Serum Albumin/Globulin Ratio and Cognitive Function in Americans: A Linear Association

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and anemia among participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Cohort Study: Baseline results

Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and Viral Concentrations in Participants of a General Population Survey in the United States

Population aging is a growing phenomenon, with cognitive impairment becoming a prevalent issue among the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical activity and depressive symptoms on cognitive function in older adults using a nationally representative data set of U.S. older adults aged ≥ 60years. The study comprised 2713 participants aged ≥ 60 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014. Participants were classified into two groups: Cognitive impairment and No-Cognitive impairment, determined by the results of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Physical activity (PA) was assessed using the Global Physical Activity questionnaire (GPAQ), while depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between physical activity, depressive symptoms and cognitive function. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of physical activity were found to be significantly associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment compared to low levels of physical activity [OR = 0.789, 95% CI:0.632 ~ 0.986, P = 0.037]. On the other hand, the presence of major depressive symptoms was significantly associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment compared to the absence of depressive symptoms [OR = 3.482, 95% CI: 2.278 ~ 5.324, P < 0.001]. Participants in the recreational physical activity group exhibited higher Cognitive scores (P < 0.001), indicating better cognitive functioning. High levels of Physical activity were independently associated with a lower incident cognitive impairment. Additionally, the severity of depression was positively correlated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

The Cognition–Kidney Disease Connection: Lessons From Population-Based Studies in the United States

PurposeThe albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) influences the development of prostate cancer; however, the relationship between AGR and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has not been reported.MethodsThis cross-sectional investigation used comprehensive AGR versus PSA data from men with 40 years of age and older, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2010, spanning 4 investigation cycles, as only these cycles contained complete PSA data. To evaluate the nonlinear relationship between the ARG and PSA level, a regression utilizing smoothed curve fitting (penalized spline approach) and a generalized additive model (GAM) were employed. A two-segment linear regression model was used to conduct threshold effect evaluations. Lastly, subgroup analyses were carried out along with interaction tests.ResultsThis study included 5,376 subjects, whose total serum PSA (mean ± standard deviation) was 1.83 ± 3.34, and its level decreased roughly with increasing quartiles of AGR. In the fully-adjusted model, AGR was negatively correlated with the likelihood of PSA, and this relationship persisted across subgroups (trend > 0.05). The PSA was characterized by an “L”-shaped curve with an inflection point. On the left side of the inflection point (K = 1.32), there was a negative relationship between AGR and PSA.ConclusionIn the United States, among men over 40 years of age without prostate diseases, AGR demonstrated a nonlinear relationship with PSA, negatively correlating when AGR was below 1.32.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Allergic sensitization is a key risk factor for but not synonymous with allergic disease

The Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence Among Community Dwelling Men: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The association of globulin and albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) with depression in cancer and non-cancer populations remains understudied. Therefore, this study aims to investigate this association and potential differences, with a focus on cancer-specific pathophysiology. This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2005 to 2016. The participants were divided into three tertiles of globulin and AGR to explore more detailed associations. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves, and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the associations. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive performance of globulin and AGR for depression. After adjusting for covariates, higher globulin levels were significantly associated with an increased incidence of depression in cancer patients (OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.69-3.80), while a higher AGR was associated with a reduced incidence (OR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.14-0.58). In the non-cancer group, a similar but weaker association was observed: higher globulin levels (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.35) and lower AGR (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.62-1.05) were associated with depression. Subgroup analyses suggested that the associations were more stable in cancer populations, while in non-cancer populations, these associations might be influenced by drinking. AUC values indicated that the biomarkers demonstrated good predictive performance. This study identifies globulin and AGR as novel, cost-effective biomarkers that integrate inflammation and nutrition, providing a convenient and robust means to predict depression, particularly in cancer patients. These findings also offer new perspectives for future dual clinical interventions targeting inflammation and nutrition, as well as experimental research on depression.

When Do The Milestones of Puberty Occur?: Wu T, Mendola P, Buck GM. Ethnic differences in the presence of secondary sex characteristics and menarche among U.S. girls: The third national health and nutrition examination survey, 1998\\N1994. Pediatrics 2002;110:752\\N7

(1) To present hearing threshold data from a recent nationally representative survey in the United States (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2004) in a distributional format that might be appropriate to replace Annex B in international (ISO-1999) and national (ANSI S3.44) standards and (2) to compare these recent data with older survey data (National Health Examination Survey I, 1959-1962) on which the current Annex B is based. Better-ear threshold distributions (selected percentiles and their confidence intervals) were estimated using linear interpolation. The 95% confidence intervals for the medians for the two surveys were compared graphically for each of the four age groups and for both men and women. In addition, we calculated odds ratios comparing the prevalences of better-ear hearing impairment (thresholds > 25 dB HL) between the two surveys, for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, and for their four-frequency average. Across age and sex groups, median thresholds were lower (better) in the 1999-2004 survey at 500, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz (8000 Hz was not tested in the 1959-1962 survey). For both men and women, the prevalence of hearing impairment was significantly lower in 1999-2004 at 500, 2000, and 4000 Hz, but not at 1000 Hz. For men and women of a specific age, high-frequency hearing thresholds were lower (better) in 1999-2004 than in 1959-1962. The prevalences of hearing impairment were also lower in the recent survey. Differences seen at 500 Hz may be attributable at least in part to changes in standards for ambient noise in audiometry. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 distributions are offered as a possible replacement for Annex B in ISO-1999 and ANSI S3.44.

To the Editor

Contribution of metabolic factors to alanine aminotransferase activity in persons with other causes of liver disease

Epidemiology of latex sensitization

Mid-arm circumference measurement is a prerequisite for the selection of properly sized blood pressure cuffs for accurate blood pressure readings in children and youth. This study examined recent trends in the mid-arm circumference distribution and the distribution of corresponding recommended blood pressure cuff sizes using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1998-1994) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 data. Both studies were complex, cross-sectional surveys providing nationally representative samples of the civilian noninstitutionalized US population. Children of 7-17 years of age were studied. A total of 2515 boys and 2596 girls participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, and 3941 boys and 3917 girls in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004. Mean mid-arm circumference and recommended National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents defined blood pressure cuff sizes were assessed by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. US boys aged 7-12 years and girls aged 7-12 and 13-17 years had significant increases in mid-arm circumference (P<0.05) across the two surveys. Moreover, from 1988-1994 to 1999-2004, there were statistically significant increases in the percentage of boys (age 7-12 and 13-17 years) and girls (age 13-17 years) needing large blood pressure adult cuffs (P<0.05). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 data show that both boys and girls aged 13-17 years had a mean mid-arm circumference > or =27 cm, which requires an adult blood pressure cuff fit. Furthermore, 52% boys and 42% girls aged 13-17 years, required a standard adult cuff fit. Mean mid-arm circumference has increased among US children and adolescents, with important implications for the accuracy of blood pressure measurement in clinical practice.

Anemia in the Elderly: How Should We Define It, When Does It Matter, and What Can Be Done?