Exponent

About: Exponent is a company organization based out in Menlo Park, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Risk assessment. The organization has 1589 authors who have published 2680 publications receiving 88140 citations.

Dairy consumption and CVD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Inverse associations between dairy consumption and CVD have been reported in several epidemiological studies. Our objective was to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies of dairy intake and CVD. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify studies that reported risk estimates for total dairy intake, individual dairy products, low/full-fat dairy intake, Ca from dairy sources and CVD, CHD and stroke. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to generate summary relative risk estimates (SRRE) for high v. low intake and stratified intake dose-response analyses. Additional dose-response analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was examined in sub-group and sensitivity analyses. In total, thirty-one unique cohort studies were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Several statistically significant SRRE below 1.0 were observed, namely for total dairy intake and stroke (SRRE=0·91; 95% CI 0·83, 0·99), cheese intake and CHD (SRRE=0·82; 95% CI 0·72, 0·93) and stroke (SRRE=0·87; 95% CI 0·77, 0·99), and Ca from dairy sources and stroke (SRRE=0·69; 95% CI 0·60, 0·81). However, there was little evidence for inverse dose-response relationships between the dairy variables and CHD and stroke after adjusting for within-study covariance. The results of this meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies have shown that dairy consumption may be associated with reduced risks of CVD, although additional data are needed to more comprehensively examine potential dose-response patterns.

Radiation Safety in the Treatment of Patients with Thyroid Diseases by Radioiodine 131I: Practice Recommendations of the American Thyroid Association

Abstract: Background: Radiation safety is an essential component in the treatment of patients with thyroid diseases by 131I. The American Thyroid Association created a task force to develop recommendations t...

Recommendations for Evaluating Compliance and Persistence With Hypertension Therapy Using Retrospective Data

Abstract: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Study estimates that nonoptimal blood pressure [(BP) ie, systolic BP of >115 mm Hg] is responsible annually for 7.1 million deaths and the loss of 64.3 disability-adjusted life years worldwide.1 The associated economic burden of hypertension is also substantial. The average annual medical care cost for individuals with hypertension has been estimated at $3900 (in year 2000 US dollars) in Canada,2 with similar values ($3787) for the United States.3 The increase in medical care costs is greater for those with moderate-to-severe BP elevation (diastolic BP >104 mm Hg) than for those with mild disease.4 Although a broad range of hypertension medications have been demonstrated to reduce BP, and BP control is an achievable goal,5 reports suggest that up to two thirds of patients with hypertension are not successfully treated, that is, achieve BP control.6–8 According to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7), BP control rates are far below the “healthy people” goal of 50% set in 2000.9 A major (and modifiable) reason for lack of BP control is failure by patients to use medications as prescribed.10 Appropriate use of medications includes compliance, taking medications at the prescribed frequency/interval and dose/dosing regimen, and persistence, continuing their use for the specified treatment time period, which, in the case of hypertension therapy, is usually lifelong.11 Poor compliance with hypertension medications is associated with adverse health outcomes.12 Studies have demonstrated that poor BP control is associated with greater healthcare costs.13 For example, in the United States, inadequate control of hypertension has been estimated to result in &40 000 cardiovascular events, >8000 …