Nevin Manimala

Afr J AIDS Res. 2022 Sep 15:1-10. doi: 10.2989/16085906.2022.2060843. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

HIV-infected children are now living into adolescence and early adulthood in large numbers due to the availability and increased use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, receipt of HIV status disclosure among children remains low. We assessed the association between disclosure of HIV status and adherence to ART among children in the Masaka region of Uganda using multivariable logistic regression with generalised linear models with Poisson log-link function and robust variance in Stata software version 15.1. Data were collected from 524 assenting children aged 12-17 years between March and December 2020. Results show that, although not statistically significant, children who received disclosure of their HIV status reported improved ART adherence compared to children with no disclosure. Out-of-school children with post-primary education and children on first-line ART regimens were significantly more likely to report improved ART in both crude and adjusted analyses. Innovative interventions to promote progressive disclosure of HIV status to children on ART, in school, are needed to improve their ART adherence. There is also a need to evaluate the suitability of current counselling interventions provided to children being switched to second-line ART regimens to delay the need for third-line ART regimens.

PMID:36111384 | DOI:10.2989/16085906.2022.2060843

Asian J Anesthesiol. 2022 Sep 17. doi: 10.6859/aja.202209/PP.0003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Shivering is one of the most common complications of spinal anesthesia because of inhibition of the thermoregulatory control. Dexmedetomidine and nalbuphine are the two commonly used drugs for treatment of perioperative shivering, but owing to paucity of their comparative data, we planned this study to compare the efficacy of these two drugs for treatment of post spinal shivering.

METHODS: This study was conducted on 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II patients aged from 18 to 60 years who developed post-spinal shivering of grade III or IV during elective surgeries. These patients were randomly allocated into two groups (40 each). In group D, dexmedetomidine 0.50 μg/kg, and in group N, nalbuphine 0.08 mg/kg was given intravenously for treatment of shivering. Data regarding response time, recurrence rate and success rate along with their adverse effects were noted, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

RESULTS: The mean response time was significantly shorter in group D as compared to Group N (1.9 ± 0.6 min and 4.7 ± 1.1 min, respectively; P ＜ 0.001), but the success rate in both groups was 100%. Recurrence of shivering was greater in group N as compared to group D, but this difference was statistically insignificant. Although hypotension and bradycardia were observed more in group D and nausea was observed more in group N, the difference among both the groups was statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine is a better alternative than nalbuphine for treatment of post spinal shivering with quicker response time and comparable side effects.

PMID:36111378 | DOI:10.6859/aja.202209/PP.0003

J Thromb Haemost. 2022 Sep 15. doi: 10.1111/jth.15879. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 vaccination has been associated with increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. However, it is unknown whether genetic predisposition to VTE is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis following vaccination.

METHODS: Using data from the UK Biobank, which contains in-depth genotyping and linked vaccination and health outcomes information, we generated a polygenic risk score using 299 genetic variants. We prospectively assessed associations between PRS and incident VTE immediately after first and the second-dose vaccination and among historical unvaccinated cohorts during the pre- and early pandemic. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) for PRS-VTE associations using Cox models.

RESULTS: Of 359,310 individuals receiving one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 160,327 (44.6%) were males, and the mean age at the vaccination date was 69.05 (standard deviation [SD] 8.04) years. After 28- and 90-days follow-up, 88 and 299 individuals developed VTE respectively, equivalent to an incidence rate of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70 to 1.08) and 0.92 (0.82 to 1.04) per 100,000 person-days. The PRS was significantly associated with a higher risk of VTE (HR per 1 SD increase in PRS, 1.41 (1.15 to 1.73) in 28 days and 1.36 (1.22 to 1.52) in 90 days). Similar associations were found in the historical unvaccinated cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS: The strength of genetic susceptibility with post-COVID-19-vaccination VTE is similar to that seen in historical data. Additionally, the observed PRS-VTE associations were equivalent for adenovirus- and mRNA-based vaccines. These findings suggest that, at the population level, the VTE that occurred after the COVID-19 vaccination has a similar genetic aetiology to the conventional VTE.

