Profile of men＇s health in Malaysia： problems and ：hallenges

Men's health concerns have evolved from the traditional andrology and male sexual health to a more holistic approach that encompasses male psychological, social and physical health. The poor state of health in men compared to their female counterparts is well documented. A review of the epidemiological data from Malaysia noted a similar trend in which men die at higher rates in under 1 and above 15 years old groups and most disease categories compared to women. In Malaysia, the main causes of death in men are non-communicable diseases and injuries. Risk factors, such as risk-taking behaviour, smoking and hypertension, are prevalent and amenable to early interventions. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and prostate disorders are also prevalent. However, many of these morbidities go unreported and are not diagnosed early; therefore, opportunities for early intervention are missed. This reflects poor health knowledge and inadequate health-care utilisation among Malaysian men. Their health-seeking behaviour has been shown to be strongly influenced by family members and friends. However, more research is needed to identify men's unmet health-care needs and to develop optimal strategies for addressing them. Because the Malaysian population is aging and there is an increase in sedentary lifestyles, optimizing men's health will remain a challenge unless effective measures are implemented. The existing male-unfriendly health-care system and the negative influence of masculinity on men's health behaviour must be addressed. A national men's health policy based on a male-friendly approach to health-care delivery is urgently needed to provide a framework for addressing these challenges.     

Patient factors,comorbidities, and surgical characteristics that increase mortality and complication risk after spinal arthrodesis: a prognostic study based on 5,887 patients

Background context

The impact of patient factors and medical comorbidities on the risk of mortality and complications after spinal arthrodesis has not been well described. Prior works have been limited by small sample size, single center data, or the inability to be broadly generalized.

Purpose

To determine if there is an association between the patient demographic factors, comorbidities, nutritional status, and surgical characteristics and the occurrence of mortality and complications after spinal arthrodesis.

Study design

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).

Patient sample

Patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis and had data registered with the NSQIP between 2005 and 2010.

Outcome measures

Primary outcomes were death or any complication after spinal arthrodesis. Secondary measures were the development of a specific complication, including wound infection, thromboembolic disease, or cardiac arrest/myocardial infarction.

Methods

The data set of the NSQIP from 2005 to 2010 was queried to identify all patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis. Demographic information, body mass index (BMI), medical comorbidities, arthrodesis procedure, operative time, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and preoperative albumin were recorded for all patients identified. Mortality, the development of postoperative complications, and the presence of specific complications were also abstracted. Risk factors for mortality and complications were initially evaluated using chi-square and univariate logistic regression analyses. The risk factors that maintained p values less than .2 in univariate analysis were then combined in a multivariate fashion that identified significant, independent, predictors of mortality and complications while controlling for other factors present in the model. Sensitivity analysis was also performed, discriminating between the impact of risk factors on major and minor complications and the relative contribution to overall risk of morbidity. Multivariate analysis resulted in odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each risk factor. Only those predictors with ORs and 95% CI exclusive of 1.0 and p values less than .05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

In all, 5,887 patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis were identified. The average age of patients was 55.9 (±14.5) years. Twenty-five (0.42%) patients died after surgery, whereas 608 (10%) sustained a complication. Wound infection was the most common specific complication occurring in 2% of the cohort. Age (p=.03) and pulmonary conditions (p=.002) were found to have a significant association with the risk of mortality. Age exceeding 80 years was found to carry the highest risk of mortality. Age, pulmonary conditions, BMI, history of infection, ASA classification more than 2, neurologic conditions, resident (i.e., trainee) involvement, and procedural times exceeding 309 minutes increased the risk of complications. Body mass index, ASA classification more than 2, resident involvement, and procedural times exceeding 309 minutes were associated with the risk of infection. Although limited to univariate analysis, serum albumin 3.5 g/dL or less increased the risk of mortality, complications, wound infection, and thromboembolic disease. The OR for postoperative mortality among patients with albumin 3.5 g/dL or less was 13.8 (95% CI, 4.6–41.6; p<.001).

Conclusions

Several factors, including patients' age, BMI, ASA classification more than 2, pulmonary conditions, procedural times, and nutritional status likely influence the risk of postoperative morbidity to varying degrees. The risk factors identified here may be more generalizable to the American population as a whole because of the design and methodology of the NSQIP in comparison with previously published studies.     

