Alcohol Consumption Habits Research Articles

Impact of pregnancy on women’s health-related lifestyle habits: Diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking

ObjectivesTo explore health-related lifestyles in women before and during pregnancy, and to determine the potential differences between both and the relevant factors. Materials and methodsA cross-sectional observational study including 348 women with a child <5 years of age was conducted in six health areas. The following variables were recorded: sociodemographic (age, educational level, marital status, social class, type of cohabitation, nationality), health-related habits (physical activity, diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption), health conditions, and medication intake. ResultsFour lifestyle habits were compared between the pre-conception and pregnancy periods: diet, physical activity, and alcohol and tobacco use. The proportion of women who consumed alcohol (42.8 % vs 3.4 %) or smoked (19.3 % vs 12.4 %) was significantly higher before conception (p < 0.01). Conversely, the proportion of inactive women was lower before pregnancy, with 23.3 % (CI95%: 18.7–27.9) formerly classified as active versus 35.3 % (CI95%: 30.2–40.5) (p < 0.01). Similarly, adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased during pregnancy (62.9 % vs 75.0 %; p < 0.01). Furthermore, 53.2 % (CI95%: 47.8–58.5) of women reported a change from non-healthy to healthy in at least one of the evaluated habits. Logistic regression analyses revealed the variables associated with a positive change, which were being national Spanish (OR: 6.9) and experiencing the first pregnancy (OR: 1.8). ConclusionsThe lifestyles of women undergo changes between the pre-gestation and pregnancy periods. However, such variations do not affect all health-related habits similarly. A positive change was observed in diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking habit, whereas pregnancy negatively impacted on physical activity and sedentary behaviours.

A STUDY OF PREVALENCE, CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF LOWER LIMB ULCERS AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Background: Lower limb ulcers are debilitating and painful, greatly reducing patients quality of life. These ulcers are often difficult to treat. The most common aetiologies for lower limb ulcers are venous, arterial, mixed venous and arterial, diabetic and pressure ulcers. However, atypical wounds comprise approximately 20% of chronic wounds and should be kept in mind during differential diagnosis.The successful ulcer management depends upon the accurate diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause, and it often needs a multidisciplinary approach. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study conductedin Department of General Surgery atBasaveshwara Teaching and General Hospital, Attached to Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Kalaburagi. The study was conducted during the period from June 2022 to December 2023 which included 97 patients presenting withlower limb ulcers and admitted in surgical wards of our hospital. Results: Most of the patients were engaged in agriculture (24%) followed by business (23%) and service (14%). 47.5% of the patients had habit of smoking,alcohol consumption and tobacco chewing. Most of the ulcers were diabetic (36.1%) followed by venous (22.6%) (Z=2.17 p=0). Only 4.1% and 3.1% were malignant and trophic ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy (26.8%) was the most common cause of ulcer followed by venous hypertension (24.7%).In most of the cases, debridement with dressing (32.9%) and Debreidment+dressing+skin grafting (19.6%) was done. At the end of study period, 90 ulcers were healed, 4 were disease free, 2 had recurrence and 1 patient died. Conclusion:A comprehensive assessment of patients general status, personal habits, skin, vascular status, limb, ulcer characteristics are required to determine the etiology and to formulate effective treatment plan. Thus, the study of various cases of lower limb ulcers arouses lot of interest and is mind boggling as far as the treatment of these cases are concerned. With the availability of arsenal of investigation, wide range of antibiotics and with ever improving dressing material, there is certainly a great improvement in treatment of lower limb ulcers. Education and training are vital for all those involved in caring of patients with ulcer.

#1029 Factors associated with chronic kidney disease in patients with recurrent kidney stones: a case-control study

