Recent studies showing an inverse association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a microvascular trait, and inactive desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) support the hypothesis that after vitamin K–dependent activation, matrix Gla protein (MGP) is renoprotective, but these were limited by their cross-sectional design. In 1009 randomly recruited Flemish (50.6% women), we assessed the association between eGFR and plasma dp-ucMGP, using multivariable-adjusted analyses. From baseline to follow-up 8.9 years later (median), dp-ucMGP increased by 23.0% whereas eGFR decreased by 4.05 mL/min/1.73 m² (P < 0.001). In 938 participants with baseline eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m², the incidence of eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² at follow-up was 8.0% versus 4.1% in the top versus the bottom halve of baseline dp-ucMGP. For a 5-fold higher plasma dp-ucMGP at baseline, eGFR at follow-up decreased by 3.15 mL/min/1.73 m² [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–5.05; P = 0.001]. The hazard ratio expressing the risk of progression to eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² was 3.49 (95% CI 1.45–8.40; P = 0.005). The hazard ratio relating the presence of microalbuminuria at follow-up to baseline dp-ucMGP was 4.70 (95% CI 1.57–14.1; P = 0.006). In conclusion, circulating inactive dp-ucMGP, a biomarker of poor vitamin K status, predicts renal dysfunction. Possible underlying mechanisms include protection by activated MGP against calcification and inhibition of the bone morphogenetic protein-signalling pathway.

The fact that there are different epidemiological definitions of periodontitis and different evaluation protocols affects the estimate of periodontitis prevalence and of the influence of associated factors. The gold standard for periodontal examination is full-mouth record assessing CAL and PD. However, there are not always sufficient human and financial resources available to apply such assessment for epidemiological surveillance systems. Aim: This study was conducted to compare different protocols and definitions of periodontitis for assessing prevalence and the impact of related factors in adult patients who requested care at the School of Dentistry, UdelaR. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 410 subjects with a high burden of disease in terms of NCDs and periodontitis. Clinical examination evaluated PD in all teeth and CAL in the CPI sextants (WHO 2013). Four periodontitis criteria were defined based on two examination protocols (WHO 2013 and WHO 1997) and two definitions of epidemiological case. Comparisons were made taking the 2013 WHO protocol as a reference. Results: Comparison of the two examination protocols showed that prevalence was underestimated when the WHO 1997 protocol was used to define moderate-severe and severe periodontitis, by 20% and 60%, respectively. Conclusions: When the severity of periodontitis was not considered, the WHO 2013 protocol did not provide more information on what factors increase the chance of periodontitis. However, when severity was considered, the associated factors were different. Consequently, in a small population, it would be worth using the WHO 2013 protocol, which is the closest to the full-mouth gold standard criterion. Keywords: cross-sectional studies - periodontal index - periodontitis - risk factors - non-communicable diseases

The impact of habitual diet on chronic diseases has not been extensively characterized in South America. We aimed to identify major dietary patterns (DP) in an adult cohort in Uruguay (Genotype Phenotype and Environment of Hypertension Study—GEFA-HT-UY) and to assess associations with metabolic, anthropometric characteristics, and cardiovascular and kidney phenotypes. In a cross-sectional study (n = 294), DP were derived by the principal component analysis. Blood and urine parameters, anthropometrics, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and glomerular filtration rate were measured. Multivariable adjusted linear models and adjusted binary logistic regression were used. Three DP were identified (Meat, Prudent, Cereal and Mate) explaining 22.6% of total variance in food intake. The traditional Meat DP, characterized by red and barbecued meat, processed meat, bread, and soft drinks, was associated with worse blood lipid profile. Prudent DP, characterized by vegetables, fish, and nuts, and lower loads for bread and crackers, was associated with reduced risk of vitamin D deficiency. Cereal and Mate DP, was characterized by higher loads of cereals, bread, and crackers, and mate infusion, with higher odds of excessive body weight. No direct associations of dietary patterns with hypertension, arterial stiffness, chronic kidney disease, and nephrolithiasis were found in the studied population, nor by age categories or sex.

In Austria, childhood obesity is a public health concern. This study examined time trends in the percentage of obesity among a sample of schoolchildren from Vienna (2017–2023). The body mass index percentiles of 326 children [9.3 years old (95% CI 8.3–10.5, min–max 8.0–10.9] from the EDDY study were calculated for trend analyses. Trend analysis was performed using a logistic regression using overweight and obesity as dependent binary variables, and study year and age as independent continuous variables. The percentage change over time was calculated, including the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obesity percentages increased from 23.5 (95% CI 15.1–31.9)% in 2017 to 25.0 (95% CI 12.2–37.8)% in 2023. From 2017 to 2023, while overweight/obesity percentages decreased by 25.9 (−59.5–15.6)%, obesity increased by 6.4 (−51.2–94.9)%. A non-significant trend (p ≥ 0.38) was observed. During the first period of the pandemic, the percentage changes in overweight/obesity and obesity were 68.4 (5.6–187.9)% and 29.2 (−37.3–166.8)%, respectively. The current percentage of obesity in this sample is high and peaked in 2020 during the pandemic. These findings emphasize the need for future investigations considering the representativeness of the school-aged population in Austria to gain a broader picture of overweight and obesity trends.

Background/Objectives: Effective school-based childhood obesity prevention strategies should include parental involvement. In the EDDY (“Effect of sports and diet training to prevent obesity and secondary diseases and to influence young children’s lifestyle”) program, we aimed to describe parental perceptions of children’s body weight in a sample of schoolchildren from Vienna, Austria. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis, including 128 children from the third grade in three Viennese primary schools, was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and parentally reported weight and height. Parental perception of the child’s weight status was assessed using the question, “In your opinion, you would describe your child as being”. Children’s nutritional status was assessed through measurements. Results: Almost 15% of the children had obesity. The median SDS-BMI was 0.39 (−1.00–2.83) and 0.21 (−1.39–2.47) for girls and boys, respectively. More mothers of girls had overweight/obesity compared to mothers of boys (59.2% vs. 41.1%, p = 0.05). Almost half (48.4%) of the parents underestimated their child’s weight. The percentage of mothers with overweight/obesity was higher in the group that underestimated their child’s weight (59.3% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.018). Parents perceived 59.4% of the children as having a normal weight, while BMI classification indicated that 71.9% had a normal weight. Misperception was higher among children who were overweight (75%) and obese (89.5%). Parents of children with a normal weight were less likely to underestimate [Adjusted OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.050–0.49)]. Conclusions: The prevalence of misperception was high, especially for children with overweight or obesity. These findings highlight the need to incorporate children’s adequate weight recognition into the EDDY program as part of parents’ content.