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Biomedical subjects

J G Fodor

Publications and source records attributed to J G Fodor.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

A study of the association between the prolongation of the QT interval in the resting ECG and myocardial infarction.

The relationship between the incidence of myocardial infarction in the 10 year follow-up period and the length of the QT interval and its two components (the time elapsing between the Q wave and the beginning of the T wave, and the duration of the T wave) was investigated in a study of the records of a group of men drawn from a random sample of all 55-year-old men living in Göteborg, Sweden. A significant association was found between the incidence of myocardial infarction and the first component but not with the second component or the QT interval itself. The two components were found to be independent and thus to have the potential to act as confounding factors if the QT interval is examined alone. Further, our results suggest that correcting the QT interval for heart rate needs careful reassessment.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1986

Antihypertensive agents and cardiovascular risk factors.

A number of recent studies have failed to show the expected effect that aggressive antihypertensive therapy can contribute to the primary prevention of morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease. Although antihypertensive agents effectively lower blood pressure, their ability to increase other cardiovascular risk factors may modify or even outweigh the beneficial effect gained from blood pressure control alone. In view of the vast population of patients with mild to moderate hypertension that might be treated, it is important that treatment of hypertension have as little adverse effect as possible on other risk factors. Current investigations have revealed that thiazide diuretics raise total cholesterol levels, while beta-blockers raise triglyceride and lower high-density lipoprotein levels. Thus both drugs tend to worsen the patient's serum lipid profile. Diuretics also decrease renal perfusion and increase serum glucose and uric acid concentrations. Beta-blockers have been shown to decrease exercise capacity and left ventricular performance. It is apparent, therefore, that even with a beneficial reduction of blood pressure, these drugs may have undesirable effects as well, thus tainting the expected clinical benefit. For example, data from the Framingham study indicate that a persistent increase of 10 to 20 mg/dl in total serum cholesterol largely offsets the protection from coronary heart disease afforded by a 10- to 15-mmHg reduction in blood pressure. Alpha 1-blocking agents, in contrast, appear to have desirable effects on many of the risk factors. The use of antihypertensive agents that do not adversely affect coronary heart disease risk factors, coupled with nonpharmacological measures such as diet and exercise, appears to be the best approach to therapy in hypertensive patients.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1986

Coffee consumption and fibrocystic breasts: an unlikely association.

Caffeine and other methylxanthines have recently come under scrutiny as substances that may cause breast tissue to undergo fibrocystic changes. The authors present a retrospective 5-year study of 358 women with fibrocystic breast disease and a 6-month prospective study of 72 women with this condition. Although methylxanthine consumption was constant, the clinical findings in semiannual or monthly examinations in both studies were inconsistent. On the basis of their results and a review of available studies, the authors believe there is no scientific basis for an association between the consumption of methylxanthines and the development of fibrocystic breast disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Dietary factors and the incidence of cancer of the stomach.

A case-control study of diet and stomach cancer was conducted during 1979-1982 in Toronto, Winnipeg, and St. John's Canada. Two hundred forty-six histologically verified cancer cases were individually matched by age, sex, and area of residence to 246 randomly selected population controls. Daily nutrient consumption values were calculated from quantitative diet history questionnaire data through use of the US Department of Agriculture Food Composition Data Bank, which was extended and modified for Canadian items. For the analysis, continuous conditional logistic regression methods were used. It was found that consumption of dietary fiber was associated with decreased risk of gastric cancer; the odds ratio estimate of trend was 0.40/10 g average daily intake of fiber (i.e., 0.40(1.5)/15 g, etc.) (p less than 10(-8)). Also, average daily consumption of nitrite, chocolate, and carbohydrate was associated with increasing trends in risk, with odds ratio estimates, respectively, 2.6/mg (p less than 10(-4)), 1.8/10 g (p less than 10(-4)), and 1.5/100 g (p = 0.015). While citrus fruit intake appeared to be somewhat protective (odds ratio = 0.75/100 g daily average, p = 0.0056), vitamin C intake was less so, and vitamin E not at all. Thus, a number of dietary components seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of stomach cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Untreated depression in a working population.

An attempt was made to assess the six months' prevalence rate of depression in a working population. The survey involved a total of 233 employees, in entertainment industry. Out of the total population of 233, 77 were to participate in the survey because of shift work and 18 refused. One hundred and thirty-eight probands were investigated, a compliance rate of 88.46%. Results show a very high prevalence of depressive illness in working population (9.4%); 21.7% showed "depressive symptoms only" and "terminal insomnia only". The majority of sufferers, particularly the males, remains untreated. The similarity of our findings compared to several well-controlled studies is striking, but this report can only be regarded as preliminary, and further in-depth investigations will have to be carried out.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Elevated serum uric acid. A cardiovascular risk factor?

