Smoking Consumption Research Articles

An Assessment of Behavioral Risk Factors in Oncology Patients.

An evaluation of the behavioral risk factors that contribute to the incidence and evolution of cancer in oncology patients was conducted through a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire completed by 206 patients (101 men and 105 women) diagnosed with various types of cancer. These patients were selected from different oncology centers in Romania, located in Bucharest and Constanta. Among the respondents, 91 are of normal weight, 12 are underweight, 62 are overweight, and 41 are obese, with overweight individuals predominating (p = 0.799). Regarding the presence of behavioral risk factors that can aggravate oncological pathology, it is found that 10 respondents consume alcohol daily, 36 consume it weekly with varying frequencies (p = 0.012), 26 respondents smoke excessively daily, and 12 respondents smoke 1-2 cigarettes daily (p = 0.438). Additionally, 40 respondents rarely engage in physical activity, and 71 respondents do not engage in physical activity at all as they do not typically participate in sports (p = 0.041). Thus, respondents with colon cancer tend to consume sweets, pastries and even fast food or fried foods more often, while the daily consumption of vegetables and fruits is insufficient, according to the recommendations of nutrition guidelines (a minimum of four portions per day). The analysis found that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption were associated with an increased incidence of lung and liver cancer. The lack of regular physical activity was identified as a risk factor for breast and colon cancer. An unhealthy diet, characterized by a low consumption of fruits and vegetables and high intake of processed foods, was correlated with a higher incidence of colorectal cancer. Additionally, non-adherence to medical advice was associated with poorer clinical outcomes and faster disease progression. The majority of respondents who declared that they did not feel an improvement in their state of health in the last period were among those who stated that they did not fully comply with the oncologist's recommendations. Identifying and modifying behavioral risk factors can play a crucial role in cancer prevention and in improving the prognosis and quality of life of cancer patients.

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention in a congenital single right coronary artery with acute myocardial infarction: A case report and literature review.

Single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare coronary artery malformation. SCA combined with atherosclerotic plaques can cause severe and widespread myocardial ischemia and infarction, leading to hemodynamic instability and even sudden death. A 48-year-old Chinese man was admitted for treatment of persistent chest tightness and panic for 5 hours. The patient was a lorry driver with high work intensity and mental stress, with body mass index of 33.78, history of smoking and alcohol consumption, but no history of hypertension and diabetes. Admission examination showed Troponin was 183.083 µg/L and CK-MB value was >300 µg/L. The patient was diagnosed with a congenital single right coronary artery (RCA) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by coronary angiography (CAG). Due to atherosclerotic plaques rupture, a complete occlusion of the proximal RCA with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 0 of distal blood flow were found. The patient was treated with thrombus aspiration and thrombolytic therapy by percutaneous coronary intervention under the support of intra-aortic balloon pump. Postoperative the chest tightness and panic were relieved, and CAG revealed that the proximal thrombus of the RCA was reduced, and distal blood flow was restored to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3. After 2 weeks of intensive antithrombotic and lipid-regulating drug therapy, the patient was successfully discharged. Follow-up for 6 months, the patient was able to live and work normally without experiencing chest tightness and chest pain. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed a congenital single RCA with patent lumen and no severe stenosis. The congenital single RCA is very rare, and it is fatal in conjunction with acute coronary syndrome. Early detection and appropriate treatment is critical for AMI patient with single RCA. CAG is the gold standard for diagnosis of single RCA, and CTA is a necessary to describe the anatomical course of abnormal coronary arteries.

Short-term effects of announcing spirometric lung-age on smokers’ attitudes: results from a Tunisian real-life pilot study

