Health Screening Tests Research Articles

Disparities in Health Screening Completion Status forAdults with Severe Disabilities Compared to Adults With NoDisabilities in Korea: A Retrospective Study ofElectronic Health Records.

Health screening is crucial for individuals with disabilities because they are likely to experience preventable health challenges, leading to poor health outcomes. However, there is limited insight into barriers to health screening for them after arriving at a healthcare facility. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between disability status/type and health screening test completion and the reasons for incomplete tests after arriving at a healthcare facility. We reviewed 767 electronic health records of individuals who underwent health screening in a healthcare facility over one year. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to explore differences in test completion. Levesque's access to care framework was used to categorize the reasons for incomplete tests into provider- and patient-related domains. The findings showed associations between disability status and health screening completion. Both provider- and patient-related barriers were recorded as the reasons for incomplete tests for cases with disabilities. The associations found suggest potential disparities individuals with disabilities experience upon arrival at healthcare facilities. Further prospective studies are needed to test and validate the healthcare utilization disparities in disability.

The Impact of Student-led Community Health Screenings on Clients' Health Knowledge and Outcomes: A Qualitative Study.

This study investigated the impact of community health screenings (CHS) on the Asian community, focussing on the role of a student-led health and wellness centre in promoting and improving health outcomes. The CHS is a collaboration between Te Kotahi Oranga | Health and Wellness Centre and The Asian Network Incorporated, offering free health screenings to Asian migrants in the Waikato region, New Zealand. Employing a qualitative approach, we interviewed clients who participated in the CHS to determine their perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the programme, its influence on their health knowledge and actions, and their overall satisfaction with the service. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used to report the study. Data analysis utilising reflexive thematic analysis yielded 5 themes: satisfaction and appreciation for the free health screening; strengthened commitment to better personal health; barriers and challenges in accessing public healthcare services; improved knowledge and awareness of health risks; and provision of more health screening tests and health seminars. The findings highlight the significance of culturally tailored health initiatives in addressing healthcare disparities, emphasising the need for innovative strategies to ensure continuity of care and support for underserved populations. This research contributes to the understanding of how student-led health interventions can enhance public health efforts and improve health outcomes in Asian and migrant communities.

SGLT2 Inhibitor Use and Risk of Dementia and Parkinson Disease Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Despite the mechanistic potential of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) to improve neurologic outcomes, the efficacy of SGLT2i in neurodegenerative disorders among patients with type 2 diabetes is not well established. This population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the association of SGLT2i use with risks of incident dementia and Parkinson disease (PD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. This was a retrospective examination of data from a cohort of 1,348,362 participants with type 2 diabetes (≥40 years), who started antidiabetic drugs from 2014 to 2019, evaluated using the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database. Propensity score matching (1:1; SGLT2i to other oral antidiabetic drugs [OADs]) produced a cohort of 358,862 participants. Primary outcomes were the individual incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and PD. Secondary outcomes were all-cause dementia (AD, VaD, and other dementia) and a composite of all-cause dementia and PD. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between SGLT2i use and the risks of dementia and PD. From the 358,862 participants analyzed (mean [SD] age, 57.8 [9.6] years; 58.0% male), 6,837 incident dementia or PD events occurred. Regarding the individual endpoints, SGLT2i use was associated with reduced risks of AD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.76-0.87), VaD (aHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.78), and PD (aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.91) with a 6-month drug use lag period. In addition, use of SGLT2i was associated with a 21% lower risk of all-cause dementia (aHR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.90) and a 22% lower risk of all-cause dementia and PD than use of other OADs (aHR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.83). The association between the use of SGLT2i and the lowered risk of these neurodegenerative disorders was not affected by sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, diabetic complications, comorbidities, and medications. Sensitivity analysis further adjusting for bioclinical variables from health screening tests, including blood pressure, glucose, lipid profiles, and kidney function, yielded generally consistent results. In this nationwide population-based study, SGLT2i use significantly reduced the risks of neurodegenerative disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes independent of various factors including comorbidities and bioclinical parameters. This study provides Class II evidence that SGLT2 antidiabetic drugs decrease the risk of dementia and PD in people with diabetes.