7种危险评分系统对CABG术后病死率预测效能的比较

目的 评价7种危险评分系统对于单中心接受冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)患者术后病死率的预测效能.方法 收集2010年1月至2011年1月施行CABG患者围手术期资料.应用7种危险评分系统:SinoSCORE、Additive EuroSCORE、Logistic EuroSCORE、OPR、Cleveland model、Parsonnet score、QMMI预测每一位患者术后病死率和全部患者的平均预计病死率.根据预计病死率将全部患者分为6组:Ⅰ组(0～1.99％),Ⅱ组(2.00％ ～ 3.99％),Ⅲ组(4.00％～5.99％),Ⅳ组(6.00％～7.99％),Ⅴ组(8.00％～9.99％),Ⅵ组(＞10％).比较不同危险程度的实际病死率和预计病死率评价评分系统的预测能力.运用Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验评价评分系统的校准度,运用ROC曲线下面积(AUC)评价评分系统的分辨力.结果 全组共1103例患者,平均年龄(62.8±8.8)岁.患者术后22例死亡,实际病死率1.99％.SinoSCORE、Additive EuroSCORE、Logistic EuroSCORE、OPR、Cleveland model、Parsonnet score、QMMI预测平均全组病死率分别为3.01％、4.38％、3.83％、1.69％、4.42％、6.71％、3.71％,其中最接近实际病死率的是OPR、SinoSCORE、QMMI.分组比较显示:Logistic EuroSCORE在各组中全部高估术后病死率.Additive EuroSCORE在Ⅵ组中预测病死率明显低于实际病死率,其他各组均高估了术后病死率.而SinoSCORE、Cleveland model、Parsonnet score、QMMI除了在Ⅰ组低估了患者术后病死率,其他各组高估了术后病死率.OPR低估了Ⅰ组和Ⅳ组患者的病死率,高估了其他组患者的病死率.利用Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验评价7种评分系统的校准度,结果显示7种评分系统校准度尚可,P值全部＞0.05.通过ROC检验比较7种评分系统的分辨力,其中只有SinoSCORE的AUC =0.751( ＞0.70),证明SinoSCORE对于本组患者的死亡分辨力良好.结论 通过比较,SinoSCORE对于本中心接受CABG患者术后病死率预测效能好,可以运用于术前危险性评估.     

Determination of risk factors for burn mortality based on a regional population study in Taiwan

Background

Burns are not only major personal catastrophic events but also constitute a national health problem due to its associated morbidity, rehabilitation, mortality and high cost medical services. Advances in care and treatment have increased survival from major burn injury. However, information on the epidemiology and risk factors of burn mortality in Taiwan is limited. The study aim was to determine the nationwide epidemiological characteristics, trends, and mortality risk factors of burn inpatients in Taiwan.

The risk factors of mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients in different periods

Objective To explore the risk factors and characteristics in patients with peritoneal dialysis who died in different periods. Methods The clinical data of new peritoneal dialysis patients in the Department of Nephrology and Peritoneal Dialysis Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from November 1, 2005 to February 28, 2017 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of death: those who died within one year and died after one year. The risk factors of mortality between the two groups were analyzed by Cox regression model. Results A total of 997 patients were enrolled and 244 patients died. There were 69 patients (28.3%) died within one year and 175 patients (71.7%) died after one year. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease was the dominating reason of death in both groups, accounting for 59.4% (died within one year group) and 51.4% (died after one year group) respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that for died within one year group, old age (HR=1.035, 95%CI: 1.016-1.055, P＜0.001), low blood total calcium (HR=0.167, 95%CI: 0.053-0.529, P=0.002), low albumin (HR=0.899, 95%CI: 0.856-0.943, P＜0.001) and low apolipoprotein A1 (HR=0.274, 95%CI: 0.095-0.789, P=0.016) were risk factors associated with mortality. However, for died after one year group, old age (HR=1.053, 95%CI: 1.038-1.069, P＜0.001), combined with diabetes (HR=2.181, 95%CI: 1.445-3.291, P＜0.001) and hypertriglyceride (HR=1.204, 95%CI: 1.065-1.362, P=0.003) were risk factors associated with mortality. Conclusions The risk factors of mortality for peritoneal dialysis patients of different periods were not exactly the same. For died within one year patients, old age, low blood total calcium, low albumin and low apolipoprotein A1 were independent risk factors for mortality.However, for died after one year patients, old age, combined with diabetes, and high triglycerides were independent risk factors for mortality.     

