Dietary Habits and Obesity in Patients with Psychotic Disorders in Rural Areas in Northwestern Greece

People suffering from psychotic disorders display high rates of physical morbidity and mortality in comparison to the general population. The present study explores the relation between the dietary habits, the prevalence of obesity and the occurrence of physical morbidity in patients who suffer from psychotic disorders in rural regions of northwest Greece. Two scales were applied to evaluate the quality of life (Quality of Life Questionnaire II, Moorehead–Ardelt) and the dietary habits (Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education (DINE) Questionnaire) of these patients. The study sample used in this study consisted of 55 patients who suffered from a psychotic disorder. Most (75%) were male, with a mean age of 51.5 years and an average duration of disease of 25.1 years. Of these, 38.2% (21 patients) were obese with a BMI < 30 Kg/m2, 32.7% (16 patients) were overweight and 29.1% had a normal body weight. The majority of the sample, 80%, was treated with second-generation medications. With regards to their dietary habits, 94.5% (52/55) of the sample showed a low intake of fiber content, 67.3% (37/55) showed a high intake of saturated fats and 100% (55/55) a low intake of unsaturated fats. The rates of physical morbidity in the present sample were 21.8% with at least one disease and 14.5% with two diseases, whereas 5.5% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome (MS). The average BMI of the women was statistically significantly higher compared to the men. The majority of the sample (69.1%) exhibited acceptable levels of quality of life. No co-relations of quality of life with BMI were found. In addition, no co-relations of BMI with dietary habits were revealed.

Relationship Between Childhood Left-Behind Experience and Quality of Life Among Chinese University Freshmen: Place of Origin Matters

Background: Childhood left-behind experience (LBE) has a long-term detrimental effect on the mental health of Chinese University students, but it remains unclear whether childhood LBE negatively impacts the quality of life (QOL) of University students and whether the LBE–QOL association differs between students of rural origin and students of urban origin. This study examined the LBE–QOL relationship and the interactive effect between LBE and place of origin on QOL among Chinese University freshmen.Methods: By using a two-stage random cluster sampling approach, a total of 5,033 freshmen were recruited from two comprehensive universities. The students completed an online, self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables, a 2-week physical morbidity assessment, and assessments of depressive symptoms, academic stress, and QOL. The Chinese six-item QOL scale was used to assess QOL. Multiple linear regression was used to test the independent LBE–QOL association and the interaction between LBE and place of origin.Results: Students with childhood LBE had significantly lower QOL scores than those without LBE (60.1 ± 13.1 vs. 64.3 ± 11.7, p &lt; 0.001). After adjusting for the potential confounding effects of other sociodemographic variables, 2-week physical morbidity, depressive symptoms, and academic stress, childhood LBE was significantly associated with a lower QOL score (β: −3.022, p &lt; 0.001) and the LBE–place of origin interaction was still significantly associated with the QOL score (β: −2.413, p &lt; 0.001). Overall, compared to non-LBE, LBE was associated with a QOL score decrease of 5.93 among freshmen of urban origin and of 3.01 among freshmen of rural origin.Conclusion: In Chinese University freshmen, childhood LBE is independently associated with poor QOL, and the LBE–QOL association is greater among freshmen from urban backgrounds than among freshmen from rural backgrounds.

Mindfulness Awareness Is Associated With a Lower Risk of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults With Neurocognitive Disorders

