Risks and health problems caused by the use of video terminals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between video display terminal (VDT) use and health hazards, occupational risks, and psychosocial factors, in newspaper workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1998 in a representative sample (n = 68) drawn from a population of 218 VDT operators in Mexico City. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were confirmed by performing physical examinations. The research hypothesis was that both the current and cumulative use of VDT are associated with visual, musculoskeletal system, and skin illnesses, as well as with fatigue and mental or psychosomatic disorders. Occupational health hazards were assessed (visual problems, postural risks, sedentary work, computer mouse use, excessive heat, and overcrowding), as well as psychosocial factors related to work organization (psychological demands, work control, and social support). Prevalence ratios were adjusted for confounding variables like age, sex and schooling. RESULTS: Women were more likely than men to have upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), dermatitis, and seborrheic eczema. VDT use was associated with neuro-visual fatigue, upper extremity MSD, dermatitis, and seborrheic eczema. Computer mouse use and postural risks were significantly associated with health problems. Psychosocial factors were mainly associated with mental problems, psychosomatic disorders, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Intense use of video screens has been found to cause musculoskeletal disorders of the hand. The diversification of tasks and control of labor processes itself had a protective effect against psychosomatic disorders and pathological fatigue.     

Longstanding vulval problems and entry dyspareunia among STD-clinic visitors in Oslo-results from a cross-sectional study

An increasing number of women with vulval problems and pain attend Olafiaklinikken, the centre for sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Oslo. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of long-standing vulval problems and entry dyspareunia in a consecutive sample of STI-clinic visitors in Oslo. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed before and independent of the consultation. Response rate was 89.6% (502/560). Mean and median age were 25.9 and 24.0 years respectively, range 16-65 years. Vulval soreness, burning, dryness and fissures present for at least three months were reported by 23.1% (116/502), entry dyspareunia by 6.9% (34/494). Independent risk factors for dyspareunia were a history of >/=4 treatments for vulvovaginal candidiasis during the last year, reported by 34.6%, odds ratio (OR) 4.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81-11.0, and a history of bacterial vaginosis, reported by 42.4%, OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.11-4.92. Contraceptive methods, hygienic habits, a history of STIs, depression or sexual abuse were factors unrelated to longstanding symptoms. Investigation with regard to longstanding vulval problems and entry dyspareunia is required for a certain group of sexually transmitted disease-clinic visitors in Oslo, and referral to a special service for vulva patients would be beneficial for selected patients.     

Estimation of cumulative illness using cross-sectional data

Using cross-sectional data, a general method is given for assessing cumulative illness due to a particular disease. An application is given to estimating cumulative illness due to otitis media in Australian aborigines and contrasting these results to the non-aboriginal population.     

Menstrual patterns and disorders among Chinese women of reproductive age: A cross-sectional study based on mobile application data

Menstruation is an important indicator of women''s health. Identification of abnormal menstrual patterns in adolescence may improve early diagnosis of potential health concerns in adulthood. This study aimed to evaluate menstrual patterns and disorders of Chinese women of reproductive age based on an APP.From December 2015 to January 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted. We utilized a mobile application (APP) to collect information about participants’ age at menarche, length of menstruation, duration of menstruation, amount of menstrual flow, regularity of menstrual cycle, prevalence of abnormal uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhoea.A total of 156,055 women (25,716 from the questionnaire survey and 130,000 from the mobile APP users) participated in the study. The average age of the subjects was 26.32 ± 6.97 years (median age, 25 years). Mean age at menarche was 13.08 ± 1.87 years; average length of menstrual cycle, 30.9 ± 4.28 days (median 30 days); and average duration of menstruation, 5.01 ± 1.13 days (median 5 days). Women with irregular menstrual cycles accounted for 36.41%. Women aged < 18 years and > 30 years were more likely to experience irregular menstrual cycles. The prevalence of secondary amenorrhoea was 4.07%. More than 20% of women reported abnormal menstrual flow. About 20.11% of women had abnormal uterine bleeding, and 77.65% had dysmenorrhoea. A hot compress was the most commonly used approach to ameliorate dysmenorrhoea. Women with low education and low income and those with high education and high income tended to have menstrual problems.A mobile APP as a survey tool has the advantages of large sample size, low cost, and high efficiency. The use of a mobile APP is an emerging approach for collecting big data in the field of health research. The results showed that the prevalence of menstrual disorders among Chinese reproductive women was high. Healthcare providers should educate girls and their caregivers about menstrual physiology, normal menstrual pattern, and reproductive health to prevent long-term diseases.     

