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Biomedical subjects

F Fidanza

Publications and source records attributed to F Fidanza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comparison of three different dietary scores in relation to 10-year mortality in elderly European subjects: the HALE project.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the associations between dietary patterns and mortality using different European indexes of overall dietary quality. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The HALE (Healthy Ageing: a Longitudinal study in Europe) population includes 2,068 men and 1,049 women, aged between 70 and 90 years of 10 European countries. Subjects were followed for 10 years. This cohort study was conducted between 1988 and 2000. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 1,382 people died. The Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) (HR: 0.82 with 95% CI: 0.75-0.91), the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MDI) (HR: 0.83 with 95% CI: 0.75-0.92) and the Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI)(HR: 0.89 with 95% CI: 0.81-0.98) were inversely associated with all-causes mortality. Adjustments were made for age, gender, alcohol consumption, physical activity, smoking, number of years of education, body mass index, chronic diseases at baseline and study centre. CONCLUSIONS: The MDS, the MDI and the HDI were significantly inversely related with mortality. SPONSORSHIP: This study is based on data of the HALE project and supported by a grant from the European Union (QLK6-CT-2000-00211) to D Kromhout.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Oral hygiene habits and attitudes in a school population in L'Aquila (Italy).

AIM: This study aims to analyse the results of a questionnaire submitted to students of the elementary schools in L'Aquila in order to understand their awareness of a correct caries prevention method by using fluoride. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4th and 5th grade students of elementary schools in L'Aquila were submitted to a questionnaire; from a total of 1205 students, age ranging from 8 to 12, 1094 were questioned; 7 children 8 years old, 282 of 9, 555 of 10, 243 of 11, 8 of 12, and only 2 of 13, respectively (the last 2 were registered later at school because non-EU citizens). RESULTS: Among the Italian population with a low incidence of dental decay, a relatively limited group, called 'high risk decay group', revealed a higher incidence of the pathology than the standard one. CONCLUSION: In a multiracial society, as ours, it is important to carry out an effective screening in order to recognize different categories of patients through simple questions inserted in the patient's case history.

Cariostatic Agents↗
PubMed2004

Mediterranean Adequacy Index: correlation with 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease in the Seven Countries Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) is an overall indicator characterising a diet in comparison with a Reference Mediterranean Diet. We computed the MAI of random samples of men surveyed for their eating habits in the 16 cohorts of the Seven Countries Study, and found that it inversely correlated with the 25-year death rates from coronary heart disease in the 16 cohorts (R = -0.72; p = 0.001). The correlation coefficient was -0.84 (p < 0.001) when the MAI was converted into natural logarithms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings once again support the association between typical Mediterranean eating habits and protection against coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Body fat in adult man: semicentenary of fat density and skinfolds.

Several studies carried out in the last 50 years on body fat in adult man are reported. Firstly, the terminology is clarified, then the new values of the density of fat extracted from adipose tissue from human and some laboratory and domestic animals are presented. The density of subcutaneous and visceral fat of five human subjects is 900 kg/m(3) at 37 degrees C. A few of the drawbacks of the densitometric method for human body composition analysis are described. Finally, the first appropriate calipers for skinfold thickness measurement are illustrated, i. e., the adaptation of Glogau's Vernier caliper, the improved Best caliper, and the Meikosha caliper. Comparisons of measurements of triceps and subscapular skinfolds obtained with these calipers are reported.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Trace element intake and status of Italian subjects living in the Gubbio area.

