Biomedical subjects

M Dramaix

Publications and source records attributed to M Dramaix.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

[Relation between uricemia and total, cardiovascular and coronary mortality in both genders of non-selected sample of the Belgium population].

BACKGROUND: Despite more than 40 years of research on the prognostic value of hyperuricemia in relation to all-causes cardiovascular and coronary mortality, no clear consensus appears in the medical literature. Moreover, the observed relationship between hyperuricemia and the incidence of coronary heart disease mortality is related to gender. However, prospective studies including both genders are rare. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in a random sample of 5225 males and 4476 females from the Belgian population aged 25 to 74 years at the initial survey and followed for 10 years for all-causes and specific mortality. RESULTS: The number of observed total, cardiovascular, and coronary heart disease deaths were 648 and 239, 150 and 225, and 96 and 51 in males and females respectively. At multivariate analysis, uricemia was significantly correlated with all-causes mortality in males whereas a tendency was observed in females. The same diverging association was observed for cardiovascular mortality. However, for coronary heart disease mortality, there was a very significant correlation only in females. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the observed gender-related differences in the relation of hyperuricemia with all-causes and coronary heart disease mortality. We propose possible pathogenic mechanisms concerning the relationship with coronary heart disease mortality observed only in females.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Influence of ambient temperature on sleep characteristics and autonomic nervous control in healthy infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of ambient temperature on infant's sleep and cardiorespiratory parameters during sleep. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 20 healthy infants with a median age of 11.5 weeks (range 7 to 18 weeks) were recorded polygraphically for one night. They were exposed to 3 different ambient temperatures (20 degrees C-25 degrees C-30 degrees C). Ambient and core temperatures were measured throughout the procedure. RESULTS: Influence of ambient temperature was seen in: RESPIRATORY PARAMETERS: The frequency of central apneas increased significantly with increasing temperatures in REM sleep, but not in NREM sleep. HEART RATE (HR) PARAMETERS AND HR SPECTRAL ANALYSIS: Elevation of temperature was characterized by significantly higher basal HR, shorter RR intervals, and lower parasympathetic activity in REM and NREM sleep. SATURATION IN OXYGEN: During total sleep time, rise in temperature induced a decrease in basal oxygen saturation. During REM sleep, a greater frequency of oxygen saturation drops was associated with central apneas. CORE TEMPERATURE: With increasing ambient temperature, the rise of rectal temperature was mild. Despite this lack of significant increase, similar results were found when sleep and cardiorespiratory parameters were evaluated according to rectal temperatures. CONCLUSION: Changes in ambient temperatures associated with mild increases in body temperature significantly modified cardiorespiratory parameters and autonomic controls in healthy infants. The changes associated with increases in temperature were mainly seen during REM sleep.

Apnea↗

PubMed2000

Endemic goiter with iodine sufficiency: a possible role for the consumption of pearl millet in the etiology of endemic goiter.

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies of iodine, iron, and vitamin A are the 3 most common micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries, although control programs, when properly implemented, can be effective. OBJECTIVE: We investigated these deficiencies and their possible interaction in preschool children in the southern Blue Nile area of Sudan. DESIGN: Goiter, signs of vitamin A deficiency, and biochemical markers of thyroid, vitamin A, and iron status were assessed in 984 children aged 1-6 y. RESULTS: The goiter rate was 22. 3%. The median urinary iodine concentration was 0.79 micromol/L and 19.3% of the children had a concentration >1.57 micromol/L. Although serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations were within reference ranges, the median thyrotropin concentration was 3.78 mIU/L and 44% of the children had thyrotropin concentrations above normal. The mean urinary thiocyanate concentration was high (259 +/- 121 micromol/L). The prevalences of Bitot spots and night blindness were 2.94% and 2.64%, respectively, and 32% of the subjects had serum retinol binding protein concentrations <15 mg/L. A significant positive correlation was observed between thyrotropin and retinol binding protein. Whereas 88% of the children had hemoglobin concentrations <1.86 mmol/L, only 13.5% had serum ferritin concentrations below the cutoff of 12 microg/L and 95% had serum transferrin concentrations above the cutoff of 2.50 g/L. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that goiter is endemic in this region of Sudan despite iodine sufficiency and that both anemia and vitamin A deficiency are health problems in the area. Moreover, consumption of millet, vitamin A deficiency, and protein-energy malnutrition are possible etiologic factors in this endemic area.

