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Biomedical subjects

P Cremer

Publications and source records attributed to P Cremer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Simvastatin added to ursodeoxycholic acid does not enhance disappearance of gallstone fragments after shock wave therapy.

Inhibitors of the HMG-CoA reductase have been shown to further reduce the biliary cholesterol saturation in patients treated with oral bile acids for cholesterol gallbladder stones. It was the aim of our study to evaluate the efficacy of simvastatin in addition to ursodeoxycholic acid in the dissolution of gallstone fragments after shock wave lithotripsy and adjuvant bile acid dissolution therapy. Eighteen patients with a single radiolucent gallbladder stone and a serum cholesterol of more than 250 mg/dl were randomly assigned to receive either ursodeoxycholic acid alone (750 mg per day, group A, n = 9) or in combination with simvastatin (20 mg per day, group B, n = 9) for the dissolution of the gallstone fragments generated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The two groups were well matched regarding their baseline characteristics. At the primary end point of the study 6 months after lithotripsy, there was no difference between the groups in the rate of gallstone disappearance with 4 of 9 patients being stone free in each group. As evaluated by life table analysis, even further follow-up showed no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.8). In group B, serum cholesterol levels decreased by 22% at 3 months (P = 0.01 vs. baseline) and by 24% at six months (P = 0.02) during treatment while no significant change was observed in group A. With both regiments, no adverse effects were observed. While simvastatin added to ursodeoxycholic acid resulted in a decrease of elevated serum cholesterol levels in gallstone patients, it did not enhance stone disappearance after shock wave lithotripsy and adjuvant bile acid dissolution therapy.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed1994

Lipoprotein Lp(a) as predictor of myocardial infarction in comparison to fibrinogen, LDL cholesterol and other risk factors: results from the prospective Göttingen Risk Incidence and Prevalence Study (GRIPS).

Based on pathophysiological findings Lp(a) is considered to be a cardiovascular risk factor. The Göttingen Risk Incidence and Prevalence Study (GRIPS) provides the possibility to evaluate this impact of Lp(a) on the basis of a large prospective cohort study. GRIPS included 6002 men, aged 40-59.9 years at baseline. Data of a 5 year follow-up period is now available for > 95% of the study participants. Multivariate logistic regression models for the estimation of MI risk confirm Lp(a) as an important risk factor, ranking fifth behind LDL cholesterol, family history of MI, plasma fibrinogen and HDL cholesterol (inversely related). The GRIPS data strongly support strategies for the identification and treatment of persons at increased MI risk which focus on LDL cholesterol. However, Lp(a) and fibrinogen have to be seriously considered as additional risk factors and should be included in diagnostic panels for the estimation of MI risk.

Cholesterol, LDL↗
PubMed1992

Determinants of plasma fibrinogen: relation to body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, alcohol, age, and sex. Results from the second MONICA Augsburg survey 1989-1990.

In the second World Health Organization MONItoring Trends and Determinants in CArdiovascular Disease (MONICA) Augsburg survey in 1989-1990 (n = 4,940), the association between nephelometric plasma fibrinogen level and lifestyle-related potential determinants was assessed in 4,434 subjects aged 25-74 years (89.8% of participants). Irrespective of pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives, crude fibrinogen values were consistently higher in women than in men of all ages (age-standardized difference, 12.2 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-17.4 mg/dl). Fibrinogen concentrations were positively correlated (p less than or equal to 0.0001) with age, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio in both sexes and with cigarette smoking in men and were negatively correlated with alcohol consumption in both sexes. In multiple linear regression analyses using categorized determinants as independent variables, a strongly J-shaped relation for body mass index in women and a linear association for waist-to-hip ratio in men were revealed. Smoking had a dose-dependent effect on fibrinogen concentration in men but a lesser effect in women. For alcohol consumption a U-shaped association was found, particularly in men. The curvilinear relations were confirmed in multiple polynomial regression models using continuous determinant variables. The potential epidemiological impact of a determinant was assessed by calculating differences in adjusted fibrinogen concentrations associated with the 10th and 90th percentile values of the determinant distributions actually observed among the study participants. This impact on the population fibrinogen level was most pronounced for age in both sexes, followed by body mass index, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption in women and by smoking, waist-to-hip ratio, and alcohol consumption in men.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdomen↗
PubMed1992

[Prevention of cardiovascular diseases by intervention in lipid metabolism].

