Biomedical subjects

M L Slattery

Publications and source records attributed to M L Slattery.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Occupation, cadmium exposure, and prostate cancer.

A population-based case-control study was used to investigate associations between prostate cancer and cadmium exposure, longest industry held, and longest occupation held. The study included 358 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and 679 control men identified from the Utah population. Occupational exposures to cadmium were ascertained from self-reported data, through several a priori suspect industries and occupations, through an occupation-exposure linkage system, and through dietary food frequency questionnaires. Overall, cadmium exposure appeared to result in a small increased relative risk for prostate cancer, most apparent for aggressive tumors (OR = 1.7, CI = 1.0-3.1 for any occupational exposure, high dietary intake, or smoking cigarettes). Cases were more likely to have worked in the following industries: mining, paper and wood, medicine and science, and entertainment and recreation. Among men younger than 67, cases were also more likely to have worked in the food and tobacco industries (OR = 3.6, CI = 1.0-12.8). Cases were less likely to have worked in industries involved with glass, clay and stone, or rubber, plastics, and synthetics. Men employed as janitors and in other building service occupations showed increased relative risk for aggressive tumors (OR = 7.0, CI = 2.5-19.6). Agricultural occupations did not appear to be related to prostate cancer, although an increased relative risk for aggressive tumors was detected among younger men (OR = 2.6, CI = 0.6-12.1).

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and caffeine as risk factors for colon cancer in a low-risk population.

We used data from a population-based case-control study to examine how use of tobacco products and consumption of alcohol, coffee, and caffeine relate to colon cancer in Utah. We hypothesized that low use of these substances is one factor contributing to the low colon cancer incidence in Utah and could help explain the low risk associated for colon cancer with being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In females, we observed little or no increase in risk of colon cancer from smoking cigarettes or from consumption of alcohol, caffeine, or coffee. Males who used pipes, however, experienced an increased risk for colon cancer (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 1.3-12.3). Risk for colon cancer associated with alcohol use was greatly attenuated after adjusting for caffeine and pipe use in males; males who consumed higher levels of caffeine during the two to three years prior to the interview were at higher risk than males who consumed low levels of caffeine (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-4.2); similar associations were observed for coffee consumption. Nonuse of these substances could explain the low colon cancer incidence rates observed in members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah males.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Marital adjustment among housestaff and new attorneys.

Previous reports have suggested that physicians' marriages may be adversely affected by the stresses of the profession. Some social scientists, however, question the view that demanding careers are the primary cause of poor marital adjustment and suggest instead that such careers may actually invigorate a marriage. This study, involving 116 housestaff physicians, 106 new attorneys, and the spouses of both groups, identified the factors that significantly affected their marital adjustments. No difference in marital adjustments was found between housestaff and attorneys or between the two spouse groups. In general, the spouses had higher marital adjustment scores than did the professionals, and the women professionals had higher scores than did the men professionals. The two most important factors associated with adjustment were the perceived level of emotional support received from one's spouse for one's career and the level of such support given to one's spouse for his or her career. The results suggest that housestaff and new attorneys are as satisfied with their marriages as are the other populations in which the same marital inventory has been used.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1990

Physical activity and colon cancer: a comparison of various indicators of physical activity to evaluate the association.

We compare categories of physical activity, based upon self-reported leisure time and occupational activity, with categories of activity based upon coded job titles using the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. For people under 65 years of age, self-reported total activity, total nonintense activity, and occupational activity were not strongly associated with coded occupational activity in men (Spearman r = 0.36, 0.27, and 0.32, respectively); even weaker associations were noted in women (r = 0.23, 0.27, and 0.10). Associations between total activity and coded occupational activity were generally weaker for people who were 65 or older. Despite these weak associations, all indicators of physical activity assessed were associated with a decreased risk for colon cancer in men. Comparing those in the highest category of activity with those in the lowest, the OR for total self-reported activity was 0.7; for self-reported occupational activity, 0.7; and for coded occupational activity, 0.6. Whereas self-reported total activity was associated with colon cancer among women, estimates of activity based upon occupation (both self-reported and coded from job titles) were not.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

Adolescent diet and breast cancer in Utah.

