Health-related Risk Factors Research Articles

Home-Based HIFT Altered Quality of Life and Health Related Fitness Parameters in Women

The effects of high intensity functional training (HIFT) on health related components of fitness and quality of life were studied in the gym environment, but there has not been any study on examining the effects of HIFT by using bodyweight exercises at home environment on health related components of fitness and quality of life in women. The goal of this research is to examine the effects of home-based bodyweight HIFT on health related components of physical fitness and quality of life in women. Twenty-one recreationally active female participants (age 26.3 ± 3.7 years) were included in the study. After completing the pretest, participants applied HIFT at home with bodyweight exercises three times a week for a duration of eight weeks. Cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition and quality of life assessments were carried out in both pretest and posttest applications. Significant differences were observed between the pretest and posttest results of cardiovascular endurance (p=0.042), muscular strength (p<0.001), muscular endurance (p<0.001) and flexibility (p=0.001) parameters. No significant difference was observed between the pretest and posttest results of body composition analysis. Significant improvement (p=0.045) was found on the quality of life scale. Home-based bodyweight HIFT altered quality of life in recreationally active women and enhanced health related components of fitness, which could prevent the increase of health-related risk factors caused by inactivity.

Lifestyle related health risk factors regarding non-communicable diseases among adults in Morang District

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases are the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. According to World Health Organization estimates, NCDs are responsible for 74% of all deaths globally, with around 77% of premature deaths from NCDs occurring in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to assess the lifestyle related health risk factors of non-communicable diseases among adults in Nepal, in which two- third of annual deaths are attributable to non-communicable diseases. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among adults in Morang district, Nepal. Data collection involved the assessment of the risk factors of obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption, inadequate physical activity, are raising blood pressure. Ethnical approval was obtained. Results: Two hundred forty participants participated in the study, of which the most prevalent risk factor was obesity (58.3%). Out of total participants, 41.6% had consumed tobacco, 31.2% had consumed alcohol, 41.6% had consumed inadequate fruits and vegetables, 30.4% had inadequate physical activity, and 29.1% had raised blood pressure. Similarly, education is statistically associated with lifestyle risk factors. Male participants of age above 40 years were found to be statistically associated with current tobacco and alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Health related risk factors are causes of non-communicable disease. Most of the participants had two or more risk factors for non-communicable disease. Education is significantly associated with all the risk factors among the participants.

Oral health related cardiovascular disease risk factors: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and hypercholesterolemia represent significant public health concerns. This research presentation examines the impact of various oral health indicators, such as bleeding gums, untreated dental decay, loose teeth, and missing teeth, on these conditions within Hungary. Materials and methods This study utilized data from 5,603 individuals participating in the 2019 Hungarian European Health Interview Survey. Predictor variables were chosen using elastic net regularization and k-fold cross-validation to enhance the performance of weighted logistic regression models. Sensitivity analysis underpinned the robustness of the results. Results Significant associations emerged between deteriorating oral health and the prevalence of various cardiovascular conditions. An increased likelihood of hypertension was observed in individuals with multiple tooth removals, showing an odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [1.01-2.77]. The use of dental prosthetics presented an OR of 1.45 [1.20-1.75]. Additionally, presence of gum bleeding corresponded to elevated odds for both cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.69 [1.30-2.21]) and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.40 [1.09-1.81]). Conclusions enhancing oral health could potentially mitigate chronic cardiac conditions, highlighting the importance of integrating dental care in comprehensive disease management strategies. Key messages • Poor oral health is linked to higher hypertension and heart disease odds. • Dental care is crucial in cardiac disease prevention and management.

