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J Ferrières

Publications and source records attributed to J Ferrières.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Relation between body mass index and cognitive function in healthy middle-aged men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with cognitive function and cognitive decline in healthy men and women. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed data from 2,223 healthy workers aged 32 to 62 years at baseline. Medical, psychosocial, and environmental data were collected in 1996 and in 2001. We tested cognitive functions at baseline and at follow-up with word-list learning (four recalls), a Digit-Symbol Substitution Test, and a selective attention test. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, a higher BMI was associated with lower cognitive scores after adjustment for age, sex, educational level, blood pressure, diabetes, and other psychosocial covariables. A higher BMI at baseline was also associated with a higher cognitive decline at follow-up, after adjustment for the above-cited confounding factors. This association was significant for word-list learning. For the changes in scores at word-list learning (delayed recall), regression coefficients were -0.008 +/- 0.13, -0.09 +/- 0.13, -0.17 +/- 0.14, and -0.35 +/- 0.14 (p for trend < 0.001) for the second, third, fourth, and fifth quintiles of BMI at baseline when compared with the first quintile. No significant association was found between changes in BMI and cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: Body mass index was independently associated both with cognitive function (word-list learning and Digit-Symbol Substitution Test) and changes in word-list learning in healthy, nondemented, middle-aged men and women.

Adult↗

Homocysteine and coronary heart disease risk in the PRIME study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite recent meta-analyses suggesting that homocysteine is an independent predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD), there is debate regarding whether elevated homocysteine may be deleterious only in the presence of other risk factors, with which it acts synergistically to exert a multiplicative effect on CHD risk, emerging only as a CHD predictor in patients with pre-existing risk factors. The Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) Study is a multicentre prospective study of 10593 men from France and Northern Ireland, investigating cardiovascular risk factors. We investigated: (1) whether higher homocysteine is associated with increased CHD risk in the PRIME case-control cohort; (2) whether homocysteine interacts synergistically with pre-existing CHD risk factors. METHODS: Homocysteine was measured in 323 participants who had developed CHD at 5-year follow-up and in 638 matched controls. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in homocysteine between cases and controls (p=0.18). Homocysteine was significantly higher in current smokers (geometric mean mumol/l (interquartile range mumol/l) 9.45 (7.43, 11.75)) compared with non-smokers (8.90 (7.32, 10.70); p=0.007). There was a significant interaction between homocysteine, smoking and CHD risk (chi2=10.29, d.f.=2, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that elevated homocysteine is significantly associated with CHD risk in current smokers.

Biomarkers↗

[Patient education and patient at risk. A new approach in cardiology].

For more than 10 years, preventive cardiology has obtained many positive results. Cardiologists can alter the prognosis of cardiovascular disease in primary and secondary prevention. In primary prevention or during the chronic phases of coronary artery disease, prevention is mainly based on drugs. However, prevention can be achieved only if patients have a good understanding of their disease, fair relationships with their physicians and a strict compliance with their treatments. Patient education is useful for the patient in order to control cardiovascular risk. In France, the PEGASE program evaluates the efficacy of an educational program in high risk patients. The final objective of this program is to spread this educational program for high risk patients to cardiologists all over the country.

Cardiovascular Agents↗

[The best of epidemiology and cardiovascular prevention in 2005].

It is difficult to summarize in a few pages the wealth of information appeared during the year 2005 in the field of epidemiology and cardiovascular prevention. The general epidemiological data on the evolutionary tendencies of coronary mortality and morbidity make it possible to underline the effectiveness of the control of the great risk factors within the framework of the primary prevention. Although lipids and diabetes have still this year held the front of the scene through many trials, this analysis is also focused on smoking, subject more and more tackled in the cardiologic journals, and to which a larger attention should be paid in our daily practice. The Paris Prospective Study I brought new data concerning the early identification of the subjects at risk of sudden death, starting from the analysis of the evolution of heart rate profile during and after exercise. Is the concept of metabolic syndrome a phenomenon of mode or does it constitute in itself an autonomous prognostic factor beyond the risk related to the plurality of the factors which define it? The cardiologist will have to be interested more and more in the living conditions of his patients and in particular with the environmental factors such as the air pollution, who seems to have a considerable impact on the incidence of the acute coronary events. Lastly, the ADMA (asymmetric dimethylarginine), seems a possible new marker of cardiovascular risk, but its real prognostic interest remains to be defined.

