Sensitisation To Imbrasia Belina (Mopane Worm) and Other Local Allergens in Rural Gwanda District of Zimbabwe

Abstract Background The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing in Zimbabwe and the data relate to local as well as exotic allergen sources. As entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, is a recognised source of local allergens, we sought to measure the prevalence of and risk factors for sensitisation to Imbrasia belina (mopane worm), a popular edible insect. This was investigated alongside other locally relevant allergens in a rural community in Gwanda district, south of Zimbabwe. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 496 adults and children aged 10 years and above in Gwanda district, a mopane worm harvesting area in Zimbabwe. Data on individual characteristics, mopane worm exposure factors, sensitivity to commercial allergen extracts (Stallergenes, France) and in-house extracts of mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) and mopane leaves (Colophospermum mopane) were collected at a local clinic. Data were analysed using Stata version 13 software. Results The prevalence of sensitisation to at least one allergen was 31.17% (n = 144). The prevalence of atopy was higher in adults (33.33%) than in children (23.53%) (p = 0.059). The commonest inhalant allergen sources were mopane worm (14.29%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (14.29%), mopane leaves (13.42%), Alternaria alternata (6.49%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (6.49%). Polysensitisation was demonstrated in the study population and of the 108 participants who were sensitised to two or more allergens, 66 (61%) were women. Sensitisation to mopane worm and mopane leaves often clustered with Tyrophagus putrescentiae amongst adults. Adjusted logistic regression analyses between mopane worm sensitisation and self-reported exposure variables showed that sensitisation was more likely amongst mopane worm harvesters (OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 0.77–4.79), those who cooked or roasted mopane worms during harvesting (OR = 2.69, 95%CI = 0.78–9.31) and harvesting without personal protective equipment (PPE) (OR = 2.12, 95%CI = 0.83–5.44) compared to non-harvesters. Conclusion Atopic sensitization was common in this mopane worm harvesting community in Gwanda district of Zimbabwe. There was frequent co-sensitisation of mopane worm and mopane leaves with Tyrophagus putrescentiae in children and adults. It is important to determine the clinical relevance of our findings, particularly relating to mopane worm sensitisation.

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Prevalence of aeroallergens and food allergens in allergic patients in Tehran, Iran

International Journal of Medical Laboratory ◽

10.18502/ijml.v5i4.160 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Nasrin Pazoki ◽

Ali Ahmadi ◽

Fatemeh Onsori ◽

Mohsen Mosavi Khorshidi ◽

Mahboubeh Mansori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Prick Test ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Food Allergens ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prick Test ◽

Allergy And Immunology ◽

Allergen Extracts

Background and Aims: Identification of different allergens is a major challenge in allergic diseases. Avoiding these allergens is known as one of the best types of treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of aeroallergens and food allergens in patients with allergy by Skin Prick Test. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 255 patients with allergic diseases who had referred to the Khorshid Allergy and Immunology Clinic. Skin Prick Test was performed using 82 allergen extracts to determine the patients' sensitivity to food and aeroallergens. Results: One hundred percent of the patients were sensitive to at least one allergen. Allergy to food allergens and aeroallergens was 49% and 51 %, respectively. Most sensitivity to food allergens included hazelnut (26.27%), bananas (21.96%), egg yolk (21.56%) and wheat (20.39%). Among the aeroallergens, grass with a frequency of 87% and fungi with a frequency of 34% had the highest and lowest frequencies. Conclusion: Depending on the nutrition, cultural habits, environmental conditions, and life style, prevalence of the allergens in each area may be different. Therefore, early identification and avoidance from these allergens can be suggested.

