Trends In Prevalence Research Articles

Age-Friendly Health Care: An Example of Providing Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) in Pingtung County, Taiwan

Population aging has become a prevalent societal trend in the 21st century, giving rise to intricate challenges for healthcare systems. Taiwan is expected to become a "super-aging society" in 2025. In 2020, the Health Promotion Administration, referencing World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on integrated care for older people (ICOPE), began promoting person-centered functional assessments for older adults to prevent and delay disability, reduce reliance on formal healthcare, and promote healthy aging, aging in place, and active aging. Pingtung County faces a healthcare gap between urban and rural areas. To address this, the county's executive team integrated community and healthcare systems into a single Age-Friendly Health Network to help older adults self-detect intrinsic functional decline problems at an early stage and receive early treatment. The implementation of this network is being done in the following four phases: preparation, action, implementation and revision, and promotion. As of August 2024, ICOPE intake in the county reached 11,873, representing a coverage rate of 7.42%. In addition to inadequate training opportunities for community healthcare professionals, rural communities are currently confronted with a dearth of referral mechanisms for post-ICOPE screening aftercare services for anomalous cases, representing a significant challenge that demands collaboration between industry, government, academia, and research. In light of the expanding older adult population, community nursing can be a formidable undertaking, necessitating the provision of ongoing nursing professional training and psychosocial support.

Prevalence and temporal trends in myopia and high myopia children in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis with projections from 2020 to 2050

Prevalence and temporal trends in myopia and high myopia children in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis with projections from 2020 to 2050

Time trend analysis of osteoporosis prevalence among adults 50years of age and older in the USA, 2005-2018.

This is the first study to assess osteoporosis prevalence trends over time and the proportion of undiagnosed osteoporosis across gender, ethnicity/race, and age groups. Observational time trend analyses were conducted using the 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) datasets, along with a descriptive analysis using the 2017-2018 NHANES dataset to capture the proportion of undiagnosed osteoporosis. The findings showed a statistically significant increase in osteoporosis prevalence among women, non-Hispanic Whites, and all age groups (except for individuals 80years of age and older) during the study period. A subsequent analysis examining individuals by both gender and ethnicity/race demonstrated a statistically significant increase among Other Hispanic men and non-Hispanic White women. Additional descriptive analyses found that 69.12% of individuals with osteoporosis went undiagnosed. Specifically, 86.88% of men and 84.77% of individuals 50-59years of age with osteoporosis went undiagnosed, representing the two highest groups. The substantial and increasing prevalence among certain groups and sub-groups, along with the lack of diagnostic capture of osteoporosis, highlights existing gaps in public health efforts and care delivery infrastructure. This paper highlights high-risk groups and sub-groups that may benefit most from accelerated initiatives to reduce the burden of illness associated with osteoporosis.

Obesity Prevalence and Trend Among Mississippi High-School Students: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2001–2021

Obesity has become the most consequential threat to the health of Mississippians, as it is known to be associated with major chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. Obesity prevalence among Mississippi adolescents has been among the highest in the nation. In this study, data from Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2001–2021 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). YRBSS is a survey using a self-administered questionnaire to track the risk behaviors of students in grades 9 to 12. The survey packages in R were utilized for summary statistics to account for the YRBSS complex sampling design that includes stratification, clustering, and unequal probabilities of selection. Logistic regression models and Joinpoint software 5.3.0 were used for trend analysis. Obesity prevalence in Mississippi high-school students demonstrated a significant increasing trend from 2001 to 2021, as a whole or stratified by gender or race. Furthermore, Mississippi obesity prevalence among high-school students has been increasing at a greater pace compared to that of the United States. The increasing trend in obesity prevalence among Mississippi high-school students warrants urgent attention at the government, community, school, family, and personal levels. Concerted efforts must be made to fight and eventually reverse this epidemic.

