Benzodiazepine use and risk of dementia: a nested case-control study

The objective of this article was to examine the possible association between benzodiazepine use and the risk of dementia in the elderly. This was a nested case--control study set in community settings in Bordeaux area, France. The participants were a representative sample of 3,777 elderly persons (65 years of age and older) followed from 1989 to 1997. The main outcome measures were the use of benzodiazepines in incident cases of dementia versus nondemented controls. On the basis of medical and psychological data, 150 patients were diagnosed with dementia according to the criteria of the third revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Information on benzodiazepine use was obtained by face-to-face interview and visual assessment of patient's medicine chest by a trained neuropsychologist. After controlling for age, gender, education level, living alone, wine consumption, psychiatric history, and depressive symptomatology, ever use of benzodiazepines was associated with a significantly increased risk of dementia [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.4]. Former use was associated with a significantly increased risk of dementia (adjusted OR, 2.3; 95% CI,1.2-4.5). No association was found between dementia and the current use of benzodiazepines (adjusted OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.6-1.6). Our finding suggest that former use of benzodiazepines could be a risk factor for dementia, but more detailed investigation are needed.     

吸烟对不同收入人群慢性病患病的影响

目的探讨吸烟对不同经济状况人群的健康影响。方法采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样的方法，在全国共抽取95个县、950个村(居委会)，每个样本村(居委会)随机抽取60户家庭，全国共抽取55200户家庭中15～65岁男性5．93万人。结果研究发现在控制年龄、经济状况、文化程度、就业状况、工作岗位的情况下，不论农村、城镇，与从不吸烟的人相比，有吸烟史的人群慢性病患病率均高(农村OR=1．185，95％CI：1．121～1．253；城镇OR=1．083，95％CI：1．010～1．161)；吸烟对农村男性患慢性病的影响(戒烟OR=2．764，95％CI：2．471～3．092)要大于城镇的相应人群(戒烟OR=2．112，95％CI：1．844～2．419)；另外发现吸烟对低收入人口患慢性病的影响(城镇OR=2．076，95％CI：1．551～2．780；农村OR=2．903，95％CI：2．248～3．749)大于对高收入人口的影响(城镇OR=1．785，95％CI：1．285～2．479；农村OR=2．466，95％CI：1．941～3．134)。结论吸烟对收入低下的人群健康损害更大，应该引起重视。     

The relationships of gender, cigarette smoking, and hypertension with the risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case-control study in Nagoya, Japan

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship of gender, cigarette smoking, and a history of hypertension to the risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), using a case-control study. METHODS: Case subjects consisted of a consecutive series of 201 patients with spontaneous SAH with aneurysm(s) confirmed by angiography and/or CT scan. One hospital and one community control subject was matched to each case by gender and age (+/- 2 years). Multiple conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Current smoking and a history of hypertension were each significantly associated with an increased risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage for men and women combined. There was also a non-significant trend towards synergism between these two factors with respect to an increased risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage for each gender separately and both combined. A significantly increased risk was observed for a history of hypertension (adjusted OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.2-14.7) among men, for current smoking alone (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-7.7), and a history of hypertension alone (adjusted OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-5.1) among women. CONCLUSIONS: Trends towards gender differences and synergism emerged in the relationship of cigarette smoking and a history of hypertension of the risk of SAH provides useful information for targeting individuals/populations in programs for the primary prevention of SAH by gender.     

Gender as an independent risk factor for herpes zoster: a population-based prospective study

PURPOSE: Several studies reported a difference in herpes zoster (HZ) incidence between males and females, but limitations in design and analysis impeded the assessment of gender as an independent risk factor for HZ. This study examines the independent etiologic association between gender and HZ. METHODS: A total of 335,714 persons were observed prospectively during 2001. We registered gender and HZ occurrence, as well as other risk factors for HZ. We calculated overall crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and stratified to age. RESULTS: The HZ incidence in females was 3.9/1000 patients/year (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-4.2), and in males, 2.5/1000 patients/year (95% CI, 2.3-2.8), with a crude OR of 1.53 (95% CI, 1.36-1.74). After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted OR was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.22-1.56). The incidence was greater in females in the middle-aged (age, 25 to 64 years; OR range, 1.36 to 1.83) and youngest group (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.90-1.89). Gender effect was inverse in young adults (age, 15 to 24 years; OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41-1.03). CONCLUSION: Female gender is an independent risk factor for HZ in the 25- to 64-year-old age groups.     

