Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 28;13(1):20935. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48296-x.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:38017095 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-48296-x
Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 28;13(1):20970. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48032-5.
ABSTRACT
Muscular strength represents a specific component of health-related fitness. Hand grip strength is used as a simple and dynamic marker of maximum voluntary force of the hand and to estimate overall strength. Today, little is known about the relationship between grip strength and health in forcibly displaced populations. In the present study, we examined whether grip strength is associated with various health outcomes in a sample of forcibly displaced people living in a Greek refugee camp. The present analyses are part of a larger pragmatic randomized controlled trial. In this paper, cross-sectional baseline data of 143 participants (71 men, 72 women) will be presented. In addition to grip strength, the following physical and mental health outcomes were assessed: body weight and body composition, blood pressure, total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose levels (HbA1c), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depressive and anxiety symptoms, pain, and quality of life. Linear regression analyses were carried out to examine how grip strength is associated with the health outcomes, separately for absolute and normalized grip strength scores. Grip strength was positively and strongly associated with percentage muscle mass (normalized grip strength: Stand. B = 0.58, p < .001), whereas a negative association existed for percentage body fat (normalized grip strength: Stand. B = – 0.58, p < .001). No statistically significant associations occurred between grip strength and the other cardiovascular risk markers. In contrast, we found that participants with higher normalized grip strength reported higher levels of PTSD (normalized grip strength: Stand. B = 0.36, p < .05) and depressive symptoms (normalized grip strength: Stand. B = 0.29, p < .05). No significant association occurred between grip strength, anxiety, pain and quality of life. Measuring grip strength in forcibly displaced people can be a useful way to assess their overall muscle strength. Grip strength tests are easy to implement, and results can be used to assess the effects of specific intervention measures. Nevertheless, our results question the usefulness of grip strength as a marker of cardiovascular health and mental wellbeing in a refugee camp setting.
PMID:38017094 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-48032-5
Public Health. 2023 Nov 27;226:84-90. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.10.040. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The association between asthma and COVID-19 mortality remains inconclusive. We examined the association between asthma and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19.
STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study based on a surveillance cohort in Harris County, Texas.
METHODS: Using the data of 21,765 patients who reported having at least one chronic health condition, we investigated the association between asthma and COVID-19 severity, characterized primarily by hospitalization and death. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the multivariable odds ratio (mOR) and its 95 % confidence interval (CI) of COVID-19 severity associated with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, adjusting for demographic and other comorbidities. A P-value < 0.005 was considered statistically significant after correcting multiple testing.
RESULTS: In total, 3034 patients (13.9 %) had asthma, and 774 (3.56 %) had other chronic lung diseases. The case death rate among patients with asthma and other chronic lung diseases was 0.75 % and 19.0 %, respectively. Compared to patients without the respective conditions, patients with asthma had lower odds of death (mOR = 0.44, 95 % CI: 0.27-0.69), while patients with other chronic lung diseases had higher odds of hospitalization (mOR = 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.68-2.42) and death (mOR = 1.95, 95 % CI: 1.52-2.49) (P-values < 0.005). Risk factors for COVID-19 mortality included older age, male gender, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, active cancer, and chronic kidney disease.
CONCLUSIONS: The public health surveillance data suggested that preexisting asthma was inversely associated with COVID-19 mortality.
PMID:38016200 | DOI:10.1016/j.puhe.2023.10.040
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023 Nov 23;254:111037. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111037. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have highlighted the association between cannabis use and diabetes and its complications; however, the causality remains ambiguous.
METHODS: Univariate Mendelian randomization (MR), multivariate MR, mediation MR, and linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) analysis to assess the causal relationship between cannabis use and 12 diabetic phenotypes. Summary statistics for lifetime cannabis use (N = 184,765) and cannabis use disorder (CUD) (N = 374,287) from genome-wide association studies. The primary method used was inverse-variance-weighted (IVW). A range of sensitivity analyses ensured the robustness of the results.
