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Biomedical subjects

G Berglund

Publications and source records attributed to G Berglund.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Fasting blood glucose in determining the prevalence of diabetes in a large, homogeneous population of Caucasian middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the usefulness of a single, fasting blood glucose (FBG) value in measuring the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a large, homogeneous population. DESIGN: Fasting blood glucose and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) values were determined. Based on the results of the OGTT, the sensitivity and specificity of different cut-off levels of FBG for the diagnosis of diabetes were assessed. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis was performed on the data. SETTING: A health screening unit at the University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 1843 Caucasian women without known diabetes aged 55-57 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of previously undiagnosed diabetes was 3.9% and the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was 27.9% using the WHO cut-off values for 2-h blood glucose values after an OGTT. With an FBG cut-off value of 6.7 mmol L-1, the sensitivity of a single FBG value was 36.6%. Reducing the cut-off value to 6.0 mmol L-1 increased the sensitivity to 53.4%. At a cut-off level of 4.8 mmol L-1, the sensitivity reached the high value of 85.9%, but the specificity was only 45% and the predictive value of a positive test as low as 5.9%. ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value for FBG in this population was 5.3 mmol L-1, giving a sensitivity and specificity of 77% but a positive predictive value of only 11.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that in a large and homogeneous Caucasian population of women aged 55-57 years with a high prevalence of IGT, a single FBG value is not useful as a screening tool for diabetes mellitus.

Blood Glucose↗

Insulin and forearm vasodilation in hypertension-prone men.

Insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose uptake and insulin-mediated forearm vasodilation were investigated in 38 normotensive men with a family history of hypertension (relatives) compared with 27 age- and body mass index-matched normotensive men with no family history of hypertension (control subjects). The euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique was used to measure peripheral glucose uptake (insulin sensitivity index) and the metabolic clearance rate of insulin. Intra-arterial blood pressure and forearm blood flow were determined simultaneously, and forearm vascular resistance was calculated. The insulin sensitivity index was lower in relatives than in control subjects. The metabolic clearance rate of insulin was reduced and did not correlate to glucose disposal in the relatives as opposed to the control subjects. Forearm blood flow increased and forearm vascular resistance decreased to a similar extent in the two groups during the clamp. The vasodilator response was positively correlated to glucose disposal only in the relatives. In conclusion, impaired insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose uptake in normotensive sons from hypertensive families was accompanied by retained insulin-mediated forearm vasodilation. Thus, skeletal muscle blood flow supply does not seem to be the major determinant for glucose disposal. On the other hand, the positive correlation between glucose disposal and decrease in forearm vascular resistance in the relatives suggests that insulin-mediated vasodilation may be a limiting factor for peripheral glucose uptake in insulin-resistant individuals.

Disease Susceptibility↗

Glucose modulation of insulin and glucagon secretion is altered in impaired glucose tolerance.

Insulin and glucagon secretion was compared in women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 19, age 58.4 +/- 0.3 yr; mean +/- SD) and women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 40, age 58.4 +/- 0.3 yr). Fasting plasma insulin levels were higher in IGT than in NGT (P = 0.026), whereas fasting glucose and glucagon levels were not different. Arginine was injected intravenously (5 g), which rapidly stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion in all subjects. Raising the blood glucose (BG) to 14 and 28 mmol/L potentiated insulin secretion and inhibited glucagon secretion. The acute insulin response to arginine (AIR = 2-5 min postload increase) at BG 14 mmol/L, but not at fasting BG or BG 28 mmol/L, was lower in IGT than in NGT (P = 0.033), as was the glucose potentiation of AIR (slopeAIR) (P = 0.020). The acute glucagon response (AGR) was higher in IGT than in NGT at BG 14 mmol/L (P = 0.016). SlopeAGR (glucose inhibition of AGR) was reduced in IGT (P = 0.001). In NGT, there was a significant inverse correlation between slopeAIR and slopeAGR (P = 0.002) not seen in IGT. We conclude that in IGT with normal fasting BG, the glucose modulation of islet function is impaired, indicating that islet dysfunction is an early lesion during the development of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Arginine↗

Blood pressure and myocardial perfusion in hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy.

