Hyperlipidemias: Polychronopoulos E

Kourlaba G, Polychronopoulos E, Zampelas A, Lionis C, Panagiotakos DB. · Department of Nutrition Science-Dietetics, Harokopio University, Kallithea, Athens, Greece. · J Am Diet Assoc. · Pubmed #19465184 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To develop an index that assesses the degree of adherence to nutritional recommendations for older adults (Elderly Dietary Index [EDI]) and investigate its association with risk factors related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: The EDI was constructed using 10 components (ie, questions about the consumption frequency of meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, olive oil, and alcohol as well as the type of bread and dairy products) according to the Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults and select features of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Scores from 1 to 4 were assigned to all components of the index. The EDI total score had a range between 10 and 40. As a validation procedure, a sample of 668 elderly individuals without known CVD (the MEDIS Study) was used to evaluate the associations between the proposed index and various health outcomes. RESULTS: The overall mean EDI score was 29.2+/-3.5. This score implies that study participants were 73% (ie, 29.2/40) adherent to the nutritional recommendations that the EDI evaluates. Regarding the conventional CVD risk factors, it was found that a 1 unit increase in the EDI score is associated with almost 10% lower odds of being obese or hypertensive or having at least one of the investigated CVD risk factors (P<0.001) after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The suggested EDI may be a useful tool for public health policymakers and other health care professionals to assess diet quality and health status (especially concerning the risk for developing CVD) in older adults.

Tyrovolas S, Lionis C, Zeimbekis A, Bountziouka V, Micheli M, Katsarou A, Papairakleous N, Metallinos G, Makri K, Polychronopoulos E, Panagiotakos DB. · Department of Nutrition Science - Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. · Lipids Health Dis. · Pubmed #19331683 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most important factors causing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationships between socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle and depression status and the presence of hypercholesterolemia, among elderly individuals without known CVD. METHODS: During 2005-2007, 1190 elderly (aged 65 to 100 years) men and women (from Cyprus, Mitilini, Samothraki, Cephalonia, Crete, Lemnos, Corfu and Zakynthos) were enrolled. Socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors were assessed through standard procedures. Symptoms of depression were evaluated using the short-form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS, range 0-15). Dietary habits were assessed through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total serum cholesterol > 200 mg/dL or use of lipids lowering medication. RESULTS: 44.6% of males and 61.9% of females had hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.001). Only, 63% of hypercholesterolemic participants were under special diet or pharmaceutical treatment. Hypercholisterolemic individuals had higher prevalence of obesity (43% vs. 25%), hypertension (76% vs. 57%) and diabetes (25% vs. 17%) compared with normal participants (p < 0.001). Furthermore, hypercholisterolemic participants showed higher depression levels (p = 0.002). After adjusting for various confounders, GDS score and BMI correlated with 13% (95%CI 0.98-1.30) and 14% (95%CI 0.99-1.31) higher likelihood of having hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of our elderly sample had hypercholesterolemia, while 1/3 of them were untreated. Furthermore, presence of hypercholesterolemia was correlated with depressive symptomatology and increased BMI.

Panagiotakos DB, Polystipioti A, Papairakleous N, Polychronopoulos E. · Department of Nutrition Science-Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. · Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. · Pubmed #17468091 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that there are protective health effects from diets which are high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, and which include fish, nuts, and low-fat dairy products. We sought to investigate the association of Mediterranean diet on clinical status of 150 elderly men and women. METHODS: During 2004 - 2005, we studied 53 men and 97 women, aged 65 to 100 years, from various areas of Cyprus. A diet score that assesses the inherent characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was developed for each individual (range 0-55). Adoption of the Mediterranean diet was evaluated against the presence of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity. RESULTS: 26% of men and 18% of women had diabetes, 60% of men and 58% of women had hypertension, 60% of men and 68% of women had hypercholesterolemia, and 34% of men and 52% of women were obese. More than 90% of the participants reported consistency in their dietary habits for at least the past 3-4 decades. A significant inverse correlation was observed between diet score and the number of the investigated risk factors (rho= -0.26, p< 0.001). When we took into account age, sex, smoking habits, and physical activity status, we observed that a 10-unit increase in the diet score was associated with 21% lower odds of having one additional risk factor in women (p< 0.001) and with 14% lower odds in men (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced odds of having hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes and obesity among elderly people.

Polychronopoulos E, Panagiotakos DB, Polystipioti A. · Department of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. · Lipids Health Dis. · Pubmed #16144549 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the single and combined effect of Mediterranean diet, being physically active, moderate alcohol use, and non-smoking on clinical status of 150 elderly people from Cyprus. METHODS: The study comprises individuals enrolled in surveys from Greece and Cyprus. This work includes 53 apparently men and 97 women, aged 65 to 100 years, from various areas of Cyprus. The cohort study was conducted between 2004 and 2005. A diet score that assesses the inherent characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was developed (range 0-55) and then a healthy index was calculated that evaluated four lifestyle habits (range 0-4), i.e. non-smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (i.e. above the median of the score). RESULTS: 65% participants had hypercholesterolemia (total serum cholesterol > 200 mg/dl or use of lipid lowering agents). Moreover, 32% of the participants reported physically active, 5% reported smoking habits and 4% that they have stopped smoking during the past decade, while 8% reported alcohol drinking. A positive association was observed between prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and smoking habits (odds ratio = 4.3, p = 0.03), while an inverse association was observed between hypercholesterolemia, alcohol drinking (odds ratio = 0.3, p = 0.04) and adherence to a Mediterranean diet (odds ratio = 0.77, p = 0.02), controlled for age, sex, and other factors. CONCLUSION: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and healthful lifestyle is associated with reduced odds of having hypercholesterolemia among elderly people.

Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Manios Y, Polychronopoulos E, Chrysohoou CA, Stefanadis C. · First Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. · Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. · Pubmed #15703509 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Social status has been related with the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between socio-economic status (SES) and clinical and biochemical factors related to coronary heart disease, in a sample of cardiovascular disease-free men and women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: During 2001-2002, 1514 men (20-87 years old) and 1528 women (20-89 years old) from the Attica region (Greece) were randomly enrolled into the study. Trends in established and emerging cardiovascular risk factors were examined across the participants' socio-economic status. A special index was developed (years of school by annual income) and three socio-economic classes were created. RESULTS: An inverse relationship was found regarding all lipids and glucose levels across the tertiles of the SES index. An inverse association was observed between body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and SES in men, but not in women. Furthermore, compared to the lowest tertile, individuals who were classified in the highest SES tertile had lower levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, homocysteine, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 levels and white blood cell counts, even after adjusting for various potential confounders. Finally, a considerable proportion of men and women reported lack of health knowledge and education. CONCLUSIONS: An inverse association between SES and factors related to cardiovascular risk exists, but the causal pathway itself requires more detailed explanation before the social status can have explanatory power.