Multidimensional model of successful aging and nursing terminologies: similarities for use in the clinical practice.

AIM: To compare the domains of the Multidimensional Model of Successful Aging (MMSA) with the nursing terminologies, such as, NANDA International (NANDA-I), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), in order to find similarities among them. METHOD: Cross-mapping between MMSA and nursing terminologies in two stages: individual analysis and comparison between the MMSA and the nursing terminologies, based on the mapping process rules; consensus among researchers to validate the results. RESULTS: All NOC and NIC domains were mapped with similarity in the MMSA domains, and 12 of the 13 NANDA-I domains showed similarity to the MMSA domains. In addition, similarity was identified between MMSA and most classes of the three classifications. CONCLUSIONS: The similarity between MMSA, NANDA-I, NIC and NOC supported the idea that the MMSA framework can be used in the nursing process to qualify the nursing practice in the elderly care.

HIV policy in Italy and recommendations across the HIV care continuum.

The HIV epidemic has not yet ended, and there are ever more challenges: the recent Italian National Plan of Interventions against HIV and AIDS (Piano Nazionale di Interventi Contro HIV e AIDS (PNAIDS) 2017-2019) was hailed for its comprehensiveness. Its likelihood of success across the HIV care continuum was therefore assessed. Awareness interventions are sporadic and continue to miss high risk populations; if effectively implemented, the prescriptive detail in PNAIDS may help address this. Combined prevention needs greater focus and investment. However, there has been recent progress: free anonymous testing is available at multiple settings although improvements to provide access to key vulnerable populations are needed. Clinical management is available to a high standard across the country, with some areas for improvement in ensuring equality of access. Long-term management of people living with HIV is often effective, but discrepancies exist across regions and settings of care. It is recommended to enable implementation of PNAIDS as a matter of urgency, develop integrated awareness and testing interventions for STIs and HIV, make condoms free for high-risk populations, and develop a network of multidisciplinary services for long-term holistic care of people living with HIV.

Multidimensional model of successful aging and nursing terminologies: similarities for use in the clinical practice / Modelo multidimensional de envejecimiento exitoso y terminologías de enfermería: semejanzas para aplicación en la práctica clínica / Modelo multidimensional de envelhecimento bem sucedido e terminologias de enfermagem: semelhanças para aplicação na prática clínica

ABSTRACT Aim: To compare the domains of the Multidimensional Model of Successful Aging (MMSA) with the nursing terminologies, such as, NANDA International (NANDA-I), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), in order to find similarities among them. Method: Cross-mapping between MMSA and nursing terminologies in two stages: individual analysis and comparison between the MMSA and the nursing terminologies, based on the mapping process rules; consensus among researchers to validate the results. Results: All NOC and NIC domains were mapped with similarity in the MMSA domains, and 12 of the 13 NANDA-I domains showed similarity to the MMSA domains. In addition, similarity was identified between MMSA and most classes of the three classifications. Conclusions: The similarity between MMSA, NANDA-I, NIC and NOC supported the idea that the MMSA framework can be used in the nursing process to qualify the nursing practice in the elderly care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar dominios del Modelo Multidimensional del Envejecimiento Exitoso (MMES) con las terminologías de enfermería, NANDA International (NANDA-I), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) y Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) en busca de similitudes. Métodos: Mapeo cruzado entre MMES y las terminologías de enfermería realizado en dos etapas: análisis individual y comparación de MMES con las terminologías de enfermería, basado en las reglas del proceso de mapeo; consenso entre los investigadores para validar resultados. Resultados: Todos los dominios NOC y NIC se asignaron con similitud en los campos MMES, y 12 de los 13 dominios NANDA-I mostraron similitud con los campos MMES. Además, se identificó similitud entre el MMES y la mayoría de las clases de las clasificaciones. Conclusiones: La similitud entre MMES y NANDA-I, NIC, NOC fortaleció la idea de que el referencial del MMES puede entrelazarse con el proceso de enfermería para calificar la práctica de enfermería en el cuidado al anciano.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar domínios do Modelo Multidimensional do Envelhecimento Bem Sucedido (MMES) com as terminologias de enfermagem, NANDA International (NANDA-I), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) e Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) em busca de semelhanças entre eles. Métodos: Mapeamento cruzado entre MMES e terminologias de enfermagem realizado em duas etapas: análise individual e comparação do MMES e terminologias de enfermagem, com base nas regras do processo de mapeamento; consenso entre os pesquisadores para validar os resultados. Resultados: Todos os domínios NOC e NIC foram mapeados com similaridade nos domínios MMES, e 12 dos 13 domínios NANDA-I mostraram semelhança com os domínios MMES. Além disso, identificou-se semelhança entre o MMES e a maioria das classes das três classificações. Conclusões: A similaridade entre MMES e NANDA-I, NIC, NOC fortaleceu a ideia de que o referencial do MMES pode ser entrelaçado com o processo de enfermagem para qualificar a prática de enfermagem no cuidado ao idoso.

