Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Cognitive Function,Psychological Distress,Quality of Life,and Impulsiveness

Objective

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a known risk factor for cerebrovascular stroke. Atrial fibrillation and longstanding hypertension may produce ischemic lesions leading to progressive cognitive impairment. The impact of atrial fibrillation alone on cognitive impairment has not been evaluated. Our objective was to compare cognitive function, quality of life, psychological distress, and impulsiveness in people with atrial fibrillation and a matched control group.

Molecular characterization of isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates in Lithuania

Mutations at codon 315 of the katG gene were detected in 312 of 364 (85.7%) isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. Seven of 52 (13.5%) isoniazid-resistant isolates with the wild-type Ser315 codon and 10 of 52 (19.2%) isoniazid-resistant isolates with a mutated katG allele had mutation -15C-->T in the promoter of the mabA-inhA operon.     

Number of pain sites is associated with demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors in the general population

Research on widespread pain often relies upon case definitions bounded by duration limits or “cut-offs.” In clinical reality, however, there are no natural cut-off points between localized and widespread pain. Rather, pain is best represented by a continuum of “widespreadness” from localized pain to pain spread across the body. The objective of this paper was to describe the number of pain sites (NPS) reported in a population study and its association with demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Using a cross-sectional design, the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to measure musculoskeletal pain among seven age groups in Ullensaker, Norway (n = 2926). Results showed that women reported a higher mean NPS than men. A higher NPS was also found for individuals who were separated or divorced, undergoing rehabilitation, or who had a disability pension. Additionally, greater NPS was reported by smokers, individuals with less physical activity, and a higher BMI. A strong linear relationship was found between NPS and reduction in overall health, sleep quality, and psychological health. Results from a multivariate linear regression analysis showed that overall health, sleep quality, and gender demonstrated the strongest associations with increasing NPS, accounting for 31.4% of the variance. Our study indicates that the straightforward and simple method of counting the NPS could be important in managing the complex problem of musculoskeletal pain.