General Risk Factors Research Articles

Osteoporosis and fracture risk are multifactorial in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (iRMDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitides and spondyloarthropathies are at a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures than areindividuals without iRMDs. Research and management recommendations for osteoporosis in iRMDs often focus on glucocorticoids as the most relevant risk factor, but theylargely ignore disease-related and general risk factors. However, the aetiopathogenesis of osteoporosis in iRMDs has many facets, including the negative effects on bone health of local and systemic inflammation owing to disease activity, other iRMD-specific risk factors such as disability or malnutrition (for example, malabsorption in systemic sclerosis), and general risk factors such as older age and hormonal loss resulting from menopause. Moreover, factors that can reduce fracture risk, such as physical activity, healthy nutrition, vitamin D supplementation and adequate treatment of inflammation, are variably present in patients with iRMDs. Evidence relating to general and iRMD-specific protective and risk factors for osteoporosis indicate that the established and very often used term 'glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis' oversimplifies the complex inter-relationships encountered in patients with iRMDs. Osteoporosis in these patients should instead be described as 'multifactorial'. Consequently, a multimodal approach to the management of osteoporosis is required. This approach should include optimal control of disease activity, minimization of glucocorticoids, anti-osteoporotic drug treatment, advice on physical activity and nutrition,and prevention of falls, as well as the management of other risk and protective factors, thereby improving the bone health of these patients.

Beliefs About Cannabis Use Among Male and Female Andalusian Adolescents.

Objectives: This study assessed potential differences between girls and boys in the prevalence rates of cannabis use, sociodemographic factors, and beliefs about cannabis use. Methods: 1,896 Andalusian adolescents aged 14-18 participated in an online survey based on the I-Change model. The survey assessed their beliefs about cannabis use, including attitudes, social influences, self-efficacy, action planning, and intention to use. Multivariate analyses of variance were then conducted to examine potential gender differences in these beliefs, while controlling for last month's cannabis use. Results: Significantly more boys used cannabis in the last month, had boyfriends/girlfriends, and had more pocket money compared to girls. Additionally, girls - in comparison to boys - were more convinced of the disadvantages of cannabis use, but were also more convinced of some of the advantages (such as freedom from boredom, and medicinal use), reported having less favorable social norms for cannabis use, had more female best friends using cannabis, and felt pressure to use cannabis from their female peers. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for cannabis prevention programs to consider gender differences in beliefs about cannabis use. Programs should not only address general risk factors for cannabis use but also evaluate if their interventions effectively target beliefs that are particularly important for girls and boys.

Epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, and management of MRONJ: A European multicenter study

IntroductionThe purpose of this European multicenter study was to describe the general characteristics and risk factors of MRONJ lesions as well as their clinical diagnosis and management at different European Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery centers, in order to minimize selections biases and provide information about the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, and the current trends in the treatment of MRONJ across Europe. Materials and methodsThe following data were registered for each patient: gender; age at MRONJ diagnosis; past medical history; indication for antiresorptive or antiangiogenic therapy; type of antiresorptive medication; local risk factor for MRONJ; MRONJ Stage; anatomic location and symptoms; treatment; surgical complications; recurrence. ResultsA total of 537 patients (375 females, 162 males) with MRONJ were included. Statistically significant associations were found between patients with metastatic bone disease and recurrences (P < 0.0005) and between advanced MRONJ stages (stages 2 and 3) and recurrences (P < 0.005). Statistically significant associations were also found between male gender and recurrences (P < 0.05), and between MRONJ maxillary sites and recurrences (P < 0.0000005). ConclusionsA longer mean duration of antiresorptive medications before MRONJ onset was observed in patients affected by osteoporosis, whereas a shorter mean duration was observed in all metastatic bone cancer patients, and in particular in those affected by prostate cancer with bone metastases or multiple myeloma. Surgery plays an important role for the management of MRONJ lesions.