Abstract Background and Aims Kidney stones have been described in multiple studies as an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, this relationship remains partially understood, and there is limited local, regional, and national information available. While common factors contribute to both kidney stones and CKD development, other factors favoring CKD occurrence in patients with recurrent renal lithiasis have been reported. This study aimed to identify factors associated with chronic kidney disease in patients with recurrent renal lithiasis in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. Method This was an observational nested case-control study within a cohort, where cases were patients diagnosed with recurrent kidney stones who developed CKD during follow-up, and controls were patients with recurrent kidney stones without CKD during follow-up. The cohort comprised all adult patients with recurrent kidney stones between 2010 and 2019, without an initial diagnosis of CKD, and with a minimum follow-up period of two years or more. Data on demographic variables (age, gender, type of insurance), clinical factors (overweight, history of hyperuricemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise habits), and variables related to recurrent kidney stones (course of kidney stones, onset time of CKD, metabolic disorders, history of renal colic, stone localization, number, and size) were collected. Variables associated with the development of chronic kidney disease were identified using association measures via the chi-square test. Variables of clinical and statistical significance were further analyzed for association using multivariable logistic regression. Results The study included 31 cases and 39 controls, with mean ages of 65.2±11.5 and 51.8±14.6 years, respectively (p=0.00002). The duration of recurrent kidney stones was 174.7±148.6 and 163.3±129.5 months for cases and controls (p=0.738). The onset time of CKD was 61.1±35.4 months. Among cases, 93.5% were men, 77.4% were hypertensive, and 67.9% had dyslipidemia, significantly differing from the controls (see Table 1). There were no differences between cases and controls concerning the duration of recurrent kidney stones, type of health insurance, overweight status, hyperuricemia, diabetes mellitus, exercise habits, metabolic study alterations, history of renal colic, renal stone localization, number, and size. The difference was borderline for alcohol consumption and smoking habits. Multivariable logistic regression, incorporating variables with statistical significance (age, gender, hypertension, alcohol consumption, smoking habit) into the model, revealed that higher age corresponds to a greater risk of CKD (Odds ratio 1.052; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.103). Furthermore, the male gender exhibited a 5.5 times higher likelihood of suffering from CKD (Odds ratio 5.5; 95% CI, 1.2 to 26.5). Conclusion In patients with recurrent kidney stones, higher age, and male gender were identified as factors associated with the development of CKD.

A ten-year literature review of oral malignant melanoma cases: A meta-analysis study

AimOral malignant melanoma (OMM) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumour arising from the proliferation of melanocytes and accounts for only 0.5 % of all oral malignancies. It is invasive and tends to metastasise. The aim of this study is to determine the patient profile of OMM and to provide information about the clinical features and treatment plans of the disease. Materials and MethodsThe Pubmed database was searched for OMM cases published as case reports in the last 10 years. The search was limited to English and open-access case reports. A total of 49 OMMs in 45 patients from 43 case reports were analyzed. In addition to the age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption habits of the patients, data on the signs and symptoms of OMM, location of the lesion, imaging modalities used in diagnosis and treatment, lymph node involvement, presence of metastasis, survival time, and treatment modalities were recorded. ResultsIn OMM cases, 18 (40 %) of the patients were female, 27 (60 %) were male, and the mean age was 53.13 ± 16.09 years. The most common symptom was "swelling" (n = 23, 33.8 %) and the most common finding was "hyperpigmentation" (n = 40, 24.4 %). The most common site of OMM was the maxilla (n = 21, 46.7 %). According to the rate of use of imaging modalities in the cases, it was determined that "advanced imaging modalities" were mostly used (n = 24, 53.3 %). It was determined that 22.2 % (n = 10) of the patients died within the first 5 years. Combined treatment (n = 21, 46.5 %) were mostly applied to the patients. ConclusionOMM is more common in the maxilla, in males and in the fifth decade of life, and advanced imaging modalities are most commonly used to detect the disease. Because of its poor prognosis, knowing the patient profile and common clinical features of OMM will increase the clinical awareness of physicians.

Based on the relationship between anxiety of existential meaninglessness, hope level, and fear of progression, explored the effect of preoperative nursing with Orem theory in the senile cataract population.

