The rs13064411 polymorphism in the WDR52 gene, associated with PCSK9 levels, modifies statin-induced changes in serum total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Objective: Recently, the minor allele of the rs13064411A>G polymorphism in the WD repeat domain 52 (WDR52) gene was associated with increased statin-induced proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels and with LDL cholesterol response to statins. PCSK9 promotes LDL receptor degradation, leading to increased serum LDL cholesterol. We investigated whether the polymorphism was associated with cholesterol response to statins.

Thiazides and the risk of hypokalemia in the general population.

Objectives: Hypokalemia is a frequent adverse reaction to thiazide diuretics, but is often asymptomatic. However, even asymptomatic hypokalemia may contribute to chronic disabilities and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of thiazide-induced hypokalemia in men and women in the general population.

Prostate-specific antigen-based prostate cancer screening: reduction of prostate cancer mortality after correction for nonattendance and contamination in the Rotterdam section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer.

Background: Large randomized screening trials provide an estimation of the effect of screening at a population-based level. The effect of screening for individuals, however, is diluted by nonattendance and contamination in the trial arms.

Objective: To determine the prostate cancer (PCa) mortality reduction from screening after adjustment for nonattendance and contamination.

Genetic variation in the PPARA gene is associated with simvastatin-mediated cholesterol reduction in the Rotterdam Study.

Aim: Recently, minor alleles of two strongly linked polymorphisms in the PPARA gene, rs4253728 G>A and rs4823613 A>G, were related to decreased CYP3A4 expression and activity. We studied whether they were associated with the cholesterol-lowering effect of simvastatin.

Materials & Methods: We identified 123 incident users with cholesterol measurements before and after starting statin therapy in a prospective population-based cohort study.

Thiazide-associated hyponatremia: a population-based study.

Background: Hyponatremia is one of the most common adverse reactions to thiazide diuretics. In the present study, we analyzed differences in thiazide-associated hyponatremia between men and women and between different categories of age, body mass index (BMI), daily thiazide dose, and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Study Design: Population-based cohort study.

Screening for type 2 diabetes in a high-risk population: study design and feasibility of a population-based randomized controlled trial.

Background: We describe the design and present the results of the first year of a population-based study of screening for type 2 diabetes in individuals at high risk of developing the disease. High risk is defined as having abdominal obesity.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2007, 79,142 inhabitants of two Dutch municipalities aged 40-74 years were approached to participate in screening.

Feasibility study of adjustment for contamination and non-compliance in a prostate cancer screening trial.

Background: The use of PSA as a screening test has become increasingly prevalent in the general population and therefore also in the control arm of the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). We present a feasibility study and impact simulation of a secondary analysis, which imitates a situation where all participants in the study are managed according to their random assignment.

Methods: The results of the Rotterdam section of the ERSPC were adjusted for contamination and non-compliance according to Cuzick et al.

Effective PSA contamination in the Rotterdam section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer.

The extent of effective prostate-specific antigen (PSA) contamination in the Rotterdam section of the ongoing European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) trial was evaluated and defined as when opportunistic PSA testing of >/= 3.0 ng/ml was followed by biopsy, similar to the regular procedure within the trial. Records of participants aged 55-74 years at entry were linked to the regional database of the general practitioner (GP) laboratory to obtain PSA tests requested by GPs in the period 1 July 1997 to 31 May 2000 (2.