International Questionnaire Research Articles

THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE PANCREAS AND LIVER IN CHRONIC PANCREATITIS IN COMBINATION WITH CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS C DEPENDING ON THE INDEX OF THE SURVEY ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CAGE QUESTIONNAIRE.

The aim: To conduct a comparative analysis of parameters of the structural and functional state of the liver and pancreas in patients with chronic pancreatitis in comorbidity with treated etiologically chronic viral hepatitis C, depending on the results of testing according to the international CAGE questionnaire. Materials and methods: 100 ambulatory patients with CP with concomitant HCV, treated etiotropically, were examined. All patients were examined ac-cording to generally accepted algorithms. To establish the role of alcohol on the formation of CP and the condition of patients with treated HCV, latent craving for alcohol was verified using the international CAGE questionnaire. The study of the density of the liver parenchyma and the liver of the patients was carried out not only according to the ultrasound data in the B-mode, but also with the simultaneous measurement of the shear wave elastography (SWE) method on the Ultima PA scanning ultrasound device with the further determination of the median of the parameters, which characterizes the stiffness in kilopascals (kPa). Determination of the presence and depth of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) was carried out by the content of fecal elastase-1 (FE-1), which was determined by the enzyme immunoassay method. Results: Screening-testing of patients with CP on the background of etiotropically treated HCV using the CAGE scale made it possible to state that 65.0% of such patients had a hidden craving for alcohol, and 21.0% of this cohort were women, which needs to be taken into account in the management of such patients. It has been proven that in the group of patients with CAGE≥2.0, the level of functional and structural changes in the liver and liver was significantly more severe (according to the deepening of the PEI, a decrease in fecal α-elastase by 13.01%, according to an increase in the total index of the coprogram by 15.11% and the total US-indicator of the pancreas structure by 28.06%, and the total US-indicator of the liver structure - by 40.68% (p<0.05) and corresponded to the average degree of severity of the process in panceas according to the criteria of the Marseille-Cambridge classification, and in the group with CAGE<2.0 - only a mild degree. Conclusions: The negative effect of the factor of increased alcohol use according to CAGE was proven by increasing the density of the echostructure of the liver by 5.73% (p<0.05), and the liver by 5.16% (p<0.05). According to the results of the correlation analysis of the dependence of the structural state of the liver and PW of the studied patients on the value of the CAGE scale, which was R=0.713, p<0.05, and R=0.686, p<0.05, respectively, it was established that there is a strong direct dependence of the structural state of the liver and PW from the value of the CAGE questionnaire, which proved an independent, reliably significant role of alcohol consumption for patients with a comorbid course of CP and HCV.

Evaluation of stigma among patients reporting to a tertiary care psychiatric center

Background: Stigma toward mental illness is a pervasive concern that impacts the way psychiatric disorders are perceived. Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the stigma experienced by patients visiting a psychiatric care facility and the associated factors contributing to the development of stigma. Methodology: 150 patients presenting to Psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care centre were screened using Mini international neuropsychiatric interview questionnaire to segregate patients into various psychiatric groups. These patients were further assessed for the degree of stigma utilizing the Stigma scale and Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness-10. Results: 60.7% of the participants reported facing discrimination, which was highest in those with mania. 67.3% patients preferred not to disclose their illness, especially those with psychotic disorders. Eighty-six percent did not expect any positive results from their illness, most of them with psychotic disorders. 68.7% of the patients experienced total stigma, highest in mania. Sixty-four percent experienced high internalized stigma mostly in mania. Stigma was irrespective of age, sex, education, employment, and family type. Conclusion: A large segment of participants in the study sample claimed to have suffered from stigma, i.e., they faced discrimination, preferred not to reveal information about their illness, denied any positive outcomes from their illness, and endured self-stigma owing to their illness. Patients with mania faced the most discrimination, total stigma, and internalized stigma whereas disclosure and positive aspects were mostly in psychotic disorders. High levels of stigma observed are a barrier to availing mental health-care facilities.

