Association between hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study in Bangladeshi adults

Stachydrine from Natural Foods Alleviates Hyperuricemia by Modulating Renal Urate Transporters and Suppressing Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disease caused by disrupted purine metabolism, characterized by abnormally elevated uric acid (UA) levels. Stachydrine, an alkaloid in natural foods, exhibits multiple biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of stachydrine on alleviating HUA. An HUA mouse model was established through high-nucleoside diet induction, and stachydrine's effects on UA levels and renal injury were investigated. Our findings revealed that stachydrine enhanced uric acid excretion by upregulating ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2). Furthermore, stachydrine mitigated HUA-induced renal inflammation, mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis. Mechanistically, stachydrine facilitated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by downregulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), subsequently activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and alleviating local oxidative stress. This study demonstrated the UA-lowering and renoprotective effects of stachydrine, suggesting its potential as a functional food ingredient for mitigating HUA.

Investigating the Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid and Dyslipidemia in Young Adults in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES

While some reports exist on the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and dyslipidemia in adults, there is limited information available regarding young adults. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SUA and dyslipidemia, as well as its components, among young adults in Bangladesh.

METHODS

This study consisted of 458 participants (281 male and 177 female) aged between 18 and 30 years. The levels of SUA, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile (TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C) were measured using standard colorimetric methods. Bivariate logistic regression modelling was used to examine the relationship between SUA and dyslipidemia and its components.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 24% with 27.6% in males and 18.6% in females. Males had a higher mean SUA level (6.6 ± 1.5 mg/dL) than females (5.3 ± 1.2 mg/dL) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 74.2% with 83.2% in male and 59.8% in female subjects. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C and low HDL-C was 30.1%, 26.2%, 28.8% and 64.8%, respectively. There was an increasing trend in the level and prevalence of elevated lipid profile markers across the SUA quartiles (p < 0.001). SUA level showed a positive correlation with TG, TC and LDL-C and a negative correlation with HDL (p < 0.001). In regression analysis, a significant association was found between SUA and dyslipidemia in all participants as well as in the male-female groups separately (at least p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant association (p < 0.001) was found between SUA and individual lipid components in the regression models.

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemia and its components were more prevalent in individuals with hyperuricemia than in those without. This study identified a significant association between SUA and dyslipidemia in young adults in Bangladesh. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind this association.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES

Serum uric acid (SUA) has been suggested to be associated with obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and hypertension. However, whether uric acid is independently associated with the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), a major type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), remains debatable, especially across different populations. This study aims to examine the relationship between SUA levels and MI in an adult population group in Bangladesh.

METHODS

The study included 392 participants: 188 with a history of MI in the CVD group and 204 healthy individuals without CVD in the control group. Anthropometric, blood pressure, SUA, and other biochemical parameters were measured. A multivariate regression model was used to assess the relationship between elevated SUA levels and the risk of CVD.

RESULTS

The mean level of SUA was significantly higher in the CVD group (7.6 ± 4.5 mg/dL) compared to the non-CVD group (5.3 ± 1.8 mg/dL) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia was also observed to be higher in the CVD group (46.3%) compared to the non-CVD group (18.2%) (p < 0.001). A significant difference was observed in the levels of blood glucose and lipid profile between the CVD and non-CVD groups (p < 0.001 for all cases). No significant differences were observed in the mean level of SUA or the prevalence of hyperuricemia between the gender groups. When SUA was divided into four quartiles, a significant difference was observed for systolic blood pressure across the quartile groups. After adjusting for potential confounders in the regression models, SUA was found to have a significant association with CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated levels of SUA were associated with increased odds of CVD among the study participants. Managing SUA levels and implementing intervention strategies could be effective in preventing and controlling cardiovascular events.

The effect of Kuiyuan chewing tablet on hyperuricemia: protocol for a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel-controlled trial

Background

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated serum uric acid levels resulting from dysfunction in purine metabolism and/or inadequate uric acid excretion. It is an independent risk factor for many chronic diseases and is associated with a poor long-term prognosis. Existing uric acid-lowering drugs often lead to numerous adverse reactions, resulting in poor patient compliance and limited clinical application. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of Kuiyuan Chewing Tablet (KYCT) on serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients with HUA, and to seek a safe alternative therapy for reducing uric acid.

