Self-reported Illness Symptoms Research Articles

Heat acclimation does not negatively affect salivary immunoglobulin-A and self-reported illness symptoms and wellness in recreational athletes

ABSTRACT Heat acclimation (HA) protocols repeatedly expose individuals to heat stress. As HA is typically performed close to the pinnacle event, it is essential that the protocol does not compromise immune status, health, or wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of HA on resting salivary immunoglobulin-A (s-IgA) and salivary cortisol (s-cortisol), self-reported upper-respiratory tract symptoms, and self-reported wellness parameters. Seventeen participants (peak oxygen uptake 53.2 ± 9.0 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed a 10-day controlled-hyperthermia HA protocol, and a heat stress test both before (HST1) and after (HST2) HA (33°C, 65% relative humidity). Resting saliva samples were collected at HST1, day 3 and 7 of the HA protocol, HST2, and at 5 ± 1 days post-HA. Upper-respiratory tract symptom data were collected weekly from one week prior to HA until three weeks post HA, and wellness ratings were reported daily throughout HA. HA successfully induced physiological adaptations, with a lower end-exercise rectal temperature and heart rate and higher whole-body sweat rate at HST2 compared to HST1. In contrast, resting saliva flow rate, s-IgA concentration, s-cortisol concentration, and s-cortisol secretion rate remained unchanged (n = 11–14, P = 0.10–0.48). Resting s-IgA secretion rate increased by 39% from HST1 to HST2 (n = 14, P = 0.03). No changes were observed in self-reported upper respiratory tract symptoms and wellness ratings. In conclusion, controlled-hyperthermia HA did not negatively affect resting s-IgA and s-cortisol, self-reported upper-respiratory tract symptoms, and self-reported wellness parameters in recreational athletes.

Pesticides use and health impacts on farmers in Thailand, Vietnam, and Lao PDR: Protocol for a survey of knowledge, behaviours and blood acetyl cholinesterase concentrations.

Pesticides use in Southeast Asia has increased steadily, driven by the growth of large-scale commercial farming, as well as a desire to maximise food production in rural subsistence economies. Given that use of chemical pesticides, such as organophosphates and carbamates, has known potential health impacts, there are concerns about the safety of agricultural workers, and a need for a better evidence base to underpin regulation and worker education. This study, undertaken in 9 districts in Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, will interview agricultural workers to investigate how they use pesticides, their knowledge of risks and self-protective practices, and their self-reported illness symptoms. In each district researchers will recruit and interview 120 participants engaged in vegetable farming, who have recently used pesticides, making a total of 1080 subjects divided equally between the three study countries. Workers’ degree of pesticides exposure will be determined from acetyl cholinesterase concentrations in capillary blood samples collected using field test kits, and these data will be analysed together with the interview findings. Country findings will be compared and contrasted, and general patterns noted. Knowledge gained about risky behaviours, self-protective practices and degree of association with serious pesticides exposure will assist policy makers and inform health improvement programmes.

"Loneliness predicts self-reported cold symptoms after a viral challenge": Correction to LeRoy et al. (2017).

As part of a larger parent study, 213 healthy participants completed the Short Loneliness Scale (LON) and the Social Network Index (SNI) at baseline. They were given nasal drops containing rhinovirus 39 (RV39; i.e., a common cold virus), then quarantined for 5 days during which they reported on subjective cold symptoms in addition to being monitored for objective indicators of infection. Data from 160 of the participants (who were infected with the virus) were used in the present analyses. A hierarchical multiple regression revealed that baseline loneliness predicted self-reported cold symptoms over time (assessed via area under the curve), over and above demographic variables, season of participation, and depressive affect. Interestingly, social network size and diversity did not predict cold symptoms. These findings suggest that the perception of loneliness is more closely linked to self-reported illness symptoms than objectively measured social isolation. Assessing psychosocial factors such as loneliness when treating and evaluating the common cold could contribute to health care practitioners' understanding of their patients' experiences with acute illness. (PsycINFO Database Record

Loneliness predicts self-reported cold symptoms after a viral challenge.

Loneliness is a well-established risk factor for poor physical health. Much less is known about how loneliness affects patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as somatic symptoms, which are increasingly important for guiding symptom management and assessing quality of patient care. The current study investigates whether (a) loneliness and social isolation predict cold symptoms independent of each other, and (b) whether loneliness is a more robust risk factor than objective social isolation for experiencing cold symptoms. As part of a larger parent study, 213 healthy participants completed the Short Loneliness Scale (LON) and the Social Network Index (SNI) at baseline. They were given nasal drops containing rhinovirus 39 (RV39; i.e., a common cold virus), then quarantined for 5 days during which they reported on subjective cold symptoms in addition to being monitored for objective indicators of infection. Data from 160 of the participants (who were infected with the virus) were used in the present analyses. A hierarchical multiple regression revealed that baseline loneliness predicted self-reported cold symptoms over time (assessed via area under the curve), over and above demographic variables, season of participation, and depressive affect. Interestingly, social network size and diversity did not predict cold symptoms. These findings suggest that the perception of loneliness is more closely linked to self-reported illness symptoms than objectively measured social isolation. Assessing psychosocial factors such as loneliness when treating and evaluating the common cold could contribute to health care practitioners' understanding of their patients' experiences with acute illness. (PsycINFO Database Record

Association of Oseltamivir Treatment With Virus Shedding, Illness, and Household Transmission of Influenza Viruses.