Cataracts, characterized by a decrease in vision due to the clouding of the lens, can progress to blindness in advanced stages. The rising incidence of cataract cases has led to a significant number of patients experiencing negative emotions associated with vision loss, thereby diminishing their quality of life. In clinical practice, it is imperative for healthcare professionals to consider the psychological well-being of cataract patients. Currently, there is a scarcity of research focusing on psychological evaluations, such as assessing feelings of meaninglessness among individuals with cataracts. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the anxiety of existential meaninglessness and to explore the relationships among existential anxiety, Herth hope index levels and fear of progression in the elderly cataract-affected population. Additionally, it evaluates the effectiveness of Orem's nursing care strategies. Utilizing a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Existential Meaninglessness Anxiety Scale (EM-A), Herth Hope Index Level Scale, and the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), this research employed convenience sampling for a cross-sectional and intervention study. The retrospective study sample comprised 1,029 individuals, while the intervention study included 317. The intervention design assessed psychological changes in existential meaninglessness following Orem's preoperative nursing interventions. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to ascertain the determinants of EM-A within the population of elderly patients with senile cataracts. Pearson correlation analysis elucidated the relationship between EM-A, levels of hope, and the FoP-Q-SF among this demographic. Subsequent investigations, utilizing a t-test, evaluated the effects by comparing the data before and after the implementation of the interventions. The correlation between EM-A, hope levels, and FoP-Q-SF was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Factors such as age, education level, alcohol consumption habits, hope levels, and FoP-Q-SF scores significantly affected EM-A scores (p < 0.05). Orem's nursing framework significantly reduced existential anxiety (p < 0.05). Among elderly patients with cataracts, existential anxiety was generally moderate. Hope levels and fear of progression were closely associated with the EM-A. The novel Orem preoperative care model effectively addresses clinical issues. In clinical practice, it is crucial to address psychological problems and enhance patients' quality of life.

Social history and glaucoma progression: the effect of body mass index, tobacco and alcohol consumption on the rates of structural change in patients with glaucoma

Background/aimsAlthough obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption were linked to the progression of numerous chronic diseases, an association of these social history aspects with glaucoma progression is not yet determined. This...

Retrospective Study of the Prevalence and Associated Factors of Gallbladder Polyps among Residents of Two Korean Cities.

Background/Aims: Well-known risk factors for gallbladder polyps include metabolic syndrome, age, and dyslipidemia. Jeju Island is approximately 80 km from the Korean peninsula and is divided into two administrative regions (Jeju City and Seogwipo City), with Mount Halla intervening in the center. Jeju City has higher employment and birth rates than Seogwipo City. Age and alcohol consumption differ between the two regions, and these factors may affect the prevalence of gallbladder polyps (GBPs). Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of GBPs and compared various factors, including alcohol consumption habits and age, associated with GBPs among residents in the two regions. Methods: This study included 21,734 residents who visited the Health Screening and Promotion Center of Jeju National University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2019. We investigated the prevalence and associated factors of GBPs among residents of Jeju City and Seogwipo City. Results: The prevalence of GBPs in Jeju City and Seogwipo City was 9.8% and 8.9% (p = 0.043), respectively. The mean age and rate of high-risk alcohol intake were higher in Seogwipo City. The mean body mass index and levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were lower in Jeju City. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant difference in GBP prevalence between the two regions of Jeju Island. Age and alcohol consumption might contribute to this difference; however, further prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Lifestyle behavior of physiotherapy students from Ecuador upon admission to higher education: a cross-sectional study.

Admission to university has been identified as a period involving the adoption of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. However, few studies have addressed the extent of this experience among Latin American university students. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to describe anthropometric variables, body composition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration and quality, diet, and alcohol consumption in first-year students entering physiotherapy school at the Universidad de las Americas in Quito, Ecuador; second, to test differences in these variables between sexes. A total of 116 students were recruited. Sociodemographic variables, anthropometric indices, body composition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep quality and duration, adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines, physical fitness (i.e., handgrip strength), diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits were evaluated. A total of 50 male (43.1%) and 66 female (56.9%) students were assessed. Overall, the adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines of the students upon admission to university was 8.6%. Conversely, 86 students (74.1%) did not meet any of the recommendations. Upon admission to university, only 8.6% of the students (female 2.6%; male 6%) met the overall 24-hour movement guidelines. Additionally, 82 students (70.7%) needed changes in diet quality, 81 students (69.8%) had significant sleep disturbances, and 22 students (18.9%) had harmful alcohol consumption. A greater proportion of males met all three 24-h movement recommendations (p = 0.025) than females did. In addition, females reported a greater percentage of occasional smokers (p = 0.025) and a greater prevalence of obesity (p < 0.001), a lower level of physical activity (p < 0.001), and a greater percentage of sleep disturbance (p < 0.001). Conversely, males reported greater waist circumference (p = 0.005), weight (p < 0.001), handgrip strength (p < 0.001), and a greater percentage of harmful alcohol consumption (p < 0.001). Our study showed that upon admission to university, overall adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines is low among university students. Additionally, a high percentage of students reported unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, with differences according to sex. Our findings could lead to the use of specific sex-specific strategies for the prevention and promotion of movement and lifestyle behaviors during this critical period.

