scholarly journals Fibrinogen status in relapse and remission of childhood nephrotic syndrome

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Veronica Lily Limantara ◽  
Ida Bagus Mudita ◽  
I Ketut Suarta
Keyword(s):  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fibrinogen Concentration ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Remission Status ◽  
The Mean

Objective To evaluate fibrinogen concentration of relapsing neph-rotic syndrome (NS) in children, and to investigate relationshipbetween fibrinogen with albumin and cholesterol.Methods A cross-sectional study among NS patients admitted topediatric outpatient clinic and pediatric ward at Sanglah Hospital,Denpasar, from November 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004. All pa-tients were evaluated for clinical and laboratory findings of relapseand remission, including edema, proteinuria, serum albumin, totalcholesterol, as well as total platelet count and fibrinogen concen-tration to evaluate coagulation parameters in nephrotic patients.Results There were 36 patients with the mean age of 7.4 (SD 2.3)years included in this study. Mean fibrinogen concentration in re-lapse state was 671.8 (SD 102.7) mg/dl, while in remission statewas 255.2 (SD 50.5 mg/dl); the mean difference was 416.6 mg/dl(95% CI 362.9;470.4; P<0.001). Fibrinogen was inversely andstrongly correlated with serum albumin concentrations (r=-0.91;P<0.001). Fibrinogen was positively and strongly correlated to to-tal cholesterol (r=0.80; P<0.001). Using multiple regression analy-sis, it was shown that only relapse/remission status was signifi-cantly associated with fibrinogen concentration (P<0.001).Conclusion Fibrinogen status is significantly correlated with re-lapse and remission status of NS in childhood patients.

scholarly journals Confidence of nurses with inhaler device education and competency of device use in a specialised respiratory inpatient unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 147997312110022
Author(s):  
Vinita Swami ◽  
Jin-Gun Cho ◽  
Tracy Smith ◽  
John Wheatley ◽  
Mary Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Inpatient Unit ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Inhaler Technique ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inhaler Device ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Device Use ◽  
Inhaler Devices

We performed a cross-sectional study within a specialised respiratory inpatient unit assessing 25 nurses’ [85% female, 8.0 ± 7.9 (mean ± SD) years’ experience in nursing] confidence in providing inhaler device education using a self-reported questionnaire, and their competency (% correct steps) in using eight different inhaler devices. Sixteen percent of participants were ‘not confident’ providing inhaler education, while 84% were ‘moderately’ or ‘extremely’ confident. The mean (±SD)% correct steps for all devices was 47 ± 17%. There was no correlation between % correct steps and nursing years (r = 0.21, p = 0.31), or ‘confidence’ with providing inhaler education (r = 0.02, p = 0.91) but % correct steps strongly correlated with number of individual device prescriptions within the hospital in the preceding year (r = 0.78, p = 0.039). Most respiratory nurses felt confident in teaching inhaler technique but their overall demonstrated ability to correctly use inhalers was poor, especially for less frequently prescribed devices within our hospital. Regular assessment and ongoing education on correct inhaler technique for respiratory nurses is necessary to optimise all device usage by nurses, irrespective of experience or confidence.

scholarly journals Effects of kidney function, serum albumin and hemoglobin on dementia severity in the oldest old people with newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease in a residential aged care facility: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Jyun Wu ◽  
Shuo-Chun Weng ◽  
Chih-Kuang Liang ◽  
Chu-Sheng Lin ◽  
Tsuo-Hung Lan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Old People ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dementia Severity ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD), low serum albumin, and anemia are known risk factors for cognitive decline in older people. We investigated the association between kidney function and cognitive impairment severity in oldest-old people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods A cross-sectional study of patients aged 80 years and older was conducted at a veterans’ home in Taiwan between 2012 and 2016. Their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined using the Modification of Diet in Renal Diseases (MDRD) equation. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Results A total of 84 patients (age mean ± SD, 86.6 ± 3.9 years) had MMSE scores of 10.1 ± 6.7, and CDR scores of 1.6 ± 0.7. The average eGFR was 61.7 ± 21.5 mL/min/1.73m2. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 12.7 ± 1.7 g/dl, and the mean albumin concentration was 4.5 ± 4.8 g/dl. Multivariate regression analyses showed that scores of CDR were significantly correlated with eGFR after adjustment for potential confounders. The scores of MMSE were significantly correlated with serum albumin and hemoglobin after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions We found dementia severity was significantly associated with kidney function, serum albumin, and hemoglobin in the oldest-old with AD. We recommend that oldest-old people with a diagnosis of AD be evaluated to determine kidney function, as well as nutritional and hematological status. Further study is needed to establish whether prevention of CKD deterioration, and correction of malnutrition and anemia may help to slow cognitive decline in oldest-old people with dementia.

