Female Population Research Articles

Socioeconomic determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the relative importance of the set of socioeconomic characteristics of population on collective decision on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. We apply cross-section OLS methods to the municipal-level non-survey data for 145 municipalities in Serbia, on the COVID-19 vaccination rate and socioeconomic characteristics of the population, to evaluate the determinants of cross-municipal variation in vaccine uptake decision. Using the estimated coefficients from the OLS regressions, we apply the standardized beta method to evaluate the relative importance of each factor. Vaccine acceptance in municipalities rises with the average level of education (especially in the female population), age and employment, while being negatively linked to religiosity of people and the proportion of rural population. We also find some evidence on the positive impact of the overall trust in government. Education level has the single largest impact, shaping around 37% of (explained) variation in the vaccination rate across municipalities, a rise in the proportion of people with higher degree by 1% being associated with increase in vaccination rate by 0.36%. Age of population explains 21%, urban-rural structure 13% and religiosity 11% of variation in vaccine acceptance, while employment status and trust in government each explain around 9% of variation in vaccine uptake across municipalities. Effective vaccination promotion strategy should be focused on younger, less-educated, unemployed cohorts, as well as on rural areas and should involve representatives of mainstream religions. Fostering education and strengthening trust in government are some of the key structural factors that may promote efficient collective behaviour in this respect.

United States-Mexico Border Disparities in Alcoholic Liver Disease Mortality: A Cross-Sectional Analysis 1999-2020.

US-Mexico (US-MX) border regions are impacted by socioeconomic disadvantages. Alcohol use disorder remains widely prevalent in US-MX border regions, which may increase the risk of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We aimed to characterize ALD mortality trends in border regions compared to non-border regions from 1999 to 2020 in the United States (US). We performed a cross-sectional analysis using the CDC repository. We queried death certificates to find ALD-related deaths from 1999 to 2020, which included demographic information such as gender, race/ethnicity, and area of residence. We estimated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 population and compared the AAMRs across border and non-border regions. We also explored yearly mortality shifts using log-linear regression models and calculated the average annual percentage change (AAPC) using the Monte Carlo permutation test. In all, 11,779 ALD-related deaths were identified in border regions (AAMR 7.29) compared with 361,523 in non-border regions (AAMR 5.03). Border male (AAMR 11.21) and female (AAMR 3.77) populations were higher compared with non-border male (AAMR 7.42) and female (2.85) populations, respectively. Border non-Hispanic populations (AAMR 7.53) had higher mortality compared with non-border non-Hispanic populations (4.79), while both populations experienced increasing mortality shifts (AAPC +1.7, P<0.001 and +3.1, P<0.001, respectively). Border metropolitan (AAMR 7.35) and non-metropolitan (AAMR 6.76) regions had higher mortality rates compared with non-border metropolitan (AAMR 4.96) and non-metropolitan (AAMR 5.44) regions. Mortality related to ALD was higher in border regions compared with non-border regions. Border regions face significant health disparities when comparing ALD-related mortality.

The indirect costs of human papillomavirus-related cancer in Central and Eastern Europe: years of life lost and productivity costs

Background Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common cause of several types of cancer, including head and neck (oral cavity, pharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and larynx), cervical, vulval, vaginal, anal, and penile cancers. As HPV vaccines are available, there is potential to prevent HPV-related disease burden and related costs. Method A model was developed for nine Central Eastern European (CEE) countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia). This model considered cancer patients who died from 11 HPV-related cancers (oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, pharynx, anal, larynx, vulval, vaginal, cervical, and penile) in 2019. Due to data limitations, Bulgaria only included four cancer types. The model estimated the number of HPV-related deaths and years of life lost (YLL) based on published HPV-attributable fractions. YLL was adjusted with labor force participation, retirement age and then multiplied by mean annual earnings, discounted at a 3% annual rate to calculate the present value of future lost productivity (PVFLP). Results In 2019, there were 6,832 deaths attributable to HPV cancers resulting in 107,846 YLL in the nine CEE countries. PVFLP related to HPV cancers was estimated to be €46 M in Romania, €37 M in Poland, €19 M in Hungary, €15 M in Czechia, €12 M in Croatia, €10 M in Serbia, €9 M in Slovakia, €7 M in Bulgaria and €4 M in Slovenia. Conclusions There is a high disease burden of HPV-related cancer-related deaths in the CEE region, with a large economic impact to society due to substantial productivity losses. It is critical to implement and reinforce public health measures with the aim to reduce the incidence of HPV-related diseases, and the subsequent premature cancer deaths. Improving HPV screening and increasing vaccination programs, in both male and female populations, could help reduce this burden.