To evaluate the effect of acute blood pressure (BP) changes on the myocardial perfusion in hypertensives, 10 patients with and 10 patients without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were examined with 99TCm-Sestamibi scintigraphy at rest and after acute pharmacological BP reduction using nifedipine and captopril. Signs of LV ischaemia was quantified as the size of the hypoperfused area defined as isotope uptake below 70% of maximum LV uptake, and LVH was defined as ventricular mass (LVM) > 125 g/m2 BSA by use of echocardiography. Not significant relations between BP and size of the hypoperfused area was found at rest. During BP reduction patients with LVH had negative correlations (r = -0.58) between the size of the hypoperfused area and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = -0.49) while patients without LVH showed positive correlations (SBP r = 0.60, DBP r = 0.48). The differences in correlation coefficients were significant (P < 0.01) for both. Thus, in hypertensives with LVH, ischaemia may develop at low BP providing a possible mechanism for the observed increased risk of cardiovascular events in some hypertensive patients with low achieved BP during follow-up. Until treatment goals are defined on scientific grounds, BP should not be decreased below 90 mm Hg in subjects with LVH.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Control of blood pressure and risk of first acute myocardial infarction: Skaraborg hypertension project.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relation between treated blood pressure and concomitant risk factor and morbidity from acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. Treated blood pressures and other variables were used to predict acute myocardial infarction. SETTING: Primary health care in Skaraborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 1121 men and 1453 women aged 40-69 years at registration at outpatient clinics, 1977-81, with no evidence of previous myocardial infarction were followed up for an average of 7.4 years. Subjects were undergoing treatment with drugs to lower blood pressure or had blood pressure that exceeded the systolic or diastolic limits, or both, for diagnosis (> 170/> 105 mm Hg (patients aged 40-60 years) and > 180/> 110 mm Hg (older than 60 years)) on three different occasions, or both. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: First validated event of fatal or non-fatal acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: In men but not in women there was a negative relation between treated diastolic blood pressure and risk of acute myocardial infarction. Left ventricular hypertrophy and smoking were contributory risk factors in both sexes, as was serum cholesterol concentration in men. In men with normal electrocardiograms (n = 345) risk increased with increasing diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.047), whereas the opposite was found in men with electrocardiograms suggesting ischaemia or hypertrophy, or both (n = 499, P = 0.009). In those with a reading of 95-99 mm Hg the relative risk was 0.30 (P = 0.034); at > or = 100 mm Hg it was 0.37 (P = 0.027). No similar relations were seen in women or for systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: It may be hazardous to lower diastolic blood pressure below 95 mm Hg in hypertensive men with possible ischaemia or hypertrophy, or both. Electrocardiographic findings should be considered when treatment goals are decided for men with hypertension.

Adult↗

One-year follow-up of the 'Starting Again' group rehabilitation programme for cancer patients.

In a randomised prospective study, a brief structured rehabilitation programme, 'Starting Again', was evaluated over a follow-up year. 98 patients were assigned to the programme, and 101 to the control condition. The 11, 2-h sessions emphasised physical training, information and coping skills. Patients in the programme improved significantly more than the controls with respect to appraisal of having received sufficient information, physical training, physical strength and fighting spirit. Results indicate improvement with respect to the three areas focused on in the 'Starting Again' programme: physical training, information and coping skills training.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

The role of diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridaemia as coronary risk factors in treated hypertension: 15 years of follow-up of antihypertensive treatment in middle-aged men in the Primary Prevention Trial in Göteborg, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the importance of diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridaemia as potential risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in middle-aged, treated hypertensive men. DESIGN: A prospective, long-term observational study. SUBJECTS: Derived from a random population sample--686 hypertensive men aged 47-54 years at entry--followed for 15 years at a special out-patient hypertension clinic. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were mainly treated with beta-adrenoceptor blockers and/or thiazide diuretics. Cardiovascular morbidity was closely monitored during follow-up. RESULTS: In all, 133 subjects suffered a CHD event during follow-up. The presence of diabetes mellitus at entry more than doubled the CHD risk and a 1 mmol l-1 increment of the serum triglyceride level at entry increased the CHD risk by 21%. In multivariate analyses, smoking, the presence of diabetes mellitus at entry, serum cholesterol and signs or symptoms of hypertensive end organ damage were found to be independent risk factors for CHD. In absolute terms the existence of cardiovascular damage was of much greater prognostic importance than were the presence of various metabolic abnormalities. Of the mean in-study variables, both the average serum cholesterol level and the achieved diastolic blood pressure were significantly associated with CHD. However, new diabetes mellitus which developed during follow-up as well as mean serum triglyceride levels were not associated with CHD. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridaemia present at the start of treatment have a prognostic impact in treated hypertensive men, whereas when such metabolic disorders develop during drug treatment they seem to be of much less importance. Smoking and already existing evidence of hypertensive end organ damage are of utmost importance for the prognosis in this type of patient.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Overtreatment and undertreatment of hypertension.

