Time trends in heavy drinking among middle-aged and older adults in Denmark

Background:  Studies have indicated an increasing proportion of heavy drinking among middle-aged and older Danes. Trends in consumption are often extremely sensitive to influence from various components of the time trends but only few have explored the age, period and cohort-related influences on late life alcohol consumption. By using age, period, and cohort modeling this study explores the time trends in heavy drinking.
Methods:  Data derive from five National Health and Morbidity Surveys conducted by the Danish National Institute of Public Health in 1987, 1994, 2000, 2003, and 2005. A total of 15,144 randomly selected Danes between the age of 50 and 74 were interviewed about their alcohol intake on the last weekday and their alcohol intake in the last week. By applying the age-period-cohort model the probability of heavy alcohol drinking is estimated to separate the influence of age, period (calendar time) and cohort (year of birth).
Results:  The unadjusted probability of heavy drinking declines by age and increases by calendar year and year of birth for both men and women. However, the negative effect of age is attenuated for women when adjusted for birth cohort, indicating that the proportion of heavy drinking women increases in younger birth cohorts. This trend is not observed for men as their drinking pattern mainly increase slightly by calendar year.
Conclusions:  Our Danish observations for older aged individuals correspond to the social and cultural changes in the 1960s and 1970s that possibly have affected the drinking behavior of the cohorts. Time trend analyses, such as this may serve as an excellent opportunity to extrapolate and forecast alcohol mortality and morbidity.     

Genotypes and Phenotypes of Chinese Pediatric Patients With Idiopathic and Heritable Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension—A Single-Center Study

BackgroundThe relationship between clinical outcomes and gene mutations in Chinese pediatric patients with idiopathic and heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients who visited Beijing Anzhen Hospital from September 2008 to December 2018.ResultsEighty-two pediatric patients were included. Forty-two gene mutations were identified in 41 patients (50%), including 25 mutations in BMPR2, 5 mutations in ACVRL1, 3 mutations each in ABCA3 and NOTCH3, 2 mutations each in KCNK3 and HTR2B, 1 mutation in ENG, and 1 mutation in EIF2AK4. The mean age at diagnosis of PAH was 86.4 ± 55.1 months. Forty-eight patients (twenty-eight mutation carriers) underwent cardiac catheterization examinations, with acute vasodilator testing performed simultaneously. Results showed that mutation carriers demonstrated a higher pulmonary vascular resistance index (P = 0.037). Patients with gene mutations responded poorly to vasodilators (P = 0.001). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of mutation noncarriers were 95.1%, 87.8%, and 82.5% respectively; while for mutation carriers, the proportions were 86.6% (P = 0.216), 63.8% (P = 0.021), and 52.2% (P = 0.010), respectively. Cardiac index was an independent predictor of death (P = 0.005; odds ratio [OR] 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.258-3.704), as well as RAP (P = 0.01; OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.056-1.503).ConclusionsIn our cohort of Chinese pediatric patients, those with an identified gene mutation demonstrated worse clinical outcomes. Therefore, early gene screening for pediatric patients with idiopathic and heritable PAH is recommended, and more aggressive treatment for mutation carriers may be advisable.     

佛山口岸出入境人员梅毒血清学监测结果分析

目的：分析和掌握佛山口岸出入境人员梅毒感染情况，加强口岸控制疾病的监测，防止性传播疾病(STD)的蔓延。方法：采用快速血浆反应素环状卡片试验(RPR)、甲苯胺红不加热反应(TRUST)与梅毒螺旋体明胶颗粒凝集试验(TPPA)，对1993年8月～2002年8月出入佛山口岸的13217人进行梅毒血清学监测。结果：检出梅毒抗体阳性16人，感染率为0．12％。感染者年龄最小22岁，最大57岁；20～40岁感染者10例，占感染者的62．50％。在佛山口岸人群中。船员感染者10人，占62．50％；有3例外籍入境人员，占18．75％。结论：(1)梅毒的主要传播途径是性传播，为了控制梅毒的传播，要加强对20～40岁人员的监测；(2)在口岸人群中，船员属于高危人群。应加强对梅毒等STD的监测工作。同时还应对他们进行有关传染病预防知识的宣传，使其了解该病的传播途径、自我保护措施，以及感染梅毒对人体、家庭和社会造成的危害，使他们能自觉地采取有效的防护措施，预防梅毒等STD的感染；(3)加强对外籍入境人员的监测管理，可以有效地防止梅毒经口岸传播到国内。     