Child↗

PubMed2000

The unseen face of humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: was nutritional relief properly targeted?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Comparison of children's nutritional status in refugee populations with that of local host populations, one year after outbreak refugee crisis in the North Kivu region of Democratic Republic of Congo. DESIGN: Cross sectional surveys. SETTING: Temporary and other settlements, in the town of Goma and surrounding rural areas. SUBJECTS: Anthropometric indicators of nutritional status and presence or absence of oedema were measured among 5121 children aged 6 to 59 months recruited by cluster sampling with probability proportional to size, between June and August 1995. RESULTS: Children in all locations demonstrated a typical pattern of growth deficit relative to international reference. Prevalence of acute malnutrition (wt/ht < -2 Z score) was higher among children in the rural non-refugee populations (3.8 and 5.8%) than among those in the urban non-refugee populations (1.4%) or in the refugee population living in temporary settlements (1.7%). Presence of oedema was scarcely noticed in camps (0.4%) while it was a common observation at least in the most remote rural areas (10.1%). As compared with baseline data collected in 1989, there is evidence that nutritional status was worsening in rural non-refugee populations. CONCLUSIONS: Children living in the main town or in the refugee camps benefited the most from nutritional relief while those in the rural non-refugee areas were ignored. This is a worrying case of inequity in nutritional relief.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Influence of maternal smoking on autonomic nervous system in healthy infants.

To determine the influence of maternal smoking on autonomic nervous system in healthy infants, 36 infants were recorded polygraphically for one night. Their mothers were defined, according to their smoking frequency during pregnancy, as "nonsmokers" (no cigarettes smoked during pregnancy) or "smokers" (10 or more cigarettes per day). The infants had a median postnatal age of 10.5 wk (range 6 to 16 wk); 18 were born to nonsmokers, and 18 to smokers. During the whole night, spectral analyses of heart rate (HR) were evaluated as a function of sleep stages. Two major peaks were recognizable: a low-frequency component (LF) related to sympathetic and parasympathetic activities and a high-frequency component (HF) reflecting parasympathetic tonus. The ratio of LF/HF powers was calculated as an index of sympathovagal interaction. In REM sleep, "smokers" infants were characterized by significantly lower HF powers and normalized HF powers, and higher LF/HF ratios than "nonsmokers." The finding did not reach statistical significance in NREM sleep. In conclusion, maternal smoking induced changes in autonomic control and maturation in infants. These effects of cigarette smoke exposure can be added to those already reported and offer additional evidence for counseling mothers to stop smoking.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Silent iodine prophylaxis in Western Europe only partly corrects iodine deficiency; the case of Belgium.

OBJECTIVE: Belgium is one of the Western European countries in which no program of iodine-deficiency correction using iodized salt has been implemented, in spite of well-documented mild iodine deficiency. In 1995, the median urinary iodine concentration was 55 microg/l (normal: 100-200) and the prevalence of goiter was 11% (normal: below 5%) in representative samples of schoolchildren aged 6-12 years. Based on these results, the authors of the present study and others had emphasized to health professionals and to the public the necessity for iodine supplementation. The objective of this study was to evaluate as to whether these efforts had resulted in an improvement in the status of iodine nutrition. DESIGN: We performed a national survey of the status of iodine nutrition in Belgium based on the determination of thyroid volume, obtained by ultrasonography, and urinary iodine concentrations in schoolchildren. METHODS: A mobile van equipped with an ultrasound instrument, a computer and a deep-freeze visited 23 schools selected from across the country. The sample included 2855 schoolchildren (1365 boys and 1490 girls) aged 6-12 years. RESULTS: The results show a homogeneous situation in the whole country, with a median urinary iodine concentration of 80 microg/l and a goiter prevalence of 5.7%. Urinary iodine slightly decreases with age in girls and reaches a critical value of 59 microg/l at the age of 12 years, together with a goiter prevalence of 18.4%. CONCLUSION: Iodine nutrition has improved slightly in Belgium but mild iodine deficiency continues, with public-health consequences. The improvement indicates silent iodine prophylaxis, as no official salt-iodization measures have been taken. Silent iodine prophylaxis only partly corrects iodine deficiency in Western Europe. Active measures, including the implementation of a program of salt iodization, are urgently required.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

