Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asians:A meta-epidemiological study of population-based cohort studies

BACKGROUND Previous systematic reviews have consistently reported that coffee consumption has a preventive effect on the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,further evaluations between coffee consumption and the risk of T2DM in Asian populations are needed.AIM To conduct a meta-epidemiological study on systematic reviews evaluating the association between coffee consumption and the risk of T2DM in Asian people.METHODS The selection criterion was defined as a population-based prospective cohort study evaluating the association between coffee consumption and the risk of T2DM in Asian populations,reporting the adjusted relative risk(RR)and its 95%confidence interval(CI)for potential confounders.A fixed-effect model metaanalysis was applied to calculate the summary RR and its 95%CI in less than 50%of the I2 value indicating the level of heterogeneity.A two-stage fixed-effects doseresponse meta-analysis(DRMA)was performed to calculate the risk per unit dose(a cup per day).RESULTS A total of seven studies were selected in this meta-epidemiological study.The risk of T2DM in Asian populations was significantly reduced in the highest to the lowest dose group(summary RR=0.73,95%CI:0.66-0.82;I2 value=0.0%).The DRMA showed that drinking one cup of coffee per day reduced the risk of T2DM in Asian populations by 8%(RR=0.92,95%CI:0.90-0.95).CONCLUSION These findings support the conclusion that coffee consumption has a protective effect on the occurrence of T2DM in Asian men and women.

Effect of exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution on the risk of respiratory tract diseases： a meta-analysis of cohort studies

The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization have designated airborne particulates, including particulates of median aerodynamic diameter 〈 2.5 gm （PM2.5）, as Group 1 carcinogens. It has not been determined, however, whether exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with an increase in respiratory related diseases. This meta-analysis assessed the association between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter （PM2.5） and the risk of respiratory tract diseases, using relevant articles extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. In results, of the 1,126 articles originally identified, 35 （3.1%） were included in this meta-analysis. PM2.5 was found to be associated with respiratory tract diseases. After subdivision by age group, respiratory tract disease, and continent, PM2.5 was strongly associated with respiratory tract diseases in children, in persons with cough, lower respiratory illness, and wheezing, and in individuals from North America, Europe, and Asia. The risk of respiratory tract diseases was greater for exposure to traffic-related than non-traffic-related air pollution. In children, the pooled relative risk （RR） represented significant increases in wheezing （8.2%）, cough （7.5%）, and lower respiratory illness （15.3%）. The pooled RRs in children were 1.091 （95%CI： 1.049, 1.135） for exposure to 〈 25 gg/m3 PM2.5, and 1.126 （95%CI： 1.067, l. 190） for exposure to 〉 25 gg/m3 PM2.5. In conclusion, exposure to ambient PM2.5 was significantly associated with the development of respiratory tract diseases, especially in children exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5.

Cohort Studies on Cancer Mortality Among Workers Exposed Only to Chrysotile Asbestos: a Meta-analysis

Objective To determine whether there was excessive risk of cancer among workers exposed to chrysotile fiber alone by applying a meta-analysis technique. Methods All data meeting the criteria of cohort studies on cancer mortality among workers exposed only to chrysotile were incorporated into meta-analysis. Pooled standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for main cancer sites were calculated using two approaches of unweighted ratio and random effect model. The heterogeneity and its sources of the results were examined with a Q-statistic and Z-score test. The dose-response effect as reflected in the percentage of all deaths due to mesothelioma served as a proxy measure of chrysotile exposure. Results A cohort of twenty six workers exposed to chrysotile alone was summarized. The significantly elevated meta-SMRs for all deaths (1.27), all cancers (1.28), cancers of respiratory organs (2.51), cancers of lung (2.35) and cancers of stomach (1.24) were observed. The significantly elevated meta-SMRs for lung cancer within occupational strata were observed among textile workers (3.55), asbestos product manufacturers (3.30), miners and millers (2.24), cement product workers (1.22), and for stomach cancer among asbestos product manufacturers (1.49). Meta-SMRs for cancers at other sites were not significant. Meta-SMR for lung cancer showed an increasing trend with an elevated percentage of all deaths from mesothelioma, but no such trend for stomach cancer. Conclusion There are excessive risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma among workers exposed to chrysotile fiber alone, and likely no convincing indication of an etiological association between chrysotile exposure and cancers at other sites.

