Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Psychoeducation Implemented by Rehabilitation Specialists to Treat Fear-Avoidance Beliefs in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Objectives

To systematically locate, critically appraise, and synthesize the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) and psychoeducation that can be implemented by rehabilitation specialists to treat fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain (LBP).

Effectiveness of Exercise Programs in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of exercise programs on disease activity and function in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Preliminary evidence of disparities in physical activity among adolescents with bipolar disorder

Physical activity can potentially mitigate the symptomatic burden and cardiovascular risk associated with bipolar disorder (BD). Studies have found that adults with BD are less physically active than controls. However, no previous study has examined this topic among adolescents with BD. This study compares physical activity among adolescents with BD vs. healthy controls without major psychiatric disorders, and examines characteristics associated with physical activity among adolescents with BD. Subjects were 86 adolescents with a diagnosis of BD via gold-standard psychiatric interviews, and 50 controls. The Quick Weight, Activity & Excess Screener (WAVE) was used to assess physical activity. Between-group analyses examined for differences in achieving recommended benchmarks for three types of physical activity: working out, “working in” (incidental physical activity), and screen time. Exploratory within-group analyses were based on a median split (high vs. low) of the total physical activity scores among BD adolescents. Adolescents with BD were significantly less likely to report working out regularly (6%) as compared to controls (22%; χ² = 7.98, p = 0.005). There were no significant between-group differences in working in or screen time. BD adolescents with low levels of physical activity were less likely to have a family history of substance use disorder (p = 0.03). Adolescents with BD are less likely than their peers to achieve the recommended benchmark for regular working out. Future studies are warranted to determine what factors explain this difference, and to identify strategies for optimizing physical activity among adolescents with BD.     

Social network and census tract-level influences on substance use among emerging adult males: An activity spaces approach

Social network and area level characteristics have been linked to substance use. We used snowball sampling to recruit 90 predominantly African American emerging adult men who provided typical locations visited (n=510). We used generalized estimating equations to examine social network and area level predictors of substance use. Lower social network quality was associated with days of marijuana use (B=−0.0037, p<0.0001) and problem alcohol use (B=−0.0050, p=0.0181). The influence of area characteristics on substance use differed between risky and non-risky spaces. Peer and area influences are important for substance use among men, and may differ for high and low risk places.     

Young adolescents' perceived activity space risk,peer networks,and substance use

Adolescent substance use is a developmentally contingent social practice that is constituted within the routine social-environment of adolescents' lives. Few studies have examined peer networks, perceived activity space risk (risk of substance use at routine locations), and substance use. We examined the moderating influence of peer network characteristics on the relationship between perceived activity space risk and substance use among a sample of 250 urban adolescents. Significant interactions were found between peer networks and perceived activity space risk on tobacco and marijuana use, such that protective peer networks reduced the effect of activity place risk on substance use. A significant 3-way interaction was found on marijuana use indicating that gender moderated peer network's effect on activity space risk. Conditional effect analysis found that boys' peer networks moderated the effect of perceived activity space risk on marijuana use, whereas for girls, the effect of perceived activity space risk on marijuana use was not moderated by their peer networks. These findings could advance theoretical models to inform social–environmental research among adolescents.     

Clinical utility of urinary soluble CD163 in evaluation of lupus nephritis patients

Aim of the workTo assess urinary soluble CD163 (sCD136) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared to healthy controls. In addition to determine its association with different SLE clinical features, laboratory investigations and pathological indices focusing on those suggest renal disease activity.Patients and methodsThe study included 58 SLE patients and 30 controls. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed and patients subdivided into active lupus nephritis (ALN) (renal SLEDAI ≥ 4) and no-renal activity (NRA) SLE patients (renal SLEDAI = 0). Urinary sCD163 was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Urine values were normalized to urinary creatinine excretion. Renal biopsies were performed in 21 ALN patients.ResultsThey were 54 females and 4 males with a mean age 31.8 ± 9.1 years and disease duration 6.2 ± 4.8 years. They were 31 with ALN and 27 NRA SLE patients. Urinary sCD163 level was significantly higher in SLE patients (1.85 ± 0.3) than controls (0.5 ± 0.36, p < 0.001). In ALN, it was significantly higher (2.91 ± 2.52) compared to NRA SLE patients (0.64 ± 0.38) and controls (p < 0.001 in both). The optimum cut-off value above which normalized urinary sCD136 can predict renal activity was > 0.82 with sensitivity of 90.3%, specificity of 88.89%, p < 0.001. Urinary sCD163 significantly correlated with renal (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) but not with extra-renal SLEDAI. It correlated with activity index of renal biopsy (r = 0.46, p = 0.038).ConclusionUrinary sCD163 is a potential biomarker for LN activity. Its level is associated with clinical features, laboratory investigations and pathological indices that indicate renal disease activity.     

