I Am the NRA: An Analysis of a National Random Sample of Gun Owners

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Weil ◽  
David Hemenway
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Gun Ownership ◽  
National Rifle Association ◽  
Waiting Period

Data from a national random sample of gun owners (N = 605) were used to determine whether members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) are a representative sample of all gun owners and how well the NRA's lobbying positions on gun control reflect the views of its membership and of nonmember gun owners. No obvious demographic distinctions were identified between member and nonmember gun owners, but handgun owners (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19to 2.39) and individuals who owned six or more guns as opposed to just one gun (OR, 1.95; 95% C1, 1.22 to 3.10) were more likely to belong to the NRA. Nonmembers were more supportive of specific proposals to regulate gun ownership (OR, 1.82; 95% C1, 1.14 to 2.91), but a majority of both member and nonmember gun owners favored a waiting period for the purcbase of a handgun (77% and 89%, respectively) and mandatory registration of handguns (59% and 75%).

Socioeconomic disparities in psychological distress in a nationally representative sample of Japanese adolescents: A time trend study

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Kachi ◽  
Aya Abe ◽  
Emiko Ando ◽  
Tomoyuki Kawada
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Japanese Adolescents ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: Socioeconomic status as a determinant of mental health problems has received scant attention in Japan, which has long been considered an egalitarian society. This study examined the association between socioeconomic status and psychological distress and its trends over 6 years among Japanese adolescents. Methods: We used data from a nationally representative sample of 9491 adolescents aged 12–18 years who participated in three repeated cross-sectional surveys between 2007 and 2013. The K6 scale was used to assess psychological distress. Socioeconomic status indicators included household income, parental education, parental working status and household structure. Results: Psychological distress prevalence decreased significantly from 2007 (10.7%) to 2013 (7.6%). However, the socioeconomic status patterns of psychological distress were consistent through the study period. Adolescents living in both lower (odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval = [1.27, 2.05]) and higher income households (odds ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = [1.03, 1.62]) were more likely to report psychological distress than their middle-income counterparts. Adolescents with low household income were more likely to feel stress from interpersonal relationships and less likely to have help-seeking behaviors, while those with high household income were more likely to feel stress about school achievement. Psychological distress was also associated with parental poor education and single parenthood. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status disparities in adolescent psychological distress were evident and consistent during the 6-year period. There is a unique U-shaped relationship between household income and psychological distress among adolescents in Japan, unlike those from other countries. However, the underlying mechanisms may differ by income status. Future prevention efforts should consider socioeconomic status as a determinant of adolescent mental health problems.

scholarly journals Sex modulates the association of radial artery augmentation index with renal function decline in individuals without chronic kidney disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao Qin ◽  
Fangfang Fan ◽  
Jia Jia ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Bo Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Renal Function ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Augmentation Index ◽  
Renal Function Decline

Abstract Purpose An increase in arterial stiffness is associated with rapid renal function decline (RFD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the radial augmentation index (rAI), a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, affects RFD in individuals without CKD. Methods A total of 3165 Chinese participants from an atherosclerosis cohort with estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) of ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were included in this study. The baseline rAI normalized to a heart rate of 75 beats/min (rAIp75) was obtained using an arterial applanation tonometry probe. The eGFRs at both baseline and follow-up were calculated using the equation derived from the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration. The association of the rAIp75 with RFD (defined as a drop in the eGFR category accompanied by a ≥ 25% drop in eGFR from baseline or a sustained decline in eGFR of > 5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year) was evaluated using the multivariate regression model. Results During the 2.35-year follow-up, the incidence of RFD was 7.30%. The rAIp75 had no statistically independent association with RFD after adjustment for possible confounders (adjusted odds ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 0.99–1.27, p = 0.074). When stratified according to sex, the rAIp75 was significantly associated with RFD in women, but not in men (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.23[1.06–1.43], p = 0.007 for women, 0.94[0.76–1.16], p = 0.542 for men; p for interaction = 0.038). Conclusion The rAI might help screen for those at high risk of early rapid RFD in women without CKD.

scholarly journals Plasma acylcarnitines and risk of lower-extremity functional impairment in older adults: a nested case–control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Félix Caballero ◽  
Ellen A. Struijk ◽  
Alberto Lana ◽  
Antonio Buño ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Long Chain

