Dietary Fibre Intake, Adiposity, and Metabolic Disease Risk in Pacific and New Zealand European Women.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To assess associations between dietary fibre intake, adiposity, and odds of metabolic syndrome in Pacific and New Zealand European women. METHODS: Pacific (n = 126) and New Zealand European (NZ European; n = 161) women (18-45 years) were recruited based on normal (18-24.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2) BMIs. Body fat percentage (BF%), measured using whole body DXA, was subsequently used to stratify participants into low (<35%) or high (≥35%) BF% groups. Habitual dietary intake was calculated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method, involving a five-day food record and semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood was analysed for glucose and lipid profile. Metabolic syndrome was assessed with a harmonized definition. RESULTS: NZ European women in both the low- and high-BF% groups were older, less socioeconomically deprived, and consumed more dietary fibre (low-BF%: median 23.7 g/day [25-75-percentile, 20.1, 29.9]; high-BF%: 20.9 [19.4, 24.9]) than Pacific women (18.8 [15.6, 22.1]; and 17.8 [15.0, 20.8]; both p < 0.001). The main source of fibre was discretionary fast foods for Pacific women and whole grain breads and cereals for NZ European women. A regression analysis controlling for age, socioeconomic deprivation, ethnicity, energy intake, protein, fat, and total carbohydrate intake showed an inverse association between higher fibre intake and BF% (ß= -0.47, 95% CI = -0.62, -0.31, p < 0.001), and odds of metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84, 0.98, p = 0.010) among both Pacific and NZ European women (results shown for both groups combined). CONCLUSIONS: Low dietary fibre intake was associated with increased metabolic disease risk. Pacific women had lower fibre intakes than NZ European women.

Demographic disparities in the incidence and case fatality of subarachnoid haemorrhage: an 18-year nationwide study from New Zealand.

Background: Although the incidence and case-fatality of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) vary within countries, few countries have reported nationwide rates, especially for multi-ethnic populations. We assessed the nationwide incidence and case-fatality of SAH in New Zealand (NZ) and explored variations by sex, district, ethnicity and time. Methods: We used administrative health data from the national hospital discharge and cause-of-death collections to identify hospitalised and fatal non-hospitalised aneurysmal SAHs in NZ between 2001 and 2018. For validation, we compared these administrative data to those of two prospective Auckland Regional Community Stroke Studies. We subsequently estimated the incidence and case-fatality of SAH and calculated adjusted rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals to assess differences between sub-populations. Findings: Over 78,187,500 cumulative person-years, we identified 5371 SAHs (95% sensitivity and 85% positive predictive values) resulting in an annual age-standardised nationwide incidence of 8.2/100,000. In total, 2452 (46%) patients died within 30 days after SAH. Compared to European/others, Maori had greater incidence (RR = 2.23 (2.08-2.39)) and case-fatality (RR = 1.14 (1.06-1.22)), whereas SAH incidence was also greater in Pacific peoples (RR = 1.40 (1.24-1.59)) but lesser in Asians (RR = 0.79 (0.71-0.89)). By domicile, age-standardised SAH incidence varied between 6.3-11.5/100,000 person-years and case fatality between 40 and 57%. Between 2001 and 2018, the SAH incidence of NZ decreased by 34% and the case fatality by 12%. Interpretation: Since the incidence and case-fatality of SAH varies considerably between regions and ethnic groups, caution is advised when generalising findings from focused geographical locations for public health planning, especially in multi-ethnic populations. Funding: NZ Health Research Council.

Time trends in positive gonorrhoea diagnoses at the Christchurch Sexual Health Service (2012-2022): a data audit study.