Birth characteristics and brain cancers in young children

BACKGROUND: High birthweight is a potential risk factor for childhood brain tumours, particularly astrocytomas. We investigated several birth characteristics in relationship to brain cancers in young children. METHODS: We obtained 849 invasive central nervous system (CNS) cancer cases, ages 0-4 years, from California's population-based cancer registry for 1988-1997. We matched 746 (88%) of these cases to a California live birth certificate. We randomly selected two control birth certificates for each case, matched on date of birth and gender. We used conditional logistic regression to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI. The birth characteristics examined included birthweight, gestational age, race, parental age, and parental education. RESULTS: Analysing all CNS tumours combined, we found that children of other racial/ ethnic groups had OR below one compared with non-Hispanic white children. When adjusted for gestational age, race/ethnicity, and mother's place of birth, the OR for high birthweight (>/=4000 g) was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.79-1.38) compared with children with birthweights of 2500-3999 g. For astrocytomas (313 cases), the adjusted OR for high birthweight was 1.40 (95% CI: 0.90-2.18). When parental education was included in the model (available for only a subset of the birth years), the adjusted OR was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.01-2.90). High birthweight did not appear to be a risk factor for primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNET). CONCLUSIONS: We found high birthweight associated with increased risk of astrocytomas, but not PNET, in young children.     

Demenz, Depressionen und Aktivit?ten des t?glichen Lebens als Risikofaktoren von Stürzen bei Betagten

OBJECTIVES: Falls among elderly are a well-recognised public health problem. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relation between dementia, number of depressive symptoms, activities of daily living, setting, and risk of falling. METHODS: Data for the analysis came from a cross-sectional study about dementia, depression, and disabilities, carried out 1995/96 in Zurich and Geneva. The random sample stratified, by age and gender consisted of 921 subjects aged 65 and more. The interview was conducted by means of the Canberra interview for the Elderly, extended by short questionnaire. The subject was classified as a faller if the subject and/or the informant had reported a fall within the last 12 months prior to the interview. Logistic-regression analysis was used to determine the independent impact of dementia, depressive symptoms, and ADL-score on risk of falling. RESULTS: The stepwise logistic regression analysis has revealed a statistically significant association between dementia (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.15-3.96), two resp. three depressive symptoms (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.04-2.60) as well as four or more depressive symptoms (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.39-5.02) and the risk of falling. There was no statistically significant relationship between studied risk factors and the risk of being one-time faller. However, we found a strong positive association between dementia (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.75-8.79), four or more depressive symptoms (OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.55-9.83) and the risk of being recurrent faller. Moreover, residents of nursing homes (OR 8.50, 95% CI 2.18-33.22) and elderly aged 85 or more (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.08-4.87) were under statistically significant higher risk of sustaining recurrent falls. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study confirm that dementia and depression substantially increase the risk of falling.     

