scholarly journals Tremor measurements in a 22-year cohort study of workers exposed to hand-held vibrating tools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Bast-Pettersen ◽  
Karl-Christian Nordby ◽  
Gunilla Wastensson ◽  
Lisa Aarhus
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Current Medical ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Rest Tremor ◽  
Tremor Frequency ◽  
Activation Conditions

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this cohort study were to evaluate possible long-term effects of occupational exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) in terms of increased tremor. The aims were to evaluate whether exposure during follow-up, baseline hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), baseline manual dexterity or current medical conditions or life-style habits might be associated with increased tremor. A further aim was to compare two different activation conditions: postural vs rest tremor. Methods Forty men (current age: 60.4 years) who had previously worked as manual workers in a specialized engineering and construction company enrolled in the study. Their hand functions had been examined in 1994. At the baseline examination, 27 had been diagnosed with HAVS, while 13 were not exposed. The follow-up examination in 2016–2017 comprised the CATSYS Tremor Pen® for measuring postural and rest tremor and the Grooved Pegboard Test for assessing manual dexterity. Blood samples were taken for assessing biomarkers that might have impact on tremor. Results Neither cumulative exposure to HAV during follow-up nor HAVS at baseline were associated with increased tremor. A test for manual dexterity at baseline was significantly associated with increased tremor (Tremor Intensity) at follow-up. Blood markers of current medical conditions and tobacco consumption were associated with increased tremor. Rest tremor frequency was higher than postural tremor frequency (p < 0.001). Conclusions The main findings of this 22-year cohort study were no indications of long-term effects on tremor related to HAV exposure and previous HAVS status. However, baseline manual dexterity was significantly associated with increased tremor at follow-up. Activation conditions (e.g., hand position) are important when testing tremor.

scholarly journals Quality of prescribing predicts hospitalisation in octogenarians: life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristín Ryan ◽  
Ruth Teh ◽  
Simon Moyes ◽  
Tim Wilkinson ◽  
Martin Connolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medicines ◽  
Prescribing Omissions ◽  
Potential Prescribing Omissions

Abstract Background Prescribing for older people is complex, and many studies have highlighted that appropriate prescribing in this cohort is not always achieved. However, the long-term effect of inappropriate prescribing on outcomes such as hospitalisation and mortality has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the level of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) for participants of the Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) study at baseline and examine the association between PIP and hospitalisation and mortality at 12-months follow-up. Methods PIP was determined using STOPP/START. STOPP identified potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) prescribed, START identified potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). STOPP/START were applied to all LiLACS NZ study participants, a longitudinal study of ageing, which includes 421 Māori aged 80–90 years and 516 non-Māori aged 85 years. Participants’ details (e.g. age, sex, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, physical functioning, medical conditions) were gathered by trained interviewers. Some participants completed a core questionnaire only, which did not include medications details. Medical conditions were established from a combination of self-report, review of hospital discharge and general practitioner records. Binary logistic regression, controlled for multiple potential confounders, was conducted to determine if either PIMs or PPOs were associated with hospital admissions and mortality (p < 0.05 was considered significant). Results Full data were obtained for 267 Māori and 404 non-Māori. The mean age for Māori was 82.3(±2.6) years, and 84.6(±0.53) years for non-Māori. 247 potentially inappropriate medicines were identified, affecting 24.3% Māori and 28.0% non-Māori. PIMs were not associated with 12-month mortality or hospitalisation for either cohort (p > 0.05; adjusted models). 590 potential prescribing omissions were identified, affecting 58.1% Māori and 49.0% non-Māori. PPOs were associated with hospitalisation (p = 0.001 for Māori), but were not associated with risk of mortality (p > 0.05) for either cohort within the 12-month follow-up (adjusted models). Conclusion PPOs were more common than PIMs and were associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for Māori. This study highlights the importance of carefully considering all indicated medicines when deciding what to prescribe. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term effects of PIP on mortality and hospitalisation.

scholarly journals Motor Performance in Children Diagnosed with Cancer: A Longitudinal Observational Study

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Lotta Hamari ◽  
Päivi M. Lähteenmäki ◽  
Heidi Pukkila ◽  
Mikko Arola ◽  
Anna Axelin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Children With Cancer