Sleep disorders and fatigue in patients with different forms of myotonic dystrophy type 1

To characterize sleep disorders in children and adults with different forms of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), to assess their impact on cognitive functions, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and fatigue, to determine the relationship of EDS, fatigue, and sleep disorders with the quality of life of patients. The study included 48 adults and 9 children with confirmed DM1. Patients underwent an assessment of clinical and anamnestic data, neurological, cognitive status, severity of EDS, fatigue, quality of life according to international scales and questionnaires. Polysomnography was performed to identify sleep disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was found in 78% of children and 79.2% of adults. The severity of OSAS in adults, in contrast to children, was influenced by obesity (p<0.001), the severity of muscle weakness (p=0.033), especially the neck muscles (p=0.018). In patients with OSAS and nocturnal hypoxemia, an increase in the duration of the 1st stage of sleep (p=0.008) and in the microactivation index (p=0.005) was revealed. EDS and fatigue were present in 31 (64.6%) and 34 (70.8%) adults, respectively, in 9 (18.8%) they emerged at the onset of the disease. The greater severity of muscle symptoms, anxiety, depression contributed to increased fatigue in adults and the presence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus contributed to EDS. Increased fatigue affects the quality of life to a greater extent than EDS and sleep disturbances. OSAS, the development of which is facilitated by the presence of muscle weakness and obesity, is the leading syndrome among the spectrum of sleep disorders in all age groups. Cognitive and emotional impairments are not the result of sleep apnea, but rather develop because of a primary CNS lesion. The presence of increased fatigue reduced the quality of life of patients.

Awareness and knowledge of familial Mediterranean fever among medical scope students in Syrian universities: A cross-sectional study

Familial Mediterranean fever is an autoinflammatory autosomal recessive disorder common among individuals of Mediterranean descent. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever accompanied by peritonitis, pleurisy, pericarditis, and/or arthritis, sometimes accompanied by an erysipelas-like rash. Mimicking manifestation of other inflammatory conditions and the diversity of symptoms leads to insufficient knowledge and understanding. General knowledge about this disease is considered low in most populations, but this bears greater consequences in people with high incidence rates. This study investigates the knowledge of familial Mediterranean fever among a group of medical students in public and private Syrian universities. A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2022, and an international standard-based electronic questionnaire was adopted. The study included 758 current undergraduate medical scope students from public and private universities in Syria. The survey used for this study included inquiries made to assess awareness using global standards. It was divided into 2 sections, with 7 questions focusing on sociodemographic characteristics and 17 questions assessing the students' understanding of Familial Mediterranean fever. Our analysis showed strong correlations between the knowledge of Familial Mediterranean fever and certain specialization, college, academic year, and marital status. The mean score of answers was 9.39 out of 17 for all participants. The mean score of answers for medical students was 10.01 out of 17, while it was 8.81 for pharmaceutical students and 6.51 for dental students. These differences were statistically significant, p-value <0.001. This means medical students know better than pharmaceutical students, who already have better knowledge than dental students. We conclude that medical scope students' knowledge about the disease of Familial Mediterranean fever and its management is ineffective, especially among dental students, even in a country with high prevalence rates for Familial Mediterranean fever like Syria.

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of urinary incontinence in Japanese women: A web-based cross-sectional study.

Epidemiological studies on urinary incontinence that used a validated international standard questionnaire are limited in Japan, and few studies have examined the sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of urinary incontinence. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence according to the Japanese version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, and its sociodemographic and behavioral correlates among Japanese women. A web-based cross-sectional study. A randomly sampled cross-sectional Internet survey was conducted in Japan among 3030 women aged 20-64 years. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score, sociodemographic, body mass index, medical and childbirth history, practice of pelvic floor muscle training, and medical care use were obtained. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and forced-entry logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. Participants' average age was 43.4 years, and the response rate was 32.9%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 25.5%, and it increased with age. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common subtype (57.4%), followed by urge urinary incontinence (20.3%) and mixed urinary incontinence (16.7%). Less than 5% of those with urinary incontinence had experience with pelvic floor muscle training and medical care use. Middle-aged and older (p < 0.001), overweight and obesity (p < 0.001), vaginal delivery status (p < 0.001), low back pain (p = 0.008), and previous pelvic floor muscle training engagement (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with urinary incontinence. Increasing population awareness of urinary incontinence from an early age and developing effective interventions for the identified at-risk groups, such as the middle-aged and older, those with overweight and obesity, and those with previous pregnancies, are urgently needed.

