P McElduff

Publications of P McElduff

• Assessment of dietary fat intake and innate immune activation as risk factors for impaired lung function.

  Authors: L G Wood, J Attia, P McElduff, M McEvoy, P G Gibson

  European journal of clinical nutrition. 08/2010; 64(8):818-25.

  Preservation of lung health with aging is an important health issue in the general population, as loss of lung function with aging can lead to the development of obstructive lung disease and is aPreservation of lung health with aging is an important health issue in the general population, as loss of lung function with aging can lead to the development of obstructive lung disease and is a predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Inflammation is increasingly linked to loss of lung function and evidence suggests that consumption of dietary fat exacerbates inflammation. We aimed to determine the association between dietary fat intake and lung function in older people. Participants from the Hunter community study, a population-based cohort, were recruited during 2004 and 2005. Participants received a clinical assessment, including spirometry, and provided a blood sample. Diets were analyzed using food-frequency questionnaires. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein was measured by Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay. Using backward stepwise linear regression, %energy from dietary fat, age and plasma IL-6 were considered as negative predictors of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) in men. Also in men, % energy intake from dietary fat, age, body mass index and IL-6 were negative predictors of %predicted forced vital capacity (FVC). Smoking and age were negative predictors of FEV(1)/FVC. In women, plasma IL-6 and age were negative predictors of %FVC, whereas obesity was positively associated with FEV(1)/FVC. An increased proportion of fat in the diet is associated with the reduced lung function in older men. Dietary-fat induced innate immune activation and IL-6 release may contribute to this effect. Dietary interventions involving fat restriction should be further investigated as means of preserving lung function with aging.

• Does an advanced insulin education programme improve outcomes and health service use for people with Type 2 diabetes? A 5-year follow-up of the Newcastle Empowerment course.

  Authors: J M Lowe, M Mensch, P McElduff, M Fitzgerald, J Attia

  Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association. 12/2009; 26(12):1277-81.

  Objective To show that an advanced diabetes education programme delivers sustained benefits to people with diabetes prescribed insulin and healthcare providers over and above those provided by basicObjective To show that an advanced diabetes education programme delivers sustained benefits to people with diabetes prescribed insulin and healthcare providers over and above those provided by basic diabetes education. Methods An historical cohort study of 68 people with Type 1 and 51 people with Type 2 diabetes on insulin who attended the 4-day Newcastle Empowerment programme in 2001 and 2002 compared with 71 people with Type 1 and 312 people with Type 2 diabetes who attended only the basic 4-day insulin education programme over the same period, followed until 2007. Primary outcome was all hospital admissions and emergency visits; secondary outcomes were the composite of first cardiac event or death and readmission for diabetes complications. Cox-proportional hazards regression was used to analyse Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes separately. Results The empowerment programme significantly delayed time to first hospital admission/visit for patients with Type 2 diabetes; the hazard ratio (HR) of 0.41 (P = 0.01) translates into a delay of almost 3 years; this was partly driven by a significant reduction in cardiovascular events and mortality (HR = 0.24, P = 0.01). These effects were not seen for people with Type 1 diabetes. Conclusions A one-time, advanced diabetes education programme teaching intensive insulin self-management with an empowerment style can lead to sustained improvement in patient outcomes and reduce use of hospital services for people with Type 2 diabetes on insulin.

• Deprivation and trends in blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index and smoking among participants of a UK primary care-based cardiovascular risk factor screening programme: both narrowing and widening in cardiovascular risk factor inequalities.

  Authors: G Lyratzopoulos, R F Heller, P McElduff, M Hanily, P Lewis

  Heart (British Cardiac Society). 10/2006; 92(9):1198-206.