Unwanted sexual advances at work: variations by employment arrangement in a sample of working Australians

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that the risk of experiencing unwanted sexual advances at work (UWSA) is greater for precariously-employed workers in comparison to those in permanent or continuing employment.
Methods: A cross-sectional population-based telephone survey was conducted in Victoria (66% response rate, N=1,101). Employment arrangements were analysed using eight differentiated categories, as well as a four-category collapsed measure to address small cell sizes. Self-report of unwanted sexual advances at work was modelled using multiple logistic regression in relation to employment arrangement, controlling for gender, age, and occupational skill level.
Results: Forty-seven respondents reported UWSA in our sample (4.3%), mainly among women (37 of 47). Risk of UWSA was higher for younger respondents, but did not vary significantly by occupational skill level or education. In comparison to Permanent Full-Time, three employment arrangements were strongly associated with UWSA after adjustment for age, gender, and occupational skill level: Casual Full-Time OR = 7.2 (95% Confidence Interval 1.7-30.2); Fixed-Term Contract OR = 11.4 (95% CI 3.4-38.8); and Own-Account Self-Employed OR = 3.8 (95% CI 1.2-11.7). In analyses of females only, the magnitude of these associations was further increased.
Conclusions: Respondents employed in precarious arrangements were more likely to report being exposed to UWSA, even after adjustment for age and gender.
Implications: Greater protections from UWSA are likely needed for precariously employed workers.     

Social inequalities in cesarean section rates in primiparae, Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of social inequalities in cesarean section rates among primiparae having single pregnancy and delivering in maternity hospitals. METHODS: The study was carried out in Southern Brazil in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Data from the Live Birth National Information System were used to estimate annual rates and crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of cesarean sections according to social conditions (maternal age and education, newborn skin color/ethnicity and macro-regions), duration of pregnancy, and number of prenatal visits. RESULTS: The overall cesarean section rate was 45%, and above 37% in all macro-regions. Increased rates were seen among native and black mothers, aged 30 years or more, living in metropolitan, river valley and mountain macro-regions and having attended to more than six prenatal visits. Crude and adjusted OR show that cesarean rates were negatively associated with all categories of skin color/ethnicity when compared to white newborns, particularly those of native Brazilian (ORadj=0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.59), and they were positively associated with higher maternal education (ORadj=3.52; 95% CI: 3.11-3.99), older age (ORadj=6.87; 95% CI: 5.90-8.00) and greater number of prenatal visits (ORadj=2.16; 95% CI: 1.99-2.35). The effects of age and education were partly mediated by the greater number of prenatal visits among higher educated older women. The OR varied among macro-regions but were greater for the wealthier mountain region. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of cesarean section rates in Southern Brazil are a public health concern. They are associated with social, economic and cultural factors which can lead to misuse of medical technology during labor and delivery.     

Influence of social environment in smoking among adolescents in Turkey

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the social determinants of smoking among adolescents attending school and/or work. METHODS: A survey was carried out on 6012 adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years in 15 cities, recruited from schools, vocational training centres and work places. A self-completed questionnaire was used for data collection. Single- and multi-level regression analyses were run to estimate models. RESULTS: Ever smoking and current smoking rates were 41.1% and 10.5% among girls, and 57.5% and 25.2% among boys. These rates were 47.0% and 13.3% among those who only attended school, 62.2% and 31.7% among those who attended school and worked simultaneously, and 67.5% and 43.0% among those who worked and did not attend school. In multi-level analysis, the major predictors of current smoking were close friends smoking [odds ratio (OR) 3.48; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.93-6.27], no knowledge of harmful effects of short-term smoking (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.74-2.67), vulnerability to peer pressure (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.48-2.46), negative self-perception (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.31-2.18) and male sex (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.30-2.16). Mothers higher education was a predictor for girls' smoking, while mother's lower education was a predictor for boys' smoking. At the school level, smoking prevalence was a predictor of current smoking (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.05-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking patterns were similar to Western countries in several aspects, while male prevalence rates were higher and the impact of gender-related predictors was significant. Our findings suggest that youth smoking prevention policies should address personal, familial and educational environmental level requirements, taking into consideration the gender differences in addition to international guidelines.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 infection, rural Egypt

To determine whether human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with schistosomal and hepatitis C virus infections in Egypt, we surveyed 965 rural household participants who had been tested for HHV-8 and schistosomal infection (seroprevalence 14.2% and 68.6%, respectively, among those <15 years of age, and 24.2% and 72.8%, respectively, among those > or =15 years of age). Among adults, HHV-8 seropositivity was associated with higher age, lower education, dental treatment, tattoos, > or =10 lifetime injections, and hepatitis C virus seropositivity. In adjusted analyses, HHV-8 seropositivity was associated with dental treatment among men (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-5.2) and hepatitis C virus seropositivity among women (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4-7.9). HHV-8 association with antischistosomal antibodies was not significant for men (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.3-16.4), but marginal for women (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). Our findings suggest salivary and possible nosocomial HHV-8 transmission in rural Egypt.     

