Biomedical subjects

C Vutuc

Publications and source records attributed to C Vutuc.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Association of microsomal epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms and lung cancer risk.

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) plays a dual role in the detoxification and activation of tobacco procarcinogens. Two polymorphisms affecting enzyme activity have been described in the exons 3 and 4 of the mEH gene, which result in the substitution of amino acids histidine to tyrosine at residue 113, and arginine to histidine at residue 139, respectively. We performed a hospital-based case-control study consisting of 277 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and 496 control subjects to investigate a possible association between these two polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. The polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism and TaqMan assay using DNA from peripheral white blood cells. Logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs), confidence limits (CL) and to control for possible confounders. The exon 3 polymorphism of the mEH gene was associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer. The adjusted OR, calculated relative to subjects with the Tyr113/Tyr113 wild type, for the His113/His113 genotype was 0.38 (95% CL 0.20-0.75). An analysis according to histological subtypes revealed a statistically significant association for adenocarcinomas; the adjusted OR for the His113/His113 genotype was 0.40 (95% CL 0.17-0.94). In contrast, no relationship between the exon 4 polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found. The adjusted OR, calculated relative to the His139/His139 wild type, was for the Arg139/Arg139 genotype 1.83 (0.76-4.44). Our results support the hypothesis that genetically reduced mEH activity may be protective against lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Rates of postmortem examination in Austria: the effect of distance between location of death and site of examination.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the importance of autopsies for diagnosing disease and determining cause of death, autopsy rates are decreasing in many countries. Furthermore, autopsy rates are often not distributed randomly between different regions within countries. In this study we analyzed an apparent nonrandom spatial distribution of autopsy rates in Austria for the period 1991-2000. We tested the new hypothesis that the rate of autopsies performed on people who die at home depends on the distance from the residence to the hospital or forensic institute where autopsies are performed. METHODS: Data were extracted from the official mortality records for the years 1991-2000. Only persons who deceased in private residences were included. A logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: Even controlling for variability in sex, age, date of death, and family status, the effect of distance significantly implied lower autopsy rates in the alpine parts of Austria. CONCLUSIONS: This effect of distance may lead to artificially nonrandom mortality patterns in disease maps. As a consequence, the possibility of hypothesizing incorrect health risks to explain nonrandom mortality patterns increases.

Austria↗

PubMed2002

The lunar cycle and the number of deliveries in Austria between 1970 and 1999.

The effect of the moon on the number of newborns has been investigated extensively with contradictory results but with few significant findings. In this paper, a possible lunar effect is analyzed by a nonlinear Poisson regression model similar to a Fourier analysis based on all children (n = 2,760,362) born in Austria between 1970 and 1999, i.e. 371 lunar cycles. We found no significant effect even when considering the influence of parity and gestation. Our study is in contrast to a French study using a similarly large data base which showed a weak but significant effect. Nevertheless, significant p values based on very large samples must be interpreted cautiously. Our study is in concordance with other studies which often use small and selected samples or rather inefficient statistical methods. We conclude that there is no significant effect of the lunar cycle on the number of deliveries in Austria.

Austria↗

PubMed2001

Polymorphisms of glutathione-S-transferase genes (GSTP1, GSTM1 and GSTT1) and prostate-cancer risk.

