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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (6 results)

  • Article
  • Peer Reviewed
UCLA Previously Published Works (2005)

Introduction Mammographic breast density is a strong independent risk factor for breast cancer. We hypothesized that demonstration of an association between mammographic breast density and bone mineral density (BMD) would suggest a unifying underlying mechanism influencing both breast density and BMD. Methods In a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions Study (PEPI), participants were aged 45 to 64 years and were at least 1 year postmenopausal. Mammographic breast density ( percentage of the breast composed of dense tissue), the outcome, was assessed with a computer-assisted percentage-density method. BMD, the primary predictor, was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Women quitting menopausal hormone therapy to join PEPI were designated recent hormone users. Results The mean age of the 594 women was 56 years. The average time since menopause was 5.6 years. After adjustment for age, body mass index, and cigarette smoking, in women who were not recent hormone users before trial enrollment ( n = 415), mammographic density was positively associated with total hip ( P = 0.04) and lumbar ( P = 0.08) BMD. Mammographic density of recent hormone users ( n = 171) was not significantly related to either total hip ( P = 0.51) or lumbar ( P = 0.44) BMD. In participants who were not recent hormone users, mammographic density was 4% greater in the highest quartile of total hip BMD than in the lowest. In participants who were not recent hormone users, mammographic density was 5% greater in the highest quartile of lumbar spine BMD than in the lowest. Conclusion Mammographic density and BMD are positively associated in women who have not recently used postmenopausal hormones. A unifying biological mechanism may link mammographic density and BMD. Recent exogenous postmenopausal hormone use may obscure the association between mammographic density and BMD by having a persistent effect on breast tissue.

