Background Potassium intake has been shown to be inversely associated with blood pressure and premature mortality. Previous studies have suggested that the association between potassium intake and... Show moreBackground Potassium intake has been shown to be inversely associated with blood pressure and premature mortality. Previous studies have suggested that the association between potassium intake and blood pressure is modified by obesity, but whether obesity similarly influences the association between potassium intake and mortality is unclear. Objectives We investigated whether potassium intake, reflected by 24-h urinary excretion, is associated with all-cause mortality, and explored potential effect modification by obesity. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study in community-dwelling individuals. The association between urinary potassium excretion and all-cause mortality was investigated by using multivariable Cox regression. We performed multiplicative interaction analysis and subgroup analyses according to BMI and waist circumference. Results In 8533 individuals (50% male), the mean age was 50 +/- 13 y, mean urinary potassium excretion was 71 +/- 21 mmol/24 h, median BMI (in kg/m(2)) was 25.6 (IQR: 23.1, 28.4) and mean waist circumference was 89 +/- 13 cm. During median follow-up of 18.4 (IQR: 13.5, 18.8) y, 1663 participants died. Low urinary potassium excretion (first compared with third sex-specific quintile) was associated with an increased mortality risk (fully adjusted HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.61), P < 0.001, irrespective of body dimensions (HR range for all body dimensions: 1.36-1.70, all P < 0.05). High urinary potassium excretion (fifth compared with third quintile) was associated with increased mortality risk in participants with obesity (BMI >= 30; HR: 1.52; CI: 1.00, 2.30), but not in participants without obesity (BMI: <25; HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.62, 1.26; P-interaction = 0.001). Conclusions Low potassium intake was associated with increased mortality risk in community-dwelling individuals. In individuals with obesity, high potassium intake was also associated with increased mortality risk. Show less
Flens, G.; Smits, N.; Terwee, C.B.; Dekker, J.; Huijbrechts, I.; Spinhoven, P.; Beurs, E. de 2019
We used the Dutch-Flemish version of the USA PROMIS adult V1.0 item bank for Anxiety as input for developing a computerized adaptive test (CAT) to measure the entire latent anxiety continuum. First... Show moreWe used the Dutch-Flemish version of the USA PROMIS adult V1.0 item bank for Anxiety as input for developing a computerized adaptive test (CAT) to measure the entire latent anxiety continuum. First, psychometric analysis of a combined clinical and general population sample (N = 2,010) showed that the 29-item bank has psychometric properties that are required for a CAT administration. Second, a post hoc CAT simulation showed efficient and highly precise measurement, with an average number of 8.64 items for the clinical sample, and 9.48 items for the general population sample. Furthermore, the accuracy of our CAT version was highly similar to that of the full item bank administration, both in final score estimates and in distinguishing clinical subjects from persons without a mental health disorder. We discuss the future directions and limitations of CAT development with the Dutch-Flemish version of the PROMIS Anxiety item bank. Show less
BackgroundA very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is usually an indication of underlying pathology. Additionally, a moderately elevated ESRmay also be attributable to biological ageing.... Show moreBackgroundA very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is usually an indication of underlying pathology. Additionally, a moderately elevated ESRmay also be attributable to biological ageing. Whether the ESR is a prognostic factor for mortality, regardless of age, has been scarcely investigated. Therefore, the objective was to analyse the association between elevated ESR levels and the risk of mortality in a prospective cohort of the general population.MethodsWe studied data from the Rotterdam Study (1990-2014). ESR levels were measured at baseline and individuals were followed until death or end of study. Associations between moderately (20-50mmh(-1)) and markedly (>50mmh(-1)) elevated ESR levels and all-cause mortality were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsIn total, 5226 participants were included, and the mean age was 70.3years. During a median follow-up time of 14.9years, 3749 participants died (71.7%). After adjustment, both a moderately elevated ESR and a markedly elevated ESR were associated with a significantly higher risk of overall mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.35 and HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.38-2.60, respectively]. Although the ESR becomes higher with age, in a group aged above 75years, without any comorbidities, an ESR>20mmh(-1) remained associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (HR 1.29, 95%CI 1.01-1.64).ConclusionAn elevated ESR is an independent prognostic factor for mortality. Despite the fact that ESR increases with age, it remains associated with an increased risk of mortality and warrants close follow-up. Show less
Boer, A.W. de; Drewes, Y.M.; Mutsert, R. de; Numans, M.E.; Heijer, M. den; Dekkers, O.M.; ... ; Reis, R. 2018
