Hospital Contact Research Articles

Networks with correlated edge processes

Abstract This article proposes methods to model non-stationary temporal graph processes motivated by a hospital interaction data set. This corresponds to modelling the observation of edge variables indicating interactions between pairs of nodes exhibiting dependence and evolution in time over interactions. This article thus blends (integer) time series models with flexible static network models to produce models of temporal graph data, and statistical fitting procedures for time-varying interaction data. We illustrate the power of our proposed fitting method by analysing a hospital contact network, and this shows the challenge in modelling and inferring correlation between a large number of variables.

Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Diabetes Mellitus: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study.

The risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to determine whether diabetes mellitus (DM) increases ESRD risk in a large inception cohort of SLE patients. By means of the Danish National Patient Registry, we identified 3,178 adult patients diagnosed as having SLE between January 1, 1996, and July 31, 2018. DM was defined as the date of first hospital contact for DM or date of a first prescription of an antidiabetic drug. ESRD was defined as first registration of dialysis, renal transplant, or terminal renal insufficiency in the Danish National Patient Registry. ESRD incidence was compared between SLE patients with DM (SLE-DM) and those without DM (SLE-non-DM). Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for sex, age, educational level, and occupational status at baseline were calculated for sex, age, educational level, and hypertension (at baseline or during follow-up) strata. The overall hazard ratio (HR) was also adjusted for hypertension. The SLE-DM group included 290 patients, of whom 77% were female, compared with 85% of the 2,859 patients in the SLE-non-DM group. SLE-DM patients had a 3 times higher risk of ESRD compared with SLE-non-DM patients (multivariable-adjusted HR 3.3 [95% confidence interval 1.8-6.1]). In stratified multivariable-adjusted analyses, DM increased the rate of ESRD in women and men, patients ≥50 years old at baseline, those with low educational level at baseline, and those with concomitant hypertension. Our findings indicate that SLE patients with DM have a markedly higher risk of developing ESRD compared with SLE patients without DM.

Immediate contact between mother and newborn in the first hour of life: a cross-sectional study

Objective: to compare population and care characteristics of adherence to immediate contact between mother and newborn in the first hour of life in two public maternity hospitals at usual risk. Methods: cross-sectional study with 105 mothers after normal delivery and their respective newborns in the first hour of life in two maternity hospitals with Prepartum, Labor, and Puerperium units. We used an instrument with 36 questions based on the National Guidelines of Assistance to Normal Birth. Analysis was based on the chi-square test for homogeneity and Fisher's exact test to compare the assistance provided in maternity hospitals. Results: both maternity hospitals attended the usual risk binomials. Regarding the assistance provided, only the federal maternity promoted encouragement of immediate contact between mother and newborn in the first hour of life, besides favouring 7.1% (n=3) of the binomials with the golden hour in a correct and significant way (p=0.037). Conclusion: despite the similarity of the assistance profile, only one maternity hospital performed the golden hour, being necessary the insertion of good practices in maternity hospitals. Contributions to practice: direct observation of the assistance provided to binomial identified gaps in the format and and durability of the immediate contact in maternity hospitals.

The risk of an incident hospital contact with a musculoskeletal disorder in Danish occupational fishers: a register-based study

BackgroundThe prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among occupational fishers is high, yet knowledge of the risk factors is scarce and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk from various work-related characteristics on incident hospital contact due to a musculoskeletal disorders and other pain disorders among Danish occupational fishers.MethodsThis register-based study comprised data from the Danish Occupational Cohort with eXposure (DOC*X) for all persons registered as occupational fishers between 1994 and 2017. Time-to-event analysis with Cox regression model was used with age as the time scale.ResultsAmong the 15,739 fishers, 40% (n = 5,669 cases) had an incident hospital contact with an MSD during follow-up. Back disorders were the dominant complaint. Male fishers working less than 5 years or more than 15 years had higher risks of MSD (HR 2.40 (95% CI: 2.06, 2.80), HR: 2.04 (95% CI: 1.76, 2.35), respectively, than those working for over 20 years. Period effects confounded and reduced the risk from occupational seniority.ConclusionFishers occupational seniority vary in risk of MSDs across working life. Results showed a nonlinear relationship between the highest risk for fishers working less than 5 years and the lowest risk working more than 20 years as occupational fisher. More years in the workforce, a captain education, and primarily working part time significantly reduced the risk of experiencing a first MSDs for men. Healthy worker effect was documented.

