Sex Groups Research Articles

Cost-Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Chinese Patients.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most popular bariatric surgery procedure in China. However, its cost-effectiveness in Chinese patients is currently unknown. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of LSG vs no surgery in Chinese patients with severe and complex obesity, taking into account both healthcare expenses and the potential improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing 135 Chinese patients who underwent LSG between January 3, 2022 and December 29, 2022, at a major bariatric center. The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness from a healthcare service perspective, employing the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. The analyses compared LSG with the alternative of not undergoing surgery over a 1-year period, using actual data, and extended to a lifetime horizon by projecting costs and utilities at an annual discount rate of 3.0%. Subgroup analyses were undertaken to explore cost-effectiveness variations across different sex, age and BMI categories, and diabetes status, employing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). To ensure the reliability of the findings, one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were executed. The results indicated that 1-year post-LSG, patients achieved an average total weight loss (TWL) of (32.7 ± 7.3)% and an excess weight loss (EWL) of (97.8 ± 23.1)%. The ICER for LSG compared to no surgery over a lifetime was $4,327/QALY, significantly below the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold for Chinese patients with severe and complex obesity. From a lifetime perspective, LSG proved to be cost-effective for all sex and age groups, across all BMI categories, and for both patients with and without diabetes. Notably, it was more cost-effective for younger patients, patients with higher BMI, and patients with diabetes. LSG is a highly cost-effective intervention for managing obesity in Chinese patients, delivering substantial benefits in terms of HRQoL improvement at a low cost. Its cost-effectiveness is particularly pronounced among younger individuals, those with higher BMI, and patients with diabetes.

Quantitative Assessment of the Inadequate Intake of Macronutrients, Minerals, and Vitamins Associated with Ultra-Processed Food Consumption.

Studies indicate that ultra-processed food (UP) consumption correlates negatively with essential vitamin and mineral intake and positively with sodium and lipid intake. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between UP consumption and deviations from nutritional guidelines. An observational, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Food consumption was assessed with a 24 h recall survey, and nutrient intake inadequacies were calculated as the difference between individuals' intake of energy, macronutrients, minerals and vitamins, and the dietary reference intakes for individuals of the same sex and age group, and then analyzed for trends across the percentage contribution of UP to total energy intake with nonparametric multiple regression adjusted for covariates. The study included 921 workers from 33 industries, 55.9% male, with a mean age of 32 years. Overall, the study population exhibited deficits in energy, all macronutrients, and in some micronutrients. With increasing UP contribution to total energy intake, there is a trend towards a greater intake of energy (p < 0.001), total, saturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats (p < 0.001), n6-polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.03), carbohydrates (p < 0.001), calcium (p = 0.008), and manganese (p < 0.001), thiamin (p < 0.001), and vitamin B6 (p = 0.01); however, this comes with a negative consequence in terms of reducing the protein consumption (p = 0.037), fiber (p = 0.035), copper (p = 0.033), and vitamin E (p = 0.002) intake. The results show that correcting energy and micronutrient deficiencies by increasing UP consumption can also lead to a decrease in diet quality.

Age-specific incidence trends of 32 cancers in China, 1983 to 2032: Evidence from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents.

The long-term incidence trends of 32 cancers in China remained unclear. Cancer statistics for young population were often presented in aggregate, masking important heterogeneity. We aimed to assess the incidence trends of 32 cancers in China from 1983 to 2032, stratified by sex and age groups. Data on cancer incidence from 1983 to 2017 were extracted from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volumes VI-XII. The age-period-cohort model was utilized to assess age and birth cohort effects on the temporal trends of 32 cancers in China, while the Bayesian age-period-cohort model was utilized to project future trends from 2018 to 2032. An increase in cohort effects is observed in some cancers such as thyroid and kidney cancers. Eight of the 12 obesity-related cancers may rise in the 0-14 age group, and nine in the 15-39 age group from 2013 to 2032. Liver and stomach cancers show an increasing trend among the younger population, contrasting with the observed declining trend in the middle-aged population. There has been a significant rise in the proportions of cervical cancer among females aged 40-64 (4.3%-19.1%), and prostate cancer among males aged 65+ (1.1%-11.8%) from 1983 to 2032. Cancer spectrum in China is shifting toward that in developed countries. Incidence rates of most cancers across different age groups may increase in recent cohorts. It is essential to insist effective preventive interventions, and promote healthier lifestyles, such as reducing obesity, especially among younger population.