Mortality during the two years after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to perioperative factors and urgency of operation

The purpose of this study was to describe mortality during the 2-year-period after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in relation to perioperative risk factors and urgency of operation. All the patients in western Sweden were included in whom CABG was performed between June 1988 and June 1991, without concomitant procedures or re-operations. The study was prospective in design. In all, 2000 patients were operated upon and 186 (9.3%) of the operations were acute. There was a significant relationship between the urgency of the operation and mortality. Early mortality was 2.4% in elective operations and 5.4–62.5% in urgent to emergency operations. The 30-day to 2-year mortality was 4.2%. The perioperative risk indicators independently associated with early mortality were neurologic complications, serum-aspartate aminotransferase (S-ASAT) more than 2.0 μkat/l, urgency of operation, the use of circulatory assist devices, re-operation and ventilator time more than 24 h. The risk indicators for mortality after 30 days were pneumothorax, longer intensive care unit (ICU) time, the use of inotropic drugs and neurologic complications. In conclusion, the multivariate analysis reveals the urgency of the operation as a predictor of early mortality after CABG, but no significant association with mortality was found after 30 days. When excluding death within 30 days, three additional independent predictors of mortality were identified.     

EuroSCORE和STS-PROM对成人主动脉瓣置换死亡风险的预测

目的 评价EuroSCORE和STS-PROM模型对成人主动脉瓣患者手术死亡风险预测的价值.方法 回顾性收集1999年1月至2008年12月521例行主动脉瓣置换术的患者临床资料,包括同期行冠状动脉旁路(CABG)手术患者,排除同期其他瓣膜置换、主动脉手术、先天性心脏病矫治及房颤外科手术治疗患者,年龄＜18岁患儿.以患者住院死亡作为终点事件.利用网页在线计算EuroSCORE和STS-PROM预测的住院病死率,并根据additive EuroSCORE评分结果把患者分为低、中、高3个风险组.通过实际、预测病死率间的比较以及模型符合度、鉴别度的验证来评价各风险模型对患者住院病死率的预测能力.结果 521例主动脉瓣置换患者的实际住院病死率为4％(21/521例).Additive、logistic EuroSCORE和STS-PROM预测住院病死率分别为3.36％、2.82％和1.25％,实际观察值/预测值(O/E)分别为1.20、1.43和3.23.STS-PROM对全部患者和中、高风险组的预测准确性较差,明显低估患者住院病死率(P＜0.01).Logistic EuroSCORE明显低估中风险组患者住院病死率(P＜0.05).Additive和logisticEuroSCORE有低估高风险组患者住院病死率的趋势,实际观察值/预测值分别为1.84和1.46.EuroSCORE在各风险组以及STS-PROM在中、高风险组中均显示出较差的预测鉴别度(ROC ＜0.7).结论 STS-PROM和EuroSCORE对521例主动脉瓣置换患者个体手术死亡风险的预测均较差,不适合被用于筛选主动脉瓣置换术高危患者人群.有必要建立适合我国瓣膜患者特征的手术风险预测模型.     

心脏移植近远期疗效危险因素分析——从单中心经验看我国心脏移植特点和现状

目的 探讨我国心脏移植病例的特点和影响受者疗效的危险因素,并与国外数据进行对比分析.方法 单中心完成心脏移植手术200例,所有病例资料和随访信息均进行详细的登记并形成数据库.对其中随访1年以上的160例的术后死亡及危险因素、支持治疗、急性排斥反应和并发症的情况进行分析,并与国外数据进行比较.结果 160例中,术后行体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)者占8.1%,连续肾脏替代治疗(CRRT)者占10%.160例共行550例次心内膜活检(EMB),其中Ⅱ级及Ⅱ级以上排斥反应的发生率为14.9%.患者的院内死亡率为3.8%,吸烟史、术前肺动脉舒张压高、肺毛细血管楔压高、血清总蛋白低和白蛋白水平低与院内死亡相关.术后1年、3年和5年的存活率分别为94.4%,91.9%和88.8%,术前肺动脉舒张压高、血肌酐高和血清NT-proBNP高与总体死亡相关.160例的远期存活率高于国际心肺移植协会(ISHLT)的结果.结论 影响我国心脏移植受者死亡率的危险因素与国外资料不尽相同.采取适当的临床治疗策略心脏移植可以达到很好的治疗效果.     

