[Breast cancer mortality: Is the effect of screening affected by participation and hormone therapy?].
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Publications and source records attributed to L Janzon.
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Women who smoke have less favourable prognosis following breast-cancer diagnosis. Some studies suggest that this is due to a more advanced stage at diagnosis, on average. Our present aim was to assess whether smoking is associated with other prognostic markers as well, e.g., hormone receptor status, histopathology and tumour differentiation. The evaluation was based on 268 incident cases in a cohort of 10,902 women (35% smokers) followed for an average of 12.4 years. An immunohistochemical method on recuts of tumour tissue was used to assess hormone receptor status. One pathologist classified all tumours according to the WHO system, Nottingham grade and Nottingham Prognostic Index. The relative risk (RR) of oestrogen receptor-negative tumours was, for current smokers, 2.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-3.96] and, for ex-smokers, 2.67 (95% CI 1.41-5.06) compared to never-smokers. Ex-smokers had an increased risk of progesterone receptor-negative tumours (RR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.07-2.41), but there were no other significant associations between smoking habits and oestrogen receptor-positive or progesterone receptor-positive or -negative tumours. The incidence of Nottingham grade III tumours was higher in ex-smokers than in never-smokers (RR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.17-3.54). In terms of histopathological type or Nottingham Prognostic Index, there were no significant differences between smoking groups. We conclude that smoking is associated with an increased occurrence of hormone receptor-negative tumours.
Although smoking is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), many individuals remain healthy after many years of smoking. The population based cohort 'Men born in 1914' was used to investigate whether the occurrence of non-invasively detected atherosclerosis among smokers is associated with lung function [(i.e. height-adjusted forced expiratory volume during 1 s (FEV1.0) and vital capacity (VC)]. Two hundred and seven smokers without history of CVD were examined with spirometry and calf plethysmography at 55 years, and with spirometry, ankle-arm blood pressure recordings and ultrasound examinations of the carotid arteries at 68 years. Eighty-three men had atherosclerosis defined as carotid stenosis >30% or ankle-arm index <0.9. FEV1.0 and VC were both at 55 years (longitudinally) and at 68 years (cross-sectionally) lower among men with atherosclerosis at 68 years (55 years: FEV1.0, 3.2+/-0.6 vs. 3.4+/-0.5 l; P=0.02; VC, 4.2+/-0.5 vs. 4.4+/-0.5 l; P=0.02; 68 years: FEV1.0, 2.6+/-0.6 vs. 2.9+/-0.7 l; P=0.004; VC, 3.8+/-0.6 vs. 4.0+/-0.6; P=0.009, for men with and without atherosclerosis). The longitudinal and cross-sectional associations between FEV1.0, VC and atherosclerosis remained significant after adjustments for several potential confounders (tobacco consumption at 55 and 68 years, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol consumption at 68 years, and pulse wave amplitude as a measure of degree of atherosclerosis at 55 years). We conclude that the risk of developing atherosclerosis is associated with the degree of ventilatory capacity. The results suggest that in smokers, reduced lung function is a marker of susceptibility for atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: This study of myocardial infarction (MI) amongst urban women has sought to assess whether there are differences in fatal outcome, in-hospital respectively out-of-hospital, between residential areas defined in terms of socio-economic circumstances. DESIGN: Register-based surveillance study 1986-95. SETTING: Seventeen residential areas in the city of Malmö, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Women 20-74 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in fatal outcome, in-hospital respectively out-of-hospital, between residential areas were expressed in terms of age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs), calculated by means of logistic regression. Socio-economic circumstances in the areas were expressed in terms of a composite score. RESULTS: Between residential areas there were marked and statistically significant differences in incidence (range 124-328/10(5), P < 0.001, d.f.=16) and mortality (range 38-132/10(5), P < 0.005, d.f.=16). Area rates of mortality covaried with incidence (r=0.85, P < 0.001) and with odds ratios of fatal outcome out-of-hospital (r=0.52, P=0.031) but not in-hospital. The odds ratios of fatal outcome out-of-hospital decreased in a statistically significant stepwise fashion from areas in the lowest socio-economic quintile (reference) to areas in the highest socio-economic quintile (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.94). There was no corresponding association with the odds ratios of fatal outcome in-hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of mortality from MI amongst women in areas with deprived socio-economic circumstances was related to deaths occurring out-of-hospital. In order to assess the preventive potential there is a need for further studies that may clarify to what extent the association with socio-economic circumstances can be explained by other factors and conditions known to influence the probability of survival.
