Normal levels of inflammatory markers in treated patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia: a cross-sectional study

Objective To assess the relationship of levels of inflammatory risk markers to presence of clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with treated heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Design A cross-sectional study of patients on the Simon Broome Familial Hyperlipidaemia Register. Setting Six hospital outpatient clinics in the UK. Participants A total of 211 men and 199 women with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Main outcome measures Analysis of conventional risk factors and concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein (a), serum intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), interIeukin-6 (IL-6) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass. Results CAD was present in 104 men and in 55 women; the mean ages of onset were 43.1 and 46.5 years, respectively. On univariate analysis there was a positive relationship of CAD with age, male sex, smoking, IL-6 and sICAM, and an inverse relationship with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and LpPLA2. On multivariate analysis, age, smoking, low LDL and low LpPLA2 were associated with CAD. When LpPLA2 values were adjusted for apoB and aspirin usage, there was no significant difference between those with and without CAD. Only age and smoking were independently associated with CAD in men, and IL-6 and lipoprotein(a) in women. Conclusions Although on univariate analysis inflammatory marker levels were associated with CAD in these patients, the majority of the associations, including that for hsCRP, disappeared when corrected for smoking and apoB. This may be because atherosclerotic plaques in these statin-treated patients were quiescent or an effect of aspirin usage. In this observational study newer risk markers were not usefully associated with the presence or absence of symptomatic CAD.

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Harm Perception and Attitudes towards E-cigarette Use Among Qatar University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.29117/quarfe.2021.0145 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rana Kurdi ◽

Hanan Abdul Rahim ◽

Ghadir Al-Jayyousi ◽

Manar Yaseen ◽

Aetefeh Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Smoking Prevention ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

P Value ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is becoming popular worldwide especially among youth. Research reported that university students have poor knowledge and misconceptions about the health risks of e-cigarettes, which may lead students to use them even in populations where prevalence of cigarette smoking is relatively low. At this age, the influence of peers is also significant. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of e-cigarette use among university students as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards e-cigarettes. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Qatar University students using a self-administered online questionnaire. Descriptive univariate analysis of all variables was conducted as well as a bivariate analysis to check the association of e-cigarette use with selected variables. A binary logistic regression was conducted to assess predictors of e-cigarette use. Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette use among students was found to be 14% where 32% of them were daily users. Approximately 42% of the participants agreed that ‘e-cigarettes are less harmful to health compared to traditional cigarettes, and 45.7% of them agreed that ‘e-cigarettes can prevent smoking traditional cigarettes. The prevalence of e-cigarettes use was 16.2% among males and 12.8% among females, which showed no significant difference between the two genders. Females were more likely to use e-cigarettes because they “don’t smell” (P-value=0.023). The study showed a significant association between e-cigarette use and knowledge items (P-value < 0.05) and having a smoker among siblings or friends. At the multivariate analysis level, only the friends’ effect remained significant after controlling for the other variables (OR= 7.3, P-value=0.000). Conclusion: Our research found that university students have inadequate knowledge and misconceptions in regards to e-cigarettes use, especially among users. Effective smoking prevention policy and educational interventions are needed to enhance awareness among university students about the health effects associated with e-cigarettes use.

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Alanine Aminotransferase Activity in Hypothyroid Patients: A Cross Sectional Study

Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/cmoshmcj.v12i3.16714 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 49-51

Author(s):

Md Aminul Haque Khan ◽

Md Rezwanur Rahman ◽

Rawnak Jahan

Keyword(s):

Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Aminotransferase Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Serum Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Hypothyroid Patients ◽