Atherogenesis is a multifactorial event. Experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies, however, have clearly indicated the major role of LDL-cholesterol in the process of cholesterol deposition in the arterial wall. Although most patients with severe hypercholesterolemia suffer from premature coronary heart disease, it is a medical experience, that there are subjects who tolerate hypercholesterolemia and reach high ages without problems of their coronary arteries. Thus, there is much biological variation in the response of the arterial wall to elevated LDL-cholesterol, a fact which emphasizes the need to differentiate between goals and means of primary and the goals and means of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and between the goals of a population strategy and the goals and means of an individual therapeutic strategy. Today the knowledge about the role of lipids and lipoproteins in atherogenesis is convincing. Epidemiological as well as intervention studies have proven the benefit of an appropriate lipid lowering therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Risk factor patterns for coronary heart disease in China, Japan and Germany.

The risk factor patterns for coronary heart disease in China, Japan and Germany were studied. 6,025 Germans, 7,580 Japanese and 2,047 Chinese aged 30-59 were investigated following the protocol of the Göttingen Risk, Incidence, and Prevalence Study carried out in West Germany in 1982. It is concluded that in China, the risk factor intervention focuses mainly on smoking and hypertension; smoking also remains the most important risk factor in Japan; while in Germany the major targets are obesity and hyperlipidemia. However, about 38% of the participants from West Germany showed 3 or more risk factors accumulated per person. Thus the multifactorial risk factor reduction might be necessary in Germany.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Differences in the risk factor patterns for coronary heart disease in China, Japan, and Germany.

In Asia coronary heart disease mortality is almost 10 fold less frequent than in European countries. These findings attract interest to search for different risk factor patterns. From 1982 to 1985 epidemiologic surveys were carried out in China (n = 2047), Japan (n = 7580) and Germany (n = 6052). Healthy, male subjects, aged 30 to 59 years were enrolled. The prevalence rate of hypertension for the Germans was 20% versus 18% for the Japanese, and 11% for the Chinese. About 69% of Chinese, 55% of Japanese, and 37% of Germans were smokers. About 66% of the Germans were overweight (BMI greater than 25), 17% of the Japanese, and 11% of the Chinese. The highest risk group with cholesterol levels of greater than 300 mg/dl included no Chinese subject, 0.1% of the Japanese, but 5% of the Germans. The lipoprotein profiles among the Japanese and the Chinese collectives typically showed antiatherosclerotic characteristics, whereas most Germans exhibited profiles which support development of atherosclerosis. About 36% of the participants from Germany showed 3 or more risk factors accumulated per person (Japan and China 5%). Multifactorial risk factor reduction for Germany is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Incidence and mortality rates of myocardial infarction in Chinese workers aged 40-59 in relation to coronary risk factors. Results of a Chinese prospective study (Wuhan Study) in comparison to the Göttingen Risk Incidence and Prevalence Study (GRIPS).

Some 2045 male Chinese industrial workers aged 40-59 years living in the city of Wuhan in the People's Republic of China were examined for coronary risk factors in the year 1983. The investigation included a patient history, clinical examination, and ECG and laboratory tests, with special attention to serum lipids. After 5 years, a follow-up investigation of the study group was carried out. The results were compared to the similarly designed German GRIPS project. In comparison to the German population, significantly lower levels for total-, LDL-, and VLDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, triglycerides, uric acid, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure were found in China. The percentage of smokers, however, was remarkably higher in China than in the Federal Republic of Germany. During the 5 year observation period in the Chinese sample, four subjects suffered from sudden death and four from nonfatal myocardial infarction; in the German study group three times as many fatal myocardial infarction and cases of sudden death and 7.5 times as many nonfatal myocardial infarctions were recorded. Nonfatal coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease were also observed less often in China. The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases was 1.5 times higher in China than in Germany. Whereas in Germany, total-, and LDL-cholesterol values were the major distinguishing parameters between infarction and reference groups, in China these values have thus far had no significant influence on the level of risk. Instead in the Chinese incidence group, significantly higher levels for blood pressure, body mass index, uric acid, and the ratio LDL/HDL-cholesterol were found.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Psychosocial and biobehavioral characteristics of hypertensive men with elevated atherogenic lipids.