RESULTS: LDSC analysis revealed a significant genetic correlation between CUD and T2DM, as well as between lifetime cannabis use and four diabetic phenotypes (P < 0.05). After correction by false discovery rate (FDR), the primary IVW analysis indicates that the genetically predicted CUD is positively associated with the risk of diabetic hypoglycemia (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P = 0.003, PFDR = 0.04) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.19, P = 4.89×10-4, PFDR =0.01). Additionally, suggestive evidence links CUD with increased risks of diabetic nephropathy, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), diabetic retinopathy, and T1DM associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (P < 0.05 & PFDR > 0.05). No causal relationship was detected between lifetime cannabis use and diabetic phenotypes (P > 0.05 & PFDR > 0.05). Multivariable and mediation MR analyses revealed that glycated hemoglobin A1c partially mediates the causal effect of CUD on PDR and diabetic hypoglycemia.
CONCLUSION: This MR study suggests that CUD may have a causal role in several diabetic disease phenotypes.
PMID:38016197 | DOI:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111037
Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Sep 18;61(Suppl 2):S295-S300.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with thoracolumbar fractures with TLICS 4 classification are at the limit of surgical fixation with regards to conservative treatment; however, results in our environment are not known, which is why this study has innovative characteristics.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the quality of life in patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fractures using traditional fixation with regards to no fixation in a third level hospital.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort prospective study was carried out in patients with TLICS 4 classification thoracolumbar fractures using traditional fixation with regards to no fixation in beneficiaries from the Mexican Institute for Social Security. The SF-12 instrument, which assessed quality of life, was administered; age, sex, days of hospitalization, time of spinal cord injury were searched in the patients’ medical history. It was used descriptive and inferential statistics using Student’s t or Mann-Whitney U.
RESULTS: 20 patients participated and 9 had traditional fixation (45%). All patients had type E spinal cord injuries according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Mean age of non-fixation was 42.2 ± 12.9 and of fixation 44.9 ± 10.2; in non-fixation 6 (67%) were male. The quality of life score was 29.1 ± 0.9 in the conservative treatment and 28.7 ± 1.3 in the surgical treatment, p < 0.462.
CONCLUSIONS: No differences in quality of life were observed in patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fractures using traditional fixation with regards to no fixation.
PMID:38016177
Am J Audiol. 2023 Nov 28:1-9. doi: 10.1044/2023_AJA-22-00237. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Persons with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are at high risk for ototoxicity due to the routine use of intravenous aminoglycoside (IV-AG) antibiotics in respiratory infection management. Additionally, factors that contribute to ototoxicity-related symptom development and severity in PwCF are unknown. Given the increased risk of ototoxicity in people with diabetes, we explored the association between cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) and self-reported ototoxicity symptoms (tinnitus and vestibular problems) in PwCF treated with aminoglycosides.
METHOD: PwCF (N = 39; 25 females, 14 males; Mage = 30.1 years, SD = 10.3) were recruited from the Cystic Fibrosis Care Center at Oregon Health & Science University. Patients completed the validated questionnaires to ascertain their experiences with ototoxicity-related symptoms of tinnitus and balance function. The diagnosis of CFRD, including oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), insulin treatment, hemoglobin A1c, and cumulative IV-AG treatment history, was obtained through a medical chart review. Participants were classified into three groups based on their medical diagnoses via OGTT: normal glucose tolerance (NGT; control; n = 16), abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT; n = 9), and CFRD (n = 14). Participants in each group were further classified based on survey outcomes for ototoxicity-related symptoms.
RESULTS: There was a trend toward a higher proportion of patients with CFRD reporting tinnitus compared to the AGT and NGT groups, but did not meet statistical significance (X2 = 2.24, p = .13). Approximately, 43% of patients with CFRD reported experiencing clinically significant tinnitus lasting > 3 min compared to 11% in the AGT group and 13% in the NGT group (X2 = 3.751, p = .05). Cumulative IV-AG exposure tended to be higher in CFRD compared to other groups. High balance function was generally reported in all groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CFRD have greater ototoxicity-related symptoms. Further investigation of the relationship between CF-related comorbidities and the risk of developing ototoxicity-related symptoms is warranted to improve the detection and management of ototoxicity in PwCF.