Association between glycemic status and all-cause mortality among individuals with dementia: a nationwide cohort study

BackgroundTo examine the association between glycemic status and all-cause mortality risk among individuals with dementia.MethodsWe enrolled 146,832 individuals aged 40 and older with dementia as identified through the Korean National Health Insurance Service health screening test between 2008 and 2016. Mortality status was evaluated at the end of 2019. Participants were classified into normoglycemia, prediabetes, or diabetes mellitus (DM) categories. The duration of diabetes was noted in those with DM. This study focused on the association between glycemic status and all-cause mortality.ResultsThe cohort, which was predominantly elderly (average age 75.1 years; 35.5% male), had a 35.2% mortality rate over an average 3.7-year follow-up. DM was linked with increased all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–1.37) compared to non-DM counterparts. The highest mortality risk was observed in long-term DM patients (≥ 5 years) (HR 1.43; 95% CI: 1.40–1.47), followed by newly diagnosed DM (HR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.30–1.40), shorter-term DM (< 5 years) (HR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.13–1.21), and prediabetes (HR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.05). These patterns persisted across Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, with more pronounced effects observed in younger patients.ConclusionsGlucose dysregulation in dementia significantly increased mortality risk, particularly in newly diagnosed or long-standing DM. These findings suggest the potential benefits of maintaining normal glycemic levels in improving the survival of patients with dementia.

LUNG CANCER - RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES - OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Europäische Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Home About the Journal Peer Review Editorial Board For Authors Reviewer Recognition Archive Contact Impressum EWG e.V. Elektronische Zeitschriftbibliotek Logo Bielefeld Academic Search Engine Logo Erfolgreich durch internationale Zusammenarbeit ONCOLOGY Cite as: Archiv EuroMedica. 2024. 14; 3. DOI 10.35630/2024/14/3.344 Received 25 April 2024; Accepted 15 June 2024; Published 19 June 2024 LUNG CANCER - RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES - OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Jakub Rybak1email orcid id logo, Barbara Magiera2orcid id logo, Karol Magiera1orcid id logo, Martyna Grabowska-Szczurek3orcid id logo, Alicja Grabarczyk4 orcid id logo, Piotr Bator1 orcid id logo, Michał Razik1 orcid id logo, Patrycja Rozwadowska1 orcid id logo, Karol Wielgus5 orcid id logo 1Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland 2Prof. K. Gibiński University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland 3The Hospital of the Bonifratres of St. John Grand in Cracow, Poland 4Students’ Scientific Society, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland 5Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland download article (pdf) rybakjak@gmail.com ABSTRACT Introduction and purpose: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. The aim of this study is to analyze the key modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with the development of lung cancer and to discuss existing prevention strategies. Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using the "PubMed" database with the keywords "lung cancer", "lung cancer risk factors", "lung cancer prevention”. Results: Lung cancer risk factors can be divided into two groups: modifiable and non-modifiable. Modifiable risk factors include: smoking, radon, diet, chronic lung diseases, asbestos and diesel fumes. Non-modifiable risk factors include: age, race, genetic factors and gender. In primary prevention of lung cancer it is important to reduce exposure to risk factors, especially cigarette smoke. Screening using low-dose computed tomography plays a major role in secondary prevention. Conclusion: Lung cancer is one of the most frequent malignant tumors. Over the years, enormous progress has been made in the fight against lung cancer. Despite a large reduction in smoking prevalence, cigarette smoking remains the most important risk factor of lung cancer. Several other factors have been identified, with e.g. asbestosis exposure and air pollutants being among top-5 risk factors with the highest impact. Effective methods of primary and secondary prevention such as health campaigns and screening tests have led to a reduction in the incidence of lung cancer. Smoking cessation and low-dose chest CT screening were proven to be the most effective in the lung cancer prevention. However, lung cancer remains the most common cause of death in cancer patients so further research and effective and practical public health policy are crucial in decreasing incidence and mortality.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA BEFORE PREGNANCY AND GESTATIONAL DIABETES: A NATIONWIDE POPULATION-BASED STUDY IN KOREA

