Fish consumption and its motives in households with versus without self-reported medical history of CVD: A consumer survey from five European countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to explore the cross-cultural differences in the frequency of fish intake and in motivations for fish consumption between people from households with (CVD+) or without (CVD-) medical history of cardiovascular disease, using data obtained in five European countries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional consumer survey was carried out in November-December 2004 with representative household samples from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Spain. The sample consisted of 4,786 respondents, aged 18–84 and who were responsible for food purchasing and cooking in the household.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Individuals from households in the CVD+ group consumed fish more frequently in Belgium and in Denmark as compared to those in the CVD- group. The consumption of fatty fish, which is the main sources of omega-3 PUFA associated with prevention of cardiovascular diseases, was on the same level for the two CVD groups in the majority of the countries, except in Belgium where CVD+ subjects reported to eat fatty fish significantly more frequently than CVD- subjects. All respondents perceived fish as a very healthy and nutritious food product. Only Danish consumers reported a higher subjective and objective knowledge related to nutrition issues about fish. In the other countries, objective knowledge about fish was on a low level, similar for CVD+ as for CVD- subjects, despite a higher claimed use of medical information sources about fish among CVD+ subjects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although a number of differences between CVD- and CVD+ subjects with respect to their frequency of fish intake are uncovered, the findings suggest that fish consumption traditions and habits – rather than a medical history of CVD – account for large differences between the countries, particularly in fatty fish consumption. This study exemplifies the need for nutrition education and more effective communication about fish, not only to the people facing chronic diseases, but also to the broader public. European consumers are convinced that eating fish is healthy, but particular emphasis should be made on communicating benefits especially from fatty fish consumption.</p

Age and sex distribution of the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus found in a primary referral endoscopy center

BACKGROUND: Both the demographics underlying the sex ratio in the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and the status of BE without intestinal metaplasia (IM) are unclear. AIMS: To establish the demographics of histologically proven BE, IM+ and IM-, over a 15-yr period from a primary referral, endoscopy unit. PATIENTS: For all BE patients aged 20-89 yr, identified between 1982 and 1996, IM+ or IM-, AND METHODS: prevalences were calculated per 100 first endoscopies. RESULTS: A total of 492 cases of BE, 320 (248 IM+) in males, 175 (127 IM+) in females were identified in 21,899 first endoscopies (10,939 males, 10,960 females). Between ages 20 and 59 yr in males and 20-79 in females, IM+, IM- and all BE prevalences rose by +/- 7.36% for each additional year of age (p = 0.92) with, however, a 20-yr age shift between the sexes, resulting in a male:female OR 4.15 95% Cl 2.99-5.77. A declining rate of increase in over 59 males resulted in an overall male:female OR 2.14, 95% Cl 1.77-2.58. Over the age of 79 yr, BE prevalences/100 first endoscopies fell from a maximum of 5.1 in males and 3.65 in females to 3.38 and 2.53, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 4:1 sex ratio and 20-yr age shift between males and females in the prevalence of BE, both IM+ and IM-, found in younger age groups, was the main cause of the overall BE 2:1 sex ratio. The very similar demographics of IM- and IM+ BE suggest they may be two consecutive stages in the same metaplastic process

Mortality in Barrett's esophagus: three decades of experience at a single center

Telah dilakukan penelitian mengenai validasi ETNA untuk analisis sampel radioaktivitas lingkungan dengan spektrometri gamma di Laboratorium Radioaktivitas Latar Rendah, Pusat Sains dan Teknologi Akselerator-BATAN. Tujuan utama penelitian ini adalah menentukan validitas penggunaan ETNA untuk menghitung efisiensi pengukuran dari sampel dengan geometri yang berbeda dari geometri kalibrasi, serta penggunaan geometri yang optimal dalam pengukuran maupun kalibrasi. Penelitian dilakukan dengan mengukur cacah sumber standar 152Eu dan 241Am bentuk titik dengan variasi jarak sumber-detektor 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, dan 30 cm, serta standar IAEA 373 dan IAEA 375 bentuk silinder dengan jarak sumber-detektor sejauh 0, 5, dan 10 cm. Efisiensi pengukuran dari masing-masing energi dan jarak pengukuran dihitung, kemudian dibandingkan dengan efisiensi hasil perhitungan ETNA sehingga dapat ditentukan perbedaan diantaranya. Pengukuran sumber menghasilkan perbedaan nilai efisiensi di atas 10% untuk jarak sumber-detektor 5 cm dan di atas 5% untuk jarak sumber-detektor 10 cm. Perbedaan terkecil, yaitu 0,03% - 4,6% didapatkan dengan menggunakan jarak sumber-detektor sejauh 25 cm sebagai geometri kalibrasi, dengan geometri pengukuran di atas 15 cm. Pada pengukuran sumber silinder, didapatkan perbedaan nilai efisiensi terkecil sebesar 9,34%, 2,70%, dan 2,80% untuk standar IAEA 373, serta 3,50%, 0,012%, dan 1,17% untuk standar IAEA 375 pada jarak pengukuran berturut-turut 0, 5, dan 10 cm denganmenggunakan geometri kalibrasi sumber titik dengan jarak sumber-detektor 5 cm