Mediterranean diet and depression among older individuals: The multinational MEDIS study.

Background: Depression has been linked to a large and growing economic and societal burden worldwide. In Europe, depression is one of the most frequent mental disorders across all age groups, but particularly in people aged 65 years and over, and higher depressive symptoms have been reported among individuals with chronic diseases (e.g.

Lifestyle determinants of healthy ageing in a Mediterranean population: The multinational MEDIS study.

Background: To evaluate modifiable, lifestyle risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults, across ageing, in the Mediterranean area.

Methods: During 2005-2017, 3131 individuals from 26 Mediterranean islands of 5 countries, ≥65 years of age, were voluntarily enrolled. Anthropometrical, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle parameters were measured through standard procedures.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition and Successful Ageing in Elderly Individuals: The Multinational MEDIS Study.

Background: The role of diet and inflammation in successful ageing is not transparent, and as such, is still being investigated. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the inflammatory potential of dietary habits in the successful ageing of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin and who participated in the MEDIS (MEDiterranean ISlands) study.

Methods: During 2005-2016, 3,128 older adults (aged 65-100 years) from 24 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were enrolled in the study.

Mediterranean lifestyle and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Background: Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern is a well-established protective factor against cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, diet quality is only one aspect of the overall healthy lifestyle adopted by Mediterranean populations. The latter has never been evaluated as a multi-factorial composite lifestyle.

Is car use related with successful aging of older adults? Results from the multinational Mediterranean islands study.

Purpose: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between car use and the level of successful aging of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin.

Methods: During 2005-2011, 2749 older (aged 65-100 years) from 22 islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the Mediterranean islands cross-sectional study. Sociodemographics, medical conditions, and dietary and lifestyle habits were derived throughout standard procedures.

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Lifestyle Health Determinants Among Older Adults Living in the Mediterranean Region: The Multinational MEDIS Study (2005-2015).

Objectives: By the end of the 2000s, the economic situation in many European countries started to deteriorate, generating financial uncertainty, social insecurity and worse health status. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the recent financial crisis has affected the lifestyle health determinants and behaviours of older adults living in the Mediterranean islands.

Methods: From 2005 to 2015, a population-based, multi-stage convenience sampling method was used to voluntarily enrol 2749 older adults (50% men) from 20 Mediterranean islands and the rural area of the Mani peninsula.

Successful Aging among Elders Living in the Mani Continental Region vs. Insular Areas of the Mediterranean: the MEDIS Study.

To evaluate the role of geography i.e., continental vs.

Skeletal muscle mass and body fat in relation to successful ageing of older adults: The multi-national MEDIS study.

Background: The determinants that promote successful ageing still remain unknown. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage (BF%), in the level of successful ageing.

Methods: during 2005-2011, 2663 older (aged 65-100 years) from 21 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the study.

Is Parental Longevity Associated With the Cardiovascular Risk and the Successful Aging of Their Offspring? Results From the Multinational MEDIS Study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of parental longevity and parental cardiovascular disease (CVD) history in CVD risk and successful aging of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin and who participated in the MEDiterranean Islands (MEDIS) study. During 2005 to 2011, 2663 elders were voluntarily enrolled. A multidimensional successful aging index consisting of 10 components was used.

Short term omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation induces favorable changes in right ventricle function and diastolic filling pressure in patients with chronic heart failure; A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3-PUFAs) seem to favorably affect cardiac hemodynamics and may benefit the clinical course of heart failure patients. The role of omega 3-PUFAs supplementation on the left and right ventricular function of patients with chronic compensated systolic heart failure, under optimal treatment, was studied.

Methods: 205 consecutive patients with chronic compensated heart failure, due to ischemic (IHF) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)-NYHA classification I-III, under optimal medical treatment, were enrolled.

The Role of Energy Balance in Successful Aging Among Elderly Individuals: The Multinational MEDIS Study.

Objective: The determinants that promote living beyond life expectancy and successful aging still remain unknown. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of energy balance in successful aging, in a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin.

Method: During 2005 to 2011, 2,663 older (aged 65-100 years) adults from 21 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the study.

Successful aging, dietary habits and health status of elderly individuals: a k-dimensional approach within the multi-national MEDIS study.

The definition and determinants of successful aging is still controversial. Although dietary habits have long been associated with aging, eating habits and behaviors have rarely been included in various proposed indices of successful aging. The aim of this work was to evaluate determinants of successful aging together with assessment of dietary habits in relation to healthcare facility use among elders living in the Mediterranean basin.

Factors associated with components of arterial pressure among older individuals (the multinational MEDIS study): the role of the Mediterranean diet and alcohol consumption.