Epidemiologic studies demonstrated an excess risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among individuals who simultaneously exhibit hypertension and elevated atherogenic lipids (coronary high risk (CHR)-status). Yet, relatively little is known about factors which contribute to the development of CHR-status during early and middle adulthood. The present study explores the role of selected biobehavioral and psychosocial factors in explaining CHR-status using data from a prospective 6.5 years investigation of a cohort of 416 middle-aged (40.8 +/- 9.6 years) male blue-collar workers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that overweight (odds ratio (o.r.) 4.14), smoking (o.r. 2.19), low promotion prospects at work (o.r. 2.71), competitiveness at work (o.r. 2.79) and feelings of sustained anger (o.r. 5.41) independently contribute to the explanation of CHR-status. Furthermore, the operational definition of CHR-status is validated by estimating its power in predicting IHD incidence in the study cohort. In conclusion, co-manifestation of hypertension and elevated lipids is more likely to exist among those blue-collar men who exhibit distinct work-related characteristics in addition to established biobehavioral risks such as overweight and smoking. In view of the high prevalence of CHR-status and of IHD among men in the lower socio-economic strata this finding is also of interest for health policy.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Low status control, high effort at work and ischemic heart disease: prospective evidence from blue-collar men.

An inverse relation between socio-economic class and occurrence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in advanced societies is an often replicated finding from empirical studies. Yet, the processes which produce these effects remain an open question. One promising explanation concerns the prevalence of stressful working life, especially of distinct 'job strain' occupations. Based on these considerations, we develop a refined concept of work-related socio-emotional distress which considers a mismatch between high workload and low control over occupational status (e.g. job insecurity, poor promotion prospects, status inconsistency) as crucial distress-provoking conditions. Moreover, we assume that the effect of this condition on IHD risk is substantially increased by the presence of a distinct individual pattern of coping with work demand ('need for control'). Based on data from a 6.5 years prospective study on IHD incidence (n = 21) in a cohort of 416 middle-aged blue-collar men this concept is tested using logistic regression analysis. Results indicate that status inconsistency [multivariate odds ratio (o.r.): 4.4], job insecurity (o.r. 3.4), work pressure (o.r. 3,4) and 'need for control' (o.r. 4,5) independently predict IHD occurrence after adjusting for major confounding somatic and behavioral coronary risk factors. In conclusion, a refined model of work-related socio-emotional distress substantially contributes to the explanation of high IHD incidence among blue-collar men.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

[The Göttingen Risk, Incidence and Prevalence (GRIPS) study. Recommendations for the prevention of coronary heart disease].

The Göttingen Risk-, Incidence- and Prevalence Study (abbreviated GRIPS) consists of several epidemiological projects, among which project B is currently the most important one. Project B is a prospective cohort study, which was started in 1982 by a baseline investigation, including approximately 6000 men aged 40 to 60 years. Follow-up investigations were performed in 1985 and 1987 in order to record reasons of death and incidences of newly developed diseases. Further follow-up investigations are planned for 1990 and 1992. Until now incidence data of death and diseases are available for a 5-year observation period (January 1982-December 1986), and for more than 95% of the original study participants. The results clearly indicate that plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol, followed by plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and apoprotein B are the predominant predictors for the risk of coronary artery diseases (CAD; i.e. fatal and non fatal myocardial infarction as well as sudden coronary death and chronic coronary heart disease). Further significantly positive associations to the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) were found for the following parameters: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, family history of premature MI, cigarette smoking, plasma levels of triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and blood glucose. Plasma concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and apo A1 showed an inverse relationship to the MI incidence and--somewhat weaker--the same was true for the frequency of alcohol consumption and of physical leisure activity. Besides LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and apoprotein B the following parameters showed significantly positive associations to the risk of chronic coronary heart disease: Systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and--to a lesser extent--the plasma levels of triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and blood glucose. An inverse relationship to the incidence rate of chronic coronary heart disease was found for HDL-cholesterol, apo A1 and the frequency of physical leisure activity. Based on the epidemiological results from GRIPS, additionally considering results from other epidemiologic studies and pathophysiological findings a diagnostic strategy was developed for the early recognition of patients at increased coronary risk. LDL-cholesterol is the most important variable in this diagnostic schedule but the coronary status and the individual profile of further risk factors (i.e. positive family history of premature myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, increased plasma levels of triglyceride rich lipoproteins or Lp(a) as well as decreased plasma concentrations of HDL-cholesterol or apo A1) are additionally taken into account.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Risk of myocardial infarct in 40 to 60-year-old males in relation to potential risk factors of atherosclerosis. Intermediate evaluation of the Göttingen risk, incidence and prevalence study following a 5-year observation period].

