Prevalência, incidência e caracterização sociodemográfica e clínica das pessoas com estoma de eliminação em Portugal / Prevalence, incidence, and sociodemographic and clinical characterization of individuals with an intestinal or urinary stoma in Portugal / Prevalencia, incidencia y caracterización sociodemográfica y clínica de las personas con ostomía de eliminación en Portugal

Resumo Enquadramento: Dados que caracterizam as pessoas com estoma em Portugal são escassos. Estabelecer estimativas epidemiológicas pode melhorar o conhecimento sobre esta população e adaptar modelos de cuidados de saúde. Objetivos: Estimar a prevalência e incidência de pessoas com estoma de eliminação em Portugal em 2021. Metodologia: Estudo observacional, longitudinal e retrospetivo, a partir de uma base de dados de dispensa de dispositivos para ostomia. Resultados: Em 2021, o número estimado de pessoas com pelo menos um estoma foi de 22.045. Entre estes, 19.793 [IC95%:19.599;19.994] tinham um estoma de eliminação. Na sua maioria eram homens (61,4%), em média tinham 70,5 anos e residiam preferencialmente na região interior do país. O tipo de estoma de eliminação mais prevalente foi a colostomia (48,8%). A incidência estimada de novos casos foi de 6.622, sendo 5.834 [IC95%:5.680;5.984] referentes a estomas de eliminação. Conclusão: Estes resultados permitiram caracterizar o perfil das pessoas com estoma de eliminação em Portugal. Poderão ser úteis para ajustar os programas de prevenção/acompanhamento em saúde desta população e ainda alocar recursos especializados.

Abstract Background: Data characterizing individuals with a stoma in Portugal is limited. Establishing epidemiological estimates can enhance understanding of this population and facilitate the adaptation of healthcare models. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of individuals in Portugal who have undergone intestinal or urinary ostomy in 2021. Methodology: Observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study using a stoma appliance dispensing database. Results: In 2021, an estimated 22,045 individuals had at least one stoma, with 19,793 [95%CI:19,599;19,994] having an intestinal/urinary stoma. Most of these individuals were men (61.4%) with a mean age of 70.5 years and resided in the inland region of Portugal. Colostomy was the most prevalent type of intestinal/urinary stoma (48.8%). The estimated incidence of new cases was 6,622, of which 5,834 [95%CI:5,680;5,984] were intestinal/urinary stomas. Conclusion: These results characterize the profile of individuals with intestinal and urinary stomas in Portugal. They may be useful in adjusting prevention and health monitoring programs for this population and allocating specialized resources.

Resumen Marco contextual: Los datos que caracterizan a las personas con estomas en Portugal son escasos. Establecer estimaciones epidemiológicas puede mejorar el conocimiento sobre esta población y adaptar modelos sanitarios. Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia y la incidencia de personas con estoma de eliminación en Portugal en 2021. Metodología: Estudio observacional, longitudinal y retrospectivo, basado en una base de datos de dispensaciones de dispositivos de ostomía. Resultados: En 2021, el número estimado de personas con al menos un estoma era de 22.045, de las cuales 19.793 [IC95%:19.599;19.994] tenían un estoma de eliminación. La mayoría de ellos eran hombres (61,4%), tenían una edad media de 70,5 años y vivían principalmente en el interior del país. El tipo de estoma de eliminación más frecuente era la colostomía (48,8%). La incidencia estimada de nuevos casos fue de 6.622, de los cuales 5.834 [IC95%:5.680;5.984] eran estomas de eliminación. Conclusión: Estos resultados han permitido caracterizar el perfil de las personas con estoma de eliminación en Portugal. Podrían ser útiles para ajustar los programas de prevención/seguimiento de la salud de esta población y para asignar recursos especializados.

Incidence and prevalence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in three Italian Regions: a study based on health administrative databases.

