Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Dependence and Association with Concurrent Use of Cocaine, Alcohol, and Cannabis: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sarah Berndt ◽  
Moritz Rosenkranz ◽  
Marcus-Sebastian Martens ◽  
Uwe Verthein

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATSs) are the second most commonly used class of illegal substances in Europe. Although concurrent substance use has been subject to research, little is known about associations between concurrent use of cocaine, alcohol, or cannabis and ATS dependence. We expect that the concurrent use of any of the substance, especially cannabis and cocaine, is associated with ATS dependence. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Cross-sectional data were gathered within the European ATTUNE study in 2018/2019. Participants (<i>N</i> = 721) were asked about their consumption patterns and social, psychological, and economic situation. Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out for associations between ATS dependence and use combinations of frequent cocaine, alcohol, or cannabis, with the reference group of no frequent concurrent use (model 1). Model 2 calculated associations for ATS dependence with lifetime methamphetamine use for respective use combinations. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study population was on average 28.9 years old (SD = 7.7), with the majority being male (63.5%). In model 1, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for frequent alcohol use was 0.70 (confidence interval [CI] 0.41–1.20). Similar results were shown for model 2 (aOR 0.82, CI 0.42–1.62). Frequent cannabis use significantly reduced the chance for ATS dependence by 50% in adjusted model 1 (aOR 0.50, CI 0.28–0.89) and by 62% in model 2 (aOR 0.38, CI 0.18–0.82). For frequent cocaine use, models 1 and 2 report an aOR at 1.37 (CI 0.58–3.25) and 2.39 (CI 0.77–7.43), although not statistically significant. Frequent users of all 3 substances had a significant 3-fold chance for ATS dependence (model 1: aOR 2.98, CI 1.16–7.63; model 2: aOR 2.95, CI 1.02–8.58). <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Against initial hypotheses, frequent concurrent use of alcohol or cannabis generally decreased chances for ATS dependence. An explanation could be the study population, which consists of many irregular users of ATS, who mainly consume alcohol or cannabis. Cocaine generally increased chances, although results were not significant. The frequent use of all 3 substances together with ATS in the last year was significantly associated with dependence, thus reporting important information for treatment services. Further research is needed for disentangling causal relationships underlying these associations and for pinpointing consequences for relapse prevention and retention success.

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-181
Author(s):  
Somya Mullapudi ◽  
Veena G Kamath ◽  
Muralidhar M Kulkarni ◽  
Asha Kamath ◽  
Rohith Bhagawath ◽  
...  

Background: Tobacco use not only increases mortality, but also causes enormous burden to the Nation’s health and economy. The WHO -Framework Convention on Tobacco Control implemented “MPOWER”, comprising of an important entity of ‘offering help to tobacco users’ to quit. Quitline provides evidence-based treatment services to tobacco users and advertising those services has the potential to increase their utilisation. Objectives: Our objective was to assess the awareness and utilisation of the newly introduced quitline on tobacco packs among tobacco users. Materials and Methods: After obtaining Ethics Committee approval, this cross-sectional study was conducted from March-June 2019 in a purposive sample of tobacco users aged 18 years and above at the point of sale with prior informed consent. The questionnaire included questions on the users’ knowledge and utilisation of the quitline. Results: Most of the tobacco users (84.6 %) had not observed the quitline on tobacco pack. Amongst those who observed the quitline, 65.5% were smokers, while the smokeless tobacco users who comprised half of the study population were unaware of the quitline. More than 97% of illiterates were unaware of the quitline.  Only three tobacco users who were aware of quitline had tried using it. Conclusion: Most of the tobacco users had basic education but were not aware of the quitline on the tobacco packs and only a very few of them used the services, highlighting the need to increase its awareness for effective tobacco control.


2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 325
Author(s):  
Surya Jayanti Kadek ◽  
Dewi Kumara Wati Ketut ◽  
Karyana Putu Gede

Background About 60% of individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) develop their first manifestation during infancy. Cow’s milk (CM) exposure is considered to be a risk factor for AD.Objective To evaluate for an association between cow’s milk exposure and atopic dermatitis in infants > 6 months of age.  Methods This cross-sectional study consisted of subjects from a previous study and new subjects recruited in order to meet the minimum required number of subjects. Our study population comprised 120 infants, born between 1 February and 30 November, 2012 in Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. Subjects were divided into CM and non-CM groups and analyzed for their risk of AD. Subjects were included to CM group if they were fed with cow’s milk/formula  and included to non-CM group if they were breastfeed exclusively in the first six months of life. Other possible risk factors were assessed by multivariate analysis. Results One hundred twenty subjects were enrolled and analyzed (59 in the CM and 61 in the non-CM groups). The prevalence of AD was 30%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between CM exposure and AD, with odds ratio (OR) 2.37 (95%CI 1.036 to 5.420; P=0.04). In addition, maternal diet including eggs and/or cow’s milk during the breastfeeding period was significantly associated with AD in infants (OR 3.18; 95%CI 1.073 to 9.427; P=0.04).Conclusion Cow’s milk exposure is significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in infants  > six months of age. 


