The epidemiology of drug use disorders cross-nationally: Findings from the WHO’s World Mental Health Surveys

BackgroundIllicit drug use and associated disease burden are estimated to have increased over the past few decades, but large gaps remain in our knowledge of the extent of use of these drugs, and especially the extent of problem or dependent use, hampering confident cross-national comparisons. The World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys Initiative involves a standardised method for assessing mental and substance use disorders via structured diagnostic interviews in representative community samples of adults. We conducted cross-national comparisons of the prevalence and correlates of drug use disorders (DUDs) in countries of varied economic, social and cultural nature.Methods and findingsDSM-IV DUDs were assessed in 27 WMH surveys in 25 countries. Across surveys, the prevalence of lifetime DUD was 3.5%, 0.7% in the past year. Lifetime DUD prevalence increased with country income: 0.9% in low/lower-middle income countries, 2.5% in upper-middle income countries, 4.8% in high-income countries. Significant differences in 12-month prevalence of DUDs were found across country in income groups in the entire cohort, but not when limited to users. DUDs were more common among men than women and younger than older respondents. Among those with a DUD and at least one other mental disorder, onset of the DUD was usually preceded by the ‘other’ mental disorder.ConclusionsSubstantial cross-national differences in DUD prevalence were found, reflecting myriad social, environmental, legal and other influences. Nonetheless, patterns of course and correlates of DUDs were strikingly consistent. These findings provide foundational data on country-level comparisons of DUDs.     

New evidence supporting lung cancer screening with low dose CT & surgical implications

IntroductionLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-death worldwide. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPTSF) approved screening for current or former smokers aged 55–80 based on the results of the National Lung Screening trial (NLST). Following the NLST, new evidence has emerged from clinical trials and updates to previous trials prior to the anticipated update to the USPSTF guideline. We review the new evidence on lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT) and the surgical implications.MethodsA review of new literature was performed pertaining to lung cancer screening since implementation of UPSTF guidelines. Articles for inclusion were identified by both authors’, then search of the Pubmed and Cochrane database was performed from January 1st, 2013 through February 4th, 2020 using the MeSH search terms: “lung cancer”; “screening”; “low dose CT”. The results of these studies are summarized.ResultsWe identified multiple prospective randomized control trials and meta-analysis since the NLST supporting lung cancer-specific mortality with screening. We identified new nodule classification systems and the development of risk-models which may reduce false positive rates and identify high risk patients not currently eligible for screening. Finally, we discussed the surgical implications of screening.ConclusionNew data supports NLST findings and show ongoing benefit to LDCT for lung cancer screening. Standardized LDCT screening classification has been shown to reduce harm and lower false positive rates. Further study is needed regarding use of risk-modeling. Screening will require an increase in the thoracic workforce to accommodate the amount of surgically operable cancers.     

Awareness of major cardiovascular risk factors and its relationship with markers of vascular aging: Data from the Brisighella Heart Study

Background and aimGeneral population awareness about cardiovascular risk factors is usually low. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vascular aging of subjects aware and not aware to be hypertensive, hypercholesterolemic, hypertriglyceridemic or diabetics in a general population sample.Methods and resultsWe interviewed 1652 subjects without atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (M: 46.6%, F: 53.4%) about their awareness of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia or type 2 diabetes. Then we compared the augmentation index and pulse wave velocity of subjects aware and not aware of the investigated cardiovascular risk factors. 1049 participants declared not to be hypertensive, while 32 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 23.5% and 50% were hypertensive. Subjects not aware of their hypertension had significantly higher aortic blood pressure than aware ones (p < 0.001). 841 participants declared not to be hypercholesterolemic, while 60 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 18.1% and 40% were hypercholesterolemic. Subjects not aware of their hypercholesterolemia had significantly higher augmentation index than the aware ones (p < 0.05). 1226 participants declared not to be hypertriglyceridemic, while 200 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 19.2% and 44% were hypertriglyceridemic. Subjects not aware of their hypertriglyceridemia had significantly higher TG levels aware ones (p < 0.05), although this seemed to not related to increased arterial stiffness. 1472 participants declared not to be diabetic, while 20 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 2.0% and 25.0% were diabetics. Subjects not aware of their diabetes had significantly higher augmentation index than the aware ones (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the lack of awareness of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia is relatively frequent in the general population and is associated to significantly higher arterial stiffness.     

