Sedentary behavior is associated with musculoskeletal pain in adolescents: A cross sectional study

BackgroundHigh prevalence of back pain has been observed in adolescents. Sedentary behavior (SB) is considered a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain. The association between back pain and SB in the pediatric/adolescent population is not well established.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between SB and low back and neck pain in adolescents according to sex.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with children and adolescents aged 10-17 years, randomly recruited from public and private schools in Presidente Prudente, Brazil. All students enrolled in the selected schools were eligible to participate. SB was evaluated by adding the number of hours of use of screen devices, such as television, computer, video game, and smartphone/tablet. To assess neck and low back pain, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used. Physical activity and socioeconomic status were assessed by the Baecke Questionnaire and the Brazilian Criteria for Economic Classification (ABEP), respectively. Odds ratio (OR) from Binary Logistic Regression in the unadjusted and adjusted model (physical activity, abdominal obesity, and socioeconomic status) showed the relationship between musculoskeletal pain and SB.ResultsA total of 1011 adolescents (557 girls) with a mean ± standard deviation age of 13.2±2.4 years were included. Moderate (OR = 1.80; 95%CI: 1.00, 3.23) and high (OR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.02, 3.53) SB were associated with neck pain in girls. In boys, moderate SB (OR = 2.75; 95%CI: 1.31, 5.78) were associated with neck pain. Moderate (OR = 2.73; 95%CI: 1.45, 5.02) and high (OR = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.30, 4.76) SB were associated with low back pain only in girls.ConclusionModerate and high SB were associated with neck pain in girls and boys, while moderate and high SB were associated with low back pain only in girls.     

Pelvic musculoskeletal dysfunctions in women with and without chronic pelvic pain

Aim

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of pelvic musculoskeletal dysfunctions in women with and without Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP).

Effect of obesity and low back pain on spinal mobility: a cross sectional study in women

Background  

obesity is nowadays a pandemic condition. Obese subjects are commonly characterized by musculoskeletal disorders and particularly by non-specific chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, the relationship between obesity and cLBP remains to date unsupported by an objective measurement of the mechanical behaviour of the spine and its morphology in obese subjects. Such analysis may provide a deeper understanding of the relationships between function and the onset of clinical symptoms.     

Patient and clinician factors associated with prehospital pain treatment and outcomes: cross sectional study

Objective

We aimed to identify how patient (age, sex, condition) and paramedic factors (sex, role) affected prehospital analgesic administration and pain alleviation.

Nursing diagnoses of hospitalized infants with physiologic hyperbilirubinemia: A cross sectional study

Background and aimNursing diagnoses are the common language of nurses which indicate the labels given to human responses to health problems/developmental processes. Neonatal physiologic hyperbilirubinemia is a developmental disorder common in neonates. The responses to this health problem need to be identified.This study aimed to find physiologic hyperbilirubinemia related nursing diagnoses in some domains of the NANDA-I classification in hospitalized newborns in a maternal-neonatal educational hospital in Tehran, Iran.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a checklist contains labels, defining characteristics and related factors of selected nursing diagnosis of six domains of the NANDA-I classification and a maternal-neonatal information questionnaire were used for conveniently selected 140 hospitalized newborns with physiologic hyperbilirubinemia. The data was analyzed using SPSS software 23 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY).FindingsRisk for deficient fluid volume, Risk for electrolyte imbalance (hyponatremia/hypocalcemia/hypernatremia), risk for vascular trauma, risk for impaired skin integrity, risk for infection, risk for injury (retinal damage/bilirubin hyperbilirubinemia) and risk for thermal injury were the nursing diagnoses identified for more than 90% of the neonates.ConclusionThe nursing diagnoses identified in this study for physiologic neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can guide clinical neonatal nurses in providing high-quality care in neonatal settings.     

Organizational home care models across Europe: A cross sectional study

BackgroundDecision makers are searching for models to redesign home care and to organize health care in a more sustainable way.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to identify and characterize home care models within and across European countries by means of structural characteristics and care processes at the policy and the organization level.Data sourcesAt the policy level, variables that reflected variation in health care policy were included based on a literature review on the home care policy for older persons in six European countries: Belgium, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, and the Netherlands. At the organizational level, data on the structural characteristics and the care processes were collected from 36 home care organizations by means of a survey. Data were collected between 2013 and 2015 during the IBenC project.Study designAn observational, cross sectional, quantitative design was used. The analyses consisted of a principal component analysis followed by a hierarchical cluster analysis.ResultsFifteen variables at the organizational level, spread across three components, explained 75.4% of the total variance. The three components made it possible to distribute home care organizations into six care models that differ on the level of patient-centered care delivery, the availability of specialized care professionals, and the level of monitoring care performance. Policy level variables did not contribute to distinguishing between home care models.ConclusionsSix home care models were identified and characterized. These models can be used to describe best practices.     

