Positive association of oscillometrically estimated baseline arterial stiffness with incident diabetes and prediabetes: A large population-based cohort study.

Aims: This large population-based study aimed to investigate whether arterial stiffness, assessed oscillometrically, was associated with incident diabetes/prediabetes.

Methods: The study sample comprised 4240 participants from the Vitamin D Assessment (ViDA) Study (mean±SD age = 66 ± 8). Arterial stiffness was assessed from 5 April 2011-6 November 2012 by way of aortic PWV (aPWV) and estimated carotid-femoral PWV (ecfPWV).

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Risk Factors in a Multi-Ethnic National Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) continues to increase particularly for non-European women. This study aimed to identify and quantify risk factors for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in New Zealand to identify women at higher risk.

Methods: A national dataset of 601,166 eligible women who had ≥ 1 birth in New Zealand between January 2001 and December 2010 identified 11,459 women with gestational diabetes of whom 11,447 were randomly matched with 57,235 control women for age and year of delivery.

Evidence of a Bi-Directional Relationship between Arterial Stiffness and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.

Background: There are numerous cross-sectional studies showing an association between arterial stiffness and diabetes, but the temporality of the association is unclear.

Objective: To investigate the temporal relationship between arterial stiffness and diabetes.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and Embase from inception to 31 August 2023, to identify cohort studies that assessed whether arterial stiffness, as measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), was predictive of the development of diabetes and vice versa.

Association of Arterial Stiffness with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Significant kidney function may be lost before CKD is diagnosed. Arterial stiffness may be a risk factor for CKD and the relationship may be bi-directional. A systematic review of cohort studies was undertaken to ascertain the temporal relationship of arterial stiffness and CKD.

A Systematic Review Supporting the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines on Vitamin D.

Context: Low vitamin D status is common and is associated with various common medical conditions.

Objective: To support the development of the Endocrine Society's Clinical Practice Guideline on Vitamin D for the Prevention of Disease.

Methods: We searched multiple databases for studies that addressed 14 clinical questions prioritized by the guideline panel.

Vitamin D for the Prevention of Disease: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.

Background: Numerous studies demonstrate associations between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and a variety of common disorders, including musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, malignant, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. Although a causal link between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and many disorders has not been clearly established, these associations have led to widespread supplementation with vitamin D and increased laboratory testing for 25(OH)D in the general population. The benefit-risk ratio of this increase in vitamin D use is not clear, and the optimal vitamin D intake and the role of testing for 25(OH)D for disease prevention remain uncertain.

Arterial stiffness and incident chronic kidney disease: a large population-based cohort study.

Background/aims: Evidence from large population-based cohorts as to the association of arterial stiffness and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) is mixed. This large population-based study aimed to investigate whether arterial stiffness, assessed oscillometrically, was associated with incident CKD.

Methods: The study population comprised 4838 participants from the Vitamin D Assessment (ViDA) Study without known CKD (mean ± SD age = 66 ± 8).

Arterial Stiffness and Incident Glaucoma: A Large Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: To investigate whether arterial stiffness, assessed oscillometrically, is associated with incident glaucoma in the Vitamin D Assessment (ViDA) Study cohort, aged 50 to 84 years.

Design: Prospective, population-based cohort study.

Methods: Arterial stiffness was assessed in 4,713 participants without known glaucoma (mean ± SD age = 66 ± 8 years) from 5 April 2011 to 6 November 2012 by way of aortic PWV (aPWV), estimated carotid-femoral PWV (ePWV) and aortic PP (aPP).

Increased risk of cardiovascular and renal disease, and diabetes for all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus in New Zealand-A national retrospective cohort study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to compare cardiometabolic and renal outcomes for all women in New Zealand with gestational diabetes (2001-2010) with women without diabetes, 10-20 years following delivery.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study, utilizing a national dataset providing information for all women who gave birth between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010 (n = 604 398).

Trends in the primary healthcare nursing workforce in managing diabetes from two sample surveys in 2006-2008 and 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aim: To examine trends in the primary healthcare nursing workforce and their community management of diabetes.

Method: Two representative surveys were carried out in 2006-2008 and 2016 among all primary healthcare nurses in Auckland. Nurses were randomly selected, and 26% (n=287) and 24% (n=336) completed a self-administered questionnaire and telephone survey.

Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: Systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

To evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality in the general population and on prognosis in cancer patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) and individual patient data (IPD) was conducted. Overall, 14 RCTs with a total of 104,727 participants (2015 cancer deaths) were identified and 7 RCTs, including 90 % of all study participants (n = 94,068), could be included in the IPD meta-analyses. The main meta-analysis of the 14 RCTs yielded a statistically non-significant reduction in cancer mortality by 6 % (risk ratio (RR) [95%-confidence interval (95%CI)]: 0.

Association of arterial stiffness and neuropathy in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evidence is still emerging on the relationships of arterial stiffness with cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and peripheral neuropathy (PN). To our knowledge no systematic reviews or meta-analyses of these associations have been published. The purpose of our review was to assess the association of arterial stiffness with each type of neuropathy.

