scholarly journals Taste function in children: normative values and associated factors

Author(s):  
Mirjam van den Brink ◽  
Irene IJpma ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Wim J. E. Tissing ◽  
Remco C. Havermans

Abstract Background Although less frequent than in adults, taste loss also occurs in childhood. “Taste Strips” are frequently used for diagnosing taste dysfunction; however, normative values are lacking for children. In this study, we will create normative values for the “Taste Strips” in children. Methods This cross-sectional study included 609 children aged 6–15 years. “Taste Strips” were used to determine sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste scores by a non-forced procedure. The 10th percentile was used to distinguish normal taste function from a reduced sense of taste. Multivariable generalized linear models (GLM) were estimated to study the effect of age (group), sex, and 6‐n‐propylthiouracil (PROP) status on taste function. Results Taste function changed with age, allowing for a distinction of three age groups: (I) 6–7 years, (II) 8–9 years, and (III) 10–15 years. Normative values were created for the age groups and boys and girls separately. Additionally, GLM showed a significant effect of (1) age (group) on sweet, salty, bitter, and total taste scores; (2) sex on sweet, sour, and total taste scores; and (3) PROP status on total taste scores. Conclusions This study provided normative values for the “Taste Strips” in children, highlighting age- and sex-related differences. Impact Taste dysfunction can be harmful and impacts quality of life, a topic that became increasingly important since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although taste dysfunction is thought to be rare in childhood, the detrimental impact of such dysfunction might be large, as children’s eating habits are strongly influenced by input from the chemical senses. Measuring taste function may elucidate the relationship between taste dysfunction and disease, fostering the development of more appropriate supportive strategies. However, adequate tools are lacking for children. Normative values of the “Taste Strips” are now available for children, which bolster the clinical utility of this test.

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Lilian Messias Sampaio Brito ◽  
Valderi Abreu de Lima ◽  
Luis Paulo Mascarenhas ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Neiva Leite

ABSTRACT Introduction Social isolation is one of the strategies used to prevent the contagion and transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but it impacts on the daily routines and lifestyle of the population. Objective Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the physical activity, sleep and eating habits of adults and the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional study with a sample comprising 135 participants, divided by age group. First, the whole group was divided into age groups with a 10-year cut-off. They were then characterized by sex, type of home, eating habits, sleep, and physical activity. For the second analysis, the participants were organized into three groups: young adults (18-40 years), middle-aged adults (41-60 years) and elderly (>60 years). An online questionnaire was sent to all the participants, with 26 questions focusing on eating habits, sleep, protective behaviors against COVID-19, and physical activity. Results The participants were mainly women (85.9%), external community (71.1%), students’ families (17.1%), teachers and staff (11.8%). Of the total participants, 40% were dedicated to home care activities and 21.1% had started working from home. The remainder (38.9%) were engaged in activities such as studying or caring for dependents. The younger age group (18-40 years old) reported spending more time in sedentary activities during the day, and 34.2% did not perform physical activity and ate lower quality food during social isolation (p<0.01). All groups, with the exception of the 30-40 age group (p <0.01) highlighted the importance of having the presence of a teacher responsible for guiding physical activities during isolation. Conclusion We conclude that, social isolation has more negative impact on the habits of the younger group. Cross-sectional study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej ◽  
Agnieszka Ćwirlej-Sozańska ◽  
Justyna Kilian ◽  
Natalia Wołoszyn ◽  
Bernard Sozański ◽  
...  

AbstractHandgrip strength (HGS) is used as a biomarker for the state of health of older people, but the number of research publications containing the normative values of HGS in older adult populations is limited. The aim of the study was to define reference values and factors associated with HGS in older adults living in southeastern Poland. A cross-sectional study including 405 participants aged 65 and older was conducted. Handgrip strength for the dominant hand was assessed by the average of three trials using a JAMAR dynamometer. The sample was categorized into the following age groups: 65–69 years, 70–74 years, 75–79 years, 80–84 years, 85 and over. The average HGS was 19.98 kg (16.91 kg for women and 26.19 kg for men). There was a decrease in handgrip strength across the age range in both sexes. The average handgrip strength of the older people was 17.97 kg (14.47 kg for women and 25.66 kg for men) for those aged 80–85 and 16.68 kg (13.51 kg for women and 21.77 kg for men) in the group over 85 years old. In both sexes, marital status was an independent factor associated with reduced handgrip strength. In conclusion, this study described, for the first time, handgrip strength values for the southeastern Polish population aged ≥ 65 years according to age and gender.


