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Meir J Stampfer

Publications and source records attributed to Meir J Stampfer.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Parity, reproductive factors, and the risk of pancreatic cancer in women.

Incidence rates for pancreatic cancer are consistently lower in women than in men. Previous studies suggest that reproductive factors, particularly parity, may reduce pancreatic cancer risk in women. We examined parity, breast feeding history, age at first birth, menstrual factors, and exogenous hormone use in relation to pancreatic cancer risk in a prospective cohort study of women. Information on parity and other reproductive factors was assessed by questionnaires in 1976 and updated biennially. Multivariate relative risks were adjusted for cigarette smoking, body mass index, diabetes, and height. During 22 years of follow-up (1976-1998), 115,474 women contributed 2.4 million years of person time, and 243 cases of pancreatic cancer were identified. Compared with nulliparous women, the relative risk of pancreatic cancer was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.55-1.36] for women with 1-2 births, 0.75 (95% CI, 0.48-1.17) for 3-4 births, and 0.58 (95% CI, 0.34-0.98) for those with >/=5 births after adjusting for other factors. An analysis for linear trend indicates a 10% reduction in risk for each birth (P(trend) = 0.008). Other reproductive factors and exogenous hormone use were not significantly related to pancreatic cancer risk. In this large prospective cohort of women, parity was associated significantly with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Additional studies should examine the physiological or hormonal changes underlying pregnancy or childbirth that may explain this finding.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Polymorphism in the thymidylate synthase promoter enhancer region modifies the risk and survival of colorectal cancer.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) converts dUMP to dTMP, the rate-limiting nucleotide in DNA synthesis. It is also the target for 5-flurorouracil, the most common chemotherapy agent for treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). We designed a nested case-control study within the prospective Physicians' Health Study to investigate whether TS polymorphisms independently predict risk of CRC and simultaneously the overall survival after the disease in the same population. We also investigated influences of this polymorphism on plasma folate and homocysteine levels. The study consists of 270 incident CRC and 454 control subjects. Risk of CRC was estimated by use of conditional multiple logistic regression analysis. Survival was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Compared with the TS 3R/3R genotype, the multivariate-adjusted risk ratio was 0.86 (0.59-1.25) for the 2R/3R genotype and 0.59 (0.36-0.98) for the 2R/2R genotype with P for trend of 0.03. The TS 2R/2R genotype was also associated with better survival, although the results were not significant. Compared with those with either the 3R/3R or 2R/3R genotypes, the age-adjusted hazard ratio for the 2R/2R genotype was 0.57 (0.30-1.07). Individuals with the 2R/2R genotype had significantly lower plasma folate levels than those with the 3R/3R genotype, whereas their plasma homocysteine levels were unaffected by the TS promoter polymorphism. The deletion polymorphism at the TS 3'-untranslated region did not influence the CRC risk and survival, nor did it modify the plasma folate and total homocysteine levels. Given that individuals with high plasma folate had a better survival outcome with a hazard ratio of 0.68 (0.45-1.03) compared with those with low plasma folate, we conclude that the TS promoter polymorphism may modify both the risk and the survival of CRC; however, these effects do not appear to be mediated through its modulation of biological folate levels.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

A prospective study of cruciferous vegetables and prostate cancer.

High intake of cruciferous vegetables may offer some protection against prostate cancer, but overall data are inconclusive. Thus, we examined the association between cruciferous vegetable intake and risk of prostate cancer in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Between 1986 and 2000, 2,969 cases of nonstage T1a prostate cancer were diagnosed in 47,365 men who completed dietary assessments in 1986, 1990, and 1994. We calculated the multivariate relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox regression. Overall, we found no appreciable association between baseline intake of cruciferous vegetables and risk of prostate cancer (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.05, for > or = 5 versus < or = 1 serving/week; P for trend = 0.30), and only a slight suggestive association for organ-confined prostate cancer (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.74-1.05; P for trend = 0.06). The inverse association was stronger for men under the age of 65 years (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.64-1.02; P for trend = 0.02), especially for organ-confined cancers (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.97; P for trend = 0.007). In addition, this inverse association was stronger when we restricted the analysis to men with more consistent intake of vegetables over the 10 years before 1986, when we limited the analysis to men who had had a prostate-specific antigen test, and when we considered an 8-year time lag. This study does not provide compelling evidence of a protective influence of cruciferous vegetables on prostate cancer risk. However, if cruciferous vegetables are protective early in prostate carcinogenesis, as suggested by proposed mechanisms, we may expect stronger associations, as observed, for more remote diet for prostate-specific antigen-detected early stage (organ-confined) cancers in younger men. In contrast, for advanced cancers in older men, which were probably initiated decades in the past, recent dietary intakes of cruciferous vegetables may be irrelevant. These findings suggest that future studies of cruciferous vegetables should focus on early stages of prostate cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Fish consumption and risk of stroke in men.