    Cover page: Positive association between mammographic breast density and bone mineral density in the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions Study
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UC Riverside Previously Published Works (2020)
    BACKGROUND: We assess the longitudinal associations between marijuana and cigar (little cigars and cigarillos [LCCs] and large cigars) use on subsequent initiation of marijuana and cigar use. METHODS: Data are from a cohort study of 2189 young adults recruited in fall 2010 from 11 colleges in the Southeast. We used discrete-time survival analysis to examine whether ever use of marijuana at baseline (spring 2011, freshman year) predicted initiation of LCCs and large cigars and whether ever use of these cigar products predicted initiation of marijuana use across 10 waves of data collection (2011-2018). RESULTS: The sample was 65.3 % female, 83.6 % White, 5.9 % Hispanic, and 61.8 % had college-educated mothers. At baseline, 70 % reported never using LCCs, 71 % reported never using large cigars, and 74 % reported never using marijuana. Ever use of marijuana at baseline was associated with an increased risk of LCC initiation (Incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.6, 95 %CI = 1.0, 2.5) but not large cigar initiation. Ever use of LCCs (IRR = 1.4, 95 %CI = 1.1, 1.8) and ever use of large cigars (IRR = 1.3, 95 %CI = 1.1, 1.8) at baseline both predicted initiation of marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support growing evidence that marijuana and LCCs are strongly associated and use of one substance predicts use of the other. In contrast to studies of adults, we also found that young adults who have tried large cigars may be at increased risk for subsequent marijuana use. These findings highlight the need to consider each product as a potential gateway of the other when developing interventions for young adults.
      Cover page: Longitudinal associations between marijuana and cigar use in young adults.
      • Article
      • Peer Reviewed
      UC Riverside Previously Published Works (2022)
      INTRODUCTION: We assessed patterns and correlates, including demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and social role transitions, of young adults tobacco use over time. METHODS: In the fall of 2010, we recruited a cohort of 3146 students from 11 colleges in North Carolina and Virginia. Participants completed baseline and at least two survey waves between 2010 and 2019. RESULTS: The sample was 49.8% female, 15.7% non-white, and 6.6% Hispanic. Longitudinal latent class analysis revealed a five-class model with distinct patterns and correlates of tobacco use. Limited Use (52.6% of sample) had minimal use. College-Limited Combustible Tobacco Users (18.6%) had moderate probability of cigarette, cigar, and waterpipe smoking, which decreased to no use post-college. Intermittent Sustained Polytobacco Users (10.9%) had low probability of use that continued post-college. College Polytobacco with Continued Cigarette and E-Cigarette Users (14.5%) had high probability of use of cigarette smoking and increasing probability of e-cigarette, both of which continued post-college. Sustained Polytobacco Users (5.7%) had moderate probability of use of tobacco products across all waves. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of tobacco use varied considerably. In most classes, tobacco use was highest during freshman year and in three classes, use continued post-college. Prevention activities should focus on first-year students and target those at risk for post-college tobacco use.
        Cover page: Longitudinal latent class analysis of tobacco use and correlates among young adults over a 10-year period.
        • Article
        • Peer Reviewed
        UC Riverside Previously Published Works (2023)
        Many adolescents and young adults hold erroneous beliefs that cigarillos and waterpipe tobacco (WT) are safer than cigarettes, contributing to use. Communication campaigns can correct misperceptions and increase risk beliefs. We tested point-of-sale (POS) communication campaigns focused on chemical exposure for cigarillos and WT. We conducted two cluster randomized trials at 20 gas stations with convenience stores (10 stores for cigarillos, 10 for WT) in North Carolina between June and November 2017. Within each trial, stores were randomly assigned to either the intervention (campaign messages displayed) or a no message control condition. We conducted intercept surveys with repeated cross-sectional samples of 50 adolescents and young adults (ages 16-25) per store, at baseline and follow-up. There were 978 participants (mean age = 20.9 years) in the cigarillo trial, and 998 participants (mean age = 21.0 years) in the WT trial. Rates of campaign exposure were low (26% for cigarillos; 24.3% for WT). The cigarillo campaign increased knowledge that ammonia is in cigarillo smoke (p < .01). There were also significant increases in knowledge about ammonia and cyanide in cigarillo smoke and arsenic in WT smoke (p < .05) in the sub-sample who reported exposure to the campaign. No differences were found in outcome expectancies, product attitudes, worry about chemical exposure, or behavioral intentions in either campaign. Garnering attention for communication campaigns in saturated POS environments, often dominated by tobacco advertising, is challenging. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of anti-tobacco campaigns at the POS and points to several lessons learned for future POS campaigns.
          Cover page: Point-of-Sale Health Communication Campaigns for Cigarillos and Waterpipe Tobacco: Effects and Lessons Learned from Two Cluster Randomized Trials.
          • Article
          • Peer Reviewed
          UC Riverside Previously Published Works (2020)
          We examined whether waterpipe café, vape shop, and traditional tobacco retailer (e.g. stores selling cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco) locations were associated with census tract composition and tobacco use among young adults in North Carolina and Virginia. Methods: We identified waterpipe cafés, vape shops, and traditional tobacco retailers in North Carolina and Virginia and conducted multivariable analyses between community characteristics (gender, race, ethnicity, education, college enrollment, and poverty) and density per 1000 population. Using fall 2017 data from 1099 young adults residing in North Carolina and Virginia, we conducted logistic regression analyses to determine whether tobacco retailer density and proximity were associated with tobacco use. Results: Waterpipe café, vape shop, and traditional retailer density were higher in communities with more people who were Hispanic, college-educated, and college-enrolled (each p < .05). Waterpipe café and traditional retailer density were higher in communities with more people living below the poverty level (each p < .05). Waterpipe café density was higher in communities with more people who were male (p < .05), while traditional retailer density was lower (p < .05). Waterpipe café and vape shop proximity were associated with increased likelihood of waterpipe tobacco use in the past 6 months (each p < .05; unadjusted). Traditional retailer proximity and waterpipe café, vape shop, and traditional retailer density were not associated with tobacco use. Conclusions: Waterpipe cafés and vape shops are located in both impoverished and college-educated communities in North Carolina and Virginia, similar to where traditional tobacco retailers are located. Further research is needed to examine associations with tobacco use.
            Cover page: Are Waterpipe Café, Vape Shop, and Traditional Tobacco Retailer Locations Associated with Community Composition and Young Adult Tobacco Use in North Carolina and Virginia?
            • Article
            • Peer Reviewed
            UCLA Previously Published Works (2020)
            BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with a number of medical comorbidities. However, there is a paucity of data on the role ACEs play in transitions in stages of alcohol involvement. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between ACEs and transitions in alcohol problems progression and regression between No Problems, Moderate Problems and Severe Problems stages. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data from 14,363 male and 19,774 female participants in Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). METHODS: We used latent transition analysis (LTA) with propensity score adjustment to estimate the odds of transitioning across stages of alcohol involvement, between waves, based on the number of types of ACEs experienced. We hypothesized that ACEs would be associated with increased risk of progression and decreased risk of regression. RESULTS: ACEs were associated with progression to higher alcohol involvement stages, with greatest likelihood of progression from No Problems to Severe Problems for those reporting ≥3 ACEs (males: aOR = 4.78 [CI (1.84-12.44)]; females: aOR = 3.81 [CI (1.69-8.57)]). ACEs were also associated with decreased odds of regression to less problematic alcohol involvement stages, with some distinctive patterns of associations in males and in females. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ACEs impact transitions in alcohol involvement in both males and females, affecting both progression and regression. The association is magnified for those with multiple types of ACE exposures. These results highlight the need for prevention, early identification and intervention to mitigate the risks associated with childhood maltreatment.
              Cover page: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and transitions in stages of alcohol involvement among US adults: Progression and regression.
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