Alcohol Abuse Research Articles

Cheers to anxiety: Granger causality insights on alcohol consumption patterns across 13 South American countries.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health is complex; drinking may exacerbate anxiety, and in turn, anxiety can lead to excessive drinking. This study explores the relationship betweenalcoholconsumption patterns including wine, beer, and spirits,and anxiety prevalence in selected 13 South American nations. This study utilises secondary data spanning 29years from 1991 to 2019 obtained from the Our World in Data database. It investigates the causal link between the prevalence of anxiety and alcohol consumption in the selected countries using the Granger causality test. Anxiety was found to have a unidirectional effect on wine and beer consumption in Chile, Suriname, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, drinking alcohol consumption appears to impact anxiety levels in Brazil. Argentina demonstrates a bidirectional relationshipbetween anxiety and all three types of alcohol consumption, with similar patterns observed in Brazil (wine and beer), Chile (spirits), and Paraguay (spirits). No significant causal relationships for alcohol consumption patterns were found in other nations. The identified Granger causal links follow four distinct directions in this study. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, governments, and international investors for informed decision-making regarding regulation and policy tools.

Activity of exoglycosidases in blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor in individuals who died from ethyl alcohol poisoning

Lysosomal exoglycosidases, namely α-mannosidase (MAN), α-fucosidase (FUC), β-galactosidase (GAL), and β-glucuronidase (GLU), are of crucial importance in breaking down the oligosaccharide chains of multiple glycoconjugates. Those enzymes liberate monosaccharides from non-reducing ends of oligosaccharide chains. In this study, we have aimed to assess the potential utility of MAN, FUC, GAL, and GLU activities as indicators of ethanol abuse in individuals who died from ethanol intoxication, while also investigating the mechanisms underlying their deaths. The study group comprised 22 fatal ethanol-intoxicated individuals, while the control group included 30 deceased individuals whose body fluids showed no traces of alcohol. We measured the activities (pKat/mL) of MAN, FUC, GAL, and GLU in the supernatants of blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid as well as vitreous humor. The results indicated significantly lower activities of MAN (p = 0.003), FUC (p = 0.008), GAL (p = 0.014), and GLU (p = 0.004) in the urine of individuals poisoned by ethanol as compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a significantly lower activity of MAN in the vitreous of those affected by ethyl alcohol poisoning (p = 0.016).

Sexual violence against ever-married reproductive-age women in East Africa: further analysis of recent demographic and health surveys

BackgroundSexual violence is a violation of women’s rights, resulting in significant physical and psychological challenges and adverse reproductive health outcomes. Addressing these issues demands urgent public health interventions and support systems to mitigate the profound impact on individuals and societies. Thus, this study aimed to assess sexual violence against ever-married reproductive-age women in East Africa.MethodsData retrieved from the recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of East African countries was used, and a weighted sample of 40,740 ever-married reproductive-age women was included. To identify factors associated with sexual violence, multilevel mixed-effects models utilizing robust Poisson regression were applied. Akaike’s and Bayesian information criteria, as well as deviance, were utilized to compare the models. In the multivariable regression model, adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the strength of association, with statistical significance set at a p-value < 0.05.ResultThe pooled proportion of sexual violence among ever-married reproductive-age women in East Africa was 13.05% (95% CI: 12.74–13.36). The multivariable multilevel robust Poisson regression revealed that age at first cohabitation/marriage, having a primary educational level, being employed, residing in a female-headed household, having a husband/partner who drinks alcohol, and living in rural areas were positively associated with sexual violence. On the contrary, having secondary and higher educational levels and living in communities with a high proportion of uneducated women were negatively associated with sexual violence.ConclusionEmpowering girls and women through education reduces their vulnerability. Effective programs should prioritize workplace safety, financial independence, and robust legal protections against harassment and abuse. Raising awareness about the impact of alcohol abuse on relationships and the heightened risk of sexual violence is crucial. Moreover, enhancing access to support services and community networks, especially in rural areas, is essential for preventing and responding to sexual violence.