A population-based retrospective cohort study of end-of-life emergency department visits by people with dementia: multilevel modelling of individual- and service-level factors using linked data.

emergency department (ED) visits have inherent risks for people with dementia yet increase towards the end-of-life. Although some individual-level determinants of ED visits have been identified, little is known about service-level determinants. to examine individual- and service-level factors associated with ED visits by people with dementia in the last year of life. retrospective cohort study using hospital administrative and mortality data at the individual-level, linked to health and social care service data at the area-level across England. The primary outcome was number of ED visits in the last year of life. Subjects were decedents with dementia recorded on the death certificate, with at least one hospital contact in the last 3 years of life. of 74,486 decedents (60.5% women; mean age 87.1 years (standard deviation: 7.1)), 82.6% had at least one ED visit in their last year of life. Factors associated with more ED visits included: South Asian ethnicity (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.13), chronic respiratory disease as the underlying cause of death (IRR 1.17, 95% CI 1.14-1.20) and urban residence (IRR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08). Higher socioeconomic position (IRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.90-0.94) and areas with higher numbers of nursing home beds (IRR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.93)-but not residential home beds-were associated with fewer ED visits at the end-of-life. the value of nursing home care in supporting people dying with dementia to stay in their preferred place of care must be recognised, and investment in nursing home bed capacity prioritised.

Healthcare resource utilization prior to suicide death or suicide attempt in patients with major depressive disorder-A Danish registry-based cohort study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with suicide events and with increased healthcare resource utilization (HRU). The aim was to analyze the pattern of HRU prior to death by suicide or suicide attempt in patients with MDD using national registries. Danish adults with MDD, who died by suicide or had a first-time suicide attempt, were matched with MDD controls on age, sex, and MDD severity and analyzed for psychiatric and non-psychiatric hospital and private practitioner contacts, and prescriptions 1 year prior to the event. For individuals having a second suicide attempt, HRU prior to first and second suicide attempt was analyzed. Among 1061 individuals dying by suicide and 3759 individuals with suicide attempt, compared with their controls, the proportion with psychiatric hospitalization was more than 50% increased, mainly accounted for by acute contacts. The difference to the matched controls decreased with increasing MDD severity. Non-psychiatric HRU was increased as well. The proportion with psychiatric hospitalizations or ED visits was reduced prior to the second attempt compared with first attempt. Among individuals with MDD, psychiatric and non-psychiatric HRU was increased 1 year prior to suicide event. The proportion of individuals who had psychiatric HRU decreased from first to second suicide attempt.

Age of First Overweight and Obesity, COVID-19 and Long COVID in Two British Birth Cohorts

Longer exposure to obesity, and thus a longer period in an inflamed state, may increase susceptibility to infectious diseases and worsen severity. Previous cross-sectional work finds higher BMI is related to worse COVID-19 outcomes, but less is known about associations with BMI across adulthood. To examine this, we used body mass index (BMI) collected through adulthood in the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS) and the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70). Participants were grouped by the age they were first overweight (> 25 kg/m2) and obese (> 30 kg/m2). Logistic regression was used to assess associations with COVID-19 (self-reported and serology-confirmed), severity (hospital admission and contact with health services) and long-COVID reported at ages 62 (NCDS) and 50 (BCS70). An earlier age of obesity and overweight, compared to those who never became obese or overweight, was associated with increased odds of adverse COVID-19 outcomes, but results were mixed and often underpowered. Those with early exposure to obesity were over twice as likely in NCDS (odds ratio (OR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–4.00) and three times as likely in BCS70 (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.74–5.22) to have long COVID. In NCDS they were also over four times as likely to be admitted to hospital (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.64–13.39). Most associations were somewhat explained by contemporaneous BMI or reported health, diabetes or hypertension; however, the association with hospital admission in NCDS remained. An earlier age of obesity onset is related to COVID-19 outcomes in later life, providing evidence of the long-term impact of raised BMI on infectious disease outcomes in midlife.

