Underlying contributing conditions to breathlessness among middle-aged individuals in the general population: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionBreathlessness is common in the general population and associated with poorer health. Prevalence, frequencies and overlap of underlying contributing conditions among individuals reporting breathlessness in the general population is unclear. The aim was to evaluate which conditions that were prevalent, overlapping and associated with breathlessness in a middle-aged general population.MethodCross-sectional analysis of individuals aged 50–65 years in the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study pilot. Data from questionnaire, spirometry testing and fitness testing were used to identify underlying contributing conditions among participants reporting breathlessness (a modified Medical Research Scale (mMRC) score ≥1). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent associations with breathlessness.Results1097 participants were included; mean age 57.5 years, 50% women and 9.8% (n=108) reported breathlessness (mMRC ≥1). Main underlying contributing conditions were respiratory disease (57%), anxiety or depression (52%), obesity (43%) and heart disease or chest pain (35%). At least one contributing condition was found in 99.6% of all participants reporting breathlessness, while two or more conditions were present in 66%.ConclusionIn a middle-aged general population, the main underlying contributing conditions to breathlessness were respiratory disease, anxiety or depression, obesity and heart disease or chest pain with a high level of overlap.

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Stigmatisation associated with COVID-19 in the general Colombian population

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020972445 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002076402097244

Author(s):

Carlos Arturo Cassiani-Miranda ◽

Adalberto Campo-Arias ◽

Andrés Felipe Tirado-Otálvaro ◽

Luz Adriana Botero-Tobón ◽

Luz Dary Upegui-Arango ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Research Team ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Additional Problem ◽

The Difference ◽

High Level

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the fear of infection increases and, with it, the stigma-discrimination, which makes it an additional problem of the epidemic. However, studies about stigma associated with coronavirus are scarce worldwide. Aims: To determine the association between stigmatisation and fear of COVID-19 in the general population of Colombia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 1,687 adults between 18 and 76 years old ( M = 36.3; SD = 12.5), 41.1% health workers, filled out an online questionnaire on Stigma-Discrimination and the COVID-5 Fear Scale, adapted by the research team. Results: The proportion of high fear of COVID-19 was 34.1%; When comparing the affirmative answers to the questionnaire on stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19, it was found that the difference was significantly higher in the general population compared to health workers in most of the questions evaluated, which indicates a high level of stigmatisation in that group. An association between high fear of COVID-19 and stigma was evidenced in 63.6% of the questions in the questionnaire. Conclusion: Stigma-discrimination towards COVID-19 is frequent in the Colombian population and is associated with high levels of fear towards said disease, mainly people who are not health workers.

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Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in General Population of Iran during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39082/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Saman Maroufizadeh ◽

Majid Pourshaikhian ◽

Ali Pourramzani ◽

Farzaneh Sheikholeslami ◽

Mohammad Taghi Moghadamnia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Family Members ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency and may result in psychological problems such as anxiety and depression in general population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their associated factors in general population of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted this web-based cross-sectional study on 5328 individuals in Iran, between 17 and 29 April 2020. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire via social media like WhatsApp and Telegram. The online survey collected information on demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related variables, and anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of anxiety and depression.Results: The mean GAD-7 and PHQ-9 total scores were 7.17 (SD=5.42) and 7.80 (SD=6.68), respectively. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and comorbid anxiety-depression were 30.1%, 33.4%, and 22.1%, respectively. According to the adjusted analysis, anxiety was significantly associated with being female, being young and middle-aged, being unemployed or housewife, having chronic diseases, long time thinking about COVID-19, having family members, friends, and/or relatives infected with COVI-19, and death of family members, relatives or friends due to COVID-19. Same results were also found for depression. Furthermore, depression was associated with being single, being resident in urban area, and having high risk individual in family. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression were considerably high in general population of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the findings suggest that more attention needs to be paid to vulnerable groups such as women, young/middle-aged adults, unemployed people, people with chronic disease. Thus, a holistic approach, including management policies, psychosocial interventions, training, support, and tele-mental health, is absolutely crucial to reduce mental health problems of the COVID-19 and any outbreaks of other infectious diseases.

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Associations between calcium-phosphate metabolism and coronary artery calcification; a cross sectional study of a middle-aged general population

Atherosclerosis ◽

10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.06.001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 251 ◽

pp. 101-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mette Hjortdal Grønhøj ◽

Oke Gerke ◽

Hans Mickley ◽

Flemming Hald Steffensen ◽

Jess Lambrechtsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery ◽

Calcium Phosphate ◽

General Population ◽

Coronary Artery Calcification ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Phosphate Metabolism ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Calcium Phosphate Metabolism

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Fear of COVID-19 and Depression: A Comparative Study Among the General Population and Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis in Bangladesh

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction ◽

10.1007/s11469-020-00477-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Najmuj Sakib ◽

Tahmina Akter ◽

Fatematuz Zohra ◽

A. K. M. Israfil Bhuiyan ◽

Mohammed A. Mamun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Information ◽

Patient Health ◽

High Level

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic affects individuals’ mental health that can result in fear of getting COVID-19 infection and depression. As there is no prior study available, we evaluated these mental health outcomes and associated factors among the general population and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Bangladesh. This nationwide cross-sectional study comprised 3388 individuals including 834 HCPs. The measures included socio-demographics, healthcare, and patient-care related information, the Bangla Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Bangla Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors. Just over one-quarter of the participants were depressed, and was significantly associated with COVID-19 fear. Regression analyses showed that, both in general population and HCPs, depression and fear of COVID-19 were strongly predicted by being female; however, depression was inversely associated with being married. Particularly, among the HCPs, being restless while examining a patient with flu-like symptoms and while examining a patient returning from abroad was found to be significant predictor for both depression and fear of COVID-19. HCPs who were using single protective equipment for a week had greater depression and those who felt insecure due to the pandemic had a high level of COVID-19 fear. The findings identified major psychological impacts among the participants, suggesting the urgent need to promote mental wellbeing in both general population and medical professionals.

