Parity is associated with increased thyroid volume solely among smokers in an area with moderate to mild iodine deficiency

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy has been suggested as part of the explanation of the gender difference in the prevalence of goitre, but opposing results have been reported on the association between pregnancy and goitre. We investigated the association between parity and thyroid volume and a possible impact of iodine deficiency and tobacco smoking on this association. DESIGN: A comparative, cross-sectional study of 3712 women randomly sampled from the general population in two geographical areas with moderate and mild iodine deficiency. METHODS: The participants answered questionnaires with an obstetric anamnesis, and ultrasonography of the thyroid was performed. Data were analysed in linear models and logistic regression analysis to adjust for age, iodine status, use of oral contraceptives and smoking habits. Women with present or recent pregnancies were excluded from the analyses. RESULTS: A higher thyroid volume was found among parous than among nulliparous women (P=0.007). The association between parity and thyroid volume was strongest in the youngest age groups, in the region with the most severe iodine deficiency, and among smokers. No association was found between parity and the prevalence of solitary or multiple thyroid nodules. Number of births, age at menarche or menopause, the number of fertile years, and age at first childbirth were not associated with thyroid volume. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy increases thyroid volume, particularly when combined with tobacco smoking and iodine deficiency. The effect is probably reversible seen over a spectrum of several years.

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Taste function in children: normative values and associated factors

Pediatric Research ◽

10.1038/s41390-021-01920-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mirjam van den Brink ◽

Irene IJpma ◽

Marta Fiocco ◽

Wim J. E. Tissing ◽

Remco C. Havermans

Keyword(s):

Linear Models ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normative Values ◽

List Type ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Taste Strips ◽

Taste Dysfunction

Abstract Background Although less frequent than in adults, taste loss also occurs in childhood. “Taste Strips” are frequently used for diagnosing taste dysfunction; however, normative values are lacking for children. In this study, we will create normative values for the “Taste Strips” in children. Methods This cross-sectional study included 609 children aged 6–15 years. “Taste Strips” were used to determine sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste scores by a non-forced procedure. The 10th percentile was used to distinguish normal taste function from a reduced sense of taste. Multivariable generalized linear models (GLM) were estimated to study the effect of age (group), sex, and 6‐n‐propylthiouracil (PROP) status on taste function. Results Taste function changed with age, allowing for a distinction of three age groups: (I) 6–7 years, (II) 8–9 years, and (III) 10–15 years. Normative values were created for the age groups and boys and girls separately. Additionally, GLM showed a significant effect of (1) age (group) on sweet, salty, bitter, and total taste scores; (2) sex on sweet, sour, and total taste scores; and (3) PROP status on total taste scores. Conclusions This study provided normative values for the “Taste Strips” in children, highlighting age- and sex-related differences. Impact Taste dysfunction can be harmful and impacts quality of life, a topic that became increasingly important since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although taste dysfunction is thought to be rare in childhood, the detrimental impact of such dysfunction might be large, as children’s eating habits are strongly influenced by input from the chemical senses. Measuring taste function may elucidate the relationship between taste dysfunction and disease, fostering the development of more appropriate supportive strategies. However, adequate tools are lacking for children. Normative values of the “Taste Strips” are now available for children, which bolster the clinical utility of this test.

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Metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women: A cross-sectional study

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/17455065211070673 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 174550652110706

Author(s):

Mayle Andrade Moreira ◽

Saionara Maria Aires da Câmara ◽

Sabrina Gabrielle Gomes Fernandes ◽

Ingrid Guerra Azevedo ◽

Álvaro Campos Cavalcanti Maciel

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Older Women ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Menopausal Status ◽

Age Groups ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age At Menarche ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional

Objective: This study aims to compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between different age groups of middle-aged and older women and to assess whether these differences are independent of potential covariates. Methods: Study conducted with 510 women divided into three age groups: 45–54, 55–64 and 65–74 years. Socioeconomic, reproductive and lifestyle variables were self-reported. We defined metabolic syndrome using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (abdominal obesity, diabetes, reduced high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and hypertension). Logistic regression assessed the association between age groups, and metabolic syndrome was adjusted for covariates (socioeconomic variables, age at menarche and at first childbirth, parity, menopausal status, physical activity variables and smoking). Results: Women aged 55–64 years presented higher prevalence of all metabolic syndrome criteria than the other groups, except for abdominal obesity, which was higher in the oldest group. In the fully adjusted analysis, the 55–64 years age group continues to exhibit significantly higher odds of presenting metabolic syndrome when compared to the youngest group (45–54 years) (OR = 2.257; 95% CI = 1.20:4.24). There was no statistical difference in the odds of presenting metabolic syndrome when comparing the oldest and the youngest groups (OR = 1.500; 95% CI = 0.85:2.65). Conclusion: The higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome among those aged 55–64 years may indicate that middle-aged women become unhealthy earlier in the life course and that many of them may die prematurely. This result highlights the importance of screening metabolic syndrome earlier in the midlife and the need for public health policies aimed at reducing adverse effects in later years.