Several polymorphic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes are involved in the metabolism of a number of potential prostate carcinogens and are thought to engage in the transport of steroid hormones. A case-control study was conducted to determine the association of the GSTP1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and prostate-cancer risk. The study population consisted of 166 patients with previously untreated, histologically proven prostate cancer and 166 age-matched control patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), all of them Caucasians. In the GSTP1 gene, 2 polymorphic alleles, GSTP1*B and GSTP1*C, have been described in addition to the wild-type allele, GSTP1*A. Both polymorphic GSTP1 alleles have an A-to-G transition in exon 5, causing an isoleucine-to-valine change. The GSTP1*C allele has an additional transition from C to T. For GSTM1 as well as GSTT1, the polymorphic allele is a deletion of the gene. The proportion of individuals homozygous for the GSTP1 variant alleles (GSTP1*B/*B, GSTP1*B/*C and GSTP1*C/*C) was significantly lower in prostate-cancer patients (4.8%) than in BPH controls (14.5%), and the odds ratio (OR) was 0.24 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.09-0.61). The heterozygous genotypes (GSTP1*A/*B and GSTP1*A/*C) were also lower in the cancer group, though this was not significant. On the contrary, no significant effect on prostate-cancer risk was detectable for either GSTM1 (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.55-1.36) or GSTT1 (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.43-1.42). Of the polymorphic GSTs, GSTP1 is the most interesting candidate as a biomarker for prostate-cancer risk as we found a 76% reduced risk in men homozygous for the polymorphic GSTP1 alleles compared to those with wild-type GSTP1.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Association of vitamin D receptor and 17 hydroxylase gene polymorphisms with benign prostatic hyperplasia and benign prostatic enlargement.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether polymorphisms in 17 hydroxylase (CYP17) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes have an association to prostate volume/histology and endocrine patterns in elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: Elderly men with LUTS underwent the following investigations: International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assessment of prostate volume, and an endocrine study. Polymorphisms of CYP17 (T-->C substitution in the 5' promoter region) and VDR (T1055C) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction-length polymorphism analysis, using DNA from peripheral white blood cells. Clinical and endocrine parameters and the prostate stroma/epithelial ratio were correlated to CYP17 and VDR genotypes. RESULTS: A total of 148 (mean +/- SD, 67.0 +/- 9.7 years) patients were analyzed. IPSS (17.8 +/- 7.0), prostate volume (41.9 +/- 17.9 cc), maximum flow rate (10.9 +/- 5.8 mL/s), and PSA (4.7 +/- 4.7 ng/mL) indicate a typical LUTS population. Mean endocrine levels were consistently within age-specific reference values. Neither CYP17 nor VDR gene polymorphisms revealed an association to prostate size, PSA, clinical parameters, and endocrine parameters. Men who had the A1/A1 CYP17 genotype had on average a greater stromal/epithelial ratio than men with the A1/A2 or A2/A2 genotypes, yet after adjusting for multiple testing, this significance disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Gene polymorphisms of CYP17 and VDR have no association to prostate volume, clinical parameters, and endocrine parameters in elderly men. The association of CYP17 polymorphism and prostate histology warrants further studies. Assessment of gene polymorphisms might provide new insights into the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and benign prostate enlargement and may hold promise as genetic biomarkers of this disease.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Prostate cancer in Austria: impact of prostate-specific antigen test on incidence and mortality.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on prostate cancer mortality in Austria. A join-point regression model and permutation tests were used to identify changes in the slope of age-specific trends respectively calculating the annual percentage change (APC). Age-adjusted incidence increased (P < 0.01) between 1983 and 1997 by 79% from 52.2 to 93.6 cases per 100 000 men/year. Incidence in localized/regional stage disease increased in all ages by 143% from 25.7 to 62.4 cases per 100 000 men/year. Incidence in distant disease decreased (P < 0.01) between 1983 and 1997 in all ages by 38% from 9.5 to 5.9 cases per 100 000 men/year. Incidence in unstaged disease increased (P < 0.01) between 1983 and 1997 in all ages by 300% from 4.5 to 18 cases per 100 000 men/year. Age-adjusted mortality increased (P < 0.05) by 13% from 26.8 in 1983 to 30.3 deaths per 100 000 men/year in 1999. No significant changes of trends in mortality rates were detected in the age groups 50-59 years. In the age group 70-79 years the trend changed (P < 0.05) direction in 1991 and in 1994; 1983 through 1991 APC = 3.52 (95% CI 1.37, 5.72), 1991 through 1994 APC = -10.27 (95% CI -26.20, 9.1) and 1994 through 1999 APC = -0.25 (95% CI -4.55, 4.24). PSA testing increased incidence but no impact on mortality in the target population can be observed so far.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2001

Mortality trends of lung cancer in Austria and the Czech Republic.

