scholarly journals T87. CHANGING RATES OF PAST-YEAR CANNABIS USE BY PEOPLE WITH A PSYCHOTIC DISORDER

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S264-S265
Author(s):  
Anna Waterreus ◽  
Patsy Di Prinzio ◽  
Johanna Badcock ◽  
Mat Martin-Iverson ◽  
Vera Morgan

Abstract Background General population data show that cannabis use by younger people has been declining but increasing in older adults and overall, the gap between men and women appears to be narrowing. Despite rates of past-year cannabis use by people with a psychotic disorder being much higher than that of the general population, little has been documented about sex and age differences in patterns of cannabis use over time by people with a psychotic disorder. Methods To better understand trends in cannabis use by people with a psychotic illness, we examined sex and age differences in rates of past-year cannabis use using nationally representative data from two cross-sectional Australian national surveys of psychosis (1997, 2010). We then compared our findings to comparable general population data collected in the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey (1998, 2010). Results Prevalence of past-year cannabis use by people with psychotic illness dropped significantly from 38.2% to 33.7%. Both sexes showed a decline in use. The steeper decline in use by men aged 18–29 years (70.2% to 47.8%) contributed to a narrowing of the sex gap. Conversely, use by men aged 55–64 increased from 4.8% to 18.8%. In comparison, general population data showed a similar pattern of change across sex and age groups including a steeper decline in use by men aged 18–29 years, but only a very modest increase in use from 3% to 5%, by men aged 55 and over. Discussion Despite declining rates of past-year cannabis use in people with a psychotic illness, rates remain more than double that of the general population. Traditionally, men were more likely to use cannabis than women, but convergence in rates in younger people shows this is changing. Furthermore, cannabis use is not restricted to young people. Increasing use of cannabis by older men will place additional demands on drug and alcohol services.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Waterreus ◽  
Patsy Di Prinzio ◽  
Johanna C. Badcock ◽  
Mathew T. Martin-Iverson ◽  
Vera A. Morgan

Abstract Background: General population data show cannabis use by younger people is declining but increasing in older adults. Overall, the gap between men and women appears to be narrowing. Little has been documented about sex and age differences in patterns of cannabis use over time by people with a psychotic disorder. We examined rates of past-year cannabis use by sex and age to determine whether use by this population has changed over time. Methods: Data on cannabis use from Australian National Psychosis Surveys (1997, 2010) were analysed by sex and age and compared to National Drug Strategy Household Surveys (1998, 2010). Results: Prevalence of past-year cannabis use by people with psychotic illness dropped significantly from 38.2% to 33.7%. Both sexes showed a decline in use. The steeper decline in use by men aged 18-29 years (70.2% to 47.8%) contributed to a narrowing of the sex gap. Conversely, use by men aged 55-64 increased from 4.8% to 18.8%. General population data showed a similar pattern of change across sex and age groups. Conclusions: Despite declining rates of past-year cannabis use in people with a psychotic illness, rates remain more than double that of the general population. Traditionally, men were more likely to use cannabis than women, but convergence in rates in younger people shows this is changing. Furthermore, cannabis use is not restricted to young people. Increasing use of cannabis by older men will place additional demands on drug and alcohol services.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt ◽  
Martina Otavova ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen

Abstract Aim: To examine the magnitude of sex differences in survival from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Europe across age and countries. We hypothesise that men have higher mortality than women at any given age, but that sex differences will decrease with age as only the strongest men survive to older ages.Methods: We used population data from Institut National D’Études Démographiques on cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 from February to June 2020 in 10 European countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, England & Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. For each country, we calculated cumulative mortality rates stratified by age and sex and corresponding relative risks for men vs. women.Results: The relative risk of dying from COVID-19 was higher for men than for women in almost all age groups in all countries. The overall relative risk ranged from 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.23) in Portugal to 1.54 (95% CI 1.49-1.58) in France. In most countries, sex differences increased until ages 60-69 years, but decreased thereafter with the smallest sex difference at ages 80+.Conclusions: Despite variability in data collection and time coverage among countries, we illustrate an overall similar pattern of sex differences in COVID-19 mortality in Europe.