#1832 Unraveling enteric peritonitis risk factors: the role of nutrition

Abstract Background and Aims Malnutrition estimated to have a prevalence of 30-50% among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. It independently correlates with increased patient morbidity and a lower technique survival, and it is exacerbated by protein loss through peritoneal fluid. Enteric-origin peritonitis in PD patients represents a severe complication also linked to elevated morbidity, hospitalizations, and inferior technique survival. However, the association between both is not well established. This study aims to analyze malnutrition-related as well as general risk factors and their association with peritonitis type (enteric/cutaneous). Method A longitudinal and retrospective observational analysis was conducted on PD patients with peritonitis at Hospital La Fe from 2012 to 2023. Demographic data (age, gender, obesity, diabetes, immunosuppression, polycystic kidney disease), analytical parameters (albumin, total proteins, potassium, phosphorus), number of exchanges, adequacy, surgical interventions, and/or catheter placement 6 months prior were analyzed for their association with peritonitis type (Cutaneous/Enteric/Mixed). Recurrences and peritonitis without microbial isolation were excluded. Results We collected data about 109 peritonitis cases; 59.6% cutaneous, 38.5% enteric, and 1.8% mixed, from 61 predominantly male patients (68.9%) with a mean age of 61.35 years. Common germs were S. epidermidis in cutaneous peritonitis and E. coli in enteric peritonitis. Obesity (27.9% of the sample), immunosuppression (16.4%), and hypoalbuminemia (56%) were statistically significantly associated with enteric peritonitis development (p 0.08, p 0.039, and p 0.036, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found for peritonitis type and gender, diabetes, residual renal function, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and underdialysis. 85.3% of peritonitis cases involved manual exchanges, and 14.7% automated PD. While no statistically significant association was found between modality and peritonitis type, more manual exchanges correlated with increased peritonitis cases. Peritoneal catheter insertion and other surgical interventions in the previous 6 months were not significantly related to peritonitis type. Conclusion The presence of malnutrition-related factors such as hypoalbuminemia and obesity increases the risk of developing enteric peritonitis, likely linked to digestive bacterial translocation to peritoneal fluid facilitated by malnutrition. Ensuring preventive nutritional strategies is imperative for these patients.

Functional Characterization of an Ammonia Transporter RhBG Mutation Identified in Diabetic Kidney Disease Patients

