scholarly journals Plasma Vitamin C Levels: Risk Factors for Deficiency and Association with Self-Reported Functional Health in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. McCall ◽  
Allan B. Clark ◽  
Robert N. Luben ◽  
Nicholas J. Wareham ◽  
Kay-Tee Khaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vitamin C Deficiency ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Prospective Investigation

Background: To investigate the demographic and lifestyles factors associated with vitamin C deficiency and to examine the association between plasma vitamin C level and self-reported physical functional health. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study using the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk study. Plasma vitamin C level < 11 µmol/L indicated vitamin C deficiency. Unconditional logistic regression models assessed the association between vitamin C deficiency and potential risk factors. Associations between quartiles of vitamin C and self-reported functional health measured by the 36-item short-form questionnaire (SF-36) were assessed. Results: After adjustment, vitamin C deficiency was associated with older age, being male, lower physical activity, smoking, more socially deprived area (Townsend index) and a lower educational attainment. Compared to the highest, those in the lowest quartile of vitamin C were more likely to score in the lowest decile of physical function (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.43 (95%CI: 1.21–1.70)), bodily pain (aOR: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.07–1.56)), general health (aOR: 1.4 (95%CI: 1.18–1.66)), and vitality (aOR: 1.23 (95%CI: 1.04–1.45)) SF-36 scores. Conclusions: Simple public health interventions should be aimed at populations with risk factors for vitamin C deficiency. Poor self-reported functional health was associated with lower plasma vitamin C levels, which may reflect symptoms of latent scurvy.

scholarly journals Plasma Vitamin C Concentrations Were Negatively Associated with Tingling, Prickling or Pins and Needles Sensation in Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2384
Author(s):  
Li-Kai Wang ◽  
Yao-Tsung Lin ◽  
Kuo-Chuan Hung ◽  
Chia-Yu Chang ◽  
Zhi-Fu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Postherpetic Neuralgia ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Spontaneous Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Vitamin C Deficiency ◽  
First Pain

Vitamin C deficiency increases the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In this cross-sectional study, the relationships among plasma vitamin C concentrations, pain and Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) items were investigated during their first pain clinic visit of 120 PHN patients. The factors associated with vitamin C deficiency were determined. Independent predictors of vitamin C deficiency were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The patients had a high prevalence (52.5%) of vitamin C deficiency. Their plasma vitamin C concentrations were negatively associated with spontaneous pain and tingling, prickling or pins and needles sensation according to the LANSS questionnaire. Based on the receiver operator characteristic curve, the cutoffs for plasma vitamin C to predict moderate-to-severe and severe symptoms of sharp sensation were <7.05 and <5.68 mg/L, respectively. By comparison, the patients well-nourished with vitamin C had lower incidences of sharp sensations, sharp pain, and reddish skin. Multivariate analyses revealed that vitamin C deficiency was associated with the low intake of fruit/vegetables (AOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.09–6.48, p = 0.032), peptic ulcer disease (AOR 3.25, 95% CI 1.28–8.28, p = 0.014), and smoking (AOR 3.60, 95% CI 1.33–9.77, p = 0.010). Future studies are needed to substantiate these findings.

Acute Effects of Fluoxetine Versus Placebo on Functional Health and Well-Being in Late-Life Depression

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. 125-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Heiligenstein ◽  
John E. Ware, Jr ◽  
Kathy M. Beusterien ◽  
Paul J. Roback ◽  
Carol Andrejasich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Elderly Age ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Health And Well Being

In a randomized 6-week trial comparing fluoxetine with placebo, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) scales were used to measure the effects of treatment on functional health and well-being among elderly (age ≥ 60 years) outpatients with major depression. In the fluoxetine and placebo groups, 261 and 271 patients, respectively, completed the SF-36 before treatment and at Weeks 3 and 6. Compared with national norms for individuals over age 60, study patients before treatment exhibited baseline decrements on the following SF-36 scales: mental health, role limitations due to emotional problems, social functioning, vitality, role limitations due to physical problems, and bodily pain. Analyses of SF-36 changed scores from baseline to Week 6 revealed that the fluoxetine group improved more than the placebo group across all scales. Differences in changes of scores between groups were significant (p < .05), favoring the fluoxetine group for the scales of mental health, role limitations due to emotional problems, physical functioning, and bodily pain. Improvements observed in the fluoxetine group were both clinically and socially significant.

scholarly journals Quality of Life among Patients with Glaucoma in Gaza Governorates