PMID:36111372 | DOI:10.1111/jth.15879

Magn Reson Med. 2022 Sep 15. doi: 10.1002/mrm.29443. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of gadolinium (Gd) retention of macrocyclic (gadobutrol) or linear (gadopentetate) Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) on neuron loss, neurological deficits, and sensory behavior in mice with or without stroke.

METHODS: Ninety C57BL/6 mice underwent sham (n = 36) or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) (n = 54) surgery and then received intraperitoneal injections of 5.0 mmol/kg gadobutrol, 5.0 mmol/kg gadopentetate or saline (10 ml/kg/administration) per day for 3 consecutive days. The Gd concentration in the ischemic cerebrum was quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on Day 1 and Day 28 after the last injection (post-injection, p. i.). Neuron loss, glia activation and neurological deficits were assessed on Day 1 and 28 p. i. Sensory behavior was also assessed on Day 28 p. i.

RESULTS: Gd concentrations were higher in the brains of tMCAO mice than in those of sham mice on Days 1 p. i. of both GBCAs (gadobutrol, p < 0.05; gadopentetate, p < 0.001) and 28 p. i of gadopentetate. (p < 0.001). Sham or tMCAO mice injected with GBCAs showed no significant difference in neuron loss, glia activation, neurological deficits, brain atrophy, or hippocampus-dependent memory (all p > 0.05). Both gadobutrol and gadopentetate induced mechanical and heat hyperalgesia in sham mice (all p < 0.05). However, mechanical hyperalgesia but rather heat hyperalgesia was found in tMCAO mice with the highest force tested (1.0 g) and statistically significant in both paws (right and left) with gadopentetate only (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Neither gadobutrol nor gadopentetate worsened neuron loss, glia activation, brain atrophy, neurological deficits, or hippocampus-dependent memory after tMCAO. However, GBCA administration induced mechanical hyperalgesia in sham and tMCAO mice although in the same level, which may be an important consideration for patients with central post-stroke pain and those who are sensitive to pain and about to receive multiple GBCA administrations.

PMID:36111354 | DOI:10.1002/mrm.29443

Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2022 Sep 9;14:601-606. doi: 10.2147/CEOR.S378475. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate demographic and hospital characteristics that predict hospital price transparency in the United States.

METHODS: We identified 6214 hospitals and extracted characteristics of each using the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, as well as cash prices for a representative selection of commonly performed procedures and visits from the Turquoise Health dataset. Descriptive statistics were used to determine compliance rates and price variation, and a Poisson regression model was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for predictors of price transparency.

RESULTS: Price transparency compliance ranged from 13% to 49% of hospitals, and across-center ratios ranged from 244.8 to 4789.0. Number of hospital beds was marginally associated with price transparency for more services (IRR: 1.01 [95% CI: 1.01-1.02]); in contrast, location in the Southern (IRR: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.87-0.96]) or Western (IRR: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90-0.99]) regions of the US was associated with transparency for fewer services.

CONCLUSION: Smaller hospitals as well as those located in the South and West regions were less likely to be compliant with the CMS mandate for price transparency for hospital standard charges. Additionally, the poor usability of price transparency directories on hospital websites limits information access and undermines transparency efforts.

PMID:36111322 | PMC:PMC9469800 | DOI:10.2147/CEOR.S378475

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Aug 30;13:923757. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.923757. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High prevalence of sleep problems have been founded in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with rates ranging from 50 to 80%. We aimed to study the sleep status and the occurrence of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 1-3 years, and to provide reference for guiding early comprehensive intervention for ASD children from the perspective of sleep.

METHODS: From January 1 to December 31, 2021, 74 ASD children who met the diagnostic criteria of “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-V)” served as case group while 84 typically-developing children of the same sex and age served as control group. An original Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire was adopted to compare the sleep status of children in the two groups and to conduct statistical analysis on related factors.

