A Qualitative Analysis of Canadian Indoor Tanning Policies

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Pavandeep Gill ◽  
Sunil Kalia

Background: The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies artificial tanning devices as Group 1 human carcinogens. Studies have shown that use of indoor tanning before age 35 can increase the risk of melanoma development by 75%. It has therefore been recommended that indoor tanning use be restricted in individuals younger than age 18. Objectives: This study aims to review the state of provincial indoor tanning policies, especially in regards to use by youth across Canada, and what strategies are being implemented to enforce them. Methods: Focused interviews were conducted with representatives from the provincial Ministries of Health across Canada in May and June 2014. Follow-up interviews were performed between February and May 2017. Results: As of January 2018, regulations are in effect in all Canadian provinces restricting indoor tanning by minors and requiring display of signage warning of the risks of indoor tanning by salons. However, there are discrepancies among the provinces on how and if tanning salons are monitored and how and if these regulations are enforced. Conclusions: While implementing youth bans on indoor tanning is a promising start, all Canadian provinces need to ensure that efforts are being undertaken to ensure compliance with these policies to effectively combat the rising incidence of skin cancer among the Canadian population.

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 401-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Huang ◽  
Mark G. Kirchhof

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a human carcinogen and is associated with the development of skin cancer. The promotion of indoor tanning (IT) at fitness centres is of particular concern as it reinforces the idea that a tan is associated with health and fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IT in fitness centres, with an emphasis on determining the financial costs, adherence to regulations, and safety precautions. Methods: Ten cities, representing 9 different Canadian provinces, were chosen for the study. From each province, a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 fitness centres were randomly selected from the Yellow Pages website. Each fitness centre was contacted by the principal investigator and inquiries were made from a consumer’s perspective. Results: Of the 203 gyms surveyed, 43% (88/203) offered tanning facilities. Of these, 10.23% (9/88) were found to be noncompliant with the provincial IT regulations for age and/or time between tanning sessions. Interpretation: Despite the known risks of IT, not all fitness centres are compliant with provincial legislations regarding IT, and some continue to promote tanning access to minors.


2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 9-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Chuan Pan ◽  
Ming-Hsi Sun ◽  
Jason Sheehan ◽  
Meei-Ling Sheu ◽  
Clayton Chi-Chang Chen ◽  
...  

