Disorders Of Musculoskeletal System Research Articles

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Assessing the Health of People Living in Environmentally Adverse Conditions

The health status of the population of different ages was examined. Since children are very vulnerable to environmental factors, our goal was to examine their health status and compare them with those of the older population. Also one of the important tasks of our study was the installation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults of different sexes. During our research, we calculated the air pollution index, investigated the incidence statistics of the population, and calculated the lifetime average daily dose (LADD). We investigated the content of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxide, ammonium and hydrogen carbonates and compared it with safe level of exposure. In Aktobe, the Republic of Kazakhstan the external environment is polluted with boron and chromium, and in Aktau - with organic hydrocarbons. High morbidity rates in adolescents were found for endocrine disorders, digestive system diseases, and musculoskeletal system disorders. Estimating the prevalence and incidence of newly diagnosed diseases among women in Aktau showed that the overall incidence rate, as well as the incidence of respiratory and skin diseases, declines with age. The incidence of the genitourinary system and the number of nervous disorders increase, and the number of neoplasms increases in men population. A study of carcinogenic risks showed that children with Aktau, especially boys, have the greatest risk of cancer. The conducted research shows that environmental factors have a big impact on the health of the population.

Smoking is associated with a higher risk of unplanned medical visits among adult patients with diabetes, using retrospective electronic medical record data from 2014 to 2016

BackgroundSmoking exacerbates the complications of diabetes, but little is known about whether patients with diabetes who smoke have more unplanned medical visits than those who do not smoke. This study examines the association between smoking status and unplanned medical visits among patients with diabetes.MethodsData were drawn from electronic medical records (EMR’s) from a large healthcare provider in the Northern Plains region of the US, from adult (≥18 years old) patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who received care at least once during 2014–16 (N = 62,149). The association between smoking status (current, former, or never smoker) and having ≥1 unplanned visit (comprised of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, hospital observations, and urgent care) was examined after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). The top ten most common diagnoses for unplanned visits were examined by smoking status.ResultsBoth current and former smoking were associated with an approximately 1.2-fold increase in the odds of having at least one unplanned medical visit in the 3-year period (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.16–129; OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.19–1.28, respectively), relative to never-smokers. Most common diagnoses for all patients were pain-related. However, diagnoses related to musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders were more common among smokers. Smoking is associated with a higher rate of unplanned medical visits among patients with diabetes in this regional healthcare system.ConclusionsResults from this study reveal higher rates of unplanned visits among smokers and former smokers, as well as increased frequencies of unplanned medical visits among current smokers.

Оценка функциональных возможностей метода ОФЭКТ/КТ при изучении охроноза. Клинический случай

Purpose: Is to demonstrate functional and structural changes in the musculoskeletal system of the patient with ochronosis using bone scan and hybrid imaging consisting of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and X-ray transmission computed tomography (CT) scan (SPECT/CT).
 Material and methods: A clinical case report of patient with ochronosis, examined with bone scan and SPECT/CT.
 Results: In this article we show a clinical case with the picture of mineral metabolism disorder and severe degenerative changes of musculoskeletal system in patient with ochronosis (a genetically determined disease), caused by metabolic disorders of homogentisic acid. We used hybrid SPECT/CT method for evaluation of this disease.
 Conclusion: SPECT/CT method demonstrated structural and metabolic changes. This method allowed us to reveal the specific changes in cases of ochronosis, but also it shows the possibility of using radionuclide methods in solving non-standard situations, while this method has not previously been applied.

