scholarly journals Self-reported health without clinically measurable benefits among adult users of multivitamin and multimineral supplements: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039119
Author(s):  
Manish D Paranjpe ◽  
Alfred C Chin ◽  
Ishan Paranjpe ◽  
Nicholas J Reid ◽  
Phan Q Duy ◽  
...  

ObjectiveMultiple clinical trials fail to identify clinically measurable health benefits of daily multivitamin and multimineral (MVM) consumption in the general adult population. Understanding the determinants of widespread use of MVMs may guide efforts to better educate the public about effective nutritional practices. The objective of this study was to compare self-reported and clinically measurable health outcomes among MVM users and non-users in a large, nationally representative adult civilian non-institutionalised population in the USA surveyed on the use of complementary health practices.DesignCross-sectional analysis of the effect of MVM consumption on self-reported overall health and clinically measurable health outcomes.ParticipantsAdult MVM users and non-users from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (n=21 603).Primary and secondary outcome measuresFive psychological, physical, and functional health outcomes: (1) self-rated health status, (2) needing help with routine needs, (3) history of 10 chronic diseases, (4) presence of 19 health conditions in the past 12 months, and (5) Kessler 6-Item (K6) Psychological Distress Scale to measure non-specific psychological distress in the past month.ResultsAmong 4933 adult MVM users and 16 670 adult non-users, MVM users self-reported 30% better overall health than non-users (adjusted OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.46; false discovery rate adjusted p<0.001). There were no differences between MVM users and non-users in history of 10 chronic diseases, number of present health conditions, severity of current psychological distress on the K6 Scale and rates of needing help with daily activities. No effect modification was observed after stratification by sex, education, and race.ConclusionsMVM users self-reported better overall health despite no apparent differences in clinically measurable health outcomes. These results suggest that widespread use of multivitamins in adults may be a result of individuals’ positive expectation that multivitamin use leads to better health outcomes or a self-selection bias in which MVM users intrinsically harbour more positive views regarding their health.

Author(s):  
Kar Hau Chong ◽  
Anne-Maree Parrish ◽  
Dylan P. Cliff ◽  
Dorothea Dumuid ◽  
Anthony D. Okely

It remains unclear whether the time-use composition of 24-h movement behaviours (sleep, sedentary time (ST), physical activity (PA)) and recreational screen use are independently associated with psychosocial health. This study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between 24-h movement behaviour composition, recreational screen use and psychosocial health outcomes in children. Measures completed at baseline (n = 127; 11.7 years) and follow-up (n = 88; 12.8 years) included accelerometer-based 24-h movement behaviours, self-reported recreational screen use and psychosocial health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale). Linear mixed models were used to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the 24-h movement behaviour composition and recreational screen use levels with psychosocial health outcomes. Overall, the movement behaviour composition (p < 0.05) and recreational screen use levels (p < 0.01) were both cross-sectionally but not longitudinally associated with psychosocial health outcomes. Relative to other behaviours, sleep was negatively associated, while light-intensity PA was positively associated with internalising problems and total difficulties scores. ST was positively associated with internalising problems. High levels of recreational screen use (>2 h/day) were associated with greater externalising problems, total difficulties scores and psychological distress. These findings reinforce the importance of achieving a balance between different types of movement behaviours over a 24-h period for psychosocial health.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e038490
Author(s):  
Men Thi Hoang ◽  
Khanh Nam Do ◽  
Hai Quang Pham ◽  
Cuong Tat Nguyen ◽  
Giang Hai Ha ◽  
...  

