scholarly journals Physiotherapeutic Resources in Fibromyalgia

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
Jefferson Iago de Arruda e Souza ◽  
Maristela Prado e Silva Nazario ◽  
Olyvia Ribeiro Derze ◽  
Juliana Santi Sagin Pinto Bergamim ◽  
Ariane Hidalgo Mansano Pletsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Hospital Expenditures ◽  
Maintenance And Rehabilitation ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Senior Patients ◽  
And Control ◽  
Aging Factor

AbstractBrazil has around 14 million elderly and, in a certain area of the big cities, this population already exceeds the mark of 20%. As the person ages the risk of falls increases. One in every three people above 65 years of age suffer from some type of fall at least once a year. The objective of this study was to identify the aging factor in humanity, the risk factors in falling in the elderly and consider information about the physiotherapy role in the senior patients treatment who suffer with injuries caused by falls. A bibliographic survey was held with the use of databases of the virtual library SciELO, Pubmed and Redalic from 2007 to 2017. Among the changes resulting from aging, the ones that generate postural instability are the locomotor, sensory and nervous changes, limiting the coordination and control of postural balance, called intrinsic factors. In this sense, physical therapy has been acting in the = prevention, promotion, maintenance, and rehabilitation of pathologies affecting the elderly, extending the functional independence of this group. Based on these definitions it was possible to pinpoint prospects for the health performance in the mitigation of the effects of this event, as well as reduce the high hospital expenditures of the elderly to the public health.Keywords: Physiotherapy. Aging. Accidents caused by Falls. Elderly.ResumoO Brasil tem cerca de 14 milhões de idosos e, em determinada área das grandes cidades, esta população já ultrapassa a marca dos 20%. À medida que a pessoa envelhece o risco de quedas aumenta. Uma em cada três pessoas acima de 65 anos de idade sofrem algum tipo de queda pelo menos uma vez por ano. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar o fator de envelhecimento na humanidade, os fatores de risco na queda em idosos e considerar informações sobre o papel desempenhado da fisioterapia no tratamento de pacientes sênior que sofrem com lesões causadas por quedas. Realizou-se um levantamento bibliográfico com a utilização dos bancos de dados da biblioteca virtual SciELO, Pubmed e Redalic de 2007 a 2017. Dentre as alterações decorrentes do envelhecimento, as que mais geram instabilidade postural são as alterações no aparelho locomotor, sensorial e nervoso, limitando a coordenação e o controle do equilíbrio postural, chamados de fatores intrínsecos. Nesse sentido, a fisioterapia vem atuando na prevenção, promoção, manutenção e reabilitação de patologias que acometem o idoso, prolongando a independência funcional deste grupo. Com base nessas definições foi possível apontar perspectivas para a atuação da saúde na mitigação dos efeitos deste evento, bem como reduzir o alto gasto hospitalar destes idosos para a saúde pública.Palavras-chave: Fisioterapia. Envelhecimento. Acidente por Quedas. Idoso.

scholarly journals Fibromyalgia: is there association between balance and pain? a pilot study

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Adriana de Sousa do Espírito Santo ◽  
Pamela Cristina Mango ◽  
Ana Assumpção ◽  
Juliana Ferreira Sauer ◽  
Amélia Pasqual Marques
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Balance Scale ◽  
Abc Scale ◽  
And Control

Studies of balance and risk factors for falling typically focus on the elderly population or on individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Although fibromyalgia is associated with intrinsic factors that predispose to falls (pain, depression, fatigue), few studies have researched balance and falls in this syndrome. The aim of this study was to verify the association between balance, balance self-efficacy and pain in women with and without fibromyalgia, and verify the association between Berg Balance Scale and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale). The sample consisted of 48 women aged between 40 and 59 years, divided into two groups: Fibromyalgia group (n=22) and Control group (n=26) with asymptomatic people. Balance was assessed by Berg Balance Scale, balance self-efficacy by the ABC Scale and pain by the visual analog scale. Mean scores for pain, Berg and ABC Scale were 5.4 cm (SD 2.6), 55 (interquartile range 54-56), and 54.6 (SD 26.6) respectively for Fibromyalgia group, and 0 cm, 56 (interquartile range 55-56), and 89.4 (SD 14.4) respectively for Control group. Statistically significant differences were found in balance on comparing both groups (p=0.000 for Berg Balance Scale and 0.009 for ABC Scale) with lower values for Fibromyalgia group. In Fibromyalgia group, pain was negatively correlated with balance (r=-0.48, p=0.020) and balance self-efficacy (rs=-0.56, p=0.006). Correlation between Berg Balance Scale and ABC Scale was found only in the Fibromyalgia group (rs =0.55, p=0.007). There are associations between poor balance and pain, and poor balance and decreased balance self-efficacy in women with fibromyalgia. There is an association between scales in the Fibromyalgia group.