Description of HbA1c Levels in Fatty Liver Disease Patients in a West Jakarta Private Hospital in 2018-2019

Fatty liver disease is a chronic disease that is very often found in the community and is often called "silent" liver disease because there are no specific symptoms in patients. The incidence of fatty liver disease in Indonesia is quite high by 30 percent and this disease can develop into liver cirrhosis. The high incidence of fatty liver disease can be caused by various factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, unhealthy lifestyles and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can be characterized by an increase in HbA1c levels in the blood. This study aims to determine the description of HbA1c levels in patients with fatty liver disease. This research is an observational descriptive study using a cross-sectional approach by using medical record data of fatty liver disease patients who have been on radiologic examination and doing HbA1c examination. Fatty liver disease affects more male sex groups by 55.4 percent, with the most age range at 51-60 years by 34.9 percent. Diabetes HbA1c levels (59%) are more than prediabetes (25.3%) and normal HbA1c levels (15.7%). Abnormal HbA1c levels (prediabetes and diabetes) were found to be higher in men (47 % vs 47,3%). The most accompanying diseases in patients with fatty liver disease are diabetes mellitus (51.8%), hypertension (33.7%), dyslipidemia (26.5%), dyspepsia (28.9%), and hyperuricemia (15.7%). Fatty liver disease patients were also found to have metabolic syndrome by 54.2% which was dominated by female sex by 53.3% with 91.1% having 3 components of metabolic syndrome and 8.9% having 4 components of metabolic syndrome

Establishment of Cephalic Index by Computed Tomography in Sampled Chinese Children.

Cephalic Index (CI), the ratio of head width to length, is one of the indexes reflecting cranial morphological characteristics. Current norms were established by European and American countries. The purpose of the study was to study anthropometry of cranial parameters using computed tomography scans to establish the CI of the sampled Chinese Children. The cross-sectional study was carried out on patients of age younger than 14 years old at Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The measurement of maximum cranial breadth and maximum cranial length were taken on a computed tomography scan machine and recorded for analysis. Cephalic Index was calculated for each age and sex group and compared with previously established norms. Five hundred eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria, including 301 males and 217 females. The means for boys and girls were 87.1 (SD: 4.3) and 85.8 (SD: 4.3), respectively. There was a significant difference between boys and girls (P < 0.01). Cephalic Index in different ages and on applying the 1-way analysis of variance association was statistically insignificant (P = 0.19). Chinese head shape was brachycephalic. A statistically significant correlation was seen between the CI and sex, while not age.

Sex estimation from mandibular morphometry using discriminant analysis–CT scan based retrospective study

It is well known that skeletal characteristics vary among different populations. Sex dimorphic characteristics of the mandible have been reported from studies using either mandible bone or computer tomography (CT) scan images of the mandible to test its efficacy in estimating sex. Mandibular studies for estimating sex in any particular population group may not hold well for different populations owing to inherent geographical variations. With this background, we assessed the validity of mandible measurements from CT scan images to determine sex in the South Indian population. As a part of our study, 11 metric parameters and 1 angular parameter were measured and analyzed. The mean values of all the parameters were significantly higher for males as compared to females. Bigonial breadth indicated the best discriminatory ability of the study. Mandibular angle had the least predictive accuracy among all the discriminant functions studied. We further observed that a combination of parameters gave the best overall classification rate (92.3 %). When the same functions were tested on an independent testing data set, a combination of parameters and bigonial breadth gave the best classification rate (82.1 %) which was consistent. We concluded that the mandible has a high accuracy for sex estimation. All the parameters studied demonstrated statistically significant differences between the two sexes except the mandibular angle.

