scholarly journals Relationship Between Social Activity and Frailty in Japanese Older Women During Restriction on Outings due to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-324
Author(s):  
Michiko Akita ◽  
Naoto Otaki ◽  
Miyuki Yokoro ◽  
Megumu Yano ◽  
Norikazu Tanino ◽  
...  

Background  This study investigated the relationship between social activities and frailty during the restriction on outings due to COVID-19.  Design  A cross-sectional study.  Setting and Subjects  This study was conducted in City Nishinomiya of Prefecture Hyogo, in Japan. A mail survey was carried out among women aged 65 years or older in May 2020. A population of 293 women aged 65 years or older living in the community was recruited for the study and 213 of them were analyzed.  Measurements  The survey included questions on sex, age, height, weight, and social activity. Social activity consisted of participation in social organizations and their frequency, as well as frequency of interaction with family and friends. The survey also asked if regular social activity had been impeded by COVID-19.  Results  A significant association was found between frailty and hindered interaction with friends (β: 0.176, p = .014). Multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed that this association was also significant in Model 1 (β: 0.158, p = .025), and Model 2 (β: 0.148, p = .034).  Conclusions  No association between being hindered in social activity and frailty was found in older women living in the community during the restriction on outings due to COVID-19. 

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Yin ◽  
Minghui Li ◽  
Lingling Yu ◽  
Feng Hu ◽  
Yu Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) always remains in a potential association with arterial stiffness, however, this association has not been fully discovered and needs to be studied in depth in large hypertensive patient populations. The present analysis thus sought to further explore the association that exists between AIP and arterial stiffness in Chinese patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed 4744 Chinese individuals with essential hypertension. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels indicated in molar concentrations. Measurement of arterial stiffness was carried out via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Results Data were adjusted for potential confounding variables, and multivariate linear regression analysis revealed AIP to be positively correlated with baPWV (β = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.72, P < 0.001). When AIP was instead treated as a categorical variable divided into quartiles, the same relationship was observed (P for trend < 0.001). We additionally found AIP and baPWV had a stronger positive association in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) < 24 kg/m2 (P for interaction < 0.05). Conclusion AIP and arterial stiffness were positively correlated in essential hypertension patients in China, especially in those with a BMI < 24 kg/m2. Clinical trial registration ChiCTR1800017274.


Author(s):  
Ana Cebrián-Cuenca ◽  
José Joaquín Mira ◽  
Elena Caride-Miana ◽  
Antonio Fernández-Jiménez ◽  
Domingo Orozco-Beltrán

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people worldwide. In Spain, the first wave was especially severe. Objectives: This study aimed to identify sources and levels of distress among Spanish primary care physicians (PCPs) during the first wave of the pandemic (April 2020). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey that included sociodemographic data, a description of working conditions related to distress [such as gaps in training in protective measures, cleaning, and hygiene procedures in work setting, unavailability of personal protective equipments (PPEs) and COVID-19 RT-PCR test, and lack of staff due to be infected] and a validated scale, the ‘Self-applied Acute Stress Scale’ (EASE). The survey was answered by a non-probability sampling of PCPs working in family healthcare centres from different regions of Spain. Analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed. Results: In all, out of 518 PCP participants, 123 (23.7%) obtained high psychological distress scores. Only half of them had received information about the appropriate use of PPE. PCP characteristics associated with higher levels of distress include female gender [1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 2.84]; lack of training in protective measures (1.96; 95% CI 0.94, 2.99); unavailable COVID-19 RT-PCR for health care workers after quarantine or COVID-19 treatment (−0.77 (−1.52, −0.02). Reinforcing disinfection of the work environment (P < 0.05), availability of PPEs (P < 0.05), and no healthcare professional was infected (P < 0.05) were related to the lowest distress score. Conclusions: A better understanding of the sources of distress among PCPs could prevent its effect on future outbreaks.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Yin ◽  
Minghui Li ◽  
Lingling Yu ◽  
Feng Hu ◽  
Yu Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) always remains in a potential association with the arterial stiffness, however, in large hypertensive patient populations, this relation is not fully discovered and needs to be studied in depth. The present analysis thus sought to further explore the association that exists between AIP and arterial stiffness in patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension in China.Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 4744 Chinese individuals with essential hypertension. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels indicates as in molar concentrations. Measurement of arterial stiffness was carried out via brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).Results: Data were adjusted for potential confounding variables, after which a multivariate linear regression analysis revealed AIP to be positively correlated with baPWV (β = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.72, P < 0.001). When AIP was instead treated as a categorical variable divided into quartiles, this same relationship was observed (P for trend < 0.001). We additionally found AIP and baPWV had a stronger positive association in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) < 24 kg/m2 (P for interaction < 0.05).Conclusion: AIP and arterial stiffness were positively correlated in essential hypertension patients in China, especially in those with a BMI < 24 kg/m2.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Deepak Gowda Sadashivappa Pateel ◽  
Shilpa Gunjal ◽  
Liew Fong Fong ◽  
Nur Sulwana Mohd Hanapi