  OBJECTIVES: To examine recent time trends in blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and current smoking among people in the UK of different deprivation groups. DESIGN:OBJECTIVES: To examine recent time trends in blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and current smoking among people in the UK of different deprivation groups. DESIGN: Repeatable survey. SETTING: Primary care-based UK cardiovascular risk factor screening programme (58 Stockport general practices). PARTICIPANTS: 37,161 women and 33,977 men aged 35-60 years responding to a screening invitation and with a first screening episode during 1989-99. RESULTS: There were significant decreasing trends in total cholesterol (-0.06 mmol/l/year, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.07 to -0.06 for women, -0.07 mmol/l/year, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.06 for men), with a significantly faster drop in more deprived groups (-0.005 mmol/year/increasing deprivation group, 95% CI -0.01 to -0.001 for both sexes). There were decreasing trends in current smoking prevalence (odds ratio (OR) 0.97/year, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.97 for women, OR 0.96/year, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.96 for men) with a significantly slower drop in the more deprived groups (OR 1.01/year/increasing deprivation group, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01 for both sexes). There were significant increasing trends in BMI (0.11 kg/m(2)/year in women, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.13, 0.10 kg/m(2)/year in men, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.11), with a significantly slower increase in the more deprived groups among men only (-0.02 kg/m(2)/year/increasing deprivation group, 95% CI -0.01 to -0.03). Inequality in BP narrowed among men but widened among women. CONCLUSION: Inequalities in risk factors between different deprivation groups may be both widening (smoking, BP in women) and narrowing (total cholesterol, BMI and BP in men). Given baseline inequalities in risk factors levels, these trends suggest that inequalities in cardiovascular disease are likely to persist in the future.

• Population impact of stricter adherence to recommendations for pharmacological and lifestyle interventions over one year in patients with coronary heart disease.

  Authors: I Gemmell, R F Heller, P McElduff, K Payne, G Butler, R Edwards, M Roland, P Durrington

  Journal of epidemiology and community health. 01/2006; 59(12):1041-6.

  STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential number of lives saved associated with the full implementation of aspects of the National Service Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease (CHD) in EnglandSTUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential number of lives saved associated with the full implementation of aspects of the National Service Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease (CHD) in England using recently developed population impact measures. DESIGN: Modelling study. SETTING: Primary care. DATA SOURCES: Published data on prevalence of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure, baseline risk of mortality, the relative risk reduction associated with different interventions and the proportion treated, eligible for treatment and adhering to each intervention. MAIN RESULTS: Adopting the NSF recommendations for pharmacological interventions would prevent an extra 1027 (95% CI 418 to 1994) deaths in post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and an extra 37 899 (95% CI 25 690 to 52 503) deaths in heart failure patients in the first year after diagnosis. Lifestyle based interventions would prevent an extra 848 (95% CI 71 to 1 614) deaths in post-AMI patients and an extra 7249 (95% CI 995 to 16 696) deaths in heart failure patients. CONCLUSIONS: Moving from current to "best" practice as recommended in the NSF will have a much greater impact on one year mortality rates among heart failure patients compared with post-AMI patients. Meeting pharmacological based recommendations for heart failure patients will prevent more deaths than meeting lifestyle based recommendations. Population impact numbers can help communicate the impact on a population of the implementation of guidelines and, when created using local data, could help policy makers assess the local impact of implementing a range of health care targets.

• The paraoxonase-2-310 polymorphism is associated with the presence of microvascular complications in diabetes mellitus.

  Authors: B Mackness, P McElduff, M I Mackness

  Journal of internal medicine. 11/2005; 258(4):363-8.

  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the paraoxonase-2 (PON 2)-C/S 310 polymorphism and its relationship to the presence of diabetic complications and glycaemic control. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: OneOBJECTIVE: To investigate the paraoxonase-2 (PON 2)-C/S 310 polymorphism and its relationship to the presence of diabetic complications and glycaemic control. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: One study centre at University hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were people with type 2 diabetes (n=252), type 1 diabetes (n=152) and healthy controls (n=282). The PON 2-C/S 310 polymorphism was measured by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Lipids and lipoproteins were measured by standard clinical chemistry methods. Diabetes and diabetic complications were defined by World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: There was an over-representation of the C/C 310 genotype in those with diabetes and microvascular complications (type 2 diabetes P=0.043, type 1 diabetes P=0.052, both populations combined P=0.014). The PON 2-C/S 310 polymorphism was also associated with glycaemic control. C 310/C 310 homozygotes had the highest HbA(1c) concentration (P=0.020 type 2 diabetes, P=0.065 type 1 diabetes, P=0.035 both populations combined). There was no association between the PON 2-310 polymorphism and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: PON 2 could be directly involved in protecting critical enzymes or organelles against oxidative damage; PON2 may thus predispose to the development of microvascular complications.