Acquired Brain Injury Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Nationwide Study of Labor Market Attachment.

Purpose Young patients represent a particularly vulnerable group regarding vocational prognosis after an acquired brain injury (ABI). We aimed to investigate how sequelae and rehabilitation needs are associated with vocational prognosis up to 3 years after an ABI in 15-30-year-old patients. Methods An incidence cohort of 285 patients with ABI completed a questionnaire on sequelae and rehabilitation interventions and needs 3 months after the index hospital contact. They were followed-up for up to 3 years with respect to the primary outcome "stable return to education/work (sRTW)", which was defined using a national register of public transfer payments. Data were analyzed using cumulative incidence curves and cause-specific hazard ratios. Results Young individuals reported a high frequency of mainly pain-related (52%) and cognitive sequelae (46%) at 3months. Motor problems were less frequent (18%), but negatively associated with sRTW within 3years (adjusted HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39-0.84). Rehabilitation interventions were received by 28% while 21% reported unmet rehabilitation needs, and both factors were negatively associated with sRTW (adjusted HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48-0.91 and adjusted HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.51-1.01). Conclusions Young patients frequently experienced sequelae and rehabilitation needs 3months post ABI, which was negatively associated with long-term labor market attachment. The low rate of sRTW among patients with sequelae and unmet rehabilitation needs indicates an untapped potential for ameliorated vocational and rehabilitating initiatives targeted at young patients.

Bioprospecting of aqueous phase from pyrolysis of plant waste residues to disrupt MRSA biofilms

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have increased at an alarming rate, recently. In India, stubble burning and air pollution due to the burning of agricultural and forest residues have also increased over the past decade causing environmental and health hazards. This work evaluates the anti-biofilm property of the aqueous phase obtained from pyrolysis of wheat straw (WS AQ) and pine cone (PC AQ) against an MRSA isolate. The WS AQ and PC AQ compositions were determined by GC-MS analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration was found to be 8% (v v−1) and 5% (v v−1) for WS AQ and PC AQ, respectively. The eradication of biofilms was performed on hospital contact surfaces namely, stainless steel and polypropylene and found to be 51% and 52% for WS AQ and PC AQ, respectively. Compounds identified from the aqueous phase of WS and PC docked against AgrA protein showed good binding scores.

Multidimensional individualized nutritional therapy for individuals with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study protocol for a registry-based randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIndividuals with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often at risk of undernutrition with low health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Undernutrition can worsen COPD and other comorbidities, be an independent predictor of morbidity and functional decline resulting in increased healthcare consumption and increased risk of death. Especially exacerbations and acute infections result in unintentional weight loss. The aim is to investigate the effect of an individualized nutritional intervention among individuals with severe COPD.MethodsAn open-label randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Participants are recruited from the pulmonary outpatient clinic at the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, North Zealand, Denmark, and randomly allocated to either the intervention (intervention + standard of care) or control group (standard of care). The intervention has a duration of 3 months and combines individual nutritional care with adherence support and practical tools. It contains 4 elements including an individual nutritional plan, regular contacts, adherence support, and weight diary. The primary outcome is a difference in HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L) between the intervention and control group 3 months after baseline. Difference in functional capacity (grip strength, 30-s stand chair test, and physical activity), disease-specific quality of life (COPD Assessment Test), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), nutritional parameters (energy and protein intake), anthropometry (weight, body mass index, waist, hip, and upper arm circumference), body composition (total fat-free and fat mass and indices), and prognosis (exacerbations, oxygen therapy, hospital contacts, and mortality) 3 months after baseline will be included as secondary outcomes. Data will be collected through home visits at baseline and 1 and 3 months after baseline.DiscussionCurrently, nutritional care is a neglected area of outpatient care among individuals with severe COPD. If this patient-centered approach can demonstrate a positive impact on HRQoL, mortality, and hospital contacts, it should be recommended as part of end-of-life care for individuals with severe COPD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04873856. Registered on May 3, 2021.