Alcohol Abuse and Physical Violence towards a Partner: How Can We Attenuate the Relationship? A Study on Emotional Dysregulation in Adolescents

Alcohol Abuse and Physical Violence towards a Partner: How Can We Attenuate the Relationship? A Study on Emotional Dysregulation in Adolescents

When to Intervene in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Narrative Review of the Optimal Timing for Intervention Strategies

Introduction: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is the acute inflammation of pancreatic parenchyma, most commonly due to alcohol abuse or cholelithiasis. The treatment can be either conservative or invasive, including a variety of techniques; however, it has not yet been established if the intervention should be early or if it should be delayed. The aim of this review is to investigate the optimal time for intervention in ANP. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus from inception until September 2024 for studies reporting the comparison between early and late intervention. Results: Early intervention, within 4 weeks of symptom onset, often involves drainage via percutaneous, endoscopic, or combined methods. Delayed intervention occurs after 4 weeks of symptom onset. This can be conducted either surgically or via minimally invasive means. The results of this review reveal that the time of intervention for ANP plays an important role in the prognosis and the course of the disease. In particular, early intervention is associated with higher mortality, which is also the primary clinical outcome. Delayed intervention is also superior regarding secondary clinical outcomes, specifically the complications associated with the intervention. Thus, it is accompanied by fewer episodes of new-onset organ failure, bleeding, gastrointestinal fistula, pancreatic fistula, wound infection, endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and other complications. Finally, delayed intervention results in shorter stays, both in hospitals and the ICU. Conclusions: Delayed intervention is clearly more effective than early intervention and should be preferred. However, early intervention appears to be both safe and effective, and it is feasible.

Voltammetric sensor for indole-3-lactic acid determination featuring N-doped core-shell Ir@Mo@Ni aerogels on screen printed carbon electrode

The excessive consumption of liquor accounts for 5.3% annual death and indole-3-lactic acid has been identified as a possible biomarker for mentally disorder patients arising from alcohol abuse. A highly sensitive and selective voltammetric sensing platform is proposed composed of N-doped core-shell Ir@Mo@Ni aerogel prepared via a facile in situ spontaneous gelation route using one-step NaBH4 reduction technique anchored on a cost-effective screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for determination of indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) levels in buffer and serum. Prior to the analytical phase, the composite (N-Ir@Mo@Ni/SPCE) was thoroughly characterized, and different methods were used to investigate the electrochemical properties. The combination of tri-metallics resulted in improved sensing capacities in the linear range from 0.01–20µM, with sensitivity and limits of detection of 0.162 μA/μM and 7.2nM, respectively, towards ILA determination. Furthermore, the developed sensing platform was utilized for the analyses of ILA in human normal and alcohol use disorder patients’ serum samples. Liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry was equally used to quantify ILA levels in the serum samples and the results of both methods were compared.

Large vocal polyp causing dyspnea to young patient

The vocal cords are primarily responsible for voice production and the risk factor for non-neoplastic vocal fold lesions is usually multifactorial, laryngeal trauma (endotracheal intubation), hypothyroidism, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and also including phonotrauma etc. we report a 30-year-old female presented with the complaint of dyspnea and hoarseness of voice. endoscopic examination showing, the very large vocal cord polyp was seen to be arising from the left vocal cord, partially blocking the glottic chink, with minimal residual airway. ML Scopy excision of the polyp was done and size was approximately 1.5 cm.

Substance P alleviates liver fibrosis by modulating inflammation and mobilizing reparative stem cells

Repetitive hepatic damage resulting from viral hepatitis, toxins, and alcohol abuse induces chronic inflammation and excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix, leading to the development of liver cirrhosis. Substance P (SP) promotes endogenous wound healing by mobilizing bone marrow stem cells and stimulating anti-inflammatory responses. This study aimed to investigate whether SP exerts a therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis by recruiting endogenous stem cells and modulating immune responses.A non-clinical model of liver cirrhosis was established through repeated injections of thioacetamide and recombinant leptin. After confirming liver fibrosis, SP was administered intravenously for 6 weeks.SP treatment decreased the formation of hepatic micronodules on the external surface of the liver and the infiltration of immune cells. Furthermore, SP treatment notably reduced the deposition of collagen and the activation of hepatic stellate cells, concomitant with decreased levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and matrix metalloproteinase activity. In the context of severe hepatic damage, SP increased the number of circulating stem cells, leading to the restoration of the reparative stem cell pool in the bone marrow.The findings of this study suggest that SP alleviates liver fibrosis by modulating the mobilization of functional stem cells and the immune response.

Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Alcohol Consumption and Neuroinflammation with Decline in Cognition and Cholinergic Activity.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health challenge, responsible for 30% of injury-related deaths and significantly contributing to disability. Annually, over 50 million TBIs occur worldwide, with most adult patients at emergency departments showing alcohol in their system. TBI is also a known risk factor for alcohol abuse, yet its interaction with alcohol consumption remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the fluid percussion injury (FPI) model of TBI in mice significantly increases alcohol consumption and impairs cognitive function. At cellular levels, FPI markedly reduced the number and activity of striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) while increasing microglial cells. Notably, depleting microglial cells provided neuroprotection, mitigating cholinergic loss and enhancing cholinergic activity. These findings suggest that TBI may promote alcohol consumption and impair cognitive abilities through microglia activation and consequently reduced cholinergic function. Our research provides critical insights into the mechanisms linking TBI with increased alcohol use and cognitive deficits, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies.

Drinking motives link positive and negative life events to problematic alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study.

Stressful life events are associated with problematic drinking, and alcohol misuse has been exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While coping motives may account for this association, positive life events (PLEs) and enhancement motives are understudied. To address these gaps, we examined the associations of history of alcohol use disorder (AUD), negative life events (NLEs), and PLEs with problematic alcohol use and tested coping and enhancement motives as mediators. The sample included baseline and follow-up data from 241 participants enrolled in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Study. Endorsements of past year PLEs and NLEs and their associations with problematic alcohol use were examined. Among the 202 current drinkers, path analyses tested mediational pathways via coping and enhancement motives. The top two PLEs were change in work conditions (21.6%) and taking a vacation (20.3%). The top two NLEs were change in social activities (36.5%) and major change in recreation (26.6%). Individuals with a history of AUD and those who experienced more NLEs reported higher coping and enhancement motives, which were associated with higher problematic alcohol use. Individuals who experienced more PLEs reported lower coping motives, which was associated with lower problematic alcohol use. Besides coping motives, enhancement motives were also associated with pandemic problematic alcohol use. Alcohol interventions targeting reward- and relief-driven drinking patterns may be beneficial to individuals with a history of AUD and those who experienced more NLEs. More research is needed to study PLEs which may help inform the development of strength-based alcohol interventions.

Abstract A006: Disparities, social determinants of health, and ovarian cancer: predicting ovarian cancer using sociodemographic information and comorbidities as risk factors

