Myopia incidence and lifestyle changes among school children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based prospective study

BackgroundThe impacts of social restrictions for COVID-19 on children’s vision and lifestyle remain unknown.AimsTo investigate myopia incidence, spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and lifestyle changes among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsTwo separate longitudinal cohorts of children aged 6–8 years in Hong Kong were included. The COVID-19 cohort was recruited at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, whereas the pre-COVID-19 cohort was recruited before the COVID-19 pandemic. All children received ocular examinations, and answered a standardised questionnaire relating to their lifestyle, including time spent on outdoor activities and near work, both at baseline and at follow-up visits.ResultsA total of 1793 subjects were recruited, of whom 709 children comprised the COVID-19 cohort with 7.89±2.30 months of follow-up, and 1084 children comprised the pre-COVID-19 cohort with 37.54±3.12 months of follow-up. The overall incidence was 19.44% in the COVID-19 cohort, and 36.57% in pre-COVID-19 cohort. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the change in SER and axial length was –0.50±0.51 D and 0.29±0.35 mm, respectively; the time spent on outdoor activities decreased from 1.27±1.12 to 0.41±0.90 hours/day (p<0.001), while screen time increased from 2.45±2.32 to 6.89±4.42 hours/day (p<0.001).ConclusionsWe showed a potential increase in myopia incidence, significant decrease in outdoor time and increase in screen time among schoolchildren in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results serve to warn eye care professionals, and also policy makers, educators and parents, that collective efforts are needed to prevent childhood myopia—a potential public health crisis as a result of COVID-19.

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Do doctors act on their self-reported intention to computerize? A follow-up population-based survey in Hong Kong

International Journal of Medical Informatics ◽

10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2004.03.004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 73 (5) ◽

pp. 415-431 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Timothy Y.Y Lai ◽

Gabriel M Leung ◽

Irene O.L Wong ◽

Janice M Johnston

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Population Based ◽

Population Based Survey

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Myopia Progress and Related Factors in School-Aged Children in Qingdao

10.21203/rs.3.rs-726765/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Meng An ◽

Yuanyuan Liu ◽

Yan Zhang ◽

Chengye Che ◽

Jie Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

General Description ◽

Work Time ◽

Related Factors ◽

Outdoor Activities ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Near Work

Abstract PurposeObjective to investigate the progress and related factors for myopia in school-aged children in the Economic and Technological Development Zone of Qingdao. MethodsA total of 320 myopic students (aged 10-15 years; grade 3 to 8), who were willing to cooperate for a long time follow-up, were enrolled in the longitudinal survey. Participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination included uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, slit lamp examination, and cycloplegic autorefraction in January 2017 and 2019, respectively. At the end of the follow-up, the information of near work, outdoor activities and other related factors were collected through a questionnaire. Qualified questionnaires were obtained in 296 (92.50%) students. All the data were entered, cleaned and analyzed by EpiData3.0. SPSS 20.0 statistical software was used for data general description, univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.Results1. The baseline mean spherical equivalent of all students decreased from -2.29±1.16D in 2017 to -3.45±1.34D at the end of 2 years follow-up in 2019. The annual average growth of myopia was -0.58D (t=7.708, P<0.001). The growth rate of myopia in Grade 6 was faster than that in other grades, and the difference was statistically significant (F=8.236, P=0.003). 2. Both boys and girls showed significant myopia progress after 2 year follow-up. (Boys: t=6.342, P<0.001; Girls: t=4.888, P<0.001). However, we have not found significant difference in the growth rate between them.3. The proportion of two myopic parent was the highest in this sample, followed by one myopic parent, and no myopic parent was the lowest (c2=27.919, P<0.001). 4. The higher the grade, the more time the students spend on near work (F=2.988, P=0.012) and the less time they spend on outdoor activities. (F=2.290, P=0.046). We did not find that the myopia progression was related with Age, Sex, Parent myopia, Near work time and Outdoor activity time.ConclusionsIn this study, the Grade 6 adolescents had relatively rapid progression for myopia than other age groups. There was no significant difference in the progression of myopia between girls and boys. We did not find that the progression of myopia was related with Age, Sex, Parental myopia, Near work time and Outdoor activities time.

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A Population Based Study of 408 Cases of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Showing Changes in Epidemiology and Prognosis During Two Decades: Impact of Oral Arsenic Trioxide,

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3597.3597 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 3597-3597

Author(s):

Wing-Yan Au ◽

Dennis Ip ◽

Oscar Mang ◽

Kit Fai Wong ◽

Margaret Ng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Arsenic Trioxide ◽