Analysis of Relationship between Work Attitudes and Repetitive Activities with Subjective Complaints on Musculoskeletal Disorder in Circular Loom Division workers PT. Kerta Rajasa Raya Sidoarjo Indonesia

The Musculoskeletal System Disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common occupational diseasesexperienced by workers. This disorder is influenced by several factors, such asrepetitive activity factor andunnatural work attitude factor. The purpose of this study was to analyze the strong relationship betweenwork attitude and repetitive activity with subjective complaints of musculoskeletal disorder in the circularloom division of PT. Kerta Rajasa Raya Sidoarjo, Indonesia.This study used observational techniques with cross-sectional design. Respondents in this study wereworkers in the circular loom division of PT. Kerta Rajasa Raya, Sidoarjo, that consisted of 14 peoplebased on the researchers’ inclusion criteria. The data were obtained from the results of questionnaires andfield observations. Work attitude data were analyzed using OWAS; MSDs subjective complaint data wereinvestigated using NBM checklist sheets; and repetitive activity data were analyzed based on the results ofquestionnaires, interviews, and observations.The results showed that the majority of respondents have subjective complaints of musculoskeletal disorderwith high severity. The work attitude variable has a very strong correlation with subjective complaints ofMSDs, and repetitive activity variable has a strong correlation with subjective complaints of MSDs.The company are advised to provide training related to safe lifting method, provide information related toMSDs in the form of posters or providing specific material. Companies are also advised to add the expeditionpersonnel to reduce the repetition of lifting activities.

The role of manual therapy in complex medical rehabilitation

In recent years, manual therapy has been increasingly used. This was facilitated by the scientific justification of the method, wellestablished training of specialists, good results of manual diagnostics and therapy of patients. Manual medicine is a system of diagnostic and therapeutic manual techniques aimed at identifying and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system, manifested in the form of functional joint blockages, hypermobility and regional postural muscle imbalance. In addition to nosological diagnosis, manual examination data are of great importance for successful treatment. Manual diagnostics is a method aimed at detecting disorders in the spine, muscles and joints, as well as ligaments of the human body. The main task of diagnostics is to establish a differential diagnosis between diseases of the spine and joints and other nosological forms. Timely manual diagnostics with the use of manual therapy technologies helps to increase the effectiveness of complex treatment and helps to avoid complications and disability at an early age.

Оценка функционального состояния организма детей с нарушениями опорнодвигательного аппарата

Оценка функционального состояния организма детей с нарушениями опорнодвигательного аппарата

Epidemiological assessment of the peculiarities of the development of non-tumor diseases residents of the radioactively contaminated areas aged 18-47 years old, born before the Chernobyl accident. The observation period 1988-2016

An epidemiological assessment of changes in the health status of RCA residents under 18 years old at the time of theChernobylaccident for the period 1988-2016 was conducted.The main source of information was the database of medical data of the State Register of Ukraine (SRU) of victims of theChernobylaccident. The cohort consisted of 33,684 residents of RCA aged 18 to 47 years old (as of the date of theChernobylaccident under the age of 18), of whom men - 16,757, women - 16,927.The state of health of the offspring was assessed based on the information from the Ukraine State Register (USR).45417 cases (100%) of non-tumoral diseases were identified in eight classes of ICD-10, which is 103.46 ± 0.46 cases per 1000 person-years of follow-up. 21,148 diseases were diagnosed in men (96.32 ± 0.63 per 1000 person-years), and24,269 inwomen (110.60 ± 0.67). Epidemiological analysis of non-tumoral morbidity and disability was conducted over five-year observation periods: 1988-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-2002, 2003-2007, 2008-2012, and 2013-2016.The dynamics of non-tumoral morbidity of the subjects show a gradual decrease in morbidity from the highest in the first period (the first six years after the accident) to the lowest in the last period (2013-2016).Thyroid diseases (97.60%) are the main component among the nosological forms of the endocrine system, eating disorders and metabolic disorders (18.97 ± 0.20 cases per 1000 man-years) of the total number for 1988-2016 epidemiological observation.In the structure of the causes of disability, the largest components are diseases of the nervous system and mental and behavioral disorders, which together account for 51.75%.According to the indicators of the structure, the residents born before the Chernobyl accident (April 26, 1986) aged 0 to 18 years, showed the highest incidence of non-tumoral diseases of the respiratory, digestive, endocrine system (almost 80%).Men (1.1-1.4 times) were more likely to suffer from diseases of the respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, mental and behavioral disorders. In women, the incidence of non-tumoral diseases was higher (1.1-3.4 times) in the endocrine, nervous and genitourinary systems.Against the background of a gradual decrease in the incidence from the first to the last five-year observation period, there is an increase in the disability of the subjects in the three disability groups; thus, there was synchronization in different directions.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II: Enzyme Replacement Therapy Efficiency

