Forecasting and validating fat mass ratio models through anthropometric measurements and health-related factors among people with HIV: a cross-sectional investigation.

Background: There is a limited research on predictive models of fat mass ratio (FMR) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH). This study aimed to develop models considering anthropometric and health-related factors to predict and validate FMR in PWH regardless of sex. Methods: One hundred and six Brazilian PWH (46.4±9.8 years) were evaluated for body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), body circumference (BC), and skinfold thicknesses (SKs). FMR predictive models were developed using stepwise linear regression, and their agreement with DXA was assessed using Bland-Altman plots. Cross-validation was performed using the predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) method. Results: Six FMR estimation models were developed for PWH, with adjusted R2 ranging from 0.43 to 0.72, standard error of the estimate (SEE) from 0.16% to 0.22%, and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1.03 to 1.15. Model 6, including thigh SK, waist BC, therapy duration, subscapular SK, education years, and abdominal SK, exhibited the highest determination power (R2 adjusted 0.72, SEE 0.16%, and 95% CI: 1.06-1.15). The agreement between DXA-based FMR and predictive models showed minimal bias (-0.03 to +0.04) and narrower limits of agreement, particularly for the top-performing model (-0.33 to +0.30). Model 6 exhibited a high adjusted Q2PRESS (0.70) and low SPRESS (0.17). Conclusions: Our predictive models advance the study of body composition in PWH by consolidating the use of anthropometry for diagnosing and monitoring lipodystrophy regardless of sex.

Are we missing the opioid consumption in low- and middle-income countries?

OBJECTIVES: The rise in opioid prescriptions with a parallel increase in opioid use disorders remains a significant challenge in some developed countries (opioid epidemic). However, little is known about opioid consumption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this short report, we aim to discuss the increase in opioid consumption in LMICs by providing an update on the opioid perspective in Brazil. METHODS: We analyzed opioid sales on the publicly available Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) database from 2015 to 2020. RESULTS: In Brazil, opioid sales increased 34.8 %, from 8,839,029 prescriptions in 2015 to 11,913,823 prescriptions in 2020, this represents an increase from 44 to 56 prescriptions for every 1,000 inhabitants. Codeine phosphate combined with paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride were the most common opioids prescribed with an increase each year. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that opioid prescriptions are rising in Brazil in a 5 years period. Brazil may have a unique opportunity to learn from other countries and develop consistent policies and guidelines to better educate patients and prescribers and to prevent an opioid crisis.

Defining text neck: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Text neck is regarded as a global epidemic. Yet, there is a lack of consensus concerning the definitions of text neck which challenges researchers and clinicians alike. PURPOSE: To investigate how text neck is defined in peer-reviewed articles. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to identify all articles using the terms "text neck" or "tech neck." Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science were searched from inception to 30 April 2022. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMAScR) guidelines. No limitation was applied for language or study design. Data extraction included study characteristics and the primary outcome relating to text neck definitions. RESULTS: Forty-one articles were included. Text neck definitions varied across studies. The most frequent components of definitions were grouped into five basis for definition: Posture (n = 38; 92.7%), with qualifying adjectives meaning incorrect posture (n = 23; 56.1%) and posture without a qualifying adjective (n = 15; 36.6%); Overuse (n = 26; 63.4%); Mechanical stress or tensions (n = 17; 41.4%); Musculoskeletal symptoms (n = 15; 36.6%) and; Tissue damage (n = 7; 17.1%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that posture is the defining characteristic of text neck in the academic literature. For research purposes, it seems that text neck is a habit of texting on the smartphone in a flexed neck position. Since there is no scientific evidence linking text neck with neck pain regardless of the definition used, adjectives like inappropriate or incorrect should be avoided when intended to qualify posture.

Older postmenopausal women with lower lean mass have hypermethylated sites in the PI3K-Akt pathway.

