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Olive oil consumption and 10-year (2002–2012) cardiovascular disease incidence: the ATTICA study

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Abstract

Purpose

Olive oil, being rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids and anti-inflammatory compounds, may have protective effects against cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the present work was to examine the association of olive oil consumption with the 10-year CVD incidence in adults without pre-existing CVD.

Methods

The ATTICA Study is a prospective, population-based study conducted in the greater metropolitan area of Athens (Attica, Greece). During 2001–2002, 3042 CVD-free adults (1514 men and 1528 women) were voluntarily recruited to the ATTICA study. Among various dietary habits, consumption of olive oil and other fats/oils was assessed at baseline; participants were classified into three groups (no use; mixed use; and exclusive use of olive oil). In 2011–2012, the 10-year study follow-up was performed, recording the fatal/non-fatal CVD incidence in 2020 participants (mean follow-up duration: 8.41 years).

Results

After controlling for various covariates, an inverse association between exclusive olive oil use and the risk of developing CVD was observed (relative risk 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.66) compared to those not consuming olive oil. Further adjustment for fibrinogen plasma levels (among various inflammatory markers) showed a significant mediation effect on the previous association.

Conclusions

These findings support exclusive olive oil consumption, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, for the primary CVD prevention, in adults without pre-existing disease. Circulating fibrinogen levels appear to play a mediating role in this relationship.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the ATTICA study group of investigators: Yannis Skoumas, Natasa Katinioti, Labros Papadimitriou, Constantina Masoura, Spiros Vellas, Yannis Lentzas, Manolis Kambaxis, Konstanitna Paliou, Vassiliki Metaxa, Agathi Ntzouvani, Dimitris Mpougatas, Nikolaos Skourlis, Christina Papanikolaou, Aikaterini Kalogeropoulou, Evangelia Pitaraki, Alexandros Laskaris, Mihail Hatzigeorgiou and Athanasios Grekas, Eleni Kokkou for either assistance in the initial physical examination and follow-up evaluation, Efi Tsetsekou for her assistance in psychological evaluation and follow-up evaluation, as well as laboratory team: Carmen Vassiliadou and George Dedousis (genetic analysis), Marina Toutouza-Giotsa, Constantina Tselika and Sia Poulopouloou (biochemical analysis) and Maria Toutouza for the database management.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 176 71, Athens, Greece

    Georgia-Maria Kouli, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Ioannis Kyrou, Emanuela Magriplis, Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou & Constantine Tsigos

  2. Aston Medical Research Institute, Aston Medical School, Aston University, B4 7ET, Birmingham, UK

    Ioannis Kyrou

  3. WISDEM, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK

    Ioannis Kyrou

  4. Translational and Experimental Medicine, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

    Ioannis Kyrou

  5. Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia

    Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos & Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou

  6. First Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, 115 28, Athens, Greece

    Christina Chrysohoou, Dimitrios Tousoulis & Christos Pitsavos

Authors
  1. Georgia-Maria Kouli
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  2. Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
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  3. Ioannis Kyrou
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  4. Emanuela Magriplis
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  5. Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou
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  6. Christina Chrysohoou
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  7. Constantine Tsigos
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  8. Dimitrios Tousoulis
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  9. Christos Pitsavos
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Contributions

GMK had the concept of the paper, performed data analyses and interpreted the results; DP supervised the study and reviewed the paper, CC, EG CP, designed the study, critically reviewed the paper, EM, IK, CT, DT critically reviewed the paper. All authors approved the final version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

D.B. Panagiotakos and E. Georgousopoulou received research grants by Coca-Cola SA. The ATTICA Study has been funded by research grants from the Hellenic Cardiology Society and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society.

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Kouli, GM., Panagiotakos, D.B., Kyrou, I. et al. Olive oil consumption and 10-year (2002–2012) cardiovascular disease incidence: the ATTICA study. Eur J Nutr 58, 131–138 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1577-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1577-x

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