Estudio comparativo del control de nuestros pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 antes y después del confinamiento producido por la pandemia COVID-19

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of the alterations of continuity of care on diabetic patients in our health department during the confinement that caused the pandemic. Check whether or not confinement mean tan alteration in the degree of control of our type 2 diabetic patients. Know whether our diabetic patients were adequately coontrolled before the pandemic began. Know if the pandemic has led to a deterioration in its degree of control. Subject and methodRetrospective study between the years 2019 and 2020 of type 2 diabetic patients in our health area. Through the “Alumbra” application of our health area, a random sample of our patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 18 to 100 years of age was obtained. The patients was informed if they wanted to enter the study and after the patient´s express consent, the patient was asked about their lifestyle, habits and a review of the medical history was carried out with the data recorded before the confinement (year 2019) and during the months of confinement of 2020. ResultsThere were 882 patients (88.28%) with HbA1c determinations in 2019 with a mean of 7,08. There were 800 patients (88.98%) with HbA1c deteminations in 2020 with a mean of 7,02. There was a reduction in alcohol, tobacco and soft drink consumption habits, but there was also a reduction in physical exercise (33% to 22%) and is following a diabetic diet (34% to 24%). In the sample analyzed, there was a reduction in a alcohol consumption from the data obtained in 2019 to those obtained in 2020 (22% to 13%). There was an increase in obesity, which goes from 77,7% to 90,4%. It is observed that there is no change in the percentages in pathologies such as dislipemia, atrial fibrilation, osteoarthritis, and stroke. ConclussionThe consequences associated with the pandemic on health are worrying, the decrease in acute consultation, preventive activities and the delay in controls for chronic patients will have a profound impact on the psychological and socioeconomic well being of populations. The holistic view of the Primary Care and the need to strengthen and rethink the system to increase its effciency are of particular importance.

Changing drinking patterns among Italians: 7 out of 10 students experience Binge Drinking

IntroductionThe expression Binge Drinking (BD) refers to dysregulated alcohol consumption, characterized by the intake of large quantities of alcohol, regardless of their nature, consecutively in a limited period of time. BD is a significant public health problem in many European countries, including Italy. According to data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, dated 2020, over 4 million Italians exhibit episodic excessive alcohol consumption (compared to 2019 data, there was an increase of approximately 5,3%).ObjectivesThis study aims to examine alcohol consumption habits in the Italian population, evaluating psychopathological correlations that can explain its diffusion.MethodsBetween January and May 2023, an anonymous online questionnaire was randomly sent to the general population. Alongside with tests to evaluate psycho-social features, to estimate the presence of alcohol abuse or dependence the AUDIT scale (Saunders et al. Addict Abingdon Engl. 1993; 88:791–804) was used. It included two specific questions to frame the phenomenon of BD (Cranford et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006; 30:1896–905). No other study conducted in Italy has so far used the aforementioned validated questions.ResultsThe sample consists of 308 people (189 F, 119 M), with an average age of 32 years (sd 14). The AUDIT indicates a state of chronic alcohol consumption in 11,7% (95% confidence interval 8,5%-15,7%), of the recruited sample, positively correlating with the element of impulsivity (p&lt;0,005) confirming what has already been reported in literature. BD prevalence reaches 56% (M 57%, F 55%) without any significant correlation with impulsivity, personality disorders, emotional dysregulation, or sensitivity to rejection. Among university students the prevalence of BD exceeds 70% (95% confidence interval 60%-76%), with a number of drinks reported for a single occasion reaching up to 25 units and a reported number of binge episodes, in a two-week span, ranging from 2 to 10.ConclusionsDespite possible biases, this study raises the relevant issue of the extremely high prevalence of BD disorder, which is particularly alarming in light of the numerous issues related to the behavior itself. A direct correlation with reduced school performance, an increase in risky sexual behavior, and an increase in cases of drunk driving have been evaluated. Considering these consequences, it is of primary importance on a medical, but even more social level, to best characterize this phenomenon in such a way as to be able to implement awareness-raising and prevention interventions.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Correlation between Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) as a Prognostic Biomarker for Diabetic Nephropathy Patients in a South Indian Hospital