Background Gonorrhoea infections and antimicrobial resistance are rising in many countries, particularly among men who have sex with men, and an increasing proportion of infection is detected at extragenital sites. This study assessed trends in gonorrhoea diagnoses and antibiotic resistance at a sexual health service in New Zealand that followed national guidelines for specimen collection. Methods Routinely-collected data from Canterbury Health Laboratories of specimens taken at the Christchurch Sexual Health Service 2012-2022 were audited. Descriptive results included the number of patient testing events positive for gonorrhoea per year and site of infection (extragenital/urogenital). Annual test-positivity was calculated (number of positive patient testing events divided by total number of testing events) and the Cochran-Armitage Test for Trend was used to assess whether there was an association between test-positivity and year. Results Of 52,789 patient testing events, 1467 (2.8%) were positive for gonorrhoea (81% male). Half (49.3%) of people (57.9% of males, 12.2% of females) with a gonorrhoea infection had an extragenital infection in the absence of a urogenital infection. The number of extragenital infections increased at a faster rate than urogenital among males. Test-positivity increased from 1.3% in 2012 to 5.8% in 2022 (P Conclusions This study highlights the importance of extragenital sampling and maintaining bacterial culture methods for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The observation that gonorrhoea positivity rate and antimicrobial resistance rates are rising in New Zealand calls for urgent action.

Gut microbiome signature and nasal lavage inflammatory markers in young people with asthma.

Background: Asthma is a complex disease and a severe global public health problem resulting from interactions between genetic background and environmental exposures. It has been suggested that gut microbiota may be related to asthma development; however, such relationships needs further investigation. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota as well as the nasal lavage cytokine profile of asthmatic and nonasthmatic individuals. Methods: Stool and nasal lavage samples were collected from 29 children and adolescents with type 2 asthma and 28 children without asthma in Brazil. Amplicon sequencing of the stool bacterial V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using Illumina MiSeq. Microbiota analysis was performed by QIIME 2 and PICRUSt2. Type 2 asthma phenotype was characterized by high sputum eosinophil counts and positive skin prick tests for house dust mite, cockroach, and/or cat or dog dander. The nasal immune marker profile was assessed using a customized multiplex panel. Results: Stool microbiota differed significantly between asthmatic and nonasthmatic participants (P = .001). Bacteroides was more abundant in participants with asthma (P < .05), while Prevotella was more abundant in nonasthmatic individuals (P < .05). In people with asthma, the relative abundance of Bacteroides correlated with IL-4 concentration in nasal lavage samples. Inference of microbiota functional capacity identified differential fatty acid biosynthesis in asthmatic compared to nonasthmatic subjects. Conclusion: The stool microbiota differed between asthmatic and nonasthmatic young people in Brazil. Asthma was associated with higher Bacteroides levels, which correlated with nasal IL-4 concentration.

Climate Change and Stroke: A Topical Narrative Review.

The impacts of accumulating atmospheric greenhouse gases on the earth's climate are now well established. As a result, there have been increases in ambient temperatures and resultant higher frequency and duration of temperature extremes and other extreme weather events, which have been linked to a wide range of adverse health outcomes. This topical narrative review provides a summary of published evidence on the links between climate change and stroke. There is consistent evidence of associations between stroke incidence and mortality and increasing ambient temperature and air pollution. Associations have also been shown for changes in barometric pressure, wildfires, and desert dust and sandstorms, but current evidence is limited. Flooding and other extreme weather events appear to primarily cause service disruption, but more direct links to stroke may emerge. Synergies between dietary changes that reduce stroke risk and may also reduce carbon footprint are being explored. We also discuss the impact on vulnerable populations, proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms, mitigation strategies, and current research priorities. In conclusion, climate change increasingly impacts the stroke community, warranting elevated attention.

Green space and stroke: A scoping review of the evidence.

BACKGROUND: Global industrialisation and urbanisation has led to an increased interest in the link between the environment and health. Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and there is increased evidence that environmental factors may affect both the incidence and severity of stroke. This review summarises the evidence for relationship between green space exposure and stroke incidence and outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a literature search in Medline and Scopus until 1 August 2023, and screened references of relevant articles. Selected articles were appraised for their relevance, and critically reviewed. The findings were thematically categorised. RESULTS: Of the 1342 papers identified, 27 were included. These involved a mix of study designs (cohort, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, time stratified case crossover and ecological). There was consistent evidence indicating a protective association between green space exposure and disability and stroke-related death with mortality hazard ratios between 0.66 and 0.95. Most studies also showed that green space was inversely associated with stroke risk, with risk estimates from studies showing a protective effect ranging between 0.4 and 0.98; however, results were more mixed and some did not reach statistical significance. The moderating effects of green spaces on ambient temperatures, noise and air pollution, and psychosocial health plus greater enjoyment and opportunity for exercise and enrichment of the human microbiome may underly these associations. CONCLUSION: There is likely some protective effect of green space on stroke, with the benefits most convincingly shown for post-stroke outcomes. More research is recommended to confirm the protective association between green space exposure and reduced stroke risk.