2014 - 2018年那曲市肺结核流行病学特征分析

目的 掌握那曲市肺结核的流行特征和发病趋势，为制定和完善我市肺结核防控策略提供科学依据。方法 采用描述性流行性病学方法和分析性流行病学方法对2009 - 2018年那曲市肺结核报告发病资料进行分析。结果 2014 - 2018年那曲市累计报告肺结核4 166例，其中临床诊断病例3 489例、确诊病例607例、疑似病例70例，死亡2例。年均报告发病率为178.51/10万，涂阳患者年均报告发病率为22.54 /10 万。每年均有2个发病高峰期，1 - 4月为1个高峰期，11 - 12月为另1个高峰期。年均报告发病率前3位的县为；聂荣县、索县、那曲县。发病率最高的为15～19岁年龄组、其次为20～24岁年龄组和50～64岁年龄组。男性报告发病数2 363例，女性报告发病数为1 803例，男性报告平均发病率为199.04/10万，女性报告平均发病率为157.60/10万，男性高于女性。农牧民及学生是2014 - 2018年肺结核报告发病主体人群。结论 西藏那曲市肺结核高发人群以农牧民及学生为主，应对农牧区及学校普及结核病防治知识,提高涂阳肺结核发现率，落实结核病控制策略。     

Concussion incidence and time-loss in Australian football: A systematic review

ObjectivesAustralian football is associated with a risk of concussion. However, despite the extensive and varied nature of literature devoted to this issue, concussion incidence has not been systematically evaluated. To address this, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of concussion incidence in Australian football.DesignSystematic review. Prospero registration number: CRD42017064290.MethodsA systematic search of 14 databases using the terms ‘concussion’, and ‘Australian football’ (and variations) was used to obtain records that reported concussion incidence per 1000 players hours across age, sex, and level-of-play. Data were grouped based on how time-loss was applied to the concussion definition.ResultsForty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Incidence rates based on a possible time-loss definition per 1000 player hours, ranged from 2.24 to 17.63 at the elite level, and 0.35 to 14.77 at the community/amateur level. Return-to-play details were reported by six studies and only two studies measured head-impacts in real-time. Several limitations were identified with this literature. First, insufficient return-to-play details precluded a meta-analysis of incidence rates. Second, no longitudinal studies across levels-of-play were found. Third, concussion incidence data for junior and female players were notably scarce.ConclusionsThere was limited scope to determine concussion burden (i.e., incidence and severity) and only preliminary data for player exposure to head-impacts. To address these limitations, injury surveillance should capture sufficient information to permit comparisons within and across levels-of-play. This will also help determine the influence of interventions aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of concussive-injuries.     

Weakness May Have a Causal Association With Early Mortality in Older Americans: A Matched Cohort Analysis

ObjectivesQuantifying the association between muscle weakness and mortality with carefully matched cohorts will help to better establish the impact of weakness on premature death. We used a matched cohort analysis in a national sample of older Americans to determine if those who were weak had a higher risk for mortality compared with control groups with incrementally higher strength capacities.DesignLongitudinal panel.SettingDetailed interviews that included physical measures were conducted in person, whereas core interviews were often performed over the telephone.ParticipantsData from 19,729 Americans aged at least 50 years from the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study were analyzed.MeasuresA handgrip dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength (HGS) in each participant. Men with HGS <26 kg were considered weak, ≥26 kg were considered not weak, and ≥32 kg were considered strong. Women with HGS <16 kg were classified as weak, ≥16 kg were classified as not-weak, and ≥20 kg were classified as strong. The National Death Index and postmortem interviews determined the date of death. The greedy matching algorithm was used to match cohorts.ResultsOf the 1077 weak and not-weak matched pairs, 401 weak (37.2%) and 296 not-weak (27.4%) older Americans died over an average 4.4 ± 2.5-year follow-up. There were 392 weak (37.0%) and 243 strong (22.9%) persons who died over a mean 4.5 ± 2.5-year follow-up from the 1057 weak and strong matched pairs. Those in the weak cohort had a 1.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 1.64] and 1.54 (CI 1.30, 1.83) higher hazard for mortality relative to persons in the not-weak and strong control cohorts, respectively.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur findings may indicate a causal association between muscle weakness and mortality in older Americans. Health care providers should include measures of HGS as part of routine health assessments and discuss the health risks of muscle weakness with their patients.