Cigarette smoking and myocardial infarction in young men and women: a case-control study.

Background: The effect of cigarette smoking on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) has long been investigated. However, its role on the likelihood of having MI at young age has not been well understood and appreciated. We investigated whether smoking habits can discriminate young individuals with MI from age- and sex-matched controls.

Dietary habits in a Greek sample of men and women: the ATTICA study.

Objective: Although there are several dietary guidelines accepted at the international and national level, there are indications that dietary habits in Greece have been changing, moving away from the traditional Mediterranean diet pattern. The aim of this work was to evaluate the dietary habits of a randomly selected sample from the general adult population, in Greece.

Subjects: The "ATTICA" study is a prospective health and nutrition survey.

MedDietScore: a computer program that evaluates the adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and its relation to cardiovascular disease risk.

Mediterranean dietary traditions have long been associated with lower mortality rates and better health status. The Mediterranean dietary pattern has become customary to be represented in the form of a pyramid, the base of which refers to foods which are suggested to be consumed most frequently and the top of the pyramid to those foods consumed rarely. Recently, an index (diet score) that estimates the adherence level to Mediterranean diet was developed and associated with cardiovascular disease risk and biomarkers.

The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the severity and short-term prognosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS): The Greek Study of ACS (The GREECS).

Background: Although adherence to the Mediterranean diet has long been associated with lower incidence of various chronic diseases among apparently healthy individuals, its relationship with the severity and short prognosis (30 d) of patients with cardiovascular disease has rarely been investigated.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the severity and prognosis of acute coronary syndromes.

Methods: From October 2003 to September 2004, a sample of 6 hospitals located in several urban and rural Greek regions was selected, and almost all survivors after an acute coronary syndrome were enrolled into the study (2172 patients were included in the study; 76% were men and 24% women).

The association between pre-hypertension status and oxidative stress markers related to atherosclerotic disease: the ATTICA study.

Background: We sought to evaluate the association between pre-hypertension status and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL)), in a random sample of cardiovascular disease-free adults.

Methods: The ATTICA study is a cross-sectional population-based survey that conducted in Attica region during 2001-2002. Based on a multistage and stratified random sampling, 1514 men and 1528 women (18-89 years old) were enrolled.

Prevalence of self-reported hypercholesterolaemia and its relation to dietary habits, in Greek adults; a national nutrition & health survey.

Background: The strong causal role of hypercholesterolaemia on the progression of atherosclerosis and subsequently on the development of cardiovascular disease is well described. Main aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported hypercholesterolaemia and its relation to nutritional habits, in a representative nationwide sample of adult Greek population.

Methods: Cross sectional survey.

Association between the prevalence of obesity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet: the ATTICA study.

Objective: We evaluated the prevalence of obesity in relation to adherence to a Mediterranean diet.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey that randomly enrolled 1514 men (18 to 87 y old) and 1528 women (18 to 89 y old) with no history of cardiovascular disease. Anthropometric indices were measured and frequency of various foods consumed during a usual week was recorded.

Diastolic function in young patients with beta-thalassemia major: an echocardiographic study.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate myocardial diastolic function in patients with beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) using pulsed-tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and flow propagation (VP), in relation to BNP levels.

Methods: We enrolled 192 consecutive patients with beta-TM (88 men (25 +/- 6 years) and 104 women (26 +/- 6 years), with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function. By TDI, diastolic myocardial velocities were sampled at the lateral section of the mitral annulus (Smv, Emv, Amv).

Increase in aortic pulse wave velocity is associated with abnormal postprandial triglyceride response.

Background: Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), an index of aortic distensibility, and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia are recognized as independent cardiovascular risk factors.

Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and changes in aPWV.

Methods: We prospectively studied 45 patients (mean age 48 [14] years, 28.

Inflammatory markers and in-hospital mortality in acute ischaemic stroke.

Background: There is substantial evidence that cerebral ischaemia triggers an inflammatory response. We examined the short-term prognostic value on mortality of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with ischaemic stroke.

Methods: We recruited 203 consecutive patients, under the age of 66 years (mean age=54.

Association of apolipoprotein E genotype with early onset of coronary heart disease in Greek men.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism has been associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) although its relation to the age of CHD onset is still not defined. The age of onset of established CHD was obtained from 502 Greek men and compared to 103 healthy men. The age grouping was based on the age of CHD onset (earlier < or =44 years, n = 73, intermediate 45-64 years, n = 321, and later > or =65 years, n = 108).

Association between hostility and plasma total homocysteine concentrations in a general population sample.

Objective: The present study focuses on testing the association of hostility with plasma homocysteine levels in a general population sample.

Method: Four hundred and ten healthy adults (200 men and 210 women), participating in a health survey in Greece, had blood samples taken for homocysteine concentrations and also completed a multidimensional hostility questionnaire, assessing direction of hostility ('extra- and intropunitive') as well as total hostility and its ingredients, i.e.