A population-based case-control study was conducted to assess the association between breast cancer risk, body mass index (BMI) and adolescent dietary fat and fiber consumption. Data were collected in Utah from white female cases (N = 172) and controls (N = 190) between the ages of 20 and 54 years. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% test-based confidence intervals (CI) were determined by multiple-logistic regression analysis controlling for age, education, age at menarche, and age at first pregnancy. Menopausal status was identified as an effect modifier, therefore, separate analyses were performed for pre and postmenopausal groups. An elevated risk (OR = 2.9 for highest quartile versus lowest, CI = 1.1-8.1) was associated with a larger BMI at age 12 in premenopausal women; a larger adult BMI lowered the odds ratio (OR = 0.4, CI = 0.2-1.0 for highest quartile versus lowest) in premenopausal women; BMI did not alter risk in postmenopausal women. Although not statistically significant, high fat intake consistently lowered the odds ratios below 1.0 in premenopausal women in the upper three quartiles compared to the lowest fat intake referent quartile (OR = 0.7, CI = 0.2-2.1 for highest versus lowest quartile) but was inconsistent in postmenopausal women (OR = 0.7, CI = 0.2-2.7 for highest versus lowest quartile). When fat intake was assessed by its component parts, fat from milk, cheese and yogurt reduced the odds ratios in both premenopausal (OR = 0.4, CI = 0.1-1.1 for highest versus lowest quartile) and postmenopausal women (OR = 0.2, CI = 0.0-0.8). In postmenopausal women, high fiber intake produced elevated odds ratios in all three upper quartiles (OR = 6.6, CI = 1.5-29.6 for highest versus lowest quartile), while fiber from grains resulted in a decreased risk in both premenopausal (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.2-0.7 for highest versus lowest quartile) and postmenopausal women (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.3-2.0). The possibility of biased estimates from low response rates (cases = 60%, controls = 61%), potential recall bias, and some lack of precision in the dietary instrument should be considered. It appears from these analyses that the relation of breast cancer to dietary intake, especially during adolescent years, is not clear, and that risk associated with fat or fiber intake may be affected by the nutrient source.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Cigarette smoking and exposure to passive smoke are risk factors for cervical cancer.

Personal cigarette smoking and exposure to passive smoke as risk factors for cervical cancer were examined in a population-based, case-control study conducted in Utah. Personal cigarette smoking was found to increase the risk of cervical cancer, after adjusting for age, educational level, church attendance, and sexual activity. The adjusted risk estimate associated with being a current smoker was 3.42 (95% confidence interval [Cl], 2.10 to 5.57); for having smoked for 5 or more pack-years, it was 2.81 (95% Cl, 1.73 to 4.55); and for having smoked at least 100 lifetime cigarettes, it was 2.21 (95% Cl, 1.44 to 3.39). The adjusted risk estimate (also adjusted for actual cigarettes smoked) associated with passive smoke exposure for 3 or more hours per day was 2.96 (95% Cl, 1.25 to 7.03). Risk from passive smoking was greater in women who were not smokers (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% Cl, 1.23 to 9.54) than in women who smoked (odds ratio, 2.59; 95% Cl, 0.23 to 29.24).

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Occupation and bladder cancer in Utah.