OBJECTIVE: To study whether physical activity is associated with reduced occurrence of asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of the population-based cohort "men born in 1914". METHODS: Comparison of the systolic ankle/arm pressure index (AAI) at age 68 in groups who were sedentary, performed some activity, and performed regular physical training at 55 and 68 years of age. RESULTS: At 55 years of age, 100 (27%) were sedentary, 209 (58%) reported some physical activity and 54 (15%) reported regular physical training. At 68 years, 194 men (53%) reported the same degree of physical activity, 127 (35%) reported a higher physical activity, and 42 (12%) reported lower physical activity. Physical activity at 55 years (p =0.03) and increased physical activity between 55 and 68 years (p =0.03) were both associated with higher AAI at 68 after adjusting for potential confounders. At 68 years, AAI was 0.89+/-0.21, 1.01+/-0.13 and 1.05+/-0.11, respectively, in men who were sedentary, reported some physical activity, and regular physical training (p =0.0002). This association remained significant after adjustments for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: regular physical activity is associated with reduced occurrence of asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis, even in men taking up exercise after age of 55.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies of associations between diet, obesity, and blood concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene have been equivocal. Furthermore, most studies used only body mass index (BMI) as an obesity measure. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to examine the associations between energy and nutrient intakes, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and serum cholesterol and serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, and to examine the associations between different measures of general and central adiposity and serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study of 253 men and 276 women aged 46-67 y. Nutrient data were collected by a modified diet history method. Measures of obesity included BMI, percentage of body fat (impedance analysis), waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference. The associations between serum nutrient concentrations and the other factors were examined by multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of men and 34% of women used antioxidant supplements. The mean BMI was 26.1 in men and 25.4 in women. Serum beta-carotene concentration was positively associated with serum cholesterol concentration, fiber intake, and beta-carotene intake, and negatively associated with smoking and all measures of obesity. In men, serum beta-carotene concentration was not significantly associated with central adiposity after adjustment for body fat. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was positively correlated with serum cholesterol, obesity, and vitamin E intake. In women, serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was also positively associated with intakes of ascorbic acid and selenium. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was associated with central adiposity after adjustment for body fat. CONCLUSION: Serum beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol concentrations have different associations with diet, smoking, general adiposity, and central adiposity.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, many individuals remain free from disease. This study is aimed to investigate whether this variation in individual susceptibility is associated with lung function. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 'Men born in 1914', Malmö, Sweden. Subjects (n = 639) were examined and considered free from prevalent cardiovascular disease at age 55 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, fatal and non-fatal stroke and cardiac events (fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction) during 28-years follow-up. RESULTS: Of the men, 467 had normal blood pressure and 172 (27%) had hypertension (> or = 160/95 mmHg or treatment for hypertension). Hypertensive men with height-adjusted forced expiratory volume during 1 s (FEV1.0) below median had significantly higher rates of stroke (13.4 versus 5.8/1,000 person-years), cardiac events (27.1 versus 12.8/1,000 person-years) and all cause mortality (52.5 versus 28.6/1,000 person-years) than hypertensive men with high FEV1.0. These differences remained statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Men with normal blood pressure and FEV1.0 below median had higher rates of stroke (5.4 versus 4.2/1,000 person-years), cardiac events (13.3 versus 11.6/1,000 person-years) and all cause mortality (29.9 versus 21.2/1,000 person-years) than men with normal blood pressure and high FEV1.0. After adjustments for potential confounders, FEV1.0 was significantly associated with mortality among men with normal blood pressure, whereas the associations with stroke and cardiac events did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cardiovascular disease and death associated with hypertension is increased among men with reduced lung function. The synergistic interaction between hypertension and lung function was independent of smoking and other potential confounders.
