| 1. |
- Andreasson, Anna Nixon, et al.
(författare)
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Inflammation and positive affect are associated with subjective health in women of the general population
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Health Psychology. - : SAGE Publications. - 1359-1053 .- 1461-7277. ; 18:3, s. 311-320
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Poor subjective health has been associated with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. We investigated whether such an association would apply to women of the general population. Levels of cytokines, affect and subjective health were assessed in 347 women of the general population aged 45 to 90 years. Higher levels of interleukin-6 were associated with poor subjective health, especially in participants over 65 years of age. Positive affect was a more robust determinant of subjective health than negative affect. The presence of low-grade inflammation and absence of positive affect, rather than presence of negative affect, may be important determinants of subjective health.
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| 2. |
- Andreasson, Anna Nixon, et al.
(författare)
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Leptin and adiponectin : Distribution and associations with cardiovascular risk factors in men and women of the general population
- 2012
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Ingår i: American Journal of Human Biology. - : Wiley. - 1042-0533 .- 1520-6300. ; 24:5, s. 595-601
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: In view of the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, understanding the role of the recently discovered adipokines leptin and adiponectin is of high clinical relevance. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between levels of leptin and adiponectin with age, known cardiovascular risk factors and to establish whether there are differences between men and women of the general population.METHODS: A total of 98 men and 107 women of the general population, aged between 20 and 74 years, underwent a medical examination at a clinical research center and fasting morning blood samples were also taken.RESULTS: Leptin (mean 7.5 μg l(-1) in men and 16.0 μg l(-1) in women) and adiponectin (mean 7.3 mg l(-1) in men and 11.9 mg l(-1) in women) levels were higher in women than men (Ps < 0.001). Both leptin and adiponectin levels increased with advancing age in both men and women (Ps < 0.05). Leptin was highly associated with factors for metabolic syndrome in men while in women, leptin was highly associated with inflammatory factors. Adiponectin was associated with blood lipids in both men and women, and glucose homeostasis more in women than in men.CONCLUSIONS: Leptin and adiponectin levels were ∼2 times and 1.5 times higher in women than in men, respectively. In addition, although leptin and adiponectin were associated to CVD risk factors in both men and women, we observed differences in specific CVD risk factor groups between men and women. These differences may be due to different regulatory mechanisms and effects of these adipokines in men and women.
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| 3. |
- Nixon Andréasson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between leptin and self-rated health in men and women
- 2010
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Ingår i: Gender Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1550-8579 .- 1878-7398. ; 7:3, s. 261-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: As an important mediator by which the brain receives information about the body's energy state, leptin may be associated with subjectively perceived health. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the present study was to investigate concurrent and prospective associations between leptin and self-rated health (SRH), a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality, in a random population sample. An additional aim was to examine whether sick leave was associated with leptin and poor SRH. METHODS: In a prospective, population-based cohort study in Sweden, men and women underwent a medical examination in 1998, at which time blood was drawn and participants were asked to respond to a questionnaire concerning demographics, health behavior, and psychosocial factors. In 2000, the participants responded to a second questionnaire sent by postal mail. Spearman rank correlations were used to investigate the relationships between leptin, SRH, sick leave, and background variables. Partial Spearman coefficients were then calculated to investigate the patterns of association between leptin, SRH, and sick leave independent of age, body mass index (BMI), presence of diagnosis, and testosterone or estradiol. RESULTS: A total of 98 men and 104 women, aged 23 to 76 years, and 91 men and 96 women at follow-up, participated in the study. In men, relatively higher levels of leptin were prospectively associated with relatively worse SRH (rho = 0.20; P = 0.05), but the relationship was not significant in the cross-sectional analysis (rho = 0.18; P = 0.07). This association was not found in women. When controlling for age, BMI, presence of diagnosis, and testosterone, higher levels of leptin were associated with poor SRH in men in cross-sectional analysis (rho = 0.27; P < 0.01) but not prospectively. In women, leptin was not associated with SRH in cross-sectional analysis, but relatively higher levels were prospectively associated with better SRH when adjusted for background factors and estradiol (rho = -0.26; P < 0.05). SRH was independently associated with future sick leave in both men (rho = 0.34; P < 0.01) and women (rho = 0.30; P < 0.05), whereas no association between leptin and future sick leave was found. CONCLUSIONS: Contrasting associations were found between men and women in the relationship between leptin and SRH. Based on the finding that higher leptin levels were associated with better SRH in women than in men, along with corroboration from recent studies, we propose that leptin may serve different psychobiological functions in men than in women.