ABSTRACT Background To determine the effects of informing smokers of their spirometric lung-age (SLA) on smoking cessation (SC) rates and tobacco consumption. Research Design and Methods An interventional study was conducted in real-life through a humanitarian event led by the Red Crescent on 9 January 2022, in Hammam-Sousse (Sousse, Tunisia). The study comprised four steps: i) Medical questionnaire (general questionnaire, Fagerström test for cigarette dependence, SC motivation questionnaire); ii) Measurement of spirometric data; iii) SLA estimation and its announcement to participants; and iv) Self-reported evaluation of smoking behavior three months later through telephonic recall. Smokers were divided into groups (nondependent vs. dependent groups and insufficient/moderate motivation vs. high/very high motivation groups) and categories (ceased smoking, reduced consumption, maintained stable or increased consumption). Results Fifty-two smokers were included (94% were males). Three months after the event, i) 9 (17%) smokers ceased smoking, ii) 39 (75%) smokers reduced their daily smoking consumption by 12 ± 8 cigarettes/day, and iii) 4 (8%) smokers maintained stable (n = 3) or increased (n = 1) consumption. Conclusions Informing smokers of their SLA led 92% of them to cease smoking or reduce their consumption. Announcing SLA could be an effective motivational tool and an easy-to-understand concept to help smokers cease their habit.

An investigation into social determinants of health lifestyles of Canadians: a nationwide cross-sectional study on smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption

BackgroundHealth lifestyles exert a substantial influence on the quality of everyday life, primarily affecting health maintenance and enhancement. While health-related practices during the COVID-19 pandemic may have positively altered the health lifestyles of Canadians to a certain degree, government reports indicate that issues related to health behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, continue to pose challenges to the health of Canadians. Social determinants of these health behaviors thus hold significant academic value in the formulation of policy guidelines.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to scrutinize the social determinants of health with respect to social factors that have may have impacts on the health-related behaviors of Canadians. We tested health behaviors including cigarette use, alcohol consumption, and participation in physical exercise, which are integral to the promotion and improvement of individual health.MethodsTo examine the social determinants of Canadians’ health lifestyles, we utilized nationally representative data from the 2017–2018 Canadian Community Health Survey annual component. Our data analysis involved the bootstrapping method with two-level mixed-effect logistic regressions, ordered logistic regressions, and negative binomial regressions. Additionally, we conducted several robustness checks to confirm the validity of our findings.ResultsThe findings show that demographic background, socioeconomic status, social connections, and physical and mental health conditions all play a role in Canadians’ smoking, physical activity, and drinking behaviors. Noticeably, the association patterns linking to these social determinants vary across specific health lifestyles, shedding light on the complex nature of the social determinants that may influence young and middle-aged Canadians’ health lifestyles. Moreover, in the context of Canada, the health-region level demographic, socioeconomic, and working conditions are significantly linked to residents’ health lifestyles.ConclusionsInvestigating the social determinants of health lifestyles is pivotal for policymakers, providing them with the necessary insights to create effective interventions that promote healthy behaviors among specific demographic groups. It is recommended that health education and interventions at the community level targeting smoking, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption be introduced. These interventions should be tailored to specific subgroups, considering their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, social networks, and health status. For instance, it is imperative to focus our attention on individuals with lower educational attainment and socioeconomic status, particularly in relation to their smoking habits and physical inactivity. Conversely, interventions aimed at addressing alcohol consumption should be targeted towards individuals of a higher socioeconomic status. This nuanced approach allows for a more effective and tailored intervention strategy.

Epidemiological distribution of high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes and associated factors among patients with esophageal carcinoma at Bugando medical center in Mwanza, Tanzania

BackgroundEsophageal carcinoma is a growing concern in regions that have a high incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection such as East Africa. HPV, particularly the high-risk genotypes, is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for esophageal carcinoma. We set out to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of high-risk HPV in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks with esophageal carcinoma at Bugando Medical Center, a tertiary referral hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania, East Africa.MethodsA total of 118 esophageal carcinoma FFPE tissue blocks, collected from January 2021 to December 2022, were analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from these tissues, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect HPV using degenerate primers for the L1 region and type-specific primers for detecting HPV16, HPV18, and other high-risk HPV genotypes. Data were collected using questionnaires and factors associated with high-risk HPV genotypes were analyzed using STATA version 15 software.ResultsOf the 118 patients’ samples investigated, the mean age was 58.3 ± 13.4 years with a range of 29–88 years. The majority of the tissue blocks were from male patients 81/118 (68.7%), and most of them were from patients residing in Mwanza region 44/118 (37.3%). Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) was the predominant histological type 107/118 (91.0%). Almost half of the tissue blocks 63/118 (53.3%) tested positive for high-risk HPV. Among these, HPV genotype 16 (HPV16) was the most common 41/63 (65.1%), followed by HPV genotype 18 (HPV18) 15/63 (23.8%), and the rest were other high-risk HPV genotypes detected by the degenerate primers 7/63 (11.1%). The factors associated with high-risk HPV genotypes were cigarette smoking (p-value < 0.001) and alcohol consumption (p-value < 0.001).ConclusionA substantial number of esophageal carcinomas from Bugando Medical Center in Tanzania tested positive for HPV, with HPV genotype 16 being the most prevalent. This study also revealed a significant association between HPV status and cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. These findings provide important insights into the role of high-risk HPV in esophageal carcinoma in this region.