Introduction: The decrease in lean mass is directly related to the loss of independence, muscle strength, and worse quality of life over the years. Although the genetic determinants of muscle mass were well recognized, recent literature has been uncovering new epigenetic factors affecting the state of muscular tissue. This study aimed to verify differences in the DNA methylation profile among Brazilian postmenopausal women aged 50-70 years according to the lean mass evaluation. Methods: A cross-sectional study comprised 40 women aged 50-70 years. After K-means cluster analysis the 40 participants were divided into two groups, the Lower Lean Mass group with 20 participants (61.1 ± 4.6 years) and the Higher Lean Mass group with 20 participants (60.7 ± 3.2 years). Lean mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray emission densitometry (DEXA). The participants' DNA was extracted using the Salting Out technique and subsequently, the Illumina 850k EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip was performed to obtain methylation data. Results: We obtained 1,913 differentially methylated sites (p ≤ 0.005 of ß > 5% and ß < -5%) in a total of 979 genes between groups (p ≤ 0.005; -5% > ß > 5%). In addition, the PI3K-Akt pathway had the greatest power of significance with an FDR of 4.6 × 10-3. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a differentiation between specific sites of different genes, which have essential functions in body composition and energy metabolism, supporting future studies that aim to relate lean mass with epigenetics.

Credibility, accuracy and readability of patient-oriented information about low back pain on Brazilian websites: a mixed-method review / Credibilidade, acurácia e legibilidade das informações orientadas ao paciente sobre dor lombar em sites brasileiros: uma revisão de método misto

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low-quality online health-related content may lead to inefective or harmful decision-making from patients related to their healthcare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the credibility, accuracy and readability of web-based content on Brazilian websites. METHODS: This is a mixed-method review with exploratory sequential design. Google was selected as the search engine for retrieving web-information about low back pain (LBP) in Brazilian websites. We assessed the URL on three domains: credibility, accuracy, and readability. Qualitative analysis of each URL was performed in three steps: (1) organization into thematic units; (2) data exploration; and (3) interpretation of the data and summarization. RESULTS: Credibility was assessed in 135 URLs, 72 (53%) URLs had no authorship, 119 (88%) did not mention the sources of their information, none presented a declaration of conflict of interest or the declared source of funding, 76 (56%) URLs present the date of creation. Accuracy was assessed in 121 URLs and none fully adhered to the guidelines. Readability was assessed in 128 and texts were classified as "very easy" or "easy" to read. Five main themes emerged in the qualitative analysis: (1) Explanations and causes for low back pain, (2) diagnosis, (3) recommendation about treatment, (4) recommendation for coping and self-management, and (5) lifestyle factors. CONCLUSION: Content analysis of web-based searches on the Brazilian Portuguese language demonstrated low credibility standards, mostly inaccurate information, and moderate-high readability levels about low back pain.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O conteúdo on-line relacionado à saúde quando apresenta baixa qualidade pode levar a tomadas de decisão ineficazes ou prejudiciais por parte dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a credibilidade, acurácia e legibilidade do conteúdo em portais brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Esta é uma revisão de método misto com design sequencial exploratório. O Google foi selecionado como o mecanismo de busca para recuperar informações da web sobre dor lombar em sites brasileiros. Avaliamos os URL em três domínios: credibilidade, acurácia e legibilidade. A análise qualitativa de cada URL foi realizada em três etapas: (1) organização em unidades temáticas; (2) exploração de dados; e (3) interpretação dos dados e resumo. RESULTADOS: A credibilidade foi avaliada em 135 URLs, 72 (53%) URLs não tinham autoria, 119 (88%) não mencionavam as fontes de suas informações, nenhuma apresentava declaração de confito de interesse ou fonte de fnanciamento declarada, 76 (56%) URLs apresentam a data de criação. A acurácia foi avaliada em 121 URLs e nenhuma aderiu totalmente às diretrizes. A legibilidade foi avaliada em 128 e os textos foram classificados como "muito fáceis" ou "fáceis" de ler. Cinco temas principais emergiram na análise qualitativa: (1) Explicações e causas da dor lombar, (2) diagnóstico, (3) recomendação sobre tratamento, (4) recomendação para enfrentamento e autogerenciamento e (5) fatores de estilo de vida. CONCLUSÃO: A análise de conteúdo de pesquisas baseadas na web, no idioma português do Brasil, demonstrou baixos padrões de credibilidade, acurácia e níveis moderados a altos de legibilidade sobre a dor lombar.