Genomic analysis of inbreeding and coancestry in Nordic Jersey and Holstein dairy cattle populations

In recent years, Genomic Selection (GS) has accelerated genetic gain in dairy cattle breeds worldwide. Despite the evident genetic progress, several dairy populations have also encountered challenges such as heightened inbreeding rates and reduced effective population sizes. The challenge has been to find a balance between achieving substantial genetic gain while managing genetic diversity within the population, thereby mitigating the negative effects of inbreeding depression. This study aims to elucidate the impact of GS on pedigree and genomic rates of inbreeding (ΔF) and coancestry (ΔC) in Nordic Jersey (NJ) and Holstein (NH) cattle populations. Furthermore, key genetic metrics including the generation interval (L), effective population size (Ne), and future effective population size (FNe) were assessed between 2 time periods, before and after GS, and across distinct animal cohorts in both breeds: females, bulls, and approved semen-producing bulls (AI-sires). Analysis of ΔF and ΔC revealed distinct trends across the studied periods and animal groups. Notably, there was a consistent increase in yearly ΔF for most animal groups in both breeds. An exception was observed in NH AI-sires, which demonstrated a slight decrease in yearly ΔF. Moreover, NJ displayed minimal changes in yearly ΔC between the periods, whereas NH exhibited elevated ΔC values across all animal groups. Particularly striking was the substantial increase in yearly ΔC within the NH female population, surging from 0.02% to 0.39% between the periods. Implementation of GS resulted in a reduction of the generation interval across all animal cohorts in both NJ and NH breeds. However, the extent of reduction was more pronounced in males compared with females. This reduction in generation interval influenced generational changes in ΔF and ΔC. Bulls and AI-sires of both breeds exhibited reduced generational ΔF between periods, in contrast to females that demonstrated an opposing pattern. Between the periods, NJ maintained a relatively stable Ne, 29.4 before and 30.3 after GS, while NH experienced a notable decline from 54.3 to 42.8. Female groups in both breeds displayed a negative Ne trend, while males demonstrated either neutral or positive Ne developments. Regarding FNe, NJ exhibited positive FNe development with an increase from 40.7 to 57.2. The opposite was observed in NH, where FNe decreased from 198.8 to 42.7. In summary, it was evident that the genomic methods could detect differences between the populations and changes in ΔF and ΔC more efficiently than pedigree methods. GS implementation yielded positive outcomes within the NJ population regarding the rate of coancestry but the opposite was observed with NH. Moreover, analysis of ΔC data hints at the potential to decrease future ΔF through informed mating strategies. Conversely, NH faces more pressing concerns, even though ΔF remains comparatively modest in contrast to what has been observed in other Holstein populations. These findings underscore the necessity of genomic control of inbreeding and coancestry with strategic changes in the Nordic breeding schemes for dairy to ensure long-term sustainability in the forthcoming years.

Impact of Soybean Phytoestrogen-Rich Extract on Hormonal Imbalance and Ovarian Function in Menopausal Rat Induced with 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide: A Neglected Naturaceutical

Backgroud: Decrease levels of estrogen and progesterone, a vital hormone in female reproductive health as led to vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, sweating, physical and psychological discomfort, and emotional changes experienced by a large portion of the menopausal and postmenopausal female population. The study aim to investigate the impact of Soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract on hormonal imbalance and ovarian function on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide-induced menopause in albino rats. Methods: Thirty (30) female albino Wistar rats were employed in the investigation, and each one was induced with 80mg/kg of 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide before being treated with either normal estradiol therapy (14ug/kg) or varying concentrations of the soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg). Reproductive hormones (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2), anti mullerian hormone (AMH), progesterone and testosterone) were measured by ELISA methods. Statistical software SPSS (IBM) version 23.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: Serum E2 and progesterone levels were observed to be significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in the soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract treatment group compared to the positive control group. There was non-significant difference (p&gt;0.05) observed in use of standard estrogen therapy compared to phytoestrogen isoflavones but increased serum mean levels of estrogen, progesterone and anti-mullerian hormone was observed. Conclusion: Data from this research clearly demonstrate the hormone regulating effect of soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract therapy in menopause-induced female Wistar rats. Soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract therapy in a high-dose appears to be more effective in management of hormonal imbalance and ovarian function compared to hormone replacement therapy as an alternate source of estrogen.