2016 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 023-030
Author(s):  
Vimal Kumar ◽  
Pallak Arora ◽  
Manish Khatri ◽  
Shivani Sharma ◽  
Sumit Malhotra ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of periodontal disease with different indices. Methods & materials: The study population consisted of multistage stratified random sample of 1300 subjects from total population of district Ghaziabad. A cross-sectional study was conducted with multi stage stratified random sampling techniques to select the sample population. The subjects were divided into different age groups and the periodontal assessment was made on the basis of CPITN index and ESI Index. Results: The CPITN has shown to estimate incorrect periodontal disease prevalence because of its underestimation of the disease severity. A huge difference was noticed in the prevalence rate of periodontitis when subjects were examined with ESI index. Conclusion Periodontal disease was found to be highly prevalent in the study population and severity of disease increased with age. More number of subjects in younger age group were found to be healthy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (Number 2) ◽  
pp. 6-10
Author(s):  
Monowar Ahmad Tarafdar ◽  
Nadia Begum ◽  
Shila Rani Das ◽  
Sultana Begum ◽  
Mehruba Afrin ◽  
...  

This is a cross sectional study conducted among Currently Married Women of Reproductive Age (CMWRA) with a sample size of 476 selected purposively using a semi-structured questionnaire in 2018 at Moulvibazar Sadar to explore the factors affecting fertility. The result shows that 55.26% respondents were within 35 years age whereas only 4.28% from age group 46-49 years age group, 33% of the respondents got married at <16 years of age and 18.70% were illiterate, 47.90% had primary education. It is evident that 76% of the respondents were from rural area; 88% were Muslims, 29.41% from lower middle class followed by upper middle class (25.42%) and poorest comprised only 7.56%. The result explored that 73.91% of the respondents were from age group 41-45 got married before 16 years of age followed by 36-40 years (68.24%), 46-49 years (66%), 20-25 and 26-30 years age groups 52.38% and 52.75% respectively; 73.33% of respondents from rural area got married at <16 years of age, 68.42% of the Muslim at <16 years. The study explored that 96.39% from poorer section and 83.33% from poorest section got married at <16 years of age. Current study revealed that 82.91% of the respondents having secondary education got married before 16 years of age followed by illiterate (82.02%). It is explored that the age at marriage is statistically associated with residence, education, wealth index and religion (p= 0.001, 0.03, 0.001, 0.001 respectively). We conclude that the sociodemographic condition contributes mostly to fertility differentials in Bangladesh.


Author(s):  
Sathish Dev D. ◽  
Sugantha Valli M. ◽  
Gnana Sezhian M. ◽  
Suganya E.

Background: Adolescents represent about 21.8 percent of India’s population. Various health risks with potentially life-threatening consequences become prominent in this age group. This study was undertaken with the objective to determine the morbidity profile of school going adolescents in Tamil Nadu.Methods: This descriptive, cross sectional study was planned and conducted from January 2016 to August 2017. The study population included 987 adolescent boys and girls aged between 10 to 19 years studying in high and higher secondary Government schools of Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. Semi-structured questionnaire was used as data collection tool.Results: The mean age groups of this school going adolescent are 14.2 yrs. In the present study 583 (59%) of the study participants were affected by one or more morbidity condition. Among them, 395 (67.7%) were in the age group 10-14 years and 188 (32.2%) in the age group 15-19 years. 122 (21%) and 461 (79.1%) of male and female were affected respectively. In the present study, fever (21%) was the commonest reported morbidity followed by acute respiratory infection (15.7%) and acute gastrointestinal disease (13. 4%).Conclusions: This study shows that adolescents are prone to a wide range of morbidity conditions. Apart from respiratory and gastro intestinal diseases, reproductive tract infections and sexual health problems are important morbidities affecting this age group. There is strong need to sensitize health care practitioners at all levels, in both government and private sectors towards health problems in adolescent age groups.