Sociocultural considerations in aging men's health: implications and recommendations for the clinician

The health of aging men, and the particular health concerns that they confront, are commanding greater attention within clinical medicine. Remnants of the biomedical tradition that examines prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease states in isolation from the historical, developmental, and cultural contexts in which they occur still predominate even though their impact on the medical care context is slowly becoming recognized. The relations of sociocultural characteristics to patterns of disease risk, health behaviors, symptom responses, delayed diagnosis, and treatment adherence are less well-documented or understood. Empirical evidence supports the role of sociocultural factors in the understanding and management of health among aging men. The essential features of specific ethno-cultural, psychosocial, socio-demographic, and health system variables can offer practical clinical applications for providers. Awareness and understanding of such characteristics will facilitate culturally competent practices that are more likely to engage men in collaborative educational, disease management, and health maintenance efforts throughout their lifespan.     

老年股骨转子间骨折术后1年死亡率及危险因素分析

目的探讨老年股骨转子间骨折术后1年死亡率的影响因素。 方法回顾性研究南京医科大学第一附属医院骨科2015年01月至2017年01月采用股骨近端髓内钉治疗并获得随访的161例股骨转子间骨折患者（年龄≥60岁）资料,分析术后1年死亡率,通过病历总结分析年龄、性别、骨折类型、术前合并疾病及其数量、受伤至手术时间、术前血红蛋白浓度、白细胞数、白蛋白、血钾、尿素氮、丙氨酸氨基转移酶等资料,并进行单因素及多因素回归分析。 结果共收集资料完整患者161例,随访时间12~24个月,1年累计死亡20例,死亡率为12.4%。单因素分析显示：骨折分型、术前高血压、慢性阻塞性肺病和糖尿病、术前合并疾病的数量、术前白蛋白以及丙氨酸氨基转移酶在存活组与死亡组间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多因素回归分析显示：术前慢性阻塞性肺病和糖尿病,以及术前白蛋白<35 g/L是影响死亡的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。 结论术前健康状况是影响老年股骨转子间骨折疗效的危险因素。改善术前健康情况,提高生活自理能力,防治术后并发症以降低老年股骨转子间骨折患者术后1年的死亡率,提高手术疗效。     

Logistic versus additive EuroSCORE. A comparative assessment of the two models in an independent population sample

Objective: Validation of EuroSCORE outside the boundaries of the original database has been limited to the additive model and has occasionally shown inconsistencies. Therefore we sought to validate the logistic model and assess its predictive performance compared to the additive approach. Methods: Twenty-four hundred and twenty-six consecutive patients were prospectively assigned individual expected risks of dying calculated by the logistic and the additive EuroSCORE algorithms. Discriminating ability of the two models was tested by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Calibration was assessed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow (H-T) test and further explored by additional cross-tabulations. A percent difference among the estimates was calculated and plotted across score groups. The series was then sorted by date of operation and split in halves to separately explore the potential effect of variation of performance. Results: Observed mortality (5.6%) was not significantly different from the additive (5.3%) and the logistic estimates (6.9%). Both models satisfactorily discriminated outcomes (ROC areas of 0.80 and 0.79 for the logistic and the additive model, respectively). The H-T test showed that calibration was good for the logistic model (P=0.12) but turned out being inadequate for the additive model (P<0.0001). Further cross-tabulations confirmed a good correlation among observed and predicted death rates by the logistic model across all groups. The additive model, on the other hand, revealed a propensity to over-predict in medium-risk categories and under-predict in the very high-risk cases. Direct comparison of additive vs logistic estimates showed a similar behaviour demonstrating it as an intrinsic property of the additive approach. The split-file analysis revealed a significantly improved outcome for patients treated in the second half of the series though the predictive performance of the two models was unaltered. Conclusions: Logistic EuroSCORE reliably predicted outcomes in our series despite the higher risk profile compared to the reference EuroSCORE sample and the observed variation in clinical performance during the study period. The additive model was less precise, exhibiting a predictive distortion which should be accounted for, particularly when employing it at the individual patient level.     