Author(s):  
Erika N Aagaard ◽  
Brede Kvisvik ◽  
Mohammad O Pervez ◽  
Magnus N Lyngbakken ◽  
Trygve Berge ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Increased left ventricular mechanical dispersion by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography predicts ventricular arrhythmias in ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. However, little is known about mechanical dispersion in the general population. We aimed to study mechanical dispersion in the general population and in diseases associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods and results The present cross-sectional study consists of 2529 subjects born in 1950 included in the Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 study. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was assessed from 17 strain segments, and mechanical dispersion calculated as the standard deviation of contraction duration of all segments. The cohort was divided according to the median value of mechanical dispersion, and multivariable linear regression models were performed with mechanical dispersion as the dependent variable. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, obesity, and diabetes (P < 0.01 for all) was significantly higher in subjects with supra-median mechanical dispersion. In a multivariable clinical model, CAD (B = 7.05), hypertension (B = 4.15; both P < 0.001), diabetes (B = 3.39), and obesity (B = 1.89; both P < 0.05) were independently associated with increasing mechanical dispersion. When echocardiographic indices were added to the multivariable model, CAD (B = 4.38; P < 0.01) and hypertension (B = 2.86; P < 0.001) remained significant in addition to peak early diastolic tissue velocity e’ (B = −2.00), GLS (B = 1.68), and ejection fraction (B = 0.22; P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion In a general middle-aged population, prevalent CAD and hypertension were associated with increasing mechanical dispersion, possibly indicating elevated risk of fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Albeit weaker, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, were also associated with increasing mechanical dispersion.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e016217 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Shafiqur Rahman ◽  
Syed Hanifi ◽  
Fatema Khatun ◽  
Mohammad Iqbal ◽  
Sabrina Rasheed ◽  
...  

Background and objectivesmHealth offers a new opportunity to ensure access to qualified healthcare providers. Therefore, to better understand its potential in Bangladesh, it is important to understand how young people use mobile phones for healthcare. Here we examine the knowledge, attitudes and intentions to use mHealth services among young population.DesignPopulation based cross sectional household survey.Setting and participantsA total of 4909 respondents, aged 18 years and above, under the Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) area, were interviewed during the period November 2012 to April 2013.MethodsParticipants younger than 30 years of age were defined as young (or generation Y). To examine the level of knowledge about and intention towards mHealth services in generation Y compared with their older counterparts, the percentage of the respective outcome measure from a 2×2 contingency table and adjusted odds ratio (aOR), which controls for potential confounders such as mobile ownership, sex, education, occupation and socioeconomic status, were estimated. The aOR was estimated using both the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel approach and multivariable logistic regression models controlling for confounders.ResultsGeneration Y had significantly greater access to mobile phones (50%vs40%) and better knowledge about its use for healthcare (37.8%vs27.5%;aOR 1.6 (95% CI1.3 to 2.0)). Furthermore, the level of knowledge about two existing mHealth services in generation Y was significantly higher compared with their older counterparts, with aOR values of 3.2 (95% CI 2.6 to 5.5) and 1.5 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.8), respectively. Similarly, generation Y showed significantly greater intention towards future use of mHealth services compared with their older counterparts (aOR 1.3 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.4)). The observed associations were not modified by sociodemographic factors.ConclusionThere is a greater potential for mHealth services in the future among young people compared with older age groups. However, given the low overall use of mHealth, appropriate policy measures need to be formulated to enhance availability, access, utilisation and effectiveness of mHealth services.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1903-1911 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Dekker ◽  
J. Meijer ◽  
M. Koeter ◽  
W. van den Brink ◽  
N. van Beveren ◽  
...  