Hospital attendance, malaria prevalence and self-medication with an antimalarial drug before and after the start of COVID-19 pandemic in a sentinel site for malaria surveillance in Gabon

BackgroundThe negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare service utilization has been reported in several countries. In Gabon, data on the preparedness for future pandemic are lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the trends of hospital attendance, malaria and self-medication prevalences as well as ITN use before and during Covid-19 first epidemic waves in a paediatric wards of a sentinel site for malaria surveillance, in Libreville, Gabon.MethodsThis was a retrospective descriptive and hospital-based survey which was conducted at the Regional Hospital of Melen Estuaire (RHME). Census of files of patients below 18 years of age attending for fever management with a result of malaria biological diagnosis from January 2018 to December 2022 was conducted. Comparison of the prevalence of microscopic malaria, ITN use, self-medication and the fever duration prior the screening before and after year 2020 was performed using bivariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsOverall, 14428 febrile participants were screened for malaria. A 15% increase in the number of febrile patients was observed between 2019 and 2020 while this rate was above 100% in 2021 and 2022. The frequency of self-medication significantly doubled in 2020 and 2021 compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (p < 0.01). Previous self-medication was more common during the COVID-19 period compared to the COVID-19 one (aOR = 2.15 [1.91–2.42]) (p < 0.01). Among the 7259 (51.2%) patients screened after 3 days of fever onset, self-anti-malarial treatment was reported for 17.5% of them in 2019 and for more than 30% of them from 2020: 33.3% in 2020, 35.0% in 2021 and 32.3% in 2022 (p < 0.01). The median of fever duration was significantly higher in the group of participants with a previous self-medication (p < 0.01). Positive blood smears frequency was higher in the COVID-19 period (35.6%; n = 3876/10868) compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (23.6%) (OR = 1.79[1.59–2.02], (p < 0.01).ConclusionMalaria prevalence and care-seeking behaviours for fever management in children significantly changed during the COVID-19 epidemic phase and subsequent years in the main malaria sentinel surveillance site of Gabon.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of depression in U.S. adults: evidence from NHANES

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiological characteristics of depression among adults in the U.S. remains unclear. This study aims to analyze trends in depression prevalence over time and quantify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on its prevalence. Using data from 2007 to 2023 provided by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), this study examined 36,472 participants. Results revealed an increasing trend in depression prevalence among U.S. adults from 2007 to 2023. Notably, the overall weighted prevalence of depression following the COVID-19 pandemic (12.4%, 95% CI: 10.6-14.1%) was significantly higher than in all years prior to the pandemic. Subgroups such as females, Mexican Americans, and young adults experienced particularly pronounced increases. By analyzing data from two survey cycles close to the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, the study identified a significant impact of the pandemic on depression prevalence, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.58 (95% CI: 1.28–1.94). Individuals with lower socioeconomic status and those without pre-existing conditions exhibited greater increases in depression prevalence, whereas the emotional health of individuals who smoke appeared unaffected by the pandemic.

Projected increases in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2020-2044.

The prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in Aotearoa New Zealand by approximately 7% per year, and is three times higher among Māori and Pacific peoples than in Europeans. The depth of the diabetes epidemic, and the expansive breadth of services required for its management, elevate the need for high-quality evidence on the projected future burden of this complex disease. In this manuscript we have projected the prevalence of diabetes (type 1 and type 2 combined) out to 2040-2044 using age-period-cohort modelling. National-level data from central government on diabetes prevalence (Virtual Diabetes Register) were used to describe recent diabetes prevalence trends (2006-2019) by age group, calendar period and birth cohort, with these trends used to project diabetes prevalence out from 2020 to 2044. Aotearoa New Zealand will experience a significant increase in the absolute volume of prevalent diabetes, rising by nearly 90% to more than 500,000 by 2044. The age-standardised prevalence of diabetes will increase from around 3.9% of the population (268,248) to 5.0% overall (502,358). The prevalence and volume of diabetes diagnoses will increase most drastically for Pacific peoples, most notably Pacific females for whom diabetes prevalence is projected to increase to 17% of the population by 2044. The increases in the future burden of diabetes mellitus projected here will heighten pressure on health services. Immediate action is required to reduce new cases of diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses. Fiscal policies to prevent these diseases, coupled with population-level interventions to more effectively manage and control diabetes, are effective tools for reducing disease burden.

Syphilis in a blood bank in Argentina: Prevalence trends and risk factors.

