scholarly journals The greater use of flavoured snus among ever-smokers versus never-smokers in Norway

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tord Finne Vedoy ◽  
Karl Erik Lund

Abstract Background Similar to the debate around e-cigarettes, an increase in snus use among Norwegian adolescents has prompted debate on whether flavour options in snus should be limited. To this end, we compared use of flavoured snus among snus users with different smoking status. Methods Questions about flavoured snus use were included in an online omnibus study conducted from 2015 to 2019 (N = 65,445) that included 16,295 ever snus users (aged 15+). Current snus users (N = 9783) were asked “Do you usually use snus that has a flavouring (liquorice, mint, wintergreen, etc.)? Adjusted predicted probabilities and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated from a logistic regression model. Results Less than 25% of the snus users reported never having smoked. The overall probability of using flavoured snus was .45 (95% CI .44–.46), highest among daily (.51, 95% CI .47–.54) and former daily smokers (.50, 95% CI .48–.52), and lowest among never (.41, 95% CI .39–.43) and occasional smokers without any prior history of daily smoking (.41, 95% CI .38–.44). Use of flavoured products was higher among female snus users (p = .67, 95% CI .65–.69) compared to males (p = .35, 95% CI .34–.36), highest among the youngest age group, 15–24 years (p = .58, 95% CI .56–.60) and decreased with increasing age. Conclusion Regulation that would ban or limit flavoured snus use may affect smokers—an at risk population—more than never smokers. The health authorities should be mindful of the real-world complexity governing potential harms and benefits of flavour restrictions on snus. A further assessment of flavour limitations should acknowledge that flavoured snus products also function as alternatives to cigarettes.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kindu Kebede Gebre ◽  
Million Wesenu Demissie

Abstract Background: The recent outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Disease (COVID-19) has put the world on alert and impacting societies around the world in an unprecedented manner. The main aims of this study was to investigate the association among the socio-demographic factors with traveling history of COVID-19 Patients in Ethiopia during stay at home state of emergency. Methods: A total of 162 respondents with COVID-19 during March 13, 2020 to May 6, 2020 in Ethiopia were used. Two sided chi-square test was used to test the association between the socio demographic factors among COVID-19 Patients. A log-complement logistic regression model was used to compute the health ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to measure the effect of those factors. Results: The data was analyzed using 162 patients of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2. An association was found between traveling history of COVID-19 infected patients and Gender (male vs female) [B =5.410, p<0.020] and Age group [a=13.082, p<0.004]. Log-complement logistic regression model showed that Gender and Age were significant factors associated to traveling history of COVID-19 Patients. Health ratio showed that increasing risk of traveling history for COVID-19 patients associated with higher number of males [ HR=0.5895, 95%CI: 0.4007-0.8672, P<0.0073] and Age group 18-39 years [HR=0.4139, 95%CI: 0.2385-0.7184, P<0.0017] on patients of COVID-19. Akaike information criteria with minimum value [AIC=1.2158] indicated that Log complement logistic regression model was fitted the data well for the similar dataset of patients’ with novel corona virus. Conclusions: Male Gender and Age group 18-39 years are significant socio-demographic factors associated to traveling history of patients with corona virus disease. Further socio-demographic investigations are required to better understand the extent of association with Gender and Age for effective intervention and fight this pandemic to preserve lives.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiann-Der Lee ◽  
Ya-Han Hu ◽  
Meng Lee ◽  
Yen-Chu Huang ◽  
Ya-Wen Kuo ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Recurrent ischemic strokes increase the risk of disability and mortality. The role of conventional risk factors in recurrent strokes may change due to increased awareness of prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to explore the potential risk factors besides conventional ones which may help to affect the advances in future preventive concepts associated with one-year stroke recurrence (OSR). Methods: We analyzed 6,632 adult patients with ischemic stroke. Differences in clinical characteristics between patients with and without OSR were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses. Results: Among the study population, 525 patients (7.9%) had OSR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR 1.243, 95% CI 1.025 – 1.506), age (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.007 - 1.023), and a prior history of ischemic stroke (OR 1.331, 95% CI 1.096 – 1.615) were major factors associated with OSR. CART analysis further identified age and a prior history of ischemic stroke were important factors for OSR when classified the patients into three subgroups (with risks of OSR of 8.8%, 3.8%, and 12.5% for patients aged > 57.5 years, ≤ 57.5 years/with no prior history of ischemic stroke, and ≤ 57.5 years/with a prior history of ischemic stroke, respectively). Conclusions: Male sex, age, and a prior history of ischemic stroke could increase the risk of OSR by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and CART analysis further demonstrated that patients with a younger age (≤ 57.5 years) and a prior history of ischemic stroke had the highest risk of OSR.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Francesca Galluzzi ◽  
Veronica Rossi ◽  
Cristina Bosetti ◽  
Werner Garavello