Cervical Cancer Visual Screening Experience in the Republic of Tajikistan

OBJECTIVES: To study the results of the first pilot study of organized visual cervical cancer (CC) screening for the detection of precancerous pathology of the cervix in two pilot districts of the Republic of Tajikistan. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, the target group included healthy women of reproductive age (30-49 years) from Kushoniyon and B. Gafurov Districts who underwent visual screening. The total study population was 72,574 out of which 68,391 (94.3%) visited primary healthcare facilities for visual inspection with Lugol’s Iodine (VILI). A total of 2958 women with suspicious tests for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were identified (4.3%) and sent to the reproductive health care centers for further diagnostics. Post-screening diagnostic tests were performed to specify cervical lesions, which included colposcopy with acetic acid (VIA) visual inspection, cytology, and biopsy with histological examination. HPV testing wasn’t included in the diagnostic protocol due to its high cost. RESULTS: A total of 164 histologically confirmed cases of CIN were identified (0.25% of number of women screened). The detection rate of precancerous pathology was 26.9 per 100,000 female population, which is 8.2 times higher than the detection rate of CC. All patients regardless of CIN degree underwent loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP)/conization. In the follow-up period (6-48 months), complete recovery after 136 LEEP, 21 conizations, and 7 hysterectomies were observed in 97% (5 recurrences of non-invasive disease). CONCLUSION: The visual screening showed high efficiency in detecting CIN. The positive experience suggests the implementation of this program nationwide.

Analysis of spinal muscular atrophy carrier screening results in 32,416 pregnant women and 7,231 prepregnant women.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease that is one of the most common in childhood neuromuscular disorders. Our screenings are more meaningful programs in preventing birth defects, providing a significant resource for healthcare professionals, genetic counselors, and policymakers involved in designing strategies to prevent and manage SMA. We screened 39,647 participants from 2020 to the present by quantitative real-time PCR, including 7,231 pre-pregnancy participants and 32,416 pregnancy participants, to detect the presence of SMN1 gene EX7 and EX8 deletion in the DNA samples provided by the subjects. To validate the accuracy of our findings, we also utilized the Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) to confirm the reliability of screening results obtained by quantitative real-time PCR. Among the 39,647 participants who were screened, 726 participants were the carriers of SMN1. The overall carrier rate was calculated to be 1.83% (95% confidence interval: 0.86-2.8%). After undergoing screening, a total of 592 pregnancy carriers were provided with genetic counseling and only 503 of their spouses (84.97, 95% confidence interval: 82.09-87.85%) voluntarily underwent SMA screening. This study provides crucial insights into the prevalence and distribution of SMA carriers among the female population. The identification of 726 asymptomatic carriers highlights the necessity of comprehensive screening programs to identify at-risk individuals and ensure appropriate interventions are in place to minimize the impact of SMA-related conditions.

