At‐risk circumstances for COVID‐19 increase the risk of pruritus: cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.

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A Silenced Population

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000470 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 433-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kim Gryglewicz ◽

Melanie Bozzay ◽

Brittany Arthur-Jordon ◽

Gabriela D. Romero ◽

Melissa Witmeier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

At Risk Youth ◽

Peer Relationship ◽

Student Records ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Method Student

Abstract. Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.

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Binge Eating and Problem Gambling are Associated with Common and Distinct Deficits in Emotion Regulation among Community Women: Results from a Prospective Study

10.31234/osf.io/v9nbs ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Farstad ◽

Kristin M. von Ranson

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Binge Eating ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Behavioral Addiction ◽

Negative Urgency ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Severe Problem

To elucidate similarities and differences between binge eating and a behavioral addiction, this prospective study compared facets of emotion regulation that were associated with problem gambling, the only formally recognized behavioral addiction, and binge eating. Community-based women (N = 202) who engaged in at-risk binge eating (n = 79), at-risk gambling (n = 36), or both (n = 87) completed four online assessments over six months. Baseline and six-month surveys assessed self-reported emotion dysregulation (using the DERS and UPPS-P), binge eating (using the EDE-Q), and gambling (using the PGSI); abbreviated two- and four-month surveys assessed only binge eating and gambling. Binge eating and problem gambling were both associated with emotion dysregulation, and greater positive urgency was correlated with more severe problem gambling but less frequent binge eating. Negative urgency explained no unique variance in binge eating or problem gambling changes over time, once other facets of emotion dysregulation (i.e., positive urgency and facets assessed by the DERS) were included. Thus, previous cross-sectional research may have overestimated the association of negative urgency with both binge eating and problem gambling. Overall, these findings suggest that binge eating and problem gambling are associated with common as well as distinct emotion regulation deficits.

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Are neighborhood restaurants related to frequency of restaurant meals and dietary quality?: Prevalence and changes over time in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021002196 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-29

Author(s):

Amy H. Auchincloss ◽

Jingjing Li ◽

Kari A. B. Moore ◽

Manuel Franco ◽

Mahasin S. Mujahid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Longitudinal Analyses ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Analysis ◽

Eating Out ◽

Restaurant Meals ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

Over Time

Abstract Objective: To examine whether the density of neighbourhood restaurants affected the frequency of eating restaurant meals and subsequently affected diet quality. Design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Structural equation models assessed the indirect relationship between restaurant density (≤3 miles (4.8 km) of participant addresses) and dietary quality (Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI)) via the frequency of eating restaurant meals, after adjustment for sociodemographics, select health conditions, region, residence duration and area-level income. Setting: Urbanised areas in multiple regions of the USA, years 2000–2002 and 2010–2012. Participants: Participants aged 45–84 years were followed for 10 years (n 3567). Results: Median HEI (out of 100) was 59 at baseline and 62 at follow-up. Cross-sectional analysis found residing in areas with a high density of restaurants (highest ranked quartile) was associated with 52% higher odds of frequently eating restaurant meals (≥3 times/week, odds ratio [OR]:1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-1.98) and 3% higher odds of having lower dietary quality (HEI lowest quartile<54, OR:1.03,CI:1.01-1.06); associations were not sustained in longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectional analysis found 34% higher odds of having lower dietary quality for those who frequently ate at restaurants (OR:1.34,CI:1.12-1.61); and more restaurant meals (over time increase ≥1 times/week) was associated with higher odds of having worse dietary quality at follow-up (OR:1.21,CI:1.00-1.46). Conclusions: Restaurant density was associated with frequently eating out in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses but was associated with the lower dietary quality only in cross-sectional analyses. Frequent restaurant meals were negatively related to dietary quality. Interventions that encourage less frequent eating out may improve population dietary quality.

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Quality of life, symptoms and dietary habits in oncology outpatients with malnutrition: A cross-sectional study

Medical Oncology ◽

10.1007/s12032-021-01460-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Mira Sonneborn-Papakostopoulos ◽

Clara Dubois ◽

Viktoria Mathies ◽

Mara Heß ◽

Nicole Erickson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

At Risk ◽

Side Effects ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

European Organization

AbstractCancer-related malnutrition has a high prevalence, reduces survival and increases side effects. The aim of this study was to assess oncology outpatients and risk of malnutrition. Reported symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients found to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished were compared to patients without malnutrition. Using a standardized questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire for Quality of Life and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), patients in an outpatient cancer clinic undergoing chemotherapy treatment at a German University Hospital were assessed for nutrition, risk of malnutrition and quality of life. Based on the MNA, 39 (45.9%) patients were categorized as malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Loss of appetite (n = 37.6%, p < 0.001) and altered taste sensation (n = 30,3%, p < 0.001) were the symptoms most frequently associated with reduced food intake. Patients with risk of malnutrition scored lower on the global health status (n = 48.15%, p = 0.001). Side effects of cancer treatments lead to a higher risk of malnutrition and as a consequence lower QoL. These side effects should be addressed more efficiently in cancer care.