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Smell and taste loss are characteristic symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted an observational, retrospective study on 376 patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Italy, from March to July 2020. All patients answered a phone questionnaire providing information on age, sex, smoking status, and clinical characteristics. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated through logistic regression models including relevant covariates. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in COVID-19 patients was 33.5 and 35.6%, respectively. Olfactory dysfunctions were significantly directly associated with current smoking and history of allergy, the multivariable ORs being 6.53 (95% CI 1.16–36.86) for current smokers versus never smokers, and 1.89 (95% CI 1.05–3.39) for those with an allergy compared to those without any allergy. Respiratory allergy in particular was significantly associated with olfactory dysfunctions (multivariable OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.02–5.17). Significant inverse associations were observed for patients aged 60 years or more (multivariable OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19–0.57) and hospitalization (multivariable OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.89). Considering gustatory dysfunctions, after allowance of other variables a significant direct association was found for respiratory allergies (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.03–4.86), and an inverse association was found only for hospitalization (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06–0.76). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study indicates that current smoking and history of allergy (particularly respiratory) significantly increase the risk for smell loss in COVID-19 patients; the latter is also significantly associated to taste loss. Hospitalization has an inverse association with the risk of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, suggesting that these may be symptoms characteristics of less severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem M. Elsaid ◽  
Ashraqat S. Namrouti ◽  
Ahmad M. Samara ◽  
Wael Sadaqa ◽  
Sa’ed H. Zyoud

