Establishing an EU-wide front-of-pack nutrition label: Review of options and model-based evaluation

This paper reviews the effectiveness of four types of front-of-pack nutrition labels (FoPLs) in influencing calorie purchases. The four FoPL types are poised for unified implementation across European countries. Further, this study extends its analysis to evaluate the impacts of the voluntary adoption of these FoPLs within 27 EU nations. Nutri-Score displays higher potential for yielding positive health and economic outcomes, compared with other FoPLs. Across EU countries, Nutri-Score is projected to avert nearly two million cases of non-communicable diseases, in total, between 2023 and 2050. Keyhole demonstrates effects of a similar magnitude but with no statistical significance. Nutri-Repere shows smaller impacts, while Nutri-Couleurs has non-significant effects. Nutri-Score is projected to significantly lower annual healthcare spending by 0.05%, whereas the other labels have negligible impacts. By reducing cases of disease, FoPLs have the potential to improve employment and work productivity. Nutri-Score surpasses the other labels with an estimated annual gain of 10.6 full-time equivalent workers per 100,000 individuals of working age across EU countries. In all, mandatory implementation of any of the four labels would lead to greater effects than those obtained with a voluntary implementation, providing evidence to inform legislation proposal for an EU-wide nutrition labelling system.

Rethink cities to promote an active lifestyle and tackle climate change: best practices from the OECD

Background

City design can have major health and environmental implications. The overall layout of cities influences air quality, as urban sprawl can encourage the use of motorised vehicles and decrease active travelling. Furthermore, lack of trees has a negative impact on particulate matter levels and contributes to the urban heat island effect. There is a growing interest for creating an urban environment conducive of healthier lifestyles.

Methods

The analysis uses the five OECD criteria to assess best practices in public health - Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity, Evidence-base, and Extent of coverage - to carry out a systematic assessment of selected candidate best practices to improve the public health potential of cities. The impact of scaling up these interventions within and across countries is evaluated by using the OECD SPHeP-NCD microsimulation model.

Results

Interventions such as Superblocks in Barcelona, which reshapes the city layout to make them more people centric and less vehicles reliant, or Cycle Superhighways from Denmark, which develops cycling networks, have a the potential to avoid a significant number of chronic diseases by promoting an active lifestyle and decreasing transport-related pollution. Such interventions can also decrease healthcare expenditure and, if well designed, health disparities.

Discussion

While many urban design interventions are a good investment for countries and, in general, there is good support, a number of implementation hurdles exist. First, extent of coverage is still relatively limited across European countries. Second, changes take time to be implemented and some of the health impact materializes in the longer-term. Third, the implementation of such interventions is generally competence of other authorities, other than the health authorities. Building strong multi-stakeholder approaches and making a strong case for such investments can promote change.

Analysis of risk factors associated with recurrence of acute pericarditis in patients diagnosed in the emergency room

Background

Around 5% of patients consulting to the emergency room (ER) for non-ischemic thoracic pain are diagnosed of acute pericarditis (AP). The good prognosis of this pathology is well known, with a mortality of 1% and a low incidence of serious complications, which has led the research to focus on recurrences. Female sex, corticoid treatment and treatment adherence are related with higher risk of recurrence. Colchicine has been associated with less recurrences.

Purpose

To analyse the factors associated with recurrence after the diagnosis of AP in the ER of a third-level hospital.

Methods

Retrospective review of ER consultations oriented as AP, prospectively documented during 10 years (2008–2018). In 2019, a follow up was done in order to identify the recurrences and to search for associated factors (univariate and multivariate analysis).

Results

610 patients were diagnosed of AP, 175 (29%) recurrences were documented. Factors associated with an increased risk of recurrence were: previous AP, immunosuppression or history of autoimmune disease, fever or increased acute-phase reactants (CRP; ESR), hospitalization and corticoid treatment. Factors associated with less risk of recurrence were: age, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment and idiopatic/viral etiology. No association with sex or colchicine treatment was identified. Multivariate analysis identified 3 factors that were independently associated with the risk of recurrence in a direct way: previous history of AP, [OR (IC95%): 2.09 (1.11–3.92)]; increased CRP [OR (IC95%): 1.09 (1.03–1.15)]; hospitalization [OR (IC95%): 2.65 (1.07–6.58)]. 2 factors were inversely associated with the risk of recurrence: age [OR (IC95%): 0.98 (0.96–0.99)]; NSAID treatment [OR (IC95%): 0.56 (0.32–0.97)].