• Comparison of processes and intermediate outcomes between South Asian and European patients with diabetes in Blackburn, north-west England.

  Authors: P McElduff, R Edwards, J A Burns, R J Young, R Heller, B Long, G Jones, J P New

  Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association. 10/2005; 22(9):1226-33.

  BACKGROUND: Diabetes and its complications are more prevalent among South Asians than people of European origin and there is some evidence that patients of South Asian origin with diabetes receiveBACKGROUND: Diabetes and its complications are more prevalent among South Asians than people of European origin and there is some evidence that patients of South Asian origin with diabetes receive poorer quality care. METHODS: Longitudinal study of patients with diabetes in Blackburn, UK. Processes of care indicators [measurement of blood pressure (BP), cholesterol and glycosolated haemoglobin (HbA1c)] and values of these intermediate outcomes were extracted for all patients registered on a diabetes information system for the period 1995-2001. Differences in processes of care indicators and intermediate outcomes between ethnic groups were estimated after adjusting for the potential confounding factors of sex, age and socioeconomic status (SES). Generalized estimating equations were used to model trends and to test for differences in trends over time. RESULTS: Process of care was similar in South Asian and European patients. Mean BP and cholesterol concentration fell during the study period. South Asians had a higher level of HbA1c throughout the study period. South Asians had lower levels of BP and cholesterol in 1995 but the differences diminished or were abolished over time. SES did not explain differences between ethnic groups. Analyses stratified by baseline levels of intermediate outcomes (above or within target) demonstrated improvements among above target patients were greater among European patients. CONCLUSIONS: Processes of care indicators are similar in diabetic patients of South Asian and European origin, irrespective of SES. However, there are worrying differences in improvements over time in the intermediate outcomes, and glycaemic control remained poorer among patients of South Asian origin patients throughout.

• Survival among hospital in-patients with troponin T elevation below levels defining myocardial infarction.

  Authors: G Cook, D Taylor, M France, G Burrows, E Manning, G Lyratzopoulos, P McElduff, P Lewis, M Martin, R F Heller

  QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians. 04/2005; 98(4):275-82.

  BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) has an accepted place in the management of patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Uncertainty remains about the significance andBACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) has an accepted place in the management of patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Uncertainty remains about the significance and interpretation of elevated cTnT below the cut-off levels defining myocardial infarction (0.1 microg/l). AIM: To compare the mortality risks for elevation of cTnT in the ranges 0.01-0.029 microg/l, 0.03-0.099 microg/l and <0.01 microg/l. DESIGN: Retrospective record study in three hospitals. METHODS: All cTnT measurements with values in the range >0.01-0.099 microg/l analysed during January 2002 were extracted from clinical biochemistry laboratory databases. Following agreed exclusion criteria, 179 patients with cTnT in the range 0.01-0.099 microg/l and 60 patients <0.01 microg/l were selected at random from across the three sites. Six-month follow-up was completed by review of case notes and contact with the patients' GP. RESULTS: There was a graded increase in mortality with increasing cTnT, although only achieving statistical significance for patients in the 0.03-0.099 microg/l range. The graded increase in relative risk with cTnT was weaker after adjustment for potential confounding factors DISCUSSION: We found a trend for worse survival with increasing cTnT within the range 0.01-0.099 microg/l in unselected patient populations presenting with possible acute coronary syndrome. This suggests that the combined effects of assay imprecision and co-morbidity should be taken into account when interpreting borderline elevation of cTnT. The use of a cut-off based on current standards of assay precision should be used to define the sensitivity of cTnT as biochemical evidence of ischaemic cardiac damage and as an indicator of mortality risk. This level is likely to be between 0.03 and 0.1 microg/l.