Object In the modern era, stereotactic radiosurgery is an important part of the multidisciplinary and multimodality approach used to treat dural carotid-cavernous fistulas (DCCFs). Based on the ease of performance of techniques to fuse cerebral angiography studies with MR images or CT scans during the radiosurgical procedure, the Gamma Knife and XKnife are 2 of the most popular radiosurgical instruments for patients with DCCF. In this study, the authors compared the efficacy, neurological results, and complications associated with these 2 radiosurgical devices when used for DCCF. Methods Records for 41 patients with DCCF (15 treated using the XKnife and 26 with Gamma Knife surgery [GKS]) were retrieved from a radiosurgical database encompassing the period of September 2000 to August 2008. Among these patients, at least 2 consecutive MR imaging or MR angiography studies obtained after radiosurgery were available for determining radiological outcome of the fistula. All patients received regular follow-up to evaluate the neurological and ophthalmological function at an interval of 1–3 months. The symptomatology, obliteration rate, radiation dose, instrument accuracy, and adverse effects were determined for each group and compared between 2 groups. The data were analyzed using the Student t-test. Results The mean age of the patients was 63 ± 2.6 years, and the mean follow-up period was 63.1 ± 4.4 months (mean ± SD). Thirty-seven patients (90%) achieved an obliteration of the DCCF (93% in the XKnife cohort and 88% for the GKS cohort). In 34 of 40 patients (85%) with chemosis and proptosis of the eyes, these symptoms were resolved after treatment (4 had residual fistula and 2 had arterializations of sclera). All 5 patients with high intraocular pressure demonstrated clinical improvement. Ten (71%) of 14 patients with cranial nerve palsy demonstrated improvement following radiosurgery. Significant discrepancies of treatment modalities existed between the XKnife and GKS groups, such as radiation volume, conformity index, number of isocenters, instrument accuracy, peripheral isodose line, and maximum dosage. The XKnife delivered significantly higher radiation dosage to the lens, optic nerve, optic chiasm, bilateral temporal lobe, and brainstem. Few adverse events occurred, but included 1 patient with optic neuritis (GKS group), 1 intracranial hemorrhage (XKnife group), 1 brainstem edema (XKnife), and 3 temporal lobe radiation edemas (XKnife). Conclusions Radiosurgery affords a substantial chance of radiological and clinical improvement in patients with DCCFs. The Gamma Knife and XKnife demonstrated similar efficacy in the obliteration of DCCFs. However, a slightly higher incidence of complications occurred in the XKnife group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Proff ◽  
B Merkely ◽  
R Papp ◽  
C Lenz ◽  
P.J Nordbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronotropic incompetence (CI) in heart failure (HF) population is high and negatively impacts prognosis. In HF patients with an implanted cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device and severe CI, the effect of rate adaptive pacing on patient outcomes is unclear. Closed loop stimulation (CLS) based on cardiac impedance measurement may be an optimal method of heart rate adaptation according to metabolic need in HF patients with severe CI. Purpose This is the first study evaluating the effect of CLS on the established prognostic parameters assessed by the cardio-pulmonary exercise (CPX) testing and on quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Methods A randomised, controlled, double-blind and crossover pilot study has been performed in CRT patients with severe CI defined as the inability to achieve 70% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR). After baseline assessment, patients were randomised to either DDD-CLS pacing (group 1) or DDD pacing at 40 bpm (group 2) for a 1-month period, followed by crossover for another month. At baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups, a CPX was performed and QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The main endpoints were the effect of CLS on ventilatory efficiency (VE) slope (evaluated by an independent CPX expert), the responder rate defined as an improvement (decrease) of the VE slope by at least 5%, percentage of maximal predicted heart rate reserve (HRR) achieved, and QoL. Results Of the 36 patients enrolled in the study, 20 fulfilled the criterion for severe CI and entered the study follow-up (mean age 68.9±7.4 years, 70% men, LVEF=41.8±9.3%, 40%/60% NYHA class II/III). Full baseline and follow-up datasets were obtained in 17 patients. The mean VE slope and HRR at baseline were 34.4±4.4 and 49.6±23.8%, respectively, in group 1 (n=7) and 34.5±12.2 and 54.2±16.1% in group 2 (n=10). After completing the 2-month CPX, the mean difference between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 modes was −2.4±8.3 (group 1) and −1.2±3.5 (group 2) for VE slope, and 17.1±15.5% (group 1) and 8.7±18.8% (group 2) for HRR. Altogether, VE slope improved by −1.8±2.95 (p=0.31) in DDD-CLS versus DDD-40, and HRR improved by 12.9±8.8% (p=0.01). The VE slope decreased by ≥5% in 47% of patients (“responders to CLS”). The mean difference in the QoL between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 was 0.16±0.25 in group 1 and −0.01±0.05 in group 2, resulting in an overall increase by 0.08±0.08 in the DDD-CLS mode (p=0.13). Conclusion First results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of CLS in CRT patients with severe CI revealed that CLS generated an overall positive effect on well-established surrogate parameters for prognosis. About one half of the patients showed CLS response in terms of improved VE slope. In addition, CLS improved quality of life. Further clinical research is needed to identify predictors that can increase the responder rate and to confirm improvement in clinical outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Biotronik SE & Co. KG


Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijie Chen ◽  
Kaizhe Chen ◽  
Yufei Yan ◽  
Jianmin Feng ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of medial posterior tibial slope (PTS) on mid-term postoperative range of motion (ROM) and functional improvement of the knee after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods Medical records of 113 patients who had undergone 124 medial UKAs between April 2009 through April 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up lasted 7.6 years (range, 6.2–11.2 years). Collected were demographic data, including gender, age, height, weight of the patients. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral knee radiographs of the operated knees were available in all patients. The knee function was evaluated during office follow-up or hospital stay. Meanwhile, postoperative PTS, ROM, maximal knee flexion and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score (pre−/postoperative) of the operated side were measured and assessed. According to the size of the PTS, patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (<4°), group 2 (4° ~ 7°) and group 3 (>7°). The association between PTS and the knee function was investigated. Results In our cohort, the average PTS was 2.7° ± 0.6° in group 1, 5.6° ± 0.9° in group 2 and 8.7° ± 1.2° in group 3. Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences among them (p < 0.01). The average maximal flexion range of postoperative knees in each group was 112.4° ± 5.6°, 116.4° ± 7.2°, and 117.5° ± 6.1°, respectively, with significant difference found between group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.05), and between group 1 and group 3 (p < 0.05). However, the gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) did not differ between three groups and there was no significant difference between groups in terms of pre−/postoperative HSS scores or postoperative knee ROM. Conclusion A mid-term follow-up showed that an appropriate PTS (4° ~ 7°) can help improve the postoperative flexion of knee. On the other hand, too small a PTS could lead to limited postoperative knee flexion. Therefore, the PTS less than 4° should be avoided during medial UKA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902199799
Author(s):  
Tianming Yu ◽  
Jichong Ying ◽  
Jianlei Liu ◽  
Dichao Huang ◽  
Hailin Yan ◽  
...  

