Circulating CCL20: A potential biomarker for active vitiligo together with the number of Th1/17 cells

Background

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease with varying pathological features. Activation of the CCL20-CCR6 axis plays an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases. However, whether CCL20-CCR6 and Th1/17 cells are indicative of active vitiligo is unclear.

Physical health-related quality of life among older adults with personality disorders

Objectives: Personality Disorders (PDs) are associated with a multitude of negative consequences. The negative PD effects on health can be even more burdensome for older adults given the physical and social functioning changes that occur with age; however, the majority of research examining the influence of PDs focuses on younger adults. The present study seeks to investigate the relationship between PDs and physical health-related quality of life (PHRQoL) in adults over the age of 50.

Methods: Data for 16,884 adults ages 50 and older from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) were analyzed. Multiple linear regression models were analyzed to investigate the relationships of seven PDs and participants’ PHRQoL.

Results: All PDs except histrionic and avoidant PD had statistically significant negative associations with PHRQoL scores, indicating that respondents diagnosed with PDs were expected to have lower PHRQoL than those without PDs, after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. When psychosocial covariates were added to the model, only dependent, obsessive-compulsive and paranoid PDs were significantly related to PHRQoL score.

Conclusions: For adults ages 50 and older, a diagnosis of PD was weakly associated with lower PHRQoL scores for three PDs, however this is unlikely to be a causal association. The strength of the relationship between PDs and PHRQoL varies by type of PD. Given the higher rates of functional and social changes that occur with age, future research should focus on potential causes of worse physical health among older adults with PDs.     

Association of malnutrition with all-cause mortality in the elderly population: A 6-year cohort study

Background and aimsFew studies have explored the association between malnutrition, defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and all-cause mortality, particularly in the Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the association between the GNRI and all-cause mortality in the elderly population.Methods and resultsParticipants aged ≥60 years were eligible for this study and were divided into three groups by the GNRI: An adequate nutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥98; mild malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥82 but <98; and a severe malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI <82. The results implied that there was a positive association between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality in the total population (hazard ratio (HR): 2.591 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.729–3.884), male subjects (HR: 2.903 and 95% CI: 1.718–4.906), and female subjects (HR: 2.081 and 95% CI: 1.071–4.046). Similar associations between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality were observed in both the 60–69 and 70–79 years age groups (HR: 2.863 and 2.600, 95% CI: 1.444–5.678 and 1.394–4.849, respectively). However, no significant association was observed between mild malnutrition and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsSevere malnutrition could increase all-cause mortality in the 60- to 79-year-old population. However, there was no association of mild malnutrition with all-cause mortality.     

Role of subcutaneous implantable loop recorder for the diagnosis of arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome: A United Kingdom single-center experience

1. Download : Download high-res image (285KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

The impact of musculoskeletal diseases on the presence of locomotive syndrome

Objectives: We assessed the impact of musculoskeletal diseases, depressive mental state, and hypertension on locomotive syndrome, a condition of reduced mobility requiring nursing care. Since locomotive syndrome is a major public health issue that needs attention, its relationship with functional inconvenience in performing daily activities was also investigated.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an Internet panel survey, comprising 747 persons aged 30–90 years. Demographics, personal medical history, and daily activity data were assessed. The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale was used to diagnose locomotive syndrome. Stepwise linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were conducted to evaluate the association between locomotive syndrome, musculoskeletal diseases, and functional inconvenience.

Results: Aging, osteoporosis, and low back pain significantly increased the risk of locomotive syndrome, followed by knee osteoarthritis and lumbar spinal stenosis. Locomotive syndrome was significantly related to depressive mental state and hypertension, and led to functional inconvenience in Seiza sitting, cleaning, shopping, and strolling.

Conclusion: Locomotive syndrome was associated with functional inconvenience in performing common daily activities involving the lower extremities and spine. Osteoporosis and aging were significantly associated with locomotive syndrome. The risk of locomotive syndrome may be decreased by treating comorbid osteoporosis and instituting exercise and diet-related modifications.     

Increased risk of eating disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study

Abstract

Data on eating disorders in women with PCOS is insufficient. The objective of this case study was to examine the hypothesis that women with PCOS exhibit more impaired eating than healthy women. Women diagnosed with PCOS under the 2003 Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria (n?=?40) were compared with a healthy control group (n?=?40). The groups also were divided into two as normal body weight and overweight/obese. The Eating Disorders Assessment Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21), were completed by all participants in order to evaluate eating behaviors in addition to eating disorders. Among the overweight/obese group, the average total and subscale scores of the EDE-Q as well as the total and sub-factor scores of the TFEQ-R21 were higher in women with PCOS compared to controls (p?<?.05). However, this statistically significant result was not shown among the women with normal weight (p?>?.05). In comparison to the controls, the PCOS women displayed higher values of the tool scores indicating abnormal restraint eating, body shape concern and weight concern subscale scores (p?<?.05). This result suggests that the evaluation of eating disorders should be added to routine screening and the monitoring of women with PCOS.