OBJECTIVES: to estimate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) incidence and prevalence in three Italian Regions (Lazio, Tuscany, and Umbria), using health administrative databases. DESIGN: retrospective population-based study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: ALS patients residing in Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany were identified through an algorithm based on three different administrative databases: hospital discharge records, exemptions from health care co-payment, and emergency departments (study period 2014-2019). Crude, age- and gender-specific prevalence were calculated on 31.12.2019 and incidence rates of ALS were standardised by region, year, and gender between 2014-2019. Using a clinical dataset available in the Lazio Region, the proportion of individuals residing in the region correctly identified as ALS cases by the algorithm were calculated. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: prevalence and incidence rates. RESULTS: a total of 1,031 ALS patients (>=18 years) were identified: 408 cases in Tuscany, 546 in Lazio, and 77 in Umbria. ALS standardised prevalence (per 100,000) was similar among regions: 12.31 in Tuscany, 11.52 in Lazio, and 9.90 in Umbria. The 5-year crude rates were higher in men, and in people aged 65-79 years. Among 310 patients included in the clinical dataset, 263 (84.8%) were correctly identified by the algorithm based on health administrative databases. CONCLUSIONS: ALS prevalence and incidence in three Central Italy Regions are rather similar, but slightly higher than those previously reported. This finding is plausible, given that previous results relate to at least ten years ago and evidenced increasing trends. Overall, the results of this paper encourage the use of administrative data to produce occurrence estimates, useful to both epidemiological surveillance and research and healthcare policies.

Seropositivity of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a food- and water-borne zoonotic protozoan parasite that is able to infect almost all warm-blooded vertebrates. It has a major effect on public health, particularly in underdeveloped nations. Immune-competent individuals typically exhibit no symptoms or experience a mild influenza-like sickness, while there is a possibility of severe manifestation and fatal or high-risk for life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised people like pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients and lead to severe pathological effects on the fetus. METHOD: We conducted a systematic search of databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, EMBASE, and Scopus) using the PRISMA criteria. We used specific keywords such as Toxoplasma gondii, Toxoplasmosis, pregnant women, prevalence, HIV/AIDS, and worldwide studies published from 2018 to 2022. We use Stata (version 14) software to estimate the pooled prevalence and heterogeneity of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and HIV-infected people using a random-effects model and the Cochran's Q-test, respectively. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument and Egger's regression asymmetry test were used to assess study quality and publication bias, respectively, while the single study omission analysis was used to test the robustness of a pooled estimate. RESULTS: We included and analyzed a total of 12,887 individuals in this review. The pooled prevalence of T. gondii in this review was 40% (95% CI = 0.31-0.50). The sub-group analysis revealed that the evaluation included 11,967 pregnant women. In pregnant women, the pooled sero-prevalence was 40% (95% CI = 0.31-0.50). In pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients, 920 individuals were evaluated, and the pooled sero-prevalence was 41% (95% CI = 0.20-0.61). CONCLUSION: This review identified an overall sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma infection of 40% among pregnant women and HIV/AIDS. The expansion of prevention and control strategies, with a primary focus on enhancing educational initiatives, is necessary to avoid reactivation and stop the spread of infection, so investigative sero-prevalence is important work among pregnant women and HIV patients. In order to achieve a comprehensive explanation of the disease condition and reach this goal, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in Worldwide for future use.

Association between vitamin B1 intake and hyperuricemia in adults.