The relationships between bladder cancer and occupation, industries, and occupational exposures in Utah were examined in a population-based, case-control study conducted between 1977 and 1983. Life-long occupational histories were obtained for 417 cases (332 men and 85 women) and 877 controls (685 men and 192 women). Although few positive findings emerged in this study, increased risks were detected among men for employment in the leather and textile industries which increased with duration of employment. The effects were most marked for employment beginning 45 or more years prior to interview (odds ratio [OR] for textiles = 1.92, confidence interval [CI] = 0.89-4.46; for leather OR = 2.95, CI = 0.63-13.76). Among men and women, increased risk was detected among clerical workers employed for less than 10 years (OR = 1.59, CI = 1.16-2.17) although the risk decreased with increased duration of employment (OR = 0.88, CI = 0.55-1.40 for greater than or equal to 10 years). A protective effect was seen among men and women for 10 or more years employment in professional, managerial, and technical occupations (OR = 0.68, CI = 0.50-0.92). Employment as a carpenter resulted in increased risk which increased with duration. Increased risk for bladder cancer was detected among carpenters who smoked but not among carpenters who never smoked. We used an occupation-exposure linkage system to identify workers exposed to aromatic amino compounds; such workers did not have increased risk of bladder cancer, although interaction between long-term exposure to aromatic amino compounds and smoking was detected. Interactions between smoking and other industrial or occupational exposures were not demonstrated, and for the most part, smoking did not confound the estimates of the bladder cancer-occupation relationships.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed1989

An assessment of caloric intake as an indicator of physical activity.

Caloric intake has been suggested as a surrogate measure of physical activity, provided that energy balance is maintained. In this study we assessed caloric intake in relation to other measures of physical activity in a free-living population by a single 24-hr recall in white adult males, ages 22-79 years, examined in 1957-1960 as part of the U.S. Railroad Study. Intake was positively related to leisure time and occupational activity. Men with higher levels of caloric intake had lower exercise test heart rates indicating that they were probably more fit. Caloric intake was also significantly and inversely related to body mass index, the sum of the triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness measurements, blood pressure, and total serum cholesterol. These results suggest that caloric intake, even as measured in a 24-hr dietary recall, is an indicator of physical activity level. Therefore, caloric intake may be a useful indicator of physical activity in some population-based epidemiologic studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Validity of cigarette smoking habits in three epidemiologic studies in Utah.

Utah has lower incidence and mortality for many smoking-related forms of cancer and heart disease. It is an important epidemiologic question to assess whether the population attributable risk associated with cigarette smoking in this low-risk population is biased from under-reporting because of societal pressures not to smoke. To answer this question, we compared reported cigarette use to serum cotinine values in three different epidemiologic study designs. Included in these analyses were data from men interviewed for a cross-sectional study of dietary intake and hormones, women interviewed as a part of a case-control study of cervical cancer, and men interviewed in conjunction with a cardiovascular disease and hypertension family follow-up study. Cross-sectional study participants reported accurate cigarette usage 93.8% of the time; case-control participants accurately reported cigarette use 98.5% of the time; participants interviewed in the family cohort study correctly reported usage 82.8% of the time. Most inaccurate reporting of smoking was by exsmokers being followed for a disease known to be linked to smoking. The low attributable risk of smoking related to diseases in Utah is not from underreporting of cigarette smoking, and makes Utah an ideal population to examine other risk factors for diseases where smoking increases risk.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Diet and survival of patients with colon cancer in Utah: is there an association?

The extent to which diet influenced colon cancer survival was examined in 411 colon cancer cases identified in Utah between 1976 and 1981 using data from two population based case-control studies. After adjustment by proportional hazards regression models for the effects of tumour stage, age, sex, and religion, the hazard rate ratios (HRR) comparing highest to lowest quartile of intake for total calories, fat and protein were 0.60, 0.81 and 0.66 respectively, with the effect of calories being greatest for short-term survival (less than or equal to 24 months), HRR = 0.49. By contrast, the highest quartile of dietary fibre intake was associated with decreased survival (HRR = 1.53) when compared with the lowest quartile. More extensive studies are needed to verify these findings and to identify mechanisms underlying these associations.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Sexual activity, contraception, genital infections, and cervical cancer: support for a sexually transmitted disease hypothesis.