Retrospective analysis on acute respiratory distress yndrome in ICU

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, etiology, physiological and clinical features, mortality, and predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 5 314 patients admitted to the ICU of our hospital from April 1994 to December 2003 was performed in this study. The ARDS patients were identified with the criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference (AECC). Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III (APACHE III), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score (MODS score), and lung injury score (LIS) were determined on the onset day of ARDS for all the patients. Other recorded variables included age, sex, biochemical indicators, blood gas analysis, length of stay in ICU, length of ventilation, presence or absence of tracheostomy, ventilation variables, elective operation or emergency operation. RESULTS: Totally, 131 patients (2.5%) developed ARDS, among whom, 12 patients were excluded from this study because they died within 24 hours and other 4 patients were also excluded for their incomplete information. Therefore, there were only 115 cases (62 males and 53 females, aged 22-75 years, 58 years on average) left, accounting for 2.2% of the total admitted patients. Their average ICU stay was (11.27+/-7.24) days and APACHE III score was 17.23+/-7.21. Pneumonia and sepsis were the main cause of ARDS. The non-survivors were obviously older and showed significant difference in the ICU length of stay and length of ventilation as compared with the survivors. On admission, the non-survivors had significantly higher MODS and lower BE (base excess). The hospital mortality was 55.7%. The main cause of death was multiple organ failure. Predictors of death at the onset of ARDS were advanced age, MODS > or = to 8, and LIS > or = 2.76. CONCLUSIONS: ARDS is a frequent syndrome in this cohort. Sepsis and pneumonia are the most common risk factors. The main cause of death is multiple organ failure. The mortality is high but similar to most recent series including severe comorbidities. Based on this patient population, advanced age, MODS score, and LIS may be the important prognostic indicators for ARDS.     

Association of serum magnesium level with all-cause mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To investigate the association of serum magnesium (Mg) level with all-cause mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in seven hemodialysis centers of Guizhou province. The adult outpatients who underwent hemodialysis for more than 3 months were included from June 2015 to June 2016. Demographics, baseline clinical and laboratory test results were collected. All patients were followed up until June 30, 2018. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their baseline serum Mg levels (interquartile range). Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the survival rates of the four group. Cox regression model was used to analyze the association of Mg with all-cause mortality. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of low Mg level. Results A total of 868 hemodialysis dialysis patients with baseline Mg data were enrolled in this study, with age of (55.47±16.17) years old, among whom 59.4% were male. There were 11 (1.3%) patients with hypomagnesemia (Mg＜0.7 mmol/L), 432(49.8%) patients with hypermagnesemia (Mg＞1.05 mmol/L), and 16(1.8%) patients with Mg＞2.0 mmol/L. Median Mg was 1.05 mmol/L and interquartile range was 0.95-1.24 mmol/L. The comparison between Mg quartile groups showed that the difference in age, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum creatinine, uric acid and urea nitrogen was statistically significant (all P＜0.05). After a median follow-up of 24 months, 207 patients died. Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher all-cause mortality in patients with Mg≤0.95 mmol/L (Q1 group) (Log-rank test χ2=15.11, P=0.002). However, after adjusting for age, comorbidities and biochemical indicators(especially albumin), there was no statistically significant difference in the hazard ratio for all-cause death among the four groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis results showed that low serum albumin (OR=0.946, 95%CI 0.913-0.979, P=0.002) and low serum uric acid (OR=0.994, 95%CI 0.992-0.997, P＜0.001) were the risk factors for baseline Mg≤0.95 mmol/L. Conclusions Hypomagnesemia is rare in MHD patients, while hypermagnesemia is more common. Baseline serum Mg≤0.95 mmol/L in MHD patients is correlated with increased risk of all-cause death, but it may be not an independent risk factor. Baseline serum Mg≤0.95 mmol/L that occurred is associated with low levels of albumin and serum uric acid.     

The epidemiology of civilian inpatients' burns in Chinese military hospitals, 2001-2007

Background

In China, large sample research directed at the epidemiology of burns is still scarce. Given the leading position of Chinese military hospitals in domestic clinical practice pertaining to burns, a look into their cases would help shed light on the incidence and hospital care of burns in China today.

Methods

Data were collected from information systems of all the Chinese military hospitals, for the years 2001-2007 inclusive. Retrospective analyses on the epidemiology characteristics of burns from those in patients admitted to all the Chinese military hospitals within this period were conducted.

