Prevalence and determinants of burnout among South African doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Burnout, resulting from chronic workplace stress that has been unsuccessfully managed, has previously been documented in doctors. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased occupational challenges faced by doctors, potentiating their risk for burnout. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of burnout among medical doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting: Three public sector hospitals in Gqeberha, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 260 voluntary participants was conducted. Participants completed self-administered electronic questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the determinants of burnout. Results: The prevalence of burnout in this study was 78%. Burnout was significantly associated with being a medical intern or community-service medical officer (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 6.72, 1.71­26.40), being in the lowest income band (AOR = 10.78, 2.55­45.49), and using alcohol to manage work-related stress (AOR = 3.01, 1.12­8.04). Job-related factors associated with burnout were experiencing high conflict at work (AOR = 5.04, 1.92­13.20) and high role ambiguity and role conflict (AOR = 4.49, 1.98­10.18). Low support at work (AOR = 9.99, 3.66­27.23), medium job satisfaction (AOR = 5.38, 2.65­10.93) and medium support at work (AOR = 3.39, 1.71­6.73) were positively associated with burnout. Participants with medium (AOR = 0.28, 0.10­0.80) and high levels of resilience (AOR = 0.08, 0.03­0.25) were protected against burnout. Coronavirus disease 2019-related factors were not significantly associated with burnout. Conclusion: The burnout prevalence among South African medical doctors at public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic was high and strongly associated with job stress factors. Contribution: Given the increased prevalence of burnout among doctors and the strong associations with job stress factors, mitigation of burnout requires targeted organisational interventions.

Factores de riesgo asociados al cáncer de mama en mujeres de un área de salud

Fundamento: el cáncer de mama es el tumor maligno más frecuente entre las mujeres de todo el mundo. En Cuba, sigue siendo la neoplasia que más se diagnóstica en mujeres, por eso es importante, determinar los factores de riesgo asociados. Objetivo: identificar los factores de riesgo asociados al cáncer de mama en mujeres de un consultorio médico de familia de Santiago de Cuba. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico-observacional, tipo caso-control en pacientes pertenecientes al Policlínico Comunitario Ramón López Peña de Santiago de Cuba, en el período de enero a diciembre del 2022. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por las pacientes de sexo femenino, mayores de 30 años (3 550), de las cuales se escogieron los casos (pacientes diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama) y los controles (pacientes que no padecieran la enfermedad), se escogieron 2 controles por cada caso seleccionado. Como variable dependiente se consideró el cáncer de mama, se utilizaron como variables independientes: la edad, antecedentes patológicos personales y familiares, menarquía precoz, menopausia tardía, nuliparidad, edad del primer hijo, lactancia materna exclusiva, terapia hormonal de reemplazo o sustitutiva, uso de métodos anticonceptivos, obesidad, sedentarismo, tabaquismo, alcoholismo. Se operacionalizaron como sigue (No= ausencia del factor de riesgo; Sí= presencia del factor de riesgo) Se determinó el Odd Ratio, el intervalo de confianza y la prueba de Chi cuadrado. Resultados: la edad mayor de 60 años (OR=3,47), los antecedentes patológicos personales (OR=3,83), la menarquia precoz (OR=5,65), la menopausia tardía (OR=5,16), el abandono de la lactancia materna (OR=6,59), el tabaquismo (OR=8,28) y la obesidad (OR=7,21), se asociaron a la aparición del cáncer de mama. Conclusiones: factores de riesgos relacionados con los estilos de vida como el tabaquismo y la obesidad y el abandono de la lactancia materna fueron los factores de riesgo que tuvieron una fuerte asociación causal en la aparición del cáncer de mama en la presente investigación.

Foundation: breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among women around the world. In Cuba, it continues to be the neoplasia most diagnosed in women, which is why it is important to determine the associated risk factors. Objective: to identify the risk factors associated with breast cancer in women from a family doctor's office in Santiago de Cuba. Methods: an analytical-observational, case-control study was carried out in patients belonging to the Ramon Lopez Peña Community Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba, in the period from January to December 2022. The study population consisted of female patients, over 30 years of age (3,550), from which the cases (patients diagnosed with breast cancer) and controls (patients who did not suffer from the disease) were chosen, 2 controls were chosen for each selected case. Breast cancer was considered as the dependent variable; the following were used as independent variables: age, personal and family pathological history, early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, age of the first child, exclusive breastfeeding, replacement or replacement hormone therapy, use of contraceptive methods, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcoholism. They were operationalized as follows (No = absence of the risk factor; Yes = presence of the risk factor) The Odd Ratio, the confidence interval and the Chi square test were determined. Results: age over 60 years (OR=3.47), personal pathological history (OR=3.83), early menarche (OR=5.65), late menopause (OR=5.16), abandonment of breastfeeding (OR=6.59), smoking (OR=8.28) and obesity (OR=7.21) were associated with the appearance of breast cancer. Conclusions: risk factors related to lifestyles such as smoking and obesity and abandonment of breastfeeding were the risk factors that had a strong causal association in the appearance of breast cancer in the present investigation.

