Estimation of the Impact of Migraine on Self-rated Health: A Cross-sectional Study in Slovenia

AimWith the aim of providing a foundation for evidence-based public health actions, as well as the more individualised clinical treatment of migraine in Slovenia, the objective of our study was to assess the association between poor self-rated health (PSRH) and migraine, adjusted for selected comorbidity and socioeconomic factors.MethodsThe survey, conducted between August and December 2014, involved included 6,262 adults aged 15 years and over. Binary logistic regression was used in univariate as well as multivariate analysis. Three multivariate models were defined: MODEL 1 (migraine and comorbidities related to the physical dimension of health); MODEL 2 (comorbidities related to the mental dimension of health); MODEL 3 (demographic and socioeconomic factors).ResultsIn univariate as well as all three multivariate models, the odds of PSRH were statistically significantly higher in migraine sufferers in comparison to non-sufferers (univariate model: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=2.22 (p<0.001); MODEL 1: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=2.27 (p<0.001); MODEL 2: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=1.51 (p=0.002); MODEL 3: ORmigraine=yes vs. migraine=no=1.56 (p=0.001)).ConclusionMigraine is an important PSRH-related factor. Comorbidities related to the physical dimension of health do not reduce the power of association between migraine and PRSH, while comorbidities related to the mental dimension reduce the power of association of migraine and other health conditions. The power of the association between migraine and PRSH is also independent of demographic/socioeconomic factors. We can also conclude that migraine seems to be a phenomenon that is in a bi-directional relationship with mental states (thus having an impact on PSRH) and is itself a stressor.     

Impact of Sense of Coherence on Work Ability: A Cross-sectional Study Among Croatian Nurses

IntroductionAimed at preparing the basis for planning evidence-based public health measures for preservation/ improvement of nurses’ work ability (WA), the objective was to assess the relationship between WA and sense of coherence (SOC).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 713 nurses in Croatia. The association between poor WA index (PWAI) and SOC score (SOCS), adjusted for possible confounders, was determined by binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant negative association between SOCS and PWAI (OR=0.977, 95% CI 0.968 – 0.986, p<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed an even stronger statistically significant negative association between SOCS and PWAI (OR=0.966, 95% CI 0.954 – 0.977, p<0.001) when adjusted for confounders.ConclusionsThe present study suggested SOC as an important health promoting resource of nurses which might offer protection regarding work-related stress. Weak SOC could be an important explanatory factor of poor WA. Accordingly, improving SOC by implementing health promotion measures in nurses’ workplace could be an important way to increase the WA among nurses.     

Nonverbal communication of caregivers in Slovenian nursing homes

This study aimed at determining the characteristics of nonverbal communication (NVC) of caregivers in Slovene nursing homes. The cross-sectional study was performed on 267 randomly selected caregivers from 27 randomly selected nursing homes. Facial expressions/head movements, hand gestures/trunk movements, and modes of speaking/paralinguistic signals were observed. The caregivers manifested altogether 11,324 NVC expressions. Those definitely reflecting positive attitude prevailed and accounted for 59.3% of all expressions, whereas those definitely reflecting negative attitude were very rare and accounted for 9.1% of all expressions, at a ratio of 6.5:1 (p < 0.001). Differences were statistically highly significant between genders (men manifested negative attitude expressions significantly more frequently, 11.8%) and professions (social helpers manifested positive attitude expressions significantly less frequently, 56.4%; other professionals manifested negative attitude expressions significantly less frequently, 5.4%) (p < 0.001). The results were similar within groups of NVC expressions. Although our study showed that caregivers in Slovene nursing homes use positive attitude expressions much more frequently than negative there is a reason for concern due to a general decline in positive values and beliefs in Slovene society. Promoting positive attitude NVC among new generations of caregivers in nursing homes need to become one of the most important contents of their life-long learning and training.     