A critical survey of the literature suggests that elevated serum uric acid is definitely associated with hypertension and may function as an independent risk factor in the development of this disease. The possible role of an elevated serum uric acid as an independent risk factor for the development of ischemic heart disease remains controversial and the association of these two factors may depend on the relationship between uric acid and hypertension. There is no evidence available to define the metabolic turnover of uric acid in hypertensives. The exact mechanisms underlying elevated serum uric acid values during diuretic treatment are unclear, but depend initially upon diuretic-induced extracellular volume depletion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1973

An epidemiologic study of hypertension in Newfoundland.

The distribution of arterial blood pressure (BP) values of 1499 adult inhabitants of four Newfoundland communities was surveyed. Mean age- and sex-adjusted BP scores were found to be higher in each of three fishing villages than in the logging and mining community, Badger, in the central part of the province. It is postulated that the observed differences may be caused by environmental factors. The prevalence of individuals with probable essential hypertension (diastolic BP > 100 mm. Hg) in individuals over 50 years of age was found to be three times higher in the island community, Fogo, than in Badger. In both communities less than one third of those with probable hypertensive disease had received treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1973

Relationship of drinking water quality (hardness-softness) to cardiovascular mortality in Newfoundland.

The profile of mortality in Newfoundland was analysed for all deaths occurring in 1969 of persons 35 to 69 years of age, of whom the total was 1036. An exceptionally high cardiovascular mortality (793 deaths/100,000) was noted for St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland, a city which has an extremely soft drinking-water supply. This high rate corresponds to that observed in the "high mortality belt" reported for the east coast of the United States, and in conjunction with data from mainland Canada, extends the belt across the entire eastern aspect of North America. The proportion of cardiovascular deaths of men occurring outside the hospital was less within hard drinking-water areas in Newfoundland than in the soft water areas of the province. Thus, the statistics reported here of cardiovascular mortality confirm evidence reported elsewhere on "macro-geographic" variations in this disease(s) as well as "micro-geographic" regional variations which may be dependent upon local environmental factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1973

An epidemiologic analysis of mortality and gastric cancer in Newfoundland.

A descriptive epidemiologic study of general mortality and of deaths attributable to gastric cancer was undertaken in Newfoundland. General mortality as well as gastric cancer mortality was highest on the east coast and lowest in the northwest region. A close correspondence between general mortality and the geomorphology of the island was observed. Marked regional variations in gastric cancer mortality were observed, with consistently higher death rates being reported for the peninsula between Conception and Trinity Bays and other eastern sectors. No regular differences between rural versus urban mortality rates were observed for gastric cancer. The death rate for males was double that for females, and a slight downward trend in gastric cancer mortality from 1930 to 1971 was observed. This study reveals that gastric cancer mortality is high, by international comparisons, in Newfoundland, but is less than in the highest risk countries (Japan, Chile, Iceland).

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fish consumption and cardiovascular mortality in Canada: an inter-regional comparison.

There is growing evidence from both experimental and epidemiologic studies to suggest that regular fish consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in humans. However, a crude analysis of Canadian descriptive data does not support this hypothesis. Age-adjusted mortality from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease is actually higher in the Atlantic Provinces than in the Prairies where fish consumption is much lower. Possible reasons for this, including the importance of the type of fish consumed, and the effects of methods of preparation are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The P-wave in the electrocardiogram of hypertensive patients before and after therapy.

P-wave areas in the electrocardiogram (ECG) of 51 patients with hypertension and of 53 normotensive controls were measured in lead V1 using a computerised planimeter. The total area (in mm2) of P-waves was significantly larger in hypertensives than in normotensives, i.e. males 0.59 vs 0.31; females 0.55 vs 0.26 (p less than .0001) respectively. With exception of one male, the P-waves in hypertensives were either negative or biphasic with terminal negativity. In part 2 of the study, P-wave areas of 84 hypertensives were measured prior to and five years after treatment. The patients had no previous antihypertensive therapy, a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 90-104 mmHg at the onset of the study, no ECG signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and DBP less than 85 mmHg at the end of the trial. After five years, the mean values of the P-wave areas (in mm2) decreased in white males from 0.67 to 0.36; in white females from 0.63 to 0.42; in black males from 0.97 to 0.56; and in black females from 0.80 to 0.46. We conclude that ECG P-wave area is significantly larger in untreated hypertensives compared with normotensives. In successfully treated hypertensives, the P-wave area returns to normal values.

Blood Pressure↗