Arginine↗

[Exercise stress testing and primary prevention].

The detection of coronary artery disease is a major objective in public health. Over the last twenty years, much effort has been put into the development of investigations to detect coronary artery disease at an infra-clinical stage of which exercise stress testing is the most documented. However, it has never been possible to formally confirm the benefits of this test, or of any of the others, in the detection of silent coronary artery disease. The aim of this article is to summarise the current state of our scientific knowledge about the diagnostic and prognostic performances in primary prevention and to analyse how this investigation may be useful in asymptomatic patients. The authors particularly address the three following questions: 1) Does exercise stress testing improve the quality of primary prevention and the prognosis? 2) Does exercise stress testing detect a silent coronary lesion? And 3) does exercise stress testing improve risk evaluation in the asymptomatic patient?

Coronary Artery Disease↗

Detection and management of associated atherothrombotic locations in patients with a recent atherothrombotic ischemic stroke: results of the DETECT survey.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral infarction (CI), myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and aortic atheroma are the main clinical manifestations of atherothrombosis. Long-term prevention after CI of atherothrombotic origin may require preventive measures at other sites, such as specific drug therapies, surgery, or angioplasty. Therefore the detection of other locations is potentially important. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to describe the other locations of atherothrombosis in patients hospitalized for a recent cerebral infarct of atherothrombotic origin. Secondary objectives were to describe their vascular risk factor profiles, and their management before and after the cerebral event. METHOD: This prospective, observational, multicenter survey was conducted in France between September 2003 and July 2004, mainly in neurological departments and stroke units. RESULTS: 753 patients were included (74% men; mean age 69.3 years). Previous coronary events had occurred in 119 (16%). Previous stroke or transient ischemic attacks had occurred in 233 (31%). PAD was already known in 109 (15%). A search for other atherothrombotic locations was positive in 216 patients (29%). The minimum prevalence for any associated atherothrombotic location (either present before or identified during hospitalization) was 47.5% for any location, 33.7% for coronary artery disease, 16.6% for aortic atheroma, and 22.7% for PAD. CONCLUSION: Fifty percent of the patients with recent atherothrombotic CI have other locations of atherothrombosis. For this reason, a systematic search for these other locations is recommended because of the possible therapeutic consequences. However, the question of the most appropriate period for this search after the cerebral event remains unsettled.

Adult↗

Metabolic syndrome is associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in a French population-based sample.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The relation of MetS with early stages of atherosclerosis, more important from a prevention perspective, has not been evaluated extensively. We examined the association of MetS, using WHO and NCEP definitions, with number of carotid and femoral plaques; carotid intima-media thickness (IMT); pulse wave velocity (PWV) in a random population-based sample of 1153 French adults (35-65 year). Impact of inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1) on these parameters was also evaluated. Prevalence of MetS was 14.5 (CI: 12.3-16.0) and 17.5 (CI: 15.1-20.2)%, using NCEP and WHO definitions, respectively. MetS significantly predicted number of plaques, IMT, and PWV after adjustment for traditional risk factors (P<0.05). Inflammatory factors predicted peripheral plaques only. The risk of subclinical atherosclerosis was considerably increased with MetS (P<0.05); odds ratios ranged 1.80-2.15 with NCEP definition, and 1.48-1.97 with WHO definition. Individuals meeting both NCEP and WHO definitions had slightly greater risk of increased plaques, IMT, and PWV. MetS was strongly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and aortic stiffness, and can be used as a surrogate marker for high CVD risk, deserving aggressive treatment.

Adult↗

Lack of association between ADH3 polymorphism, alcohol intake, risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness.