Infarto agudo de miocardio y factores de riesgo predisponentes

Fundamento: más de siete millones de personas mueren cada año como consecuencia de la cardiopatía isquémica. La incidencia de factores de riesgo constituye una sobrecarga de actividad para el corazón lo que presupone un incremento en la ocurrencia de infarto del miocardio. Objetivo: determinar la epidemiología del infarto agudo de miocardio y factores de riesgo predisponentes. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, analítico, longitudinal, retrospectivo de serie de casos a partir de la población con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio evaluados en el Servicio de Urgencias Médicas del Hospital Docente Clínico Quirúrgico Carlos Enrique Font de Banes, provincia Holguín durante el período mayo 2022- 2023. El universo abarcó 57 individuos diagnosticados. Por muestreo probabilístico aleatorio simple, se obtuvo la muestra de 38 casos. Se operacionalizaron las variables: edad, sexo, modalidad de infarto, factores de riesgo, riesgo cardiovascular global. Fueron utilizados los estadígrafos: Chi cuadrado de Pearson, Odd Ratio (OR), incluidos p e intervalo de confianza. Resultados: el sexo masculino prevaleció en un 63,1 %. El grupo de edades 60-69 años resultó el más afectado con un 31,6 %. El infarto agudo de miocardio doloroso fue de 71,1 % (OR=6), con elevación del ST 76,3 % (OR=10,3) y de cara posterior un 39,5 % obtuvo valores estadísticos elevados. Los factores de riesgo, hipertensión arterial (X2=25,4 OR=14 IC95 % (4,6; 42,3) y los antecedentes familiares de enfermedad cardiovascular (X2=5,2 OR=2,9 IC95 % (1,1; 7,4)) expresaron asociación altamente significativa para infarto agudo de miocardio. El riesgo cardiovascular global medio predominó (52,6 % OR=1,23 X2=0,21). Conclusiones: los individuos con infarto agudo de miocardio muestran un riesgo cardiovascular global medio a expensas de factores de riesgo prevenibles.

Foundation: more than seven million people die each year as a result of ischemic heart disease. The incidence of risk factors constitutes an overload of activity for the heart, which presupposes an increase in the occurrence of myocardial infarction. Objective: determine the epidemiology of acute myocardial infarction and predisposing risk factors. Method: a descriptive, analytical, longitudinal, retrospective study of a series of cases was carried out from the population with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction evaluated in the Medical Emergency Service of the Carlos Enrique Font Banes Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital, Holguín province during the period May 2022-2023. The universe covered 57 diagnosed individuals. By simple random probabilistic sampling, a sample of 38 cases was obtained. The variables were operationalized: age, sex, type of infarction, risk factors, global cardiovascular risk. The following statisticians were used: Pearson's Chi square, Odd Ratio (OR), including p and confidence interval. Results: the male sex prevailed in 63.1 %. The age group 60-69 years old was the most affected with 31.6 %. Painful acute myocardial infarction was 71.1 % (OR=6), with ST elevation 76.3 % (OR=10.3) and on the posterior side 39.5 % obtained high statistical values. The risk factors, arterial hypertension (X2=25.4 OR=14 95 % CI (4.6; 42.3) and family history of cardiovascular disease (X2=5.2 OR=2.9 95 % CI (1, 1; 7.4)) expressed a highly significant association for acute myocardial infarction. The mean global cardiovascular risk predominated (52.6 % OR=1.23 X2=0.21). Conclusions: individuals with acute myocardial infarction show an average global cardiovascular risk at the expense of preventable risk factors.

Caries dental y factores asociados en población de 5-12 años

Introducción: Las enfermedades bucales se encuentran entre las cinco de mayor demanda de atención en los servicios de salud a nivel mundial. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una investigación observacional analítica retrospectiva de casos y controles, con el objetivo de determinar el grado de asociación entre la caries dental y los factores de riesgo en la población infantil de 5 a 12 años del Consultorio del Médico de la Familia no. 3, pertenecientes al Policlínico Docente Belkis Sotomayor Álvarez, del municipio Ciego de Ávila, durante el período de octubre de 2021 a marzo de 2022. El grupo de casos estuvo integrado por 62 niños, al igual que el grupo control. Se utilizó la técnica de independencia basada en la distribución de Chi-cuadrado, para determinar la presencia de asociación estadística entre variables cualitativas, y se realizó el cálculo del Odd ratio para la cuantificación de riesgo. Resultados: El grupo de 5 a 8 años fue el de mayor número de niños con caries dental, para un 59,7 %. El 62,9 % solo se cepillaban los dientes con una frecuencia de dos o menos veces al día. El antecedente de caries dental, la enfermedad gingival y la ingestión de alimentos azucarados, estuvieron relacionados con la aparición de caries dental. Conclusiones: La dieta cariogénica resultó ser el factor de riesgo con mayor puntaje en la incidencia de la caries dental en la muestra estudiada.

