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Nutrients Jun 2021A food allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease with a genetic and environmental background. As its prevalence has increased significantly in recent years, the... (Review)
Review
A food allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease with a genetic and environmental background. As its prevalence has increased significantly in recent years, the need for its effective prevention has been emphasized. The role of diet modifications and nutrients in food allergy reduction has been extensively studied. Much less is known about the role of other environmental factors, which can influence the incidence of this disease. Changes in neonates gut microbiome by delivery mode, animal contact, inhalant allergens, oral and then cutaneous allergen exposure, air pollution, smoking, infections and vaccinations can be the potential modifiers of food allergy development. There is some data about their role as the risk or preventive factors, but yet the results are not entirely consistent. In this paper we present the current knowledge about their possible role in primary prevention of food allergies. We discuss the mechanisms of action, difficulties in designing accurate studies about food allergy and the potential biases in interpreting the connection between environmental factors and food allergy prevention. A better understanding of the role of environmental factors in food allergies development may help in implementing practical solutions for food allergy primary prevention in the future.
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Female; Food Hypersensitivity; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 34204606
DOI: 10.3390/nu13062025 -
Epidemiologia E Prevenzione 2015Cancer screening may represent an ideal setting for promoting healthy lifestyle. We conducted a literature review of intervention studies of primary prevention... (Review)
Review
Cancer screening may represent an ideal setting for promoting healthy lifestyle. We conducted a literature review of intervention studies of primary prevention interventions implemented in the context of established screening programmes. We identified 11 trials, 3 of which conducted in Italy. A positive impact of these interventions in favouring the adoption of cancer protective dietary behaviours was observed in all studies. A limited impact was reported for physical activity, while no effect could be observed for interventions aimed to promote smoking cessation. Long term maintenance of the observed behavioural changes and the sustainability overtime of these interventions within population-based programmes should be assessed. To enhance their effectiveness, these health education programmes should include multiple strategies, integrating and combining models of individual, social, and environmental change.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Diet; Early Detection of Cancer; Health Education; Humans; Italy; Neoplasms; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 26554687
DOI: No ID Found -
Current HIV/AIDS Reports Mar 2015In light of the 2 million HIV infections that occur globally each year, there is a need to optimize strategies that integrate biomedical and behavioral approaches to HIV... (Review)
Review
In light of the 2 million HIV infections that occur globally each year, there is a need to optimize strategies that integrate biomedical and behavioral approaches to HIV prevention. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) immediately after acute high-risk exposures and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those who engage in recurrent high-risk behaviors are promising bio-behavioral approaches to decreasing HIV transmission. Guidelines have recommended PEP for occupational and non-occupational exposures for over 15 years, but uptake of PEP has been limited, partly as a result of insufficient awareness of this intervention among persons at highest risk for acquiring HIV. However, since the publication of large randomized clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of PrEP, and the dissemination of guidelines endorsing its use, there is a renewed focus on bio-behavioral prevention. Numerous studies have recently assessed the acceptability of bio-behavioral prevention programs among diverse populations or described experiences implementing these programs in "real-world" settings. As research and clinical data informing optimal utilization of PEP and PrEP are rapidly accumulating, this review provides a timely summary of recent progress in bio-behavioral prevention. By contextualizing the most noteworthy recent findings regarding PEP and PrEP, this review seeks to inform the successful implementation of these promising prevention approaches.
Topics: Anti-Retroviral Agents; HIV Infections; Humans; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 25600106
DOI: 10.1007/s11904-014-0253-5 -
Indian Heart Journal 2020
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 32861373
DOI: 10.1016/j.ihj.2020.07.021 -
Texas Heart Institute Journal Aug 2018
Review
Topics: Aspirin; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 30374231
DOI: 10.14503/THIJ-18-6673 -
BMJ Open Apr 2020Mobile health may be an effective means of delivering customised individually directed health promotion interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary...
INTRODUCTION
Mobile health may be an effective means of delivering customised individually directed health promotion interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle-focused text messaging programme for primary CVD prevention.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Single-blind randomised controlled trial with 6 months' follow-up in 246 patients with moderate-high absolute cardiovascular risk and without coronary heart disease recruited from a rapid access cardiology clinic. Participants will be randomised to receive either usual care or TextMe2 (text message-based prevention programme). The TextMe2 programme provides support, motivation and education on five topics: diet, physical activity, smoking, general cardiovascular health and medication adherence, and is delivered in four text messages per week over 6 months. The primary outcome is change in the proportion of patients who have three or more of five key modifiable risk factors that are uncontrolled (low-density lipoprotein >2.0 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg, body mass index >24.9 kg/m, physical activity (less than the equivalent of 150 min of moderate intensity each week), current smoker). Secondary outcomes are changes in single biomedical risk factors, behavioural risk factors, quality of life, depression/anxiety scores, medication adherence, cardiovascular health literacy and hospital readmissions/representations. Analysis will be according to the intention-to-treat principle and full statistical analysis plan developed prior to data lock.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This study has been approved by the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee at Westmead (AU/RED/HREC/17/WMEAD/186). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ACTRN12618001153202.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Primary Prevention; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Single-Blind Method; Text Messaging
PubMed: 32341047
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-036767 -
Journal of the American College of... Aug 2016Two concepts, positive health and cardiovascular health, have emerged recently from the respective fields of positive psychology and preventive cardiology. These... (Review)
Review
Two concepts, positive health and cardiovascular health, have emerged recently from the respective fields of positive psychology and preventive cardiology. These parallel constructs are converging to foster positive cardiovascular health and a growing collaboration between psychologists and cardiovascular scientists to achieve significant improvements in both individual and population cardiovascular health. We explore these 2 concepts and note close similarities in the measures that define them, the health states that they aim to produce, and their intended long-term clinical and public health outcomes. We especially examine subjective health assets, such as optimism, that are a core focus of positive psychology, but have largely been neglected in preventive cardiology. We identify research to date on positive cardiovascular health, discuss its strengths and limitations thus far, and outline directions for further engagement of cardiovascular scientists with colleagues in positive psychology to advance this new field.