Daily intakes of certain trace elements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, and Cr) were assessed using dietary history and weighed record methods and concurrent chemical analysis (CA) of duplicate portions, along with blood levels, in a group (21 M, 23 F) of inhabitants of the Gubbio area (Belvedere, Biscina, Scritto). The evaluation of only intake of trace elements was accomplished in 40 subjects (20 M, 20 F) 1 year later. In both surveys, trace element intakes were generally lower than the potential tolerable weekly intake. However, daily intakes of Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, and Cr were higher in men compared to women in both surveys (P<0.05). In fact, intakes at the 50th percentile were greater in men by approximately 75% for Pb, 91% for Cd, 20% for Ni, 45% for Hg, and 29% for Cr in the first survey. In the second survey, percentage differences for Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr were about 12%, 28%, 26%, and 26%, respectively. Blood trace element levels were slightly higher in men in the first survey. Interestingly, no correlation was observed between the intake of trace elements and corresponding blood values. Food basket and total diet, which were computed from the weighed record method for 2 days, showed relevant disagreements with CA of duplicate portion. Moreover, the comparison in content of Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr obtained by CA of cooked dishes or by calculation using values of raw foods showed significant differences (P<0.05). It was concluded that trace element intake should be assessed by CA of duplicate portion.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Diet and 20-year chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality in middle-aged men from three European countries.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation of baseline antioxidant, fruit, vegetable and fish intake with 20 y chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality in middle-aged men from three European countries. DESIGN: Prospective study (1970-1990). SETTING: Five population-based cohorts of middle-aged men from Finland, Italy and The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: A total of 2917 men aged 50-69 y at baseline. METHODS: Baseline information on diet was collected using the cross-check dietary history method. After 20 y of follow-up the underlying cause of death of those who died was established centrally. Survival analyses were performed using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, smoking and country, we observed an inverse trend (P-trend <0.05) of 20 y COPD mortality across tertiles of fruit and vitamin E intake. No trend was observed for vegetables, fish, vitamin C and beta-carotene. When modelled continuously, a 100 g increase in fruit intake was associated with a 24% lower COPD mortality risk (RR=0.76, 95% CI=0.60-0.92). For vitamin E intake (per 5 mg) the RR was 0.77 (95% CI=0.55-1.06), after adjustment for age, smoking and country. Additional adjustment for body mass index, total energy intake and alcohol consumption reduced the RR to 0.86 (95% CI=0.69-1.07, P=0.12) for fruit and 0.93 (95% CI=0.65-1.33) for vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a protective effect of fruit and possibly vitamin E intake against COPD. No effect was observed for intake of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vegetables and fish.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Validation of the Italian food composition database of the European institute of oncology.

OBJECTIVE: To compare nutrient intakes obtained by chemical analysis of food composite or duplicate portion of diets with those obtained by weighed record method using the database of the European Institute of Oncology (EIO). SETTING: Nutrition Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy. SUBJECTS: Fifteen subjects aged 40-59 y in 1960 (41 observations in three seasons), twenty-six subjects in 1965, and only nine remaining subjects in 1970 and 1991 were examined in Crevalcore. In Montegiorgio sixteen subjects aged 40-59 y in 1960 (39 observations in three seasons), thirty-two in 1965, twenty in 1970 and nine in 1991 were assessed. Forty-four subjects in Gubbio area (Biscina, Belvedere and Scritto; 21 males, 23 females; age 56.2+/-14.4 y) were evaluated in 1993 and 1994. METHODS: For dietary appraisal the individual weighed record method was used for 7, 3 or 2 days. Equivalent food composites were made up from local foodstuffs and the duplicate portions were chemically analysed for total nitrogen, fat, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, retinol, beta-carotene, thiamin and riboflavin. RESULTS: In Crevalcore, a significant difference for protein intake was found between analysis and calculation with EIO database in 1965 and 1991 (P<0.05). Fat intake was significant different for EIO database compared to analysis in 1965 survey (P<0.05), but not for other years. In Montegiorgio, there was a significant difference for protein intake between analysis and calculation with EIO database in 1970 and 1991 (both P<0.001). EIO database showed a significant difference in regard to analysis for fat intake in 1960 IV, 1965, 1970 and 1991 (P<0.05). In both areas there was a significant difference between analysis and EIO database for starch and fibre, but not for polyunsaturated fatty acids and soluble carbohydrates (all P<0.05). In Gubbio area, a significant difference was found between analysis and calculation with EIO database for fat, retinol, beta-carotene and riboflavin intakes (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to previous and present studies food composition tables and databases, such as the EIO database, cannot be considered a reliable method to determine nutrient intakes, particularly for some vitamins.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cohort analysis of fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer mortality in European men.