Sociodemographic and nutritional determinants of obesity in Belgium.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between sociodemographic, dietary factors and physical activity and the prevalence of obesity in the Belgian general population. DESIGN: Base-line data from the Belgian Interuniversity Research on Nutrition and Health (BIRNH) study (1979-1984). SUBJECTS: A total of 5837 men and 5243 women aged 25-74y were included in the analysis. The sample was considered representative of the Belgian population. MEASUREMENTS: Using the body mass index (BMI) as the criterion, obesity was defined as a BMI> or =30 kg/m2. Nutritional data were assessed by a 24 h food record. Physical activity level (PAL) was calculated by dividing total caloric intake by an estimation of basal metabolic rate (BMR, predicted from gender, weight and age). Age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of the prevalence of obesity were estimated by multilogistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity was 12.1% in men and 18.4% in women. In both sexes, prevalence of obesity increased gradually in each 10-year age category (P<0.0001) and steeply decreased with level of education. Comparing lowest (Q1) to highest quartile (Q4), after adjustment for age, prevalence of obesity decreased with total carbohydrate intake, as well as total sugar intake in both sexes, and increased with total fat intake only in men. Obesity increased with a high fat to sugar ratio (men: OR(Q4/Q1) = 1.56; confidence interval (CI): 1.25-1.93; women: OR(Q4/Q1) = 1.45; CI: 1.17-1.80). PAL was inversely and very strongly associated with obesity (men: OR(Q4/Q1) = 0.20; CI: 0.15-0.26; women: OR(Q4/Q1) = 0.18; CI: 0.14-0.23). The same associations were observed with the mean BMI. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that prevalence of obesity is particularly high in Belgium. Low level of education and reduced physical activity, increased fat intake and especially elevated fat to sugar ratio appear to be powerful determinants of obesity in this Belgian population.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

How useful are anthropometric, clinical and dietary measurements of nutritional status as predictors of morbidity of young children in central Africa?

OBJECTIVE: To identify useful predictors of morbidity of young children in central Africa. METHOD: Population-based follow-up study in Northern Kivu, Congo, of 842 children under two years of age who completed weekly follow-up interviews and health examinations during three months. Main outcome measures were crude and adjusted effects of summary measures of nutritional status on one-month cumulative incidence of malaria, respiratory illness, and diarrhoea. RESULTS: Anthropometric indicators appeared to perform badly in predicting morbidity. In contrast, non-anthropometric variables such as growth as judged by the caretaker, child's diet at the time of examination, and occurrence of disease in the month preceding the interval of observation were useful. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the 'Sick Child Initiative', simple tests and diagnostic tools to improve quality of both prevention and cure in first-level facilities need to be identified. Focusing on non-anthropometric indicators should be encouraged to offer a comprehensive appraisal of health status to all children.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed1999

Plasma homocysteine concentration in a Belgian school-age population.