BackgroundCannabis use is associated with an earlier age at onset of psychotic illness. The aim of the present study was to examine whether this association is confounded by gender or other substance use in a large cohort of patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder.MethodIn 785 patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder, regression analysis was used to investigate the independent effects of gender, cannabis use and other drug use on age at onset of first psychosis.ResultsAge at onset was 1.8 years earlier in cannabis users compared to non-users, controlling for gender and other possible confounders. Use of other drugs did not have an additional effect on age at onset when cannabis use was taken into account. In 63.5% of cannabis-using patients, age at most intense cannabis use preceded the age at onset of first psychosis. In males, the mean age at onset was 1.3 years lower than in females, controlling for cannabis use and other confounders.ConclusionsCannabis use and gender are independently associated with an earlier onset of psychotic illness. Our findings also suggest that cannabis use may precipitate psychosis. More research is needed to clarify the neurobiological factors that make people vulnerable to this precipitating effect of cannabis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-49
Author(s):  
Keshab Prasad Timalsina

The elderly abuse in a family is one of the most challenging problems in a society. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of elderly abuse in the family environment of JureliTole of Bakaiya Rural Municipality. The study also presents various risk factors that influence the prevalence of Elderly abuse. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 103 elders taken from household survey by using census method. The data were collected through a face-to-face structured interview schedule. The descriptive and regression analysis of the collected data showed that the prevalence of elderly abuse was 46.6% in the study population. This study measured significant association (p<0.05) of overall abuse against the elder with only two socio-demographic variables (literacy status and health status) among the variables (gender, age groups, living with or without spouse, literacy status, health status, dependency status, and income level). The results showed that the elders with/without spouse had the highest odds ratio to be abused (2.19 times) followed by gender (1.64 times), and health status (1.25 times). Although this study found lower prevalence than many previous studies, it is still significant and needs to be prevented. Based on the study, it can be said that living without a spouse, with poor health, and being female are the major predictive descriptors for elderly abuse.The policies and programs are needed for the prevention of elderly abuse which may require collective action from social, health and justice sectors. 


Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bryan Tanner ◽  
Anne M. Doherty

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a serious problem in the Traveller community, with rates estimated at 11%: over 6 times that of the general population. Aims: We aimed to establish the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) and self-harm (SH) among Irish Travellers. Method: This was an observational cross-sectional cohort study of patients presenting with SH and SI to a tertiary hospital in Ireland, in an area with a large local Traveller population. Data were analyzed from the anonymized database ( n = 2,016), comparing characteristics of Travellers and the general population. Results: This study found that Travellers (1.6% of the local population) represent 4.3% of the population seen in hospital with SH and SI, and 14.8% of episodes. There was a significant difference in SH methods used: Travellers were significantly more likely to present following attempted hanging, ( OR = 21.8; p = .004). Travellers were more commonly diagnosed with depression or substance abuse, referred from critical care, and transferred for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Limitations: Limitations include the use of retrospective data from a service activity database rather than clinical information collected prospectively. Conclusion: There are significant differences in patterns of suicidal behaviors between Irish Travellers and the general population. Further research is required to understand and address the high rates of suicidal behaviors in this population.


Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Khaddage ◽  
Julie Patterson ◽  
Dave L Dixon