Epidemiology of Depression and Suicide Ideation in Patients With Psoriasis:A Metaanalysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Objective:Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory,chronic,recurrent skin disease associated with a high risk of developing psychiatric disorders,especially depression and suicidal ideation,leading to functional disability and poor quality of life.This study was conducted to comprehensively review and assess the epidemiologic association between psoriasis and the risk ratios(RRs)of depression or suicidal ideation.Methods:Five databases(PubMed,Wanfang Database,CNKI,The Cochrane Library,and EMBASE)were searched for prospective cohort studies on the prevalence of depression and/or suicidal ideation in patients with psoriasis updated to February 2,2023.Two independent reviewers evaluated and extracted the data,which were then pooled into a summary RR with corresponding 95%confidence interval(CI)using random-effects models.Results:Sixteen cohort studies comprising 1,166,840 patients with psoriasis and 3,294,205 controls were eligible for the final analysis.The pooled RR for depression was 1.43(95%CI=1.13-1.81)in patients with psoriasis and1.55(95%CI=1.40-1.71)in patients with psoriatic arthritis.In the subgroup analysis,Asian patients with psoriasis(RR=1.38,95%CI=1.17-1.63)had a lower pooled RR for depression than non-Asian patients(RR=1.45,95%CI=1.07-1.97),and patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis(RR=1.69,95%CI=1.15-2.50)showed a higher RR for depression than patients with mild psoriasis(RR=1.60,95%CI=1.06-2.42).We also found no increase in the RR for suicidal ideation among people with psoriasis(RR=1.25,95%CI=0.95-1.65).Conclusion:Patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of depression.Among patients with psoriasis,those with psoriatic arthritis,those who are non-Asian,and those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are at higher risk for depression.However,the available evidence does not support an association between psoriasis and suicidal ideation.

Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer:A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers;however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer(EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC.Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index(PDI), healthful plant-based diet index(h PDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index(u PDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% confidence intervals(95% CIs) of EC across 3plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups.Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50(95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for h PDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the h PDI score was 0.42(95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, u PDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80(95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the u PDI score was 1.90(95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality among diabetic patients prescribed rosiglitazone or pioglitazone： a meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies

Background The difference of cardiovascular effects between rosiglitazone and pioglitazone treatment for diabetic patients has not been thoroughly studied. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the risk of cardiovascular adverse effects in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with rosiglitazone compared to pioglitazone. Methods The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase were searched to identify retrospective cohort studies assessing cardiovascular outcomes with rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies was conducted using RevMan 5.0 software to calculate risk ratios. Results Of the 74 references identified, eight studies involving 945 286 patients fit the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The results of meta-analyses showed that, compared with pioglitazone, rosiglitazone therapy significantly increased the risk of myocardial infarction （risk ratios （RR） 1.17, 95% confidence interval （CI） 1.04-1.32; P=-0.01）, the risk of heart failure （RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.36; P=0.03）, and total mortality （RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.08-1.20; P 〈0.000 01）. Conclusion Compared with pioglitazone, rosiglitazone was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and all-cause mortality in diabetic patients.

Acupuncture for stroke cohort construction:a protocol describing a multicenter,prospective,real-world cohort construction study

