Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies
10:11

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies

Published on: October 22, 2014

19.7K

Dietary inflammatory index or Mediterranean diet score as risk factors for total and cardiovascular mortality

A M Hodge1, J K Bassett2, P-A Dugué1

  • 1Cancer Epidemiology and Intelligence Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|March 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Adopting a Mediterranean diet or an anti-inflammatory diet is linked to reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Both dietary patterns, the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), showed similar protective effects against total and CVD mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Dietary patterns significantly influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Understanding the impact of specific dietary indices on mortality is crucial for public health.
  • The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study provides a robust dataset for investigating these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) with total, CVD, and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality.
  • To compare the strength of association between the DII and MDS with mortality outcomes.
  • To evaluate the role of dietary patterns in cardiovascular health and longevity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study involving 41,513 participants aged 40-69 years.
  • Food frequency questionnaires, physical measures, and blood samples collected at baseline.
  • Mortality data obtained via registry linkage over an average 19-year follow-up.
  • Cox proportional hazards models used for statistical analysis, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

  • Higher adherence to Mediterranean diets (higher MDS) and less inflammatory diets (lower DII) were associated with reduced total, CVD, and CHD mortality.
  • Hazard ratio for total mortality comparing highest to lowest quintiles of DII was 1.16 (95%CI: 1.08-1.24).
  • Hazard ratio for total mortality comparing highest to lowest three categories of MDS was 0.86 (95%CI: 0.80-0.93).
  • No significant difference in the strength of association between DII and MDS for total and CVD mortality was found.

Conclusions:

  • Both the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) demonstrate comparable associations with total and cardiovascular mortality.
  • Findings support the consensus that plant-based and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns are beneficial for cardiovascular health.
  • Dietary choices play a significant role in mitigating the risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseCoronary heart diseaseDietary inflammatory indexEpidemiologyMediterranean diet scoreMortalityProspective

More Related Videos

DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat09:04

DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat

Published on: February 27, 2014

49.0K
In Vitro Rearing of Solitary Bees: A Tool for Assessing Larval Risk Factors08:50

In Vitro Rearing of Solitary Bees: A Tool for Assessing Larval Risk Factors

Published on: July 16, 2018

8.7K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.8K
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
525
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
1
Dietary Connections01:23

Dietary Connections

In biological systems, most metabolic pathways are interconnected. The cellular respiration processes that convert glucose to ATP—such as glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle—tie into those that break down other organic compounds. As a result, various foods—from apples to cheese to guacamole—end up as ATP. In addition to carbohydrates, food also contains proteins and lipids—such as cholesterol and fats. All of these organic compounds are used...
62.2K
Introduction to z Scores01:06

Introduction to z Scores

A z score (or standardized value) is measured in units of the standard deviation. It tells you how many standard deviations the value x is above (to the right of) or below (to the left of) the mean, μ. Values of x that are larger than the mean have positive z scores, and values of x that are smaller than the mean have negative z scores. If x equals the mean, then x has a zero z score. It is important to note that the mean of the z scores is zero, and the standard deviation is one.
z scores...
11.3K
Introduction to z Scores01:05

Introduction to z Scores

A z score (or standardized value) is measured in units of the standard deviation. It indicates how many standard deviations the value x is above (to the right of) or below (to the left of) the mean, μ. Values of x that are larger than the mean have positive z scores, and values of x that are smaller than the mean have negative z scores. If x equals the mean, then x has a zero z score. It is important to note that the mean of the z scores is zero, and the standard deviation is one.
z scores...
1.4K