Metabolic acidosis is a major complication of CKD (chronic kidney disease) and DKD (diabetic kidney disease). The kidney responds to metabolic acidosis by eliminating acid, primarily by producing and excreting NH4+ in the urine. Two Rh glycoproteins, RhBG and RhCG, expressed in the collecting duct are directly involved in NH3/NH4+transport. We previously determined that RhBG transports both NH4+ and NH3 across the basolateral membrane of intercalated cells. Impaired NH3/NH4+ production and/or transport may be a factor in increasing acid load and worsening kidney disease. In type 2 diabetes, net endogenous acid production is significantly elevated, and the proportion of acid excreted as NH4+ is decreased even after accounting for diet and renal function. This is significant given that the association between acidosis and faster decline in GFR is now well established. In DKD, impaired NH4+ excretion as a potential risk factor for progression of kidney disease remains poorly understood. Specifically, the genetic risk factors contributing to DKD are unclear. Hypothesis: Defined RhBG variant(s) linked to DKD cause impaired NH3/NH4+ transport that may contribute to DKD development and progression. Methods: We conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis using data from A therosclerosis R isk i n C ommunities (ARIC) study and the C hronic R enal I nsuffciency C ohort (CRIC) study. We selected DKD patients with the most rapid GFR decline and compared them with: 1) subjects without kidney disease (healthy control); 2) diabetic patients without CKD (DM control); 3) CKD patients without diabetes (CKD control). This approach will identify single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of RhBG associated with DKD. This will also determine if the detected variants contribute to the development of kidney disease per se and whether they contribute to the development of diabetes and/or fast GFR decline. To study function, we expressed RhBG variants (and wild-type RhBG) in Xenopus oocytes by microinjecting oocytes with the respective mRNA. The effect of defined SNV of RhBG on NH3/NH4+ transport was assessed from measurements of changes in intracellular pH (pHi), membrane potential (Vm), whole cell currents (I) or surface pH (pHs) induced by exposing the oocytes to bath solutions containing NH4Cl or methyl ammonium chloride (MA/MA+). Results: We identified an SNV, rs3748569 (minor allele frequency MAF &gt; 0.05), that was significantly associated with DKD. Significance was determined compared to DM control (OR=1.38, p=0.0026) and healthy control (OR=1.26, p=0.01). This variant has also been predicted to be deleterious by 4 bioinformatic tools. Our electrophysiological measurements showed that the resultant amino acid switch, G315R, completely inhibited transport of NH3 and NH4+ (p&lt;0.001) and the transport of MA and MA+ (p&lt;0.0001), compared with RhBG-WT. Conclusions: WES results suggest that this naturally occurring RhBG mutation, G315R, contributes to DKD occurrence. This effect is through the development of kidney disease and less likely due to development of diabetes. It is therefore likely a general CKD risk factor. Inhibition of NH3/NH4+ transport by this mutation is a contributing factor to its deleterious effect. This work provides experimental validation of computational predictions concerning CKD and diabetes. NIH-U54 GM104940, Paul Teschan Research, NIH-R01, Carol Lavin Bernick, Tulane institutional. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Hospitalization, and Associated Factors Among People Living With HIV in Southeastern China From December 2022 to February 2023: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Limited studies have explored the impact of the Omicron variant on SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and associated factors among people living with HIV, particularly in China. The adjustment of preventive policies since December 2022 in China presents an opportunity to evaluate the real-world factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalization among people living with HIV. This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization rates, and associated factors among people living with HIV following the adjustment of preventive policies from December 2022 to February 2023 in southeastern China. A cross-sectional telephone or web-based survey was conducted among people living with HIV in 5 cities in southeastern China from December 2022 to February 2023. Demographic information, SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalization, and HIV-specific characteristics were collected from existing databases and special investigations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associated factors for infection and hospitalization rates of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted for the association between vaccination and infection across different vaccination statuses and time since the last vaccination. Among people living with HIV with a COVID-19 testing history, the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was 67.13% (95% CI 65.81%-68.13%), whereas the hospitalization rate was 0.71% (95% CI 0.46%-0.97%). Factors such as age, latest CD4 cell count, latest HIV viral load, and transmission route were found to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, while age, cancer, latest CD4 cell count, and latest HIV viral load were associated with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization. In terms of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, compared to unvaccinated people living with HIV, there was a lower infection rate among those who had been vaccinated for <3 months in the booster vaccination group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.98; P=.04); and there was also a lower risk of hospitalization among people living with HIV who had received vaccination in the past 6-12 months (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.81; P=.02) and more than 12 months ago (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.72; P=.01). After the ease of prevention and control measures in China, we observed a high SARS-CoV-2 infection rate but a low hospitalization rate. General risk factors, such as higher age and vaccination status, and HIV-related parameters, such as the latest CD4 cell count and HIV viral load, were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization. A booster vaccination campaign for booster doses should be considered among people living with HIV in confronting possible COVID-19 epidemic emergencies in the near future.

Second harvest of Congenital Heart Surgery Database in Türkiye: Current outcomes.