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽

Early Death ◽

The United States ◽

Population Based ◽

Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽

Male Gender ◽

Older Age

Abstract Abstract 3597 Background. The incidence of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) shows racial variations. Population based epidemiologic studies are feasible because of common diagnostic criteria and treatment. The prognosis of APL has substantially improved since the advent of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3). Material and methods. Data on survival and relapse of consecutive APL patients in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2011 were obtained from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry (with at least 98% reporting and complete follow-up), and verified by hospital records. Data were censored at the end of July 2011. Potential factors impacting on survival including age, platelet count (Plat), white blood cell count (WBC), gender; 5-year cohort and As2O3 maintenance were analyzed by logistic regression. Results. Four hundred and eight cases of APL (198 men, 210 women) at a median age of 41 (3–89) years were registered. There was a rise in cases number with successive 5-year cohorts, but the WHO standardized age incidence rate (WSIR) was unchanged (Table 1). At diagnosis (Dx), the median hemoglobin was 8.4 (2.9–14.9) g/dL, WBC 17.7 (0.3–250) × 109/L (>10 × 109/L in 129 cases) and Plat 35 (3–270) × 109/L (< 40 × 109/L in 282 cases). Early death (within 30 days of Dx) occurred in 88 cases. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 318 cases. Outcome was unknown in 2 cases. The incidence of early death decreased progressively with each 5-year cohort (p=0.035), but was positively correlated with older age (p<0.001), high WBC (p<0.001) and male gender (trend only, p=0.06). From CR1, the median follow-up was 83 (0–249) months. Relapse occurred in 108 cases. The 5-year relapse rate fell from 54% (no maintenance) to 16% (p<0.001) with the adoption of ATRA (n=110) and oral As2O3 (n=88; since 2001) maintenance. Relapse rates were lower in patients receiving As2O3 than ATRA maintenance (17% versus 38%; p=0.008). Risk factors predicting relapse were older age (p=0.001), no oral-As2O3 maintenance (p=0.003), high WBC (p=0.023) and male gender (trend only, p=0.056). For relapsed patients, 5-year overall survival (OS) from CR1 was improved from 67% with ATRA (1993–1998) to 96% with oral-As2O3 (since 1999–2011) treatment. The causes of deaths after CR1 were APL relapse (n=35), second cancer (n=8), bone marrow transplantation (BMT, n=7), chemotherapy (n=3) and unrelated causes (n=6). Allogeneic BMT was not performed since 1999. For the last 5-year cohort (2006–2011), there were no APL related deaths after CR1. With reduction of induction death, and improvement in treatment and prevention of relapses, the 5-year OS from diagnosis increased from 44% for the first 5-year cohort to 80% for the last 5-year cohort. On multivariate analysis, age (p<0.001) and cohort period (p=0.031) were determinants of OS. Conclusions. Population based incidence data showed that APL in Hong Kong was more prevalent than the United States (0.15–0.18/100000/year). Oral-As2O3 has markedly changed the outcome of APL patients. Early death is now the greatest problem curtailing survival of APL patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Predictors of physical activity change during adolescence: a 3·5-year follow-up

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012000948 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2237-2245 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Samuel C Dumith ◽

Denise P Gigante ◽

Marlos R Domingues ◽

Pedro C Hallal ◽

Ana MB Menezes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Screen Time ◽

Population Based ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Activity Change ◽

Physical Activity Change ◽

Economic Level

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the predictors of change in physical activity (PA) from early to mid adolescence in a cohort of adolescents.DesignProspective, population-based birth cohort study. PA level was evaluated by means of questionnaire, and was analysed in continuous form (min/week) and as a trajectory (inactive–inactive, inactive–active, active–inactive, active–active) based on the cut-off point of 300 min/week.SettingPelotas, a city of 340 000 inhabitants in southern Brazil.SubjectsAdolescents (n 4120) followed from 11 to 15 years of age.ResultsMaternal PA change and more exposure to outdoors were directly associated with a positive change in PA level (min/week) for both genders. Higher maturation status (among boys) and later menarche were also associated with positive PA change in min/week. Predictors to remain inactive were: maternal PA change (inverse association), more exposure to outdoors, higher socio-economic level, fear of living in the neighbourhood and non-overweight girls. Predictors to become inactive were higher socio-economic level among boys and increase in screen time among girls.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that social, family, biological, behavioural and environmental factors exert an important role in the PA change among youngsters as they move into adolescence. These findings may be relevant to the design of policies and intervention programmes aimed at promoting PA in teenagers.

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Protective behaviours of near work and time outdoors in myopia prevalence and progression in myopic children: a 2-year prospective population study

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314101 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 104 (7) ◽

pp. 956-961 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pin-Chen Huang ◽

Ya-Chuan Hsiao ◽

Ching-Yao Tsai ◽

Der-Chong Tsai ◽

Chi-Wen Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Based ◽

The Other ◽

Self Report ◽

School Students ◽

Myopia Progression ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Near Work ◽

