Polymorphisms in Genes of Relevance for Oestrogen and Oxytocin Pathways and Risk of Barrett's Oesophagus and Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Pooled Analysis from the BEACON Consortium.

BACKGROUND: The strong male predominance in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and Barrett's oesophagus (BO) continues to puzzle. Hormonal influence, e.g. oestrogen or oxytocin, might contribute. METHODS: This genetic-epidemiological study pooled 14 studies from three continents, Australia, Europe, and North America. Polymorphisms in 3 key genes coding for the oestrogen pathway (receptor alpha (ESR1), receptor beta (ESR2), and aromatase (CYP19A1)), and 3 key genes of the oxytocin pathway (the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), oxytocin protein (OXT), and cyclic ADP ribose hydrolase glycoprotein (CD38)), were analysed using a gene-based approach, versatile gene-based test association study (VEGAS). RESULTS: Among 1508 OAC patients, 2383 BO patients, and 2170 controls, genetic variants within ESR1 were associated with BO in males (p = 0.0058) and an increased risk of OAC and BO combined in males (p = 0.0023). Genetic variants within OXTR were associated with an increased risk of BO in both sexes combined (p = 0.0035) and in males (p = 0.0012). We followed up these suggestive findings in a further smaller data set, but found no replication. There were no significant associations between the other 4 genes studied and risk of OAC, BO, separately on in combination, in males and females combined or in males only. CONCLUSION: Genetic variants in the oestrogen receptor alpha and the oxytocin receptor may be associated with an increased risk of BO or OAC, but replication in other large samples are needed

A gender perspective on factors that influence outdoor recreational physical activity among the elderly

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical activity (PA) is part of a healthy lifestyle and prevents many chronic health problems, in addition to promoting mental health. PA performed outdoors has been found particularly good for promoting one's well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which outdoor recreational PA was carried out during 1 year, and the factors influencing such activities from a gender perspective among persons ≥ 60 years of age.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study included 999 individuals 60-96 years of age living in the south eastern part of Sweden. Data collection was carried out during the years of 2001-2003. We measured the amount of regular light and/or intense outdoor recreational PA performed during the last year and determined the probability of performing PA as a function of 10 variables covering individual and socioeconomic factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results suggest that being independent physically and healthy enough to manage one's personal hygiene and having access to areas for country walks were the most important factors associated with the probability of engaging in outdoor recreational PA for both men and women. Despite the level of performance being almost equal for the sexes as two-thirds of both had performed outdoor recreational PA during the preceding year more factors, i.e., living alone, being unable to cover an unexpected cost, fear of being violated, and fear of falling, were associated with the possibilities of engaging in outdoor recreational PA among women. Also increasing age seems to affect activities among women negatively to a higher extent than men.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Men and women seem to have different opportunities and needs with respect to performing PA. These considerations do not seem to be sufficiently taken into account today and improvements could be made concerning e.g., health-promoting activities suggested to the elderly by healthcare personnel and spatial planning within society. Promoting outdoor recreational PA that has restorative effects on well-being needs to focus on activities which are attractive and affordable for the majority of both men and women.</p

Dietary proportions of carbohydrates, fat, and protein and risk of oesophageal cancer by histological type.

BACKGROUND: Dietary habits influence the risk of cancer of the oesophagus and oesophago-gastric junction, but the role of proportions of the main dietary macronutrients carbohydrates, fats and proteins is uncertain. METHODS: Data was derived from a nationwide Swedish population-based case-control study conducted in 1995-1997, in which case ascertainment was rapid, and all cases were uniformly classified. Information on the subjects' history of dietary intake was collected in personal interviews. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression, with adjustment for potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: Included were 189 oesophageal adenocarcinomas, 262 oesophago-gastric adenocarcinomas, 167 oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas, and 820 control subjects. Regarding oesophageal or oesophago-gastric junctional adenocarcinoma, a high dietary proportion of carbohydrates decreased the risk (OR 0.50, CI 0.34-0.73), and a high portion of fat increased the risk (OR 1.96, CI 1.34-2.87), while a high proportion of protein did not influence the risk (OR 1. 08, 95% CI 0.75-1.56). Regarding oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the single macronutrients did not influence the risk statistically significantly. CONCLUSIONS: A diet with a low proportion of carbohydrates and a high proportion of fat might increase the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Abdominal Fat and Male Excess of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Swedish Research Council and Swedish Cancer SocietyAccepte