A study of adverse childhood experiences and psychopathology of imprisoned sexual offenders at a central prison, Hyderabad, Telangana

Abstract Introduction: Sexual offense has been defined as sexual contact with another person (including touching of the sexual organs of another) or touching of another person with one’s sexual organs without that person’s consent. Adverse childhood experiences could lead to health problems, behavioral problems, and psychosocial problems like crimes. Aims: The aim is to study adverse childhood experiences and psychopathology of imprisoned sexual offenders. Materials and Methods: A sample of 48 sexual offenders from a central prison and after taking informed consent, a semi-structured intake pro forma was used, followed by that adverse childhood experiences–international questionnaire, Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview-7.0.2 were applied. Results: It was found that the majority of the offenders had experienced adversities in their childhood, the most common being community violence and physical abuse, emotional neglect. Half of the participants had antisocial personality disorder. A statistically significant relationship was found between adverse childhood experiences score and number of offenses committed (P = 0.002). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the presence of adverse childhood experiences could affect physical, mental health in adulthood, and increase crimes.

The prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of intimate partner violence and its association with adverse childhood experiences among pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with suboptimal HIV treatment outcomes, but its distribution and risk factors among certain subpopulations of people living with HIV in resource-limited settings are not well known. We examined the prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of IPV and its association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi. This study used longitudinal data for 455 pregnant women living with HIV continuously enrolled in the VITAL Start trial. IPV was assessed at baseline and months 1, 6, and 12 using the widely validated WHO IPV survey. Forms of IPV assessed were physical IPV, emotional IPV, and sexual IPV measured as prevalence, incidence, and recurrence. ACE histories were assessed using WHO's ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) tool. Logistic and log-binomial regressions were used in multivariable analyses that controlled for factors such as depression and alcohol use. Participants' mean age was 27.6 ± 5.7 years. Forty-three percent (43%) reported IPV prevalence, 13% reported IPV incidence, and another 13% reported IPV recurrence, with emotional IPV being the most commonly reported IPV type. Over 96% reported experiencing ⩾1 ACE. In regression analysis, cumulative ACE scores were significantly associated with IPV prevalence and IPV recurrence and in both cases, the magnitude of association was greatest for sexual IPV compared with physical IPV and emotional IPV. ACE scores were not significantly associated with IPV incidence. IPV is highly prevalent among pregnant women living with HIV and continues to occur throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period; its graded relationship with ACEs is a concern in resource-limited settings where HIV/AIDS remains a public health concern. Strategies aimed to address the needs of pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV may benefit from the regular screening of this population for IPV and ACE, including in antenatal care clinics.

Оценка эффективности оздоровительных мероприятий, направленных на повышение качества жизни младших школьников, пребывающих на дистанционном обучении

Distant learning, being a necessary form for maintaining the educational process and teaching schoolchildren in extreme conditions of socio-demographic cataclysms, requires the close attention of scientists and in-depth research to prevent negative influences and optimize this process. The purpose — to evaluate the effectiveness of the impact of a health-improving program on the life quality of young schoolchildren undergoing distant learning. Material and methods. A study of the life quality of young schoolchildren was conducted using the international questionnaire Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory PedsQL 4.0TM with participation of 182 children, whose training took place in a distant format for 5 months. The main group of (79 children) consisted of young schoolchildren undergoing distant learning and a health-improving program. Control group I consisted of young schoolchildren also undergoing distant learning, but for various reasons not included in the health-improving program (103 people). Control group II included 234 primary young schoolchildren undergoing full-time education. Results. In the young schoolchildren undergoing distant learning, all aspects of life quality were decreased. Boys had a physical functioning reduced by 23.97 (2.18) points (p = 0.032), while girls had emotional functioning reduced by 22.04 (2.17) points (p = 0.025) and school functioning reduced by 16.77 (1.69) points (p = 0.021) compared with the indicators of children receiving full-time education. Conclusion. Distant learning decreases all aspects of life quality in schoolchildren. Health-improving measures contribute to increasing their life quality.