The aim of this work was to evaluate factors associated with arterial blood pressure in a sample of older Mediterranean people without known cardiovascular disease. During 2005 to 2011, 2813 older (aged 65-100 years) individuals from 22 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) voluntarily enrolled. Standard procedures were used to determine arterial BP and pulse pressure and for the evaluation of dietary habits (including tea and alcoholic beverages consumption), lifestyle, and anthropometric and clinical characteristics of the participants.

Depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women: results from the MEDIS Study.

Data regarding the factors associated with depressive symptoms are limited, especially in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent depressive symptoms were present in postmenopausal women, to explore characteristics associated with depressive symptoms and to determine if time since menopause was independently associated with depressive symptoms. Data collected within the Mediterranean Islands (MEDIS) Study, a health and nutrition survey of elderly people living on Mediterranean islands was used.

High relative environmental humidity is associated with diabetes among elders living in Mediterranean islands.

Background: Climate variation has long been studied in relation to human health. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationship between environmental humidity, and air temperature with the prevalence of diabetes, among elderly islanders.

Methods: During 2005-2011, 1959 elderly (aged 65 to 100 years) individuals from 13 Mediterranean islands were enrolled.

Are current dietary habits in Mediterranean islands a reflection of the past? Results from the MEDIS study.

In the 1960s, the recorded dietary pattern of Southern European populations was typical of the traditional Mediterranean diet. However, diets have been rapidly changing. The aim of the current work was to examine the extent by which present food habits of inhabitants residing in various Mediterranean islands uphold past dietary traditions of the Mediterranean diet.

Cross-sectional relationship of a Mediterranean type diet to diastolic heart function in chronic heart failure patients.

Systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles play a crucial role in the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). As data about the role of dietary habits in ventricular dysfunction are lacking, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between biventricular diastolic and systolic function and dietary habits in patients with CHF. During 2007, 372 consecutive CHF patients were enrolled.

Role of right ventricular systolic function on long-term outcome in patients with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has been recognized as a prognostic factor in endstage heart failure (HF) patients and in the present study we evaluated the effect of this dysfunction on prognosis in patients with newly-diagnosed systolic HF.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 180 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed systolic HF (ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy). Echocardiographic evaluation was performed to assess biventricular function.

Correlates of low dietary energy reporting in free-living elderly: the MEDIS study.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of low energy reporting (LER) and associations between LER and lifestyle, psychological and clinical parameters, in elderly people living in eastern Mediterranean islands.

Methods: 1190 men and women, aged 65-100 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics were recorded for the study participants.

Health care access and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among elders living in high-altitude areas of the Mediterranean islands: the MEDIS study.

Aim: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationships between sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics and the presence of metabolic syndrome, among high and low altitude living elderly individuals without known CVD.

Methods: During 2005-2011, 1959 elderly (aged 65 to 100 years) individuals from 13 Mediterranean islands were enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors were assessed using standard procedures.

Dietary fats in relation to depressive symptoms by cardiovascular disease risk factors status of elderly people living in Mediterranean islands.

Mental disorders are among the leading causes for disability, with depression a common compilation of hypertension, and other metabolic disorders (lipid abnormalities, diabetes, and obesity). Fat (lipid) intake plays a significant role in the prevention of various chronic diseases. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the role of fat intake in depression among hypertensive elderly people living in the Mediterranean Islands.

Brain natriuretic peptide mediates the effect of creatinine clearance on development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: There are only limited data about the role of renal function in the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We sought to investigate whether renal insufficiency is an independent predictor for systolic dysfunction among patients who had an ACS.

Methods: During 2006-2007, 814 consecutive patients who presented with an ACS event were enrolled prospectively; of these, 284 men (65 ± 14 years) and 71 women (71 ± 12 years) developed left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <40%), 306 men (64 ± 12 years) and 78 women (67 ± 10 years) had preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction >50%), while the rest of the patients (n=75), with ejection fraction between 40-50%, were excluded from this analysis.

Associations of energy intake and type 2 diabetes with hypertryglyceridemia in older adults living in the Mediterranean islands: the MEDIS study.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the associations of bio-clinical, dietary, and other lifestyle characteristics with the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia among older individuals living in the Mediterranean islands. Information was collected for an extensive array of demographic, bio-clinical, and dietary characteristics, including serum lipids, body weight and height, and food group and nutrient information derived from a food frequency questionnaire. Serum lipid analyses showed that 37% and 35% of males and females, respectively, had elevated triglyceride (TG) levels.

Socio-economic status, place of residence and dietary habits among the elderly: the Mediterranean islands study.

Objective: To investigate whether the socio-economic status (SES) of elderly eastern Mediterranean islanders is associated with their dietary habits, particularly with adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured by the MedDietScore (range: 0-55), whereas SES was estimated using education and financial status.