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A community based cross sectional study on prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among 6-12 years children of a district of North Karnataka

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20175329 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (12) ◽

pp. 4553 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rekha S. Sonavane ◽

Ramesh H. Mayappanavar ◽

Ananthachari K. R. ◽

Subarna Roy ◽

Venkateswara Prasad U. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iodine Deficiency ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Age Groups ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Iodine Deficiency Disorders ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Goitre Prevalence

Background: Iodine deficiency is the major preventable cause of irreversible mental retardation in the world with nearly 2 billion people with iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).In India district level surveys conducted in 2006 in 324 districts have revealed that IDD is a major public health problem in 263 districts that is total goitre prevalence rate of more than 10% in the population. Methods: The survey was conducted from November 2016 to January 2017, after obtaining permission from Institutional Ethical Committee, using population proportionate to size (PPS) sampling method among of 6-12 years children. In the selected villages, primary schools were visited and a sample of 90 children was selected and was examined after consent from school authority. Prevalence of goitre was assessed and graded by standard palpation method. In few selected children urine and house hold salts are examined. Results: The prevalence of goitre among the 6 to 12 years children was found to be 22.78%. There was not much difference in prevalence of goitre in females compared to males in all the age groups and prevalence of goitre was observed to increase with age, which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.00001). Conclusions: Prevalence of iodine deficiency is significantly high and higher prevalence was found with increasing age.

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Thyroglobulin as a marker of iodine nutrition status in the general population

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-09-0262 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 161 (3) ◽

pp. 475-481 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Pernille Vejbjerg ◽

Nils Knudsen ◽

Hans Perrild ◽

Peter Laurberg ◽

Allan Carlé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iodine Deficiency ◽

Age Groups ◽

Urinary Iodine ◽

Thyroid Volume ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Iodine Nutrition ◽

Serum Thyroglobulin ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Iodine Status ◽

Reference Limit

ObjectiveThe iodine status of a population is traditionally evaluated by either urinary iodine (UI) excretion or by some measure of thyroid volume and the prevalence of goitre. In this prospective study of a mandatory iodization programme, we aimed to evaluate serum thyroglobulin (Tg) as a marker of iodine status in the population.MethodsTwo identical cross-sectional studies were performed before (1997–1998,n=4649) and after (2004–2005,n=3570) the initiation of the Danish iodization programme in two areas with mild and moderate iodine deficiency. Serum Tg was measured from blood samples. Thyroid volume was measured by ultrasonography.ResultsBefore iodization, the median serum Tg was considerably higher in moderate than in mild iodine deficiency. Iodization led to a lower serum Tg in all examined age groups. The marked pre-iodization difference in Tg level between the regions was eliminated. The prevalence of Tg above the suggested reference limit (40 μg/l) decreased from 11.3 to 3.7% (P<0.0001). Using bootstrapping, we demonstrated a higher efficacy of Tg than of thyroid volume to show a difference between pre- and post-iodization values.ConclusionWe found serum Tg to be a suitable marker of iodine nutrition status in the population. The results may suggest that the Danish iodization programme has led to a sufficient iodine intake, even if the median UI excretion is still marginally low according to WHO criteria.

