Hyperlipidemias: La Vecchia C

Poli A, Marangoni F, Paoletti R, Mannarino E, Lupattelli G, Notarbartolo A, Aureli P, Bernini F, Cicero A, Gaddi A, Catapano A, Cricelli C, Gattone M, Marrocco W, Porrini M, Stella R, Vanotti A, Volpe M, Volpe R, Cannella C, Pinto A, Del Toma E, La Vecchia C, Tavani A, Manzato E, Riccardi G, Sirtori C, Zambon A, Anonymous00119. · Nutrition Foundation of Italy, Italy. · Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. · Pubmed #18258418 No free full text.

Abstract: The importance of non-pharmacological control of plasma cholesterol levels in the population is increasing, along with the number of subjects whose plasma lipid levels are non-optimal, or frankly elevated, according to international guidelines. In this context, a panel of experts, organized and coordinated by the Nutrition Foundation of Italy, has evaluated the nutritional and lifestyle interventions to be adopted in the control of plasma cholesterol levels (and specifically of LDL cholesterol levels). This Consensus document summarizes the view of the panel on this topic, with the aim to provide an updated support to clinicians and other health professionals involved in cardiovascular prevention.

Bravi F, Scotti L, Bosetti C, Talamini R, Negri E, Montella M, Franceschi S, La Vecchia C. · Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy. · Ann Oncol. · Pubmed #16611646 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although prostate cancer is one of the most common male cancers, its aetiology-and particularly the role of comorbidity-remains poorly understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 2002, a case-control study on prostate cancer was conducted in Italy. This included 1294 men under the age of 75 years with incident, histologically confirmed prostate cancer, and 1451 controls, admitted to the same hospitals as cases for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic diseases. The subjects' self-reported history of selected medical conditions was assessed through a structured and satisfactorily reproducible questionnaire. Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained after allowance for major potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A significant direct relation was observed between hypercholesterolaemia and prostate cancer (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.23-1.85). This association was stronger (OR = 1.80) in older subjects (age > or =65) than in younger ones (OR = 1.32). A non-significant excess risk of prostate cancer was also observed for gallstones (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 0.93-1.70) and the relation was apparently stronger in patients with lower body mass index (OR = 1.59). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a possible relation between hypercholesterolaemia and prostate cancer.

Tavani A, Bertuzzi M, Gallus S, Negri E, La Vecchia C. · Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", 20157 Milan, Italy. · Prev Med. · Pubmed #15207993 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: We analyzed the relation between selected lifestyles and diseases and the risk of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in women in Northern Italy. METHODS: We used a combined data set from three case-control studies, including 558 cases and 1,044 hospital controls. RESULTS: The strongest risk factor for AMI was smoking, the odds ratio (OR) being 4.0 in current smokers (11.6 for > or = 5 cigarettes/day). Other risk factors were diabetes (OR 4.4), hypertension (OR 3.3), hyperlipidemia (OR 1.6), and family history of AMI (OR 2.1). Moderate alcohol drinking was protective (OR 0.8 for < 2 drinks/day) compared to non-drinkers, and heavy coffee drinking non-significantly increased the risk (OR 1.4 for >3 cups/day). Inverse association was found with fish (OR 0.7 for >1 portion/week), vegetables (0.7 for > or = 10 portions/week), and fruit (OR 0.6 for > or = 14 portions/week), while meat, whole-grain, and diary products were unrelated. Smoking effect was stronger in combination with diabetes (OR 27.7), hypertension (OR 15.7), hyperlipidemia (OR 6.3), family history of AMI (OR 8.7), and heavy coffee drinking (OR 5.7). CONCLUSIONS: The strongest risk factor for AMI was smoking, responsible of about 37% of cases, followed by diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of AMI. Avoidance of smoking and increasing fish, vegetables, and fruit would reduce AMI risk of about 50%.