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), or Hunter syndrome, is the hereditary lysosomal storage disease caused by pathological variants in IDS gene. Such variants lead to iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme deficiency and glycosaminoglycan catabolism disorder. Major clinical signs are central nervous system lesion, disorders of musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems pathologies, hepatosplenomegaly, hearing impairment. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) makes it possible to adjust metabolic processes in lysosomes of many organs and tissues, to improve clinical signs due to partial restoring of the damaged enzyme function. Cardiovascular pathology is the main cause of death in patients with MPS. In this regard we have studied efficiency of ERT with idursulfase and its effects on the cardiovascular system in 55 patients with MPS II. It has been shown that ERT started from an early age can significantly improve children's condition, reduce or event prevent cardiac involvement. Treatment gaps from 1 to 7 months due to economic or organizational factors in 12 patients caused worsening course of the disease.

CORRECTIVE STRATEGY AND TACTICS OF OVERCOMING IMPAIRED BALANCE IN PRESCHOOLERS.

The article reveals the system features of planning corrective measures for the formation of the balance function of preschool children with musculoskeletal system disorders. The innovative planning concept implies a harmonious combination of a correction strategy, that should be responsible for the long-term vector of achieving the desired target result, with the corrective tactics of overcoming specific children’s disorders. The strategy reflects a constant component of the correction process and is relatively unchanged, whereas the corrective tactic is based on the variability of individual planning, followed by appropriate methodological support for the implementation of this program for a particular child. The author analyzes the existing approaches in the planning physical education and physical rehabilitation. The analysis revealed the insufficient methodological foundations for the planning of corrective measures to improve the balance function in preschool children with musculoskeletal system disorders. The general principles of planning adaptive physical education for preschool children with musculoskeletal system disorders are considered. The general planning principles (phylogenetic principle, age, calendar, intra-cycle, repetition, the principle of "steps") of adaptive physical education for preschool children with musculoskeletal system disorders were revealed, they were proposed in the technique of N.Efimenko and P.Bochkov. On this basis, a methodology for the phased planning of the targeted formation of the equilibrium function was developed, which reflects the logic of stimulating the five channels of the postural aplomb system and takes into account the peculiarities of postural deficiency in each case. In the conclusions the algorithm of the system for planning correctivee measures to improve the balance function in this category of children is presented. The prospects for research of effective ways of overcoming the postural deficiency in children with musculoskeletal disorders is outlined.

Анализ формирования спортивных двигательных навыков у детей с поражением опорно-двигательного аппарата средствами адаптивного плавания

We present the analysis of sports motor skills development among children with musculoskeletal system disorders by the means of adaptive swimming. The developed methods of sports training for children with musculoskeletal system lesion in adaptive swimming at the initial stage was designed for three years. All children were students of the adaptive swimming school. The structure and duration of classes, the content of each part of the class on land and in water are presented. Features of the preparation and organization of classes are described. It was noted that when mastering sports swimming methods, back crawl is easier for children with musculoskeletal system lesion, since the breathing process proceeds naturally, and it is not necessary to lower the face into the water, it is easier for children to coordinate movements with breathing. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the developed program of sports training for the initial stage of children with musculoskeletal system lesion by adaptive swimming, both for learning swimming techniques and for correcting the deficiencies in physical, psychomotor development and social adaptation of children.