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between cardiac arrhythmias and the incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM). Design and method: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Korean Health Insurance Service database, encompassing 1,113,729 women who gave birth between January 2007 and December 2015. We excluded subjects who had not undergone the national health screening test within 1 year before pregnancy (n=723,575), those with multifetal pregnancies (n=17,683), and individuals diagnosed with diabetes (ICD-10 codes E08, E09, E10, E11, and E13) and/or those with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher at the health screening test conducted within 1 year before pregnancy (n=6,591). Arrhythmias were classified into 5 categories: lethal arrhythmias, premature beats, paroxysmal tachycardia, atrial flutter/fibrillation, and atrioventricular block. The primary outcome was incident GDM, which was defined as having at least 1 claim with ICD-10 codes of O244 or O249 and the use of insulin during pregnancy, or having at least 3 claims with ICD-10 codes of O244 or O294. Results: We analyzed 365,880 singleton pregnancies without a history of diabetes. Of these, 3,253 (0.9%) had cardiac arrhythmias, including premature extra beats, supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, and/or atrial flutter/fibrillation. GDM occurred in 31,938 (8.7%) subjects during pregnancy and was more prevalent in women with cardiac arrhythmia than in those without (14.9 vs. 8.7%, p&lt;0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the association between cardiac arrhythmia and GDM remained statistically significant (adjusted odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 1.97; p&lt;0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that the risk of GDM was consistently statistically significant in subjects with cardiac arrhythmia, regardless of age, body mass index, and the presence or absence of chronic hypertension. Conclusions: Cardiac arrhythmias before and during pregnancy appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing GDM.

Association of dietary patterns with sarcopenia in adults aged 50years and older.

Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of dietary factors on the prevention of decreased muscle mass and function, limited research has examined the relationship between dietary patterns and sarcopenia. This study aimed to assess the associations between dietary patterns, and sarcopenia, muscle strength, and mass in adults following a Mediterranean diet residing in southern Italian cities. This cross-sectional study utilized data from an existing database, comprising 528 individuals aged 50years or older who underwent health-screening tests at the Clinical Nutrition Unit of the "R.Dulbecco" University Hospital. Strength was assessed through handgrip strength, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary intake information was collected through a food frequency questionnaire linked to the MetaDieta 3.0.1 nutrient composition database. Principal Component Analysis, a statistical technique identifying underlying relationships among different nutrients, was employed to determine dietary patterns. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the odds ratio for sarcopenia or low handgrip strength in relation to the lowest tertile of dietary pattern adherence compared to the highest adherence. The participants had a mean age of 61 ± 8years. Four dietary patterns were identified, with only the Western and Mediterranean patterns showing correlations with handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. However, only the Mediterranean pattern exhibited a correlation with sarcopenia (r = - 0.17, p = 0.02). The highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern demonstrated significantly higher handgrip strength compared to the lowest tertile (III Tertile: 28.3 ± 0.5kg vs I Tertile: 26.3 ± 0.5kg; p = 0.01). Furthermore, even after adjustment, the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean pattern showed a significantly lower prevalence of sarcopenia than the lowest adherence tertile (4% vs 16%, p = 0.04). The lowest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with increased odds of having low muscle strength (OR = 2.38; p = 0.03; 95%CI = 1.05-5.37) and sarcopenia (OR = 9.69; p = 0.0295; %CI = 1.41-66.29). A high adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, characterized by increased consumption of legumes, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and limited amounts of meat, fish, and eggs, is positively associated with handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. The highest adherence to this dietary model is associated with the lowest odds of low muscle strength and sarcopenia. Despite the changes brought about by urbanization in southern Italy compared to the past, our findings continue to affirm the superior benefits of the Mediterranean diet in postponing the onset of frailty among older adults when compared to other dietary patterns that are rich in animal foods.