"We don't really do doctors." messages from people diagnosed with occupational leptospirosis for medical professionals on infection, hospitalisation, and long-term effects.

Leptospirosis is largely an occupational disease for people working with livestock in Aotearoa New Zealand. Introduction of livestock vaccination and use of personal protective equipment has been associated with a reduction in the incidence. However, the incidence of occupational leptospirosis remains high, with significant burdens for affected families and healthcare system. For this article, a subset of thirteen participants from a nationwide leptospirosis case-control study (2019-2021) who were diagnosed with leptospirosis and worked with livestock at the time of illness were invited and agreed to a semi-structured interview. Interviewees reflected on their experiences as messages for medical professionals. The analysis of transcripts reveals widely shared experiences with infection, hospitalisation, and treatment, as well as long-term effects and recovery. Conclusions for medical professionals include that ill workers continue to have their diagnosis of leptospirosis delayed. This delay may contribute to more than half the people ill with leptospirosis hospitalised. Further, medical professionals' communication and relationship with ill people strongly colours the latter's experience, for good or for bad. Moreover, most interviewees experienced a recovery process that took several months of feeling tired, which undermined professional performance and emotional wellbeing.

A perspective on green, blue, and grey spaces, biodiversity, microbiota, and human health.

Humans have lived from equator to poles for millennia but are now increasingly intruding into the wild spaces of other species and steadily extruding ourselves from our own wild spaces, with a profound impact on: our relationship with the natural world; survival of other species; pollution; climate change; etc. We have yet to grasp how these changes directly impact our own health. The primary focus of this paper is on the beneficial influence of proximity to the natural environment. We summarize the evidence for associations between exposure to green space and blue space and improvements in health. In contrast, grey space - the urban landscape - largely presents hazards as well as reducing exposure to green and blue space and isolating us from the natural environment. We discuss various hypotheses that might explain why green, blue, and grey space affect health and focus particularly on the importance of the biodiversity hypothesis and the role of microbiota. We discuss possible mechanisms and exposure routes - air, soil, and water. We highlight the problem of exposure assessment, noting that many of our current tools are not fit for the purpose of understanding exposure to green and blue space, aerosols, soils, and water. We briefly discuss possible differences between indigenous perspectives on the nature of our relationship with the environment and the more dominant international-science view. Finally, we present research gaps and discuss future directions, particularly focusing on the ways in which we might - even in the absence of a full understanding of the mechanisms by which blue, green, and grey space affect our health - begin to implement policies to restore some balance to our environment of with the aim of reducing the large global burden of ill health.