Context: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, capable of leading to end-stage renal disease. Diabetic nephropathy could only be identified through renal biopsy testing, which is expensive and can impose a financial burden on patients. Therefore, there is a necessity to develop a cost-effective method for identifying diabetic nephropathy. Aim: To evaluate the correlation between RBC parameters, such as RDW and MCV values, as prognostic biomarkers for patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods and Material: Study Design: Prospective comparative study. Study Site: Sudha Institute of Medical Science, Erode. Study Duration: Study was carried out over six-months. Sample Size: 101 diabetic nephropathy patients and 101 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Statistical Analysis: Pearson correlation. Results: The majority of diabetic nephropathy patients were 40 years old or older, and most of them were males. Among the study participants, a significant number of male participants had habits of smoking and alcohol consumption. The duration of diabetes and BMI exhibited a strong correlation with the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, there were notable increases in urea, creatinine, FBS, RBS, PPBS, and HbA1C, alongside a decrease in MCV and eGFR as diabetic nephropathy progressed. Conclusions: Our research indicates a positive correlation between RDW and HbA1c, FBS, RBS, PPBS, urea, and creatinine. In contrast, negative correlation of RDW with MCV and eGFR. MCV is negatively correlated with HbA1c, FBS, RBS, PPBS, urea, creatinine. In contrast, positive correlation between MCV and eGFR.

Awareness and Practice Regarding Alcohol Consumption among Females in Rural Areas of Nepal

Consuming alcohol is defined as ingesting alcoholic beverages that include ethyl alcohol, such as wine, beer, whiskey, rum, and handmade alcoholic beverages called "Raksi." Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health issues. Thus, this study aimed to assess the awareness regarding alcohol consumption among females in rural areas of Nepal. A cross-sectional and analytical study was designed to assess the level of awareness and practice regarding alcohol consumption. Total 423 females of the 20-50 years age groups, engaged in “Raksi '' preparation sites were selected. The data collection period was from 2021 July to 2022. A face-to-face interview was done with each individual. All questions related to awareness and practice regarding questionnaires were analyzed accordingly in univariate analysis and bi-variate analysis to find out the association between the variables. The result showed that the mean age of the females was 36.08 with a standard deviation of 7.951. and 51.7% were below the mean age of 36. Among 423 females 22.3 % knew AUD, 56.7% were aware of health consequences, and only 13.3% were aware of treatment protocol of health consequences. Females having inappropriate practices of alcohol consumption were 54.2%. There is an association between awareness regarding consumption and religion, marital status, educational status, and occupation with p=0.043, 0.036, 0.046, and 0.033 respectively. Similarly, the inappropriate practice of alcohol consumption has a significant relation with religion, educational status, and occupation with p values of 0.049,0.034, and 0.003 respectively. Even though there is a higher percentage of females were literate, there is a lack of awareness regarding alcohol consumption and inappropriate drinking habits. Further comparative study can be done in this aspect. Simultaneously, awareness and education-related programs can be implemented to address the problem.

Associations between urinary concentrations of benzothiazole, benzotriazole, and their derivatives and lung cancer: A nested case-control study

Benzothiazole (BTH), benzotriazole (BTR), and their respective derivatives (BTHs and BTRs) are emerging environmental pollutants with widespread human exposure and oncogenic potential. Studies have demonstrated adverse effects of exposure to certain BTHs and BTRs on the respiratory system. However, no study has examined the associations between exposure to BTHs and BTRs and lung cancer risk. We aimed to examine the associations between urinary concentrations of BTHs and BTRs and the risk of lung cancer in the general population from Quzhou, China. We conducted a nested case-control study in an ongoing prospective Quzhou Environmental Exposure and Human Health (QEEHH) cohort, involving 20, 694 participants who provided urine samples during April 2019–July 2020. With monthly follow-up until November 2022, 212 lung cancer cases were recruited and 1:1 matched with healthy controls based on age and sex. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of lung cancer risk associated with urinary BTHs and BTRs concentrations using conditional logistic regression models after controlling for potential covariates. We also examined effect modification by several covariates, including sex, socioeconomic status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and dietary habit. Creatinine-corrected urinary BTH and 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole (2-OH-BTH) levels were significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer, after adjusting for a variety of covariates. Participants in the highest quartile of BTH had a 95% higher risk of lung cancer, compared with those in the lowest quartile (adjusted OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.08–3.49; p for trend = 0.01). Participants with higher levels of urinary 2-OH-BTH had an 83% higher risk of lung cancer than those with lower levels (adjusted OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16–2.88; p for trend = 0.01). Exposure to elevated levels of BTH and 2-OH-BTH may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. These associations were not modified by socio-demographic characteristics.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction Caused by Gastric Ectopic Pancreas With Pseudocyst Formation

