases, a causal relation between complaints and exposure to environmental factors was considered likely and recommendations to eliminate exposure or to effectuate further investigations of exposure were made. It is concluded that there is a need for an arrangement whereby patients can be examined by doctors experienced in assessing relations between exposure from environmental factors and disease. Since only few patients are expected, the examinations can be carried out in clinics for occupational medicine within existing resources.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Mixed solvent exposure and cerebral symptoms among active and retired workers. An epidemiological investigation of 3387 men aged 53-75 years.

In an epidemiological study comprising 3,387 men aged 53 to 75 years, 3303 men with valid questionnaire answers to questions on occupational organic solvents exposure, four cerebral symptoms and current work status were examined. Two-hundred and ninety-five men had been occupationally exposed to mixed organic solvents for a period of 5 years or more. Among them 178 were retired, while 117 were still gainfully employed. The exposed men in both groups had highly significantly more complaints of decreased concentration ability and of memory difficulties. Of the exposed retired men a higher prevalence of headache was found. Among the exposed still employed a trend towards a higher prevalence of dizziness was found. This study was conducted within a cardiovascular study with no focus on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and cerebral symptoms, a design reducing the risk of overreporting. If overreporting was responsible for the differences found between solvent-exposed and unexposed cases a similar pattern for reporting of acute and chronic symptoms should be expected. This was not the case. Our results support the hypothesis, that occupational exposure to organic solvents for a period of 5 years or more increases the risk of developing persistent memory difficulties and a decrease in concentration ability.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Computerized coordination ability testing.

Quantitative measurements of coordination ability were carried out on 76 women with a median age of 37, range 15 to 60. Spacing control, timing control and performance speed were recorded using newly developed computerized equipment, Catsys, presented in this paper. Twenty-three subjects were re-examined 2-3 months after the first measurements. A fair or even high degree of reproducibility of tests was found. Normal values for the entire group and correlation values for the re-examined group are presented. The results from this small study implies that the Catsys may be useful, e.g., in future clinical neurological practice of diagnostics and follow up on patients, in occupational medicine for detection of neurotoxic effects of various neurotoxic substances, in evaluation of drug effects and side effects and for testing people in occupations where normal coordination skills are absolutely necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cross-sectional study of health effects of cryolite production.

A cross-sectional health study of 101 cryolite workers was performed, using spirometry and a questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the index of smoking and a decrease in FEV1 (per cent). There was no significant correlation between work-related exposure and lung function. Many cryolite workers described a group of symptoms appearing after 15 to 30 min of heavy dust exposure: nausea, followed by epigastric pain with relief after spontaneous or provoked vomiting. Thirty-four (33.6 per cent) workers complained of nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea in relation to work, compared to 3.8 per cent of 1752 men participating in the Copenhagen Male Study.

Adult↗