Predictors of Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras.

INTRODUCTION: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure poses risks to pregnant women and children. Though smoking among pregnant women in many low- and middle-income countries is low, exposure to SHS might be higher. We examined the prevalence and predictors of SHS among pregnant women from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. METHODS: Postpartum women 18+ years old who completed pregnancy in past 5 years were surveyed in health care and community settings. RESULTS: Data for 1,081 women indicated low tobacco use (1.0%-3.7%), frequent exposure to active smokers (29.0%-34.0%), often being close enough to breathe others' smoke (49.4%-66.5%), and most having smoke-free home policies (70.8%-76.2%). Women reporting unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.00) and alcohol consumption (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.34, 2.77) were more likely to be close enough to breathe others' smoke. Women with health problems during pregnancy (aOR: 1.48 95% CI 1.07, 2.06) were more likely to have home smoking policies. Tobacco use was associated with all SHS exposure outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: SHS exposure was high during pregnancy; women with higher risk variables, that is, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unintended pregnancy were more likely to be exposed. Addressing SHS exposure in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries can improve maternal health outcomes in vulnerable populations. IMPLICATIONS: The study results suggest a cluster of multiple risk factors associated with a high prevalence of exposure to SHS among pregnant women in LIMCs from Latin America and Caribbean Region. Interventions, regulations, and policies need to address specific high-risk factors to change behaviors and improve maternal and child health outcomes especially in vulnerable populations.

Attitudes Toward the Environment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies to Address Environmental Health Risks in Marginalized Communities: Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Information and communication technologies, including mobile health (mHealth), can help isolated communities address environmental health challenges. The Puerto Rican island of Culebra has faced multiple sociopolitical and economic factors that have distressed the island's environment and health. Culebrenses are technologically engaged and have demonstrated a use of technology that transcends socioeconomic barriers. As a result, technological interventions could potentially help manage environmental risks on the island. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test and evaluate the potential benefits of an mHealth tool, termed ¡mZAP! (Zonas, Acción y Protección), for engaging communities with environmental risks through technology. METHODS: Participants using ¡mZAP! (N=111) were surveyed. Bivariate analyses were used to examine associations of mHealth use with sociodemographics, technology use, an adapted environmental attitudes inventory, and the multidimensional health locus of control. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between attitudes toward environmental health risks and mHealth use. RESULTS: Higher positive attitudes toward the environment were significantly associated with the use of ¡mZAP! (odds ratio 5.3, 95% CI 1.6-17.0). Environmental attitudes were also associated with the multidimensional health locus of control powerful others subscale (P=.02), indicating that attitudes toward the environment become more negative as feelings controlled by others increase. Participants felt that the authorities would resolve the challenges (63/111, 56.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived lack of control could present barriers to collective actions to address salient environmental health challenges in communities. The ongoing dependency on government-based solutions to community problems is worrisome, especially after the hurricane experiences of 2017 (which may potentially continue to be an issue subsequent to the more recent 2020 earthquakes).

Qualitative Assessment of Environmental Health Risk Perceptions and Community Challenges in a Puerto Rican Community: Change and Continuity in Response to Hurricanes Irma and María.

Culebra, a geographically isolated island located 17 miles from the eastern coast of Puerto Rico's main island, suffers from an amalgam of significant environmental health risk and associated social determinants of health that are affecting the community. In 2017, two major Hurricanes (Irma and María) impacted Culebra, resulting in an increase of preexisting environmental health risk. The present study's primary aim was to explore community attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of environmental health risk, and to describe the social priorities of Culebrenses in relation to these risks and challenges. Semi-structured interview guide and Rapid Qualitative Inquiry (RQI) focused on topics of environmental health risk was followed. Qualitative focus groups and individual interviews were conducted among community members in Culebra before and shortly after Hurricanes Irma and María affected the island. Environmental health factors identified included: presence of mosquitoes, trash disposal, water quality and tourism. Additionally, a strong sentiment of island pride was found potentially generating a sense of community that could facilitate solutions to the existing environmental health challenges. Preexisting environmental health risk magnified after the pass of Hurricanes Irma and María. Sustainable and community engagement approaches are needed to develop strategies that can assist in the mitigation and resolution of the identified environmental health risk and challenges, including factors associated with threats such as disasters and pollution.