Mate wareware: Understanding 'dementia' from a Maori perspective.

AIM: To investigate Maori (Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand) understandings of dementia, its causes, and ways to manage a whanau (extended family) member with dementia. METHOD: We undertook kaupapa Maori research (Maori informed research) with 223 kaumatua (Maori elders) who participated in 17 focus groups across seven study regions throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and eight whanau from the Waikato region. We audio recorded all interviews, transcribed them and then coded and categorised the data into themes. RESULTS: Mate wareware (becoming forgetful and unwell) ('dementia') affects the wairua (spiritual dimension) of Maori. The findings elucidate Maori understandings of the causes of mate wareware, and the role of aroha (love, compassion) and manaakitanga (hospitality, kindness, generosity, support, caring) involved in caregiving for whanau living with mate wareware. Participants perceived cultural activities acted as protective factors that optimised a person's functioning within their whanau and community. CONCLUSION: Whanau are crucial for the care of a kaumatua with mate wareware, along with promoting healthy wairua for all. Whanau urgently need information to assist with their knowledge building and empowerment to meet the needs of a member affected by mate wareware. This requires collaborative healthcare practice and practitioners accessing the necessary matauranga Maori (Maori knowledge) to provide culturally appropriate and comprehensive care for whanau.

From fragmentation toward integration: a preliminary study of a new long-term care policy in a fast-aging country.

BACKGROUND: Taiwan, one of the fastest-aging countries in the world, started implementing version 1.0 of its long-term care (LTC) plan in 2008. In 2017, LTC Plan 2.0 began a new era with its goal to integrate Taiwan's fragmented LTC service system. LTC Plan 2.0 also aims to establish an integrated community-based LTC system incorporating both health care and disability prevention. This three-tier model consists of the following: two LTC services with a day-care center as their base and case management (Tier A), a day-care center and a single LTC service (Tier B), and LTC stations that provide primary prevention services and respite services for frail community-dwelling older adults to prevent further disabilities (Tier C). A defined cluster of agencies in a local area works together as a Tier ABC team. LTC Plan 2.0 is a new policy for Taiwan, and hence it is important to understand the agencies' initial difficulties with implementation and identify future challenges to help further policy development. METHODS: This preliminary study explored the challenges to implementing LTC 2.0 through in-depth interviews based on Evashwick's integration mechanisms with representatives from three service teams. We interviewed three chief executive officers and three case managers. RESULTS: We found that the LTC Plan 2.0 mechanisms for service integration have been insufficiently implemented. Recommendations include (1) Build up the trust between agencies and government, avoid duplication of LTC services within Tier ABC team, and encourage agencies within a team to create a shared administrative system with the same mission and vision. (2) Clarify the roles and responsibilities of government care managers and agency case managers. (3) Provide an integrated information system and create an official platform for sharing client records across different agencies and caregivers. (4) Establish a tool and platform to track the budget and payment across different levels of service as soon as possible. CONCLUSION: There is an increased demand for LTC services in Taiwan because of its rapidly aging population. Our findings shed some light on the challenges to developing integrated LTC services and thus may help both policymakers and service providers find ways to overcome these challenges.