Monitoring handgrip strength to motivate lifestyle choices for patients with diabetes type 2 – a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Physical strength can be an important parameter to monitor for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) to promote healthy lifestyle choices. Functional measurements can contribute to healthcare advice and possibly motivate more active lifestyles. The aim of the study was to investigate whether adding measurement and feedback concerning handgrip strength (HGS) to the parameters measured for patients with T2DM at annual check-ups leads to change in physical activity (PA) level, HGS, HbA1c or waist circumference. Methods Measurement of HGS with Jamar dynamometers was added to annual check-ups for patients with T2DM by diabetes nurses in primary care with feedback about normal values for age and sex in the intervention group. The control group had standard check-ups. Change in self-reported PA level was measured with questionnaires. Results Seven clinics and 334 patients participated. The intervention led to similar effects on PA in both groups. Patients with T2DM had comparable HGS to the general public. Regression analyses showed statistically significantly higher HGS in the intervention group than in the control group at follow-up and no improvement in PA, HbA1c, or waist circumference. Increased HGS was found for older people, men, and people with normal-to-high inclusion HGS, while patients with low inclusion HGS reduced their strength levels. Conclusions Measuring HGS and giving feedback to patients with T2DM can lead to increased HGS but does not seem to affect general PA level, HbA1c, or waist circumference. People over 65 years, men, and people with normal-to-high HGS were influenced positively by the intervention. Patients with low HGS may need personalised support to increase physical activity and improve function. ClinicalTrials registration: NCT03693521

Human Brucellosis in Iraq: Spatiotemporal Data Analysis From 2007-2018.

Brucellosis is both endemic and enzootic in Iraq, resulting in long-term morbidity for humans as well as economic loss. No previous study of the spatial and temporal patterns of brucellosis in Iraq was done to identify potential clustering of cases. This study aims to detect the spatial and temporal distribution of human brucellosis in Iraq and identify any changes that occurred from 2007 to 2018. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the Surveillance Section at the Communicable Diseases Control Center, Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health in Iraq. The trends of cases by sex and age group from 2007 to 2018 were displayed. The seasonal distribution of the cases from 2007 to 2012 was graphed. We calculated the incidence of human brucellosis per district per year and used local Getis-Ord Gi* statistics to detect the spatial distribution of the data. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and GeoDa software. A total of 51,508 human brucellosis cases were reported during the 12-year study period, with some missing data for age groups. Human brucellosis persisted annually in Iraq across the study period with no specific temporal clustering of cases. In contrast, spatial clustering was predominant in northern Iraq. There were significant differences in the geographic distribution of brucellosis. The number of cases is the highest in the north and northeast regions of the country, which has borders with nearby countries. In addition, people in these areas depend more on locally made dairy products, which can be inadequately pasteurized. Despite the lack of significant temporal clustering of cases, the highest number of cases were reported during summer and spring. Considering these patterns when allocating resources to combat this disease, determining public health priorities, and planning prevention and control strategies is important.

Unfavorable food consumption in children up to school entry age: results from the nationwide German KiESEL study.

Evidence points toward the early life being crucial for preventing nutrition-related diseases. As promotion of healthier food preferences in toddlerhood and preschool age might still modulate the trajectories of disease risk, understanding diet in these age groups is necessary. The objective was to analyze food consumption and diet quality of 1-5-year-old children living in Germany in relation to age and sex. Data from 890 children, a subsample of the representative, cross-sectional Children's Nutrition Survey to Record Food Consumption (KiESEL) conducted by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in 2014-2017, were analyzed. Dietary data were collected using food records (3 consecutive plus 1 independent day). Diet quality was evaluated against the German food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). Consumption of unfavorable foods (e.g., sweets, soft drinks) exceeded the recommended maximum of 10% of energy intake (E%) by a multiple in all age and sex groups (medians: 24.8-35.8 E%). Preschoolers consumed more unfavorable foods than toddlers and boys more than girls. More than half of the children exceeded the recommendation for meat intake (medians: 2.3-3.2% of the total food consumption (%TFC) vs. 2 %TFC), especially preschoolers. In nearly all children, vegetable consumption was too low (medians: 4.2-4.5 %TFC vs. 12 %TFC). Also, milk/milk product consumption was below recommendations, more so in preschoolers (median: 12.0 %TFC ♂, 11.9 %TFC ♀ vs. 18 %TFC) than in toddlers (median: 16.1 %TFC ♂, 19.6 %TFC ♀). In toddlers and preschoolers with overweight or obesity, adherence to dietary recommendations of these food groups was largely similar to that of the total sample. Overall, 5-year-olds showed an unhealthier dietary pattern than 1-year-olds, which already emerged at age 2 years and became more evident at age 3 years. An adverse dietary pattern arises and even deteriorates at a very young age, showing sex-specific aspects. High attention from public health and research needs to be given to toddlerhood and even earlier life phases, e.g., to develop more age-specific FBDGs, aiming at reducing unhealthy food consumption.