Studies investigating the relationship between dietary vitamin B1 intake and risk of Hyperuricemia (HU) are scarce, the present study aimed to examine the association of dietary vitamin B1 intake and HU among adults. This cross-sectional study included 5750 adults whose data derived from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from March 2017 to March 2020. The dietary intake of vitamin B1 was assessed using 24-h dietary recall interviews. The characteristics of study participants were grouped into five levels according to the levels of vitamin B1 quintile. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of HU, according to the vitamin B1 intake quintile for male and female separately. The dose-response relationship was determined by the restricted cubic spline (RCS). Smoothed curve fitting was used to assess serum uric acid concentration versus dietary vitamin B1 intake in the study population. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 18.90% (20.15% and 17.79% for males and females, respectively) in the United States from March 2017 to March 2020. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that in the male population, the HU ratio (OR) of vitamin B1 intake in Q2 to Q5 compared with the lowest quintile (Q1) was 0.75 (95% CI 0.52, 1.09), 0.70 (95% CI 0.48, 1.02), 0.66 (95% CI 0.44, 0.99) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.34, 0.90). The P for trend was 0.028. In women, the ORs for vitamin B1 intake Q2 to Q5 were 0.87 (95% CI 0.64, 1.19), 0.97 (0.68-1.38), 1.05 (0.69-1.60) and 0.75 (0.42-1.34), respectively. The P for trend was 0.876. The RCS curve revealed a linear relationship between vitamin B1 intake and the risk of hyperuricemia in men (P nonlinear = 0.401). Smoothed curve fitting demonstrated a negative association between vitamin B1 intake and serum uric acid concentration in men, whereas there was no significant association between dietary vitamin B1 intake and the risk of hyperuricemia in women. In the US adult population, dietary vitamin B1 intake was negatively associated with hyperuricemia in males.

Prevalence and clinical relevance of comorbid pertussis infection in adult patients with asthma: A prospective, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Viral or atypical bacterial respiratory infections are involved in the new development and the pathogenesis of asthma. Though an association between pertussis and asthma has been expected, few studies have reported it consistently. We assessed the prevalence and clinical relevance of pertussis infection in adult patients with asthma. METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, newly referred, adult patients with asthma (n = 107) and with non-asthmatic subacute/chronic cough (n = 31) were enrolled. The prevalence of pertussis in patients with asthma and in those with non-asthmatic subacute/chronic cough was assessed. Next, the prevalence of newly diagnosed asthma was compared between asthmatic patients with and without pertussis. Finally, demographic characteristics of patients, blood test results, pulmonary function test results, and questionnaire scores were compared between the two patient groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of pertussis infection was significantly higher in patients with asthma than in those with non-asthmatic subacute/chronic cough (36% vs 10%; P = 0.004). The prevalence of newly diagnosed asthma was significantly higher in asthmatic patients with pertussis than in those without (74.4% vs 50.0%; P = 0.014). The physical, psychological, and total scores of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire were significantly lower in asthmatic patients with pertussis than in those without (all P < 0.05). The acid-reflux, dyspeptic, and total scores of the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (FSSG) were significantly higher in asthmatic patients with pertussis than in those without (all P ≤ 0.05). The FSSG acid-reflux score was negatively correlated with the cough-specific quality of life (QOL) score only in asthmatic patients with pertussis (rho = -0.68, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pertussis infection was significantly higher in adult patients with asthma than in those with non-asthmatic subacute/chronic cough. In patients with asthma, comorbid pertussis infection may play a role in newly diagnosed asthma and may contribute to impaired cough-specific QOL partly due to worsening acid-reflux symptoms of GERD.

Migraine epidemiology in collegiate student-athletes: Findings from the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study evaluated de-identified data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Grand Alliance from 2014 to 2020 to determine the prevalence of migraine and migraine medication and to describe differences in migraine prevalence by sex, race, and sport. BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies can help identify underdiagnosed and undertreated populations. Understanding migraine prevalence in collegiate student-athletes is essential for positive healthcare outcomes including development of prevention and treatment plans. METHODS: From a concussion baseline assessment, participant's self-reported demographics (e.g., age, sex, sport), migraine diagnosis (i.e., yes/no), and migraine medication usage (e.g., yes/no, type) determined prevalence of migraine and medication use in collegiate student-athletes. RESULTS: Migraine was reported in 5.6% (2617/47,060; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.4%-5.8%) of the student-athletes, with higher prevalence in females, 7.5% (1319/17,628; 95% CI 7.1%-7.9%), than males, 4.6% (1298/28,116; 95% CI 4.4%-4.9%). Medication usage was reported by 36.2% (947/2617; 95% CI 34.3%-38.0%) of individuals with migraine. Migraine reporting differed by race, with Caucasian reporting highest (5.9%; 1990/33,913; 95% CI 5.6%-6.1%) and Asian the lowest (2.7%; 55/2027; 95% CI 2.1%-3.5%). Women's sports, including golf, gymnastics, and lacrosse, and men's diving and squash had higher migraine reporting than other sports. CONCLUSION: Caucasian females reported higher rates than other groups and sport influenced rates of migraine diagnosis.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis D virus in Bulgarian outpatients with history of liver dysfunction.