Abstract Introduction In this study, we aimed to identify associations between ovarian cancer (OC) and patient information, including demographics and comorbidities in order to increase awareness of OC risk factors and the ways in which disparities affect individual risk. Methods Administrative data analysis was performed using Florida state inpatient data collected by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project in 2012. Demographic variables included age, race, insurance type, and income level. Comorbidities included hypothyroidism, diabetes, hysterectomy, obesity, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse. For each variable, descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed using SAS software and confirmed with SPSS software to determine frequencies within binary OC outcomes and calculate associations. Results Descriptive analysis revealed that OC was most frequent in white women (73.47%) over 65 (50.17%), who were Medicare beneficiaries (57.00%) within the second quartile of annual income ($38,000-$48,000) (30.71%). Most OC patients did not have any comorbidities. Logistic regression analysis revealed higher risk of OC in women over 65 compared to younger women (OR= 4.277; 95% CI= 3.585-5.103). Black women had reduced odds of OC compared to White women (OR=0.790; 95% CI= 0.693-0.900). Privately insured women had higher odds of OC compared to women with Medicare (OR= 1.426; 95% CI= 1.245-1.634). The risk of OC was reduced in patients in the first, second, and third quartiles of annual income when compared to the highest quartile of annual income (OR= 0.606; 95% CI= 0.527-0.698, OR= 0.618; 95% CI= 0.537-0.710, OR= 0.644; 95% CI= 0.557-0.743, respectively). The risk of OC was increased in women with hypothyroidism (OR= 1.083; 95% CI= 1.021-1.148), diabetes (OR= 1.134; 95% CI= 0.973-1.331), and women who had a hysterectomy (OR= 18.543; 95% CI= 15.262-22.530), compared to those without. Odds of OC were significantly reduced in women with obesity (OR= 0.574; 95% CI= 0.503-0.654) compared to those without. Women who abused alcohol or drugs had lower odds of OC than those who did not (OR= 0.296; 95% CI= 0.205-0.426, OR= 0.280; 95% CI= 0.205-0.382, respectively). Conclusions This study identifies OC risk factors and highlights differences in the prevalence and risk of OC between women of different sociodemographic groups and between women with and without various comorbidities. Groups with socioeconomic privilege were at higher risk of OC. Financial stability and access to healthcare increase the likelihood of receiving a diagnosis, suggesting potential detection bias. Decreased risk of OC was observed in patients with stigmatized comorbidities such as obesity and substance abuse disorders. Under-investigation of symptoms is common in patients with these conditions, leading to underdiagnosis. Health and socioeconomics are inextricable, so it is necessary to understand the relationship between these aspects of patient health and OC to more accurately assess individual risk. Citation Format: Anna E. Langston, Zahra Bahrani-Mostafavi. Disparities, social determinants of health, and ovarian cancer: predicting ovarian cancer using sociodemographic information and comorbidities as risk factors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A006.

Obituary: Kenneth R. Warren, Ph.D.

Last month, Kenneth R. Warren, Ph.D., died. The deputy director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) since 2008, Warren was also acting director from 2008 to 2014. He retired in 2015.

Association of cannabis use disorder with atrial fibrillation in young men without concomitant tobacco use: Insights from nationwide propensity matched analysis.

Recent data are inconclusive regarding the risk of arrhythmias among young cannabis users. Furthermore, many young adults use both cannabis and tobacco, which could add a residual confounding effect on outcomes. So, we studied young men who have cannabis use disorder (CUD) excluding tobacco use disorder (TUD) to understand their independent association with atrial fibrillation (AF) and related outcomes. To study the association of CUD with AF and related outcomes. We used weighted discharge records from National Inpatient Sample (2019) to assess the baseline characteristics and mortality rates for AF-related hospitalizations in young (18-44 years) men in 1:1 propensity-matched CUD + vs CUD- cohorts without TUD. Propensity matched CUD + and CUD- cohorts consisted of 108495 young men in each arm. Our analysis showed an increased incidence of AF in black population with CUD. In addition, the CUD + cohort had lower rates of hyperlipidemia (6.4% vs 6.9%), hypertension (5.3% vs 6.3%), obesity (9.1% vs 10.9%), alcohol abuse (15.5% vs 16.9%), but had higher rates of anxiety (24.3% vs 18.4%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (9.8% vs 9.4%) compared to CUD-cohort. After adjustment with covariates including other substance abuse, a non-significant association was found between CUD + cohort and AF related hospitalizations (odd ratio: 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.91-1.78, P = 0.15). Among hospitalized young men, the CUD + cohort had a higher prevalence of anxiety and COPD, and slightly higher proportion of black patients. Although there were higher odds of AF hospitalizations in CUD + cohort without TUD, the association was statistically non-significant. The subgroup analysis showed higher rates of AF in black patients. Large-scale prospective studies are required to evaluate long-term effects of CUD on AF risk and prognosis without TUD and concomitant substance abuse.

High prevalence of alcohol use disorder & psychiatric comorbidity among coal mine workers: Observations from a cross-sectional study in West Bengal.