BackgroundPsychological distress has been known as a major health problem among farmers across the world. In Vietnam, approximately 50% of farmers have lived in rural and mountainous areas. Yet, little has been known about how psychological distress impacts mountainous farmers’ health.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors related to psychological distress among mountainous farmers in Vietnam.Design and settingA cross-sectional study was performed from August to September 2018 in Moc Chau district, Vietnam. A structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were used for data collection.ParticipantsA random sample of 197 farmers aged at least 18 years, spoke Vietnamese, was not suffering from severe diseases and residing in Moc Chau at the time of the survey were recruited.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) was employed to measure psychological distress. The tobit and logistic regressions were applied to indicate associated factors.ResultsThe prevalence of psychological distress was 38.2% (95% CI 31.3% to 45.5%). Having a greater comorbidities (OR=6.17; 95% CI 1.44 to 26.43), drinking alcohol (OR=3.86; 95% CI 1.02 to 14.59) and obtaining health information from health workers (OR=3.77; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.66) were positively associated with the prevalence of psychological distress. By contrast, being overweight (OR=0.29; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.93), adopting books as the primary source of health information (OR=0.11; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.8), and receiving a higher number of home visits by community health workers (CHWs) (OR=0.38; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.99) were negatively associated with the prevalence of psychological distress.ConclusionThis study highlighted a high prevalence of psychological distress among mountainous farmers. Providing routine psychological and physical health screening, developing CHWs to provide clinical support and raising health awareness are critical implications for reducing psychological distress in this population.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mohammed Madadin ◽  
Ritesh G. Menezes ◽  
Maha A. Alassaf ◽  
Abdulaziz M. Almulhim ◽  
Mahdi S. Abumadini ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Medical students are at high risk of suicidal ideation. Aim: We aimed to obtain information on suicidal ideation among medical students in Dammam located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine affiliated with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Suicidal ideation in the past 12 months was assessed based on responses to four questions in the depression subscale of the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28). In addition, data were collected to examine the association of suicidal ideation with various factors. Results: We found that 1 in 3 medical students in the study had suicidal ideation in the past 12 months, while around 40% had lifetime suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was associated with feelings of parental neglect, history of physical abuse, and dissatisfaction with academic performance. Limitations: The cross-sectional nature of this study limits its ability to determine causality regarding suicidal ideation. Conclusion: These rates are considerably high when compared with rates from studies in other countries around the world. This study provides a reference in the field of suicidology for this region of Saudi Arabia.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049926
Author(s):  
Sandra Angelika Mümken ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Malte Stollwerck ◽  
Julie Lorraine O'Sullivan ◽  
Joern Kiselev

ObjectivesTo develop a German version of the original University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment (LSA-D) for measurement of community mobility in older adults within the past 4 weeks and to evaluate its construct validity for urban and rural populations of older adults.DesignCross-sectional validation study.SettingTwo study centres in urban and rural German outpatient hospital settings.ParticipantsIn total, N=83 community-dwelling older adults were recruited (n=40 from urban and n=43 from rural areas; mean age was 78.5 years (SD=5.4); 49.4% men).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe final version of the translated LSA-D was related to limitations in activities and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/iADL) as primary outcome measure (primary hypothesis); and with sociodemographic factors, functional mobility, self-rated health, balance confidence and history of falls as secondary outcome measures to obtain construct validity. Further descriptive measurements of health included hand grip strength, screening of cognitive function, comorbidities and use of transportation. To assess construct validity, correlations between LSA-D and the primary and secondary outcome measures were examined for the total sample, and urban and rural subsamples using bivariate regression and multiple adjusted regression models. Descriptive analyses of LSA-D included different scoring methods for each region. All parameters were estimated using non-parametric bootstrapping procedure.ResultsIn the multiple adjusted model for the total sample, number of ADL/iADL limitations (β=−0.26; 95% CI=−0.42 to −0.08), Timed Up and Go Test (β=−0.37; 95% CI=−0.68 to −0.14), shared living arrangements (β=0.22; 95% CI=0.01 to 0.44) and history of falls in the past 6 months (β=−0.22; 95% CI=−0.41 to −0.05) showed significant associations with the LSA-D composite score, while living in urban area (β=−0.19; 95% CI=−0.42 to 0.03) and male gender (β=0.15; 95% CI=−0.04 to 0.35) were not significant.ConclusionThe LSA-D is a valid tool for measuring life-space mobility in German community-dwelling older adults within the past 4 weeks in ambulant urban and rural settings.Trial registration numberDRKS00019023.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 322-329
Author(s):  
Jessica Tyler ◽  
Janine Lam ◽  
Katrina Scurrah ◽  
Gillian Dite