CONTEXT: The effect of fish consumption or long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake on risk of stroke remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation of fish consumption and long-chain omega-3 PUFA intake and risk of stroke in men. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Health Professional Follow-up Study, a US prospective cohort study with 12 years of follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 43 671 men aged 40 to 75 years who completed a detailed and validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline in 1986. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relative risk (RR) of stroke by subtype based on cumulative average fish consumption or long-chain omega-3 PUFA intake, ascertained in 1986, 1990, and 1994. RESULTS: We documented 608 strokes during the 12-year follow-up period, including 377 ischemic, 106 hemorrhagic, and 125 unclassified strokes. Compared with men who consumed fish less than once per month, the multivariate RR of ischemic stroke was significantly lower among those who ate fish 1 to 3 times per month (RR, 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.95). However, a higher frequency of fish intake was not associated with further risk reduction; the RR was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.31-0.94) for men who consumed fish 5 or more times per week. This lack of linearity was confirmed by spline analyses. By dichotomized fish intake, the multivariate RR for men who consumed fish at least once per month compared with those who ate fish less than once per month was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.38-0.83) for ischemic stroke and 1.36 (95% CI, 0.48-3.82) for hemorrhagic stroke. The inverse association between fish intake and risk of ischemic stroke was not materially modified by use of aspirin. No significant associations were found between fish or long-chain omega-3 PUFA intake and risk of hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that eating fish once per month or more can reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in men.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Mercury and the risk of coronary heart disease in men.

BACKGROUND: A high dietary intake of mercury from consumption of fish has been hypothesized to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. METHODS: Using a nested case-control design, we investigated the association between mercury levels in toenails and the risk of coronary heart disease among male health professionals with no previous history of cardiovascular disease or cancer who were 40 to 75 years of age in 1986. Toenail clippings were collected in 1987 from 33,737 cohort members, and during five years of follow-up, we documented 470 cases of coronary heart disease (coronary-artery surgery, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and fatal coronary heart disease). Each patient was matched according to age and smoking status with a randomly selected control subject. RESULTS: The mercury level was significantly correlated with fish consumption (Spearman r=0.42, P<0.001), and the mean mercury level was higher in dentists than in nondentists (mean, 0.91 and 0.45 microg per gram, respectively; P<0.001). After age, smoking, and other risk factors for coronary heart disease had been controlled for, the mercury level was not significantly associated with the risk of coronary heart disease. When the highest and lowest quintiles of mercury level were compared, the relative risk of coronary heart disease was 0.97 in the highest level (95 percent confidence interval, 0.63 to 1.50; P value for trend=0.78). Adjustment for intake of n-3 fatty acids from fish did not appreciably change these results. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support an association between total mercury exposure and the risk of coronary heart disease, but a weak relation cannot be ruled out.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Nut and peanut butter consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in women.