Comparison of Heffner Criteria and Light Criteria in Differentiating Exudative and Transudative Pleural Effusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-145
Author(s):  
Krishna Chandra Devkota ◽  
S Hamal ◽  
PP Panta
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pleural Space ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Exudative Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is present when there is >15ml of fluid is accumulated in the pleural space. It can be divided into two types; exudative and transudative pleural effusion. Tuberculosis and parapneumonic effusion are the common cause of exudative pleural effusion whereas heart failure accounts for most of the cases of transudative pleural effusion. This study was a hospital based cross sectional study performed at Nepal Medical College during the period of January 2016-December 2016. A total of 50 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Pleural effusion was confirmed by clinical examination and radiology. After confirmation of pleural effusion, pleural fluid was aspirated and was analysed for protein, LDH, cholesterol. The Heffner criteria was compared with Light criteria to classify exudative or transudative pleural effusion. Among 50 patients, 30 were male and 20 were female. The mean age of patient was 45.4±21.85 years. The sensitivity and specificity of using Light criteria to detect the two type of pleural effusion was 100% and 90.9%, whereas using Heffner criteria was 94.87%, 100% respectively(P<0.01). There are variety of causes for development of pleural effusion and no one criteria is definite to differentiate between exudative or transudative effusion. In this study Light criteria was more sensitive whereas Heffner criteria was more specific to classify exudative pleural effusion. Hence a combination of criteria might be useful in case where there is difficulty to identify the cause of pleural effusion.

Effect of Medialization of the Trochlear Groove and Lateralization of the Tibial Tubercle on TT-TG Distance: A Cross-sectional Study of Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Knees

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098781
Author(s):  
Mathias Paiva ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Per Hölmich ◽  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod
Keyword(s):  
Trochlear Dysplasia ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Tibial Tubercle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trochlear Groove ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Mean

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.

scholarly journals The Association of Social Support and Symptomatic Remission among Community-Dwelling Schizophrenia Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3977
Author(s):  
Chi-Hsuan Fan ◽  
Shih-Chieh Hsu ◽  
Fei-Hsiu Hsiao ◽  
Chia-Ming Chang ◽  
Chia-Yih Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Remission Status ◽  
Remission Rates ◽  
Symptomatic Remission

Schizophrenia is a mental disease that often leads to chronicity. Social support could reduce the severity of psychotic symptoms; therefore, its influence on remission should be examined. This study investigated the remission rates in community-dwelling schizophrenia patients and examined the association between social support and remission status. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 129 schizophrenia patients in Taiwan. Remission rates were evaluated, and the level of social support, clinical characteristics, sociodemographic variables, and healthy lifestyle status were compared between the remission and nonremission groups. The association between social support and remission was analyzed after adjusting for confounding factors. The mean illness duration is 12.9 years. More than 95% of the participants lived with their families, 63% were unemployed, and 43% achieved remission. Higher social support was observed in the remission group, and a significant correlation was observed between family domain of social support and remission status. Family support was a protective factor of symptomatic remission in community-dwelling schizophrenia patients in Taiwan. The results reflect the effects of a family-centered culture on patients during illness. Consequently, reinforcing family relationships and the capacity of families to manage the symptoms of patients and providing support to families are recommended.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study to identify the determinants of non-communicable diseases among fishermen in Southern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhila Doddamani ◽  
A. B. Kirthinath Ballala ◽  
Sharath P. Madhyastha ◽  
Asha Kamath ◽  
Muralidhar M. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Dietary Practice ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background India is currently facing a rising epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Identification of modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance to curb this menace. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups with unique characteristics that make them prone to acquire NCDs, as a significant share of their life is spent at sea. Hence, this study was planned to ascertain the burden of NCDs, determine various risk factors of NCDs, and measure the association between risk factors and NCDs among fishermen of Coastal Karnataka in South India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 fishermen aged 18 years and above as per the semi-structured interview schedule for two years (2017–2019). A convenience sampling strategy was adopted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.15.0. The results were described in terms of proportions and their 95% confidence intervals. Continuous data were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range depending on the skewness of data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between NCDs and modifiable risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of NCDs. Results The mean (SD) age of the population was 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. The mean years involved in fishing was 19.8 years (SD 10.9). More than half (59.5%) of the study participants had severe stress and most (80.3%) were ever substance users. Advancing age, not being able to contact family while at sea, poor dietary practice, ever substance use, increasing waist circumference were significant correlates of NCDs. Conclusions The commonly prevalent risk factors of NCDs among fishermen included poor dietary practice, higher stress levels, substance use, increasing waist circumference, and inability to contact with family while at sea. Hypertension and Diabetes were the two common NCDs in the study population. There is a need for immediate attention in managing NCDs’ risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle by primary health care providers through a sustainable community awareness program targeting fishermen at a convenient time and location, either at the sea-port or meeting places. Harmful effects of substance use, healthy dietary practices, and the importance of physical activity outside their job need emphasis. In addition, screening programs should be organized with the help of boat owners and fishing associations at-least once a year to pick up NCDs at an early stage.