The aim of this research was to define the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV Ab) in a group of 26 outpatients with liver dysfunction in northeastern Bulgaria. Serum samples were obtained from April 2022 to December 2023 in the "Status" Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Varna, Bulgaria. We found seroprevalence of anti-HDV Ab in 15.4% (CI: 4.3-34.8%) of the target population. Age and gender had no significant role in HDV seropositivity.

Foodborne pathogenic bacteria in wild European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus).

BACKGROUND: European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are widely distributed across Europe. They may play an important role by spreading zoonotic bacteria in the environment and to humans and animals. The aim of our work was to study the prevalence and characteristics of the most important foodborne bacterial pathogens in wild hedgehogs. RESULTS: Faecal samples from 148 hospitalised wild hedgehogs originating from the Helsinki region in southern Finland were studied. Foodborne pathogens were detected in 60% of the hedgehogs by PCR. Listeria (26%) and STEC (26%) were the most common foodborne pathogens. Salmonella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter were detected in 18%, 16%, and 7% of hedgehogs, respectively. Salmonella and Yersinia were highly susceptible to the tested antimicrobials. Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes 2a were the most common types found in hedgehogs. All S. Enteritidis belonged to one sequence type (ST11), forming four clusters of closely related isolates. L. monocytogenes was genetically more diverse than Salmonella, belonging to 11 STs. C. jejuni ST45 and ST677, Y. pseudotuberculosis O:1 of ST9 and ST42, and Y. enterocolitica O:9 of ST139 were also found. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that wild European hedgehogs should be considered an important source of foodborne pathogens, and appropriate hygiene measures after any contact with hedgehogs and strict biosecurity around farms are therefore important.

Asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy and associated risk factors in Majang Zone, Gambella Region, Southwest Ethiopia: a hard-to-reach malaria hotspot.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic malaria in pregnancy (AMiP) is a daunting public health problem with multifaceted adverse outcomes for mothers, fetuses, newborns and beyond. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of AMiP and anaemia in Majang Zone, Gambella, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 pregnant women attending the antenatal care (ANC) clinics of five health facilities in the Majang Zone from November 2022 to February 2023. Sociodemographic, obstetric, and anti-malarial intervention data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A capillary blood specimen was collected to diagnose malaria and anaemia as well as determine the blood group. Malaria was diagnosed by rapid diagnostic test (RDT), microscopy, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Statistical analyses were done by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. The association between dependent and independent variables was assessed by multivariable binary logistic regression, considering P < 0.05 statistically significant. The magnitude of associations was quantified with the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AMiP was 15.3% (95% CI 12.1, 18.9). It was 11.3% (95% CI 8.4, 14.7) by RDT, 11.8% (95% CI 8.9, 15.2) by microscopy and 17.6% (95% CI 11.7, 24.9) by qPCR. Plasmodium falciparum, moderate parasitaemia and submicroscopic infection accounted for 55.4% of the AMiP prevalence, 50.8% of the parasite density, and 41.6% of the qPCR-positive AMiP, respectively. Nearly 32.3% of pregnant women with AMiP carried gametocytes. Risk factors of AMiP were: not utilizing insecticide-treated net (ITN) within the previous week (AOR: 9.43 95% CI 1.57, 56.62), having a history of malaria within the previous year (AOR: 2.26 95% CI 1.16, 4.42), lack of indoor residual spraying (IRS) within the previous year (AOR: 3.00 95% CI 1.50, 6.00), and ANC contact below two rounds (AOR: 4.28 95% CI 2.06, 8.87). The prevalence of anaemia was 27.7% (95% CI 23.6, 32.1), and it was higher among AMiP-positives (56.9%) than the negatives (22.5%) (P: 000). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AMiP and anaemia was high, and remained as a critical public health problem in the study area. Focus on the identified risk factors and introduction of more sensitive diagnostic tools should be considered to mitigate AMiP in the study area.

