scholarly journals A hospital-based study on clinical data, demographic data and visual function of keratoconus patients in Central China

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaili Yang ◽  
Liyan Xu ◽  
Qi Fan ◽  
Yuwei Gu ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractChina is a populous country but lacks epidemiological data on keratoconus (KC). The present study aimed to investigate the clinical data, demographic data, and visual function (VF) data of KC patients in Central China. A total of 524 KC eyes in 307 KC patients (217 bilateral and 90 unilateral) from Henan Eye Hospital were included in the current study. Demographic and VF data were assessed with questionnaires administered by well-trained staff during face-to-face interviews. Visual acuity value was examined by a qualified optometrist, and the clinical data were measured by professional clinicians. The distributions of sex, residence and education level of KC patients were compared by Chi-square tests, and the ratios of people wearing glasses and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses were compared by McNemar tests. General linear models/Chi-squared tests were used to compare the clinical and demographic data according to KC severity. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to test the associations between the data and KC severity. The mean age at diagnosis was 20.98 ± 6.06 years, and males had a higher ratio of KC than females (P < 0.001). Patients in rural areas had a higher rate of KC than those in urban areas (P = 0.039), and the proportion of KC patients with a higher education level (above high school) was high (P < 0.001). A total of 68.40% of the patients reported eye rubbing and 3.52% had a positive family history. The percentage of people wearing glasses was higher than that of patients wearing RGP lenses (P < 0.001). The total VF score of KC patients was 69.35 ± 15.25. The thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) and stiffness parameter at the first applanation (SP-A1) values were inversely correlated with KC severity (P < 0.05). The mean, steep, and max keratometry (Km, Ks and Kmax) values, the RGP lens use and keratoplasty were positively correlated with KC severity (all P < 0.05). The total VF score of the eye with better VA decreased as the severity increased (r = − 0.21, P = 0.002). The present study comprehensively describes various associated features of KC patients from a tertiary hospital in Central China, providing a reference for understanding the characteristics of KC patients in China.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hassan Emamian ◽  
Hossein Ebrahimi ◽  
Hassan Hashemi ◽  
Akbar Fotouhi

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of hypertension in Iranian students, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the daily intake of salt in students and its association with high blood pressure. Methods A random sub-sample was selected from the participants of the second phase of Shahroud schoolchildren eye cohort study and then a random urine sample was tested for sodium, potassium and creatinine. Urine electrolyte esexcretion and daily salt intake were calculated by Tanaka et al.’s formula. Results Among 1455 participants (including 230 participants from rural area and 472 girls), the mean age was 12.9 ± 1.7 year and the mean daily salt intake was 9.7 ± 2.6 g (95% CI 9.5–9.8). The mean salt consumption in rural areas [10.8 (95% CI 10.4–11.2)] was higher than urban areas [9.4 (95% CI 9.3–9.6)], in people with hypertension [10.8 (95% CI 10.3–11.3)] was more than people with normal blood pressure [9.4 (95% CI 9.3–9.6)], and in boys [9.8 (95% CI 9.7–10.0)] was more than girls [9.3 (95% CI 9.1–9.6)]. Higher age, BMI z-score, male sex and rural life, were associated with increased daily salt intake. Increased salt intake was associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion Daily salt intake in Iranian adolescents was about 2 times the recommended amount of the World Health Organization, was higher in rural areas and was associated with blood pressure. Reducing salt intake should be considered as an important intervention, especially in rural areas.


Author(s):  
Ghafar-Ali Mahmoudi ◽  
Maryam Ahadi ◽  
Ali Fouladvand ◽  
Bareza Rezaei ◽  
Zahra Bodagh ◽  
...  

Background: Antivenom is a gold-standard treatment for snakebite envenoming. However, adverse reactions to snake antivenom are common in many parts. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the allergic reactions following intravenous administration of antivenom sera. Methods: This was retrospective study, conducted snakebites patients referred to the Rahimi Hospital in Khorramabad. The files of these patients were accessed for demographic data, snakebite-related data, treatment provided, clinical presentation and allergic reaction status as a result of antivenom treatment. Results: 141 cases were investigated including 73.8% male and 26.2% female patients. The mean age of the patients was 38.1±17.1years. Age group 30-39 years accounted for highest number of snakebite cases (24.1%). A majority of victims (89.4%) were from the rural areas. Most of the patients (51.8%) were bitten in the spring and highest number of snakebite were reported in May (39.1%). The most common site of snakebite was lower extremities (50.4%) and upper extremities (44.7%). Among clinical feature of snakebite, pain was the most prevalent in 135 cases (95.7%) followed by swelling (83.7%). The mean antivenom vials used were 6.5±3.7 vials. Allergic reactions occurred in 6 patients (4.26%); reactions were mild in 5 patients and sever in 1patient. The commonest presentation was maculopapular rash (1.4%) and the least common were headache (0.71%), nausea (0.71%), fever (0.71) and hypotension (0.71%). Conclusion: Snakebite is one of the significantlife-threatening environmental events.Immediate antivenom treatment can reduce mortality however, patients should be carefully monitored for adverse allergic reactions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 2394-2401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Pérez-Ferrer ◽  
Anne McMunn ◽  
Paola Zaninotto ◽  
Eric J Brunner