High incidence of imperforate vagina in ADGRA3-deficient mice

BackgroundTen percent of the female population suffers from congenital abnormalities of the vagina, uterus, or oviducts, with severe consequences for reproductive and psychological health. Yet, the underlying causes of most of these malformations remain largely unknown. ADGRA3 (GPR125) is involved in WNT signaling and planar cell polarity, mechanisms vital to female reproductive tract development. Although ADGRA3 is a well-established spermatogonial stem cell marker, its role within the female urogenital system remains unclear.ResultsIn this study, we found Adgra3 to be expressed throughout the murine female urogenital system, with higher expression pre-puberty than after sexual maturation. We generated a global Adgra3−/− mouse line and observed imperforate vagina in 44% of Adgra3−/− females, resulting in distension of the reproductive tract and infertility. Ovarian morphology, plasma estradiol, ovarian Cyp19a1, and vaginal estrogen receptor α (Esr1) expression were unaffected. However, compared to controls, a significantly lower bone mineral density was found in Adgra3−/− mice. Whereas vaginal opening in mice is an estrogen-dependent process, 17β-estradiol treatment failed to induce vaginal canalization in Adgra3−/− mice. Furthermore, a marked reduction in vaginal and ovarian progesterone receptor expression was observed concomitant with an upregulation of apoptotic regulators Bcl2, Bid, and Bmf in adult Adgra3−/− females with a closed vagina.ConclusionsOur collective results shed new insights into the complex mechanisms by which the adhesion receptor ADGRA3 regulates distal vaginal tissue remodeling during vaginal canalization via altered sex hormone responsiveness and balance in apoptotic regulators. This highlights the potential of ADGRA3 as a target in diagnostic screening and/or therapy for obstructive vaginal malformations in humans.

Utilization of modern contraceptives among female health care workers at Gulu university teaching hospitals in Northern Uganda

BackgroundThe global high rate of unintended pregnancy is a direct result of underutilization of contraceptives methods. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a pivotal role in promoting and facilitating access to modern family planning services. By examining the extent to which healthcare providers practice what they preach, this research aimed to shed light on the prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among female HCW at two university teaching hospitals in northern Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among qualified female healthcare workers (FHCWs) at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) and St. Mary’s Hospital-Lacor in Gulu, Uganda. Convenient consecutive sampling was used to enroll study participants. Linear regression analysis was employed to determine factors independently associated with modern contraceptive use. P < 0.005 was considered statistically significant.ResultsWe enrolled 201 female HCWs, with a median age 31 (interquartile range: 27–38) years. Overall, 15 (7.5%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 4.4 —11.1) participants utilized modern methods of family planning in the last 3 months while lifetime use was at 73.6% (n = 148, 95%CI: 67.3 — 79.4%). Most common method utilized was intra-uterine devices [IUDs] (51%, n = 76), followed by sub-dermal implants (15.4%, n = 23). Eighty-five (42.3%, n = 85) participants had desire to get pregnant. Factors independently associated with utilization of modern methods contraceptives were working at GRRH (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.0, 95% CI: 1.59 — 10.0, p = 0.003), and being single (aOR: 3.3, 9%CI: 1.02 —10.57, p = 0.046).ConclusionsUtilization of modern methods of contraceptive among female HCWs in this study is lower than the Uganda national estimates for the general female population. Most utilized method is IUDs followed by sub-dermal implants. More studies are recommended to see if this finding is similar among FHCWs in other regions of Uganda and the rest of Africa while also considering Male Healthcare Workers.

Perceptiveness of Uniforms for Female Security Population in PSG College of Arts &amp; Science

Perceptiveness of Uniforms for Female Security Population in PSG College of Arts &amp; Science

Spectrum of Diagnoses in Female Patients With Proctologic Symptoms Presenting to the Surgery Unit of a Tertiary Care Center.

Introduction Anorectal diseases are prevalent in the general population and may vary from benign disorders to malignant lesions that can metastasize. There is a variety of proctologic symptoms associated with each disease. The incidence of proctologic disease varies in different cultures due to dietary habits and variations in lifestyle. The present study was conducted to determine the spectrum of different proctologic diseases in female patients presenting with proctologic symptoms. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Surgery Department of Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, and Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from January 2022 to January 2023. Female patients with proctologic symptoms were included, while non-consenting patients were excluded. After obtaining a detailed history and examination by the experienced surgeon, digital rectal examination and proctoscopy/sigmoidoscopy were performed where necessary. Diagnoses were made, and the data regarding proctologic symptoms and their corresponding diagnoses was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) using meanand standard deviation for quantitative variables and frequency and percentagefor qualitative variables. Results The mean age of 500 female study participants was 38.35±16.305 (range: 7-108) years. Bleeding per rectum, constipation, and pain per rectum were the commonest proctologic symptoms seen in 341 (68.2%), 287 (57.4%), and 272 (54.4%) cases, respectively.Anal fissures and hemorrhoids were the commonest proctologic diseases seen in 264 (52.8%) and 60 (12%) cases, respectively. Conclusion Bleeding per rectum is the commonest proctologic symptom in patients. Anal fissures and hemorrhoids are the commonest proctologic diseases in our setup. Bleeding per rectum and hemorrhoids in the female population cause loss of blood, which in turn will aggravate the clinical picture of underlying anemia, if any.