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Shekhar ◽  
Abu Baker Sheikh ◽  
Shubhra Upadhyay ◽  
Mriganka Singh ◽  
Saket Kottewar ◽  
...  

Background: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine will play a major role in combating the pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the first group to receive vaccination, so it is important to consider their attitudes about COVID-19 vaccination to better address barriers to widespread vaccination acceptance. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study to assess the attitude of HCWs toward COVID-19 vaccination. Data were collected between 7 October and 9 November 2020. We received 4080 responses out of which 3479 were complete responses and were included in the final analysis. Results: 36% of respondents were willing to take the vaccine as soon as it became available while 56% were not sure or would wait to review more data. Only 8% of HCWs do not plan to get vaccine. Vaccine acceptance increased with increasing age, education, and income level. A smaller percentage of female (31%), Black (19%), Lantinx (30%), and rural (26%) HCWs were willing to take the vaccine as soon as it became available than the overall study population. Direct medical care providers had higher vaccine acceptance (49%). Safety (69%), effectiveness (69%), and speed of development/approval (74%) were noted as the most common concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination in our survey.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Huang ◽  
Shu-Wen Lin ◽  
Wang-Huei Sheng ◽  
Chi-Chuan Wang

AbstractThe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic and led to nearly three million deaths globally. As of April 2021, there are still many countries that do not have COVID-19 vaccines. Before the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, some evidence suggested that an influenza vaccine may stimulate nonspecific immune responses that reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or the severity of COVID-19 illness after infection. This study evaluated the association between influenza vaccination and the risk of COVID-19 infection. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study with data from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020 with the Claims data from Symphony Health database. The study population was adults age 65 years old or older who received influenza vaccination between September 1 and December 31 of 2019. The main outcomes and measures were odds of COVID-19 infection and severe COVID-19 illness after January 15, 2020. We found the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of COVID-19 infection risk between the influenza-vaccination group and no-influenza-vaccination group was 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75–0.77). Among COVID-19 patients, the aOR of developing severe COVID-19 illness was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68–0.76) between the influenza-vaccination group and the no-influenza-vaccination group. When the influenza-vaccination group and the other-vaccination group were compared, the aOR of COVID-19 infection was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93–0.97), and the aOR of developing a severe COVID-19 illness was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.80–1.13). The influenza vaccine may marginally protect people from COVID-19 infection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 023-030
Author(s):  
Vimal Kumar ◽  
Pallak Arora ◽  
Manish Khatri ◽  
Shivani Sharma ◽  
Sumit Malhotra ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of periodontal disease with different indices. Methods & materials: The study population consisted of multistage stratified random sample of 1300 subjects from total population of district Ghaziabad. A cross-sectional study was conducted with multi stage stratified random sampling techniques to select the sample population. The subjects were divided into different age groups and the periodontal assessment was made on the basis of CPITN index and ESI Index. Results: The CPITN has shown to estimate incorrect periodontal disease prevalence because of its underestimation of the disease severity. A huge difference was noticed in the prevalence rate of periodontitis when subjects were examined with ESI index. Conclusion Periodontal disease was found to be highly prevalent in the study population and severity of disease increased with age. More number of subjects in younger age group were found to be healthy.


Author(s):  
Joong Seob Lee ◽  
Tae Jun Kim ◽  
Sung Kwang Hong ◽  
Chanyang Min ◽  
Dae Myoung Yoo ◽  
...  

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between hyperuricemia and the frequency of coffee, tea, and soft drink consumption, based on data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) (2004–2016). We used the KoGES health examinee data, obtained from urban residents aged ≥ 40 years. Information on the participants’ medical history, nutrition (total calorie, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake), frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking status, household income, and frequency of coffee/green tea/soft drink intake was collected. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the data. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the participant’s age and sex. Among 173,209 participants, there were 11,750 and 156,002 individuals with hyperuricemia and non-hyperuricemia controls, respectively. In an adjusted model, frequent coffee and green tea consumption did not increase the risk of hyperuricemia, compared to the “no intake” reference group. However, an adjusted odds ratio of hyperuricemia was 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.35, p < 0.001) for participants who reported consuming soft drinks ≥ 3 times per day, compared to the respective “no drink” reference group. Even after adjusting for nutritional and sociodemographic factors, frequent soft drink intake was associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia. Meanwhile, neither coffee nor green tea intake was associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 205-208
Author(s):  
Monica F. Ataide ◽  
Carolina da Cunha-Correia ◽  
Katia C.L. Petribú