This paper concerns itself with possible reasons for differences in lung cancer (ICD9-162) mortality rates in Austria and the Czech Republic. Lung cancer mortality in Austrian men reached its peak in 1973 and decreased gradually after a plateau by 23% since then, while the Czech mortality rate in men was constantly increasing till 1986 and then started to decline by 21% till 1998. As far as women in both countries are concerned, the risk of dying from lung cancer has risen dramatically for the last 20 years. In Czech men the mortality rate between 1970-1998 was significantly higher than in Austrian men while in women the death rates were closely similar. Differences cannot be explained by different smoking habits. In the past occupational exposure to cancerogenic agents in the Czech Republic was certainly one of the futile factors for the different lung cancer mortality rates. However, nowadays, Austria and the Czech Republic have to cope with similar problems particularly with an increasing number of children and adolescents (especially females) starting smoking very early. Activities to prevent children and adolescents from starting or stopping to smoke will be the only way to control lung cancer epidemic in the 21st century.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Hybrid capture based human papillomavirus typing in cervical screening compared to cytology and histology.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is frequently associated with infection from various types of human papillomavirus (HPV) with high a oncogenic potential (high-risk types). Commercial systems for HPV typing are available, but the question as to when HPV typing should be performed has not yet been solved. OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of HPV typing in a clinical setting in a population with opportunistic screening. STUDY DESIGN: Cytology, histology and HPV status of 593 patients from a high-risk collective were evaluated retrospectively. For HPV typing, the hybrid capture (HC) system was used. RESULTS: Infection with high-risk types of HPV was associated with more severe cervical lesions. Women with PAP III or PAP IIID who were infected with high-risk HPV were at increased risk for high-grade cervical lesions (CIN III+) (p = 0.006). Conization influenced HPV status: of 63 patients who were HPV high-risk positive before conization, 4 remained positive afterwards. CONCLUSION: HC appears to be a useful system to triage women with PAP III or IIID and to detect patients with residual HPV infection after conization. However, because of high costs and no significant increase in the sensitivity of cytology, the use of HPV typing in routine cervical screening cannot be recommended in countries with opportunistic annual cytological screening.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

A polymorphism in the CYP17 gene is associated with prostate cancer risk.

CYP17 encodes the enzyme cytochrome P-450c17 alpha, which mediates both 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase in the steroid biosynthesis pathway. A polymorphism in the 5; promoter region of the CYP17 gene has been described. Steroid hormones, especially androgens, are believed to play a key role in the etiology of prostate cancer. Therefore, polymorphisms in genes involved in the androgen metabolism may affect the risk of prostate cancer. We conducted a case-control study of 63 patients with untreated histologically proven prostate cancer and 126 age-matched control men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to determine whether a polymorphism in the CYP17 gene is associated with prostate cancer risk. This polymorphism was investigated by PCR/RFLP using DNA from lymphocytes. The transition (T-->C) in the risk allele (A2) creates a new recognition site for the restriction enzyme MspAI, which permits designation of the wildtype (A1) and the risk allele (A2). The prevalence of the A2/A2 genotype was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in the cancer group (23.8%) than in the BPH control group (9.5%). We found an increased risk in men carrying 2 A2 alleles (OR = 2.80, 95%CI = 1.02-77.76). For carrier with at least 1 A2 allele, the OR was 0.90 (95%CI = 0.43-1.89). After stratification by median age (66 years) at time of diagnosis, a marked increased risk was found in carriers of the A2/A2 genotype older than 66 years (OR = 8.93, 95%CI = 1.78-49.19, P = 0.01). Although the sample size is rather small and the controls are BPH patients, our results suggest that the CYP17A2/A2 genotype may be a biomarker for prostate cancer risk, especially for older men.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[Prevalence of smoking habits of Upper Austria students of the 7th and 8th grade and effect of smoking habits of family and peers].

