scholarly journals The relationship between thoracic kyphosis and age, and normative values across age groups: a systematic review of healthy adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Zappalá ◽  
Stephen Lightbourne ◽  
Nicola R. Heneghan

Abstract Background Thoracic kyphosis is reported to increase with ageing. However, this relationship has not been systematically investigated. Peoples’ kyphosis often exceeds 40°, but 40° is the widely accepted cut-off and threshold for normality. Consequently, patients may be misclassified. Accurate restoration of kyphosis is important to avoid complications following spinal surgery. Therefore, specific reference values are needed. The objective of the review is to explore the relationship between thoracic kyphosis and age, provide normative values of kyphosis for different age groups and investigate the influence of gender and ethnicity. Methods Two reviewers independently conducted a literature search, including seven databases and the Spine Journal, from inception to April 2020. Quantitative observational studies on healthy adults (18 years of age or older) with no known pathologies, and measuring kyphosis with Cobb’s method, a flexicurve, or a kyphometer, were included. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment (AQUA tool) were performed independently by two reviewers. The authors were contacted if clarifications were necessary. Correlation analysis and inferential statistics were performed (Microsoft Excel). The results are presented narratively. A modified GRADE was used for evidence quality assessment. Results Thirty-four studies (24 moderate-quality, 10 high-quality) were included (n = 7633). A positive moderate correlation between kyphosis and age was found (Spearman 0.52, p < 0.05, T5-T12). Peoples’ kyphosis resulted greater than 40° in 65% of the cases, and it was significantly smaller in individuals younger than 40 years old (x < 40) than in those older than 60 years old (x > 60) 75% of the time (p < 0.05). No differences between genders were found, although a greater kyphosis angle was observed in North Americans and Europeans. Conclusion Kyphosis increases with ageing, varying significantly between x < 40 and x > 60. Furthermore, kyphosis appears to be influenced by ethnicity, but not gender. Peoples’ thoracic sagittal curvature frequently exceeds 40°. Trial registration The review protocol was devised following the PRISMA-P Guidelines, and it was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020175058) before study commencement.

Author(s):  
Mohsen Hesami Arani ◽  
Mohammadreza Abedzadeh ◽  
Mehnoosh Nasiri ◽  
Mahdiyeh Mohammadzadeh

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the health concerns in Iran. Numerous studies have examined the role of blood type in people with the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of leishmaniasis in different blood groups as a review in Iran. Materials and Methods: For this review, two researchers evaluated the extracted articles in terms of relevance to the purpose of the study after searching four databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct. Literature reports on the prevalence of leishmaniasis in different blood groups in Iran until the end of March 2021. Relevant information included study time, study tool, number of subjects, mean age, and the relationship between blood type and infection which were recorded in Excel form. Results: After searching, screening, and qualitative evaluation of the studies, out of 135 identified articles, five papers met the required requirements. These five articles were published from 1999 to 2012, three studies examined the relationship between cutaneous leishmaniasis with different age groups. Also, three studies experimentally evaluated the relationship between cutaneous leishmaniasis with different human blood groups. Conclusion: According to the results of the present review, cutaneous leishmaniasis is more common in some blood groups. Studies have shown that Rh-negative blood groups with B alleles are more affected by cutaneous leishmaniasis than others; however, more studies are required.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Terhune ◽  
Patricia C Heyn ◽  
Christi R Piper ◽  
Nancy Hadley-Miller

Abstract BackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a structural lateral spinal curvature of ≥ 10° with rotation. Approximately 2–3% of children in most populations are affected with AIS, and this condition is responsible for approximately $1.1 billion in surgical costs to the U.S. healthcare system. Although a genetic factor for AIS has been demonstrated for decades, with multiple loci identified across populations, treatment options have remained limited to bracing and surgery.MethodsThe databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Google Scholar, and Ovid MEDLINE will be searched and limited to articles in English. We will conduct title and abstract, full-text, and data extraction screening through Covidence, followed by data transfer to a custom REDCap database. Quality assessment will be confirmed by multiple reviewers. Studies containing variant-level data (i.e. GWAS, exome sequencing) for AIS subjects and controls will be considered. Outcomes of interest will include presence/absence of AIS, scoliosis curve severity, scoliosis curve progression, and presence/absence of nucleotide-level variants. Analyses will include odds ratios and relative risk assessments, and subgroup analysis (i.e. males vs. females, age groups) may be applied. Quality assessment tools will include GRADE and Q-Genie for genetic studies.DiscussionIn this systematic review we seek to evaluate the quality of genetic evidence for AIS to better inform research efforts, to ultimately improve the quality of patient care and diagnosis.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO registration #CRD42021243253