OBJECTIVE: We assess the relationships between alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3) polymorphism, alcohol consumption and cardiovascular risk factor levels. METHODS: In a representative population sample from Southwestern France (614 men, 567 women, age 49.7+/-8.5 years), alcohol intake was assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: Alcohol consumption was significantly related with higher levels of total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I in men and with higher levels of HDL cholesterol in women. Also, an inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and intima-media thickness was found in men. Conversely, in both genders, no differences were found between ADH3 genotypes regarding all cardiovascular risk factors studied and carotid intima-media thickness. Also, in both genders, no significant ADH3xalcohol interaction was found for all variables, and further adjustment on age, body mass index, educational level, smoking status or after excluding subjects on hypolipidemic or antihypertensive drug treatment did not change the results. CONCLUSION: We found no interaction between the ADH3 polymorphism and alcohol intake on cardiovascular risk factor levels and atherosclerotic markers in Southwestern France.

Adult↗

[Clinical and therapeutic specificities of myocardial infarction in patients with peripheral arterial disease: the USIC 2000 registry].

OBJECTIVE: Several studies underlined the worse prognosis of myocardial infarction (MI) among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We sought to describe the presentation and management modalities of a cohort of PAD patients presenting an acute MI, compared to those without PAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The USIC 2000 registry, a nationwide database on all patients admitted to a CCU for an acute MI < 48 hours in France in November 2000 was used for this study. RESULTS: Among the 2311 patients included, PAD was reported in 215 subjects (9.3%). In multivariate analysis, the following factors were positively related to the presence of PAD (P < or = 0.05): age >75 y (OR = 2.3), diabetes (OR = 2.0), hypertension (OR = 1.4), active smoking (OR = 4.6), renal failure (OR =3.1), and treatments with antiplatelets (OR = 3.9), anti-vitamin K (OR = 1.9), statins (OR = 1.7) and low molecular weight heparins (OR = 6.8). By introducing the data concerning the arrival in CCUs in the model, the following factors were also significantly more frequent among PAD patients: male sex (OR = 1.6), past history of coronary artery disease (OR = 2.2), left bundle branch block (OR = 1.8) and late management >6 hours (OR = 1.4). Conversely, ST-segment elevation was less frequent (OR = 0.7). When the CCU stay data were introduced in the model, a lower rate of coronary stenting (OR = 0.7) and betablockers use within 48 hours of admission (OR = 0.6) were noted. CONCLUSION: Beyond the presence of PAD per se, several particularities do exist, especially the coexistence of a high number of pejorative factors and an under-utilization of treatments presenting prognostic benefits.

Aged↗

[Biochemical evaluation of the results of lipid regulating treatment in France].

The objective of the SPOT study (Study of Practice versus Objectives of Treatment) was the biochemical evaluation of the results of long term lipid regulating treatment in France, compared to the objectives defined by AFSSAPS (French regulatory agency for the safety of medical products) in 2000. A random sample of doctors was recruited in 21 French regions by the Regional Health Observation service. To be included in the SPOT study, the patients had to be on lipid regulating medication for at least six months and consent to biochemical evaluation following a consultation. A sample of 641 doctors examined 2,479 patients treated for 7 years on average. These middle aged patients (aged 63 +/- 11 years) were mostly taking statins (72%). They had an average total cholesterol level of 5.41 +/- 1.01 mmol/L (2.10 +/- 0.39 g/L). and LDL of 3.25 +/- 0.93 mmol/L (1.26 +/- 0.36 g/L), reflecting previous results and confirming the stability of their treatment. In primary prevention and in low risk subjects (with less than 2 associated risk factors), the AFSSAPS objectives were achieved in 95% of cases. In secondary prevention or in very high risk subjects (at least 3 associated risk factors 0), 35% of patients had LDL cholesterol greater than 3.4 mmol/L (1.30 g/L). The SPOT study, performed on subjects who had in theory been stabilised with lipid regulating medication, gave two conclusions: cardiovascular prevention with lipid regulating medication is improving in France, and the subjects at greatest risk attain the recommended objectives less often despite the expected benefit of treatment being higher.

Aged↗

[Prevalence of dyslipidaemias in a representative sample of the French population].