BACKGROUND: Total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults. Data for children and adolescents are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a reference range for tHcy and to explore the relation between tHcy and nutritional indexes in a Belgian pediatric population. DESIGN: tHcy, folate, and vitamin B-12 were measured in 647 healthy children (353 girls and 294 boys) aged 5-19 y. RESULTS: The tHcy distribution was, as in adults, skewed to the right [geometric mean (-1 SD, +1 SD): 7.41 micromol/L (5.51, 9.96)]. Concentrations were lowest in younger children and increased with age. After the tHcy distribution was examined according to age, 3 age ranges were distinguished: 5-9 y [6.21 micromol/L (5.14, 7.50)], 10-14 y [7.09 micromol/L (5.69, 8.84)], and 15-19 y [8.84 micromol/L (6.36, 12.29)]. We observed no significant differences in tHcy values between girls and boys in children aged < 15 y; in postpubertal children, however, concentrations were higher in boys than in girls. In the 3 age groups, folate was inversely correlated with tHcy; the negative relation between tHcy and vitamin B-12 was less strong. Familial cardiovascular disease was more frequent in children who had hyperhomocysteinemia. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that in children, as in adults, genetic, nutritional, and endocrine factors are determinants of the metabolism of homocysteine. The significance of tHcy values in childhood and young adulthood in terms of predicting cardiovascular risk in adulthood should be investigated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Screening for refractive errors in children: accuracy of the hand held refractor Retinomax to screen for astigmatism.

AIMS: To assess the reliability of the hand held automated refractor Retinomax in measuring astigmatism in non-cycloplegic conditions. To assess the accuracy of Retinomax in diagnosing abnormal astigmatism in non-cycloplegic refractive screening of children between 9 and 36 months. METHODS: Among 1205 children undergoing a non-cycloplegic refractive screening with Retinomax, 299 (25%) had repeated non-cycloplegic measurements, 302 (25%) were refracted under cycloplegia using the same refractor, and 88 (7%) using retinoscopy or an automated on table refractor. The reproducibility of non-cycloplegic cylinder measurement was assessed by comparing the cylindrical power and axis values in the 299 repeated measurements without cycloplegia. The influence of the quick mode on cylinder measurement was analysed by comparing the cylinder and axis value in 93 repeated measurements without cycloplegia where normal mode was used in one measurement and quick mode in the other. Predictive values of the refractive screening were calculated for three different thresholds of manifest astigmatism (> or = 1.5, > or = 1.75, and > or = 2 D) considering as a true positive case an astigmatism > or = 2 D under cycloplegic condition (measured by retinoscopy, on table, or hand held refractor). RESULTS: The 95% limits of agreement between two repeated manifest cylinder measurements with Retinomax attained levels slightly less than plus or minus 1 D. The 95% limits of agreement for the axis were plus or minus 46 degrees. The comparison of non-cycloplegic measurements in the quick and normal mode showed no significant difference and 95% limits of agreement plus or minus 0.75 D. The mean difference between non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic cylinder values measured by Retinomax reached 0.17 D and was statistically significant. Manifest thresholds of > or = 1.5 D, > or = 1.75 D, > or = 2 D cylinder value diagnosed 2 D of astigmatism under cyclplegia respectively with 71-84%, 59-80%, 51-54% of sensitivity (right eye-left eye) and 90-92%, 95%, 98% of specificity. CONCLUSION: Without cycloplegia, Retinomax is able to measure cylinder power with the same reproducibility as cycloplegic retinoscopy. No significant difference was found in the cylinder values obtained with the quick and the normal modes. Therefore, the quick mode of measurement is recommended as it is more feasible in children. No difference, which is significant from a screening point of view, exists between the non-cycloplegic and the cycloplegic cylinder value (< 0.25 D). Retinomax diagnoses abnormal astigmatism (> or = 2 D) in a non-cycloplegic refractive screening at preschool ages with 51-84% sensitivity rates and 98-90% specificity rates, depending on the chosen threshold of manifest astigmatism. If 2 D of manifest astigmatism is chosen as a positive test, the positive predictive value of the screening reaches 81-84% and the negative predictive value 91-90% (right eye-left eye).

Age Distribution↗

PubMed1999

Decreased autonomic responses to obstructive sleep events in future victims of sudden infant death syndrome.

