ABSTRACT
Background: High blood pressure (BP) is a leading cause of cardiovascular and stroke-related events. Office-based BP measurement has declined in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have resulted in higher rates of undetected and uncontrolled hypertension. To gain a better idea of adult BP levels in Newfoundland and Labrador, we engaged community pharmacists in BP screening on World Hypertension Day. Methods: Data collection and BP screening occurred on May 17, 2022. Pharmacists and pharmacy students collected 3 seated BP readings from participants, using an automated device. The average of readings 2 and 3 was used to estimate BP, with elevated BP defined as ≥ 140/90 mm Hg, or ≥ 130/80 mm Hg for individuals with diabetes. Data on participant demographics, access to primary care, medical history, and antihypertensive use were also collected. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression techniques. Results: A total of 460 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age was 56.3 years (standard deviation: 16.95); 63.3% (n = 291) were female; and 43.7% (n = 201) reported having hypertension. Elevated BP was identified in 27% (n = 123). Of those with elevated BP, 41.5% (n = 51) had no history of diagnosed hypertension. Age, sex, and diabetes were statistically significant predictors of elevated BP in the multivariable model. Conclusions: A large proportion of participants in our study had elevated BP. Targeted measures are needed to improve the detection, treatment, and control of high BP in Newfoundland and Labrador. Community pharmacists can support BP care.
Contexte: L'hypertension artérielle est une cause majeure d'événements cardiovasculaires et d'AVC. Or, la mesure de la pression artérielle (PA) en clinique a connu un déclin ces dernières années en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19, de sorte que les taux d'hypertension artérielle non détectée et non maîtrisée pourraient avoir augmenté. Afin de nous faire une idée plus précise de l'état de la PA des adultes de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, nous avons organisé une campagne de mesure de la PA dans les pharmacies de détail à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de l'hypertension artérielle. Méthodologie: La collecte des données et les mesures ont eu lieu le 17 mai 2022. Les pharmaciens aidés par des étudiants en pharmacie ont pris 3 relevés en position assise par participant à l'aide d'un dispositif de mesure automatisé. La moyenne des 2 derniers relevés a été utilisée pour obtenir la PA estimative. La PA était considérée comme élevée si les valeurs étaient égales ou supérieures à 140/90 mmHg, ou à 130/80 mmHg chez les personnes diabétiques. D'autres renseignements ont été recueillis, notamment les caractéristiques démographiques des participants, leur accès aux soins primaires, leurs antécédents médicaux et leur prise d'antihypertenseurs. Les données ont ensuite été analysées à l'aide de statistiques descriptives et de techniques de régression logistique. Résultats: Au total, 460 participants ont été inclus dans l'analyse. L'âge moyen était de 56,3 ans (écart-type : 16,95); 63,3 % (n = 291) étaient de sexe féminin et 43,7 % (n = 201) ont indiqué être atteints d'hypertension. Une PA élevée a été observée chez 27 % des participants (n = 123), dont 41,5 % (n = 51) qui n'avaient jamais reçu un diagnostic d'hypertension artérielle. L'âge, le sexe et le diabète se sont avérés des facteurs de prédiction de PA élevée statistiquement significatifs dans un modèle multivarié. Conclusions: Un pourcentage important des participants à notre étude présentait une PA élevée. Des mesures ciblées s'imposent pour mieux dépister, traiter et maîtriser l'hypertension artérielle à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Les pharmaciens de proximité pourraient également jouer un rôle dans la surveillance de la PA.
ABSTRACT
Importance: Tongue tie (TT) is a condition that can cause infant feeding difficulties due to restricted tongue movement. When TT presents as a significant barrier to breastfeeding, a frenotomy may be recommended. Universally accepted diagnostic criteria for TT are lacking and wide prevalence estimates are reported. New referral processes and a Frenotomy Assessment Tool were implemented in one Canadian health region to connect breastfeeding dyads with a provider for TT evaluation and frenotomy. Objective: To determine the proportion of babies with TT as well as the frequency of frenotomy. Methods: This cross-sectional study included infants who initiated breastfeeding at birth and were referred for TT evaluation over a 14-month period. Data were collected retrospectively by chart review and analyzed using SPSS. Factors associated with frenotomy were examined using logistic regression. Results: Two hundred and forty-one babies were referred. Ninety-two percent (n = 222) were diagnosed with TT and 66.0% (n = 159) underwent frenotomy. In the multivariate model, nipple pain/trauma, inability to latch, inability to elevate tongue, and dimpling of tongue on extension were associated with frenotomy (P < 0.05). Most referrals in our region resulted in a diagnosis of TT; however, the number of referrals was lower than expected, and of these two-thirds underwent frenotomy. Interpretation: TT is a relatively common finding among breastfed infants. Future research should examine whether a simplified assessment tool containing the four items associated with frenotomy in our multivariate model can identify breastfed infants with TT who require frenotomy.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific evidence for prenatal programming of childhood overweight and obesity, and discuss its implications for MCH research, practice, and policy. METHODS: A systematic review of observational studies examining the relationship between prenatal exposures and childhood overweight and obesity was conducted using MOOSE guidelines. The review included literature posted on PubMed and MDConsult and published between January 1975 and December 2005. Prenatal exposures to maternal diabetes, malnutrition, and cigarette smoking were examined, and primary study outcome was childhood overweight or obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) for children ages 5 to 21. RESULTS: Four of six included studies of prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes found higher prevalence of childhood overweight or obesity among offspring of diabetic mothers, with the highest quality study reporting an odds ratio of adolescent overweight of 1.4 (95% CI 1.0-1.9). The Dutch famine study found that exposure to maternal malnutrition in early, but not late, gestation was associated with increased odds of childhood obesity (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5-2.4). All eight included studies of prenatal exposure to maternal smoking showed significantly increased odds of childhood overweight and obesity, with most odds ratios clustering around 1.5 to 2.0. The biological mechanisms mediating these relationships are unknown but may be partially related to programming of insulin, leptin, and glucocorticoid resistance in utero. CONCLUSION: Our review supports prenatal programming of childhood overweight and obesity. MCH research, practice, and policy need to consider the prenatal period a window of opportunity for obesity prevention.