Topics: Cardiology; Cardiovascular Diseases; Health Status; Humans; Life Style; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 27539179
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.608 -
Current Hypertension Reviews 2019Primary prevention of cardiovascular events in older adults is a relevant problem, due to lack of evidence for safe and efficacious therapy, its costs and elderly... (Review)
Review
Primary prevention of cardiovascular events in older adults is a relevant problem, due to lack of evidence for safe and efficacious therapy, its costs and elderly quality of life, Italy's aging population is constantly increasing, so cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention in the elderly is a prime objective. Life expectancy has dramatically increased over the last 2 decades, the proportion of individuals aged 80 years and older has grown rapidly in Europe and the United States, but cost / effective ratio of CVD prevention through risk factors control is debated. It is therefore important to implement cardiovascular risk factors estimation in the elderly to maximize the quality of life of patients and to lengthen their healthy life expectancy, choosing the better treatment for each patient sharing the choice with himself when it is possible, always remembering that elderly patients often have multiple co-morbidities that require a high number of concurrent medications; this may increase the risk for drug-drug interactions, thereby reducing the potential benefits of CVD prevention therapy. Nevertheless, CVD is not an inevitable concomitant of aging. Sometimes, autopsy in the elderly reveals atheroma-free coronary arteries, a normal-sized heart and unscarred valves. All primary prevention strategy decisions should consider estimated life expectancy and overall function and not just the cardiovascular event risks, magnitude and time to benefit or harm, potentially altered adverse effect profiles, and informed patient preferences. CVD primary prevention needs to be more implemented in the elderly, this might contribute to improve health status and quality of life in this growing population if correctly performed.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Primary Prevention; Quality of Life
PubMed: 30747075
DOI: 10.2174/1573402115666190211160811 -
Current Cardiology Reports Sep 2022In this review article, a detailed analysis of the current literature is provided, along with a "glimpse" into what the future holds for aspirin in the context of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
In this review article, a detailed analysis of the current literature is provided, along with a "glimpse" into what the future holds for aspirin in the context of primary prevention.
RECENT FINDINGS
The role of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been extensively evaluated; however, the results provided over the years have been controversial. Identification of individual subgroups who may benefit from aspirin administration at an acceptable risk of bleeding complications is of paramount importance. Additionally, questions emerge at everyday clinical practice regarding the optimal use of aspirin in different phenotypes of patients due to age, sex, obesity status, frailty and diabetes mellitus. Until further data become available, the effective management of the well-established CV risk factors constitutes the milestone in the primary prevention of CVD. Moreover, based on the available evidence, the beneficial addition of aspirin in the modern era of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions for primary CVD prevention remains largely undetermined and further research is needed.
Topics: Aspirin; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Primary Prevention; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35857202
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01740-2 -
BMJ Open Jun 2017It is uncertain whether multiple health behaviour change (MHBC) interventions are effective for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in primary care. A... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
It is uncertain whether multiple health behaviour change (MHBC) interventions are effective for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in primary care. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of MHBC interventions on CVD risk and CVD risk factors; the study also evaluated associations of theoretical frameworks and intervention components with intervention effectiveness.
METHODS
The search included randomised controlled trials of MHBC interventions aimed at reducing CVD risk in primary prevention population up to 2017. Theoretical frameworks and intervention components were evaluated using standardised methods. Meta-analysis with stratification and meta-regression were used to evaluate intervention effects.
RESULTS
We identified 31 trials (36 484 participants) with a minimum duration of 12 months follow-up. Pooled net change in systolic blood pressure (16 trials) was -1.86 (95% CI -3.17 to -0.55; p=0.01) mm Hg; diastolic blood pressure (15 trials), -1.53 (-2.43 to -0.62; p=0.001) mm Hg; body mass index (14 trials), -0.13 (-0.26 to -0.01; p=0.04) kg/m; serum total cholesterol (14 trials), -0.13 (-0.19 to -0.07; p<0.001) mmol/L. There was no significant association between interventions with a reported theoretical basis and improved intervention outcomes. No association was observed between intervention intensity (number of sessions and intervention duration) and intervention outcomes. There was significant heterogeneity for some risk factor analyses, leading to uncertain validity of some pooled net changes.
CONCLUSIONS
MHBC interventions delivered to CVD-free participants in primary care did not appear to have quantitatively important effects on CVD risk factors. Better reporting of interventions' rationale, content and delivery is essential to understanding their effectiveness.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Health Behavior; Humans; Primary Health Care; Primary Prevention; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28619779
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015375