Leptospirosis in Aotearoa New Zealand: Protocol for a Nationwide Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: In Aotearoa New Zealand, 90% of patients with notified leptospirosis (a zoonotic bacterial disease) have been men working in agricultural industries. However, since 2008, the epidemiology of notified cases has been gradually changing, that is, more women are affected; there are more cases associated with occupations traditionally not considered high risk in New Zealand; infecting serovars have changed; and many patients experience symptoms long after infection. We hypothesized that there is a shift in leptospirosis transmission patterns with substantial burden on affected patients and their families. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we aimed to describe the protocols used to conduct a nationwide case-control study to update leptospirosis risk factors and follow-up studies to assess the burden and sources of leptospirosis in New Zealand. METHODS: This study used a mixed methods approach, comprising a case-control study and 4 substudies that involved cases only. Cases were recruited nationwide, and controls were frequency matched by sex and rurality. All participants were administered a case-control questionnaire (study 1), with cases being interviewed again at least 6 months after the initial survey (study 2). A subset of cases from two high-risk populations, that is, farmers and abattoir workers, were further engaged in a semistructured interview (study 3). Some cases with regular animal exposure had their in-contact animals (livestock for blood and urine and wildlife for kidney) and environment (soil, mud, and water) sampled (study 4). Patients from selected health clinics suspected of leptospirosis also had blood and urine samples collected (study 5). In studies 4 and 5, blood samples were tested using the microscopic agglutination test to test for antibody titers against Leptospira serovars Hardjo type bovis, Ballum, Tarassovi, Pomona, and Copenhageni. Blood, urine, and environmental samples were also tested for pathogenic Leptospira DNA using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Participants were recruited between July 22, 2019, and January 31, 2022, and data collection for the study has concluded. In total, 95 cases (July 25, 2019, to April 13, 2022) and 300 controls (October 19, 2019, to January 26, 2022) were interviewed for the case-control study; 91 cases participated in the follow-up interviews (July 9, 2020, to October 25, 2022); 13 cases participated in the semistructured interviews (January 26, 2021, to January 19, 2022); and 4 cases had their in-contact animals and environments sampled (October 28, 2020, and July 29, 2021). Data analysis for study 3 has concluded and 2 manuscripts have been drafted for review. Results of the other studies are being analyzed and the specific results of each study will be published as individual manuscripts.. CONCLUSIONS: The methods used in this study may provide a basis for future epidemiological studies of infectious diseases. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/47900.

Ethnic differences in stroke outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national linkage study.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic differences in post-stroke outcomes have been largely attributed to biological and socioeconomic characteristics resulting in differential risk factor profiles and stroke subtypes, but evidence is mixed. AIMS: This study assessed ethnic differences in stroke outcome and service access in New Zealand (NZ) and explored underlying causes in addition to traditional risk factors. METHODS: This national cohort study used routinely collected health and social data to compare post-stroke outcomes between NZ Europeans, Maori, Pacific Peoples, and Asians, adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, socioeconomic deprivation, and stroke characteristics. First and principal stroke public hospital admissions during November 2017 to October 2018 were included (N = 6879). Post-stroke unfavorable outcome was defined as being dead, changing residence, or becoming unemployed. RESULTS: In total, 5394 NZ Europeans, 762 Maori, 369 Pacific Peoples, and 354 Asians experienced a stroke during the study period. Median age was 65 years for Maori and Pacific Peoples, and 71 and 79 years for Asians and NZ Europeans, respectively. Compared with NZ Europeans, Maori were more likely to have an unfavorable outcome at all three time-points (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-1.9); 1.4 (1.2-1.7); 1.4 (1.2-1.7), respectively). Maori had increased odds of death at all time-points (1.7 (1.3-2.1); 1.5 (1.2-1.9); 1.7 (1.3-2.1)), change in residence at 3 and 6 months (1.6 (1.3-2.1); 1.3 (1.1-1.7)), and unemployment at 6 and 12 months (1.5 (1.1-2.1); 1.5 (1.1-2.1)). There was evidence of differences in post-stroke secondary prevention medication by ethnicity. CONCLUSION: We found ethnic disparities in care and outcomes following stroke which were independent of traditional risk factors, suggesting they may be attributable to stroke service delivery rather than patient factors.