Unveiling the Long-Term Lung Consequences of Smoking and Tobacco Consumption: A Narrative Review.

Smoking and tobacco use present significant public health challenges due to their association with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Despite reductions in smoking rates in many developed countries, global tobacco consumption remains high, especially in developing regions. This review examines the chronic effects of smoking on the respiratory system, detailing the pathological changes in the lungs and the resultant respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Additionally, the review explores the impact of smoking on other body systems, including cardiovascular, immune, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. The extensive health implications of smoking emphasize the need for comprehensive public health interventions to reduce tobacco use and mitigate its adverse effects on health.

Association Between Diet, Physical Activity, Smoking, and Ultra-Processed Food and Cardiovascular Health, Depression, and Sleep Quality.

This study evaluated cardiovascular health, dietary habits, physical activity, depression, and sleep quality in young university adults. A cross-sectional design was used to assess anthropometric, biochemical, and cardiovascular health behaviors. The study included 158 university students aged 18 to 30 years (65% women, 35% men, average age: 20.3 ± 2.4 years), selected through non-probabilistic sampling. Measurements included BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and visceral fat using bioelectrical impedance. Health behaviors were evaluated via questionnaires on physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, ultra-processed food consumption, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The cardiovascular health index was assessed with the "Life's Essential 8" questionnaire and depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Fisher's F test, Student's t-test, and simple linear regression, conducted using SPSS Statistics version 25.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp), with significance set at p<0.05. Women showed better adherence to healthy behaviors. Higher fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity were associated with lower visceral fat. Higher visceral fat is correlated with increased blood pressure and decreased HDL cholesterol. Smoking and frequent ultra-processed food consumption were linked to higher depression scores, which were associated with poorer sleep quality. Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for physical and mental health, providing a basis for public health interventions.

Incremental value of multidomain risk factors for dementia prediction: A machine learning approach

ObjectiveThe current evidence regarding how different predictor domains contribute to predicting incident dementia remains unclear. This study aims to assess the incremental value of five predictor domains when added to a simple dementia risk prediction model (DRPM) for predicting incident dementia in older adults. DesignPopulation-based, prospective cohort study SettingUK Biobank study ParticipantsIndividuals aged 60 or older without dementia. Measurements55 dementia-related predictors were gathered and categorized into clinical and medical history, questionnaire, cognition, polygenetic risk, and neuroimaging domains. Incident dementia (all-cause) and the subtypes, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), were determined through hospital and death registries. Ensemble machine learning (ML) DRPMs were employed for prediction. The incremental values of risk predictors were assessed using the percent change in Area Under the Curve (∆AUC%) and the net reclassification index (NRI). ResultsThe simple DRPM which included age, body mass index, sex, education, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, depression, smoking, and alcohol consumption yielded an AUC of 0.711 (± 0.008 SD). The five predictor domains exhibited varying levels of incremental value over the basic model when predicting all-cause dementia and the two subtypes. Neuroimaging markers provided the highest incremental value in predicting all-cause dementia (∆AUC% +9.6%) and AD (∆AUC% +16.5%) while clinical and medical history data performed the best at predicting VaD (∆AUC% +12.2%). Combining clinical and medical history, and questionnaire data synergistically enhanced ML DRPM performance. ConclusionCombining predictors from different domains generally results in better predictive performance. Selecting predictors entails trade-offs, and while neuroimaging markers can significantly enhance predictive accuracy, they may pose challenges in terms of cost or accessibility.