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Ophthalmic Hospital

Background: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Quality of Life (QOL) has emerged as an important parameter for assessing the quality of health care of patients with Glaucoma disease. This study assessed QOL among Glaucoma patients in Gaza Governorates and the factors influencing their life conditions. Methods: This is a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study included 265 eligible glaucoma patients from Al Nasser Ophthalmic Hospital and European Gaza Hospital. Socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics in addition to QOL data were collected using the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. Results: Study participants had a medium level of QOL scores. The mean score for GQL-15 was 59.2 ± 17.6. The greatest difficulty was in activities involving glare and dark adaptation (48.5±18.0), while least difficulty for outdoor mobility (66.6±25.4). The overall mean percentage of SF-36 domain scores was 61.7±13.5. The bodily pain domain got the highest score (79.4); the social function domain was (72.22); and the lowest domain was General Health (48.58). Findings also showed that participants without ocular diseases and comorbidities had better QOL. Moreover, patients with higher educational level, higher income and disease duration less than 5 years had better QOL scores. Conclusion: Glaucoma has moderately negative effects on people’s ability to function independently in every field of their lives. Glaucoma patients should be educated to understand the prognosis of the disease and importance of the adherence to the daily treatment to improve their QOL.

Functional Disability Among Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Relation to Disease Characteristics and Quality of Life Parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabab S. Zaghlol ◽  
Ghada A. Dawa ◽  
Wafaa K. Makarm
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sf 36

Background: Disability in patients with scleroderma (SSc) has been associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in all dimensions, including physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Objective: This study was conducted to examine different factors that may be associated with functional disability and poor HRQoL, with the aim of targeting these factors in the future to improve physical activity, functional outcomes, and HRQoL. Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 patients with SSc to compare characteristics between patients with and without disability using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form–36 (SF-36). Linear regressions were performed to examine variables contributing to functional disability. Results: Almost 65.78% (n = 25) of patients in the study group reported functional disability. The presence of functional disability was associated with reduced HRQoL, as reflected by physical function (P = 0.0001), physical role (P = 0.016), bodily pain (P = 0.001), general health (P = 0.002), social functional (P = 0.002), emotional role (P = 0.042), and mental health (P = 0.025) domains of the SF-36 score. Multiple linear regression indicated that the main predictive factors associated with HAQ-DI were the modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma; modified Rodnan skin score; DIstance walked in 6 minutes, BOrg dyspnea index, and SAturation of oxygen at 6 minutes (DIBOSA); and Fatigue Severity Scale among patients with SSc. Conclusion: In patients with SSc, recognizing the relationships between clinical findings and functional disability will allow the development of further management strategies to minimize disease severity and enhance HRQoL.

scholarly journals Fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported functional health in men and women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer–Norfolk (EPIC–Norfolk): a population-based cross-sectional study

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyo K Myint ◽  
Ailsa A Welch ◽  
Sheila A Bingham ◽  
Paul G Surtees ◽  
Nicholas WJ Wainwright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Prospective Investigation

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported physical and mental functional health measured by an anglicised short-form 36-item questionnaire (UK SF-36).DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.SettingGeneral community in Norfolk, UK.SubjectsA total of 16 792 men and women aged 40–79 years recruited from general practice population registers as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)–Norfolk study, who completed food-frequency questionnaires in 1993–1997 and Health and Life Experiences Questionnaires 18 months later, were enrolled in the study.ResultsMean SF-36 physical component summary scores increased significantly with increasing total fruit and vegetable consumption in both men and women (P <  0.0001 for trend). Men and women in the top quartile of consumption compared with the bottom quartile had a significantly higher likelihood of reporting good physical health (defined as a score ≥ 55); odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.53 for men and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.48 for women, after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, education, social class, prevalent illness and total energy intake. Exclusion of current smokers and people with prevalent illness did not alter the associations.ConclusionHigher fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with better self-reported physical functional health within a general population. Increasing daily intake by two portions of fruit and vegetables was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of good functional health. Since the current average consumption of fruit and vegetables in the UK is about three portions, the recommended ‘five a day’ strategy may have additional benefit for functional as well as other health outcomes in the population.

scholarly journals Associations of health literacy with risk factors for diabetic foot disease: a cross-sectional analysis of the Southern Tasmanian Health Literacy and Foot Ulcer Development in Diabetes Mellitus Study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e025349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Chen ◽  
Michele Callisaya ◽  
Karen Wills ◽  
Tim Greenaway ◽  
Tania Winzenberg
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Diabetic Foot Disease ◽  
Foot Disease ◽  
Sectional Analysis

ObjectivesPoor health literacy (HL) is associated with poorer health outcomes in diabetes but little is known about its effects on foot disease. This study was aimed to determine the associations between HL and diabetic foot disease.DesignThis is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a prospective study of foot disease.SettingAttendees of the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Diabetes outpatient clinics.Participants222 people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes aged >40 years and without a history of foot disease, psychotic disorders or dementia.MeasuresOutcomes were peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease and foot deformity according to published guidelines. The exposure, HL, was measured using the short form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) and the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Covariates included demographic characteristics, medical history, psychological measures and foot care behaviour.ResultsOf 222 participants, 204 had adequate HL. (Mean (SD) S-TOFHLA scores were 31.9 (6.7)), mean(SD) HLQ scores were 134.4 (18.4)). In univariable but not multivariable analyses, higher S-TOFHLA scores were associated with lower overall risk for foot disease (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99) and loss of protective sensation (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.995).ConclusionsThese data provide little support for clinically important impacts of HL on risk factors for diabetic foot disease. However, in the absence of longitudinal data, such effects cannot be ruled out. Longitudinal studies measuring incident foot disease are needed to properly judge the potential for interventions improving HL to reduce the incidence of diabetic foot disease.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Behaviours and Plasma Vitamin C andβ-Carotene Levels from the ELAN Population (Liège, Belgium)