Exposure assessment of male recruits in Slovenia to cadmium and lead due to biological monitoring

AIMS: In Slovenia, there were no data available for an assessment of cadmium and lead levels in the population till 2001. The present study was conducted to evaluate the cadmium and lead burden from all sources (air, food, water) with the aim of obtaining initial information on cadmium and lead levels in blood of healthy and occupationally unexposed young males. METHODS: There were 464 participants included in the analysis of blood cadmium and lead levels, aged between 18 and 27 years, the median age being 20 years. Blood samples of maximum 2 ml were taken from the cubital vein for analysis of cadmium and lead levels. RESULTS: There were 463 blood samples analyzed for cadmium and 464 for lead. Of all tested persons, 38.2% had less than 0.5 microg/l of cadmium in their blood and 28.2% up to 1 microg/l. The median level of blood cadmium was 0.5 microg/l. The percentage of recruits with blood lead level over 100 microg was 3.1%. The median level of blood lead was 35 microg/l. The differences in blood levels of both pollutants were statistically significant with regard to the region of permanent residence (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study give a good assessment of cadmium and lead burdening of young Slovene male population. The information obtained provides a foundation for further comparative research at the international level as well as for further study and risk assessment of individual population groups exposed to greater risk due to their lifestyle and eating habits.     

Body Mass Index as a Proxy Indicator for Poor Oral Hygiene Habits in Adult Diabetic Patients

AimTo analyse if body mass index (BMI) could be used as a fast proxy indicator of poor oral hygiene habits (POHH) among the adult population with diabetes mellitus.MethodsAdults, aged 25-74, from the Slovenian 2016 nationwide cross-sectional survey based on the Countrywide Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Intervention (CINDI) Health Monitor methodology, who reported being diabetic, were included in the study (n=560). We assessed the relationship between POHH and BMI, adjusted to confounders, using multiple binary logistic regression.ResultsIn the total sample, the POHH prevalence was 50.9%. Taking into account BMI, POHH prevalence in participants with normal BMI values was only 37.8%, in the overweight group it was 1.22-times higher (46.0%), while in the obese group it was 1.63-times higher (61.6%) (p<0.001). Also, the odds for POHH were 2.64-times higher in the obese group in comparison to the normal BMI group (95% CI: 1.55-4.51; p<0.001). After adjustment for confounders, this OR decreased only moderately (OR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.35-4.44; p=0.003).ConclusionsBMI could be used as a readily assessable, fast, simple, and cheap tool indicating higher odds for having POHH among the diabetic population. By defining the high-risk group it could be easier for physicians and dentists to take further referrals and actions for promoting oral health in this group. The suggested tool can save time and could have an important positive impact on the quality of life of diabetics, as well as on health expenditures.     

Seat-belt use and non-use in adults in Slovenia

AIM: To identify population groups at risk of non-use of seat belts in front and rear seats in order to enable more focused planning of preventive actions in Slovenia. METHODS: The national health behaviour survey of 15,379 adults aged 25-64, carried out in 2001; response rate 64%; 9043 questionnaires eligible for analysis. The observed outcomes: non-use of seat belts in the front and rear seats. Logistic regression was used for relating gender, age, education level, socio-economic factors and geographical region to the observed outcomes. RESULTS: Non-use of seat belts in the front seats: 5.7%; the highest odds: males (OR(males vs. females)= 1.89, p < 0.001), aged 25-29 (OR(25-29 vs. 50-59) = 2.68, p < 0.001), the lowest education level (OR(uncompleted primary vs. university education) = 2.77, p = 0.001), upper social class (OR(upper vs. lower) = 3.54, p = 0.014), western Slovenia (OR(western vs. eastern) = 1.31, p = 0.027). Non-use of seat belts in the rear seats: 65.2%; the highest odds: aged 25-29 (OR(25-29 vs. 6-64) = 2.83, p < 0.001), vocational (OR(vocational vs. university education) = 1.36, p = 0.005) and secondary education level (OR(secondary vs. university education) = 1.36, p = 0.003), western Slovenia (OR(western vs. eastern) = 1.37, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both observed outcomes are a problem particularly in younger age groups with secondary education level or lower, living in western Slovenia; non-use of seat belts in the front seats also in males and in upper social class.     

Phase I study of radiochemotherapy with gemcitabine in invasive bladder cancer

Tolerability to gemcitabine radiochemotherapy was evaluated in 33 patients with inoperable, locally advanced transitional-cell bladder cancers. The dose of 75 mg/m(2) gemcitabine once a week, concurrently with standard radiotherapy of 60 Gy/6 weeks, was found to be acceptable. Eighty-one percentage of 3-year local progression-free survival suggests efficiency warranting further studies.