Aims It is well known that a decline in physical activity is associated with an increase of all-cause death including cardiovascular events and cancer. Few studies have examined the association between occupational sitting time and mortality. Therefore, we investigated this issue in a general population. Methods Physical activity and occupational sitting time were measured using the Baecke physical activity questionnaire in 1999. The questionnaire generated indices in three physical activity categories: work, sport and leisure-time. A total physical activity index was calculated by adding these three indices. The Baecke physical activity questionnaire was able to evaluate occupational sitting time. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox's proportional hazard regression models. Results We enrolled a total of 1680 participants, who were followed up for 15.9 ± 3.8 years. The final follow-up rate was 93%. During the follow-up period, 397 subjects died. A significant inverse association ( p < 0.0001) was found between physical activity and mortality after adjustment for age and sex. Compared with lower levels of physical activity, the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality at higher levels of physical activity was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78–0.92). Longer occupational sitting time was also significantly associated with higher mortality ( p < 0.01). The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality at longer occupational sitting time was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05–1.27). These findings were observed in males, but not in females. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular death. Further, longer occupational sitting time is associated with increased mortality.

Serum urate levels have been shown to be correlated with risk for incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) events among middle-aged or older adults. However, serum urate trajectory during young adulthood and its association with CVD events has been understudied. Using serum urate measurements collected at baseline and 10, 15, 20 years after baseline from 3563 CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) participants (mean age 25.1±3.6 [18–30] years at baseline [year 0, 1985–1986]; 46.3% Black; 56.1% female), we determined sex-specific serum urate trajectories using SAS PROC TRAJ. We estimated hazard ratios for incident CVD events (coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke) occurring after the year 20 exam through 2017. We identified 3 serum urate trajectories by sex, including low-stable (n=1251), moderate-stable (n=1761), and high-increasing (n=551). Over a median 10.6 years of follow-up, 157 incident CVD events occurred. Participants among the high-increasing trajectory group had 2.89 (95% CI, 1.88–4.43) times greater risk for CVD compared with the low-stable trajectory group. The association was attenuated after adjustment for blood pressure levels during young adulthood. In conclusion, high-increasing serum urate trajectory during young adulthood was associated with incident CVD by middle age, and the association may be explained by blood pressure levels during the exposure period.

Background There is little data on the association between the lower nutrition represented by serum albumin levels and related factors in a general population. The present study aimed to determine whether the albumin level positioned as some kind of biomarker with frailty measures, trace elements, and an inflammation marker. Methods In 2018, we performed an epidemiological survey in 1368 subjects who resided in Tanushimaru, Japan, in which we examined the blood chemistry including albumin, trace elements, hormone levels, and carotid ultrasonography. Albumin levels were categorized into 4 groups (G1 [3.2–3.9 mg/dL], G2 [4.0–4.3 mg/dL], G3 [4.4–4.6 mg/dL], and G4 [4.7–5.3 mg/dL]). The participants underwent measurements of handgrip strength and were tested by asking to walk 5 m. Their cognitive functions were evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Results Multiple stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that albumin levels were significantly and independently associated with age (inversely), systolic blood pressures, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), MMSE score, frailty measures (handgrip strength), an inflammation marker (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), hormones (growth hormone (inversely) and insulin-like growth factor-1), and trace elements (calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc), with a linear trend. Conclusions Lower albumin levels, even in the normal range, were found to be related factors of frailty measures, trace elements, and an inflammation marker in a general population.

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