The Association of Lung Function and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in a Japanese Population: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-Based Cohort Study

Lung function and onset of cardiometabolic diseases in the longitudinal Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study

INTRODUCTION

Previous population-based studies, mainly from high-income countries, have shown that a higher forced vital capacity (FVC) is associated with a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the longitudinal association between spirometry measures and the onset of cardiometabolic diseases across sites in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries.

METHODS

The study population comprised 5916 individuals from 15 countries participating in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease baseline and follow-up assessments. Postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FVC and FEV1/FVC were measured at baseline. Participants who reported having doctor-diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke at follow-up but not at baseline were considered new cases of these diseases. The association between lung function and the onset of participant-reported cardiometabolic diseases was assessed in each site using regression models, and estimates were combined using random effects meta-analysis. Models were adjusted for sex, age, smoking, body mass index and educational level.

RESULTS

Participants with greater per cent predicted FVC were less likely to have new-onset diabetes (OR per 10%=0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99), heart disease (OR per 10%=0.86, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.92) and stroke (OR per 10%=0.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.89) during the follow-up period (mean±SD 9.5±3.6 years). A greater percentage of FEV1 was associated with a lower risk of onset of heart disease and stroke. No significant association was found between FEV1/FVC and onset of reported cardiometabolic diseases, except for a higher risk of diabetes (OR per 10%=1.21, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.35) in participants with higher FEV1/FVC.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that a low FVC is more important than a low FEV1/FVC as a risk factor for developing cardiometabolic diseases. The value of including FVC in risk score models to improve their precision in predicting the onset of cardiometabolic diseases should be explored.

Progress Report of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based Cohort Study: Study Profile of the Repeated Center-based Survey During Second Period in Miyagi Prefecture

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to report the basic profile of the Miyagi Prefecture part of a repeated center-based survey during the second period of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-Based Cohort Study (TMM CommCohort Study), as well as the participants' characteristics based on their participation type in the baseline survey.

METHODS

The second period survey, conducted from June 2017 to March 2021, included participants of the TMM CommCohort Study (May 2013 to March 2016). In addition to the questionnaire, blood, urine, and physiological function tests were performed during the second period survey. There were three main ways of participation in the baseline survey: Type 1, Type 1 additional, or Type 2 survey. The second period survey was conducted in the same manner as the Type 2 survey, which was based on the community support center (CSC).

RESULTS

In Miyagi Prefecture, 29,383 (57.7%) of 50,967 participants participated in the second period survey. The participation rate among individuals who had visited the CSC was approximately 80%. Although some factors differed depending on the participation type in the baseline survey, the second period survey respondents in the Type 1 and Type 2 survey groups at baseline had similar traits.

CONCLUSION

The second period survey of the TMM CommCohort Study provided detailed follow-up information. Following up on the health conditions of the participants will clarify the long-term effects of disasters and contribute to personalized prevention.

Carotid Intima Media Thickness and Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis: Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-Based Cohort Study

AIM

We examined the association between the carotid intima medica thickness (cIMT) and risk factors for atherosclerosis based on the Japan Atherosclerosis Society 2022 Atherosclerosis Prevention Guideline.

METHODS

Using data from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based Cohort Study, we performed a cross-sectional study that enrolled 13,366 participants (age ≥ 20 years) with an analysis of covariance to assess associations between cIMT and risk factors for atherosclerosis. The maximum common carotid artery was measured using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Analysis was conducted in the model adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and height.

RESULTS

In this study cohort, the average age and cIMT were 57.3 (13.8) years and 0.61 (0.13) mm, respectively, which included 3,988 males (29.8%). Males had a higher cIMT than did the females. Age, height, BMI, SBP, HbA1c, and non-HDL-C were positively associated with cIMT. HDL-C was inversely associated with cIMT. Compared with never drinkers, current drinkers (≥ 46.0 g/day) had a significantly decreased cIMT.

CONCLUSIONS

The cIMT was associated with atherosclerosis risk factors including age, sex, BMI, SBP, HbA1c, non-HDL-C, and HDL-C, and adequate control of risks in high-risk individuals might be required to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Associations between birth weight and lung function in a Japanese adult population: The tohoku medical megabank community-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Birth weight, as a measure of intrauterine growth, is commonly used in epidemiological studies and is reported to be associated with adult lung function. However, findings regarding this association in previous studies have been inconsistent. Furthermore, no studies have reported associations stratified by age or smoking status, or adjusted for eosinophil count or other parameters related to type 2 airway inflammation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 2632 men and 7237 women aged ≥20 years living in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Lung function was assessed based on spirometry. Birth weight data were obtained through a questionnaire survey. Analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the associations between birth weight and lung function, adjusting for potential confounders. Stratified analyses by age and smoking status were also conducted, together with a sub-analysis for low birth-weight participants.

RESULTS

Birth weight was positively associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) for both sexes and with vital capacity in women, after adjusting for height, age, smoking status, and parameters related to type 2 airway inflammation. The stratified analysis for smoking status revealed associations in never-smokers and ex-smokers. When stratified by age, the associations were confirmed in middle-aged participants. The effect of smoking status on the FEV1 of low birth-weight participants was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of a large, Japanese adult population showed that birth weight was independently and positively associated with adult lung function, even after adjustment for age, height, smoking status, and parameters related to type 2 airway inflammation.