Medical information and blood biochemistry

The present study evaluated medical information obtained via self-administered questionnaires (education level, anamnesis at baseline and in 2012–2014, medication, frequency of depressive symptoms, smoking, and drinking habits). Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and metabolic equivalents (METs) were assessed as previously reported [16, 17]. The scoring guidelines recommend adding an additional point for people with less than 13 years of education [18]. Furthermore, blood chemistry data [triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, total protein, albumin, A/G ratio, creatinine, uric acid, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and antibodies against C. pneumonia, and H. pylori antibodies] were assessed. An IgG index above 1.1, and an IgA index above 1.1, was defined as criteria for C. pneumoniae positivity [19], and a cutoff point greater than 2.3 for the ELISA VALUE indicated H. pylori positivity [20]. The following anthropometry data were also obtained during the health check-ups: weight, height, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Anamnesis and medication history were assessed using a questionnaire. Hypertension was resting systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or being treated for hypertension. Diabetes mellitus was defined as HbA1c ≥ 6.5% and dyslipidemia as triglycerides ≥ 150 or HDL ≤ 40. Additionally, the pulse wave velocity [21], which is a potential marker of arterial stiffness, was measured in 2006–2008 and 2012–2014.