Ectopic pancreas refers to presence of pancreatic tissue in locations other than the pancreas (the usual anatomical site). This condition is often asymptomatic but can occasionally cause abdominal pain or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Ectopic pancreatic tissue is mainly observed in the stomach and duodenum and may be accompanied by complications, such as hemorrhage, pancreatitis, gastric outlet obstruction due to pseudocyst, and malignant transformation. We report a rare case of gastric ectopic pancreas accompanied by a pseudocyst that led to gastric outlet obstruction, which improved after endoscopic ultrasonography guided fine-needle aspiration in a young woman with habitual excessive alcohol consumption.

The Effect of Sex on the Risk of Long-COVID and Cardiovascular Complications in Healthy Patients without Comorbidities: Data from a Polish Long-COVID Cardiovascular (PoLoCOV-CVD) Study.

Background: The prevalence of long-COVID (LC) presents a significant challenge to healthcare systems globally. There are still some discrepancies on the role of sex as an independent risk factor of LC complications. Thus, we aimed to determine the differences in clinical and cardiovascular complications between males and females without comorbidities after COVID-19. Methods: Clinical data on the course of the disease with the accompanying symptoms and post-COVID-19 symptoms were compiled from both male and female subjects with a minimum 12-week interval after COVID-19 recovery. Next, the patients were followed for 12 months. ECG, echocardiography, 24 h ECG monitoring, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and selected biochemical tests were performed. LC was diagnosed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) definition. To reduce the impact of confounders, i.e., body mass index (BMI) and age, on the results of the study, the nearest neighbour (NN) propensity score matching (PSM) method with a 1:1 ratio was used. Results: The results were obtained following the removal of cases with comorbidities from the database consisting of 1237 males and 2192 females, and PSM of the new database included 886 cases (443 males and 443 females). At both the 3-month and 1-year post-recovery marks, females consistently reported a higher frequency of LC symptoms compared to males (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Moreover, after 1 year of follow-up, females exhibited a higher prevalence of LC compared to males, with rates of 14% versus 8.3%, respectively (p = 0.013). The symptoms that significantly differed between females and males in the 12-month follow-up were hair loss (5.4 vs. 0.7%, p < 0.001), memory and concentration disturbances (8.4 vs. 4.3%, p = 0.013), and headaches (4.3 vs. 1.4%, p = 0.008). Females presented lower mean arterial pressure (MAP) [89 (83-95) mmHg versus (vs.) 94 (89-100); p < 0.001] and lower pulse pressure (PP) [46 (42-52) mmHg vs. 51 (48-57); p < 0.001] in 24 h ABPM and more elevated heart rates (HRs) in 24 h ECG monitoring as well as arrhythmia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). Males had a higher occurrence of ECG abnormalities such as QRS >= 120 ms, ST-T changes, T inversion, arrhythmia, and QRS fragmentation (27.3% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.004). No significant differences were observed between males and females concerning physical activity levels, stress, fatigue, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits. Conclusions: One year post-COVID-19 recovery, regardless of age and BMI, healthy females more often suffered from LC symptoms than males. They had lower MAP and PP in 24 h ABPM, more often had higher HRs and arrhythmia in 24 h ECG monitoring, and fewer ECG abnormalities than males.

Liver impairment status toward workers exposed to vinyl chloride under different techniques