AbstractElevated concentrations of acylcarnitines have been associated with higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles, and 2-year risk of incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI). This case–control study is nested in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort of community-dwelling older adults, which included 43 incident cases of LEFI and 86 age- and sex- matched controls. LEFI was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Plasma L-carnitine and 28 acylcarnitine species were measured. After adjusting for potential confounders, medium-chain acylcarnitines levels were associated with 2-year incidence of LEFI [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 2.64; p = 0.02]. Similar results were observed for long-chain acylcarnitines [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.70; 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 2.80; p = 0.04]. Stratified analyses showed a stronger association between medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines and incidence of LEFI among those with body mass index and energy intake below the median value. In conclusion, higher plasma concentrations of medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines were associated with higher risk of LEFI. Given the role of these molecules on mitochondrial transport of fatty acids, our results suggest that bioenergetics dysbalance contributes to LEFI.

scholarly journals Efficacy of two-week therapy with doxycycline-based quadruple regimen versus levofloxacin concomitant regimen for helicobacter pylori infection: a prospective single-center randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marouf Alhalabi ◽  
Mohammed Waleed Alassi ◽  
Kamal Alaa Eddin ◽  
Khaled Cheha
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori Infection ◽  
First Line ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Syrian Population

Abstract Background Antibiotic-resistance reduces the efficacy of conventional triple therapy for Helicobacter Pylori infections worldwide, which necessitates using various treatment protocols. We used two protocols, doxycycline-based quadruple regimen and concomitant levofloxacin regimen. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of doxycycline-based quadruple regimen for treating Helicobacter Pylori infections compared with levofloxacin concomitant regimen as empirical first-line therapy based on intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol analyses (PPA) in Syrian population. Settings and design An open-label, randomised, parallel, superiority clinical trial. Methods We randomly assigned 78 naïve patients who tested positive for Helicobacter Pylori gastric infection, with a 1:1 ratio to (D-group) which received (bismuth subsalicylate 524 mg four times daily, doxycycline 100 mg, tinidazole 500 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg, each twice per day for 2 weeks), or (L-group) which received (levofloxacin 500 mg daily, tinidazole 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg each twice per day for two weeks). We confirmed Helicobacter Pylori eradication by stool antigen test 8 weeks after completing the treatment. Results Thirty-nine patients were allocated in each group. In the D-group, 38 patients completed the follow-up, 30 patients were cured. While in the L-group, 39 completed the follow-up, 32patients were cured. According to ITT, the eradication rates were 76.92%, and 82.05%, for the D-group and L-group respectively. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 1.371 [0.454–4.146]. According to PPA, the eradication rates were 78.9%, and 82.05% for the D-group and L-group respectively. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 1.219 [0.394–3.774]. We didn’t report serious adverse effects. Conclusions Levofloxacin concomitant therapy wasn’t superior to doxycycline based quadruple therapy. Further researches are required to identify the optimal first-line treatment for Helicobacter-Pylori Infection in the Syrian population. Trial registration We registered this study as a standard randomized clinical trial (Clinicaltrial.gov, identifier-NCT04348786, date:29-January-2020).

scholarly journals Hispanic/Latino Ethnic Identity and Diabetes: An Examination of Underlying Acculturation Processes and the Hispanic/Latino Health Advantage

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-294
Author(s):  
Jeannie B. Concha ◽  
Kristen Kelly ◽  
Briana Mezuk
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Identity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Diabetes Prevalence ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
The Relationship

Background. Hispanics/Latinos in the United States experience both a health advantage and disadvantage in developing diabetes. Ethnic identity, a predictor of psychological well-being, has not been widely applied to physical health outcomes. The objective of this study is to apply what is known regarding ethnic identity and psychological health to physical health outcomes (diabetes) and to explore the moderating effect of education as a possible underlying mechanism of the Hispanic Health Advantage/Disadvantage. Specifically, this study examines (a) the association between ethnic identity and diabetes prevalence among adult Hispanics/Latinos and (b) determines whether education modifies this relationship. Method. Data come from the nationally representative adult U.S. household study, National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), collected in 2001 to 2003 ( N = 1,746). Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between ethnic identity, education, and their interaction with likelihood of diabetes. Results. Hispanics/Latinos with high ethnic identity have a higher odds of reporting diabetes among those with 13 to 15 years of education (odds ratio: 1.84; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.92) and a lower odds among those with 16+ years of education (odds ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.84). Ethnic identity is associated with diabetes prevalence and the relationship is moderated by educational attainment. Conclusion. Given the growth, diversity, and diabetes disparities among Hispanics/Latinos, our buffering and exacerbating findings exemplify the complexity and fluidity of theory in understanding psychological/behavioral processes. The findings highlight the importance of designing targeted health interventions that take into account the diverse psychosocial and educational experiences of Hispanics/Latinos.

Do Children Who Experience Laryngospasm Have an Increased Risk of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection?