Abstract Background Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postoperative pain (POP) are most commonly experienced in the early hours after surgery. Many studies have reported high rates of PONV and POP, and have identified factors that could predict the development of these complications. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PONV and POP, and to identify some factors associated with these symptoms. Methods This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study performed at An-Najah National University Hospital and Rafidia Governmental Hospital, the major surgical hospitals in northern Palestine, from October 2019 to February 2020. A data collection form, adapted from multiple previous studies, was used to evaluate factors associated with PONV and POP in patients undergoing elective surgery. Patients were interviewed during the first 24 h following surgery. Multiple binary logistic regression was applied to determine factors that were significantly associated with the occurrence of PONV. Results Of the 211 patients included, nausea occurred in 43.1%, vomiting in 17.5%, and PONV in 45.5%. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis, using PONV as a dependent variable, showed that only patients with a history of PONV [odds ratio (OR) = 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–5.01; p = 0.041] and POP (OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.17–4.97; p = 0.018) were significantly associated with the occurrence of PONV. Most participants (74.4%) reported experiencing pain at some point during the first 24 h following surgery. Additionally, the type and duration of surgery were significantly associated with POP (p-values were 0.002 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusions PONV and POP are common complications in our surgical patients. Factors associated with PONV include a prior history of PONV and POP. Patients at risk should be identified, the proper formulation of PONV protocols should be considered, and appropriate management plans should be implemented to improve patients’ outcomes.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3255-3255
Author(s):  
Selina J Chavda ◽  
Rachael Pocock ◽  
Simon Cheesman ◽  
Emma Dowling ◽  
Puneet Verma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a potent, irreversible proteasome inhibitor (PI) licenced in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) demonstrating improved progression free and overall survival (OS) to standard of care therapies. However, CFZ is also associated with hypertension (HTN) and rarely cardiac toxicity. The exact mechanism is unclear but may be due to a disturbance of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide. Incidence of HTN in a pooled analysis of CFZ trials (Chari et al, Blood 2018, n=2044) showed all grade (G): 18.5%, ≥G3 5.9%. There is less data in the real world setting. Methods: This was a single centre retrospective analysis of all patients treated with CFZ between 2015-2018. BP was recorded in routine nursing records prior to each CFZ infusion in triplicate at each visit 10 minutes apart and the median recorded. HTN was graded by CTCAE criteria V4 (note: G1=pre-HTN (120-139/ 80-89)) and pulmonary hypertension as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAsp) >25mmHg (American College of Cardiology criteria). Baseline demographics were obtained from medical records. OS was estimated using Kaplan Meier Curves and correlative analysis by Cox regression models. Results: 86 patients and 1976 consecutive BP recordings were evaluated with a mean of 23 BP assessments per patient (1-74). Demographics are shown in Table 1. 32 patients (37.2%) had prior history of HTN and 14 (16.3%) had prior cardiac co-morbidity (ischaemic heart disease, dysrhythmias and cardiac amyloidosis). Initial dosing of CFZ was 20mg/m2, increasing to 27mg/m2 (n=30 (34.9%)), 36mg/m2 (n=18 (20.9%)), 45mg/m2 (n=2 (2.3%)), 56mg/m2 (n=35 (40.7%)), 70mg/m2 weekly (n=1(1.2%)). Median time on therapy was 5.3 months (0-26) with a median of 6 (1-27) cycles. The overall incidence of all grade HTN was 60 (69.8%), predominantly G1-2 and was similar in those with and without pre-existing HTN (Chi squared test p=0.4) (Table 2). 11(13%) required intervention with anti-HTN medications for ≥G2 HTN which then returned the BP to baseline. Those treated at ≥45mg/m2 of CFZ had more episodes of HTN compared to those treated at 27-36mg/m2 (OR 3.65, 95% CI: 1.39-9.21, p<0.01) despite similar co-morbidities per group. Age >65 years was not associated with increased risk of HTN (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.45-3.73, p=0.63) nor was ethnicity (Chi squared test p=0.1). 25 patients required treatment interruption for any cause, of which 12 were due to HTN (median 7 days (1-23)).13 patients required dose reduction for any cause, and 9(10%) required reductions due to HTN, mainly at 56mg/m2 (27 n=1(1.2%), 36 n=2(2.3%), 56 n=7(8.1%)). The planned median cumulative dose for the number of cycles received was 1264mg/m2 overall (36-5772) however, the actual median cumulative dose delivered was 784 mg/m2 (36-3248). The difference was the greatest with higher carfilzomib doses (≥56mg/m2 vs 27-45mg/m2 (Chi squared test, p<0.01)). Planned vs actual dose delivered for number of cycles of CFZ received was: 27mg/m2, 634 vs 472; 36mg/m2, 1219 vs 722; 45mg/m2, 785 vs 744; 56mg/m2, 2514 vs 1282; 70mg/m2, 1210 vs 770. 15(17%) patients developed cardiac complications including pulmonary HTN n=10(12%) and cardiac failure n=8(9%). Unlike HTN, cardiac complications were not associated with CFZ dose (<36mg/m2 vs ≥36mg/m2 OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.42-3.51, p=0.75) and were not related to development of HTN (OR 2.40, 95% CI 0.80-6.60, p=0.12) or prior history of HTN (OR 1.79, 95%CI 0.53-5.50, p=0.35). 1(1.2%) death was observed in a patient due to cardiac failure and progressive disease. OS was unaffected by HTN, cardiac toxicity, pulmonary HTN or HTN related treatment delays (median OS not reached regardless of developing cardiovascular adverse events, HR 1.45 95% CI 0.39-5.37, p=0.57; median follow up 17 vs 31 months respectively). Conclusions: This real world data demonstrated a higher incidence of HTN compared to clinical trials, however most were low grade toxicities. This may be partly due to under-reporting of G1 events which may not be clinically significant. Dose reductions were more frequent at CFZ doses ≥45, leading to a reduction in total cumulative dose received. Close monitoring and early intervention for HTN is therefore required to prevent further complications and to maintain cumulative dosing. In this dataset, cardiac complications did not appear to be related to HTN. Disclosures Cheesman: Celltrion: Other: Speaker Fee; Roche: Other: Advisory board. Wechalekar:Janssen: Honoraria. Rabin:Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: Travel support , Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Yong:Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Popat:Amgen: Honoraria.


