Tag: nevin manimala

J Med Internet Res. 2022 May 20. doi: 10.2196/38099. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Disease status-such as cancer stage-has been used in routine clinical practice to determine more accurate treatment plans. Health-related indicators, such as mortality, morbidity, and population group life expectancy, have also been used. However, few studies specifically focus on the comprehensive and objective measures of individual health status.

OBJECTIVE: The perspectives of the public toward 29 health indicators obtained from a literature review were analyzed to provide evidence for further prioritization of the indicators. The difference between health status and disease status should be considered.

METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design. Online surveys were administered through Ohio University, ResearchMatch, and Clemson University, resulting in three samples. Participants included individuals aged ≥ 18 years. Participants rated the importance of the 29 health indicators. The rating results were aggregated, cleaned, and analyzed as follows: (1) to determine the agreement among the three samples regarding the importance of each indicator (IV = the three samples, DV = individual survey responses); (2) to examine the mean differences between the retained indicators with agreement across the three samples (IV = the identified indicators, DV = individual survey responses); and (3) to rank the groups of indicators into various levels after grouping the indicators with no mean differences (IV = the groups of indicators, DV = individual survey responses).

RESULTS: A total of 1,153 valid responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics revealed that the top-five rated indicators were drug or substance abuse, smoking or tobacco use, alcohol abuse, major depression, and diet and nutrition. Among the 29 health indicators, the three samples agreed upon the importance of 13. Inferential statistical analysis indicated that some of the 13 indicators held equal importance. Therefore, the 13 indicators were categorized by rank into seven levels as follows: Level 1: blood sugar level and immunization/vaccination; Level 2: LDL cholesterol; Level 3: HDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides, cancer screening detection, and total cholesterol; Level 4: health literacy rate; Level 5: personal care needs and air quality index > 100; Level 6: self-rated health status and HIV testing; and Level 7: the supply of dentists. Levels 1-3 were rated significantly higher than Levels 4-7. Among the 13 health indicators, blood sugar level and immunization/vaccination status were the most important, and the supply of dentists was the least important.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a baseline for prioritizing 29 health indicators, which can be used by electronic health records or personal health record system designers or developers to determine what can be included in the systems to capture an individual’s health status. Currently, self-rated health status is used predominantly. Additionally, this study provides a foundation for tracking and measuring preventive healthcare services more accurately and developing an individual health status index.

PMID:35623051 | DOI:10.2196/38099

PLoS Biol. 2022 May 27;20(5):e3001663. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001663. eCollection 2022 May.

ABSTRACT

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006202.].

PMID:35623029 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.3001663

JCO Glob Oncol. 2022 May;8:e2200004. doi: 10.1200/GO.22.00004.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the top five incident cancers in Sri Lanka (SL). Here, we describe disease characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with CRC in SL.

METHODS: All adult patients (age > 18 years) diagnosed with CRC during 2016-2020 were identified from the National Cancer Institute SL cancer registry. Cancer stage at diagnosis was defined according to the seventh edition of the TNM staging system. Concordance between recommendations for adjuvant therapy and actual rates of delivery was also analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study cohort and treatment patterns.

RESULTS: A total of 1,578 patients were diagnosed with CRC during the study period, 53% (n = 830) with colon cancer and 47% (n = 748) with rectal cancer. Mean age was 61 (range, 18-91) years. Stage distribution was 13%, 28%, 46%, and 12% for stage I, II, III, and IV cancers, respectively. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered to 82% of patients with stage III colon cancer. There was a lack of concordance with delivery of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, which was only delivered to 50% of patients with stage III rectal cancer for whom this treatment was indicated.

CONCLUSION: Aging population and advanced stage of CRC at diagnosis will continue to challenge the provision of high-quality CRC care in SL. Further quantitative and qualitative research may help better understand the nonconcordance with treatment guidelines. Such information would help ease the burden of advanced-stage CRC in SL.