Prevalence of dyslipidaemias in a representative sample of the French population Hypercholesterolaemia is a major factor of risk of coronary atherosclerosis. The prevalence of other types of dyslipidaemia in the general population remains poorly defined. This study was performed to measure the prevalence of various dyslipidaemias in the French population. A representative sample of 3508 men and women between the ages of 35 and 64 years was recruited by the "Multinational MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular disease" centres of Lille, Strasbourg and Toulouse. We excluded 162 patients suffering from known cardiovascular disorders, and 409 individuals treated with lipid-lowering drugs. The prevalence of pure hypercholesterolaemia, defined as a total cholesterol concentration >6.2 mmol/l (2.4 g/l) and triglyceride concentration <2.3 mmol/l (2 g/l), was 30% (29-32%). The prevalence of HDL cholesterol concentration <1 mmol/l (0.4 g/l) in men, or <1.3 mmol/l (0.5 g/l) in women, was 12% (11-13%). The prevalence of mixed hyperlipidaemia, defined as a total cholesterol concentration >6.2 mmol/l (2.4 g/l) and triglyceride concentration >2.3 mmol/l (2 g/l) was 5% (4-6%). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia, defined as a total cholesterol concentration <6.2 mmol/l (2.4 g/l) and triglyceride concentration >2.3 mmol/l (2 g/l) was 4% (3-5%). Low HDL cholesterol concentrations were associated with smoking, obesity, and absence of either regular physical exercise or alcohol consumption. This study confirmed the high prevalence of pure hypercholesterolaemia, and revealed an important prevalence of low HDL cholesterol concentration, which represents a major cardiovascular risk factor.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the prevalence and management of normocholesterolaemic and non coronary hypertensives in France].

We performed a study amongst hypertensive patients who consulted French general practitioners in the Sentinelles network. Firstly, the significance of this population in mainland France was quantified by keeping a register of all hypertensive patients aged over 40 years seen in a general practice consultation, and secondly the distribution of risk factors and management of normocholesterolaemic (total cholesterol < or = 2.5 g/l) without lipid lowering treatment and non coronary patients was described more precisely. Analysis of the population of 7864 hypertensives from this register showed that on average one doctor saw 3 hypertensive patients a day and that about half of them (54%) were normocholesterolaemic, non coronary patients. Analysis of this sub-population of 2519 patients showed that 19.9% of them had at least 3 of the other cardiovascular risk factors described in the ASCOT study (Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial) and that 39.5% had controlled hypertension according to the New York Heart Association classification. The extrapolated number of hypertensive, non coronary patients who were normocholesterolaemic without lipid lowering treatment was estimated as 4.6 million (4.1:5.1) for the whole of France.

Aged↗

[Prescriptions following acute coronary syndrome].

Each year in France, 150,000 to 180,000 new patients are the subject of prescriptions following acute coronary syndrome with or without ST segment elevation. There are two targets of the treatment, atherosclerosis, a diffuse, evolving trouble which, in this situation, is coming out of an unstable phase, and the myocardium, which has often been revascularised and has suffered deterioration of its contractile and electrophysiological characteristics to a greater or lesser extent. Prescriptions, based on proven factors and always centred on hygiene and dietary advice and the use of a combination of statins and aspirin, are adapted to suit the atherosclerotic and myocardial risk assessed for the individual patient. The prescription starts off the secondary preventive phase. It marks the first stage of the follow up, which is inevitable though of variable duration, for a disease which may evolve. It is the first step in the accompaniment of an attentive, informed patient whose confidence has been restored and who must now avoid falling into the double trap of not taking the treatment sufficiently seriously or of obsessively over-reacting.