Our aim was to examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer mortality in a cohort of European males. Around 1970, dietary intake of Finnish, Italian and Dutch middle-aged men was assessed using a cross-check dietary history. Complete baseline information was available for 3,108 men, of whom 1,578 were baseline smokers. We used Cox proportional hazard analyses to calculate risk estimates for the consumption in country-specific tertiles on lung cancer in smokers. During 25 years of follow-up, 149 lung cancer deaths occurred in the smokers. Fruit consumption was inversely associated with lung cancer mortality among smokers; compared with the lowest, adjusted RRs for the intermediate and highest tertiles were 0.56 (0.37-0.84) and 0.69 (0.46-1.02), p-trend 0.05. Only in the Dutch cohort was this association statistically significant [adjusted relative risks (RRs) 1.00, 0.33 (0.16-0.70) and 0.35 (0.16-0.74), p-trend 0.004]. In Finland lung cancer risk was lower with higher fruit intake but not significantly, whereas in Italy no association was observed. Stratifying on cigarette smoking intensity (non, light and heavy) revealed an inverse association in the heavy smokers only [adjusted RRs (95% confidence intervals [CI]) 1; 0.47 (0.26-0.84); 0.40 (0.20-0.78)). Vegetable consumption was not related to lung cancer risk in smokers. However, analyses stratified on cigarette smoking intensity gave some indication for a lower lung cancer risk with higher intake. In conclusion, in this prospective analysis among European smoking men, fruit intake was inversely related to lung cancer mortality. This association was confined to heavy cigarette smokers.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Alcohol consumption in relation to 20-year COPD mortality and pulmonary function in middle-aged men from three European countries.

Alcohol consumption shows a U-shaped relation with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. To determine whether a similar relation exists between alcohol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality, we analyzed data on alcohol consumption in 1970 and 20-year mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among 2,953 middle-aged men from Finland, Italy, and the Netherlands. We also studied alcohol consumption in relation to pulmonary function (FEV1 or FEV0.75) at baseline. We used regression models adjusted for age, height (for pulmonary function only), body mass index, smoking habits, energy intake, and country. A smoothed spline-plot showed a U-shaped relation between alcohol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality. Compared with non-drinkers and occasional drinkers, the relative risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality was 0.60 (95% CI = 0.33-1.09) in light drinkers (> 1 drink per week, < or = 3 drinks per day) and 1.25 (95% CI = 0.47-3.31) in moderate-to-heavy drinkers. Pulmonary function was lower in non-drinkers compared with occasional and light drinkers in Finland (75 ml, 95% CI = -2 to 151) and the Netherlands (93 ml, 95% CI = 0-186) and lower in very heavy (> 12 drinks per day) compared with moderate-to-heavy drinkers in Italy (99 ml, 95% CI = 9-189). In conclusion, we observed a U-shaped curve between alcohol consumption and 20-year chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality in middle-aged men that was supported by cross-sectional data on alcohol and pulmonary function.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Role of smoking and diet in the cross-cultural variation in lung-cancer mortality: the Seven Countries Study. Seven Countries Study Research Group.

We examined the role of smoking and diet in the cross-cultural variation in lung-cancer mortality, using aggregated data of the Seven Countries Study, a follow-up study comprising 12,763 middle-aged men in 16 cohorts in Europe, the United States and Japan, which started around 1960. Smoking habits were assessed with a standardised questionnaire. Dietary intake was collected in random sub-samples of each cohort by the dietary record method. Cohort-specific 25-year lung-cancer mortality among all men and among categories of smoking behaviour was related to smoking prevalence and population average dietary intake, respectively, using Poisson regression. Smoking prevalence was positively associated with lung-cancer mortality [risk ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-2.07, for an increase of 10 percentage points]. Lung-cancer mortality among smokers, which varied significantly among cultures, was positively associated with average fat intake, especially saturated fat intake (rate ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17, for an increase of 4.6 g) but not with unsaturated fat intake. Average fruit and vegetable intake were not related to lung-cancer mortality. Among never-smokers, the power to detect associations was low. In conclusion, both smoking prevalence and average fat intake, especially saturated fat, may play a role in the cross-cultural variation in lung-cancer mortality, either independently or by effect modification.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Fish consumption and coronary heart disease mortality in Finland, Italy, and The Netherlands.