CONTEXT: Nuts are high in unsaturated (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) fat and other nutrients that may improve glucose and insulin homeostasis. OBJECTIVE: To examine prospectively the relationship between nut consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective cohort study of 83 818 women from 11 states in the Nurses' Health Study. The women were aged 34 to 59 years, had no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, completed a validated dietary questionnaire at baseline in 1980, and were followed up for 16 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incident cases of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: We documented 3206 new cases of type 2 diabetes. Nut consumption was inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and total energy intake. The multivariate relative risks (RRs) across categories of nut consumption (never/almost never, or =5 times/week) for a 28-g (1 oz) serving size were 1.0, 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-1.00), 0.84 (0.95% CI, 0.76-0.93), and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.60-0.89) (P for trend <.001). Further adjustment for intakes of dietary fats, cereal fiber, and other dietary factors did not appreciably change the results. The inverse association persisted within strata defined by levels of BMI, smoking, alcohol use, and other diabetes risk factors. Consumption of peanut butter was also inversely associated with type 2 diabetes. The multivariate RR was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.68-0.91; P for trend <.001) in women consuming peanut butter 5 times or more a week (equivalent to > or =140 g [5 oz] of peanuts/week) compared with those who never/almost never ate peanut butter. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest potential benefits of higher nut and peanut butter consumption in lowering risk of type 2 diabetes in women. To avoid increasing caloric intake, regular nut consumption can be recommended as a replacement for consumption of refined grain products or red or processed meats.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Use of postmenopausal hormones, alcohol, and risk for invasive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Physiologic evidence suggests that use of alcohol increases the risk for breast cancer through a hormonal mechanism, but the relationship among breast cancer, alcohol, and postmenopausal hormones (PMH) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between concurrent use of alcohol and PMH and invasive breast cancer. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study SETTING: Nurses' Health Study. PARTICIPANTS: 44 187 postmenopausal women. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported data on PMH use and breast cancer obtained from biennial questionnaires completed from 1980 to 1994 and average alcohol consumption in 1980, 1984, 1986, and 1990. RESULTS: 1722 women developed invasive breast cancer. Risk for breast cancer was elevated in women who currently used PMH for 5 or more years and did not drink alcohol (relative risk, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.66]) and those who never used PMH but drank 20 or more g (1.5 to 2 drinks) of alcohol daily (relative risk, 1.28 [CI, 0.97 to 1.69]). Current users of PMH for 5 or more years who consumed 20 or more g of alcohol daily had a relative risk for breast cancer nearly twice (1.99 [CI, 1.42 to 2.79]) that of nondrinking nonusers of PMH. A hypothetical postmenopausal woman whose lifetime risk for breast cancer is 4% could increase her risk to 8% with 5 or more years of current PMH use and consumption of more than one alcoholic drink daily. CONCLUSIONS: Both alcohol consumption and PMH use were associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer. Women who are currently taking PMH may want to consider the added risks of regular alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2002

Frequency of analgesic use and risk of hypertension in younger women.

BACKGROUND: In addition to their antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects, analgesics may interfere with blood pressure regulation. However, little prospective information is available on the association between analgesic use and the risk of hypertension. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 80 020 women aged 31 to 50 years who participated in the Nurses' Health Study II and had no previous history of hypertension. Frequency of use (in days per month) of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen was collected by mailed questionnaire in 1995. Incident cases of physician-diagnosed hypertension were identified by self-report on the 1997 biennial questionnaire. RESULTS: During 164 090 person-years of follow-up, 1650 incident cases of hypertension were identified. At least 1 d/mo, 51.2% of the cohort used aspirin, 76.7% used NSAIDs, and 72.5% used acetaminophen. After adjusting for age, all 3 classes of analgesics were associated with an increased risk of incident hypertension (P<.001 for trend). After further adjustment for all 3 analgesics and other potential risk factors, only NSAIDs and acetaminophen (P<.001 for trend for both) were significantly associated with risk of hypertension. Compared with nonusers, the relative risk of hypertension for women taking NSAIDs 22 d/mo or more was 1.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.51-2.28) and for those taking acetaminophen 22 d/mo or more was 2.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.52-2.62). CONCLUSIONS: Use of NSAIDs and use of acetaminophen were significantly associated with increased risk of hypertension, but aspirin use was not. A substantial proportion of hypertension in the United States, and the associated morbidity and mortality, may be due to the use of these medications.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2002