The relationship between fish consumption and the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes among smokers: the CARDIO2000 case-control study.

Background And Aim: We sought to investigate the relationship between fish consumption and the risk of developing non-fatal acute coronary syndromes (ACS) among current smokers.

Methods And Results: During 2000-2001, we conducted the CARDIO2000 case-control study that included patients hospitalized for a first event of ACS and matched (age, sex) individuals without clinical evidence of CHD (controls), from all the Greek regions. In the present analysis we studied data from 519 men (59+/-10 years old) and 45 women (62+/-9 years old) patients, as well as 444 men and 90 women controls, matched for age with the patients that reported current smoking.

The implication of obesity and central fat on markers of chronic inflammation: The ATTICA study.

Objective: We evaluated the association of obesity with various markers of chronic inflammation, in a population-based sample of 3,042 adults.

Methods: During 2001-2002, we randomly enrolled 1,514 men (18-87 years old) and 1,528 women (18-89 years old), from the Attica area, Greece; the sampling was stratified by the age-sex distribution of the region (census 2001). Among several variables, we also measured various inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, amyloid A, white blood cells and interleukin-6) and anthropometric variables (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences).

Apolipoprotein E genotype in matched men and women with coronary heart disease.

Apolipoprotein E (apo E) plays an important role in lipid metabolism and its polymorphism may be a risk determinant of coronary heart disease (CHD). Since evidence suggested a gender-specific effect of apo E polymorphism, we studied the influence of gender-specific interaction of the polymorphism on CHD. From a total of 463 Greek Caucasians (314 men and 149 postmenopausal women) with angiographically documented CHD, we selected 79 women (68+/- 9 yr old) and 79 men (66+/- 9 yr old) who were matched for clinical characteristics.

The relation between pulse pressure and cardiovascular mortality in 12,763 middle-aged men from various parts of the world: a 25-year follow-up of the seven countries study.

Background: Hypertension is a dominant characteristic in the prediction of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We aimed to evaluate the association of blood pressure measurements with CVD mortality among different populations of the world.

Methods: A total of 12 763 men, aged 40 to 59 years, from 7 countries (United States, Japan, Italy, Greece, former Yugoslavia, Finland, and the Netherlands) were surveyed from 1958 to 1964.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with total antioxidant capacity in healthy adults: the ATTICA study.

Background: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Objective: We studied the effect of the Mediterranean diet on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in 3042 participants who had no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease.

Design: During 2001-2002, a random sample of 1514 men and 1528 women aged 18-89 y from the Attica area of Greece was selected.

Implication of socio-economic status on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Greek adults: the ATTICA study.

Background: Although ooverweight and obesity are considered as a health problem that affects millions of people worldwide, the implication of socio-economic status (SES) in these healthy conditions have rarely been investigated. We evaluated the associations of overweight and obesity with SES, in a population based sample of Greek adults.

Methods: During 2001-2002 we randomly enrolled 1514 men (18-87 years old) and 1528 women (18-89 years old), stratified by the age-sex distribution (census 2001) of the Attica area, Greece.

Diet, lifestyle factors and hypercholesterolemia in elderly men and women from Cyprus.

Background: We sought to investigate the single and combined effect of Mediterranean diet, being physically active, moderate alcohol use, and non-smoking on clinical status of 150 elderly people from Cyprus.

Methods: The study comprises individuals enrolled in surveys from Greece and Cyprus. This work includes 53 apparently men and 97 women, aged 65 to 100 years, from various areas of Cyprus.

Total cholesterol and body mass index in relation to 40-year cancer mortality (the Corfu cohort of the seven countries study).

Purpose: We evaluated risk factors of cancer mortality based on a 40-year follow-up of the Corfu cohort (Seven Countries Study).

Material And Methods: The population studied in this analysis consisted of 529 rural men (49 +/- 6 years old) enrolled in 1961. Since then, periodic visits every 5 years were made to define the causes of death of the participants.

Association between TNF-alpha -308G>A polymorphism and the development of acute coronary syndromes in Greek subjects: the CARDIO2000-GENE Study.

Purpose: We investigated the association of a polymorphism within the promoter of TauNuF-alpha locus at the position -308 on the likelihood of having acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Greek adults.

Methods: We studied demographic, lifestyle, and clinical information in 237 hospitalized patients (185 males) with a first event of an ACS and 237 matched by age and sex (controls) without any clinical evidence of coronary heart disease. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP analysis.

Anxiety in relation to inflammation and coagulation markers, among healthy adults: the ATTICA study.

Background: Anxiety is a complex feeling of uneasiness, fear and worry, which has been associated with pulmonary, cardiovascular and other adverse health conditions. The aim of this work is to examine the association of the anxious state with inflammation and coagulation factors, in persons free of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: From May 2001 to December 2002 we randomly enrolled 453 men (19 to 89 years old) and 400 women (18 to 84 years old) stratified by age and gender, from Attica area, Greece.