A cost-effective preventative approach to potentially save lives in the coronavirus pandemic, jointly using Vitamin D, Curcumin, and Vitamin C. Authors Bakare T A and Soar J S

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagjit S Soar
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Pharmaceutical Agents ◽  
And Control

he current COVID-19 pandemic now believed to be based on the mutation of the SARS-CoV virus (first reported in 2002) to SARS-CoV-2 emerging in 2019, is naturally causing extreme worry and concern around the world with sometimes mixed and incoherent messages on how to deal with it. There is a plethora of information from previous epidemics caused by other coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS (2002) and Middle East respiratory syndrome MERS (2012) from which we can extrapolate guidance on how to deal with the current pandemic. In the current absence of specific pharmaceutical agents, we propose assessing the extended tools that we already possess in our biological armoury to combat, prevent and control the spread of this virus. Using a set of precise criteria to locate such possible contenders, we conducted literature searches to find compounds that met these criteria. We have now reduced this to a shortlist of three agents that may be the best candidates. We propose vitamin C, vitamin D and Curcumin fit our criteria well. These compounds are widely available to the general public. They are available online and over-the-counter as supplements. Otherwise healthy individuals are safely able to self-administer these agents as a prophylactic to protect themselves and to enhance their immune response. This would be especially desirable for the elderly and at risk groups. These agents can also be used as adjunct therapy, particularly for those who may have early symptoms. This preventative therapy could be implemented whilst awaiting specific pharmaceutical drugs to emerge as a treatment for COVID-19. Our suggested compounds are a highly cost-effective way to potentially reduce the mortality that is regretfully mounting as a result of COVID-19 infection. The biological mode of action and the dosing of these compounds are summarised.

Accounting and Control as Mechanisms for Solving Economic Problems as Viewed by Russian Citizens of the Perestroika Era (Based on the Analysis of Letters to the Authorities)

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-28
Author(s):  
Ol’ga D. Popova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Soviet Economy ◽  
Mikhail Gorbachev ◽  
The Public ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Cooperative Movement ◽  
Administrative Reforms ◽  
Regulatory Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Boris Yeltsin

This article deals with the public attitude toward the economic reforms of 1989–1990, specifically, the citizens’ suggestions on how to improve the country’s economy. The author analyses previously unpublished letters written by Russian citizens and addressed to the country’s leaders (Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev) or sent to Soviet newspapers. To investigate people’s mental attitudes, the article focuses not only on social polling, but also on emotions, feelings, and thoughts shared by the letterwriters. The author of this article maintains that many citizens feared that the country would be swept away by the avalanche of capitalism and were prejudiced against perestroika-induced innovations. Habitual mental attitudes were undermined by the cooperative movement and private entrepreneurship. Various unrealistic and paradoxical suggestions were not infrequently made by the letter-writers who knew very little, if anything, about market economy. The majority of people suggested that command economy with its bureaucratic flavour should be improved. The analysis shows that Russian citizens’ mental attitudes were predominantly shaped by the notion of a bipolar world, as well as by Vladimir Lenin’s teaching about the socialist state and its role in the accounting and control over the Soviet state. The letters demonstrate that Russian citizens hoped to upgrade the Soviet economy through improvements introduced into the system of accounting and control, through harsher regulatory measures imposed on the economic system, as well as through rationing and strictly supervised distribution of goods. Many people believed that socialism was inviolable and that the Soviet economy could be improved by means of administrative reforms.

Extremes of Temperature

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Krake
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Assessment And Evaluation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Extreme Cold ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Extremes Of Temperature

This chapter covers extremes of temperature conditions, physiological effects, and prevention. All deaths caused by exposure to hot and cold temperature extremes are preventable when proper measures are taken. Described in this chapter are the effects of extreme heat and extreme cold on the health of members of the public, particularly older people and young people, and workers employed in various workplace settings. The differences between heat stress and heat strain are also discussed, as are various regulations governing exposure to temperature extremes. The nature and magnitude of heat- and cold-related conditions and symptoms are described in detail. Final sections of the chapter address various assessment and evaluation tools as well as prevention and control measures. In addition, an appendix describes the hazards related to hyperbaric and hypobaric environments and adverse health effects.