Methods and analysis

This study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial. HUA patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either (1) the control group (placebo of KYCT, specifications: 0.3g per tablet, 1.2g per dose, twice a day, taken with warm water 30 minutes after meals) or (2) the experimental group (KYCT, specifications: 0.3g per tablet, 1.2g per dose, twice a day, taken with warm water 30 minutes after meals). Both groups will receive dietary control, comorbidity prevention, and health education during the intervention period. The primary outcome will be the proportion of subjects with SUA levels <420 umol/L. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of subjects with SUA levels <360 umol/L, the percentage change in SUA levels from baseline to each visit, the maximum percentage change in SUA levels from baseline to the third month, the number of gout attacks, changes in body measurements (weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI), blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose levels, and the proportion of subjects reporting gout attacks (cumulative up to each visit). Each group of patients will be assessed at baseline, as well as at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks.

Discussion

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 12-week treatment with KYCT on patients with HUA. We hypothesize that compared to placebo, KYCT would significantly improve SUA levels without provoking significant adverse reactions. These findings potentially pave the way for a safe and effective alternative therapy for HUA.

Non-fasting and fasting serum triglyceride concentrations and new-onset hyperuricemia in the general Japanese population: ISSA-CKD study

It has been suggested that non-fasting triglyceride (TG) concentrations may be useful in predicting various diseases. However, current epidemiological evidence focuses mainly on the effects of fasting TG concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fasting and non-fasting TG levels on new-onset hyperuricemia (HUA) in the general Japanese population. This is a population-based retrospective cohort study (ISSA-CKD study); it included 5,576 participants without HUA at baseline between 2008 and 2019. Participants were categorized into gender-specific tertile groups of serum TG levels: group 1 (< 83 mg/dL [0.94 mmol/l] in male and < 77 mg/dL [0.87mmol/l] in female), group 2 (83-129mg/dL [0.94-1.46mmol/l] in male and 77-114 mg/dL [0.87-1.29mmol/l in female), and group 3 (≥ 130mg/dL [1.47 mmol/l] in male and ≥ 115 mg/dL [1.30mmol/l] in female). Outcome of this study was new-onset HUA (serum uric acid > 7 mg/dL [0.42 mmol/l]). During the 5.4-year follow-up period, 552 male and 146 female participants developed new-onset HUA. Incidence rates (per 1,000 person-years) of HUA were 18.2 in group 1, 21.9 in group 2 and 31.0 in group 3 among male, and 2.1 in group 1, 4.0 in group 2 and 7.4 group 3 among female. These associations remained significant after adjustment for confounders (p trend < 0.0001 among male and 0.0004 for female). There was no clear difference in effect of non-fasting and fasting TG levels on the development of new HUA (P interaction = 0.546 for male and 0.886 for female). Non-fasting and fasting TG concentrations were significantly associated with new-onset HUA among general Japanese men and women.

Investigating the prevalence and associated factors of elevated liver enzymes and dyslipidemia during pregnancy

Liver dysfunctions during pregnancy can either be pregnancy-specific or preexisting in acute or chronic form. Data on the prevalence of abnormal liver functions and dyslipidemia during pregnancy in Bangladesh are scarce since these tests are not typically done in routine prenatal screening. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of elevated liver enzymes and dyslipidemia and associated risk factors in a cohort of pregnant women in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study included 194 pregnant women participants from different trimesters. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect baseline, demographic, and lifestyle data. Blood samples were collected from each participant to measure biochemical parameters such as liver enzymes (ALT and GGT), lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C), glucose, and creatinine levels in the serum. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with liver dysfunction and lipid profile abnormalities. The average age of the participants was 25 ± 5 years. Overall, the prevalence of preeclampsia was 12.4%. Among participants, 27% had increased ALT levels, most in their third trimester, while 11.8% had elevated GGT levels, mostly in early pregnancy. 83.8% of the study subjects had general dyslipidemia, with the highest prevalence in the second trimester and 5.2% had mixed dyslipidemia. Several factors were significantly associated with ALT elevation, such as preeclampsia, elevated blood pressure, low HDL-C levels, high parity number, having a higher number of children, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and inadequate knowledge about pregnancy diet. On the other hand, advanced maternal age, high gravidity, and mixed dyslipidemia were associated with elevated GGT levels. Conversely, age, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, preeclampsia, and diabetes were associated with dyslipidemia. In conclusion, elevated levels of liver enzymes and an abnormal lipid profile are common among pregnant women in Bangladesh. Various factors are linked to abnormal liver enzymes and dyslipidemia in these participants. Monitoring liver function and lipid levels, along with proper prenatal care, can help reduce the risk of maternal and neonatal mortality.