[Analysis of the epidemiological profile of the indigenous community of Hueyapan, Morelos]. / Análisis del perfil epidemiológico de la comunidad indígena de Hueyapan, Morelos.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological transition is a phenomenon that has had a different impact between urban and rural settings. The WHO points out that the population with the lowest socioeconomic status is the most adversely affected for the unequal distribution of resources, indigenous people are a part of this population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profile of the indigenous people of Hueyapan, Morelos during the months of March to June 2017. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in the indigenous community of Hueyapan, belonging to the municipality of Morelos, in 2017. A sample of 338 households was calculated; as inclusion criteria, those dwellings where the age of residence in Hueyapan was equal to or greater than four years were taken; a systematic sampling was carried out every three households, in addition, Mexico's INEGI and Health Department databases were analyzed from 2011 to 2015. RESULTS: In relation to morbidity, an upward trend was found in the crude rate, from 119.7 per 1,000 in 2011 to 270.7 per 1000 in 2015, among the most prevalent diseases in those years, infectious diseases were identified as major and the appearance of noncommunicable diseases began to be observed. In relation to mortality, a linear trend was observed in the crude rate of 5.7 per 1000 in 2011 to 6.6 per 1000 in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological profile of Hueyapan coincides with a process of epidemiological transition where there is a double burden of disease. This suggests a challenge for the public health area that should be addressed from the creation of health strategies, programs and policies aimed at this population from an intercultural approach.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la transición epidemiológica es un fenómeno que se ha presentado de forma distinta entre sectores urbanizados y rurales. OBJETIVO: analizar el perfil epidemiológico de la comunidad indígena de Hueyapan, Morelos, durante el periodo de marzo a junio de 2017. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico transversal en la comunidad indígena de Hueyapan, perteneciente al municipio de Morelos, en 2017. Se calculó un tamaño de muestra de 338 viviendas; como criterios de inclusión se tomaron aquellas viviendas dónde la edad de residencia en Hueyapan fuera igual o mayor a cuatro años; se realizó un muestreo sistemático cada tres viviendas, además se analizaron bases de datos de INEGI y Secretaría de Salud de 2011 a 2015. RESULTADOS: en relación con la morbilidad, se encontró una tendencia ascendente en la tasa bruta. Dentro de las enfermedades más prevalentes se identificaron las enfermedades infecciosas como principales y se empezó a observar la aparición de enfermedades no transmisibles. En relación con la mortalidad, se observó una tendencia lineal en su tasa bruta. CONCLUSIONES: el perfil epidemiológico de Hueyapan coincide con un proceso de transición epidemiológica, donde existe una doble carga de enfermedad. Esto sugiere un reto para el área de la salud pública que debiera enfrentarse desde la creación de estrategias, programas y políticas de salud dirigidas a esta población desde un enfoque intercultural.

The vision and role of geriatric oncology in surgical treatment of the elderly patient.

The phenomenon of population aging is constantly on the rise, as are the medical needs of elderly subjects. Oncological treatment concerns an ever larger number of elderly patients, raising a number of not only practical and medical questions, but also the ethical interrogations associated with therapeutic decision-making, quality of life and therapeutic obstinacy (futile medical care). Surgeons are increasingly preoccupied by elderly patients on account of the cancer rate among them, and they are compelled to cope with challenges such as morbimortality and prolonged hospitalization. Geriatric oncology is a discipline of increasing importance of which the goal consists in comprehensive care of the elderly cancer patient, care taking into full account his physical and psychological aging, his somatic and cognitive comorbidities, and, last but least, his life expectancy. The opinions and recommendations of geriatric oncologists provide increasingly more orientation for the oncological therapeutic decision-making processes. The objective of this attempt at clarification is to discuss the contributions of this discipline to everyday surgical activity, to provide surgeons with some tools facilitating initial evaluation of their patients, and to remind the reader of situations in which oncological assistance is of paramount importance.