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The association between subclinical hypothyroidism and TPOAb positivity with infertility in a population-based study: Tehran thyroid study (TTS)

BMC Endocrine Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12902-021-00773-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Batul Birjandi ◽

Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani ◽

Atieh Amouzegar ◽

Maryam Tohidi ◽

Razieh Bidhendi Yarandi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

History Of ◽

Autoimmune Condition ◽

Biochemical Measurements ◽

Adverse Pregnancy ◽

Adjusted Logistic Regression

Abstract Background Thyroid autoimmunity(TAI) is the most prevalent autoimmune condition in women of fertile age. There are increasing data regarding the association of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity with adverse pregnancy outcomes but there is no consensus regarding infertility and TPOAb positivity; thus we aimed to evaluate the association between thyroid TPOAb positivity and infertility in females and males in a population-based study (TTS). Methods Cross-sectional study of 3197 female and male participants in Tehran Thyroid Study (TTS) at the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Data included biochemical measurements and a self-administered questionnaire. Results A total of 12,823 cases in phase 4, 3719 cases (2108 female and 1611 male) were analyzed. The mean TSH of the infertile female and male was 2.52 ± 2.68 μIU/ml and 3.24 ± 10.26 μIU/ml respectively. The TPO median(IQR) of women with and without a history of infertility were 6.05 (3.30–13.96)and 6.04 (3.17–11.15);(P = 0.613), they were 5.08 (3.20–125.68) and 5.31 (3.93–125.68);(P = 0.490) in male participants, respectively. Results of crude and adjusted logistic regression analysis of the development of infertility by thyroid function and TPOAb, except for fT4 in male subjects, depicted no association between infertility and other variables in both crude and adjusted models. Conclusion Based on the result, thyroid autoimmunity was not associated with infertility in both females and males.

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Is suicidal ideation associated with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis?

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37562017000000129 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 31-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Martín Bedolla-Barajas ◽

Norma Angélica Pulido-Guillén ◽

Bolívar Vivar-Aburto ◽

Jaime Morales-Romero ◽

José Raúl Ortiz-Peregrina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between suicidal ideation (SI) and allergic diseases in adults. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study involving individuals ranging from 20 to 50 years of age recruited from a university hospital in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. We included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of allergic asthma, those with a confirmed diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, and healthy controls. All subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), which includes an item that evaluates the presence of suicidal thoughts or desires within the last two weeks, in order to identify SI. Results: The sample comprised 115 patients with allergic asthma, 111 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 96 healthy controls. The number of individuals identified with SI in the three groups were, respectively, 17 (14.8%), 13 (11.7%), and 8 (8.3%). Regarding the presence of SI, no statistically significant association was found in the allergic asthma group (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 0.78-4.64; p = 0.154) or in the allergic rhinitis group (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.58-3.68; p = 0.424) when they were compared with the control group. However, the presence of depression was associated with SI in the three groups: allergic asthma (OR = 12.36; 95% CI: 2.67-57.15; p = 0.001); allergic rhinitis (OR = 6.20; 95% CI: 1.66-23.14; p = 0.006); and control (OR = 21.0; 95% CI: 3.75-117.36; p < 0,001). Conclusions: In comparison with the control group, no association was found between SI and the groups with allergic diseases. In contrast, there was association between SI and depression in the three groups.

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Recurrent wheeze and its relationship with lung function and airway inflammation in preschool children: a cross-sectional study in South Korea

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018010 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. e018010 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ji Eun Soh ◽

Kyung-Moon Kim ◽

Ji-Won Kwon ◽

Hyung Young Kim ◽

Ju-Hee Seo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Lung Function ◽

Airway Inflammation ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Airway Function ◽

Recurrent Wheeze

BackgroundRelationship between recurrent wheeze and airway function and inflammation in preschool children is not fully known.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between recurrent wheeze and airway inflammation, lung function, airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and atopy in preschool children.DesignObservational study, comparing forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and mid-forced expiratory flow (FEF25%–75%), dose–response slope (DRS), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and atopic sensitisation between children with recurrent wheeze and those without.SettingPopulation-based, cross-sectional study in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province of Korea conducted as a government-funded programme to perform standardised measurement of the prevalence of allergic diseases, and related factors, in preschool children.Participants900 children aged 4–6 years.Primary and secondary outcome measureseNO, FEV1/FVC, FEF25%–75%, DRS, atopic sensitisation and allergic diseases.MethodsChildren completed the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and underwent eNO assessments, spirometry, methacholine bronchial provocation tests and skin prick tests. Recurrent wheeze was defined as having a lifetime wheeze of more than three episodes, based on the questionnaire. The frequency of hospitalisation and emergency room visits was also obtained by means of the questionnaire. ‘Current’ wheeze was defined as having symptoms or treatments within the past 12 months.ResultsThe prevalence of recurrent wheeze was 13.4%. Children with recurrent wheeze showed a higher prevalence of lifetime or current allergic rhinitis (p=0.01 and p=0.002, respectively) and lifetime atopic dermatitis (p=0.007). Children with recurrent wheeze showed lower FEV1/FVC (p=0.033) and FEF25%–75%(p=0.004), and higher eNO levels (p=0.013) than those without recurrent wheeze. However, the DRS, prevalence of atopic sensitisation and serum IgE levels were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsRecurrent wheeze in preschool children may be associated with airway inflammation and diminished airway function, but not with AHR or atopy.