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-480. ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Schreiner ◽  
Irene O'Hara ◽  
Dorothea A. Markakis ◽  
George D. Politis
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Respiratory Infection ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory Infection ◽  
Airway Surgery ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Upper Respiratory

Background Laryngospasm is the most frequently reported respiratory complication associated with upper respiratory infection and general anesthesia in retrospective studies, but prospective studies have failed to demonstrate any increase in risk. Methods A case-control study was performed to examine whether children with laryngospasm were more likely to have an upper respiratory infection on the day of surgery. The parents of all patients (N = 15,183) who were admitted through the day surgery unit were asked if their child had an active or recent (within 2 weeks of surgery) upper respiratory infection and were questioned about specific signs and symptoms to determine if the child met Tait and Knight's definition of an upper respiratory infection. Control subjects were randomly selected from patients whose surgery had occurred within 1 day of the laryngospasm event. Results Patients who developed laryngospasm (N = 123) were 2.05 times (95% confidence interval 1.21-3.45) more likely to have an active upper respiratory infection as defined by their parents than the 492 patients in the control group (P < or = 0.01). The development of laryngospasm was not related to Tait and Knight's definition for an upper respiratory infection or to recent upper respiratory infection. Children with laryngospasm were more likely to be younger (odds ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.87-0.99), to be scheduled for airway surgery (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.21-3.59), and to have their anesthesia supervised by a less experienced anesthesiologist (odds ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.7) than children in the control group. Conclusion Laryngospasm was more likely to occur in children with an active upper respiratory infection, children who were younger, children who were undergoing airway surgery, and children whose anesthesia were supervised by less experienced anesthesiologists. Understanding the risk factors and the magnitude of the likely risk should help clinicians make the decision as to whether to anesthetize children with upper respiratory infection.

scholarly journals Parental risk factors for congenital diaphragmatic hernia – a large German case-control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicitas Schulz ◽  
Ekkehart Jenetzky ◽  
Nadine Zwink ◽  
Charlotte Bendixen ◽  
Florian Kipfmueller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Parental Risk Factors ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Evidence for periconceptional or prenatal environmental risk factors for the development of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is still scarce. Here, in a case-control study we investigated potential environmental risk factors in 199 CDH patients compared to 597 healthy control newborns. Methods The following data was collected: time of conception and birth, maternal BMI, parental risk factors such as smoking, alcohol or drug intake, use of hairspray, contact to animals and parental chronic diseases. CDH patients were born between 2001 and 2019, all healthy control newborns were born in 2011. Patients and control newborns were matched in the ratio of three to one. Results Presence of CDH was significantly associated with maternal periconceptional alcohol intake (odds ratio = 1.639, 95% confidence interval 1.101–2.440, p = 0.015) and maternal periconceptional use of hairspray (odds ratio = 2.072, 95% confidence interval 1.330–3.229, p = 0.001). Conclusion Our study suggests an association between CDH and periconceptional maternal alcohol intake and periconceptional maternal use of hairspray. Besides the identification of novel and confirmation of previously described parental risk factors, our study underlines the multifactorial background of isolated CDH.

scholarly journals Age and multimorbidities as poor prognostic factors for COVID-19 in hemodialysis: a Lebanese national study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabel Aoun ◽  
Rabab Khalil ◽  
Walid Mahfoud ◽  
Haytham Fatfat ◽  
Line Bou Khalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Chronic Hemodialysis ◽  
National Study ◽  
Artery Disease

Abstract Background Hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 have been reported to be at higher risk for death than the general population. Several prognostic factors have been identified in the studies from Asian, European or American countries. This is the first national Lebanese study assessing the factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 mortality in hemodialysis patients. Methods This is an observational study that included all chronic hemodialysis patients in Lebanon who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 31st March to 1st November 2020. Data on demographics, comorbidities, admission to hospital and outcome were collected retrospectively from the patients’ medical records. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess risk factors for mortality. Results A total of 231 patients were included. Mean age was 61.46 ± 13.99 years with a sex ratio of 128 males to 103 females. Around half of the patients were diabetics, 79.2% presented with fever. A total of 115 patients were admitted to the hospital, 59% of them within the first day of diagnosis. Hypoxia was the major reason for hospitalization. Death rate was 23.8% after a median duration of 6 (IQR, 2 to 10) days. Adjusted regression analysis showed a higher risk for death among older patients (odds ratio = 1.038; 95% confidence interval: 1.013, 1.065), patients with heart failure (odds ratio = 4.42; 95% confidence interval: 2.06, 9.49), coronary artery disease (odds ratio = 3.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.69, 6.30), multimorbidities (odds ratio = 1.593; 95% confidence interval: 1.247, 2.036), fever (odds ratio = 6.66; 95% confidence interval: 1.94, 27.81), CRP above 100 mg/L (odds ratio = 4.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.48, 15.30), and pneumonia (odds ratio = 19.18; 95% confidence interval: 6.47, 56.83). Conclusions This national study identified older age, coronary artery disease, heart failure, multimorbidities, fever and pneumonia as risk factors for death in patients with COVID-19 on chronic hemodialysis. The death rate was comparable to other countries and estimated at 23.8%.