Conclusions

29% of the patients were readmitted to the ER for an AP recurrence. Previous AP, increased CRP and the need of hospitalization were associated with a higher risk of recurrence. Age and NSAID treatment, on the other hand, were associated with less risk of recurrence.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Ajuts per la Recerca Josep Font

Specific sex and gender factors of pericarditis in women

Introduction

Pericarditis is relatively common in clinical practice and may present as an isolated disease or as a manifestation of a systemic disease. There is an important sex-gap in the evidence on cardiovascular diseases, whereas it is unclear if there are sex-specific differences in the features of patients with acute pericarditis (AP).

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of specific sex and gender factors of pericarditis in women.

Material and methods

We retrospectively included all consecutive patients admitted with acute pericarditis (AP) in an emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care center between 2008 and 2018. Patients without acute pericarditis diagnosis criteria were excluded. We collected patients' baseline characteristics and management data. Recurrence and complicated related to AP at 30-days and 1-year follow-up were assessed.

Results

A total of 729 patients (mean age 42±17.2 years, 33% females) were analyzed. Women were older than men (47.5 yo vs 40 yo, P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that women presented more prevalence of obesity (11% vs 5%, P<0.01) and chronic kidney disease (6% vs 3%, P<0.05) with previous autoimmune disease (15% vs 3%, P<0.001), and previous immunosuppressive treatment more frequent (15% vs 7%, P<0.01). Women presented more delayed time between beginnings of symptoms until first medical attendance (70 min vs 41 min, P<0.01). No difference was found either echocardiography findings or blood test values. Autoimmune AP was more prevalent in women than men (9% vs 1%, P<0.001). Hence, corticosteroids treatment was more used in women (12% vs 4,5%, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, six factors were found as specific gender factors of pericarditis in women: Age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–13.2, P<0.01), obesity (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.15–4.49; P<0,05), smoker (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.25–0.59, P<0.001), previous autoimmune disease (OR: 4,29, 95% CI: 1,77–13,21; P<0,01); electrocardiogram diagnosis criteria (OR: 0,18, 95% CI: 0,6–0,52; P<0,001); Autoimmune etiology (adjusted OR: 11,78, 95% CI: 1,99–69,64; P<0,01). No difference was found in recurrence of AP in 30-days and 1-year follow-up (12% vs 13%, P>0.05; 14% vs 13%. P>0.05; respectively).

Conclusion

In our cohort, women with AP attended ED later than men and were less likely to present with typical AP changes in the electrocardiogram. Moreover, women are more commonly affected by specific forms of pericarditis related to autoimmune disease. However, follow-up did not show differences related to gender.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Tackling the cancer burden: the economic impact of primary prevention policies

Cancer is a noncommunicable disease (NCD) with increasing incidence and therefore constitutes a major public health issue. To reduce the health and economic burden of cancer, policy‐makers across the world have implemented a range of preventative interventions targeting risk factors with a known link to the disease. In this article, we examine the impact of six primary prevention interventions – related to physical inactivity, unhealthy diet or harmful alcohol use – on cancer‐related health outcomes and healthcare expenditure. Here, we used the OECD Strategic Public Health Planning for NCDs (SPHeP‐NCDs) model to quantify outcomes and costs for each intervention for years 2020–2050 across 37 countries. Results from the model indicate that all interventions could lead to a reduction in the number of new cancer cases, in particular those targeting harmful alcohol consumption. Introducing an alcohol tax, for instance, is estimated to reduce related cancer cases by 5619 a year or 174 193 by 2050. A breakdown of results by type of cancer revealed interventions had the largest impact on colorectal cancer with, on average, 41 140 cases avoided per intervention by 2050. In proportional terms, interventions had the greatest impact on new oesophageal and liver cancers. Findings from this article are designed to assist decision‐makers efficiently allocate limited resources to meet public health objectives.