This second harvest of the Congenital Heart Surgery Database intended to compare current results with international databases. This retrospective study examined a total of 4007 congenital heart surgery procedures from 15 centers in the Congenital Heart Surgery Database between January 2018 and January 2023. International diagnostic and procedural codes were used for data entry. STAT (Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery) mortality scores and categories were used for comparison of the data. Surgical priority status was modified from American Society of Anesthesiologist guidelines. Centers that sent more than 5 cases to the database were included to the study. Cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest were performed in 2,983 (74.4%) procedures. General risk factors were present in 22.6% of the patients, such as genetic anomaly, syndrome, or prematurity. Overall, 18.9% of the patients had preoperative risk factors (e.g., mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and sepsis). Of the procedures, 610 (15.2%) were performed on neonates, 1,450 (36.2%) on infants, 1,803 (45%) on children, and 144 (3.6%) on adults. The operative timing was elective in 56.5% of the patients, 34.4% were urgent, 8% were emergent, and 1.1% were rescue procedures. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was used in 163 (4%) patients, with a 34.3% survival rate. Overall mortality in this series was 6.7% (n=271). Risk for mortality was higher in patients with general risk factors, such as prematurity, low birth weight neonates, and heterotaxy syndrome. Mortality for patients with preoperative mechanical ventilation was 17.5%. Pulmonary hypertension and preoperative circulatory shock had 11.6% and 10% mortality rates, respectively. Mortality for patients who had no preoperative risk factor was 3.9%. Neonates had the highest mortality rate (20.5%). Intensive care unit and hospital stay time for neonates (median of 17.8 days and 24.8 days, respectively) were also higher than the other age groups. Infants had 6.2% mortality. Hospital mortality was 2.8% for children and 3.5% for adults. Mortality rate was 2.8% for elective cases. Observed mortality rates were higher than expected in the fourth and fifth categories of the STAT system (observed, 14.8% and 51.9%; expected, 9.9% and 23.1%; respectively). For the first time, outcomes of congenital heart surgery in Türkiye could be compared to the current world experience with this multicenter database study. Increased mortality rate of neonatal and complex heart operations could be delineated as areas that need improvement. The Congenital Heart Surgery Database has great potential for quality improvement of congenital heart surgery in Türkiye. In the long term, participation of more centers in the database may allow more accurate risk adjustment.

Emotional non‐acceptance mediates the relationship between insecure attachment and specific psychopathology in women with eating disorders

IntroductionInsecure attachment is considered a general risk factor for eating disorders (ED). Emotion dysregulation has been proposed as one of the possible mechanisms by which attachment insecurity may affect ED psychopathology.ObjectivesAim of the present study was to investigate whether difficulties in acceptance of emotions or emotional clarity may mediate the connection between insecure attachment and ED psychopathology.MethodsOne hundred and twenty patients participated and completed the Italian version of Eating Disorder Inventory‐2 (EDI-2), Experience in Close Relationship questionnaire (ECR) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). A mediator path model was performed, in which insecure attachment dimensions were set as independent variables, ED specific psychopathology measures as dependent variables, and non‐acceptance of emotion and lack of emotional clarity as mediators.ResultsThe association between both attachment avoidance and anxiety and ED specific symptoms was mediated by emotional non‐acceptance, but not by emotional clarity.ConclusionsThis study showed the importance to address emotion regulation in individuals with ED, focussing on improving emotional acceptance. Exploring early developmental processes which lead to non‐acceptance of emotions could improve this psychological trait in people with ED.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Maxillary osteonecrosis of the jaw. A multidisciplinary approach, communication strategies, and technological tools for prophylaxis

Background. Maxillary osteonecrosis, particularly medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), necessitates prompt identification and a comprehensive approach for effective management. Early diagnosis and proactive dental care are crucial in mitigating the complications associated with this condition. Aims. This study aims to outline the importance of early detection, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient education, and proactive dental care in the management of maxillary osteonecrosis. Methods. The study emphasizes the utilization of standardized medical letters to facilitate communication between prescribing physicians and dentists, while ensuring the timely exchange of essential patient information. Additionally, patient education plays a pivotal role, with the distribution of informative leaflets at the initiation of Bone Modifying Agents (BMA) treatment, emphasizing the risks associated with MRONJ and the significance of maintaining oral health and making appropriate lifestyle choices. Results. Dentists are key stakeholders in the prophylaxis of MRONJ, undertaking primary and secondary prevention measures. Primary prophylaxis encompasses various dental procedures aimed at reducing bacterial load and mucosal irritation. Secondary prophylaxis involves educating patients on maintaining optimal oral health and adopting lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, an Android application assists dentists in assessing MRONJ risk factors and making informed treatment decisions based on factors such as BMA type, dose, duration of administration, and the presence of dental and general risk factors. Conclusions. In conclusion, a proactive approach to managing Maxillary Osteonecrosis involves early detection, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient education, and proactive dental care. By integrating standardized communication tools, patient education materials, and risk assessment technology, healthcare providers can optimize patient outcomes and minimize the incidence and severity of MRONJ complications.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: an Umbrella review.