The Impact of a 12-Week Workplace Physical Activity Program on the Quality of Life of Sedentary Workers: A Pilot Study

Office workers frequently display behavioral patterns marked by extended periods of sedentary and seated work. In this context, the implementation of a workplace exercise program has been shown to be effective in mitigating health-related risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week workplace exercise program on the quality of life of employees whose primary occupational duties involve prolonged sitting. The final sample comprised 19 participants (6 females and 13 males), aged between 21 and 48 years (M = 32.26; SD = 9.03). Among these participants, 78.9% reported engaging in a hybrid work arrangement, 15.8% followed an on-site work regimen, and 5.3% worked remotely. Furthermore, 84.2% of participants reported sitting for 6 to 8 h per day, while 15.8% reported sitting for between 9 and 12 h daily. The quality of life of participants was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. A paired samples t-test was employed to examine differences between dependent variables. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in general health (p < 0.01), vitality (p < 0.01), social functioning (p < 0.05), and the mental health summary measure (p < 0.04). Promoting physical activity through workplace exercise programs offers substantial benefits for workers’ health and quality of life, contributing to the prevention of occupational diseases.

A Qualitative Analysis of a Primary Care Medical-Legal Partnership: Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators.

Certain health-related risk factors require legal interventions. Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) are collaborations between clinics and lawyers that address these health-harming legal needs (HHLNs) and have been shown to improve health and reduce utilization. The objective of this study is to explore the impact, barriers, and facilitators of MLP implementation in primary care clinics. A qualitative design using a semistructured interview assessed the perceived impact, barriers, and facilitators of an MLP, among clinicians, clinic and MLP staff, and clinic patients. Open AI software (otter.ai) was used to transcribe interviews, and NVivo was used to code the data. Braun & Clarke's framework was used to identify themes and subthemes. Sixteen (n = 16) participants were included in this study. Most respondents were women (81%) and white (56%). Four respondents were clinic staff, and 4 were MLP staff while 8 were clinic patients. Several primary themes emerged including: Patients experienced legal issues that were pernicious, pervasive, and complex; through trusting relationships, the MLP was able to improve health and resolve legal issues, for some; mistrust, communication gaps, and inconsistent staffing limited the impact of the MLP; and, the MLP identified coordination and communication strategies to enhance trust and amplify its impact. HHLNs can have a significant, negative impact on the physical and mental health of patients. Respondents perceived that MLPs improved health and resolved these needs, for some. Despite perceived successes, integration between the clinical and legal organizations was elusive.

The association of depression with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality risk among transgender and gender diverse and cisgender patients

BackgroundTransgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals have elevated mental and physical health disparities and a greater mortality risk compared to their cisgender (non-TGD) counterparts. MethodsWe assessed differences in the association of depression with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among TGD and cisgender Veterans Administration patients. A sample of 8981 TGD patients, matched 1:3 with cisgender patients (n = 26,924) patients, was created from administrative and electronic health record data from October 1, 1999 to December 31, 2016. Cox proportional regression models stratified by gender modality (i.e., TGD and cisgender) were used to assess the hazard of all-cause and CVD mortality associated with a history of depression. ResultsAdjusted models demonstrated that depression was significantly associated with a greater hazard of all-cause mortality among both TGD (aHR:1.18, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.34) and cisgender (aHR:1.22, 95 % CI: 1.17–1.28) patients. Similar to all-cause mortality, depression was significantly associated with a greater hazard of CVD mortality among cisgender patients ≥65 years (aHR = 1.23, 95 % CI = 1.13–1.35). Findings for TGD patients showed a similar pattern, though results were not significant. LimitationsHazards may be underestimated since depression may be underdiagnosed. Further, we were unable to adjust for other health-related risk factors tied to mortality (e.g., smoking). ConclusionOverall, depression was associated with a greater hazard of all-cause mortality among both TGD and cisgender patients. Future work should assess the equity of reach, quality, and outcomes of treatment for depression for TGD populations given the lack of attention to addressing the needs of this important patient demographic.

Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Mortality Among Older Adults With Health-Related or Socioeconomic Risk Factors

Alcohol consumption is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality that may be more important in older adults with socioeconomic or health-related risk factors. To examine the association of alcohol consumption patterns with 12-year mortality and its modification by health-related or socioeconomic risk factors. This prospective cohort study used data from the UK Biobank, a population-based cohort. Participants were current drinkers aged 60 years or older. Data were analyzed from September 2023 to May 2024. According to their mean alcohol intake in grams per day, participants' drinking patterns were classified as occasional: ≤2.86 g/d), low risk (men: >2.86-20.00 g/d; women: >2.86-10.00 g/d), moderate risk (men: >20.00-40.00 g/d; women: >10.00-20.00 g/d) and high risk (men: >40.00 g/d; women: >20.00 g/d). Health-related risk factors were assessed with the frailty index, and socioeconomic risk factors were assessed with the Townsend deprivation index. All-cause and cause-specific mortality were obtained from death certificates held by the national registries. Analyses excluded deaths in the first 2 years of follow-up and adjusted for potential confounders, including drinking patterns and preferences. A total of 135 103 participants (median [IQR] age, 64.0 [62.0-67.0] years; 67 693 [50.1%] women) were included. In the total analytical sample, compared with occasional drinking, high-risk drinking was associated with higher all-cause (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.24-1.42), cancer (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.26-1.53), and cardiovascular (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.41) mortality; moderate-risk drinking was associated with higher all-cause (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.18) and cancer (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27) mortality, and low-risk drinking was associated with higher cancer mortality (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22). While no associations were found for low- or moderate-risk drinking patterns vs occasional drinking among individuals without socioeconomic or health-related risk factors, low-risk drinking was associated with higher cancer mortality (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.30) and moderate-risk drinking with higher all-cause (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01-1.19) and cancer (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35) mortality among those with health-related risk factors; low-risk and moderate-risk drinking patterns were associated with higher mortality from all causes (low risk: HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; moderate risk: HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03-1.32) and cancer (low risk: HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04-1.50; moderate risk: HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.13-1.63) among those with socioeconomic risk factors. Wine preference (>80% of alcohol from wine) and drinking with meals showed small protective associations with mortality, especially from cancer, but only in drinkers with socioeconomic or health-related risk factors and was associated with attenuating the excess mortality associated with high-, moderate- and even low-risk drinking. In this cohort study of older drinkers from the UK, even low-risk drinking was associated with higher mortality among older adults with health-related or socioeconomic risk factors. The attenuation of mortality observed for wine preference and drinking only during meals requires further investigation, as it may mostly reflect the effect of healthier lifestyles, slower alcohol absorption, or nonalcoholic components of beverages.

Physical Activity Engagement among Black Immigrants and African American Adults in the 2010 to 2018 NHIS Study.

High rates of physical inactivity persist in the United States, with higher rates among non-Hispanic Black adults than among their White peers. However, a comparison of physical activity engagement across nativity among Black adults in the United States has yet to be fully documented. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine physical activity engagement rates among African immigrant and Afro-Caribbean immigrant adults compared with native-born African American adults using data from the 2010 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey. Using data from the 2010 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey, we used generalized linear models to compare levels of physical activity (meeting the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] recommendations) by ethnic subgroups of Black adults, sequentially adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related risk factors. Data from 38,037 adults (58.8% female, 21% college/graduate degree, and 41.4% with obesity) were included. Only 41.9% of all participants met the MVPA recommendations. In the fully adjusted models across the 9 years, higher levels of MVPA were seen among African Americans (42%) than among African immigrants (38%) and Afro-Caribbean immigrants (41%). Compared with African Americans, African immigrants were less likely to engage in physical activity that met the MVPA guidelines (prevalence ratio: 0.90; 95% confidence interval: 0.85, 0.96), whereas there were no differences in meeting the guidelines between Afro-Caribbean immigrants (prevalence ratio: 0.96; 95% confidence interval:0.90, 1.02) and African Americans. Culturally tailored interventions addressing socioenvironmental barriers and facilitators of physical activity may have important impacts on physical activity promotion and long-term disease burden among Black adults across nativity.