To evaluate changes in autonomic nervous system controls in response to obstructive events in future victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), we studied the polysomnographic sleep recordings of 18 future SIDS infants and those of 36 matched control infants. A heart rate autoregressive power spectral analysis was performed preceding and after the obstructive apneas. The low-frequency to high-frequency power ratio was computed to evaluate sympathovagal balance. Future SIDS victims had significantly more obstructive apneas (p = 0.001) and mixed apneas (p = 0.005) than control infants. Obstructive events occurred mainly during rapid eye movement sleep in the two populations (84.5% in future SIDS victims and 95.8% in control infants; p = NS). Comparing heart rate power spectral analysis before and after obstructive apneas in rapid eye movement sleep, high-frequency power values were significantly lower and low-frequency to high-frequency power ratios higher in future SIDS victims than in control infants. Compared with preapnea values, low-frequency to high-frequency power ratios significantly decreased after obstructive apneas in control infants (p < 0.001) but not in the future SIDS victims. When the obstructive apneas were divided according to duration, the findings were seen mainly for long apneas. In conclusion, future SIDS victims were characterized by different autonomic status and responses to obstructive apneas during sleep. These findings could be relevant to mechanisms implicated in some cases of SIDS.

Apnea↗

PubMed1999

Epidemiology of risk factors for hypertension: implications for prevention and therapy.

We review the present knowledge of risk factors for arterial hypertension. Both genetic and environmental factors as well as their interaction and biological plausibility are reviewed. Recent data confirm that the interaction of genetics with multiple environmental risk factors explains the high prevalence of hypertension in the industrialised countries. The most important modifiable environmental risk factors are high salt intake, alcohol intake, obesity and low physical activity. The role of stress in the aetiology of high blood pressure is still under investigation, but recent clinical experimental and epidemiological data have shed light on how stress could be related to hypertension. The implications for prevention and treatment are discussed both at the population and individual levels. The population approach involves a public health policy aiming at modification of the major risk factors. The individual approach involves nonpharmacological measures to prevent the development of hypertension and to treat high normal blood pressure and mild hypertension with no additional cardiovascular risk factors. Pharmacological treatment of hypertension in most individuals should use agents that have been proven to be effective in randomised controlled trials with 'hard' endpoints such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality.

Female↗

PubMed1999

[Screening and management of visual disorders in adolescents: impact on social inequality].

A retrospective cohort study was carried out on a sample of 2625 Belgian's children, examined at 12 and 15 year, to analyze the impact of school visual screening on social inequalities for visual acuity. Although uncorrected visual acuity decreased with increase in social class, visual acuity tested with the child's usual correction increased with social class. This social inequalities became more pronounced 2 years after the school visual screening. The lack of accessibility at some levels of health care cancels the reduction of inequalities expected from the school screening.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

The dexamethasone suppression test and sleep electroencephalogram in nonbipolar major depressed inpatients: a multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study further examined relationships between postdexamethasone cortisol plasma values and sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters. METHODS: The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and polysomnographic recordings were performed in a sample of 300 inpatients with primary major depressive disorder (MDD) (102 men and 198 women, mean age 44 +/- 12 years, range 20-74 years) consecutively admitted to Erasme Hospital (Brussels, Belgium) between 1981 and 1992. RESULTS: The DST was abnormal in 40% of the sample. Postdexamethasone cortisol plasma values at 4:00 PM were significantly influenced by age, but not by gender. They were also significantly and positively correlated with weight loss, total scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, total scores on the Newcastle Scale, percentage of awakenings during sleep, and percent of stage 1. They were significantly and negatively correlated with percent of stage 2, slow-wave sleep, and REM sleep. Multiple regression analyses were conducted in two successive steps. First among clinical variables, only age and depressive symptom severity remained correlated with postdexamethasone plasma cortisol values. In the second step, with age and severity held constant, postdexamethasone plasma cortisol values were positively associated with amount of wake time and stage 1, and negatively with amount of slow-wave sleep. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further indirect support for an overarousal state in MDD with sympathoadrenal system hyperactivity and impaired sleep continuity. They also underline the importance of taking into account various clinical confounding factors in the interpretation of both DST and sleep EEG results.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Social adjustment and the course of affective illness: a one-year controlled longitudinal study involving bipolar and unipolar outpatients.