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Engineering students’ attitudinal beliefs by gender and student division: a methodological comparison of changes over time

International Journal of STEM Education ◽

10.1186/s40594-020-00269-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Madison E. Andrews ◽

Anita D. Patrick ◽

Maura Borrego

Keyword(s):

Self Efficacy ◽

Engineering Students ◽

Focal Point ◽

Value Engineering ◽

Longitudinal Analyses ◽

Utility Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Students’ attitudinal beliefs related to how they see themselves in STEM have been a focal point of recent research, given their well-documented links to retention and persistence. These beliefs are most often assessed cross-sectionally, and as such, we lack a thorough understanding of how they may fluctuate over time. Using matched survey responses from undergraduate engineering students (n = 278), we evaluate if, and to what extent, students’ engineering attitudinal beliefs (attainment value, utility value, self-efficacy, interest, and identity) change over a 1-year period. Further, we examine whether there are differences based on gender and student division, and then compare results between cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses to illustrate weaknesses in our current understanding of these constructs. Results Our study revealed inconsistencies between cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of the same dataset. Cross-sectional analyses indicated a significant difference by student division for engineering utility value and engineering interest, but no significant differences by gender for any variable. However, longitudinal analyses revealed statistically significant decreases in engineering utility value, engineering self-efficacy, and engineering interest for lower division students and significant decreases in engineering attainment value for upper division students over a one-year period. Further, longitudinal analyses revealed a gender gap in engineering self-efficacy for upper division students, where men reported higher means than women. Conclusions Our analyses make several contributions. First, we explore attitudinal differences by student division not previously documented. Second, by comparing across methodologies, we illustrate that different conclusions can be drawn from the same data. Since the literature around these variables is largely cross-sectional, our understanding of students’ engineering attitudes is limited. Our longitudinal analyses show variation in engineering attitudinal beliefs that are obscured when data is only examined cross-sectionally. These analyses revealed an overall downward trend within students for all beliefs that changed significantly—losses which may foreshadow attrition out of engineering. These findings provide an opportunity to introduce targeted interventions to build engineering utility value, engineering self-efficacy, and engineering interest for student groups whose means were lower than average.

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Mental health, compliance with measures and health prospects during the COVID-19 epidemic: the role of health literacy

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11437-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lize Hermans ◽

Stephan Van den Broucke ◽

Lydia Gisle ◽

Stefaan Demarest ◽

Rana Charafeddine

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Physical Distance ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normal Life ◽

Low Health Literacy

Abstract Background The importance of health literacy in dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic has been emphasized but scarcely addressed empirically. In this study, the association of health literacy with mental health, compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and health prospects was assessed in a Belgian context. Methods Data were extracted from the third of a series of cross-sectional online COVID-related surveys (n = 32,794). Data collection took place for 1 week starting the 28th of May 2020. People residing in Belgium and aged 18 years or older could participate. Data were collected on sociodemographic background, health literacy, multimorbidity, mental health (depression, anxiety, sleeping disorder, vitality), knowledge about COVID-19, compliance with COVID-19 measures (hygiene, physical distance, covering mouth and nose on public transport and in places where physical distance cannot be respected), and health prospects (risk for health when returning to normal life and possibility of infection). Prevalence Ratio (PR) of poor mental health, non-compliance with the measures and health prospects in relation to health literacy were calculated using Poisson regressions. Results People showing sufficient health literacy were less likely to suffer from anxiety disorders (PR = 0.47, 95% CI = [0.42–0.53]), depression (PR = 0.46, 95% CI = [0.40–0.52]) and sleeping disorders (PR = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.82–0.87]), and more likely to have optimal vitality (PR = 2.41, 95% CI = [2.05–2.84]) than people with low health literacy. They were less at risk of not complying with the COVID-19 measures (PR between 0.60 and 0.83) except one (covering mouth and nose in places where physical distance cannot be respected). Finally, they were less likely to perceive returning to normal life as threatening (PR = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.65–0.77]) and to consider themselves at risk of an infection with COVID-19 (PR = 0.75, 95% CI = [0.67–0.84]). The associations remained significant after controlling for COVID-19 knowledge and multimorbidity. Conclusions These results suggest that health literacy is a crucial factor in managing the COVID-19 epidemic and offer a perspective for future studies that target health literacy in the context of virus outbreaks.