Purpose: The study described a novel surgical treatment of Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fracture in tri-malleolar fracture and patient outcomes at intermediate period follow-up. Methods: All patients from January 2015 to December 2017 with tri-malleolar fracture of which posterior malleolar fractures were Haraguchi type 1, were surgically treated in this prospective study. Lateral and medial malleolar fractures were managed by open reduction and internal fixation through dual incision approaches. 36 cases of Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fractures were randomly performed by percutaneous posteroanterior screw fixation with the aid of medial exposure (group 1). And 40 cases were performed by percutaneous anteroposterior screw fixation (group 2). Clinical outcomes, radiographic outcomes and patient-reported outcomes were recorded. Results: Seventy-six patients with mean follow-up of 30 months were included. There were no significant differences in the mean operation time (81.0 ± 11.3 vs. 77.2 ± 12.4), ankle function at different periods of follow-up, range of motions and visual analog scale (VAS) at 24 months between the two groups ( p > 0.05). However, the rate of severe post-traumatic arthritis (Grade 2 and 3) and the rate of step-off rather than gap in radiological evaluation were lower in group 1 than that in group 2 ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Using our surgical technique, more patients had good outcome with a lower rate of severe post-traumatic arthritis, compared with the group of percutaneous anteroposterior screw fixation. Percutaneous posteroanterior screw fixation can be a convenient and reliable alternative in treating Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fracture.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emre Erdem ◽  
Ahmet Karatas ◽  
Tevfik Ecder

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The effect of high serum ferritin levels on long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients is unknown. The relationship between serum ferritin levels and 5-year all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients was investigated in this study. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 173 prevalent hemodialysis patients were included in this study. The patients were followed for up to 5 years and divided into 3 groups according to time-averaged serum ferritin levels (group 1: serum ferritin &#x3c;800 ng/mL, group 2: serum ferritin 800–1,500 ng/mL, and group 3: serum ferritin &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL). Along with the serum ferritin levels, other clinical and laboratory variables that may affect mortality were also included in the Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighty-one (47%) patients died during the 5-year follow-up period. The median follow-up time was 38 (17.5–60) months. The 5-year survival rates of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 44, 64, and 27%, respectively. In group 3, the survival was lower than in groups 1 and 2 (log-rank test, <i>p</i> = 0.002). In group 1, the mortality was significantly lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.16 [0.05–0.49]; <i>p</i> = 0.001). In group 2, the mortality was also lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.32 [0.12–0.88]; <i>p</i> = 0.026). No significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2 was found (HR [95% CI]: 0.49 [0.23–1.04]; <i>p</i> = 0.063). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Time-averaged serum ferritin levels &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL in hemodialysis patients are associated with an increased 5-year all-cause mortality risk.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Constantin Roder ◽  
Uwe Klose ◽  
Helene Hurth ◽  
Cornelia Brendle ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background and Purpose:</i></b> Hemodynamic evaluation of moyamoya patients is crucial to decide the treatment strategy. Recently, CO<sub>2</sub>-triggered BOLD MRI has been shown to be a promising tool for the hemodynamic evaluation of moyamoya patients. However, the longitudinal reliability of this technique in follow-up examinations is unknown. This study aims to analyze longitudinal follow-up data of CO<sub>2</sub>-triggered BOLD MRI to prove the reliability of this technique for long-term control examinations in moyamoya patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Longitudinal CO<sub>2</sub> BOLD MRI follow-up examinations of moyamoya patients with and without surgical revascularization have been analyzed for all 6 vascular territories retrospectively. If revascularization was performed, any directly (by the disease or the bypass) or indirectly (due to change of collateral flow after revascularization) affected territory was excluded based on angiography findings (group 1). In patients without surgical revascularization between the MRI examinations, all territories were analyzed (group 2). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighteen moyamoya patients with 39 CO<sub>2</sub> BOLD MRI examinations fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up between the 2 examinations was 12 months (range 4–29 months). For 106 vascular territories analyzed in group 1, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.784, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, and for group 2 (84 territories), it was 0.899, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. Within the total follow-up duration of 140 patient months, none of the patients experienced a new stroke. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> CO<sub>2</sub> BOLD MRI is a promising tool for mid- and long-term follow-up examinations of cerebral hemodynamics in moyamoya patients. Systematic prospective evaluation is required prior to making it a routine examination.


Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 194760352110309
Author(s):  
Alexandre Barbieri Mestriner ◽  
Jakob Ackermann ◽  
Gergo Merkely ◽  
Pedro Henrique Schmidt Alves Ferreira Galvão ◽  
Luiz Felipe Morlin Ambra ◽  
...  

Objective To determine the relationship between cartilage lesion etiology and clinical outcomes after second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) with a minimum of 2 years’ follow-up. Methods A retrospective review of all patients that underwent ACI in the PFJ by a single surgeon was performed. Seventy-two patients with a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 2.0 years were enrolled in this study and were stratified into 3 groups based on the etiology of PFJ cartilage lesions: patellar dislocation (group 1; n = 23); nontraumatic lesions, including chondromalacia, osteochondritis dissecans, and degenerative defects (group 2; n = 28); and other posttraumatic lesions besides patellar dislocations (group 3; n = 21). Patient’s mean age was 29.6 ± 8.7 years. Patients in group 1 were significantly younger (25.4 ± 7.9 years) than group 2 (31.7 ± 9.6 years; P = 0.025) and group 3 (31.5 ± 6.6 years; P = 0.05). Body mass index averaged 26.2 ± 4.3 kg/m2, with a significant difference between group 1 (24.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) and group 3 (28.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2; P = 0.005). A clinical comparison was established between groups based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and failure rates. Results Neither pre- nor postoperative PROMs differed between groups ( P > 0.05). No difference was seen in survivorship between groups (95.7% vs. 82.2% vs. 90.5%, P > 0.05). Conclusion Cartilage lesion etiology did not influence clinical outcome in this retrospective study after second generation ACI in the PFJ. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Takahashi ◽  
T Dohi ◽  
T Funamizu ◽  
H Endo ◽  
H Wada ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Inflammatory status pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and post-PCI has been reported not only associated with poor prognosis, but also to impair renal function. Statins reduce cardiovascular events by lowering lipids and have anti-inflammatory impacts, but residual inflammatory risk (RIR) exists. It remains unclear that the synergistic effect of RIR and chronic kidney disease (CKD) on long-term clinical outcome in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing PCI in statin era. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term combined impact of RIR evaluating hs-CRP at follow-up and CKD among stable CAD patients undergoing PCI in statin era. Methods This is a single-center, observational, retrospective cohort study assessing consecutive 2,984 stable CAD patients who underwent first PCI from 2000 to 2016. We analyzed 2,087 patients for whom hs-CRP at follow-up (6–9 months later) was available. High residual inflammatory risk was defined as hs-CRP &gt;0.6 mg/L according to the median value at follow up. Patients were assigned to four groups as Group1 (high RIR and CKD), Group2 (low RIR and CKD), Group3 (high RIR and non-CKD) or Group4 (low RIR and non-CKD). We evaluated all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and non-fatal stroke. Results Of patients (83% men; mean age 67 years), there were 299 (14.3%) patients in group 1, 201 (9.6%) patients in group 2, 754 (36.1%) patients in group 3, and 833 (39.9%) patients in group 4. The median follow-up period was 5.2 years (IQR, 1.9–9.9 years). In total, 189 (frequency, 16.1%) cases of all-cause death and 128 (11.2%) MACE were identified during follow-up, including 53 (4.6%) CV deaths, 27 (2.4%) MIs and 52 (4.8%) strokes. The rate of all-cause death and MACE in group 1 was significantly higher than other groups (p&lt;0.001, respectively). There was a stepwise increase in the incidence rates of all-cause death and MACE. After adjustment for important covariates, the presence of high RIR and/or CKD were independently associated with higher incidence of MACE and higher all-cause mortality. (shown on figure). Conclusion The presence of both high RIR and CKD conferred a synergistic adverse effect on the risk for long-term adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing PCI. Kaplan-Meier curve Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


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