Very low prevalence of iron deficiency among young French children: A national cross-sectional hospital-based survey.

Although iron deficiency (ID) is considered the most frequent micronutrient deficiency in industrialized countries and is associated with impaired neurodevelopment when occurring in early years, accurate recent estimations of its prevalence are lacking. Our objective was to estimate ID prevalence and associated sociodemographic markers in young children in France. The Saturn-Inf national cross-sectional hospital-based survey recruited 3,831 French children <6 years old between 2008 and 2009 to assess lead poisoning prevalence and to establish a biobank. This secondary analysis measured serum ferritinemia (SF) in sera kept frozen at -80 °C for children with sufficient serum aliquots and C-reactive protein <10 mg/L. For the 657 participating children (17% of the Saturn-Inf study), the median age was 3.9 years (interquartile range: 2.2-5.1); 52% were boys. The median SF was 44 µg/L (interquartile range: 28-71). ID prevalence was 2.8% (95% confidence interval [1.7, 4.7]) and 3.2% (95% confidence interval [2.0, 5.1]) with an SF threshold of 10 and 12 µg/L, respectively. Low SF was significantly associated (p < .05) with mother being a migrant (32 vs. 45 µg/L for a mother born in France) or unemployed (37 vs. 50 µg/L for a mother employed). In this first national cross-sectional hospital-based study in France, ID prevalence was much lower than that in other French and European studies performed in underprivileged populations but close to the lowest values observed in other population-based studies in Europe.

Program considerations for integration of nutrition and family planning: Beliefs around maternal diet and breastfeeding within the context of the nutrition transition in Egypt.

In Egypt, rising maternal overweight and obesity is consistent with the transition to westernized diets and a growing reliance on energy-dense, low nutrient foods. Although the first 1,000 days of life are the focus of many programmes designed to prevent many forms of malnutrition, little attention has been paid to maternal dietary practices and weight gain during pregnancy. This study used in-depth interviews with pregnant women (N = 40), lactating women (N = 40), and nonlactating women (N = 40) to gain an understanding of behaviours, perceptions, and cultural beliefs in relation to maternal dietary intake during pregnancy, lactation, and nonlactation; weight gain during pregnancy; birth spacing; and family planning. Study findings reveal that food choice was driven by affordability, favoured foods, or foods considered appropriate for a specific life stage (pregnant, lactating, and nonlactating). Knowledge of weight gain during pregnancy is limited, especially with regards to excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Diet is often modified during lactation to support breast milk production, and a normal diet resumed when breastfeeding ceases. Within the context of breastfeeding, the lactational amenorrhea method provides an opportunity to improve exclusive breastfeeding practices, maternal diet during lactation, and the transition to other family planning methods by 6 months postpartum. Health care providers should discuss limiting maternal consumption of low nutrient foods such as junk foods, soda, and teas during pregnancy and postpartum. Dietary counselling should accompany information on appropriate weight gain during pregnancy and exercise to prevent excessive weight gain, in the context of the nutrition transition.

Prevalence and Trends of Vitamin D Deficiency among Iranian Adults: A Longitudinal Study from 2001-2013.