城市一般人群艾滋病相关知识、态度及其影响因素调查

目的 了解城市一般人群对艾滋病知识的认识、态度情况。以确定城市一般人群艾滋病知识水平及其影响因素，为今后在一般人群中采取针对性的艾滋病知识宣传策略提供依据。方法 于2002年12月1日在广州市商业区采用街头随机拦截的方式，对一般人群采用匿名自填问卷的方法调查其艾滋病相关知识和态度。结果 本次调查共发放问卷200份，收回有效问卷147份。结果显示，艾滋病知识总知晓率为63．3％；传播途径知识总知晓率为59．2％；预防知识知晓率为46．9％；对艾滋病感染／患正确态度率为49．7％。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，艾滋病知识知晓率的影响因素为年龄、性别、化程度和婚姻状况。30～39岁年龄组(OR=0．101，95％CI：0．015～0．678)和40岁及以上年龄组(OR=0．060，95％CI：0．007～0．498)艾滋病知识总知晓率低于15～20岁年龄组；女性艾滋病知识知晓率(OR=0．230，95％CI：0．099～0．532)低于男性；化程度初中(OR=14．161。95％CI：2．195～91．364)、高中(OR=23．455，95％CI：4．568～120．434)、大专以上(OR=35．378,95％CI:6．001～208．571)艾滋病知识知晓率高于小学及以下组；已婚(OR=5．761，95％CI：1．589～20．893)高于未婚。结论 目前城市一般人群的艾滋病知识水平仍然很低，因此应进一步加强对一般人群的艾滋病知识的宣传，尤其是针对化程度低、未婚及女性人群开展艾滋病知识的宣传教育。     

Predictors of institutionalization in demented patients discharged from a rehabilitation unit

BACKGROUND: The decision to place a patient with dementia in long-term care is complex and based on the patient's and the caregiver's characteristics, and on the sociocultural context. Most studies assessing predictors of nursing home placement focused primarily on the characteristics of either the patient, such as dementia severity and difficult behaviors, or the caregiver, such as subjective burden and health status. However, only a few studies comprehensively investigated how both a caregiver's and a patient's characteristics influence nursing home placement. OBJECTIVE: To identify the patient's and the caregiver's characteristics that influence discharge to a nursing home in demented patients consecutively admitted to an intermediate care setting. METHODS: Observational study of 214 patients with dementia consecutively admitted to a Rehabilitation Unit for Dementia in Northern Italy (length of stay 35.1 +/- 14.9 days). The main evaluated outcome was the final destination (home vs nursing home). RESULTS: In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, cognitive status, and behavioral disturbances, 4 predictors were associated with nursing home placement: living alone (OR 8.79, 95% CI 2.33-33.16; P = .001), degree of dementia severity (CDR, OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.02-2.83; P = .04), compromised functional status (Barthel index admission, OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.05-9.48; P = .04), and caregiver's burden (CBI, OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.15-7.29; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that living alone, patient's functional impairment, severity of dementia, and caregiver's burden were independent predictors of institutionalization. The interaction between a patient's and a caregiver's characteristics has an important effect on the rate of nursing home placement in demented patients.     