AbstractObjectiveThe present study investigates whether the reversal of the social gradient in obesity, defined as a cross-over to higher obesity prevalence among groups with lower education level, has occurred among men and women in urban and rural areas of Mexico.DesignCross-sectional series of nationally representative surveys (1988, 1999, 2006, 2012 and 2016). The association between education and obesity was investigated over the period 1988–2016. Effect modification of the education–obesity association by household wealth was tested.SettingMexico.SubjectsWomen (n 54 816) and men (n 20 589) aged 20–49 years.ResultsIn both urban and rural areas, the association between education and obesity in women varied by level of household wealth in the earlier surveys (1988, 1999 and 2006; interaction P<0·001). In urban areas in 1988, one level lower education was associated (prevalence ratio; 95 % CI) with 45 % higher obesity prevalence among the richest women (1·45; 1·24, 1·69), whereas among the poorest the same education difference was protective (0·84; 0·72, 0·99). In the latest surveys (2012, 2016), higher education was protective across all wealth groups. Among men, education level was not associated with obesity in urban areas; there was a direct association in rural areas. Wealth did not modify the association between education and obesity.ConclusionThe reversal of the educational gradient in obesity among women occurred once a threshold level of household wealth was reached. Among men, there was no evidence of a reversal of the gradient. Policies must not lose sight of the populations most vulnerable to the obesogenic environment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Ashok Munivenkatappa ◽  
Dhaval P Shukla ◽  
Bhagavatula Indira Devi ◽  
Akhil Deepika Kumarsamy ◽  
Dhananjay I Bhat ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Context: Experience of animal‑related neurotrauma at an apex institute, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. Aims: The aim of this study is to review epidemiology, clinical findings, and outcome of animal‑related traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluated and treated at our institute. Settings and Design: A retrospective study consisting of demographic data, clinical findings, radiological details, and outcomes. Materials and Methods: The clinical and imaging records of 30 patients treated for animal‑related TBI at the emergency services, from January to July 2010. Outcome was assessed by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 15.0 version, descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 6190 neurotrauma cases were evaluated and treated during the study period. Among them, 30 (0.48%) were animal‑inflicted injuries. Of these cases, animal‑vehicle collision and directly animal‑inflicted injuries were 15 (50%) each. The mean age of patients were 39.46 (6-71 years). Twenty‑nine (96.66%) cases were from rural areas. Twenty‑three (76.6%) had mild, 6 (20%) had moderate, and 1 (3.3%) had severe head injury (Glasgow coma scale). Four (13.3%) patients had abnormal pupillary reaction. Associated injuries were found in 25 (83.3%) patients. CT scan was abnormal in 50% (15/30), common finding was contusion in 8 (26.6%) patients, followed by edema in 6 (20%). There were 3 (10%) spine injuries, 1 (3.3%) internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, and 2 (6.6%) brachial plexuses injuries. Three (10%) required surgery, and 1 (3.3%) patient expired. As per the GOS, good recovery was seen in 8 (80%) patients, moderate disability in 1 (10%), and vegetative state in 1 (10%) patient.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2364-2378
Author(s):  
Eveline Barbosa S. Carvalho ◽  
Felipe Rocha Campos ◽  
José Wellington Saraiva Sousa Junior ◽  
Luis Henrique B. De Araújo

The research analyzes the relationship between rural work gender and education level based on microdata from the Brazilian Federal Government's General Register of Employed and Unemployed. Using data from employment in the states of Ceará and São Paulo as a case study, the descriptive analysis from the demand curve confirms that male workers have higher average salary level than female workers, in rural areas and also in urban areas, regardless of schooling. The research used the calculation of the price elasticity of demand coefficient to capture the behavior of employment in response to wage variations and showed that for illiterate workers job is more stable in Ceará regardless of gender. On the other hand, for São Paulo illiterate workers have less job stability. For workers with incomplete elementary education, the demand for men and women is inelastic for both Ceará and São Paulo. The cross-elasticity coefficients showed that the higher the level of education, the lower the possibility of discrimination as both gender are considered substitute factors of production.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Bonetti ◽  
C. M. F. Mangia ◽  
J. M. F. Zuza ◽  
M. O. Barcelos ◽  
M. M. S. Fonseca ◽  
...  