Influence of Hearing Loss on Child Behavioral and Home Experiences.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of hearing loss on child behavioral diagnoses, and socioemotional and behavior status. METHODS: We analyzed US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) child data, years 2011 to 2015, for associations between reported hearing loss and relevant NHIS items. RESULTS: Compared with hearing children, NHIS respondents with a deaf child were more likely to report developmental delays (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 11.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.8, 32.4), attention-deficit disorder (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI = 2.5, 3.9), autism diagnoses (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.8, 4.9), and minor to severe socioemotional difficulties (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI = 3.2, 4.7). When asked if their child was well behaved, respondents were more likely to reply "somewhat true" or "not true" (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI = 2.2, 3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Hearing loss increases likelihood of reporting child behavioral diagnoses, behavior issues, and socioemotional difficulties. Although etiology and professional misdiagnoses likely contribute to elevated prevalence, lack of attention toward language deprivation as a public health issue prevents any further epidemiological insights. Public Health Implications. Despite widespread use of cochlear implants, concerns about deaf children's well-being remain significant. Language deprivation requires investigation and awareness as a social determinant of health.

Seafood consumption and umbilical cord blood mercury concentrations in a multiethnic maternal and child health cohort.

BACKGROUND: Fish consumption is common among the cultures of Hawaii, and given public health attention to mercury exposure in pregnancy, it is important to better understand patterns of fish consumption and mercury in pregnancy. This study examined the influence of maternal fish consumption during pregnancy on umbilical cord mercury (Hg) concentrations in a multiethnic cohort of women in Hawaii. METHODS: This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort pilot study examined antenatal seafood consumption and neonatal outcomes in Hawaii. The first 100 eligible women who consented were enrolled. After delivery, umbilical cord blood and a dietary survey were obtained. RESULTS: Most women (86%) consumed seafood during the month prior to delivery. Overall, 9% of women consumed more than the recommended limit of 12 ounces/week. Seafood consumption varied significantly by ethnicity and income, with 30% of poor women consuming more than the recommended limit. Seafood consumption did not vary by age or education.Umbilical cord blood Hg levels were 5 µg/L or more in 44% of women. Filipina were significantly less likely to have elevated Hg levels compared with non- Filipina (p < .05). Mercury levels did not vary by other demographic characteristics.Women reporting consumption exceeding 12 ounces fish per week were significantly more likely to have cord blood Hg levels of 5 µg/L or more, but mean Hg concentrations were not significantly higher (6.1 ± 3.3 v 5.0 ± 3.7). The odds ratio for elevated Hg, however, was significant among seafood-consumers compared with non-consumers (5.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 27.1). CONCLUSIONS: Despite Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, a significant portion of pregnant women consumed more than the recommended amount of seafood, which was associated with race and income. Further, almost half of study participants had cord blood Hg concentrations at or exceeding 5 µg/L.

Associations of childhood hearing loss and adverse childhood experiences in deaf adults.

Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences have a strong relationship with health disparities across the lifespan. Despite experiencing approximately doubled rates of trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are poorly characterized in deaf populations. We sought to characterize deaf-specific demographic factors and their association with multiple experiences of ACEs before the age of 18 years old. An analytical cross-sectional approach was used to ascertain associations of deaf-specific demographic factors and experiences with ACEs. The complete dataset included 520 participants for a total response rate of 56%. After adjusting for confounding effects, less severe hearing loss of 16-55 dB (2+ OR: 5.2, 4+ OR: 4.7), having a cochlear implant (2+ OR: 2.1, 4+ OR: 2.6), and not attending at least one school with signing access (2+ OR: 2.4, 4+ OR: 3.7) were significantly and independently associated with reported experiences of multiple ACEs. We conclude that factors associated with childhood hearing loss and language experiences increase risk of experiencing ACEs. Given the strong relationship between ACEs and poor social outcomes, early intervention clinical practice and health policies should consider interventions to support healthy home environments for deaf children.