Evaluation of the General Population's Knowledge Concerning Liver Health: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Liver disease is among the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Given their substantial impact on public health, raising awareness about liver diseases is paramount for their prevention and effective management. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of Syrians regarding liver health, chronic liver disorders, and their associated serious and irreversible complications. We conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing the adult Syrian population between August 25 and September 29, 2023, excluding non-Syrians and individuals below the age of 18 years. A validated questionnaire, adapted from a previous study, was employed, consisting of 31 questions that covered topics related to knowledge and awareness of liver health and diseases (3-point Likert scale), attitudes towards liver screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and awareness of treatment options and vaccination. Statistical analysis including logistic regression was conducted using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 28; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), with statistical significance set established at pp-values below 0.05. This study included 941 participants, with an average age of 26.5 years. While two-thirds of respondents demonstrated awareness of hepatitis B and C as viral diseases (663 (70.4%) and 612 (65.4%), respectively), approximately 66 (7%) were unaware of the potential for hepatitis to induce chronic liver inflammation or lead to liver failure. Over half of the participants were knowledgeable about the non-genetic nature of hepatitisB and C, and 579 (61.7%) were informed about the transmission risks associated with these infections. The most common reason cited for not participating in health screening tests was the perception of being in good health (219, 77.4%), and prescription medication was the most frequently sought treatment for hepatitis (543, 83.9%). Bivariate analysis revealed correlations between participant knowledge and sex, socioeconomic status, educational level, and occupation (P < 0.05). Similarly, the study identified significant associations between participant attitudes and age, gender, economic status, job, and educational level (P < 0.05). Moreover, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that gender, occupation, and educational level significantly influenced both participants' knowledge and attitudes. Specifically, males exhibited lower knowledge and less favorable attitudes than females (P = 0.041 and P < 0.001, respectively). The Syrian population possessed moderate knowledge of liver health and liver disorders. To bridge this knowledge gap and enhance preventive measures, it is recommended that additional health programs and awareness initiatives be implemented, involving healthcare providers and leveraging their expertise.

Relationship Between Childhood Sexual Abuse, Obesity, and Vulvodynia in Adulthood.

The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, obesity, and vulvodynia among adult women participating in a population-based longitudinal vulvodynia study. Surveys assessed health status, diagnoses, risk factors, and screening test outcomes for women with vulvodynia. Associations between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and obesity, CSA and vulvodynia, and obesity and vulvodynia were investigated. A multivariate model was used to determine if obesity mediates and/or modifies the relationship between CSA and vulvodynia. Of 2,277 women participating in the study, 1,647 completed survey data on CSA at 18 months, body mass index at 24 months, and vulvodynia over the first 54 months of the survey. Mean age was 50.9 ± 15.8 years. Overall, race and ethnicity were 77.4% White, 15.7% Black, 2.4% Hispanic, and 4.5% other. Five hundred thirty-nine participants (32.7%) were obese (body mass index >30) and 468 (28.4%) were overweight. Physical CSA before age of 18 years was reported by 20.0% (n = 329). During the study, 22.0% (n = 362) screened positive for vulvodynia on one or more surveys. After controlling for demographic variables, both obesity and screening positive for vulvodynia were associated with a history of CSA before age of 18 years (p = .013 and p < .001, respectively), but obesity was not associated with screening positive for vulvodynia (p = .865). In addition, multivariate analysis indicated no mediation of the CSA/vulvodynia relationship by obesity. Although obesity and vulvodynia were independently associated with a history of CSA, obesity did not mediate or modify the relationship between CSA and vulvodynia in adulthood.

Association between cardiac arrhythmia before pregnancy and gestational diabetes: a nationwide population-based study in Korea

Abstract Background Premature extra betas and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are prevalent in the gestational period. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicated a significant proportion of pregnancies worldwide. Purpose Given the high prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia (CA) among patients with diabetes, we aimed to investigate the association of CA with GDM. Methods This is a nationwide cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance database. We identified 1,113,729 women who gave birth between 2007 and 2015. After excluding subjects who did not undergo the national health screening test within a year before pregnancy, multi-pregnancy, and those with fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/mL and/or diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy CA was defined as atrial and ventricular premature beats, paroxysmal tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation. The primary outcome was the incidence of GDM. Subgroup analysis stratified by age and body mass index at pregnancy onset, and a history of hypertension before pregnancy were conducted. Results A total of 365,880 women were included in the final analysis. Of them, 3,253 (0.9%) had a diagnosis of CA. Subjects with CA were older at pregnancy onset (mean age 33.3±4.1 vs. 33.0±3.9 years, P&amp;lt;0.001), and had a higher proportion of hypertension (5.2% vs. 1.0%, P &amp;lt;0.001) than in subjects without CA. GDM was detected in 31,938 (8.7%) subjects and more commonly occurred in subjects with CA than those without (14.9% vs. 8.7%, P&amp;lt;0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the incidence of GMD was statistically significantly higher in those with CA (adjusted OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.615–1.970, P&amp;lt;0.001). Moreover, the relationship between CA with GDM was statistically significant regardless of age and body mass index (Figure 1). Meanwhile, despite a higher incidence of GDM, the association between CA and GDM was insignificant in subjects with a history of hypertension. Conclusion The risk of gestational diabetes was higher in subjects diagnosed with CA before or during pregnancy compared with those without CA.