Fish consumption seems to protect against death from coronary heart disease (CHD). If this association is due to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially fatty fish may be responsible for this protective effect. The association between total, lean, and fatty fish consumption and the risk of CHD mortality was examined in 1,088 Finnish, 1,097 Italian, and 553 Dutch men participants in the Seven Countries Study who were aged 50-69 years and free of CHD around 1970. After 20 years of follow-up, 242 (22.2%) men in Finland, 116 (10.6%) men in Italy, and 105 (19.0%) men in the Netherlands had died of CHD. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed no association between total fish consumption and CHD mortality. After adjustments were made for age, body mass index, smoking, energy intake, and relevant dietary variables, the pooled relative risk for the highest quartile of total fish compared with no fish consumption in the three countries was 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 0.76, 1.53). Lean fish consumption also was not associated with CHD mortality in any country. Fatty fish compared with non-fatty-fish consumption was associated with lower CHD mortality; the adjusted, pooled relative risk for fatty fish consumers was 0.66 (95% confidence interval: 0.49, 0.90). These data suggest that especially fatty fish is protective against CHD mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of diets of diabetic and non-diabetic elderly men in Finland, The Netherlands and Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether dietary recommendations for subjects with diabetes are met among Finnish, Dutch and Italian elderly men with diabetes, and whether the diets of diabetic and non-diabetic men differ in these three countries. DESIGN: A dietary survey using cross-check dietary history method. A cross-sectional comparison. SETTING: Thirty-year follow-up of survivors from the Finnish, Dutch and Italian cohorts of the Seven Countries Study. SUBJECTS: 227 elderly men from Finland, 537 from The Netherlands, and 417 from Italy, of whom 8-9% had diabetes. MAIN RESULTS: The diets of non-diabetic men from the three countries differed markedly from each other. In all three countries diabetic men consumed less added sugar than non-diabetic men. In Italy, in addition, diabetic men consumed more fruits and berries and vegetables. The Dutch diabetic men ate relatively more cereal products, fruits and berries, milk and milk products, cheese, and meat and meat products and drank less alcoholic beverages than non-diabetic men. The diet of both diabetic and non-diabetic Finnish and Dutch men was characterized by high fat content (41% and 40% of energy, respectively). The fat content of the diet was even higher for diabetic than non-diabetic men in Finland and The Netherlands, but not in Italy. The fibre content of the diet was the highest among Dutch men and diabetic men received more dietary fibre than non-diabetic men in The Netherlands and Italy, but not in Finland. The diet of diabetic and non-diabetic Finnish men differed little from each other and was characterized by high nutrient density of several vitamins and minerals. The proportion of protein of energy intake was higher among diabetic than non-diabetic Dutch and Italian men. CONCLUSIONS: The diet of the diabetic men from Finland, the Netherlands, and Italy resembled more the diet of non-diabetic men from the respective countries than the diet of diabetic men from the other countries. In the diet of Italian diabetic men, the proportions of fat, saturated fatty acids and carbohydrates were nearest the recommended levels. SPONSORSHIP: The National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, USA, the Dutch Prevention Foundation, the Hague, The Netherlands, the Academy of Finland, and the Sandoz Gerontological Foundation.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Alcohol and survival in the Italian rural cohorts of the Seven Countries Study.

BACKGROUND: Middle-aged men who regularly drink a moderate amount of alcohol have lower mortality rates from all causes in comparison with abstainers and heavy drinkers. This cohort study looks at the relationship between alcohol consumption and long-term survival, adjusting for smoking habit and physical activity. METHODS: In 1965, a total of 1536 Italian males aged 45-65 years underwent an examination which included: a general questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, an overall physical examination, ECG recording, blood pressure and serum cholesterol measurements and measurement of food consumption including alcohol. The cohort was followed for total mortality from 1965 to 1995. RESULTS: During a period of 30 years 1096 deaths occurred. Age-adjusted life expectancy for men assuming a mean daily quantity of 63 g of alcohol (range 4-7 drinks per day) was 21.6 +/- 0.4 years, roughly 2 years more than men taking a mean quantity of 3.7 g (</=1 drink) and men consuming >10 drinks per day. Taking smoking habit into account, the longest survival of 22.4 +/- 0.5 years was observed in non-smokers drinking 4-7 drinks daily; the lowest, 18.5 +/- 0.7 years, in smokers drinking >10 drinks. Stratifying for physical activity, the longest survival (23.4 +/- 0. 7 years) was experienced by men engaged in heavy physical activity at work drinking 1-4 drinks per day. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between life expectancy and alcohol consumption (97% wine in this Italian cohort and mostly red wine) is confirmed to be non-linear. Men aged 45-64 at entry drinking about 5 drinks per day have a longer life expectancy than occasional and heavy drinkers.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Dietary fiber and plant foods in relation to colorectal cancer mortality: the Seven Countries Study.