Results from a large number of randomized clinical trials document conclusively that treatment of elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure markedly reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke and acute myocardial infarction. Detection, treatment and control of hypertension have major public health implications. A review of the literature suggests the existence of both overtreatment (defined as improper or incorrect diagnosis of hypertension, overaggressive and potentially dangerous blood pressure lowering and the use of expensive antihypertensive drugs with unproven mortality/morbidity benefits) and undertreatment (defined as unrecognized, untreated and poorly controlled hypertension). These current major issues in medicine are discussed.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Ultrasound-determined intima-media thickness and atherosclerosis. Direct and indirect validation.

To evaluate ultrasonographically determined intima-media thickness as a measure of early atherosclerosis, three studies were performed. Ultrasound measurements of intima-media thickness in the carotid artery were directly validated by comparing the same thickness measured by light microscopy. The values were closely correlated (r = .82, P < .001). Intima-media thickness determined by light microscopy was consistently smaller than that determined by ultrasound, probably due to shrinkage during histological preparation. As an indirect validation, mean intima-media thickness was calculated in three large groups of patients with no plaque (n = 224), one plaque (n = 105), and one circumferential or two or more plaques (n = 54) in the carotid bifurcation. Intima-media thickness increased significantly with increasing plaque score, indicating that diffuse intima-media thickening is more pronounced with more severe atherosclerosis. The intima-media thickness also increased with increasing multifactorial cardiovascular risk, reflecting a positive relation between signs of early atherosclerosis and the burden of known risk factors for the disease. Our studies support earlier findings that have found that ultrasonographically determined intima-media thickness is a valid way to study early atherosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Insulin and renal sodium retention in hypertension-prone men.

Insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose uptake and insulin-induced renal tubular sodium reabsorption were investigated in normotensive men with a family history of hypertension (relatives, n = 35) compared with age- and body mass index-matched normotensive men with no family history of hypertension (controls, n = 23). The effect of insulin on the renin-aldosterone system was also studied. The euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique was used to measure peripheral glucose uptake (insulin sensitivity index). Renal clearance of 51Cr-labeled EDTA, sodium, and lithium was used to calculate fractional excretion of sodium and fractional proximal and distal tubular reabsorption of sodium before and during insulin infusion. The insulin sensitivity index was lower in relatives than in controls. Fractional excretion of sodium was reduced, and fractional proximal and distal tubular reabsorption of sodium were increased to the same extent in both groups during insulin infusion. Fractional distal tubular reabsorption of sodium was positively correlated to the reduction of serum potassium in all individuals. Plasma renin activity increased to the same extent in both groups, whereas plasma aldosterone was reduced only in controls. In conclusion, the impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in peripheral tissues in normotensive sons of hypertensive families was accompanied by retained insulin-induced tubular sodium reabsorption. The lack of suppression of aldosterone secretion in these individuals may enhance sodium retention.

Absorption↗

Diabetes mellitus in treated hypertension: incidence, predictive factors and the impact of non-selective beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics during 15 years treatment of middle-aged hypertensive men in the Primary Prevention Trial Göteborg, Sweden.

The objective of this study was to analyse predictive factors for the development of diabetes mellitus during long-term treatment of hypertension and to compare the diabetogenic potential of thiazide diuretics and non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blockers. The study population comprised 686 hypertensive men, aged 47-54 years, who were followed for 15 years. Patients were treated with either thiazide diuretics or beta-adrenoceptor blockers as monotherapy or in combination with one another or alternative other antihypertensive drugs. During the first part of the study, i.e. during the 1970s, only non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blockers were used. The average yearly incidence of the development of diabetes mellitus during follow-up was 1.3%. In univariate analysis body mass index, serum triglyceride level, radiographic heart enlargement and beta-blocker therapy were significantly associated with the development of diabetes mellitus. Predictors selected by stepwise Cox regression were body mass index, radiological heart enlargement and beta-blocker therapy. Two subgroups with patients treated with nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockers but not with thiazide diuretics during the first five years of follow-up (the beta-blocker group; n = 93) or with thiazide diuretics but not with nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockers during the first five years of follow-up (the thiazide-group; n = 96) were identified. The relative risk for developing diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in the beta-blocker group being 6.1 after 10 years and 3.5 after 15 years treatment in comparison with the thiazide group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Insulin resistance is coupled to low physical fitness in normotensive men with a family history of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate insulin sensitivity and the influence of level of physical fitness in men with a family history of hypertension and in control subjects. DESIGN: Insulin sensitivity was determined and physical fitness estimated in 39 normotensive, glucose-tolerant men with a family history of hypertension (Relatives group) and in 29 age- and body mass index-matched normotensive men with no such family history (Controls group). METHODS: The euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique (steady-state insulin concentration approximately 100 mU/l) was used to determine insulin sensitivity. Physical fitness, measured as maximal oxygen uptake, was estimated from the heart rate response to a submaximal exercise test. RESULTS: Insulin sensitivity index and estimated maximal oxygen uptake were lower in the Relatives than in the Controls. There was a positive correlation between insulin sensitivity and maximal oxygen uptake in both groups. In the Controls there was a negative correlation between insulin sensitivity and waist:hip ratio, but this relationship was not found in the Relatives. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that reduction of insulin sensitivity precedes the development of high blood pressure and may be coupled to low physical fitness. As abdominal fat distribution seems not to be related to insulin sensitivity in subjects with a family history of hypertension, changes in muscle fibre composition or muscle glucose metabolism, or both, might explain the lower insulin sensitivity and physical fitness in the Relatives.