A case-control study was conducted in Utah between 1984 and 1987 to examine risk factors for cervical cancer. Interviews were completed with 266 histologically confirmed carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell cervical cancer cases who were categorically matched by age to 408 controls. Among the factors identified as altering risk for cervical cancer, after adjustment for age, education, church attendance, and cigarette smoking, were: having numerous sex partners (odds ratio (OR) = 8.99 for 10 or more partners); the current mate having several sex partners (adjusted OR for 10 or more partners = 8.62); using foam or jelly as a contraceptive method (OR, adjusted for number of sex partners, = 0.44); reported Trichomonas infection (OR, adjusted for number of sex partners, = 2.10); and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection as determined by 2:1 neutralization index values above 100 (OR = 2.70). A protective effect was noted from the use of diaphragms (OR = 0.67) or condoms (OR = 0.53) in women who reported more than one sex partner. These data support the hypothesis that cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Nutrient intake and ovarian cancer.

A case-control study was conducted in Utah between 1984 and 1987 to evaluate the effects of nutrient intake on risk of developing ovarian cancer. Detailed dietary intake information was available from 85 first primary ovarian cancer cases and 492 population-based controls. Calories, fat, protein, fiber, and vitamins A and C did not appreciably alter the risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, high intake of beta-carotene appears to confer protection against ovarian cancer (odds ratio = 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.3-1.0) after adjusting for age, number of pregnancies, and the body mass index of weight/height.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Dietary intake and colon cancer: sex- and anatomic site-specific associations.

A case-control study was conducted in Utah between July 1979 and June 1983 in which 231 cases of colon cancer identified through the Utah Cancer Registry and 391 controls identified through random digit dialing were interviewed. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated comparing the highest exposure categories with the lowest exposure categories. The highest quintile of body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2 for males; weight (kg)/height (m)1.5 for females) was associated with increased risk in both males (OR = 2.1) and females (OR = 2.3). In females, total dietary fat (OR = 1.9) and energy intake (OR = 1.5) were associated with an increased colon cancer risk after adjusting for age, body mass index, and crude fiber. Fiber was protective in females (OR = 0.5) after adjusting for age, body mass index, and energy intake, as was beta-carotene (OR = 0.5) after also adjusting for crude fiber. Adjusted risk estimates in males were 2.0 for total dietary fat, 3.8 for polyunsaturated fat, 2.1 for monounsaturated fat, 2.1 for energy intake, 2.5 for protein, 0.3 for fiber, 0.4 for beta-carotene, and 0.3 for cruciferous vegetables. Risk estimates differed by site of cancer within the colon. In males, protein (OR = 3.8) was a risk factor for cancer of the descending colon, while fats (OR = 2.7-8.8) increased the risk of cancer of the ascending colon. The hypotheses that dietary fat increases colon cancer risk while dietary fiber decreases colon cancer risk and that fat and protein may be independently associated with colon cancer risk are supported.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Leisure time physical activity and coronary heart disease death. The US Railroad Study.

Seventeen to 20 years of mortality follow-up were used to study the relation of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) to coronary heart disease mortality and to all-cause mortality in white male US railroad workers (n = 3,043). This cohort was initially examined from 1957 to 1960, reexamined from 1962 to 1964, and followed until 1977 or death. LTPA was ascertained by a precursor of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. The risk estimate for coronary heart disease death, after adjusting for age, was 1.39 for sedentary men who expended 40 kcal/wk in LTPA compared with very active men who expended 3,632 kcal/wk. This relation was attenuated by adjusting for other coronary heart disease risk factors, but it remained independent and significant. Caloric expenditure in light and moderate activity, as well as that performed in any intense activity, showed independent relations to cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. Associations were slightly stronger in occupationally sedentary men. These results support the hypothesis that physical activity protects against death from coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality.

Coronary Disease↗

PubMed1989

The association between dietary intake and reported history of Candida vulvovaginitis.