Refraction Data ◽

Protective Behaviours

AimTo investigate the protective behaviours of longer near work distance, discontinuing near work and more time outdoors in recess from parent self-report in the myopia prevalence and progression among myopic children aged 9–11 years.MethodsMyopia Investigation study in Taipei is a longitudinal population-based study that enrolled elementary school students in Taipei. We provided vision and refraction examination every 6 months. Spherical equivalent (SE) of cycloplegic refraction ≤−0.50 Diopter (D) is defined as myopia. Total 10 743 (70.4%) students completed 2-year refraction data and questionnaire. The myopia prevalence and progression (difference of SE) in baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were compared by generalised estimating equations.ResultsChildren with persistent protective behaviour had significant lower prevalence of myopia. The protective impact was statistically significant from 6 to 24 months. In 2 years follow-up, risk ratio after adjusting the background variables and the other two behaviours in near work distance, near work time and outdoor time were 0.71, 0.89 and 0.77. In SE analysis, after adjusting the other two behaviours, near work distance >30 cm (−0.7 vs −1.04 D; p<0.001), discontinuing near work every 30 min (−0.77 vs −0.96 D, p=0.005) and more time outdoors in recess from parent self-report (−0.75 vs −0.98 D; p=0.012) revealed protective impacts on diminishing myopia progression from 6 to 24 months.ConclusionIn myopic children aged around 10 years in Taipei, longer distance in near work, discontinuing near work every 30 min and more outdoor time from parent self-report are protective behaviours in myopia prevalence and progression in 6–24 months.

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No relation between biomarkers at age 47–49 and aortic diameter after 14–19 years of follow-up – a population-based study

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000632 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 291-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Soumia Taimour ◽

Moncef Zarrouk ◽

Jan Holst ◽

Olle Melander ◽

Gunar Engström ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Based ◽

Aortic Diameter ◽

Aortic Dilatation ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Old Men

Abstract. Background: Biomarkers reflecting diverse pathophysiological pathways may play an important role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (aortic diameter ≥30 mm, AAA), levels of many biomarkers are elevated and correlated to aortic diameter among 65-year-old men undergoing ultrasound (US) screening for AAA. Probands and methods: To evaluate potential relationships between biomarkers and aortic dilatation after long-term follow-up, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), proneurotensin (PNT), copeptin (CPT), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase 2 (Lp-PLA2), cystatin C (Cyst C), midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), and midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) were measured in 117 subjects (114 [97 %] men) aged 47–49 in a prospective population-based cohort study, and related to aortic diameter at US examination of the aorta after 14–19 years of follow-up. Results: Biomarker levels at baseline did not correlate with aortic diameter after 14–19 years of follow up (CRP [r = 0.153], PNT [r = 0.070], CPT [r = –.156], Lp-PLA2 [r = .024], Cyst C [r = –.015], MR-proANP [r = 0.014], MR-proADM [r = –.117]). Adjusting for age and smoking at baseline in a linear regression model did not reveal any significant correlations. Conclusions: Tested biomarker levels at age 47–49 were not associated with aortic diameter at ultrasound examination after 14–19 years of follow-up. If there are relationships between these biomarkers and aortic dilatation, they are not relevant until closer to AAA diagnosis.

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Does Hospitalization Predict the Disease Course in Ulcerative Colitis? Prevalence and Predictors of Hospitalization and Re- Hospitalization in Ulcerative Colitis in a Population-based Inception Cohort (2000-2012)

Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases ◽

10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.243.pag ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 287-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Petra A. Golovics ◽

Laszlo Lakatos ◽

Michael D. Mandel ◽

Barbara D. Lovasz ◽

Zsuzsanna Vegh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Diagnostic Procedures ◽

Population Based ◽

Disease Course ◽

Inception Cohort ◽

Disease Extent ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Hospitalization Rates

Background & Aims: Limited data are available on the hospitalization rates in population-based studies. Since this is a very important outcome measure, the aim of this study was to analyze prospectively if early hospitalization is associated with the later disease course as well as to determine the prevalence and predictors of hospitalization and re-hospitalization in the population-based ulcerative colitis (UC) inception cohort in the Veszprem province database between 2000 and 2012. Methods: Data of 347 incident UC patients diagnosed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010 were analyzed (M/F: 200/147, median age at diagnosis: 36, IQR: 26-50 years, follow-up duration: 7, IQR 4-10 years). Both in- and outpatient records were collected and comprehensively reviewed. Results: Probabilities of first UC-related hospitalization were 28.6%, 53.7% and 66.2% and of first re-hospitalization were 23.7%, 55.8% and 74.6% after 1-, 5- and 10- years of follow-up, respectively. Main UC-related causes for first hospitalization were diagnostic procedures (26.7%), disease activity (22.4%) or UC-related surgery (4.8%), but a significant percentage was unrelated to IBD (44.8%). In Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analysis disease extent at diagnosis (HR extensive: 1.79, p=0.02) or at last follow-up (HR: 1.56, p=0.001), need for steroids (HR: 1.98, p<0.001), azathioprine (HR: 1.55, p=0.038) and anti-TNF (HR: 2.28, p<0.001) were associated with the risk of UC-related hospitalization. Early hospitalization was not associated with a specific disease phenotype or outcome; however, 46.2% of all colectomies were performed in the year of diagnosis. Conclusion: Hospitalization and re-hospitalization rates were relatively high in this population-based UC cohort. Early hospitalization was not predictive for the later disease course.

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