Quality of life in long-term cervical cancer survivors compared with healthy women and women with benign gynecological disorders

ObjectiveThe impact of cervical cancer treatment on the quality of life of long-term survivors compared with the general female population is controversial, and no studies have been conducted comparing patients with benign gynecological diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life of cervical cancer survivors with that of healthy controls. Study DesignA case-control study was conducted to compare the quality of life of 106 cervical cancer survivors from a tertiary hospital and 185 women admitted to a gynecological outpatient clinic from the same health area for a healthy woman check-up (n 46) or for a benign gynecological disorder (symptomatic, n 113; asymptomatic, n 26).To measure quality of life, self-administered questionnaires, such as the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-cervix and World Health Organization quality of life-brief version, were employed. Baseline scores were collected when patients first reported, and further evaluations were completed at 0–6, 7–12, 13–24, 25–60, and more than 60 months.For the contrastive analysis hypothesis, we employed R statistical software. ResultsExcept for the environment domain at 0–6, 7–12, and 13–24 months (51.52 vs. 60.73, p < 0.0001; 52 vs. 60.73, p < 0.0001; 49.81 vs. 60.73, p < 0.0001, respectively), we found no statistically significant differences in the quality of life between cervical cancer survivors and controls. We did find differences in the physical health domain scores at 0–6 months (60.22 vs. 72.42, p = 0.039) and the social relationships domain scores at 13–24 months (54 vs. 71.42, p = 0.017) between cases and asymptomatic controls. ConclusionExcept for physical well-being, environment and social relationships, which were substantially better for controls, especially in the asymptomatic, long-term cervical cancer survivorśquality of life did not vary from that of controls.

Why don't women engage in muscle strength exercise? An integrative review.

Women are 'at-risk' population for failing to meet muscle strengthening guidelines. Health benefits specific to this exercise mode include maintenance of muscle mass, which is associated with reduced risk of chronic disease and falls. Of significance is the progressive decline in muscle strength exercise participation in women aged 35-54 in Australia. This period is critical for maintaining muscle strength as it establishes foundations for older women's engagement. This integrative review examined available evidence regarding factors influencing muscle strength exercise participation, specifically in women aged 35-54. Seven databases were searched. Study inclusion criteria were: (1) peer reviewed, (2) English language, (3) sample populations of healthy female adults or general adult sample population differentiating females from males, (4) mean age between 35 and 54 years, (5) focused on muscle strength exercise and measured as the primary outcome factors of participation in muscle strength exercise. Five of 1895 studies met inclusion criteria. Five key factors were associated with participation in muscle strength exercise of women aged 35-54 years: perceived time constraints; knowledge and education; modality and intensity; social support and behavioural strategies. Focused education on strength exercise and guidelines, plus initiatives and strategies that suit the needs of this cohort, are necessary to achieve health and wellbeing benefits. Responsive approaches by health professionals to these women's circumstances can potentially address current low participation levels. SO WHAT?: Creating conditions where health professionals respect a woman's exercise preferences can positively impact these women's musculoskeletal health into older age.

Enhancing Vascular Adaptations: A Comprehensive Review on the Impact of Theraband Training with Blood Flow Restriction in Women

Objective: This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted impact of Theraband training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on vascular adaptations in women. With a focus on synthesizing current knowledge, the objective is to elucidate the physiological mechanisms, explore clinical applications, and outline potential benefits of this innovative exercise paradigm within the female demographic. Methods: Employing a systematic approach, a thorough review of pertinent literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria centered on studies investigating the effects of Theraband training with BFR on vascular outcomes in women. Extracted data encompassed study design, participant demographics, intervention specifics, and key findings. Results: The review reveals intricate physiological mechanisms underlying vascular adaptations induced by Theraband training with BFR in women, emphasizing notable changes in blood flow dynamics, nitric oxide production, and endothelial function. Clinical applications are discussed, showcasing the potential of this approach in rehabilitation settings and its efficacy in managing cardiovascular and metabolic conditions unique to the female population. Conclusion: Synthesizing existing evidence, this review underscores the promising role of Theraband training with blood flow restriction in enhancing vascular health in women. By providing comprehensive insights into the physiological intricacies, clinical applications, and potential benefits, this review serves as a pivotal resource for researchers, clinicians, and fitness professionals. It offers guidance for future investigations and practical applications of this innovative exercise strategy, aiming to optimize cardiovascular outcomes specifically for women.