安徽省临泉县艾滋病社区关爱体系调查研究

目的了解皖北农村地区艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者/艾滋病(AIDS)病人及其亲属的生活质量和社会支持现状,分析其相关的影响因素。同时了解当地各阶层健康居民关于艾滋病的相关知识、态度、行为(KAP)。方法通过典型抽样法对85名HIV感染者和病人及65名HIV感染者和病人家属进行调查,经分层抽样方法对519名社会各阶层健康居民进行调查。结果不同性别、不同文化程度的HIV感染者和病人及其家属生活质量评分差异有显著的统计学意义(P<0.05);不同乡镇的HIV感染者和病人社会支持评分差异有显著的统计学意义(P<0.05)。负性生活事件是影响HIV感染者和病人及其家属社会支持的不利因素,而好的邻里关系、烦恼诉说是影响HIV感染者和病人生活质量的有利因素。KAP调查中,有76.3%的人没有帮助过艾滋病患者,11.3%的人不愿意长期援助艾滋病患者,42.4%的人则看情况。结论诸多因素在不同层面影响皖北农村地区HIV感染者和病人及其亲属的生活质量和社会支持,我国农村现有的艾滋病社区关爱、社会支持工作还亟需加大力度。     

Voices from Australia– concerns about HIV associated neurocognitive disorder

This study aimed to determine whether people living with HIV (PLHIV) are concerned about HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) and would find information and resources for HAND beneficial. An online survey focusing on the experience of HAND was distributed via the website of Positive Life New South Wales: a peak peer-support non-government organization in Australia.

Of 126 respondents, 94 (74%) had heard of HAND, 52/94 (55%) had experienced concerns and of these, 48/52 (92%) felt anxiety about discussing the subject. Of those who had experienced concerns, 30/52 (58%) had spoken to someone about these concerns and 23/30 (77%) had received a positive response. Across the entire sample, 74 (59%) had noticed symptoms of cognitive decline in themselves and/or others. Respondents who noted a decrease in their ability to organize were on average five years older than those who had not noticed a decline (p?=?0.012, effect size ?.54). Forty-nine (39%) indicated that they would like guidance to initiate discussion about HAND with their doctor, caregiver or other PLHIV.

The survey findings suggest that increasing awareness of HAND among PLHIV and their caregivers, and providing resources to facilitate discussion about HAND may assist to reduce concerns among PLHIV and enhance the effectiveness of clinical review.     

Using participatory action research in community-based rehabilitation for people with acquired brain injury: from service provision to partnership with Aboriginal communities

Purpose.?Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) developed in response to delivery of rehabilitation services to people with disability in developing countries, and appears appropriate to address rehabilitation needs of rural and remote populations, including Australian Aboriginal People with acquired brain injury (ABI). This article will describe participatory action research (PAR) as a vehicle for exploring and translating the CBR model within a mainstream brain injury rehabilitation service in Queensland, Australia.

Method.?PAR was conducted with two self-selected remote Aboriginal communities in Far North Queensland. Key components to this project were the employment of a local Aboriginal worker, facilitating community engagement and consultation. PAR elements of planning, action and review were conducted through individual and group meetings and activities within the communities across a 3-year period.

Results.?The project has facilitated expansion and change within the current brain injury rehabilitation service model in line with CBR philosophical foundations, including community development and partnership as a desirable way of engaging with key stakeholders.