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized for an uncomfortable sensation in legs and an irresistible desire to move them. This disorder has been more recently recognized in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and can interfere with the quality of life (QOL). Objectives: The aims of this study are to describe the prevalence of RLS and its severity and influence on the QOL in patients with MG. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to June 2016 in Recife, Brazil. A sample of 42 patients was interviewed using a sociodemographic questionnaire, MG QOL questionnaire-15 and The RLS Rating Scale. Results: RLS was present in 47.6% of patients and of these 40.5% met moderate to severe RLS criteria. Patients were 45 years on average (SD ± 14.4) and women represented 57.1% of the study population. Among patients with RSL, the quality-of-life scores were worse (p = 0.010) on average. There was no association of RLS with the duration of MG, use of immunosuppressant or clinical conditions that could mimic the occurrence of RLS. Conclusion: RLS is a prevalent condition in patients with MG, and may be severe enough to negatively impact QOL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-41
Author(s):  
Shamima Sultana ◽  
AQM Omar Sharif ◽  
Inamur Rahman Choudhury ◽  
MM Ehsanul Haque ◽  
Wahida Begum

Background: Senile cataract can be expressed with different clinical presentation. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to find out the clinical profiles of senile cataract patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at National Institute of Ophthalmology, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 1999 to December 2000 for a period of two (02) years. Patients with senile cataract were selected for study. The details clinical profiles of the study population were recorded like types, grades of cataract and visual acuity. Data were collected on pre-designed data collection sheet, compiled and appropriate statistical analysis was done using computer based software. Result: A total number of 60 eyes of cataract patients were recruited for this study. The mean age with the standard deviation was 58.8±6.055 years. Majority of the patients were suffering from total cataract that is nuclear plus cortical plus posterior subcapsular variety which was 31(51.7%) eyes of cataract patients. Majority of the patients were grade III (amber) type of nuclear sclerosis which was 26(43.3%) eyes of cataract patients. Most of the patients were presented with PL which was 32(53.3%) eyes of cataract patients. Conclusion: In conclusion majority of the patients are suffering from total cataract with grade III (amber) type of nuclear sclerosis. Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(1):38-41


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristhiane Almeida Leite ◽  
Marcial Francis Galera ◽  
Mariano Martínez Espinosa ◽  
Paulo Ricardo Teles de Lima ◽  
Vander Fernandes ◽  
...  

Background.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory, multisystem, and autoimmune disease.Objective.The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of hyposalivation in SLE patients and evaluate factors associated.Methods.This is a cross-sectional study developed at the Cuiaba University General Hospital (UNIC-HGU), Mato Grosso, Brazil. The study population consisted of female SLE patients treated at this hospital from 06/2010 to 12/2012. Unstimulated salivary flow rates (SFRs) were measured. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed in all cases using a significance levelP<0.05.Results.The results showed that 79% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus suffered from hyposalivation and that the disease activity and age in years were the factors that resulted in statistically significant differences.Conclusion.The activity of the disease, age >27 years, and the drugs used were factors associated with hyposalivation, resulting in a statistically significant decrease in saliva production.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhuri Vegesna ◽  
R. Chandrasekhar ◽  
Vinay Chandrappa

Context. Occlusion in primary teeth varies among children of different populations and races. Aim. To assess and compare the occlusal characteristics and spacing in primary dentition among 3–6-year-old Dravidian children. Materials and Methods. The study included 2281 school going children. The primary molar relation, canine relation, overjet, and overbite were assessed using Foster and Hamilton criteria. Spacing conditions were registered according to Kisling and Krebs criteria. Results. The flush terminal plane molar relation (80.3%) was the most common primary molar relation. The distal step molar relation was more frequently found in female children (12.8%) than in males (8.6%). Class 1 canine relation was the most prevalent canine relation (81.3%) among males and females. Ideal overjet (84.3%) and overbite (72.7%) were observed among the majority of the children. Spaced type of arches occurred more frequently than closed arches in this sample. The incidence of primate spaces was more in males than in females. Conclusion. The study population has fewer deviations from normal occlusion which indicates decreased tendency for malocclusion in permanent dentition. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to identify the potential limitations of a clinical approach relying on early orthodontic diagnosis and intervention.


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