Occupational status and sleep-disordered breathing in a sample of French males

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and lower socio-professional status have in common a series of risk factors for ill health such as sedentary lifestyle, weight excess, heavy alcohol and tobacco consumption. We hypothesised that SDB will be more prevalent in lower socio-professional groups. A total of 496 male middle aged subjects (23-66 years) were tested with a protocol including a self-completed structured sleep questionnaire (translation of the Madison sleep cohort study form), anthropometry (including neck, waist and hip girth) and a simple, non-invasive nose-throat examination by a specialist physician. The subjects were classified according to the 10 major groups of the ISCO-88 classification (International Labour Office). Our sampling base did not contain subjects in the major groups 1 (senior officials, legislators), 6 (fishery and agricultural workers), and zero (armed forces), thus these groups were not represented in the analysis. To improve the power of the statistical analysis, groups 3 and 4, 5 and 7, 8 and 9 were merged, the analysis thus including four categories. The differences in demographic data were negligible; as expected, smoking was more prevalent in low socio-occupational groups (difference non-significant). A history of chronic bronchitis was more frequent in low socio-occupational groups, while a low physical job labour was more frequent in higher occupational groups. We did not find any differences in the prevalence of sleep-related respiratory disturbances (snoring, sleep apnoeas). This first study of the possible association between socio-occupational factors and sleep disordered breathing was negative, but we believe further studies, on larger samples, with a more homogeneous distribution of social groups are warranted.     

The German study on sleep-disordered breathing in primary school children: epidemiological approach, representativeness of study sample, and preliminary screening results

In order to study the prevalence of habitual snoring (HS), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), other aspects of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and their determinants, we enrolled a cross-section of children from the population of third graders attending regular primary schools in Hannover, Germany. The recruitment strategy followed a multistage, probability-clustered design. Selected schools were compared with eligible schools regarding the percentage of children with low socio-economic status (SES). The recruitment process was analysed and response proportions calculated. Study subjects were compared with their school enrolment cohort based on anonymous data provided by school authorities. Habitual snoring and OSA were investigated using parental questionnaires and all children underwent nocturnal home pulse oximetry. There was a good overall representativeness of sampled schools with regard to the percentage of children with low SES. In total, 1760 children were contacted and 1144 (65.0%) agreed to participate. The whole process of self-selection of study subjects was not differential by gender. Compared with their school enrolment cohort, study subjects had slightly higher educated parents. The prevalence of HS was estimated to be 10.1% [95% CI 8.3, 11.9%]; and 3.2% [2.2, 4.2%] and 3.9% [2.8, 4.2%] had an abnormally high OSA or SDB score respectively. Based on pulse oximetry, 2.4% [95% CI 1.5, 3.4%] had 3 D(90)and 3 D(C), 1.0% [0.4, 1.6%] had the DI(90) > 0.6, and 3.3% [2.2, 4.4%] had the DI(4) > 3.9 and the DI(C) > 0.4. This study sample appears to be highly representative with regard to all available data from the population, and therefore suitable to study the prevalence of HS and OSA. Our prevalence estimates are in the range of other studies.     

An epidemiologic study of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents and children in South China: a school‐based study

Background To explore the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among school‐aged children in South China, and identify distribution characteristics and contributing factors. Methods Primary, middle and high school students (n= 2013) were recruited from schools in Shanghai. Students completed two questionnaires, one for IBS in adolescents and children and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Results (1) The prevalence of IBS among students was 20.72% and the incidence increased with age. (2) Several physical factors and overuse of analgesics were significantly associated with IBS. (3) The prevalence of anxiety disorder was higher in older students, and in females vs. males. Students with IBS tended towards anxiety‐related emotional disorders (38.14% vs. 18.96%). (4) IBS students scored higher in all SCARED categories. Within IBS students, those who frequently sought medical care reported higher scores in the somatization/panic category. Conclusion (1) Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder among adolescents in South China and prevalence increases with age. (2) Gastrointestinal infection, abuse of analgesics and psychological factors might be related to the incidence of IBS. (3) The tendency towards anxiety‐related emotional disorders also increases with age, suggesting a possible correlation with IBS and underlining the importance of positive family and school environments. Although the prevalence of anxiety‐related emotional disorders was higher in females than males, this trend was not correlated with the occurrence of IBS.     

Predisposing factors of sleep-disordered breathing in Japanese male workers

The aim of this study was to elucidate the usable predisposing factors of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in the workplace. A total of 353 male workers who complained of SDB related symptoms such as witnessed snoring, recurrent awakening from sleep, urination during the night, morning headache, and excessive daytime sleepiness were included in the analysis. We examined hyoid-mental distance (HMD), modified Mallampati score (MMS), and the narrowness of the pharynx with tonsillar hypertrophy as the predisposing physical findings of SDB. We used the number of 3% or more oxygen desaturation events per hour (ODI3) as the indicator of SDB. The mean values (S.D.) of all subjects were 44.3 (8.9) yr (19-66 yr) of age, and 25.9 (3.8) Kg/m(2) body mass index (BMI). A significant difference in ODI3 was found between the HMD classes, and also between the subjects with and without tonsillar hypertrophy. Mean ODI3 adjusted for age, BMI, and alcohol consumption on the day of monitoring was high in the group of short HMD and the group of tonsillar hypertrophy (+). For MMS, though ODI3 did not appear to be significantly different, mean ODI3 was high in the MMS-IV. In conclusion, short HMD and tonsillar hypertrophy are the important findings predicting SDB identified by pulse oximetry. These findings would be beneficial in the workplace for selection of subjects who should be encouraged to undergo pulse oximetry for detection of SDB.     