Analyzing the adolescents’ impaired physical health: prevalence and associated factors in more than 100,000 Brazilian schoolchildren

Introduction: Despite the vast evidence on different risk factors and their associations with behaviours that affect the development of young people, there is still a gap in the literature, the evidence bases that ad-dresses the components of health in an integral way. Objective: The present study aims to propose a combined indicator with the intention of concatenating risk behaviours into a single primary outcome, called Health Impaired Physics, and after that, identify socioeconomic indicators that can help to understand how this commitment affects the Brazilian students. Methods: This is a transversal-secondary analysis study of a Brazilian public database (National School Health Survey). The data are available from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (https://www.ibge.gov.br/). We selected the information about physical activity, nutritional status perception, and “effort to change weight” from 108778 schoolchildren aged between 11 and 18 years. After proposing the “impaired physical health” variable, we use the Poisson logistic regression with p&lt;0.05 of acceptable significance. Results: Impaired physical health was adopted based on the following composition and criteria: negative classification of physical activity, poor perception of nutritional status and lack of effort to change weight. Individual characteristics (gender and race), food (smoking and drug consumption), family (e.g. not living with parents), phone use and geographic characteristics showed a significant association with the prevalence of impaired physical health. Conclusion: Collectively, our evidence reinforces that physical health impairment is influenced by several factors, including lifestyle, family and demographic context, and technology use. This study provides important information for managers in planning efficient public policies to promote health for this population, especially in intervention in the social context.

A Bivariate Twin Study of Lifetime cannabis Initiation and Lifetime Regular Tobacco Smoking Across Three Different Countries

Regular cigarette smoking and cannabis consumption are strongly positively related to each other, yet few studies explore their underlying variation and covariation. We evaluated the genetic and environmental decomposition of variance and covariance of these two traits in twin data from three countries with different social norms and legislation. Data from the Netherlands Twin Register, FinnTwin12/16, and the Minnesota Center for Twin Family Research (total N = 21,617) were analyzed in bivariate threshold models of lifetime regular smoking initiation (RSI) and lifetime cannabis initiation (CI). We ran unstratified models and models stratified by sex and country. Prevalence of RSI was lowest in the Netherlands and prevalence of CI was highest in Minnesota. In the unstratified model, genetic (A) and common environmental factors (C) contributed substantially to the liabilities of RSI (A = 0.47, C = 0.34) and CI (A = 0.28, C = 0.51). The two liabilities were significantly phenotypically (rP = 0.56), genetically (rA = 0.74), and environmentally correlated in the unstratified model (rC = 0.47and rE = 0.48, representing correlations between common and unique environmental factors). The magnitude of phenotypic correlation between liabilities varied by country but not sex (Minnesota rP ~ 0.70, Netherlands rP ~ 0.59, Finland rP ~ 0.45). Comparisons of decomposed correlations could not be reliably tested in the stratified models. The prevalence and association of RSI and CI vary by sex and country. These two behaviors are correlated because there is genetic and environmental overlap between their underlying latent liabilities. There is heterogeneity in the genetic architecture of these traits across country.

Drowning in the ripple effect: identifying a syndemic network of health experience (with modifiable health behaviours) using the UK Biobank.

A Syndemic model of health experience in severe mental illness (SMI) involving modifiable health behaviour contributors has been theorised but has not yet been investigated. Over the next 10 years mental ill-health and suicidal behaviours have been predicted to increase which will decrease health experience and increase hospitalisation and associated costs. This paper investigated a Syndemic model of health experience in people with SMI informed by physical activity levels, exposure to nature, personal resilience levels, drugs related (tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption), and sleep behaviours using UK Biobank data. Results implementing SEM indicate partial evidence for a Syndemic model, with personal resilience being at its centre. Contrary to previous findings, drugs related behaviours did not play an important role in the model. Implementing a Syndemic framework approach to current health care strategies could be beneficial in the development of self-management strategies for people with SMI. This is the first paper using SEM analyses to investigate SMI under the Syndemic theory paradigm.

Smoking and alcohol habits in head and neck cancers: How many patients stop after diagnosis?