Background. Saliva, as a complex biofluid, plays a pivotal role in maintaining oral health and tooth integrity. There has been inconsistent data available on the relationship between salivary parameters and oral health. This study aims to investigate the association between salivary statherin, acidic proline-rich proteins (aPRP), and calcium with oral hygiene status. Methods. One hundred and eighty-eight healthy subjects aged between 18 and 50 years with varying oral hygiene status who gave consent to participate were included in this cross-sectional study. The subjects were recruited from primary oral health care of MAHSA University. Oral hygiene of all the participants was measured using Oral Hygiene Index–Simplified (OHI-S). Stimulated saliva collected using paraffin wax was analyzed for salivary statherin, aPRP, and calcium. The relationship between salivary statherin, aPRP, and calcium levels with OHI-S was assessed using Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient; the strength of relationship was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results. The study found a weak positive correlation (r = 0.179, p  = 0.014) between salivary statherin and OHI-S; weak negative correlation (r = −0.187, p  = 0.010) between salivary aPRP and OHI-S; and moderate negative correlation between salivary statherin and salivary aPRP levels (r = −0.50, p  < 0.001) which were statistically significant. Conclusion. Poor oral hygiene is associated with increased statherin and reduced aPRP levels in saliva. Thus, these salivary components may have a role in predicting oral hygiene status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Grandahl ◽  
Jenny Stern ◽  
Eva-Lotta Funkquist

Abstract Background Breastfeeding is associated with health benefits for both the mother and infant and is therefore important to support; moreover, parental leave is a beneficial factor for breastfeeding. The Swedish parental leave is generous, allowing each parent to take 90 days; additionally, a further 300 days can be taken by either parent. Generally, mothers take 70% of the parental leave days, mainly during the first year. However, breastfeeding duration has declined in the last decade, and it is not known how shared parental leave is associated with the duration of breastfeeding. Aim To investigate how parental leave is associated with the duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding of the infant during the first 12 months after birth. An additional aim was to describe infants’ and parents’ characteristics and mode of birth in association with the duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding. Methods This cross-sectional study was part of the Swedish Pregnancy Planning Study, conducted in Sweden in 2012–2015. The parents were recruited at 153 antenatal clinics in nine counties. In total, 813 couples completed a follow-up questionnaire 1 year after birth. Linear regression models were used to analyse the association between parental leave and the duration of breastfeeding. Results Infants were exclusively breastfed for, on average, 2.5 months (range 0–12 months) and partially breastfed, on average, 7 months (range 0–12 months). Most of the parental leave was taken by the mother (mean = 10.9 months) during the infant’s first 12 months, while the partner took 3 months, on average. The parental leave (used and planned) during the infant’s first 24 months were, on average, 21 months. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, mothers’ and partners’ high level of education (p < 0.001, p = 0.044, respectively), mothers’ higher age (p = 0.049), non-instrumental vaginal birth (p = 0.004) and longer parental leave for the first 24 months (p < 0.001) were associated with longer duration of partial breastfeeding. Conclusion The duration of partial breastfeeding was associated with higher parental educational level, higher age, non-instrumental vaginal birth and longer parental leave.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallis Bavière ◽  
Xavier Deprez ◽  
Eric Houvenagel ◽  
Peggy Philippe ◽  
Valerie Deken ◽  
...  

Objective.In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), comorbidities add to the burden of disease, which may lead to poorer quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between comorbidities and quality of life (QOL).Methods.Patients from a multicentric, cross-sectional study on comorbidities in PsA were included in the analysis. Data on comorbidities were collected and were subsequently used to compute the modified Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (mRDCI). The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scales were used to assess QOL.Results.In total, 124 recruited patients fulfilled the ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis criteria (CASPAR): 62.1% were male; mean age and mean disease duration were 52.6 ± 12.6 years and 11.3 ± 9.6 years, respectively. The number of comorbid conditions was 2.0 ± 1.3, with 30.6% of the sample having currently or a history of 3 or more comorbidities. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, only anxiety remained significantly related to mental health (p < 0.0001). Anxiety alone accounted for 28.7% of the variance in MCS scores. Moreover, MCS was also significantly associated with the mRDCI score, which explained 4.9% of the variance in MCS [β = −1.56 (standard error 0.64), R2 = 0.049, p = 0.0167]. In contrast, PCS was not significantly associated either with type or number of comorbidities.Conclusion.In this study, the type of comorbidity appeared to have a greater effect than the number of comorbidities. Indeed, anxiety in PsA was independently associated with QOL and would thus be an important factor to take into account in daily clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Amit Jain ◽  
Sagar Dholariya ◽  
Mirza Masroor ◽  
P Lali ◽  
L Chandra ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hypothyroidism and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) are associated with insulin resistance. Exact reason for development of insulin resistance in hypothyroidism is still unclear. Aim: To determine the association between Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (Anti-TPO Abs) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) with components of MetS, Fasting Insulin (FSI) and Homeostatic Model Assessment Index for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Materials and Methods: Total 118 subjects of hypothyroidism were included in this cross-sectional study. The diagnosis of MetS was made based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Independent association of components of MetS, FSI and HOMA-IR with TSH and anti-TPO Abs was analysed by multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: MetS was more prevalent in subclinical hyperthyroidism (53.0%) compared to overt hypothyroidism (49.3%). Serum anti-TPO Abs level was significantly high in MetS group compared to non-MetS group in both overt (200.0±170.2 and 122.8±98.9, p=0.02*) and subclinical (184.9±142.9 and 114.5±90.9, p=0.04*) hyperthyroidism. Waist Circumference (WC), Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), FSI and HOMA-IR were independently associated with anti-TPO Abs in both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Anti-TPO was also increased significantly in linear trend along with increased in the number of MetS components in both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: MetS is highly prevalent in hypothyroidism and anti-TPO Abs rather than TSH and is more associated with insulin resistance in patients of hypothyroidism with MetS.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255526
Author(s):  
Hiroto Minamino ◽  
Masao Katsushima ◽  
Motomu Hashimoto ◽  
Yoshihito Fujita ◽  
Mie Torii ◽  
...  