Estimating the single nucleotide polymorphism genotype misclassification from routine double measurements in a large epidemiologic sample

Previously, estimation of genotype misclassification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as encountered in epidemiologic practice and involving thousands of subjects was lacking. The authors collected representative data on approximately 14,000 subjects from 8 studies and 646,558 genotypes assessed in 2005 by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Overall discordance among 57,805 double genotypes from routine quality control was 0.36%. Fitting different misclassification models by maximum likelihood assuming identical misclassification for all SNPs, the estimated misclassification probabilities ranged from 0.0000 to 0.0035. When applying the misclassification simulation and extrapolation (MC-SIMEX) method for the first time to genetic data to account for the misclassification in a reanalysis of adiponectin-encoding (APM1) gene SNP associations with plasma adiponectin in 1,770 subjects, the authors found no impact of this small error on association estimates but increased estimates for a more substantial error. This study is the first to provide large-scale epidemiologic data on SNP genotype misclassification. The estimated misclassification in this example was small and negligible for association estimates, which is reassuring and essential for detecting SNP associations. In situations with more substantial error, the presented approach using duplicate genotyping and the MC-SIMEX method is practical and helpful for quantifying the genotyping error and its impact.     

Association between monosodium glutamate intake and sleep-disordered breathing among Chinese adults with normal body weight

ObjectiveTo assess whether monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake is associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).MethodsData from 1227 Chinese subjects who participated in the Jiangsu Nutrition Study were analyzed. All the participants were examined at two time points (baseline in 2002 and follow-up in 2007). The MSG intake was assessed quantitatively in 2002 and a sleep questionnaire was used to assess snoring and to construct an SDB probability score in 2007. Those within the fifth quintile of the score (highest) were defined as having a high probability of SDB.ResultsThe MSG intake was positively associated with snoring and a high probability of SDB in participants who had a normal body weight but in those who were overweight. A comparison of the extreme quartiles of MSG intake in subjects with a body mass index lower than 23 kg/m² showed an odds ratio of 2.02 (95% confidence interval 1.02–4.00) for snoring and an odds ratio of 3.11 (95% confidence interval 1.10–8.84) for a high probability of SDB. There was a joint effect between MSG and overweight in relation to SDB.ConclusionThe intake of MSG may increase the risk of SDB in Chinese adults with a normal body weight.     

An epidemiologic study of breast cancer

A case-control study has been conducted in four areas of Canada in which 400 cases of breast cancer matched by age and marital status with neighborhood controls were administered medical and dietary questionnaires. The study is suggestive of an increased risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women with younger age at menarche and an increased risk with delay of age at natural menopause. No protective effect of early age at first pregnancy was demonstrated in either pre- or post-menopausal women. An increased frequency of pregnancies of four months duration or less was found in cases compared to controls and a greater frequency in pre-menopausal cases compared to controls of a history of irregular menstrual periods. In pre-menopausal women no association has been found between increased height and weight as risk factors for breast cancer. For post-menopausal women, however, a weak association with increased height has been found, while a strong association with increased weight both at the time of menopause and the 12 months preceding diagnosis has ben confirmed.     

An epidemiologic study of hepatocellular carcinoma in Canada

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To provide information on poorly described Canadian hepatocellular cancer epidemiology, we analyzed incident cases abstracted from the Canadian Cancer Registration Database (1969-1997) and Canadian annual death data (1969-1998). Age, sex, geographic distribution, and secular trends were described. Projection models were developed for the next decade. RESULTS: Results indicated much higher incidence and mortality rates in males than females, with substantial increases for both with age. Age-standardized incidence rates increased an average of 3.4% per year in males, 1.2% per year in females (1969-1997). Age-standardized mortality rates increased an average of 1.48% in males, but decreased an average of 0.46% per year in females (1969-1998). Join-point analysis of the linear trends in the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates suggested that a new trend started to emerge about 1991. The fitted non-linear multiplicative model predicted the occurrence of 1,565 new cases and 802 deaths in the year 2010. HCC incidence was the highest in British Colombia, followed by Quebec, and the lowest in the Atlantic region. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma have increased substantially, consistent with the reported increase in the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections in recent decades.     