The impact of diabetes mellitus and prior myocardial infarction on mortality from all causes and from coronary heart disease in men.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of diabetes and prior myocardial infarction (MI) on mortality in men. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that a history of diabetes and a prior MI confer similar risk for subsequent fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). Few studies have examined duration of diabetes in relation to mortality. METHODS: We examined type 2 diabetes and prior MI in relation to mortality among 51,316 men aged 40 to 75 years in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. RESULTS: During 10 years of follow-up, we documented 4,150 deaths from all causes, including 1,124 deaths from CHD. Compared with men without diabetes or prior MI at baseline, the multivariate relative risks (RRs) for fatal CHD were 3.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.12 to 4.71) for those with diabetes only, 7.88 (95% CI, 6.86 to 9.05) for those with MI only, and 13.41 (95% CI, 10.49 to 17.16) for those with both diabetes and MI. The corresponding RRs for total mortality were 1.91 (95% CI, 1.70 to 2.15), 2.23 (95% CI, 2.03 to 2.45), and 3.13 (95% CI, 2.56 to 3.84), respectively. Duration of diabetes was an independent risk factor for total as well as CHD mortality; the multivariate RRs of CHD mortality for increasing duration of diabetes (< or = 5 years, 6 to 10 years, 11 to 15 years, 16 to 25 years, 26+ years) were 1.63, 1.93, 2.35, 2.31, and 3.87, respectively (p for trend <0.001), compared with nondiabetic participants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support that both diabetes and MI are associated with elevated total and CHD mortality, and having both conditions is particularly hazardous. Longer duration of diabetes is a strong predictor of death among diabetic men.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed2002

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 as predictors of advanced-stage prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) have been associated with the risk of prostate cancer. However, the association of IGF-I with specific tumor stage and grade at diagnosis, which correlate with risk of recurrence and mortality, has not been studied rigorously. To determine whether plasma levels of IGF-I and its main circulating binding protein, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), predict more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, we investigated the association between plasma levels of each and specific stages and grades of prostate cancer. METHODS: We examined 530 case patients and 534 control subjects in a nested case-control study in the prospective Physicians' Health Study. Patients with prostate cancer diagnosed from 1982 through 1995 were matched to control subjects by age and smoking status. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured in prospectively collected plasma samples. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) for prostate cancer associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3, stratified on grade (Gleason score > or = 7 versus <7) and stage (early = stage A or B prostate cancer versus advanced = stage C or D prostate cancer). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Plasma levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were predictors of advanced-stage prostate cancer (RR = 5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.0 to 13.2 for highest versus lowest quartiles of IGF-I; RR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1 to 0.6 for highest versus lowest quartiles of IGFBP-3) but not of early-stage prostate cancer. Neither was differentially associated with Gleason score. Men with high IGF-I levels and low IGFBP-3 levels had an RR for advanced-stage prostate cancer of 9.5 (95% CI = 1.9 to 48.4) compared with men with low levels of both. Combining IGF-I and IGFPB-3 measurements with a standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement for prostate cancer screening increased the specificity (from 91% to 93%) but decreased sensitivity (from 40% to 36%) compared with measurement of PSA alone. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 may predict the risk of developing advanced-stage prostate cancer, but their utility for screening patients with incident prostate cancer may be limited.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Dietary fat intake and ovarian cancer in a cohort of US women.