We conducted an Umbrella review of eligible studies to evaluate what patient features have been investigated in the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) population, in order to guide future investigations. We comprehensively searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from December 1, 2019 to the May 6, 2022. The time period was limited to cover the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42022340228). Eligible studies included (1) a study population of pediatric patients ≤21years of age diagnosed with MIS-C; (2) an original Systematic review or Mata-analysis; (3) published 2020 afterward; and (4) was published in English. A total of 41 studies met inclusion criteria and underwent qualitative analysis. 28 studies reported outcome data of MIS-C. 22 studies selected clinical features of MIS-C, and 6 studies chose demographic data as a main topic. The mortality rate for children with MIS-C was 1.9% (interquartile range (IQR) 0.48), the ICU admission rate was 72.6% (IQR 8.3), and the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rate was 4.7% (IQR 2.0). A meta-analysis of eligible studies found that cerebral natriuretic peptide in children with MIS-C was higher than that in children with COVID-19, and that the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in combination with glucocorticoids to treat MIS-C compared to IVIG alone was associated with lower treatment failure. In the future, for patients with MIS-C, studies focused on safety of surgery requiring general anesthesia, risk factors, treatment, and long-term outcomes are warranted.

Seroprevalence of trypanosomosis and associated risk factors in cattle from coast and amazonian provinces of Ecuador.

Trypanosomosis is a tropical disease caused by various protozoan haemoparasites, which affects wild and domestic animals, the latter ones related to worldwide livestock production systems. Species such as Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma evansi have been described using serological and molecular tools in several countries from South and Central America. However, Ecuador presents a relevant knowledge gap in the associated general epidemiology and risk factors of the disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of trypanosomosis in cattle from different regions of Ecuador. 745 serum samples from 7 Coastal and 3 Amazon provinces were screened for IgG anti-Trypanosoma spp. antibodies, using an in-house indirect ELISA. The seropositivity was explored and associated with several variables such as sex, age, breed, region, management, and province, using statistical tools. The general seroprevalence of trypanosomosis was 19.1% (95% CI: 16.30-22.1%). The Amazonian provinces of Sucumbíos and Napo and the Coastal province of Esmeraldas presented the highest seroprevalence values of 36.7% (95% CI: 27.67-46.47%), 23.64% (95% CI: 16.06-32.68%) and 25% (95% CI: 15.99-35.94%), respectively. Statistical significance was found for the region, province, and management variables, indicating as relevant risk factors the extensive management and Amazon location of the cattle analyzed. Specific actions should be taken to identify the exact species on reservoirs and susceptible hosts, evaluate the implication of farm management and cattle movement as risk factors, and implement surveillance and treatment plans for affected herds.

Awareness and attitude among general dentists and orthodontists toward obstructive sleep apnea in children.

This study aimed to investigate Italian dentists' knowledge of and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. An anonymous questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms and sent to dentists in Italy through private social platforms. The first part of the questionnaire contained basic demographic data questions, and the second part included items about pediatric OSA. A total of 125 responses were collected within 1 month. The interviews revealed gaps in undergraduate and post-graduate training on OSA, and consequently, low self-evaluation of knowledge and self-confidence in managing young patients with OSA. Dentists showed unfavorable attitudes and poor knowledge of the general findings, risk factors, and consequences of pediatric OSA but demonstrated good knowledge of the beneficial effects of rapid maxillary expansion. Orthodontists showed a more favorable attitude and better recognition of the craniofacial features associated with OSA. In addition, a comparison was made between dentists who had graduated more than 5 years ago and new graduates, and differences were found in undergraduate education, which was better for new graduates, and a small number of questions were better answered by experienced dentists. This study showed a lack of knowledge about pediatric OSA and its management among Italian dentists, revealing the need to update the dentistry curriculum and organize educational interventions.