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| 4. |
- Syk, Jörgen, et al.
(författare)
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Anti-inflammatory Treatment of Atopic Asthma Guided by Exhaled Nitric Oxide : A Randomized, Controlled Trial
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-6749 .- 1097-6825 .- 2213-2198 .- 2213-2201. ; 1:6, s. 639-648
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundAtopic asthma is characterized by Th2 cytokine–driven inflammation of the airway mucosa, which is signaled by the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO).ObjectiveWe tested whether an FENO-guided anti-inflammatory treatment algorithm could improve asthma-related quality of life and asthma symptom control, and reduce exacerbations in atopic asthmatics within primary care.MethodsAltogether, 187 patients with asthma and who were nonsmokers (age range, 18-64 years) with perennial allergy and who were on regular inhaled corticosteroid treatment were recruited at 17 primary health care centers, randomly assigned to 2 groups and followed up for 1 year. For the controls (n = 88), FENO measurement was blinded to both operator and patient, and anti-inflammatory treatment was adjusted according to usual care. In the active group (n = 93), treatment was adjusted according to FENO. Questionnaires on asthma-related quality of life (Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) and asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire) were completed, and asthma events were noted.ResultsThe Asthma Control Questionnaire score change over 1 year improved significantly more in the FENO-guided group (–0.17 [interquartile range {IQR}, −0.67 to 0.17] vs 0 [−0.33 to 0.50]; P = .045), whereas the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score did not (0.23 [IQR, 0.07-0.73] vs 0.07 [IQR, −0.20 to 0.80]; P = .197). The change in Asthma Control Questionnaire was clinically important in subpopulations with poor control at baseline (P = .03). Furthermore, the exacerbation rate (exacerbations/patient/y) was reduced by almost 50% in the FENO-guided group (0.22 [CI, 0.14-0.34] vs 0.41 [CI, 0.29-0.58]; P = .024). Mean overall inhaled corticosteroid use was similar in both groups (P = .95).ConclusionUse of FENO to guide anti-inflammatory treatment within primary care significantly reduced the exacerbation rate and improved asthma symptom control without increasing overall inhaled corticosteroid use.
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| 5. |
- Syk, Jörgen, et al.
(författare)
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Parallel reductions of IgE and exhaled nitric oxide after optimized anti-inflammatory asthma treatment
- 2016
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Ingår i: Immunity, Inflammation and Disease. - : Wiley. - 2050-4527. ; 4:2, s. 182-190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is crucial for the development of airway inflammation in atopic asthma, and inhibition of IgE using monoclonal antibodies is now part of asthma therapy. However, the impact of ordinary anti-inflammatory treatment on IgE is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate if optimization of treatment with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and leukotriene-receptor antagonist (LTRA) according to symptoms or exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels over a one-year period affects IgE concentrations. Altogether, 158 relatively well-controlled but multi-sensitized asthmatics (age 18-65 years), with ongoing ICS treatment at baseline, were included in this post hoc analysis of data from a randomized, controlled trial on FENO-guided asthma therapy. Asthma control and quality of life (Juniper ACQ and mAQLQ), FENO, and serum IgE were measured at baseline and after one year. Concentrations of IgE antibodies to six common perennial aeroallergens were summed up (perennial IgE). We found that perennial and total IgE decreased by 10.2% and 16.0% (P<. 001 both comparisons). This was not related to allergen exposure, whereas the total use of ICS and LTRA during the year correlated with the reduction in perennial IgE (P = .030 and P = .013). The decrease in perennial and total IgE correlated significantly with the reduction in FENO (P<. 003 and P<. 001), and with improvements in ACQ and mAQLQ scores (P< 0.05, all comparisons). We conclude that one year of optimization of treatment with ICS and LTRA in patients with persistent atopic asthma resulted in significant decreases in total IgE and IgE antibodies; these decreases correlated with a reduction in FENO and improvements in asthma control and quality of life. Thus, IgE is reduced by ordinary asthma controller medications and the effect on IgE seems to be clinically important.