Unravelling heterogeneous malaria transmission dynamics in the Peruvian Amazon: insights from a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a global health challenge, particularly in Peru's Loreto region. Despite ongoing efforts, high infection rates and asymptomatic cases perpetuate transmission. The Peruvian Ministry of Health's "Zero Malaria Plan" targets elimination. This novel study combines microscopic, molecular, and serological techniques to assess transmission intensity, identify epidemiological risk factors, and characterize species-specific patterns across villages. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions and support broader malaria elimination efforts in line with the Zero Malaria Plan initiative. METHODS: A cross-sectional malaria survey was conducted in the Zungarococha community, comprising the villages Llanchama (LL), Ninarumi (NI), Puerto Almendra (PA), and Zungarococha (ZG), using microscopic, molecular, and serological techniques to evaluate malaria transmission intensity. Statistical analysis, including multivariate-adjusted analysis, seroprevalence curves, and spatial clustering analysis, were performed to assess malaria prevalence, exposure, and risk factors. RESULTS: The survey revealed a high prevalence of asymptomatic infections (6% by microscopy and 18% by PCR), indicating that molecular methods are more sensitive for detecting asymptomatic infections. Seroprevalence varied significantly between villages, reflecting the heterogeneous malaria transmission dynamics. Multivariate analysis identified age, village, and limited bed net use as significant risk factors for malaria infection and species-specific exposure. Seroprevalence curves demonstrated community-specific patterns, with Llanchama and Puerto Almendra showing the highest seroconversion rates for both Plasmodium species. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the diverse nature of malaria transmission in the Loreto region, particularly nothing the pronounced heterogeneity as transmission rates decline, especially in residual malaria scenarios. The use of molecular and serological techniques enhances the detection of current infections and past exposure, aiding in the identification of epidemiological risk factors. These findings underscore the importance of using molecular and serological tools to characterize malaria transmission patterns in low-endemic areas, which is crucial for planning and implementing targeted interventions and elimination strategies. This is particularly relevant for initiatives like the Zero Malaria Plan in the Peruvian Amazon.

Baseline anemia and its associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

Introduction: Currently, the problem of cancer has been increasing around the world, predominantly in middle- and low-income countries. Anemia, a major and often overwhelming health burden for cancer patients, significantly distorts their quality of life. It is well-established that the length of treatment increases the frequency of anemia, with hematological malignancies experiencing nearly double the rate compared to solid tumors. Despite this established knowledge, data on the prevalence of anemia among cancer patients in Ethiopia remains scarce, according to the investigators. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of baseline anemia and associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, oncology treatment units, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2021. Methods: This study employed an institutional-based cross-sectional design and was conducted in Northwest Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 315 participants. The data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and chart reviews of existing medical records using a structured and pretested questionnaire format. The data were entered into Epi. Data version 4.6 and analyzed using Stata version 14.0. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were carried out to identify factors associated with anemia. Adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval and variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered significantly associated with anemia. Results: The prevalence of baseline anemia among adult patients with cancer was found to be 34.84%. Being a woman (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.00-3.87), being underweight (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.09-3.52), and having stage III cancer (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.12-3.01) were significantly associated with anemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of baseline anemia among adult cancer patients was significant. Women, cancer patients with an underweight body mass index, and those diagnosed with clinical-stage III cancer were more likely to have baseline anemia. For health policymakers and healthcare providers, it is better to give special attention to female patients, patients who are underweight, and patients with advanced-stage cancer to reduce the risk of developing the outcome. This would allow for timely intervention to manage anemia and potentially improve treatment tolerance and quality of life for cancer patients.

A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on Clinical Epidemiology of Different Types of Cancer in a Tertiary Care Centre: Insights From Eastern India.