SG-APSIC1095: Acquisition rate of carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) among hospital contacts of CPO patients: An interim subgroup analysis of a cohort study

Objectives: The increase in carbapenemase-producing organism (CPO) transmission among hospitalized patients is a growing concern. Studies investigating the transmission of CPO to epidemiologically linked contacts are scarce. We conducted an interim subgroup analysis of the ongoing multicenter household transmission of CPO in Singapore (CaPES-C) study to identify the acquisition rate of CPO among epidemiologically linked contacts of hospitalized CPO patients. Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted between January and December 2021. We recruited CPO-positive patients and their epidemiologically linked contacts. Stool samples were collected from the patients at baseline, day 3, day 7, and at weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48. Additionally, a sample was collected at the time of discharge from the hospital. Xpert Carba-R test was used to detect CPO genotypes in the stool samples. In this interim analysis, we calculated the acquisition rate of CPO among the epidemiologically linked hospital contacts of CPO positive patients using Stata version 15 software. Results: We recruited 22 (56.4%) CPO-positive index patients [blaNDM, n = 7 (31.8%); blaIMP, n = 3 (13.6%); blaOXA-48, n = 10 (45.5%), others, n = 2 (9.1%)] and 14 (35.9%) epidemiologically linked hospital contacts. The median age of CPO-positive patients was 72.5 years (IQR, 62–82) and 15 (68.2%) were female. The median age for the epidemiologically linked contacts was 82.5 years (IQR, 70–85) and 4 (28.6%) were female. After 1,082 patient days, 2 (14.3%) epidemiologically linked contacts tested positive for CPO giving an acquisition rate of 1.85 per 1,000 patient days (95% CI, 0.46 – 7.39). One of these participants acquired a concordant genotype (blaOXA-48) at day 7 and the other acquired a discordant genotype (CPO positive index, blaIMP; epidemiologically linked contact, blaNDM) at week 12 of follow-up. Conclusions: This small interim analysis revealed a high conversion rate among epidemiologically linked hospital contacts. A larger study is needed to understand the influence of genotypes, hospital environment, and human behavior on the transmission of CPO in hospitals.

SG-APSIC1176: Laboratory-acquired COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 ο (omicron) pandemic wave at a tertiary-care hospital in Korea

Objectives: Laboratory-acquired infection (LAI) of SARS-CoV is well known, but MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 LAI has not yet been reported. Beginning last November, COVID-19 cases increased among laboratory staff at our 2,700-bed tertiary-care hospital. A 7-day home-quarantine policy for healthcare workers when household members were confirmed with SARS-COV-2 was lifted February 28. We investigated LAI and its risk factors. Methods: From March 21 to 25, all confirmed cases of COVID-19 among 176 laboratory staff were surveyed with questionnaire to collect the following data: symptom onset and period, SARS-CoV-2 PCR–positive sample date, age, sex, infection in household members, close contact with COVID-19 confirmed staff, work type, work unit, possibility of LAI and LAI risk factors. Results: In total, 54 laboratory staff (30.1%) were confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection; first 1 person on November 28 and 1 person on November 30, 2021, then 13 in February 2022 and 39 later in 2022. Overall, 22 cases had previously infected household members, and 9 cases suspected that they had had hospital contact with an infected patients through phlebotomy or bedside tests. In total, 25 cases of possible LAI mainly occurred in clusters of 3, 6, or 7 people through person-to-person transmission of a coworker who had an infected family member. The remaining 9 cases, including 1 sample receptionist, 2 urine analysis technicians, and 6 SARS-CoV-2 PCR test staff, may have been infected through an infected sample. However, person-to-person transmission was still possible because most shared a changing room and lounge in the same work unit. Conclusions: The most important cause of LAI is person-to-person transmission between coworkers; therefore, home quarantine is an effective measure to prevent LAI when a household member is infected wish SARS-CoV-2. Handling of infected specimens may be the second most common cause of LAI.

Skin Cancer Screening and Medical Treatment Intensity in Patients With Malignant Melanoma and Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancer-A Study of AOK Insurees in the First Year After Diagnosis, 2014/2015.