2001 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
BOHUA CHEN ◽  
STEVE LAVENDER ◽  
GUNNAR B. J. ANDERSSON

This paper aims to estimate the prevalence rates of MRI change in LBP out-patients and to determine the relationship between abnormalities in an MRI and personal and occupational factors. The MRI records were obtained from 200 out-patients with LBP (114 males and 86 females) who received a diagnostic MRI at St. Luke's Medical Center. The mean and standard deviation of this sample's age were 43.8 years and 14.8 years, respectively. Based on the MRI, each lumbar disc was scored as normal or degenerated. Bulging and herniated were also recorded. Each patient completed a short questionnaire that included the measures of height, weight, age, and present occupation and any history of "heavy manual labor". Occupations were grouped into white collar sedentary, white collar professional, blue collar exposed to prolonged sitting and vibration, blue collar exposed to heavy, unemployed or retired, and homemaker. Chi-square tests were used to determine the statistical significance of these trends. A multiple logistic regression was used to develop a predictive model of spine pathology based on a subject's individual characteristics and occupational classification. Normal discs were found in 26% of the patients and degenerated discs in 47.5%. There were bulging/herniated disks in 26.5%. In men who were younger than 29 years, 50% had herniated disks, and 50% were normal. Three fourth of the women in the same age group showed normal discs. Forty-three percent of the subjects reported a history of performing heavy labor. Using the logistic regression model there were two variables predictive of observable MRI pathology: age and prior history of heavy labor. The analysis indicated that an older individual who had a history and heavy labor was more likely to show one or more pathological model discs in an MRI scan.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 870-870
Author(s):  
Celina Morales ◽  
Pimbucha Rusmevichientong

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to examine the dietary salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with the prevalence of hypertension among adults residing in rural Northern Thailand. Methods A cross-sectional study utilizing convenience sampling was administered in San Pa Tong District, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The one-on-one interview was conducted to assess subject's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relating to their dietary salt intake. Various food frequencies for foods high in salt were also measured. Each subject's blood pressure was measured twice before and after the interview. A logistic regression model was used in the analysis to determine potential hypertension risk factors. Results A total of 403 adults participated in the study. A majority of participants were female (73.2%), and the average age was 62.5 years old. Half of participants reported a family history of hypertension and 32% of participants were hypertensive. The major results from the logistic regression model indicated positive attitudes towards decreasing salt intake lead to a lower chance of becoming hypertensive (OR = 0.934). However, a family history of high blood pressure (OR = 1.417), a higher knowledge score about foods high in salt (OR = 1.254), daily use of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in food preparation (OR = 1.959) and buying outside food to eat at home (OR = 5.692) lead to a higher chance of becoming hypertensive. Conclusions Our findings suggest higher knowledge does not decrease the chance of becoming hypertensive. However, there is a positive association between hypertension and dietary salt-related behaviors among adults living in rural Thai communities. More specifically, salt-reduction interventions should focus on promoting home-cooked meal preparation with lower salt substitutes to MSG. Funding Sources NIMHD Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Training Program (MHRT), California State University, Fullerton (Department of Public Health) and Chiang Mai University (Department of Community Medicine).


Author(s):  
Jafar Fili ◽  
Marzieh Nojomi ◽  
Katayoon Razjouyan ◽  
Mojgan Kahdemi ◽  
Rozita Davari- Ashtiani

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the association between ADHD and suicide attempts among adolescents with bipolar disorder. Method: Participants were 168 adolescents who fulfilled DSM-IV-TR criteria for bipolar disorder. They were divided into 2 groups: The first group of patients with bipolar disorder with a history of suicide attempts (n = 84) and the second group without a history of suicide attempts (n = 84). ADHD and other variables were analyzed using a chi-squared test and logistic regression model. Results: No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in comorbidity of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders (P value > 0/05). In the logistic regression model, and after controlling for other factors, gender (OR = 3.9, CI 95%: 1.5-9.6) and history of sexual abuse (OR = 3.4; CI 95%: 1.06-11.3) were the only 2 factors associated with a history of suicide attempts. Conclusion: No significant association was found between ADHD and suicide attempts in adolescents with bipolar disorder.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Bazo-Alvarez ◽  
Kingshuk Pal ◽  
Tra My Pham ◽  
Irwin Nazareth ◽  
Irene Petersen ◽  
...  

AbstractDPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) and sulphonylureas remain the most widely prescribed add-on treatments after metformin. However, there is limited evidence from clinical practice comparing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients prescribed these treatments, particularly among those without prior history of MACE and from vulnerable population groups. Using electronic health records from UK primary care, we undertook a retrospective cohort study with people diagnosed type-2 diabetes mellitus, comparing incidence of MACE (myocardial infarction, stroke, major cardiovascular surgery, unstable angina) and all-cause mortality among those prescribed DPP-4i versus sulphonylureas as add-on to metformin. We stratified analysis by history of MACE, age, social deprivation and comorbidities and adjusted for HbA1c, weight, smoking-status, comorbidities and medications. We identified 17,570 patients prescribed sulphonylureas and 6,267 prescribed DPP-4i between 2008–2017. Of these, 16.3% had pre-existing MACE. Primary incidence of MACE was similar in patients prescribed DPP-4i and sulphonylureas (10.3 vs 8.5 events per 1000 person-years; adjusted Hazard Ratio (adjHR): 0.94; 95%CI 0.80–1.14). For those with pre-existing MACE, rates for recurrence were higher overall, but similar between the two groups (21.8 vs 17.2 events per 1000 person-years; adjHR: 0.93; 95%CI 0.69–1.24). For those aged over 75 and with BMI less than 25 kg/m2 there was a protective effect for DPP-I, warranting further investigation. Patients initiating a DPP-4i had similar risk of cardiovascular outcomes to those initiating a sulphonylurea. This indicates the choice should be based on safety and cost, not cardiovascular prognosis, when deciding between a DPP-4i or sulphonylurea as add-on to metformin.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Veldheer ◽  
Crystal Lovelace ◽  
Hana Zickgraf ◽  
Emily Stefano ◽  
Andrea Rigby

Abstract Objectives Tobacco use and diseases related to poor diet rank among the top two causes of premature death in the U.S. Existing research suggests smoking and obesity are each associated with food insecurity (FI), but few studies have documented their co-occurrence in the context of FI. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and correlates of FI with a particular focus on the co-occurrence of obesity and smoking among those who are FI in a nationally representative sample. Methods 5364 non-pregnant adults aged 20+ were selected for analysis from the 2013–2014 NHANES survey cycle. Height and weight were measured. BMI weight class was defined as normal weight (BMI > 18.5 and < 25), overweight (BMI > 25 and < 30) and obese (BMI > 30). Adult food insecurity (yes/no) was defined as full/marginal food security v. low/very low. Rao-Scott chi-square tests were used to compare prevalence rates. A logistic regression model was set up with FI as the dependent variable and demographics (age, race, education, gender, and poverty income ratio), smoking status, and BMI class as independent variables. Analyses were performed according to NHANES analytical guidelines to create nationally representative values. Results The overall prevalence of food insecurity, smoking, and obesity was 14.4% (n = 971), 19.6% (n = 1082), and 38.5% (n = 2060), respectively. The co-occurrence of obesity and smoking in the overall sample was 7.0% (n = 377). Among those who were FI, the prevalence of smoking was 36.6% (v. not FI 16.6%, P < 0.001), obesity was 47.1% (v. not FI 37.0%, P < 0.001), and the co-occurrence of smoking and obesity was 14.4% (v. not FI 5.7%, P < 0.001). In the logistic regression model, significant predictors of FI included: younger age (P = 0.007), lower poverty income ratio (P < 0.001), having a high school education or less (P = 0.002), smoking (P = 0.01) and obesity (P = 0.004). Conclusions Obesity and smoking were independent predictors of FI. Further, among those who were FI, the prevalence of co-occurring smoking and obesity was more than double that of those in the U.S. population without FI. Overall, these findings suggest food insecurity should be considered when developing obesity and smoking cessation-related interventions. Funding Sources None.


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