Introduction: Oral diseases are among the five diseases demanding more care in health services worldwide. Materials and methods: A descriptive, analytic, observational research of cases and controls was carried out, with the objective of determining the association degree between dental caries and risk factors in the child population aged from 5 to 12 years from the Family Physician Consultation Nr. 3, belonging to the Teaching Polyclinic Belkis Sotomayor Alvarez, in the municipality Ciego de Avila, during the period from October 2021 to March 2022. The case group consisted of 62 children, the same as the control group. The independence technique based on the Chi-square distribution was used to determine the presence of statistical association between qualitative variables, and the Odd ratio was calculated for risk quantification. Results: The group from 5 to 8 years was the one with higher number of children with dental caries, for 59.7%. 62.9% only brushed their teeth with a frequency of two or less times a day. History of dental caries, gingival disease and sugary food ingestion were related to the appearance of dental caries. Conclusions: The cariogenic diet proved to be the risk factor with the higher score in the incidence of dental caries in the sample studied.

Nuevos factores predictivos en el desarrollo de diabetes mellitus tipo 2

Fundamento: la diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad que tiene un impacto negativo en la sociedad en general y en la salud en particular, debido los altos costos que ella provoca tanto a nivel institucional como en las personas. Objetivo: identificar nuevos factores predictivos para el desarrollo de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Método: se realizó un estudio de cohorte que incluyó a todos los pacientes atendidos en las consultas de endocrinología del área de salud Pedro Díaz Coello de Holguín. Para el análisis estadístico se empleó el programa SPSS, versión 25,0 y se aplicaron las técnicas de regresión logística binaria y descriptiva. Se estableció la relación de las variables de análisis con la variable de salida a través del Odd Ratio (OR), el cual fue calculado para cada una de estas, con un índice de coeficiente de 95 %. Resultados el 36,5 % de los pacientes fueron diagnosticados con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Las variables explicaron el 74,9 % de la variable de salida. Las variables utilizadas en la serie fueron estadísticamente significativas. Las variables utilizadas presentaron un Odd Ratio mayor que 1 y una significancia menor de 0,05, lo que ayudó a identificar a los pacientes con riesgo de padecer diabetes mellitus de tipo 2. Conclusiones: entre los nuevos factores predictivos para el desarrollo de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 están: el valor de la microalbuminuria, la enfermedad periodontal, los trastornos de la sensibilidad en miembros inferiores, los antecedentes patológicos de hipotiroidismo y las alteraciones del fondo de ojo.

Background: diabetes mellitus is a disease that has a negative impact on society in general and on health in particular, due to the high costs it causes both at the institutional level and in people. Objective: to identify new predictive factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: a cohort study was carried out that included all the patients seen in the endocrinology clinics of the Pedro Díaz Coello health area in Holguín. For the statistical analysis, the SPSS program, version 25.0 was used, and the binary and descriptive logistic regression techniques were applied. The relationship of the analysis variables with the output variable was established through the Odd Ratio (OR), which was calculated for each of these, with a coefficient index of 95 %. Results: 36.5 % of the patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The variables explained 74.9 % of the output variable. The variables used in the series were statistically significant. The variables used presented an Odd Ratio greater than 1 and a significance of less than 0.05, which helped to identify patients at risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: among the new predictive factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus are: the value of microalbuminuria, periodontal disease, sensitivity disorders in the lower limbs, a pathological history of hypothyroidism and eye fundus alterations.

Incidence, determinants, and outcomes of recovered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure; a hospital-based cohort study

Background: The data on incidence of recovered Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and outcome in patients with non ischemic systolic heart failure is limited. We report the incidence, determinants and mortality in patients with recovered LVEF. Methods: The 369 patients with HFrEF with LVEF of less than 40% of non ischemic etiology with available follow up echocardiography study at one year were enrolled. The baseline data of clinical characteristics and treatment was recorded prospectively and were followed up annually for mean of 3.6 years (range 2 to 5 years) to record all cause death and LVEF measured echocardiographically. The recovered, partially recovered and no recovery of LVEF was defined based on increase in LVEF to 50% and more, 41% to 49% and to persistently depressed LVEF to 40% or lower respectively. Results: The LVEF recovered in 36.5%% of the cohort at 5 years. The rate of recovery of LVEF was slower in patients with no recovery of LVEF at one year compared to cohort with partially recovered LVEF (18% vs.53%) at five year. The Baseline LVEF was significantly associated with recovered LVEF, odd ratio (95% C.I.) 1.09(1.04, 1.14). The cumulative mortality at five years was significantly lower in cohort with recovered LVEF (18.1% vs. 57.1%). Conclusions: One third of the patients had recovered LVEF and was significantly associated with baseline LVEF and lower mortality rate.