Association between proportion of monthly energy intake of the dietary macro nutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

*<p>Adjusted for sex, age, reflux, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, education grade, and total energy intake.</p>**<p>Categorised into quartiles of intake reported by the control subjects.</p>***<p>C-high = Carbohydrate proportion ≥48%, C-low = Carbohydrate proportion <48%, P-high = Protein proportion ≥37%, P-low = Protein proportion <37%, F-high = Fat proportion ≥24%, F-low = Fat proportion <24%.</p

Characteristics of the 1,438 study participants.

*<p>Tobacco smoking status including cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking was assessed two years before the interview.</p>**<p>High alcohol consumption was defined as more than 70 grams of pure alcohol per week.</p>***<p>Body mass index was assessed 20 years before interview, and calculated as body weight divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²).</p>****<p>Low educational level was defined as less than 7 years of formal education.</p

Association between proportion of monthly energy intake of the dietary macro nutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

*<p>Adjusted for sex, age, reflux, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, education grade, and total energy intake.</p>**<p>Categorised into quartiles of intake reported by the control subjects.</p>***<p>C-high = Carbohydrate proportion ≥48%, C-low = Carbohydrate proportion <48%, P-high = Protein proportion ≥37%, P-low = Protein proportion <37%, F-high = Fat proportion ≥24%, F-low = Fat proportion <24%.</p

Association between proportion of monthly energy intake of the dietary macro nutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and risk of oesophago-gastric junctional adenocarcinoma, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

*<p>Adjusted for sex, age, reflux, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, education grade, and total energy intake.</p>**<p>Categorised into quartiles of intake reported by the control subjects.</p>***<p>C-high = Carbohydrate proportion ≥48%, C-low = Carbohydrate proportion <48%, P-high = Protein proportion ≥37%, P-low = Protein proportion <37%, F-high = Fat proportion ≥24%, F-low = Fat proportion <24%.</p

Association between proportion of monthly energy intake of the dietary macro nutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and risk of oesophageal or oesophago-gastric junctional adenocarcinoma, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

*<p>Adjusted for sex, age, reflux, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, education grade, and total energy intake.</p>**<p>Categorised into quartiles of intake reported by the control subjects.</p>***<p>C-high = Carbohydrate proportion ≥48%, C-low = Carbohydrate proportion <48%, P-high = Protein proportion ≥37%, P-low = Protein proportion <37%, F-high = Fat proportion ≥24%, F-low = Fat proportion <24%.</p

The prevalence of primary ovarian insufficiency in Sweden; a national register study

BackgroundThe current estimates of the prevalence of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) are very variable, but are in most studies believed to be around 1%. It is also very likely tat the prevalence of POI differs between countries and over time. We therefore aimed to assess the prevalence of primary ovarian insufficiency in Sweden.MethodsAll 1,036,918 women born between 1973 and 1993 in Sweden were included. The prevalence of POI was based on data from the Swedish Patient Register through the diagnosis code or through the Prescribed Drug Register. The number of women below 40years of age diagnosed with the ICD-10 diagnoses E28.3 or E89.4, and women who had been dispensed drugs for treatment of climacteric symptoms were included.ResultsOut of the 1,036,918 women, 19,253 (1.9%) had POI. The prevalence of spontaneous POI was 1.7% and the prevalence of iatrogenic POI was 0.2%. Most women (98.8%) with POI were identified from the Prescribed Drug Register; only 4.1% were found in the Patient Register, whereas 2.9% were identified in both registers.ConclusionsThe total prevalence of POI was 1.9%, 95% CI: 1.7-2.1, indicating a higher prevalence than often previously reported.Funding Agencies|Research Council in the southeast of Sweden; FORSS</p