T Laatikainen

Publications (12)62.24 Total impact

• Article: The effects of control of systolic and diastolic hypertension on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in a community-based population cohort.

  N C Barengo, R Antikainen, M Kastarinen, T Laatikainen, J Tuomilehto
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of this study (follow-up of 26 113 people) was to investigate differences in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality among hypertensive people according to the control of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). People with a history of coronary heart disease, heart failure, cancer or incomplete data at baseline (n=1113) were excluded from the study. The participants were classified into six groups according to their blood pressure status. Treated hypertensive individuals with controlled SBP and DBP did not experience an increase in all-cause mortality compared with normotensive people. The increase in all-cause mortality was 1.48-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-2.01) among those who were treated with antihypertensive drugs and had only their DBP controlled and 1.45-fold (95% CI 1.04-2.02) among those who were treated and had only their SBP controlled. Treated patients with both SBP and DBP controlled did not have an increased risk of CVD mortality when compared with normotensive people. The risk of CVD mortality was statistically significantly higher in treated hypertensive people with SBP alone, DBP alone or both SBP and DBP uncontrolled. Our study indicates that uncontrolled SBP alone and DBP alone are risk factors of all-cause and CVD mortality.Journal of Human Hypertension advance online publication, 21 March 2013; doi:10.1038/jhh.2013.22.
  Journal of human hypertension 03/2013; · 2.80 Impact Factor
• Article: IgE response to Ascaris lumbricoides in Russian children indicates IgE responses to common environmental allergens.

  J-P Koskinen, T Laatikainen, L von Hertzen, E Vartiainen, T Haahtela
  Allergy 03/2011; 66(8):1122-3. · 6.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Allergy gap between Finnish and Russian Karelia on increase.

  Tiina Laatikainen, L von Hertzen, J-P Koskinen, M J Mäkelä, P Jousilahti, T U Kosunen, T Vlasoff, M Ahlström, E Vartiainen, T Haahtela
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  ABSTRACT: Multinational time-trend analyses of atopic disease have shown that the East-West gradients in prevalence are shrinking. We set out to clarify whether the disparities in the occurrence of atopy and atopic diseases in Finnish and Russian Karelia during the past 10 years have diminished and how the prevalence of atopy has evolved with successive years of birth. Two surveys with identical methodology were performed in 1997/1998 and 2007. The study population comprised randomly selected adults, aged 25-54 years, from Finnish and Russian Karelia. Serum samples were collected for total and specific IgE measurements. Clinical data were obtained by questionnaires. Sensitization rates to birch pollen increased from 7.8% to 14.8% (P < 0.001) and to cat from 6.1% to 10.8% (P < 0.001) in Finland. In Russia, no significant increase was found. Contrary to this, total IgE remained stable in Finland but decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in Russia. Analyses based on years of birth revealed that the prevalence of sensitization to allergens increased with successive birth years in Finland, but remained stable in Russia. Over the 10 years, self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma increased from 5.5% to 8.1% (P = 0.05) and hay fever from 8.1% to 13.2% (P < 0.001) in Finland. Disparities in the prevalence of atopy and atopic disease between Finnish and Russian Karelia have further grown. The 'allergy epidemic' continues in Finland and is mainly attributable to the years of birth effect shown in atopy prevalence. In Russia, no signs of the epidemic are discernible, although the decrease in total IgE may indicate a change in environmental exposure.
  Allergy 01/2011; 66(7):886-92. · 6.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Exhaled nitric oxide in contrasting population samples of Finnish and Russian Karelia.

  L P Malmberg, T Laatikainen, L von Hertzen, M J Mäkelä, E Vartiainen, T Haahtela
  European Respiratory Journal 06/2010; 35(6):1416-8. · 5.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Despite evidence-based guidelines, systolic blood pressure remains inadequately controlled in older hypertensive adults.

  R L Antikainen, M J Kastarinen, P Jousilahti, M Peltonen, T Laatikainen, N Beckett, R Peters, J Jokelainen, N C Barengo, J O Tuomilehto
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  ABSTRACT: We aimed to assess the trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Finnish men and women aged 60-74 years. Three independent cross-sectional population surveys were conducted in 1997, 2002 and 2007 in the province of North Karelia and the region of Helsinki-Vantaa. Random samples were selected from the national population register. The total number of participants was 3282. In 2007, the prevalence of hypertension was 79% in men and 78% in women. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (in men, 151 mm Hg in 1997, 148 mm Hg in 2002 and 149 mm Hg in 2007; in women 150, 149 and 149 mm Hg, respectively) and prevalence of hypertension (77% in 1997, 74% in 2002 and 79% in 2007 in men; 75, 75 and 78% in women, respectively) remained stable. The mean diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased in both genders. Awareness of hypertension increased from 60 to 71% in men (P<0.001 for trend) and from 66 to 76% (P=0.012) in women. The prevalence of antihypertensive drug treatment among hypertensive people increased from 35 to 56% in both genders (P<0.001). The proportion of treated hypertensive patients with adequately controlled BP increased from 16 to 32% in men (P<0.001) and from 16 to 30% in women (P=0.003). Hypertension care in older adults has improved in Finland during 1997 to 2007. The situation is not optimal: the main problem in this age group is high SBP.
  Journal of human hypertension 11/2009; 24(7):439-46. · 2.80 Impact Factor
• Article: Opposite gene by environment interactions in Karelia for CD14 and CC16 single nucleotide polymorphisms and allergy.