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stef Feijen ◽  
Angela Tate ◽  
Kevin Kuppens ◽  
Anke Claes ◽  
Filip Struyf

Background Competitive swimmers are exposed to enormous volumes of swim training that may overload the soft tissue structures and contribute to shoulder pain. An understanding of training factors associated with the injury is needed before practice guidelines can be developed. Objectives To investigate the relationship between swim-training volume and shoulder pain and to determine swim-training volume and shoulder pain prevalence across the life span of the competitive swimmer. Data Sources Relevant studies within PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE. Study Selection Studies that assessed the relationship between a defined amount of swim training and shoulder pain in competitive swimmers. Data Extraction Twelve studies (N = 1460 participants) met the criteria. Swimmers were grouped by age for analysis: young (&lt;15 years), adolescent (15–17 years), adult (18–22 years), and masters (23–77 years). Data Synthesis Adolescent swimmers showed the highest rates of shoulder pain (91.3%) compared with other age groups (range = 19.4%–70.3%). The greatest swim-training volumes were reported in adolescent (17.27 ± 5.25 h/wk) and adult (26.8 ± 4.8 h/wk) swimmers. Differences in exposure were present between swimmers with and those without shoulder pain in both the adolescent (P = .01) and masters (P = .02) groups. In adolescent swimmers, the weekly swim-training volume (P &lt; .005, P = .01) and years active in competitive swimming (P &lt; .01) correlated significantly with supraspinatus tendon thickness, and all swimmers with tendon thickening experienced shoulder pain. Conclusions Evidence suggests that swim-training volume was associated with shoulder pain in adolescent competitive swimmers (level II conclusion). Year-round monitoring of the athlete's swim training is encouraged to maintain a well-balanced program. Developing athletes should be aware of and avoid a sudden and large increase in swimming volume. However, additional high-quality studies are needed to determine cutoff values in order to make data-based decisions regarding the influence of swim training.


Author(s):  
М.В. ДОВЫДЕНКОВА

Проведена статистическая обработка сформированной базы данных показателей неспецифической резистентности MS «Excel» с целью изучения динамики иммунитета по параметрам бактерицидной, лизоцимной и фагоцитарной активности у крупного рогатого скота черно-пестрой породы разных возрастов. Было установлено, что средние значения показателей лизоцимной и бактерицидной активности у телят в 6 мес были ниже (47,89% и 49,09%, соответственно), чем у животных в 3—4 года (53,75% и 52,81%). Выведено уравнение регрессии, описывающее взаимосвязь между средними показателями фагоцитарной активности и возрастом при высокой степени достоверности (R2=0,90). Изменения лизоцимной и бактерицидной активности в зависимости от возраста были недостоверными (R2=0,58 и R2=0,49, соответственно). Установлена высокая корреляция между бактерицидной и лизоцимной активностью. Отмечена динамика изменения неспецифического иммунитета у коров различных возрастных групп. Создание баз данных и постоянный мониторинг основных показателей естественной резистентности в зависимости от различных факторов (породы, возраста, стадий лактации, кормления, способов содержания), которые влияют на данные показатели, необходимо для оценки физиологического состояния организма животных и их устойчивости к болезням. Statistical processing of the generated MS "Excel" on indicators of non-specific resistance database was carried out with the aim of studying the dynamics of the development of immunity in terms of bactericidal, lysozyme and phagocytic activity in black-and-white cattle of different ages. It was found that the average values of indicators of lysozyme and bactericidal activity in calves at 6 months were lower (47.89% and 49.09%, respectively) than in animals at the age of 3—4 years (53.75% and 52.81%). The equation of regression was derived, it describes the relationship between the average indicators of phagocytic activity and the age with a high degree of reliability (R2=0.90). The changes in lysozyme and bactericidal activity depending on age were dubious (R2=0.58 and R2=0.49, respectively). The high correlation between bactericidal and lysozyme activity was established. It was noticed that the cows of different age groups experienced the dynamics of changes in nonspecific immunity. The creation of databases and constant monitoring of the main indicators of natural resistance, depending on various factors (breed, age, stages of lactation, feeding, methods of keeping) that affect these indicators, is necessary for assessing the physiological state of the animals’ body of and their resistance to diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
Cho Rong Won ◽  
Jiyoung Lee ◽  
Jeongwon Baik