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Efectos ergonómicos inmediatos de un apoyo isquiático en la sedestación. Herramienta preventiva para la información en salud = Immediate ergonomic effects of an ischial support in the sitting position. Preventive tool for health information

REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE COMUNICACIÓN EN SALUD ◽

10.20318/recs.2017.4003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 228

Author(s):

Luis Ceballos-Laita ◽

Teresa Mingo-Gómez ◽

Sandra García-Lázaro ◽

Sandra Jiménez-del Barrio

Keyword(s):

Slope Angle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Head Position ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Sitting Position ◽

Human Engineering ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lumbar Flexion ◽

Upper Cervical ◽

The Individual

Resumen: Introducción: La información sobre la correcta ergonomía se ha incrementado para disminuir la prevalencia de síntomas lumbares y/o cervicales en la población. Sin embargo, el acondicionamiento y el mobiliario de las instituciones universitarias no se adecuan a las características individuales de los sujetos, lo cual dificulta el proceso. Objetivo: analizar los cambios en la postura, al incorporar un apoyo isquiático en sujetos jóvenes. Material: Estudio transversal comparativo sobre 76 sujetos universitarios voluntarios (24 varones y 52 mujeres, edad media de 20,7; DT ± 2,64). Se registró la postura mediante fotogrametría sagital con un software 2D, en posición de sedestación y en sedestación corregida mediante la colocación de un apoyo isquiático de 5 centímetros de altura. Posteriormente se analizaron los ángulos cráneo-vertebral (CV), cervical superior (CS), cervical inferior (CI), lumbar (AL). Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la posición sedente y la sedente corregida en todos los ángulos analizados (p<0,01). Consiguiendo la disminución de la flexión lumbar y de la posición de cabeza adelantada. Conclusión: La utilización de un apoyo isquiático de 5 centímetros de altura en la posición de sedestación, disminuye la flexión lumbar y la posición de cabeza adelantada en comparación con una sedestación sin apoyo en sujetos jóvenes.Palabras clave: postura, columna, comunicación, ingeniería humana, educación para la salud.Abstract: Introduction: Information about correct ergonomics is increasing in order to avoid cervical and lumbar symptoms. However, the furniture of the colleges does not fit the individual characteristics, which make difficult the process. Objective: Analyse the posture change, when an ischial support is incorporated in young population. Methods: Cross sectional study. 76 volunteers students were included (24 men and 53 women, average age 20,7 SD ± 2,64). Posture was registered with sagittal photogrammetry and analysed by 2D software, in sitting position and corrected sitting position by 5-centimeters-isquial-support. Then, Neck Slope angle (NS), Upper Cervical angle (UP) Lower cervical angle (LC) and lumbar spine angle (LS) were analysed. Results: Statistical differences were found between the sitting position and corrected sitting position in all analysed angles (p<0,01). This means less lumbar flexion and forward head position. Conclusion: A 5-centimeter-isquial-support decrease lumbar flexion and forward head position compared to sitting position without ischial support in young adults.Keywords: posture, spine, communication, human engineering, health education.