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Mexico: Prevalence and Association with Sociodemographic Variables and Health Status.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to a semantic field of negative childhood events that, in conjunction with insufficient personal, family, or contextual coping resources, have the potential of becoming traumatic. To assess the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their association with sociodemographic variables and physical and mental illnesses in a Mexican sample. A cross-sectional design was used. The sample included 917 Mexican adults who responded to the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Most of the participants were female (79.3%) with an average age of 37 years, a monthly income between 500 and 2,500 USD (59.2%), had completed university education (45.6%) and were married or in a common-law marriage (53.1%). Data was collected through Google Forms, and the link to the form was shared through electronic social networks. A total of 48.3% of the participants presented seven to nine types of ACEs. Among their responses, the most prevalent categories were emotional neglect (95.1%), family violence (83.3%), and emotional abuse (78.6%). A significant association was found between the number of ACEs and the mental illness diagnosis (x2(20) = 15.16; p<001). Women were found to report more experiences of sexual abuse (z = -6.62, p<. 001), whereas men reported more experiences of community violence (z= -4.27, p < .001) and collective violence (z = -3.94, p<.001). The prevalence of ACEs in the Mexican population is high. However, men and women reported differences in certain types of ACEs. It was found that people with a diagnosis and family history of mental illnesses presented a higher number of ACE categories.

Ранняя реабилитация дыхательной функции у пациентов, имеющих двусторонний парез голосовых складок

Therapeutic treatment of airway stenosis caused by vocal cord paralysis is a major challenge. Methodology, organization of research, treatment, and observation of such patients are necessary since the risk of developing respiratory failure and imposing a tracheotomy in the first months of the disease is especially high. Early diagnosis of impaired vocal fold mobility, the appointment of treatment, will contribute to the speedy rehabilitation of the respiratory function and reduce the number of complications. The purpose of the study is to develop a tactic for treatment and examination in patients with bilateral vocal fold paresis. The object of the study were 14 female patients with a diagnosis of bilateral vocal fold paresis caused by thyroid surgery. The following spirometry indicators were evaluated: FVC, FEV1, FEV/FVC, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25, which showed a significant impairment of air permeability at the level of the vocal folds, impaired ventilation of the bronchial tree, and a decrease in lung capacity. Endoscopic examination of the larynx also revealed a violation of the mobility of the vocal folds, which were in the paramedial position in 6 patients and in the median position in 6. The physical component of health and the psychological component were also assessed according to the standardized international questionnaire SF-36. The results obtained indicated an extreme degree of decrease in the patient’s psychological state on the verge of depression and also indicated the presence of respiratory failure. The information obtained as a result of such an examination can help in the choice of treatment tactics and further rehabilitation of patients.

Эффективность и безопасность применения препарата Ренобрейн® СМ у пациентов с хронической ишемией головного мозга

Aim: to study the efficacy and safety of bovine cerebral cortex polypeptides (BCCP) in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI). Patients and Methods: an open multicenter randomized prospective comparative clinical trial was conducted with the participation of 40 patients with CCI (ICD-10: 167.8) aged 55 to 75 years, having risk factors for cerebrovascular pathology (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia or atherosclerosis) and vascular brain damage (according to the data of MRI, the STRIVE v1 protocol). After randomization, main group (n=20) received standard therapy for the underlying disease and Renobrain® СМ 10 mg/day, intramuscularly, for 10 days. Control group (n=20) received only standard therapy of the underlying disease. Clinical and neurological examination was performed using international questionnaires to assess cognitive and functional disorders before and after the therapy course in 30–32 days (Schulte and DSST tests, asthenic state and life quality SF-36 scales). Results: the BCCP, in addition to standard therapy in patients with CCI contributed to a statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) improvement in cognitive functions (volume; refocusing rate; concentration and vigilance; working memory; information processing speed; executive, neurodynamic and regulatory functions), increased exercise tolerance, reduced mental fatigue and improving the life quality. The positive changes that occurred during treatment in the main group were probably related to the GABAergic effect, relationship normalization of the excitatory and inhibitory amino acids and mediators in the central nervous system, which leaded to functional restoration of neuronal cerebral systems. Conclusion: BCCP use in the complex therapy of patients with CCI is pathogenetically justified. Given its neurotrophic effect along with a high safety profile, repeated courses of such a drug and its wider use in patients with vascular brain damage can be recommended. KEYWORDS: chronic cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular diseases, cognitive disorder, asthenia, bovine cerebral cortex polypeptides. FOR CITATION: Ekusheva E.V., Voitenkov V.B. Efficacy and safety of Renobrain® СМ in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2023;7(10):666–671 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2023-7-10-9.