PMID:38016170 | DOI:10.1044/2023_AJA-22-00237
Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Sep 18;61(Suppl 2):S289-S294.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with thoracolumbar fractures with TLICS 4 classification are at the limit of surgical fixation with regards to conservative treatment; however, results in our environment are not known, which is why this study has innovative characteristics.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the quality of life in patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fractures using traditional fixation with regards to no fixation in a third level hospital.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort prospective study was carried out in patients with TLICS 4 classification thoracolumbar fractures using traditional fixation with regards to no fixation in beneficiaries from the Mexican Institute for Social Security. The SF-12 instrument, which assessed quality of life, was administered; age, sex, days of hospitalization, time of spinal cord injury were searched in the patients’ medical history. It was used descriptive and inferential statistics using Student’s t or Mann-Whitney U.
RESULTS: 20 patients participated and 9 had traditional fixation (45%). All patients had type E spinal cord injuries according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Mean age of non-fixation was 42.2 ± 12.9 and of fixation 44.9 ± 10.2; in non-fixation 6 (67%) were male. The quality of life score was 29.1 ± 0.9 in the conservative treatment and 28.7 ± 1.3 in the surgical treatment, p < 0.462.
CONCLUSIONS: No differences in quality of life were observed in patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fractures using traditional fixation with regards to no fixation.
PMID:38016168
Menopause. 2023 Nov 28. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002283. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Menarche and menopause are associated with muscle loss and strength in women. Handgrip strength (HGS) is a reliable measurement method of muscle strength. However, it is unclear whether the entire reproductive period, which encompasses both menarche and menopause, is associated with HGS in postmenopausal women.
METHODS: A total of 2,354 postmenopausal women aged 45-75 years were included for statistical analysis. The reproductive period was divided into tertiles, and HGS was divided into four quartiles. HGS was measured to evaluate muscle strength. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors with the first quartile HGS, derived from quartile data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the reproductive period (exposure) and low HGS (outcome).
RESULTS: We found that the more extended the reproductive period, the lower the risk of low absolute HGS. This trend persisted even after controlling for other variables. Specifically, the odds ratio for low absolute HGS was 0.752 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.563-1.000) for the second tertile reproductive period and 0.683 (95% CI, 0.513-0.900) for the third tertile reproductive period, with the first tertile reproductive period as the reference. The odds ratio for low relative HGS was 0.761 (95% CI, 0.551-1.052) for the second tertile reproductive period and 0.732 (95% CI, 0.533-0.972) for the third tertile reproductive period, using first tertile reproductive period as the reference, after covariate adjustment.
CONCLUSIONS: A longer reproductive period is associated with a decreased risk of low HGS in postmenopausal women.
PMID:38016167 | DOI:10.1097/GME.0000000000002283
Menopause. 2023 Nov 28. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002281. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
IMPORTANCE: The neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist fezolinetant 45 mg/d significantly reduced frequency/severity of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) of menopause compared with placebo in two phase 3 randomized controlled trials. Its efficacy relative to available therapies is unknown.
OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis to compare efficacy with fezolinetant 45 mg and hormone therapy (HT) and non-HT for VMS in postmenopausal women.
EVIDENCE REVIEW: Using OvidSP, we systematically searched multiple databases for phase 3 or 4 randomized controlled trials in postmenopausal women with ≥7 moderate to severe VMS per day or ≥50 VMS per week published/presented in English through June 25, 2021. Mean change in frequency and severity of moderate to severe VMS from baseline to week 12 and proportion of women with ≥75% reduction in VMS frequency at week 12 were assessed using fixed-effect models.