ЕМПІРИЧНІ ПОКАЗНИКИ ПСИХОЛОГІЧНИХ СКЛАДОВИХ САМОСТАВЛЕННЯ У ЧОЛОВІКІВ З НАБУТИМИ ПОРУШЕННЯМИ ОПОРНО-РУХОВОГО АПАРАТУ

ЕМПІРИЧНІ ПОКАЗНИКИ ПСИХОЛОГІЧНИХ СКЛАДОВИХ САМОСТАВЛЕННЯ У ЧОЛОВІКІВ З НАБУТИМИ ПОРУШЕННЯМИ ОПОРНО-РУХОВОГО АПАРАТУ

MiniCex as an Assessment Tool of a Medical Course Internship Program

Abstract: Introduction: Program assessment is the process of data collection about a course or teaching program that takes into consideration the aspects of cost-effectiveness, checking the adequacy of the evaluation according to the course purpose and the program capacity to yield changes in real life. Such regular assessments provide feedback to the decision-making process that aim at better teaching and learning practices. The Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (MiniCex) is a performance rating scale designed to assess the skills that medical students and residents need in real-life situations with patients. Considering the importance of program assessment for an institution, the utilization of the MiniCex data might be of great value for the follow-up of students and the course, helping the planning process and generating improvements in the institution. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the program using MiniCex in the beginning of the medical internship, aiming to determine in what areas of the basic and pre-clinical course the students have more difficulties. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, using the retrospective data obtained by the MiniCex forms that were applied to the 9th-semester medical students, which correspond to the first semester of medical internship in the Federal University of Pará. A total of 111 students was assessed, among the 154 students eligible for internship, from August 2017 to July 2018. Results: Among the performed evaluations, with 97% being requested by the teachers, most of them (72%) were about new cases, and 45% and 38% had low or moderate complexity, respectively. There was a predominance of musculoskeletal system disorders (27.7%), followed by the gastrointestinal/hepatology system (14.8%). Concerning the skills in each domain, the performance was satisfactory in all of them. We observed that 12% of the students had difficulties in at least one area, followed by 6.3% of students with difficulties in 2 areas and 4.5% with an unsatisfactory performance in 3 or more areas. Conclusion: the MiniCex, when applied to internship students, showed to be a source of important and useful information, as part of a program assessment concerning the areas preceding the internship. The analysis of the obtained data was sent to teachers of the pre-internship, internship and course management areas. To the first ones, with the objective of reviewing their programs, detecting where they can intervene and, thus, make changes that aim a better acquisition of basic knowledge by the students and, consequently, improve their performance. To the second ones, to provide an overview of where they will have to focus their programs according to the needs of the medical students who reach the internship. Finally, to the course management, as a guide of what should be supervised by the professionals teaching the semesters that precede the internship.

MiniCex as an Assessment Tool of a Medical Course Internship Program

Abstract: Introduction: Program assessment is the process of data collection about a course or teaching program that takes into consideration the aspects of cost-effectiveness, checking the adequacy of the evaluation according to the course purpose and the program capacity to yield changes in real life. Such regular assessments provide feedback to the decision-making process that aim at better teaching and learning practices. The Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (MiniCex) is a performance rating scale designed to assess the skills that medical students and residents need in real-life situations with patients. Considering the importance of program assessment for an institution, the utilization of the MiniCex data might be of great value for the follow-up of students and the course, helping the planning process and generating improvements in the institution. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the program using MiniCex in the beginning of the medical internship, aiming to determine in what areas of the basic and pre-clinical course the students have more difficulties. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, using the retrospective data obtained by the MiniCex forms that were applied to the 9th-semester medical students, which correspond to the first semester of medical internship in the Federal University of Pará. A total of 111 students was assessed, among the 154 students eligible for internship, from August 2017 to July 2018. Results: Among the performed evaluations, with 97% being requested by the teachers, most of them (72%) were about new cases, and 45% and 38% had low or moderate complexity, respectively. There was a predominance of musculoskeletal system disorders (27.7%), followed by the gastrointestinal/hepatology system (14.8%). Concerning the skills in each domain, the performance was satisfactory in all of them. We observed that 12% of the students had difficulties in at least one area, followed by 6.3% of students with difficulties in 2 areas and 4.5% with an unsatisfactory performance in 3 or more areas. Conclusion: the MiniCex, when applied to internship students, showed to be a source of important and useful information, as part of a program assessment concerning the areas preceding the internship. The analysis of the obtained data was sent to teachers of the pre-internship, internship and course management areas. To the first ones, with the objective of reviewing their programs, detecting where they can intervene and, thus, make changes that aim a better acquisition of basic knowledge by the students and, consequently, improve their performance. To the second ones, to provide an overview of where they will have to focus their programs according to the needs of the medical students who reach the internship. Finally, to the course management, as a guide of what should be supervised by the professionals teaching the semesters that precede the internship.