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Is there a further acceleration in the age at onset of menarche? A cross-sectional study in 1840 school children focusing on age and bodyweight at the onset of menarche

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-08-0594 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 160 (1) ◽

pp. 107-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

A M Bau ◽

A Ernert ◽

L Schenk ◽

S Wiegand ◽

P Martus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Status ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Age At Menarche ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

ObjectiveMore than 30 years ago Frisch and Revelle proposed a body weight threshold for the onset of menarche. Based on this hypothesis, a further acceleration of age at menarche can be expected in times of childhood obesity.DesignA cross-sectional study of 1840 healthy school girls (Berlin school children's cohort, BSCOC) within the age groups 10–15 years was conducted in 2006–2007.MethodsMedian age of menarche was calculated by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Bi- and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the associations between menarche age and weight status. A locally weighted regression was used to analyze the relationship respectively between height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)–SDS and age stratified by menarche status.ResultsNine hundred and thirty six (50.9%) girls had already experienced menarche at a median age of 12.8 years. Two hundred and thirty six of these girls reached their menarche recently. Obese/overweight girls reached menarche significantly earlier (12.5 years), than normal weight (12.9 years), and underweight girls (13.7 years). The mean total body weight was similar in all girls at menarche irrespective of age (mean 51.1 kg,s.d.8.1) and height. BMI–SDS remained the only significant factor for onset of menarche within a multiple regression model for early menarche (OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.3–3.3,P=0.002).ConclusionsAge at onset of menarche did not accelerate even in a childhood population with more than 10% obesity prevalence. Nevertheless, a negative correlation of BMI–SDS with age at onset of menarche exists.

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CONCENTRATION OF THE SERUM TGF-BETA1 IN HEALTHY ADULT PEOPLE

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2014.4_5.12 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 90-93

Author(s):

Van Tuan Nguyen ◽

Tam Vo ◽

Bui Bao Hoang

Keyword(s):

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Healthy Adult ◽

Age Groups ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy People ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Gender

Elevated serum Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels have been linked to tissue fibrosis including chronic kidney disease. Objectives: (1) Investigate serum TGF-beta1 levels in healthy adult people and (2) Examined the relation between serum TGF-beta1 level and gender, age, body mass index (BMI). Method: A cross-sectional study. TGF-beta1 were quantified by ELISA. Results: Levels of serum TGF-beta1 in healthy people were 13,45 ± 7,17 ng/mL mL (0,59 - 33,10 ng/mL). There are no difference of serum TGF-beta1 levels between men and women, between the age groups (<40 years, 40 to < 60 years and ≥ 60 years), between BMI groups < 23 and BMI group ≥ 23. Key words: TGF-beta1, healthy people

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The Prevalence of Insecticide Treated Net/malaria :cross section study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16825 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Chanda Chalela

Keyword(s):

Study Design ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Malaria Prevalence ◽

Malaria Patient ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Itn Use ◽

Structured Questionnaire

BACKGROUND ABSTRACT Introduction a study on prevalence of ITN use was carried out in Buchi community Kitwe Zambia from August to October 2019 OBJECTIVE Prevalence of ITN in BUchi METHODS Methodology: This was a cross sectional study design. A structured questionnaire was used to ascertain ownership and utilization and oral interviews, 200 households were targeted 844 individual covered across the 200 households. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 23. RESULTS ABSTRACT Introduction a study on prevalence of ITN use was carried out in Buchi community Kitwe Zambia from August to October 2019 Methodology: This was a cross sectional study design. A structured questionnaire was used to ascertain ownership and utilization and oral interviews, 200 households were targeted 844 individual covered across the 200 households. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 23. Findings: household ownership of at least an ITN was 52% and individual utilization at 37.6%, with 0.825 ITN/households and 0.195ITN /individual. Malaria prevalence of 52.4% /household and a 12.4% of the population. With 47.6% malaria patient coming from households with ITN and 60% of households with ITN have insufficient coverage.61% of malaria patient were female and 31 % male. however there was no significant relation between Gender and malaria prevalence in study area (p value was >0.05). Malaria cases distribution with age groups, 0-15yrs old represented 49.5%, 16-30 yrs., was at 27.6% and the over 30 yrs. case were at 22.9% .use of other preventive measures 23% used mosquito repellent ,others methods 1% with those not using any other methods 76%. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion The study showed clearly that malaria still poses a problem .the prevalence rate of malaria was still high 12.4% of the population and 52.4% of households. With high prevalence of malaria of 49.5% for 0-15yrs.the difference between ownership 52% and Utilization 37.6% showed that even household with ITN, the ITN were not sufficient.60% of households with ITN, the ITN were not sufficient for all occupants

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Socioeconomic determinants of unmet need for outpatient healthcare services in Iran: a national cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10477-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sajad Vahedi ◽

Amin Torabipour ◽

Amirhossein Takian ◽

Saeed Mohammadpur ◽

Alireza Olyaeemanesh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health System ◽

