Severity Of Individual Symptoms Research Articles

Omicron and periodontal health; a clinical exploration of gingivitis and periodontitis

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected global health, with variants such as Omicron posing new challenges due to their increased transmissibility and potential to evade immunity. Periodontal diseases, which are highly prevalent worldwide, have been linked to various systemic conditions, including respiratory infections. Objectives: To determine how periodontal problems affect Omicron infection susceptibility, symptom severity, and outcome in individuals infected with this variety and discover oral microbiota biomarkers that indicate severe Omicron patients. Materials and Methods: To gather data, a quantitative descriptive study was instituted, utilizing a well-structured questionnaire comprising multiple-choice and Likert scale questions. The sample population, dentists in Erbil, was reached through email, followed by statistical analyses involving mean scores, standard deviations, and practices degree to interpret the data. Results: Results displayed a varied range of perceptions, with significant discrepancies highlighted through high standard deviations in specific responses, pointing to the necessity for homogenized guidelines or educational outreach. The overall mean score categorized the sentiment as ‘Medium,’ indicating a moderate level of consensus on the relationship between the Omicron variant and periodontal issues. Conclusion: This exploration unveils not only a nuanced understanding among the dentist community but also showcases domains where unanimity is deficient, calling for intensified research and educational efforts to harmonize perspectives in this pressing matter, especially amid the prevalence of the Omicron variant. The findings signify an imperative to foster aligned understandings through enhanced educational interventions in the dental community in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq, potentially steering towards a more cohesive approach in handling cases with pre-existing periodontal conditions amid the Omicron surge.

The Protective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Olive Leaf on Aluminum Phosphide-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Rats

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a treatment for aluminum phosphide (ALP) poisoning, which is known as “rice tablet”. Methods: In the present study, the impact of different doses of ethanolic extract of olive leaves (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on ALP (120 mg/kg)-induced cardiotoxicity was evaluated in anesthetized-gastrotomized adult male Wistar rats. Thirty-five rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n=7) as follows: control (AC) and treatment groups [ALP+Olea100 (AO100), ALP+Olea 200 (AO200), and ALP+Olea 400 (AO400)]. Physiological data including blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as oxidative stress markers were measured in heart tissues. Results: ALP-intoxication led to perturbed normal ECG and increased oxidative stress. Administration of olive leaf extract at various concentrations, however, mitigated bradycardia after 90 minutes, following ALP-intoxication (in AO200), hypotension (in AO100), and cardiac conduction disturbances (decreased QTC in the AO200 30 (P<0.05), 60 (P<0.001), and 90 (P<0.05) minutes after intoxication) and decreased PR 60 (P<0.05) and 90 minutes (P<0.01) after intoxication. This was compared with baseline as well as detrimental changes in cardiac electrophysiology [mitigated ST-segment elevation in AO200 and depressed T-wave in the AO200 (P<0.05) and AO400 (P<0.01) groups 90 minutes after intoxication] Conclusion: Based on these authentic results, it seems that olive leaf extracts can be useful in reducing the severity of symptoms in ALP-poisoned individuals and could be utilized in a poisoning emergency.

The impact of age-related differences in emotion dysregulation on refugee mental health and social outcomes.

The refugee experience is typically characterized by exposure to numerous premigration traumatic events and postmigration stress in the resettlement environment. Refugees' experiences can lead to elevated rates of psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Emotion regulation is a key mechanism contributing to mental health outcomes among refugees. This study examined the impact of age on the association between emotion regulation and critical social outcomes relevant to refugee resettlement, such as social engagement and functional impairment. Participants were 1,081 Arabic-, Farsi-, Tamil- and English-speaking adult refugees. Premigration trauma exposure, postmigration stressors, PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, social engagement, and functional impairment were measured. A series of hierarchical regression and Poisson regression analyses revealed emotion dysregulation as a significant predictor of functional impairment, β =.36, p <.001, and social engagement, Exp B = 0.99, p =.002. A significant interaction between age and emotion dysregulation was associated with both PTSD, β =.05, p =.048 and depressive symptoms, β =.06, p =.010, suggesting a stronger positive association between emotion dysregulation and both PTSD and depressive symptom severity for older individuals. Postmigration stressor exposure, emotion dysregulation, and older age are important factors that may negatively impact social engagement and functional impairment in the resettlement environment. Additionally, higher levels of trauma exposure may negatively impact social engagement. These findings have implications for public health and social services in the context of resettled refugee communities.

