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Biomedical subjects

G De Backer

Publications and source records attributed to G De Backer.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Epidemiological study of the cardiovascular effects of carbon disulphide.

In an extensive health survey 115 male viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulphide (CS2) and 76 referents not exposed to this chemical were interviewed using the WHO cardiovascular questionnaire and responded to a self-administered questionnaire. A 12-lead ECG was taken and coded using the Minnesota code. Blood pressure (BP) was measured electronically and blood was examined for lipoproteins. In the viscose rayon factory the working conditions had not changed since 1932. Personal monitoring performed in 17 jobs, showed exposures varying from 4 to 112 mg/m3. For each individual a CS2 cumulative exposure index (CS2 index) was calculated. There were no significant differences between exposed and referents concerning the prevalence of angina, history of myocardial infarction, intermittent claudication and ECG signs of ischaemia. Blood pressure, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and the apolipoproteins A1 and B rose while high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, the HDL-cholesterol/apolipoprotein A1 and the LDL-cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratios decreased significantly with increasing exposure. Adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress and tension at work, shift work, noise exposure and educational level in multiple linear regression analysis showed significant effects of the CS2 index on systolic BP, diastolic BP, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, the LDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein B and HDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein A1 ratios; there were no significant effects on the triglycerides.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Plasma lipoprotein(a) values and severity of coronary artery disease in a large population of patients undergoing coronary angiography.

To determine possible associations between lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and the severity of coronary artery lesions, we measured lipid, apolipoprotein, and Lp(a) in a large population of Belgian patients (n = 1054) undergoing coronary angiography. In both women and men, univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in the Lp(a) concentrations according to the severity of the coronary stenosis. However, after adjustment for possible confounding factors, many of these differences were attenuated, indicating that other variables that differentiate patients from control subjects also influence Lp(a) distribution. Differences in lipid, apolipoprotein, and Lp(a) concentrations between male and female patients are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Platelet fatty acids and function in two distinct regions of Belgium: relationship to age and dietary habits.

We compared the dietary habits, fatty acid composition of plasma and platelet phospholipids, and platelet function in two groups of healthy Belgian male subjects, known to differ in their mortality rate from coronary heart disease (CHD). In the Walloon subjects, there was a larger intake of saturated and a lower intake of (n-6) polyunsaturated fats, confirmed by the fatty acid composition of plasma and platelet phospholipids. While plasma HDL and total cholesterol were similar in the present samples of the two communities, platelet aggregation to epinephrine was significantly higher in the Walloon subjects. When the two populations were divided into younger (28-54 years) and older (55-73 years) age groups, the older Walloon subjects exhibited platelet hyper-aggregability to most of the agonists, compared to the other three groups. In addition to dietary fats, alcohol and smoking habits, age was an important determinant of platelet phospholipid fatty acids and platelet reactivity. The present results reinforce those of previous studies, indicating that platelet behaviour is significantly affected by the main risk factors for CHD.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Determinants of fat consumption in a general population.

In a random sample of the adult population (aged 25-64 years) from Ghent and Charleroi in Belgium, dietary fat consumption was estimated using both qualitative and quantitative dietary methods. A fat consumption score (FCS) was constructed from the qualitative method, and it correlated significantly with the dietary polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids (P/S) ratio calculated from the quantitative method (r = -0.48; p less than 0.001). Differences in FCS were then studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. In both men and women, FCS was higher in Charleroi than in Ghent. In men, FCS was inversely related with educational level and with age. In women, significant correlations were observed with marital status. No differences were found in FCS by smoking behaviour. With the coronary risk factors, low-order relationships were found, but only in men. In the middle-aged group, significant correlations were found between FCS and the fatty acid composition of the serum cholesteryl esters, in particular with the linoleate/oleate ratio.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Regional differences in risk factor distributions, food habits and coronary heart disease mortality and morbidity in Belgium.

Belgium can be divided in 4 major geographical areas: two Dutch speaking areas in the north (Campine and Flanders), a French speaking area in the south (Wallonia) and the Brussels area in between. Significant differences in mean serum cholesterol levels were observed with the lowest level in Campine, intermediate in Flanders and Brussels, and the highest level in Wallonia. Similar differences were observed in the prevalence of CHD and mortality from CHD is also higher in the French speaking part of the country. A survey of food habits since 1959 shows a higher butter and lower soft margarine consumption in the south. However, differences in smoking habits and personality traits also exist.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Intermittent claudication--epidemiology and natural history.

Epidemiological information on the prevalence, incidence and natural history of intermittent claudication and peripheral vascular disease is limited, partially by the limitation of techniques of their study. The available data from the literature are review and supplemented by results from an on-going survey the ankle blood pressure measurement with Doppler ultrasound.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Ventricular premature beats. Reliability in various measurement methods at rest and during exercise.

The yield and reproducibility of various methods of ventricular premature beat (VPB) detection are examined in otherwise healthy middle-aged men first found to have VPB in a 2-min lead I ECG rhythm strip. With a combination of an isometric and treadmill exercise test, VPB were repeatedly detected in 83%. Test-retest reliability in classifying the subjects by frequency of VPB was 67%. The reliability of detecting complex VPB was 47% for multiform VPB, 35% for pairs of VPB, 17% for runs and 36% for VPB showing the R-on-T phenomenon. These data suggest that simple and complex VPB detected by the described methods among normal men are poorly reproducible in the individual. Taking the VPB reproducibility for the group as a whole, the proportion of subjects having different frequency or kinds of ectopic beats is reasonably stable for the different test occasions.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Phentolamine infusion in cor pulmonale due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Continuous phentolamine infusion, produced a marked decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance with an increase in cardiac output, in the majority of a group of 13 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cor pulmonale. Changes in vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, arterial blood gas values and peripheral blood pressure were not significant except in one patient. The changes in the pulmonary circulation are probably due to the alpha blocking effect of phentolamine, although a direct effect of the drug on vascular smooth muscle can not be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The pattern of food and mortality in Belgium.

Belgians have been gradually shifting from a low ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fat in their food to a higher one with lower total fat and cholesterol. This has occurred predominantly in the north, where the most obvious change is a decrease in butter consumption and an increase in margarine consumption. The northerners have a four to five times smaller intake of butter than the southerners and nearly double the intake of margarine. Evidence gathered over the past ten years reveals in the north a decreasing serum-cholesterol and in the south a significantly higher serum-cholesterol, associated with higher coronary morbidity and mortality. Life expectancy of males in the north is 2-4 years higher at birth and 2-2 years higher at the age of 30. It is concluded that the food habits of a population can be changed, with great benefit.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of technics used to define type 'A' pattern, in the Belgian Prevention Project of cardiovascular diseases (author's transl)].

In order to define the Rosenman and Friedman type A pattern three technics where used: the Bortner scale, the Jenkins Acitivity Survey (J.A.S.) and the interview. These are part of the base-line data recorded during the screening of a belgian male population aged 40 to 59 at entry of a controlled trial for the multifactorial prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The J.A.S. and the Bortner scale are evaluated in relation to the interview. Extremes of type A and B are less prevalent in our study compared to the Western Collaborative Group Study. Both the J.A.S. and the Bortner scale are very satisfactory in predicting type A and B pattern. The Bortner scale predicts the pattern in 78% of the subjects, by the method of weighted scores. The validation of this classification method, on a second sample, gives an accurate classification in 75% of the subjects. The J.A.S. predicts, the pattern in relation to the interview in 78% of the subjects; again the validation of the classification method, on a second sample, gives a correct classification in 70% of the subjects.

Behavior↗