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| 6. |
- Undén, Anna-Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Gender Differences in Self-Rated Health, Quality of Life, Quality of Care, and Matebolic Control in Patients with Diabetes
- 2008
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Ingår i: Gender Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1550-8579 .- 1878-7398. ; 5:2, s. 162-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Because the projected increase in the number of diabetic patients is expected to strain the capabilities of health care providers worldwide, we are challenged to find ways of reducing the burden of diabetes. Maintaining and improving health-related quality of life (QoL) for diabetic patients may be viewed as public health goals.Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare different aspects of health, QoL, and quality of care (QoC) between men and women with diabetes as a basis for planning and managing diabees care.Methods: All patients in 2 age groups (aged 20–30 years [younger age group] and aged 50–60 years [middle-aged group]) who were registered with the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, in October 2004, were recruited for a survey. Questions were included about self-rated health (SRH), QoL, QoC, diabetes-related worries, occupational status, physical activity level, living arrangements, and educational background. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were obtained from medical records.Results: Of the 223 eligible patients (109 men, 114 women) in the younger age group, 49 men and 74 women responded to the questionnaire; of the 300 eligible patients (170 men, 130 women) in the middle-aged group, 120 men and 93 women responded. Middle-aged women rated their mental well-being and QoL as worse compared with men (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In both age groups, women reported more diabetes-related worries and less ability to cope (P < 0.05 for the younger age group and P < 0.001 for the middle-aged group for both variables), thus the differences were more marked for middleaged women. Although there were no gender differences in metabolic control, middle-aged women reported less satisfaction with diabetes care (P < 0.001). Higher HbA1c was related to worse SRH in both men and women when analyzing the age groups together (P < 0.05). This association was most prominent in young women, in whom having more diabetes-related worries was also related to higher HbA1c (P < 0.01).Conclusion: In this study, women with diabetes appeared to have worse QoL and mental well-being compared with men with diabetes. Therefore, identifying strategies to improve SRH and QoL among diabetic patients, especially among women, is of great importance.
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| 7. |
- Undén, Anna-Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Inflammatory cytokines, behaviour and age as determinants of self-rated health in women
- 2007
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Ingår i: Clinical Science. - 0143-5221 .- 1470-8736. ; 112:5-6, s. 363-373
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Self-rated health is a powerful and independent predictor of long-term health, but its biological basis is unknown. We have shown previously that self-rated health is associated with increased levels of circulating cytokines in women. The main aim of the present study was to increase the understanding of the association between markers of wellbeing, such as self-rated health, and cytokines and to investigate the impact of age on these associations. In 174 female consecutive primary health care patients divided into three age groups, we examined subjective ratings of health and aspects of wellbeing and circulating levels of IL (interleukin)-1beta, IL-1ra (IL-1 receptor antagonist), IL-6 and TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha). Poor self-rated health was significantly associated with higher levels of TNF-alpha in all of the age groups. For IL-1beta and IL-1ra, the correlations with self-rated health were significant only in the oldest age group. Lower ratings of other measurements of health and wellbeing were related to higher levels of cytokines, most pronounced for TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, and in the middle and olderst age groups. More symptoms resembling a sickness response induced by inflammation were implicated to be associated with lower self-rated health. The strength of the association between inflammatory cytokines and poor health perception increased with advanced age, indicating an increased vulnerability for inflammatory activity during aging. It is suggested that higher levels of TNF-alpha are connected to a sickness response that, in turn, is connected to self-rated health. The results provide a possible psychobiological basis to understand better diffuse subjective symptoms and poor subjective health in women.
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| 8. |
- Syk, Jorgen, et al.