Background and aim Cancer poses a significant burden in India, with a considerable number of people living with the disease and a substantial increase in new cases every year. Hence, considering the unique challenges faced by developing nations regarding the disease burden, this study has been designed. The aim of this work was to carry out a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study on various types of cancer conducted in a tertiary care centre in India. Methods One thousand cancer patients who attended the outpatient department (OPD) from tertiary care cancer hospitals from July 2019 to December 2023 in Eastern India were enrolled. Patients included were of either gender, with their demographic details and the disease duration, who visited the OPD of hospitals meeting the eligibility criteria. Exclusion criteria were terminally ill cancer patients and patients who did not visit the outpatient department of the studied site. Descriptive analysis and chi-square test were carried out using the SPSS statistical software, version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) for data analysis. Ethics committee approval was taken. Results Gastrointestinal tract cancer (31.3%, n=313) and breast cancer (19.8%, n=198) were found to be the most common types of cancer among all. Out of the total patients studied, 41.1% were males and 58.9% were females. Among regions, North Chotanagpur had the highest (40.5%) prevalence, followed by South Chotanagpur (26.0%). The majority of individuals belonged to 41 to 60 years (49.0%, n=490), followed by 21-40 years (28.9%, n=289). Gastrointestinal cancer was more prevalent among males (35.5%, n=146), while breast cancer was predominant among females (31.4%, n=185). Conclusion Cancer is more prevalent among rural females (58.9%), providing valuable insights into the prevalence of various cancers and highlighting differences between regions, age groups, and genders.

Prevalence and Pattern of Gestational Thyroid Dysfunction in a Population of South-East Nigerian Women.

Background: Pregnancy serves as a physiological stress test for the thyroid which often leads to dysfunction in women with limited thyroid reserves. The occurrence of gestational thyroid dysfunction is linked to unfavourable obstetric and foetal outcomes. Globally, iodine deficiency is a prominent causative factor for thyroid dysfunction. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of thyroid dysfunction among pregnant women in Enugu, South-east Nigeria. Methodology: This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional and observational study was conducted over six months on selected participants from pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the study sites. Maternal clinical and demographic risk factors for thyroid dysfunction were evaluated in a cohort of 318 pregnant women. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare participants' thyroid status across different trimesters of pregnancy, and different thyroid and nutritional iodine states. Results: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in the study population is 6.6%. Hypothyroidism was detected in 5.3% of the participants, consisting of 3.8% sub-clinical hypothyroidism and 1.6% overt hypothyroidism. Sub-clinical hyperthyroidism accounted for 1.3% of all participants; no overt hyperthyroidism was detected in this study. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of gestational thyroid dysfunction in the study population with hypothyroidism being the predominant disorder. This highlights the need for region-specific considerations in antenatal care to facilitate early detection and effective management of gestational thyroid dysfunction, thereby mitigating potential adverse maternal and foetal outcomes.

Prevalence and Predictors for use of Herbal medicine in the treatment of Infertility in a secondary Health facility in South-South Nigeria.

Background: Infertility is one of the major medical problems seen in the Gynaecology clinic. Herbal medicine (HM) has become one of the treatment options used to circumvent infertility problems. This study aims to explore the prevalence and predictors for HM use in the management of infertility in our region. Methodology: The method used was a cross-sectional study of 117 women attending the infertility clinic at Central Hospital Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. The interviewer administered a questionnaire comprised of socio-demographic characteristics, infertility-related aspects, and information on herbal medicine usage. The main outcome measure was the Prevalence of HM use for infertility treatment and the possible predictors. Analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of participants was 34.1 with a standard deviation of 6.66 years. The minimum age of participants was 23 years while the maximum age was 48 years. The prevalence of HM use was 79.9%. The factors that were significantly associated with the use of HM were marital status (p 0.033), history of primary infertility (0.026) and having used HM for the management of other ailments (0.000). Women who were married and having fertility issues were more likely to seek alternative methods like the use of HM. Conclusion: The prevalence of use of HM among participants attending the fertility clinic was high at 79.9%. We recommend that health professionals should enquire about the use of HM as this may help in educating the patients about the health risks of using HM. There is a need to explore the potential benefits and risks of HM use.