This cohort study concerns the effect of skin cancer screening (SCS) on medical treatment intensity in patients with skin cancer. Routine data from persons aged 35 to 99 who were insured by the AOK health insurance company were used to identify persons who received a diagnosis of malignant melanoma or a non-melanocytic skin cancer in 2014 or 2015, either through skin cancer screening or without screening. These persons were included in cohort studies. The routine data contained no information on tumor stages or grading. Tumor-associated rates of hospital admission, contact with physicians in outpatient practice, and intensity of surgical treatment were determined; rate ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. The cohort studies included 13 633 patients with melanoma (6480 with SCS and 7153 without) and 118 168 patients with non-melanocytic skin cancer (43 308 with screening and 74 860 without). Patients whose melanomas had been detected by screening hat a lower medical treatment intensity than unscreened patients (intensity of tumor-associated surgical treatment (RR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.74; 0.85]), hospital contact rate (RR = 0.44, 95% CI: [0.38; 0.50]), contact with physicians in outpatient practice (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: [0.73; 0.85]). Among patients with non-melanocytic skin cancer, the screened patients displayed a lower hospital contact rate (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: [0.49; 0.56]), a higher contact rate in the outpatient sector (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: [1.08; 1.13]), and no difference in surgical treatment intensity (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: [0.96; 1.00]). SCS is associated with lower medical treatment intensity in the first 12 months after diagnosis in patients with melanoma. Among patients with non-melanocytic skin cancer, those who had been screened had lower hospital contact rates, but there was no observed lowering of other rates reflecting treatment intensity.

HUBUNGAN BRAND IMAGE DENGAN KEPUTUSAN PENGGUNAAN LAYANAN DI INSTALASI RAWAT JALAN RSIA SITTI KHADIJAH 1 MAKASSAR

Brand image is a perception or view of a brand, the perception can be good or bad. Brand image consists of components of hospital identity, physical environment, contact personnel, service offering, and hospital individuality. This study aims to determine the relationship between brand image and decisions to use health services at the Outpatient Installation of RSIA Sitti Khadijah 1 Makassar. The type of research used is quantitative research with a designcross sectional study.The sampling technique is purposive sampling with a total of 99 respondents. Hypothesis testing used is chi square test analysis. The results showed that the significant value of hospital identity (p=0.006), physical environment (p=0.000), contact personnel (p=0.017), service offering (p=0.006), hospital individuality (p=0.006). The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between all independent variables, namely hospital identity, physical environment, contact personnel, service offerings, hospital individuality and the decision to use health services. This research can be a reference for hospitals to improve services in order to retain customers and increase the number of visits to hospitals.
 Keywords: Brand image, patient decision, hospital, health services.

Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and overall morbidities: a Danish nationwide cohort study from 1996 to 2018

Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure is harmful and can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis identified 428 comorbidities in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and reported pooled prevalence estimates. We aimed to investigate overall risk of morbidities in heavy prenatal alcohol-exposed children by estimating risk of the identified comorbidities, and previously unidentified diseases and health-related problems. Our Danish nationwide register-based cohort study included all singleton births. Individuals were followed up to age 18 years, between 1996 and 2018. Stillbirths and children of immigrants were not included in the study, and births of women who migrated within 1 year before or during pregnancy were also excluded due to loss to follow-up. Data on health and education were extracted from the Danish Medical Birth Register, the Danish National Patient Registry, the Danish National Prescription Registry, the Danish Civil Registration System, and the Population Education Register. We estimated crude and standardised risk differences of hospital diagnoses. Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure was defined by hospital contacts with alcohol-attributable diagnoses given to the mother or her child, or by maternal redeemed prescriptions for drugs to treat alcohol dependence 1 year before or during pregnancy. Of 1 407 689 identified singleton births, 219 186 were excluded for reasons including they were born to immigrants, lost to follow-up, or were stillbirths. Of the remaining 1 188 503 children, 4799 (0·4%) had heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and 1 183 704 (99·6%) were classified as non-alcohol-exposed births. 578 179 (48·6%) babies were female and 610 324 (51·4%) were male. We found 234 of 428 previously identified comorbidities in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, of which 29 conditions had a standardised risk difference of at least 0·5%, predominantly related to brain function, behavioural disorders, infections, and neonatal conditions. The four highest standardised risk differences were found for low birthweight (4·70% [95% CI 3·70-5·71]), small for gestational age (4·63% [3·72-5·55]), delayed milestone (3·81% [2·99-4·64]), and other preterm infants (2·69% [1·71-3·68]). Of previously unidentified diseases and health-related problems, 32 of 719 had a standardised risk difference of at least 1·0%, mainly related to brain function, some injuries, substance-related conditions, and childhood adversities. Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with an overall increased risk of child morbidities and previously unrecognised alcohol-related health problems. Prenatal alcohol exposure is a key public health issue with a potential negative impact on child and adolescent health. This study urges for renewed efforts and substantiates the profound degree to which pre-conceptional care is mandatory. The Obel Family Foundation, The Health Foundation, TrygFonden, Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Foundation, The North Denmark Region Health Science and Research Foundation, Holms Memorial Foundation, Dagmar Marshalls Foundation, the A.P. Møller Foundation, King Christian X Foundation, Torben and Alice Frimodts Foundation, the Axel and Eva Kastrup-Nielsens Foundation, and the A.V. Lykfeldts Foundation.