Histopathological spectrum of round cell tumors in a tertiary care center of Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract Background and Objectives: The term “round cell tumors” (RCTs) refers to a diverse group of neoplasms that share similar histopathological features, including uniform, small, round cells with round nuclei, fine chromatin, and scanty clear or eosinophilic cytoplasm. This study assesses the spectrum of RCTs across different age and sex groups. Materials and Methods: The study included all histologically diagnosed cases of RCT from the Department of Pathology over 5 years. Results: The results revealed that 107 RCT cases were diagnosed through histopathology and further analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The patients’ ages ranged from 1 to 75 years, with the highest incidence (34%) occurring in the 16–45 years age group. Of the 107 cases, 54 (51%) were males and 53 (49%) were females. Thirteen different types of RCTs were identified, with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma being the most common (29.90%). Most cases (46%) were in the head and neck region. Interpretation and Conclusion: This study concludes that RCTs are widespread in their anatomical distribution and exhibit diverse patterns of round cells morphologically, making histopathological diagnosis challenging. IHC is highly valuable for diagnosis, though some cases require molecular diagnosis for confirmation.

Variation of Odontoid Incidence According to Age in Asymptomatic Children

To investigate the effect of age and sex on odontoid parameters and their relationships with cervical sagittal alignment in children. A total of 155 Chinese children without cervical symptoms were divided into groups by age: 3-12years (87 participants), 13-18years (68 participants), and sex: male (91 participants) and female (64 participants). Lateral plain radiographs of the whole spine were analyzed for (1) odontoid parameters: odontoid incidence (OI), odontoid tilt, and C2 slope (C2S); and (2) cervical sagittal parameters: C0-2, C2-3, C2-4, C2-5, C2-6, and C2-7 angles (cervical lordosis [CL]), T1 slope (T1S), and T1S minus CL (T1S-CL). Student's t-tests, linear regression analyses, and Pearson's correlation coefficient analyses were performed. OI showed a significant difference between the 3-12 and 13-18year groups (13.35°±4.32° vs. 17.21°±4.26°, P<0.001), and significant differences were also observed in odontoid tilt (P=0.001) and C2S (P<0.001) between different sexes. Positive correlations were found between age and OI in the 3-12 and 13-18year groups (adjusted R2=0.104 and 0.048, respectively). OI and C2S were positively correlated with the C0-2 angle in all age and sex groups. Age emerged as a critical determinant of OI, which increased with age among pediatric populations. Clinicians should carefully consider the disparity in OI during the assessment and restoration of cervical sagittal balance in children.

Spinal loads during dynamic full flexion and return to standing posture in different age and sex groups: A musculoskeletal model study

During forward flexion, spine motion varies due to age and sex differences. Previous studies showed that lumbar/pelvis range of flexion (RoF) and lumbo-pelvic ratio (L/P) are age/sex dependent. How variation of these parameters affects lumbar loading in a normal population requires further assessment. We aimed to estimate lumbar loads during dynamic flexion-return cycle and the differences in peak loads (compression) and corresponding trunk inclinations due to variation in lumbar/pelvis RoF and L/P.Based on in vivo L/P (0.11–3.44), temporal phases of flexion (early, middle, and later), the lumbar (45-55°) and hip (60-79°) RoF; full flexion-return cycles of six seconds were reconstructed for three age groups (20–35, 36–50 and 50+ yrs.) in both sexes. Six inverse dynamic analyses were performed with a 50th percentile model, and differences in peak loads and corresponding trunk inclinations were calculated.Peak loads at L4-L5 were 179 N higher in younger males versus females, but 228 N and 210 N lower in middle-aged and older males, respectively, compared to females. Females exhibited higher trunk inclinations (6°-20°) than males across all age groups. Age related differences in L4-L5 peak loads and corresponding trunk inclinations were found up to 415 N and 19° in males and 152 N and 13° in females. With aging, peak loads were reduced in males but were found non-monotonic in females, whereas trunk inclinations at peak loads were reduced in both sexes from young to middle/old age groups.In conclusion, lumbar loading and corresponding trunk inclinations varied notably due to age/sex differences. Such data may help distinguishing normal or pathological condition of the lumbar spine.