An epidemiologic study of the human bite

The 892 human bites reported to the New York City Department of Health in 1977 were analyzed by time, place, and the victim's characteristics. The bites appeared to have a seasonality, increasing in March and exceeding the mean monthly average through August. The bite rate for the entire city, 10.7 per 100,000 population, was exceeded in 5 of the 10 Brooklyn health districts; one of these districts reported a rate of 60.9 human bites per 100,000 population. Most of the bites with identifiable locations occurred indoors (63.2 percent). In 72.8 percent of the bite episodes in which the activities surrounding them were known, these activities were aggressive in nature. Males exceeded females as bite victims in all age groups except those 10-20 and 55-60 years. Bites of the upper extremity accounted for 61.2 percent of the total bites. Left-sided bites exceeded right-sided, except for the hand. In frequency of reported occurrence, the human bite ranks third, after the dog bite and the cat bite. Human bites may be a useful indicator of antisocial behavior.     

An epidemiologic study of gypsy moth rash

In 1981, outbreaks of itchy skin rashes were reported accompanying the heavy infestation of gypsy moths (GM) in the Northeastern United States. The rash problem was widespread and a considerable public annoyance. In the spring of 1982, during the period of greatest contact with the caterpillars, a telephone survey was carried out in a highly infested community (HI) and a minimally infested community (LO). Information was collected from 1,000 persons, representing more than 90 per cent of those selected for study. The one-week risk of rash was 10.4 per cent in the HI area and 1.6 per cent in the LO area, for a risk ratio (RR) of 6.5. The occurrence of rash was strongly related to a history of having had a rash in the previous year or having had a caterpillar crawl on the affected area. The combination of both factors additively increased the risk of rash. Hay fever and hanging the wash outside were other related variables. History of allergies other than hay fever since childhood and the use of insecticides were unrelated to rash occurrence.     

Predictors of smoking development in a population-based sample of adolescents: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To study the development of smoking behavior in adolescents using a longitudinal, multivariate design. METHODS: Adolescents (n = 14,133, age range 12 to 18 years) took part in the longitudinal Add Health study (two waves, separated by 1 year, 56% smokers and 44% nonsmokers at Wave 1). Eight risk factor domains were established at Wave 1 (daily activities, psychological health, personality, school situation, family functioning, rough living, religion, and neighborhood status), which were further separated into subdomains by factor analysis. Subdomains were used to predict risk at Wave 2 of smoking initiation, progression, or failure to discontinue, using logistic regression analysis. Analyses were performed for boys and girls separately and results corrected for age, race, urbanicity, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Use/abuse of other substances by self and peers influenced most stages of smoking, whereas trouble in school was associated with initiation and progression of smoking. Poor family relations predicted initiation of experimental smoking for girls, whereas low involvement in active pastimes predicted failure to discontinue experimental smoking. For boys, low religiosity predicted progression to regular smoking and failure to quit regular smoking, whereas delinquency also reduced success of regular smoking discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may direct efforts for prevention and intervention of adolescent smoking behavior and may also provide guidance for future studies.     

北京地区肠易激综合征的流行病学研究:一个整群、分层、随机的调查

目的 对北京市肠易激综合征（ＩＢＳ）的患病率及危险因素进行研究。方法 用整群、分层、单纯随机抽样方法,对北京市常住人口中１８￣７０岁的２４８６人进行问卷调查作为初筛,了解按Ｍａｎｎｉｎｇ标准加以补充及按罗马标准判断的有症状人群的检出率,再对筛出有症状的部分人在医院进行以排除结肠器质性疾病为目的的精查,根据精查的正确率对普查结果校正后估算出点患病率。对发病有关的危险因素作单因素和多因素分析,并对部分     

An epidemiologic study of maladaptive eating attitudes in a Canadian school age population

Although cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia are being seen increasingly by health care professionals, little data is available on the prevalence of these disorders in the general population of school age children. Using a validated eating attitude test (EAT), a total of 5150 students, aged 12–20, from public schools and one university in the Province of Manitoba were surveyed. Overall, 5% of males and 22% of females scored 30 or above on the scale, suggesting significant concerns and attitudes regarding eating. These concerns were somewhat higher in urban versus rural settings and seemed to increase between the ages of 12 and 13 and remain high thereafter. Many of the students who scored high on the EAT were overweight, suggesting that these attitudes or concerns are not specific to anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia.     

Psychometric evaluation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in a large community sample of adolescents in Hong Kong

Purpose  

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is widely used in adult populations; however, its usefulness with adolescents has been explored less. This study sought to evaluate the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Chinese version of HADS in a community sample of adolescents residing in Hong Kong.     

Situational runaway adolescents. A study on risk factors from a Turkish sample

Drawing on a sample of 726 non-clinical adolescents (aged 17-18 years) from high schools in Ankara, Turkey, this paper primarily aims to identify the risk factors related to situational run away behavior. This study was based on an ecological risk factors model and tried to discover the associations for runaways. Run away behavior is one of the problematic behaviors very commonly seen among Turkish adolescents. Regression analyses revealed that predictors for runaway behavior differed due to gender; while, delinquency, sexual intercourse, substance use, parental separation and suicidal ideation were the significant predictors for girl adolescent runaway behaviors, while lack of parental support and depression were the significant predictors for boy adolescent runaway behavior.