scholarly journals Quantifying Media Effects, Its Content, and Role in Promoting Community Awareness of Chikungunya Epidemic in Bangladesh

Epidemiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94
Author(s):  
Mst. Marium Begum ◽  
Osman Ulvi ◽  
Ajlina Karamehic-Muratovic ◽  
Mallory R. Walsh ◽  
Hasan Tarek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Media Outlet ◽  
And Control

Background: Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease, mostly present in tropical and subtropical regions. The virus is spread by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitos and symptoms include high fever to severe joint pain. Dhaka, Bangladesh, suffered an outbreak of chikungunya in 2017 lasting from April to September. With the goal of reducing cases, social media was at the forefront during this outbreak and educated the public about symptoms, prevention, and control of the virus. Popular web-based sources such as the top dailies in Bangladesh, local news outlets, and Facebook spread awareness of the outbreak. Objective: This study sought to investigate the role of social and mainstream media during the chikungunya epidemic. The study objective was to determine if social media can improve awareness of and practice associated with reducing cases of chikungunya. Methods: We collected chikungunya-related information circulated from the top nine television channels in Dhaka, Bangladesh, airing from 1st April–20th August 2017. All the news published in the top six dailies in Bangladesh were also compiled. The 50 most viewed chikungunya-related Bengali videos were manually coded and analyzed. Other social media outlets, such as Facebook, were also analyzed to determine the number of chikungunya-related posts and responses to these posts. Results: Our study showed that media outlets were associated with reducing cases of chikungunya, indicating that media has the potential to impact future outbreaks of these alpha viruses. Each media outlet (e.g., web, television) had an impact on the human response to an individual’s healthcare during this outbreak. Conclusions: To prevent future outbreaks of chikungunya, media outlets and social media can be used to educate the public regarding prevention strategies such as encouraging safe travel, removing stagnant water sources, and assisting with tracking cases globally to determine where future outbreaks may occur.

scholarly journals Long-term effectiveness of elderly health care voucher scheme strategies: a system dynamics simulation analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Chun Chong ◽  
Hong Fung ◽  
Carrie Ho Kwan Yam ◽  
Patsy Yuen Kwan Chau ◽  
Tsz Yu Chow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
System Dynamics ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The elderly healthcare voucher (EHCV) scheme is expected to lead to an increase in the number of elderly people selecting private primary healthcare services and reduce reliance on the public sector in Hong Kong. However, studies thus far have reported that this scheme has not received satisfactory responses. In this study, we examined changes in the ratio of visits between public and private doctors in primary care (to measure reliance on the public sector) for different strategic scenarios in the EHCV scheme. Methods Based on comments from an expert panel, a system dynamics model was formulated to simulate the impact of various enhanced strategies in the scheme: increasing voucher amounts, lowering the age eligibility, and designating vouchers for chronic conditions follow-up. Data and statistics for the model calibration were collected from various sources. Results The simulation results show that the current EHCV scheme is unable to reduce the utilization of public healthcare services, as well as the ratio of visits between public and private primary care among the local aging population. When comparing three different tested scenarios, even if the increase in the annual voucher amount could be maintained at the current pace or the age eligibility can be lowered to include those aged 60 years, the impact on shifts from public-to-private utilization were insignificant. The public-to-private ratio could only be marginally reduced from 0.74 to 0.64 in the first several years. Nevertheless, introducing a chronic disease-oriented voucher could result in a significant drop of 0.50 in the public-to-private ratio during the early implementation phase. However, the effect could not be maintained for an extended period. Conclusions Our findings will assist officials in improving the design of the EHCV scheme, within the wider context of promoting primary care among the elderly. We suggest that an additional chronic disease-oriented voucher can serve as an alternative strategy. The scheme must be redesigned to address more specific objectives or provide a separate voucher that promotes under-utilized healthcare services (e.g., preventive care), instead of services designed for unspecified reasons, which may lead to concerns regarding exploitation.