BACKGROUND The use of social media or social networking sites (SNS) is increasing across all age groups, and one of the primary motives of using SNS is to seek health-related information. Although previous research examining the effect of SNS use on depression exist, studies regarding the effect of SNS use for health purpose on depression is limited. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to explore the relationship between SNS use for health purpose and depression across the four age groups (18-34 years old, 35-49 years old, 50-64 years old, and above 65 years old). METHODS A sample of 6,789 adults aged 18 and older was extracted from a 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Univariate and bivariate analyses to examine the association between each variable and four age groups were conducted. Multiple linear regression analyses to predict depression level among participants with use of SNS for health purpose were conducted. RESULTS SNS use for health purpose and depression were positively associated for three age groups but not for those 65 years or older (=0.13, P<0.05; =0.08, P<0.05; =0.09, P<0.05). Income and self-reported health status indicated an inverse relationship for all age groups. The relationship with marital status differed based on age group with 18 and 34 years old showing an inverse relationship (=-0.13, P<0.01) while 65 years or older showing a positive relationship (=0.06, P<0.05). Gender was positively associated among those in the 35-49 years old (=0.09, P<0.05) and 65 years or older (=0.07, P<0.05). Being Non-Hispanic White was positively associated with depression among 50-64 years old (=0.07, P<0.001) and 65 years or older (=0.08, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Age-tailored education on determining accurate and reliable information shared via SNS is needed to reduce depressive symptoms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Qiyi Lin ◽  
Nan Zhou ◽  
Hong Fu

We investigated the prevalence of Chinese children's imaginary companions (ICs) and the internal variables of IC types (personified object or invisible friend) and child–IC relationship qualities (egalitarian or hierarchical child–IC relationship). Participants were 266 children aged 4 to 6 years. Only in the 5-year-old group was the proportion of children with ICs significantly higher among girls than among boys, implying that the relationship between gender and IC was not consistent across age groups. Children from families in the highest annual income group engaged in more IC play than did children from families in the lowest annual income group, indicating a relationship between family socioeconomic environment and children's imaginary play. IC types were not associated with child–IC relationship qualities in any of the age groups, implying that these qualities may represent different dimensions of IC play as early as 4 years old.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089484532110099
Author(s):  
Jérôme Rossier ◽  
Shékina Rochat ◽  
Laurent Sovet ◽  
Jean-Luc Bernaud

The aim of this study was to validate the French version of the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ) and to assess its measurement invariance across gender, age groups, countries, and student versus career counseling samples. We also examined the sensitivity of this instrument to discriminate a career counseling population from a general student sample. Third, we studied the relationship between career decision-making difficulties, career decision-making self-efficacy, and self-esteem in a sample of 1,748 French and French-speaking Swiss participants. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the overall hierarchical structure of the CDDQ. Multigroup analysis indicated that the level of invariance across groups almost always reached configural, metric, and scalar invariance. Differences between countries were very small, whereas differences between the general population and career counseling subsamples were much larger. Both self-esteem and self-efficacy significantly predicted career decision-making difficulties. Moreover, as expected, self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between self-esteem and career decision-making difficulties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej ◽  
Agnieszka Ćwirlej-Sozańska ◽  
Justyna Kilian ◽  
Natalia Wołoszyn ◽  
Bernard Sozański ◽  
...  