Promoting sport and physical activity in Italy: a cost-effectiveness analysis of seven innovative public health policies

BACKGROUND

Inactive lifestyles are a key risk factor underpinning the development of many chronic diseases, yet more than half of the Italian population does not meet WHO thresholds for at least moderate physical activity. This study aims to make the economic case to upscale investments in policy actions to promote exercise and physical activity.

STUDY DESIGN

Modelling-based cost-effectiveness analysis in Italy.

METHODS

The study assesses the impact on health and healthcare expenditure of seven public health policies to promote exercise and physical activity against a business as usual scenario. Assessed policies include: promotion of active transport, workplace sedentarily interventions, investments in sports and recreation, mass media campaigns, prescription of physical activity in primary care, school-based interventions and mobile apps.

RESULTS

Public policies to promote exercise have the potential to improve population health and produce savings in healthcare expenditure. Assessed policies can avoid hundreds of cases of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes per year and tens of cases of cancer resulting in gains in DALYs in the order of thousands per year. In the medium-term, the vast majority of policies show excellent cost-effectiveness ratio, below internationally recognized thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

Investing in policies to promote active lifestyles is a good investment for Italy.

THU0496 APPLICATION OF SYSTEMS BIOLOGY-BASED IN SILICO TOOLS TO OPTIMIZE TREATMENT STRATEGY IN STILL’S DISEASE

Background:

Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (sJIA) and Adult Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) are manifestations of an autoinflammatory disorder with complex pathophysiology and significant morbidity, together also termed Still’s disease.

Objectives:

To investigate the optimal treat-to-target strategy for Still’s disease by in silico models based on systems biology.

Methods:

Molecular characteristics of Still’s disease and data on biological inhibitors of interleukin (IL)-1 (anakinra, canakinumab), IL-6 (tocilizumab, sarilumab), glucocorticoids as well as conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs, methotrexate) were used to construct in silico mechanisms of action (MoA) models by means of Therapeutic Performance Mapping System technology (TPMS). TPMS combines artificial neuronal networks (ANN), sampling-based methods and artificial intelligence. The models were validated with publicly available expression data from sJIA patients (Fig.1).

Figure 1.

Schematic TPMS approach used to evaluate the Still’s disease treatments efficacy and their MoA

Results:

Biologicals demonstrated more pathophysiology-directed efficiency than non-biological drugs. IL-1 blockade mainly acts on the innate immune system, while IL-6 signaling blockade has a weaker activity on the innate immunity and rather affects the adaptive immunity (Table 1). The MoA models showed that the IL-1β inhibitor canakinumab is more efficient than the IL-6 receptor inhibiting antibody tocilizumab in the autoinflammatory/systemic phases of Still’s disease. MoA models reproduced 67% of the information obtained from expression data (Fig.2).

Table 1.

Summary of ANN scores. A) Global Still’s disease evaluation. B) Immune system component. ANN scores mean the probability of the resulted relationship is true positive: +++ correspond to values >78% (p-value<0.05); ++ correspond to values > 59% (p-values<0.15) and; + correspond to values > 38% (p-value<0.25)

A) Still’s disease molecular definitionBiologicsNon-biologicsAnakinraCanakinumabSarilumabTocilizumabMethotrexatePrednisoneStill’s disease+++ (81%)+++ (86%)+++ (85%)+++ (85%)- (5%)++ (70%)Systemic profile+++ (80%)+++ (88%)+++ (85%)+++ (85%)- (4%)++ (70%)Rheumatic profile+++ (87%)+++ (92%)+++ (81%)+++ (81%)- (9%)++ (64%)B) Immune system componentsBiologicsNon-biologicsAnakinraCanakinumabSarilumabTocilizumabMethotrexatePrednisoneInnate immune system deregulation++ (71%)++ (71%)+ (55%)+ (55%)- (10%)++ (65%)Adaptive immune systemT-cell response activation+ (45%)- (37%)++ (71%)++ (71%)- (25%)+ (47%)Defective immune regulation- (19%)- (37%)+ (47%)+ (47%)- (15%)+ (50%)Figure 2.

