Low birth weight in Lebanon: a morphological parameter and a health status indicator

Thistudy is an attempt to determine the incidence of low birth weight [LBW] in Lebanon. Biometric, biomedical and sociobehavioural parameters were investigated. The incidence of LBW showed an upward trend from 1986 to 1990; a peak was observed in 1990 at the height of the war, but rates fell in 1991. Infants born with weights of 2500 to 2999 grams represented about a quarter of live births, although the mean birth weight was higher. The length of gestation was associated with birth weight. More information is needed regarding birth weights at the country level. This would require elimination of the problem of nonhospital births and improvement of the registration system for vital events and of prenatal records

Orofacial Dental Pain and Its Management – A General Guide and Systemic Review

Pain is one of the main symptoms for which patients seek medical attention. Pain has been designated as the “Fifth vital sign” to mark its importance as health status indicator. Orofacial dental pain may be due to various conditions affecting numerous structures local to or distant to the oral cavity including the meninges, cornea, oral, nasal, sinus mucosa, dentition, musculature, salivary glands and temporomandibular joint. Evidence support the fact that the most commonly experienced orofacial pain is dental in nature. The dental reasons should be well thought of as the first step even in cases where orofacial pain is poorly localized. One of the most common reasons for seeking dental care is said to be pain and dysfunction, usually involving the teeth and surrounding tissue. Musculoskeletal, vascular and neuropathic causes of orofacial pain occur very frequently. Orofacial disorders may have pain and associated symptoms arising from a discrete cause, such as postoperative pain or pain associated with a malignancy, or may be syndromes in which pain constitutes the primary problem, such as TMJ disorder pain or headache.

Effects of Handgrip Strength on 10-Year Cardiovascular Risk among the Korean Middle-Aged Population: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014

Handgrip strength is a simple, inexpensive health status indicator and can be used to assess mortality rate and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study used data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014) to determine the effective use of handgrip strength to predict CVD risk. We analyzed data from 2427 adults aged from 40 to 64 years without CVD at baseline. Relative handgrip strength was calculated as the sum of the maximal absolute handgrip strength of both hands divided by body mass index, and the 10-year risk of CVD was calculated using the Framingham risk score. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between handgrip strength and 10-year CVD risk. Results showed that CVD risk increased with age (95% CI: 1.19–1.33, p < 0.001). Men were 38.05 times more likely to develop CVD than women (95% CI: 15.80–91.58, p < 0.001). Every increase by 1 in handgrip strength reduced the 10-year CVD risk by 1.76 times (95% CI: 1.58–3.71, p < 0.001), and when waist-to-height ratio was <0.50, the CVD risk decreased by 3.3 times (95% CI: 0.16–0.56, p < 0.001). Developing specific modifications and improving lifestyle habits that could lead to increased handgrip strength and reduced obesity, which could prevent CVD, is recommended.

A randomised controlled study of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation therapy in the management of tinnitus

Objective:Psychotherapeutic interventions have been adopted effectively in the management of tinnitus for a long time. This study compared mindfulness meditation and relaxation therapy for management of tinnitus.Methods:In this randomised controlled trial, patients were recruited for five sessions of mindfulness meditation or five sessions of relaxation therapy. Patients’ responses were evaluated using the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire as a primary outcome measure, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, visual analogue scale and a health status indicator as secondary outcome measures.Results:A total of 86 patients were recruited. Thirty-four patients completed mindfulness meditation and 27 patients completed relaxation therapy. Statistically significant improvement was seen in all outcome measures except the health status indicator in both treatment groups. The change in treatment scores was greater in the mindfulness meditation group than in the relaxation therapy group.Conclusion:This study suggests that although both mindfulness meditation and relaxation therapy are effective in the management of tinnitus, mindfulness meditation is superior to relaxation therapy.