Longer shared parental leave is associated with longer duration of breastfeeding: a cross-sectional study among Swedish mothers and their partners

Abstract Background Breastfeeding is associated with health benefits for both the mother and infant and is therefore important to support; moreover, parental leave is a beneficial factor for breastfeeding. The Swedish parental leave is generous, allowing each parent to take 90 days; additionally, a further 300 days can be taken by either parent. Generally, mothers take 70% of the parental leave days, mainly during the first year. However, breastfeeding duration has declined in the last decade, and it is not known how shared parental leave is associated with the duration of breastfeeding. Aim To investigate how parental leave is associated with the duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding of the infant during the first 12 months after birth. An additional aim was to describe infants’ and parents’ characteristics and mode of birth in association with the duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding. Methods This cross-sectional study was part of the Swedish Pregnancy Planning Study, conducted in Sweden in 2012–2015. The parents were recruited at 153 antenatal clinics in nine counties. In total, 813 couples completed a follow-up questionnaire 1 year after birth. Linear regression models were used to analyse the association between parental leave and the duration of breastfeeding. Results Infants were exclusively breastfed for, on average, 2.5 months (range 0–12 months) and partially breastfed, on average, 7 months (range 0–12 months). Most of the parental leave was taken by the mother (mean = 10.9 months) during the infant’s first 12 months, while the partner took 3 months, on average. The parental leave (used and planned) during the infant’s first 24 months were, on average, 21 months. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, mothers’ and partners’ high level of education (p < 0.001, p = 0.044, respectively), mothers’ higher age (p = 0.049), non-instrumental vaginal birth (p = 0.004) and longer parental leave for the first 24 months (p < 0.001) were associated with longer duration of partial breastfeeding. Conclusion The duration of partial breastfeeding was associated with higher parental educational level, higher age, non-instrumental vaginal birth and longer parental leave.

Download Full-text

The relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma and arterial stiffness in essential hypertensive patients from China: a cross-sectional study

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-021-02049-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Juan Yin ◽

Minghui Li ◽

Lingling Yu ◽

Feng Hu ◽

Yu Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Hypertension ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Atherogenic Index ◽

Chinese Patients ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Atherogenic Index Of Plasma

Abstract Background The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) always remains in a potential association with arterial stiffness, however, this association has not been fully discovered and needs to be studied in depth in large hypertensive patient populations. The present analysis thus sought to further explore the association that exists between AIP and arterial stiffness in Chinese patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed 4744 Chinese individuals with essential hypertension. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels indicated in molar concentrations. Measurement of arterial stiffness was carried out via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Results Data were adjusted for potential confounding variables, and multivariate linear regression analysis revealed AIP to be positively correlated with baPWV (β = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.72, P < 0.001). When AIP was instead treated as a categorical variable divided into quartiles, the same relationship was observed (P for trend < 0.001). We additionally found AIP and baPWV had a stronger positive association in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) < 24 kg/m2 (P for interaction < 0.05). Conclusion AIP and arterial stiffness were positively correlated in essential hypertension patients in China, especially in those with a BMI < 24 kg/m2. Clinical trial registration ChiCTR1800017274.

Download Full-text

Sources of psychological distress among primary care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave in Spain: a cross-sectional study

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423621000566 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Cebrián-Cuenca ◽

José Joaquín Mira ◽

Elena Caride-Miana ◽

Antonio Fernández-Jiménez ◽

Domingo Orozco-Beltrán

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protective Measures

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people worldwide. In Spain, the first wave was especially severe. Objectives: This study aimed to identify sources and levels of distress among Spanish primary care physicians (PCPs) during the first wave of the pandemic (April 2020). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey that included sociodemographic data, a description of working conditions related to distress [such as gaps in training in protective measures, cleaning, and hygiene procedures in work setting, unavailability of personal protective equipments (PPEs) and COVID-19 RT-PCR test, and lack of staff due to be infected] and a validated scale, the ‘Self-applied Acute Stress Scale’ (EASE). The survey was answered by a non-probability sampling of PCPs working in family healthcare centres from different regions of Spain. Analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed. Results: In all, out of 518 PCP participants, 123 (23.7%) obtained high psychological distress scores. Only half of them had received information about the appropriate use of PPE. PCP characteristics associated with higher levels of distress include female gender [1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 2.84]; lack of training in protective measures (1.96; 95% CI 0.94, 2.99); unavailable COVID-19 RT-PCR for health care workers after quarantine or COVID-19 treatment (−0.77 (−1.52, −0.02). Reinforcing disinfection of the work environment (P < 0.05), availability of PPEs (P < 0.05), and no healthcare professional was infected (P < 0.05) were related to the lowest distress score. Conclusions: A better understanding of the sources of distress among PCPs could prevent its effect on future outbreaks.