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is currently considered to be a re-emerging public health problem globally. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and to investigate its trend from 2001 to 2013 in a longitudinal study of Iranian adults. This study was part of a population-based, longitudinal ongoing study of Iranian healthy adults aged 35 y and older at baseline. Serum vitamin D level was assessed in a sub-sample of 370 subjects, who were apparently healthy at the time of recruitment in 2001 and were free from MetS, in three phases (2001, 2007 and 2013) during the 12-y study period. Adjusted prevalence and trend of vitamin D deficiency were calculated. Mean serum vitamin D levels increased over the time of the study (52.12, 54.27 and 62.28 nmol/L, respectively) and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency decreased (30.5, 27.0 and 24.4, respectively). However, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency did not change over this time period. The risk of vitamin D deficiency decreased significantly in 2007 [OR: 0.73 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.99)] and 2013 [OR: 0.50 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.70)] compared to the baseline. The present study demonstrated some improvement in serum vitamin D levels, while the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was still high. Considering the possible health consequences of vitamin D deficiency, there is an urgent need for developing population-wide strategies, such as supplementation and fortification, to prevent or control vitamin D deficiency.

The Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Inadequacies in the Middle East and Approaches to Interventions.

Micronutrient deficiencies and inadequacies constitute a global health issue, particularly among countries in the Middle East. The objective of this review is to identify micronutrient deficits in the Middle East and to consider current and new approaches to address this problem. Based on the availability of more recent data, this review is primarily focused on countries that are in advanced nutrition transition. Prominent deficits in folate, iron, and vitamin D are noted among children/adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and the elderly. Reports indicate that food fortification in the region is sporadic and ineffective, and the use of dietary supplements is low. Nutrition monitoring in the region is limited, and gaps in relevant information present challenges for implementing new policies and approaches to address the problem. Government-sponsored initiatives are necessary to assess current dietary intakes/patterns, support nutrition education, and to reduce food insecurity, especially among vulnerable population groups. Public-private partnerships should be considered in targeting micronutrient fortification programs and supplementation recommendations as approaches to help alleviate the burden of micronutrient deficiencies and inadequacies in the Middle East.

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Are Associated with Decreased Serum Selenium Concentrations and Increased Cardiovascular Risk.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and associated oxidative stress is increasing. The antioxidant mineral selenium (Se) was measured in serum samples from 106 IBD patients (53 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 53 with Crohn's disease (CD)) and from 30 healthy controls. Serum Se concentrations were significantly lower in UC and CD patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001) and significantly lower in CD patients than in UC patients (p = 0.006). Se concentrations in patients were significantly influenced by sex, body mass index (BMI), the inflammatory biomarker α-1-antitrypsin, surgery, medical treatment, the severity, extent, and form of the disease and the length of time since onset (p < 0.05). Se concentrations in IBD patients were positively and linearly correlated with nutritional (protein, albumin, prealbumin, cholinesterase and total cholesterol) and iron status-related (hemoglobin, Fe and hematocrit) parameters (p < 0.05). A greater impairment of serum Se and cardiovascular status was observed in CD than in UC patients. An adequate nutritional Se status is important in IBD patients to minimize the cardiovascular risk associated with increased inflammation biomarkers, especially in undernourished CD patients, and is also related to an improved nutritional and body iron status.

Systematic Review of Trends in the Incidence Rates of Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of global increase in thyroid cancer (TC) incidence has been attributed to increased detection of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Nonetheless, some reports support a real increase in incidence. This study aimed to perform a systematic review to evaluate the changing trends in TC incidence and summarize potential risk factors predisposing to this trend. METHODS: Literature published in the English language between 1980 and August 2014 was searched via PubMed (MEDLINE) and OvidSP (EMBASE). Original studies on changes in TC incidence in defined geographic areas that described clear methods of case selection and population estimates were included. Data on incidence rates and risk factors were collected. RESULTS: Of 4719 manuscripts, 60 studies were included, of which 31 were from Europe, 13 from North America, and the rest from Asia (n = 9), Oceania (n = 4), and South America (n = 3). Fifty-three articles reported a significant increase in incidence (highest was a 10-fold increase in South Korea), six reported stable rates, and one noted a decrease. PTC was the commonest type reported to have increased in incidence (in 10 studies with relevant data). Follicular TC increased in incidence (in four studies), albeit at a lower rate compared with PTC. Data on risk factors were sparse; factors discussed included ionizing radiation, iodine deficiency, and supplementation. CONCLUSION: This systematic review strongly supports a widespread and persistent increase in TC incidence. Evidence for over-detection of PTC as the predominant influence includes increased numbers of smaller size tumors and improved or unchanged survival.

