Anatomy of Health Effects of Mediterranean Diet: Greek EPIC Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: To investigate the relative importance of the individual components of the Mediterranean diet in generating the inverse association of increased adherence to this diet and overall mortality. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC). Participants: 23 349 men and women, not previously diagnosed with cancer, coronary heart disease, or diabetes, with documented survival status until June 2008 and complete information on nutritional variables and important covariates at enrolment. Main outcome measure: All cause mortality. Results: After a mean follow-up of 8.5 years, 652 deaths from any cause had occurred among 12 694 participants with Mediterranean diet scores 0-4 and 423 among 10 655 participants with scores of 5 or more. Controlling for potential confounders, higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a statistically significant reduction in total mortality (adjusted mortality ratio per two unit increase in score 0.864, 95% confidence interval 0.802 to 0.932). The contributions of the individual components of the Mediterranean diet to this association were moderate ethanol consumption 23.5%, low consumption of meat and meat products 16.6%, high vegetable consumption 16.2%, high fruit and nut consumption 11.2%, high monounsaturated to saturated lipid ratio 10.6%, and high legume consumption 9.7%. The contributions of high cereal consumption and low dairy consumption were minimal, whereas high fish and seafood consumption was associated with a non-significant increase in mortality ratio. Conclusion: The dominant components of the Mediterranean diet score as a predictor of lower mortality are moderate consumption of ethanol, low consumption of meat and meat products, and high consumption of vegetables, fruits and nuts, olive oil, and legumes. Minimal contributions were found for cereals and dairy products, possibly because they are heterogeneous categories of foods with differential health effects, and for fish and seafood, the intake of which is low in this population

Additive influence of genetic predisposition and conventional risk factors in the incidence of coronary heart disease: a population-based study in Greece

Objectives: An additive genetic risk score (GRS) for coronary heart disease (CHD) has previously been associated with incident CHD in the population-based Greek European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC) cohort. In this study, we explore GRS-‘environment’ joint actions on CHD for several conventional cardiovascular risk factors (ConvRFs), including smoking, hypertension, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), body mass index (BMI), physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Design: A case–control study. Setting: The general Greek population of the EPIC study. Participants and outcome measures 477 patients with medically confirmed incident CHD and 1271 controls participated in this study. We estimated the ORs for CHD by dividing participants at higher or lower GRS and, alternatively, at higher or lower ConvRF, and calculated the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) as a measure of deviation from additivity. Results: The joint presence of higher GRS and higher risk ConvRF was in all instances associated with an increased risk of CHD, compared with the joint presence of lower GRS and lower risk ConvRF. The OR (95% CI) was 1.7 (1.2 to 2.4) for smoking, 2.7 (1.9 to 3.8) for hypertension, 4.1 (2.8 to 6.1) for T2DM, 1.9 (1.4 to 2.5) for lower physical activity, 2.0 (1.3 to 3.2) for high BMI and 1.5 (1.1 to 2.1) for poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet. In all instances, RERI values were fairly small and not statistically significant, suggesting that the GRS and the ConvRFs do not have effects beyond additivity. Conclusions: Genetic predisposition to CHD, operationalised through a multilocus GRS, and ConvRFs have essentially additive effects on CHD risk

Methods and introductory results of the Greek national health and nutrition survey - HYDRIA

Background:  According to a large prospective cohort study (with baseline examination in the 1990s) and smaller studies that followed, the population in Greece has been gradually deprived of the favorable morbidity and mortality indices recorded in the 1960s. The HYDRIA survey conducted in 2013-14 is the first nationally representative survey, which collected data related to the health and nutrition of the population in Greece. Methods: The survey sample consists of 4011 males (47%) and females aged 18 years and over. Data collection included interviewer-administered questionnaires on personal characteristics, lifestyle choices, dietary habits and medical history; measurements of somatometry and blood pressure; and, blood drawing. Weighting factors were applied to ensure national representativeness of results. Results: Three out of five adults in Greece reported suffering of a chronic disease, with diabetes mellitus and chronic depression being the more frequent ones among older individuals. The population is also experiencing an overweight/obesity epidemic, since seven out of 10 adults are either overweight or obese. In addition, 40% of the population bears indications of hypertension. Smoking is still common and among women the prevalence was higher in younger age groups. Social disparities were observed in the prevalence of chronic diseases and mortality risk factors (hypertension, obesity, impaired lipid profile and high blood glucose levels). Conclusion: Excess body weight, hypertension, the smoking habit and the population’s limited physical activity are the predominant challenges that public health officials have to deal with in formulating policies and designing actions for the population in Greece