Association between breast diseases and symptomatic uterine fibroids by using South Korean National Health Insurance database

Both the uterus and breasts have sex hormone dependence, yet there are few studies on the association between breast disease and uterine fibroids (UFs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of benign breast disease (BBD), carcinoma in situ (CIS), and breast cancer (BC) in women treated for UFs compared to women who were not treated for UFs. This retrospective cohort study used national health insurance data from January 1st, 2011, to December 31st, 2020. We selected women between 20 and 50 years old who (1) were treated for UFs (UF group) or (2) visited medical institutions for personal health screening tests without UFs (control group). We analyzed independent variables such as age, socioeconomic status (SES), region, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), delivery status, menopausal status, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), endometriosis, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia based on the first date of uterine myomectomy in the UF group and the first visiting date for health screening in the non-UF group. There were 190,583 and 439,940 participants in the UF and control groups, respectively. Compared with those of the control group, the RRs of BBD, CIS, and BC were increased in the UF group. The hazard ratios (HRs) of BBD, CIS, and BC in the UF group were 1.335 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.299–1.372), 1.796 (95% CI 1.542–2.092), and 1.3 (95% CI 1.198–1.41), respectively. When we analyzed the risk of BC according to age at inclusion, UFs group had the increased risk of BCs in all age groups in comparison with control group. Women with low SES (HR 0.514, 95% CI 0.36–0.734) and living in rural areas (HR 0.889, 95% CI 0.822–0.962) had a lower risk of BC. Our study showed that women with UFs had a higher risk of BBD, CIS, and BC than those without UFs. This result suggests that women with UFs should be more conscious of BC than those without UFs. Therefore, doctors should consider recommending regular breast self-exams, mammography, or ultrasound for the early detection of BC in women with UFs.

A Validation Study of Mental Health Monitoring Through a Mobile Application.

Face-to-face evaluation is the most important in psychiatric evaluation, but smart healthcare, including non-face-to-face evaluation, can be beneficial considering the situation in which face-to-face evaluation is limited or the preventive aspect of mental illness. In this paper, we aimed to check whether mental health screening tests have the same significance as paper-based tests even when collected through mobile applications. A smart mental healthcare screening test was conducted on the 1,327 community subjects. We measured two indicators of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale, PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, GAD-7) to check mental health conditions. The average Cronbach's alpha value of the PHQ-9 questionnaire was good at 0.870. As a result of PHQ-9's principal component analysis, one component with an eigenvalue of 1 or more was identified, which is suitable to be described as a single factor. The average Cronbach's alpha value of the GAD-7 was 0.919. The structural validity of the GAD-7 was confirmed through principal component analysis. Our results show that PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales performed through mobile applications can have the same meaning as paper-based tests. Surveys using a tablet PC, or smartphone application can monitor residents' mental health and accumulate data. Based on these data, smart mental health management can check the mental health of residents and treat mental illness in connection with medical services.

Socialization Android-Based Electronic Screening Test Epidemiology (E-Steco 19) In Indonesia and Timor Leste

Introduction: A statement of being in good health is one of the prerequisites as a lecturer or employee at Kusuma Husada University, in which an employee must be declared in good health to prove that an employee is healthy and ready to work, without any serious unhealthy obstacles. Health checks by computerized epidemiology screening test will speed up the process and assist the doctor The development of health applications using the epidemiological screening test method for lecturers and Studends, at the Kusuma Husada University Health Clinic Indonesia Health screening tests quick and efficient in accordance with existing data, and give the result of employee health data directly. The purpose of this study is to make it easier to detect the health status of Kusuma Husada University lecturers and Studends, which is used for one of the prerequisites for a work contract with a health application using an epidemiological screening test method. Methods: Data collection was done by qualitative method and carried out from February to August 2022. lecturers and Studends data retrieval is done using a digital questionnaire (online). Sample of this research is a studends, and employee at Kusuma Husada University Indonesia, the results is used to make applications (e-Steco). Results: E-Steco 19 is an Android-based application that is used to detect a person's health using the screening test method. Data will be stored using Google Sheet and Google App Script. Thus, the data that has been collected from users who fill out a list of questions in the application can be downloaded and processed according to the needs. Data can be downloaded via the link. The e-Steco result can be processed in such a way that the data can be used as material for decision making. E-Steco 19 consists of 14 questions for health screening. Here we show the results of data processing from e-Steco 19 Result in the form of a pie chart. Results: The e-Steco 19 application has been completed and has also been running a test, so that it can make it easier to detect the health of lecturers and Studends, at Kusuma Husada University Indonesia. This application is still possible to be developed and used in Timor Leste University and Health Clinic.