Worldwide, there has been a worrying increase in the prevalence of syphilis. Blood banks have a major role in monitoring the trend of these events, despite the bias due to the altruistic donation strategy. To determine the seroprevalence of syphilis and analyse its association with defined risk factors among blood donors at the regional blood center at Hospital Prof. Dr. J. P. Garrahan, period 2016-2022. Donor screening was performed with treponemal and non-treponemal tests to determine the prevalence of active and past syphilis. Sociodemographic characteristics of donors were analysed and the association with potential risk factors was assessed. A total of 72 874 donations were processed during the study period. The overall prevalence of specific anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies was 0.69% (95% CI = 0.63-0.75). Active syphilis seroprevalence was 0.30% (95% CI = 0.25-0.33). Not active syphilis seroprevalence was 0.39% (95% CI = 0.35-0.44). Anti-T. pallidum seroprevalence among first-time donations was 1.26% (95% CI = 1.14-1.38) while in repeat donations it was 0.16% (95% CI = 0.12-0.21). In univariate analysis, we found an association between syphilis and having a history of any sexually transmitted infection (OR: 5.09, 95% CI = 2.20-11.70, p < 0.01) and being first-time donors (OR: 3.48, 95% CI = 1.70-7.09, p = 0.0001). Although the overall prevalence of syphilis is 0.69%, among repeat donors prevalence as low as 0.16% was found. This demonstrates the need to maintain and improve screening strategies and promotion of voluntary, altruistic and repeat donation.

Prevalence and mortality trends of hemoglobinopathies in Italy: a nationwide study.

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P1209 Temporal trends in surgery and hospitalization rates for crohn's disease in Brazil: A population-based study

Abstract Background Crohn's Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily affecting young adults and adolescents. Biological therapies have advanced CD management, reducing hospitalizations and surgeries. Methods This retrospective, population-based study analyzed CD patients treated by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) from 2012 to 2022. Patients were categorized by pharmacological treatment (azathioprine [AZA], infliximab [IFX], adalimumab [ADA]) based on dispensing records. Prevalence data were extracted from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Hospitalizations, surgeries, and prevalence trends were analyzed using TT Disease Explorer® and quantified as annual and average annual percent changes (AAPC). Statistical analysis was conducted in R software. Results From 2012 to 2022, CD prevalence increased 288.07%, from 14.20 to 52.64 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The proportion of patients treated with AZA decreased from 44.79% to 19.13%, while IFX remained stable and ADA slightly declined (figure 1). In absolute terms, IFX and ADA usage rose by 251.09% and 242.48%, respectively. Hospitalizations dropped by 59.29%, 6.19% to 2.52%, and surgical procedures by 55.08%, 1.09% to 0.49% (figure 2). Conclusion The results indicate that despite the increase in CD prevalence, therapeutic interventions, especially involving biological agents, have been effective in reducing hospitalizations and surgeries. However, the proportional stability in the use of IFX and ADA, despite the absolute increase, suggests challenges in access and implementation of these therapies across Brazil. Additionally, potential coding errors in hospital records may influence data accuracy, possibly underestimating the true burden of hospitalizations and surgeries. Improvements in health record quality are essential to provide more accurate data and promote more efficient public policies.Over 11 years, there was a significant increase in CD prevalence in Brazil, accompanied by a notable reduction in hospitalizations and surgical procedures. Biological therapies have played a crucial role in improving disease management, though the direct relationship between their use and clinical outcomes requires further investigation. Future studies should focus on reference centers to confirm these trends and assist in planning public policies that optimize CD treatment and improve access to effective therapies in Brazil. References Mowat C, Cole A, Windsor A, et al. Guidelines for the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults. Gut. 2011;60(5):571-607. doi:10.1136/gut.2010.2241542. Quaresma AB, Kaplan GG, Kotze PG. The globalization of inflammatory bowel disease: the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2019;35(4):259-264. doi:10.1097/MOG.00000000000005343. Quaresma AB, Damiao AOMC, Coy CSR, et al. Temporal trends in the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases in the public healthcare system in Brazil: A large population-based study. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2022;13:100298. Published 2022 Jun 9. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.1002984. Palacio FGM, de Souza LMP, Moreira JPL, Luiz RR, de Souza HSP, Zaltman C. Hospitalization and surgery rates in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil: a time-trend analysis. BMC Gastroenterol. 2021;21(1):192. Published 2021 Apr 27. doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01781-x Figure 1: Proportion of patients by therapy used in Brazil's Unified Health System from 2012 to 2022. Figure 2: Proportion of surgeries and hospitalizations among Crohn's Disease cases in Brazil's public healthcare system from 2012 to 2022.

