Biomedical subjects

Darren Greenwood

Publications and source records attributed to Darren Greenwood.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

An evaluation of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor Arg389Gly polymorphism in individuals with heart failure: a MERIT-HF sub-study.

BACKGROUND: The Glycine389 variant of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor (beta1AR) generates markedly less cAMP when stimulated in vitro than the more prevalent Arginine389 variant. AIMS: The aim of this MERIT-HF sub-study was to ascertain whether this Glycine389 variant favourably influences outcome in heart failure similar to that observed with beta-blockers. METHODS: We identified the genotype at amino acid 389 of the beta1AR in 600 patients enrolled in the MERIT-HF study (UK and Dutch participants). A risk-ratio (RR) for each genotype was calculated using the combined endpoint of all cause mortality or hospitalisation (time to first event). A pharmacogenetic effect of this polymorphism was also sought by evaluating the effect of Metoprolol CR/XL on heart rate amongst the three genotypes. RESULTS: The prevalence of the three genotypes was ArgArg 51.3%, ArgGly 40.2%, GlyGly 8.5%. The presence of the Gly allele was not associated with a significant benefit on the combined endpoint, RR=0.94; confidence intervals (CI), 0.69-1.29 (P=0.72). This is in contrast to the highly significant benefit of Metoprolol CR/XL observed in this sub-study population, RR=0.60; CI, 0.44-0.83 (P=0.002). No effect of the polymorphism was observed on the magnitude of heart rate reduction attained by Metoprolol CR/XL. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the benefits of beta-1 selective blockade, we have demonstrated that the Gly389 allele does not confer a significant mortality/morbidity benefit in heart failure patients. We have found no evidence of a pharmacogenetic effect of this biochemically functional polymorphism.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2003

A cluster randomised trial to evaluate a nutrition training programme.

BACKGROUND: The need for training to equip primary care staff with the knowledge and skills to provide dietary advice to the public has been acknowledged. Little is known about the effectiveness of such training at improving the dietary counselling skills of multidisciplinary practice teams. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition training programme, delivered to primary care teams by a dietitian. DESIGN OF STUDY: A paired-cluster randomised trial. SETTING: Twelve general practices in Sunderland, in the United Kingdom. METHOD: A nutrition training programme, aimed at improving the quality of dietary consultations, was developed and delivered to six primary care teams by a dietitian. Main outcome measures were patients' recall of seven key consulting behaviours. Data were collected from patients in intervention and control practices, pre- and post-intervention. Change in knowledge and attitude of practitioners was also measured. RESULTS: All 12 practices completed the trial. Data were collected from 251 patients pre-intervention and 228 patients post-intervention. Of the seven consulting behaviours targeted in the training, only the proportion of consultations where written information (diet sheets) was provided to patients was significantly higher (13% higher, 95% confidence interval [CI = 4 to 21, P = 0.004) in the intervention practices post-training. Some evidence of improved practitioner knowledge and attitude was detected. CONCLUSION: This evaluation of a nutrition training intervention detected only a limited impact on the behaviour, knowledge, and attitudes of primary care practitioners in dietary consultations.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Public perception of a range of potential food risks in the United Kingdom.

This study aimed to use a standard questionnaire to obtain a nationally representative sample of opinions on a range of potential food risks. Participants were a national sample of 1182 subjects selected using three different approaches: random and sentinel postal samples and a telephone survey. A modified psychometric questionnaire (the Perceived Food Risk Index) was administered to subjects on three occasions, spanning five time-points. Baseline data collection was undertaken from October to December 1998 (phase 1). The second wave of data collection was undertaken over three time-points in February, April and July 1999 (one-third of respondents to phase 1 at each time-point - data combined as phase 2), and the final phase of data collection was between October and December 1999 (phase 3). Principal components analysis was used to assess the intercorrelations between the items on the questionnaire. Two main components were identified as 'dread' and 'knowledge'. Saturated fats were perceived as the least dreaded and the most known of the potential risks considered, while bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Salmonella were the risks dreaded the most. There was a slight perception that the potential risks had become more known over the year, especially for growth hormones. This study has raised a number of important issues for risk communicators. Despite current policy aimed at reducing fat intake, this will be difficult to achieve at a population level since people are not worried about its impact, yet food safety continues to be a significant concern to the public.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Motivations for fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK Women's Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption within the UK population, intakes are still too low. In order to stimulate dietary behaviour change the determinants of food choice need to be explored. OBJECTIVES: To investigate how the priorities of high consumers of fruit and vegetables differ from those of low consumers, with respect to food choice motivations, and to identify what value high and low consumers place on different aspects of food choice behaviour. DESIGN: A 4-day food diary and a questionnaire, including The Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) and a measure of Stage of Change (SOC) for fruit and vegetable consumption, were administered to subjects. Motivation scores from the FCQ were compared with fruit and vegetable intake and SOC data. SUBJECTS: Nine hundred and ninety-eight females, aged 35-69 years, participating in the UK Women's Cohort Study. RESULTS: In a multiple linear regression model, including age, education level and all FCQ motivations, the strongest motivations specifically affecting fruit and vegetable intake were health and natural content. It was found that, for a one point increase (measured on a scale of 0-4) in health and natural content scores, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 1.11 portions (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5-1.7) and 0.84 portions (95% CI 0.4-1.3), respectively The SOC evaluation showed significant associations with portions of fruit and vegetables consumed Women whose SOC was classed as maintenance phase were found to score higher on health, natural content, weight control and ethical concern factors These women also scored lower on convenience questions CONCLUSION: In this particular group of women the most important motivating factors for food choice, within the high fruit and vegetable consumers, were health and natural content of the food.

Adult↗