Unraveling PTSD: Symptom cluster change during and 1 year after veterans' residential PTSD treatment.

Although treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is effective in reducing symptom severity, remission rates are low. One potential underlying reason for treatment ineffectiveness is differential response of specific PTSD symptom clusters. Using data from a national Veterans Affairs (VA) residential PTSD treatment cohort, we conducted a longitudinal study to examine changes in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition PTSD symptom clusters from admission to 1-year follow-up. PTSD symptom data were analyzed from a national cohort of veterans who completed VA PTSD residential treatment between October 2019 and September 2020 (n = 1,648; 13% women; median age 44.2 years). Endorsement (%) and severity (M[SD]) of PTSD clusters and individual symptoms were compared at admission, discharge, 4-month and 1-year follow-ups. Large magnitude reductions in all four PTSD symptom clusters were observed from admission to discharge and both follow-ups; however, endorsement of all symptom clusters remained high. Intrusions (Cluster B) were the most highly endorsed at discharge and follow-up, whereas avoidance symptoms (Cluster C) were the least highly endorsed. Differential patterns of change were observed among the 20 individual PTSD symptoms; for example, flashbacks decreased during treatment, but increased to near admission levels by 1-year postdischarge. Results suggest that intrusive symptoms may be more resistant to residential treatment for PTSD and contribute to lower likelihood of treatment success. Future work is needed to examine differential treatment response for PTSD clusters, to inform the improvement of current and creation of novel treatment interventions, and to better address intrusive symptoms to maximize PTSD treatment gains. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychological distress mediates the association between COVID-19-related discrimination and subsequent PTSD symptom severity in healthcare workers: a two-year follow-up study

BackgroundPast research has suggested a cross-sectional association between COVID-19-related discrimination and PTSD symptom severity. However, no cohort study has examined the longitudinal association that better supports causal interpretation. Also, even if such an association genuinely exists, the specific pathway remains unclear.MethodsWe conducted a two-year follow-up study, obtaining data from healthcare workers in a hospital setting. We first evaluated how COVID-19-related discrimination in 2021 was associated with subsequent PTSD symptom severity in 2023. Thereafter, we conducted causal mediation analysis to examine how this association was mediated by psychological distress in 2022, accounting for exposure-mediator interaction. Missing data were handled using random forest imputation.ResultsA total of 660 hospital staff were included. The fully adjusted model showed greater PTSD symptom severity in individuals who experienced any COVID-19-related discrimination compared with those without such experiences (β, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.04–0.90). Regarding each type of discrimination, perceived discrimination was associated with greater PTSD symptom severity (β, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.08–0.96), whereas verbal discrimination did not reach statistical significance. Psychological distress mediated 28.1%–38.8% of the observed associations.ConclusionsCOVID-19-related discrimination is associated with subsequent PTSD symptom severity in healthcare workers. Psychological distress may serve as an important mediator, underscoring the potential need for interventions targeting this factor.

Associations between menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Chinese women

Objective This study aimed to examine the association between severity of menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among middle-aged Chinese women. Methods A cross-sectional study recruited 9679 women aged 40–70 years from three socioeconomic regions of China in 2018. Menopausal symptoms were assessed by the modified Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI). The severity of individual symptoms was classified as none (0 points), mild (1 points) and moderate-to-severe symptoms (2–3 points), and overall menopausal symptoms were classified as none (<15 points), mild (15–24 points) or moderate-to-severe (≥25 points) according to the sum score of the KMI. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations of the severity of menopausal symptoms with CVD risk. Results A total of 5.6% of participants reported being diagnosed with CVD. Overall menopausal symptoms were more common in women aged 60–70 years than in women aged 40–59 years. After multiple adjustment, mild (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64–2.61) and moderate-to-severe (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.92–3.63) overall menopausal symptoms were associated with increased risk of CVD compared with no symptoms. Significant positive associations between the severity of individual menopausal symptoms and CVD risk were observed for all 13 items. Conclusion The severity of menopausal symptoms was positively associated with CVD risk in middle-aged Chinese women.

Determinants of Systemic SARS-CoV-2-Specific Antibody Responses to Infection and to Vaccination: A Secondary Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trial Data.