Dental Health Utilization in Palau: Feasibility of an Oral Cancer Screening Program.

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Western Pacific region. The prevalent tradition of chewing betel nut in Palau, an island nation in this region, is a risk factor in the development of oral cancer. Oral cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Palau, and the prognosis can be improved with early detection facilitated by visual inspection of the oral cavity by dentists. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of oral cancer screening using existing dental health infrastructure in Palau. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used to explore topics related to the use of dental care resources in Palau. Primary outcome measures were collected using an electronic survey with closed- and open-ended questions addressing dental health utilization as well as barriers and facilitators to accessing dental care. Secondary measures assessed knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about betel nut use and oral cancer. Open-ended survey questions were analyzed and coded to develop themes based in grounded theory. Results: Two hundred twenty-three surveys were completed. The mean age was 42.7 years, 80% identified as female, and most (94.3%) report having seen a dentist in Palau. Dental care is seen as important (mean score 82.3/100), and 57.9% reported it was easy to access a dentist. Themes regarding facilitators include multilevel resources and transportation. Themes regarding barriers include cost and availability of dentists/appointments. Approximately half of the respondents were current users of betel nut. Conclusion: Our results suggest facilitators are in place to promote seeking and obtaining dental care; however, existing infrastructure may not support an oral cancer screening program. These data provide important areas to address that can improve access and support the implementation of oral cancer screening through existing dental care in the future.

Ending the Epidemic: Building Health Care Capacity Through HIV and HCV Preceptorship Programs.

Since 2015, Mount Sinai HIV/HCV Center of Excellence has implemented two-day HIV and HCV preceptorships for New York State health care. Participants assessed their knowledge of and confidence to perform 13 HIV or 10 HCV prevention- and treatment-related skills, measured on a 4-point Likert scale from "not at all" to "very" knowledgeable/confident at baseline, exit survey, and a recent evaluation. Wilcoxon signed rank sum tests determined mean differences at all three time points. Between baseline to exit assessment and baseline to evaluation assessment, HIV and HCV preceptorship attendees reported significant increases in knowledge for five HIV and three HCV components and confidence for two HIV and three HCV tasks (p < .05), respectively. The preceptorship significantly and positively impacted short-term and long-term knowledge and confidence around HCV and HIV clinical skills. The implementation of HIV and HCV preceptorship programs may increase HIV and HCV treatment and prevention service efficacy within key population areas.

Sharing the Details: Implementing and Evaluating the Integration of New York State AIDS Institute Health Equity Competencies for Health Care Providers into Clinical Training Activities.

Background: The New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) AIDS Institute (AI) Clinical Education Initiative (CEI) trains the NYS health care workforce to improve health outcomes related to HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and for people who use drugs. Methods: In 2019, CEI began consistently integrating health equity into CEI activities through a working group that mapped NYS DOH AI health equity competencies for providers onto planned clinical education. We conducted a convergent mixed methods study on qualitative and quantitative participant feedback form (PFF) data to evaluate these competencies between April 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, and conducted an annual survey of NYS clinician needs in 2021 and 2022. Results: The CEI Health Equity Working Group analyzed 25 measures within 4 health equity competencies that were grouped into 4 interventions: resources, internal tools, activity creation, and evaluation. Eighty-nine percent of PFF respondents (n=20,166) strongly agreed/agreed that CEI activities included multiple viewpoints; qualitative comments described informative and helpful activities. When asked how they address patient-identified social determinants of health (SDOH) needs, 84% and 71% of annual survey respondents reported they made the highest number of referrals for health insurance coverage assistance in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Discussion: CEI continues to address participant feedback and seamless incorporation of health equity components into their work. Health Equity Implications: Health equity in clinical practice and trainings is crucial in acknowledging and addressing SDOH that continue to impact NYS clinicians and their patients.