Metabolic syndrome severity score (MetSSS) associates with metabolic health status in multi-ethnic Aotearoa New Zealand cohorts.

Aim: To investigate the relationship of metabolic syndrome severity score (MetSSS) with glucose regulatory and cardiovascular disease (CVD) status in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Methods: MetSSS and MetSSS component coefficients were calculated for participants from the cross-sectional Workforce Diabetes Study (WDS) (n = 5,806) and Diabetes, Heart and Health Survey (DHAH) (n = 4,010) and compared by ethnicity (European, Māori, Pacific and Asian), glucose regulatory status [impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes) and history of cardiovascular disease.

Results: MetSSS positively associated with impaired glucose regulatory status and history of cardiovascular disease for all ethnic groups.

Prediction of Vitamin D Deficiency in Older Adults: The Role of Machine Learning Models.

Context: Conventional prediction models for vitamin D deficiency have limited accuracy.

Background: Using cross-sectional data, we developed models based on machine learning (ML) and compared their performance with those based on a conventional approach.

Methods: Participants were 5106 community-resident adults (50-84 years; 58% male).

Circulating cardiac biomarkers improve risk stratification for incident cardiovascular disease in community dwelling populations.

Background: Plasma cardiac markers may assist in prediction of incident cardiovascular disease.

Methods: The incremental value of cardiac Troponins (T and I) and NT-proBNP added to risk factors in the PREDICT score for incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in primary care, was assessed in 4102 asymptomatic participants in a randomised controlled trial of Vitamin D (ViDA). Findings were corroborated in 2528 participants in a separate community-based observational registry of CVD-free volunteers (HVOLS).

Genetic control of serum 25(OH)D levels and its association with ethnicity.

Background: Identified DNA variants associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin vitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration may provide mechanistic insights into the vitamin D metabolic pathway in individuals. Our aim was to further characterise participants and their serum 25(OH)D concentration at baseline using candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping.

Methods: 5110 participants, aged 50-84 years, were recruited from the community.

Factors associated with self-reported sun exposure in a multi-ethnic community sample from New Zealand.

Sun exposure, the main source of vitamin D, may have beneficial effects in humans, including for cardiovascular health. However, little is known about the characteristics related to sun exposure. Previous studies have surveyed participants with a demographic profile that is restricted by sex and ethnicity.

Effect of monthly vitamin D supplementation on cardiac biomarkers: A post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular diseases are controversial. Data on effects of vitamin D upon cardiac biomarkers, as surrogate endpoints of cardiovascular diseases, are limited and inconclusive. Therefore, we carried out a post-hoc analysis of sub-samples of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with community-based older adults who were randomized to receive monthly 100,000-IU vitamin D or placebo, to determine effect of monthly vitamin D supplementation on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Nurse's contribution to the diabetes annual review and funded programmes in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aims: Examine trends in nurse's contribution to diabetes funded programmes,estimate total nurse consultations, and document the division of diabetes care between doctors and nurses in general practice.

Methods: All primary health care nurses in Auckland were identified in 2006-8 and 2016 and 26% and 24% were randomly surveyed, achieving response rates of 86%and 73%, respectively. Participants completed a self-administered and telephone questionnaire detailing their contribution to diabetes funded programmes.

Atrial fibrillation detection in primary care during blood pressure measurements and using a smartphone cardiac monitor.

Improved atrial fibrillation (AF) screening methods are required. We detected AF with pulse rate variability (PRV) parameters using a blood pressure device (BP+; Uscom, Sydney, Australia) and with a Kardia Mobile Cardiac Monitor (KMCM; AliveCor, Mountain View, CA). In 421 primary care patients (mean (range) age: 72 (31-99) years), we diagnosed AF (n = 133) from 12-lead electrocardiogram recordings, and performed PRV and KMCM measurements.

Trends in diabetes care and education by primary health care nurses in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aims: To examine trends in the management of patients with diabetes by primary health care nurses, its association with diabetes education and how valued and supported nurses feel in Auckland, New Zealand.

Methods: Two representative cross-sectional surveys of all nurses providing community-based care, and patients with diabetes they consult, were conducted in 2006-8 and 2016. All participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on biographical details and a telephone interview on their provision of diabetes care.

Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregate data from randomised controlled trials.

Background: A 2017 meta-analysis of data from 25 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) revealed a protective effect of this intervention. We aimed to examine the link between vitamin D supplementation and prevention of ARIs in an updated meta-analysis.

Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and the ClinicalTrials.

Effect of monthly vitamin D supplementation on antibiotic prescribing in older adults: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Observational studies have reported that low vitamin D status is associated with increased risk of antibiotic use. However, trials on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on antibiotics are limited and inconclusive.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of monthly vitamin D supplementation on the proportion of adults with ≥1 prescriptions of antibiotics.

Effect of Monthly Vitamin D Supplementation on Preventing Exacerbations of Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Older Adults: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Randomized controlled trials have suggested that vitamin D supplementation can prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. For COPD, the benefit appears to be limited to individuals with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels <25 nmol/L. We performed a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect that monthly, high-dose vitamin D supplementation (versus placebo) had on older adults with asthma and/or COPD.