Estimation of the Impact of Migraine on Self-rated Health: A Cross-sectional Study in Slovenia

AimWith the aim of providing a foundation for evidence-based public health actions, as well as the more individualised clinical treatment of migraine in Slovenia, the objective of our study was to assess the association between poor self-rated health (PSRH) and migraine, adjusted for selected comorbidity and socioeconomic factors.MethodsThe survey, conducted between August and December 2014, involved included 6,262 adults aged 15 years and over. Binary logistic regression was used in univariate as well as multivariate analysis. Three multivariate models were defined: MODEL 1 (migraine and comorbidities related to the physical dimension of health); MODEL 2 (comorbidities related to the mental dimension of health); MODEL 3 (demographic and socioeconomic factors).ResultsIn univariate as well as all three multivariate models, the odds of PSRH were statistically significantly higher in migraine sufferers in comparison to non-sufferers (univariate model: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=2.22 (p<0.001); MODEL 1: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=2.27 (p<0.001); MODEL 2: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=1.51 (p=0.002); MODEL 3: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=1.56 (p=0.001)).ConclusionMigraine is an important PSRH-related factor. Comorbidities related to the physical dimension of health do not reduce the power of association between migraine and PRSH, while comorbidities related to the mental dimension reduce the power of association of migraine and other health conditions. The power of the association between migraine and PRSH is also independent of demographic/socioeconomic factors. We can also conclude that migraine seems to be a phenomenon that is in a bi-directional relationship with mental states (thus having an impact on PSRH) and is itself a stressor.     

Nonverbal communication of caregivers in Slovenian nursing homes

This study aimed at determining the characteristics of nonverbal communication (NVC) of caregivers in Slovene nursing homes. The cross-sectional study was performed on 267 randomly selected caregivers from 27 randomly selected nursing homes. Facial expressions/head movements, hand gestures/trunk movements, and modes of speaking/paralinguistic signals were observed. The caregivers manifested altogether 11,324 NVC expressions. Those definitely reflecting positive attitude prevailed and accounted for 59.3% of all expressions, whereas those definitely reflecting negative attitude were very rare and accounted for 9.1% of all expressions, at a ratio of 6.5:1 (p < 0.001). Differences were statistically highly significant between genders (men manifested negative attitude expressions significantly more frequently, 11.8%) and professions (social helpers manifested positive attitude expressions significantly less frequently, 56.4%; other professionals manifested negative attitude expressions significantly less frequently, 5.4%) (p < 0.001). The results were similar within groups of NVC expressions. Although our study showed that caregivers in Slovene nursing homes use positive attitude expressions much more frequently than negative there is a reason for concern due to a general decline in positive values and beliefs in Slovene society. Promoting positive attitude NVC among new generations of caregivers in nursing homes need to become one of the most important contents of their life-long learning and training.     

Exposure assessment of male recruits in Slovenia to cadmium and lead due to biological monitoring

AIMS: In Slovenia, there were no data available for an assessment of cadmium and lead levels in the population till 2001. The present study was conducted to evaluate the cadmium and lead burden from all sources (air, food, water) with the aim of obtaining initial information on cadmium and lead levels in blood of healthy and occupationally unexposed young males. METHODS: There were 464 participants included in the analysis of blood cadmium and lead levels, aged between 18 and 27 years, the median age being 20 years. Blood samples of maximum 2 ml were taken from the cubital vein for analysis of cadmium and lead levels. RESULTS: There were 463 blood samples analyzed for cadmium and 464 for lead. Of all tested persons, 38.2% had less than 0.5 microg/l of cadmium in their blood and 28.2% up to 1 microg/l. The median level of blood cadmium was 0.5 microg/l. The percentage of recruits with blood lead level over 100 microg was 3.1%. The median level of blood lead was 35 microg/l. The differences in blood levels of both pollutants were statistically significant with regard to the region of permanent residence (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study give a good assessment of cadmium and lead burdening of young Slovene male population. The information obtained provides a foundation for further comparative research at the international level as well as for further study and risk assessment of individual population groups exposed to greater risk due to their lifestyle and eating habits.     