The analysis of age dynamics of causes of mortality of population of elderly age groups as reserve of maintaining population of older able-bodied age

The article analyzes age dynamics of initial causes of death according to records in medical death certificates of population of older age groups. Materials and methods. The records of causes of death of 34.914 persons aged 60 years and older were used as primary source of information. The initial cause of death was determined according to the ICD-10 rules. The rate of registration by reason of death was calculated as intensive value per 100 deaths in concrete age and sex group. Each cause was coded according to the ICD-10 rules (revision 2014-2016). The belonging to group was determined by first character (letter) in four-digit code that corresponded to the Class. On the basis of analysis of structure of causes of death, the group A of causes that included five Classes of ICD-10, determined 81.4% of all deaths in population aged 60 years and older. Two Classes: "Diseases of the circulatory system" (Class IX) and "Neoplasms" (Class II) determine in all studied age groups more than a half of all deaths (from 55% to 71% of males and from 59% to 67% in females) and namely they determine mortality rate in older age groups. There are no gender differences in age characteristics of registration rate in these groups (p > 0.05), however age dynamics differ. In case of diseases of circulatory system initial cause of death is increase rate of registration at increasing of age. In case of neoplasms at increasing of age decrease of registration rate as initial cause of death is established. At that, rate of decline is higher than rate of increase that determines certain decrease of structural significance of combined contribution of these two groups of causes at increasing of age. The Group B of causes, including three Classes of ICD-10 "Respiratory diseases" (Class X), "Diseases of the digestive system" (Class XI) and "Diseases of the nervous system" (Class VI), determined in overall 11.9% of all deaths in population aged 60 years and older. The age dynamics of causes of death of population of older age groups exists for certain groups of causes and it should be considered in organizing medical care of population of older age groups.

Pterostilbene Effect on Inflammatory and Oxidation Markers in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rats Model

Pterostilbene is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is brought on by the induction of testosterone propionate. The objective of the current experiment was to assess the efficacy of pterostilbene treatment in comparison to finasteride and resveratrol by tracking various inflammatory and oxidative markers in a male rat with lower urinary tract symptoms consistent with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The forty-eight male rats were divided into sex groups: the control group, which included eight rats given oil vehicle subcutaneously for 42 days; the induction group, which included eight rats given testosterone propionate(4mg/kg/day) subcutaneously daily dose for fourteen days; and the finasteride group, which included eight rats given finasteride 0.44 mg/kg orally for twenty-eight days after induction Benign prostatic hyperplasia , and the Pterostilbene group, which consisted of 8 rats, got Pterostilbene 200 mg/kg administered orally for 28 days after 14 day Benign prostatic hyperplasia induction, and the other group, which consisted of 8 rats, received Pterostilbene at a dose of 100 mg/kg Use oral gavage to provide 100 mg/kg for the same time period. While the Resveratrol group, which received 100 mg/kg of resveratrol orally. During the identical time frame after Benign prostatic hyperplasia Induction. There were significant differences in the tissue levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative markers Tumor necrosis factor alpha and Glutathione-peroxidase &amp; Malondialdehyde when comparing the pterostilbene 200 group to the induction group (P ≤0.05). Pterostilbene has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to lessen the growth of the benign prostatic hyperplasia that testosterone propionate causes.

Reference Ranges and Comparison of Pepsinogen by Chemiluminescence Immunoassay and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in Chinese Population.