Sputum inflammatory, neural, and remodeling mediators in eosinophilic and noneosinophilic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Neural and remodeling mechanisms may play a role in asthma, particularly noneosinophilic asthma (NEA). OBJECTIVE: To assess sputum mediators associated with neural, remodeling, and inflammatory mechanisms in eosinophilic asthma (EA), NEA, and participants without asthma. METHODS: A total of 111 participants with and 62 without asthma (14-21 years old) underwent sputum induction, exhaled nitric oxide, atopy, and spirometry tests. There were 24 mediators measured in sputum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or bead array. Eosinophilic asthma (n = 52) and NEA (n = 59) were defined using a sputum eosinophil level cut-point of greater than or equal to 2.5%. RESULTS: Elevated levels of nociceptin (median: 39.1 vs 22.4 ng/mL, P = .03), periostin (33.8 vs 9.4 ng/mL, P = .01), and ECP; (220.1 vs 83.7 ng/mL, P = .03) were found in patients with asthma compared with those without asthma. Nociceptin was elevated in EA (54.8 vs 22.4 ng/mL, P = .02) compared with participants without asthma. Eosinophilic asthma had higher levels of inflammatory mediators (ECP: 495.5 vs 100.3 ng/mL, P ≤ .01; interleukin-1ß: 285.3 vs 209.3 pg/mL, P = .03; histamine: 5805.0 vs 3172.5 pg/mL, P < .01) and remodeling mediators (VEGF-A); 3.3 vs 2.5 ng/mL, P = .03; periostin: 47.7 vs 22.1 ng/mL, P = .04) than NEA. Whereas macrophages were associated with neural mediators, for example, neurokinin A (r = 0.27, P = .01) and nociceptin (r = 0.30, P = .02), granulocytes were associated with inflammatory and remodeling mediators (eg, ECP and VEGF-A correlated with neutrophils (r = 0.53 and r = 0.33, respectively, P < .01) and eosinophils (r = 0.53 and r = 0.29 respectively, P ≤ .01). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of nociceptin and inflammatory and remodeling markers were found in EA, but no evidence for neural and remodeling pathways was found in NEA. Neural and remodeling mechanisms seem to coexist with inflammation.

Comparison of Stroke Care Costs in Urban and Nonurban Hospitals and Its Association With Outcomes in New Zealand: A Nationwide Economic Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Although geographical differences in treatment and outcomes after stroke have been described, we lack evidence on differences in the costs of treatment between urban and nonurban regions. Additionally, it is unclear whether greater costs in one setting are justified given the outcomes achieved. We aimed to compare costs and quality-adjusted life years in people with stroke admitted to urban and nonurban hospitals in New Zealand. METHODS: Observational study of patients with stroke admitted to the 28 New Zealand acute stroke hospitals (10 in urban areas) recruited between May and October 2018. Data were collected up to 12 months poststroke including treatments in hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, other health service utilization, aged residential care, productivity, and health-related quality of life. Costs in New Zealand dollars were estimated from a societal perspective and assigned to the initial hospital that patients presented to. Unit prices for 2018 were obtained from government and hospital sources. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted when assessing differences between groups. RESULTS: Of 1510 patients (median age 78 years, 48% female), 607 presented to nonurban and 903 to urban hospitals. Mean hospital costs were greater in urban than nonurban hospitals ($13 191 versus $11 635, P=0.002), as were total costs to 12 months ($22 381 versus $17 217, P<0.001) and quality-adjusted life years to 12 months (0.54 versus 0.46, P<0.001). Differences in costs and quality-adjusted life years remained between groups after adjustment. Depending on the covariates included, costs per additional quality-adjusted life year in the urban hospitals compared to the nonurban hospitals ranged from $65 038 (unadjusted) to $136 125 (covariates: age, sex, prestroke disability, stroke type, severity, and ethnicity). CONCLUSIONS: Better outcomes following initial presentation to urban hospitals were associated with greater costs compared to nonurban hospitals. These findings may inform greater targeted expenditure in some nonurban hospitals to improve access to treatment and optimize outcomes.

The fecal microbiotas of women of Pacific and New Zealand European ethnicities are characterized by distinctive enterotypes that reflect dietary intakes and fecal water content.