Children with cancer are dealing with different side and long-term effects caused by cancer and its treatments, like vinca-alkaloids, which may have negative effects on motor performance. However, the affected areas of motor performance (aiming and catching, balance, manual dexterity) and the differences in these areas between boys and girls and diagnoses are not frequently reported in a longitudinal design. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how motor performance changes over the course of cancer treatment. The study was conducted with 3-to 16-year-old children with cancer (N = 36) in 2013–2017. The five assessment points were 0, 2, 6, 12 and 30 months from diagnosis. Movement-ABC2 was used to assess motor performance. We found that aiming and catching skills decreased significantly during the follow-up (p < 0.05). Balance was affected at the 2-month measurement point (p < 0.05) and more in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia than in children with other cancer diagnoses (p < 0.05). Girls performed better than boys in manual dexterity at 6, 12 and 30 months (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Individual monitoring of motor performance with standardized tests and physical activity/exercise programs during and after treatment are needed.

scholarly journals Sex- and Gender-specific Risk Factors of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Population-based Cohort Study in Switzerland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline E Gebhard ◽  
Claudia Suetsch ◽  
Susan Bengs ◽  
Manja Deforth ◽  
Karl Philipp Buehler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Feminine Gender ◽  
Specific Risk ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Specific

Background: Evidence to date indicates that mortality of acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is higher in men than in women. Conversely, women seem more likely to suffer from long-term consequences of the disease and pronounced negative social and economic impacts. Sex- and gender-specific risk factors of COVID-19-related long-term effects are unknown. Methods: We conducted a multicentre prospective observational cohort study of 5838 (44.6% women) individuals in Switzerland who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA between February and December 2020. Of all surviving individuals who met the inclusion criteria, 2799 (1285 [45.9%] women) completed a follow-up questionnaire. Findings: After a mean follow-up time of 197±77 days, women more often reported at least one persistent symptom (43.0% vs 31.5%, p<0.001) with reduced exercise tolerance and reduced resilience being the most frequently reported symptom in both sexes. Critical illness (intermediate or intensive care unit admission) during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio[95%CI]: 4.00[2.66-6.02], p<0.0001 was a risk factor of post-COVID-19 syndrome in both women and men. Women with pre-existing mental illness (1.81[1.00-3.26], p=0.049), cardiovascular risk factors (1.39[1.03-1.89], p=0.033), higher self-reported domestic stress levels (1.15[1.08-1.22], p<0.0001), and feminine gender identity (1.12[1.02-1.24], p=0.02) increased the odds of experiencing post-COVID syndrome. Conversely, obesity (1.44[1.03-2.02], p=0.034) increased the odds of post-COVID-19 syndrome in men, but not in women. Being responsible for household work (men, OR 0.82[0.69-0.97], p=0.021), taking care of children/relatives (women, 0.90[0.84-0.96], p=0.002) or being pregnant at the time of acute COVID-19 illness (OR 0.48[0.23-1.01], p=0.054) was associated with lower odds of post-COVID syndrome. Interpretation: Predictors of post-COVID syndrome differ between men and women. Our data reinforce the importance to include sex and gender to identify patients at risk for post-COVID syndrome so that access to care and early intervention can be tailored to their different needs.

Long-Term Effects of a Movement Intervention Program for Children With Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ilana Santos de Oliveira ◽  
Bárbara Coiro Spessato ◽  
Dayana da Silva Oliveira ◽  
Romulo José César Lins ◽  
Silvia Wanick Sarinho
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Task Oriented ◽  
Coordination Disorder

Purpose: To examine long-term effects of a task-oriented intervention program for children with probable developmental coordination disorder in a physical education setting. Method: Sixty-nine boys and girls (7–10 years) were divided into two groups: intervention (n = 36) and control (n = 33). All children participated in physical education classes twice a week. The intervention group also had two weekly sessions focused on gross motor skills development for 12 weeks. Children were assessed by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, three times: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Results: The intervention group showed superior results (p ≤ .05) posttest in: manual dexterity (d = 0.71), balance (d = 0.86), and total score (d = 1.02), and at follow-up in: manual dexterity (d = 1.05), balance (d = 0.86), and total score (d = 0.94). Conclusion: Task-oriented intervention provided a retained positive effect in the development of motor competence in children with probable developmental coordination disorder.