scholarly journals 10. Kinetics of Post-Vaccination Seroprotection to S. Pneumonia for the Immune-Compromised and Vaccine-Naïve Populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S27-S28
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Gruenglas ◽  
James Mond ◽  
Micaela Scobie ◽  
Cynthia Tolman ◽  
Joseph Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Antibody Activity ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Opsonic Activity ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background S. pneumonia infection presents a significant challenge, accounting for 20–38% of hospital-acquired pneumonia, and the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia despite availability of effective vaccines. Incidence is highest in children under 2 years, the immunocompromised, and elderly. CDC has reported the emergence of antibiotic resistance in ~30% of cases, adding to risk of morbidity and mortality. Fewer than half of the elderly are vaccinated and vulnerable to infection on admission. Passive immunotherapy as an adjunct to vaccines may improve outcomes in such populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether seroprotective response induced with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine could rapidly yield protective opsonic levels of antibody within anticipated duration of hospitalization. Methods Healthy donors (n=30) were immunized with Prevnar. Blood was drawn on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Samples were pooled and tested for presence of functional opsonic antibodies recognizing capsular polysaccharides. Clearance mechanism of S. pneumonia was based on antibody recognition to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide and opsonic titers used as an in vitro surrogate to evaluate the efficacy of vaccine. Results There was little to no opsonic activity against most serotypes on day 0, except for low antibody activity with serotypes 1, 3, 4, and 5. Titers increased, with protective levels achieved by day 10 for most serotypes (except 14 and 18C), peaking at day 14 or after across serotypes (Figures 1 and 2). Average titers rose from log2 titer 2 on day 0 to log2 titer 8 on days 21 and 28. Titers against most serotypes reached log2 10 (titer 1024) or higher. Patients remained susceptible to nosocomial infection for at least 10 days post admission until protective titers are reached. OPK titers (log2 scale) for serum samples on day 0 (pre), day 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and control for S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V. N=2. OPK titers (log2 scale) for serum samples on day 0 (pre), day 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and control for S. pneumoniae serotypes 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F. N=2. Conclusion Patients with no prior history of vaccination (or inability to mount response) with Prevnar or pneumovax remain vulnerable to S. pneumonia infection even if vaccinated on entry, due to delayed kinetics in reaching protective titers. These patients may require prophylactic intervention of hyperimmune Ig with high opsonic titers to S. pneumonia, providing protection until vaccine response elicits protective antibodies. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Are We Ready for the Arrival of the New COVID-19 Vaccinations? Great Promises and Unknown Challenges Still to Come

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Davide Gori ◽  
Chiara Reno ◽  
Daniel Remondini ◽  
Francesco Durazzi ◽  
Maria Pia Fantini
Keyword(s):  
Herd Immunity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Complex Issue ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
To Come ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
The Eu

While the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to strike and collect its death toll throughout the globe, as of 31 January 2021, the vaccine candidates worldwide were 292, of which 70 were in clinical testing. Several vaccines have been approved worldwide, and in particular, three have been so far authorized for use in the EU. Vaccination can be, in fact, an efficient way to mitigate the devastating effect of the pandemic and offer protection to some vulnerable strata of the population (i.e., the elderly) and reduce the social and economic burden of the current crisis. Regardless, a question is still open: after vaccination availability for the public, will vaccination campaigns be effective in reaching all the strata and a sufficient number of people in order to guarantee herd immunity? In other words: after we have it, will we be able to use it? Following the trends in vaccine hesitancy in recent years, there is a growing distrust of COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, the online context and competition between pro- and anti-vaxxers show a trend in which anti-vaccination movements tend to capture the attention of those who are hesitant. Describing this context and analyzing its possible causes, what interventions or strategies could be effective to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy? Will social media trend analysis be helpful in trying to solve this complex issue? Are there perspectives for an efficient implementation of COVID-19 vaccination coverage as well as for all the other vaccinations?

scholarly journals Agro-Environmental Determinants of Leptospirosis: A Retrospective Spatiotemporal Analysis (2004−2014) in Mahasarakham Province (Thailand)

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Jaruwan Viroj ◽  
Julien Claude ◽  
Claire Lajaunie ◽  
Julien Cappelle ◽  
Anamika Kritiyakan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
The Public ◽  
Additive Modeling ◽  
The One ◽  
And Control ◽  
Northeastern Thailand

Leptospirosis has been recognized as a major public health concern in Thailand following dramatic outbreaks. We analyzed human leptospirosis incidence between 2004 and 2014 in Mahasarakham province, Northeastern Thailand, in order to identify the agronomical and environmental factors likely to explain incidence at the level of 133 sub-districts and 1,982 villages of the province. We performed general additive modeling (GAM) in order to take the spatial-temporal epidemiological dynamics into account. The results of GAM analyses showed that the average slope, population size, pig density, cow density and flood cover were significantly associated with leptospirosis occurrence in a district. Our results stress the importance of livestock favoring leptospirosis transmission to humans and suggest that prevention and control of leptospirosis need strong intersectoral collaboration between the public health, the livestock department and local communities. More specifically, such collaboration should integrate leptospirosis surveillance in both public and animal health for a better control of diseases in livestock while promoting public health prevention as encouraged by the One Health approach.

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