2019 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Jodie C. Avery ◽  
Lisa J. Moran ◽  
Vivienne Moore ◽  
Renae C. Fernandez ◽  
Melissa Whitrow ◽  
...  

Objective: Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered a lifelong disorder, very little is understood about the diagnosis and impact of this condition in women outside of the peak reproductive years. We examined the frequency of diagnosed PCOS and concurrent health conditions in women across the lifespan. Methods: Data were analysed from 1509 women aged 15–95 years participating in a cross-sectional, face-to-face population survey in South Australia, 2015. We assessed the prevalence of PCOS in 10-year age groups and the frequency of comorbidities in women with and without PCOS subgrouped by age (< 45, [Formula: see text] 45 years). The main outcome measures were Diagnosed PCOS and other chronic conditions; lifestyle factors. Logistic regression analyses determined the risk of comorbidities in women with PCOS adjusting for age and BMI. Results: Overall prevalence of PCOS was 5.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6–6.9%), peaking in the 35–44 year age group (9.1%), and lowest in those aged 15–24 (4.1%) or [Formula: see text] 65 (3.7%) years. Women with PCOS and aged <45 years were more likely to report diabetes (16.7% vs. 3.8%), cardiovascular disease (15.5% vs. 7.2%) and arthritis (15.5% vs. 7.2%) than their peers; these differences were diminished in the [Formula: see text] 45 year age group. The odds of diabetes and cardiovascular disease were more than doubled among women with PCOS (adjOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.49–4.31; adjOR 3.18, 95% CI 1.31–7.68). Conclusion: PCOS is underdiagnosed in young and post-menopausal women. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are key comorbidities requiring greater attention in younger women with PCOS.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-356
Author(s):  
Prokash Biswas ◽  
Md Bahanur Rahman ◽  
Sayra Tasnin Sharmy ◽  
Md Ferdousur Rahman Khan ◽  
Md Mizanur Rahman ◽  
...  

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bovine and avian tuberculosis in cattle by using bovine and avian PPDs at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) Cattle Farm, Savar, Dhaka. Cattle of different breeds, ages and sexes (n=183) were tested using bovine and avian PPDs. In caudal Fold Tuberculin (CFT) test, 16 (8.74%) cases were showed positive reaction among 183 sample. The overall percentages of positive reactors to Comparative cervical tuberculin (CCT) test of bovine and avian tuberculosis were 7.10% and 1.64% respectively. An insignificant variation (P>0.05) on prevalence of bovine tuberculosis on different age group of cattle was observed. Age group >7 years showed a higher prevalence (10.91%) than those of other age groups. In CCT test, 7.55% and 4.17% positive reactors were found in female and male cattle respectively. The association between different breeds of the animal was found significant (P<0.05). The local breed showed higher prevalence (9.77%) than those of Red Chittagong and cross breed. The highest percentage (10.45%) of positive reactors in CCT test was recorded in milking cows than in dry cows (2.32%), heifer (9.52%) and calf (5.77%) were observed. Mixed infection (bovine and avian type of tuberculosis) was recorded 1.64%.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2017, 3(3): 352-356


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazafatul Ain ◽  
Saira Khan ◽  
Muhammad Marwat ◽  
Nisar Khan ◽  
Iftikhar Ahmad ◽  
...  