Systems biology-based MoA models of canakinumab and tocilizumab focused on innate immune system modulation. Canakinumab preferably modulates NF-κB, IL-8 (CXCL8), MyD88, S100A9 and ATG5, which are involved in processes of general innate immune inflammation, neutrophil recruitment, activation and autophagy, whereas tocilizumab preferably modulates FCGR1, which is involved in neutrophil activation

Conclusion:

Systems biology-based modelling supported the preferred use of biologics as immunomodulatory treatment strategy for Still’s disease. This further encourages early IL-1β blockade in initial autoinflammatory/systemic phases of Still’s Disease to prevent the development of disease or drug-related complications. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal timeframe of the window of opportunity for canakinumab treatment.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Mireia Coma Grant/research support from: Novartis, Employee of: Anaxomics, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Cristina Segú-Vergés Grant/research support from: Novartis, Employee of: Anaxomics, Christoph Kessel: None declared, Serge Smeets Employee of: Novartis, Dirk Foell Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Sobi, Anna Aldea Employee of: Novartis

[Unique monoblock lung right-left, unique pleural cavity]

A 34-year-old female with WPW syndrome has been under surgical treatment in our clinic with left basal chronic pleural empyema. During the surgical intervention multiple anatomical anomalies were detected, like unique pleural cavity, monoblock lung left-right, hypoplasic left lung, no scissures on the left side, no left pulmonary arteria with an aberrant arteria for the left lung derived from the right pulmonary arteria, the same for the bronchis. The pleural-pulmonary shelling proceeded without incidents and it has been finalized with the drainage of the whole pleural cavity.

[Surgical treatment of lung hydatid cysts]

Lungs represent the econd most common localization of hydatidosis, after liver. The current treatment for pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) is complete excision with maximum preservation of lung tissue. The authors emphasize the particularities of diagnosis and surgical treatment of PHC.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A clinical retrospective study was carried out on a series of 247 cases with PHC, admitted in the Thoracic Surgery Department of Pneumology Hospital of Iaşi between 1999 and 2007. Data regarding the clinical picture, imagistical findings and surgical treatment were collected from the medical files and reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 162 men and 85 women, aged between 11 and 78 years. Of these, 134 patients had uncomplicated cysts and 113 had complicated forms. The cysts were located in the right lung in 115 cases (46.5%), the left lung in 98 cases (39.5%) and bilaterally in 34 cases (14%). Liver cysts were associated in 28 cases (11.3%) cases. The surgical procedures employed were: Dor in 118(47.5%) cases, Posadas in 64 (26%) cases, Geroulanos in 5 cases and ideal cystectomy in 14 cases. Pulmonary resection was used in 46 cases (18.5%), including 16 wedge resections, 27 lobectomies and 3 pneumonectomies. Medical parasiticide (Albendazole, 800 mg per day) was used postoperatively. The outcome was fatal in one patient (0.41%), mainly due to associated pathology. In our series, the overall incidence of complications was 7.7%, these consisting of: anaphyfilaxis (3 cases), hemothorax (2 cases), pneumothorax (2 cases), prolonged air leak in 5 cases (including a bronchial stump insufficiency) and atelectasis (5 cases).

CONCLUSION

Surgery is the mainstay of the treatment of PHC and the operative technique must be adapted to each individual case.

[Giant diaphragmatic hemangiopericytoma. A case report]

A 47-year-old man presented with dyspnea and pain in the right lower thorax. The thoracic radiography and the MRI exam were suggestive for a giant tumor located in the right supradiaphragmatic region. Surgical exploration revealed a diaphragmatic pediculated tumor, hyper-vascularised, weighting 4.8 Kg and measuring about 27 / 18 cm, that was removed with difficulty due to adherences and bleeding. The histopathologic examination showed multiple capillary and arteriolar vessels, included in masses of round and fusiform cells (pericytes), having multiple nuclear abnormalities.

[Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)--an uncommon cause of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax]

LAM, a rare lung disease typically affecting women of reproductive age, is characterized by abnormal proliferation of smooth--muscle cells and progressive loss of pulmonary function due to destruction of lung parenchyma. Two cases of bilateral successive recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax and haemoptysis are presented. Repeated conventional and video-assisted surgery was required in both cases, for drainage of the recurrent pneumothorax and resection of subpleural bulla, with good immediate postoperative evolution. Immunohistochemical studies of resected specimens revealed LAM cells in the lung parenchyma with receptors for oestrogen and progesterone. HMB45 monoclonal antibodies in the LAM cells were identified in one case. The follow-up of the patients revealed no signs of recurrence at 84 and 18 months respectively, although pulmonary transplantation should be considered in case of further deterioration of respiratory function.

[Thoracoscopic pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions]

We performed retrospectively study on 136 thoracoscopies done in our clinic in the period January 2000 and December 2004. We reviewed 136 thoracoscopies, 71 patients were male and 65 were female (mean age 58.4 years). Straw colored effusions were present in 78 cases (57%) and hemorrhagic in 58 cases (43%). The surgical procedure consist in diagnostic of thoracoscopy with drainage of pleural effusion, multiply pleural biopsy, pleurodesis and continuous pleural drainage. In our study, the talc powder (5g) was successfully as sclerosing agent. The primary tumor was: lung-63 (46%), breast-26 (19%), mesothelioma-21 (15.5%), stomach-3, ovarian-3, prostate-3, colon-2, lymphoma-1, leukemia-2, plasmocytoma-1 and unknown primary tumor in 11 cases (8%). Adverse effects included-chest pain-35 cases (25%), fever-20 cases (15%), empyema-6 cases (4.5%), prolonged air leak-5 cases (4%), pulmonary infection-2 cases, acute respiratory failure-1 case, malignant invasion of scar-1 patient. For statistical analysis, the success of talc pleurodesis was defined as the absence of pleural fluid on the follow-up chest radiographs. Pleurodesis was successful in 125 cases (92%) of the patients after 1 month-follow-up. Thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis is a safe, economical and effective treatment for malignant pleural effusion.

[Up-to-date indications for surgery in pleural and pulmonary tuberculosis]

Tuberculosis is an "old disease" but still remains a threat in modern days life. Despite human and material efforts, despite the improvements in drug therapy, the treatment of tuberculosis continue to consume a great amount of health care worldwide. A certain percentage among the patients with pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis represents failures of DOTS therapy. Among them, paraclinical investigations will select candidates eligible for thoracic surgery. In our study we are reviewing the main surgical options and we present our experience regarding surgery in pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis--what to operate and when is the best moment.

[A rare nosological association: a villous gastric polyp and asymptomatic choledocholithiasis]

The authors present the case of a male patient, aged 68, admitted in our department for a upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The upper gastrointestinal series showed a large gastric villous adenoma located in the body of the stomach. Intraoperative, we found a gastric villous adenoma and multiple choledocholithiasis and gallbladder stones which evolved completely asymptomatic. We performed a mediogastric resection, Fredet pyloroplasty and laterolateral choledochoduodenostomy with a good postoperative result. This case is peculiar due to the concomitant occurrence of two rare diseases the gastric villous adenoma and the asymptomatic multiple choledocholithiasis.

[Proposal of a new standard for the nutritional assessment of pregnant women]

BACKGROUND

There is evidence to suggest that the criteria for nutritional assessment of pregnant women, used by the Chilean Ministry of Health, overestimates nutritional disturbances.

AIM

To propose a new reference table to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women, based on body mass index.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The table was theoretically defined using criteria for normality proposed by FAO and the weight increase during pregnancy that is associated with a lower maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In 665 pregnant women, weight, height, mid arm circumference and skinfolds were measured using standard techniques. Body mass index, arm fat and muscle area and percentage of body fat were calculated. Body composition for each nutritional category, derived from the body mass index or "Rosso-Mardones classification", was analyzed.

RESULTS

According to the new table, under weight women had lower percentage of body fat and mid arm circumference and overweight women had higher weight, skinfold thickness and percentage of body fat than the homologous groups defined according to Rosso-Mardones tables.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed reference table may be useful to correct distortions generated by the current norms for nutritional assessment of pregnant women, proposed by the Chilean Ministry of Health. It has to be validated, analyzing its sensitivity, specificity and predictive value to predict fetal and maternal variables.