Working model of a physical education based spastic movement disorder correction system aimed at tender age children

The article describes modern modeling of physical rehabilitation processes for persons with musculoskeletal system disorders, and reveals a significant deficiency of this aspect in modern rehabilitation systems. Most of the developments in this field are based on practical, empirical experience of rehabilitation activities for a specific category of children. This is understandable but does not prevent mistakes in the strategy and tactics of long-term physical rehabilitation. It is necessary to have clear conceptual guidelines for the most effective process of physical rehabilitation concerning tender age children with spastic movement disorders. This can be achieved by pre-modeling the system of adaptive physical education of babies with spastic paresis. A structured and logically constructed model construction of the rehabilitation system includes four effective blocks: monitoring of physical development and spastic motor disorders (I), which is itself divided into medical, pedagogical, psychological; corrective measures (II) strategies and tactics, including a general correction program for the typological subgroup of children with spastic paresis and an individual correction program for normalizing the motor status of a particular child; correction of motor disorders of spastic type (III), which provides the means and methods of correctional physical education of tender age children with spastic motor disorders. The latter include: game, hypercorrection, contraindications, sufficient repetition of exercises, objectivity, and individual load differentiation; control and correction of the correction process (IV), which provides for permanent control over the components of the motor rehabilitation system, starting with the monitoring of physical development and ending with the peculiarities of the work correction process by means of physical education. Intra-system relations between all components of the working model are envisaged, and the priority of individual components of a perspective modeled system is considered. The model provides an invariant component of the system of adaptive physical education, universal for different children with spastic syndrome, as well as a variational component, which provides differentiation and individualization of corrective tactics for each specific child and its peculiarities of psychophysical development. The pre-designed working model of the correction system of movement disorders spastic forms of tender age children by physical education means will be tested in the process of forming a pedagogical experiment, which will make the necessary corrections both in the structural construction of this general rehabilitation system and in the substantive filling of its internal components.

PENGARUH KOMPRES REBUSAN JAHE TERHADAP NYERI LUTUT PADA LANSIA DI PANTI SOSIAL KHUSNUL KHOTIMAH PEKANBARU

The knee is the main joint to support the body's weight. The stability of the work of this joint depends on the muscles and ligaments around it. Muscular strength begins to decline around the age of 40 with an accelerated setback after 60 years. The main signs of a musculoskeletal system disorder are pain and discomfort, which can vary from the mildest to the most severe. The results of interviews with 10 elderly people who had knee pain, found 7 elderly people using pharmaceutical drugs, 3 people did not consume certain drugs. Of the 7 elderly who use drugs, they often feel the side effects of medications taken such as nausea and diarrhea and feel the effects of dependence. This type of research is pre-experimental research with pre-test and post-test design using a quantitative research approach with design Quasi in one group (one group pre-posttest design) to determine the strength of the influence of ginger compresses on the intensity of knee pain. The research method made direct observations to respondents by filling in the observation sheets of pain intensity pretest and posttest with numerical pain intensity scale (0-10). Research data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The results showed that the average (mean) pain intensity before being given a ginger compress was 4.56 with a standard deviation of 1.381. The mean (intensity) pain intensity after being given a ginger compress is 2.89 with a standard deviation of 1.451. From the results of the statistical test p value (α) of 0,000, that there is an effect of ginger compresses with knee pain in the elderly.