The main part of the Göttingen risk, incidence and prevalence study (GRIPS) is a prospective cohort-study (GRIPS-project B). In 1982 about 6,000 male subjects aged 40-60 years underwent an extensive, baseline examination. The incidences of death and disease are being recorded in this collective by regular follow-up investigations. A five-year observation period has now been completed for more than 95% of the original study participants. During this period 107 subjects, who had no symptoms of atherosclerotic diseases in 1982, developed fatal or non fatal myocardial infarction (MI). In the present evaluation this incidence group is compared to those study participants, who remained free of atherosclerotic diseases until December 1986 (reference group: n = 5160). The results indicate that LDL-cholesterol is the predominant predictor of MI-risk among all variables investigated. Additional risk factors of significance were as follows (in the rank order of their importance): positive family history of MI, hyperglycemia, low HDL-cholesterol, increased levels of triglyceride-rich-lipoproteins, hypertension, cigarette-smoking. For the most important risk-factor, LDL-cholesterol, 190 mg/dl seem to be a useful threshold value for therapeutic intervention according to the present data from GRIPS-project B. However, if additional risk-factors or definitive coronary artery disease are present, LDL-cholesterol levels below 140 mg/dl should be the therapeutic aim.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The effect of L-asparaginase on lipid metabolism during induction chemotherapy of childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia.

L-asparaginase is an effective antileukaemic drug and a potent inhibitor of hepatic protein synthesis. Its effect on lipid metabolism was studied in two cohorts of children with ALL, one of whom received L-asparaginase concomitantly with three other drugs (protocol BFM 79). In the second protocol (BFM 83) administration of L-asparaginase was arranged to follow the other three drugs in time sequence. The two major findings of this study were elevated serum levels of total cholesterol and a strong increase in serum triglycerides. The former change was due to an increase in alpha-cholesterol and could not be attributed to L-asparaginase because it was also found following protocol BFM 83 before the administration of the drug. Elevations of total triglycerides were due to high levels of exogenous chylomicron bound triglycerides and were limited in occurrence almost exclusively to the period of L-asparaginase monotherapy. Hypothyroidism was excluded as a possible pathogenetic mechanism. These changes in lipid metabolism induced by L-asparaginase during intensive remission induction chemotherapy are fully reversible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Atherogenic risk in men suffering from occupational stress.

Blue-collar workers suffering from chronic occupational stress exhibit significantly higher values of an atherogenic index (ratio between low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol assessed by quantitative lipoprotein electrophoresis) as compared to men exposed to less stress at work. Chronic occupational stress is defined by interactions of objective (job instability, shift work) and subjective (perceived job insecurity, perceived increase of work load) indicators as assessed by structured interviews. Findings from a prospective epidemiologic study on 416 middle-aged men at entry covering a 2-year period of observation hold true after controlling for several confounding factors such as body weight, age, cigarette smoking and chronic alcohol consumption. Results are in line with experimental animal studies on the influence of chronic social stress on the development of atherosclerosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Lipid metabolic changes during hormonal treatment of endometriosis.

Three groups of patients with pelvic endometriosis were treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 50 mg/day (n = 10), lynestrenol (LYN) 10 mg/day (n = 25) and danazol (DAN) 600 mg/day (n = 25) respectively. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, alpha-lipoprotein, prebetalipoprotein, beta-lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density (HDL) and low-density (LDL) lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A1 and B concentrations were determined before treatment and after 3 and 6 mth of therapy. Whereas lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels did not change in the MPA group, the patients on LYN and in particular those on DNA showed marked changes in lipoportein patterns. Alpha-lipoprotein, HDL and apolipoprotein A1 levels fell, while beta-lipoprotein, LDL and apolipoprotein concentrations rose, these changes being statistically significant. No alterations were seen in the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or prebetalipoprotein cholesterol. In view of a possible relationship between high LDL and low HDL levels and a risk of accelerated coronary arteriosclerosis in women it was concluded that progestogen-induced alterations in lipoprotein patterns should be avoided as far as long-term treatment is concerned and where additional risk factors are present.

Adult↗