Background:Acupuncture for stroke has been endorsed by the World Health Organization,and the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke 2018 lists acupuncture for stroke as a Level II recommendation with Level B evidence.The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke needs to be approved by more high-quality studies.However,there are currently no real-world studies of acupuncture for stroke.Methods:Stroke patients who meet the study criteria and are hospitalized from February 2021 to March 2022 in 23 medical institutions across China,including the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine.The number of patients planned to be recruited is 3,000.Due to the impact of COVID-19,we have applied to the competent authorities for an extension(recruit patients until December 2022).Basic patient information and treatment information will be registered at admission,at discharge,and on the following dates after the onset of the disease:90±7 days,180±7 days,and 360±7 days after the onset of the disease.Establish a database for statistical analysis.Discussion:This study proposes to conduct a prospective cohort study of acupuncture intervention for stroke in a real-world medical setting.Analysis of the effect pattern of acupuncture intervention on the recovery of neurological function system and swallowing disorder in stroke patients.Evaluate the long-term effects of acupuncture intervention for stroke and recurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of autoimmune pancreatitis based on serum immunoglobulin G4 level:A single-center,retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)has been linked with elevated immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 levels.The characteristics and outcomes of AIP based on serum markers have not been fully evaluated.AIM To compare clinical features,treatment efficacy,and outcome of AIP based on serum IgG4 levels and analyze predictors of relapse.METHODS A total of 213 patients with AIP were consecutively reviewed in our hospital from 2006 to 2021.According to the serum IgG4 level,all patients were divided into two groups,the abnormal group(n=148)with a high level of IgG4[>2×upper limit of normal(ULN)]and the normal group(n=65).The t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables.Categorical parameters were compared by theχ^(2) test or Fisher’s exact test.Kaplan-Meier curves Zhou GZ et al.Clinical characteristics and outcome of AIP WJG https://www.wjgnet.com 5126 September 21,2023 Volume 29 Issue 35 and log-rank tests were established to assess the cumulative relapse rates.Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate potential risk factors of AIP relapse.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the abnormal group had a higher average male age(60.3±10.4 vs 56.5±12.9 years,P=0.047);higher level of serum total protein(72.5±7.9 g/L vs 67.2±7.5 g/L,P<0.001),IgG4(1420.5±1110.9 mg/dL vs 252.7±106.6 mg/dL,P<0.001),and IgE(635.6±958.1 IU/mL vs 231.7±352.5 IU/mL,P=0.002);and a lower level of serum complement C3(100.6±36.2 mg/dL vs 119.0±45.7 mg/dL,P=0.050).In addition,a lower number of cases with abnormal pancreatic duct and pancreatic atrophy(23.6%vs 37.9%,P=0.045;1.6%vs 8.6%,P=0.020,respectively)and a higher rate of relapse(17.6%vs 6.2%,P=0.030)were seen in the abnormal group.Multivariate analyses revealed that serum IgG4[(>2×ULN),hazard ratio(HR):3.583;95%confidence interval(CI):1.218–10.545;P=0.020]and IgA(>1×ULN;HR:5.908;95%CI:1.199–29.120;P=0.029)and age>55 years(HR:2.383;95%CI:1.056–5.378;P=0.036)were independent risk factors of relapse.CONCLUSION AIP patients with high IgG4 levels have clinical features including a more active immune system and higher relapse rate.Several factors,such as IgG4 and IgA,are associated with relapse.

The relationship between physical activity in early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a cohort study in Chinese women

BACKGROUND:We aimed to examine prospective associations between diff erent intensities and diff erent types of physical activity(PA)in early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP)among Chinese women.METHODS:A total of 6,820 pregnant women from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort were included in this study.The pregnancy physical activity questionnaire(PPAQ)was used to assess PA,including household/caregiving,occupational,sports/exercise,and transportation activities in the first trimester of pregnancy.The diagnosis of HDP was collected,including gestational hypertension(GH)and preeclampsia(PE).Data were analyzed by unconditional multivariate logistic regression,and the odds ratio(OR)and 95%confi dence interval(CI)were calculated.RESULTS:A total of 178(2.6%)of the 6,820 women were diagnosed with HDP,of which 126(1.8%)were GH and 52(0.8%)were PE.Overall,we found no association between PA in early pregnancy and PE.A trend toward lower risk was found only among women with GH and among those with higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity(MVPA)(adjusted OR 0.54,95%CI 0.31–0.96).No association was observed between PA and HDP in early pregnancy,regardless of diff erent intensities or types of PA.CONCLUSION:MVPA in the first trimester is an influencing factor of HDP.Encouraging pregnant women to engage in MVPA in the fi rst trimester may help to prevent GH.