Online physical education in Bulgaria - advantages and challenges

The aim of the research was to study the advantages and disadvantages of online physical education teaching in the country during the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study participants were 138 teachers (100 female and 38 male) aged between 24 and 68 years, who had different pedagogical experience and were representatives of all regions of the country. A specially developed international questionnaire with closed-ended questions was applied. As an alternative analysis, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the results. Teachers rated online teaching in physical education as relatively good. At the same time, the educational work of sports pedagogues during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced their motivation for professional activity. Sports teachers rated highly their competencies in using online technologies to conduct physical education classes. The three most significant negative consequences of online physical education and sports training for Bulgarian schools, as pointed out by sports pedagogues, are: reduced contact with students, lack of control over the quality of training and limited opportunities to monitor student progress, while the three most important advantages of online education are: possibilities of using modern technologies in practice, individual approach to students and greater student control and independence. No significant differences were found in teachers’ responses to any of the questions based on gender, age and pedagogical experience criteria.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the International Questionnaire to Measure the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) for the Polish and Cross-Sectional Study.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country's traditional or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the prevailing health care system. The aim of this study is the linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation of the Polish version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) and the assessment of the occurrence and factors related to CAM among patients in Poland. A methodological model of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of research tools according to Beaton et al. with a Delphi-Technique was used for the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Polish version of I-CAM-Q. The Delphi consensus was achieved in the scale assessment between the experts in two rounds (with a score of above 80% of expert agreement). Data was collected using an online survey within 38 thematically different groups on Facebook, among 524 participants. Over half (59.7%, n = 313) of the respondents used the services of at least one CAM practitioner. On the other hand, 50.8% (n = 266) of the respondents declared using physician's advice. The use of herbs and plant products was reported by 84.7% (n = 444), and vitamins and minerals by 88.4% (n = 463) of respondents. The most commonly used self-help practices among the respondents were relaxation techniques (49.6%), praying for one's health (43.3%) and meditation (41.2%). The consensual methodology of validating the Polish version of the I-CAM-Q scale allowed for creation of a conceptually and linguistically equivalent tool with the original international instrument. A high frequency of CAM use was found among the respondents. Therefore, strategies should be implemented to improve patient-physician communication on the use of CAM in Poland.

Students and Staff in Lockdown: Mental and Social Health in the Austrian Tertiary Education Sector

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to high demands on the educational sector. For tertiary education, investigations mostly focused on the effects of digital teaching. However, little is known regarding health effects. Moreover, the emphasis was mainly on students, not university staff members. An international online questionnaire consisting of quantitative and qualitative items (from the LockedDown project) was translated into German and used in Austria from June to November 2020. This study reports on social and psychological health plus the perceived benefits of the pandemic. A total of 1175 students and 716 staff members participated. While staff members reported higher stress levels at the beginning of the pandemic, they were more pronounced for students from Week 5 onwards (Chi2 &lt; 0.001). Quality of Life (QoL) decreased more in the student population, and depression/anxiety was higher and rose compared to staff. Moreover, students reported fewer benefits of the pandemic. Students perceived the burden of the pandemic later than staff members who needed to adapt their work processes immediately. Mental health interventions in a pandemic seem to be needed at different points in time depending on the target group.

Hubungan Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Dengan Kecemasan Pada Mahasiswa Program A S1 Keperawatan Universitas Andalas

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Background&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;:&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Students are one of the groups that are prone to experiencing anxiety psychological problems. Anxiety in students is caused by several factors, one of which is Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this study was to measure the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and anxiety in the Andalas University A S1 student program. &lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;/strong&gt;: This research is a quantitative study with a correlational design using a cross sectional approach with a sample of 237 respondents who were selected using stratified random sampling according to the inclusion criteria that have been set. The instruments used in this study were Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). &lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;: In the univariate analysis, the mean score of ACEs in Andalas University Nursing A S1 students was 2.47 with the highest mean dominance, namely neglect and the average anxiety score for Andalas University Nursing A S1 students was 8.24. Bivariate analysis in this study used the Pearson Product Moment test. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: The results showed that there was a significant relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and anxiety (p-value = 0.000) which had a positive or one-way correlation (r = 0.235) with a weak correlation strength. It is expected that educational institutions will conduct counseling programs and special interventions to prevent and overcome student problems.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adverse childhood experiences, ACEs, Anxiety, Students, Nursing&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND MORBIDITY IN THE ADULT POPULATION