Post-Transplant Bone Disease in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Diagnosis and Management.

Kidney transplantation is the preferred gold standard modality of treatment for kidney failure. Bone disease after kidney transplantation is highly prevalent in patients living with a kidney transplant and is associated with high rates of hip fractures. Fractures are associated with increased healthcare costs, morbidity and mortality. Post-transplant bone disease (PTBD) includes renal osteodystrophy, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis and bone fractures. PTBD is complex as it encompasses pre-existing chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disease and compounding factors after transplantation, including the use of immunosuppression and the development of de novo bone disease. After transplantation, the persistence of secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, relative vitamin D deficiency and high levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 contribute to post-transplant bone disease. Risk assessment includes identifying both general risk factors and kidney-specific risk factors. Diagnosis is complex as the gold standard bone biopsy with double-tetracycline labelling to diagnose the PTBD subtype is not always readily available. Therefore, alternative diagnostic tools may be used to aid its diagnosis. Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapy can be employed to treat PTBD. In this review, we will discuss pathophysiology, risk assessment, diagnosis and management strategies to manage PTBD after kidney transplantation.

Progression of Comorbid Depression and Substance Use among Racially Diverse Adults.

Comorbidity of depression and substance abuse is common and a major public health burden. Studies of this form of comorbidity in racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) populations are minimal and have mixed findings. The present study examined the effect of general risk factors (family bonding, supervision, involvement, peer delinquency), depression risk factors (caregiver depression), and substance use risk factors (adult family members, sibling, and peer substance use) in early adolescence (~ ages 13-14) on comorbid depression and substance use in later adolescence (~ ages 15-17) and adulthood (~ ages 29-31) and continuity in comorbidity from adolescence to adulthood. Longitudinal data on 1000 Black (n = 680) Hispanic (n = 170) and White (n = 150) individuals came from the Rochester Youth Development Study. Participants were interviewed 14 times over 17 years beginning in 1988. General risk factors predicted comorbidity across racial/ethnic groups. Substance specific risk predicted comorbidity among Black and Hispanic individuals whereas depression specific risk was predictive among White individuals. Adolescent comorbidity predicted comorbidity in adulthood across race. These findings highlight the importance of substance use intervention for racial and ethnic minoritized individuals and mental health risk factors in Whites. The continuity of comorbidity from adolescence to adulthood highlights the importance of targeting adolescents for intervention to prevent long-term manifestation of this form of comorbidity and its associated consequences.

Quantifying the Importance of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Characteristics in Predicting Different Clinical Outcomes: Using Random Forest Model.

Existing research on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents has primarily concentrated on general risk factors, leaving a significant gap in understanding the specific NSSI characteristics that predict diverse psychopathological outcomes. This study aims to address this gap by using Random Forests to discern the significant predictors of different clinical outcomes. The study tracked 348 adolescents (64.7% girls; mean age = 13.31, SD = 0.91) over 6 months. Initially, 46 characteristics of NSSI were evaluated for their potential to predict the repetition of NSSI, as well as depression, anxiety, and suicidal risks at a follow-up (T2). The findings revealed distinct predictors for each psychopathology. Specifically, psychological pain was identified as a significant predictor for depression, anxiety, and suicidal risks, while the perceived effectiveness of NSSI was crucial in forecasting its repetition. These findings imply that it is feasible to identify high-risk individuals by assessing key NSSI characteristics, and also highlight the importance of considering diverse NSSI characteristics when working with self-injurers.