To analyse potential differences towards liver impairment status on vinyl chloride monomer(VCM) exposed population from technique under acetylene hydrochlorination to the one of ethylene oxychlorination respectively and to explore the possible reasons, which will pave the way for occupational health promotion in terms of hazard reduction. a cross-sectional study was initiated between June and September in 2022 towards 2 groups of VCM exposed population from the facility of acetylene hydrochlorination(n=78) and the one of ethylene oxychlorination(n=69) in a PVC petrochemical complex enterprise(abbreviation of H) in Tianjin City. The demographic information concerning age, gender, messages on occupational history, field investigation were inquired through questionnaire interview. Then, venous blood(4 mL/person) and urine(10-50 mL/person) were collected during the physical exam phase and indices of 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG) in blood and thiodiglycolic acid(TDGA) in urine were detected through ELISA and solid phase extraction-ion chromatography respectively. The 2 groups of population were matched well in terms of average age distribution and gender composition ratio, with significant differences on population composition ratio were found on variables of working years, alcohol consumption and daily sleeping duration(P&lt;0.01 or P&lt;0.05). It was found that the average content of TDGA in acetylene hydrochlorination group was(0.81±0.05)mg/L while the content in ethylene oxychlorination group reached to(0.83±0.06)mg/L, noteworthy differences were only found among 6 posts in the acetylene hydrochlorination group and 5 others in the ethylene oxychlorination group after classification for specific posts, however, the average concentration of 8-OHdG in acetylene hydrochlorination group(122(78.3, 168.8) μg/m~3) was different from the one in ethylene oxychlorination group(101.7(79.6, 149.7) μg/m~3)(Z=6.82, P&lt;0.05). Moreover, a series of positive correlations in moderate intensity between 8-OHdG concentration and TDGA content were observed among posts of polymerization cleaners(r=0.53), aggregation operators(r=0.47), maintenance repairers(r=0.45), sampling operators(r=0.41) in acetylene hydrochlorination group(P&lt;0.05) and posts of cracking reactants(r=0.64), DCS operators(r=0.51), oxychlorination operators(r=0.50) and chemical loaders(r=0.44) in ethylene oxychlorination group(P&lt;0.05). Liver function indices such as content on ALT(χ~2=15.41, P&lt;0.01), AST(χ~2=9.95, P&lt;0.01) and ALP(χ~2=3.79, P&lt;0.01) were different in the 2 groups population with statistical significance, then proportions on population composition ratio that exceeded normal ranges of indices on ALT, AST, AST/ALT ratio, ALP and Alb/Glb ratio were higher in acetylene hydrochlorination group than ones in ethylene oxychlorination group with great significance(P&lt;0.05), so as to the abnormalities in liver B altrosonography test between groups(χ~2=17.33, P&lt;0.01). Binary logistic regression model indicated that 8-OHdG concentration in blood that exceed 90 μg/m~3, TDGA content in urine that exceed 0.60 mg/L, working years that were over 10a, alcohol consumption, sleeping duration less than 6 h per day and male workers were potential risky factors for liver impairment(P&lt;0.05). The degree on liver impairment status was higher in acetylene hydrochlorination group than ones in in ethylene oxychlorination group under the same PVC factory, which might be associated with the oxidative stress injury induced from the combination of higher VCM concentration at workplaces, longer cumulative exposure time, longer working years, alcohol consumption habits and sleep shortage caused by shift work patterns.

Perbandingan Hipertensi pada Masyarakat Yang Tinggal di Pesisir Pulau Maitara dan Daerah Dataran Tinggi Gurabunga Tidore

Hypertension is a commonly encountered disease in daily clinical practice, but often goes unnoticed by its sufferers. Complications can occur in various organs, with the most significant being complications affecting the heart. The environment plays a role in hypertension, where inhabitants living in coastal areas tend to suffer from hypertension due to high sodium consumption, while in highland areas, hypertension is more influenced by acute hyperbaric hypoxia conditions, although its pathophysiology is not yet precisely known. Various studies have yielded diverse results. North Maluku Province is an archipelagic region with a large coastal area, and no research has been conducted there, prompting this study. An analytical observational study was conducted using a cross-sectional approach, focusing on the population of hypertensive individuals residing in the coastal area of Maitara and the highland area of Gurabunga, Tidore. Samples were consecutively selected until the required sample size was met. Variables examined included gender, age, occupation, salt consumption patterns, body mass index, ancestry, alcohol consumption habits, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Analysis was performed using an independent t-test when sample homogeneity conditions were met. Significant differences were found in some demographic-clinical variables. There was a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure between the Gurabunga area and the coastal area of Maitara, but no significant difference was observed in systolic blood pressure.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Alcohol consumption and the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality-a linear and nonlinear Mendelian randomization study.