Background: Global Health Estimates 2015 has shown the stroke as second leading global cause of death and 3rd leading global cause for DALYs for year 2015. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency, distribution and determinants of hypertension in adult stroke population of D.I.Khan Division, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Community Medicine, Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, Pakistan from February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017. A sample 217 was selected with margin of error 5.59%, 90%CL and 50% prevalence of hypertension in 200,000 adults at risk of stroke population through consecutive sampling. All indoor adult patients of stroke were eligible. Sex, age groups, and residence and presence of hypertension were variables. Frequency and distribution of hypertension were analyzed by count and percentage. Hypotheses for distribution were substantiated by chi-square goodness-of-fit and of association by chi-square test of association. Results: Out of 217 patients with stroke, 123 (56.7%) were men and 94 (43.3%) were women, 86 (39.6%) were≤60 years and 131 (60.4%) were>60 years, and 105 (48.4%) were urban and 112 (51.6%) were rural. Frequency of hypertension was 132/217 (60.83%). Out of 132 patients with hypertension, men were 74 (34.10%), women 58 (26.73%), age group≤60 years 46 (21.20%), >60 years 86 (39.63%), urban 72 (33.18%) and rural 60 (27.65%). Presence of hypertension was associated to residence (p=.023) but not to sex (p=.817) and age groups (p=.072). Conclusion: Frequency of hypertension in adult stroke population of D.I.Khan Division, Pakistan was found to be similar as expected. Frequency was more in men, in older age group (of>60years) and in urban population. The presence of hypertension in adult stroke population of D.I.Khan Division was associated to residence but not to sex and age groups.


1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 266-268
Author(s):  
MS Ahmed ◽  
H Rahman ◽  
ZG Ara ◽  
SZ Sultana ◽  
M Rahman

Aims: The morphological study was aimed to finedout the ovarian weight in dif ferent age group in Bangladeshi people to increase the knowledge regarding weight variation in our population. Subject & Methods: This cross - sectional study was carried out on Sixty two postmortem tissue contain ovary and fallopian tube along with surrounding structures were collected from 62- female cadaver of different age group by block dissection and fixed in 10% formal saline solution. Gross and fine dissections were carried out to see the morphological parameter of weight of the ovary in different age groups. In the present study, findings were compared with findings of the other researchers. Results: Maximum mean weight of the right ovary is found in this study in group C (46-80) years is 5.78gm and minimum weight is found in group A (2-13 years ) is 3.36gm .But incase left ovary Maximum in group B(14-45)years is 5.01 and minimum group a (2-13)is 2.72gm. statistatical analysis significant different between two groups was calculated by using students "T"Test. In the present study it is observed that the weight of the ovary is not equal on both side of same individual. Key words: ovary,morphology; weight DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.9498 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 266-268


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 131-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Marwat ◽  
Iftikhar Ahmad ◽  
Fariha Ashiq ◽  
Sania Ali ◽  
Sher Zamir ◽  
...  

Background: Global Health Estimates 2015 has shown IHD as second leading global cause of death and 3rd leading global cause for DALYs for 2015. The objectives of this study were to determine frequency, distribution and determinants of DM in adult acute coronary syndrome (ACS) population of D.I.Khan Division, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Departments of Ophthalmology & Community Medicine, Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, from February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017. 331 cases were selected with margin of error 4.511%, 90%CL and 25% prevalence of DM in 73,438 adults assumed to have IHD. All indoor adult patients of ACS were eligible. Sex, age groups, and residence and presence of DM were variables. Frequency and distribution were analyzed by count and percentage. Hypotheses for distribution were substantiated by chi-square goodness-of-fit and of association by chi-square test of association. Results: Out of 331 patients with ACS, 225 (68.0%) were men and 106 (32.0%) women, 221 (66.8%) ≤60 years and 110 (33.2%) >60 years, and 210 (63.4%) urban and 121 (35.6%) rural. Frequency of DM was 79/331 (23.87%). Out of 79 patients with DM, men were 44 (13.29%), women 35 (10.57%), age group ≤60 years 57 (17.22%), >60 years 22 (6.65%), urban 53 (16.01%) and rural 60 (7.85%). Our prevalence of DM was lower than expected (p=.00214), our distribution by sex was similar to expected (p=.4993) while our distribution for age groups (p=.01209) and residence (p=.00005) were not similar to expected. Presence of DM was associated to sex (p=.011) but not to age groups (p=.0304) and residence (p=.5241). Conclusion: Prevalence of DM in adult ACS population of D.I.Khan Division, Pakistan was found lower than expected. The prevalence was more in men than women, more in younger age group (≤60 years) than older age group (>60 years) and more in urban than rural population. Our prevalence of DM was lower than expected, our distribution by sex was similar to expected while our distribution for age groups and residence were not similar to expected. The presence of DM was associated to sex but not to age groups and residence.


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