Purpose. To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in Uberlandia, MG, Brazil. Methods. A historical cohort study was performed encompassing a ten-year period from January 1994 to January 2004 in the Department of Pediatric Nephrology at a full-service hospital; demographic factors, triggering factors, time of hospitalization, supportive therapy, and disease progression were analyzed. Results. Twenty-seven children aged 5 to 99 months (median age of 14 months) were studied; 70.4% were male. Of the 27 patients, 77.8% were from urban areas and 18.5% were from rural areas. Eight of the patients (29.6%) were reported to drink raw milk, and clinical diarrhea was reported in 81.5% of cases. The most common signs and symptoms were fever and vomiting (85.1%), anuria (63.0%), seizure (33.0%), cardiac involvement (11.0%), and acute pulmonary edema (7.4%). Dialysis was performed on 20 patients (74%). The mean hospital stay was 24 days (range: 13 to 36 days). While monitoring the patients, 2 died (7.4%), 3 developed chronic kidney disease (11.0%), and 21 (77.8%) developed hypertension. Conclusion. Our results emphasize the possibility of diagnosing HUS as a cause of renal failure in childhood in both typical (postdiarrheal) and atypical forms and suggest that an investigation of the etiological agent should be made whenever possible.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashu Michael Agbor ◽  
Thwanche Raissa Kuimo

Dental caries, though common, presents with considerable variation in occurrence between countries, regions within countries, areas within regions, and among social and ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to describe the oral health status and practices of primary school children in the western region of Cameroon. This was a comparative descriptive cross sectional study took place in April to October 2018 in primary schools located in three localities (Urban, semi urban and rural) of the West region of Cameroon using a multistage random (cluster) sampling technique. There were a predominance of female pupils 265(54.9 %) than males 218 (45.1 %) and 411 (85.1 %) of the pupils had toothbrushes with the majority from urban areas 142 (94.7%). The frequency of brushing was higher in urban than the semi-urban and rural areas and 212 (50.5) of them brushed teeth once a day and nearly half 184 (43.8) twice daily. More than half 238 (56.7) of the children brush before breakfast wake up  less than half brush  176 (42%) brush after supper.  Two third 280(66.8%) of the children brush their teeth with toothbrush and without toothpaste 54(39.4%) was higher in rural areas. Wood ash 7 (5.1%), soap 4(2.9%) and chewing sticks 3(2, 2%) were most frequently used for brushing in rural areas. The majority 395 (82 %) of the children had plaque, 73(15.1 %) presented with dental mal positions, 341 (70.6 %) with bleeding gums and 223 (46.2 %) had calculus which was predominant in lower incisors. The prevalence of dental caries in the entire population was 28.1%.The majority of pupils 346 (71.6 %) were caries free and 01 (0.2 %) had a missing tooth due to decay. None of the children presented with filled teeth. The mean DMFT was higher in the rural (0.39) as compared to the semi urban (0.18) and the urban (0.09) respectively. The mean DMFT index of the entire population was 0.28 while 135(27.9%) of the pupils presented with enamel caries which was predominant in the first permanent molar, 19 (47.2%) presented with deep caries mostly in the second deciduous molars and 8 (22.5%) presented with enamel caries on the second deciduous molars. Dental trauma 12 (2.5%) was mostly found in the upper central incisors. More than a third 61(36.1%) of the pupils who presented with gingivitis were from rural areas,43(25,4%) from semi urban, and 40(26.7%) from urban areas. Almost all the children who lived in semi-urban 157(92.9%) and in urban areas 150 (78.7%) consumed cariogenic diets. A third of the children who ate in-between meals lived in urban areas149 (34.2%) while 123 (72.8%) of the children in semi-urban areas were conscious of their oral hygiene, and 61 (37.2%) of the children’s food are controlled by the parents. Only 37 (7.7 %) of the children have done have ever been to a dentist. The prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases and other orofacial lesions in the western region of Cameroon was low. Dental caries was found to be higher in rural and urban areas. Collaboration between the ministries of health and basic education is necessary as a measure to institute oral health education in primary schools. This will go a long way to reduce inequalities in oral health by improving in the oral practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1315-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. M. Kamruzzaman ◽  
Minhaj Rahim Chowdhury ◽  
Md Nazrul Islam ◽  
Imtiaz Sultan ◽  
Shamim Ahmed ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To assess disease-related knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients Patients and methods Consecutive RA patients were invited from the rheumatology departments of BSMM University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Bangla version of the Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (B-PKQ) was used. Correlations between the B-PKQ scores and clinical-demographic data were measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Impact of independent variables on the level of knowledge about RA was analyzed through multiple regression analysis. Possible explanatory variables included the following: age, disease duration, formal education level, and Bangla Health Assessment Questionnaire (B-HAQ) score. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the difference between demographical, clinical, and socioeconomic variables. For statistical analysis, SPSS statistics version 20 was used. Results A total of 168 RA patients could be included. The mean B-PKQ score was 9.84 (range 1–20) from a possible maximum of 30. The mean time for answering the questionnaire was 24.3 min (range 15–34). Low scores were observed in all domains but the lowest were in medications and joint protection/energy conservation. Knowledge level was higher (15.5) in 6 patients who had RA education before enrollment. B-PKQ showed positive correlation with education level (r = 0.338) and negative correlation with HAQ (r = −0.169). The B-PKQ showed no correlation with age, disease duration, having first degree family member with RA, education from other sources (neighbor, RA patient, nurses), or information from mass media. Conclusions Disease-related knowledge of Bangladeshi RA patients was poor in all domains. Using these findings, improved education and knowledge will result in better disease control.Key Points• Little is known about the knowledge of RA patients regarding their disease and its treatment in Bangladesh and in developing countries in general.• We found that the knowledge of Bangladeshi RA patients regarding their disease was poor in all domains; it correlated positive with education level and negative with function (HAQ), but showed no correlation with age or disease duration.• The findings of this study can be used for improving current patient education programs by health professionals and through mass media.• Better disease control of RA may be achieved by improving patient knowledge in a developing country like Bangladesh, but also in other parts of the world.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Sherley ◽  
Sam Newton