Serum pepsinogen (PG) is a good indicator of atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa. Gastric mucosal atrophy is a high-risk factor for gastric cancer. Serological testing for PG combined with endoscopy can help to improve gastric cancer screening. In this study, we established the reference ranges of serum PG-I, PG-II, and the PG-I/II ratio (PGR) in the Chinese population by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, in the real world, doctors are often confused by the results of different testing platforms. Thus, a comparison of methods CLIA and ELISA was performed. 2904 individuals were enrolled from six regions in China as part of the Chinese Adult Digestive Diseases Surveillance (2016) program. The individuals completed questionnaires and volunteered to undergo examinations, including gastroscopy, urea breath test, abdominal ultrasound examination and routine serologic tests. Serum was collected to measure PGs (including PG-I, PG-II and PGR) by CLIA and ELISA. Participants who were found obvious abnormalities or absent from the examinations were excluded. Ultimately, 747 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the distribution of variables. The Kruskal-Wallis H or Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare different sex, age, and geographical groups. The 95% reference ranges of PGs obtained by the two methods were established according to document CLSI-EP28-A3, with covariates of sex, age, and region. Spearman correlation analysis, linear regression analysis and allowable total error (ATE) zone analysis were utilized for comparing the two methods. On overall, the 95% reference ranges of PG-I, PG-II, and PGR measured by CLIA were 23.00-110.64 ng/mL, 2.50-19.13 ng/mL, and 3.87-13.30, respectively. Meanwhile, the reference ranges of PG-I, PG-II, and PGR measured by ELISA were 36.93-205.06 ng/mL, 1.65-17.96 ng/mL, and 7.50-33.60, respectively. Both PG-I and PG-II levels measured by the two platforms were found to be influenced by sex and age. PGR measured by CLIA was influenced by age but not by sex, while PGR measured by ELISA was not affected by either age or sex. Regional factors did not significantly impact the PG results, except for PG-I detected by ELISA. Ultimately, reference ranges for PGs were established based on age and sex stratification. Additionally, the Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the correlation coefficients for PG-I, PG-II, and PGR detected by the two methods were 0.899, 0.887, and 0.777, respectively, indicating a strong correlation between the two methods. The regression equation for the PG levels detected by two methods was obtained through linear regression analysis. The ATE analysis provided a visual depiction of the consistency between the two methods, clearly indicating the poor agreement between them. This study established the reference ranges of PGs by strict and intact enrollment standard. In addition, the results indicated a strong linear relationship between the two methods, yet with a clear bias, which was valuable for laboratory interpretation.

Comparison of the Burden and Temporal Pattern of Hospitalisations Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Before and After COVID-19 in New Zealand.

Changes in the epidemiology of illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection following the COVID-19 pandemic are reported. The New Zealand (NZ) COVID-19 situation was unique; RSV community transmission was eliminated with the 2020 border closure, with a rapid and large increase in hospitalizations following the relaxation of social isolation measures and the opening of an exclusive border with Australia. This active population-based surveillance compared the age-specific incidence and seasonality of RSV-associated hospitalizations in Auckland, NZ, for 2 years before and after the 2020 border closures. Hospitalisation rates between years were compared by age, ethnicity (European/other, Māori, Pacific and Asian) and socioeconomic group (1 = least, 5 = most deprived). There was no RSV transmission in 2020. In all other years, hospitalisation rates were highest for people of Pacific versus other ethnic groups and for people living in the most deprived quintile of households. RSV hospitalisation rates were higher in 2021 and 2022 than in 2018-19. The epidemic peak was higher in 2021, but not 2022, and the duration was shorter than in 2018-19. In 2021, the increase in RSV hospitalisation rates was significant across all age, sex, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. In 2022, the increase in hospitalisation rates was only significant in one age (1- < 3 years), one ethnic (Asian) and one socioeconomic group (quintile 2). COVID pandemic responses altered RSV-related hospitalisation seasonal patterns. Atypical features of RSV hospitalisation epidemiology were the increase in rates in older children and young adults, which lessened in 2022. Despite these variations, RSV hospitalisations in NZ continue to disproportionately affect individuals of Pacific ethnicity and those living in more socioeconomically deprived households. Whilst future public health strategies focused on RSV disease mitigation need to consider the potential shifts in epidemiological patterns when the transmission is disrupted, these variances must be considered in the context of longer-standing patterns of unequal disease distribution.

Survival Among Patients With Multiple Myeloma in the United States Military Health System Compared to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program

BackgroundAccess to health care is an important factor affecting survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in the U.S. general population. The U.S. Military Health System (MHS) provides universal health care to beneficiaries and has been associated with improved survival across multiple malignancies. In this study, we compared survival of MHS beneficiaries with MM with MM patients from the U.S. general population. Materials and methodsThe Department of Defense's Automated Central Tumor Registry (ACTUR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) databases were used to extract data for MM patients from MHS and the U.S. general population, respectively. Patients had histologically confirmed MM between 1987 and 2013 and were followed through 2015 for overall survival. Two SEER patients were matched to each ACTUR patient by age group, sex, race, and diagnosis year group. Five and 10-year survival was compared between ACTUR and SEER patients to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) with adjustment for potential confounders. ResultsMedian survival of the ACTUR patients was 47.1 months (95% CI: 43.9-50.4) compared to 33.0 months (95% CI, 32.0-35.0) of the SEER patients. Five and 10-year death rates were significantly lower for ACTUR patients than the SEER patients with an adjusted HR of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.68-0.81) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.85), respectively. The survival advantage of ACTUR patients was preserved when stratified by age, sex, race, and diagnosis year. ConclusionMHS beneficiaries with MM had improved overall survival compared to MM patients from the U.S. general population.