Edible mushrooms as a potent therapeutics of subclinical thyroid dysfunction among adults,especially in obese individuals:a prospective cohort study

Background:Mushrooms are a good source of many nutrients which are potentially beneficial for chronic diseases.We speculated that due to its abundant nutrients edible mushrooms might have a beneficial effect on the prevention of subclinical thyroid dysfunction(SCTD).Therefore,we designed a large-scale cohort study to examine whether mushrooms consumption is a protective factor for SCTD in adults.Methods:This prospective cohort study investigated 6631 participants(mean age:(45.0±10.2)years;55.1%men).Edible mushrooms consumption was measured at baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire.SCTD was defined as abnormal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and normal free thyroxine.Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of edible mushrooms consumption with incident SCTD.Results:During follow-up period,a total of 262 new cases of SCTD were identified,the incidence rate of subclinical hypothyroidism was 8.9/1000 person-years and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 7.2/1000 person-years.After adjusting potential confounding factors,the multivariable hazard ratios(95%confidence intervals)for subclinical hypothyroidism were 1.00(reference)for almost never,0.53(0.29,0.97)for 1-3 times/week and 0.30(0.10,0.87)for≥4 times/week(P for trend=0.02).It also showed edible mushrooms consumption was inversely associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in obese individuals but not non-obese individuals,the final hazard ratios(95%confidence intervals)were 0.14(0.03,0.73)(P for trend<0.01).Conclusions:This population-based prospective cohort study has firstly demonstrated that higher edible mushrooms consumption was significantly associated with lower incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism among general adult population,especially in obese individuals.

LipoCol Forte capsules reduce the risk of liver cancer:A propensity score-matched,nationwide,population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is among the top five most common cancers globally. Lipid-lowering drugs such as statins can lower the risk of liver cancer, but may also cause liver damage. LipoCol Forte capsules(LFC), a red yeast rice product, have demonstrated significant antihypercholesterolemic effects and a good safety profile in clinical studies.AIM To evaluate whether LFC lowers the risk of liver cancer in adults in this propensity score-matched, nationwide, population-based cohort study.METHODS We used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, which includes electronic medical records for up to 99.99% of Taiwan’s population. LFC users and LFC non-users were matched 1:1 by propensity scores between January 2010 and December 2017. All had followup data for at least 1 year. Statistical analyses compared demographic distributions including sex, age, comorbidities, and prescribed medications. Cox regression analyses estimated adjusted hazard ratios(aHRs) after adjusting for potential confounders.RESULTS We enrolled 33231 LFC users and 33231 non-LFC users(controls). No significant differences between the study cohorts were identified regarding comorbidities and medications [standardized mean difference(SMD) < 0.05]. At follow-up, the overall incidence of liver cancer was significantly lower in the LFC cohort compared with controls [aHR 0.91;95% confidence interval(CI): 0.86-0.95;P < 0.001]. The risk of liver cancer was significantly reduced in both females(aHR 0.87;95%CI: 0.8-0.94;P < 0.001) and males(aHR 0.93;95%CI: 0.87-0.98;P < 0.01) in the LFC cohort compared with their counterparts in the non-LFC cohort. The antitumor protective effects applied to patients with comorbidities(including hypertension, ischemic stroke, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection). Those using LFC for more than 84 drug days had a 0.64-fold lower risk of liver cancer compared with controls(P < 0.001). Compared with controls, the risk of developing liver cancer in the LFC cohort progressively decreased over time;the lowest incidence of liver cancer occurred in LFC users followed-up for more than 6 years(27.44 vs 31.49 per 1,000 person-years;aHR 0.75;95%CI: 0.68-0.82;P < 0.001).CONCLUSION This retrospective cohort study indicates that LFC has a significantly protective effect on lowering the risk of liver cancer, in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner.