Background & objectives Tobacco (30%), alcohol (21.4%) and cannabis (3%) are the three most commonly abused substances in India. Tobacco and alcohol abuse have higher prevalence rates among different occupational groups as compared to that in general population in the country. Both tobacco and alcohol lead to significant occupational harm in terms of absenteeism, injuries, sickness and lost productivity. This study estimated the patterns of substance use and associated common psychiatric comorbidity in a sample of coal mine workers. Methods Coal mine workers at the age of 18 yr or above engaged in mining activities (skilled/semi-skilled/unskilled) were recruited from the Raniganj - Asansol coal mining areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). Participants were screened to identify patterns of substance use and other common mental health problems. All participants were administered ASSIST (The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test); GENACIS (Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study) modified questionnaire; and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for primary screening for anxiety and depression. Results Out of 202 participants 69 per cent (n=140) were found with either 'hazardous and harmful' (moderate risk); or 'dependent' (high risk) patterns of use of either tobacco or alcohol or cannabis or of more than one substance. Only 31 per cent (n=62) were 'low-risk' for all substances. Almost 65 per cent (n=132) and 49 per cent (n=99) participants out of the whole sample (n=202) belonged to 'hazardous and harmful' (moderate risk) and 'dependent' (high risk) pattern of tobacco and alcohol consumption, respectively. About 28.8 per cent (n=38) and 23.7 per cent (n=31) of all participants had anxiety and depression, respectively. Combined moderate to high use of both alcohol and tobacco use was significantly associated with the risk of having anxiety [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.896, P<0.015] and depression (AOR=5.335, P<0.012). Interpretation & conclusions Alcohol and tobacco are major substance abuse problems among coal mine workers. This population requires early community and primary care based brief intervention as well as additional community-based pharmacotherapy for substance dependence problems as well as intervention for common mental health issues.

Effects of Melatonin on Sleep Quality and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sleep disturbance is a significant symptom associated with both rotator cuff tears and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Melatonin has been shown to be safe and effective in managing multiple sleep disorders, including secondary sleep disorders, with relatively minor adverse effects and lack of addictive potential. To investigate the effects of oral melatonin on postoperative sleep quality after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. This was a prospective randomized clinical trial evaluating patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Exclusion criteria included history of alcohol abuse, current antidepressant or sedative use, revision rotator cuff repair, severe glenohumeral arthritis, and concurrent adhesive capsulitis. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to 1 of 2 groups: 5-mg dose of melatonin 1 hour before bedtime or standard sleep hygiene (≥6 hours per night, avoiding caffeine and naps in the evening). Patients in the melatonin group took their assigned melatonin dose for 6 weeks beginning the day of surgery. Patient-reported outcome assessments, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and pain medication charts were collected preoperatively as well as at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Numeric variables were analyzed using paired and unpaired t tests, with significance set at P < .05. Eighty patients were included for final analysis (40 in the control group, 40 in the melatonin group). Patient characteristics such as age, sex, race, body mass index, and laterality did not differ significantly (P≥ .05). Preoperative ASES, SANE, and PSQI scores did not differ between groups (P≥ .055). PSQI scores were significantly lower (better quality sleep) in the melatonin group at the 6-week postoperative period (P = .036). There was a positive correlation between how patients rated the intensity of their pain and the PSQI at the 6-week postoperative period (0.566). The PSQI question regarding sleep quality was found to be significantly lower in the melatonin group at the 3-month, 4-month, and 6-month postoperative periods (P = .015, P = .041, and P≤ .05, respectively). SANE scores were significantly lower in the melatonin group (P = .011) at 6 weeks and then higher in the melatonin group (P = .017) at 6 months. ASES scores were significantly higher in the melatonin group at 4 and 6 months (P = .022 and P = .020, respectively). Lastly, patients who were randomized into the melatonin group were found to use significantly less narcotic medication at the 4-month postoperative period (P = .046). Melatonin use after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair led to improved sleep quality (PSQI) in the early postoperative period as well as improved functional outcomes (ASES and SANE scores) and decreased narcotic use in the later postoperative period. Patients with significant sleep disturbances associated with rotator cuff repairs may benefit from the use of melatonin. NCT04278677 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Parents’ perceptions of the safe environment for every kid (SEEK) model in the Swedish child health services