The Differences on the Fatty Infiltration of Paraspinal Muscles between Single- and Multiple-level Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Multiple-level Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is related to postoperative re-herniation and low back pain. Although many investigators believed that there is an interdependence between paraspinal muscles degeneration and IDD, few studies focused on the fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles on single- and multiple-level IDD in patients with LDH. This study aims to investigate the difference on the fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles between single- and multiple-levels IDD in patients with LDH. and to explore in patients with LDH whether fatty infiltration is a potential risk factor for multiple-level IDD. This study was conducted as a retrospective observational analysis of 82 patients with LDH from January 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020 in our hospital were enrolled. Twenty-seven cases had single-level IDD (Group A), and 55 cases had multiple-level IDD (Group B). We measured the mean computed tomography (CT) density value of the paraspinal muscles, including multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES) and psoas muscle (PM) at each disc from L1 to S1. Subgroups were set to further analyze the odds ratio (OR) of fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles in different sex and BMI groups. We measured sagittal angles and analyzed the relationships between these angles and IDD. Finally, we use logistic regression, adjusted for other confounding factors, to investigate whether fatty infiltration is an independent risk factor for multi-level IDD. The average age in multi-level IDD (51.40 ± 15.47 years)was significantly higher than single-level IDD (33.37 ± 7.10 years). The mean CT density value of MF, ES and PM in single-level IDD was significantly higher than multi-level IDD (all ps < 0.001). There was no significant difference of the mean value of angles between the two groups. No matter being fat (body mass index [BMI] > 24.0 kg/m2) or normal, patients with low mean muscle CT density value of MF and ES are significantly easier to suffer from multiple-level IDD. In the pure model, the average CT density value of the MF, ES and PM is all significantly associated with the occurrence of multi-IDD. However, after adjusting for various confounding factors, only the OR of the average CT density value for MF and ES remains statistically significant (OR = 0.810, 0.834, respectively). In patients with LDH, patients with multiple-level IDD have more severe fatty infiltration of MF and ES than those with single-level IDD. Fatty infiltration of MF and ES are independent risk factors for multiple-level IDD in LDH patients.

Risk of thyroid diseases in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Abstract Background: An autoimmune etiology has been indicated for thyroid diseases. However, few studies have examined the association between psoriasis and thyroid diseases. Objectives: Explore the risk of thyroid disease in patients with psoriasis. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess the risk of thyroid disease in patients with psoriasis. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from their inception to April 4, 2024. Two authors independently selected the studies, assessed their quality, and extracted the data. Any disagreements were resolved through discussions with a third author. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to present the results. Results: Three cohort studies were included. The risks of thyroiditis (RR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23–2.47), hyperthyroidism (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14–1.32), and hypothyroidism (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.29–1.57) were higher among the patients with psoriasis than those in the control group. Conclusion: Individuals with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease. Further studies that provide data on different sex and age groups are needed to clarify whether any specific subgroup of patients with psoriasis has an elevated risk of developing thyroid disease.

Psychometric properties of the arabic translation of the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) in adults

BackgroundPhysical comparison may be a factor in body dissatisfaction and related issues, like eating disorders and depression. The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) is a scale developed to assess the frequency of physical comparison. Because there is no validated scale for body comparison in Arabic, this study aims to address this gap by validating the PACS-R in the Arabic language.MethodsThe PACS-R was translated to Arabic following a conventional forward-backward translation procedure, and was administered to a sample of 359 Lebanese adults along with The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) for convergent validity. The factor structure was studied by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and composite reliability was assessed using McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsResults suggested a one-factor structure of the Arabic PACS-R, with good internal consistency (McDonald’s ω = 0.97 / Cronbach α = 0.97). Measurement invariance was established across sex groups, with no significant difference being reported between males and females in terms of PACS-R scores (15.42 ± 10.64 vs. 13.16 ± 11.88; t(357) = 1.84; p = .066). Finally, adequate convergent validity was tested and found to be adequate, with PACS-R scores found to be correlated negatively with self-esteem and positively with psychological distress.ConclusionThe present findings preliminarily establish the Arabic PACS-R as an effective instrument for researchers and practitioners aiming to explore the physical comparison among Arabic-speaking populations, thus contributing to research and clinical work in the Arabic community.