Alanine Aminotransferase Activity

Background: Hypothyroidism is associated with many biochemical abnormalities including increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Very few studies have been done regarding serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hypothyroid patients and, as far we know, no such study has been done in our populations. So, we designed this study in our population for evaluation of serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hypothyroid patients. The objective of this study was to assess serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hypothyroid patients and to find out relationship of alanine aminotransferase activity with severity of hypothyroidism. Methods: It was a retrospective cross sectional study to evaluate the serum alanine aminotransferase activity of hypothyroid patients and to find out relationship of alanine aminotransferase activity with severity of hypothyroidism and the values were compared with that of age and sex matched healthy euthyroid controls. Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS for Windows version 12.0. Unpaired t test was done to find out any significant difference between the cases and controls with respect to age and serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Chisquare test was done to find out any significant difference between the cases and controls with respect to sex. Pearson correlation coefficient test was done to see the correlation of alanine aminotransferase activity with the severity of hypothyroidism. Results: Mean serum alanine aminotransferase activity was found significantly higher in hypothyroid patients compared to that of controls. Conclusion: Results of our study suggest that increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity is associated with hypothyroidism. Therefore, patients presenting with increased ALT activity with normal liver function tests are recommended to be investigated to explore hypothyroidism. Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College Journal Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2013: 49-51

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Association of Maternal Mood Symptoms in Pregnancy with Exclusive Breastfeeding at Six Weeks Postpartum: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1062342/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xin Lai ◽

Songxu Peng ◽

Zhenzhen Yao ◽

Liping Meng

Keyword(s):

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Postpartum Visit ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maternal Mood ◽

Mood Symptoms ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Reduced Risk

Abstract Background: Previous studies have shown that postpartum depression negatively affects breastfeeding practices. However, it is not clear whether maternal mood symptoms during pregnancy affect exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) behavior. Our study aimed to quantify the relationship between maternal mood symptoms (depression/anxiety) during pregnancy and EBF.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Baoan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shenzhen, China, from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, among women who had delivered in the hospital and completed the 6-week postpartum visit. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect information on maternal mood symptoms during pregnancy and EBF status at 6 weeks postpartum. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between maternal mood symptoms (depression/anxiety) during pregnancy and EBF at 6 weeks postpartum.Results: In total, 6324 women were included in this study. In univariate analysis, we observed that depression during pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk for EBF (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.54-0.81; P < 0.001). In the fully adjusted model, depression during pregnancy was still significantly associated with a reduced risk of EBF (OR=0.69; 95% CI: 0.56–0.86; P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of EBF between the anxiety and non-anxiety groups of women (OR=0.88; 95% CI: 0.77–1.01; P > 0.05). Conclusion: We believe that our findings confirm the adverse impact of maternal depression during pregnancy on EBF behavior. Therefore, to improve conditions for breastfeeding of infants, additional attention should be paid to women with depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

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Evaluation of Podocalyxin level in pre-eclampsia with severe features' patients: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20193545 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 3255

Author(s):

Ahmed F. Amin ◽

Hisham Abou-Taleb ◽

Mustafa Gamal ◽

Marwa M. Thabet ◽

Nashwa Azoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Univariate Analysis ◽

Group Versus ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Women Health ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Background: This study aims to evaluate the level of podocalyxin (PCX) in preeclampsia with severe features patients and correlate it with the results of laboratory tests.Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Assiut Women Health Hospital between April and October 2018. The study included 60 patients divided into two groups; Group (A): 30 patients diagnosed to have preeclampsia with severe features and Group (B): 30 patients as normal control group. Complete laboratory investigations with measurements of the PCX level was performed for all study participants.Results: No statistically significant difference between the study group and control group according to blood urea (p= 0.339) and serum creatinine (p= 0.801).There was statistically significant difference between the study group and control group according to PCX level (p= 0.001); the mean PCX was 3340.0 ± 2394.6 in the study group versus 1083.5±1400.2 in the control group. Univariate analysis revealed podocalyxin was not correlated with clinical data or laboratory investigations.Conclusions: Podocalyxin levels were significantly elevated in preeclampsia.

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Comparison of predicted psychological distress among workers between artificial intelligence and psychiatrists: a cross-sectional study in Tsukuba Science City, Japan

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046265 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e046265

Author(s):

Shotaro Doki ◽

Shinichiro Sasahara ◽

Daisuke Hori ◽

Yuichi Oi ◽

Tsukasa Takahashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neural Network ◽

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

The Neural Network ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Total Data