RESULTS: The incidence of sleep problems in the case group (78.4%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (34.5%) (P < 0.001). Compared with the children in the control group, children in the case group had later bedtime (P < 0.05) and less sleep duration (P < 0.05), and required longer time to fall asleep (P < 0.001) The incidence of sleep problems in children who could fall asleep autonomously in the case group was significantly lower than that in children who needed parental help (P < 0.05). In the case group, the longer the screen exposure time, the higher the incidence of sleep problems (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of sleep problems in ASD children aged 1-3 years is also high, mainly manifested in late bedtime, difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakenings and less sleep duration. Both sleep patterns and screen exposure can impact their sleep. In the early comprehensive intervention of ASD children, it is necessary to pay full heed to their sleep status and take timely intervention measures in order to improve the quality of life for the ASD children and their families.

PMID:36111309 | PMC:PMC9468753 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.923757

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 30;13:956780. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.956780. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of acute angle closure crisis (AACC) on the corneal endothelial cells in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) to identify the factors that cause corneal endothelial cell injury.

METHODS: We examined 154 patients who visited Qingdao Eye Hospital for AACC in one eye (154 eyes; 28 men and 126 women; mean age of 68 ± 8 years). We divided the participants into non-DM, DM well-control, and DM poor-control groups, with the unaffected eyes used as controls. Each participant was evaluated at the hospital while under AACC. We measured the relevant index and corneal parameters of the participants for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: There were significant statistical differences in corneal parameters among the three groups. The decreased levels of central endothelial cell density (CD) and the percentage of hexagonal cells (6A) were statistically relevant among the groups (P<0.05). The AACC duration was correlated with CD loss rate among the groups (P<0.05). The DM duration was correlated with CD loss rate in the DM well-control group. Compared with the non-DM group, the level of 6A decreased more significantly in the DM group after AACC (P<0.05). The AACC duration in the DM well-control group was significantly shorter than in the non-DM and DM poor-control groups (P<0.001). The DM poor-control group showed significantly worse visual acuity when compared with the other groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: DM may impact the functional status of corneal endothelial cells. AACC can worsen the corneal endothelium damage in patients with DM. Blood glucose levels and the duration of intraocular hypertension are closely related to the severity of corneal endothelial injury.

PMID:36111300 | PMC:PMC9468933 | DOI:10.3389/fendo.2022.956780

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 30;13:983180. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.983180. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a global public health concern that is now on the rise, especially in low- and middle-income nations. Despite the fact that there are several studies reporting the prevalence of central obesity among adults in Ethiopia, there is a lack of a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing the existing observational studies. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of central obesity and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS: Online libraries such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and Addis Ababa University were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software (v. 16). Forest plots, Begg’s rank test, and Egger’s regression test were all used to check for publication bias. To look for heterogeneity, I² was computed, and an overall estimated analysis was carried out. Subgroup analysis was done by region and study setting. In addition, the pooled odds ratio for related covariates was calculated.

RESULTS: Out of 685 studies assessed, 20 met our criteria and were included in the study. A total of 12,603 people were included in the study. The prevalence of central obesity was estimated to be 37.31% [95% confidence interval (CI): 29.55-45.07]. According to subgroup analysis by study region and setting, the highest prevalence was observed in the Dire Dawa region (61.27%) and community-based studies (41.83%), respectively. Being a woman (AOR = 6.93; 95% CI: 3.02-10.85), having better socioeconomic class (AOR = 5.45; 95% CI: 0.56-10.34), being of age 55 and above (AOR = 5.23; 95% CI: 2.37-8.09), being physically inactive (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.37-2.24), being overweight (AOR = 4.00; 95% CI: 2.58-5.41), being obese (AOR = 6.82; 95% CI: 2.21-11.43), and having hypertension (AOR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.29-6.40) were the factors associated with central obesity.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of central obesity was high in Ethiopia. Being a woman, having a higher socioeconomic class, being older, being physically inactive, being overweight or obese, and having hypertension were all associated. Therefore, it is vital for the government and health organizations to design and implement preventive measures like early detection, close monitoring, and positive reversal of central obesity in all patients and the general population. High-quality investigations on the prevalence of central obesity in the Ethiopian people are required to better understand the status of central obesity in Ethiopia.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022329234.