Abstract Background Neonatal tetanus (NT) is a deadly nervous system disorder that is endemic to Afghanistan. Administering sufficient doses of tetanus toxoid containing vaccine (TTCV) during pregnancy can pass antibodies to the fetus and therefore prevent NT. Using survey data, we investigated the association between area of residence (urban or rural) and sufficient antenatal TTCV coverage among women aged 15–49 years in Afghanistan during their most recent pregnancy in the past 5 years that resulted in a live birth. Mother’s education level was also assessed as a potential effect modifier. Methods Secondary analysis was performed on data from the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey (AfDHS). The 2015 AfDHS was a nationally representative survey with participants selected in a stratified two-stage sample design from urban and rural areas across Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. Data were analyzed on 19,737 women ages 15–49 that had a live birth in the 5 years preceding the survey. The relationship between area of residence and sufficient antenatal TTCV was assessed in a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for several confounding variables. Results 55.1% (95% CI = 51.6–58.5%) of urban women and 53.9% (95% CI = 49.7–57.9%) of rural women had sufficient tetanus vaccination coverage in their most recent pregnancy. In multivariate analysis, there was strong evidence for greater odds of sufficient antenatal tetanus vaccination in rural areas (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.18–2.24, p = 0.003). There was no effect modification on this association by mother’s education level. Conclusions Women in rural areas of Afghanistan have greater odds of receiving sufficient antenatal tetanus vaccination than women in urban areas. Further study into factors contributing to this urban-rural disparity is needed. Targeted antenatal tetanus vaccination strategies for urban and rural women will be necessary as Afghanistan continues to work towards NT eradication.


1991 ◽  
Vol 159 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stavroula Beratis

The mean suicide rate among 10–19–year-olds in Greece from 1980 to 1987 was 0.98/100 000 per year (male 1.07, female 0.89). Girls and boys demonstrated the greatest suicide rate at 16 and 19 years, respectively. The combined suicide rate was significantly higher in the rural areas (1.48) than in Athens (0.48) and the other urban areas (0.98). Boys committed suicide more frequently than girls in Athens and other urban areas, whereas girls did so in the rural areas. The suicide rate declined during the last three years of the study. Differences in the methods used and the reported reasons for suicide were observed among the adolescents in Athens, other urban areas, and the rural areas. Greek adolescents appear to be relatively protected from suicide, particularly those who live in the urban areas.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document