scholarly journals The course of subjective and objective chemosensory dysfunction in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a 6-month follow-up

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattis Bertlich ◽  
Clemens Stihl ◽  
Enzo Lüsebrink ◽  
Johannes C. Hellmuth ◽  
Clemens Scherer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Initial Examination ◽  
Initial Cohort ◽  
Negative Controls ◽  
Chemosensory Function ◽  
Analogue Scales ◽  
Smell Identification ◽  
Snot 22

Abstract Purpose It has been established that the infection with SARS-CoV-2 may cause an impairment of chemosensory function. However, there is little data on the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on chemosensory function. Methods Twenty three SARS-CoV-2-positive patients diagnosed in spring 2020 with subjective hyposmia (out of 57 positive patients, 40.3%) were compared to SARS-CoV-2-positive patients without hyposmia (n = 19) and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (n = 14). Chemosensory function was assessed by the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT), Taste Strips (TS), Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), and the SNOT-22. The initial cohort with hyposmia were also examined at 8 weeks and 6 months after initial examination. Results There were no differences between the SARS-CoV-2-positive cohort without hyposmia and negative controls in terms of BSIT (8.5 ± 2.6 vs. 10.2 ± 1.8), TS (3.4 ± 0.6 vs. 3.9 ± 0.3) or VAS (2.1 ± 1.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5); yet the SNOT-22 was significantly elevated (27.7 ± 11.2 vs. 16.4 ± 10.8). The SARS-CoV-2-positive group with hyposmia performed significantly poorer in BSIT (4.0 ± 1.7 vs. 8.5 ± 2.6/10.2 ± 1.8), TS (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 3.4 ± 0.6/3.9 ± 0.3), and VAS (7.9 ± 2.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1.3/1.1 ± 0.5) compared to both control groups. At week 8 and month 6 control, six and five patients, respectively, still suffered from subjectively and objectively impaired chemosensory function. The other patients had recovered in both respects. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 patients with subjectively impaired chemosensory function regularly perform poorly in objective measurements. About 70% of patients suffering from olfactory dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2 quickly recover—the rest still suffers from considerable impairment 6 months after infection.

scholarly journals Long-term effects of a modified, low-protein infant formula on growth and body composition: Follow-up of a randomized, double-blind, equivalence trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie M.P. Kouwenhoven ◽  
Nadja Antl ◽  
Martijn J.J. Finken ◽  
Jos W.R. Twisk ◽  
Eline M. van der Beek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Infant Formula ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Equivalence Trial ◽  
Low Protein

scholarly journals Long-term effects of the Dutch Schoolgruiten Project – promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among primary-school children

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1213-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nannah I Tak ◽  
Saskia J te Velde ◽  
Johannes Brug
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Parent Reports

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the long-term effects of the Schoolgruiten Project, a Dutch primary school-based intervention providing free fruit and vegetables (F&V). In addition, we assessed whether children’s appreciation of the project mediated these intervention effects.Design and methodsParticipating schoolchildren (mean age 9·9 years at baseline) and their parents completed parallel questionnaires at baseline, at 1-year and at 2-year follow-up, including questions on usual F&V intake of the child, potential behavioural determinants, their appreciation of the project and general demographics. Primary outcomes were usual F&V intakes as assessed by parent and child self-reported food frequency measures. Secondary outcome measures were taste preference, knowledge of daily recommendations, availability and accessibility for fruit intake. Multilevel linear regression analyses were used to assess differences at second follow-up adjusted for baseline values between control and intervention groups.SubjectsReports were available for 346 intervention children (148 parents) and 425 control children (287 parents).ResultsBoth child and parent reports indicated that the intervention group had a significantly higher fruit intake at 2-year follow-up (difference, servings/d: 0·15; 95 % CI 0·004, 0·286 for child reports; 0·19; 95 % CI 0·030, 0·340 for parent reports). No significant effects on vegetable intake were observed. Significant positive intervention effects were also found for knowledge of fruit recommendations among boys. Some evidence was found for partial mediation analyses of the effects on fruit intake.ConclusionThe present study indicates that the Schoolgruiten scheme was effective in increasing children’s fruit intake and that appreciation of the project partially mediated this effect.

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