SARS-CoV-2 infections elicit antibodies against the viral spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins; COVID-19 vaccines against the S-protein only. The BCG-Corona trial, initiated in March 2020 in SARS-CoV-2-naïve Dutch healthcare workers, captured several epidemic peaks and the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines during the one-year follow-up. We assessed determinants of systemic anti-S1 and anti-N immunoglobulin type G (IgG) responses using trial data. Participants were randomised to BCG or placebo vaccination, reported daily symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 test results, and COVID-19 vaccinations, and donated blood for SARS-CoV-2 serology at two time points. In the 970 participants, anti-S1 geometric mean antibody concentrations (GMCs) were much higher than anti-N GMCs. Anti-S1 GMCs significantly increased with increasing number of immune events (SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination): 104.7 international units (IU)/mL, 955.0 IU/mL, and 2290.9 IU/mL for one, two, and three immune events, respectively (p < 0.001). In adjusted multivariable linear regression models, anti-S1 and anti-N log10 concentrations were significantly associated with infection severity, and anti-S1 log10 concentration with COVID-19 vaccine type/dose. In univariable models, anti-N log10 concentration was also significantly associated with acute infection duration, and severity and duration of individual symptoms. Antibody concentrations were not associated with long COVID or long-term loss of smell/taste.

Assessing gastrointestinal symptoms in people with autism: Applying a new measure based on the Rome IV criteria

BackgroundPeople with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often struggle with gastrointestinal symptoms, implicating alterations of the gut-microbiota-brain axis, which has also been linked to sensory reactivity, pain, and gastro-intestinal symptoms in ASD. To better understand the prevalence and impact of gastrointestinal symptoms among individuals with ASD, a measure is needed that adhere to the Rome IV criteria of gastrointestinal symptoms and is applicable to individuals with ASD. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Scale (GSSS) is a new assessment tool designed to match this need. MethodsIn a diverse sample of 265 individuals with ASD (mean age = 9.44, SD = 4.99), we examined the psychometric properties of the GSSS, the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and associations with ASD traits, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and pain. ResultsA unidimensional factor structure of the GSSS was confirmed and the measure showed good internal consistency, adequate test-retest reliability and strong convergent validity. Around a third of the participants evidenced clear difficulties with gastrointestinal symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms were strongly associated with more pronounced ASD traits, sensory reactivity, and repetitive behaviors. ConclusionsThe GSSS shows promise as a useful measure to analyze the prevalence, severity, and impact of gastro-intestinal symptoms in individuals with ASD.

Structural equation models of health behaviour, psychological well-being, symptom severity and quality of life in abdominal bloating.

The objective of this study was to investigate the inter-relationship between psychosocial variables and their impact on symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) concerning abdominal bloating. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling. Participants who consented and met the criteria for bloating based on the Rome IV classification completed designated questionnaires. Independent variables comprised health beliefs, intentions, health-promoting behaviors, social support, depression, and anxiety, while dependent variables included bloating severity (general and within 24 h) and QoL. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted utilizing Mplus 8.0 to analyze the relationships between these factors. A total of 323 participants, with a mean age of 27.69 years (SD = 11.50), predominantly females (64.7%), volunteered to participate in the study. The final SEM model exhibited good fit based on various indices (CFI = 0.922, SRMR = 0.064, RMSEA (95% CI) = 0.048 (0.041-0.054), p-value = 0.714), with 15 significant path relationships identified. The model explained 12.0% of the variance in severity within 24 h, 6% in general severity, and 53.8% in QoL. The findings underscore the significant influence of health beliefs, intentions, behaviors, social support, depression, and anxiety on symptom severity and QoL in individuals experiencing abdominal bloating.

Gait asymmetry and symptom laterality in Parkinson’s disease: two of a kind?

BackgroundThe laterality of motor symptoms is considered a key feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we investigated whether gait and turning asymmetry coincided with symptom laterality as determined by the MDS-UPRDS part III and whether it was increased compared to healthy controls (HC).MethodsWe analyzed the asymmetry of gait and turning with and without a cognitive dual task (DT) using motion capture systems and wearable sensors in 97 PD patients mostly from Hoehn & Yahr stage II and III and 36 age-matched HC. We also assessed motor symptom asymmetry using the bilateral sub-items of the MDS-UPDRS-III. Finally, we examined the strength of the association between gait asymmetry and symptom laterality.ResultsParticipants with PD had increased gait but not more turning asymmetry compared to HC (p < 0.05). Only 53.7% of patients had a shorter step length on the more affected body side as determined by the MDS-UPDRS-III. Also, 54% took more time and 29% more steps during turns toward the more affected side. The degree of asymmetry in the different domains did not correlate with each other and was not influenced by DT-load.ConclusionsWe found a striking mismatch between the side and the degree of asymmetry in different motor domains, i.e., in gait, turning, and distal symptom severity in individuals with PD. We speculate that motor execution in different body parts relies on different neural control mechanisms. Our findings warrant further investigation to understand the complexity of gait asymmetry in PD.