Relationship between Whole Blood Viscosity and Lesion Severity in Coronary Artery Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gökhan Ceyhun ◽  
Oğuzhan Birdal
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Shear Rate ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Coronary Artery Stenosis ◽  
Artery Stenosis ◽  
Significant Stenosis ◽  
Whole Blood Viscosity ◽  
Significant Coronary Artery Stenosis ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Objective This article investigates the relationship of fractional flow reserve (FFR) with whole blood viscosity (WBV) in patients who were diagnosed with chronic coronary syndrome and significant stenosis in the major coronary arteries and underwent the measurement of FFR. Material and Method In the FFR measurements performed to evaluate the severity of coronary artery stenosis, 160 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups as follows: 80 with significant stenosis and 80 with nonsignificant stenosis. WBVs at low shear rate (LSR) and high shear rate (HSR) were compared between the patients in the significant and nonsignificant coronary artery stenosis groups. Results In the group with FFR < 0.80 and significant coronary artery stenosis, WBV was significantly higher compared with the group with nonsignificant coronary artery stenosis in terms of both HSR (19.33 ± 0.84) and LSR (81.19 ± 14.20) (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, HSR and LSR were independent predictors of significant coronary artery stenosis (HSR: odds ratio: 1.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.17–2.64; LSR: odds ratio: 2.46, 95% confidence interval: 2.19–2.78). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, when the cutoff value of WBV at LSR was taken as 79.23, it had 58.42% sensitivity and 62.13% specificity for the prediction of significant coronary artery stenosis (area under the ROC curve: 0.628, p < 0.001). Conclusion WBV, an inexpensive biomarker that can be easily calculated prior to coronary angiography, was higher in patients with functionally severe coronary artery stenosis, and thus could be a useful marker in predicting the hemodynamic severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with chronic coronary syndrome.

scholarly journals Post hoc patient satisfaction with the choice of valve prosthesis for aortic valve replacement: results of a single-centre survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laure Bryssinck ◽  
Siel De Vlieger ◽  
Katrien François ◽  
Thierry Bové
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Aortic Valve Replacement ◽  
Valve Replacement ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Mechanical Valve ◽  
Decisional Conflict ◽  
Valve Prosthesis ◽  
Post Hoc

Abstract OBJECTIVES Our goal was to examine post hoc patient satisfaction and the decision-making process of choosing a prosthesis for aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS We surveyed 113 patients who were operated on for AVR at 60–70 years of age, including 74 patients with a mechanical valve (MECH) and 39 with a bioprosthesis (BIO). The study focused on quality of life and the decision pathway in relation to prosthesis choice and valve-related complications. Decisional conflict was defined as the post hoc uncertainty perceived by patients regarding their choice of prosthesis. RESULTS The survey was performed at a median of 5.2 (3.2–8.1) years after the AVR. Patients with a biological valve were older (BIO: 68.4 years [66.2–69.4] vs MECH: 63.9 [61.9–66.7]; P &lt; 0.001). Global post hoc satisfaction with prosthesis choice was high in both groups (MECH: 95.9%; BIO: 100%), and 85.1% (MECH) and 92.3% (BIO) of them would repeat their choice. Conflict about their decision was equal (MECH: 30.3%; BIO: 32.6%) for different reasons: MECH patients experienced more anticoagulation-related inconvenience (25.9% vs 0%), fear of bleeding (31.1% vs 0%) and prosthesis noise (26.2% vs 0%), whereas more BIO patients feared prosthesis failure (39.7% vs 17.4%) or reoperation (43.5% vs 18.1%). Active involvement in the decision (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.16–0.85; P = 0.029) and adequate information about the prosthesis (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.14–0.86; P = 0.020) decreased the risk of conflict about the decision. CONCLUSIONS Although 30% of the responders showed a decisional conflict related to prosthesis-specific interferences, global patient satisfaction with the prosthesis choice for AVR is excellent. Increasing the patient’s involvement in the prosthesis choice through shared accountability and improved information is recommended to decrease the choice-related uncertainty.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document