Inverse relationship of oxidative balance score with hyperuricemia among Chinese adults: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The oxidative balance score (OBS) is a composite metric highlights pro-oxidants and antioxidants balance, representing the overall burden of oxidative stress. This study aims to examine the association between OBS and hyperuricemia in a Chinese population.

METHODS

This study was based on population-based cross-sectional survey data of Fujian province from August 2020 to April 2021. OBS was determined based on 10 food and lifestyle OBS components. The association between OBS and hyperuricemia was investigated using logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses identified sensitive populations. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was performed to examine the potential dose-response relationship.

RESULTS

A total of 9464 participants were included in the final analysis. An inverse association between OBS and hyperuricemia was observed and remained after adjusting for potential confounders. Each additional unit of OBS was associated with a 4% and 7% reduction in the risk of hyperuricemia in men [OR: 0.96(0.94,0.99)] and women [OR: 0.93(0.90,0.96)], respectively. Participants in the highest quartile had a 22% and 37% lower risk of hypertension compared with the lowest quartile of OBS in men [0.78(0.62,0.97)] and women [OR: 0.63(0.49,0.79)], respectively. There were significant interactions between OBS and gender, hypertension, and dyslipidemia on hyperuricemia (Pinteraction < 0.05), except for age, education, and diabetes (Pinteraction > 0.05). A linear dose-response relationship between OBS and the risk of hyperuricemia (Pnonlinear = 0.7854) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

An inverse association as well as dose-response relationship between OBS and hyperuricemia were observed. Increasing antioxidant levels through lifestyle modification may be an effective way to prevent hyperuricemia, especially in women. Large prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials are required to verify the effect of OBS on hyperuricemia and elucidate its causal mechanism.

Impact of health literacy, social support, and socioeconomic position on the serum uric acid level in asymptomatic hyperuricaemia patients in China: a structural equation model

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricaemia (HUA) poses a significant public health challenge on a global scale. It is mostly asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) with unsatisfactory recognition and control rates. The role of health literacy in influencing health outcomes is of utmost importance, and enhancing health literacy is helpful for patients in managing risk factors. Additionally, social support and socioeconomic position (SEP) have been identified as potential factors influencing health. However, the exact relationships between these factors and AHU remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the status of health literacy among patients with AHU and explore the relationships between health literacy, social support, SEP, and serum uric acid (SUA) levels.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 349 participants with AHU in Luzhou, China. The research instruments included a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Health Literacy Scale for Chronic Patients (HLSCP), and the Social Support Scale (SSRS). The construction of the SEP index was achieved through the application of principal component analysis. Univariate and hierarchical regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between SEP, social support, health literacy, and SUA levels. Furthermore, structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilized to examine these associations.

RESULTS

(1) Most patients exhibited low health literacy (90.18 ± 15.11), and only 44.4% possessed basic health literacy. (2) SEP was positively correlated with SUA levels (β = 4.086, P < 0.001), and health literacy was negatively related to SUA levels (β = -0.399, P < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between social support and SUA levels (β = 0.051, t = 1.085). (3) Health literacy mediated the association between SEP and SUA levels (β = -0.490, 95% CI: -0.620 to -0.382). SEP had a direct positive effect on SUA levels (β = 0.723) and health literacy (β = 0.696), and the total effect of SEP on SUA levels was 0.233.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate a low level of health literacy among patients with AHU and suggest that health literacy might play a mediating role in the relationship between SEP and SUA levels. Consequently, future initiatives are recommended to prioritize health literacy and devise appropriate intervention strategies to enhance the self-management capabilities of patients with AHU.

The Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and the Association Between Hyperuricemia and Age in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders to a General Hospital: A Cross-Section Study

Purpose

In clinical work, it has been found that the prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) is significantly higher in younger patients with psychiatric disorders, but there are few studies in this area. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HUA and the relationship between the HUA and age in hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders in the real world, and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical staff to pay attention to the metabolic indicators of younger patients and for future related studies.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional evaluation of a cohort of 1761 patients with psychiatric disorders of hospitalized. The categories of disorders designed for study included: Depression, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, Acute and transient psychotic disorder, Dissociative(conversion) disorders, Conduct disorders and Tic disorders. In addition, based on age, the participants are stratified into three groups. The authors used Kruskal-Wallis tests, chi-square tests, and multiple linear logistic regression to verify the relationship between HUA and age among hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders.

Results

Overall, the estimated prevalence of HUA was 35.4%. The prevalence of HUA was significantly higher in individuals with 17 years and under compared to those with 45 years and above (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, the prevalence of HUA remained higher at 17 years and under than at 45 years and above. Bipolar disorder can lead to an increased prevalence of HUA (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of HUA was higher in hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders, and the prevalence was inversely proportional to age.

Prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in university students and academic staff in Bangladesh

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of medical conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. While there are numerous studies on the prevalence of MetS in the general adult population worldwide, limited information exists regarding its prevalence among university students and academic staff. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS and associated risk factors among Bangladesh university students and academic staff. For this cross-sectional study, 583 participants were randomly selected from university students (n = 281) and academic staff (n = 302) in Bangladesh. The participants' fasting blood samples were collected, and their serum lipid profile levels, fasting blood glucose, and other parameters were measured using standard methods. MetS was defined according to the NCEP-ATP III model guidelines. Additionally, a questionnaire was administered to the participants to gather information on socio-demographics, lifestyle risk behaviours, and personal medical history. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors associated with MetS. Overall, the prevalence of MetS was 27.7% in students and 47.7% in staff. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in MetS prevalence between male students (34.8%) and female students (17.2%). In contrast, it was comparatively higher in female staff (52.3%) than in male staff (45.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of MetS and its components increased with age in student and staff groups. The most common component of MetS was low levels of HDL-C, which affected 78% and 81.4% of the students and staff, respectively. Logistic regression modelling showed that increased age, BMI, hypertension, dyslipidemia, low physical activity, and smoking were significantly associated with MetS in students (at least p < 0.05 for all cases). On the other hand, increased age and BMI, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with MetS in academic staff (at least p < 0.05 for all cases). In conclusion, this study indicates a high prevalence of MetS in university students and staff in Bangladesh. Age, BMI, hypertension and dyslipidemia were independently associated with the risk of MetS in both groups. The findings emphasize the importance of interventions for students and staff in academic settings in Bangladesh. It is crucial to implement health promotion activities such as healthy diet and exercise programs more rigorously. Further research with more representative samples is needed to get more clear insights into MetS prevalence in this particular population subgroup for targeted interventions.

Novel pathological implications of serum uric acid with cardiovascular disease risk in obesity

AIMS

This cohort study intended to elucidate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and cardiovascular disease events in Japanese patients with obesity.

METHODS

Altogether, 450 obese Japanese outpatients were enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort Japan, the Japan Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Study. Primary analysis regarding the measurements of cardiovascular risk factors, including SUA levels, and the occurrence of macrovascular complications was based on following the participants over a 5-year period.

RESULTS

Of the eligible patients, 335 (74.4%) were followed into the fifth year. During the study period, 15 coronary heart disease, 7 stroke, and 6 arteriosclerosis obliterans events occurred in 39 patients. The CVD incidence rate was 15.8 per 1000 person-years. In the analysis of adjusted models for traditional risk factors, hyperuricemia was a significant factor for the incidence of CVD events, especially in female obese patients. Additionally, we estimated the association between SUA levels and CVD events using cubic spline models, which showed a U-shaped association in both male and female patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SUA is an effective predictor of CVD events in female obese patients and a risk factor for CVD incident in obese patients.