The association between dietary intake and the history of Candida vulvovaginitis was evaluated in 166 women who had a history of Candida vulvovaginitis in the past 5 years (cases) and in 207 women without such a history (total population), as well as in 74 women with five or more episodes in the past 5 years and 125 women with no history of Candida vulvovaginitis. Women were interviewed about their demographic data, past medical and sexual history, and their history of vaginal or pelvic infections. An extensive dietary history was taken to determine each woman's usual adult dietary intake. Results indicate associations between total caloric intake, carbohydrates, and fiber and a history of Candida vulvovaginitis. The results were not altered by controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, use of oral contraceptives, and sexual activity variables. These results suggest several dietary constituents may influence susceptibility to Candida vulvovaginitis infections. A follow-up prospective study, using culture confirmation of Candida infection, is needed.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Diet and colon cancer: assessment of risk by fiber type and food source.

How fiber in the diet is related to the development of colon cancer was assessed in a population-based study conducted on 231 cases and 391 controls in Utah between 1979 and 1983. Crude fiber consistently decreased risk associated with colon cancer in both males [odds ratio (OR) = 0.4] and females (OR = 0.5). Dietary fiber, as analyzed by the method of A. S. Bitner, and neutral detergent fiber were not consistently related to colon cancer risk. Of the noncellulose polysaccharides examined, mannose and galactose were protective against cancers in the ascending colon in males (ORs = 0.5 and 0.3, respectively), whereas galactose and uronic acid were protective against cancers in the ascending colon in females (ORs = 0.5). Highest quartiles of intake of fruits and vegetables were also associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer in males (ORs = 0.3 and 0.6, respectively) and in females (ORs = 0.6 and 0.3, respectively) compared with lowest quartile of intake, whereas high intake of grains was not protective.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Fluid intake and bladder cancer in Utah.

A population-based, incident case-control study was conducted in Utah to assess the relationship between fluid intake and bladder cancer. Cancer cases (n = 419) were identified through the Utah Cancer Registry, and controls (n = 889) were obtained through random digit dialing and the Health Care Financing Administration. After adjustment for cigarette smoking, age, sex, history of diabetes, and history of bladder infections using multiple logistic regression analysis, total fluid intake was not found to be related to bladder cancer development. Specific fluids related to bladder cancer risk were milk intake (OR = 0.64) and caffeinated coffee intake (OR = 1.60). A linear trend for a dose-response protective effect was observed for milk, while coffee increased risk only when 40 or more cups were consumed per week. Alcohol increased risk only when consumed at high levels (over 3.64 ounces or 103 g per week) by people who never smoked cigarettes (OR = 2.37). Likewise, tea consumption in non-cigarette smokers increased bladder cancer risk (OR = 2.25). Results from this study suggest that types of fluids consumed may play a role in the development of bladder cancer. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that the dietary components of these beverages may be related to the development of bladder cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Smoking and bladder cancer. The modifying effect of cigarettes on other factors.

A population-based, incidence case-control study was used to assess the effect of cigarette smoking on other risk factors for the development of bladder cancer. White men (n = 332) between the ages of 21 and 84 with bladder cancer were compared with 686 population-based controls. Cigarette smokers were classified by current smoking status as well as by amount, duration, inhalation patterns, age at first having smoked, and years since having stopped smoking. These variables were associated with a change in the risk for bladder cancer. The population-attributable risk associated with cigarette smoking was 48.5%. Risks from the use of other tobacco products such as cigars, pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco, and from caffeinated coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages were evaluated in light of cigarette smoking status. Cigarette smoking was shown to be both a confounder and an effect modifier. Risk estimates for bladder cancer associated with caffeinated coffee and alcoholic beverages were decreased after controlling for the effects of cigarette smoking. However, an increased risk of developing bladder cancer from cigar smoking (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.46) and tea drinking (OR = 3.14) was only seen in men who never smoked cigarettes. An increased but not significant risk was also seen for pipe, snuff, and chewing tobacco use in noncigarette smokers. The population-attributable risk from cigars and tea in the population of white men who had never smoked was 6.3% and 18.9%, respectively. Our results suggest that cigarette smoking may obscure other risk factors unless those who never smoked are separately studied.

Adult↗