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Novel biomarkers and targeted treatments are needed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aims The relevance of adherence to established dietary guidelines is repeatedly challenged. We hypothesised that non-adherence to established dietary guidelines is associated with an excess risk of cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.Methods We studied 100,191 white adult Danes aged 20–100 years recruited in 2003–2015 and followed up until December 2018. During follow-up equalling 865,600 person-years, 9273 individuals died. Participants’ diets were assessed at baseline by a food frequency questionnaire focusing on key foods defining a healthy diet according to Danish dietary guidelines. Individuals were divided into five categories ranging from very high to very low adherence to dietary guidelines and studied with Cox and Fine–Gray regression models. At study inclusion, we collected demographic and lifestyle characteristics by questionnaire, made a physical examination and took a blood sample.Results Cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular and all-cause mortality increased gradually with increasing non-adherence to dietary guidelines. Cardiovascular mortality was 30% higher (95% confidence interval 7–57%), non-cardiovascular mortality 54% higher (32–79%) and all-cause mortality 43% higher (29–59%) in individuals with very low adherence to dietary guidelines compared with those with very high adherence after adjustments for age, sex, education, income, smoking, leisure time physical activity and alcohol intake. Mortality risk estimates were similar in all strata of adjusted variables.Conclusion Non-adherence to Danish food-based dietary guidelines is associated with up to 43% increased all-cause mortality in a dose–response manner. The mortality excess was seen for both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular causes. The public has good reasons to have confidence in and to adhere to established dietary guidelines.

As a consequence of modern urban life, an increasing number of individuals are living alone. Living alone may have potential adverse health implications. The long-term relationship between living alone and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, however, remains unclear.

Background Previous findings regarding physical activity and risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) are controversial, focusing on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and without distinguishing it from occupational physical activity (OPA). Our aim was to study the association between physical activity and risk of AF, with special attention to the possible divergent effects of OPA and LTPA.Methods and results In a prospective, observational cohort study, 17,196 subjects were included from the Copenhagen Population Register. All participants had a physical examination, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and answered a questionnaire regarding health and physical activity. Participants without previously diagnosed AF who answered adequately regarding OPA and LTPA were included. LTPA and OPA were each graded into four levels. Follow-up were carried out between 1981–1983, 1991–1994, and 2001–2003. Information regarding hospitalization and mortality was drawn from the National Patient Registry and the Registry of Causes of Death. Outcome was incident AF as determined by follow-up ECG or register diagnosis. In univariable Cox regression analysis all sub-groups of OPA had a significant higher risk of AF compared to moderate OPA. When adjusting for confounders, the risk remained significantly increased for high OPA (hazard ratio (HR) 1.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.43), p= 0.028), and very high OPA (HR 1.39 (95% CI 1.03–1.88), p= 0.034). We found no significant association between LTPA and incident AF.Conclusions High and very high OPA were associated with a significantly increased risk of incident AF. LTPA was not associated with risk of incident AF.

To examine the assumption that postdeployment incidence of sickness and other absence from work are higher among Gulf War Veterans compared with nonveterans.

We wished to characterize undertreatment in COPD.