AbstractThere is a commonly observed association between chronic disease and psychological distress, but many potential factors could confound this association. This study investigated the association using a powerful twin study design that can control for unmeasured confounders that are shared between twins, including genetic and environmental factors. We used twin-paired cross-sectional data from the Adult Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire collected by Twins Research Australia from 2014 to 2017. Linear regression models fitted using maximum likelihood estimations (MLE) were used to test the association between self-reported chronic disease status and psychological distress, measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). When comparing between twin pairs, having any chronic disease was associated with a 1.29 increase in K6 (95% CI: 0.91, 1.66; p < .001). When comparing twins within a pair, having any chronic disease was associated with a 0.36 increase in K6 (95% CI: 0.002, 0.71; p = .049). This within-pair estimate is of most interest as comparing twins within a pair naturally controls for shared factors such as genes, age and shared lived experiences. Whereas the between-pair estimate does not. The weaker effect found within pairs tells us that genetic and environmental factors shared between twins confounds the relationship between chronic disease and psychological distress. This suggests that associations found in unrelated samples may show exaggerated estimates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Alnajem ◽  
Abdullah Redha ◽  
Dalal Alroumi ◽  
Ahmed Alshammasi ◽  
Mohamad Ali ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Globally, a surge in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has been observed in recent years, with youth being the most susceptible group. Given their recent emergence, studies assessing the health consequences of using e-cigarettes and exposure to their secondhand aerosols (SHA) are limited. Hence, this study sought to assess associations between e-cigarette use and household exposure to SHA from e-cigarettes with asthma symptoms among adolescents. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted by enrolling high school students (n = 1565; aged 16–19 years) in Kuwait. Participants self-completed a questionnaire on tobacco products use (e-cigarettes and cigarettes) and asthma symptoms. Current e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking were defined as any use in the past 30 days. Household exposure to SHA from e-cigarettes in the past 7 days was reported as none (0 days), infrequent (1–2 days), and frequent (≥ 3 days). Asthma symptoms included current (past 12 months) wheeze, current asthma (history of clinical diagnosis and current wheeze and/or medication use), and current symptoms of uncontrolled asthma (≥ 4 attacks of wheeze, ≥ 1 night per week sleep disturbance from wheeze, and/or wheeze affecting speech). Associations were assessed using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results Among the analytical study sample (n = 1345), current e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking was reported by 369 (27.4%) and 358 (26.6%) participants, respectively. Compared to never e-cigarette users and never cigarette smokers, current e-cigarette users with no history of cigarette smoking had increased prevalence of current wheeze (aPR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.01–2.45) and current asthma (aPR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.03–3.41). Moreover, the frequency of exposure to household SHA from e-cigarettes was associated with asthma symptoms. For example, compared to those with no exposure to household SHA, frequent exposure to household SHA was associated with current wheeze (aPR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.04–1.59), current asthma (aPR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.13–2.16), and current uncontrolled asthma symptoms (aPR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.35–2.62). Conclusions E-cigarette use and their household SHA exposure were independently associated with asthma symptoms among adolescents. Hence, such observations indicate that e-cigarette use and passive exposure to their aerosols negatively impact respiratory health among adolescents.


Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawson Church ◽  
Peta Stapleton ◽  
Debbie Sabot

BACKGROUND The burgeoning area of mobile health (mHealth) has experienced rapid growth in mobile apps designed to address mental health issues. Although abundant apps offer strategies for managing symptoms of anxiety and stress, information regarding their efficacy is scarce. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effect of an mHealth app on user self-ratings of psychological distress in a sample of 270,461 app users. The Tapping Solution App guides users through the therapeutic protocols of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an evidence-based psychophysiological intervention that combines acupressure with elements of cognitive and exposure therapies. METHODS App users provided self-ratings of emotional intensity before and after app sessions (termed “tapping meditations”) using an 11-point Subjective Units of Distress scale. App user data for 23 tapping meditations, which addressed psychological symptoms of anxiety and stress, were gathered between October 2018 and October 2019, totaling 380,034 completed app sessions. RESULTS Across 12 anxiety-tapping meditations, the difference in emotional intensity ratings from presession (mean 6.66, SD 0.25) to postsession (mean 3.75, SD 0.30) was statistically significant (<i>P</i>&lt;.001; 95% CI −2.92 to −2.91). Across 11 stress-tapping meditations, a statistically significant difference was also found from presession (mean 6.91, SD 0.48) to postsession (mean 3.83, SD 0.54; <i>P</i>&lt;.001; 95% CI −3.08 to −3.07). The results are consistent with the literature on the efficacy of Clinical EFT for anxiety and stress when offered in conventional therapeutic formats. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the mHealth app in the immediate reduction of self-rated psychological distress. As an adjunct to professional mental health care, the app promises accessible and convenient therapeutic benefits.


Author(s):  
Jessica Alysia ◽  
Yvonne Suzy Handajani ◽  
Nelly Tina Widjaja ◽  
Yuda Turana