天津市男男性途径感染HIV者新近感染因素分析

目的 了解天津市经男男性途径感染人类免疫缺陷病毒（human immunodeficiency virus,HIV）者中新近感染状况及相关影响因素。方法 收集2013-2015年天津市经男男性途径感染HIV者人口学资料,采用BED捕获酶联免疫法（BED capture enzyme immunoassay,BED-CEIA）进行新近感染判定,计算HIV-1新近感染比例。采用单因素和多因素非条件Logistic回归方法分析新近感染影响因素。结果 2013-2015年天津市累积报告发现经男男性途径感染HIV者1 474例,495例被判定为新近感染,HIV-1新近感染率为45.7%。3年间HIV-1新近感染者人口学构成基本保持稳定（均有P>0.05）。多因素分析显示,25岁以下年龄组（OR=1.639,95%CI:1.089~2.466）、高中（OR=1.460,95%CI:1.059~2.013）和大学（OR=1.392,95%CI:1.003~1.931）文化程度、学生（OR=1.984,95%CI:1.144~3.442）感染者是HIV-1新近感染的可能性更高;通过自愿检测咨询（OR=3.658,95%CI:2.393~5.590）、性病门诊（OR=3.784,95%CI:2.262~6.329）、男男性行为者（men who have sex with men,MSM）专题调查（OR=4.021,95%CI:2.700~5.987）和无偿献血者筛查（OR=5.192,95%CI:2.775~9.712）发现的感染者为新近感染的可能性较高。结论 天津市经男男性途径感染HIV者中新近感染比例较大,应重点加强对25岁以下、高中及以上文化程度和学生中MSM主动监测,并采取更具针对性的宣传干预措施,以减少二代传播。     

北京市某区居民膳食模式及其影响因素研究

目的 利用膳食模式进行饮食行为分析并探讨其影响因素。方法 采用多阶段分层抽样方法,对某区18~79岁的居民进行调查。采用食物频数调查表了解居民膳食情况,利用因子分析法建立膳食模式,无序多分类Logistic回归法分析膳食模式的影响因素。结果 被调查居民3 624人中有5种主要膳食模式,分别命名为肉类模式、果汁饮料模式、主食酒水模式、传统模式和蛋奶模式。单因素分析结果发现文化程度、职业类型、性别、年龄与膳食模式得分关联均有统计学意义（均有P<0.05）。多分类Logistic分析结果显示:肉类模式得分与文化程度呈正相关（P=0.003,OR=1.841,95%CI:1.234~2.748）,与女性呈负相关（P<0.001,OR=0.428,95%CI:0.315~0.582）;果汁饮料模式得分与年龄（P<0.001,OR=0.946,95%CI:0.932~0.961）、女性（P=0.020,OR=0.694,95%CI:0.510~0.943）、患有糖尿病（P=0.013,OR=0.456,95%CI:0.246~0.846）呈负相关;主食酒水模式与女性负相关（P<0.001,OR=0.083,95%CI:0.058~0.118）,与从事体力活动性工作正相关（P=0.027,OR=1.529,95%CI:1.050~2.228）;传统模式与家人共同生活（P=0.005,OR=1.636,95%CI:1.160~2.305）正相关,与学生负相关（P=0.027,OR=0.091,95%CI:0.011~0.765）;蛋奶模式与年龄（P<0.001,OR=1.036,95%CI:1.021~1.051）、女性（P<0.001,OR=1.922,95%CI:1.414~2.612）、文化程度（P<0.001,OR=2.598,95%CI:1.759~3.837）呈正相关。结论 居民的饮食行为会受到年龄、性别、文化程度、职业等因素的影响,应根据不同人群的膳食模式特点,为其提供针对性的健康教育与行为干预。     