FINDINGS: The network meta-analysis included data from the pooled phase 3 fezolinetant trials plus 23 comparator publications across the outcomes analyzed (frequency, 19 [34 regimens]; severity, 6 [7 regimens]; ≥75% response, 9 [15 regimens]). Changes in VMS frequency did not differ significantly between fezolinetant 45 mg and any of the 27 HT regimens studied. Fezolinetant 45 mg reduced the frequency of moderate to severe VMS events per day significantly more than all non-HTs evaluated: paroxetine 7.5 mg (mean difference [95% credible interval {CrI}], 1.66 [0.63-2.71]), desvenlafaxine 50 to 200 mg (mean differences [95% CrI], 1.12 [0.10-2.13] to 2.16 [0.90-3.40]), and gabapentin ER 1800 mg (mean difference [95% CrI], 1.63 [0.48-2.81]), and significantly more than placebo (mean difference, 2.78 [95% CrI], 1.93-3.62]). Tibolone 2.5 mg (the only HT regimen evaluable for severity) significantly reduced VMS severity compared with fezolinetant 45 mg. Fezolinetant 45 mg significantly reduced VMS severity compared with desvenlafaxine 50 mg and placebo and did not differ significantly from higher desvenlafaxine doses or gabapentin ER 1800 mg. For ≥75% responder rates, fezolinetant 45 mg was less effective than tibolone 2.5 mg (not available in the United States) and conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg/bazedoxifene 20 mg (available only as 0.45 mg/20 mg in the United States), did not differ significantly from other non-HT regimens studied and was superior to desvenlafaxine 50 mg and placebo.
CONCLUSIONS: The only HT regimens that showed significantly greater efficacy than fezolinetant 45 mg on any of the outcomes analyzed are not available in the United States. Fezolinetant 45 mg once daily was statistically significantly more effective than other non-HTs in reducing the frequency of moderate to severe VMS.
RELEVANCE: These findings may inform decision making with regard to the individualized management of bothersome VMS due to menopause.
PMID:38016166 | DOI:10.1097/GME.0000000000002281
Breastfeed Med. 2023 Nov 29. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2023.0147. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Background: Avoidance of early formula feeding (EFF) and advancement of mother’s own milk (MOM) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are important health influencers to decrease serious morbidities. Objective: To present the challenges and feeding strategy successes implemented to counteract a decline in MOM at discharge after initiation of donor milk (DM) to avoid EFF in racially and ethnically diverse VLBW infants. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively tracked inborn surviving VLBW infants and their mothers admitted to neonatal intensive care unit from 2010 to 2020 during three feeding strategy implementations baby friendly (BF), DM program, and MOM bundle. Analysis included type of feeding (MOM, DM, or formula) and maternal with descriptive and comparative statistical analysis as indicated. Results: Analysis included 616 VLBW infants. Initiation of BF program resulted in 58.5% of infants discharged on MOM with 41.5% exposed to EFF. Initiation of the DM program resulted in a decline in EFF to 5% and decline in MOM at discharge to 26%. MOM bundle strategy resulted in an increase in MOM at discharge to 41% with sustained EFF exposure 0%. MOM at discharge varied among maternal racial and ethnic backgrounds in all epochs. Early DM use was not different among mothers by race or ethnicity with DM by African American (AA) mothers 89% > White mothers 83% > Other/Hispanic mothers 75%. MOM at discharge was lowest for AA mothers 33% < Hispanic mothers 40% < White mothers 55% < Asian/Other mothers at 60%. Conclusion: Changes in VLBW feeding strategies to avoid EFF utilizing DM can be successful among diverse maternal racial and ethnic populations. Nursing and maternal education coupled with early lactation support and attention to maternal individual long-term feeding plans were critical to improve MOM at discharge among mothers of all racial-ethnic backgrounds for successful attainment of MOM utilization in term corrected VLBW infants at discharge.
PMID:38016149 | DOI:10.1089/bfm.2023.0147