The mediating effect of coping style on personality and mental health among elderly Chinese empty-nester: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMental health is a growing concern among older people all over the world. China has a rapidly aging population, and the number of elderly empty-nesters, who have no children or whose children have already left home, is on the rise. These older adults live alone or with a spouse. Therefore, we should be concerned about these empty-nester, especially their mental health, due to its vital role.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed from March to December 2015. The participants were 350 empty-nest elderly adults from Chifeng City in Inner Mongolia. Data were collected with the Elderly Mental Health Questionnaire, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC) and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. For the analyses, correlations, regressions, and structural equation models were used. Bootstrapping was performed to confirm the mediation effect.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 70.33 ± 6.67 years. Mental health showed significant correlations with extraversion, neuroticism, and coping style (all P＜0.01). Extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism were the independent variables, while mental health was the dependent variable in the linear regression model with stepwise analysis. Extraversion and neuroticism were entered into the regression equation. All standardized coefficients (β) were significant (all P<0.01) in the model, and bootstrapping indicated that the mediating role of coping style was statistically significant.ConclusionCoping style partially mediated the relationship between the personality and mental health of the empty-nest elderly. Consequently, to improve the mental health of the empty-nest elderly, coping style should be the focus.     

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among children in Latvia: A cross-sectional study

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major global health concern. In contrast to adults, the course of the disease has been observed to be mild or even asymptomatic in children. It is therefore both clinically and epidemiologically important to measure the seroprevalence in children and adolescents to discern the overall morbidity of the disease and to compare these findings with similar data collected globally. We conducted a cross-sectional study between March and July of 2022 at the Children Clinical University Hospital in Riga, Latvia, to evaluate the seroprevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Participants aged 0 to 18 years were enrolled during hospitalization for reasons other than COVID-19. The levels of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid antibodies were measured in blood samples. The possibility of transplacental antibody transport was evaluated by directly interviewing the mothers of participants aged 18 months and younger. Various demographic and epidemiological risk factors and their association with seroprevalence were analyzed. Positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies were designated the main criterion for seropositivity. Of 200 enrolled children, 173 were found to be seropositive, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 86.5%. The highest seroprevalence was detected in children and adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. With the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, the seroprevalence in children has increased significantly. We found that almost 1-third of seropositive children in our study population were unaware of being previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 due to an asymptomatic course of the disease. Our study findings pertaining to high seropositivity among children and adolescents might be beneficial for public authorities to adapt epidemiological strategies and prevention measures. The high seroprevalence rate reported here and in many other populations around the world suggests that COVID-19 will likely become one of the many seasonal viral infections.     

Workplace violence and its aftermath among health workers in Zhejiang province: a cross-sectional study

Background

In China, the reported incidence of workplace violence in hospitals has been increasing. Most research has focused on secondary and tertiary care facilities. We aimed to determine the incidence of workplace violence and its aftermath in county and township hospitals and community health centres in Zhejiang Province.

Prevalence of swallowing complaints and clinical findings among 50–79-year-old men and women in an urban population

To determine the prevalence of swallowing and esophageal complaints in the general population, 300 men and 300 women were asked to answer a mailed questionnaire. The participation rate was 92.5%. Complaints were reported by 35%. The most common complaints were symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and globus sensation, both with a rate of occurrence of 20%. Obstruction of the bolus reported by 3% was the individual symptom that most frequently brought patients to the doctor. To validate the questionnaire and to study possible organic causes behind these symptoms, 46 persons with symptoms were invited to undergo further examination. Cineradiography of the pharynx revealed that 7 of 14 patients with symptoms of GER had abnormalities in the esophagus. Eleven of 55 patients with GER symptoms at least once a week underwent endoscopy. One case of erosive esophagitis and one case of gastric ulcer were diagnosed. Four of nine patients with obstructive symptoms had defective closure of the laryngeal vestibule shown by cineradiography. Endoscopy in four patients with obstructive symptoms revealed benign findings. Thus, an epidemiologic study of patients with swallowing symptoms documented a low incidence of serious organic disease.     