In an observational study of 582 patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections and their household contacts, we found that the initiation of oseltamivir within 24 hours was associated with shorter duration of self-reported illness symptoms (56% reduction in duration; 95% confidence interval, 41%-67%). However, we did not find any association of oseltamivir treatment with duration of viral shedding by polymerase chain reaction or with the risk of household transmission.

Patient communication self-efficacy, self-reported illness symptoms, physician communication style and mental health and illness in hospital outpatients.

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the associations between patient communication self-efficacy and self-reported symptoms in doctor-patient communication, as perceived by patients, and the mental health and illness of hospital outpatients. Using data from a sample of 74 outpatients (mean age = 37.58 years, standard deviation = 12.54), a structural equation model was calculated. The results showed that communication self-efficacy and respectful behaviour were associated with mental health and illness. Furthermore, self-reported symptoms were correlated with mental illness. Gender and educational differences also occurred. The findings suggest that enhancing patients' communication skills could benefit outpatients in general, but female and less educated patients in particular.

Lactobacillus fermentum (PCC®) supplementation and gastrointestinal and respiratory-tract illness symptoms: a randomised control trial in athletes

BackgroundProbiotics purportedly reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory-tract illness by modulating commensal microflora. Preventing and reducing symptoms of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness are the primary reason that dietary supplementation with probiotics are becoming increasingly popular with healthy active individuals. There is a paucity of data regarding the effectiveness of probiotics in this cohort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a probiotic on faecal microbiology, self-reported illness symptoms and immunity in healthy well trained individuals.MethodsCompetitive cyclists (64 males and 35 females; age 35 ± 9 and 36 ± 9 y, VO2max 56 ± 6 and 52 ± 6 ml.kg-1.min-1, mean ± SD) were randomised to either probiotic (minimum 1 × 109 Lactobacillus fermentum (PCC®) per day) or placebo treatment for 11 weeks in a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. The outcome measures were faecal L. fermentum counts, self-reported symptoms of illness and serum cytokines.ResultsLactobacillus numbers increased 7.7-fold (90% confidence limits 2.1- to 28-fold) more in males on the probiotic, while there was an unclear 2.2-fold (0.2- to 18-fold) increase in females taking the probiotic. The number and duration of mild gastrointestinal symptoms were ~2-fold greater in the probiotic group. However, there was a substantial 0.7 (0.2 to 1.2) of a scale step reduction in the severity of gastrointestinal illness at the mean training load in males, which became more pronounced as training load increased. The load (duration×severity) of lower respiratory illness symptoms was less by a factor of 0.31 (99%CI; 0.07 to 0.96) in males taking the probiotic compared with placebo but increased by a factor of 2.2 (0.41 to 27) in females. Differences in use of cold and flu medication mirrored these symptoms. The observed effects on URTI had too much uncertainty for a decisive outcome. There were clear reductions in the magnitude of acute exercise-induced changes in some cytokines.ConclusionL. fermentum may be a useful nutritional adjunct for healthy exercising males. However, uncertainty in the effects of supplementation on URTI and on symptoms in females needs to be resolved.Trial registrationThe trial was registered in the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12611000006943).

A self-reported questionnaire for quantifying illness symptoms in elite athletes

To develop and evaluate a questionnaire that quantifies the self-reported frequency, duration and severity of illness symptoms in highly-trained athletes. We examined whether runners had more symptoms than recreationally-active individuals, and whether runners more prone to illness were undertaking more strenuous training programs. A daily illness questionnaire was administered for three months during the summer to quantify the type, frequency, duration, and severity of illness symptoms as well as the functional impact on the ability to undertake exercise performance. A total of 35 participants (12 highly-trained runners living in a community setting and 23 recreationally-active medical students) completed the questionnaire. Runners had a similar frequency of illness (2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 1.8 ± 2.3 episodes, mean ± SD, P = 0.58), but substantially longer duration (5.5 ± 9.9 vs 2.8 ± 3.1 days, P < 0.01) and illness load (7.7 ± 16.2 vs 4.5 ± 4.8 units, P = 0.001) than age- and sex-matched recreationally-active individuals respectively. Runners more prone to illness symptoms had marginally higher training loads. The athlete illness questionnaire is useful for quantifying the pattern of self-reported symptoms of illness in field settings. Highly-trained runners experience longer episodes of illness with a greater impact on daily activity than recreationally-active individuals.