Psychosocial,mechanical, and metabolic factors in adolescents’ musculoskeletal pain in multiple locations: A cross‐sectional study

Recent studies indicate that adolescents often experience musculoskeletal pains in two or more body locations. However, previous studies have mainly focused on localized pains, and the determinants of multiple musculoskeletal pains in adolescents are not well known. The present study was set to evaluate the role of psychosocial, mechanical, and metabolic factors in adolescents’ musculoskeletal pains in multiple locations. The study population consisted of the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort; 15‐ to 16‐year‐old adolescents (n=6986), who responded to a mailed questionnaire in 2001. We assessed the associations of emotional and behavioral problems, physical activity, sitting time, sleeping time, overweight and smoking with musculoskeletal pains using multinomial logistic regression. Multiple pains were common, 23% of boys and 40% of girls reported feeling pain in at least three locations over the past 6 months. These pains were not only associated with anxious/depressed symptoms, withdrawn/depressed symptoms, somatic complaints, rule‐breaking and aggressive behavior, social problems, thought and attention problems, but also with high physical activity level, long sitting time, short sleeping time and smoking, among both boys and girls. In addition, pain in three to four locations associated with overweight in girls. A high number of psychosocial, mechanical and metabolic factors associated strongly with multiple pains. In conclusion, multiple musculoskeletal pains were strongly associated with psychosocial complaints, but also with mechanical and metabolic factors. Reported musculoskeletal pains in multiple locations in adolescence may have both peripheral (trauma, decreased regenerative ability) and central (sensitivity) causes.     

Association between subscapularis trigger point and frozen shoulder: A cross sectional study

BackgroundFrozen shoulder (FS) is one of the most common shoulder conditions characterized by pain, restricted range of motion and high morbidity. Though FS is known as adhesive capsulitis, presence of capsular adhesions has been rebutted and the nomenclature adhesive capsulitis is debated. It has been proposed that FS is a condition of cytokine driven capsular, ligamentous fibrosis and contracture. Despite extensive research on it, still it is unclear that how far the capsular contracture contribute to range of motion restriction in FS. Evidence also suggested that myofascial trigger points play a role in restricted range of motion.ObjectiveTo find an association between subscapularis trigger point and frozen shoulder.Study designCross-sectional study.Method143 Patients were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria, out of which 100 patients, were selected for the study. Manual palpation was performed to look for subscapularis muscle trigger points via axillary approach on both the affected and unaffected side. Trigger point diagnosing criteria was used to diagnose subscapularis trigger points.ResultsResults have shown that there was an association between subscapularis trigger point and frozen shoulder (X 2 = 32.151 P < 0.0001) on the affected side. We used Phi coefficient to measure the degree of association which denotes (Phi = 0.567 P < 0.0001) strong association between frozen shoulder and subscapularis trigger point on the affected side compared to unaffected side (X 2 9.157; P < 0.002: Phi:0.303: P < 0.002).ConclusionThis study concluded that there appears to be a strong association between subscapularis trigger point and frozen shoulder.     

Abdominal and pelvic floor muscle function in women with and without long lasting pelvic girdle pain

Approximately 5-20% of postpartum women suffer from long-lasting pelvic girdle pain (PGP). The etiology and pathogenesis of PGP are still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether subjects with and without persisting PGP and disability differed with respect to their ability to voluntarily contract the deep abdominals (TrA and IO) and to the strength of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). Twenty subjects (12 with persisting PGP, 8 recovered from PGP) were examined. Contractions of the deep abdominal muscles (TrA and IO) were imaged by real-time ultrasound. Vaginal palpation and observation were used to assess the women's ability to perform correct a PFM contraction. PFM strength was measured by a vaginal balloon catheter connected to a pressure transducer. The active straight leg raise test was used to assess the ability of load transfer. The results showed no statistical significant difference between the groups in increase of muscle thickness of the deep abdominal muscles (TrA; P = 0.87 and IO; P = 0.51) or regarding PFM strength (P = 0.94). The ability to voluntarily contract the deep abdominal muscles and the strength of the PFMs are apparently not associated to PGP. However, the results are based on a small sample and additional studies are needed.     

Psychosocial experiences among primary care patients with and without musculoskeletal pain.