PMID:35623022 | DOI:10.1200/GO.22.00004

Appl Spectrosc. 2022 May 27:37028221094070. doi: 10.1177/00037028221094070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Raman spectroscopy is used in a wide variety of fields, and in a plethora of different configurations. Raman spectra of simple analytes can often be analyzed using univariate approaches and interpreted in a straightforward manner. For more complex spetral data such as time series or line profiles (1D), Raman maps (2D), or even volumes (3D), multivariate data analysis (MVDA) becomes a requirement. Even though there are some existing standards for creation, implementation, and validation of methods and models employed in industry and academics, further research and development in the field must contribute to their improvement. This review will cover, in broad terms, existing techniques as well as new developments for MVDA for Raman spectroscopic data, and in particular the use associated with instrumentation and data calibration. Chemometric models are often generated via fusion of analytical data from different sources, which enhances model discrimination and prediction abilities as compared to models derived from a single data source. For Raman spectroscopy, raw or unprocessed data is rarely ever used. Instead, spectra are usually corrected and manipulated,¹ often by case-specific rather than universal methods. Calibration models can be used to characterize qualitatively and/or quantitatively samples measured with the same instrumentation that was used to create the model. However, regular validation is required to ensure that aging or incorrect maintenance of the instrument does not alter the model’s predictions, particularly when applied in regulated fields such as pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, a model transfer may be required for different reasons, such as replacement or significant repair of the instrumentation. Modeling can also be used to consistently harmonize Raman spectroscopic data across several instrumental designs, accounting for variations in the resulting spectrum induced by different components. Data for Raman harmonization models should be processed in a protocolled manner, and the original data accessible to allow for model reconstruction or transfer when new data is added. Important processing steps will be the calibration of the spectral axes and instrument dependent effects, such as spectral resolution. In addition, data fusion and model transfer are essential for allowing new instrumentation to build on existing models to harmonize their own data. Ideally, an open access database would be created and maintained, for the purpose of allowing for continued harmonization of new Raman instruments using an outlined and accepted protocol.

PMID:35622984 | DOI:10.1177/00037028221094070

J ECT. 2022 May 25. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000858. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine rates of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use for catatonia in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, stratified by patient demographics and hospital characteristics, and its impact on inpatient length of stay and cost.

METHODS: We found 155 adolescents (aged 12-18 years) with principal discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders with catatonia from the National Inpatient Sample. They were subgrouped into ECT (n = 20) and non-ECT (n = 135) groups. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate the utilization of ECT for catatonia and independent-sample t test for continuous variables with statistical significance at P ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: The overall utilization rate of ECT in adolescents for catatonia was 12.9%. A high rate of ECT use was evident for Whites (30.8%) compared with the other race/ethnicities and also was seen in private health insurance beneficiaries (20%). The rate of ECT use varied by the region, with highest for the Northeast (20%), followed by the South (18.2%), and the West (14.3%). Adolescent inpatients with catatonia in public and teaching type, and large bed-size hospitals were more likely to receive ECT than their counterparts. The mean number of ECT sessions required during the inpatient stay was 5.2 (range, 1-15), and the mean number of days from admission to initial ECT was 2.5 (range, 0-6).

CONCLUSIONS: Electroconvulsive therapy is used for approximately only 13% of adolescents with catatonia when comorbid schizophrenia spectrum disorders are present, suggesting that many patients may not get evidence-based treatment. Future studies in this area are needed.

PMID:35623014 | DOI:10.1097/YCT.0000000000000858

Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 May 27:1-24. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2082694. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objectives. The aim of this study was to develop a scale that assesses postural awareness and habits, as well as to establish the validity and reliability thereof. Methods. The 19-item Postural Habits and Awareness Scale was developed. The scale has a score range of 0-95, with a higher score indicating good posture and awareness. 278 healthy adults with an age range of 18-65 years were included in the study. The sociodemographic form, Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) were used to test the validity and reliability of this newly developed scale. Results. From factor analyses, it was observed that the items clustered in 4 factors, which explained 55.99% of the variance. The Cronbach’s α for each factor of the scale varied between 0.619 and 0.832. A high correlation was observed regarding test-retest reliability of the scale (r: 0.905). Conclusion. This newly developed self-reported scale allows for the comprehensive determination of both postural habits and awareness together. The PHAS is a valid and reliable scale that can be used by professionals who are interested in posture.

PMID:35622409 | DOI:10.1080/10803548.2022.2082694

Dermatol Ther. 2022 May 27:e15600. doi: 10.1111/dth.15600. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Facial pores, visible topographic change of skin representing enlarged openings of pilosebaceous follicles, are common aesthetic concern.

AIM: To examine the efficacy of polycaprolactone (PCL) filler on enlarged facial pores and skin texture improvement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of seven participants with enlarged facial pores were included in the study and underwent deep dermal injection of PCL based filler (Ellanse M, Sinclair Pharma; London, United Kingdom). Skin quality measurements including skin evenness, red areas, UV spots, wrinkles and pore numbers evaluated with an automated aesthetic camera (FotoFinder®, Teach Screen Systems software GmbH; Bad Birnbach, Germany) before and three months after the injection session. Adverse events during procedure were monitored and recorded. Subjects were asked to report any injection related side effects.

RESULTS: The average size of enlarged pores was 33.51 ± 41 before treatment and 20.51 ± 35 after treatment. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The skin evenness, red areas, UV spots, and wrinkles showed no significant improvement after filler injection. No serious adverse events were reported at follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION: The PCL based filler seems to be notably effective in improvement of enlarged facial pores especially in moderate to severe cases. However, further structured studies with larger sample size and control group could be more beneficial to elucidate the possible efficacy of PCL filler injection on the skin quality characteristics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35622404 | DOI:10.1111/dth.15600

Panminerva Med. 2022 May 27. doi: 10.23736/S0031-0808.22.04572-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, millions of people have been infected and died. Different therapeutic approaches have been recommended, but only a few have shown clinical advantages. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has been recommended to prevent COVID-19-related thrombo-embolic events. We aim to evaluate the impact of early treatment with LMWH on hospital admission and death in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS: We conducted an observational monocentric retrospective study to evaluate the preventive role of LMWH on the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were recruited from the beginning of the Italian epidemic to March 31st, 2021. We excluded patients with missing data and those chronically exposed to LMWH. Treatment prescription was based on international and national guidelines and modified depending on clinical presentation and drug-drug interactions.

