An Ecological Association Between Air Pollution and Adolescent Obesity Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to assess the association between exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and adolescent obesity and to identify and visualize the world areas where the problems of adolescent obesity and air pollution by fine PM are more severe. METHODS: This is an ecological study, based on publicly available data from a World Health Organization site. RESULTS: For each increase in air pollution there was an increase in the probability of being in the higher prevalence obesity group (OR = 1.18 (95% CI, 1.06-1.31). High prevalence rates for both adolescent obesity and air pollution by PM 2.5 were identified in several countries, including Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Oceania islands. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts by local authorities and world organizations should be focused on the countries with the highest prevalence rates for both conditions.

Ethnicity Affects A1C Levels in Patients With Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes in Southern Israel.

Purpose: To assess whether ethnicity affects the association between A1C and fasting glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This investigation was an epidemiological, cross-sectional study based on computerized medical records of the Southern District of Clalit Health Services. The study population comprised patients ≥40 years of age with type 2 diabetes who underwent blood tests between 8 August 2015 and 20 July 2020. A normal-error multiple linear regression model was used to assess differences in associations among ethnic groups (i.e., Arabs, Ethiopian Jews, and non-Ethiopian Jews) and A1C. Results: A total of 59,432 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Of these, 1,804 were Jews of Ethiopian origin, 49,296 were non-Ethiopian Jews, and 8,332 were Arabs. Compared with non-Ethiopian Jews, A1C levels were increased by 0.1% (1 mmol/mol) among Ethiopian Jews and by 0.3% (3 mmol/mol) among Arabs. Ethnicity was a strong predictor of A1C, explaining 0.6% of its variance. An A1C level of 7% (53 mmol/mol) correlated with fasting glucose levels of 141, 136, and 126 mg/dL in non-Ethiopian Jews, Ethiopian Jews, and Arabs, respectively. Conclusion: Ethnic differences in A1C should be considered by clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.

Burnout among family medicine residents: a cross-sectional nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: In addition to pressures typical of other medical professions, family physicians face additional challenges such as building long-term relationships with patients, dealing with patients' social problems, and working at a high level of uncertainty. We aimed to assess the rate of burnout and factors associated with it among family medicine residents throughout Israel. METHODS: A cross sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety family medicine residents throughout Israel completed the questionnaire. The rate of clinically significant burnout, assessed by the composite Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire score, was 14.4%. In univariate analyses several personal and professional characteristics, as well as all tested psychological characteristics, showed significant associations with burnout. However, in the multivariable logistic regression only psychological work-related characteristics (work engagement, psychological flexibility (reverse scoring), and perceived work-related stress) were significantly associated with burnout at OR (95% CI) = 0.23 (0.06-0.60), 1.31 (1.10-1.71), and 1.16 (1.05-3.749), respectively. CONCLUSION: The integration of burnout prevention programs into academic courses during residency could explain the relatively low prevalence of burnout among family medicine residents in this study. Given the strong association of burnout with psychological characteristics, further investment in burnout prevention through targeted structured courses for residents should be encouraged.

Cultural Aspects of Health care for Ethiopian Jewish Immigrants in Israel: A Literature Review.

The unique health-related traditions, perceptions, and communication patterns of Ethiopian immigrants are challenging to Israeli healthcare providers who are trained in western medicine. The aim of this review was to conduct a survey of traditions, beliefs, and symptom reporting by Ethiopian immigrants and culturally oriented interventions to improve the care of Ethiopian immigrants. We used the keywords "Ethiopian immigrants Israel" and "Ethiopian Jews." Of 418 articles initially retrieved, 35 satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. We described health-related traditions and their possible complications. Possession syndrome was frequently misdiagnosed as a neurological or psychiatric disorder. The medical staff was unfamiliar with these health and illness beliefs, somatization patterns, and the communication style of Ethiopian immigrants. There were successful interventions that involved liaisons from the Ethiopian community and community-based educational activities. Medical professionals working with African immigrants worldwide can use the Israeli experience to develop effective, culturally oriented interventions to optimize the health care for these immigrants.