Relationship between different sources of drinking water,water quality improvement and gastric cancer mortality in Changle County--A retrospectivecohort study in high incidence area

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Associations between serum uric acid and hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer:A cohort study

BACKGROUND Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism.Previous studies have found that serum uric acid(SUA)levels are associated with the total cancer risk.However,due to the dual effect of uric acid on cancer,the relationship between the SUA levels and most specific-site cancer remains unclear.AIM To investigate the associations between the SUA levels and incidence of hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer.METHODS In this prospective cohort study,444462 participants free of cancer from the UK Biobank were included.The SUA levels were measured at baseline,and the incidence of hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer was determined by contacting the cancer registry.The hazard ratios(HRs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)between the SUA levels and hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer were investigated using multiple adjusted Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders.RESULTS In total,920 participants developed liver,gallbladder,biliary tract or pancreatic cancer during a median of 6.6 yrs of follow-up.We found that the HR of pancreatic cancer in the highest SUA group was 1.77(95%CI:1.29-2.42)compared with that in the lowest group.After stratifying by gender,we further found that SUA was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer only among the females(highest quartile vs lowest quartile HR 2.04,95%CI:1.35-3.08).Among the males,the SUA levels were positively associated with the gallbladder cancer risk(highest quartile vs lowest quartile HR 3.09,95%CI:1.28-7.46),but a U-shaped association with the liver cancer risk was observed(P-nonlinear=0.03).CONCLUSION SUA is likely to have gender-specific effects on hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer.High SUA levels are a risk factor for pancreatic cancer in females and gallbladder cancer in males.A U-shaped association with the liver cancer risk was identified.

Measures of Abdominal Adiposity and Risk of Stroke:A Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies

Objective Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio, which are the indicators or measures of abdominal adiposity, have long been hypothesized to increase the risk of stroke; yet evidence accumulated till date is not conclusive. Here, we conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to summarize evidences of the association between these measures of abdominal adiposity and the risk of stroke. Methods PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to May 2015. Two investigators independently conducted the study selection and data extraction. Dose-response relationships were assessed by the generalized least squares trend estimation, while the summary effect estimates were evaluated by the use of fixed- or random-effect models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the potential sources of heterogeneity and the robustness of the pooled estimation. Publication bias of the literature was evaluated using Begg＇s and Egger＇s test. Results Altogether 15 prospective cohort studies were identified in this study. The summary of relative risks （95% confidence intervals） of stroke for the highest versus the lowest categories was 1.28 （1.18-1.40） for waist circumference, 1.32 （1.21-1.44） for waist-to-hip ratio, and 1.49 （1.24-1.78） for waist-to-height ratio. For a 10-cm increase in waist circumference, the relative risk of stroke increased by 10%; for a 0.1-unit increase in waist-to-hip ratio, the relative risk increased by 16%; and for a 0.05-unit increase in waist-to-height ratio, the relative risk increased by 13%. There was evidence of a nonlinear association between waist-to-hip ratio and stroke risk, Pnonlinearity=0.028, Conclusion Findings from our meta-analysis indicated that waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were positively associated with the risk of stroke, particularly ischemic stroke.

Preoperative P-wave duration as a predictor of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: A prospective cohort study with meta-analysis

Objectives:Reported prediction rules for postoperative atrial fibrillation(AF)have suffered from inconsistent results and controversy surrounding the predictive value of a preoperative P-wave duration(PreOPWD).This study examined PreOPWD as a predictor for AF after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods:Two-hundred-and-ninety-nine patients with sinus rhythm before off-pump CABG were recruited into the study.Patients'demographic and clinical data were evaluated prospectively.Patients were continuously monitored for the first seven postoperative days.Multiple logistic regressionwas used to determine significant predictors of AF.Findings were then combined with similar studies and a metaanalysis was performed.Results:Postoperative AF was observed in 33.1%of 299 patients.Patients with AF were older,had a prolonged PreOPWD,higher incidences of hypertension,aortic regurgitation,and mitral regurgitation.A cut-off point of PreOPWD
105ms achieved a specificity of 74%,and a sensitivity of 65%for predictive of AF.Multivariate analysis showed that PreOPWD
105ms(odds ratio[OR]4.63,95%confidence intervals[CI]2.66 to 8.03,P<0.001),age
60 years(OR 2.72,95%CI 1.51 to 4.90,P<0.01)and hypertension(OR 2.10,95%CI 1.08 to 4.07,P<0.05)independently predicted postoperative AF.A meta-analysis of this data combined with those of ten other studies showed that PreOPWD was greater in patients with POAF,with a weighted mean difference of 3.95 ms(95%CI 1.97 to 5.92,P<0.001).Conclusion:This study confirmed,among other predictive characteristics,that PreOPWD is a powerful independent predictor of POAF.