CHRONIC DISEASES AND LIFESTYLE IMPACT TO CATEGORY VERBAL FLUENCY PERFORMANCE IN ELDERLYABSTRACTIntroduction: In recent studies, chronic illness and sedentary lifestyle were found to bea risk factors for cognitive impairment. Verbal fluency (VF) is one of the most used instruments.Aim: To determine cognitive impairment using VF and its correlation with risk factors (chronic illness and lifestyle) in elderly.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted toward 121 elderly respondents in August–September 2017 at Pusaka, West Jakarta. Cognitive impariment was assessesed using VF. VF otherwise disturbed if the value <16.03. Heart disease and stroke were determined by anamnesis. Blood pressure was determined using Riester tensimeter. that has been calibrated. Cholesterol and blood sugar were determined using laboratory result by CHOD-PAP method. Smoking was determined by asking the history of smoking. Physical activity was determined by 24-hour activity recall. Nutrition Intake was determined by food record.Results: There were 63.6% subjects wno had VF impairment. Most respondent were over 65 years old (71.9%), female (66.1%) and education level more than 6 years (72.7%). VF had a significant assosiation with education level (p=0.020; OR=3.792), and without cardiovascular disease (p=0.023; OR=0.111).Discussion: The mayority of respondents had VF impairment, lower education was consistenly as a risk factors while no history of cardiovascular disease as a protective factors of language impairment.Keywords: Chronic diseases, cognitive impairment, lifestyle, verbal fluencyABSTRAKPendahuluan: Pada beberapa penelitian terbaru ditemukan bahwa faktor risiko seperti penyakit kronis dan gaya hidup buruk meningkatkan risiko terkena gangguan fungsi kognitif. Salah satu instrumen yang sering digunakan adalah verbal fluency (VF).Tujuan: Mengetahui gambaran fungsi kognitif dengan instrumen VF dan hubungannya dengan faktor risiko (penyakit kronis dan gaya hidup) pada lansia.Metode: Penelitian potong lintang ini dilaksanakan pada 121 responden lansia pada bulan Agustus-September 2017 di Pusaka Jakarta Barat. Gangguan fungsi kognitif dinilai menggunakan instrumen VF. Verbal fluency dikatakan terganggu dengan nilai <16,03. Penyakit jantung dan stroke didapatkan dari anamnesis. Tekanan darah dari hasil pengukuran menggunakan tensimeter yang telah dikalibrasi sebelumnya. Pengukuran kolesterol dan gula darah didapatkan dari hasil laboratorium dengan metode CHOD-PAP. Merokok didapat dari anamnesis. Aktivitas fisik dinilai dari 24-hour activity recall. Asupan nutrisi dinilai dari kuisioner food record.Hasil: Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan subjek dengan gangguan VF sebanyak 63,6%. Mayoritas responden berusia diatas 65 tahun (71,9%), dengan jenis kelamin wanita (66,1%) dan tingkat pendidikan diatas 6 tahun (72,7%). Hasil analisis menunjukan bahwa instrumen VF memiliki hubungan bermakna dengan tingkat pendidikan rendah (p=0,020; RO=3,792), dan tidak berpenyakit jantung (p=0,023; RO=0,111).Diskusi: Mayoritas responden memiliki gangguan bahasa, pendidikan rendah diketahui secara konsisten sebagai faktor risiko sementara tidak ada riwayat penyakit jantung sebagai faktor protektif untuk gangguan fungsi bahasa.Kata kunci: Gangguan fungsi kognitif, gaya hidup, penyakit kronis, verbal fluency


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e042380
Author(s):  
Courtney J Pedersen ◽  
Mohammad J Uddin ◽  
Samir K Saha ◽  
Gary L Darmstadt

ObjectiveDescribe the pattern of atopic disease prevalence from infancy to adulthood.DesignCross-sectional household survey.SettingCommunity-based demographic surveillance site, Mirzapur, Bangladesh.Participants7275 individuals in randomly selected clusters within 156 villages.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe 12-month prevalence of atopic dermatitis (by UK Working Party Criteria (UK criteria) and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)), asthma and rhinitis (by ISAAC); disease severity (by ISAAC); history of ever receiving a medical diagnosis.ResultsChildren aged 2 years had the highest prevalence of atopic dermatitis—18.8% (95% CI 15.2% to 22.4%) by UK criteria and 14.9% (95% CI 11.6% to 18.1%) by ISAAC— and asthma (20.1%, 95% CI 16.4% to 23.8%). Prevalence of rhinitis was highest among 25–29 year olds (6.0%, (95% CI% 4.5 to 7.4%). History of a medical diagnosis was lowest for atopic dermatitis (4.0%) and highest for rhinitis (27.3%) and was significantly associated with severe disease compared with those without severe disease for all three conditions (atopic dermatitis: 30.0% vs 11.7%, p=0.015; asthma; 85.0% vs 60.4%, p<0.001; rhinitis: 34.2% vs 7.3%, p<0.001) and having a higher asset-based wealth score for asthma (29.7% (highest quintile) vs 7.5% (lowest quintile), p<0.001) and rhinitis (39.8% vs 12.5%, p=0.003). Prevalence of having >1 condition was highest (36.2%) at 2 years and decreased with age. Having atopic dermatitis (ISAAC) was associated with significantly increased odds ratios (OR) for comorbid asthma (OR 5.56 (95% CI 4.26 to 7.26)] and rhinitis (3.68 (95% CI 2.73 to 4.96)). Asthma and rhinitis were also strongly associated with each other (OR 8.39 (95% CI 6.48 to 10.86)).ConclusionsAtopic disease burden was high in this rural Bangladeshi population. Having one atopic condition was significantly associated with the presence of another. Low incidence of ever obtaining a medical diagnosis highlights an important opportunity to increase availability of affordable diagnosis and treatment options for all age groups.


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