Nutritional Ecology and Human Health.

In contrast to the spectacular advances in the first half of the twentieth century with micronutrient-related diseases, human nutrition science has failed to stem the more recent rise of obesity and associated cardiometabolic disease (OACD). This failure has triggered debate on the problems and limitations of the field and what change is needed to address these. We briefly review the two broad historical phases of human nutrition science and then provide an overview of the main problems that have been implicated in the poor progress of the field with solving OACD. We next introduce the field of nutritional ecology and show how its ecological-evolutionary foundations can enrich human nutrition science by providing the theory to help address its limitations. We end by introducing a modeling approach from nutritional ecology, termed nutritional geometry, and demonstrate how it can help to implement ecological and evolutionary theory in human nutrition to provide new direction and to better understand and manage OACD.

Early Nutrition as a Major Determinant of 'Immune Health': Implications for Allergy, Obesity and Other Noncommunicable Diseases.

Early-life nutritional exposures are significant determinants of the development and future health of all organ systems. The dramatic rise in infant immune diseases, most notably allergy, indicates the specific vulnerability of the immune system to early environmental changes. Dietary changes are at the center of the emerging epigenetic paradigms that underpin the rise in many modern inflammatory and metabolic diseases. There is growing evidence that exposures in pregnancy and the early postnatal period can modify gene expression and disease susceptibility. Although modern dietary changes are complex and involve changing patterns of many nutrients, there is also interest in the developmental effects of specific nutrients. Oligosaccharides (soluble fiber), antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, folate and other vitamins have documented effects on immune function as well as metabolism. Some have also been implicated in modified risk of allergic diseases in observational studies. Intervention studies are largely limited to trials with polyunsaturated fatty acids and oligosaccharides, showing preliminary but yet unconfirmed benefits in allergy prevention. Understanding how environmental influences disrupt the finely balanced development of immune and metabolic programming is of critical importance. Diet-sensitive pathways are likely to be crucial in these processes. While an epigenetic mechanism provides a strong explanation of how nutritional exposures can affect fetal gene expression and subsequent disease risk, other diet-induced tissue compositional changes may also contribute directly to altered immune and metabolic function--including diet-induced changes in the microbiome. A better understanding of nutritional programming of immune health, nutritional epigenetics and the biological processes sensitive to nutritional exposures early in life may lead to dietary strategies that provide more tolerogenic conditions during early immune programming and reduce the burden of many inflammatory diseases--not just allergy.

Fermented food intake is associated with a reduced likelihood of atopic dermatitis in an adult population (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012-2013).

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has continuously increased throughout the world in every age group, and the recent increase in AD in Korean adults may be related to changes in nutrient intakes due to westernization of dietary patterns. We hypothesized that the prevalence of AD is associated with the different dietary patterns and fermented food intakes of the Korean adult population. We examined the hypothesis using 9763 adults 19 years or older using the 2012-2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We identified 4 dietary patterns in addition to that including fermented foods using principal component analysis on data obtained from a 116-item validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire: meat and processed foods; vegetables, fruits, legumes, seafood, and seaweed; rice and grains; and coffee, chocolate, and ice cream. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for AD were calculated according to dietary patterns after adjusting for potential confounders. High levels of consumption (>92 times/month) of fermented foods such as doenjang, chungkookjang, kimchi, fermented seafood, makgeolli, and beer were associated with a lower prevalence of AD (OR, 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.84). In contrast, high levels of consumption of meat and processed foods were strongly associated with the prevalence of AD (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.48-3.94). Interestingly, the consumption of coffee, chocolate, and ice cream was significantly negatively associated with the prevalence of AD (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34-0.82). In conclusion, the hypothesis was accepted. The results can be applied to nutrition education programs for the general population to decrease risk factors for AD.