BackgroundSmoking and alcohol are the main risk factors for head and neck cancer. Despite the significant psychological impact, many patients continue to smoke and drink alcohol after diagnosis of cancer. This study aims to analyze the patients’ behavior post diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. MethodsAn observational retrospective study was conducted on patients suffering from head and neck cancer. Their smoking and alcohol habits before and after diagnosis of cancer were studied. ResultsA total of 85 patients were recruited: 80 % males, mean age 61.77±9.30 years. Among smokers, 35.80 % continued smoking post-diagnosis. A statistically significant correlation was found between smoking habit after diagnosis of cancer and type of treatment and tracheostomy. Among drinkers, 65.52 % continued to consume alcohol after diagnosis of cancer. A statistically significant correlation was found between alcohol consumption post-diagnosis and sex. ConclusionsPatients undergoing more invasive treatments are more likely to quit smoking and/or drinking alcohol, suggesting the strong psychological impact of cancer and its therapy. Many patients continue smoking and consuming alcohol due to unawareness, depression, or addiction. However, most patients reduced cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Comprehensive care, including psychological support, is essential for these patients.

A cross-sectional investigation of a mobile health clinic run by undergraduate pharmacy students providing services to underserved communities.

Mobile health clinics have been used to provide healthcare to underserved communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Student-led clinics, operated by undergraduate health students, offer valuable training while serving these populations. This cross-sectional study investigated the demographic characteristics and services provided by a mobile health clinic run by undergraduate pharmacy students, assessing its potential to reach underserved communities. The mobile health clinic operated from October 2023 to April 2024, staffed by 36 fourth-year pharmacy students. Services included cardiovascular disease risk screening and lifestyle advice. Demographic and service data were collected using an electronic primary care system and analysed with descriptive statistics. The clinic served 716 users, with a demographic breakdown of 53.2% female and 46.8% male, predominantly aged 31-60years. Users were ethnically diverse. Services provided included blood pressure (91.3%), BMI (91.3%), and diabetes risk assessments (54.9%). Many users reported low risk for smoking and alcohol consumption, but varied levels of physical activity. Referrals were made for cardiovascular disease risk and lifestyle support. The mobile health clinic effectively reached a diverse, underserved population, providing essential health services and facilitating student training. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact and cost-effectiveness of such clinics, and the follow-up care for referred patients.

Telehealth Uptake Among Hispanic People During COVID-19: Retrospective Observational Study.

The Hispanic community represents a sizeable community that experiences inequities in the US health care system. As the system has moved toward digital health platforms, evaluating the potential impact on Hispanic communities is critical. The study aimed to investigate demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors contributing to low telehealth use in Hispanic communities. We used a retrospective observation study design to examine the study objectives. The COVID-19 Research Database Consortium provided the Analytics IQ PeopleCore consumer data and Office Alley claims data. The study period was from March 2020 to April 2021. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the odds of using telehealth services. We examined 3,478,287 unique Hispanic patients, 16.6% (577,396) of whom used telehealth. Results suggested that patients aged between 18 and 44 years were more likely to use telehealth (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.1; P<.001) than patients aged older than 65 years. Across all age groups, patients with high incomes were at least 20% more likely to use telehealth than patients with lower incomes (P<.001); patients who had a primary care physician (P=.01), exhibited high medical usage (P<.001), or were interested in exercise (P=.03) were more likely to use telehealth; patients who had unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption were less likely to use telehealth (P<.001). Male patients were less likely than female patients to use telehealth among patients aged 65 years and older (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.93-0.95; P<.001), while male patients aged between 18 and 44 years were more likely to use telehealth (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07; P<.001). Among patients younger than 65 years, full-time employment was positively associated with telehealth use (P<.001). Patients aged between 18 and 44 years with high school or less education were 2% less likely to use telehealth (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99; P=.005). Results also revealed a positive association with using WebMD (WebMD LLC) among patients aged older than 44 years (P<.001), while there was a negative association with electronic prescriptions among those who were aged between 18 and 44 years (P=.009) and aged between 45 and 64 years (P=.004). This study demonstrates that telehealth use among Hispanic communities is dependent upon factors such as age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, current health care engagement, and health behaviors. To address these challenges, we advocate for interdisciplinary approaches that involve medical professionals, insurance providers, and community-based services actively engaging with Hispanic communities and promoting telehealth use. We propose the following recommendations: enhance access to health insurance, improve access to primary care providers, and allocate fiscal and educational resources to support telehealth use. As telehealth increasingly shapes health care delivery, it is vital for professionals to facilitate the use of all available avenues for accessing care.