Fibromyalgia and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the association between fibromyalgia and mortality and to pool the results in a meta-analysis. METHODS: The authors searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the key words 'fibromyalgia' and 'mortality' to identify studies that addressed an association between fibromyalgia and mortality. Original papers that assessed associations between fibromyalgia and mortality (all or specific causes) and provided an effect measure (hazard ratio (HR), standardised mortality ratio (SMR), odds ratio (OR)) quantifying the relationship between fibromyalgia and mortality were included in the systematic review. Of 557 papers that were initially identified using the search words, 8 papers were considered eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. We used a Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess the risk of bias in the studies. RESULTS: The total fibromyalgia group included 188 751 patients. An increased HR was found for all-cause mortality (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.51), but not for the subgroup diagnosed by the 1990 criteria. There was a borderline increased SMR for accidents (SMR 1.95, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.92), an increased risk for mortality from infections (SMR 1.66, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.38), and suicide (SMR 3.37, 95% CI 1.52 to 7.50), and a decreased mortality rate for cancer (SMR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.97). The studies showed significant heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: These potential associations indicate that fibromyalgia should be taken seriously, with a special focus on screening for suicidal ideation, accident prevention, and the prevention and treatment of infections.

Health services utilization by fibromyalgia patients from two ethnic groups.

AIM: The cost to the healthcare system of management and treatment for fibromyalgia patients is high. The aims of the study were to identify and compare factors associated with the use of healthcare services among fibromyalgia patients in southern Israel from two ethnic groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients insured in the southern district of the Clalit Healthcare Services in Israel in 2019-2020. The data were collected from the central computerized system. Multivariable regression models were developed for healthcare services utilization. RESULTS: During the study period, 7686 members were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The median for specialist consultations was 47 and for imaging tests was eight. About 47% made emergency room visits and 25% were hospitalized. The median of imaging tests was significantly higher in Jewish patients than in Arab patients (8 vs. 6; p = .000). In contrast, a significantly higher rate of Arab patients visited the Emergency Room at least once (51.6% vs. 46.75%; p = .000) and they had a higher median number or Emergency Room visits (2 vs. 1; p = .003), compared with Jewish patients. In the Arab group there was a strong effect coefficient for another localized pain syndrome with specialist consultations (odds ratio [OR] 1.699; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.266-2.241) and imaging tests (OR 2.511; 95% CI 1.496-4.146). CONCLUSIONS: The utilization rate of healthcare services is high among fibromyalgia patients. The factors associated with high healthcare utilization are different in the two ethnic groups. Future studies could show if interventions designed to address modifiable factors could reduce the overutilization of healthcare services.

Medication use and factors associated with opiate use among patients with diagnosed fibromyalgia from two ethnic sectors in southern Israel.

BACKGROUND: Our aims were to compare fibromyalgia (FM) rate, drug treatment and factors associated with the use of opiates in two ethnic sectors. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study in southern district of Israel was performed on diagnosed FM patients in 2019-2020 [7686 members (1.50%)]. Descriptive analyses were conducted and multivariable models for the use of opiates were developed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two ethnic groups in FM prevalence at 1.63% and 0.91% in the Jewish and Arab groups, respectively. Only 32% of the patients used recommended medications and about 44% purchased opiates. Age, BMI, psychiatric co-morbidity, and treatment with a recommended drug were similarly associated with an increased risk for opiate use in both ethnic groups. However, male gender was associated with × 2 times reduced risk to use opiates only among the Bedouins (aOR = 0.552, 95%CI = 0.333-0.911). In addition, while in both of ethnic groups the existence of another localized pain syndrome was associated with an increased risk for opiates use, this risk was 4 times higher in the Bedouin group (aOR = 8.500, 95%CI = 2.023-59.293 and aOR = 2.079, 95%CI = 1.556-2.814). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed underdiagnosis of FM in the minority Arab ethnicity. Female Arab FM patients in low or high, compared to middle socio-economic status, were a risk group for excess opiate use. Increased use of opiates and very low rate of purchase of recommended drugs point to a lack of effectiveness of these drugs. Future research should assess whether the treatment of treatable factors can reduce the dangerous use of opiates.

The physician shortage in Israel and a policy proposal for improvement.