Results

A total of 172,256 cases were studied, with a total number of 1384 fatalities, and the median length of hospital stay (LOS) 11.00 days (interquartile range 6.00-19.00 days). Rate of burn incidence remained high in May, June, July and August. Children of preschool aged and adults in the labor force were at the highest risk of injury. Scalds constituted the majority of injuries (80.5%). Multiple body site burns are the most commonly seen category (31.98%) in terms of injured body region distribution. In fire-related burns, major burns (TBSA > 30%) represented a significant proportion. Males with TBSA > 30%, fire-related burns resulted in the greatest number of fatalities. Gender, age, site of injury, burn size and outcome are all correlated with the length of hospitalization.

Conclusion

Although this paper cannot provide information on population estimates of burns due to the absence of data on burns attending civilian hospitals, it finds that the epidemiology of burns in China shows distinct characteristics compared with previous studies of other country and regions, including that of other developing or low and middle-income countries (LMICs), irrespective of China's inclusion in that group.     

Blood Color Is Influenced by Inflammation and Independently Predicts Survival in Hemodialysis Patients: Quantitative Evaluation of Blood Color

Blood color of dialysis patients can be seen routinely. Darkened blood color is often observed in critically ill patients generally because of decreased oxygen saturation, but little is known about the other factors responsible for the color intensity. In addition, quantitative blood color examination has not been performed yet. Therefore, no one has evaluated the predictive power of blood color. The aim of this study was to evaluate if blood color darkness reflects some medical problems and is associated with survival disadvantage. Study design is a prospective cohort study. One hundred sixty‐seven patients were enrolled in this study. Quantification of blood color was done using a reflected light colorimeter. Demographic and clinical data were collected to find out the factors that can be related to blood color. Follow‐ups were performed for 2 years to analyze the risk factors for their survival. Regression analysis showed that C‐reactive protein and white blood cell count were negatively correlated with blood color. In addition, blood color was positively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and serum sodium concentration as well as blood oxygen saturation. During a follow‐up, 34 (20.4%) patients died. Cox regression analysis revealed that darkened blood color was an independent significant risk factor of mortality in hemodialysis patients as well as low albumin and low Kt/V. These results suggest that inflammation independently affects blood color and quantification of blood color is useful to estimate prognosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It is possible that early detection of blood color worsening can improve patients' survival.     

Risk factors for total and cause-specific mortality in human cardiac transplantation Prolonged extracorporeal bypass time: a high risk factor for rejection and infection

Data from the first 103 human heart transplantations in 100 recipients performed at a single centre from November 1983 to January 1990 were analysed to detect risk factors for overall and cause-specific mortality. Twenty-two patients died. Cumulative 1 year graft survival was 82% and 5 year, 68%. Acute and chronic rejection was the cause of death in 9 patients, disseminated infection in 8 and cancer in 3. One patient died from cerebral haemorrhage and 1 from acute cardiac failure. The mean observation time was 803 days (range: 1 – 2 308 days). Total follow-up was 226.6 graft years. Risk factors were analysed by univariate and multivariate methods. The type of immunosuppression regimen and recipient age above 50 years were independent risk factors for mortality. Histocompatibility mismatching (HLA-DR) and type of immunosuppression were independent risk factors for lethal rejection and a female recipient was an independent risk factor for lethal infection. Prolonged time on extracorporeal bypass was an independent risk factor for both lethal rejection and infection, and also for overall mortality. The impact of extracorporeal bypass time on rejection and infection is discussed, and the importance of prospective HLA matching in heart transplantation is stressed. The association between recipient female sex and infection remains uncertain.     

Prognosis of acute renal failure in children

Acute renal failure (ARF) is the acute loss of renal function over a period of hours or days. Given the poor prognosis of ARF among children, there is some urgency to identifying more effective prognostic indicators for detecting disease onset. Such indicators would help provide the means of selecting patients who would benefit the most from early aggressive treatment. In this study we assessed the etiologic and prognostic indicators of ARF, including several risk factors such as sepsis, respiratory distress, age, among others, in 300 children who were admitted to the Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 1990 to 2003. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple regression and chi-square methods, and a score to determine the prognosis of ARF in children was developed. Result: Based on the results of this study the three common causes of ARF are acute tubular necrosis (ATN, 38%), acute glumerulonephritis (24%) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (24.1%). The overall mortality rate among our patients was 24.7%, with the highest risk group being those patients suffering from ischemic ATN. In addition, the correlation (p<0.0005) between the etiology and mortality rate was particularly high in patients with ischemic ATN. Mortality was also high (68%) in children younger than 2 years. Multiple regression models revealed that among those factors that significantly differed between the survivors and nonsurvivors, only the necessity of dialysis (p<0.0005), the use of mechanical ventilation (p=0.05) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (p=0.038) can be regarded as independent determinants of ARF prognosis in children.     