Several studies have suggested that high intake of fats and fat-rich foods may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The authors examined these relations in the Nurses' Health Study cohort. Dietary intake was assessed in 1980, 1984, 1986, and 1990 by using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Food data were used to calculate intake of various fats and fatty acids. For best reflection of long-term intake, an updated, cumulative, averaged measure of fat intake was used to predict incidence of ovarian cancer. Between 1980 and 1996, 301 incident cases of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer were confirmed among the 80,258 participants who completed the baseline food frequency questionnaire. There was no evidence of a positive association between intake of any type of fat and ovarian cancer risk, even after adjustment of fat subtypes for one another. Women in the highest quintile of total fat intake were not at increased risk compared with those in the lowest quintile (multivariate relative risk = 1.03, 95 percent confidence interval: 0.72, 1.45, p for trend = 0.97). Intakes of fat-rich foods were also not appreciably associated with ovarian cancer risk, although an increase in risk with frequent intake of eggs was observed. Overall, results suggest no association between intake of any type of fat and ovarian cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Prospective study of C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and plasma lipid levels as predictors of sudden cardiac death.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important cause of mortality even among apparently healthy populations. However, our ability to identify those at risk for SCD in the general population is poor, and more specific markers are needed. METHODS AND RESULTS: To compare and contrast the relative importance of C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and lipids as long-term predictors of SCD, we performed a prospective, nested, case-control analysis involving 97 cases of SCD among apparently healthy men enrolled in the Physician's Health Study. Of these plasma markers measured, only baseline CRP levels were significantly associated with the risk of SCD over the ensuing 17 years of follow-up (P for trend=0.001). The increase in risk associated with CRP levels was primarily seen among men in the highest quartile, who were at a 2.78-fold increased risk of SCD (95% CI 1.35 to 5.72) compared with men in the lowest quartile. These results were not significantly altered in analyses that (in addition to the matching variables of age and smoking status) controlled for lipid parameters, homocysteine, and multiple cardiac risk factors (relative risk for highest versus lowest quartile 2.65, 95% CI 0.79 to 8.83; P for trend=0.03). In contrast to the positive relationship observed for CRP, neither homocysteine nor lipid levels were significantly associated with risk of SCD. CONCLUSIONS: These prospective data suggest that CRP levels may be useful in identifying apparently healthy men who are at an increased long-term risk of SCD.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Recreational physical activity and ovarian cancer in a population-based case-control study.

Results from epidemiologic studies of physical activity and ovarian cancer have been inconsistent, with 2 prospective studies reporting a modest positive association. We evaluated this relationship in a population-based case-control study conducted in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Incident cases diagnosed between 1991 and 1994 were identified through statewide tumor registries. Community controls were selected randomly from lists of licensed drivers and Medicare recipients. Participation in moderate and vigorous recreational physical activity at age 12, age 20 and 5 years prior to diagnosis was assessed by telephone interview. Data were available for 327 cases and 3,129 controls. Results were adjusted for age, parity and other ovarian cancer risk factors. Total and vigorous physical activity were not associated with a substantial decrease in ovarian cancer risk at any age. The relative risk (RR) for women reporting > or = 7 vs. 0 hr/week of recent vigorous activity was 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.39-1.86; p for trend = 0.31]. When metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours of activity were estimated, only women in the highest category had any reduction in risk (RR for > 42 MET-hours/week at the reference age = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.36-1.35; p for trend = 0.41). Overall, our results provide only limited support for an inverse association between recreational physical activity and risk of ovarian cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Occurrence of NKX3.1 C154T polymorphism in men with and without prostate cancer and studies of its effect on protein function.

NKX3.1, a member of the NK class of homeodomain proteins, is expressed primarily in the adult prostate and has growth suppression and differentiating effects in prostate epithelial cells. A C-->T polymorphism at nucleotide 154 (NKX3.1 C154T) is present in approximately 11% of healthy men with equal distribution among whites and blacks. In a cohort of 1253 prostate cancer patients and age-matched controls, the presence of the polymorphism was associated with a 1.8-fold risk of having stage C or D prostate cancer or Gleason score > or =7 (confidence interval, 1.01-3.22). The NKX3.1 C154T polymorphism codes for a variant protein that contains an arginine-to-cysteine substitution at amino acid 52 (R52C) adjacent to a protein kinase C phosphorylation site at serine 48. Substitution of cysteine for arginine 52 or of alanine for serine 48 (S48A) reduced phosphorylation at serine 48 in vitro and in vivo. Phosphorylation of wild-type NKX3.1, but not of NKX3.1 R52C or NKX3.1 S48A, diminished binding in vitro to a high-affinity DNA binding sequence. NKX3.1 also serves as a transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor. Treatment of cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate to phosphorylate NKX3.1 had no effect on NKX3.1 coactivation of serum response factor. Neither the R52C nor the S48A substitution affected serum response factor coactivation by NKX3.1 We conclude that the polymorphic NKX3.1 allele codes for a variant protein with altered DNA binding activity that may affect prostate cancer risk.

DNA, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2002

Blood levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids and the risk of sudden death.

