European journal of epidemiology
-
Prospective studies of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in relation to stroke have yielded inconsistent results. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies to summarize available evidence regarding the relation between long-chain omega-3 PUFA intake and stroke. Pertinent studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase databases to November 1, 2012 and by reviewing the reference lists of relevant publications. ⋯ Results were similar for ischemic (RR, 0.82; 95 % CI, 0.71-0.94) and hemorrhagic stroke (RR, 0.80; 95 % CI, 0.55-1.15). A statistically significant reduction in total stroke risk was observed in women (RR, 0.80; 95 % CI, 0.65-0.99). This meta-analysis showed no overall association between omega-3 PUFA intake and stroke, but suggests that women might benefit from a higher intake of these PUFAs.
-
Lung function level and decline are each predictive of morbidity and mortality. Evaluation of the combined effect of these measurements may help further identify high-risk groups. Using Copenhagen City Heart Study longitudinal spirometry data (n = 10,457), 16-21 year risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) morbidity, COPD or coronary heart disease mortality, and all-cause mortality were estimated from combined effects of level and decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)). ⋯ For COPD morbidity, quartiles of increasing FEV(1) decline increased HRs (95 % CI) for individuals with FEV(1) at or above the lower limit of normal (LLN) but below 100 % predicted, reaching 5.11 (2.58-10.13) for males, 11.63 (4.75-28.46) for females, and 3.09 (0.88-10.86) for never smokers in the quartile of steepest decline. Significant increasing trends were also observed for mortality and in individuals with a baseline age ≤45. Groups with 'normal' lung function (FEV(1) at or above the LLN) but excessive declines (fourth quartile of FEV(1) slope) had significantly increased mortality risks, including never smokers and individuals with a baseline age ≤45.