BACKGROUND: Although age is associated with increasing blood pressure, there is a substantial heterogeneity within a certain birth cohort. Whether increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure is related to pulmonary function is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To study blood pressure elevation between 55 and 68 years of age in relation to vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) at 55. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 375 men without antihypertensive medication at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) over 13 years. RESULTS: Blood pressure increase between 55 and 68 years was highest among men who at 55 years had low vital capacity. Average increase in systolic blood pressure for men with vital capacity in the first, second, third and fourth quartile was 20.4, 18.7, 16.5 and 11.1 mmHg, respectively (P for trend = 0.005). Average increase in diastolic blood pressure was 10.6, 9.9, 9.0 and 6.3 mmHg, respectively (P= 0.02). The trends remained statistically significant after adjustments for baseline blood pressure, tobacco consumption, smoking cessation between 55 and 68, weight change between 55 and 68, physical activity and diabetes. Further analysis showed that the relationships could be found among men with blood pressures < or = 140/ 90 mmHg at baseline, whereas no significant association was found for men whose baseline SBP or DBP exceeded 140/90 mmHg. FEV1.0 showed similar associations with change in blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Lung function is inversely associated with future blood pressure increase. It is suggested that this association could contribute to the relationships between lung function and incidence of cardiovascular disease.
According to several studies breast cancer is more common among former smokers. This study explores whether this association has any relationship with anthropometric measurements or blood lipid levels. The 2082 ex-smokers (mean age 49.9 years) in the Malmö Preventive Cohort were followed for an average of 13.3 years using official cancer registries. This yielded 93 incident breast cancer cases. Oestrogen receptor (ER) status was assessed by an immunological method. Incidence of breast cancer covaried with height, body mass index, weight gain and cholesterol levels. None of these associations reached statistical significance. Incidence of breast cancer increased over quartiles of serum triglycerides, Ptrend: 0.02, relative risk (RR) for triglycerides as a continuous variable: 1.46 (1.21-1.77). Nineteen tumours were ER negative; this subgroup was similarly related to high triglycerides, 1.76 (1.40-2.21). All results were similar when BMI and cholesterol levels were entered into the model. It is concluded that breast cancer incidence covaries with triglyceride levels in ex-smokers.
In order to investigate potential selection bias in population-based cohort studies, participants (n = 28098) and non-participants (n = 40807) in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS) were compared with regard to cancer incidence and mortality. MDCS participants were also compared with participants in a mailed health survey with regard to subjective health, socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle. Cancer incidence prior to recruitment was lower in non-participants, Cox proportional hazards analysis yielded a relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval of 0.95 (0.90-1.00), compared with participants. During recruitment, cancer incidence was higher in non-participants, RR: 1.08 (1.01-1.17). Mortality was higher in non-participants both during, 3.55 (3.13-4.03), and following the recruitment period, 2.21 (2.03-2.41). The proportion reporting good health was higher in the MDCS than in the mailed health survey (where 74.6% participated), but the socio-demographic structure was similar. We conclude that mortality is higher in non-participants than in participants during recruitment and follow-up. It is also suggested that non-participants may have a lower cancer incidence prior to recruitment but a higher incidence during the recruitment period.