Social media study of public opinions on potential COVID-19 vaccines: informing dissent, disparities, and dissemination.

Background The current development of vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unprecedented. Little is known, however, about the nuanced public opinions on the vaccines on social media. Methods We adopted a human-guided machine learning framework using more than six million tweets from almost two million unique Twitter users to capture public opinions on the vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, classifying them into three groups: pro-vaccine, vaccine-hesitant, and anti-vaccine. After feature inference and opinion mining, 10,945 unique Twitter users were included in the study population. Multinomial logistic regression and counterfactual analysis were conducted. Results Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups were more likely to hold polarized opinions on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, either pro-vaccine ( B = 0.40 , SE = 0.08 , P < 0.001 , OR = 1.49 ; 95 % CI = 1.26 -- 1.75 ) or anti-vaccine ( B = 0.52 , SE = 0.06 , P < 0.001 , OR = 1.69 ; 95 % CI = 1.49 -- 1.91 ). People who have the worst personal pandemic experience were more likely to hold the anti-vaccine opinion ( B = - 0.18 , SE = 0.04 , P < 0.001 , OR = 0.84 ; 95 % CI = 0.77 -- 0.90 ). The United States public is most concerned about the safety, effectiveness, and political issues regarding vaccines for COVID-19, and improving personal pandemic experience increases the vaccine acceptance level. Conclusion Opinion on COVID-19 vaccine uptake varies across people of different characteristics.

An evaluation of RNA-seq differential analysis methods.

RNA-seq is a high-throughput sequencing technology widely used for gene transcript discovery and quantification under different biological or biomedical conditions. A fundamental research question in most RNA-seq experiments is the identification of differentially expressed genes among experimental conditions or sample groups. Numerous statistical methods for RNA-seq differential analysis have been proposed since the emergence of the RNA-seq assay. To evaluate popular differential analysis methods used in the open source R and Bioconductor packages, we conducted multiple simulation studies to compare the performance of eight RNA-seq differential analysis methods used in RNA-seq data analysis (edgeR, DESeq, DESeq2, baySeq, EBSeq, NOISeq, SAMSeq, Voom). The comparisons were across different scenarios with either equal or unequal library sizes, different distribution assumptions and sample sizes. We measured performance using false discovery rate (FDR) control, power, and stability. No significant differences were observed for FDR control, power, or stability across methods, whether with equal or unequal library sizes. For RNA-seq count data with negative binomial distribution, when sample size is 3 in each group, EBSeq performed better than the other methods as indicated by FDR control, power, and stability. When sample sizes increase to 6 or 12 in each group, DESeq2 performed slightly better than other methods. All methods have improved performance when sample size increases to 12 in each group except DESeq. For RNA-seq count data with log-normal distribution, both DESeq and DESeq2 methods performed better than other methods in terms of FDR control, power, and stability across all sample sizes. Real RNA-seq experimental data were also used to compare the total number of discoveries and stability of discoveries for each method. For RNA-seq data analysis, the EBSeq method is recommended for studies with sample size as small as 3 in each group, and the DESeq2 method is recommended for sample size of 6 or higher in each group when the data follow the negative binomial distribution. Both DESeq and DESeq2 methods are recommended when the data follow the log-normal distribution.

