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Biomedical subjects

G E Fraser

Publications and source records attributed to G E Fraser.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Trends in survival after myocardial infarction in New Zealand, 1974-81.

Coronary heart disease mortality in New Zealand has declined by 20% in the 13 years since 1968. One possible explanation for this decline is lower case-fatality rates resulting from improvements in the management of myocardial infarction. This paper tests this hypothesis by examining trends in 1-year survival following a definite myocardial infarction for the population aged 35-69 in Auckland. The data were obtained from two methodologically identical population-based registers of myocardial infarction compiled in 1974 and 1981 in Auckland. In both periods the 1-year crude case-fatality rate was 30% and the pattern of survival over 1 year was similar. These data suggest that factors other than the improved care of myocardial infarction patients are responsible for the decline in coronary heart disease mortality rates in New Zealand.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

Comparisons between different syndromes of heart attack--a multivariate analysis.

A register of acute coronary events in Auckland, New Zealand enabled characterization of cases of the following different coronary syndromes: definite myocardial infarction (MI) (divided to Type I with typical ECG findings and Type II with new symmetrical T wave inversion only), nonhypotensive definite infarction with and without ventricular fibrillation, possible myocardial infarction and sudden death. Comparisons between these syndromes were analyzed. ECG type II (as compared to ECG type I) definite infarction was a more chronic, repeated syndrome, with more myocardial fibrosis in fatal cases, and more previous prolonged anginal pain without documented infarction. Cases of possible (as compared to definite) myocardial infarction were also more likely to report previous prolonged aningal pain, to use beta blockers, furosemide and less likely to die within 30 days. They consumed significantly more alcohol and were more likely to be female, than cases of definite infarction. Patients with nonhypotensive definite infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation had higher acute phase pulse rates and more pallor and sweating than similar patients not experiencing ventricular fibrillation. Some possible explanations for the above findings were discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1984

Meat consumption and fatal ischemic heart disease.

In 1960 the meat-consumption habits of 25,153 California Seventh-Day Adventists were assessed by questionnaire. Between 1960 and 1980 ischemic heart disease deaths were identified. Meat consumption was positively associated with fatal ischemic heart disease in both men and women. This association was apparently not due to confounding by eggs, dairy products, obesity, marital status, or cigarette smoking. The positive association between meat consumption and fatal ischemic heart disease was stronger in men than in women and, overall, strongest in young men. For 45- to 64-year-old men, there was approximately a threefold difference in risk between men who ate meat daily and those who did not eat meat. This is the first study to clearly show a dose-response relationship between meat consumption and ischemic heart disease risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Trends in coronary heart disease event rates in New Zealand.

To examine the reasons for the recent decline in coronary heart disease death rates in New Zealand, a register of definite myocardial infarction and sudden death was established in the Auckland region (1981 population 829,464). Both routine and nonroutine case finding sources were used and event rates for the 12 months from March 1, 1981, were compared with estimates from an earlier study conducted in 1974. In 1981, 1,093 myocardial infarction and/or sudden death events in people 25-69 years of age were registered. The age standardized event rates for the total of myocardial infarction and sudden death were 506/100,000 and 139/100,000 for men and women, respectively. Over the seven-year period from 1974 there was no change in the event rate or 28-day case fatality of definite myocardial infarction, but a significant decline in the rate of sudden death occurred from 139/100,000 to 117/100,000. The decline in the sudden death rate was particularly marked in people under the age of 50 years and in subjects with a prior history of myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The effect of alcohol on serum high density lipoprotein (HDL). A controlled experiment.

A cross-over study using 11 male subjects and a closely controlled diet, investigated the effect of alcohol on serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) components. Smoking status and body weight remained essentially constant and exercise changes were adjusted for in the analysis. As compared to sucrose, alcohol consumption was associated with a significant elevation in serum apolipoprotein A-I (0.37 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol) with similar effects for serum HDL cholesterol (0.14 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol) and serum apolipoprotein A-II (0.11 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol) achieving borderline levels of statistical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Physical fitness and blood pressure in school children.