In the Russian Federation, the number of working-age population is growing annually: in 2014, the number of able-bodied population was 33.8 million people(23.5%), while in 2018 this figure increased to 37.3 million (25.9%) [6]. In the Republic of Tatarstan, at the beginning of 2019 the number of able-bodied citizens reached 986 thousand people(26.0%). The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinants of the adult living standarts and the impact of these determinants on morbidity rates. A survey of 897 people using the SF-36 international questionnaire "SF-36 Health Status Survey". The majority of the working-age population under study was aged 60-64 (30%) and 65-69 (26%), aged 55-59 and 70-74 were 12% and 18% respectively. The smallest number of those under study was aged 75-79 (8%) and 80 and older (6%). Thus, our research has shown that the living standarts of over working-age population living in a large metropolis tends to significantly decrease depending on the age and gender. There was discovered a high level of prevalence of medical and social risk factors in these individuals, which are involved in the formation of the determinant of living standarts. For the first time, it was revealed that in people over the working age, the intensity of morbidity depends on the level of determinants of living standarts. The data obtained make it possible to develop measures to improve the quality of life of people over the working age and reduce their morbidity.

Physical activity and its relationship with health-related quality of life in type II diabetics

Due to the chronic nature of the disease, type II Diabetes mellitus (DM2) can affect the quality of life and perception of health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life, perception of health, and level of physical activity in type II diabetics in December 2021. A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional design study, which included 116 volunteers with DM2 through an online survey where sociodemographic data, quality of life according to the EuroQoL-5D, health perception according to a visual analog scale, and level of physical activity according to the international IPAQ questionnaire. The study was approved by the Scientific and Ethics Committee of the Paraguayan Association of Graduates in Nutrition (code number 128/2021). The average age was 51.9 years, 63.8 were female, 79.3% resided in Asunción and the Metropolitan Area, and 39.5% had a secondary education level. 94% continued treatment, hypertension being the most frequent comorbidity. The quality of life showed 38% with moderate depression and/or anxiety. The quality-of-life index was 0,62±0.12 and the perception of health was 65.3±17.6. The predominant level of physical activity was low (45%). When comparing the quality-of-life index and the perception of health according to the level of physical activity, it was found that these variables showed better scores in those who perform moderate to high physical activity. The level of physical activity is a determinant of health-related quality of life, the greater the intensity of physical activity, the better the quality and perception of health indices in diabetics patients.

Prevalence of late and long-term effects of cancer (treatment) and use of complementary and alternative medicine in Norway

BackgroundThe increasing number of patients surviving cancer leads to more people experiencing late and long term-effects from the disease and its treatment. Fatigue, sleep disorders, early menopause, pain, and nerve damage are commonly reported. Methods helping people to recover after cancer treatment are therefore essential. The aims of this study were threefold; (1) to determine the level of cancer patients suffering from late and long-term effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment in Norway, (2) explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities used for managing these adversities, and (3) describe self-perceived benefits and harms of the CAM interventions.MethodsThe study was conducted in cooperation with the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS) and consisted of an online cross-sectional study among members of the NCS user panel with present or previous cancer (n = 706). The study was carried out in September/October 2021 using a modified cancer-specific version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q). A total of 315 women and 153 men agreed to participate, resulting in a response rate of 67%.ResultsMost of the participants (83%) suffered from late and long-term effects of cancer treatment; mostly fatigue (59.2%), sleep disorder (41.5%), hot flashes (39.2%), nerve damage (polyneuropathy, 38.0%), and pain (36.6%) with a mean number of 5.1 different late and long-term effects. Late and long-term effects were positively associated with younger age and college/university education. Nearly half of the participants experiencing late and long-term effects (43%) reported having used CAM to treat these complaints. Most frequently used were self-help practices (26%) such as relaxation therapy (19%), yoga (14%) and meditation (13%), but also visits to CAM providers were reported by 22%. Herbal- and other natural remedies to treat late and long-term effects were used by 13%. A high percentage of CAM users reported self-perceived improvements of their symptoms (86% for self-help practices, 90% for visits to CAM providers). Few experienced adverse effects of the CAM treatment.ConclusionA large proportion of cancer patients suffered from a wide range of late and long-term effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment, and they use CAM to treat these complaints to a rather high degree. Relaxation therapy, yoga, meditation, massage, and acupuncture were the most frequently used therapies regardless of complaint. The therapies used are generally considered to be both safe and beneficial for the respective complaint, indicating that the participants seem to be well informed about the choices they make.