• Absence of socioeconomic variation in survival from colorectal cancer in patients receiving surgical treatment in one health district: cohort study.

  Authors: G Lyratzopoulos, G F Sheridan, H R Michie, P McElduff, J H Hobbiss

  Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. 12/2004; 6(6):512-7.

  OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is an association between patient deprivation status and survival from colorectal cancer among patients receiving treatment of the same type and quality. PATIENTSOBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is an association between patient deprivation status and survival from colorectal cancer among patients receiving treatment of the same type and quality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survival study was conducted of all colorectal cancer patients diagnosed between 1991 and 1997 who received surgery either in the NHS district general hospital or the private hospital of one UK health district. The five-year survival rates, both all cause and colorectal cancer specific, were calculated for subgroups defined by patient age, gender, stage and deprivation status using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the influence of deprivation on five-year survival after adjusting for age, gender and stage. RESULTS: There were 603 consecutive colorectal patients during the study period. Five-year all-cause and colorectal cancer-specific survival rates were 41% and 53%, respectively. There was no association between deprivation status and stage at diagnosis (P = 0.308). Multivariable proportional hazards modelling (adjusting for gender, age and tumour stage) demonstrated no association between deprivation status and survival. CONCLUSION: In this single district study, no relationship between patient socioeconomic status and survival from colorectal cancer could be demonstrated. Consistency in the type and quality of treatment offered to patients by the same clinical teams may have been responsible for the equitable survival outcomes.

• Current smoking and the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction in the WHO MONICA Project populations.

  Authors: M S Mähönen, P McElduff, A J Dobson, K A Kuulasmaa, A E Evans

  Tobacco control. 10/2004; 13(3):244-50.

  BACKGROUND: Cohort studies have shown that smoking has a substantial influence on coronary heart disease mortality in young people. Population based data on non-fatal events have been sparse,BACKGROUND: Cohort studies have shown that smoking has a substantial influence on coronary heart disease mortality in young people. Population based data on non-fatal events have been sparse, however. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of smoking on the risk of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (MI) in young middle age people. METHODS: From 1985 to 1994 all non-fatal MI events in the age group 35-64 were registered in men and women in the WHO MONICA (multinational monitoring of trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease) project populations (18,762 events in men and 4047 in women from 32 populations from 21 countries). In the same populations and age groups 65,741 men and 66,717 women participated in the surveys of risk factors (overall response rate 72%). The relative risk of non-fatal MI for current smokers was compared with non-smokers, by sex and five year age group. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking in people aged 35-39 years who experienced non-fatal MI events was 81% in men and 77% in women. It declined with increasing age to 45% in men aged 60-64 years and 36% in women, respectively. In the 35-39 years age group the relative risk of non-fatal MI for smokers was 4.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9 to 6.1) in men and 5.3 (95% CI 3.2 to 8.7) in women, and the population attributable fractions were 65% and 55%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: During the study period more than half of the non-fatal MIs occurring in young middle age people can be attributed to smoking.

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• Will changes in primary care improve health outcomes? Modelling the impact of financial incentives introduced to improve quality of care in the UK.

  Authors: P McElduff, G Lyratzopoulos, R Edwards, R F Heller, P Shekelle, M Roland

  Quality & safety in health care. 07/2004; 13(3):191-7.

  OBJECTIVES: To estimate the total health gain from improving the quality of care among patients with cardiovascular disease in line with the quality indicator targets in the new contract for generalOBJECTIVES: To estimate the total health gain from improving the quality of care among patients with cardiovascular disease in line with the quality indicator targets in the new contract for general practitioners (GPs) in the UK. DESIGN: Statistical modelling, applying population impact measures to estimate cardiovascular health gains from achieving treatment targets in the GP contract, taking into account current levels of treatment and control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of events prevented in the population over 5 years applied to a national general practice population of 10,000. RESULTS: The greatest health gain in those aged 45-84 years would come from reaching cholesterol reduction targets. This could prevent 15 events in people with coronary heart disease, seven events in those with a history of stroke, and seven events in those with diabetes. Achieving blood pressure control targets in hypertensive patients without the above conditions could prevent 15 cardiovascular events, with further benefits from reducing blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. Achieving other targets would have smaller impacts because high levels of care are already being achieved or because of the low prevalence of conditions or associated event risk. CONCLUSION: It is possible to quantify the health gain to a practice population of achieving quality targets such as those set in the new GP contract. The amount of health gain is sensitive to current quality of care, prevalence of conditions, and risk factors, and to the size of change anticipated. Nevertheless, it appears that significant health gains could result from achieving the proposed quality targets.