We studied the relationship between physical fitness and blood pressure in 228 school children. The data were collected as part of the Loma Linda Child-Adolescent Blood Pressure Study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in children above average fitness than in children below average fitness among preadolescent and adolescent boys and girls. On multivariate analysis, adjusting for skinfold thickness, an index of lean arm mass, height and age, the relationship between fitness and systolic blood pressure was statistically significant for preadolescent boys and for adolescents of both sexes. The multivariate relationship was not clearly seen for diastolic blood pressure. Multivariate techniques showed that significant correlates of fitness were obesity in preadolescents, age in adolescent boys and height in adolescent girls. Predicted pulse rates for stages 6-10 of a modified Balke treadmill protocol are given in appendix 1 for preadolescent and adolescent boys and girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

The effect of various vegetable supplements on serum cholesterol.

Several previous studies have indicated that vegetables may lower serum total cholesterol. This study, using a Latin square experimental design, investigates the effect of three vegetable supplements (vegetable roots, vegetable leaves and stalks, whole grains) on serum lipoprotein cholesterol. The results from each vegetable supplement are compared to the results from a sucrose supplement of equal caloric content. Dietary fat, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, body weight, and physical activity are all controlled in the experimental design or the analysis. The results show that the effect of vegetables on serum cholesterol is not confined to one vegetable grouping or one type of lipoprotein cholesterol. Vegetable leaves and stalks are associated with lower values of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (and possibly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and total cholesterol. Whole grains are associated with lower values of low density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol. In addition to the actual cholesterol lowering effect compared to sucrose, the lack of an increase, suggests some advantage in the use of these vegetable groupings (even roots) as a replacement for fat in the diet, and vegetable leaves and whole grains as a replacement for sucrose.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Alcohol and other discriminants between cases of sudden death and myocardial infarction.

A register of acute coronary events in Auckland, New Zealand collected data on both cases of definite myocardial infarction not dying suddenly, and cases of sudden cardiac death. This paper compares these two syndromes with respect to several clinical and pathologic variables. The following variables discriminated between these two syndromes significantly: season of the year, painful prodromal symptoms, use of digoxin and/or furosemide, age, race, alcohol consumption over the previous one year. Possible biases and sources of confounding are discussed. Heavy alcohol consumers have a higher proportion of coronary events as sudden deaths. This proportionate increase is probably due, in part at least, to an absolute increase in the frequency of sudden death. The data are supportive of the idea that persons with a high alcohol consumption who also suffer myocardial infarction are more likely to die suddenly with the infarction. The rather conflicting data from many other studies are discussed. A model is proposed, based on reported data that could explain the present findings and those previously reported by others.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1981

The child-adolescent blood pressure study: I. Distribution of blood pressure levels in Seventh-Day-Adventist (SDA) and non-SDA children.

Distribution of systolic and diastolic blood pressures (measured with an automated blood pressure recorder) of two large groups of children-3,159 from Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) schools and 4,681 from non-SDA schools-are reported. They boys and girls were from four different ethnic groups and attended grades one through 10 in 29 Southern California schools. The analysis of the data failed to show significant differences in mean blood pressure levels between the two groups of children at all ages, despite marked differences in life-style between the two groups, and despite the fact that adults from the two population groups have marked differences in mortality from diseases associated with elevated blood pressure. A comparison between boys and girls showed significantly higher trends in mean systolic blood pressure for boys after age 12. Inter-ethnic comparisons of blood pressure revealed that Black children of both sexes had slightly higher mean blood pressure levels at all ages.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Possible myocardial infarction in Auckland.

Possible myocardial infarction defines a group of cases who describe severe ischaemic-type chest pain, who survive at least 24 hours, but have no clear electrocardiographic or enzymatic evidence of acute myocardial infarction. The descriptive epidemiology of this condition is described for a group of such cases in Auckland, New Zealand. The sex ratio is 1.75 and the crude incidence about 0.0012 per year. There was evidence that Polynesian females are particularly prone to this condition compared to Polynesian males. Alcohol consumption was relatively high as was the frequency of cigarette smoking. Fifty-two percent had a history of hypertension. Twenty-four percent had a normal electrocardiography. Death during the first 30 days was uncommon.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

The estimation of disease frequency using a population sample.