Pengaruh Latihan Range of Motion (ROM) Aktif Terhadap Peningkatan Kekuatan Otot Ekstremitas Bawah Lansia

<p>Musculoskeletal system disorders of weakness in the muscles of the elderly are common. Actions that can be taken to reduce complaints of the elderly are with range of motion (ROM) exercises. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of active range of motion (ROM) exercises on increasing the strength of lower limb muscles in the elderly. Pre-experimental research design with one group pre-test and post-test. By means of purposive sampling with 6 respondents. Giving intervention as much as 6 times exercise for 3 weeks with a frequency of 2 times a day . It takes 10 minutes with 3 repetitions of movements. Analysis was performed by paired dependent T-test samples. The results showed that the average lower limb muscle strength in the elderly before active ROM exercises were the hip region = 3.03317, the knee region = 3.44433, the ankle region = 3.24300, the toe region = 3.31950. While the average lower limb muscle strength after active ROM exercises are the hip region = 3.22117, knee region = 3.76367, ankle region = 3.51383, toe area = 3.86800, with hip value p = 0.028, knee p = 0.002, ankle p = 0.002, toe p = 0,000. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that there is an effect of active range of motion (ROM) exercises on increasing muscle strength in the elderly. This research is expected to be a consideration for the elderly orphanages in order to make the range of motion (ROM) as an exercise program to increase muscle strength in the elderly.</p>

Система коррекции спастических форм двигательных нарушений у детей раннего возраста средствами физического воспитания

The article describes modern modeling of physical rehabilitation processes for persons with musculoskeletal system disorders, it is discovered a significant deficiency of this aspect in modern rehabilitation systems. Structured and logically constructed rehabilitation system model is designed, which includes four effective units: physical development monitoring and spastic motor disorders monitoring (I); strategies and tactics of corrective actions (II); spastic motor disorders form correction (III). The last include: gaming, hyper-correction, contraindications, sufficient exercises repetition, objectivity, individual differentiation of the load; control and adjustment of the correction process (IV). It is briefly revealed the internal structure of each these blocks in the form of conditional sections; the interaction between blocks and sections of the working model is shown to achieve maximum efficiency in the whole system. The structuring formation factor of rehabilitation model system is the purpose of its activity, the specific target results that are planned to be achieved. The pre-designed working model of the correction system of movement disorders spastic forms of tender age children by physical education means will be tested in the process of forming a pedagogical experiment.

Trends in Use of Acupuncture During Pregnancy for the Military Health System, 2006-2016.

Objective: Acupuncture is recognized as safe for use in pregnancy when correctly performed and has been provided at military healthcare facilities since 2005. Previous research identified a number of pregnant patients receiving acupuncture within the Military Health System (MHS). This study was conducted to describe trends in usage from 2006 to 2016 including patient and provider characteristics. Materials and Methods: This study utilized TRICARE claims from the MHS Data Repository (MDR). Analysis was performed through the MDR for women ages 18 years and older, who had acupuncture treatments at military treatment facilities related to pregnancy, from 2006 to 2016. Descriptive statistics were collected on patient demographics, clinic types and provider specialties, major diagnostic categories associated with acupuncture, number of visits per patient, and utilization over time. Results: Less than 0.3% of pregnant women in the MHS received acupuncture. The greatest usage was among patients who were white, ages 25-34, dependents of active duty personnel, and in the Army service. The most common diagnoses were for musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders (41.9%). Approximately 79% of care was delivered by physicians. The trend over time rose from 11 visits in 2006 to 130 visits in 2016. Conclusions: Provision of acupuncture in pregnancy grew ∼12-fold between 2006 and 2016, although usage remains low overall. This greater proportion of physician-provided care in pregnant women versus the general patient population may reflect a cautionary attitude toward use in pregnancy. This research is expected to inform discussions for people seeking to increase access to acupuncture during pregnancy.