Possibilities of the Health Utilities Index questionnaire in assessing the quality of life of children with disabilities

Background. Currently, in the Russian Federation, the criteria for establishing disability do not take into account the assessment of the quality of life, while in developed countries this indicator is a mandatory component of examination programs and evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation. In Russian pediatrics, research on the development of indicators of the quality of life in children with chronic disabling diseases has begun, this work is a continuation of this direction.&#x0D; Aim. To assess the quality of life of disabled children with various somatic diseases using all the possibilities of the Health Utilities Index questionnaire.&#x0D; Material and methods. A survey of 213 patients aged 5 to 18 years with chronic diseases with the status of a disabled child and their legal representatives was conducted using the Russian version of the international general questionnaire Health Utilities Index. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software package version 26.0. The KruskalWallis test and Dunn's posterior test were used.&#x0D; Results. During the study, multi-attribute utilitarian indices were developed for each group of children, which ranged from 0.670.3 (95% confidence interval 0.550.78) in patients with rheumatological diseases to 0.850.21 (95% confidence interval 0.790.91) in children with heart disease and statistically significantly (p 0.001) were lower than in healthy children (0.90.17; 95% confidence interval 0.870.92). The features of one-attribute utilitarian indices depending on the class of the disease have been established. An analysis of the level and degree of functioning disorders showed that the most common and frequent for children with disabilities in the studied groups were emotional disorders; problems associated with the presence of pain; disability caused by a sense of cognitive deficit. For the first time, to determine the categories of the severity of violations an approach according to a multi-attribute utilitarian index was used.&#x0D; Conclusion. The quality of life in children with disabilities, reduced compared to healthy peers, has nosological features; the most pronounced decrease in the quality of life was noted in children with skin diseases and rheumatological diseases.

Comparative assessment of the quality of life and the effectiveness of treatment in patients after early and delayed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Background. In modern medical practice, a significant interest in the study of quality of life is manifested in the biopsychosocial approach, which indicates the concept of a holistic view of the course of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.&#x0D; Aim. To give a comparative assessment of the quality of life and the effectiveness of treatment of patients after early and delayed reconstruction of an isolated injury of the anterior cruciate ligament.&#x0D; Material and methods. The results of a survey of 782 patients aged 1854 years according to the international standardized questionnaire of the quality of life (SF-36 Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire) before and after arthroscopic reconstruction of an isolated injury of the anterior cruciate ligament using a free autograft from the tendons of the semitendinosus and tender muscles are presented. All patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 403 patients (232 males and 171 females), anterior cruciate ligament plasty was performed at an early stage, from the 1st to the 6th week after the injury. The second group included 379 patients (211 males and 168 females) who were operated on late, from the 7th week to 1 year after the injury. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 12.0 program (Stat Soft, Inc.). The significance of differences between independent samples was determined using nonparametric tests: the MannWhitney U test and the Wilcoxon T test.&#x0D; Results. It was found that 1 year after the operation, in patients of the first group, the values of the treatment effectiveness indicator in terms of the total indicator of physical and mental components of health are significantly higher compared to the second group (p 0.0001, MannWhitney U-test). A high correlation between the indicators of treatment effectiveness according to the assessment scales of the physical component of health and the mental component of health in groups depending on the timing of the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament was found. Thus, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient in the first group between the indicators of treatment effectiveness in terms of the total indicator of the physical and mental components of health was r=0.79 (p=0.001), and in the second group r=0.71 (p=0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion. The long-term results of assessing the quality of life of patients indicate the predominant effectiveness of the treatment of patients operated on in the early stages after injury, compared with delayed surgery.