Factores de riesgo de enfermedad diarreica aguda en niños menores de un año

Introducción: las enfermedades diarreicas agudas son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad de la población infantil a nivel mundial y en países en vías de desarrollo. Objetivo: identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la diarrea aguda en niños menores de un año del municipio Bayamo. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de casos y controles, en niños menores de 1 años pertenecientes al municipio Bayamo, que ingresaron con enfermedad diarreica aguda en el Hospital Provincial Pediátrico Docente "General Milanés" en el año 2022. La muestra constituida por 246 pacientes, 82 casos y 164 controles. Se realizó el análisis univariado y multivariado: la razón de productos cruzados y el Chi cuadrado, con una confiabilidad del 95% y una probabilidad menor de 0.05. Resultados: en el análisis univariado la no lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los 6 meses fue el factor de mayor significación estadística (OR 20,695, IC 7,360-58,188 P=0,000), seguido de la desnutrición (OR 10,503 IC 3,322-33,213 P=0,000), uso previo de antimicrobiano (OR 7,798 IC 2,803-21,684 P=0,000. En el análisis multivariado el factor que mostró mayor independencia fue la no lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los 6 meses. Conclusiones: la no lactancia materna hasta los 6 meses de edad resultó ser el factor de mayor riesgo para desarrollar una enfermedad diarreica aguda, seguido de la desnutrición y uso previo de antimicrobiano.

SUMMARY Introduction: acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide and in developing countries. Objective: to identify the risk factors associated with acute diarrhea in children under one year of age in the Bayamo municipality. Methods: an analytical observational study of cases and controls was carried out in children under 1 year of age belonging to the Bayamo municipality, who were admitted with acute diarrheal disease to the "General Milanés" Provincial Pediatric Teaching Hospital in 2022. The sample was made up of 246 patients, 82 cases and 164 controls. The univariate and multivariate analysis was performed: the cross-product ratio (Odd Ratio) and the Chi square, with a reliability of 95% and a probability of less than 0.05. Results: in the univariate analysis, non-exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months was the factor with the greatest statistical significance (OR 20.695, CI 7.360-58.188 P=0.000), followed by malnutrition (OR 10.503 CI 3.322-33.213 P=0.000). previous use of antimicrobial (OR 7.798 CI 2.803-21.684 P=0.000. In the multivariate analysis, the factor that showed greater independence was not exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months. Conclusions: Non-breastfeeding until 6 months of age turned out to be the highest risk factor for developing an acute diarrheal disease, followed by malnutrition and previous use of antimicrobials.

Introdução: as doenças diarreicas agudas são uma importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade em crianças em todo o mundo e em países em desenvolvimento. Objetivo: identificar os fatores de risco associados à diarreia aguda em crianças menores de um ano de idade no município de Bayamo. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo observacional, analítico, caso-controle em crianças menores de 1 ano de idade pertencentes ao município de Bayamo, que foram admitidas com doença diarreica aguda no Hospital Universitário Pediátrico Provincial "General Milanés" em 2022. A amostra foi composta por 246 pacientes, 82 casos e 164 controles. Foram realizadas análises univariada e multivariada: a razão de produtos cruzados e o Qui-quadrado, com confiabilidade de 95% e probabilidade menor que 0,05. Resultados: na análise univariada, o aleitamento materno não exclusivo até os 6 meses de idade foi o fator estatisticamente mais significativo (OR 20,695, IC 7,360-58,188, P=0,000), seguido de desnutrição (OR 10,503, IC 3,322-33,213, P=0,000), uso prévio de antimicrobianos (OR, 7,798, IC 2,803-21,684, P=0,000. Na análise multivariada, o fator que apresentou maior independência foi o aleitamento materno não exclusivo até os 6 meses. Conclusões: não amamentar até os 6 meses de idade foi o maior fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de doença diarreica aguda, seguido de desnutrição e uso prévio de antimicrobianos.

Functional polymorphisms of DNA repair genes in Latin America reinforces the heterogeneity of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Abstract Nucleotide excision repair pathway (NER) is an essential mechanism for single-strand breaks (SSB) repair while xeroderma pigmentosum family (XPA to XPG) is the most important system to NER. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous hematological cancer characterized by cytopenias and risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transformation. MDS pathogenesis has been associated with problems of DNA repair system. This report aimed to evaluate NER polymorphisms (XPA rs1800975, XPC rs2228000, XPD rs1799793 and XPF rs1800067) in 269 MDS patients of different populations in Latin America (173 Brazilian and 96 Argentinean). Genotypes were identified in DNA samples by RT-qPCR using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. Regarding rs1799793 polymorphism of XPD for Brazilian population, the heterozygous genotype AG presented a high odds ratio (OR) to have a normal karyotype (p= 0.012, OR=3.000) and the mutant homozygous genotype AA was associated to a high OR of AML transformation (p= 0.034, OR=7.4). In Argentine population, the homozygous mutant AA genotype of rs1800975 polymorphism of XPA was associated with an increased odd to have hemoglobin levels below 8g/dL (p= 0.013, OR=10.000) while for the rs1799793 polymorphism of XPD, the heterozygous AG genotype decreased OR to be classified as good (p< 0.001, OR=9.05 × 10−10), and intermediate (p< 0.001, OR=3.08 × 10−10), according to Revised-International Prognostic Scoring System. Regarding the rs1800067 polymorphisms of XPF, the homozygous mutant AA genotype showed a decreased OR to be classified as good (p< 0.001, OR=4.03 × 10−13) and intermediate (p< 0.001, OR=2.54 × 10−13). Our report reinforces the heterogeneity of MDS and demonstrates the importance of ethnic differences and regional influences in pathogenesis and prognosis of MDS.