Determinants of bone mineral density in Chinese men

Osteoporotic fractures are increasing among Asian populations in both genders, but the risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in Asian men is unclear. To determine the hormonal and lifestyle risk factors for low BMD in Asian men, we studied 407 community-dwelling southern Chinese men aged 50 years and above. Medical history and lifestyle habits were obtained with a structured questionnaire. Dietary calcium and phytoestrogen intake were assessed by a semi-quantitative questionnaire. BMD at the spine and hip were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fasting blood was analyzed for 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), total and bioavailable estradiol (bio-E) and testosterone (bio-T). The mean age of the cohort was 68.42±10.4 (50–96) years. In the linear regression model, weight, age, body mass index (BMI), bio-E, PTH, cigarette smoking and weight-bearing exercise were significant determinants of total hip BMD. Together they explained 55% of the total variance of hip BMD, with body weight being the most important determining factor. With age and weight adjustment, height, bio-T and flavonoid intake were identified as additional determinants of total hip BMD. Strategies to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis in Asian men should include lifestyle modification and maintenance of hormonal sufficiency.     

Gay and bisexual men's awareness and knowledge of treatment as prevention: findings from the Momentum Health Study in Vancouver,Canada

Introduction

Awareness and knowledge of treatment as prevention (TasP) was assessed among HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Vancouver, Canada.

Methods

Baseline cross-sectional survey data were analyzed for GBMSM enrolled, via respondent-driven sampling (RDS), in the Momentum Health Study. TasP awareness was defined as ever versus never heard of the term “TasP.” Multivariable logistic regression identified covariates of TasP awareness. Among those aware of TasP, men''s level of knowledge of TasP was explored through an examination of self-perceived knowledge levels, risk perceptions and short-answer definitions of TasP which were coded as “complete” if three TasP-related components were identified (i.e. HIV treatment, viral suppression and prevention of transmission). Information source was also assessed. Analyses were stratified by HIV status and RDS adjusted.

Results

Of 719 participants, 23% were HIV-positive, 68% Caucasian and median age was 33 (Interquartile range (IQR) 26,47). Overall, 46% heard of TasP with differences by HIV status [69% HIV-positive vs. 41% HIV-negative GBMSM (p<0.0001)]. In adjusted models: HIV-positive GBMSM were more likely to have heard of TasP if they were Canadian born, unemployed, not using party drugs and had higher CD4 counts; HIV-negative GBMSM were more likely to have heard of TasP if they were Caucasian (vs. Aboriginal), students, had higher education, a regular partner and multiple sexual partners. Among those aware of TasP 91% of HIV-positive and 69% of HIV-negative GBMSM (p<0.0001) felt they knew “a lot” or “a bit in general” about TasP; 64 and 41% (p=0.002) felt HIV treatment made the risk of transmission “a lot lower”; and 21 and 13% (p<0.0001) demonstrated “complete” TasP definitions. The leading information source was doctors (44%) for HIV-positive GBMSM and community agencies (38%) for HIV-negative GBMSM, followed by gay media for both populations (34%).

Conclusions

Nearly half of GBMSM in this study reported having heard of TasP, yet only 14% demonstrated complete understanding of the concept. Variations in TasP awareness and knowledge by HIV status, and key socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical factors, highlight a need for health communication strategies relevant to diverse communities of GBMSM in order to advance overall TasP health literacy.     

Risk factors of mortality in nosocomial infected traumatic patients in a trauma referral center in south of Iran

Purpose

Trauma-related injuries are the leading cause of death worldwide. Some risk factors make traumatic patients susceptible to infection. Furthermore, some mortality risk factors, including length of hospitalization and increasing age, were detected in non-traumatic infected patients. This study aimed to assess mortality risk factors among nosocomial infected traumatic patients in Rajaee trauma center, Shiraz, Iran.