The Influence of Female Workers, Population, and Open Unemployment Rates on Female Labor Force Participation Levels in East Java

This research aims to determine the influence of three key factors that influence the level of labor force participation in East Java province, namely the female workforce, population size, and the female open unemployment rate. This research uses secondary data which involves collecting statistical data from official and trusted sources, such as the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and other related agencies. Data analysis uses statistical methods and descriptive analysis to gain in-depth insight into the relationships between variables. Based on the calculation results, looking at the relationship between variables, it shows that the relationship between female workers and the female open unemployment rate is negative. Meanwhile, the relationship between population size and the female open unemployment rate is positive. According to the t test calculations, it was found that the variables of female labor and population had a positive and significant influence on the labor force participation rate. Meanwhile, the female open unemployment rate has a negative and significant influence on the labor force participation rate. According to the f test, the results show that the three variables have a positive and significant effect on the level of labor force participation.

Effects of scapular treatment on chronic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundChronic neck pain (CNP) is a common public health problem that affects daily living activities and quality of life. There is biomechanical interdependence between the neck and scapula. Studies have shown that shoulder blade function might be related to chronic neck pain. We therefore evaluated the effects of scapular targeted therapy on neck pain and function in patients with CNP.MethodsDatabases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Ovid), Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus, were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials published in English investigating treatment of the scapula for CNP before July 16, 2023.ResultsA total of 313 participants were included from 8 RCTs. Compared with those in the control group, the intervention in the scapular treatment group exhibited greater improvement in pain intensity (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 2.55; 95% CI = 0.97 to 4.13; P = 0.002), with moderate evidence. Subgroup analysis for pain intensity revealed a significant difference between the sexes, with only the female population (SMD = 6.23, 95% CI = 4.80 to 7.65) showing better outcomes than those with both sexes (SMD = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.56) (p < 0.00001). However, moderate evidence demonstrated no improvement in neck disability after scapular treatment (SMD of 0.24[-0.14, 0.62] of Neck Disability Index or Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire). No effect of scapular treatment was shown on the pressure pain threshold (PPT). The cervical range of motion (CROM) and electromyographic activity of neck muscles could not be conclusively evaluated due to limited support in the articles, and further study was needed. However, the patient’s head forward posture appeared to be corrected after scapular treatment.ConclusionScapular therapy was beneficial for relieving pain intensity in patients with CNP, especially in women. Head forward posture might also be corrected with scapular therapy. However, scapular therapy may have no effect on the PPT or neck disability. However, whether scapular therapy could improve CROM and cervical muscle activation in patients with CNPs had not been determined and needed further study.

IJCM_410A: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in rural area of District Kangra of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Metabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising in Indian population following widespread change in lifestyle and dietary habits. A study was conducted to estimate the current situation of metabolic syndrome in rural area of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Objective: To find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult population in identified rural area of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 individuals. The relevant anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations were performed. NCEP ATP III (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III) guidelines were used to diagnose the metabolic syndrome. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our study was found to be 42.4% (34.99%-50.01%) and was higher among female population (71.8%). The proportion of metabolic syndrome was higher among older age group (66.7%) and only 2.7% in those who were less than 30 years of age. Conclusion: The present study documented 42.4% prevalence of metabolic syndrome in rural population, with more prevalence among females. The data was skewed, with more proportion of females in the study. Consequent upon this, development of health policies and protocols for the screening of metabolic syndrome would aid in early diagnosis and timely management of non-communicable disease.