• Ethnic trends in lipid tests in general practice.

  Authors: M W France, S Kwok, P McElduff, C J Seneviratne

  QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians. 01/2004; 96(12):919-23.

  BACKGROUND: South Asian migrants have a higher cardiovascular mortality than the indigenous population. Contributory factors may include a lower rate of cardiovascular risk assessment uptake andBACKGROUND: South Asian migrants have a higher cardiovascular mortality than the indigenous population. Contributory factors may include a lower rate of cardiovascular risk assessment uptake and compliance. AIM: To compare rates of lipid testing, follow-up and patterns of dyslipidaemia in South Asian and non-South-Asian populations in Manchester. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Lipid requests from 14 general practices were analysed, using name recognition software to assign ethnicity. RESULTS: Compared with non-South-Asians, the age-standardized rate of lipid testing in South Asians was similar in men at 12.1% (95%CI 11.6-12.6) vs. 11.2% (9.5-13.0), but higher in women at 18.6% (15.9-21.2) vs. 13.2% (12.6-13.7). Trends of cholesterol with repeat testing were similar in the two populations. However, South Asian women had lower mean levels of total cholesterol (5.50 vs. 5.68 mmol/l, p = 0.021), lower levels of HDL (1.20 vs. 1.46 mmol/l, p < 0.001), an excess of hypertriglyceridaemia (1.62 vs. 1.45 mmol/l, p = 0.035) and a greater proportion with cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/l combined with low HDL (43.1% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.002). South Asian men had lower levels of total cholesterol (5.17 vs. 5.37 mmol/l, p = 0.048) and lower levels of HDL (1.07 vs. 1.64 mmol/l, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of South Asians men and women with cholesterol < 5.2 mmol/l combined with low HDL. DISCUSSION: The rate of lipid testing and change in cholesterol levels with repeated testing did not differ between South Asian and non-South-Asian groups. The pattern of dyslipidaemia seen in this South Asian population, especially women, was different from that of the non-South-Asian population, with possible implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.

• Variations in process and outcomes of diabetes care by socio-economic status in Salford, UK.

  Authors: R Edwards, J A Burns, P McElduff, R J Young, J P New

  Diabetologia. 06/2003; 46(6):750-9.

  AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to investigate trends in provision and outcomes of care by socio-economic status among patients with diabetes in Salford, United Kingdom. METHODS: Salford is a deprivedAIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to investigate trends in provision and outcomes of care by socio-economic status among patients with diabetes in Salford, United Kingdom. METHODS: Salford is a deprived urban area in North West England. Data for people with diabetes who were younger than 20 years of age (4034 patients in the year 1993 and 5671 by the year 2000) were extracted from the Diabetes Information System. Age-standardised means, proportions and attainment of targets were calculated for: processes of care indicators, intermediate outcomes and prescribing of preventive drug treatments in 1993 to 1994 and in 2000 to 2001 by quintiles of Townsend deprivation score. We did comparisons of means and proportions using age-adjusted linear regression and of trends using generalised estimating equations. Rate ratios for first microvascular and first macrovascular complication were estimated from proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Marked improvements occurred in all indicators. For patients managed in primary care, blood pressure and cholesterol measurement increased from 53% to 64% (p<0.001) and 27% to 61% (p<0.001) respectively; whilst mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 147 to 140 mmHg (p<0.001) and cholesterol concentrations from 6.0 to 5.1 mmol/l (p<0.001). Mean HbA(1c) increased from 7.8 to 8.1% (p<0.001). Prescribing of aspirin, anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs increased greatly. Trends varied little by socio-economic status. Patients from more affluent areas generally received more frequent clinical monitoring and preventive treatments, and had a lower BMI (29.5 vs 30.2 kg/m(2); p=0.009) and HbA(1c) (7.8 vs 8.2% p=0.006), though risks of first microvascular or macrovascular complications were similar. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Improvements in process and outcomes of care are possible for patients from all socio-economic groups. Socio-economic deprivation does not preclude high quality diabetes care.

