1.
Dietary intakes and food sources of phenolic acids in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.
Zamora-Ros, R, Rothwell, JA, Scalbert, A, Knaze, V, Romieu, I, Slimani, N, Fagherazzi, G, Perquier, F, Touillaud, M, Molina-Montes, E, et al
The British journal of nutrition. 2013;(8):1500-11
Abstract
Phenolic acids are secondary plant metabolites that may have protective effects against oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer in experimental studies. To date, limited data exist on the quantitative intake of phenolic acids. We estimated the intake of phenolic acids and their food sources and associated lifestyle factors in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Phenolic acid intakes were estimated for 36,037 subjects aged 35-74 years and recruited between 1992 and 2000 in ten European countries using a standardised 24 h recall software (EPIC-Soft), and their food sources were identified. Dietary data were linked to the Phenol-Explorer database, which contains data on forty-five aglycones of phenolic acids in 452 foods. The total phenolic acid intake was highest in Aarhus, Denmark (1265·5 and 980·7 mg/d in men and women, respectively), while the intake was lowest in Greece (213·2 and 158·6 mg/d in men and women, respectively). The hydroxycinnamic acid subclass was the main contributor to the total phenolic acid intake, accounting for 84·6-95·3% of intake depending on the region. Hydroxybenzoic acids accounted for 4·6-14·4%, hydroxyphenylacetic acids 0·1-0·8% and hydroxyphenylpropanoic acids ≤ 0·1% for all regions. An increasing south-north gradient of consumption was also found. Coffee was the main food source of phenolic acids and accounted for 55·3-80·7% of the total phenolic acid intake, followed by fruits, vegetables and nuts. A high heterogeneity in phenolic acid intake was observed across the European countries in the EPIC cohort, which will allow further exploration of the associations with the risk of diseases.
2.
Alternatives for randomization in lifestyle intervention studies in cancer patients were not better than conventional randomization.
Velthuis, MJ, May, AM, Monninkhof, EM, van der Wall, E, Peeters, PH
Journal of clinical epidemiology. 2012;(3):288-92
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Assessing effects of lifestyle interventions in cancer patients has some specific challenges. Although randomization is urgently needed for evidence-based knowledge, sometimes it is difficult to apply conventional randomization (i.e., consent preceding randomization and intervention) in daily settings. Randomization before seeking consent was proposed by Zelen, and additional modifications were proposed since. We discuss four alternatives for conventional randomization: single and double randomized consent design, two-stage randomized consent design, and the design with consent to postponed information. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We considered these designs when designing a study to assess the impact of physical activity on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life. We tested the modified Zelen design with consent to postponed information in a pilot. The design was chosen to prevent drop out of participants in the control group because of disappointment about the allocation. RESULTS The result was a low overall participation rate most likely because of perceived lack of information by eligible patients and a relatively high dropout in the intervention group. CONCLUSION We conclude that the alternatives were not better than conventional randomization.