The estimation of disease frequency using a population sample. International Journal of Epidemiology, 1978, 7: 277--284. A method of determining disease frequency is developed. The statistical theory allows the estimation of incidence or prevalence credibility intervals both for the collection of all cases and where resources are such that only a representative sample of all cases is used. The sampling technique may be of value in areas where financial and manpower resources are limited. In most situations a single, professional investigator could produce satisfactory results.

Humans↗
PubMed1978

Definite myocardial infarction in Auckland.

A 40% representative sample of definite myocardial infarctions in Auckland was studied to give incidence figures and data relating to demographic variables, personal characteristics and habits, cardiovascular history, the acute phase and events over the subsequent 28 days. The incidence results showed figures comparable with other centres in Europe and the USA, as expected from New Zealanders' high consumption of dietary saturated fats and westernized life style.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Sudden death in Auckland.

A representative sample of all sudden cardiac deaths occurring in Auckland in one year is reported. Data describing demographic variables, personal characteristics and habits, previous symptoms, prodromal symptoms, the acute phase and post mortem results, is presented. Incidence values are very close to those of other similar communities. The syndrome of "sudden death" probably defines a heterogenous group of cases. Deaths were significantly more common in the cooler months, and in the lowest social class. Some evidence is presented consistent with the hypothesis that a high alcohol intake is associated with sudden death. No differences were found between cases dying within five minutes and those dying later but within 24 hours, considering several variables. Myocardial fibrosis at post mortem was a common finding. The role of the coronary ambulance is briefly discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of menopause on the relation between weight gain and mortality among women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of menopause on the relation between weight gain and all-cause mortality. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 6,030 adults (ages 25-82 years) who never smoked cigarettes, had no history of coronary heart disease, cancer, or stroke, and were enrolled in a 29-year follow-up in which anthropometric data were given at baseline and at 17 years after baseline. RESULTS: Weight gain that occurred over a 17-year interval (baseline to 17 years after baseline) increased the mortality risk of men and middle-aged women, but decreased the mortality risk of older women. Further study of the women revealed that a strong protective effect of weight gains was only evident among the leanest ( 25 kg/m2) postmenopausal women [HR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.41, 1.58)] or for premenopausal women [HR (95% CI) = 1.05 (0.49, 2.25) for 25 kg/m2]. We found that the protective effect of weight gain among the leanest postmenopausal women was primarily due to a more than threefold decrease in cardiovascular disease mortality risk. One possible explanation for these findings is that weight gain increases the level of adipose-tissue-derived estrogen among lean postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: Moderate menopausal weight gain may be well tolerated in lean women.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Associations between meat consumption and the prevalence of degenerative arthritis and soft tissue disorders in the adventist health study, California U.S.A.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between the prevalence of degenerative arthritis and soft tissue disorders and consumption of meat and other foods among participants in the Adventist Health Study. METHODS: Unconditional logistic regression analysis is used to examine cross-sectional associations, adjusting for the effects of age, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, use of sex hormones and parity. RESULTS: The prevalence of degenerative arthritis and soft tissue disorders was 22.60 percent. Women had a higher prevalence than men and prevalence increased greatly with age. Smoking, higher body mass index, never use of contraceptive pills, and current hormone replacement therapy are associated with a higher prevalence of these disorders on multivariate analysis. Multivariate OR's comparing consumption of meat < 1/week; >or= 1/week; with the reference being no meat, were 1.31(95% CI: 1.21,1.43) and 1.49(1.31, 1.70) in women; and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05,1.34) and 1.43(1.20, 1.70) in men. Dairy fat and fruit consumption were weakly associated with increased risk. There were protective associations with nut and salad consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Greater meat consumption is associated with a higher prevalence of degenerative arthritis and soft tissue disorders in both male and female subjects of this population, as is hormone replacement therapy in women.

Adult↗