Inflammation may play an important role in atherosclerotic disease. Plasma fibrinogen is an established predictor of cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether other inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins modify this prediction. We studied the incidence of cardiac events and death in men in relation to fibrinogen levels alone and in combination with other proteins. The study was based on 6075 men, who were, on average, 46 years old at the time of the screening examination, which included the quantitative assessment of plasma levels of fibrinogen, orosomucoid, alpha(1)-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, and ceruloplasmin. The concentration of each protein was divided into quartiles for each. This classification made it possible to identify 4 groups, ie, men in the first fibrinogen quartile and at the same time either not belonging to the fourth quartile of any of the other proteins (Q1/No group) or also belonging to the fourth quartile of >/=1 of the additional proteins (Q1/Yes group) and corresponding groups in the fourth fibrinogen quartile (Q4/No and Q4/Yes groups). During the follow-up, which occurred at an average of 16 years, 439 (7.2%) men experienced a cardiac event, and 653 (10.7%) died; 278 of these men died of cardiovascular diseases, with 206 deaths attributed to ischemic heart disease. From the lowest to the highest quartile, there was for each protein a stepwise increase in the incidence of cardiac events and mortality. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were significantly higher in the Q4/Yes group compared with the Q4/No group, but they were similar in the Q4/No and Q1/Yes groups. The incidence of cardiac events was significantly higher in the Q1/Yes and Q4/Yes groups compared with the Q1/No and Q4/No groups, respectively. The increased cardiovascular mortality and cardiac event rates remained after adjustment for several confounders when the Q4/Yes and Q4/No groups were compared. The results suggest that the incidence of cardiac events and death due to cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged men predicted by plasma levels of fibrinogen is modified by other inflammation-sensitive proteins.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Geographic differences in stroke incidence indicate a potential for prevention. The present study from the city of Malmö, Sweden, sought to investigate whether incidence of stroke in residential areas is related to prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic circumstances. METHODS: The Stroke Register in Malmö, Sweden, was used for retrieval of the 3540 patients who suffered a first stroke between 1989 and 1998. The Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort (n=28 466) was used to assess area specific prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and being overweight and for computation of a cardiovascular risk score. Socioeconomic circumstances for the 17 administrative areas were expressed in terms of a composite score. RESULTS: Standardized stroke incidence ranged among areas from 437 to 743 per 100 000 for men and from 223 to 518 per 100 000 for women. Socioeconomic score correlated significantly with area-specific stroke rates among men (r=-0.62, P=0.008) and women (r=-0.67, P=0.004). Incidence of stroke was significantly associated with cardiovascular risk score for each area (men, r=0.53, P<0.05; women, r=0.76, P<0.001). The cardiovascular score and the socioeconomic score together accounted for 44% of the geographic variance among men and 63% among women. CONCLUSIONS: Marked differences occurred in stroke incidence among residential areas within this urban population. High-rate areas were characterized by a higher prevalence of smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and being overweight and by inferior socioeconomic circumstances. These risk factors accounted for a substantial proportion of the geographic variance in incidence of stroke.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, many hypertensive persons remain healthy. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether adaptation in a stressful situation was associated with the incidence of stroke in hypertensive men. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-eight hypertensive men were followed from baseline in 1982/1983 until first stroke, death, or December 31, 1996. Adaptation to stress was studied with the serial Color-Word Test. In the Regression dimension, 4 patterns of adaptation could be distinguished according to mastering of the test. Successful mastering of the test was shown in stabilized patterns, increasing difficulty in cumulative patterns, fluctuating difficulty in dissociative patterns, and fluctuating difficulty that increased during testing in cumulative-dissociative patterns. The patterns were compared regarding stroke incidence. RESULTS: Forty-three men experienced a stroke during follow-up. Stroke rates per 1000 person-years were 12.6 for men with stabilized patterns, 14.3 for men with cumulative patterns, 16.2 for men with dissociative patterns, and 31.2 for men with cumulative-dissociative patterns. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for relevant cerebrovascular risk factors, showed that the cumulative-dissociative pattern of the Regression dimension was associated with an increased risk of stroke during follow-up (relative risk 3.00, 95% CI 1.32 to 6.81). CONCLUSIONS: The specific behavior pattern, characterized by the greatest difficulties in managing the test, was associated with incidence of stroke in hypertensive men. One interpretation is that hypertensive men who chronically fail to find successful strategies in stressful situations are vulnerable to the damaging effects of stress and thereby at an increased risk of a future stroke.