Dementia and cognitive impairment are not associated with earlier mortality after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown varying results with regard to risk factors for mortality after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Objectives: To examine the time to death in patients with dementia or significant cognitive impairment (SCI) due to neurologic injury who had undergone PEG compared with patients without either of these diagnoses, and to examine risk factors for 30-day mortality after PEG. METHODS: Patients who had undergone PEG over a 2-year period were identified. Local medical records and the Social Security Death Index were reviewed to ascertain the patients' age, gender, serum albumin, diagnoses, presence or absence of dementia or SCI, presence or absence of complications related to PEG, and length of survival after PEG. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was calculated based on the medical diagnoses at the time of PEG. RESULTS: One hundred ninety patients were identified. Forty-five carried a diagnosis of dementia and/or SCI compared with 145 who did not. Median survival of patients with dementia or SCI was 53 days compared with 78 days in patients without these diagnoses (P=.85). Age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.12) and albumin (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22-0.84) were associated with 30-day mortality, whereas gender (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.47-2.90), CCI (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.86-1.32), and presence of PEG-related complications (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.36-6.76) were not. CONCLUSIONS: Age and serum albumin are risk factors for 30-day mortality after PEG. Patients with dementia or SCI do not have a significantly shorter survival after PEG than patients with intact cognitive function.     

Area deprivation and trends in inequalities in self-rated health in Spain, 1987--2001

AIMS: This study examined the impact that individual social position and municipal area deprivation levels had on trends in inequalities in self-rated health in Spain, between 1987 and 2001. METHODS: The study was based on cross-sectional data of the National Health Surveys of Spain for the years 1987, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 2001 (n=84,567). The indicators used were educational level and occupational class, and deprivation level as the indicator of municipal areas. Multilevel logistic regression models were made, with individuals nested into municipal areas. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. To evaluate trends, the relative index of inequality was calculated. RESULTS: At the individual level, the likelihood of less-than-good health between those with no formal education as compared to those with graduate-level education increased from OR=2.66 (95% CI: 2.06-3.38) in 1987 to OR=3.62 (95% CI: 2.95-4.63) in 2001 among women. The values for men were OR=2.27 (95% CI: 1.89-2.72) and OR=2.94 (95% CI: 2.36-3.68) respectively. Living in areas with the highest deprivation levels as compared to the lowest systematically increased the likelihood of less-than-good health. The likelihood of reporting less-than-good health among women with no formal education as compared to women with graduate-level education in municipal areas with the highest deprivation levels increased from OR=3.61 (95% CI: 2.39-5.45) in 1987 to 4.85 (95% CI: 3.06-7.69) in 2001. Among men, the corresponding magnitudes were OR=2.07 (95% CI: 1.39-3.08) and OR=4.16 (95% CI: 2.52-6.89). CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in self-rated health increased in Spain in this period. These inequalities may be explained by the social conditions existing throughout the period of reference, and the pattern varies according to gender, municipal area deprivation levels, and the individual indicator of social position used.     

中国农村中老年人社会隔离的影响因素分析

目的 调查我国农村中老年人社会隔离的影响因素。方法 采用2015年中国健康与养老追踪数据,筛选出符合研究纳入标准的农村中老年人样本7 427例,根据Berkman社会网络指数判断是否存在社会隔离,采用多因素logistic逐步回归分析,对社会隔离的影响因素进行探讨。结果 中国农村中老年人社会隔离发生率为28.84%,其主要影响因素有:性别(OR = 1.55,95%CI:1.38～1.73)、年龄(OR = 1.69,95%CI:1.58～1.80)、地域(OR = 1.21,95%CI:1.13～1.29)、教育水平(OR = 0.83,95%CI:0.74～0.94)、金融机构存款金额(OR = 0.86,95%CI:0.80～0.93)、出入阶梯数(OR = 1.06,95%CI:1.01～1.13)、听力(OR = 1.25, 95%CI:1.11～1.41)、认知情况(OR = 0.91,95%CI:0.89～0.93)、生活满意度(OR = 1.07, 95%CI:1.01～1.15)、抑郁(OR = 1.17,95%CI:1.04～1.31)。结论 我国农村中老年人社会隔离发生率较高,应结合农村中老年人群体的特殊性,加强农村基础设施建设,重视中老年人身心健康管理,增加其社会网络和社会参与,以减少社会隔离的发生。     