Effects of balance exercises during daily tooth brushing on balance performance in healthy children

BackgroundIt has been shown that supervised balance training is effective in improving balance performance in children but relatively costly in terms of personnel, materials, and time. Integrating balance exercises into daily routines such as tooth brushing reduces these needs, but its effectiveness is unknown.ObjectiveThis study investigated the impact of balance exercises performed during daily tooth brushing on measures of static and dynamic balance in healthy children.MethodsFifty-five healthy children were assigned to either an intervention (n = 32, age: 9.5 ± 0.7 years) or a control (n = 23, age: 9.2 ± 0.5 years) group. Participants of the intervention group performed progressive balance exercises while tooth brushing on a daily basis (2 sessions per day × 3 min per session) for eight weeks. Static (i.e., timed one-legged stance test [OLS]) and dynamic (i.e., Lower Quarter Y Balance test [YBT-LQ]) balance were tested before and after the intervention period.ResultsThe adherence rate to exercise was 98% for the participants of the intervention group. Significant test × group interactions in favor of the intervention group were detected in three out of four OLS stance conditions and for all YBT-LQ reach directions.ConclusionsEight weeks of balance exercises while tooth brushing proved to be feasible (i.e., high adherence rate) and effective (i.e., enhanced static and dynamic balance performance) and is thus recommended to improve postural control in healthy children.     

Risk Prediction and Comparative Efficacy of Anti-TNF vs Thiopurines,for Preventing Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease: A Pooled Analysis of 6 Trials

1. Download : Download high-res image (390KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Association of family history of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) and individual health behaviours: Analysis of CARRS study from South Asia

ObjectivesFamily history is considered as an important predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes. Available research findings suggest that family history of chronic diseases is associated with perceived risk of disease and adoption of healthy behaviours. We examined the association between family history of cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) and healthy behaviours among adults without self-reported CMDs.MethodsCross-sectional data of 12,484 adults, without self-reported CMDs, from the baseline survey of Centre for cArdiometabolic Risk Reduction in South-Asia (CARRS) cohort study were analysed.ResultsFamily history was positively associated with non-smoking and high fruits & vegetables consumption in the age group of 45–64 years and moderate to high physical activity in the age group ≥65 years after adjusting for sex, education, wealth index, city and body mass index.ConclusionsUnderstanding perceived risks and cultural or psychological factors related to family history through ethnographic studies may deepen understanding of these associations.     

Are there really many runners out there? Is the proportion of runners increasing over time? A population-based 12-year repeated cross-sectional study with 625,460 Brazilians

ObjectivesTo investigate the proportion of individuals who practice running, its temporal trend, and to describe the runners’ characteristics.DesignPopulation-based repeated cross-sectional study.MethodsThe data from the Protective and Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) from Brazil were used. Telephone interviews were conducted with adults from the Brazilian capitals (27 cities) between 2006–2017. The interviewer read the questions and recorded the participants’ responses immediately in a questionnaire. Data analyses were conducted using a Bayesian approach.ResultsThe Vigitel database consisted of 625,460 Brazilian participants composed of 295,681 exercisers and within them 15,529 runners. The mean yearly proportion of runners was about 2.45% (95% Bayesian credible interval [CrI] 1.93 to 3.11) and 5.32% (95%CrI 4.29 to 6.54) in the entire study population and within exercisers, respectively. The absolute increase in the proportion of runners per year over the 12-year period was 0.13% and 0.17% in the entire study population and within exercisers, respectively. Runners were more likely to be younger, men, within normal body mass index, highly educated, moderate alcohol drinkers, non-smokers, less exposed to TV, living near physical activity/sports facilities and less exposed to health conditions such as arterial hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia.ConclusionThere was a 95% probability that the yearly proportion of runners lies between 1.93% and 3.11% in the population of the 27 Brazilian capitals, and between 4.29% and 6.54% within exercisers. There has been an increase in the proportion of runners over time. Runners were associated with healthier characteristics compared to non-runners and non-exercisers.