Angina, Unstable↗

Education, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, and risk of coronary heart disease: the PRIME Study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic differentials have been described in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) but the extent to which these differentials are explained by lifestyle factors has been examined to a lesser degree. We have examined the contribution of socio-economic factors to risk of CHD in a large cohort study in France and Northern Ireland. METHODS: In all, 10 593 men aged 50-59 years were examined between 1991 and 1994 in centres in Northern Ireland, Lille, Strasbourg, and Toulouse. Details were obtained for a number of socio-economic indicators from the men at the baseline examination. Men were also screened for evidence of CHD and followed annually by questionnaire for incident cases of coronary disease. Coronary events (coronary deaths, myocardial infarction, and angina) were documented by clinical records and were reviewed by an independent medical committee. RESULTS: In all, 842 men (8%) showed some evidence of CHD at screening examination and these men were more likely to be living in poorer material circumstances, be unemployed, or have had less full-time education than men without CHD at screening in both France and Northern Ireland. These relationships persisted following adjustment for all known risk factors for CHD. Among men who were initially free of CHD there were clear socio-economic differentials (years of full-time education, unemployment, and educational level) in the distribution of several risk factors for CHD, notably smoking habit (which differs in France and Northern Ireland), systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and fibrinogen. Total cholesterol in contrast showed no socio-economic differential whilst those with a shorter period of full-time education and the unemployed tended to be high consumers of alcohol. In this cohort of men free of CHD at baseline few socio-economic indicators showed relationships with risk of CHD by 5 years of follow-up. Only years in full education, educational level, and unemployment status when adjusted only for age and country showed significant relationships with CHD risk, but these became non-significant following adjustment for major CHD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-economic differentials in long-term risk of CHD are apparent in both cohorts of men from France and Northern Ireland, particularly in men with evidence of CHD at baseline. Among men free of CHD at baseline, although there is strong evidence of socio-economic differentials in cardiovascular risk factors these do not contribute independently to risk of CHD at 5 years of follow-up in this large cohort of men from France and Northern Ireland.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Change in cardiovascular risk factors in France, 1985-1997.

The change in the main cardiovascular risk factors in France was assessed using the MONICA population surveys conducted in the Urban Community of Lille, Bas-Rhin and Haute-Garonne. Trends in obesity, tobacco smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and self-reported diabetes were established for the first (1985-1988) and the last (1995-1997) survey. The results indicate that the prevalence of overweight and obesity remained stable in both genders; tobacco smoking decreased in men but increased in women. Prevalence of hypertension decreased, and preventive measures improved in both genders. Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia remained stable, and preventive measures improved only in men. Prevalence of self-reported diabetes increased solely in women, and preventive measures improved in both genders. However, in 1995-1997 still 40% of the treated hypertensive and 30% of the treated hypercholesterolaemic subjects were not adequately controlled. We conclude that prevalence and prevention of the main cardiovascular risk factors have evolved favourably in France, but the management of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension can still be improved.

Adult↗

Nutritional intakes of 1072 French free-living men with and without diagnosed cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the dietary intakes of free-living people with and without previously diagnosed diet-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey on cardiovascular risk factors including a three-consecutive-day food record. SETTING: Multicentre setting in Lille (northern France), Strasbourg (north-east) and Toulouse (south-west) areas. SUBJECTS: A total of 1072 middle-aged men randomly selected from the general population: group 1 (504 men without previously diagnosed diet-modifiable risk factor), group 2 (377 men with one previously diagnosed diet-modifiable risk factor) and group 3 (191 men with two or three previously diagnosed diet-modifiable risk factors). INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Total daily energy intake equalled 10731 kJ/day (standard error: 119), 9991 (138) and 9737 (166) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.0001 for ANOVA comparing the three groups), and daily energy intake without alcohol equalled 9860 (115), 9096 (132) and 8654 (159) kJ/day (P<0.0001). The proportion of calories from animal proteins (in daily energy intake without alcohol) increased from group 1 to 3 (P<0.0001), whereas the proportion from oligosaccharides decreased (P<0.0001). The proportion of calories from alcohol (in total daily energy intake) increased with the number of risk factors (P<0.0001). These results remained significant after adjustment for confounders. No significant group differences were found in the proportions of energy from polysaccharides, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with subjects without risk factor, significant quantitative and qualitative changes are observed in individuals with diagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia or diabetes. However, lower consumptions of saturated fats and alcohol are needed.

Alcohol Drinking↗