Differences in knee joint moments between individuals who are living with obesity and those of a healthy weight when negotiating stairs

BackgroundIndividuals who are living with obesity often adopt alternative lower limb walking mechanics compared to persons with a healthy weight. Stair negotiation is a common activity of daily living that, when used consistently with diet and other physical activity, can help promote the reversal of health-related risk factors associated with people who are obese. The purpose of this study was to determine how stair negotiation affects normalized and non-normalized peak knee extension and abduction moments in young adults who live with obesity (BMI between 30 and 40 kg/m2) compared to adults with a healthy weight (BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2). MethodsFifteen young adults living with obesity and fifteen with a healthy weight performed stair ascent and descent walking trials on a 3-step instrumented staircase at a self-selected walking speed. A one-way ANCOVA (covariate: gait speed) was used to compare knee moment variables between groups. ResultsNo significant differences were found between groups in peak knee joint moments normalized to body mass. The individuals living with obesity demonstrated significantly larger non-normalized peak knee extension moments during stair ascent and descent but no differences in the non-normalized peak knee abduction moments for stair ascent or descent. ConclusionResults of this study indicate differences in non-normalized peak knee extension moments between BMI groups. The young age of the obese group may have contributed to minimal differences overall. Future research should determine how these findings differ in an older obese population and how using a handrail would affect these results.

The role of engaged living in the association between self-concealment and psychological distress among racially diverse college students in Hawaiʻi

Self-concealment has been identified as a significant risk factor for negative mental health outcomes. Engaged living, defined as the process of living one's life according to deeply held values with life fulfillment, is one salutary construct that may serve as a protective factor in light of mental health-related risk factors. The present cross-sectional study investigated whether engaged living moderated the positive association between self-concealment and psychological distress in a sample of 1,074 racially diverse college students in Hawaiʻi. Upon the completion of informed consent, study participants completed an online self-report survey that included the measures of interest in the present study. Results revealed that self-concealment was positively associated with psychological distress. Moreover, the strength of the positive association between self-concealment and psychological distress was smaller in participants with high (vs. low) levels of engaged living, but this moderating effect was small. A subsequent post-hoc analysis revealed that the indirect effect of self-concealment on psychological distress manifested through engaged living. Conceptual and applied implications of the present findings, as well as future directions of this line of inquiry, are discussed.

Occupational and Health-Related Risk Factors for Incident and Recurrent Back Disorders in Danish Fishers-A Register-Based Study.

Fishers are at risk of back disorders due to their physically demanding work. The aim was to investigate risk factors for back disorders in fishers in Denmark. All male Danish registered fishers between 1994 and 2017 were included. ICD-10 codes classified back disorders (M40-M54* and DM99.1-4*). A multistate model on a cause-specific cox regression model was conducted. Of 13,165 fishers included, 16% had a hospital contact with an incident back disorder, and 52% at least had 1 recurrent episode. Having worked in another occupation (HR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.27) and another musculoskeletal disorder (HR 1.84; 95% CI: 1.69, 2.01) were significant risk factors for the incident back disorder. No risk factors were seen for recurrent episodes. Risk factors for incident and recurrent back disorders were different; thus, episode-specific initiatives are needed to reduce back disorders among fishers.

Prevalence and Correlates of Suspected and Diagnosed Traumatic Brain Injuries among US School-Aged Children