Pilot scheme assessment: Health development program for students at dormitories

Aim: This study, conducted in Turkey, aims to increase the practicability of health counselling and protective services offered to young people in the long term. In the short term, it is aimed to determine health counselling needs of students at dormitories and it might enlighten researchers working in this field. Methods: A pilot questionnaire, developed in order to determine health needs of students staying at dormitories, was conducted in two dormitories in Ankara. Focus group interviews were done, also. After that, in nine dormitories from nine provinces from all over the Turkey, questionnaire and health screening tests were applied to 5,852 volunteers. Results: The common topics for both sexes which students would like to receive counselling are nutrition and anxiety about exams. Conclusion: As a result of the study, service has been planned for the identified needs of the students.

Explaining mothers’ experiences of performing fetal health screening tests in the first trimester of pregnancy: A qualitative study with content analysis approach

BackgroundThe only way to prevent the birth of infants with chromosomal disorders is prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities is a critical and stressful emotional event for pregnant women which is accompanied with worry and concern. The aim of the present study was to gain deeper insights into mothers’ experiences of performing fetal health screening tests. MethodsThis was a qualitative research using a conventional content analysis approach. The study population consisted of pregnant women referring to genetic diagnosis laboratories at 11–19 weeks of gestation who were currently in the third trimester of pregnancy. After selecting the participants, a text message was first sent to the mothers and they were asked about the most appropriate time for the interview. At the arranged time, a video call was made with the mother. The data collection method was discovery interviews (Semi-structured interviews). The analysis model used in this study was based on Granheim and Landman’s method. The manuscript was prepared based on Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies check list for qualitative studies. ResultsFrom a total of 11 interviews, 145 initial codes were obtained which were organized into 3 main categories: Worry and stress; Multi-faceted support; and Conflict between fear and hope. These categories included nine subcategories, namely Concern about the child's disability, Fear of intentional termination of pregnancy, Financial costs, Need for medical support, Husband support, Educational support, Peer support, Fear-hope emotional conflict caused by confirmed diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, and Normal test results. ConclusionAccording to the results of this study, mothers who go for a fetal health screening test and receive suspicious results initially, live in a state of fear and hope until they receive a definitive answer. In order to get rid of their worries and concerns, they need external support such as social support and peer support in addition to the support of their husbands and family.

Strong relationship between dyslipidemia and the ectopic ossification of the spinal ligaments

Obesity and metabolic disturbances are prevalent in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF); however, the involvement of dyslipidemia (DL) in OPLL/OLF remains uncertain. We investigated the association between dyslipidemia and OPLL/OLF using a dataset of 458 individuals receiving health screening tests, including computed tomography. Subjects were grouped according to the presence or location of OPLL/OLF: controls (no OPLL/OLF, n = 230), OLF (n = 167), cervical OPLL (n = 28), and thoracic OPLL (n = 33). They were also grouped according to the presence of dyslipidemia (DL[+], n = 215; DL[−], n = 243). The proportion of dyslipidemia in the OLF and OPLL groups was 1.6–2.2 times higher than that in the control group. The proportion of OLF and OPLL in the DL(+) group was significantly higher than that in the DL(−) group (OLF, 43% vs. 29%; cervical OPLL, 14.4% vs. 3.2%; thoracic OPLL, 11.1% vs. 3.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an association between all ossification types and dyslipidemia. This study demonstrated an association of dyslipidemia with OPLL/OLF; further investigation on the causal relationship between dyslipidemia and ectopic spinal ligament ossification is warranted to develop a therapeutic intervention for OPLL/OLF.