BACKGROUND: There is a decrease in the supply of physicians in Israel resulting from the declining flow of immigrant physicians from the former Soviet Union, a large proportion of whom have reached retirement age in recent years. This problem could become worse because the number of medical students in Israel cannot increase quickly, especially because the number of clinical training sites is inadequate. The quick population growth and anticipated ageing will exacerbate the shortage. The aim of our study was to accurately assess the current situation and factors that affect it, and to propose systematic steps to improve the physician shortage. MAIN BODY: The number of physicians per capita is lower in Israel than in the OECD at 3.1 vs. 3.5 per 1000 population, respectively. About 10% of licensed physicians live outside of Israel. There is a sharp increase in the number of Israelis returning from medical school abroad, but some of those schools are of low academic standard. The main step is a gradual increase in the number of medical students in Israel with a transition of clinical practice to the community, and hospital clinical hours in the evening and in the summer. Students with high psychometric scores who were not admitted to an Israeli medical school would get support to study in quality medical schools abroad. Additional steps include encouraging physicians from abroad to come to Israel, especially in specializations in distress, recruitment of retired physicians, transferring functions to other medical professions, economic incentives for departments and teachers, and incentives to prevent physicians from quitting or migrating to other countries. It is also important to close the gap between the number of physicians working in central Israel and the periphery through grants, employment opportunities for physicians' spouses, and preferential selection of students from the periphery for medical school. CONCLUSIONS: Manpower planning requires a broad, dynamic perspective and collaboration among governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Adolescent Obesity and Type Two Diabetes in Young Adults in the Minority Muslim Bedouin Population in Southern Israel.

Minority populations suffer from adolescent obesity at increasing rates and develop diabetes type 2 at a younger age. To assess the prevalence of adolescent obesity in the minority Bedouin population of Israel and its association with obesity and diabetes type 2 during young adulthood. A retrospective cohort study, based on computerized medical records. The study cohort was comprised of Bedouin adolescents, born in 1988-1990, who had BMI measurements at ages 14-19 years in their medical records (N = 3310). The prevalence of obesity was 17.3% in middle adolescence, and 9.6% in late adolescence. The ORs for obesity in young adulthood were 30.1 (95% CI 19.1-49.3) and 40.9 (95% CI 25.7-69.1) for the middle and late adolescent groups, respectively. The incidence of diabetes type 2 per 105 person-years was 494.88 (95% CI 263.55-846.27) vs. 23.06 (95% CI 4.76-67.40) and 446.93 (95% CI 223.11-79 9.68) vs. 113.13 (95% CI 74.55-164.59) among adolescents with and without obesity in the middle and late adolescence groups, respectively. Interventions are needed to reduce the prevalence of adolescent obesity in the vulnerable Muslim Bedouin population in southern Israel.

Medical screening tests and vaccination among hospital-based physicians in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Very few studies have evaluated physician participation in screening tests and vaccinations. The aim was to evaluate attitudes and actual practice of screening tests and vaccinations among hospital-based physicians and to identify factors that predict actual performance. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 220 physicians in various specializations. The study was conducted between January 1, 2017 and December 10, 2017. The statistical analysis was performed during October, 2020 and completed in October 25, 2020. RESULTS: The vast majority of physicians (94%) believed in the importance of screening tests for physicians, but less than half actually underwent the tests themselves. A high percentage of physicians measured their BMI (84.5%) and had a serum lipid profile test (67.7%) and complete blood counts (75%) over the previous five years, but less than a third of female physicians over 50 years of age had a mammogram and only 8% of the physicians over 50 had a fecal occult blood test. A high percentage of physicians were vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, chickenpox and measles (66-96% for the various vaccinations), but only 41% had an influenza vaccination in the previous year. In a multivariate logistic regression model, physicians who believed that hospital physicians bore a responsibility for recommending screening tests to their patients were more likely to have their BMI and their blood pressure checked (OR = 2.234, P = 0.007). They were more likely to undergo laboratory testing (OR = 4.082, P < 0.0001) and tended to get vaccinated more (OR = 1.907, P = 0.051). CONCLUSION: The rate of screening tests and vaccinations among hospital-based physicians is sub-optimal and very low for fecal occult blood testing and mammograms. Structured programs are required to implement screening tests and vaccinations among physicians.

Scientific Drawing as a Potential Treatment Modality for Patients with Anorexia Nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disease that is refractory to treatment. To date, there is no effective pharmacological therapy and existing psychotherapy treatment is only partially effective. In neuropsychological terms, AN is characterized by cognitive inflexibility and an overly detailed processing style. Creating artwork and drawing requires integrative thinking that encompasses the big picture. OBJECTIVES: To describe preliminary observations of drawing treatment modality based on precise scientific drawing. METHODS: The artwork method is based on the classic work by squares and on additional techniques from scientific drawing. The method was developed and implemented in a sheltered home for patients with eating disorders in Parma, Italy. Five patients, four women and one man, agreed to participate in a 10-session workshop as a part of multidisciplinary intervention. The ages of participants were 17-28 years and all had presented with AN for several years. RESULTS: Using the method of copying drawings on squares made it possible to identify features that were common to all the patients, such as focusing on the external form of the drawing rather than on the internal details, exerting strong pressure on the pencil without consideration of the need for future corrections, drawing distorted perceptions of curves, and the adding of significant volume. CONCLUSIONS: Precise scientific drawing could be a useful instrument in the understanding and correction of a patient's distorted world and self-perspective. More evidence could be provided by further studies with a larger sample and a control group.