BackgroundThe Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model was developed to address psychosocial risk factors (financial worries, depressive symptoms, major parental stress, alcohol misuse and intimate partner violence) in the pediatric primary care setting but has not been evaluated from the parents’ perspective. To further investigate the usefulness of SEEK, it is important to explore how parents perceive the model.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to explore parents’ perceptions of the SEEK model as a part of regular health visits in the Child Health Services in Sweden.Participants and settingEighteen parents (13 women and five men) in two Swedish counties participated in the study.MethodsSemi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, and the resulting data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes were identified: Acceptance and understanding of the SEEK model in the child health services, The questionnaire as a bridge to a dialogue, and Feeling trust in the system and the child health nurse’s professional competence. Further, an overarching theme was created that encompassed a core meaning of all three themes; SEEK provides a process-oriented framework to receive support in parenting with a focus on child health.ConclusionsThe study showed that parents express both acceptance and understanding of the SEEK model and they perceive that the model provides an avenue for repeated dialogues about the family’s situation during the child’s upbringing and an opportunity to access support if needed.

Copper excess in psychiatric disorders: a focus on mood spectrum disorders and sex

BackgroundMeta-analyses show increased copper (Cu) levels in major depression disorder. However, the association of Cu biomarkers with clinical classification in other mental health disorders has not been fully explored. MethodsTo this aim, we compared an extensive panel of Cu biomarkers, composed of Cu, ceruloplasmin (Cp) Cp activity, Cp specific activity, Cu not bound to ceruloplasmin (non-Cp Cu, also known as ‘free’ copper) in 171 consecutive patients affected by psychiatric disorders and in 61 healthy controls (HC) using MANOVA adjusting for the effect of sex and age, and studied their association with the clinical scale outcomes at psychiatric examination, namely Global Assessment of Functioning, Clinical Global Impression, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Resultsindividuals with psychiatric disorders were classified as 109 patients affected by mood spectrum disorders (MSD), 20 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), and 42 with personality disorders (PD). Cu and non-Cp Cu were increased in psychiatric individuals than in HC, which also differed among the patients stratified per the clinical classification, being higher in the MSD individuals. The analysis stratified for sex revealed that women from the patient group, and specifically from the MSD group, had increased levels of Cu and non-Cp Cu than healthy women, while no difference was revealed in men. A logistic regression model considering the effect of sex and age revealed that non-Cp Cu could explain 26 % increased odds of having MSD per µmol/L unit increase (OR = 1.26; p = 0.0008; 95 % CI 1.099–1.436), that reached 40 % when considering only women. This result was driven by non-Cp Cu that correctly classified 64.1 % MSD (70 % in women) individuals vs. HC in a decision tree model, with values higher than 2.1 µmol/L which could distinguish the majority of MSD patients (86.3 % MSD vs. 13.7 % HC in women). None of the biological variables under study correlated with outcomes of the clinical scales, substances, or alcohol abuse. ConclusionCurrent results suggest mild Cu toxicity in women with MSD, as revealed by a value of non-Cp Cu higher than 2.1 µmol/L, which can be further investigated to assess its potential diagnostic accuracy in bigger and longitudinal cohorts.

Efficacy of Behavioral Intervention, Text Messaging, and Extended Intervention to Address Alcohol Misuse in Sexual Minority Men with HIV: A Factorial Randomized Clinical Trial.