Adult↗

Lack of correlation between anxiety parameters and oestrogen receptor status in early breast cancer.

Correlation between anxiety parameters and oestrogen receptor levels (ER) were investigated in 89 patients with primary breast cancer. Patients were divided into two groups, ER poor (< 0.05 fmol/microgram DNA) and ER rich (> 0.05 fmol/microgram DNA). No differences were found between anxiety levels, determined by a modified Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, in the two groups. This report does not support the findings from other studies, claiming an association between psychological parameters and oestrogen receptor status, which is believed to be a prognostic predictor.

Adult↗

Effects of long-term antihypertensive treatment and aging on renal function and albumin excretion in primary hypertension.

The effects on renal function and urinary albumin excretion of 7 years of antihypertensive treatment compared to the effects of normal aging were studied in a random sample of 40 men with newly diagnosed primary hypertension and in 17 normotensive men of the same age, respectively. The hypertensives were treated with metoprolol either as monotherapy (n = 21) or combined with hydrochlorothiazide or hydralazine. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin clearance), renal blood flow (RBF; para-aminohippurate clearance), renal vascular resistance (RVR), and the 24 h urinary albumin excretion were determined. GFR was significantly reduced from 104 +/- 15 mL/min (mean +/- SD) to 86 +/- 20 mL/min (P < .001) in the hypertensive group, but the reduction was not significantly greater than in the normotensive group. As judged from the study of a subgroup of the hypertensives, most of the decrease in GFR occurred early as an immediate drug-induced, functionally explained decrease. The changes in RBF and RVR after 7 years of treatment did not differ significantly from those due to normal aging. RVR remained higher and RBF remained lower in the hypertensives than in the normotensives. The urinary albumin excretion in the hypertensives was significantly reduced after 7 years but remained higher than in the normotensives. In conclusion, the changes in renal function and hemodynamics seen after long-term treatment with metoprolol in primary hypertension were not significantly different from the changes caused by normal aging in normotensives.

Aging↗

The Malmo Diet and Cancer Study. Design and feasibility.

The Malmö Diet and Cancer study is a 10-year prospective case-control study in 45-64-year-old men and women (n = 53,000) living in a city with 230,000 inhabitants. One objective is to clarify whether a western diet is associated with certain forms of cancer whilst taking other life-style factors into account. Another broad question is whether oxidative stress and the activity in DNA-repairing systems influence the impact of diet on the development of all or certain forms of cancer. The study is also to act as a resource available for testing new hypotheses emanating from other studies. Initially food intake, heredity, socio-economic factors, life-style pattern, occupational situation, previous and current diseases, symptoms and medications, will be determined. Viable lymphocytes, granulocytes, erythrocytes, and plasma/serum will be stored in a biological bank together with tumour specimens gathered from cases. The incidence and mortality of all cancer forms will then be followed for 10 years by existing registries. Data from the initial examination in these cases will then be compared with those of control subjects not having developed any form of cancer. A biomarker programme, utilizing the biological bank, has been developed and is aimed at finding predictors and/or precursors of cancer. A high participation rate (> 70%) and a high quality biological bank are prerequisites for a successful project. The experience gathered so far indicates that these goals are feasible.

Adult↗

The Malmö biological bank.

Currently there are no available biological markers that have been satisfactorily validated clinically as 'intermediate end-points' for evaluation of the impact of diet on cancer. Therefore, there is high scientific value in banking biological specimens for future use in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study. The banking procedures we have developed are adequate for assessing factors that estimate dietary intake (e.g. vitamins, lipids or micronutrients) as well as non-dietary variables (e.g. immunologic and ecogenetic factors of biologically effective doses of xenobiotic exposures) that may regulate the biological expression of dietary variables. This approach is further justified by state-of-the-art technology that includes assessment of the concept of gene-environment interactions. Purified viable mononuclear leucocytes, granulocytes, erythrocytes, plasma and serum are being stored from each individual entering the study under the guidelines of a strict quality control programme. Storage of tumour/normal tissues from incident cancer cases are also being stored and quality controlled. It is hoped that these banking procedures will encourage a high activity in biomarker development in the future.

Algorithms↗