Background: Apart from depressive disorders, there are great interests in adopting mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) for other mental health conditions. Depression and anxiety are common in people with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). The potential of MBIs as an adjuvant treatment in this cognitively at-risk group should be further explored.Objectives: The current study explored the association between depression and anxiety symptoms with dispositional mindfulness in older adults, and if same association stays in the context of cognitive impairment.Methods: The Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey for Older People (MMSOP) is an ongoing epidemiology study of the prevalence of neurocognitive and mental disorders in adults aged 60 years or over in Hong Kong. MMSOP evaluated cognitive function, psychiatric symptoms (Clinical Interview Schedule-revised, CIS-R), chronic physical disease burden, psychosocial support, and resilience factors, including dispositional mindfulness as measured by the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). We analyzed the impact of MAAS on CIS-R and potential moderation effects of mindfulness.Results: In March 2021, 1,218 community dwelling participants completed assessments. The mean age of the sample is 69.0 (SD 6.9) years. Eight hundred and two participants (65.7%) were not demented (CDR 0) and 391 (32%) and 25 (2%) were categorized as having mild NCD (CDR 0.5) and major NCD (CDR 1 or more), respectively. One hundred forty-three (11.7%) satisfied ICD-10 criteria for anxiety or depressive disorder as measured by CIS-R. Linear regression analysis showed that female gender, CIRS, and MAAS scores were significant factors associated with CIS-R scores. MAAS scores moderated and attenuated the impact CIRS on CIS-R (adjusted R2 = 0.447, p &lt; 0.001). MAAS scores remained as significant moderator for CIRS in patients with NCD (CDR ≥ 0.5) (adjusted R2 = 0.33, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Interim findings of the MMSOP suggested that dispositional mindfulness is associated with lower level of mood symptoms in community dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. The interaction effects further suggested that high mindful awareness may reduce the adverse effects of chronic physical morbidity on mental health. The observation stayed in the participants with cognitive impairment. We should further explore MBIs as a non-pharmacological treatment for in older adults at-risk of physical morbidity and cognitive decline.

To Assess the Physical Morbidity Profile among the Welders

Introduction: The welding profession poses many health hazards that the welders are exposed to everyday during working time. This leads to a large number of health consequences and diseases. Worldwide 10 million employees are exposed to iron fumes. Most are exposed by inhaling welding fumes that have iron as their main component. Exposure to iron fumes in steel mills and iron/steel foundries is also significant. Background: For welders it is most important to take safety measures during working time. Welders are exposed to various types of hazardous substances that can affect their health. Worldwide welder’s morbidity is in a large number of welders affected. We conducted a study to find the physical morbidity pattern of welders in the Wardha region. Objective- To assess the physical morbidity profile among the welders, and associate the physical morbidity profile with selected demographical variables in Wardha, India. Methods: A purposive sample was conducted among 100 welders to identify the physical morbidity among welders. Welding workshop in separated space outside and inside the city of Wardha.one way ANOVA and t-test used to estimate the degree of association between the physical morbidity profile and the selected demographic variables. Results: All welders were having some type of physical morbidity. The most frequent issues with the welding workers are injury to the eyes and skin. Age of welding worker, educational qualification, experience of welding work, hours worked per day are in association with the physical morbidity among welders. Conclusion: In this study, the physical morbidity pattern of welders is identified. 87% welders were identified with mild physical morbidity and 13% of welders with moderate physical morbidity. Need some training program for welders to do right and safety welding and certificated course for welders.

Physical morbidity and mortality in male adolescent anorexia: a scoping review

AimsAnorexia Nervosa (AN) mimics a state of starvation as a result of extreme calorific restriction, often with associated extreme exercise or purging behaviours. The physiological demands are known to lead to a number of health complications and contribute to a significantly increased mortality compared to the general population. Although males account for 10% of the AN population, they are often underrepresented in research. There is a particular gap in evidence for males under 18 despite the unique physiological requirements of adolescence including growth, puberty and achieving peak bone mass.This review aims to bring together current research on physical health complications in male adolescent anorexia and help understand the knowledge gaps which exist.MethodA scoping literature review was undertaken between January and March 2020. A single researcher searched OvidSP, psychinfo, relevant grey literature and undertook hand searches of key reference lists. Following PRISMA-SCR protocol, abstracts and articles were screened against inclusion/exclusion criteria to identify relevant papers. Papers were then subjected to critical appraisal and findings summarised using a narrative approach. Key data for blood pressure, pulse and body temperature were pooled and analysed in the context of wider findings.ResultData from 219 patients were included from 20 studies. 13 of these studies were case studies or case series, 5 were cross sectional and 2 were cohort studies. Cardiovascular compromise including bradycardia (61%) and hypotension (30.3%) were common and a single episode of cardiac arrest was documented in the literature. Bone density was reduced (Z score ≤1) in 36.7% of cases. A wide variety of single episodes of physical morbidity were also documented including pneumothorax, liver dysfunction, growth retardation and thyroid dysfunction.ConclusionThis scoping review highlights the physiological compromise experienced by some male adolescents with AN. Guidelines for the identification, assessment and management of physical health complications - including MARSIPAN by the Royal College of Psychiatrists - continues to use data heavily drawn from female-biased populations. Given the evidence summarised, there is concern that in the absence of specific guidance, adolescent males may be at high risk of negative outcomes including acute cardiovascular compromise, osteoporosis and reduced linear growth.