Age Groups ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Outpatient Services ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Organizational Policies ◽

Utilization Of Healthcare

Abstract Background Unmet need is a critical indicator of access to healthcare services. Despite concrete evidence about unmet need in Iran’s health system, no recent evidence of this negative outcome is available. This study aimed to measure the subjective unmet need (SUN), the factors associated with it and various reasons behind it in Iran. Methods We used the data of 13,005 respondents over the age of 15 from the Iranian Utilization of Healthcare Services Survey in 2016. SUN was defined as citizens whose needs were not sought through formal healthcare services, while they did not show a history of self-medication. The reasons for SUN were categorized into availability, accessibility, responsibility and acceptability of the health system. The multivariable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of SUN and associated major reasons. Results About 17% of the respondents (N = 2217) had unmet need for outpatient services. Nearly 40% of the respondents chose only accessibility, 4% selected only availability, 78% chose only responsibility, and 13% selected only acceptability as the main reasons for their unmet need. Higher outpatient needs was the only factor that significantly increased SUN, responsibility-related SUN and acceptability-related SUN. Low education was associated with higher SUN and responsibility-related SUN, while it could also reduce acceptability-related SUN. While SUN and responsibility-related SUN were prevalent among lower economic quintiles, having a complementary insurance was associated with decreased SUN and responsibility-related SUN. The people with basic insurance had lower chances to face with responsibility-related SUN, while employed individuals were at risk to experience SUN. Although the middle-aged group had higher odds to experience SUN, the responsibility-related SUN were prevalent among elderly, while higher age groups had significant chance to be exposed to acceptability-related SUN. Conclusion It seems that Iran is still suffering from unmet need for outpatient services, most of which emerges from its health system performance. The majority of the unmet health needs could be addressed through improving financial as well as organizational policies. Special attention is needed to address the unmet need among individuals with poor health status.

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Religion: Interrelationships and Opinions in Children and Adolescents. Interaction between Age and Beliefs

Religions ◽

10.3390/rel12050357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 357

Author(s):

Rafael López Cordero ◽

Francisca Ruiz Garzón ◽

Lourdes Medina Martínez ◽

María del Carmen Olmos-Gómez

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Current Trend ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Experimental Methodology ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Age ◽

Religious Issue ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Quantitative Descriptive

The current trend of secularization seems to be leading to a gradual withdrawal of religion from public spaces. However, in an increasingly internationalized world, it is becoming more and more important to study the roles of religion and religiosity and their potential in relation to dialogue and social conflicts and tensions. Education is a vital field within which to address this religious issue and create an educational dialogue in order to promote coexistence. By following a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, based on a quasi-experimental methodology with a social–analytical character, our aim is to assess the existing connections between religion, interrelation and opinion in Spanish children and adolescents. Special attention is paid to the interaction between age and beliefs. We carried out our study with the use of a questionnaire distributed to eleven secondary schools, with students aged between 11 and 16 years old, in three regions of southern Spain (Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla) characterized by high religious diversity and multiculturalism. The multivariate analysis carried out in this study identifies the effects of variance on the influence of age and religion, highlighting the interaction between the two. It is observed that the youngest students are those who express their opinions about religion the least, while those belonging to younger age groups and majority religions are those who express a greater religious coexistence, with Muslims externalizing their religious condition the most.

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Determinants of alcohol consumption and marijuana use among young adults in the Republic of Palau

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12199-020-00928-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mizuki Sata ◽

Renzhe Cui ◽

Chifa Chiang ◽

Singeru Travis Singeo ◽

Berry Moon Watson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Age Groups ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Education Levels ◽

The Status ◽

The Republic ◽

Republic Of Palau

Abstract Background This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels. Results The proportion of current drinking was higher in people aged 21–24 than in those aged 18–20 (73.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.09 in men and 48.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.02 in women), while that of marijuana use did not differ between the age groups. The proportions of current drinking and marijuana use were higher in Palauan than in other ethnicities (current drinking: 70.6% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.005 in men and 38.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.04 in women; lifetime marijuana use: 80.0% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.02 in men and 56.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.09 in women). The proportion of frequent (3 times or more) marijuana users was higher for the lower educated than for the higher educated (62.5% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001 in men and 33.9% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.12 in women). Conclusions Sex, age, ethnicity, and education were significant determinants of alcohol and marijuana use.

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