Search

Introduction: Osteoporosis prevalence will increase in coming decades, with significant financial and economic implications. Whilst alcohol excess has significant detrimental impacts on bone mineral density (BMD), knowledge of low-volume consumption is inconsistent. Type of alcohol may mediate impact on BMD and warrants further investigation. Materials and methods: Participants were drawn from the Florey Adelaide Male Aging Study, a cohort of community dwelling men from Adelaide, Australia (n = 1195). The final cohort (n = 693) provided information regarding alcohol consumption and undertook BMD scan at wave one (2002–2005) and wave two (2007–2010). Cross-sectional and longitudinal multivariable regression was performed for whole-body and spine BMD. To assess change in exposure over time, change in BMD was compared to change in covariates between waves. Results: Cross-sectionally, whole-body BMD was positively associated with obesity (p < 0.001), exercise (p = 0.009), prior smoking (p = 0.001), oestrogen concentration (p = 0.001), rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.013) and grip strength (p < 0.001). No association was identified with volume of differing types of alcohol consumed. Spinal BMD was inversely associated with low-strength beer consumption (p = 0.003). The volume of alcohol consumed at Wave 1 did not predict change in whole-body or spinal BMD; however, increases in full-strength beer consumption between waves were associated with reduced spinal BMD (p = 0.031). Conclusion: When consumed at quantities in the usual social range, alcohol was not associated with whole-body BMD. However, low-strength beer consumption was inversely related to spinal BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence linking OSA with hypertension in population studies is conflicting. We examined longitudinal and cross-sectional associations of previously unrecognized OSA, including OSA occurring in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, with hypertension.Methods: The Men Androgens Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study is a longitudinal study of community-dwelling men in Adelaide, South Australia. Biomedical assessments at baseline (2002-2006) and follow-up (2007-2010) identified hypertension (systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg, or medication) and risk factors. In 2010 to 2011, 837 men without a prior diagnosis of OSA underwent full in-home unattended polysomnography of whom 739 recorded ≥ 30 min of REM sleep. Hypertension at follow-up (concomitant with OSA status) was defined as prevalent hypertension. Recent-onset hypertension was defined as hypertension at biomedical follow-up (56 months mean follow-up [range, 48-74]) in men free of hypertension at baseline.Results: Severe REM OSA (apnea hypopnea index ≥30/h) showed independent adjusted associations with prevalent (OR, 2.40, 95% CI, 1.42-4.06), and recent-onset hypertension (2.24 [1.04-4.81]). Significant associations with non-REM AHI were not seen. In men with AHI < 10, REM OSA (apnea hypopnea index) ≥ 20/h was significantly associated with prevalent hypertension (2.67 [1.33-5.38]) and the relationship with recent-onset hypertension was positive but not statistically significant (2.32 [0.79-6.84]). Similar results were seen when analyses were confined to men with non-REM AHI < 10.Conclusions: In men not considered to have OSA (AHI < 10), hypertension was associated with OSA during REM sleep. REM OSA may need consideration as an important clinical entity requiring treatment but further systematic assessment and evidence is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of individual cardiovascular disease risk factors, which doubles the risk of early mortality. The authors'' aimed to determine the prevalence and population attributable risk (PAR%) of the MetS among men according to demographic, physical, and lifestyle risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1195 men in the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study, a regionally representative cohort of Australian men aged 35 to 81 years conducted in 2002-2005 (response rate, 45.1%). Prevalent MetS was determined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) classifications; and an extensive list of demographic, physical (including muscle strength, body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, sex hormones), and lifestyle factors was accounted for. Prevalence estimates were 37.7% and 41.8% for ATPIII and IDF classifications. Odds ratios for present MetS were determined using multiple-adjusted logistic regression. Odds for present ATPIII MetS decreased (in order of importance) for lower insulin and increased for lower muscle mass, lower strength, and 3+ medical conditions. Odds for present IDF MetS decreased for lower insulin and increased for lower muscle mass, strength, and sex hormone–binding globulin levels; older age; and being married. Significant PAR% due to lowest insulin, muscle mass, and strength quarters were −44%, 27%, and 17% for the ATPIII Met, and −48%, 31%, and 20% for the IDF MetS. A substantial proportion of MetS cases would have been theoretically prevented if prior exposure to low muscle mass and strength were eradicated (PAR% ranged from 14% to 24%). Findings indicate that insulin resistance is a central abnormality in the MetS and that muscle mass and strength are strong protective factors independent of insulin resistance and abdominal fat accumulation. If confirmed prospectively, increases in muscle mass and strength needed to prevent a substantial proportion of MetS cases would be achievable with a short-term strength training intervention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the basic qualities that men value when they communicate with general practitioners in primary care settings based on a study in Adelaide, South Australia. The study conducted semi-structured interviews from January to November 2005. The study found that the basic qualities valued include the adoption of a straightforward approach, demonstrable competence and empathy. The authors conclude that the basic qualities valued by men are concordant with most key dimensions of a patient-centred strategy.