A cross sectional study: The association between sleeping quality and stress among second and third medical students at the University of Jordan

2021 ◽  
pp. 009121742110112
Author(s):  
AA Toubasi ◽  
BR Khraisat ◽  
RB AbuAnzeh ◽  
HM Kalbouneh
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Regular Exercise ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
University Of Jordan ◽  
The University

Objective Medicine is considered one if not the most stressful educational field. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of stress and poor sleeping quality among medical students and the association between them. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Jordan on second- and third-year medical students. The questionnaire consisted of: 1) Demographics; 2) The assessment tools which were Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PSQI) and Kessler Psychological Distress Status (K10). Binary logistic regression, chi-square and linear regression were used to investigate the association between PSQI, K10, and their determinants. Results The mean for PSQI score was 6.76 ± 3.32. PSQI scores interpretation revealed that 61.7% of the 282 participants of this study were poor sleepers. Logistic regression results showed that only the category of not napping at all from the napping hours variable was significantly associated with sleeping quality. Furthermore, the mean of K10 scores was 24.5 ± 8.5. K10 scores revealed that 66.3% of the participants were stressed. Logistic regression results showed that gender and regular exercise were significantly associated with psychological distress. Additionally, chi-square test, logistic regression and linear regression showed that PSQI was significantly associated with K10 (P <0.01). Conclusions Stress and poor sleeping quality in medical students at the University of Jordan were highly prevalent and strongly associated. What determined PSQI was daytime napping, and for K10 were regular exercise and gender. Further investigations into stress and sleep quality in the Arabian region are needed.

scholarly journals Ultra-processed food consumption in Barbados: evidence from a nationally representative, cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Harris ◽  
Angela M. C. Rose ◽  
Suzanne Soares-Wynter ◽  
Nigel Unwin
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Our objective was to describe, for the first time in an English-speaking Caribbean country, the contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to nutrients linked to non-communicable disease. Using a cross-sectional study design, dietary data were collected from two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Recorded food items were then classified according to their degree of processing by the NOVA system. The present study took place in Barbados (2012–13). A representative population-based sample of 364 adult Barbadians (161 males and 203 females) aged 25–64 years participated in the study. UPFs represented 40⋅5 % (838 kcal/d; 95 % CI 791, 885) of mean energy intake. Sugar-sweetened beverages made the largest contribution to energy within the UPF category. Younger persons (25–44 years) consumed a significantly higher proportion of calories from UPF (NOVA group 4) compared with older persons (45–64 years). The mean energy shares of UPF ranged from 22⋅0 to 58⋅9 % for those in the lowest tertile to highest tertile. Within each tertile, the energy contribution was significantly higher in the younger age group (25–44 years) compared with the older (45–64 years). One-quarter of persons consume ≥50 % of their daily calories from UPF, this being significantly higher in younger persons. The ultra-processed diet fraction contained about six times the mean of free sugars and about 0⋅8 times the dietary fibre of the non-ultra-processed fraction (NOVA groups 1–3). Targeted interventions to decrease the consumption of UPF especially in younger persons is thus of high priority to improve the diet quality of Barbadians.

scholarly journals Association between Diabetic Retinopathy and Chronic Periodontitis—A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veena H. R. ◽  
Sribhargava Natesh ◽  
Sudhir Patil
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Glycated Haemoglobin ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Condition ◽  
The Mean

Periodontal disease (PD), a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth, increases the risk of complications in diabetics. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of prolonged hyperglycaemia. There appears to be a similarity in the pathogenesis of DR and PD. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association, if any, between DR and PD, correlate the severity of DR with the severity of PD, and investigate the association between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum creatinine and periodontal variables. The periodontal status of 200 adult diabetic patients in the age group of 30–65 years with varying severity of DR was assessed. Evaluation of the severity of PD was assessed by recording clinical parameters. Haematological investigations including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum creatinine were estimated before the initiation of treatment for DR. A statistically significant association between the mean duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the severity of DR and PD was found. The severity of PD was directly correlated with the severity of DR. There was a significant association between the levels of HbA1c and serum creatinine and severity of DR and PD. There could be a plausible relationship between DR and PD. Further prospective studies on a larger population with longer follow-ups are required to ascertain whether PD and its severity directly affect the progression and severity of DR.

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