ObjectiveTo (1) estimate the lifetime prevalence of suspected and diagnosed TBI based on parent report overall and select sociodemographic characteristics; and (2) describe differences in prevalence of health conditions and health-related risk factors by whether a child had a lifetime history of diagnosed TBI. Study DesignWe analyzed data from the 2020 National Survey of Children’s Health, a cross-sectional address-based survey of U.S. households. A categorical variable was created based on parent responses to 3 questions inquiring about their suspicion of their child having a brain injury, if they sought medical care, and if the healthcare provider provided a diagnosis. Parents were also asked to report on their child’s additional health conditions, functional indicators, school and social factors, and healthcare access and service utilization. ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime diagnosed TBI was 4.2% (95% CI: 3.8, 4.5). Children with a parent-reported lifetime history of diagnosed TBI were more likely to have a variety of health conditions, special healthcare needs, disabilities, activity limitations, missed days of school, and unmet care coordination needs, compared to those without a history. However, they were more likely to have a usual source of sick care and to receive more health-related services. Conclusions and RelevanceFor school-aged children, a history of TBI is associated with parent reported health needs and conditions, as well as missed days from school. It is particularly important for parents to seek care when they suspect their child has experienced a TBI to receive a diagnosis and monitor the impacts of the TBI.

DETERMINANTS OF ADULT CARDIAC STRUCTURE: DEVELOPMENTAL INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE AND TV WATCHING

INTRODUCTION The impacts of health-related behaviours and risk factor exposures across childhood and adolescence on the adult heart are largely unexplored. We investigated whether early-life trajectories for physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour and systolic blood pressure (SBP) are associated with cardiac structure in adulthood. METHODS Data collected throughout childhood and adolescence on PA, TV watching and SBP in a cohort study were used to develop antecedent trajectories. At age ∼29yrs, participants were invited to undergo an echocardiogram, to assess left ventricular mass (LVM), LV internal diameter (LVID) and LV wall thickness (LVWT). Analysis was performed between trajectories, separately by sex. RESULTS 723 participants were included. In males, LVM was greater in the antecedent High-PA trajectory (184.1±35.6g), compared to both Mid-PA (171.7±36.1g, P=0.014) and Low-PA (166.7±38.0g, P=0.021). This was related to greater LVID in High-PA compared to both Mid-PA (Δ1.3±0.5cm, P=0.018) and Low-PA (Δ1.3±0.8cm, P=0.087) groups; there were no differences in LVWT (all P>0.050). No differences were found in heart structure between PA trajectory groups in females (all P>0.050). For antecedent SBP, LVM was lower in both the Low-SBP (155.7±30.5g) and Normal-SBP groups (172.9±36.7g) compared to both High-normal (184.8±32.9g) and High-SBP (206.2±41.3g) in males (all P<0.001). This was primarily driven by larger LVWT in High-normal (Δ1.2±0.2g, P=0.001) and High-SBP groups (1.9±0.5g, P=0.001); no differences were observed for LVID (P=0.398). These findings for SBP were similar in females, with the highest SBP group having the greatest LVM and LVWT (all P<0.001). There were no significant impacts of antecedent TV trajectories on adult cardiac measures (all P>0.050). CONCLUSION Higher developmental SBP is associated with larger heart size and wall thickness in adulthood. Higher developmental PA levels are associated with larger cardiac chamber dimension in adult males, but not females. These findings suggest adult cardiac structure may be influenced by early-life risk factor exposures.

Accelerated epigenetic age is associated with whole-brain functional connectivity and impaired cognitive performance in older adults

While chronological age is a strong predictor for health-related risk factors, it is an incomplete metric that fails to fully characterize the unique aging process of individuals with different genetic makeup, neurodevelopment, and environmental experiences. Recent advances in epigenomic array technologies have made it possible to generate DNA methylation-based biomarkers of biological aging, which may be useful in predicting a myriad of cognitive abilities and functional brain network organization across older individuals. It is currently unclear which cognitive domains are negatively correlated with epigenetic age above and beyond chronological age, and it is unknown if functional brain organization is an important mechanism for explaining these associations. In this study, individuals with accelerated epigenetic age (i.e. AgeAccelGrim) performed worse on tasks that spanned a wide variety of cognitive faculties including both fluid and crystallized intelligence (N = 103, average age = 68.98 years, 73 females, 30 males). Additionally, fMRI connectome-based predictive models suggested a mediating mechanism of functional connectivity on epigenetic age acceleration-cognition associations primarily in medial temporal lobe and limbic structures. This research highlights the important role of epigenetic aging processes on the development and maintenance of healthy cognitive capacities and function of the aging brain.