Iron Deficiency and Nonscarring Alopecia in Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is no clear-cut evidence in the existing medical literature of an association between iron deficiency and nonscarring alopecia. Objective: The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the medical literature on the prevalence of iron deficiency in women with nonscarring alopecia and compare their ferritin levels with those of women without this condition. Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched between June 15, 2019, and July 24, 2019. Studies that evaluated the prevalence of iron deficiency in women with nonscarring alopecia and/or compared ferritin levels in women with and without this condition were entered into the meta-analysis. Thirty-six of 928 identified studies entered the systematic meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects method. Results: The overall number of participants was 10,029. The prevalence of ferritin levels from 10 to 15 ng/dL and below was 21% (12; 29). Women with nonscarring alopecia had lower ferritin values at MD = -18.51 ng/dL (-25.85; -11.16, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Women with hair loss can benefit from higher ferritin levels.

Cross-Sectional Study on Ethnic Differences in Occupational Injuries in Southern Israel-An Eight-Year Data analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare occupational injuries among population sectors in southern Israel and to evaluate their use of healthcare services and analgesic drugs. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. RESULTS: There were 100,000 occupational injuries among 70,037 insured individuals over the study period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016. There was a large increase in occupational traffic injuries over this period. Compared to the veteran Jewish population, Bedouin Arabs, new immigrants and foreign workers had significantly lower rates of use of ambulatory services and imaging tests ( P < 0.001). Arabs had significantly higher odds for recurrent occupational injuries (OR = 1.29, P < 0.001), and being a new immigrant protected against recurrent injuries (OR = 0.70, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Medical staffs should invest greater effort into explaining the spectrum of diagnostic and treatment options for vulnerable groups as well as workers' rights.

The Attitudes and Beliefs of Family Physicians Regarding the Use of Medical Cannabis, Knowledge of Side Effects, and Barriers to Use: A Comparison Between Residents and Specialists.

BACKGROUND: Israel has a regulated system with clearly defined indications for treatment with medical cannabis. STUDY QUESTION: The main question was whether family physicians in southern Israel face barriers/knowledge gaps in prescribing cannabis for medical indications. The secondary question was whether there was a difference between residents and specialists in family medicine. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES: Attitudes of the participating physicians on the use of medical cannabis; comparison of attitudes of specialists in family medicine and residents on the use of medical cannabis. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-two family physicians participated in the study including 48 residents. More than 78% supported the use of medical cannabis and about 63% supported it's legalization. About 84% of the physicians believed that medical cannabis helped cancer patients and 82% believed it helped in the chronic pain. Only 28.3% believed that family physicians should recommend the use of medical cannabis. The physicians were well aware of the psychiatric (82%) and the neurological (78%) adverse effects of medical cannabis. Most (68%) were not willing to prescribe medical cannabis. No socio-demographic characteristic was associated with willingness to prescribe cannabis. About 95% of the physicians believed that the main barrier to recommending treatment was its potential for abuse, 66% percent-the danger that it would leak to the general public. About 60% of the specialists were not prepared to undergoing training in the prescription of medical cannabis compared with 31% of the residents ( P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians are concerned about recommending medical cannabis. It is encouraging that residents are motivated to undergo training to prescribe medical cannabis. There remain medical indications and adverse effects that family physicians are less aware of. Further studies should focus on effective ways to improve the level of physicians' knowledge on the issue.

Melatonin and the health of menopausal women: A systematic review.

Melatonin is involved in multiple changes that characterize the aging and can potentially be a safe and effective treatment for menopausal women. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the medical literature on the health benefits of oral melatonin administration on menopausal women. The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched systematically on interventional studies that evaluated the association between oral melatonin administration and the health of menopausal women. Risk for bias was assessed for randomized, controlled studies by the RoB v.2 tool and for non-randomized trials by the ROBINS-I tool. Twenty-four studies on melatonin treatment in various aspects of women's health were included in the final systematic review. The studies included 1,173 participants. No evidence was found for an independent effect of melatonin on hemodynamic measures or markers of glucose metabolism. There is some evidence that very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides levels increase during melatonin administration. There is a fair amount of evidence that melatonin treatment has a favorable effect on bone density and BMI. Melatonin treatment improves EEG patterns and subjective sleep quality in postmenopausal women with preexisting sleep impairment. In a dose of 3 mg and above, melatonin improves climacteric symptoms in one or more domains. The vast majority of the studies had a low risk for bias. In light of multiple health benefits and an excellent safety profile, melatonin administration should be considered in menopausal women.