Prevalence and associated factors of maternal depression among mothers of children with undernutrition at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia in 2023: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Malnutrition is one of the most significant child health problems in developing countries, accounting for an estimated 53% of child deaths per year. Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disability in women and adversely affects the health and well-being of mothers and their children. Studies have shown that maternal depression has an impact on infant growth and nutritional status. However, evidence is scarce regarding the relationship between maternal depression and child malnutrition. Objectives: The general objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of maternal depression among mothers of undernourished children at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia in 2023. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 465 participants. Outcome variables were assessed using a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed using SPSS-25. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The prevalence of maternal depression among mothers of children with undernutrition was 36.4% (95% CI = 32%-41%). According to a multivariate analysis, lack of maternal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.872, 95% CI = 1.502-5.492), unemployment (AOR = 2.581, 95% CI = 1.497-4.451), poor social support (AOR = 2.209, 95% CI = 1.314-3.713), perceived stigma (AOR = 2.243, 95% CI = 1.414-3.560), and stunting (AOR = 1.913, 95% CI = 1.129-3.241) were factors significantly associated with maternal depression. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of maternal depression was higher among mothers of children with undernutrition. This higher prevalence was associated with several factors, including lack of education, unemployment, poor social support, high perceived stigma, and stunted physical growth in the children themselves. To decrease maternal depression, we can address these factors by increasing the level of maternal education and employment opportunities, strengthening social support systems, reducing stigma, and providing interventions to reduce stunting.

Prevalence, Mortality, and Access to Care for Chronic Kidney Disease in Medicaid-Enrolled Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in California: Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant complication in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), leading to increased mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the burden of CKD in Medicaid-enrolled adults with SCD in California, examine differences in disease burden between male and female individuals, and assess mortality rates and access to specialized care. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the California Sickle Cell Data Collection program to identify and monitor individuals with SCD. Medicaid claims, vital records, emergency department, and hospitalization data from 2011 to 2020 were analyzed. CKD prevalence was assessed based on ICD (International Classification of Diseases) codes, and mortality rates were calculated. Access to specialized care was examined through outpatient encounter rates with hematologists and nephrologists. RESULTS: Among the 2345 adults with SCD, 24.4% (n=572) met the case definition for CKD. The SCD-CKD group was older at the beginning of this study (average age 44, SD 14 vs 34, SD 12.6 years) than the group without CKD. CKD prevalence increased with age, revealing significant disparities by sex. While the youngest (18-29 years) and oldest (>65 years) groups showed similar CKD prevalences between sexes (female: 12/111, 10.8% and male: 12/101, 11.9%; female: 74/147, 50.3% and male: 34/66, 51.5%, respectively), male individuals in the aged 30-59 years bracket exhibited significantly higher rates than female individuals (30-39 years: 49/294, 16.7%, P=.01; 40-49 years: 52/182, 28.6%, P=.02; and 50-59 years: 76/157,48.4%, P<.001). During this study, of the 2345 adults, 435 (18.5%) deaths occurred, predominantly within the SCD-CKD cohort (226/435, 39.5%). The median age at death was 53 (IQR 61-44) years for the SCD-CKD group compared to 43 (IQR 33-56) years for the SCD group, with male individuals in the SCD-CKD group showing significantly higher mortality rates (111/242, 45.9%; P=.009) than female individuals (115/330, 34.9%). Access to specialist care was notably limited: approximately half (281/572, 49.1%) of the SCD-CKD cohort had no hematologist visits, and 61.9% (354/572) did not see a nephrologist during this study's period. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides robust estimates of CKD prevalence and mortality among Medicaid-enrolled adults with SCD in California. The findings highlight the need for improved access to specialized care for this population and increased awareness of the high mortality risk and progression associated with CKD.

Prevalence and trends in overactive bladder among men in the United States, 2005-2020.