A Retrospective Analysis of Incidence and Risk Factors for the Development of Secondary Infections Following COVID-19

Abstract Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily affects the lungs causing a heightened immune response due to viral and host cell interaction, which prompts the release of proinflammatory cytokines and reduces the defense mechanisms of the immune system, making the patient vulnerable to secondary infections. The study aims to identify the incidence and risk factors for secondary infections developing after COVID-19. Methods and Materials A retrospective study was conducted on 669 patients who were readmitted after COVID-19 to a tertiary care hospital. The development of secondary infections in these populations was identified. The data were collected from the medical records department. Statistical Analysis Incidence was calculated by the ratio of the total number of patients who developed secondary infections among readmitted patients divided by the total number of readmitted patients during the study period. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the statistically significant variables that were used in logistic regression for identifying the risk factors for secondary infection. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS version 28.0. Results and Discussion In this study, 85 patients were found to have developed secondary infections with an incidence of 12.7%. Among the reported six infections, mucormycosis showed the highest incidence (34.1%), followed by sepsis and urinary tract infection. Nine patients developed tuberculosis as a post-COVID-19 secondary infection. General risk factors for secondary infections include male gender, presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer, and administration of steroids particularly medium-dose steroids. Conclusion Secondary infections can occur within 43 days of COVID-19 infection for every 12.7 per 100 patients in whom there is bacterial or fungal infections. Of these secondary infections, incidence of mucormycosis and sepsis was found to be higher in our study. COVID-19-infected patients who have either of these factors such as elevated inflammatory markers (Il-6 and D-dimer), the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and CKD, ICU admission, and the use of steroids are at risk of developing secondary infections. Through proper screening, we can prevent patients who are at risk of developing secondary infections.

Case-Finding for Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Comparison of Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment with SARC-F and SARC-CalF.

We compared the diagnostic performance of the short five-item and full seven-item Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment Questionnaire (MSRA-5 and MSRA-7) against the Strength, Assistance walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) and SARC-F with calf circumference (SARC-CalF) scales for sarcopenia in healthy community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a post-hoc cross-sectional secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study, using data from 230 older adults (mean age 67.2±7.4 years, 92% Chinese, and 73% female) from the "Longitudinal Assessment of Biomarkers for characterization of early Sarcopenia and Osteosarcopenic Obesity in predicting frailty and functional decline in community-dwelling Asian older adults Study" (GeriLABS-2) conducted between December 2017 and March 2019 in Singapore. We performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to ascertain the area under the curve (AUC) for sarcopenia diagnosis using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus criteria. We applied the Delong method to compare the AUCs of the four instruments. The MSRA-5 and MSRA-7 demonstrated poor diagnostic performance (AUC of 0.511, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.433-0.589 and AUC of 0.526, 95% CI 0.445-0.606, respectively), compared to that in SARC-CalF (AUC of 0.739, 95% CI 0.671-0.808) and SARC-F (AUC of 0.564, 95% CI 0.591-0.636). The SARC-CalF demonstrated significantly superior discriminatory ability compared to that in the SARC-F, MSRA-5, and MSRA-7 (all p&lt;0.01). The MSRA-5 demonstrated lower sensitivity (0.464) and specificity (0.597) than in the SARC-CalF (0.661 and 0.738, respectively), whereas the MSRA-7 had higher specificity (0.887) and lower sensitivity (0.145). Conclusions: The poor diagnostic performances of the MSRA-5 and MSRA-7 in our study suggest limitations of self-reported questionnaires for assessing general and dietary risk factors for sarcopenia in healthy and culturally diverse community-dwelling older adults. Studies in different populations are needed to ascertain the utility of the MSRA for the community detection of sarcopenia.

