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Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death, and out of all stroke cases, 10–15% originate from a previously asymptomatic stenosis in the internal carotid artery. Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate whether dietary and lifestyle habits were associated with future risk of incident carotid artery disease (CAD). Methods: Baseline examinations on middle-aged individuals (n = 30,447) in the Malmö Diet and Cancer study (MDCS), a prospective cohort study, took place between 1991 and 1996 in Malmö, Sweden. Individuals with cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus were excluded at baseline, resulting in a total study population of 25,952 patients. Information on dietary intake was gathered through a 7-day food diary, a detailed questionnaire, and a 1-h interview. A diet quality index was calculated from adherence to recommended intake of 6 dietary components (saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, fish and shellfish, fiber, vegetables and fruit, and sucrose). Individuals with a first registered diagnosis of CAD were identified from the Swedish National Patient register. Results: During a median follow-up of 21.8 years, 469 participants (1.8%) developed CAD. The diagnosis of incident CAD was validated and confirmed in 99% of a random sample of 100 individuals. Higher intake of vegetables and fruit was associated with a trend of decreased risk of CAD in a Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio of 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.56–1.03; p = 0.080). Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study found a trend toward a protective effect of higher intake of vegetables and fruit against incident CAD. More prospective studies investigating the association between diet and CAD and stroke are needed in order to give firm recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Aortic dissection (AD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) share the same risk factors. Whereas the incidence of AAA is falling, it is unclear whether population-based incidences of acute type A and B AD have changed. The aim of this study was to investigate incidences of AD subtypes over time. Methods. Citizens in the municipality of Malmö, Sweden, diagnosed with AD in 2000-2004 and 2014-2016 were identified through the in-patient, clinical, and forensic autopsy registers. Results. The overall and gender-specific incidences of acute type A and B AD were stable over time. The overall autopsy rate declined from 25.2% in 2000-2004 to 16.1% in 2014-2016 (p = .0001) and patients with acute type A AD were more often encountered at autopsy (78% of cases) during the first time period, compared to 43% of cases during the second time period (p = .005), when the ratio of acute type A: acute type B AD was 2.6: 1. The proportion of individuals <65 years of age tended to be higher in acute type A AD compared to acute type B AD (p = .07). The frequencies of hypertension and smoking were 90% and 91%, respectively, in type A AD, and 86% and 86%, respectively in type B AD. Conclusions. Population-based incidences of acute type A and type B AD were stable over time, but the decreasing autopsy rate has led to a lower proportion of AD diagnosed at autopsy. Primary prevention towards hypertension and smoking seem necessary to reduce AD incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reports on trends in incidence and mortality of acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion and evaluation of prognostic factors in recent years are lacking.Methods: Patients with acute SMA occlusion were identified through the in-patient and autopsy registry between 1970 and 1982 (n = 270), 1987 to 1996 (n = 135), and 2000 and 2006 (n = 100) in Malmö, Sweden.Results: The overall incidence rate decreased from 8.6 to 5.4/100,000 person years and the autopsy rate from 87% to 25% over time. A higher serum creatinine level was associated with a lower probability of undergoing multi-detector row computed tomography with intravenous contrast (MDCTiv) (p = 0.006). Not performing a MDCTiv (odds ratio 4.0; 95% confidence interval [1.0-16.0]) remained as independent prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality. General and vascular surgeons collaborated in 25 out of 61 patients that underwent an intervention, of which 21 (84%) (p < 0.001) survived.Conclusions: A close collaboration between radiologists and general and vascular surgeons seems to be most important to lower the mortality in patients with acute SMA occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]