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joël Pincemail ◽  
Sophie Vanbelle ◽  
Fabien Degrune ◽  
Jean-Paul Cheramy-Bien ◽  
Corinne Charlier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin C Deficiency ◽  
Modifiable Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Β Carotene

Several factors, including fruit and vegetables intakes, have been shown to significantly influence the plasma concentrations of the two antioxidants vitamin C and β-carotene. Deficiency levels of 6 mg/L (34.2 μM) for vitamin C and of 0.22 mg/L (0.4 μM) for β-carotene have been suggested below which cardiovascular risk might be increased. The present study performed on 897 presumably healthy subjects aged 40–60 years aimed to examine how modifiable lifestyle factors may be related to vitamin C and/or β-carotene deficiency. Gender, smoking, lack of regular physical activity and of daily fruit consumption (≥2/day), and social status (in particular, unemployment) were found to be significant risk factors for vitamin C deficiency. For β-carotene deficiency, the same factors were identified except social status; moreover, overweight and OC use in women were also found to have a deleterious effect. For non exposed subjects, the probability of developing vitamin C deficiency was 4% in men and 2.4% in women. This probability increased to 66.3% for men and to 44.3% for women (and even to 50.4% under OC use), when all risk factors were present. For β-carotene deficiency, the corresponding probabilities were equal to 29.7% in men and 13.7% in women (no risk factor present), and to 86.1% for men and 69.9% (91.6% for OC use) for women (all factors present), respectively.

scholarly journals QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER PRIMARY PCI IN PAKISTANI POPULATION – DOES IT REALLY CHANGE?

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-229
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
Ali Ammar ◽  
Jehangir Ali Shah ◽  
Tahir Saghir ◽  
Ashok Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sf 36

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using short-form health survey (SF-36) questionnaire at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care cardiac center in Pakistan. A total of 433 adult patients who undergone PCI at least six months before were included. The QOL was assessed using Urdu translated version of SF-36 questionnaire. QOL scores were computed on eight domains role physical (RP), role emotional (RE), bodily pain (BP), physical function (PF), mental health (MH), vitality, general health perception (GHP), and social function (SF) along with two summary scores for mental (MCS) and physical component (PPS). Results: The highest mean score was reported for BP (73.8±19.7) followed by PF (61.7±24.3). In comparison to a year before, 52.9% and 24.7% rated their QOL somewhat better and much better respectively. Score for PF, RE, and RF were significantly higher in male, while, vitality was higher for female. Score of PPS was significantly higher for male whereas MCS score was higher for female. An increasing trend, with respect to patients’ perception of QOL compared to an year ago, was observed on five out of eight domains namely GHP, PF, RP, RE, and BP. Conclusion: Improved QOL, compared to a year ago, is reported by most of the patients. An acceptable (>50) mean score was observed on most of the QOL domains of SF-36 and it was found to be positively related to the patient stated degrees of QOL.

Survey of Quality of Life and Related Risk Factors for a Taiwanese Village Population 3 Years Post-Earthquake

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 355-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Chi Wu ◽  
Pesus Chou ◽  
Frank Huang-Chih Chou ◽  
Chao-Yueh Su ◽  
Kuan-Yi Tsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Earthquake Survivors

Objective: To investigate quality of life (QOL) and related risk factors in Taiwanese earthquake survivors diagnosed with different psychiatric disorders 3 years after the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake. Method: This study was a population survey. Trained assistants used the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) and questionnaires to interview 405 respondents (189 men and 216 women) aged 16 years or older, who had been exposed to the earthquake. Psychiatrists interviewed the same respondents using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, with an adjusted response rate of 70.2%. Results: The prevalence range for psychiatric disorders in the earthquake survivors was 0.2–7.2% 3 years after the Chi-Chi earthquake, with rates for major depression (MD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of 6.4% and 4.4%, respectively. The QOL scores for the PTSD/MD group were lower than for the other two diagnostic groups, as determined by assessment of physical and mental aspects of functional integrity from MOS SF-36 scores. The predictors for poor QOL were age, female gender, economic problems, physical illness, subjective assessment of memory and social-activity decline and diagnosis of PTSD or MD. Conclusion: The QOL for earthquake survivors with psychiatric disorders, especially PTSD or MD, was inferior compared with the mentally healthy analogues, with contemporaneous decreases in mental and physical function scores across the QOL subscales. The persistence of long-term economic problems was one of many important factors affecting QOL.

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