Pain and alcohol consumption among older adults: findings from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health, Wave 1.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cross-sectional associations between self-reported recent pain and alcohol use/abstinence, and previous-day pain and previous-week alcohol consumption in adults aged 50 + in six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: The WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 (2007-2010) in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa is the data source. Prevalence of alcohol use/abstinence is reported by previous-day and previous-month pain. Multinomial logistic regressions (crude and adjusted for sex and country) tested associations between recent pain and alcohol use in the pooled multicountry sample. RESULTS: Across the six SAGE countries, about one-third of respondents reported alcohol use, being highest in Russia (74%) and lowest in India (16%). Holding the effects of sex and country constant, compared with abstainers, people with previous-day pain were more likely to be previous-day or other users. With regard to the quantity and frequency of alcohol use, people with previous-day pain were more likely to be non-heavy drinkers. CONCLUSION: Overall, we found that, in this population of older adults in six LMICs, recent pain was associated with moderate use of alcohol, although there were differences between countries. The findings provide a platform for country-specific research to better understand bi-directional associations between pain and alcohol in older adults.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery on metabolic syndrome-related variables in obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Thirteen obese women with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria) who met the International Diabetes Federation criteria for metabolic syndrome and who qualified for RYGB were enrolled. Clinical examinations included ovarian ultrasonography and measurement of waist, hip, body mass index and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were taken at the visit before surgery to measure triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum progesterone, allopregnanolone, total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. Six months after surgery, patients underwent the same examinations and provided blood samples to analyse the same variables. RESULTS: At 6 months after surgery, the metabolic syndrome-related variables improved in all patients, except in six patients with anovulatory menstrual cycles who still satisfied the criteria for metabolic syndrome. The metabolic variables normalised and serum progesterone and allopregnanolone levels increased in seven patients with ovulatory cycles. Testosterone and SHBG normalised in all patients at 6 months after surgery. Serum HDL and diastolic blood pressure did not change after surgery. Correlations were found among testosterone, progesterone, allopregnanolone, lipoproteins, triglyceride, fasting glucose and HbA1c levels, which was interpreted as progesterone and its metabolite allopregnanolone may contribute to metabolic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: In PCOS patients, normalisation of metabolic dysfunction may be incomplete by 6 months after RYGB surgery, and the start of ovulatory menstrual cycles may indicate normalisation of metabolic dysfunction.

Prevalence of chronic pelvic pain among women: an updated review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), defined as a noncyclical pain lasting for more than 6 months can lead to lower physical performance and quality of life in women. CPP is a worldwide problem affecting women of all ages. However, health care professionals and researchers, due to its complex nature and the lack of knowledge surrounding the condition, frequently neglect CPP. Subsequently, basic data and knowledge regarding CPP remain incomplete. OBJECTIVE: To update the review of the worldwide estimation of the CPP prevalence considering the World Health Organization systematic review by Latthe et al in 2006 as point of departure. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of CPP prevalence studies. METHOD: Electronic search was performed to find related articles through PubMed between 2005 and 2012 based on the PRISMA statement (2009). RESULTS: From 140 studies, only 7 studies were about CPP prevalence. Their study design consisted of 3 cross sectional studies, one population based mailing questionnaire study, one survey study (computer assisted telephone interview), one data analysis by questionnaire, and one prospective community based study. LIMITATIONS: Paucity of population based studies in addition to probability of existence of studies at the local level with limited access to worldwide databases, lack of consensus about definition of CPP among researchers and therapists, and non-inclusion of CPP related key words in databases such as PubMed. CONCLUSION: Based on these articles, prevalence in general ranged between 5.7% and 26.6%. There were many countries and regions without basic data in the field of CPP. This review shows the paucity of studies, especially multidisciplinary researches with multifactorial views on CPP. Multidisciplinary studies would provide more reliable data for estimating the prevalence of CPP and its psycho-socioeconomic burden, as well as finding its etiologies and characteristics. This would be the first step towards better treatment and care for women with CPP.