Seat-belt use and non-use in adults in Slovenia

AIM: To identify population groups at risk of non-use of seat belts in front and rear seats in order to enable more focused planning of preventive actions in Slovenia. METHODS: The national health behaviour survey of 15,379 adults aged 25-64, carried out in 2001; response rate 64%; 9043 questionnaires eligible for analysis. The observed outcomes: non-use of seat belts in the front and rear seats. Logistic regression was used for relating gender, age, education level, socio-economic factors and geographical region to the observed outcomes. RESULTS: Non-use of seat belts in the front seats: 5.7%; the highest odds: males (OR(males vs. females)= 1.89, p < 0.001), aged 25-29 (OR(25-29 vs. 50-59) = 2.68, p < 0.001), the lowest education level (OR(uncompleted primary vs. university education) = 2.77, p = 0.001), upper social class (OR(upper vs. lower) = 3.54, p = 0.014), western Slovenia (OR(western vs. eastern) = 1.31, p = 0.027). Non-use of seat belts in the rear seats: 65.2%; the highest odds: aged 25-29 (OR(25-29 vs. 6-64) = 2.83, p < 0.001), vocational (OR(vocational vs. university education) = 1.36, p = 0.005) and secondary education level (OR(secondary vs. university education) = 1.36, p = 0.003), western Slovenia (OR(western vs. eastern) = 1.37, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both observed outcomes are a problem particularly in younger age groups with secondary education level or lower, living in western Slovenia; non-use of seat belts in the front seats also in males and in upper social class.     

Phase I study of radiochemotherapy with gemcitabine in invasive bladder cancer

Tolerability to gemcitabine radiochemotherapy was evaluated in 33 patients with inoperable, locally advanced transitional-cell bladder cancers. The dose of 75 mg/m(2) gemcitabine once a week, concurrently with standard radiotherapy of 60 Gy/6 weeks, was found to be acceptable. Eighty-one percentage of 3-year local progression-free survival suggests efficiency warranting further studies.     

Results of CINDI Health Monitor surveys in Slovenia as a tool for development of effective healthy nutrition and physical activity intervention programmes

Aim: The study was conducted aiming at assessing the prevalence of several selected health behaviours and on identifying population groups at very high risk for them in the adult population. The present study focused on unhealthy nutrition related to obesity and diabetes (UNROD) and insufficient physical activity (IPA). High-quality basis for working out strategies, guidelines and plans for public health action in Slovenia was planned to be prepared. Subjects and methods: The data originate from the national survey carried out in 2001 on health behaviour of 15,379 adults aged 25–64 based on Countrywide Integrated Non-communicable Diseases Intervention (CINDI) Health Monitor (CHM) methodology. The overall response rate of the mailed questionnaire was 64%, with 9,043 questionnaires being eligible for analysis. Binary multiple logistic regression was used to determine the impact of gender, age, education, employment, self-assessed social class, type of residence community and geographical region on the occurrence of UNROD and IPA. Results: The highest odds for UNROD were registered in men [odds ratio (OR)_{men vs. women}=1.35, p<0.001], aged 25–29 (OR_{25–29 vs. 60–64}=2.72, p<0.001), participants with primary education level (OR_{primary vs. university education}=2.20, p<0.001), heavy workers in rural economy (OR_{heavy work in rural economy vs. pensioner}=1.85, p<0.001), participants self-classified in labour social class (OR_{labour vs. upper}=1.89, p=0.026); residents of rural communities (OR_{rural vs. urban residence community}=1.26, p<0.001), and participants from the eastern region of Slovenia (OR_{eastern vs. central}=1.43, p<0.001). The highest odds for IPA were registered in women (OR_{women vs. men}=1.57, p<0.001), aged 25–29 (OR_{25–29 vs. 50–59}=1.65, p<0.001), participants with the lowest education level (OR _{uncompleted primary education vs. secondary}=1.47, p<0.001), participants self-classified in the lowest social class (OR _{lower vs. upper}=2.18, p=0.040); residents of urban communities (OR_{urban vs. rural residence community}=1.70, p<0.001), and participants from the central region of Slovenia (OR_{central vs. eastern}=1.32, p<0.001). Conclusions: Groups at highest risk for UNROD and IPA were successfully identified with the above-described methodology and presented to decision makers as evidence for public health policy. CHM surveys proved to be a good tool in developing effective healthy nutrition and physical activity intervention programmes.     

Self-rated health in different social classes of Slovenian adult population: nationwide cross-sectional study

Objectives  

Self-rated health can be influenced by several characteristics of the social environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between self-rated health and self-assessed social class in Slovenian adult population.