Examining the Effects of COVID-19 on Suicide Attempts in Budapest: A Focus on Violent and Non-Violent Attempts

IntroductionIn Hungary, in contrast to most other countries, suicide deaths increased significantly during the first year of the COVID-19 epidemic (March to December 2020). Globally, the burden of emergency care in the healthcare system tended to decrease during the first period of the epidemic.ObjectivesOur research aimed to evaluate the changes in the number of intentional suicide attempts by violent and non-violent means during the first two years of the epidemic, compared to the trend before March 2020 in the Budapest metropolitan area and Pest County.MethodsWe analyzed psychiatric assessment reports of self-poisoning patients admitted to Péterfy Hospital’s Emergency Department and Clinical Toxicology from Jan 2019 to Dec 2021 to estimate non-violent suicide attempt trends. We analyzed patient data for violent suicide attempts treated at Dr. Manninger Jenő Trauma Centre from 2016-2021, focusing on trends during the first two years of the pandemic. Negative binomial regression estimates were used for interrupted time series analysis with Prais-Winsten regression, controlling for time and seasonal and autoregressive effects. We used change-point detection to examine the leveling of trends. The Institutional Review Board approved the research in both institutions. Approval numbers: 08-2022 (Péterfy Hospitaly) and 19-2021 (Traumatology Center).ResultsThe number of male non-violent suicide attempts decreased by 16.6% compared with the pre-epidemic period (p&lt;0.001). A similar and significant decrease was observed in females and in the total population (Image 1). The female and total population trends, i.e., the decrease, were reversed by August 2020, and the male trends were reversed by October 2020. The total number of patients treated for violent suicide attempts increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) during the first two years of the pandemic (Image 2). There was a slight increase in violent attempts in men and a small decrease in women, but these changes are not statistically significant.Image:Image 2:ConclusionsWe hypothesize that those who tried to end their life through non-violent drug use were less inclined to seek assistance because they were concerned about being hospitalized during the COVID-19 outbreak. The surge in violent attempts is striking, as it correlates with the rise in suicide fatalities documented in Hungary during the initial year of the outbreak. Our data was obtained from two prominent public hospitals in Budapest, enabling us to conduct a more concentrated and thorough examination of the circumstances in the capital.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Correlation of Body Mass Index and Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune disease. RA can cause permanent deformity and loss of productivity. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of BMI with Disease Activity Score in RA patients. The secondary objective was to evaluate the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes, thyroid, hypertension, periodontitis, and pregnancy outcomes (in the case of females) in the RA patients population presented at the tertiary healthcare centre. Method: The presented study was a cross-sectional study. 100 Patients presented to the joint clinic were recruited. RA diagnosis of patients was based on the ACR/ELULAR criteria. Their demographic and clinical data was collected through one-on-one interviews. Results: The recruited population shows that BMI has a moderate positive correlation (r=0.347, p=0.001) with disease activity scores. 51% of RA patients have one or more comorbidities. 45.2 % of female RA patients suffered one or two miscarriages during their pregnancy. It is significantly higher as compared normal female population. Conclusions: Active control of BMI may be required to prevent RA symptom aggravation. RA patients are prone to develop comorbidities and females with RA may need close monitoring during their pregnancy period.

Associations Between Serum Estrogen Levels and Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Cross-sectional Analysis of NHANES 2013 to 2016

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between serum estrogen levels and UI in a nationally representative female population. Materials and MethodsWe included women who had serum estradiol measurements and self-reported urinary incontinence problems in the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. A weighted multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between urinary incontinence and serum estrogen levels after adjusting for age, race, Body Mass Index, diabetes, venipuncture, hypertension, poverty-to-income ratio, smoking, marital status, alcohol use, education and menopause. ResultA total of 4114 individuals were ultimately included in our study. Of these women 1200 (29.17%) complained of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), 1674 (40.69%) complained of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 730 (17.74%) complained of mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Women in the lowest quartile of serum estrogen were more likely to complain of UUI compared to those in the highest quartile (OR = 1.885; 95% CI = 1.042 - 3.412, p = 0.039). No association was noted between serum estrogen levels and SUI or MUI. ConclusionOur study shows a significant association between low serum estrogen level and the increased likelihood of UUI in women. Further research is required to validate our findings, elucidate the physiological mechanisms that underlie them, and assess potential therapeutic implications.