P1252 Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Catalonia

Abstract Background: Introduction The epidemiologic status of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) has not been widely studied in Western Europe. The prevalence and incidence trends of the disease are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and incidence of PIBD and its mortality rate in Catalonia in the period 2011-2023. Methods: Material and methods A longitudinal study was performed using population-based data from the Catalan Health Surveillance System (CHSS). Data on prevalence, incidence and mortality of IBD in patients under the age of 18 years were obtained. Trends in age- and sex-adjusted rates were estimated. Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were also analysed separately. Results The number of PIBD patients rose from 307 in 2011 to 725 in 2023, with increases of 173% in UC and 113% in CD. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of PIBD rose from 23 (95%CI 20.5-25.7) to 48.1 (95%CI 44.7-51.7) per 1,000,000 inhabitants, while the annual incidence doubled, from 81 to 168. Although the peak incidence was recorded in 2022, the data suggest a flattening of the incidence curve in recent years. Seven patients died during follow-up, although the mortality rates were too low for further analysis. Conclusion Conclusion: The prevalence of PIBD is increasing rapidly in Catalonia. We observed also a trend towards a plateauing in the incidence that may suggest that prevalence might stabilize in the coming years. References N/A

Relationship between platelet distribution width and non-dipping pattern in children with essential hypertension

BackgroundHypertension has shown a trend of prevalence at younger ages, and the non-dipping pattern is associated with target organ damage in hypertension. However, few studies have yet investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors of non-dipper status in essential hypertension children. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and possible indicators associated with non-dipper status in children with essential hypertension.MethodsA total of 125 children (99 boys, 26 girls) with untreated essential hypertension were retrospectively included in this study. Non-dipping was defined as a nocturnal drop in systolic or diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) < 10%. Clinical data, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), laboratory and echocardiography parameters were recorded from the hospital database.ResultsNon-dipping pattern was found in 74 (59.2%) children and the dipping pattern in 51(40.8%) children, and the nocturnal SBP drop was 8.43 ± 0.71 (%), and the DBP drop was 14.44 ± 0.86 (%). The proportion of children with left ventricular hypertrophy was higher in the non-dipping group than in the dipping group. The platelet distribution width, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and triglycerides (TG) levels were higher in the non-dipping group compared with the dipping group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, PDW, TG and hs-CRP were found to be associated with the non-dipping pattern.ConclusionNon-dipping pattern in children hypertension is common, and the proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy is higher in non-dipping hypertension children. Moreover, higher PDW, hs-CRP and TG levels are the risk factors for non-dipping status in essential hypertension children.

Global Trends in Prevalence and Future Projections of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A 30-year Epidemiological Study.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a widespread disease in women. Despite its significant prevalence, there is a lack of comprehensive global studies, emphasizing the urgent need for tailored prevention and treatment approaches. This study aims to examine the global burden of POP from 1990 to 2021 and project future trends using the GBD data. Data were collected from the GBD 2021 database. A Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to analyze the trends and predict future burden, with age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and years lived with disability (YLD) as key metrics. In 2021, the global ASPR and age-standardized YLD rate of POP were 2769.4 (95%UI 2299.2-3298.2)and 8.5 (95% UI 4.1-16.2) per 100,000 people, respectively. Both ASPR and YLD rate decreased between 1990 and 2021. The burden of POP is highest in low-SDI regions. The global prevalence of POP was highest in the 80+ age group, while the absolute number of cases reached its peak in the 55-59 age group. By 2036, the global population of POP patients will reach 156 million. Additionally, both the ASPR and AS-YLD rates of POP will continue to decline over the next 15years. While the global burden of POP decreased between 1990 and 2021, ASPRs in regions with low SDI remained high. With the gradual aging population, POP will continue to pose a significant burden on women's health and the social economy in the future. Strengthening global surveillance and prevention efforts for POP remains a critical challenge.

Rising Burden of Colon and Rectum Cancer in China: An Analysis of Trends, Gender Disparities, and Projections to 2030.