Prevalence of hyperuricaemia among adults from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hyperuricaemia (HUA) and investigate its risk factors in the general adult population of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR), China.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Survey of cardiovascular disorders and their related risk factors in NHAR, China.

PARTICIPANTS

10 803 permanent residents aged 18 and older.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

HUA was defined as serum uric acid levels >420 µmol/L for men and >360 µmol/L for women.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of HUA in NHAR adults was 19.81% (95% CI 19.06 to 20.57), with prevalence values of 24.91% (95% CI 23.70 to 26.14) in men and 15.58% (95% CI 14.66 to 16.53, p<0.001) in women. The prevalence of HUA was higher in urban residents than in rural residents (23.26% vs 17.02%, p<0.001). HUA prevalence was relatively high in individuals younger than 30 years for both men and women, then decreased with age, and began to increase at the age of 40 for women and 60 for men. Higher level of education, being overweight or obese, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes, higher triglycerides, higher total cholesterol and poorer renal function were associated with an increased risk of HUA.

CONCLUSIONS

HUA prevalence is high among adults in NHAR. Young adults under 30 years and women over 50 years were identified as populations at high risk for HUA. Further attention ought to be placed to promoting healthy diets and implementing early interventions to manage dyslipidaemia, obesity and blood glucose level, as well as advocating for moderation of alcohol consumption.

Association between liver enzymes and metabolic syndrome: a study in Bangladeshi adults

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between serum liver enzymes and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Bangladeshi adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 602 participants (424 males and 178 females) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT and ALP) and other biochemical parameters were measured by standard colorimetric methods. The relationship between liver enzymes and MetS was assessed by multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, the prevalence of MetS was 34.9% among the participants. Of the four liver enzymes, the mean levels of serum ALT and GGT were significantly higher among subjects with MetS than those without MetS (p < 0.01). When liver enzyme levels were categorized into normal and elevated ranges, MetS and its component's prevalence was higher in the elevated group except for ALP. Serum ALT and GGT showed a significant relationship with the maximum components of MetS. According to the logistic regression analysis, elevated levels of ALT and GGT were significantly associated with the prevalence of MetS (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that elevated ALT and GGT levels were independently associated with MetS and its components.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among university academic staff and students in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidemia is one of the important contributors to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. There is little or no information on dyslipidemia among academic staff and students in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors related to dyslipidemia among university academic staff and students in Bangladesh.

METHODS

A total of 533 participants (302 academic staff and 231 students) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A simple random sampling technique was used to enrol the participants. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the participants, and serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured using the standard methods. Dyslipidemia was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III) model guideline. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors related to lipid marker abnormalities.

RESULTS

Overall, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 81.5%, of which 85% was in staff and 76.5% in students. A significant difference was found in the prevalence of dyslipidemia between males and females only in the student group (p < 0.01). Among staff, hypertriglyceridemia prevalence was 49.7%, hypercholesterolemia 23%, high LDL-C 24.7% and low HDL-C 77.3%. On the other hand, hypertriglyceridemia prevalence was 39%, hypercholesterolemia 25.6%, high LDL-C 26.5% and low HDL-C 69.3% among students. The most common lipid abnormality was low HDL-C in both groups. The prevalence of mixed dyslipidemia was 14.2% and 14.1% in staff and students, respectively. According to the regression analysis, increased age, obesity, diabetes, and inadequate physical activity were significantly associated with dyslipidemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyslipidemia was prevalent among the majority of the study participants. Increased age, obesity, diabetes, and inadequate physical activity were significantly associated with dyslipidemia. The study's results highlight the importance of implementing interventions to address the associated risk factors of dyslipidemia among academic staff and students in Bangladesh.