  G Zhang, S-K Khoo, T Laatikainen, P Pekkarinen, E Vartiainen, L von Hertzen, C M Hayden, J Goldblatt, M Mäkelä, T Haahtela, P N Le Souëf
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  ABSTRACT: Finnish Karelians have a higher prevalence of allergic disease than Russian Karelians. As both populations are generally from the same ethnic group, the Karelian population offers a unique opportunity to analyse genetic and allergic disease interactions between 'Western' and 'Eastern' environments. We investigated associations between allergic diseases and CD14 and CC16 polymorphisms in Finnish vs Russian Karelian women. Adult female Karelians (330 Finnish and 274 Russian) were recruited, examined for a range of symptoms and conditions including rhinitis, itchy rash, asthma and atopy and genotyped for CD14 C-159T and CC16 A38G. For both CD14 C-159T and CC16 A38G, the risk allele for atopic phenotypes in Finnish Karelia was the protective allele in Russian Karelia. For CD14 C-159T, an interactive effect on ever itchy rash (P(interaction) = 0.004), itchy rash <12 mo (P(interaction) = 0.001) and dry cough at night in the past 12 months (<12 months) (P(interaction) = 0.011) was found; the risk allele was C in Russians and T in Finns. For CC16 A38G, an interaction was significant for ever rhinitis (P(interaction) = 0.006), rhinitis <12 mo (P(interaction) = 0.004), and marginally significant for ever hayfever (P(interaction) = 0.07), allergic eye symptoms <12 mo (P(interaction) = 0.09); their risk allele was G in Russians and A in Finns. An Eastern vs Western environment appears to exert an effect via opposite alleles on risk of allergic diseases in adult women.
  Allergy 02/2009; 64(9):1333-41. · 6.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Is house dust mite monosensitization associated with clinical disease?

  L C von Hertzen, T Laatikainen, S Pennanen, M J Mäkelä, T Haahtela
  Allergy 04/2008; 63(3):379-81. · 6.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Herpes simplex virus and atopy in Finnish and Russian Karelian children.

  L C von Hertzen, P T Pekkarinen, T Laatikainen, M J Mäkelä, T Haahtela
  European Respiratory Journal 11/2007; 30(4):809-10. · 5.89 Impact Factor
• Article: A disparity in the association of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema with allergen-specific IgE between Finnish and Russian Karelia.

  P T Pekkarinen, L von Hertzen, T Laatikainen, M J Mäkelä, P Jousilahti, T U Kosunen, V Pantelejev, E Vartiainen, T Haahtela
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  ABSTRACT: A substantial variation in the association of asthma, rhinitis and eczema with elevated serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels between different populations has been reported. Here, we wanted to clarify whether these proportions are different in Finnish and Russian Karelia, and compared the ability of questionnaires, skin prick tests (SPT) and sIgE measurements to detect atopic conditions in these adjacent areas with different living conditions. Randomly selected schoolchildren, aged 6-16 years, and their mothers from Finland (n = 344 children, 344 mothers) and Russia (427 and 284 respectively) participated. SPTs and sIgE measurements to common inhalant and food allergens were performed. The occurrence of asthma, rhinitis, eczema and related symptoms was assessed with an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood-based questionnaire. Correlation between SPT and sIgE was estimated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The rate of positive sIgE results was significantly higher in Finland among both mothers and children. Seventy-seven per cent of Finnish children and 43% of Russian children with asthma were sIgE positive. The respective figures for hay fever were 94% and 67%, and for eczema 68% and 41%. This discrepancy was similar but of lower magnitude among mothers. The overall occurrence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema was very low in Russian Karelia. The correlation between SPT and sIgE results was generally good. Asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Russian Karelia are not only rare but also, to a large extent, have no sIgE component. Therefore, the ability of questionnaires to detect sIgE-mediated atopic conditions in this area of Russia is poor.
  Allergy 04/2007; 62(3):281-7. · 6.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Microbial content of drinking water in Finnish and Russian Karelia - implications for atopy prevalence.