Download Full-text

The Relationship Between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Arterial Stiffness in Essential Hypertensive Patients from China: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-215251/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juan Yin ◽

Minghui Li ◽

Lingling Yu ◽

Feng Hu ◽

Yu Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Hypertension ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Atherogenic Index ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Atherogenic Index Of Plasma

Abstract Background: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) always remains in a potential association with the arterial stiffness, however, in large hypertensive patient populations, this relation is not fully discovered and needs to be studied in depth. The present analysis thus sought to further explore the association that exists between AIP and arterial stiffness in patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension in China.Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 4744 Chinese individuals with essential hypertension. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels indicates as in molar concentrations. Measurement of arterial stiffness was carried out via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).Results: Data were adjusted for potential confounding variables, after which a multivariate linear regression analysis revealed AIP to be positively correlated with baPWV (β = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.72, P < 0.001). When AIP was instead treated as a categorical variable divided into quartiles, this same relationship was observed (P for trend < 0.001). We additionally found AIP and baPWV had a stronger positive association in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) < 24 kg/m2 (P for interaction < 0.05).Conclusion: AIP and arterial stiffness were positively correlated in essential hypertension patients in China, especially in those with a BMI < 24 kg/m2.

Download Full-text

Structural and Biomechanical Corneal Differences between Type 2 Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2019/3764878 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

João N. Beato ◽

João Esteves-Leandro ◽

David Reis ◽

Manuel Falcão ◽

Vítor Rosas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Corneal Thickness ◽

Biomechanical Properties ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Applanation Tonometry ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional

Purpose. To analyze and compare corneal structural and biomechanical properties, characterized by corneal hysteresis (CH) and resistance factor (CRF), between patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and determine the main ocular variables that influence them. Methods. Sixty diabetic and 48 age- and sex-matched non-DM patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The DM group was analyzed according to DM duration (<or ≥ 10 years), HbA1c levels (<or ≥ 7%), and presence of retinopathy. CH and CRF were evaluated using the Ocular Response Analyzer® (ORA). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was determined by Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam® HR). Intraocular pressure was obtained with ORA (IOPcc) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (IOP-GAT). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between demographical, clinical, and ocular variables with the biomechanical properties. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the CH and the CRF between DM and non-DM groups (p=0.637 and p=0.439, respectively). Also, there was no statistical difference between groups for the CCT, IOPcc, or IOP-GAT. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that CH was positively associated with CCT (p<0.001) and negatively associated with IOPcc (p<0.001), while CRF was positively associated with CCT (p<0.001) and IOPcc (p=0.014). Conclusion. The CCT and IOPcc were found to be the main parameters that affect corneal biomechanical properties both in diabetics and controls. In this study, there was no significant effect of DM type 2 on corneal biomechanics.

Download Full-text

Nutritional status and quality of life in diabetic patients on hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s41043-021-00255-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eba’a Hafi ◽

Ro’ya Soradi ◽

Sarah Diab ◽

Ahmad M. Samara ◽

Marah Shakhshir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. Malnutrition is a common problem among hemodialysis (HD) patients that negatively impacts their prognosis and is linked to an increase in morbidity and mortality in these patients, as well as a decrease in their quality of life (QOL). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the QOL and to investigate factors that can influence it, including nutritional status, as well as socio-demographic factors, among Palestinian diabetic patients on HD therapy. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that occurred at a large hemodialysis center in Palestine. Malnutrition was assessed by the malnutrition-inflammation scale (MIS), and the quality of life was evaluated by using the EuroQoL five-dimensional instrument (EQ-5D). Multivariable linear regression analysis was carried out to look at the effect of multiple variables on QOL. Results A total of 118 diabetic patients on HD were included. Of these, 66.9% were male, and 60.2% were aged 60 years or higher. Having multiple comorbid diseases (p=0.004) and having been on HD for >4 years (p=0.003) were significantly associated with a higher MIS score, whereas living alone (p=0.037) and having been on HD for >4 years (p=0.002) was significantly associated with lower EQ-5D score. We also observed a significant association between the MIS score and the EQ-5D score(r=−0.616, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that diabetic hemodialysis patients who lived within a family household were positively correlated with the QOL score (standardized coefficient, 0.178; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.042 to 0.372; p = 0.015), and MIS score was significantly and negatively correlated with QOL scores (standardized coefficient, −0.587; 95% CI, −0.047 to −0.028; p < 0.001). Conclusions We found that malnutrition was associated with a lower QOL score among diabetic patients on HD. We recommend general practitioners, dietitians, nephrologists, and nurses to make plans that pay more attention to this group of patients who show evidence of malnutrition. Patients on dialysis for ≥ 4 years, patients who live alone, and those suffering from multiple co-morbid diseases should receive special care due to their higher risk of being impacted by this problem.

