Stair climbing and incident atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND@#A protective role for physical activity against the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been suggested. Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity that many people practice. Herein, we investigated the association between stair climbing and the risk of AF in a Japanese population.@*METHODS@#In this prospective cohort study, we used data of 6,575 people registered in the Suita Study, aged 30-84 years, and had no history of AF. The frequency of stair climbing was assessed by a baseline questionnaire, while AF was diagnosed during the follow-up using a 12-lead ECG, health records, check-ups, and death certificates. We used the Cox regression to calculate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of AF incidence for climbing stairs in 20-39%, 40-59%, and ≥60% compared with <20% of the time.@*RESULTS@#Within 91,389 person-years of follow-up, 295 participants developed AF. The incidence of AF was distributed across the stair climbing groups <20%, 20-39%, 40-59%, and ≥60% as follows: 3.57, 3.27, 3.46, and 2.63/1,000 person-years, respectively. Stair climbing ≥60% of the time was associated with a reduced risk of AF after adjustment for age and sex 0.69 (0.49, 0.96). Further adjustment for lifestyle and medical history did not affect the results 0.69 (0.49, 0.98).@*CONCLUSION@#Frequent stair climbing could protect from AF. From a preventive point of view, stair climbing could be a simple way to reduce AF risk at the population level.

Socio-demographic determinants of antibiotic misuse in children. A survey from the central region of Saudi Arabia

To investigate knowledge, beliefs, and practices associated with parental antibiotic misuse. This cross-sectional study included parents visiting 4 malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study took place at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between June and December 2010. Self-prescription of antibiotic for a child in the past year was defined as antibiotic misuse. From 610 parents [60.5% mothers and 39.5% fathers], 11.6% reported self-prescription. Responding parents differed by age, education, number of children, and profession. Overall, parents responded that antibiotics are required in children with runny nose or cough or sore throat or fever [50%]; to reduce symptom severity and duration [57.7%], are effective against viruses [68.6%], can be stopped on clinical improvement [28.7%], and it used by another family member can be used in children [20.1%]. Determinants of misuse in a multivariable model were income, number of children, type of infection treated last year, knowledge of illness requiring antibiotic or being unsure, using antibiotics used by an other family member in children, unsure for such use, and adjusting for the type of responding parent. Parents with low income, more than 2 children, lack of knowledge, inappropriate beliefs and practices are vulnerable for misusing antibiotics in children