The role of body height as a co-factor of excess weight in Switzerland

OBJECT: Excess weight (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25.0 kg/m2 ) is a major health issue worldwide, including in Switzerland. For high-income countries, little attention has been paid to body height in context of excess weight. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of body height as a co-factor for excess weight in multiple large nationwide data sets. DATA AND METHODS: In this comparative study, we included the largest nationwide and population-based studies in the fields of public health, nutrition and economics for Switzerland, as well as data of the medical examination during conscription for the Swiss Armed Forces, which contained information on BMI and, if possible, waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR). RESULTS: The multinomial logistic regressions show that the probability of belonging to the excess weight category (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 ) decreased with increasing height in both sexes inall contemporary data sets. This negative association was shown to be constant, only among conscripts measured in the 1870s the association was positive, when increasing height was associated with a higher BMI. The negative association not only emerge in BMI, but also in WHtR and WHR. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the importance of body height as a co-factor of excess weight, suggesting a clear negative association between height and BMI, WHtR and WHR. Evidence indicates that both early-life environmental exposures and alleles associated with height may contribute to these associations. This knowledge could serve as further starting points for prevention programs in the field of public health

The role of body height as a co-factor of excess weight in Switzerland.

OBJECT Excess weight (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25.0 kg/m2 ) is a major health issue worldwide, including in Switzerland. For high-income countries, little attention has been paid to body height in context of excess weight. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of body height as a co-factor for excess weight in multiple large nationwide data sets. DATA AND METHODS In this comparative study, we included the largest nationwide and population-based studies in the fields of public health, nutrition and economics for Switzerland, as well as data of the medical examination during conscription for the Swiss Armed Forces, which contained information on BMI and, if possible, waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR). RESULTS The multinomial logistic regressions show that the probability of belonging to the excess weight category (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 ) decreased with increasing height in both sexes inall contemporary data sets. This negative association was shown to be constant, only among conscripts measured in the 1870s the association was positive, when increasing height was associated with a higher BMI. The negative association not only emerge in BMI, but also in WHtR and WHR. CONCLUSION Our results emphasize the importance of body height as a co-factor of excess weight, suggesting a clear negative association between height and BMI, WHtR and WHR. Evidence indicates that both early-life environmental exposures and alleles associated with height may contribute to these associations. This knowledge could serve as further starting points for prevention programs in the field of public health

Experiences with the Kono-S Anastomosis in Crohn’s Disease of the Terminal Ileum—a Cohort Study

Purpose The most frequent long-term complication after ileocecal resection in Crohn’s disease is anastomotic recurrence and subsequent stenosis. Recurrence typically begins at the site of the anastomosis, raising the question of whether the surgical technique of the anastomosis could affect recurrence rates. Kono-S anastomosis is a hand-sewn antimesenteric functional end-to-end anastomosis that offers a wide lumen that is well accessible for endoscopic dilatation. The purpose of our study is to review the rate of postoperative complications almost 2 years after the introduction of this technique. Materials and methods This is a prospective single-center cohort study of all consecutive patients with Crohn’s disease undergoing ileocecal resection. Patients’ characteristics as well as specific data for the surgical procedure and short-term outcome were evaluated. Results Thirty patients were operated for Crohn’s disease of the terminal ileum (n = 24) or anastomotic recurrence (n = 6). Postoperative complications with a Clavien-Dindo Score ≥ IIIb were observed in three patients. One patient showed a hemorrhage and underwent surgical hemostasis. Two patients developed anastomotic leakage; in both cases, ileostomy was created after resection of the anastomosis. The median hospital stay was 9 days (IQR 7–12). A comparison with a historic group of conventionally operated patients of our hospital revealed no differences in short-term results except for the duration of surgery. Conclusion The Kono-S anastomosis is associated with acceptable short-term results, complications, and recurrence rates comparable with the established anastomotic techniques. Longer operation times are observed, but the few published studies concerning long-term recurrence are promising

Calcitonin precursors are reliable markers of sepsis in a medical intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of infection in critically ill patients is challenging because traditional markers of infection are often misleading. For example, serum concentrations of calcitonin precursors are increased in patients with infections. However, their predictive accuracy for the diagnosis of sepsis in unselected patients in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) is unknown. Therefore, we compared the usefulness of serum concentrations of calcitonin precursors, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and lactate for the diagnosis of sepsis in consecutive patients suffering from a broad range of diseases with an anticipated stay of < or =24 hrs in a medical ICU. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit in a university medical center. PATIENTS: 101 consecutive critically ill patients. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood samples were collected at various time points during the course of the disease. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock were diagnosed according to standardized criteria, and patients were reclassified daily without prior knowledge of the serum concentrations of calcitonin precursors or interleukin-6. At admission, 99% of the patients had systemic inflammatory response syndrome, 53% had sepsis, and 5% developed sepsis during their stay in the ICU. Calcitonin precursors, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and lactate levels increased with the severity of infection (p 1 ng/mL had sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 94% for the diagnosis of sepsis. High serum concentrations of calcitonin precursors were associated with poor prognosis (p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In a medical ICU, serum calcitonin precursor concentrations are more sensitive and are specific markers of sepsis as compared with serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and lactate levels

The role of body height as a co-factor of excess weight in Switzerland

Object: Excess weight (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25.0 kg/m2 ) is a major health issue worldwide, including in Switzerland. For high-income countries, little attention has been paid to body height in context of excess weight. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of body height as a co-factor for excess weight in multiple large nationwide data sets. Data and methods: In this comparative study, we included the largest nationwide and population-based studies in the fields of public health, nutrition and economics for Switzerland, as well as data of the medical examination during conscription for the Swiss Armed Forces, which contained information on BMI and, if possible, waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR). Results: The multinomial logistic regressions show that the probability of belonging to the excess weight category (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 ) decreased with increasing height in both sexes inall contemporary data sets. This negative association was shown to be constant, only among conscripts measured in the 1870s the association was positive, when increasing height was associated with a higher BMI. The negative association not only emerge in BMI, but also in WHtR and WHR. Conclusion: Our results emphasize the importance of body height as a co-factor of excess weight, suggesting a clear negative association between height and BMI, WHtR and WHR. Evidence indicates that both early-life environmental exposures and alleles associated with height may contribute to these associations. This knowledge could serve as further starting points for prevention programs in the field of public health