Science, healthcare system, and government effectiveness perception and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and hesitancy in a global sample: an analytical cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance are complex; how perceptions of the effectiveness of science, healthcare and government impact personal COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is unclear, despite all three domains providing critical roles in development, funding and provision, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine. OBJECTIVE: To estimate impact of perception of science, healthcare systems, and government along with sociodemographic, psychosocial, and cultural characteristics on vaccine acceptance. DESIGN: We conducted a global nested analytical cross-sectional study of how the perceptions of healthcare, government and science systems have impacted COVID-19 on vaccine acceptance. SETTING: Global Facebook, Instagram and Amazon Mechanical Turk (mTurk) users from 173 countries. PARTICIPANTS: 7411 people aged 18 years or over, and able to read English, Spanish, Italian, or French. MEASUREMENTS: We used Χ2 analysis and logistic regression-derived adjusted Odds Ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs to evaluate the relationship between effectiveness perceptions and vaccine acceptance controlling for other factors. We used natural language processing and thematic analysis to analyse the role of vaccine-related narratives in open-ended explanations of effectiveness. RESULTS: After controlling for confounding, attitude toward science was a strong predictor of vaccine acceptance, more so than other attitudes, demographic, psychosocial or COVID-19-related variables (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.8 to 2.5). The rationale for science effectiveness was dominated by vaccine narratives, which were uncommon in other domains. LIMITATIONS: This study did not include participants from countries where Facebook and Amazon mTurk are not available, and vaccine acceptance reflected intention rather than actual behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: As our findings show, vaccine-related issues dominate public perception of science's impact around COVID-19, and this perception of science relates strongly to the decision to obtain vaccination once available.

Social Stressors, Arboviral Infection, and Immune Dysregulation in the Coastal Lowland Region of Ecuador: A Mixed Methods Approach in Ecological Perspective.

Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits arboviral diseases such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika viruses (ZIKV), is present in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Individuals at risk of mosquito-borne disease (MBD) in the urban tropics face daily challenges linked to their socio-environment conditions, such as poor infrastructure, poverty, crowding, and limited access to adequate healthcare. These daily demands induce chronic stress events and dysregulated immune responses. We sought to investigate the role of socio-ecologic risk factors in distress symptoms and their impact on biological responses to MBD in Machala, Ecuador. Between 2017 and 2019, individuals (≥ 18 years) with suspected arbovirus illness (DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV) from sentinel clinics were enrolled (index cases, N = 28). Cluster investigations of the index case households and people from four houses within a 200-m radius of index home (associate cases, N = 144) were conducted (total N = 172). Hair samples were collected to measure hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as a stress biomarker. Blood samples were collected to measure serum cytokines concentrations of IL-10, IL-8, TNF-α, and TGF-ß. Univariate analyses were used to determine the association of socio-health metrics related to perceived stress scores (PSS), HCC, and immune responses. We found that housing conditions influence PSS and HCC levels in individuals at risk of MBD. Inflammatory cytokine distribution was associated with the restorative phase of immune responses in individuals with low-moderate HCC. These data suggest that cortisol may dampen pro-inflammatory responses and influence activation of the restorative phase of immune responses to arboviral infections.

"Before we used to get sick all the time": perceptions of malaria and use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) in a rural Kenyan community.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a leading global cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, despite recent advances in treatment and prevention technologies. Scale-up and wide distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) could rapidly decrease malarial disease in endemic areas, if used properly and continuously. Studies have shown that effective use of LLINs depends, in part, upon understanding causal factors associated with malaria. This study examined malaria beliefs, attitudes, and practices toward LLINs assessed during a large-scale integrated prevention campaign (IPC) in rural Kenya. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 IPC participants who received LLINs as part of a comprehensive prevention package of goods and services. One month after distribution, interviewers asked these individuals about their attitudes and beliefs regarding malaria, and about their use of LLINs. RESULTS: Virtually all participants noted that mosquitoes were involved in causing malaria, though a substantial proportion of participants (47 percent) also mentioned an incorrect cause in addition to mosquitoes. For example, participants commonly noted that the weather (rain, cold) or consumption of bad food and water caused malaria. Regardless, most participants used the LLINs they were given and most mentioned positive benefits from their use, namely reductions in malarial illness and in the costs associated with its diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes toward LLINs were positive in this rural community in Western Kenya, and respondents noted benefits with LLIN use. With improved understanding and clarification of the direct (mosquitoes) and indirect (e.g., standing water) causes of malaria, it is likely that LLIN use can be sustained, offering effective household-level protection against malaria.

