Cappuccio, Francesco, Ji, Chen, Donfrancesco, Chiara, Palmieri, Luigi, Ippolito, Renato, Vanuzzo, Diego, Giampaoli, Simona and Strazzullo, Pasquale (2015) Geographic and socioeconomic variation of sodium and potassium intake in Italy : results from the MINISAL-GIRCSI programme. BMJ Open, 5 (9). pp. 1-11. e007467. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007467

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Abstract

Objectives To assess geographic and socioeconomic gradients in sodium and potassium intake in Italy.

Setting Cross-sectional survey in Italy.

Participants 3857 men and women, aged 39–79 years, randomly sampled in 20 regions (as part of a National cardiovascular survey of 8714 men and women).

Primary outcome measures Participants’ dietary sodium and potassium intakes were measured by 24 h urinary sodium and potassium excretions. 2 indicators measured socioeconomic status: education and occupation. Bayesian geoadditive models were used to assess spatial and socioeconomic patterns of sodium and potassium intakes accounting for sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural confounders.

Results There was a significant north-south pattern of sodium excretion in Italy. Participants living in southern Italy (eg, Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia >180 mmol/24 h) had a significantly higher sodium excretion than elsewhere (eg, Val d'Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige <140 mmol/24 h; p<0.001). There was a linear association between occupation and sodium excretion (p<0.001). When compared with occupation I (top managerial), occupations III and IV had a 6.5% higher sodium excretion (coefficients: 0.054 (90% credible levels 0.014, 0.093) and 0.064 (0.024, 0.104), respectively). A similar relationship was found between educational attainment and sodium excretion (p<0.0001). When compared with those with a university degree, participants with primary and junior school education had a 5.9% higher urinary sodium (coefficients: 0.074 (0.031, 0.116) and 0.038 (0.001, 0.075), respectively). The socioeconomic gradient explained the spatial variation. Potassium excretion was higher in central regions and in some southern regions. Those in occupation V (low-skill workers) showed a 3% lower potassium excretion compared with those in occupation I. However, the socioeconomic gradient only partially explained the spatial variation.

Conclusions Salt intake in Italy is significantly higher in less advantaged social groups. This gradient is independent of confounders and explains the geographical variation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Biomedical Sciences > Translational & Experimental Medicine > Metabolic and Vascular Health (- until July 2016) Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Salts -- Physiological effect -- Italy
Journal or Publication Title:	BMJ Open
Publisher:	BMJ
ISSN:	2044-6055
Official Date:	10 September 2015
Dates:	Date Event 10 September 2015 Published 19 May 2015 Accepted 17 December 2014 Submitted
Date of first compliant deposit:	31 December 2015
Volume:	5
Number:	9
Number of Pages:	11
Page Range:	pp. 1-11
Article Number:	e007467
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007467
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Italy.‏ Ministero della salute‏, BUPA Foundation
Grant number:	MR-12-002 (BF)

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