Factors associated with early growth in Egyptian infants: implications for addressing the dual burden of malnutrition.

Optimal nutrition is critical to the attainment of healthy growth, human capital and sustainable development. In Egypt, infants and young children face overlapping forms of malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, stunting and overweight. Yet, in this setting, little is known about the factors associated with growth during the first year of life. A rise in stunting in Lower Egypt from 2005 to 2008 prompted this implementation research study, which followed a longitudinal cohort of infants from birth to 1 year of age within the context of a USAID-funded maternal and child health integrated programme. We sought to determine if growth patterns and factors related to early growth differed in Lower and Upper Egypt, and examined the relationship between weight loss and subsequent stunting at 12 months of age. Growth patterns revealed that length-for-age z-score (LAZ) decreased and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) increased from 6 to 12 months of age in both regions. One-quarter of infants were stunted and nearly one-third were overweight by 12 months of age in lower Egypt. Minimum dietary diversity was significantly associated with WLZ in Lower Egypt (ß = 0.22, P < 0.05), but not in Upper Egypt. Diarrhoea, fever and programme exposure were not associated with any growth outcome. Weight loss during any period was associated with a twofold likelihood of stunting at 12 months in Lower Egypt, but not Upper Egypt. In countries, like Egypt, facing the nutrition transition, infant and young child nutrition programmes need to address both stunting and overweight through improving dietary quality and reducing reliance on energy-dense foods.

The role of medical generalism in the New Zealand health system into the future.

New Zealand hospitals are facing medical workforce shortages and an ageing population with increasing multimorbidity. To be sustainable in the future, the future medical workforce will need expertise in dealing with the complexity of people living with multiple physical and mental health issues. This will require a greater focus on generalism within the speciality colleges, and generalist doctors within the hospital settings, as well as their traditional home of community settings. Doctors' career choices will need to be matched to changing community need. The Transalpine Health Services generalist, specialist and sub-specialist workforce model developed by the West Coast and Canterbury health systems points the way to future sustainable provision of a quality patient hospital experience as close to home as possible, for people who live in provincial New Zealand, through a regional network approach. System-wide changes are suggested to support a more balanced future medical workforce. These include greater valuing of careers in generalism, aligning of incentives to promote medical careers based in generalism, developing regional networks that cross existing District Health Board boundaries to provide patient care, and application of system outcome metrics that measure quality of care and patient outcomes in an integrated health system.

The frequency and impact of hypoglycemia among hospitalized patients with diabetes: A population-based study.

We aimed to evaluate the frequency of hypoglycemia and its impact on the length of stay and all-cause in-hospital mortality in hospitalized patients with diabetes. We used data from the Basic Minimum Data Set of the Spanish National Health System. Hypoglycemia was defined as having an ICD-9-CM code 250.8, 251.0, 251.1, and 251.2, and categorized as primary if it was the main cause of admission and secondary if it occurred during the hospital stay. The association between hypoglycemia and the study outcomes was evaluated in two cohorts - with and without secondary hypoglycemia - matched by propensity scores and using multivariate models. Among the 5,447,725 discharges with a diagnosis of diabetes recorded from January 1997 to December 2010, there were 92,591 (1.7%) discharges with primary hypoglycemia and 154,510 (2.8%) with secondary hypoglycemia. The prevalence of secondary hypoglycemia increased from 1.1% in 1997 to a peak of 3.8% in 2007, while the prevalence of primary hypoglycemia remained fairly stable. Primary hypoglycemia was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (Odds ratio [OR] 0.06; 95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.10) and a significant decrease in time to discharge (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.53; 95% CI, 2.30-2.76), while secondary hypoglycemia was associated with an increased likelihood of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.09-1.15) and a significant increase in time to discharge (HR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.79-0.80). In conclusion, the prevalence of secondary hypoglycemia is increasing in patients with diabetes and is associated with an increased likelihood of in-hospital mortality and a longer hospital stay.