We examined differences in demographic/financial characteristics, burnout, job demands/control/strain and symptoms of depression as measured by GHQ among primary care patients with (n=838) and without pain (n=135). In addition, we examined factors associated with the presence of pain by means of logistic regression analyses among all participants, and inter-relations between demographic/financial/pain/health variables, symptoms of depression, burnout, and disability by means of multivariate regression analyses among pain patients. The patients completed a questionnaire about areas such as job strain and burnout. The design was cross-sectional and data were collected during 15 consecutive days. The univariate analyses showed that pain patients, compared with patients without pain, were more often females, older, divorced, foreign-born, had been more often on sick-leave, were more preoccupied with how to make ends meet and had greater difficulties in raising a reasonable sum of money within a specific period of time. In addition, they had greater levels of depression symptoms, burnout, and job strain. However, the multivariate analyses showed that symptoms of depression and burnout were more associated with such variables as sick-leave and divorce than by pain parameters. The logistic regression revealed that the presence of pain was associated with female gender, sick-leave, and high levels of job strain and mean total burnout. Finally, pain patients had a severe clinical situation in terms of, for example, constant, intense, and prolonged pain, and experienced a high degree of disability due to pain. We corroborated previous findings and may have provided new insights into the experiences of pain patients that may be of importance when considering intervention. Although we pointed to some important factors associated with pain, symptoms of depression and burnout, much of their variation remains to be explained. Thus, further research appears necessary, not least concerning the role of burnout as an antecedent to pain.     

Quality of life and stress in mothers of preterm infant with feeding problems: A cross sectional study

BackgroundThe majority of preterm infants experience some oral feeding problems. The outcomes of preterm infants with feeding problems are not predictable. This study was conducted to determine the quality of life and stress among mothers of preterm infants with feeding problems.Materials and methodsParticipants consisted of mothers with preterm infants. The instruments used to measure infants' feedings, mothers' stress and quality of life, and mothers' and infants’ characteristics included: Infants Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (POFRAS), Parental Stress Scale: Neonate Intensive Care Unit (PSS - NICU), quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), and a socio-demographic questionnaire.ResultsThere was no correlation between the subscales of the PSS - NICU and the POFRAS or between domains of SF-36 and POFRAS. There was no significant association between general physical health and stress. However, general mental health and overall quality of life of mothers were inversely correlated with all PSS-NICU subscales.ConclusionMost maternal stress was related to the infants' appearance and behaviors. The mental health dimension was affected more than the physical health dimension of quality of life. Health care professionals should teach mothers of premature infants about the NICU environment, parental role, and their infants’ appearance and behaviors.     

Associations between activity and participation in adults with multiple sclerosis: a cross sectional study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the association between walking ability in a clinical setting (activity capacity), walking ability in a person’s daily environment (activity capability) and walking performance in daily life (activity performance), and the contribution of each activity construct to participation among people with multiple sclerosis (MS).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFive MS therapy centres in England.ParticipantsFifty-two adults (13 males) with MS who were independently ambulatory with or without a walking aid (mean (SD) age 55.4 (9.1) year).InterventionsNo intervention.Main outcome measuresActivity capacity, capability, and performance were assessed using the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Twelve Item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12), and steps/day measured using a pedometer worn for 6 days, respectively. Participation was assessed using the Impact on Participation and Autonomy questionnaire (IPA).ResultsDistance walked on the 6MWT was associated with MSWS-12 score (β = ?0.56, 95% CI ?0.87 to ?0.22) and steps/day (β = 129.49, 95% CI 48.48 to 207.57). MSWS-12 score was also associated with step count (β = ?87.35, 95% CI ?172.29 to ?15.71). 6MWT distance was associated with the autonomy indoors subscale of the IPA (β = ?0.02, 95% CI ?0.04 to ?0.01). No other activity measure was associated with participation.ConclusionsFindings suggest that while activity capacity, capability and performance are related, activity is a poor predictor of participation. The strength of associations between constructs of activity, and activity and participation, however, are often small with wide confidence intervals, indicating that there is considerable uncertainty associated with effect estimates.     

Age-related differences in dual task walking: a cross sectional study

Background  

Variability in stride velocity during walking characterizes gait instability and predicts falling in older individuals. Walking while executing a cognitive task is also associated with increased risk of falling, particularly in older adults. Variability in stride velocity, particularly during dual task walking conditions, may differ between younger and older individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine whether gait velocity and variability in stride velocity differ between older community-dwelling women and younger women during dual task walking.     

Contamination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on toothbrushes used with mechanically ventilated patients: A cross sectional study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on used toothbrushes of mechanically ventilated patients.Research methodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting toothbrushes used with mechanically ventilated patients. The total bacterial count on each toothbrush was assessed by culturing on Trypticase soy agar (TSA). Gram stain and biochemical testing were used to identify bacterial species. Antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.ResultsThirty-five toothbrushes (97%) had bacterial contamination, 27 toothbrushes had at least two bacterial species, and 13 toothbrushes harboured antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Klebsiella spp. (21%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (18%). Five isolates of A. baumannii, six isolates of K. pneumoniae, and two isolates of Enterobacter cloacae were multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Four isolates of K. pneumoniae were identified as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains, and two isolates of P. aeruginosa were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). The average total bacterial count was 10⁴–10⁵ CFU/toothbrush head.ConclusionsAntimicrobial-resistant bacteria were detected on toothbrushes. Therefore, practice of toothbrush care should be reconsidered in associated to maintaining the oral hygiene of mechanically ventilated patients to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).