Transvaginal ligation of descending branch of uterine artery: could be the first surgical attempt to control post-partum haemorrhage?

Post-partum haemorrhage is the major cause of maternal death worldwide. This severe clinical condition can cause also physical morbidity and psychological distress (anemia, coagulopathy, blood transfusion, anterior pituitary ischemia with delay or failure of lactation, myocardial ischemia, postpartum depression). To date several efforts have been made to prevent and treat this severe condition mainly in three ways: medical, surgical, and interventional radiology even in combination. The surgical approach, needs the knowledge of anatomy of vascular distribution of the uterus. According to Palacios-Jaraquemada the feeding vessels of the body of the uterus is defined S1 area and the lower segment, uterine cervix and upper part of the vagina, S2 area. We report three cases in which the ligation of the descending branch of uterine artery (S2 area) helped the surgeon in the treatment of severe primary post-partum haemorrhage causing a significant reduction in blood loss.

Hispanic Ethnic Density May Be Protective for Older Black/African American and Non-Hispanic White Populations for Some Health Conditions: An Exploration of Support and Neighborhood Mechanisms

Background and Purpose Hispanic ethnic density (HED) is associated with salubrious health outcomes for Hispanics, yet recent research suggests it may also be protective for other groups. The purpose of this study was to test whether HED was protective for other racial-ethnic groups. We tested whether social support or neighborhood social integration mediated the association between high HED and depressive symptoms (CES-D) and physical morbidity 5 years later. Lastly, we tested whether race-ethnicity moderated both main and indirect effects. Methods We used Waves 1 (2005–2006), and 2 (2010–2011) from The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a national study of older U.S. adults. Our sample was restricted to Wave 1 adults who returned at Wave 2, did not move from their residence between waves, and self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic White (NHW), or non-Hispanic Black (NHB; n = 1,635). We geo-coded respondents’ addresses to a census-tract and overlaid racial–ethnic population data. Moderated-mediation models using multiple imputation (to handle missingness) and bootstrapping were used to estimate indirect effects for all racial–ethnic categories. Results Depressive symptoms were lower amongst racial-ethnic minorities in ethnically (Hispanic) dense neighborhoods; this effect was not stronger in Hispanics. HED was not associated with physical morbidity. Sensitivity analyses revealed that HED was protective for cardiovascular events in all racial–ethnic groups, but not arthritis, or respiratory disease. Social support and neighborhood social integration were not mediators for the association between HED and outcomes, nor were indirect effects moderated by race–ethnicity. Conclusions This study offers some evidence that HED may be protective for some conditions in older adults; however, the phenomena underlying these effects remains a question for future work.

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers that originate from outside the colon and rectum are common and distressing for reasons distinct from colorectal cancer. The GI tract includes the uniquely contributory organ functionality of the pancreas, liver, and stomach, which manifest as distinct cancer types with unique morbidity associations. While digestion is certainly the primary quality-of-life issue that is disrupted during the cancer experience and trajectory, there are various other important quality-of-life issues to consider. Unfortunately, these noncolorectal GI cancers tend to carry a worse overall prognosis and the morbidity is greatly influenced by cancer type, anatomic location, and treatment regimen (local and systemic). Pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, and hepatobiliary cancers affect digestion, nutrient absorption, and weight management and can cause significant pain and other physical morbidity such as edematous states. Aside from the stress of physical morbidity or unique treatment side effects, pancreatic cancer has a unique relationship with depression that should be explored for its biological implications in causing depressive symptoms. In addition, patients may be distressed by the novelty or rarity of many of these noncolorectal GI cancers (e.g., cholangiocarcinoma) that may fall into an orphan disease category without well-studied treatment paradigms. Understanding the key characteristics of the primary types of noncolorectal GI cancers (i.e., pancreatic, gastric, esophageal, and hepatobiliary cancers) allows the psycho-oncology clinician to approach these patients with appropriate concern and caring for the primary issues with which they are toiling.