RESULTS: of 734 SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were recruited, with 357 (48.6%) males and a median (IQR) age of 77.9 (65-85.7) years. 77.5% of people developed SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms and 62.8% were admitted to the hospital, and 20.2% died. Four hundred ninety-two (67%) started LMWH. In particular, 296 (40.3%) were treated within five days since symptoms onset. At logistic regression, early LMWH therapy was associated with lower mortality. Furthermore, remdesivir treatment showed a lower risk of death. On the contrary, age, BMI >30Kg/m2, neurological diseases, fever or dyspnea were associated with an increased risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, early treatment with LMWH was associated with lower mortality in our cohort. Further studies are needed to better assess the role of wider LMWH administration in terms of timing and regimen dose.

PMID:35622392 | DOI:10.23736/S0031-0808.22.04572-4

Environ Health Perspect. 2022 May;130(5):57012. doi: 10.1289/EHP10207. Epub 2022 May 27.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and N-nitroso compounds (NOC), formed endogenously after nitrate ingestion, are suspected endometrial carcinogens, but epidemiological studies are limited.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship of these exposures with endometrial cancer risk in a large prospective cohort.

METHODS: Among postmenopausal women in the Iowa Women’s Health Study cohort, we evaluated two major classes of DBPs, total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and five haloacetic acids (HAA5), and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in public water supplies (PWS) in relation to incident primary endometrial cancer (1986-2014). For women using their PWS >10y at enrollment (n=10,501; cases=261), we computed historical averages of annual concentrations; exposures were categorized into quantiles and when possible ≥95th percentile. We also computed years of PWS use above one-half the U.S. maximum contaminant level (>½ MCL; 40μg/L TTHM; 30μg/L HAA5; 5mg/LNO3-N). Dietary nitrate/nitrite intakes were estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) via Cox models adjusted for age, endometrial cancer risk factors [e.g., body mass index, hormone replacement therapy (HRT)], and mutually adjusted for DBPs or NO3-N. We evaluated associations for low-grade (cases=99) vs. high-grade (cases=114) type I tumors. We assessed interactions between exposures and endometrial cancer risk factors and dietary factors influencing NOC formation.

RESULTS: Higher average concentrations of DBPs (95th percentile: TTHM ≥93μg/L, HAA5 ≥49μg/L) were associated with endometrial cancer risk (TTHM: HR95vsQ1=2.19, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.40; HAA5: HR95vsQ1=1.84, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.83; ptrend<0.01). Associations were similarly observed for women greater than median years of PWS use with levels >½ MCL, in comparison with zero years (TTHM: HR36+vs0y=1.61, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.21; HAA5: HR38+vs0y=1.85, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.62). Associations with DBPs appeared stronger for low-grade tumors (TTHM: HRQ4vsQ1=2.12, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.83; p-trend=0.008) than for high-grade tumors (TTHM: HRQ4vsQ1=1.40, 95% CI: 0.80, 2.44; p-trend=0.339), but differences were not statistically significant (p-heterogeneity=0.43). Associations with TTHM were stronger among ever HRT users than non-HRT users (p-interaction<0.01). We observed no associations with NO3-N in drinking water or diet.

DISCUSSION: We report novel associations between the highest DBP levels and endometrial cancer for our Iowa cohort that warrant future evaluation. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10207.

PMID:35622390 | DOI:10.1289/EHP10207

Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 May 27:1-48. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2082137. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Previous studies presented the advantages of implementing health and safety management systems (HSMS) in the construction industry. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of HSMS in developing countries. This study adopts a strategic management and multilevel perspective to assess the three main construction health and safety management system types in South Africa in terms of their adequacy across 14 HSMS dimensions.

METHOD: A literature review identified 14 health and safety management dimensions as building blocks of the strategically developed component of a HSMS. Statistical methods analysed the feedback from a questionnaire survey amongst 59 construction companies on the adequacy of three HSMS types observed in these companies across 14 HSMS dimensions.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Differences between the three health and safety management types were identified, with inadequacies in three of the 14 health and safety management dimensions across all three HSMS types. The three dimensions are accountability and incentives for employee participation, management of subcontractors, and employee competence and training. This could indicate less attention is paid to behavioural based safety control strategies. The study quantified the differences between the three health and safety management types and will help contractor organisations to improve their health and safety management systems.

PMID:35622374 | DOI:10.1080/10803548.2022.2082137