Bone Mineral Content Estimation in People Living with HIV: Prediction and Validation of Sex-Specific Anthropometric Models.

People living with HIV (PWH) experience an accelerated reduction in bone mineral content (BMC), and a high risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Anthropometry is an accurate and low-cost method that can be used to monitor changes in body composition in PWH. To date, no studies have used anthropometry to estimate BMC in PWH. To propose and validate sex-specific anthropometric models to predict BMC in PWH. This cross-sectional study enrolled 104 PWH (64 males) aged >18 years at a local university hospital. BMC was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Anthropometric measures were collected. We used linear regression analysis to generate the models. Cross-validations were conducted using the "leave one out", from the predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) method. Bland-Altman plots were used to explore distributions of errors. We proposed models with high coefficient of determination and reduced standard error of estimate for males (r2 = 0.70; SEE = 199.97 g; Q2PRESS = 0.67; SEEPRESS = 208.65 g) and females (r2 = 0.65; SEE = 220.96 g; Q2PRESS = 0.62; SEEPRESS = 221.90 g). Our anthropometric predictive models for BMC are valid, practical, and a low-cost alternative to monitoring bone health in PWH.

Patients should not rely on low back pain information from Brazilian official websites: A mixed-methods review.

BACKGROUND: Websites from official organizations (e.g., Ministry of Health and Professional Councils) are assumed to be trustworthy sources of information. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the credibility, accuracy, and readability of low back pain (LBP) web-based content in Brazilian official websites. METHODS: Mixed-methods review. Google search was used for retrieving web-information about Brazilian trustworthy organizations. We assessed the URLs on three domains: credibility, accuracy, and readability of LBP contents. Qualitative analysis was performed using an open source platform in three stages: (1) organization into thematic units; (2) data exploration; and (3) interpretation of the data and summarization. RESULTS: We included 84 URLs. Accuracy was assessed for 58 URLs and none fully adhered to the guidelines. Credibility analysis was performed for 67 URLs. Disclosure of authorship was not mentioned in 58 (87%) of the URLs, 63 (94%) did not mention the sources of their information, none presented a declaration of conflict of interest, and 16 (24%) did not provide the date of creation. Readability was assessed for 72 URLs and was classified as "easy" to read in 65%. Six main themes emerged in the qualitative analysis: (1) Explanations and causes for LBP, (2) diagnosis, (3) recommendations about medication, (4) recommendations for coping and self-management, (5) performing exercises, and (6) recommendations for children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The reading level is appropriate for patient-oriented information. However, Brazilian official websites demonstrated low credibility standards and while some of the content is partially supported by the current literature, there is also much inaccurate information about LBP.

Association Between Text Neck and Neck Pain in Adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between text neck and neck pain (NP) in adults. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It has been hypothesized that the inappropriate neck posture adopted when texting and reading on a smartphone, called text neck, is related to the increased prevalence of NP. METHODS: The sample was composed of 582 volunteers aged between 18 and 65 years. Sociodemographics, anthropometrics, lifestyle, psychosocial, NP, and smartphone use-related questions were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. Text neck was assessed by measuring the cervical flexion angle of the participants standing and sitting while typing a text on their smartphones, using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis showed the cervical flexion angle of the standing participant using a smartphone did not associate with the prevalence of NP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98-1.02; P = 0.66), NP frequency (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.03; P = 0.056), or maximum NP intensity (beta coefficient = -5.195 × 10-5; 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.02; P = 0.99). Also, the cervical flexion angle of the sitting participant using the smartphone did not associate with NP (OR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98-1.01; P = 0.93), NP frequency (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.99-1.02; P = 0.13), or maximum NP intensity (beta coefficient = 0.002; 95% CI: -0.002 to 0.02; P = 0.71). CONCLUSION: Text neck was not associated with prevalence of NP, NP frequency, or maximum NP intensity in adults.Level of Evidence: 4.