Stimulating Preconception Care Uptake by Women With a Vulnerable Health Status Through a Mobile Health App (Pregnant Faster): Pilot Feasibility Study.

A low socioeconomic status is associated with a vulnerable health status (VHS) through the accumulation of health-related risk factors, such as poor lifestyle behaviors (eg, inadequate nutrition, chronic stress, and impaired health literacy). For pregnant women, a VHS translates into a high incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and therefore pregnancy-related inequity. We hypothesize that stimulating adequate pregnancy preparation, targeting lifestyle behaviors and preconception care (PCC) uptake, can reduce these inequities and improve the pregnancy outcomes of women with a VHS. A nudge is a behavioral intervention aimed at making healthy choices easier and more attractive and may therefore be a feasible way to stimulate engagement in pregnancy preparation and PCC uptake, especially in women with a VHS. To support adequate pregnancy preparation, we designed a mobile health (mHealth) app, Pregnant Faster, that fits the preferences of women with a VHS and uses nudging to encourage PCC consultation visits and engagement in education on healthy lifestyle behaviors. This study aimed to test the feasibility of Pregnant Faster by determining usability and user satisfaction, the number of visited PCC consultations, and the course of practical study conduction. Women aged 18-45 years, with low-to-intermediate educational attainment, who were trying to become pregnant within 12 months were included in this open cohort. Recruitment took place through social media, health care professionals, and distribution of flyers and posters from September 2021 until June 2022. Participants used Pregnant Faster daily for 4 weeks, earning coins by reading blogs on pregnancy preparation, filling out a daily questionnaire on healthy lifestyle choices, and registering for a PCC consultation with a midwife. Earned coins could be spent on rewards, such as fruit, mascara, and baby products. Evaluation took place through the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ), an additional interview or questionnaire, and assessment of overall study conduction. Due to limited inclusions, the inclusion criterion "living in a deprived neighborhood" was dropped. This resulted in the inclusion of 47 women, of whom 39 (83%) completed the intervention. In total, 16 (41%) of 39 participants visited a PCC consultation, with their main motivation being obtaining personalized information. The majority of participants agreed with 16 (88.9%) of 18 statements of the MAUQ, indicating high user satisfaction. The mean rating was 7.7 (SD 1.0) out of 10. Points of improvement included recruitment of the target group, simplification of the log-in system, and automation of manual tasks. Nudging women through Pregnant Faster to stimulate pregnancy preparation and PCC uptake has proven feasible, but the inclusion criteria must be revised. A substantial number of PCC consultations were conducted, and this study will therefore be continued with an open cohort of 400 women, aiming to establish the (cost-)effectiveness of an updated version, named Pregnant Faster 2. RR2-10.2196/45293.

Utilization of machine learning models in predicting caries risk groups and oral health-related risk factors in adults

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyse the risk factors that affect oral health in adults and to evaluate the success of different machine learning algorithms in predicting these risk factors.MethodsThis study included 2000 patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, between September and December 2023. In this study, patients completed a 30-item questionnaire designed to assess the factors that affect the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT). Clinical and radiological examinations were performed, and DMFT scores were calculated after completion of the questionnaire. The obtained data were randomly divided into a 75% training group and a 25% test group. The preprocessed dataset was analysed using various machine learning algorithms, including naive Bayes, logistic regression, support vector machine, decision tree, random forest and Multilayer Perceptron algorithms. Pearson's correlation test was also conducted to assess the correlation between participants' DMFT scores and oral health risk factors. The performance of each algorithm was evaluated to determine the most appropriate algorithm, and model performance was assessed using accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score on the test dataset.ResultsA statistically significant difference was found between various factors and DMFT-based risk groups (p < 0.05), including age, sex, body mass index, tooth brushing frequency, socioeconomic status, employment status, education level, marital status, hypertension, diabetes status, renal disease status, consumption of sugary snacks, dry mouth status and screen time. When considering machine learning algorithms for risk group assessments, the Multilayer Perceptron model demonstrated the highest level of success, achieving an accuracy of 95.8%, an F1-score of 96%, and precision and recall rates of 96%.ConclusionsCaries risk assessment using a simple questionnaire can identify individuals at risk of dental caries, determine the key risk factors, provide information to help reduce the risk of dental caries over time and ensure follow-up. In addition, it is extremely important to apply effective preventive treatments and to prevent the general health problems that are caused by the deterioration of oral health. The results of this study show the potential of machine learning algorithms for predicting caries risk groups, and these algorithms are promising for future studies.