Self‐reported illness and birth weight in the Philippines: Implications for hypotheses of adaptive fetal plasticity

It has been proposed that prenatal nutrition provides the fetus with a cue allowing it to adjust biological settings in anticipation of postnatal nutrition. To evaluate the reliability of fetal growth rate as a nutritional cue, this study assesses the extent to which a nonnutritional factor-maternal illness symptoms during pregnancy-predicts birth outcomes in a large, population-based sample of Filipino women and their newborns (n = 2,887). Self-reported illness symptoms were collected during pregnancy and used to predict weight, length, BMI, and gestational age at birth. Independent of potential confounders, number of reported symptoms predicted a significant dose-response decrease in birth weight and BMI, but not length that reflected a combination of reduced fetal growth rate and reduced duration of gestation. These effects were comparable in male and female offspring, but tended to be stronger when reported closer to term. Among women interviewed at 32 weeks gestation or later, multiple symptoms predicted a 144 g birth weight reduction compared with no symptoms. These findings suggest an acute effect of maternal illness on fetal nutrition late in gestation when growth rate and fat deposition are most rapid. Although modest, the effect was larger than that of most pregnancy macronutrient supplementation trials. These findings using crosssectional, self-reported illness symptoms highlight a nonnutritional maternal influence on fetal nutrition, which could attenuate its value as a cue of postnatal ecology.

A change of heart: cardiovascular correlates of forgiveness in response to interpersonal conflict.

This study sought to examine the psychophysiological correlates of forgiveness in response to interpersonal conflict. One hundred eight college students (44 males and 64 females) participated in two interviews about times of interpersonal betrayal, one about a parent and one about a friend/partner. Measures of forgiving personality and state forgiveness were collected, as well as stress, hostility, empathy, and self-reported illness symptoms. During baseline, interviews and recovery periods, repeated measures were taken of blood pressure, heart rate, frontalis EMG, and skin conductance. Trait forgiveness was associated with lower levels of blood pressure. State forgiveness was associated with lower blood pressure levels, heart rate, and rate pressure product. Acute, stress-induced reactivity was also linked to forgiveness: state forgiveness was associated with diastolic and mean arterial pressure and rate pressure product reactivity during the parent interview. Increased blood pressure recovery after stress was also linked to trait forgiveness. Forgiveness may produce beneficial effects directly by reducing allostatic load associated with betrayal and conflict, and indirectly through reductions in perceived stress.

Humor, laughter, and physical health: methodological issues and research findings.

All published research examining effects of humor and laughter on physical health is reviewed. Potential causal mechanisms and methodological issues are discussed. Laboratory experiments have shown some effects of exposure to comedy on several components of immunity, although the findings are inconsistent and most of the studies have methodological problems. There is also some evidence of analgesic effects of exposure to comedy, although similar findings are obtained with negative emotions. Few significant correlations have been found between trait measures of humor and immunity, pain tolerance, or self-reported illness symptoms. There is also little evidence of stress-moderating effects of humor on physical health variables and no evidence of increased longevity with greater humor. More rigorous and theoretically informed research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about possible health benefits of humor and laughter.

Occupational health risks for Mexican women: the case of the maquiladora along the Mexican-United States border.

International reports of morbidity among female workers in Mexico's border zone have raised concern about the occupational health of female workers in maquiladora plants (foreign-owned border industries with special tariff benefits). Commentators have suggested that U.S. industries may be exploiting workers by transferring work to nations with less stringent health and safety regulation through the maquiladora program. Using data from a larger evaluation of the effectiveness of Project Concern and a specially developed questionnaire, this study investigated the extent to which female workers reported higher morbidity rates than women with other employment and women not employed outside the home in seven colonias (communities) in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Results showed essentially no difference in many short-term self-reported symptoms of illness among maquiladora workers and two other groups. Women who worked exclusively in the home reported the greatest number of symptoms. These results suggest that additional primary care services may be needed for women who have primarily domestic responsibilities. Additional research is needed to assess the risks for long-latency morbidity.

Assessing the physical health effects of social networks and social support.

From shopping bags in California bearing Friends make good medicine to editorials in the Journal o/the American Medical Association, A Friend, Not an Apple, a Day Will Help Keep the Doctor Away (19), the message is that social support is both good preventive and curative medicine. Like chicken soup, its powers are believed to be pervasive, the reasons for its effects are unknown, and knowledge of its qualities is widespread and based on folk wisdom. No other risk factor has recently gained so much sustained attention so rapidly. From interactions among mice litter mates to collegiality among university graduates, evidence has been garnered to support the notion that social ties are related to good health and well-being. The very popularity of this concept demands that we examine critically and in detail the evidence linking social networks and social support to health outcomes. Therefore, my purpose in this paper is to review the data relating social ties to physical health. I do not examine the large body of research linking social ties to self-reported symptoms of illness or to mental health except where a particular model is especially useful in explaining a concept. Issues regarding definition and measurement of social networks and social support are addressed and problems with particular study designs are discussed. On a more speculative level, I consider (a) what are the functions of social networks and social support, and what do they provide for people; and (b) what are the potential biologic pathways that link social networks to morbidity and