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First-Year Antibiotics Exposure in Relation to Childhood Asthma, Allergies, and Airway Illnesses

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5700

Author(s):

Zhijun Zou ◽

Wei Liu ◽

Chen Huang ◽

Chanjuan Sun ◽

Jialing Zhang

Keyword(s):

Childhood Asthma ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

First Year ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Childhood Health ◽

History Of ◽

Household Environment ◽

One Year ◽

The Individual

Background: Associations of early antibiotics exposures with childhood asthma, allergies, and airway illnesses are debated. Objectives: We aimed to investigate associations of first-year antibiotics exposure with childhood asthma, allergies, and airway illnesses. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among preschoolers in Shanghai, China during 2011–2012. A questionnaire regarding household environment and lifestyles and childhood health outcomes was reported by the child’s parents. Results: In total, 13,335 questionnaires (response rate: 85.3%) were analyzed and 3049 (24.1%) children had first-year antibiotics exposure. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, first-year antibiotics exposure had significant associations with the higher odds of lifetime-ever pneumonia (adjusted OR, 95% CI: 2.15, 1.95–2.37), croup (1.46, 1.24–1.73), wheeze (1.44, 1.30–1.60), asthma (1.38, 1.19–1.61), food allergy (1.29, 1.13–1.46), and allergic rhinitis (1.23, 1.07–1.41), and as well as current (one year before the survey) common cold (≥3 times) (1.38, 1.25–1.52), dry cough (1.27, 1.13–1.42), atopic dermatitis (1.25, 1.09–1.43), wheeze (1.23, 1.10–1.38), and rhinitis symptoms (1.15, 1.04–1.26). These associations were different in children with different individual characteristics (age, sex, family history of atopy, and district) and other early exposures (breastfeeding, home decoration, pet-keeping, and environmental tobacco smoke). Conclusions: Our results indicate that first-year antibiotics exposure could be a strong risk factor for childhood pneumonia, asthma, allergies, and their related symptoms. The individual characteristics and other early exposures may modify effects of early antibiotic exposure on childhood allergies and airway illnesses.

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Psychological morbidity in Nepali cross-border migrants in India: a community based cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7881-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Raja Ram Dhungana ◽

Nirmal Aryal ◽

Pratik Adhikary ◽

Radheshyam Krishna KC ◽

Pramod Raj Regmi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Work Conditions ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Psychological Morbidity ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Religious Minority ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Border

Abstract Background Since Nepali cross-border migrants can freely enter, work and stay in India, they are largely undocumented. The majority is involved in semi-skilled or unskilled jobs with limited labour rights and social security, a fact which predisposes them to psychological distress. We aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with psychological morbidity among Nepali migrants upon their return from India. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in six districts of Nepal between September 2017 and February 2018. A total of 751 participants who had worked at least six months in India and returned to Nepal were interviewed from 24 randomly selected clusters. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 was used to measure the psychological morbidity. Data were analysed using Poisson regression analysis. Results The majority was younger than 35 years (64.1%), male (96.7%), married (81.8%), had at least a primary education (66.6%), and belonged to Dalit, Janajati and religious minorities (53.7%). The prevalence of psychological morbidity was 13.5% (CI: 11.2–16.1%). Participants aged 45 years and above (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 2.74), from the Terai (aPR = 3.29), a religious minority (aPR = 3.64), who received no sick leave (aPR = 2.4), with existing health problems (aPR = 2.0) and having difficulty in accessing health care (aPR = 1.88) were more likely than others to exhibit a psychological morbidity. Conclusion This study demonstrated that psychological morbidity was prevalent in the study participants and varied significantly with individual characteristics, work conditions and health. Multifaceted approaches including psychological counselling for returnees and protection of labour and health rights in the workplace are recommended to help reduce psychological morbidity.