Association of Perceived Stress With Depression Among Vaccinated Healthcare Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Variant Outbreak: The Mediating Role of Compassion Fatigue

Objective@#Depression was common during coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, while the association of perceived stress with depression among vaccinated healthcare workers has not been investigated. This study aimed to address this issue. @*Methods@#We included a total of 898 fully vaccinated healthcare workers during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Delta variant in Nanjing, 2021. Depression was ascertained by Patient Health Questionnaire-9, with a cut-off score of ≥5 indicative of mild-to-severe depression. Perceived stress, resilience, and compassion fatigue were assessed by Perceived Stress Scale-10, Resilience Scale-25, and Professional Quality of Life Scale version-5, respectively. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), along with subgroup and mediation analyses. @*Results@#The prevalence of mild-to-severe depression was 41.1% in vaccinated healthcare workers. The odd of mild-to-severe depression was increased with higher perceived stress. Compared with vaccinated healthcare workers with the lowest tertile of perceived stress, those with the highest tertile had increased odds of mild-to-severe depression by 120% (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.46 to 3.31) after multivariable-adjustment. However, perceived stress was not associated with mild-to-severe depression in vaccinated healthcare workers with strong resilience, but was in those with weak resilience (pinteraction=0.004). Further analysis showed that compassion fatigue mediated the relationship between perceived stress and mild-to-severe depression, with a mediating effect of 49.7%. @*Conclusion@#Perceived stress was related to an increased odd of mild-to-severe depression in vaccinated healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic, and this relationship might be explained by compassion fatigue.

The Effect of Depressive Symptoms in Elderly on General and Cancer Health Screening Participation

Objective@#In this study, we investigate the effect of depressive symptoms in elderly on general and cancer health screening participation using the large epidemiological study data in South Korea. @*Methods@#This study was conducted on 1,977 people who responded to a health examination questionnaire among 2,360 adults aged 60 or older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2020.Depressive symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and classified as minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), and moderate and severe (10-27). To investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and health screening participation, a multiple logistic regression model controlling covariates was used. @*Results@#Compared to the group with minimal depressive symptoms, the mild group did not show a significant difference (odd ratio [OR]=0.71, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=0.45-1.13), but the moderate to severe group showed a significant negative relationship with general health screening participation (OR=0.59, 95% CI=0.35-0.99). There was a significant negative relation-ship between depressive symptoms and cancer health screening participation (mild group OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.48-1.23; moderate to severe group OR=0.50, 95% CI=0.28-0.87). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that people with depressive symptoms are less likely to get a general and cancer health screening. In order to promote health screening participation, policies that consider health behavior promotion programs and psychiatric interventions targeting moderate to severe depressive symptom groups are necessary.