No health insurance and multiple insurance among internal migrants in China: a national cross-sectional study

Background

China's system of social health insurance is fragmented into three separated insurance plans and is not transferrable across regions, which can leave some migrants without insurance or with multiple insurance. This study aimed to investigate the health insurance status among internal migrants, and its relationship with migration characteristics.

Association of adiposity indices with prehypertension among Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study

The association of adiposity indices with prehypertension remains unclear in the Chinese non-hypertensive population. This study aimed to compare the association of adiposity indices, including waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio, body roundness index (BRI), a body shape index (ABSI), and conicity index (CI), and prehypertension in the Chinese population. We recruited 61 475 participants from a population-based screening project in Guangdong province, China. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to detect the association between the six adiposity indices and prehypertension. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the predictive values of adiposity indices to prehypertension. The individuals were divided into two categories by blood pressure (BP) levels: normotension (<120/80 mmHg) and prehypertension (120–139/80–89 mmHg). A total of 33 233 people had prehypertension, with a prevalence of 54.04% and 42% males. Both logistics regression models presented a positive association between each adiposity index and prehypertension (p < .05), except for ABSI. The body mass index (BMI) was slightly more correlated with prehypertension than any other index. The standardized ORs for the six indices were 1.392, 1.361, 1.406, 1.039, 1.372, and 1.151, respectively. Compared to other adiposity indices, the WC had a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) for predicting prehypertension (AUC: .619, sensitivity: 57%, specificity: 60.6%). In conclusion, WC and BMI might be the best indicators for prehypertension. Increasing evidence supports avoiding obesity as a preferred primary prevention strategy for prehypertension while controlling other major hypertension risk factors.     

A cross-sectional and diurnal study of thrombogenesis among patients with chronic atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES

First, we sought to determine whether there is diurnal variation in hemostatic factors related to thrombogenesis and hypercoagulability among patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). Second, we sought to determine whether levels of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), a marker of endothelial function, or soluble P-selectin (sP-sel), an index of platelet activation, are altered in patients with AF as compared with subjects in sinus rhythm.

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of stroke and thromboembolism and is known to confer a hypercoagulable state, with abnormalities of thrombosis, platelet activation and endothelial cell function. Many cardiovascular events, such as acute myocardial infarction, have thrombosis as an underlying process, and they undergo diurnal variation.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients (45 men, mean [±SD] age 66 ± 6 years) with chronic AF, none of whom received antithrombotic therapy, were studied. Baseline levels of fibrinogen, sP-sel, sTM and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were compared to those levels in matched healthy control subjects in sinus rhythm. In a subgroup of 20 patients, five venous blood samples were collected through an indwelling cannula at 6-h intervals from 12 to 12 the following day and were analyzed for the same markers.

RESULTS

Patients with chronic AF had higher plasma sP-sel, sTM, vWF and fibrinogen levels as compared with control subjects in sinus rhythm. Significant correlations were found between fibrinogen and sP-sel in patients with AF (r = 0.567 [Spearman], p < 0.001) and in control subjects (r = 0.334, p = 0.016). There was no significant diurnal variation in plasma levels of sP-sel, sTM, vWF or fibrinogen over the 24-h study period (repeated measures analysis of variance, p = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no circadian or diurnal variation in the hypercoagulable state seen in AF, as assessed by plasma fibrinogen and markers of platelet (sP-sel) and endothelial function (vWF and sTM). The persistent hypercoagulable state, together with the loss of diurnal variation in various hemostatic markers, in chronic AF may contribute to the high risk of stroke and thromboembolic complications in these patients.     