Many observational studies support light-to-moderate alcohol intake as potentially protective against premature death. We used a genetic approach to evaluate the linear and nonlinear relationships between alcohol consumption and mortality from different underlying causes. We used data from 278 093 white-British UK Biobank participants, aged 37-73 years at recruitment and with data on alcohol intake, genetic variants, and mortality. Habitual alcohol consumption was instrumented by 94 variants. Linear Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted using five complementary approaches, and nonlinear MR analyses by the doubly-ranked method. There were 20 834 deaths during the follow-up (median 12.6 years). In conventional analysis, the association between alcohol consumption and mortality outcomes was 'J-shaped'. In contrast, MR analyses supported a positive linear association with premature mortality, with no evidence for curvature (Pnonlinearity ≥ 0.21 for all outcomes). The odds ratio [OR] for each standard unit increase in alcohol intake was 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.39) for all-cause mortality, 1.30 (95% CI 1.10-1.53) for cardiovascular disease, 1.20 (95% CI 1.08-1.33) for cancer, and 2.06 (95% CI 1.36-3.12) for digestive disease mortality. These results were consistent across pleiotropy-robust methods. There was no clear evidence for an association between alcohol consumption and mortality from respiratory diseases or COVID-19 (1.32, 95% CI 0.96-1.83 and 1.46, 95% CI 0.99-2.16, respectively; Pnonlinearity ≥ 0.21). Higher levels of genetically predicted alcohol consumption had a strong linear association with an increased risk of premature mortality with no evidence for any protective benefit at modest intake levels.

A study on prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients attending a rural health and training centre.

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication, affecting up to half the diabetics. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) predominantly affects the hands and lower limbs. It leads to loss of protective sensation, resulting in continuous injury to insensitive feet. The early detection of DPN using an objective screening test followed by its appropriate management is important, as up to 50% of diabetic peripheral neuropathies may be asymptomatic. To screen diabetic patients attending a Rural Health and Training Centre of a medical college in Tamil Nadu for DPN. To assess the association between DPN and sociodemographic factors, duration of diabetes, glycemic control, physical activity, body mass index, smoking and habit of alcohol consumption. The study was conducted among 206 diabetic patients attending a Rural Health and Training Centre. Participants were assessed using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), which involves using a questionnaire followed by a physical examination. Of the 206 patients, 61.2% were male, and 38.8% were female. The mean age was 50.86 years (standard deviation [SD] = 12.26 years). The mean duration of diabetes was 8.3 years (SD = 5.5 years). The proportion of diabetics who were screened positive for peripheral neuropathy was 16.5% and 21.8% using the MNSI questionnaire and examination, respectively. Age of 60 years and above was significantly associated with DPN.(OR = 3.982, P value = 0.0001). Duration of more than 5 years of diabetes was also significantly associated with DPN.(OR = 6.01, P value = 0.003). A high proportion of diabetics were screened positive for peripheral neuropathy, and many of them were unaware of having the complication. Many risk factors associated with DPN were reported in this study. Thus, early diagnosis and management with MNSI or any other validated screening tool in health care institutions is essential.

Impact of the Habit of Alcohol Consumption on the Success of the Implants: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: A recent study has demonstrated that social factors have an impact on the condition of dental implants. The present investigation investigated how varied alcohol intake quantities might alter the condition of dental implants and related peri-implant inflammation. Materials and Methods: This retrospective research was piloted in a tertiary care center, and implants inserted between 2010 and 2022 were evaluated through a retrospective cohort analysis. Within 3 months following implant implantation, information on alcohol intake was gathered from the health maintenance records and employed as the predictor variable. The implant results as well as peri-implantitis were examined at follow-up visits. Using the logistic regression model, the Wald test analysis analyzed the statistical consequences of each parameter. The findings were translated using an odds ratio that was determined with a 95% confidence level. The data were generated and analyzed using descriptive statistics, with statistical significance defined as P &lt; 0.05. Results: At the time of implant placement, the enrolled patients were 59 ± 11.3 years old on average. The median time before peri-implantitis occurred was 31.3 ± 22.2 months. Within the first 2 years following implant implantation, the majority of people experienced peri-implantitis. The incidence of peri-implantitis was the lowest among light and moderate alcoholics (11.5%) and the highest among heavy alcoholics (46.2%). Moderate alcohol use was associated with a 79.1% decrease in peri-implantitis when compared to not drinking (P = 0.0365), whereas light alcohol consumption was connected to a 51.3% decrease (P = 0.026). The incidence of peri-implantitis among heavy drinkers was significantly significant (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: According to the findings of the current retrospective cohort analysis, drinking alcohol at mild-to-moderate levels is connected to a reduction in the incidence rate of peri-implantitis compared to heavy drinkers. In contrast, high alcohol consumption was found to be associated with an increase in the prevalence of peri-implantitis among the participants who had dental implants.