Colon and rectum cancer (CRC) is a major health burden in China, with notable gender disparities. This study was designed to analyze trends in CRC incidence, prevalence, and mortality from 1990 to 2021 and to project future trends. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, we examined CRC burden in China, including incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs). Joinpoint regression, Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models, and age-period-cohort (APC) analysis identified trends and projected incidence up to 2030. In 2021, CRC incidence was 658,321 cases, disproportionately affecting males, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 42.24 per 100,000 in males and 21.87 per 100,000 in females. The CRC-related deaths reached 275,129, with higher mortality in males (18.95 per 100,000) than females (9.34 per 100,000). The DALYs totaled 6,848,390 and largely impacted males. Joinpoint analysis showed a persistent increase in incidence and prevalence, especially in younger cohorts, whereas mortality declined slightly but began rising again after 2015. The BAPC analysis projected further incidence growth, particularly in males, through 2030. The APC analysis revealed higher CRC risk among younger cohorts, suggesting increasing early-onset CRC linked to lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, and diets low in fiber and calcium, with a stronger effect on males. The increase of CRC incidence and prevalence in China, particularly among males, underscores the need for targeted prevention and early detection. Future research should address gender disparities and modifiable lifestyle risks through public health interventions.

Australian guidelines for equine internal parasite management.

Over the past few decades, the emergence of resistance amongst intestinal parasites of horses to all available anthelmintic classes has emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in parasite control approaches within the Australian equine industry. Findings of a recent Australia-wide research project have provided new insights into intestinal parasites (i.e. strongyles and ascarids) and parasite control from the perspectives of Australian horse breeders and equine veterinarians. The published data have revealed recent trends in parasite prevalence and distribution, breeders' and veterinarians' attitudes and perspectives on controlling horse internal parasites, the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintic products and post-treatment egg reappearance periods. These studies have formed the basis of newly developed guidelines managing and treating gastrointestinal nematodes in horses. Tailored for equine veterinarians, these guidelines contain information on target parasites and risk factors for their transmission, as well as practical advice for surveillance, anthelmintic choice, timing of treatment, testing for anthelmintic resistance and managing refugia. The Australian Guidelines for Equine Internal Parasite Management (AGEIPM) will serve as a pocket companion for equine veterinarians, providing best-practice recommendations grounded in locally conducted scientific research. Dissemination and extension of the AGEIPM to industry will strengthen the client-practitioner relationship. The aim is to reduce reliance on blanket deworming in equine parasite management programs and help curb the progression of resistance to the limited anthelmintic classes available for treating horses.

Evolving trends in the prevalence and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Korea from 2010 to 2023: a population-based study

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the axial skeleton, resulting in severe pain, decreased mobility, and irreversible structural damage. This study explores the evolving prevalence, patient demographics, and treatment trends for AS in the Korean population from 2010 to 2023, alongside advancements in targeted therapies. This population-based study utilized data from the National Health Insurance Database covering 2010 to 2023. AS cases were identified using at least two ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes and rare intractable disease registration codes, excluding diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The annual prevalence of AS was calculated and standardized to the 2017 population. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment patterns were assessed. The prevalence of AS increased from 26.76 per 100,000 individuals in 2010 to 81.87 per 100,000 in 2023. The proportion of patients over 50 years rose from 19.5 to 32.5%, and female representation increased from 17.9 to 24.0%. Comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome and musculoskeletal complications became more prevalent. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor prescriptions rose from 29.7 to 41.6%, while the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs declined. The introduction of interleukin-17 and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, particularly as second- and third-line therapies, marked a significant development. The prevalence of AS has surged between 2010 and 2023, particularly among older and female patients. The concurrent rise in comorbidities underscores the need for integrated care. Future research should focus on optimizing therapeutic sequences and evaluating long-term outcomes in this changing patient population.