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Sarcopenia and Malnutrition Screening in Female Osteoporosis Patients—A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112344 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2344

Author(s):

Franca Genest ◽

Dominik Rak ◽

Elisa Bätz ◽

Kerstin Ott ◽

Lothar Seefried

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Functional Deficits ◽

Complementary Approach ◽

Study Results ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Not At Risk

Sarcopenia and malnutrition are important determinants of increased fracture risk in osteoporosis. SARC-F and MNA-SF are well-established questionnaires for identifying patients at risk for these conditions. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and potential added benefit of such assessments as well as the actual prevalence of these conditions in osteoporosis patients. We conducted a cross-sectional, single-center study in female osteoporosis patients ≥ 65 years (SaNSiBaR-study). Results of the sarcopenia (SARC-F) and malnutrition (MNA-SF) screening questionnaires were matched with a functional assessment for sarcopenia and data from patients’ medical records. Out of 107 patients included in the analysis, a risk for sarcopenia (SARC-F ≥ 4 points) and a risk for malnutrition (MNA-SF ≤ 11 points) was found in 33 (30.8%) and 38 (35.5%) patients, respectively. Diagnostic overlap with coincident indicative findings in both questionnaires was observed in 17 patients (16%). As compared to the respective not-at-risk groups, the mean short physical performance battery (SPPB) score was significantly reduced in both patients at risk for sarcopenia (7.0 vs. 10.9 points, p < 0.001) and patients at risk for malnutrition (8.7 vs. 10.5 points, p = 0.005). Still, confirmed sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 criteria was present in only 6 (6%) of all 107 patients, with only 3 of them having an indicative SARC-F score. Bone mineral density was not significantly different in any of the at-risk groups at any site. In summary, applying SARC-F and MNA-SF in osteoporosis patients appears to be a complementary approach to identify individuals with functional deficits.

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Impact of Birth Control Use on Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Female College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 165-165

Author(s):

Lilah Chase ◽

Jesse Morrell

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

At Risk ◽

Birth Control ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Female College Students ◽

College Health ◽

Health Providers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female College

Abstract Objectives Research suggests birth control (BC) use alters blood lipids in women. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in metabolic syndrome risk between birth control users vs. nonusers in a sample of female college students, 18–24 years old. Methods Data were collected between 2005–18 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, an ongoing, cross-sectional study conducted at a midsized, northeastern university. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical measures were obtained in the fasted state and used to determine metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. BC use was self-reported. Proportional differences between BC vs. non-BC users of MetS and individual MetS components were evaluated via chi-square tests. Results Forty-five % of the final sample (n = 6456) reported using BC. MetS (≥3 MetS criteria) was present in 3.9% of students; 16.7% of students had ≥ 2 MetS criteria. BC users vs. nonusers were more likely to have at-risk triglyceride levels (22.4 vs. 11.0%, P < .001) but less likely to have at-risk HDL levels (21.2 vs. 27.7%, P < .001) and abdominal obesity (14.3% vs. 16.4, P < .05). No significant differences were observed in prevalence of elevated blood pressure or glucose between BC users vs. nonusers. Overall, MetS prevalence did not differ between groups (3.8 vs. 3.9%, P = .85). Conclusions Our findings suggest BC use is common and impacts different MetS criteria in college females. College health providers and nutrition educators can utilize research findings to tailor information for female students at risk for MetS and chronic disease. Funding Sources New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1,010,738.

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Temporomandibular disorders in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and at-risk individuals in the Dutch population: a cross-sectional study

RMD Open ◽

10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e001485

Author(s):

Johanna M Kroese ◽

Catherine M C Volgenant ◽

Wim Crielaard ◽

Bruno Loos ◽

Dirkjan van Schaardenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

At Risk ◽

Early Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Temporomandibular Disorders ◽

Self Report ◽

Joint Disease ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pain Diagnosis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and individuals at-risk of RA.Methods150 participants were recruited in three groups (50 per group): (1) patients with ERA (2010 EULAR criteria) (2) at-risk individuals and (3) healthy controls. All participants were tested for seropositivity of rheumatoid factor and anticitrullinated protein antibodies. A possible TMD diagnosis was determined according to the standardised and validated diagnostic criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) in five categories: myalgia, arthralgia, articular disc displacement, degenerative joint disease and headache attributed to TMD. Results were tested for the prevalence of TMD (all categories combined) and TMD pain (myalgia and/or arthralgia). To investigate a possible role for bruxism, a probable sleep and/or awake bruxism diagnosis was determined based on self-report and several clinical features.ResultsThe prevalence of any TMD diagnosis did not differ between the three groups. However, at-risk individuals more often had a TMD-pain diagnosis than healthy controls (p=0.046). No such difference was found between the ERA group and the control group. However, within the ERA group, seronegative patients had a TMD-pain diagnosis more often than seropositive patients (4/12 (33%) vs 3/38 (8%), p=0.048). Participants with a TMD-pain diagnosis were more often diagnosed with probable sleep bruxism than those without a TMD-pain diagnosis.ConclusionThe prevalence of TMD pain is increased in individuals at-risk of RA and seronegative ERA patients, and is associated with bruxism signs and symptoms. These results suggest that health professionals should be alert to TMD pain in these groups.

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