ObjectivesPsychological distress is a worldwide problem and a serious problem that needs to be addressed in the field of occupational health. This study aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict psychological distress among workers using sociodemographic, lifestyle and sleep factors, not subjective information such as mood and emotion, and to examine the performance of the AI models through a comparison with psychiatrists.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingWe conducted a survey on psychological distress and living conditions among workers. An AI model for predicting psychological distress was created and then the results were compared in terms of accuracy with predictions made by psychiatrists.ParticipantsAn AI model of the neural network and six psychiatrists.Primary outcomeThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting psychological distress.MethodsIn total, data from 7251 workers were analysed to predict moderate and severe psychological distress. An AI model of the neural network was created and accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Six psychiatrists used the same data as the AI model to predict psychological distress and conduct a comparison with the AI model.ResultsThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting moderate psychological distress were 65.2% and 64.4%, respectively, showing no significant difference. The accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting severe psychological distress were 89.9% and 85.5%, respectively, indicating that the AI model had significantly higher accuracy.ConclusionsA machine learning model was successfully developed to screen workers with depressed mood. The explanatory variables used for the predictions did not directly ask about mood. Therefore, this newly developed model appears to be able to predict psychological distress among workers easily, regardless of their subjective views.

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Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea, associated risk factors and its relationship with academic performance among graduating female university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043814 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e043814

Author(s):

Mesfin Tadese ◽

Andargachew Kassa ◽

Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽

Girma Altaye

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Academic Performance ◽

University Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Grade Point ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Associated Risk Factors

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.

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Evaluation of e-health (Seha) application: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making ◽

10.1186/s12911-021-01437-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abeer Alharbi ◽

Joharah Alzuwaed ◽

Hind Qasem

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Services ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Advanced Technology ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Technical Problems ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ease Of Access

Abstract Background The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia is expanding the country’s telemedicine services by using advanced technology in health services. In doing so, an e-health application (app), Seha, was introduced in 2018 that allows individuals to have face-to-face visual medical consultations with their doctors on their smartphones. Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of the app in improving healthcare delivery by ensuring patient satisfaction with the care given, increasing access to care, and improving efficiency in the healthcare system. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the perceptions of users of the Seha app and non-users who continued with traditional health services. The data were collected using an online survey via Google Forms between June 2020 and September 2020. Independent t tests and chi-square (χ2) tests were conducted to answer the research questions. Results There was a significant difference between users and non-users in terms of ease of access to health services (t = − 9.38, p < 0.05), with app users having a higher mean score (4.19 ± 0.91) than non-users (3.41 ± 1.00); satisfaction with health services (t = − 6.33, p < 0.05), with users having a higher mean score (3.96 ± 0.91) than non-users (3.45 ± 0.94); and efficiency (only one visit needed for treatment) (t = − 3.20, p < 0.05), with users having a higher mean score (3.71 ± 0.93) than non-users (3.45 ± 0.93). There were significant associations between the use of the Seha app and age (χ2 = 8.79, p < 0.05), gender (χ2 = 22.19, p < 0.05), region (χ2 = 19.74, p < 0.05), and occupation (χ2 = 22.05, p < 0.05). There were significant relationships between the three items (on access, satisfaction, and efficiency) and experiencing technical issues (t = 4.47, t = 8.11, and t = 3.24, respectively, p < 0.05), with users who faced technical problems having significantly lower mean scores for all three items. Conclusion This study provided evidence that the Seha app improved the delivery of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Users of the app had a better health experience in terms of their perceived ease of access to healthcare services; their satisfaction with healthcare services; and the efficiency of the system, measured by the number of required doctor visits. Other factors that appeared to influence the use of the app included age, gender, usual source of care, and technical difficulties.

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Healthcare Provider Attitudes toward the Newly Developed COVID-19 Vaccine: Cross-Sectional Study

Nursing Reports ◽

10.3390/nursrep11010018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 187-194

Author(s):

Gasmelseed Ahmed ◽

Zainab Almoosa ◽

Dalia Mohamed ◽

Janepple Rapal ◽

Ofelia Minguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Private Hospital ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chronic Illnesses ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Provider Attitudes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Electronic Survey ◽