The elderly and falls: Factors associated with quality of life A cross-sectional study using large-scale national data in Korea

ObjectiveTo investigate the factors of fall injury and measuring the relationship between health-related quality of life in the elderly.MethodsWe analyzed the data on 38,627 persons of aged 65 years or older who have experienced falls drawn from the Korean Community Health Survey 2011. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed with crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsIt was found that sex (OR: 1.187), types of household (OR: 1.134), employment status (OR: 0.941), stress (OR: 1.260), comorbidities (OR: 1.308), and health-related quality of life were significantly related to falls among the elderly. Specifically, elderly women, greater stress, comorbidities, and poor health-related quality of life were strongly related to higher odds of falls.ConclusionHealth-related quality of life was significantly related with the risk of fall injuries in elderly households. Providing support for informal caregivers (e.g., friends or neighbors), not only family members could expect to positive effect.     

Unmet needs among men with human immunodeficiency virus in community mental health care: a cross-sectional study

While community-based mental health services play an important role in caring for persons with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and co-existing mental health disorders, the extent to which their support needs are addressed in this setting is unknown. Accordingly, we examined if HIV infection was associated with unmet support needs among men living with and without HIV receiving community mental health care. This cross-sectional study examined 215 men (135 living with HIV and 80 without HIV) receiving case management services in urban Ontario. Using the Camberwell Assessment of Need, we ascertained the prevalence of support needs in 13 domains grouped into three clusters: Basic needs (accommodation, food, benefits, and money management); self-care/functional needs (daytime activities, self-care, and looking after the home); and health/safety needs (physical, psychological distress, psychotic symptoms, safety to self, and safety to others). We used generalized estimating equations with a logit link to examine the association between HIV and unmet need in each domain. Compared to HIV-negative men, men with HIV were more likely to have mood and concurrent disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Following multivariable analyses, men with HIV had greater unmet needs related to food (odds ratio?+?95% confidence interval: 9.36 (4.03, 21.75), p?<?0.001); money (OR: 1.90 (1.04, 3.47), p?=?0.036) [basic need domains]; psychological distress (OR: 2.39 (1.68, 3.41), p?<?0.001); drug use (OR: 5.10 (2.16, 12.08) p?<?0.001); and safety to self (OR: 3.35 (1.51, 7.52), p?<?0.003) [health and safety domains]. Despite living in a setting with universal health insurance, men with HIV receiving community mental health support had greater unmet need in basic and health domains than HIV-negative men receiving such support. Further research is required to develop and evaluate interventions to best support community-dwelling persons with HIV and mental health disorders.     

1997年中国六城市老年人群六种疾病横断面调查

目的 了解影响老年人生活质量的５种徉病的现状与分布特点。方法 通过随机、整群抽样,对北京、上海、广州、成都、西安、沈阳６大城市城乡的８２５２名老年人的６种疾病进行横断血调查。结果 期前列腺增生、老年聋、老年性白内障、老年期骨关节病、骨折及老年性便秘患病率分别为４３．７％、３３．７％、４６．８％、３８．７％、１３．３％、１０．５％,其患病率均存在明显的地区差异（均为Ｐ〈０．０１）。无论哪个地区,老年     

Dairy consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis: A cross-sectional study among middle-aged Mexican women

Background and aimsMany dietary guidelines encourage low-fat dairy products; however, recent studies have found null and inverse associations between high-fat dairy intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We examined the association between the intake of total dairy and different types of dairy and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, in Mexican women.Methods and resultsDairy consumption was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in 1759 women in the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort (MTC) study who were free of CVD or cancer. We categorized participants according to total dairy intake and consumption of four mutually exclusive dairy groups: high-fat, low-fat, yogurt, and dairy with added sugars. IMT and atherosclerotic plaque were measured by B-mode ultrasonography. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as an IMT ≥0.8 mm and/or the presence of plaque. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models were used to respectively assess the mean percentage difference of mean IMT and odds ratios (OR) for subclinical atherosclerosis across quantiles of dairy consumption. Mean (±SD) age was 45.4 ± 5.0 years and the median (interquartile range: IQR) total dairy consumption was 11.0 (6.6, 17.1) servings/week. After adjusting for lifestyle, clinical, and dietary factors, comparing the highest category of consumption, to the lowest, total dairy was associated with increased IMT (2.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6, 4.3; p-trend<0.01). Moreover, yogurt consumption was associated with lower odds of subclinical atherosclerosis (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.91; p-trend = 0.01).ConclusionsWhile total dairy consumption was associated with carotid wall thickening, yogurt consumption was related to lower subclinical atherosclerosis.     