Risk of COVID-19-related bullying, harassment and stigma among healthcare workers: an analytical cross-sectional global study.

OBJECTIVES: Essential healthcare workers (HCW) uniquely serve as both COVID-19 healers and, potentially, as carriers of SARS-CoV-2. We assessed COVID-19-related stigma and bullying against HCW controlling for social, psychological, medical and community variables. DESIGN: We nested an analytical cross-sectional study of COVID-19-related stigma and bullying among HCW within a larger mixed-methods effort assessing COVID-19-related lived experience and impact. Adjusted OR (aOR) and 95% CIs evaluated the association between working in healthcare settings and experience of COVID-19-related bullying and stigma, controlling for confounders. Thematic qualitative analysis provided insight into lived experience of COVID-19-related bullying. SETTING: We recruited potential participants in four languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian) through Amazon Mechanical Turk's online workforce and Facebook. PARTICIPANTS: Our sample included 7411 people from 173 countries who were aged 18 years or over. FINDINGS: HCW significantly experienced more COVID-19-related bullying after controlling for the confounding effects of job-related, personal, geographic and sociocultural variables (aOR: 1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0). HCW more frequently believed that people gossip about others with COVID-19 (OR: 2.2; 95% CI 1.9 to 2.6) and that people with COVID-19 lose respect in the community (OR: 2.3; 95% CI 2.0 to 2.7), both which elevate bullying risk (OR: 2.7; 95% CI 2.3 to 3.2, and OR: 3.5; 95% CI 2.9 to 4.2, respectively). The lived experience of COVID-19-related bullying relates frequently to public identities as HCW traverse through the community, intersecting with other domains (eg, police, racism, violence). INTERPRETATION: After controlling for a range of confounding factors, HCW are significantly more likely to experience COVID-19-related stigma and bullying, often in the intersectional context of racism, violence and police involvement in community settings.

Effects of pre-gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus on macrosomia and birth defects in Upstate New York.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on macrosomia and birth defects. METHODS: Existing birth registry data from the Perinatal Data System in Upstate New York was analysed. 650,914 women with a singleton term pregnancy (≥37 weeks) aged 18-55 years from 2004 to 2016 were included. RESULTS: The prevalence of macrosomia in infants born to women with PGDM and GDM were 26.0% and 16.4%, respectively, higher than that in the controls (11.2%). Compared with the controls (0.8%), the PGDM and GDM groups had higher prevalence of any birth defect (1.8% and 1.0%). The PGDM group had the highest prevalence of cyanotic heart disease (0.6%). Moreover, the PGDM group had higher prevalence of cleft lip and palate, cleft palate alone, hypospadias and limb reduction defect compared to the GDM and control groups (p < 0.05). However, these birth defects in the GDM group were similar to those in the controls. Both the PGDM and GDM groups had significantly elevated odds of macrosomia, cyanotic heart disease and any birth defect than controls. The PGDM group had higher odds of cleft lip and palate, cleft palate alone, hypospadias and limb reduction defect. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Perinatal Data System database, PGDM and GDM, especially PGDM, was associated with higher prevalence of macrosomia, cyanotic heart disease and any birth defect in singleton term pregnancy in Upstate New York. PGDM, not GDM had higher prevalence of cleft lip and palate, cleft palate alone, hypospadias and limb reduction defect.