BACKGROUND: Experimental data suggest that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish have antiarrhythmic properties, and a randomized trial suggested that dietary supplements of n-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of sudden death among survivors of myocardial infarction. Whether long-chain n-3 fatty acids are also associated with the risk of sudden death in those without a history of cardiovascular disease is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, nested case-control analysis among apparently healthy men who were followed for up to 17 years in the Physicians' Health Study. The fatty-acid composition of previously collected blood was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography for 94 men in whom sudden death occurred as the first manifestation of cardiovascular disease and for 184 controls matched with them for age and smoking status. RESULTS: Base-line blood levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids were inversely related to the risk of sudden death both before adjustment for potential confounders (P for trend = 0.004) and after such adjustment (P for trend = 0.007). As compared with men whose blood levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids were in the lowest quartile, the relative risk of sudden death was significantly lower among men with levels in the third quartile (adjusted relative risk, 0.28; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.09 to 0.87) and the fourth quartile (adjusted relative risk, 0.19; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.05 to 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The n-3 fatty acids found in fish are strongly associated with a reduced risk of sudden death among men without evidence of prior cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake and risk of coronary heart disease in women.

CONTEXT: Higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in men, but limited data are available regarding women. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acid consumption and risk of CHD in women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Dietary consumption and follow-up data from 84 688 female nurses enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study, aged 34 to 59 years and free from cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline in 1980, were compared from validated questionnaires completed in 1980, 1984, 1986, 1990, and 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incident nonfatal myocardial infarction and CHD deaths. RESULTS: During 16 years of follow-up, there were 1513 incident cases of CHD (484 CHD deaths and 1029 nonfatal myocardial infarctions). Compared with women who rarely ate fish (<1 per month), those with a higher intake of fish had a lower risk of CHD. After adjustment for age, smoking, and other cardiovascular risk factors, the multivariable relative risks (RRs) of CHD were 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.97) for fish consumption 1 to 3 times per month, 0.71 (95% CI, 0.58-0.87) for once per week, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.55-0.88) for 2 to 4 times per week, and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.50-0.89) for 5 or more times per week (P for trend =.001). Similarly, women with a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids had a lower risk of CHD, with multivariable RRs of 1.0, 0.93, 0.78, 0.68, and 0.67 (P<.001 for trend) across quintiles of intake. For fish intake and omega-3 fatty acids, the inverse association appeared to be stronger for CHD deaths (multivariate RR for fish consumption 5 times per week, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.33-0.90] for CHD deaths vs 0.73 [0.51-1.04]) than for nonfatal myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Among women, higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of CHD, particularly CHD deaths.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension in young women.

BACKGROUND: Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. However, the effect of moderate alcohol consumption; the specific effects of wine, beer, and liquor; and the pattern of drinking in relation to risk of hypertension among young women are unclear. METHODS: We prospectively examined the association between alcohol consumption and subsequent risk of hypertension among 70 891 women 25 to 42 years of age. RESULTS: During the 8 years of follow-up, 4188 cases (5.9%) of incident hypertension were reported. After adjustment for multiple covariates, the association between alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension followed a J-shaped curve. Compared with nondrinkers, the risk of developing hypertension according to average number of drinks consumed per day was as follows: 0.25 or less, 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-1.03); 0.26 to 0.50, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75-0.98); 0.51 to 1.00, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.82-1.04); 1.01 to 1.50, 1.00 (95% CI, 0.80-1.24); 1.51 to 2.00, 1.20 (95% CI, 0.92-1.58); and more than 2.0 drinks, 1.31 (95% CI, 1.02-1.68). Exclusion of past drinkers yielded similar results. Among women in the highest category of alcohol consumption, there was a suggestion that the increased risk of hypertension was present regardless of the specific beverage consumed (beer, wine, or liquor). Episodic drinking, defined as consumption of more than 10.5 drinks over 3 or fewer days per week, was not associated with increased risk of hypertension (relative risk, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.51-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: The association between alcohol consumption and risk of chronic hypertension in young women follows a J-shaped curve, with light drinkers demonstrating a modest decrease in risk and more regular heavy drinkers demonstrating an increase in risk.

Adult↗