The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of different smoking habits in a population of Austrian pupils, 12 to 15 years old, and the relationship of familial and peer group smoking customs with these habits. In 1997 a population-based survey (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, ISAAC) was conducted of all 7th and 8th grade school children of a district of Upper Austria. Information on the smoking habits of the adolescents, the family members, and of the peer as well as smoking habits of the teacher, gender, and age of the children was collected. The overall-prevalence of having ever smoked in this population is 57.8%. The percentage of eversmokers among the 12-year-olds is 50%. This amount increases to 63.8% among the 14- to 15-year-olds. The odds ratios for smoking daily is highest among those whose best friend smokes (OR: 70.63, CI: 9.19, 542.40). The risk of daily smoking increases also if the siblings of the juvenile (OR: 4.71, CI: 1.15, 19.35) or the mother (OR: 4.95, CI: 1.67, 14.70) smoke. If the father smokes the risk to smoke monthly is increased (OR: 2.09, CI: 1.28, 3.40). These results point to the fact that smoking prevention programes should take into account the influence of peers and family of the adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Symptoms suggestive of atopic rhinitis in children aged 6-9 years and the indoor environment.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the influence of indoor factors on the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of atopic rhinitis in children aged 6-9 years in Upper Austria. METHODS: We analyzed the results from an extended ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire, answered by the parents, about indoor environment and symptoms strongly suggesting atopic rhinitis. This was defined as having reported a running, obstructed, or itchy nose apart from having a cold in the last year. The overall response rate was 93.4%. After excluding 6,016 children (17.1%) with changed indoor environment (due to allergies in the family), we analyzed the remaining subsample of 18,606 questionnaires. RESULTS: The following factors were associated with an increased risk: mother's smoking during pregnancy and/or during time of breast-feeding (OR 1.28; CI 1.07-1.52), synthetic bedding (OR 1.21; CI 1.09-1.36), dampness/mold at home (OR 1.51; CI 1.31-1.74), central heating with gas (OR 1.75; CI 1.06-2.87), and space heating (OR 1.66; CI 1.01-2.98). Cooking with wood (OR 0.62; CI 0.46-0.84) was negatively associated with symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The indoor environment plays a role in the symptoms of atopic rhinitis in children. However, the population-attributable risks were not particularly high; they were between -2.7% and 9% for the various exposures considered in this study.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Austrian women's attitudes toward and knowledge of breast self-examination.

BACKGROUND: Education of women to perform breast self-examination is a main objective of cancer societies worldwide. METHODS: By means of a questionnaire, 975 healthy women in an Austria-wide population-based cross-sectional study were asked about their knowledge of breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography, and their cancer histories. RESULTS: 92% of the women knew BSE but only 31% practiced it thoroughly. Women living in rural communities with a life companion and younger women were more likely to practice BSE. Women who had family histories of cancer, especially older women, performed BSE significantly more often. There was a trend towards increasing BSE with increasing personal perception of the risk of cancer, especially among older women. The study showed a positive association between BSE and screening mammography. CONCLUSIONS: Although knowledge of BSE is widespread, it is actually practiced by only one third of women. Older women but not young women carry out BSE significantly more often when they have family histories of cancer. Information campaigns should target specific groups and emphasize the effectiveness of properly done BSE.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Frequency of cesarean sections in Austria].

OBJECTIVE: While there exist detailed reports on the frequency of cesarean sections in many European countries, there are only selective data of single centers available in Austria. Thus this study aims at evaluating the present frequency of cesarean sections in Austria. METHODS: To achieve this aim, we analyzed all births during the years 1996 (n = 89,208), 1997 (n = 84,408) and 1998 (n = 81,568). Along with the general mean rate of sections, we also describe the influences of the duration of pregnancy, of the birth weight, and of the number of paturitions. The data were statistically evaluated by chi-square test. RESULTS: During the study period, the frequence of sections rose from 13.08% (1996) to 14.0% (1997) and to 14.55% (1998). This rise proved to be statistically significant (p = 0.0001). 47% of premature births (< or = 35th week of gestation) are delivered by cesarean section. This rate drops to only 13.24% after the 35th week of gestation. Yet, more than half of pregnancies with dystrophic children (<2,000 g) are delivered by cesarean section even after the 35th week of gestation. Primigravidae have to expect section in 17% of the cases (1998); the section rate diminishes continuously, however, with increasing number of pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Following the general trend, the frequency of cesarean sections is continuously rising in Austria too. The present study can serve as a basis for international comparisons as well as for measures of intradepartmental quality control.

Austria↗

PubMed2000

[Epidemiology and prevention of breast cancer].

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in females in Austria (25% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases). So far no comprehensive theory about etiology exists. Risk factors generally considered to be established are: demographic, reproductive and hormonal factors, diet, benign breast disease, familial aggregation and genetics. Most of the risk factors cannot be affected by primary prevention. Nevertheless women should be informed about cancer risk and lifestyle factors. At present secondary prevention through mammographic screening can reduce the impact of breast cancer morbidity and mortality. In Austria the reduction of advanced cancers at diagnosis, followed by a reduction of mortality rates is plausibly related to screening prevalence.

Austria↗

PubMed2000

The influence of genetic predisposition on the prevalence of atopic diseases in Carinthian school children.