Association of Housing Instability with Obesity Status Among Insured Adults

IntroductionObesity affects four in ten US adults. One of the most prevalent health-related social risk factors in the US is housing instability, which is also associated with cardiovascular health outcomes, including obesity. The objective of this research brief is to examine the association between housing instability with obesity status among a representative sample of insured adults across seven integrated health systems. MethodsKaiser Permanente National Social Needs Survey used a multistage stratified sampling framework to administer a cross-sectional survey across seven integrated health systems (administered Jan.-Sept. 2020). Survey data were linked with electronic health records (EHR). Housing instability was categorized into levels of risk: 1) ‘No Risk’; 2) ‘Moderate Risk’; and 3) ‘Severe Risk’. Based on established BMI thresholds, obesity and severe obesity served as the primary outcome variables. In 2023, weighted multivariable logistic regression accounted for the complex sampling design and response probability and controlled for covariates. ResultsThe analytic cohort comprised 6,397 adults. Unadjusted weighted prevalence of obesity and severe obesity was 31.1% and 5.3%, respectively; and 15.5% reported housing instability. Adjusted regression models showed that the odds of severe obesity was nearly double among adults exposed to severe housing instability (Adjusted OR=1.93; 95% CI 1.14-3.26). Other BMI categories were not associated with housing instability. ConclusionsAmong a representative cohort of insured adults, this study suggested increasing levels of housing instability are associated with increasing levels of obesity. Future research should further explore the temporal, longitudinal, and independent association of housing instability with obesity.

Prevalence and associated factors of substance use disorders among people who use drugs: a population-based cross-sectional study in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of substance use disorders and associated factors among people who use drugs in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, using a respondent-driven sampling technique. Sampling was initiated with 20 seeds and peers were recruited by peers through handing out coupons. The number of recruited participants was proportional to the estimated number of people who use drugs in each district of Western Province. A total of 870 people who use drugs participated in the study. A validated Sinhala version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test was used to assess the drug use severity among the participants and a pre-tested validated questionnaire was used to collect data to assess the associated factors. RDS Analyst software version 0.64 was used to assess frequency estimates. To assess factors associated with substance use disorders multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. Results: The median age of the study sample was 39 years. The incidence of substance use disorder among the sample was 88.4%. Being employed, using heroin as a psychoactive drug, using drugs daily, using more than one drug, being a heavy alcohol user, buying drugs, stealing money or exchanging goods to get drugs, spending a substantial amount per month on drugs (Rs &gt; 40,001), past or present medical history of tuberculosis and those who had disclosed their drug use behavior to their immediate family were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of having a substance use disorder. Conclusion: A high prevalence of substance use disorder was found in the sample with multiple economic, behavioral, and health-related risk factors.

Long COVID outcomes following omicron wave in non-hospital population.