Conclusions.?The focus on community consultation through PAR and the development of community partnerships has increased the cultural competency of the rehabilitation service, the capacity of participating communities and of the sector to respond in ways that are valued and owned by Aboriginal People with brain injury, their families and communities.     

A portrait of district nursing: its contribution to primary health care

This paper explores the role and contribution of district nursing within primary health care. Examples of how this service is organised within different health care systems are used to discuss the context-dependent nature and challenges of the work. By drawing on UK policy change, health priorities and recent research into district nursing, the paper concludes that, in attempting to deal with the challenges of health care in the 21st century, the significance and potential of district nursing services are frequently overlooked. It is recommended that a research strategy for district nursing should build on the profession's comprehensive understanding of the needs of families and communities and should aim to provide evidence for practice that will further improve patient and client outcomes.     

HIV/AIDS病人生活质量评价及影响因素分析

目的评价艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病病人(HIV/AIDS病人)的生活质量,并探讨其影响因素。方法对在中国医科大学附属第一医院就诊的289名HIV/AIDS病人,用世界卫生组织生活质量简表(WHOQOL-BREF)进行生活质量评价,并与同期高危人群及健康人群进行对比,通过多元线性回归分析生活质量的相关影响因素。结果 HIV/AIDS病人生活质量的生理、心理、社会关系和环境四个维度的平均得分依次为44.5、58.1、62.6和57.7分。HIV/AIDS病人生活质量显著低于HIV阴性的高危人群以及健康人群(P<0.05)。多元线性回归分析显示,尚未接受抗病毒治疗者、男男性行为人群(MSM)、低收入、低文化程度、缺少家庭支持和食欲差,是HIV/AIDS病人较低生活质量的显著影响因素(P<0.05)。结论 HIV/AIDS病人生活质量较低,尤以MSM人群明显,高效抗病毒治疗可显著提高HIV/AIDS病人生活质量,同时应加强对低文化程度、低收入和缺少家庭支持的MSM人群的医疗和社会支持,提高其生活质量,降低死亡率。     

沿海正常人群糖化血红蛋白与肱-踝脉搏波传导速度的关系

目的 评估正常人动脉顺应性与糖化血红蛋白之间的关联.方法 横断面调查福建沿海地区30岁以上健康人1175例,行肱-踝脉搏波传导速度和糖化血红蛋白等检测,采用单因素分析和Logistic多元回归分析评价糖化血红蛋白与肱-踝脉搏波传导速度相关情况.结果 (1)肱-踝脉搏波传导速度与糖化血红蛋白具有相关性(r=0.147,P＜0.05);(2)糖化血红蛋白四分法组间显示,肱-踝脉搏波传导速度在四组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001);随着糖化血红蛋白水平升高,脉搏波传导速度增快,异常肱-踝脉搏波传导速度的比例升高;异常肱-踝脉搏波传导速度组糖化血红蛋白大于正常肱-踝脉搏波传导速度组(P＜0.05);(3) Logistic回归分析显示,年龄、收缩压、舒张压、糖化血红蛋白、尿酸为正常人群肱-踝脉搏波传导速度独立危险因素(均P ＜0.05),其中糖化血红蛋白比值比最大(OR=2.692,P＜0.05).结论 糖化血红蛋白与肱-踝脉搏波传导速度独立相关,提示非糖尿病健康人群中中间高血糖水平参与了大动脉血管壁早期功能或结构性损伤.     

Fears about antiretroviral therapy among users of the internet forum for people living with HIV/AIDS in Russia

The purpose of this research was to identify different types of fear related to starting and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Russia. Data were collected from the Russian-language internet forum for PLHIV (hivlife.info). Qualitative data analysis focused on the sections of the forum where users discussed health-related issues in order to identify fears related to HIV treatment. The following types of fear were revealed: fear of the illness, fear to learn negative information about one’s health, fear of side effects, fear of therapy to be ineffective, fear that the appropriate medications will become unavailable, fear of lifestyle changes, and fear for the well-being of significant others. Efforts to increase the uptake of and adherence to ART should take into account the fears of PLHIV.