Alarm of non-communicable disease in Iran: Kavar cohort profile, baseline and 18-month follow up results from a prospective population-based study in urban area

Kharameh cohort study (KHCS) on non-communicable diseases and preliminary findings of 3-year follow-up

PURPOSE

The Kharameh cohort study (KHCS) is one branch of the 'Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran', located in the south of Iran. The enrolment phase of KHCS spanned from April 2015 to March 2017, during which urban and rural residents of Kharameh were enrolled in the study. KHCS aims to investigate the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and its related risk factors in a 15-year follow-up.

PARTICIPANTS

KHCS was designed to recruit 10 000 individuals aged 40-70 years old from both urban and rural areas of Kharameh. Thus, a total of 10 800 individuals aged 40-70 years of age were invited and, finally, 10 663 subjects were accepted to participate, with a participation rate of 98.7%.

FINDINGS TO DATE

Of the 10 663 participants, 5944 (55.7%) were women, and 6801 (63.7%) were rural residents. The mean age of the participants was 51.9±8.2 years. 41.8% of the participants were aged 40-49, 35.2% were aged 50-59 and the remaining 23% were 60-70 years old. Until March 2020 (first 3 years of follow-up), the total number of patients diagnosed with NCDs was 1565. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes and acute ischaemic heart disease were the most common NCDs. Furthermore, the total number of deaths during the first 3 years of follow-up was 312, with cardiovascular diseases (38.7%) as the most common cause of death, followed by cerebrovascular diseases (11.8%) and cancer (16.2%).

FUTURE PLANS

The remaining 12 years of follow-up will inevitably shed light on the genetic, lifestyle/socioeconomic status, and environmental risk and protective factors of NCDs.

Quality of diet and odds of metabolic syndrome in Iranian adults: Baseline results from the PERSIAN Kavar cohort study (PKCS)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diet quality has been associated with multiple chronic diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between the quality of diet and the odds of being diagnosed with MetS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was conducted cross-sectionally on baseline data of 2225 individuals from the PERSIAN Kavar Cohort Study (PKCS). The quality of diet was measured based on the Diet Quality Index - International (DQI-I), using Food Frequency Questionnaires. The association between DQI-I and MetS and its components was measured via logistic regression models in crude and adjusted models. We did not observe any association between DQI-I and MetS in the overall population. However, after adjustment for potential confounders, we found that male participants with higher DQI-I scores had a lower risk of MetS [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval CI) = 0.62 (0.42-0.93)]. Moreover, analogous trends were observed with respect to some components of MetS, including elevated triglyceride (TG) [crude OR (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.70-0.98); adjusted OR = 0.82 (0.65-0.93)], lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) [crude OR (95% CI) = 0.79 (0.57-0.99); adjusted OR = 0.76 (0.55-0.97)], and abnormal glucose homeostasis [crude OR (95% CI) = 0.80 (0.55-0.94); adjusted OR = 0.73 (0.51-0.91)] only in male participants, both before and after adjustment for potential confounders.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we showed that higher adherence to a high-quality diet was associated with a lower chance of developing MetS in men. Biological gender might be responsible for the observed discrepancies.

Adherence to a healthy diet and odds of metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health concern around the world. Dietary factors, including diet quality, play a significant role in its pathophysiology. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a tool used as a valid measurement of the individual's diet quality. We aimed at investigating the relationship between diet quality as assessed by HEI-2015 and the risk of MetS and its components in a cross-sectional sample of suburban individuals from PERSIAN Kavar cohort study (PKCS), Fars province, Iran.

METHODS

2225 individuals meeting the eligibility criteria participated in the study. The relevant data were obtained from the baseline phase of PKCS. MetS was defined according to cut-offs presented by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). HEI-2015 was calculated for the included individuals. Odds ratios were estimated. P-values <0.05 were considered as significant.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of MetS was 27.3%. Individuals with lower HEI-2015 scores had higher odds for MetS and its components. We observed that those who were categorized as the top HEI-2015 tertile had 42% (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.38-0.90) lower odds of high blood pressure in the overall population. Also, the odds of high serum triacylglycerol was lower (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.57-0.90) in those with the highest HEI-2015 scores.

CONCLUSION

We found that higher dietary quality measured by HEI will decrease the risk of developing MetS, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia among Iranian adults. However, future interventional studies are required to further elucidate the issue.

Association of plant-based dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome: baseline results from the Persian Kavar cohort study (PKCS)

Plant-based diets (PBDs) have gained a positive reputation among experts as a solution to combat the epidemic of MetS. A total of 2225 healthy Iranian individuals aged 35-70 years were considered eligible to be included in this cross-sectional investigation. Various dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical assessments were conducted using standard, valid methods/tools. Relevant PBD scores were calculated using three a posteriori indices, including the overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful PDI (hPDI), and unhealthful PDI (uPDI). Our findings showed that women with the highest adherence to hPDI had a lower chance of MetS. Also, participants in the top tertiles of hPDI were more likely to have a lower risk of low serum HDL-c and abnormal glucose homeostasis. Additionally, a significant increasing trend was observed for low serum HDL-c across tertiles of uPDI. Our observations suggest that healthful-rich plant foods may have a protective effect against MetS, especially in women.