  L von Hertzen, T Laatikainen, T Pitkänen, T Vlasoff, M J Mäkelä, E Vartiainen, T Haahtela
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  ABSTRACT: The influence of microbial quality of drinking water from different sources on the occurrence of atopy has been poorly examined. This study was undertaken to clarify the association between the overall microbial content in drinking water and the occurrence of atopy among schoolchildren from two neighbouring areas with profound differences in living conditions and lifestyles. Drinking water samples were obtained from kitchens of nine schools in North Karelia, Finland and of nine schools from Pitkäranta, the Republic of Karelia, Russia. The pupils of these schools were participants of the Karelian Allergy Study. Occurrence of atopy, determined by skin prick test positivity (one or more) to 14 common airborne and food allergens, was measured in all 563 children, aged 7-16 years, from these 18 schools. Water samples were analysed using standard methods for drinking water analyses including viable counts for Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, coliform bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria. In addition, total cell counts including both viable and nonviable bacteria, algae and protozoans were assessed using epifluorescence microscope with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. In Finland, 29% of the children were sensitized to birch when compared with 2% of the Russian children (P < 0.0001). Overall, sensitization rates for any of the pollens were 39% and 8% (P < 0.0001), and for any of the allergens 48% and 16%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Because of substantial differences in raw water sources and treatment practices, the total numbers of microbial cells in drinking water were many-fold higher in Russia than in Finland. A dose-response relationship was found for occurrence of atopy and the DAPI value indicative of microbial cell content in the water (P < 0.0001). Further, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high (>10(6) cells/ml) and intermediate (10(5)-10(6) cells/ml) DAPI values were associated with reduced risk of atopy (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.20-0.57 and 0.39, 0.23-0.69, respectively), independently from other factors. High overall content of micro-organisms in drinking water may be associated with reduced risk of atopy, independently from other determinants.
  Allergy 04/2007; 62(3):288-92. · 6.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Socio-economic status and abdominal obesity among Finnish adults from 1992 to 2002.

  S Sarlio-Lähteenkorva, K Silventoinen, M Lahti-Koski, T Laatikainen, P Jousilahti
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  ABSTRACT: To examine 10-year changes in waist circumference (WC) and identify socio-economic groups having higher WC than expected by their body mass index (BMI). Population based cross-sectional surveys carried out in four regions of Finland in 1992, 1997 and 2002. A total of 9026 women and 8173 men, aged 25-64 years. Waist circumference, BMI, socio-economic indicators (education, household income, employment status, marital status) and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity). In 2002, women had about 2.7 cm and men about 1.0 cm higher WC than subjects 10 years previously. Waist circumference increased more than BMI among women, especially among unemployed women. Higher WC among non-employed women was not explained by socio-economic indicators or health behaviors. Among men, smaller WC was associated with lower socio-economic status. However, associations partly disappeared after adjustment for health behaviors including physical activity at work. Socio-economic patterning of WC is divergent and gender-specific. More attention should be paid to increasing waistlines among women.
  International Journal of Obesity 12/2006; 30(11):1653-60. · 4.69 Impact Factor
• Article: Exhaled nitric oxide in healthy nonatopic school-age children: determinants and height-adjusted reference values.

  L P Malmberg, T Petäys, T Haahtela, T Laatikainen, P Jousilahti, E Vartiainen, M J Mäkelä
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  ABSTRACT: Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) was proposed as a marker of airway inflammation, but data about FENO in healthy children measured with standardized methods are so far limited. In order to assess the determinants of FENO in healthy children, we investigated a population-based sample of school-age children (n = 276) with a questionnaire, skin-prick tests, spirometry, and the measurement of FENO. The FENO of 114 nonatopic and nonsmoking children considered healthy were analyzed with stepwise multiple regression analysis, which showed significant associations with age, standing height, weight, and body surface area, but not with gender. Height was found to be the best independent variable for the regression equation for FENO, which on average showed an increase in the height range of 120-180 cm from 7 to 14 ppb. In the random sample of children, increased FENO was associated with atopy (odds ratio, 9.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.9-21.1; P < 0.0001), and significantly with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, but not with asthma. Respiratory symptom-free children with skin-prick test positivity had significantly higher FENO than healthy nonatopic subjects. We conclude that height is the best determinant of FENO in healthy children. Due to the strong effect of atopy, FENO data should not be interpreted without knowing the atopic status of the child. The present reference values of FENO may serve in clinical assessments for measuring airway inflammation in children.
  Pediatric Pulmonology 08/2006; 41(7):635-42. · 2.53 Impact Factor