Centralization of emergency hospital care is not associated with increased in-hospital mortality; a population-based cohort study.

We describe changes in the distance travelled, the utilization of emergency services, and the inhospital mortality before and after the centralization of hospital emergency services in Denmark. All unplanned non-psychiatric hospital contacts from adults (aged ≥18 years) in 2008 and 2016 are included. Analyses are age-standardized and conducted at a municipality level. The municipalities are divided into groups according to the presence of emergency hospital services. Municipalities where hospitals with emergency services have been closed differed by having the most significant increase in distance travelled from 2008 to 2016. All groups experienced a reduction in overall in-hospital mortality. The reduction in mortality was not present for acute myocardial infarct contacts from municipalities where hospitals with emergency services have been closed. Our data do not suggest that hospital closures, and thereby increased travel distance, have contributed significantly as a barrier to emergency-care access and changes to in-hospital mortality.

Mental health outcomes in parents of children with a cancer diagnosis in Sweden: A nationwide cohort study.

The diagnosis of paediatric cancer is a crisis for the parents who are the primary caregivers of the affected child. A comprehensive assessment of the longitudinal impact of childhood cancer on parental mental health and the potential sex differences between the parents is lacking. Thus, we aimed to explore the subsequent short- and long-term mental health outcomes among the parents of children with cancer and examine whether the outcomes vary between the mother and father. By combining several Swedish registers, parents of a child (ages 0-14 years) with a cancer diagnosis between Jan 1, 2006, and Dec 31, 2016 were identified. For each parent of children with cancer, up to five mothers or fathers of cancer-free children were randomly selected and matched, respectively. Hospital contacts for any mental health disorders between 5 years before and 7 years after the diagnosis of childhood cancer were retrieved. An interrupted time series negative binomial regression was performed to assess the short- and long-term impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis on the parents' subsequent mental health outcomes. 16,199 mothers (2852 with a child with cancer and 13,347 without) and 15,708 fathers (2769 with a child with cancer and 12,939 without) were included in this study. Compared with mothers of children without cancer, mothers of children with cancer had higher risks of mental health disorders in the first year after diagnosis (rate ratio [RR] and 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.17 (1.03-1.32)), and notably, the adverse impact became more severe over time (RR and 95% CI, 1.36 (1.07-1.74), in the seventh year). For fathers of children with cancer, the risk of mental health disorders was continuously higher compared to matched comparisons (RR and 95% CI, 1.31 (1.01-1.71)). Our findings suggested that parental mental health was affected continuously by a diagnosis of childhood cancer in their children. In particular, the mother's mental health was affected more severely. Customised psychological services or interventions are highly needed for the parents of children with cancer. Swedish Research Council, Allmänna Sjukhusets i Malmö Stiftelsen för bekämpande av cancer, Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, ALF funding from Region Skåne and China Scholarship Council.

Child Maltreatment Education: Utilizing an Escape Room Activity to Engage Learners on a Sensitive Topic.

Child Maltreatment Education: Utilizing an Escape Room Activity to Engage Learners on a Sensitive Topic.

Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and obstetric and birth outcomes: a Danish nationwide cohort study from 1996 to 2018

Heavy alcohol use during pregnancy can harm the fetus, but the relation to most obstetric outcomes remains unclear. We therefore aimed to describe maternal characteristics and estimate the association between heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and 22 adverse obstetric and birth outcomes. We carried out a Danish nationwide register-based historical cohort study, including all singleton births from Jan 1, 1996, to Dec 31, 2018. Births of women who had emigrated to Denmark were excluded from the study due to missing data and women who migrated within 1 year before or during pregnancy were also excluded due to loss to follow-up. Data were extracted from the Danish Medical Birth Register, the Danish National Patient Registry, the Danish National Prescription Registry, the Danish Civil Registration System, and the Population Education Register. Logistic regression models were used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of obstetric and birth outcomes. Heavy alcohol use was defined by hospital contacts for alcohol-attributable diagnoses given to the mother, her infant, or both, or maternal redeemed prescriptions for drugs to treat alcohol dependence within 1 year before or during pregnancy. Of 1 191 295 included births, 4823 (0·40%) were defined as heavily alcohol-exposed and 1 186 472 were categorised as a reference group with no identified heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. Heavy-alcohol-exposed births more often had mothers with psychiatric diagnoses (49·8% vs 9·6%), substance use (22·0% vs 0·4%), tobacco use (64·3% vs 15·8%), and low educational level (64·1% vs 17·6%) than did the reference group. For heavy-alcohol-exposed births, significantly increased adjusted ORs were found for small for gestational age (OR 2·20 [95% CI 1·97-2·45]), preterm birth (OR 1·32 [1·19-1·46]), haemorrhage in late pregnancy (OR 1·25 [1·05-1·49]), and preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (OR 1·18 [1·00-1·39]). Decreased adjusted ORs were found for postpartum haemorrhage (500-999 mL; OR 0·80 [95% CI 0·69-0·93]), gestational diabetes (OR 0·81 [0·67-0·99]), planned caesarean section (OR 0·82 [0·72-0·94]), pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (OR 0·83 [0·71-0·96]), and abnormalities of forces of labour (OR 0·92 [0·86-0·99]). Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with adverse obstetric and birth outcomes and high proportions of maternal low educational level, psychiatric disease, and lifestyle risk behaviours. These findings highlight a need for holistic public health programmes and policy attention on improving pre-conceptional care and antenatal care. The Obel Family Foundation, The Health Foundation, TrygFonden, Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Foundation, The North Denmark Region Health Science and Research Foundation, Holms Memorial Foundation, Dagmar Marshalls Foundation, the A.P. Møller Foundation, King Christian X Foundation, Torben and Alice Frimodts Foundation, the Axel and Eva Kastrup-Nielsens Foundation, the A.V. Lykfeldts Foundation.

Endocrine disease history and the risk of postpartum depression.

Previous research has suggested that some women are at increased risk of postpartum depression (PPD) because of an extra sensitivity to fluctuating hormones before and after parturition. This may particularly apply to women with endocrine disease, characterised by a less than optimal capability to self-regulate the hormonal feedback system. To investigate if women with endocrine disease history are at increased risk of developing PPD. Based on information from Danish national registers, this nationwide cohort study included 888 989 deliveries (1995-2018). Endocrine disease history was defined as thyroid disease, pre-pregnancy diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and/or previous gestational diabetes within 10 years before pregnancy start. PPD was defined as use of antidepressants and/or hospital contact for depression within 6 months after childbirth. Among 888 989 deliveries, 4.1% had a history of endocrine disease and 0.5% had a PPD episode. Overall, women with an endocrine disease history had a 42% (risk ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.24-1.62) higher risk of PPD when compared with women with no endocrine disease. However, we also found the reverse association, whereby women with a PPD history had a 50% (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.6) higher risk of endocrine disease when compared with women with no PPD history. Women with endocrine disease history had a 40% higher risk of PPD compared with women with no endocrine disease. More attention should be given to pregnant women with endocrine disease history to increase awareness of early signs of PPD. The bi-directionality of the association points to a common underlying factor.