The association between social adjustment and recurrent affective episodes was examined in 27 recovered bipolar patients and 24 recovered unipolar patients who had been receiving maintenance treatment for at least 1 year. Social adjustment variables and psychiatric status were assessed by bimonthly interviews over the 1-year period using the Social Adjustment Scale (SAS) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). Variations in the social adjustment scores were analyzed in the 2 months preceding the onset of a recurrent affective episode. Furthermore, social adjustment variables at entry into the study were assessed to investigate whether there was any association between these and the potential timing of a recurrent episode. Results revealed no significant deterioration in social adjustment during the 2 months preceding a recurrent affective episode. However, it was demonstrated that there was a relationship between a patient's overall social adjustment score at entry into the study and the onset of recurrent affective episodes, independent of any residual depressive symptomatology. Specifically, impaired work adjustment in bipolar and unipolar patients was associated with recurrent episodes. Impaired social and leisure activities adjustment in bipolar patients was also associated with recurrent episodes, and impaired marital adjustment in unipolar patients was associated with recurrent episodes. These results suggest that social maladjustment could be a risk factor for both unipolar and bipolar recurrent affective episodes and that impairment in specific areas of social functioning could be used to predict outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Polysomnographic study of the autonomic nervous system in potential victims of sudden infant death syndrome.

To determine the influence of sleep stages and night-time distribution on cardiac autonomic activity, the polysomnographic recordings of 18 victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and of 36 control infants were studied. Autoregressive spectral analyses of heart rate (HR), using both short-term and whole-night methods, were evaluated as a function of sleep stages. The two main peaks of normalized LF and HF were computed during the night and the sympathovagal balance (LF/HF) was determined. In both NREM and REM sleep, SIDS infants were characterized by significantly lower normalized HF powers and higher LF/HF ratios. This finding was observed in both short-term and whole-night HR spectral analyses. In addition, SIDS victims were characterized by the presence of a high desynchronized peak of sympathetic tonus in the late hours of the night, a finding not seen in the control subjects. This report adds further indirect evidence for a possible sleep-related impairment of autonomic controls in some infants who died of SIDS.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

PubMed1998

Social class and obesity in 12-year-old children in Brussels: influence of gender and ethnic origin.

UNLABELLED: From their school health files, the body mass index of 2607 children, 1268 boys and 1339 girls, from the Brussels region of Belgium was analysed. The aim was to study the relationship between obesity and social class, gender and nationality. In Belgian girls, the lower their social class, the higher was the prevalence and severity of obesity. There was no such significant relationship in Belgian boys, nor in immigrant children of either sex, although the overall prevalence of obesity was similar in all groups. These results question certain hypotheses proposed to explain the relationship between social class and obesity. CONCLUSION: From early adolescence on, social inequality influences the prevalence of obesity in Belgian girls, but not in Belgian boys nor in immigrant children. Prevention of obesity should take into account the influence of gender, social class and ethnic origin.

Belgium↗

PubMed1998

Does sleep EEG data distinguish between UP, BPI or BPII major depressions? An age and gender controlled study.

Clinical characteristics and sleep EEG data of 14 unipolar (UPR), 14 bipolar I (BPI) and 14 bipolar II (BPII) patients, matched for age and gender, were investigated during a major depressive episode. We observed a remarkable similarity in the clinical characteristics of the three samples and, concerning sleep EEG data, a trend to a higher percentage of awakening among BPI patients. Pairwise comparisons of the three subgroups showed that only the Newcastle rating scale score reached significant difference between BPI and UPR groups. We observed trends regarding the difference of awakening both between BPI and BPII groups and between BPI and UPR groups, difference of percentage of REM sleep between BPI and BPII groups and difference of Sleep Period Time between BPII and UPR groups. We also observed that the distribution of REM latencies in the BPI subgroup was different from the two others.

Adult↗