The reasons for the origin and increasing rise in incidence of atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in many countries are still unknown. Our survey carried out within the frame of the ISAAC protocol comprised three districts in the Austrian province of Carinthia. A complete study of first and second year elementary school children was done in order to uncover a relationship between "presumed exposure" to different possible risk factors with that of an atopic disorder (i.e. asthma, hay fever, eczema). The results show a significant association between the occurrence of atopic disorders and genetic predisposition and the fact that a carpet which had previously been present in the child's bedroom, had been removed due to the presence of an allergic disease in a family member. The logistic regression model explains a very small part of the overall variability (R2 = 7.32%).

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMed1999

Indoor factors and their association to respiratory symptoms suggestive of asthma in Austrian children aged 6-9 years.

The ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood) was founded in 1990 in order to maximise the value of epidemiological research into asthma and allergic diseases, to describe the prevalence of asthma and allergic disease in children living in different locations, to make comparisons within and between countries, to provide a framework for further etiological research and to find prevention strategies. We analysed a sub-sample of a population-based study (1995 to 1997) in Upper Austria. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of indoor risk factors on wheezing in children 6-9 years old. Our calculations were based on the results of a questionnaire answered by parents about their children's indoor environment at home. Smoking of the mother during pregnancy and/or during breastfeeding (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.08-1.48), smoking of the mother at the present time (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12-1.41), a bird (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.06-1.85) or rabbit (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.03-1.82) as a domestic pet, synthetic bedding (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.18-1.49) and dampness or mould at home (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.24-1.65) are associated with a significantly increased risk of childhood wheezing in the last 12 months. Other variables such as "smoking of the father", "cooking with gas", "gas central heating" and other "pets" do not achieve statistical significance.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of self-reported cervical cancer screening and impact on cervical cancer mortality in Austria.

Pap smear screening was introduced in Austria in the late 1960's and was recommended annually for all women older than 20 years ever since. This is an opportunistic screening. The evaluation has to rely on population based data (mortality, stage distribution, screening prevalence). In a representative cross-sectional study (women aged 20-69 years, n = 933, conducted in 1995), 76% reported at least one Pap screening during their life; the highest prevalence (88%) was reported by women aged 50-59 years, the lowest prevalence (65%) by women aged 60-69 years. Forty-eight per cent of all women reported that they had undergone screening at least 4 times (40-49 years: 57%, 20-29 years: 34%). Between 1980 and 1996, mortality due to cancer of the uterus, part unspecified (ICD-9: 179), decreased by 54% (P = 0.0001) and that of cancer of the cervix (ICD-9: 180) by 44% (P = 0.0001). Since 1980, age-specific incidence rates of invasive disease decreased (P = 0.0001) in all 10-year age groups (20-29 years: -59%, 30-39 years: -48%, 40-49 years: -34%, 50-59 years: -62%, 60-69 years: -59%). The incidence of preinvasive disease increased significantly (P = 0.001) in the age groups 20-29 years by 30% and 30-39 years by 45%, respectively. No significant changes are observed in other age groups. Opportunistic screening has reduced mortality from cervical cancer and particularly limited the increase among younger women, but the high proportion of cancer deaths from uterine cancer, in part unspecified, obscures the actual trend. We estimate that the true mortality from cervical cancer has been nearly halved between 1980 and 1996. Most of this reduction must be attributed to the screening activities in the 1970's and we expect a further decrease as a result of the expanded screening activities in the 1980's.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in Austrian males and associations with sociodemographic variables.

The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Austrian males and to correlate the findings with sociodemographic variables. In a population-based cross-sectional study in Austria in the year 1995, data on voiding symptoms were collected from a representative sample of men by using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Only 28.6% of the males aged 15 to 89 years (total n = 939) reported no LUTS at all (IPSS = 0). In the group of males who report symptoms, a positive correlation of the IPSS with age is found. Furthermore IPSS correlates with weekly alcohol and nicotine consumption, but not with the respondent's body-mass index (BMI), educational status and monthly household income. The bothersomeness of LUTS increases with age, leaving more than 12% of the males aged 40 to 89 dissatisfied with urinary symptoms. Extrapolated to population numbers, more than 87,000 males in Austria (aged 15 to 89 years) would feel 'terribly' if they were to spend the rest of their lives with urinary symptoms as they were at the time of the survey. Due to an estimated future increase of the proportion of older people in Austria, the number of males with LUTS will rise significantly, thereby placing increased burden on medical resources in the future.

Adolescent↗