HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibition, type 2 diabetes, and bodyweight: evidence from genetic analysis and randomised trials.

Background: Statins increase the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to assess whether this increase in risk is a consequence of inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the intended drug target.

Methods: We used single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HMGCR gene, rs17238484 (for the main analysis) and rs12916 (for a subsidiary analysis) as proxies for HMGCR inhibition by statins.

Improvement in prediction of coronary heart disease risk over conventional risk factors using SNPs identified in genome-wide association studies.

Objective: We examined whether a panel of SNPs, systematically selected from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), could improve risk prediction of coronary heart disease (CHD), over-and-above conventional risk factors. These SNPs have already demonstrated reproducible associations with CHD; here we examined their use in long-term risk prediction.

Study Design And Setting: SNPs identified from meta-analyses of GWAS of CHD were tested in 840 men and women aged 55-75 from the Edinburgh Artery Study, a prospective, population-based study with 15 years of follow-up.

Smoking, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension as risk factors for cognitive impairment in older adults.

Background: the prevalence of all types of cognitive impairment, including dementia, is increasing but knowledge of aetiological factors is still evolving.

Objective: this study aimed to evaluate the association between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function in older persons.

Design, Setting And Subjects: a population-based cohort design involving 2,312 men and women (aged 50-75) enrolled in the University of Edinburgh Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis trial.

Accrual and drop out in a primary prevention randomised controlled trial: qualitative study.

Background: Recruitment and retention of participants are critical to the success of a randomised controlled trial. Gaining the views of potential trial participants who decline to enter a trial and of trial participants who stop the trial treatment is important and can help to improve study processes. Limited research on these issues has been conducted on healthy individuals recruited for prevention trials in the community.

Aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular events in a general population screened for a low ankle brachial index: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: A low ankle brachial index (ABI) indicates atherosclerosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Screening for a low ABI can identify an asymptomatic higher risk group potentially amenable to preventive treatments.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of aspirin in preventing events in people with a low ABI identified on screening the general population.

Intelligence and persisting with medication for two years: Analysis in a randomised controlled trial.

The study examined whether verbal intelligence is associated with persisting to take medication for up to two years. The design is a prospective follow-up of compliance with taking medication in high-risk individuals participating in a randomised, placebo-controlled trial set in Central Scotland. Participants were 1993 people aged between 50 and 77 years with an ankle brachial index View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Scottish smoke-free legislation and trends in smoking cessation.

Aim: To investigate trends in smoking cessation before and after the introduction of Scottish smoke-free legislation and to assess the perceived influence of the legislation on giving up smoking and perceptions of the legislation in smokers.

Design, Setting And Participants: Longitudinal data on smoking cessation were obtained from 1998 to 2007 on a cohort of 3350 Scottish adults aged between 50 and 75 years at baseline. All members of the cohort were participating in a clinical trial of aspirin in people at moderately increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Frequency of a low ankle brachial index in the general population by age, sex and deprivation: cross-sectional survey of 28,980 men and women.

Objectives: An increasing interest is observed in the use of the ankle brachial index (ABI, ratio of systolic blood pressure at the ankle to that in the arm) to assess cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to provide information on the distribution of ABI in a large healthy population, essential for planning implementation of ABI measurement in preventive strategies in the general population.

Study Design And Setting: Cross-sectional survey of the ABI was conducted in 28,980 men and women aged over 50 years, living in central Scotland and free of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Relationship between lifetime smoking, smoking status at older age and human cognitive function.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for clinical cardiovascular disease and may also be associated with poorer cognitive functioning in older age. We measured lifetime cigarette smoking, smoking status and cognitive function in over 2,000 men and women from the general population aged over 50 years with subclinical atherosclerosis (ankle brachial pressure index View Article and Find Full Text PDF