(författare)
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Association between self-rated health and asthma : a population-based study
- 2012
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Ingår i: Clinical Respiratory Journal. - 1752-6981 .- 1752-699X. ; 6:3, s. 150-158
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Self-rated health (SRH) is a relevant measure of health as it can predict morbidity, mortality and health-care use. Studies have shown an association between poor SRH and elevated levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. It is therefore interesting to learn more about the association between asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease with a recognised systemic component and SRH.Objectives: To compare SRH ratings in respondents with and without current asthma. A second aim was to compare SRH with quality-of-life ratings in the same groups.Methods: In 1995, we randomly selected 8200 persons =18 years from the population of Stockholm County, Sweden and mailed them a questionnaire. A total of 5355 persons (67.5%) responded. Respondents were divided in two groups, those with and those without current asthma. The groups were further divided by sex and age (1844 and =45 years). SRH was measured with the question How do you rate your general health status? and quality of life with the Gothenburg Quality of Life Instrument and the Ladder of Life.Results: Respondents with asthma rated their health significantly worse than did those without asthma, except women aged 1844 years. SRH was associated at least as strong as quality of life to asthma with the advantage of being easier to apply (only one item).Conclusion: Information on SRH is easy to obtain and represents an important dimension of health status that potentially can be used as a complement to identify patients who need extra attention to manage their asthma and its consequences.
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| 9. |
- Syk, Jörgen, et al.
(författare)
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Relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and IgE sensitisation in patients with asthma : influence of steroid treatment
- 2009
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Ingår i: Clinical Respiratory Journal. - 1752-6981 .- 1752-699X. ; 3:3, s. 143-151
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The influence of the degree of immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitisation on the fraction of expired nitric oxide (FENO) in asthma patients being treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is not well known. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between IgE sensitisation and FENO, and the effect of a step-up in ICS treatment on this relationship, in patients with allergic asthma. Methods: A primary health care centre recruited 20 non-smoking patients with perennial allergic asthma (18 years-50 years, six male) outside the pollen season. At every visit (0, 2, 4, 8 weeks), FENO was measured and an exposure questionnaire was completed. ICS dose was adjusted according to FENO (>= 22 ppb prescribed increase in ICS). Quantitative analyses of serum IgE (eight common aeroallergens) confirmed allergy. Results: At baseline, FENO and the sum of IgE antibody titres for perennial allergens correlated significantly (r = 0.47, P = 0.04). After a step-up in ICS treatment, this correlation had disappeared. Nine patients had persistently elevated FENO at last visit (mean 35 ppb vs 16 ppb). This group was more frequently exposed to relevant allergens or colds (89% vs 27% of patients, P < 0.05) and had higher IgE antibody titres (perennial allergens) compared with the normalised group (mean 28.9 kU/L vs 10.7 kU/L, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum IgE against perennial allergens and FENO correlate in patients with allergic asthma. However, this relationship disappears after a high-dose ICS regimen, suggesting that FENO relates to bronchial inflammation and not IgE levels per se. High degree of IgE sensitisation together with allergen exposure may lead to ICS-resistant airways inflammation. Please cite this paper as: Syk J, Unden AL and Alving K. Relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and IgE sensitisation in patients with asthma: influence of steroid treatment. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 143-151.
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| 10. |
- Tekle, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in female populations from Poland, Serbia and Sweden
- 2010
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 36:2, s. 188-194
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to environmental contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), life style and nutritional status of a population are important factors that may influence normal serum levels of antioxidants and the insulin-like growth factor system. In this study we examined serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) and vitamin E in healthy female populations (n = 4 x 100) aged 19-59 years from Poland (PL), Sweden (SE), Serbia I (SR I) and Serbia II (SR II). The last group lived in an environmental emergency area affected by the bombings of 1999 in Serbia. The Polish and SR I cohorts exhibited low IGFSD-score levels, (-2 to +/-0), compared to females from SE with IGFSD-score 0. In the SIR II population, the IGFSD range was between -1 and 1. The IGFBP-1 levels of the Polish and SIR I groups were lower than in the Swedish population, while the SR II levels showed a broader distribution, 20-80 mu g/l. The CoQ values in the Swedish and Polish samples were around 1 nmol/ml. In contrast. the SIR I cohorts exhibited higher concentrations, 1.5-3.5 nmol/ml and the SIR II group had extremely low levels, <0.5 nmol/ml. The vitamin E concentrations were similar in the Polish and Swedish populations, 20-40 nmol/ml, while it was twice as high, 40-80 nmol/ml in the SR I and very low in the SIR II group, which is half of the Polish and Swedish cohorts. These results suggest that different lifestyles and environmental factors affect both the IGF system and the antioxidants CoQ10 and vitamin E in female populations in Europe. The females living in the polluted area had different patterns of both the IGF and antioxidant systems. These findings may explain differences in morbidity and mortality in these countries.
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