• Opportunities for control of coronary heart disease in Australia.

  Authors: P McElduff, A J Dobson, K Jamrozik, M S Hobbs

  Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. 02/2001; 25(1):24-30.

  OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of coronary events that could be prevented in Australia each year by the use of preventive and therapeutic strategies targeted to subgroups of the population basedOBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of coronary events that could be prevented in Australia each year by the use of preventive and therapeutic strategies targeted to subgroups of the population based on their levels of risk and need. METHODS: Estimates of risk reduction from the published literature, prevalence estimates of elevated risk factor levels from the 1995 National Health Survey and treatment levels from the Australian collaborating centres in the World Health Organization's MONICA Project were used to calculate numbers of coronary events preventable among men and women aged 35-79 years in Australia. RESULTS: Approximately 14,000 coronary events could be avoided each year if the mean level of cholesterol in the population was reduced by 0.5 mmol/L, smoking prevalence was halved and prevalence of physical inactivity was reduced to 25%. This represents a reduction in coronary events of about 40%. Even with less optimistic targets, a reduction of 20% could be attained, while the achievement of some internationally recommended targets could lead to almost 50% reduction. In the short term, aggressive medical treatment of people with elevated levels of risk factors and established coronary disease offers the greatest opportunity for reducing coronary events. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive approach to reduce levels of behavioural and biological risk factors and improve the use of effective treatment could lead to a large reduction in coronary event rates. In the long term, primary prevention--especially to reduce smoking, lower cholesterol levels and increase exercise--has the potential to reduce the population levels of risk and hence contain the national cost of coronary disease.

• Case fatality after an acute cardiac event: the effect of smoking and alcohol consumption.

  Authors: P McElduff, A J Dobson

  Journal of clinical epidemiology. 02/2001; 54(1):58-67.

  The objective of this study was to use a population-based register of acute cardiac events to investigate the association between survival after an acute event and history of smoking and alcoholThe objective of this study was to use a population-based register of acute cardiac events to investigate the association between survival after an acute event and history of smoking and alcohol consumption. The population was all residents of the Lower Hunter Region of Australia aged 25 to 69 years who suffered myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death between 1986 and 1994. Among 10,170 events, 2504 resulted in death within 28 days. After adjusting for sex, age and medical history, current smokers had a similar risk of dying after an acute cardiac event to never-smokers [odds ratio (OR)=1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.29]. People who consumed more than 8 alcoholic drinks per day on more than 2 days per week (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.39-2.69) and former moderate to heavy drinkers (OR=4.59, 95% CI 3.65-5.76) were more likely to die than people who were nondrinkers. The results of this large community study, suggesting no effect of smoking on case fatality and an increased risk of death after an acute cardiac event for heavy drinkers and former moderate to heavy drinkers, highlight the importance of a population view of case fatality. These results can also shed some light on reasons for the paradoxical results from clinical trials.

• Trends in coronary heart disease--has the socio-economic differential changed?

  Authors: P McElduff, A J Dobson

  Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. 11/2000; 24(5):465-73.