Infectious diseases among Ethiopian immigrants in Israel: a descriptive literature review.

The mass immigration of Ethiopian Jews to Israel began in the 1980s. For most of these immigrants this was a time of sharp transition from a village life with very basic living conditions, in most cases without a regular supply of water, electricity, or healthcare services, to a modern Western urban society. The aim of this review was to search the medical literature on the characteristics of infectious diseases that are typical in Ethiopian immigrants (EI), using relevant keywords. There has been success in coping with diseases among EI, that are rare although recognized in Israel, in terms of screening and early identification. TB was common in Ethiopia over all the years of immigration to Israel. In contrast, HIV appeared in EI from 1999 when they had long stayovers in transition camps in Gondar and Addis Ababa where there was a high risk of infection with sexually transmitted diseases. There were often delays in diagnosing 'exotic' diseases that are endemic in Africa, but not well known in Israel, such as Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, Strongyloidiasis, and Bartonella endocarditis, which cause severe morbidity and mortality among EI. We describe the effect on general morbidity in Israel, and how the healthcare services coped with these diseases, including obstacles, and failures and successes. In light of the ongoing immigration of African refugees to the United States and Europe, the Israeli experience can be of value to healthcare policy makers in developing strategies for the effective management by medical staff treating these immigrants.

Lipid profile in mild subclinical hypothyroidism: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Only severe subclinical hypothyroidism (SSCH) with TSH above 10 mIU/L is considered a risk factor of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. The results of published papers on mild subclinical hypothyroidism (MSCH) with TSH below10 mIU/L are contradictory. The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on lipid profiles in a population of patients with MSCH (TSH10> mIU/L and normal T3, T4) in comparison with euthyroid subjects. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The electronic databases PubMed, CIANHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched systematically between August 20, 2018 and September 15, 2018, without limitation on the date of publication or the language. Titles, abstracts and articles were reviewed to identify papers that evaluated lipid profiles in patients with MSCH compared to euthyroid. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A systematic review of the studies and a meta-analysis using R software (version 3.6.1) were performed. Thirty-five case control and cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. Total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly lower in MSCH patients compared to euthyroid individuals. Mean differences (MD) [95% CI] were 12.75 [6.02, 19.48], 10.95 [6.37, 15.54], 19.27 [10.90, 27.64], and -1.81 [-3.38, -0.23], respectively. No significant difference was observed for very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), or apolipoprotein B (apoB). The studies were of fair to good quality. CONCLUSIONS: MSCH is associated with an increase in major atherogenic lipoproteins and should be viewed as a cardiovascular risk factor.

Contraception Use among Women of Childbearing Age in Southern Israel: A Comparison Between Two Ethnic Populations.

PURPOSE: Two populations with different socio-demographic characteristics reside in southern Israel: the traditional Muslim Bedouin population and the Jewish population that leads a western lifestyle. The aim of the study was to assess the rate, pattern, and dynamics of the use of contraception in these two ethnic populations from 2006 to 2016 and to identify factors associated with the practice of effective and safe contraception. METHODS: A retrospective study based on a computerized medical database. We recorded actual purchases of different forms of contraception by women of childbearing age (15-49 years) from the two populations in the southern Negev region of Israel. RESULTS: Contraceptives were purchased by 7588 Bedouin women and 30,482 Jewish women. The rate of purchase ranged from 5.2 to 9.7% in the Bedouin sector and from 12.9 to 28.2% in the Jewish sector. Oral contraceptives were the most common type. In the Jewish sector, their use remained relatively stable over the years. In the Bedouin sector, in contrast, the rate increased. The only factor that was associated with the use of intrauterine devices was age (OR = 1.063, P < 0.001). Among women who used combined hormonal contraception, Jewish ethnicity (OR = 5.835, P < 0.001), age (OR = 0.926, P < 0.001), and comorbidity (OR = 0.87, P = 0.001) were associated with the use of newer, low-dose estrogen drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, such as the lower rate of contraception practice in the Bedouin sector in general and the use of the new and safer hormonal contraceptives in particular, can help focus the efforts of medical teams in programs for women's health promotion.