Prevalence of dyslipidemia among the diabetic patients in southern Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

AimDiabetic dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease which has a vast mortality rate throughout the world. Early detection and treatment of dyslipidemia can avoid risk for cardiovascular disorder in diabetic patients. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and pattern of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients.Materials and methodsThis cross sectional study was performed in several specialized diabetic hospital of Noakhali, a southern district of Bangladesh. All known cases of diabetes mellitus were evaluated for their lipid profile. A total number of 1008 patients were included in the study having 683 (67.8%) female and 325 (32.2%) male subjects.ResultsThe prevalence of dyslipidemia among the male subjects was 73% while among female subjects 71%. Among diabetic males the percentage of high serum Cholesterol, high serum TG (Triglyceride), low HDL (High density cholesterol) and high LDL (Low density cholesterol) was 35.69%, 44.31%, 50.15% and 72.92% respectively, whereas the female had the percentage at 35.29%, 40.85%, 49.49% and 70.57% respectively.ConclusionMajority portion of the study subjects were dyslipidemic. The most prevalent pattern among both male and female was high level of LDL and low level of HDL. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Bangladesh is significantly high, which indicates the urgency of lifestyle intervention strategies to prevent and manage this important health problem and risk factor.     

Effect of occupation on sleep duration among daytime Japanese workers: A cross-sectional study

Occupation is one of the factors contributing to the loss of sleep. Although many studies have investigated sleep loss due to irregular and nighttime shifts, the causes of sleep loss in daytime workers remain unknown. The aims of the present study were to determine whether occupation is a dependent factor for sleep duration and whether working status and lifestyle are related to sleep duration.We examined the health check results of 17,519 (9028 men and 8491 women) workers who had at least 1 health check between the fiscal years 2013 and 2019. We asked about the workers’ occupation, bedtime, dinner time, overtime work, and commuting time, using a self-administered questionnaire at their health check. The occupations were classified into 4 categories: high white-collar, low white-collar, pink-collar, and blue-collar. We conducted a linear regression model and analysis of covariance to investigate the effect of occupation on sleep duration.As a result of linear regression analysis, bedtime, overtime work and occupation were significantly associated with decreased sleep duration in males, and bedtime, age, and occupation were significantly associated with decreased sleep duration in females. Analysis of covariance revealed that both male and female blue-collar tended to sleep for significantly shorter durations than those in the other occupations.The results of the current study indicate that sleep duration is affected by occupation. When determining the cause of loss of sleep, medical personnel should consider their patient''s lifestyles and how they have been affected by their occupation.     

A meta‐analysis of active video games on health outcomes among children and adolescents

This meta‐analysis synthesizes current literature concerning the effects of active video games (AVGs) on children/adolescents’ health‐related outcomes. A total of 512 published studies on AVGs were located, and 35 articles were included based on the following criteria: (i) data‐based research articles published in English between 1985 and 2015; (ii) studied some types of AVGs and related outcomes among children/adolescents and (iii) had at least one comparison within each study. Data were extracted to conduct comparisons for outcome measures in three separate categories: AVGs and sedentary behaviours, AVGs and laboratory‐based exercise, and AVGs and field‐based physical activity. Effect size for each entry was calculated with the Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software in 2015. Mean effect size (Hedge's g) and standard deviation were calculated for each comparison. Compared with sedentary behaviours, AVGs had a large effect on health outcomes. The effect sizes for physiological outcomes were marginal when comparing AVGs with laboratory‐based exercises. The comparison between AVGs and field‐based physical activity had null to moderate effect sizes. AVGs could yield equivalent health benefits to children/adolescents as laboratory‐based exercise or field‐based physical activity. Therefore, AVGs can be a good alternative for sedentary behaviour and addition to traditional physical activity and sports in children/adolescents.