Survey Design Moderates Negativity Bias but not Positivity Bias in Self-Reported Job Stress

Abstract: Self-report measures are both frequently used and criticized in studies of job-related stress. The question remains whether affective dispositions lead to biased assessments. In this study, we examine the extent to which survey characteristics are susceptible to bias by the characteristics of the person making the assessment. Participants ( N = 1,509) in an online split ballot experiment were randomly assigned to report their job stressors using a 2 (task vs. person-related items) × 2 (frequency vs. agreement response format) factorial design. Participants high in neuroticism or negative affectivity, but not positive affectivity, reported more job stressors when responding to person-related items compared to task-related items. Individuals high in neuroticism reported more job stressors when assessed with agreement compared to frequency response format. However, the response format did not alter the relationship between self-reported job stressors and positive or negative affectivity. Findings indicate how survey design can reinforce affectivity bias in the assessments of job stressors. If an assessment is intended to evaluate objective circumstances rather than subjective experiences at work (e.g., the presence of general risk factors within psychosocial risk assessment), it is recommended to employ condition-related questionnaires with task-related item wordings and frequency response formats.

Osteoporosis in psoriatic arthritis: Risk factors, insufficiency fractures and its association with the disease activity

ObjectiveThe prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) and insufficiency fractures in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of OP and insufficiency fractures in a representative cohort of patients with PsA, and to analyse its association with general risk factors and characteristics of the psoriatic disease in our geographical area. MethodsMulti-centric, descriptive study of patients with PsA. We recorded clinical characteristics, as well as protective and risk factors for OP and insufficiency fractures. Hip and lumbar densitometry and lateral X-ray of the spine were evaluated. Descriptive statistics for OP and risk factors were calculated. The patients with OP were compared to those without by univariate analyses, and results were adjusted by age and sex. The association of OP and fractures with clinical characteristics was analysed by logistic regression. Results166 patients (50 men; 116 women) were included. OP was present in 26.5%, and it was more frequent in women and patients above 50 years old. Insufficiency fractures occurred in 5.4% of the total sample. In the logistic regression, OP was associated with age over 50 [OR 3.7; 95% CI (1.2–11.6); p=.02]. No association with clinical parameters was found. The most frequent risk factors among patients with OP were vitamin D insufficiency, sedentary behaviour, low calcium intake, and active smoking. In the logistic regression, OP was associated with early menopause [OR 11.7; 95% CI (1.29–106.0); p=.029] and sedentary behaviour [OR 2.3; 95% CI (1.0–5.2); p=.049]. ConclusionsIn patients with PsA, OP is more frequent in women and patients over 50 years old. A sedentary lifestyle and early menopause may add extra risk for OP. Type, duration disease, and treatments are not associated with OP or insufficiency fractures.

A study on related factors affecting dental fear in preschool children.

This study aims to examine the manifestations of dental anxiety (DA) and its influencing factors during dental visits among preschool children. The data of 166 preschool children who visited the Department of Dentistry of our hospital from April 2021 to April 2023 with oral problems were retrieved. Their DA performance was investigated using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). In addition, based on their general data and potential risk factor information, we performed logistic regression analysis to identify the factors influencing DA. Of the 166 questionnaires distributed, a total of 160 valid questionnaires were retrieved. The average CFSS-DS score was 35.57 ± 3.51 points. Sixty-six children had DA, resulting in an incidence rate of 41.25%. The top 5 items with the highest CFSS-DS scores were fear of needles, dentists, tooth extraction, drilling and oral anesthesia. When the 66 children with DA were classified into a DA group and a non-DA group, we observed significant differences in age distribution, dental experience, only child status, general anxiety symptoms, dental condition, family income and specific dental treatment procedures, particularly tooth extraction, between them (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preschool children aged ≤4 years, those with prior dental experiences, single-child status, general anxiety symptoms, suboptimal dental health, family incomes below 100,000 yuan/year, and those undergoing specific dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, were independently associated with a higher risk of DA (p < 0.05). The incidence of DA in preschool children is high, and they exhibit substantial fear of needles, dentists, tooth extraction, drilling and oral anesthesia. Preschool children aged ≤4 years, with prior dental experiences, single-child status, the presence of general anxiety symptoms, suboptimal dental health, family incomes below 100,000 yuan/year, and those undergoing dental procedures, particularly tooth extraction, could be more predisposed to DA.