RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The proportion of people with hypertension is increasing, and those affected are relatively younger. Worldwide, it is estimated that people with high blood pressure are more than 1.5 billion people. In Vietnam, from 2002 to 2008, according to a national survey on hypertension and its risk factors within the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease program, the prevalence of hypertension was 25.1%. This is alarming because high blood pressure can cause serious complications, including death. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the blood pressure characteristics and hypertension prevalence in adults in a northern delta province of Vietnam, and describe some risk factors in hypertensive subjects screened through the program. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study collecting data from people aged 18 years or older in 10 cantons and the city of Nam Dinh from July 15th to July 31st, 2020. Using semi-automatic OMRON sphygmomanometers, sitting blood pressure was measured three times according to standardized methods specified by the Ministry of Health and two National Vascular Societies. RESULTS: Blood pressure screening of 183,632 adults included 84,438 males, which accounted for 45.98%, with an average age of 60.36 ± 13.18 years. The estimated prevalence of hypertension was 27.20% (95% CI: 27.00% - 27.41%). The older the age, the higher the rate of hypertension in both sexes; the prevalence of hypertension over 65 years was 45.36%. Hypertension grade 1 accounted for 17.14%, followed by hypertension at grade 2 at 6.69%, and grade 3 at 1.15%; notably, the percentage of prehypertension accounted for 49.64%. The percentage of treated hypertension in Nam Dinh province was 56.85%, but the percentage of uncontrolled hypertension was 85.63%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension in Nam Dinh province was relatively high (27.20%), although the number of treated patients was also high (56.85%); moreover, the proportion of uncontrolled hypertension remained extremely high (85.63%). Local campaigns and suitable interventions are required to detect hypertension in the early stages and increase awareness for treatment in the population.
RESUMEN
Background: Global warming, lifestyle, or working in a high temperature environment leads to have increased health risk factors. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the impact of high ambient temperature on male reproductive function. Methods: Scientific articles were screened in the database including MEDLINE, EMBASE, National center for biotechnology information (NCBI) or Web of Science with relating keywords. Impact data of high ambient temperature on semen parameters were extracted and analyzed by STATA software according to the Random Effects Model. The high ambient temperature exposure group and Non-exposure group were compared using the standard mean difference (SMD). Publications were evaluated for publication bias by Egger test. Results: Nine articles were finally selected from databases examining the effect of high ambient temperature on male reproductive health of 356 men from Iran, Italy, Thailand, China, Egypt. High ambient temperature showed a significant decrease in the seminal parameters, semen volume during each ejaculation (SMD = -0.74; 95% CI -1.11, -0.36), sperm concentration (SMD = -1.07; 95% CI -1.42, -0.72), total sperm count (SMD = -1.52; 95% CI -2.96, -0.08), sperm motility (SMD = -1.93; 95% CI -2.83, -1.04), sperm progressive motility (SMD = -1.65; 95% CI -2.39, -0.91) and normal morphology (SMD = -2.41; 95% CI -3.30, -1.52). Conclusion: High ambient temperature negatively affects sperm quality, including decreased semen volume, sperm count, sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology. This might lead to protective strategies to avoid the adverse effects of high ambient temperature on male fertility.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important construct in clinical settings, and it is crucial that it should be properly measured. As the EuroQol-5-dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) is more effective for such measurement than the 3-level model, data on economic models, clinical studies, and public health evaluations previously collected through the EQ-5D-3L need to be revaluated using the EQ-5D-5L. This study evaluated colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' HRQoL scores using the Vietnamese EQ-5D-5L value set. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study included CRC patients treated at a tertiary public hospital. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L, and HRQoL utility scores were calculated using the Vietnamese value set. Tobit regression examined factors associated with HRQoL. RESULTS: The analysis included 197 CRC patients. Ages ranged from 20 to 87 years (M = 57.64, SD = 13.5); 42.2% and 57.8% were diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum/anus, respectively. Mean EQ-5D-5L was 0.561 (range, -0.5115 to 1). Most participants experienced anxiety/depression (88%), followed by pain/discomfort (87%), mobility (71%), usual activity (69%), and self-care (67%). Advanced CRC stage (stage II: ß -0.303, se 0.08; stage III: ß -0.305, se 0.07; stage IV: ß -0.456, se 0.07) and surgery (ß -0.113, se 0.05) were negatively associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. Advanced education (high school: ß 0.273, se 0.07); college/vocational: ß 0.134se 0.05; university/higher: Coef 0.213, se 0.08;) and older age (age group 35-44: ß 0.253, se 0.10; 45-54: ß 0.327, se 0.09; 55-64: ß 0.355 se 0.09; 65+ ß 0.204, se 0.09) were positively associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. CONCLUSION: Patients in advanced CRC stages or undergoing surgery experienced lower HRQoL and higher prevalence of anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort. Older age and high educational attainment predicted high HRQoL. This study provides information on CRC patients' health utility based on various patient characteristics, which can be used in future economic evaluations.
RESUMEN
The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased rapidly in Vietnam, but the economic burden of this disease has never been estimated. We estimate the direct and indirect cost of CRC patients in Vietnam in 2018 using a prevalence-based approach and human capital method. The total economic cost of CRC was VND 3041.88 billion (~$132.9 million), representing 0.055% of the 2018 gross domestic product. Notably, indirect costs comprised 83.58 % of the total cost, 82.61% of which is future income loss, because CRC occurs during productive years. The economic burden of CRC in Vietnam is substantial. The medical cost for CRC diagnosis and treatment is higher for younger patients and for those in advanced stages. Strategies to decrease the economic burden of CRC at the patient and national level, such as screening programs, should be developed and implemented in Vietnam.