The persistence of symptoms or the development of new symptoms following a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 has given rise to a multifaceted clinical condition referred to as "long COVID" (LC). The understanding of LC among China's non-hospitalized population continues to be insufficient. This investigation was designed to evaluate the protracted consequences amongst this demographic, as well as to identify the associated risk factors. This research constitutes a prospective cohort study focusing on non-hospitalized individuals, aged between 18 and 59, who have been positively diagnosed with COVID-19. Each participant was subjected to a sequence of questionnaire-based surveys, designed to evaluate symptoms as well as the status of depression and anxiety. A logistic regression model, adjusted for multiple variables, was employed to scrutinize the correlation between demographic elements, lifestyle attributes, and health-related risk factors in relation to conditions and symptoms post COVID-19 infection. A total of 706 individuals participated in the 3 months follow-up, with 620 continuing on to the 6 months follow-up. The median age was 35 (28, 43) years, and 597 (85%) are female. Upon follow-up, Compared with patients without LC, patients with LC have a higher proportion of females (420 (87%) vs. 177 (79%); p = 0.010), were older (35 (29, 44) years vs. 33 (27, 41) years; p = 0.010) and have more comorbidities. Out of all participants, 483 (68.4%) reported experiencing at least one symptom at the 3 months mark, while 49.7% reported symptoms persisting at the 6 months mark. At the 3 months follow-up, the most prevalent persistent symptoms were cough (46%), fatigue (38%), and shortness of breath (34%). By the 6 months follow-up, fatigue (25%), shortness of breath (22%), and sleep disorders (16%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Anxiety and depression were consistently reported as prevalent symptoms throughout the follow-up period. Most patient symptoms fade over time, with the quickest decreases observed in cough (from 46 to 9%), expectoration (from 26 to 6.3%), smell disorder (from 16 to 3.9%), and taste disorder (from 18 to 3.5%). Male and those possessing advanced educational qualifications exhibit a decreased susceptibility to the sustained incidence of coughing. Conversely, older age and the presence of comorbidities were identified as risk factors for persistent fatigue and shortness of breath. In the after of COVID-19, it has been observed that the majority of patient symptoms tend to decrease over time. The primary residual symptoms noticed after a 6 month follow-up were fatigue, dyspnea, and sleep disturbances. However, it's noteworthy that the risk factors associated with these symptoms exhibit subtle variations. Furthermore, psychological sequelae, namely depression and anxiety, are frequently reported among COVID-19 survivors.

The role of frailty in the relationships between social relationships and health outcomes: a longitudinal study

BackgroundSocially isolated older adults incur increased risks of adverse health outcomes, though the strength of this association is unclear. We examined whether changes in physical frailty moderated the associations between changes in social relationships and changes in health outcomes among older adults.MethodsThis longitudinal study is based on three waves of the FRéLE study among 1643 Canadian community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older over 2 years. We performed latent growth curve modelling (LGMs) to assess changes with the assumption of missing not at random, adjusting for time-invariant covariates. We used the latent moderated structural equations (LMS) to test the interactions in LGMs. Social relationships were measured by social participation, social networks, and social support from different social ties. Frailty was assessed using the five components of the phenotype of frailty.ResultsThe results revealed that changes in frailty moderated changes in social participation (β = 3.229, 95% CI: 2.212, 4.245), social contact with friends (β = 4.980, 95% CI: 3.285, 6.675), and social support from friends (β = 2.406, 95% CI: 1.894, 2.917), children (β = 2.957, 95% CI: 1.932, 3.982), partner (β = 4.170, 95% CI: 3.036, 5.305) and extended family (β = 6.619, 95% CI: 2.309, 10.923) with changes in cognitive function and depressive symptoms, but not with chronic diseases. These results highlight the beneficial role of social relationships in declining depressive symptoms and improving cognitive health among older adults experiencing increases in frailty.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that changes in social support have a protective and compensatory role in decreasing depressive symptoms and enhancing cognitive health among older adults with increasing frailty. Public health policy and strategies should consider the impact of social support on multiple health outcomes among older adults with increasing frailty. Further experimental studies and interventions are warranted to extend findings on the relationships between social relationships and health outcomes, targeting frail older adults. Future studies may also consider other health-related risk factors that may impact the associations between social relationships and health outcomes among older adults.