PMID:36111291 | PMC:PMC9468774 | DOI:10.3389/fendo.2022.983180

J Pain Res. 2022 Sep 9;15:2783-2799. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S368805. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The cold pressor test (CPT) is a clinical pain research method used to measure cold pain tolerance. During this test, participants immerse an extremity (ie, hand or foot) into cold water for as long as tolerable. The duration of the test (traditionally up to an experimentally imposed cut-off at 2 minutes) indicates the amount of cold pain tolerance by the participant. Prior research studies have investigated cold pain tolerance in patients with chronic pain. However, few of these studies have used survival analysis, which allows for proper handling of data censoring and is therefore, an optimal statistical method for CPT data analysis. The goal of the present study was to use survival analysis to evaluate cold pain tolerance in patients with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, we aimed to model relationships between psychological and clinical variables as well as opioid medication use and cold pain tolerance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients with fibromyalgia (42 who were taking opioids) and 47 healthy pain-free controls provided CPT and questionnaire data (collected across 2 study sites) for a case-control study. We used survival analysis using Cox regression to evaluate group differences (patients vs controls) in cold pain tolerance and to evaluate cold pain tolerance relationships with psychological, clinical, and medication use.

RESULTS: As compared to healthy controls, patients with fibromyalgia exhibited significantly lower CPT survival (HR = 2.17, 95% CI: [1.42, 3.31], p = 0.00035). As indicated by Cox regression models, the significant group difference in CPT survival did not relate to our selected psychological and clinical measures (p > 0.05). The groups of non-opioid-taking patients and healthy controls showed consistent CPT survival across study sites. However, patients taking opioid pain medications showed differences in CPT survival across study sites.

CONCLUSION: By using survival analysis, an optimal method for time-to-event pain measures such as the CPT, we confirmed previously identified reductions in cold pain tolerance in patients with fibromyalgia. While our selected psychological and clinical measures were not significantly associated with cold pain tolerance, our data suggest that opioid medication use may impart greater cold pain tolerance in some patients.

PMID:36111289 | PMC:PMC9470281 | DOI:10.2147/JPR.S368805

BMC Psychol. 2022 Sep 15;10(1):217. doi: 10.1186/s40359-022-00920-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 pandemic is still not under effective control, and strong workplace supports with comprehensive mental health interventions are urgently needed to help medical staff effectively respond to the pandemic. This study aimed to verify the effect of an online resourcefulness training program on the resourcefulness, and psychological variables of front-line medical staff working in the COVID-19 isolation ward.

DESIGN: A pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design with control group was employed.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60 participants working in two isolation wards were recruited via convenience sampling. The two isolation wards were randomly assigned to the control group (isolation ward 1, n = 30) and the intervention group (isolation ward 2, n = 30).

INTERVENTION: The participants were trained online by video conferences and WeChat. The control group received conventional training (e.g., psychological training, psychological counseling), while the intervention group received a 4-h online resourcefulness training. Both groups learned updated guidelines of COVID-19 simultaneously via video conference. The primary outcomes (resourcefulness, anxiety, depression and coping styles) and the secondary outcome (psychological resilience) were measured before intervention and three time points after intervention.

RESULTS: After the intervention and one week after the intervention, the resourcefulness, resilience, and positive response scores of the participants in the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The anxiety and negative response scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group (all p < 0.05). One month after the intervention, the scores of resourcefulness, tenacity, and positive response of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group (all p < 0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the two groups of participants had statistically significant changes in the time-based effect and group-based effect in resourcefulness, resilience, anxiety scores and coping styles (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The results showed that our online resourcefulness training can significantly improve the resourcefulness, resilience, and positive response scores and effectively reduce anxiety and depression scores of front-line medical staff. This demonstrates that online resourcefulness training would be an effective tool for the psychological adjustment of front-line medical staff in fighting against COVID-19.

PMID:36109821 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-022-00920-7