Mammographic screening may reduce breast cancer mortality. Not all women, however, come for examination. The objective in this study from Malmö has been to assess extent to which the rate of nonattendance varies between residential areas with different sociodemographic profiles. The study is based on 32,605 women, 45 to 68 years old and living in 17 areas, who between 1990 and 1994 were invited to screening. Between age groups, the age-specific nonattendance rate ranged from 31% to 35 % (P < .01). The nonattendance rate was highest for women 65 years or older. Between residential areas, age-adjusted nonattendance rates ranged from 23% to 43% (P < .01). A socioeconomic score was developed to express the socioeconomic circumstances in the residential areas and ranged from -7.18 in the most deprived area to 5.01 in the least. Nonattendance covaried in an inverse fashion with the socioeconomic score (r = -0.78; P < .01). One of three women in this urban population did not accept the invitation to mammographic screening. Our conclusion is that women in areas with less favorable circumstances seem to be less willing to participate.
A personal diary may be more appropriate than a questionnaire for assessing self-reported current use of hormone therapy (estrogens, progestagens, or their combination); however, use of a questionnaire is more feasible and less expensive. The authors compared both methods for 16,060 Swedish women aged 45-73 years from the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study (baseline, 1991-1996). In a reliability analysis, the authors investigated the agreement (kappa value) between the questionnaire and the diary regarding current hormone therapy use (yes vs. no), studying the ability to replicate results whether or not they were correct. They also explored associations between discrepancy and individual characteristics. A validity analysis was conducted to determine whether use of the questionnaire achieved an outcome without systematic error (i.e., high specificity and sensitivity); the personal diary was considered the "gold standard." Agreement between both methods was high: 95.5% (kappa = 0.840). The sensitivity was 84.9% and the specificity 97.7%. Higher body mass index and being a widow were associated with agreement, whereas age (50-59 years), use of anxiolytics/hypnotics or opiates, high alcohol consumption, past smoking, and higher educational level were associated with discrepancy. Compared with a personal diary, a simple self-administered questionnaire is a valid method for assessing current use of hormone therapy.
The associations among educational level, occupational status, and atherosclerosis were investigated during 1992-1994 in a general population sample of 4,176 Swedish men and women. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid stenosis were determined by B-mode ultrasound. Socioeconomic differences in mean carotid IMT and odds ratios for carotid stenosis prevalence were estimated. In women, the associations among educational level, occupational status, and IMT were weak. In men, there was no association between education and IMT, while low occupational status was associated with a thicker IMT. Women with low education had an increased odds of carotid stenosis compared with women with high education (odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53, 2.73), while this pattern was weaker among men. Women in manual occupations had an increased odds of carotid stenosis compared with women in high- or medium-level nonmanual occupations (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.36), which could not be seen among men. After adjustment for risk factors, the association between IMT and occupational status in men disappeared, while the associations among educational level, occupational status, and carotid stenosis in women persisted. The results imply that the atherosclerotic process is associated with socioeconomic status in both sexes, and they also indicate the possibility of sex differences in the mechanisms connecting socioeconomic status to atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and other markers of cancer risk. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey within the population-based prospective Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) Study. Information on food habits was collected through the modified diet history method designed and validated for the MDC Study. Data on smoking and alcohol habits, leisure time physical activity, birth country, education, socioeconomic status and cohabitation status were collected through a questionnaire. SETTING: Malmö, the third largest city in Sweden. SUBJECTS: All subjects who entered the MDC Study during winter 1991 to summer 1994 (men and women living in Malmö, aged between 46 and 68 years), with a total of 15 173. RESULTS: Women consumed more fruit and vegetables than men. Low consumption of both fruits and vegetables was associated with unfavourable nutrient profiles: higher percentage of energy from fat and lower intakes of antioxidant nutrients and dietary fibre. Low consumption was also associated with smoking, low leisure time physical activity, low education and being born in Sweden. High age was associated with low vegetable consumption in both genders. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that several established risk markers and risk factors of cancer may be independently associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings suggest that the adverse effects of factors such as smoking, low physical activity and a high-fat diet could partly be explained by low consumption of fruit or vegetables. The implied health benefits of a low or moderate alcohol consumption may be similarly confounded by high consumption of fruit or vegetables.