Trends in the utilization of acupuncture among children in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundIn recent years, acupuncture has been increasingly integrated into pediatric care worldwide. However, recent epidemiological studies about pediatric users of acupuncture are lacking. The current study aimed to fill the gap and carry out the large-scale investigation on the basis of the pediatric population in Taiwan.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide population-based study to investigate the utilization of acupuncture in Taiwan. We analyzed data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID 2000). The datasets contained all original claims data for 1 million beneficiaries who were randomly sampled from the registry of all beneficiaries enrolled in the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Program from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2011. Children younger than 18 years old were enrolled into our study for analysis. The demographic data, treatment modalities and distributions by disease categories of the pediatric acupuncture users were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the trends in acupuncture use over time.ResultsThe one-year prevalence of pediatric acupuncture users increased from 1.78% in 2002 to 5.34% in 2011. Acupuncture use significantly increased each year (p-value< 0.0001). Patients who were male, of greater age, resided in highly urbanized areas and suffered from injury or disorders of the musculoskeletal system were more likely to accept acupuncture treatment. Infantile cerebral palsy and psychoses were the top two health issues among those receiving complex acupuncture treatment. Older (> 9 years old) children tended to receive acupuncture treatment due to injury and musculoskeletal system disorders more than younger (≤9 years old) children.ConclusionsOur study revealed that the utilization of acupuncture in pediatrics became increasingly popular year by year in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011. The results of this study may provide some valuable information for further clinical practice and acupuncture research, as well as to the government and societies concerning pediatric health care.

The health of asylum seekers in Finland: a total population health examination survey (TERTTU)

Abstract Background There is scarcity of representative population-based data on the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers in Europe. The Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing Survey (TERTTU) was launched to provide the evidence-base for developing services for asylum seekers as well as for planning and allocation of healthcare resources at a national level. Methods A sample of all first-time asylum applicants between 19.2-30.11.2018 was drawn from the Finnish Immigration Services electronic asylum database. Altogether 784 adults aged 18 years and older took part in the standardised health examination and face-to-face interview with participation rate of 79%. Interviewed health measures included the Minimum European Health Module, conditions previously diagnosed by a physician, permanent injury due to violence or accident and somatization. Results Self-rated health was good among 66% (95% CI 62,5-69,1) and 42% (95% CI 38,5-45,4) reported having some self-reported long-term illness or health problem. The most common previously diagnosed conditions were diseases of the circulatory system (19%, 95% CI 16,5-22,0), musculoskeletal system (18%, 95% CI 15,6-21,1), mental and behavioural disorders (13%, 95% CI 10,9-15,6) and diseases of the respiratory system (10%, 95% CI 8,0-12,2 ). Nearly half (47%, 95% CI 43,7-50,8) reported having a permanent injury due to violence or accident. Somatisation was common: 23% (95% CI 20,3-26,2) reported having headache, 23% (95% CI 19,9-25,8) back ache and 13% (95% CI 10,8-15,6) other pains at least several times a week. Conclusions The overall health of newly-arrived asylum seekers was poorer compared with the general Finnish population and migrant origin populations from similar countries of origin permanently living in Finland. Significant differences in asylum seekers health were found by sex and region of origin. Survey data will be used for developing the national initial health assessment protocol for asylum seekers during 2019. Key messages The TERTTU Survey is the largest population-based health examination survey among newly-arrived asylum seekers in Europe to date. The extensive data gathered over the course of the survey will be used for developing services for asylum seekers at a national level and is of high relevance also to other European countries.