AbstractHandgrip strength (HGS) is used as a biomarker for the state of health of older people, but the number of research publications containing the normative values of HGS in older adult populations is limited. The aim of the study was to define reference values and factors associated with HGS in older adults living in southeastern Poland. A cross-sectional study including 405 participants aged 65 and older was conducted. Handgrip strength for the dominant hand was assessed by the average of three trials using a JAMAR dynamometer. The sample was categorized into the following age groups: 65–69 years, 70–74 years, 75–79 years, 80–84 years, 85 and over. The average HGS was 19.98 kg (16.91 kg for women and 26.19 kg for men). There was a decrease in handgrip strength across the age range in both sexes. The average handgrip strength of the older people was 17.97 kg (14.47 kg for women and 25.66 kg for men) for those aged 80–85 and 16.68 kg (13.51 kg for women and 21.77 kg for men) in the group over 85 years old. In both sexes, marital status was an independent factor associated with reduced handgrip strength. In conclusion, this study described, for the first time, handgrip strength values for the southeastern Polish population aged ≥ 65 years according to age and gender.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A49-A50
Author(s):  
Caroline Antler ◽  
Erika Yamazaki ◽  
Tess Brieva ◽  
Courtney Casale ◽  
Namni Goel

Abstract Introduction The Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) is a behavioral attention measure widely used to describe sleep loss deficits. Although there are reported differences in PVT performance for various demographic groups, no study has examined the relationship between measures on the 10-minute PVT (PVT10) and the 3-minute PVT (PVT3) within sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) groups throughout a highly controlled sleep deprivation study. Methods Forty-one healthy adults (mean±SD ages, 33.9±8.9y) participated in a 13-night experiment [2 baseline nights (10h-12h time in bed, TIB) followed by 5 sleep restriction (SR1-5) nights (4h TIB), 4 recovery nights (R1-R4; 12h TIB), and 36h total sleep deprivation (TSD)]. A neurobehavioral test battery, including the PVT10 and PVT3 was completed every 2h during wakefulness. Repeated measures correlation (rmcorr) compared PVT10 and PVT3 lapses (reaction time [RT] &gt;355ms [PVT3] and &gt;500ms [PVT10]) and response speed (1/RT) by examining correlations by day (e.g., baseline day 2) and time point (e.g., 1000h-2000h) within sex groups (18 females), within age groups defined by a median split (median=32, range=21-49y), and within BMI groups defined by a median split (median=25, range=17-31). Results PVT10 and PVT3 1/RT was significantly correlated at all study days and time points excluding at baseline for the younger group and at R2 for the higher BMI group. PVT10 and PVT3 lapses showed overall lower correlations across the study relative to 1/RT. Lapses were not significantly correlated at baseline for any group, for males across recovery (R1-R4), for the high BMI group at R2-R4, for the older group at R2-R3, or for the younger group at SR5 or R3. Conclusion Differentiating participants based on age, sex, or BMI revealed important variation in the relationship between PVT10 and PVT3 measures across the study. Surprisingly, lapses were not significantly correlated at baseline for any demographic group or across recovery for males or the high BMI or older group. Thus, PVT10 and PVT3 lapses may be less comparable in certain populations when well-rested. These findings add to a growing literature suggesting demographic factors may be important factors to consider when evaluating the effects of sleep loss. Support (if any) ONR Award N00014-11-1-0361;NIH UL1TR000003;NASA NNX14AN49G and 80NSSC20K0243; NIHR01DK117488


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Paul Theo Zebhauser ◽  
Achim Berthele ◽  
Marie-Sophie Franz ◽  
Oliver Goldhardt ◽  
Janine Diehl-Schmid ◽  
...  

Background: Tau proteins are established biomarkers of neuroaxonal damage in a wide range of neurodegenerative conditions. Although measurement of total-Tau in the cerebrospinal fluid is widely used in research and clinical settings, the relationship between age and total-Tau in the cerebrospinal fluid is yet to be fully understood. While past studies reported a correlation between age and total-Tau in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy adults, in clinical practice the same cut-off value is used independently of patient’s age. Objective: To further explore the relationship between age and total-Tau and to disentangle neurodegenerative from drainage-dependent effects. Methods: We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid samples of 76 carefully selected cognitively healthy adults and included amyloid-β 1–40 as a potential marker of drainage from the brain’s interstitial system. Results: We found a significant correlation of total-Tau and age, which was no longer present when correcting total-Tau for amyloid-β 1–40 concentrations. These findings were replicated under varied inclusion criteria. Conclusion: Results call into question the association of age and total-Tau in the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, they suggest diagnostic utility of amyloid-β 1–40 as a possible proxy for drainage-mechanisms into the cerebrospinal fluid when interpreting biomarker concentrations for neurodegenerative diseases.


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