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition that is an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While prevention and management require a healthy and energy balanced diet and adequate physical activity, the taxonomic composition and functional attributes of the colonic microbiota may have a supplementary role in the development of obesity. The taxonomic composition and metabolic capacity of the fecal microbiota of 286 women, resident in Auckland New Zealand, was determined by metagenomic analysis. Associations with BMI (obese, nonobese), body fat composition, and ethnicity (Pacific, n = 125; NZ European women [NZE], n = 161) were assessed using regression analyses. The fecal microbiotas were characterized by the presence of three distinctive enterotypes, with enterotype 1 represented in both Pacific and NZE women (39 and 61%, respectively), enterotype 2 mainly in Pacific women (84 and 16%) and enterotype 3 mainly in NZE women (13 and 87%). Enterotype 1 was characterized mainly by the relative abundances of butyrate producing species, Eubacterium rectale and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, enterotype 2 by the relative abundances of lactic acid producing species, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus ruminis, and enterotype 3 by the relative abundances of Subdoligranulum sp., Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruminococcus bromii, and Methanobrevibacter smithii. Enterotypes were also associated with BMI, visceral fat %, and blood cholesterol. Habitual food group intake was estimated using a 5 day nonconsecutive estimated food record and a 30 day, 220 item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Higher intake of 'egg' and 'dairy' products was associated with enterotype 3, whereas 'non-starchy vegetables', 'nuts and seeds' and 'plant-based fats' were positively associated with enterotype 1. In contrast, these same food groups were inversely associated with enterotype 2. Fecal water content, as a proxy for stool consistency/colonic transit time, was associated with microbiota taxonomic composition and gene pools reflective of particular bacterial biochemical pathways. The fecal microbiotas of women of Pacific and New Zealand European ethnicities are characterized by distinctive enterotypes, most likely due to differential dietary intake and fecal consistency/colonic transit time. These parameters need to be considered in future analyses of human fecal microbiotas.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase- and AmpC ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales associated with urinary tract infections in the New Zealand community: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether having a pet in the home is a risk factor for community-acquired urinary tract infections associated with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)- or AmpC ß-lactamase (ACBL)- producing Enterobacterales. METHODS: An unmatched case-control study was conducted between August 2015 and September 2017. Cases (n = 141) were people with community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by ESBL- or ACBL-producing Enterobacterales. Controls (n = 525) were recruited from the community. A telephone questionnaire on pet ownership and other factors was administered, and associations were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Pet ownership was not associated with ESBL- or ACBL-producing Enterobacterales-related human UTIs. A positive association was observed for recent antimicrobial treatment, travel to Asia in the previous year, and a doctor's visit in the last 6 months. Among isolates with an ESBL-/ACBL-producing phenotype, 126/134 (94%) were Escherichia coli, with sequence type 131 being the most common (47/126). CONCLUSIONS: Companion animals in the home were not found to be associated with ESBL- or ACBL-producing Enterobacterales-related community-acquired UTIs in New Zealand. Risk factors included overseas travel, recent antibiotic use, and doctor visits.

Long working hours, sedentary work, noise, night shifts and risk of ischaemic heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of death in Western countries. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between occupational exposure to loud noise, long working hours, shift work, and sedentary work and IHD. METHODS: This data linkage study included all New Zealanders employed and aged 20-64 years at the time of the 2013 census, followed up for incident IHD between 2013 and 2018 based on hospitalisation, prescription and death records. Occupation and number of working hours were obtained from the census, and exposure to sedentary work, loud noise and night shift work was assessed using New Zealand job exposure matrices. HRs were calculated for males and females using Cox regression adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, smoking and ethnicity. RESULTS: From the 8 11 470 males and 7 83 207 females employed at the time of the census, 15 012 male (1.9%) and 5595 female IHD cases (0.7%) were identified. For males, there was a modestly higher risk of IHD for the highest category (>90 dBA) of noise exposure (HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.33), while for females exposure prevalence was too low to calculate an HR. Night shift work was associated with IHD for males (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.14) and females (HR 1.25; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.34). The population attributable fractions for night shift work were 1.8% and 4.6%, respectively. No clear associations with working long hours and sedentary work were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that occupational exposures to high levels of noise and night shift work might be associated with IHD risk.

Patient, carer and health worker perspectives of stroke care in New Zealand: a mixed methods survey.