Association between diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart attack in US adults: a cross-sectional analysis using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2015.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are both associated with heart attack. Evidence regarding which condition-MS or DM-is better associated with heart attack, however, is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine DM and MS, and their comparative associations with heart attack, using the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 332 008 subjects aged over 18 years were included in the analysis. All subjects were classified into four groups based on their DM and MS status: neither DM nor MS, DM without MS, MS without DM, and both DM and MS. A weighted hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the difference between the four groups in their association with the risk of a heart attack. RESULTS: Differences in weighted frequency distributions of gender, age category (over 45 years or not), smoking status, education, race, physical activity and daily vegetable and fruit consumption were significantly different across the four groups (p<0.05). The weighted prevalence of heart attack was 5.2% for neither DM nor MS group, 8.5% for DM without MS group, 11.0% for MS without DM group and 16.1% for both DM and MS group. The weighted prevalence of heart attack in MS without DM group was significantly higher than that in the DM without MS group (p<0.01). After adjusting for confounding variables, DM without MS and MS without DM were both found to be independently associated with heart attack compared with those without DM nor MS (DM without MS, OR=2.09; MS without DM, OR=2.58, all p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The BRFSS 2015 data indicated that MS without DM and DM without MS had comparable effects on heart attack, and the odds of risk are doubled than US adults with neither DM nor MS.

Association of periodontal disease with depression and adverse birth outcomes: Results from the Perinatal database; Finger Lakes region, New York State.

Preterm and low birth weight infants are at greater risk for mortality and a variety of health and developmental problems. Data from the Finger Lakes Perinatal Data System database on 316,956 deliveries occurring between 2004-2014 and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed to assess the association of periodontal (gum) disease with depression, other maternal factors and adverse birth outcomes. Adjusted effects of periodontal disease and depression on adverse birth outcomes were estimated using multiple logistic regression models and path analysis. Having preterm delivery was associated significantly with depression (OR = 1.177; 95% CI: [1.146, 1.208]), having adequate health care (OR = 1.638; 95% CI: [1.589, 1.689]), smoking during pregnancy (OR = 1.259; 95% CI: [1.220, 1.300]), and being less educated (OR = 1.214; 95% CI: [1.174, 1.256]). Having low birth weight was significantly associated with depression (OR = 1.206; 95% CI: [1.170, 1.208]), smoking during pregnancy (OR = 1.855; 95% CI: [1.793, 1.919]), and being less educated (OR = 1.322; 95% CI: [1.275, 1.370]). Periodontal disease was significantly associated with alcohol use during pregnancy (OR = 1.314; 95% CI: [1.227, 1.407]) and white race (OR = 1.192; 95% CI: [1.167, 1.217]). Depression was significantly associated with periodontal disease (OR = 1.762; 95% CI: [1.727, 1.797]) and alcohol use during pregnancy (OR = 1.470; 95% CI: [1.377, 1.570]). We concluded that a positive association existed between depression during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, and that depression served as a mediator in the association of periodontal disease with adverse birth outcomes.

Association Between Neck Circumference and Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-analysis.

Aims: Neck circumference (NC) was found to be related to the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the effects of NC on CHD are still controversial. To evaluate the relationship between NC and CHD, a meta-analysis of observational studies was performed. Method: Eligible studies on the association between NC and CHD were searched in Medline, Embase, Ovid, and Web of Science databases published in English from January 1980 to December 2016. Moreover, studies published in Chinese in Wanfang and China Hospital Knowledge databases were also searched. Random effects models in the metafor package in statistical analysis software R 3.3.3 were used for the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was analyzed with Q statistics. Results: Eight studies were selected for the meta-analysis. A larger NC was associated with a higher prevalence of CHD (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.04-1.34, p = 0.0108). The eight studies were further divided into three subgroups according to the criteria for diagnosing CHD. In the subgroup of coronary angiography, NC was also found to be associated with the prevalence of CHD with low heterogeneity (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.28, p = 0.0007, I 2 = 17.02%). However, in the subgroup of computed tomography or past history, no association between NC and CHD was found. In addition, subgroup analyses were also conducted according to the regions of the study. No association between NC and CHD was identified in either Chinese studies or Brazil studies (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 0.96-1.49; OR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.82-2.09, respectively). Conclusion: Larger NC is associated with increased risk of CHD, especially when coronary angiography was taken to diagnose CHD.