Weekly gestational weight gain in women with obesity and its association with risk of macrosomia / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To explore the characteristics of weekly gestational weight gain (GWG) in women with obesity and its correlation with the risk of macrosomia.Methods:Clinical data of women with singleton pregnancy and pre-pregnancy body mass index (PPBMI) ≥28 kg/m 2 were retrospectively analyzed, from January 2014 to December 2019, in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University (Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital). The participants were divided into three groups based on their PPBMI: group A (28-<30 kg/m 2), group B (30-<32 kg/m 2), and group C (≥32 kg/m 2). The study compared the characteristics of GWG among the three groups, explored the correlation between the weekly weight gain during each gestational stage and the risk of macrosomia, and discussed the impacts of the GWG pattern in women with different PPBMI on the risk of macrosomia. Chi-square (or Fisher's exact), Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed for statistical analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of weekly weight gain in specific gestational stages on macrosomia. Results:(1) A total of 2 046 participants were included in the study, with 982 in group A, 588 in group B, and 476 in group C. For all of the 2 046 cases, the median PPBMI was 30.1 kg/m 2 (29.0-31.9 kg/m 2), GWG was 10.5 kg (7.3-14.0 kg), and neonatal birth weight was 3 520 g (3 215-3 816 g) with 60 (2.9%) ≥4 500 g, and the biggest baby weighed 5 580 g. Out of the births analyzed, macrosomia occurred in 318 cases (15.5%). (2) Among the three groups (A, B and C), the differences in maternal age [32.0 years (29.0-35.0 years), 32.0 years (29.0-35.0 years) and 32.0 years (29.0-34.0 years), H=6.58] and women with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus [0.9% (9/982), 0.3% (2/588) and 1.9% (9/476), χ2=6.61] were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (3) The weekly weight gain in each group exhibited a gradual upward trend before 20-24 weeks, reached a plateau at 24-32 weeks, peaked at 32-36 weeks, and subsequently declined. The weekly weight gain of group A in the pre-pregnancy to 14 weeks [0.14 kg/week (0.00-0.25 kg/week)], 14 to 20 weeks [0.25 kg/week (0.17-0.42 kg/week)], and 20 to 24 weeks [0.38 kg/week (0.25-0.63 kg/week)] were higher than those of group B [0.07 kg/week (－0.03-0.21 kg/week), 0.25 kg/week (0.10-0.42 kg/week), and 0.38 kg/week (0.22-0.60 kg/week)], respectively ( Z value was－3.73,－2.16, and－2.01, all P<0.05). Likewise, the weekly weight gain of group B in the above three stages were all higher than those of group C [0.07 kg/week (－0.10-0.21 kg/week), 0.17 kg/week (0.05-0.33 kg/week), and 0.25 kg/week (0.08-0.50 kg/week)], respectively ( Z value was－2.55,－3.28, and－3.25, all P<0.05). (4) The risk of macrosomia increased with the weekly weight gain in specific gestational stages in different PPBMI groups. In group A, the stages correlated with increased risk were 14-20 weeks [adjusted odd ratio ( aOR)=2.669, 95% CI: 1.378-5.169] and 20-24 weeks ( aOR=1.764, 95% CI: 1.143-2.723), while the stages were 20-24 weeks ( aOR=2.149, 95% CI: 1.156-3.996) and 36 weeks until delivery ( aOR=1.888, 95% CI: 1.268-2.810) in group B, and pre-pregnancy to 14 weeks ( aOR=3.515, 95% CI: 1.158-10.665) and 14-20 weeks ( aOR=3.021, 95% CI: 1.058-8.628) in group C (all P<0.05). The risk of macrosomia increased when the weekly weight gain of both risk-related stages in group A ( aOR=2.255, 95% CI: 1.029-4.940) ≥50th percentile, and group B ( aOR=4.399, 95% CI: 1.017-19.023) ≥75th percentile, and for group C ( aOR=3.404, 95% CI: 1.004-11.543) when the weekly weight gain above 25th percentile (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Weekly GWG demonstrates an observable gradual acceleration pattern in women with obesity. Therefore, clinical attention should be directed towards monitoring fluctuations in the weekly weight gain in this population, as excessive weekly weight gain before 24 gestational weeks is associated with an elevated risk of macrosomia.

Study on the causal relationship between body mass index and hypothyroidism / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To explore the causal relationship between body mass index (BMI) and hypothyroidism using the two-sample Mendelian randomization model.Methods:A large-scale anthropometric genome-wide association study published in the GIANT database was used to select single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which were statistically significantly associated with BMI as an instrumental variable ( P<5×10 -8, linkage disequilibrium r 2<0.1). The causal relationship between BMI and hypothyroidism was determined by the inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median method and the MR-Egger method, respectively. A heterogeneity test, gene pleiotropy test, and sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the stability and reliability of the results. Results:A total of 89 SNPs related to BMI were screened out as instrumental variables. IVW analysis suggested that for every standard deviation increase in BMI, the risk of hypothyroidism increased by 0.9% (odd ratio ( OR)=1.009, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.006-1.012, P<0.001). Similar results were obtained with the weighted median method ( OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.002-1.011, P=0.003) and the MR-Egger method ( OR=1.008, 95% CI: 1.001-1.015, P=0.006). The MR-Egger analysis showed that genetic pleiotropy did not bias the results (intercept=0.000 1, P=0.776), the one-by-one exclusion method did not show that a single instrumental variable SNP had a significant impact on the results, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Mendelian randomized analysis showed a positive causal relationship between BMI and hypothyroidism.

The value of systemic immune inflammation index in predicting the risk of hospital death in critically ill patients / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the predictive value of systemic immune inflammation index (SII) for the risk of hospital death in critically ill patients.Methods:The basic information and clinical data of critically ill patients were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database-Ⅳ (MIMIC-IV) database, including demographic data, vital signs, blood routine, Logistic organ dysfunction score (Lods), Oxford acute severity of illness score (Oasis), simplified acute physiology score (Saps-Ⅱ), acute physiology score Ⅲ (APS-Ⅲ), sequential organ failure score (SOFA) and outcome. The main outcome was hospital death, and the secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), invasive ventilation and 1-year mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to in-hospital death, and the differences between the groups were compared. According to the SII tripartite for inter-group comparison, the patients were further divided into three groups for comparison, and Logistic regression model was used to analyze the odd ratio ( OR) of the three groups. Results:A total of 32 450 critically ill patients were included in the study, of which 3765 died in hospital, with a mortality rate of 11.6%. ① Compared with the survival group, the SII in the death group were significantly higher ( P < 0.05). ② The mortality for the SII tripartite grouping (<817; 817~2 151; >2 151) were 8.4%, 10.2% and 16.3%, respectively, and the differences between groups were statistically significant. ③ Further, Logistic regression model analysis showed that the risk of death increased gradually with the increase of groups (the first group was the reference group, OR of the second group was 1.38, 95% CI 1.24-1.54, and OR of the third group was 2.03, 95% CI 1.83-2.24 ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:SII has a certain value in predicting hospital death in critically ill patients. It is easy to obtain and can be used for risk stratification of critically ill patients.