Dietary selenium intake in relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease assessed by fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index; a cross-sectional study on the baseline data of prospective PERSIAN Kavar cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is limited and conflicting evidence on the association between selenium and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, the present population-based cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between dietary selenium intake and the risk of NAFLD.

METHODS

A total of 3026 subjects from the PERSIAN (Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN) Kavar cohort study were included in the analysis. The daily selenium intake was evaluated using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and energy-adjusted quintiles of selenium intake (µg/day) were calculated. NAFLD was defined as the fatty liver index (FLI) ≥ 60 or the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) > 36. The association between dietary selenium intake and NAFLD was evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of NAFLD were 56.4% and 51.9%, based on the FLI and HSI markers, respectively. The odds ratios (ORs) for FLI-defined NAFLD were 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.70) and 1.50 (95% CI: 1.13-1.99) for the fourth and fifth quintiles of selenium intake, respectively, after adjustment for sociodemographic variables, smoking status, alcohol drinking, physical activity, and dietary factors (P trend = 0.002). There was also a similar association between selenium intakes and HSI-defined NAFLD (OR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.03-1.75) for the fourth quintile and OR = 1.50 (95% CI: 1.12-2.01) for the fifth quintile of selenium intake) (P trend = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

In this large sample study, we observed a weak positive association between dietary selenium intake and NAFLD risk.

Metabolic Syndrome and Nephrolithiasis; A Cross Sectional Population-based Study on the Baseline Data of the PERSIAN Kavar Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome and its components with nephrolithiasis.

METHODS

In current study, 4,901 individuals from the PERSIAN (Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN) Kavar cohort study were included. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the ATP III criteria (2005 revision). The nephrolithiasis was assessed using a structured questionnaire, and ultrasound findings were reviewed in subjects who reported positive history of nephrolithiasis. We applied logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

The prevalence of nephrolithiasis and metabolic syndrome was 28.5% and 40.91%, respectively. Almost 31% of the patients with metabolic syndrome had a history of nephrolithiasis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between metabolic syndrome and nephrolithiasis (OR= 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14-1.49, P<.001) after adjustment age, sex, ethnicity, physical activity, smoking status, and alcohol intake. Furthermore, the relation was higher for elders aged 50 years or more (P for interaction= .016) and Turk Nomad participants (P for interaction= 0.044) than the others. There was also a positive independent association between hypertension (OR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.48, P<.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR= 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.31, P=.033) with nephrolithiasis.

CONCLUSION

In this large sample study, we demonstrate a weak positive association between metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia with nephrolithiasis.

Seroprevalence of Toxocariasis and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adult Population in Kavar District, Fars Province, South of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Seroepidemiological Survey

Toxocariasis as a common neglected disease is the culprit of infecting all age groups. The current cross-sectional study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and risk factors associated with seropositivity of Toxocara infection among the general population of adults in the Kavar district, south of Iran. A total of 1060 participants with an age range of 35 to 70 years from the Kavar region entered the study. Manual ELISA was utilized to detect anti-Toxocara-specific antibodies in their serum samples. In addition, demographic information as well as risk factors related to toxocariasis was collected from individuals who participated in the survey. The mean age of the participants was 48.9 (±7.9) years old. Out of 1060 subjects, 532 (50.2%) were men, and 528 (49.8%) were women. The overall Toxocara seroprevalence was 5.8% (61/1060). The prevalence of Toxocara seropositive cases was significantly different between males and females (p = 0.023). The seropositive rate for Toxocara infection was also significantly higher in housewives (p = 0.003) and subjects with learning disabilities (p = 0.008). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that housewives (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.18-3.51, p = 0.010) and subjects with learning disability (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.29-8.52, p = 0.013) were at increased risk of Toxocara infection. The findings of the current study depicted a noticeable seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in the general population in the Kavar district, southern Iran. An increased risk of toxocariasis has been associated with learning disabilities and being a housewife. All of the toxocariasis-positive cases had contact with animals, at some point in their life. In perspective, it is necessary to raise awareness of this infection among the population while surveilling Toxocara infection in high-risk groups.

The incidence and mortality rates due to stroke and myocardial infarction following implementing the package of essential non-communicable diseases; A historical cohort study

Introduction: The package of essential non-communicable diseases (PEN) has been implemented in 2016 in Iran. The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence rate of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, and the mortality rate due to these diseases, following the lunch of the PEN project. Methods: This is a historical cohort study that was performed in 2020. Data were gathered through the hospital information system in the exposed and the control counties hospitals in the Isfahan province. The data about over 30-year-old patients who were hospitalized as definite cases of MI and/or stroke were collected via census sampling. The incidence rates of MI, stroke, and mortality due to those diseases were compared in 2015 (one year before the launch of the PEN project) and 2019 (4 years after the project initiation). Results: Following the implementation of the PEN project, the incidence and mortality rates due to MI among the over 30-year-old population in the exposed county, were reduced by 0.31 per 1000 and 9 per 100 000 respectively. Furthermore, the incidence rate due to stroke in the exposed county further slowed down, and the mortality rate due to stroke was reduced by 33 per 100,000 more than 30 years old population significantly. Conclusion: Following the implementation of the PEN project, the incidence rate due to MI and mortality rates due to MI and stroke decreased significantly. In addition, the incidence rate due to stroke further slowed down in the exposed county in comparison with the control county.