Consistency Results

Background: During the long wait and the global anxiety for a vaccine against COVID-19, impressively high-safety and effective vaccines were invented by multiple pharmaceutical companies. Aim: We aimed to assess the attitudes of healthcare providers and evaluate their intention to advocate for the vaccine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary private hospital where an electronic survey was distributed among healthcare providers (HCPs). The survey contained two sections: socio-demographic characteristics and Likert-scale perception, with 72% internal consistency. Results: The response rate to the email survey was 37% (n = 236). In addition, 169 (71.6%) of respondents were women, with more than half (134, 56.8%) aged ≤35 years. A total of 110 (46.6%) had over 10 years of experience, and most of them were nurses (146, 62%). Univariate analysis revealed that older participants significantly accepted and advocated for the new vaccine more than the younger ones. In the multivariate analysis, men were significantly more likely than women to accept and advocate for the new vaccine, as were those with chronic illnesses. Participants with allergy were significantly less likely to accept the vaccine than others. odds ratio (OR) and p-values were 2.5, 0.003; 2.3, 0.04; and 0.4, 0.01, respectively. Conclusion: The acceptance rate for the newly-developed COVID-19 vaccines was average among HCPs. Sex, age, presence of chronic illnesses, and allergy were significant predictors of accepting the vaccine.

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P20 Parental understanding of concussion in youth rugby is significantly improved by viewing the RFU concussion education video

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2019-abn.97 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. e31.1-e31

Author(s):

T Samuel ◽

K Aquilina ◽

W Dawes

Keyword(s):

Parental Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Educational Video ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parental Experience ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Composite Scores

ObjectivesTo investigate the current understanding parents have of concussion in their rugby-playing children aged 9–17.DesignCross-sectional studySubjects86 parents from four clubs completed an online questionnaireMethodsAreas covered (1) Parental experience of concussion (2) Rate of viewing of the RFU concussion educational video (RFUCEV), (3) Identification of symptoms of concussion (4) Understanding of the risk of concussion. Each participant was given a composite score, out of 19, based on their performance in symptom identification and true/false questions. Independent-sample two-tailed t-tests were conducted to analyse scores, primarily controlling for viewing of the RFUCEVResultsThere was a significant difference in the scores between the group that had viewed the RFUCEV (n=32, M=14.75, SD=2.55) and those who had not (n=54, M=13.05, SD=2.87); t(84)=2.75, p=0.00721. Additionally, over 25% of parents reported that their child had suffered a concussion, and this was also found to significantly improve the awareness score (p=0.04678)ConclusionsStatistically significant improvement in composite scores after viewing the RFUCEV makes it reasonable to require compulsory parental education prior to signing up a child to play rugby. This would build on the protocol changes made by the RFU in 2014 and further progress the safety of the sport. We suggest the video be improved to emphasise the areas highlighted as inadequately understood, including the increased risk of concussion in under-18s compared to adults.

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Factors associated with physical inactivity among female and male rural adolescents in Borneo – a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2013-0319 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 447-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Whye Lian Cheah ◽

Hazmi Helmy ◽

Ching Thon Chang

Keyword(s):

Self Efficacy ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Anthropometric Measurement ◽

Rural Adolescents ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Rural communities have shown marked increase in metabolic syndrome among young people, with physical inactivity as one of the main contributing factors. This study aimed to determine factors associated with physical inactivity among male and female rural adolescents in a sample of schools in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 students aged 13–15 years. Data on socio-demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors (perceived barriers, self-efficacy, social influences) were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurement was taken to generate body mass index (BMI)-for-age, while physical activity (PA) level was assessed using pedometers. The mean steps per day was 6251.37 (SD=3085.31) with males reported as being more active. About 27% of the respondents were either overweight or obese, with more females in this group. There was no significant difference in steps among males and females (p=0.212), and nutritional status (BMI-for-age) (p=0.439). Females consistently scored higher in most items under perceived barriers, but had significantly lower scores in self-efficacy’s items. Males were more influenced by peers in terms of PA (p<0.001) and were more satisfied with their body parts (p=0.047). A significantly higher body size discrepancy score was found among females (p=0.034, CI –0.639, –0.026). PA level was low and almost one-third of the respondents were overweight and obese. Female students faced more barriers and had lower self-efficacy with regards PA. Based on the findings, it is recommended that interventions focus on reducing barriers while increasing support for PA. This is particularly important in improving the health status of the youth, especially among the females.

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