Objective Although mental disorder is one of the most common comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is known as a critical influence on RA remission rates, there is little knowledge regarding a possible therapeutic strategy for depression or anxiety in a RA population. Most recently, clinical evidence of dietary improvement for depression has emerged in a general population, but the relationship between dietary habits and mental disorder has not been investigated in RA. The purpose of this study is to elucidate clinical associations between mental disorder (depression/anxiety), dietary habits and disease activity/physical function in patients with RA. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed with 267 female outpatients from the KURAMA database. Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), we classified the participants into three groups by depression state, and their characteristics were compared. Using the 20-items on the self-reported food frequency questionnaire, we investigated the relationship between dietary habits and depression or anxiety, adopting a trend test and a multivariate standardized linear regression analysis for the HADS score of depression or that of anxiety as a dependent variable. Results According to the classified stage of depression, current disease activity (DAS28-CRP: 28-Joint RA Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein) and the health assessment questionnaire disability Index (HAQ-DI) were significantly increased. Trend analyses revealed that the depression score was inversely associated with the consumption of three food (fish, vegetables and fruit) out of twenty as was the anxiety score with only fish intake. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the depression score was negatively associated with frequent fish intake (≥ 3 times per week) (Estimate -0.53, p = 0.033), HAQ-DI score within normal range (Estimate -0.88, p ≤ 0.001) and MTX use (Estimate -0.60, p ≤ 0.023). For the anxiety score, multivariate analysis showed similar but not significant associations with variables except for HAQ-DI score. Conclusions In a RA population, both depression and anxiety had a significant and negative association with HAQ-DI score, and depression rather than anxiety had negative association with frequent fish intake. Modification of dietary habits such as increased fish consumption may have a beneficial effect on the depression state in RA patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Song Li ◽  
Chu-Jin Zhao ◽  
Hong-Li Hua ◽  
Yu-Qin Deng ◽  
Ze-Zhang Tao

Abstract Background The relationship between allergies and sinusitis, though extensively studied, remains poorly defined. While several studies proposed a cause-and-effect relationship between allergy and chronic sinusitis, several others reported the lack of any existing association. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between allergy and sinusitis. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a representative sample of the US population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005‒2006 (n  = 7244). A self-reported allergy questionnaire and total and allergen-specific IgE levels were used for analysis. Participants were divided into positive and negative allergy symptoms groups (PAS, NAS, respectively) to eliminate the influence of allergy symptoms on the apparent incidence of sinusitis. Pearson’s chi-square test and the linear regression analysis using Durbin Watson test were used for statistical analysis. Results Sinusitis incidence in the PAS group (22.4%; 521/2327) was significantly higher than that in the NAS group (7.1%; 348/4917) [odds ratios (OR)  = 3.788, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.272‒4.384, P  < 0.001]. sinusitis incidence in non-sensitized and sensitized groups was not statistically different. After controlling for allergy symptoms, there was a negative correlation between sensitization status and the occurrence of sinusitis in the PAS group (OR  = 1.407, 95% CI 1.156‒1.711, P  < 0.01). Increase in serum total IgE levels correlated with decrease in incidence of sinusitis in both PAS and NAS groups. sinusitis incidence was significantly reduced in the PAS group in participants sensitized to allergens such as cockroaches, ragweed, ryegrass, Bermuda grass, oak, birch, and thistle. Conclusion Allergy is related to sinusitis incidence. It is likely that sensitization status could reduce the incidence of sinusitis, albeit in an antigen-specific manner.


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