Decomposing the association of psychosocial wellbeing with all-cause mortality: the mediating role of physical health and lifestyle factors.

This study quantified the effect of 48 psychosocial constructs on all-cause mortality using data from 7,698 individuals in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Latent class analysis was used to divide participants into mutually exclusive psychosocial wellbeing groups (good, average, or poor) which was subsequently considered as the exposure. Mediation analysis was then conducted to determine the direct effect of the psychosocial wellbeing groups and the indirect (mediating) effects of physical health (functional status and comorbid conditions) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) on overall survival. We also created a composite health index measure representing the summative effect of the mediators. We observed a strong and statistically significant total effect (TE) between survival time and psychosocial wellbeing group (survival time ratio (SR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.50,2.01 when comparing good to poor). Mediation analysis revealed that the direct effect via psychosocial wellbeing group accounted for more than half of the TE (SR = 1.46, 95% CI:1.27,1.67). The composite health index measure mediated 36.2% of the TE with the natural indirect effect SR of 1.18 (95% CI:1.13,1.22). Our findings demonstrate the interconnectedness between psychosocial wellbeing and physical health and lifestyle factors on survival.

Risk factors associated with self-rated health among elderly females with different visual abilities in Chinese urban areas: a population-based study

ObjectiveSelf-rated health (SRH) has been documented as an important predictor of quality of life among the elderly and its risk factors are vision-specific among elderly males. The aim of this study was to clarify vision-specific risk factors to SRH among elderly females without dementia in Chinese urban areas.MethodsFrom March to November 2012, 2147 elderly women in Liaoning Province of China were selected using a stratified sampling method. After cognitive screening, 1956 participants without dementia were finally enrolled. A questionnaire including SRH, visual ability and factors including demographic characteristics, physical conditions, lifestyle factors, social psychological status and social activities were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to clarify the association of SRH with risk factors, while stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the vision-specific associations with SRH.ResultsThe mean age was 73.6 ± 5.82 (mean ± SD). The percentages of good SRH in good and impaired visual ability groups were 36.2% and 24.4%, respectively. Most characteristics between elderly females with different visual abilities were significantly different. Visual ability had interactions with physical conditions, lifestyle factors and social activities to affect SRH. Among elderly females with good visual ability, depressive symptoms, rather than chronic disease had the strongest association with good SRH followed by marital status, regular diet, going out alone to distant places, taking a walk, smoking and alcohol consumption. In the impaired visual ability group, going out alone to distant places had the strongest association with good SRH followed by chronic disease, filial piety, taking a walk, participating in entertainment, ethnicity, quality of sleep, worrying about falling and alcohol consumption.ConclusionsGood SRH status was at a low level especially among elderly females with impaired visual ability and the risk factors differed between elderly females with different visual abilities. Social psychological status was crucial for SRH among elderly females with good visual ability whereas physical conditions were prominent for impaired visual ability group.

Risk factors for diminished ovarian reserve in women: Current state of the problem

Ovarian reserve is the basis of female fertility. The main markers of ovarian reserve are the level of anti-Mullerian hormone and the number of antral follicles. In addition to the natural age-related loss of follicles, many women experience a premature diminished ovarian reserve associated with a number of factors. This can be caused by both various diseases and environmental factors, lifestyle, and social aspects.The aim of this review was to examine the influence of external factors on the ovarian reserve and women fertility. A systematic analysis of data from modern scientific literature, domestic and foreign sources was carried out. The search involved such resources as PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, eLibrary, Scopus, Cyberleninka. A detailed analysis of the influence of environmental pollution, lifestyle (sleep, nutrition, physical activity), previous surgeries, bad habits, obesity, psychological and social factors on the ovarian reserve and reproductive function of women was carried out. Significantly diminished ovarian reserve was noted with low sleep quality, excessive physical activity, and an unbalanced diet poor with animal proteins. Regular consumption of alcohol, smoking and exposure to certain chemical environmental pollutants cause premature follicle apoptosis and the onset of menopause. Circadian dysrhythmia, chronic stress and obesity can lead to the ovarian menstrual cycle disorders and the development of infertility in women. Previous parovarium surgeries are a significant risk factor for diminished ovarian reserve. Further population-based studies are needed to determine the precise mechanisms of influence of various factors on female fertility.