Download Full-text

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migraine in Japan: a multicentre cross-sectional study

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-021-01263-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keisuke Suzuki ◽

Takao Takeshima ◽

Hisaka Igarashi ◽

Noboru Imai ◽

Daisuke Danno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stepwise Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Stepwise Linear Regression ◽

New Onset

Abstract Objectives To assess the impacts of social situation changes due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on headache-related disability and other symptoms in patients with migraine in Japan. Methods We conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional study including 659 outpatients with migraine diagnosed by headache specialists. The participants were asked about the impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on headache-related disability, headache days, headache intensity, stress, physical activity, hospital access and their work and home lives. For headache-related disability, the total Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score and part A and B scores were analysed. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify the clinical predictors of changes in the total MIDAS score before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors related to new-onset headache during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Finally, 606 migraine patients (73 M/533 F; age, 45.2 ± 12.0 years) were included in the study, excluding those with incomplete data. Increased stress, substantial concern about COVID-19 and negative impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life were reported in 56.8 %, 55.1 and 45.0 % of the participants, respectively. The total MIDAS and A and B scores did not significantly change after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. New-onset headache, which was observed in 95 patients (15.7 %), was associated with younger age and worsened mood and sleep in the logistic regression analysis. The multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis of changes in the total MIDAS score before and during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic identified worsened sleep, increased acute medication use, increased stress, medication shortages, comorbidities, the absence of an aura and new-onset headache were determinants of an increased total MIDAS score during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions In this multicentre study, clinical factors relevant to headache-related disability, such as new-onset headache, stress and sleep disturbances, were identified, highlighting the importance of symptom management in migraine patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Association of coronary dominance with the severity of coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study in Shaanxi Province, China

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021292 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. e021292 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bin Yan ◽

Jian Yang ◽

Yajuan Fan ◽

Binbin Zhao ◽

Qingyan Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Shaanxi Province ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Dominance

ObjectiveTo investigate whether coronary artery dominance is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSingle-centre.ParticipantsBetween July 2015 and February 2017, 1654 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) were recruited into this cross-sectional study.Measurement and methodsAccording to coronary dominance, patients were classified into left dominance (LD), right dominance (RD) and codominance (CD) based on the CAG results. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the association between severity of CAD and coronary dominance.ResultsThe total Gensini score was significantly higher in the RD group than in the left-CD group (42.3±33.6 vs 36.3±29.8; p=0.033). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the results of multivariate linear regression showed that RD was associated with the severity of CAD (β=6.699, 95% CI 1.193 to 12.205, p=0.017).ConclusionsThe results suggest that right coronary dominance was associated with the severity of CAD.

Download Full-text

Association between Visceral or Subcutaneous Fat Accumulation and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide among Japanese Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061315 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1315

Author(s):

Yoshinori Hayashi ◽

Hirohide Yokokawa ◽

Hiroshi Fukuda ◽

Mizue Saita ◽

Taiju Miyagami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Some previous studies have shown reduced levels of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in individuals with obesity. We aimed to estimate the relationship between BNP and abdominal fat distribution, adjusted for confounding factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1806 Japanese individuals (981 men and 825 women) who underwent a medical health check-up. Analyzed data included age, sex, visceral fat area (VFA), and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) as obtained from computed tomography, blood pressure, and blood test results including BNP. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between BNP, VFA, and SFA after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and body mass index. Results: In the models analyzed separately for VFA and SFA, BNP correlated independently with VFA in multiple linear regression analysis among all subjects and in both men and women, while SFA correlated inversely with BNP in all subjects and women but not in men. In the model that included both VFA and SFA, BNP correlated independently with VFA, but SFA and BNP were not correlated in any models. Conclusion: Higher VFA showed an independent, significant association with lower BNP. In addition, the inverse correlation with BNP was stronger for VFA than for SFA.