Insomnia Burden among Informal Caregivers of Hospitalized Lung Cancer Patients and Its Influencing Factors / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to reveal the insomnia burden and relevant influencing factors among informal caregivers (ICs) of hospitalized patients with lung cancer.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study on ICs of hospitalized patients with lung cancer was conducted from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. ICs' burden was assessed using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Linear and logistic regression models were used to identify the influencing factors.@*RESULTS@#Among 289 ICs of hospitalized patients with lung cancer, 83 (28.72%), 53 (18.34%), and 14 (4.84%) ICs experienced mild, moderate, and severe insomnia, respectively. The scores concerning self-esteem, lack of family support, financial problems, disturbed schedule, and health problems were 4.32 ± 0.53, 2.24 ± 0.79, 2.84 ± 1.14, 3.63 ± 0.77, and 2.44 ± 0.95, respectively. ICs with higher Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS) scores were associated with a lower risk of insomnia, with an odd ratio ( OR) and 95% confidence interval ( CI) of 0.940 (0.898-0.983). Among the ICs, female gender ( OR = 2.597), alcohol consumption ( OR = 3.745), underlying medical conditions ( OR = 11.765), long-term caregiving experience ( OR = 37.037), and higher monthly expenses ( OR = 5.714) were associated with a high risk of insomnia.@*CONCLUSION@#Of the hospitalized patients with lung cancer, 51.9% experienced insomnia. Patients' ADL, ICs gender, alcohol consumption, underlying medical conditions, caregiving duration, and monthly expenses were influencing factors. Therefore, prompt screening and early intervention for ICs of patients with lung cancer is necessary.

Social Stigma and Discrimination Toward People With Drug Addiction: A National Survey in Korea

Objective@#This study aims to understand the attitudes, stigma, and discrimination of the general adult population toward drug addiction. @*Methods@#We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide survey with 1,020 Korean adults using an Internet web-based panel. Self-reported data were collected on demographics, experience with substance abuse, perceptions of narcotic analgesic use, beliefs about the legalization of cannabis use, coping with substance abuse and addiction, and perceptions of drug risks. All statistical analysis in this study utilized the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 program. @*Results@#In this study, 1.6% of the participants reported abuse of opioid analgesics, 88.0% reported negative perceptions of drug addiction, and 76.9% reported agreeing to unfair treatment of drug addicts. Logistic regression analysis found that perceived stigma was more prevalent among women (odd ratio [OR]=2.087, p<0.01), old adults (OR=1.939, p<0.01), those with no personal experience of opioid misuse (OR=8.172, p<0.05), and those who were non-smoking (OR=2.011, p<0.01). In addition, the discriminatory attitude was more prevalent among participants with higher income (OR=1.989, p<0.001) and those who are non-smoking (OR=1.608, p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#This study provides information and guidelines for public intervention in drug addiction by identifying factors influencing social stigma and discriminatory behaviors toward drug addiction. The findings suggest that education on drug addiction prevention for the general adult population is necessary, and this education should include knowledge on coping with drug addiction and reducing stigma and discrimination toward drug addicts.

Moderators of the Association Between Contact Frequency With Non-Cohabitating Adult Children and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective@#Contact frequency with adult children plays a critical role in late-life depression. However, evidence on possible moderators of this association remains limited. Moreover, considering alterations in contact modes after the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, there is a need to investigate this association post-pandemic to develop effective therapeutic interventions. @*Methods@#This study included 7,573 older adults who completed the Living Profiles of the Older People Survey in Korea. Participants’ contact frequency and depressive symptoms were analyzed. Regression analysis was performed after adjusting for covariates. The moderating effects of variables were verified using a process macro. @*Results@#Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that infrequent face-to-face (odd ratio [OR]=1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.55–2.22) and non-face-to-face contact (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.04–1.45) in the non-cohabitating adult children group was associated with a higher risk of late-life depression compared to that in the frequent contact group. Linear regression analysis indicated consistent results for face-to-face and non-face-to-face contact (estimate=0.458, standard error [SE]=0.090, p<0.001 and estimate=0.236, SE= 0.074, p=0.001, respectively). Moderation analysis revealed that the association between late-life depression and frequency of face-toface contact was moderated by age, household income quartiles, number of chronic diseases, physical activity frequency, presence of spouse, nutritional status, and whether the effect of frequency of non-face-to-face contact on late-life depression was increased by participation in social activity, frequent physical activity, and good cognitive function (p for interaction<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Frequent contact with non-cohabitating children lowers the risk of depression later in life. Several variables were identified as significant moderators of contact frequency and depression symptoms.