Many observational studies have found that higher consumption of vegetables, and to a lesser extent of fruits, was associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer. In particular, fiber or foods high in fiber have received attention in the potential prevention of colorectal cancer. We performed an ecological analysis with data of the Seven Countries Study, to investigate whether intake of fiber and plant foods contributes to cross-cultural differences in 25-year colorectal-cancer mortality in men. In the Seven Countries Study, around 1960 12,763 men aged 40 to 59 were enrolled in 16 cohorts in 7 countries. Baseline dietary information was gathered in small random samples per cohort, and nutrient intakes were based on chemical analyses of the average diets per cohort. Crude and energy-adjusted mortality-rate ratios were calculated for a change of 10% of the mean intake of fiber and plant foods, i.e., total plant foods, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, grains, and related sub-groups. Fiber intake was inversely associated with colorectal-cancer mortality with an energy-adjusted rate ratio of 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.80-0.97). An increase of 10 gram of daily intake of fiber was associated with a 33% lower 25-year colorectal-cancer mortality risk. Intakes of vitamin B6 [0.84 (0.71-0.99)] and alpha-tocopherol [0.94 (0.89-0.99)] were also inversely associated with risk. Consumption of plant foods and related sub-groups was not related to colorectal cancer. It appears that fiber intake best indicates the part of plant food consumption, including whole grains, that is relevant for lowering colorectal cancer risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Food intake patterns and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease: cross-cultural correlations in the Seven Countries Study. The Seven Countries Study Research Group.

In the Seven Countries Study, associations between the intake of food-groups and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD, defined as sudden coronary death or fatal myocardial infarction) were investigated. Baseline surveys were carried out between 1958 and 1964. A number of individual characteristics were measured in 12,763 middle-aged men belonging to 16 cohorts in seven countries (USA, Finland, The Netherlands, Italy, former Yugoslavia, Greece and Japan). Dietary information was collected in sub-samples using the weighed record method. Vital status of all participants was verified at regular intervals during 25 years of follow-up and the underlying cause of death was adjudicated. Eighteen different food-groups and combinations were considered for comparison among cohorts. Large differences in food-group consumption were seen, with high consumption of dairy products in Northern Europe, meat in the USA, vegetables, legumes, fish, and wine in Southern Europe, and cereals, soy products, and fish in Japan. Population death rates from CHD showed large differences, ranging from 268 per 1000 in East Finland to 25 per 1000 in Crete, Greece. Animal food-groups were directly correlated, and vegetable food-groups (except potatoes) as well as fish and alcohol were inversely correlated with CHD mortality. Univariate analysis showed significant positive correlation coefficients for butter (R = 0.887), meat (R = 0.645), pastries (R = 0.752), and milk (R = 0.600) consumption, and significant negative correlation coefficients for legumes (R = -0.822), oils (R = -0.571), and alcohol (R = -0.609) consumption. Combined vegetable foods (excluding alcohol) were inversely correlated (R = -0.519), whereas combined animal foods (excluding fish) were directly correlated (R = 0.798) with CHD death rates. Multivariate stepwise analysis selected butter, lard + margarine and meat as significant predictors and produced an R2 of 0.922. These findings were confirmed by factor analysis. These cross-cultural analyses are consistent with the hypothesis that dietary patterns are important determinants of differences in population CHD death rates, and confirm the opposite effects on apparent risk of animal and vegetable foods.

Coronary Disease↗