PURPOSE: It is important to understand how consumers (person with stroke/family member/carer) and health workers perceive stroke care services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consumers and health workers from across New Zealand were surveyed on perceptions of stroke care, access barriers, and views on service centralisation. Quantitative data were summarised using descriptive statistics whilst thematic analysis was used for free-text answers. RESULTS: Of 149 consumers and 79 health workers invited to complete a survey, 53 consumers (36.5%) and 41 health workers (51.8%) responded. Overall, 40/46 (87%) consumers rated stroke care as 'good/excellent' compared to 24/41 (58.6%) health workers. Approximately 72% of consumers preferred to transfer to a specialised hospital. We identified three major themes related to perceptions of stroke care: 1) 'variability in care by stage of treatment'; 2) 'impact of communication by health workers on care experience'; and 3) 'inadequate post-acute services for younger patients'. Four access barrier themes were identified: 1) 'geographic inequities'; 2) 'knowing what is available'; 3) 'knowledge about stroke and available services'; and 4) 'healthcare system factors'. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of stroke care differed between consumers and health workers, highlighting the importance of involving both in service co-design. Improving communication, post-hospital follow-up, and geographic equity are key areas for improvement.Implications for rehabilitationProvision of detailed information on stroke recovery and available services in the community is recommended.Improvements in the delivery of post-hospital stroke care are required to optimise stroke care, with options including routine phone follow up appointments and wider development of early supported discharge services.Stroke rehabilitation services should continue to be delivered 'close to home' to allow community integration.Telehealth is a likely enabler to allow specialist urban clinicians to support non-urban clinicians, as well as increasing the availability and access of community rehabilitation.

Asthma inflammatory phenotypes on four continents: most asthma is non-eosinophilic.

BACKGROUND: Most studies assessing pathophysiological heterogeneity in asthma have been conducted in high-income countries (HICs), with little known about the prevalence and characteristics of different asthma inflammatory phenotypes in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed sputum inflammatory phenotypes in five centres, in Brazil, Ecuador, Uganda, New Zealand (NZ) and the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 998 asthmatics and 356 non-asthmatics in 2016-20. All centres studied children and adolescents (age range 8-20 years), except the UK centre which involved 26-27 year-olds. Information was collected using questionnaires, clinical characterization, blood and induced sputum. RESULTS: Of 623 asthmatics with sputum results, 39% (243) were classified as eosinophilic or mixed granulocytic, i.e. eosinophilic asthma (EA). Adjusted for age and sex, with NZ as baseline, the UK showed similar odds of EA (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.37-2.94) with lower odds in the LMICs: Brazil (0.73, 0.42-1.27), Ecuador (0.40, 0.24-0.66) and Uganda (0.62, 0.37-1.04). Despite the low prevalence of neutrophilic asthma in most centres, sputum neutrophilia was increased in asthmatics and non-asthmatics in Uganda. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that sputum induction has been used to compare asthma inflammatory phenotypes in HICs and LMICs. Most cases were non-eosinophilic, including in settings where corticosteroid use was low. A lower prevalence of EA was observed in the LMICs than in the HICs. This has major implications for asthma prevention and management, and suggests that novel prevention strategies and therapies specifically targeting non-eosinophilic asthma are required globally.

Heart rate variability as a marker of autonomic nervous system activity in young people with eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma.

OBJECTIVE: An imbalance in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity may play a role in asthma, but it is unclear whether this is associated with specific pathophysiology. This study assessed ANS activity by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) in eosinophilic (EA) and non-eosinophilic asthma (NEA) and people without asthma. METHODS: HRV, combined hypertonic saline challenge/sputum induction, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), skin prick tests to measure atopy, and spirometry tests were conducted in teenagers and young adults (14-21 years) with (n = 96) and without (n = 72) generally well-controlled asthma. HRV parameters associated with sympathetic and parasympathetic ANS branches were analyzed. EA and NEA were defined using a 2.5% sputum eosinophil cut-point. Airway hyperreactivity (AHR) was defined as ≥15% reduction in FEV1 following saline challenge. RESULTS: HRV parameters did not differ between asthmatics and non-asthmatics or EA and NEA. They were also not associated with markers of inflammation, lung function or atopy. However, increased absolute low frequency (LFµs2; representing increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity) was found in asthmatics who used ß-agonist medication compared to those who did not (median: 1611, IQR 892-3036 vs 754, 565-1592; p < 0.05) and increased normalized low frequency (LF nu) was found in those with AHR compared to without AHR (64, 48-71 vs 53, 43-66; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ANS activity (as measured using HRV analysis) is not associated with pathophysiology or inflammatory phenotype in young asthmatics with generally well-controlled asthma. However, enhanced SNS activity can be detected in asthmatics with AHR or who use ß-agonist medication.