Gender differences in the association of dementia symptoms severity and hospital anxiety

IntroductionSymptoms of anxiety can worsen cognitive decline in people with dementia, and symptoms of dementia and fears of further cognitive decline can cause anxiety. Advanced dementia is not necessarily associated with a loss of emotion, which means that people may still experience anxiety, but their ability to cope in a healthy way is reduced. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that hospital care alone can contribute to the severity of anxiety symptoms due to change in routine of daily activities, unfamiliar surroundings, uncertainty about health status, prognosis and various medical procedures. There are differences between women and men in the prevalence, course and manifestation of both dementia and anxiety disorders.ObjectivesTo examine whether there are differences between women and men in the association of hospital anxiety with eight symptoms of dementia: difficulties with memory, orientation, judgement, problem solving, fulfilling social obligations, daily activities at home and with hobbies, or personal care, in patients with mild to moderate dementia.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic in Zagreb in June 2023. The target population were hospitalised patients diagnosed with dementia, both genderes, aged 60-90 years, without psychotic disorder. Anxiety during hospitalisation was measured using the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A), and the severity of dementia symptoms was measured using the Dementia Assessment Instrument (CDR). The hypothesis was tested using Wald test of differences between women and men in unstandardised linear regression coefficients of the HADS-A on individual dementia symptoms, after adjustment for age, education, presence of a married or stable non-marital partner and duration of current hospitalisation.ResultsWe enrolled 65 women and 35 men of comparable age. There were significant gender-related differences in the association between hospital anxiety and difficulties with judgement (P = 0.01), fulfilling social obligations (P &lt; 0.001), difficulties with home and hobbies (P = 0.02), and personal care (P = 0.00). In women, more pronounced difficulties with judgement and with home and hobbies were associated with higher anxiety, and in men the presence of these two symptoms of dementia was associated with lower anxiety. Difficulties with fulfilling social obligations are associated with lower anxiety in women and higher anxiety in men. Difficulties with personal care were associated with lower anxiety in both genders, but this effect was stronger in men.ConclusionsThere are differences between women and men in the association between anxiety during hospital treatment and the severity of individual dementia symptoms. These differences are present in difficulties with judgement, fulfilling social obligations, home, hobbies and personal care.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Relationship between severity of concussion’s symptoms and functional performance in children

ABSTRACT Introduction Concussion is a common brain injury that has significant effects on multiple functional domains in children. However, limited research exists on the relationship between concussion severity and functional performance in this population. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the severity of concussion symptoms and children’s balance and functional performance. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 23 children (9 males and 14 females; mean age 13.9 ± 2.2 years) with clinically diagnosed concussions from a tertiary balance center in 2016. Participants underwent clinical and functional evaluations by specialized physical therapists. Symptom severity was assessed using the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), while functional performance was measured using the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA). Results There was a trend suggesting a negative correlation between symptom severity (PCSS) and functional performance (FGA), indicating potentially better performance in individuals with milder symptoms. However, this trend was not significant (rs (21) = –.072, p = 0.744). Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between FGA scores and the severity of individual symptoms. Conclusion The findings suggest that concussion symptom severity may not be directly related to functional performance in children. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate functional performance measures alongside symptom assessment for comprehensive concussion management.

The mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological flexibility may help people diagnosed with schizophrenia (PWS) cope with their psychotic symptoms and reduce their depressive symptoms, but the mechanism of this effect is unclear. To investigate whether psychological flexibility mediates the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression in PWS. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which a total of 111 PWS were assessed with DSM-5 Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25 and PROCESS macro. Significant correlations were found between psychotic symptoms, depression and psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression. Psychological flexibility could weaken the impact of psychotic symptom severity on depression in PWS. Higher psychotic symptoms were associated with lower psychological flexibility and higher depression. Interventions to improve psychological flexibility may prevent depressive symptoms in PWS. Psychiatric nurses can use psychological flexibility as a goal for evaluation and intervention.