The purpose of present study was to examine the current prevalence and recent trends of overactive bladder (OAB) among US adult men and examine the correlations between OAB and several potential risk factors. The study used the nationally representative data between 2005 and 2020 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the US. A total of 18,386 participants aged ≥ 20 years were included in the study. We divided the data into three groups: 2005-2008, 2009-2014 and 2015-2020 to investigate the trends in OAB prevalence. The weighted prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of OAB were calculated. The differences (95% CI) in prevalence between the surveys were calculated and multivariate-adjusted weighted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the correlates of OAB. Among all US adult men, the overall prevalence of OAB increased slightly from 11.3% in 2005-2008 to 11.7% in 2009-2014 and significantly increased to 14.5% in 2015-2020 (difference, 3.2% [95% CI (1.9-4.4%)]; P < 0.05). Increases in OAB prevalence especially concentrated on those who were 40-59 years, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black and those who were overweight and obese. Older age, non-Hispanic Black, lower educational level and family poverty ratio, diabetes, depression, sleep disorder, other chronic comorbidities, less intense recreational activity, poorer health condition and unsafe food were independent risk factors of OAB. The contemporary prevalence of OAB was high, affecting 14.5% US men and the estimated overall prevalence significantly increased from 2005 to 2020. Therefore, future research should be focused to prevent and remedy this growing socioeconomic and individually troublesome malady.

Global prevalence and predictors of scabies among prisoners: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Scabies is a widespread issue in prisons due to overcrowded living conditions and limited healthcare resources. A recent study published in the Journal of Infection and Public Health discovered that the prevalence of scabies varies greatly among prisoners in different regions and facilities. This review aimed to determine the global prevalence and predictors of scabies among prisoners by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis checklist to report the findings of our systematic review and meta-analysis. Relevant databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and other grey literature databases were used to search and retrieve articles. The study included both published and unpublished research written in English languages for studies reporting the prevalence of human scabies among prisoners. This review has been registered on PROSPERO. The heterogeneity of the data was evaluated using the I2 statistic. A meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17 software, with a 95% confidence interval. The researchers also conducted publication bias and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The review included 7 studies involving 1, 309,323 prisoners. All included studies involved cross-sectional study design. The prevalence of scabies among prisoners ranges from 0.72% in Italy to 41.01% in Cameroon. The global pooled prevalence of human scabies among prisoners was found to be 6.57% (95% CI; 2.16-19.94). According to subgroup analysis, the overall prevalence of scabies among African prisoners was 19.55% (95% CI; 9.44-40.45), while the prevalence among prisoners outside of Africa was 1.57% (95% CI; 0.77-3.19). The length of time spent in prison, sharing of clothing or beds, and hygiene practices were found to be factors that were significantly associated with the likelihood of prisoners developing human scabies. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of human scabies is high among prisoners worldwide. Prisoners who spent more time in prison shared clothing or beds, and had poor hygiene practices were more likely to develop human scabies. Thus, efforts should be made by policymakers and program administrators to decrease the prevalence of scabies in prisons. The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with registration number CRD42024516064.

Using the illness-death model to estimate age- and sex-standardized incidence rates of diabetes in Mexico from 2003 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to estimate the age-specific and age-standardized incidence rate of diabetes for men and women in Mexico between 2003 and 2015, and to assess the relative change in incidence of diabetes between 2003 and 2015. METHODS: We use a partial differential equation describing the illness-death model to estimate the incidence rate (IR) of diabetes for the years 2003, 2009 and 2015 based on prevalence data from National Health Surveys conducted in Mexico, the mortality rate of the Mexican general population and plausible input values for age-specific mortality rate ratios associated with diabetes. RESULTS: The age-standardized IR of diabetes per 1000 person years (pryr) was similar among men (IRm) and women (IRw) in the year 2003 (IRm 6.1 vs. IRw 6.5 1000/pryr), 2009 (IRm: 7.0 vs. IRw: 8.4 1000/pryr), and in 2015 (IRm 8.0 vs. IRw 10.6 1000/pryr). The highest incident rates were observed among men and women in the 60-69 age group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the incidence rate of diabetes in Mexico between the years 2003 and 2015 remained stable. However, rates were markedly higher among women in the age group 40-49 and 50-59 in the year 2015 compared with rates in 2003.