Kortykosteroidy a ryzyko złamania szyjki kości udowej u osób w podeszłym wieku cierpiących na choroby układu oddechowego: wyniki analizy greckiej kohorty badania EPIC

WSTĘP: Wraz ze starzeniem się populacji w najbliższych latach należy spodziewać się wzrostu częstości występowania osteoporozy i chorób układu oddechowego. Kortykosteroidy — leki zwiększające ryzyko osteoporozy, są stosowane w różnych postaciach u chorych na schorzenia układu oddechowego, bez względu na zaawansowany wiek i zwiększone ryzyko złamań. Celem badania była ocena ryzyka złamania szyjki kości udowej u osób w wieku podeszłym, leczonych kortykosteroidami ze wskazań pulmonologicznych, z uwzględnieniem leków wziewnych. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Dane na temat nowych złamań szyjki kości udowej zbierano za pomocą aktywnej obserwacji prospektywnej uczestników greckiego segmentu badania EPIC-Greece (EPIC-Greece, European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition), którzy w momencie rekrutacji osiągnęli wiek co najmniej 60 lat i deklarowali chorobę układu oddechowego rozpoznaną przez lekarza. Dane na temat statusu socjoekonomicznego, stylu życia, stanu zdrowia oraz stosowania kortykosteroidów gromadzono za pomocą kwestionariuszy na początku i końcu badania. W celu oceny współczynnika ryzyka (HR) zastosowano model regresji Coxa, z uwzględnieniem czynników zakłócających. WYNIKI: Stwierdzono wzrost ryzyka złamania szyjki kości udowej związany ze stosowaniem kortykosteroidów (HR: 1,68; 95% CI: 0,85–3,34). Zwiększone ryzyko utrzymywało się, gdy analizę ograniczono do osób przyjmujących jakiekolwiek kortykosteroidy z powodu chorób obturacyjnych (HR: 1,40; 95% CI: 0,64–3,06) oraz do osób przyjmujących wyłącznie leki wziewne (HR: 1,58; 95% CI: 0,71–3,50). Ta pozytywna zależność nie osiągnęła jednak poziomu istotności statystycznej, prawdopodobnie z powodu małej liczby osób ze złamaniami. WNIOSKI: Ryzyko złamania szyjki kości udowej powinno być brane pod uwagę w sytuacji, gdy zaleca się stosowanie kortykosteroidów ze wskazań pulmonologicznych osobom w podeszłym wieku. Problem ten dotyczy również leków wziewnych.WSTĘP: Wraz ze starzeniem się populacji w najbliższych latach należy spodziewać się wzrostu częstości występowania osteoporozy i chorób układu oddechowego. Kortykosteroidy — leki zwiększające ryzyko osteoporozy, są stosowane w różnych postaciach u chorych na schorzenia układu oddechowego, bez względu na zaawansowany wiek i zwiększone ryzyko złamań. Celem badania była ocena ryzyka złamania szyjki kości udowej u osób w wieku podeszłym, leczonych kortykosteroidami ze wskazań pulmonologicznych, z uwzględnieniem leków wziewnych. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Dane na temat nowych złamań szyjki kości udowej zbierano za pomocą aktywnej obserwacji prospektywnej uczestników greckiego segmentu badania EPIC-Greece (EPIC-Greece, European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition), którzy w momencie rekrutacji osiągnęli wiek co najmniej 60 lat i deklarowali chorobę układu oddechowego rozpoznaną przez lekarza. Dane na temat statusu socjoekonomicznego, stylu życia, stanu zdrowia oraz stosowania kortykosteroidów gromadzono za pomocą kwestionariuszy na początku i końcu badania. W celu oceny współczynnika ryzyka (HR) zastosowano model regresji Coxa, z uwzględnieniem czynników zakłócających. WYNIKI: Stwierdzono wzrost ryzyka złamania szyjki kości udowej związany ze stosowaniem kortykosteroidów (HR: 1,68; 95% CI: 0,85–3,34). Zwiększone ryzyko utrzymywało się, gdy analizę ograniczono do osób przyjmujących jakiekolwiek kortykosteroidy z powodu chorób obturacyjnych (HR: 1,40; 95% CI: 0,64–3,06) oraz do osób przyjmujących wyłącznie leki wziewne (HR: 1,58; 95% CI: 0,71–3,50). Ta pozytywna zależność nie osiągnęła jednak poziomu istotności statystycznej, prawdopodobnie z powodu małej liczby osób ze złamaniami. WNIOSKI: Ryzyko złamania szyjki kości udowej powinno być brane pod uwagę w sytuacji, gdy zaleca się stosowanie kortykosteroidów ze wskazań pulmonologicznych osobom w podeszłym wieku. Problem ten dotyczy również leków wziewnych