The impact of physical activity on treatment modalities and symptom severity in individuals with COVID-19

The impact of physical activity on treatment modalities and symptom severity in individuals with COVID-19

Sinonasal Polyposis: Quality of Life After Surgical Treatment: About 21 Cases

Nasosinusal polyposis is a major health problem with important socio-economic implications. Our work presents a retrospective study of 21 patients operated on for nasosinusal polyposis, over a 10-Month, from January 2017 to January 2019 in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda. The average age of our patients 39, 8 with a range from 16 to 66 years with a male predominance (sex ratio of 1, 3). The objective of our study is to evaluate the quality of life and the severity of individual symptoms in patients with nasosinusal polyposis, were measured using the Sino-Nasal-Outcome Test 22(SNOT-22). The main preoperative symptom score was nasal obstruction with a main score of 4, 3, Anosmia had the second highest preoperative score of 3, 63. The clinical course was marked by improvement in nasal symptomatology with an improvement rate of 43% for nasal obstruction, 54% for anosmia, 50% for the need to blow nose.

Dysregulated noradrenergic response is associated with symptom severity in individuals with schizophrenia.

The locus coeruleus-noradrenaline (LC-NA) system is involved in a wide range of cognitive functions and may be altered in schizophrenia. A non-invasive method to indirectly measure LC activity is task-evoked pupillary response. Individuals with schizophrenia present reduced pupil dilation compared to healthy subjects, particularly when task demand increases. However, the extent to which alteration in LC activity contributes to schizophrenia symptomatology remains largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the association between symptomatology, cognition, and noradrenergic response in individuals with schizophrenia. We assessed task-evoked pupil dilation during a pro- and antisaccade task in 23 individuals with schizophrenia and 28 healthy subjects. Both groups showed similar preparatory pupil dilation during prosaccade trials, but individuals with schizophrenia showed significantly lower pupil dilation compared to healthy subjects in antisaccade trials. Importantly, reduced preparatory pupil dilation for antisaccade trials was associated with worse general symptomatology in individuals with schizophrenia. Our findings suggest that changes in LC-NA activity - measured by task-evoked pupil dilation - when task demand increases is associated with schizophrenia symptoms. Interventions targeting the modulation of noradrenergic responses may be suitable candidates to reduce schizophrenia symptomatology.

Time will tell: Associations between unbalanced time perspectives and symptom severity in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) experience disrupted temporality on the immediate timescale. However, insufficient information is available for longer time frames, and the interaction of temporal perspectives with the clinical manifestations of SSD is unknown. We explored the association between unbalanced time perspectives and symptom severity. Thirty-seven Italian mental health services participating in the DiAPAson project recruited 620 patients with DSM-5 SSD (68% males, mean age=41.3±9.5years). Time perspective biases were measured using the Deviation from the Balanced Time Perspective-revisited (DBTP-r) indicator, based on Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) scores. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Brief Negative Symptoms Scale (BNSS). Preliminary analyses examined the associations between ZTPI/DBTP-r and BPRS/BNSS total scores. In secondary analyses, we first tested the associations between the ZTPI/DBTP-r and BPRS/BNSS subscales and then compared ZTPI differences between patients with and without hallucinations, delusions, and conceptual disorganisation. Statistical significance was set at Holm-Bonferroni corrected p<0.05. Low-to-moderate positive correlations were found between the DBTP-r and BPRS/BNSS total scores (r=0.29/0.22). The strongest associations were between DBTP-r/ZTPI_Past-Negative and anxiety/depression (r=0.34/0.36), followed by DBTP-r/ZTPI_Present-Fatalistic with thought disturbances (r=0.22/0.20). DBTP-r was associated with BNSS anhedonia and avolition (r=0.21/0.24). DBTP-r was higher in patients with hallucinations (ES=0.391) and conceptual disorganisation (ES=0.397) than in those without these symptoms. Unbalanced time perspective was positively associated with the severity of primary and secondary SSD features. These findings provide a rationale for empirical tests focused on balancing time perspectives in patients with SSD.

The Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Levels with Allergic Rhinitis Incidence and Total Nasal Symptom Score in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Background: There is a correlation between allergies and insufficiency in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D. However, there exists a scarcity of studies that have investigated the measurement of Vitamin D levels association with allergic rhinitis. Objective: To assess the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the occurrence of allergic rhinitis, as well as the overall nasal symptom score in individuals with allergic rhinitis. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Settings: Department of ENT, Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences, Muzaffarabad Pakistan. Duration: January 2022 to June 2022. Methods: The study included all individuals diagnosed with AR, who received treatment and were monitored. The exclusion criteria employed in this study encompassed several categories. Firstly, pediatric patients were excluded from the analysis. Secondly, patients with insufficient follow-up data were also excluded. Results: There were 34.67% male and 65.33% were female. In age groups, 54.67% were aged 19-39, 25.33% were aged 40-59, 12% were aged 60-70, and 6.67% were over 70. Almost 74.67% had low Vitamin D levels, 20% had normal levels, and 5.33% had high levels. About 17.33% had intermittent symptoms, while the majority (82.67%) had persistent symptoms. In terms of TNSS, 44% had mild symptoms, while 56% had moderate to severe symptoms. Results showed a strong relationship between Vitamin D levels and the severity of nasal symptoms in individuals with allergic rhinitis. The P-value of &lt;0.001 indicates a highly significant difference. Specifically, those with mild allergic rhinitis had notably higher Vitamin D levels (22.42±3.87 ng/ml) compared to those with moderate to severe symptoms (15.31±2.64 ng/ml). Conclusion: In this research, we investigated the connection between vitamin D insufficiency and allergic rhinitis (AR). We detected a meaningful association between vitamin D insufficiency and increased eosinophil counts, while there was no significant correlation with serum IgE levels.

A population-based study on the common androgenic symptoms in PCOS and its management

The aim of this population-based study is to comprehensively investigate the prevalence, severity, and management of common androgenic symptoms in individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). By analyzing a diverse population sample, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the understanding and effective management of androgenic symptoms associated with PCOS. In the endocrine disorder known a PCOS, the ovaries produce an excessive number of androgens, which are male sex hormones that are typically present in women in modest amounts. The disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome is characterized by an abundance of small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) produced by the ovaries. Google forms-based survey data was gathered to better understand recent trends among female patients. In order to understand the pattern of androgenic symptoms in PCOS patients, the obtained replies were examined and analyzed. According to this study, hirsutism, alopecia, and acne are the most typical androgenic symptoms experienced by women. Common treatments for these symptoms include taking biotin supplements, applying minoxidil topically for alopecia, and utilizing over-the-counter acne drugs such benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Additionally, drugs that reduce testosterone are used to treat hirsutism. These results underline how crucial it is to identify and treat androgenic symptoms in women because they can significantly affect both physical appearance and general wellbeing.

Associations between dementia staging, neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms, and divorce or separation in late life: A case control study.

Dementia can be difficult for married couples for many reasons, including the introduction of caregiving burden, loss of intimacy, and financial strain. In this study, we investigated the impact of dementia staging and neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms on the likelihood of divorce or separation for older adult married couples. For this case-control study, we used data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform dataset (UDS) versions 2 and 3. This dataset was from 2007 to 2021 and contains standardized clinical information submitted by NIA/NIH Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the United States (US). This data was from 37 ADRCs. We selected participants who were married or living as married/domestic partners at their initial visit. Cases were defined by a first divorce/separation occurring during the follow-up period, resulting in 291 participants. We selected 5 controls for each married/living as married case and matched on age. Conditional logistic regression estimated the association between overall Neuro Psychiatric Inventory (NPI) score and severity of individual symptoms of the NPI with case/control status, adjusted for education, the CDR® Dementia Staging Instrument score, living situation, symptom informant, sex, and race. Separate analyses were conducted for each symptom. Multiple comparisons were accounted for with the Hochberg method. Later stage of dementia was negatively associated with divorce/separation with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.68 (95%CI = 0.50 to 0.93). A higher overall NPI score was positively associated with divorce/separation AOR = 1.08 (95% CI = 1.03 to 1.12,). More severe ratings of agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, disinhibition, and elation/euphoria were associated with greater odds of divorce/separation. Among older adults in the US, a later stage of dementia is associated with a lower likelihood of divorce or separation, while having more severe neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms of agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, disinhibition, and elation/euphoria are associated with a higher likelihood of divorce or separation.