Download Full-text

Bone responsiveness to parathyroid hormone is negatively associated with parathyroid hormone-lowering drug use in patients undergoing hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

BMC Nephrology ◽

10.1186/s12882-021-02482-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Naoto Tominaga ◽

Tomoki Yonaha ◽

Masayuki Yamanouchi ◽

Hirofumi Sumi ◽

Yasuhiro Taki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Parathyroid Hormone ◽

Bone Resorption ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tracp 5B

Abstract Background Parathyroid hormone (PTH) acts on bone to indirectly increase the number and activity of osteoclasts. Thus, PTH has a stimulatory effect on bone resorption and upregulates bone turnover. However, the responsiveness of bone to PTH varies widely among patients receiving dialysis. In fact, relative to the serum PTH level, the level of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), a bone resorption marker derived from osteoclasts, varies as well. This study aimed to examine factors related to bone responsiveness to PTH in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD). Methods This study included patients receiving chronic HD in Kawasaki Municipal Tama Hospital (Kanagawa, Japan) and Yonaha Medical Clinic (Okinawa, Japan) and excluded patients who received HD for less than 6 months, those who received a combination of HD and peritoneal dialysis, and those who had cancer bone metastases or myeloma. The TRACP-5b/intact PTH (iPTH) ratio was created as an index of bone responsiveness to PTH, categorized into tertiles (low, medium, and high), and a cross-sectional study was conducted. P < 0.05 indicated statistically significant differences. Results One hundred and six patients were analyzed. Age (P = 0.010), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.003), use of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) agonists (P = 0.008), use of vitamin D receptor activators (VDRAs) (P = 0.012), plasma iPTH level (P < 0.001), serum 1,25(OH)2D level (P = 0.003), and serum TRACP-5b level (P < 0.001) were significantly different among the three categories. In the single linear regression analysis, age (P = 0.016), corrected serum calcium level (P = 0.007), and ln [1,25(OH)2D] (P = 0.044) showed a significant positive correlation with ln [TRACP-5b/iPTH], whereas BMI (P = 0.026), use of CaSR agonists (P = 0.001), use of VDRAs (P = 0.009), and serum phosphorus level (P = 0.018) showed a significant negative correlation. Upon conducting multiple linear regression analysis incorporating significant variables in the single linear regression analysis, a significant negative correlation was observed between the TRACP-5b/iPTH ratio and intravenous administration of a CaSR agonist (etelcalcetide) and/or a VDRA (calcitriol or maxacalcitol) in all the adjusted models. Conclusions Bone responsiveness to PTH is negatively correlated with the intravenous administration of a CaSR agonist and/or a VDRA in patients undergoing chronic HD.

Download Full-text

Anaemia prevalence and factors associated with haemoglobin change following radiotherapy in individuals with cancers at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Health Research ◽

10.4314/thrb.v18i2.3 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Abel Makubi ◽

Andrew Shiyo ◽

Crispin Kahesa

Keyword(s):

Blood Transfusion ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Radiation Treatment ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Before And After

Background: Despite the fact that anaemia is common worldwide, limited studies have been done in most developing countries to estimate its prevalence and factors associated with haemoglobin change in patients with cancers receiving radiotherapy. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. All individuals with cancers who were admitted in the wards for radiation treatment from August to December 2013 were included. Information on social-clinical characteristics, cancer type and associated factors as well as haemoglobin level before and after radiation were obtained. The prevalence of anaemia was determined as a proportion and linear regression was used to determine factors associated with haemoglobin change.Results: A total of 230 study subjects were available for analysis, of whom 82% were females. The overall mean age was 50±14 years. Most of the subjects (44%) were residing in the coastal regions, 50% had never attended school and 77% had no formal employment. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 77% before and 82% after radiotherapy. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that history of blood transfusion (beta-coefficient= 1.193; p=0.004) was the only factor associated with absolute change in haemoglobin.Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia was high, regardless of the cancer type. Blood transfusion appeared to have a positive change in haemoglobin following radiotherapy. Awareness should be increased to provide early detection of the condition with appropriate corrective measures.

Download Full-text