The Effects of Economic Deterioration Due to COVID-19 to Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption Behaviors of Adolescents in South Korea: A Nationwide Analysis

Background@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly impacted health, culture, and the economy. Although it has had little direct effect on children and adolescents, its indirect effect on them has been significant. In this study, we aim to evaluate the alcohol and tobacco consumption behaviors of adolescents and the economic determination of their families due to COVID-19. Methods: We collected data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is an annual cross-sectional national representative survey published by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in South Korea. We considered, in particular, the survey conducted in middle and high school students in 2020. Results: The number of subjects was 54,948 with 28,353 male students and 26,595 female students. The drinking rate was higher in male students and female students in the group with severe economic deterioration compared to the group without deterioration (odd ratio [OR], 1.355; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.175-1.563; OR, 1.199; 95% CI, 0.987-1.457). The smoking rate was higher in male students and female students in the group with severe economic deterioration (OR, 1.435; 95% CI, 1.180-1.745; OR, 1.809; 95% CI, 1.331-2.457). The secondhand smoking rate at home was higher in male students and female students in the group with severe economic deterioration (OR, 1.397; 95% CI, 1.239-1.574; OR, 1.440; 95% CI, 1.263-1.641). @*Conclusions@#The economic deterioration due to COVID-19 is a risk factor for alcohol drinking, smoking, and secondhand smoking among adolescents. Our study results suggest the need to pay more attention to youth health management in the event of sudden economic impacts.

Gender Difference of the Association between Energy Intake Expenditure Balance and Depression among Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

Background@#Diet and physical activity are key factors related to depressive mood. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of diet and physical activity on depression. However, the effect of energy intake-expenditure balance (EIEB) on mental health has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to analyze the association between EIEB and depression. @*Methods@#A total of 13,460 participants (5,660 men and 7,800 women) aged ≥19 years were obtained from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). EIEB was defined as the difference between the daily energy intake and energy expenditure. Energy intake was calculated and provided by the KNHANES using a 24-hour recall survey. Energy expenditure was estimated as the sum of basal metabolic rate and physical activity. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between sex-specific quartile groups (Q1–Q4) of EIEB and depression after adjusting for socioeconomic status, body mass index, lifestyle factors, and underlying diseases. @*Results@#Women in Q3 of EIEB (211–669 kcal) had a significantly lower risk of depression (odd ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67–0.92) than those in Q1 of EIEB (<-167 kcal). The adjusted ORs of depression were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.75–1.02) in Q2 and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74–1.01) in Q4, with P for trend=0.030. There were no significant associations between the EIEB quartile groups and depression in men after adjusting for potential confounders (P for trend=0.564). @*Conclusion@#Our results suggested that the EIEB is negatively associated with depression in Korean women.

The predictive value of procalcitonin for septic shock in sepsis patients

Objective@#This study examined the difference in procalcitonin between sepsis and septic shock. @*Methods@#The single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted from July 2017 to June 2018 at an emergency department (ED) of a university hospital. The inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years old who visited the ED with an infection. The exclusion criteria were the patients without organ failure by sepsis-3 definition, those with missing serum lactate data, and those discharged without workup. The sepsis patients were divided into those with and without septic shock, and the two groups were compared with biomarkers, including procalcitonin. @*Results@#Of the 406 patients who visited the ED with an infection, 36 were excluded because they did not have sepsis or an unknown infection. Finally, 369 patients were enrolled, and 61.5% fitted the septic shock definition. A comparison of the septic shock and non-shock sepsis groups showed that a history of chronic liver disease, malignancy, pulse rate, prothrombin time, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate and alanine transaminase, troponin-I, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in the septic shock group. In multivariate analysis, however, procalcitonin was an independent predictor for septic shock (adjusted odd ratio, 1.05; 95% confidential interval, 1.01-1.09). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.729, and the cutoff value was 4.0 ng/mL. @*Conclusion@#The procalcitonin levels were higher in the septic shock group than in the non-shock sepsis group. This could help predict septic shock independently. Further prospective multicenter research is needed to determine if procalcitonin can predict the severity of sepsis.

Prevalence of Loneliness and Its Association With Suicidality in the General Population: Results From a Nationwide Survey in Korea

Background@#Although it is known that a substantial proportion of the population experience loneliness, the consequence of loneliness remains unclear by countries and ages.Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the association between loneliness and suicidality in the general population of Korea.Method: A total of 5,511 Koreans aged 18–79 completed a tablet-assisted personal interview using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and responded to questions about loneliness and lifetime suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. A logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between loneliness and suicidality. @*Results@#Approximately one-third of the Korean general population reported loneliness.Being older, never married, widowed, separated, or divorced, unemployed, and having a parttime job were all significantly related to loneliness. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, individuals with loneliness were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 4.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.36–4.88), suicidal plans (aOR, 4.91; 95% CI, 3.34–7.21), and suicidal attempts (aOR, 4.82; 95% CI, 3.03–7.66). Even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and mental disorders, suicidality remained statistically significant. Moreover, frequent, moderate-to-severe, and long-term loneliness were all associated with increased ORs for suicidality, regardless of sociodemographic factors and mental disorders. @*Conclusion@#Loneliness was associated with suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. This study lays the foundation for public health policymakers to establish early intervention and mental health care support for lonely people.