Background: Recent guidelines endorse the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for out-of-office BP measurement and HTN management. Past literature has described patient perceptions of ABPM tolerability but differences between sex and age have not previously been determined. The objective of this study was to evaluate sex and age differences in such patient perceptions. Methods: This was a prospective, single-arm trial (NCT03920956) of a community pharmacy-driven ABPM service that enrolled 52 patients at least 18 years of age who were suspected of having white coat, masked, or sustained HTN, have symptoms of hypotension, or require confirmation of an initial diagnosis of HTN. We evaluated the tolerability of the ABPM device (Oscar 2; SunTech Medical, Morrisville, NC) as a secondary outcome with a previously published 8-question survey using a 0-10 scale (0=not at all, 5=somewhat, 10=extremely). The responses were dichotomized as either favorable (0-4) or unfavorable (5-10) with reverse coding for positively-worded questions. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analyses were used to describe sex and age differences. Results: A total of 50 surveys (96%) were completed and returned. Respondents were 50% female (n=25) with a mean (SD) age of 57.5 (15.8), and 58% (n=29) were at least 55 years of age. Female respondents were more likely to find the monitor cumbersome to wear at times other than at home, work, or driving (16/21, 76.2% vs. 10/25, 40%, p = 0.014). Although nonsignificant, male respondents were more likely to find the monitor embarrassing to wear (7/25, 28.0% vs. 2/24, 8.3%, p = 0.076). In comparisons of tolerability by age, subjects less than 55 years of age were more likely to report being disturbed by the pump during driving (8/21, 38.1% vs. 1/24, 4.2%, p = 0.005), at other times (7/20, 35.0% vs. 2/24, 8.3%, p = 0.029), and found the monitor embarrassing to wear (7/21, 33.3% vs. 2/28, 7.1%, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Previous studies suggest that ABPM is generally well-tolerated by patients but may cause some discomfort or disturbed sleep. Differences in tolerability appear to become more evident across age groups and sex. These data suggest select patients may require additional counseling and education to ensure adherence to ABPM.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
MG Madianos ◽  
D Gefou-Madianou ◽  
CN Stefanis

SummaryA cross-sectional home survey on the epidemiology of drug use in Greece, with a nationwide general population sample of 4,291 respondents aged 12 to 64, was carried out. The weighted life prevalence of reported illicit drug use in the total sample was found to be 9% among males and 2.5% among females, with a ratio of 3.6: 1. Six and a half percent of males of all ages had used, at some time, licit psychotropic drugs without a doctor's order, while females presented much higher prevalence rates (14.9%). Young adults reported higher rates of both illicit and licit lifetime and past-year use, compared to the other age groups. Illicit drug use was less common, in females of all ages. Cannabis was the most common illicit drug used. Current as well as lifetime use of pain relievers without a doctor's prescription was found to be highest among all other licit substances. This holds true for all age groups and for both sexes. Tranquillizers were predominantly used by females of all ages. Certain sociodemographic variables, such as sex, educational level, marital status, place of residence and occupational status were found to be related to drug use in Greece.


2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (7) ◽  
pp. 994-998
Author(s):  
Ritika Mukhija ◽  
Noopur Gupta ◽  
Praveen Vashist ◽  
Radhika Tandon ◽  
Sanjeev K Gupta

ObjectiveTo characterise types of corneal diseases and resulting visual impairment (VI) in a rural North Indian population.DesignCross-sectional, population-based study.MethodsThe Corneal Opacity Rural Epidemiological study included 12 899 participants from 25 random clusters of rural Gurgaon, Haryana, India to determine the prevalence of the corneal disease in the general population. Sociodemographic details, presence and type of corneal morbidity, laterality, VI (presenting visual acuity (PVA) <6/18 in the better eye) and characteristics of corneal opacities were noted.ResultsOverall, 12 113 participants of all ages underwent detailed ophthalmic examination and prevalence of corneal opacity was found to be 3.7% (n=452) with bilateral involvement in 140 participants (31%) during the house-to-house visits. Of the total 571 eyes of 435 patients presenting with corneal opacity at the central clinic, PVA was <3/60 in 166 (29.1%), 3/60 to <6/60 in 14 (2.5%), 6/60 to <6/18 in 164 (28.7%), 6/18 to ≤6/12 in 85 (14.9%) and 6/9 to 6/6 in 142 eyes (24.9%), respectively. Further, there were a total of 115 eyes (20.1%) with nebular corneal opacity, 263 (46.1%) with macular, 162 (28.4%) with leucomatous and 31 (5.4%) with an adherent leucoma. The odds of having VI due to corneal disease were greater for the illiterate (OR:4.26; 95% CI: 2.88 to 6.31; p<0.001) and elderly (OR:11.05; 95% CI: 7.76 to 15.74; p<0.001).ConclusionThe data from this study give an insight into the characteristics of various corneal pathologies and resulting VI in the general population. This is a pioneer study involving all age groups on the burden of VI due to corneal diseases.


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