The impact of e-cigarette exposure on different organ systems: A review of recent evidence and future perspectives

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is rapidly increasing worldwide and is promoted as a smoking cessation tool. The impact of traditional cigs on human health has been well-defined in both animal and human studies. In contrast, little is known about the adverse effects of e-cigs exposure on human health. This review summarizes the impact of e-cigs exposure on different organ systems based on the rapidly expanding recent evidence from experimental and human studies. A number of growing studies have shown the adverse effects of e-cigs exposure on various organ systems. The summarized data in this review indicate that while e-cigs use causes less adverse effects on different organs compared to traditional cigs, its long-term exposure may lead to serious health effects. Data on short-term organ effects are limited and there is no sufficient evidence on long-term organ effects. Moreover, the adverse effects of secondhand and third hand e-cigs vapour exposure have not been thoroughly investigated in previous studies. Although some studies demonstrated e-cigs used as a smoking cessation tool, there is a lack of strong evidence to support it. While some researchers suggested e-cigs as a safer alternative to tobacco smoking, their long-term exposure health effects remain largely unknown. Therefore, more epidemiological and prospective studies including mechanistic studies are needed to address the potential adverse health effects of e-cigs to draw a firm conclusion about their safe use. A wide variation in e-cigs products and the lack of standardized testing methods are the major barriers to evaluating the existing data. Specific regulatory guidelines for both e-cigs components and the manufacturing process may be effective to protect consumer health.

The prevalence and factors associated with obesity and hypertension in university academic staff: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh

Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension, type 2 diabetes and other morbidities. On the other hand, hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The presence of obesity in hypertensive persons increases cardiovascular risk and related mortality. Data on the prevalence of obesity and hypertension in academic staff in Bangladesh are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with obesity and hypertension among university academic staff in Bangladesh. In total, 352 academic staff were enrolled in this study from two universities in Bangladesh. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on anthropometric, demographic and lifestyle-related factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with obesity and hypertension. Overall, the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity and hypertension was 26.7%, 46.9% and 33.7%, respectively. Female staff had a significantly higher prevalence of both general and abdominal obesity (41% and 64.1%, respectively) than male staff (21.5% and 34.9%, respectively) (p < 0.001). In contrast, male staff had a higher prevalence of hypertension (36.9%) than female staff (25.6%)(p < 0.001). An increased prevalence of hypertension was found in the higher BMI and WC groups of the participants. The prevalence of general obesity, abdominal obesity and hypertension was higher in the 30-40 years, > 50 years and 41-50 years age groups, respectively. According to the regression analysis, female gender and inadequate physical activity were independently associated with general and abdominal obesity. On the other hand, increased age, BMI, WC, presence of diabetes and smoking showed a significant association with hypertension. In conclusion, the prevalence of obesity and hypertension was higher among university academic staff members in Bangladesh. Our findings suggest that comprehensive screening programs are needed to facilitate the diagnosis, control, and prevention of obesity and hypertension in high-risk population groups.

Association between Dietary Acid Load and Hyperuricemia in Chinese Adults: Analysis of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2009)

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates the association between dietary acid load (DAL) and hyperuricemia in Chinese adults.

METHODS

The China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009 was used in this cross-sectional study. Potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) were applied to estimate DAL. A multiple logistic regression model was used to test the relationship between DAL and hyperuricemia risk.

RESULTS

A total of 7947 participants were included in this study, of whom 1172 had hyperuricemia. The PRAL score was positively related to the prevalence of hyperuricemia, even when potential covariates were taken into account. In comparison with Q1, the ORs were 1.12 (95% CI, 0.92-1.38), 1.20 (95% CI, 0.97-1.47) and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.16-1.75) in Q2, Q3 and Q4. However, there was no significant relationship between NEAP scores and hyperuricemia. Every 10 g increase in energy-adjusted fat, protein and animal protein intakes caused a 10%, 17% and 18% increase in hyperuricemia risk, respectively (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16; OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11-1.25; OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12-1.24, respectively). An obvious linear correlation was also suggested by the restricted cubic spline.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperuricemia risk was associated with higher PRAL among Chinese adults. This means that a diet low in PRAL scores could be a very valuable uric acid-lowering dietary pattern.