This clinical trial examined the individual and combined effects of three different approaches to reducing alcohol misuse among a sample of sexual minority men (SMM) with HIV. Specifically, we used a 2 × 2 × 2 randomized factorial design to compare: (a) behavioral intervention based in motivational interviewing (MI) vs. brief intervention (BI), (b) interactive text messaging (ITM) for alcohol use vs. no ITM, and (c) extended intervention (EI) length of nine months vs. a one-month intervention duration. Participants (N = 188) were SMM with HIV and alcohol misuse recruited in Miami, FL, and Boston, MA. Participants were randomized to one of eight intervention combinations and assessed at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Large reductions of over 50% in drinks per week and heavy drinking days were observed in all conditions at follow-up. Those who received ITM, compared to those who did not, reported significantly lower drinks consumed per week at 6 and 12 months (incidence rate ratios = 0.73 [95% CI = 0.57, 0.90] and 0.72 [95% CI = 0.56, 0.87], respectively), and increased odds of cessation of alcohol misuse at 12 months, odds ratio = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.08. Results provided no evidence of better alcohol use outcomes for either MI or EI relative to their comparison conditions, and no specific combination of intervention components demonstrated a notable benefit. This study suggests a two-session BI can effectuate substantial reductions in alcohol use in SMM with HIV and that adding one month of ITM can yield further improvements. Clinical Trials Number: NCT02709759.

Associations between soft drinks intake and primary dysmenorrhea among Chinese undergraduate female students

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common global health concern. However, limited studies explored the association between soft drinks intake and PD among female undergraduates in China. To determine the association between soft drinks (carbonated soft drinks, etc.) as well coffee intake and the incidence/severity of PD among female undergraduates in China. We performed a cross-sectional study among 1809 female undergraduates in China from September 29, 2020 to October 22, 2020. The demographic information and menstrual information of the participants were collected by a self-administrated questionnaire. Chi-square test, ANOVA test, and logistic regression test were used to investigate the association between soft drinks intake and the incidence/severity of PD. We also conducted stratification analysis among different locations (rural or urban). The prevalence of PD was 47.1% (n = 852). There were 221 (25.9%) participants suffered from severe pain. In the participants with PD, the OR of carbonated soft drinks intake was 1.244 (95% CI 1.010–1.533). Among the participants with PD from rural areas, the OR of carbonated soft drinks intake was 1.402 (95% CI 1.045–1.881), compared with the non-carbonated soft drink group. In the participants with moderate and severe PD, the OR of coffee intake was 0.451 (95% CI 0.228–0.892), compared with the non-coffee-drinking group. There was a significant association between carbonated soft drinks intake frequency and the severity of PD (P < 0.05). Our study showed that carbonated soft drinks intake is a risk factor for PD, especially in participants from rural areas. Coffee intake is a protective factor for the severity of PD. Periodical awareness programs about adverse effects of excessive soft drink consumption should be introduced to reduce the prevalence and exacerbation of PD. Coffee intake might be helpful to relieve the severity of PD.

Trends in incidence of self-harm, neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions among university students compared to the general population: a nationwide electronic data linkage study in Wales.

Objective and ApproachThey are growing concerns that self-harm and mental health conditions are increasing in university students. This may reflect widening access to higher education, existing population trends or stressors associated with this setting. We linked real-world data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency between 2012-2018 with primary and secondary healthcare records. Students were undergraduates aged 18 to 24 years at university entry. Non-students were pseudo-randomly selected based on an equivalent age distribution. We used regression approach to examine characteristics of students and non-students and their risks of self-harm and mental health conditions before and during university. ResultsThis e-cohort study included 96,760 students and 151,795 non-students. Being male, self-harm and mental-health conditions recorded before university entry, and higher deprivation levels resulted in lower odds of entering university and higher odds of dropout. Risks of self-harm, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), depression, anxiety, drug misuse, and schizophrenia were lower for students. Risks of self-harm, ASD, ADHD, depression, alcohol misuse and schizophrenia were increasing more in students over time. Older students experienced higher risk of self-harm and mental-health conditions. Younger students were more at risk of alcohol misuse than non-students. ConclusionsMental health conditions in students are common, diverse and they influence their academic outcomes. University students have mental health needs and trajectories that differ from those of the general population. ImplicationsThe diversity and complexity of students’ needs require integrated person-centred stepped care approach within universities including triage, access to well-being support, counselling, and referral pathways to mental health services.