Correction: Martínez-González, M.A. et al. Transferability of the Mediterranean Diet to Non-Mediterranean Countries. What Is and What Is Not the Mediterranean Diet. Nutrients 2017, 9, 1226

The authors have requested that the following changes be made to their paper [1]

The J-shape association of ethanol intake with total homocysteine concentrations: the ATTICA study

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest a non-monotonic effect of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular risk, while there is strong evidence concerning the involvement of homocysteine levels on thrombosis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between usual ethanol consumption and homocysteine levels, in cardiovascular disease free adults. METHODS: From May 2001 to December 2002 we randomly enrolled 1514 adult men and 1528 women, without any evidence of cardiovascular disease, stratified by age – gender (census 2001), from the greater area of Athens, Greece. Among the variables ascertained we measured the daily ethanol consumption and plasma homocysteine concentrations. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed a J-shape association between ethanol intake (none, <12 gr, 12 – 24 gr, 25 – 48 gr, >48 gr per day) and total homocysteine levels (mean ± standard deviation) among males (13 ± 3 vs. 11 ± 3 vs. 14 ± 4 vs. 18 ± 5 vs. 19 ± 3 μmol/L, respectively, p < 0.01) and females (10 ± 4 vs. 9 ± 3 vs. 11 ± 3 vs. 15 ± 4 vs. 17 ± 3 μmol/L, respectively, p < 0.01), after controlling for several potential confounders. The lowest homocysteine concentrations were observed with ethanol intake of < 12 gr/day (Bonferroni α* < 0.05). No differences were observed when we stratified our analysis by type of alcoholic beverage consumed. CONCLUSION: We observed a J-shape relationship between homocysteine concentrations and the amount of ethanol usually consumed

Definitions and potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet: views from experts around the world

The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a number of health benefits, including reduced mortality risk and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. Definitions of the Mediterranean diet vary across some settings, and scores are increasingly being employed to define Mediterranean diet adherence in epidemiological studies. Some components of the Mediterranean diet overlap with other healthy dietary patterns, whereas other aspects are unique to the Mediterranean diet. In this forum article, we asked clinicians and researchers with an interest in the effect of diet on health to describe what constitutes a Mediterranean diet in different geographical settings, and how we can study the health benefits of this dietary pattern

Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates

Objective: To present the Mediterranean diet (MD) pyramid: a lifestyle for today. Design: A new graphic representation has been conceived as a simplified main frame to be adapted to the different nutritional and socio-economic contexts of the Mediterranean region. This review gathers updated recommendations considering the lifestyle, dietary, sociocultural, environmental and health challenges that the current Mediterranean populations are facing. Setting and Subjects: Mediterranean region and its populations. Results: Many innovations have arisen since previous graphical representations of the MD. First, the concept of composition of the ‘main meals’ is introduced to reinforce the plant-based core of the dietary pattern. Second, frugality and moderation is emphasised because of the major public health challenge of obesity. Third, qualitative cultural and lifestyle elements are taken into account, such as conviviality, culinary activities, physical activity and adequate rest, along with proportion and frequency recommendations of food consumption. These innovations are made without omitting other items associated with the production, selection, processing and consumption of foods, such as seasonality, biodiversity, and traditional, local and eco-friendly products. Conclusions: Adopting a healthy lifestyle and preserving cultural elements should be considered in order to acquire all the benefits from the MD and preserve this cultural heritage. Considering the acknowledgment of the MD as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (2010), and taking into account its contribution to health and general well-being, we hope to contribute to a much better adherence to this healthy dietary pattern and its way of life with this new graphic representation.peer-reviewe