Background
Consumption of maté, an infusion of the herb Ilex paraguariensis (yerba maté), is associated with increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the carcinogenic mechanism is unclear. Commercial brands of yerba maté contain high levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are acquired during the traditional drying process. The purpose of this study was to characterize exposure to PAHs in maté drinkers over a wide range of maté consumption.
Methods
We recruited 244 adults who answered a questionnaire and collected a fasting spot urine specimen. We quantified urinary concentrations of seven PAH metabolites, and assessed associations between self-reported recent maté consumption and urinary PAH metabolites by multivariate regression.
Results
Recent maté consumption showed a significant dose-response association with 6 of 7 PAH metabolites in unadjusted models (p-for-trend <0.05). After adjustment for creatinine and potential confounders, concentrations of 2-naphthol, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and the sum of 2- and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene remained significantly associated with recent maté intake. The sum of the urinary concentrations of the phenanthrene metabolites was similar or higher among maté drinkers who did not smoke than among smokers who did not drink maté.
Conclusions
Urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites were significantly associated with self-reported amount of recent maté intake, and drinking maté increased urinary concentrations of some PAH metabolites as much as smoking cigarettes.
Impact
Drinking maté is a source of exposure to potentially carcinogenic PAHs, consistent with the hypothesis that the PAH content of maté may contribute to the increased risk of ESCC in maté drinkers.
INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by sharply circumscribed erythematous plaques on the trunk and limbs. Reports are suggesting low sleep quality and increased risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in psoriasis patients.
METHODS: The present study aimed to investigate the array of OSAS in psoriasis based on the STOP-Bang questionnaire. The study was cross-sectional. The sample was sequential and for convenience. The association between categorical variables was verified with Pearson's chi-square and Fischer's exact tests, and Pearson and Spearman's correlations were used to evaluate the relationships between the continuous variables. P<0.05 values were considered significant.
RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were selected, 53 (51%) males, with a mean age of 51.7±14.8 years. Body mass index was 29.3±5 kg/m2. Hypertension was present in 38 (36.5%) and diabetes in 19 (18.3%) patients. Psoriasis was controlled in 87 (83.7%) patients, determined by the PASI Score below 10 points. Regarding the risk for sleep apnea, 36 (34.6%) were at high risk, 28 (26.9%) were at intermediate risk, and 40 (38.5%) were at low risk. There was no significant correlation between the degree of severity of psoriasis and the risk of apnea by the STOP-Bang score (p=0.6).
CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests an increased prevalence in high and intermediate-risk scores for OSA in the population with psoriasis. No association was observed between the degree of severity of psoriasis and apnea risk. Prospective controlled studies using the diagnosis of OSAS by polysomnography are necessary.
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