A bibliometric analysis of reward-based crowdfunding related research: current trends and future prospect

The primary objective of this research pertains to conducting a bibliometric examination of articles accessible within the Web of Science database that pertain to reward-based crowdfunding. This research was conducted over a corpus of 261 publications spanning the timeframe of 2014 to 2023, from the WoS database. The results of the research revealed a notable trend of reward-based crowdfunding researchers. The research also sought to identify key authors, institutions, journals, and countries that hold paramount significance for future scholars delving into the study of reward-based crowdfunding, consequently delineating fundamental thematic underpinnings. The insights gleaned from these analyses are anticipated to offer valuable guidance to researchers engaging in explorations within this particular domain. The meticulous evaluation of publications and their interconnections sheds light on prevalent trends, influential contributors, and core topics, thereby furnishing a compass for prospective research endeavors.

A comprehensive analysis of R's application in ecological research from 2008 to 2023

Abstract The field of ecology has been greatly enhanced by the integration of computational tools and statistical methods, with the programming language R emerging as a pivotal and flexible tool for ecological inquiry. As ecological research accelerates, understanding the prevalent trends and specific usage patterns of R in recent studies is crucial. Our investigation explored the use of R and its packages in 125,494 scholarly articles across 40 ecology journals from 2008 to 2023. A considerable number of articles, 52,658 (41.96%), designated R as their principal analytical tool, demonstrating a steady linear growth in its utilization from 10.31% in 2008 to 66.88% in 2023. Twelve R packages, including "lme4," "vegan," "nlme," "MuMIn," "ape," "ggplot2," "car," "mgcv," "MASS," "raster," "multcomp," and "lmerTest," each played a pivotal role in contributing to more than 1,000 scholarly articles. The highest usage rate of the lme4 package indicates that mixed-effect models have a particularly important role in ecological research, and the application of these models has helped ecologists solve many important scientific problems. Journal-specific package preferences aligned with their scientific domains, while the rise in the average number of R packages per article signals a trend towards more complex analytical methods in ecology. Our findings indicate a reciprocal relationship between the development of R and ecological research, underscoring the need for collaboration among quantitative ecologists, R developers, and ecologists to further advance both the language and the field.

Exploring the motivations and dynamics of older French-speaking men settled in Thailand

This paper examines the motivations and experiences of older French-speaking men who relocate to Thailand driven by the desire for a more fulfilling and liberated lifestyle that contrasts with their experiences in their home countries. Through an analysis of video interviews with 31 expatriates available online, the study reveals a prevalent trend among these men to initially engage in short-term sexual relationships, enjoying the freedoms of Thailand’s vibrant social scene. However, as they acclimate to their new environment, a significant shift towards long-term partnerships is observed, marking a transition from transient interactions to more meaningful connections. Members of this group often form relationships with Thai women typically between the ages of 25 and 45. Contrary to common stereotypes, the research reveals that men often seek long-term partnerships over casual relationships. Although they may initially engage with multiple short-term partners, over time a clear preference for stable, committed relationships emerges. It is important to distinguish these sustained partnerships from buying sex, as the women involved are better described as freelancers who provide a range of services – from caregiving to companionship – similar to a contractual marriage or being a so-called rented wife, typically for an average of 500–700 euros per month.

Trends in the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 1999–2018

BackgroundChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an escalating public health concern in the United States, linked with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite known risk factors like age, hypertension, and diabetes, comprehensive studies examining temporal trends in CKD prevalence are scarce. This study aims to analyze these trends using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed NHANES data spanning 20 years (1999–2018), including 55,081 adults aged 20 years and above. Key renal function indicators like estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were assessed, and CKD stages were categorized accordingly.ResultsA fluctuating trend in CKD prevalence was observed, with early CKD stages (G1–G3) increasing from 9.28% in 1999–2000 to 12.93% in 2017–2018. Advanced CKD stages (G4–G5) showed a slight increase in prevalence from 0.3% in 1999–2000 to 0.51% in 2017–2018. Notable disparities were observed across age groups, diabetes status, and racial categories. Relatively, the elderly, women, and non-Hispanic whites have a higher prevalence of CKD, while individuals with diabetes have a consistently higher prevalence of early CKD from 1999 to 2018. The increasing prevalence of diabetes during the study period highlights its significant role as a CKD risk factor.ConclusionThe prevalence of CKD in the U.S. has been rising over the period 1999–2018, and varying across demographic groups, underscoring significant disparities and risk factors. These insights are crucial for healthcare planning, policy formulation, and targeted interventions for CKD management.