Cumulative effects of excess high-normal alanine aminotransferase levels in relation to new-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in China

BACKGROUND Within the normal range,elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels are associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).AIM To investigate the associations between repeated high-normal ALT measurements and the risk of new-onset MAFLD prospectively.METHODS A cohort of 3553 participants followed for four consecutive health examinations over 4 years was selected.The incidence rate,cumulative times,and equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of excess high-normal ALT levels(ehALT)were measured.Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse the association between the cumulative effects of ehALT and the risk of new-onset MAFLD.RESULTS A total of 83.13%of participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels.The incidence rate of MAFLD showed a linear increasing trend in the cumulative ehALT group.Compared with those in the low-normal ALT group,the multivariate adjusted hazard ratios of the equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of ehALT were 1.651[95%confidence interval(CI):1.199-2.273]and 1.535(95%CI:1.119-2.106)in the third quartile and 1.616(95%CI:1.162-2.246)and 1.580(95%CI:1.155-2.162)in the fourth quartile,respectively.CONCLUSION Most participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels.Long-term high-normal ALT levels were associated with a cumulative increased risk of new-onset MAFLD.

Silicosis in Automobile Foundry Workers: A 29-Year Cohort Study

Objectives The purposes were to determine the relationship between silicosis among foundry workers and their cumulative exposure to silica dust, and to establish a regression model to predict the risk for developing silicosis by a given length of employment and air concentrations of silica at worksites. Methods A 29-year cohort study was conducted, including all those employed for more than one year during January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1996 and all members of the cohort were followed-up to December 3 1, 2008. In total, 2 009 workers of an automobile foundry in Shiyan, Hubei province were recruited in the study, 1 300 at eight worksites including sand preparation, cast shakeout, and finishing, melting, moulding, core-making, overhead crane operation and pouring as exposed group, and the other 709 auxiliary workers at the same factory, such as electricians, inspectors, fitters, and so on, as control group. Person-years of observation were calculated by persons observed and years followed-up for each of them. Person-year incidence of silicosis and its relative risk （RR） or odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence intervals （CI） among the workers were estimated, adjusted for relevant factors with logistic regression model using SPSS version 15.0 software. Results Totally, 2 009 workers were followed-up for 37 151 person-years and 48 cases of silicosis were found, with an overall incidence of 1.34 per thousand, 2.02 per thousand in exposed group, and 0.15 per thousand in control one. Risk of silicosis was significantly higher in the exposed group than that in the control one （RR=13.13, 95% CI 3.18-54.13）, higher in men than that in women （RR=13.92, 95% CI 1.92-100.93）. Risks of silicosis varied by job, highest in those exposed to cast shakeout and finishing （RR=28.14, 95% CI 6.43-123.11）, followed by those exposed to pouring （RR-22.23, 95% CI 5.01-98.55） in the foundry. Average length of employment at onset of silicosis was 25.94 years, and silicosis incidence increased with length of employment. Average age at onset of silicosis was 47.83 years old. The risk of silicosis in workers with pulmonary tuberculosis was 2.57 folds as those without it （P〈0.01）. Ten deaths were recorded in those with silicosis, with a case-fatality rate of 20.83 percent three of them died of lung cancer, three of liver cancer, two of ischemic heart disease, and two of other diseases as their immediate causes of death. Incidence of silicosis in foundry workers positively correlated with their cumulative silica exposure （OR-3.00, 95% CI 2.34-3.83）. Risks of silicosis increased by 4.38 folds with an increase of 1 mg/m^3-year of cumulative silica exposure, and by 3.79 folds with smoking, respectively, adjusted for alcohol drinking and age. Based on a logistic regression model fitted, incidence of silicosis is expected to be 44.6 per thousand for those with daily exposure to silica of 4.18 mg/m^3 in average for 30 years, and if incidence of silicosis is expected to be less than 1 per thousand, daily exposure to silica should be controlled below 0.2 mg/m^3 for those with 20 years of employment, or below 0.1 mg/m^3 for those with 30 or 40 years of silica exposure. Conclusions At present, foundry workers in China still face high risk of developing silicosis. For lowering occurrence of silicosis in exposed workers, it seems necessary that current occupational exposure limits for silica at worksites in China should be reexamined and silica dust control measures be strengthend.