What seems to explain suicidality in Yucatan Mexican young adults? Findings from an app-based mental health screening test using the SMART-SCREEN protocol

The relationship between suicidality, depression, anxiety, and well-being was explored in young adults (median age 20.7 years) from the State of Yucatan (Mexico), which has a suicide rate double that of other Mexican states. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 20 universities in Yucatan and 9,366 students were surveyed using validated questionnaires built into a smartphone app, applying partial least squares structural equation models. High suicide risk was assessed in 10.8% of the sample. Clinically relevant depression and anxiety levels were found in 6.6% and 10.5% of the sample, respectively, and 67.8% reported high well-being. Comparably higher levels of suicide risk, depression and anxiety, and lower well-being were found in women, who were also somewhat older than men in our study. Furthermore, path analysis in the structural equation model revealed that depression was the main predictor of suicidal behaviour as well as of higher anxiety levels and lower self-perceived well-being in the total sample and in both genders. Our findings draw attention to the association between suicidality, depression, anxiety, and well-being in Yucatan young adults and gender differences with this regard. Mental health screening via smartphone might be a useful tool to reach large populations and contribute to mental health policies, including regional suicide prevention efforts.

The Birth Cohorts Difference in Depression.

Cohort effect refers to the social phenomenon that a certain event manifests differently depending on a group that is born in the same year or a similar time period. It is important to understand adolescents' depressive symptoms vary from generation to generation. We studied the changes of the depressive symptoms during the eighth to tenth grade and examined the difference between the 1997-birth cohort and 2000-birth cohort. The study included 2,070 students (2014-2016 of 2000-birth-cohort data, from 8th to 10th grade, mean age = 12.95-14.95 years) and 2,278 students (2011-2013 of 1997-birth-cohort data, from 8th to 10th grade, mean age = 12.90-14.90 years) who participated in the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey. Latent growth curve modeling and multi-group analysis were used to compare depressive symptom trajectories between cohorts. The result of comparing the depression levels of the cohorts showed the initial values and change rates verifying the presence of a significant cohort effect-the depression level of the 2000-birth-cohort (initial value = 17.75) was significantly lower than the depression level of the 1997-birth-cohort (initial value = 19.49). This study has significance in that adolescents' depression has both age and cohort effects. It is speculated that the cohort effect may have been impacted by two major events: The Children Problem-Behavior Screening Questionare Test (mental health screening test), implemented nationwide in 2012, and the Sewol Ferry Disaster, which occurred in 2014. Based on the results, suggestions for future research were discussed.

Analysis Between Kidney Function and Hearing Loss Using Hemodynamic and Physical Characteristics: A Large Cross-Sectional Cohort Study With Health Screening Test

Background and Objectives A large-scale community-based study of the general population has not been conducted. There have been no studies on the relationship between decreased renal function and the degree of hearing loss. Thus, the purpose was to evaluate the relationship between hearing loss and impaired renal function with a large number of populations.Subjects and Method We performed a cross-sectional population-based cohort study by enrolling 470718 adults, 18 to 80 years old with pure tone audiometry tests who had regular health screening between 2013 and 2018. Hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average of thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in both right and left ears. Kidney function was evaluated based on eGFR. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was diagnosed as an eGFR&lt;60 mL/ min/1.73 m². Other predictor variables including noise and age that can affect hearing were also used to evaluate correlation factors.Results Of Participants with CKD, 14.2% had any hearing loss (&gt;25 dB) and 5.0% had above moderate hearing loss (&gt;40 dB). But those with normal kidney function, 2.0% either had any hearing loss and 0.4% had above moderate hearing loss. The odds ratio (OR) of above moderate hearing loss for participants with CKD was 1.51 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-2.00, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=0.003) but the OR of mild hearing loss for participants with CKD was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.67- 1.02, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=0.073). The result suggested that CKD and above moderate hearing loss were related even after correcting for potential confounders, but had no statistical significance with mild hearing loss.Conclusion Decreased kidney function is associated with above moderate hearing loss.

Effectiveness of a guideline implementation tool for supporting management of mental health complications after mild traumatic brain injury in primary care: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionMental health problems frequently interfere with recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) but are under-recognised and undertreated. Consistent implementation of clinical practice guidelines for proactive detection and treatment of...