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Screening families of patients with premature coronary heart disease to identify avoidable cardiovascular risk: a cross-sectional study of family members and a general population comparison group

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/1756-0500-3-132 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Helen J Thompson ◽

Alastair CH Pell ◽

Judith Anderson ◽

Clara K Chow ◽

Jill P Pell

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

General Population ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Premature Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Population Comparison

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What triggers healthcare-seeking behaviour when experiencing a symptom? Results from a population-based survey

BJGP Open ◽

10.3399/bjgpopen17x100761 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. bjgpopen17X100761 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sandra Elnegaard ◽

Anette Fischer Pedersen ◽

Rikke Sand Andersen ◽

René de-Pont Christensen ◽

Dorte Ejg Jarbøl

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Symptom Experiences ◽

Level Of Concern ◽

High Level

BackgroundThe decision process of whether or not to contact the GP is influenced by different factors which have not all been well examined.AimThe aim of this study was to analyse whether contact to the GP is associated with concern about the symptom, influence on daily activities and symptom burden, such as the total number of symptoms experienced by each person in a general population.Design & settingThis Danish nationwide cross-sectional study comprises a random sample of 100 000 people, representative of the adult Danish population ≥20 years.MethodBaseline data were collected in a web-based survey conducted from June to December 2012.ResultsIn total 49 706 (52.5%) individuals answered the questionnaire; 45 483 (91.5%) individuals experienced at least one of 44 predefined symptoms during the 4 weeks preceding the completion of the questionnaire. They reported 268 772 symptom experiences of which 58 370 symptoms (21.7%) resulted in contact with a GP. A high level of concern and influence on daily activities was associated with significantly higher odds for GP contact. A high burden of symptoms was associated with lower odds of contact with the GP.ConclusionApproximately every fifth symptom reported by individuals from the general population leads to GP contact. Influence on daily activities, burden of symptoms, and concern about the symptom were significant factors associated with the decision of whether to contact the GP. No overall association between sex and GP contact was observed.

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Association between Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid and Reactive Oxygen Species Production of Neutrophils in the General Population

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12113222 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3222

Author(s):

Nobuaki Suzuki ◽

Kaori Sawada ◽

Ippei Takahashi ◽

Motoko Matsuda ◽

Shinji Fukui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

General Population ◽

Age Groups ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Neutrophil Function ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Project

Little is known about the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the general population. Therefore this study aimed to describe the association of PUFAs with ROS according to age and sex in the general population and to determine whether PUFA levels are indicators of ROS. This cross-sectional study included 895 participants recruited from a 2015 community health project. Participants were divided into 6 groups based on sex and age (less than 45 years old (young), aged 45–64 years (middle-aged), and 65 years or older (old)) as follows: male, young (n = 136); middle-aged (n = 133); old (n = 82); female, young (n = 159); middle-aged (n = 228); and old (n = 157). The PUFAs measured were arachidonic acid (AA), dihomo gamma linolenic acid (DGLA), AA/DGLA ratio, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ROS considered in the analysis were basal ROS and stimulated ROS levels. Multiple linear analyses showed: (1) significant correlations between PUFA levels, especially DGLA and AA/DGLA ratio, and neutrophil function in the young and middle-aged groups; (2) no significant correlations in old age groups for either sex. Because PUFAs have associated with the ROS production, recommendation for controlled PUFA intake from a young age should be considered.

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Two tales of cardiovascular risks—middle-aged women living in Sweden and Scotland: a cross-sectional comparative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016527 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. e016527

Author(s):

Carina Wennerholm ◽

Catherine Bromley ◽

AnnaKarin Johansson ◽

Staffan Nilsson ◽

John Frank ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cardiovascular Risks ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Cross Sectional

ObjectivesTo compare cardiovascular risk factors as well as rates of cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged women from urban areas in Scotland and Sweden.DesignComparative cross-sectional study.SettingData from the general population in urban areas of Scotland and the general population in two major Swedish cities in southeast Sweden, south of Stockholm.ParticipantsComparable data of middle-aged women (40–65 years) from the Scottish Health Survey (n=6250) and the Swedish QWIN study (n=741) were merged together into a new dataset (n=6991 participants).Main outcome measureWe compared middle-aged women in urban areas in Sweden and Scotland regarding risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD diagnosis, anthropometrics, psychological distress and lifestyle.ResultsIn almost all measurements, there were significant differences between the countries, favouring the Swedish women. Scottish women demonstrated a higher frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, low vegetable consumption, a sedentary lifestyle and also more psychological distress. For doctor-diagnosed coronary heart disease, there were also significant differences, with a higher prevalence among the Scottish women.ConclusionsThis is one of the first studies that clearly shows that Scottish middle-aged women are particularly affected by a worse profile of CVD risks. The profound differences in CVD risk and outcome frequency in the two populations are likely to have arisen from differences in the two groups of women's social, cultural, political and economic environments.

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