Health inequalities by education and age in four Nordic countries, 1986 and 1994

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the age pattern of educational health inequalities in four Nordic countries in the mid-1980s and the mid-1990s. DESIGN: Cross sectional interview surveys at two points of time. SETTING: Data on self reported limiting longstanding illness, and perceived health were collected from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in 1986/87 and in 1994/95. PARTICIPANTS: Representative samples of the non-institutionalised population at 15 years or older. Analyses were restricted to respondents aged between 25 and 75 (n= 23 325 men and 24 184 women). Response rates varied from 73% to 87%. MAIN RESULTS: The age adjusted prevalence of limiting longstanding illness in Finland was 10% higher in men and 6% higher in women than in other Nordic countries in 1986/87 but the gap narrowed by 1994/95. Educational health inequalities were largest in Norway. In 1986/87 the odds ratio (OR) for limiting longstanding illness was 11.25 (95% CI 8.66 to 14.62) among men and 8.23 (95% CI 6.60 to 10.27) among women in the oldest age group (65-74 years old) in Finland when the youngest age group (25-34 years old) was used as the reference category (OR=1.00). The age pattern in Finland was steeper than in Sweden (OR=5.02, 95% CI 3.97 to 6.34 in men and 5.29, 95% CI 4.18 to 6.71 in women) or Norway (OR=6.32, 95% CI 4.06 to 9.84 and 5.45, 95% CI 3.81 to 7.82, respectively). In 1994/95 relative health improved in the oldest age group in Finland (OR=5.80, 95% CI 4.33 to 7.78 in men and 5.94, 95% CI 4.52 to 7.79 in women) and in Norway (OR=4.55, 95% CI 3.01 to 6.88 and 3.96, 95% CI 2.70 to 5.81, respectively) but remained stable in Sweden. The study compared health differences by age in different educational categories and found that in Finland in 1986/87 the health in the oldest age group was poorer for secondary (OR=10.59, 95% CI 5.96 to 18.82) or basic educated (OR=9.76, 95% CI 6.66 to 14.30) men than for men with higher education (OR=5.15, 95% CI 2.59 to 10.22). The difference was not found among women or in other Nordic countries and it diminished among men in Finland in 1994/95. The results of perceived health were broadly similar to the above results of limiting longstanding illness. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that compared with other Nordic countries the comparatively poorer health in Finland is partly attributable to a cohort effect. This may be associated with the lower standard of living in Finland that lasted until the mid-1950s. The cohort effect is also likely to contribute to educational health inequalities among older Finnish men. The results suggest that not only current social policies but also past economic circumstances are likely to affect the overall health status as well as health inequalities.     

Adverse work and environmental conditions predict occupational injuries. The Israeli Cardiovascular Occupational Risk Factors Determination in Israel (CORDIS) Study.

This study was designed to test whether the total objective adverse work and environmental conditions, expressed as the ergonomic stress level (ESL), would predict occupational injuries over a 2-year period. The study population consisted of 4,096 men from 21 factories in six industrial sectors who were studied as part of the Israeli Cardiovascular Occupational Risk Factors Determination in Israel (CORDIS) Study, 1985-1987. The ESL (assigned four levels, 1-4) was based on an ergonomic assessment which covered 17 risk factors pertaining to safety hazards, overcrowding, cognitive and physical demands, and environmental stressors. The ESL was found to be a highly reliable measure and stable over a period of 2-4 years. The incidence of injuries among workers in low ESL conditions (level 1) was 10.3%. It increased with higher ESL's: 11.7% in level 2 (relative risk (RR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-1.50); 21.6% in level 3 (RR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.68-2.62); and 23.8% in level 4 (RR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.85-2.88). After adjustment for age, job experience, educational level, managerial status, and occupational status (white/blue collar), injury occurrence was significantly elevated for those at level 3 (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.46, 95% CI 1.12-1.91) and level 4 (adjusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.39-2.37) but not for level 2 (adjusted OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.65-1.18). The authors conclude that adverse work and environmental conditions, objectively assessed, can predict occurrence of occupational injuries.