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Sensitization profile in patients with respiratory allergic diseases: differences between conventional and molecular diagnosis (a cross-sectional study)

Clinical and Molecular Allergy ◽

10.1186/s12948-019-0112-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guillermo Til-Pérez ◽

Claudio Carnevale ◽

Pedro Luis Sarría-Echegaray ◽

Diego Arancibia-Tagle ◽

Sendy Chugo-Gordillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Diagnosis ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Elevated alcohol consumption among geriatric psychiatric in-patients

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.1177/1455072520936813 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 400-410

Author(s):

Anne-Sofie Helvik ◽

Knut Engedal ◽

Aud Johannessen

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Psychiatric Treatment ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

Older Age ◽

Short Version ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adjusted Logistic Regression

Introduction: Although a clear relationship has been established between elevated alcohol consumption and psychiatric problems in old age, there are few descriptions of the prevalence of elevated alcohol consumption in older adults who have been referred to geriatric psychiatric treatment. Aim: To describe the prevalence of self-reported elevated alcohol consumption in men and women referred to geriatric psychiatry wards in Norway, and to explore factors associated with elevated alcohol consumption. Method: This cross-sectional study includes data from a registry of geriatric psychiatry patients aged ≥ 65 years from December 2016 until December 2018. The outcome measure was reported elevated alcohol consumption assessed with the short version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). The analyses used demographic data as well as a measure of cognitive function, psychiatric diagnosis and use of psychotropic drugs. Results: In total, 367 patients (131, 35.7% men) with a mean ( SD) age of 74.7 (7.6) years were included. Of these patients, 27% scored above the pre-set cut-off for elevated alcohol consumption according to AUDIT-C (≥ 3 and 4 for women and men, respectively). The prevalence of elevated alcohol did not differ by gender. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, older age, living with someone and use of antidepressants were associated with reduced odds for reporting elevated alcohol consumption ( OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89–0.96; OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31–0.97; and 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.92, respectively). Conclusion: A relatively high proportion of psychiatric patients aged 65 years or older reported elevated alcohol consumption, regardless of diagnosis. Older age, living with someone and use of antidepressants were associated with lower odds for elevated alcohol consumption.

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Dentists’ entrepreneurial intention and associated factors in public hospitals in major cities in Guangdong (South China): a cross-sectional study

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-020-01331-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jiabi Wang ◽

Bin Peng ◽

Hongzhi Zhou ◽

Jing Hua Zhang

Keyword(s):

Family Background ◽

Entrepreneurial Intention ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hospital System ◽

Knowledge Intensive ◽

Public Hospital System

Abstract Background A rapid growth in private dentistry in China has been observed during recent years. Promoting the entrepreneurship of dentists has increasingly received attention in both dentistry and dental education worldwide. However, understanding about the unique features of entrepreneurial behaviors of dentists remains inadequate. Methods This study examines dentist’s entrepreneurial intention (EI), which was represented by his/her intention of leaving the public hospital system to be engaged in the private sector. Through a snowball sampling method, a total of 336 questionnaires from public hospitals in five major cities in Guangdong Province (China) were collected. The association between the dentists’ EI and their individual characteristics were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Results In the sample studied, 35.7% of the respondents reported to have EI. Female dentists are less likely to report EI (OR = 0.365, p = 0.001). Dentists in the age group of 36 to 45 years (OR = 14.205, p = 0.012) and those aged over 45 years (OR = 8.45, p = 0.066) reported respectively a much stronger EI than those in their 20s. Compared with intern dentists, attending dentists (OR = 7.812, p = 0.016) and associate/chief dentists (OR = 9.857, p = 0.021) were significantly more likely to report EI. Those with master level (OR = 0.221, p = 0.021) or doctorate degrees (OR = 0.118, p = 0.005) are much less likely to report EI. Meanwhile, those in mid-large hospitals (with 101–200 employees) (OR = 3.554, p = 0.036) and small hospitals (with < 50 employees) (OR = 2.398, p = 0.044) reported a stronger EI than those in large hospitals. Additionally, dentists’ entrepreneurial behaviors, risk aversion attitudes and their family background all have significant associations. Conclusions Since dentistry is a knowledge-intensive industry, dentists’ entrepreneurial behaviors have their own features. The findings by this study suggest that, accumulation of practical skills in a dental career, as implied by age, professional qualifications and leadership skills, help to promote EI, whereas an academic oriented education degree per se does not. Dentists in mid-large and small hospitals, rather than in top large hospitals in China, have higher EI. Additionally, female dentists may need more social supports to develop a higher EI. These findings have practical implications for the promotion of EI among dentists.

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