Prevalence of Cognitive Defects Among Senior Inmates of Old-Age Homes in a District of South Kerala.

Background Cognitive decline, including mild cognitive impairment and major neurocognitive disorder, is a growing concern among aging populations. The prevalence of these disorders is especially relevant in regions experiencing a surge in elderly care infrastructure, such as Kerala, India. Within the context of sociocultural shifts and a rising elderly population, old-age homes are increasingly becoming the focal point of care and support for cognitive health. This study aims to examine the prevalence of cognitive defects among elderly individuals residing in old-age homes in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. Additionally, it investigates the relationship between cognitive disorders and sociodemographic variables of the inhabitants in these institutionalized settings. Methodology In this study, 535 elderly subjects were selected from 85 registered old-age homes in Kottayam, Kerala, through systematic cluster sampling. The response rate was 89.6%. Data collection involved a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Picture Memory Impairment Screen (PMIS), and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) translated into Malayalam. Data were gathered either from participants, caretakers, or medical records. Ethical guidelines were strictly followed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics Version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), employing the chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression, with a p-value less than 0.05 deemed significant. Results In our study of 535 elderly individuals in Kottayam's old-age homes, age, gender, and education were significantly associated with cognitive impairment, with p-values <0.001, 0.049, and <0.001, respectively. Behavioral factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption showed no significant association. The mean MMSE and PMIS scores were 25.24 and 5.57, respectively. The prevalence of cognitive defects was 170 (31.80%) as per MMSE and 182 (34.00%) according to PMIS. Given the wider acceptance of MMSE, the study established a cognitive defect prevalence of 170 (31.80%) among senior inmates. Conclusions This study reveals a high prevalence (170, 31.80%) of cognitive defects among elderly residents in Kottayam's old-age homes. Age and education were significant predictors, while behavioral factors such as smoking and alcohol were not. These findings underscore the need for targeted healthcare strategies to address cognitive decline in aging populations.

Using machine learning-based algorithms to construct cardiovascular risk prediction models for Taiwanese adults based on traditional and novel risk factors

ObjectiveTo develop and validate machine learning models for predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) within a Taiwanese cohort, with an emphasis on identifying significant predictors and comparing the performance of various models.MethodsThis study involved a comprehensive analysis of clinical, demographic, and laboratory data from 8,495 subjects in Taiwan Biobank (TWB) after propensity score matching to address potential confounding factors. Key variables included age, gender, lipid profiles (T-CHO, HDL_C, LDL_C, TG), smoking and alcohol consumption habits, and renal and liver function markers. The performance of multiple machine learning models was evaluated.ResultsThe cohort comprised 1,699 individuals with CAD identified through self-reported questionnaires. Significant differences were observed between CAD and non-CAD individuals regarding demographics and clinical features. Notably, the Gradient Boosting model emerged as the most accurate, achieving an AUC of 0.846 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.819–0.873), sensitivity of 0.776 (95% CI, 0.732–0.820), and specificity of 0.759 (95% CI, 0.736–0.782), respectively. The accuracy was 0.762 (95% CI, 0.742–0.782). Age was identified as the most influential predictor of CAD risk within the studied dataset.ConclusionThe Gradient Boosting machine learning model demonstrated superior performance in predicting CAD within the Taiwanese cohort, with age being a critical predictor. These findings underscore the potential of machine learning models in enhancing the prediction accuracy of CAD, thereby supporting early detection and targeted intervention strategies.Trial registrationNot applicable.

The Impact of Tobacco Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on the Development of Gastric Cancers.

Chronic infection of Helicobacter pylori is considered the principal cause of gastric cancers, but evidence has accumulated regarding the impact of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on the development of gastric cancers. Several possible mechanisms, including the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, have been proposed for smoking-induced gastric carcinogenesis. On the other hand, local acetaldehyde exposure and ethanol-induced mucosal inflammation have been proposed as the mechanisms involved in the development of gastric cancers in heavy alcohol drinkers. In addition, genetic polymorphisms are also considered to play a pivotal role in smoking-related and alcohol-related gastric carcinogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of gastric cancers in relation to tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.