  OBJECTIVE: To compare both trends in rates of coronary heart disease and levels of coronary risk factors between different socio-economic groups. METHODS: Rates of coronary events for men and womenOBJECTIVE: To compare both trends in rates of coronary heart disease and levels of coronary risk factors between different socio-economic groups. METHODS: Rates of coronary events for men and women aged 25 to 69 years were estimated from a population-based register in the Lower Hunter Region of New South Wales from 1985 to 1993. Risk factor levels were estimated for men and women aged 35 to 64 years from three surveys of risk factors conducted in 1983, 1988/89 and 1994 in the same study population. RESULTS: There was a decline in major coronary events from 1985 to 1993. The greatest decline was for fatal coronary events, which fell by between 4.3% and 9.1% per year. Trends in event rates were similar for all socio-economic groups, except for trends in non-fatal definite myocardial infarction among women. Women from the areas with high socio-economic status tended to have a greater reduction in non-fatal definite myocardial infarction compared with women from low socio-economic areas. Trends in risk-factor levels were similar except the prevalence of cigarette smoking among women from the lowest quintile of socio-economic status did not decline. CONCLUSION: Prevention strategies seem to have had a beneficial impact on this population, resulting in similar declines in rates of coronary events for all socio-economic groups. However, event rates are still high, suggesting a further reduction in mortality and morbidity is possible. This could be achieved by further reductions in smoking, cholesterol and blood pressure, especially among people from areas with low socio-economic status.

• Constipation in Australian women: prevalence and associated factors.

  Authors: P Chiarelli, W Brown, P McElduff

  International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction. 02/2000; 11(2):71-8.

  A postal health survey was completed by 14761 young women (aged 18-23 years), 14070 middle-aged women (45-50 years) and 12893 older women (70-75 years). The prevalence of constipation was 14.1% (CIA postal health survey was completed by 14761 young women (aged 18-23 years), 14070 middle-aged women (45-50 years) and 12893 older women (70-75 years). The prevalence of constipation was 14.1% (CI 13.5-14.7) in young women, 26.6% (CI 25.9-27.4) in middle-aged women, and 27% (CI 26.9-28.5) in the older women. The prevalence of hemorrhoids was 3.2% (CI 2.9-3.4 young), 17.7% (CI 17.1-18.4 middle-aged) and 18.3% (CI 17.6-19.0 older). In the middle-aged and older women, those who reported previous gynecologic surgery were between 18% and 63% more likely to report constipation; in the younger cohort, women with one or two children were also more likely to report constipation (adjusted OR 1.43-1.46). One-third of the young women and half the middle-aged and older women had sought help for constipation; the majority indicated that they were satisfied with the help available to them.

• Changing patterns of coronary heart disease in the hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.

  Authors: A J Dobson, P McElduff, R Heller, H Alexander, P Colley, K D'Este

  Journal of clinical epidemiology. 09/1999; 52(8):761-71.

  A population-based observational study of men and women aged 35-69 years in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, was conducted to assess the impact of risk-factor modification andA population-based observational study of men and women aged 35-69 years in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, was conducted to assess the impact of risk-factor modification and increased drug therapy on the trends in major coronary events and case fatality. From 1985 to 1993, there were 3006 coronary deaths and 6450 nonfatal major coronary events. Rates of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction declined, but there was an increase in hospital admissions for prolonged chest pain. Reductions in cigarette smoking, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and increased use of aspirin can fully explain the 3.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4, 4.2) average annual reduction in rates of major coronary events for men and the 4.1% (95% CI 2.7, 5.5) reduction for women. In contrast, increased use of aspirin, beta-blockers, fibrinolytic therapy, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors explain less than half of the 8.9% (95% CI 5.9, 11.8) and 6.9% (95% CI 2.7, 10.9) average annual reduction in case fatality in hospital for men and women, respectively. These trends suggest a decline in severity of coronary heart disease consistent with reductions in risk-factor levels and improved acute medical treatment.

• Reducing coronary heart disease in the Australian Coalfields: evaluation of a 10-year community intervention.

  Authors: N Higginbotham, G Heading, P McElduff, A Dobson, R Heller

  Social science & medicine (1982). 04/1999; 48(5):683-92.

  Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death in Australia with the Coalfields district of New South Wales having one of the country's highest rates. Identification of the Coalfields epidemic inCoronary heart disease is a leading cause of death in Australia with the Coalfields district of New South Wales having one of the country's highest rates. Identification of the Coalfields epidemic in the 1970's led to the formation of a community awareness program in the late 1980's (the healthy heart support group) followed by a more intense community action program in 1990, the Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat (CHHB). CHHB is a coalition of community members, local government officers, health workers and University researchers. We evaluate the CHHB program, examining both the nature and sustainability of heart health activities undertaken, as well as trends in risk factor levels and rates of coronary events in the Coalfields in comparison with nearby local government areas. Process data reveal difficulties mobilising the community as a whole; activities had to be selected for interested subgroups such as families of heart disease patients, school children, retired people and women concerned with family nutrition and body maintenance. Outcome data show a significantly larger reduction in case fatality for Coalfields men (although nonfatal heart attacks did not decline) while changes in risk factors levels were comparable with surrounding areas. We explain positive responses to the CHHB by schools, heart attack survivors and women interested in body maintenance in terms of the meaning these subgroups find in health promotion discourses based on their embodied experiences. When faced with a threat to one's identity, health discourse suddenly becomes meaningful along with the regimens for health improvement. General public disinterest in heart health promotion is examined in the context of historical patterns of outsiders criticising the lifestyle of miners, an orientation toward communal rather than individual responsibility for health (i.e. community 'owned' emergency services and hospitals) and anger about risks from environmental hazards imposed by industrialists.

• Leaking urine: prevalence and associated factors in Australian women.

  Authors: P Chiarelli, W Brown, P McElduff

  Neurourology and urodynamics. 02/1999; 18(6):567-77.

  The Women's Health Australia project provided the opportunity to examine the prevalence of leaking urine and associated variables in three large cohorts of Australian women 18-23 years of ageThe Women's Health Australia project provided the opportunity to examine the prevalence of leaking urine and associated variables in three large cohorts of Australian women 18-23 years of age ("young" N = 14,761), 45-50 ("mid-age" N = 14,070), and 70-75 ("older" N = 12, 893). The proportion of women reporting leaking urine was 12.8% (95% CI: 12.2-13.3), 36.1% (35.2- 37.0), and 35% (34.1- 35.9) in each of the three cohorts, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between leaking urine and parity in the young and mid-age women, and between leaking urine and constipation, other bowel symptoms, body mass index, and urine that burns or stings in all three groups. In the mid-age and older cohorts, women who reported having both hysterectomy and prolapse repair, or prolapse repair alone, were also more likely to report leaking urine. Lower scores on the physical and mental component summary scores of the medical outcomes survey short form (36 items) questionnaire suggest lower quality of life among women who report leaking urine, compared with those who do not. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:567-577, 1999.

• Rapid reduction in coronary risk for those who quit cigarette smoking.

  Authors: P McElduff, A Dobson, R Beaglehole, R Jackson

  Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. 01/1999; 22(7):787-91.

  The objective of this study was to determine the rate of the decline in risk of a major coronary event after quitting cigarette smoking. It was a population-based case-control study of men and womenThe objective of this study was to determine the rate of the decline in risk of a major coronary event after quitting cigarette smoking. It was a population-based case-control study of men and women aged 35 to 69 years in Newcastle, Australia, and men and women aged 35 to 64 years in Auckland, New Zealand, between 1986 and 1994. Cases were 5,572 people identified in population registers of coronary events and controls were 6,268 participants in independent community-based risk factor prevalence surveys from the same study populations. There was a rapid reduction in risk after quitting cigarette smoking. The risk of suffering a major coronary event for men who were current cigarette smokers was 3.5 (95% CI 3.0-4.0) times higher than the risk for never smokers but this fell to 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-1.9) for men who had quit for 1-3 years. Women who were current cigarette smokers were 4.8 (95% CI 4.0-5.9) times more likely to suffer a major coronary event than never smokers and this fell to 1.6 (95% CI 1.0-2.5) for women who had quit for 1-3 years. Those who had quit cigarette smoking for 4-6 years or more had a similar risk to never smokers. These results reinforce the importance of smoking cessation. The public health message is that the benefit of giving up smoking occurs rapidly.