Nickel-exposed Workers in China: A Cohort Study

There are more than S0 000 workers in Jinchuan Group Co, Ltd （JNMC）. Since all staff in JNMC are eligible for a medical examination every two years, only 23 484 nickel-exposed subjects who participated in medical examination were included in this study. Their data, collected from June 22, 2011 to September 28, 2012, in a comprehensive epidemiological survey and during medical examinations, permitted an extensive evaluation of the relation between metal exposure, gene, epigenetics and risk of human diseases. Their lifestyle investigation showed that the overall prevalence of current smokers, alcohol drinkers, and tea drinkers was 39.1%, 19.7%, and 55.2%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, allergic rhinitis and cholecystitis, the top 3 prevalent diseases, was 11.7%, 11.0%, and 8.9%, respectively.

Combined Effect of Smoking and Obesity on Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Male Veterans:A 30-year Cohort Study

Objective Evidence is lacking regarding the combined effects of smoking and obesity on mortality from coronary heart disease in male veterans.This study aimed to explore the combined effect of smoking and obesity on coronary heart disease mortality in male veterans in China.Methods A cohort of 1,268 male veterans from 22 veteran centers in Xi’an(Shaanxi Province,China)were followed up once every 2 years from February 1,1987 to October 30,2016.The endpoint was death from any cause.The hazard ratio(HR)of each risk factor and the 95%confidence interval(CI)were calculated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.Results The total follow-up was 24394.21 person-years;each subject was followed up for a mean duration of 19.24 years.By the end of the study,of the 1,268 veterans,889 had died,363 were alive,and 16 were lost to follow-up.Cox regression analysis results revealed that current smoking(HR:1.552,95%CI:1.074–2.243),obesity(HR:1.625,95%CI:1.024–2.581),and the combined effect of the two factors(HR:2.828,95%CI:1.520–5.262)were associated with coronary heart disease mortality.Conclusion Our results suggest that obese veterans who smoke might be an important target population for coronary heart disease mortality control.

Alcohol Drinking, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes： A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study among Inner Mongolians in China

Objective No previous studies have evaluated the association between dyslipidemia, alcohol drinking, and diabetes in an Inner Mongolian population. We aimed to evaluate the co-effects of drinking and dyslipidemia on diabetes incidence in this population. Methods The present study was based on 1880 participants from a population-based prospective cohort study among Inner Mongolians living in China. Participants were classified into four subgroups according to their drinking status and dyslipidemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were used to evaluate the association between alcohol drinking, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Results During the follow-up period, 203 participants were found to have developed diabetes. The multiva riable-adjusted odds ratios （95% confidence interval） for the incidence of non-dyslipidemia/drinkers, dyslipidemia/non-drinkers, and dyslipidemia/drinkers in diabetic patients were 1.40 （0.82-2.37）, 1.73 （1.17-2.55）, and 2.31 （1.38-3.87）, respectively, when compared with non-dyslipidemia/non-drinkers. The area under the ROC curve for a model containing dyslipidemia and drinking status along with conventional factors （AUC=0.746） was significantly （P=O.003） larger than the one containing only conventional factors （AUC=0.711）. Conclusion The present study showed that dyslipidemia was an independent risk factor for diabetes, and that drinkers with dyslipidemia had the highest risk of diabetes in the Mongolian population. These findings suggest that dyslipidemia and drinkin8 status may be valuable in predicting diabetes incidence.