The relationship between female orgasmic disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and depression in Dominican women.

BACKGROUND: Female orgasmic disorder is listed in the DSM-5 and is defined as the persistent or recurrent inability to have an orgasm. Many depressed women may experience sexual dysfunction, including female orgasmic disorder. AIM: The study sought to analyze the relationship between depressive disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their influence on the development of female orgasmic disorder. METHODS: A total of 221 Dominican women participated in this case-control study. The case group consisted of 107 women diagnosed with female orgasmic disorder, while the control group consisted of 114 women without any sexual dysfunction. OUTCOMES: The diagnosis of ADHD was obtained from the participants' medical records, previously conducted using the DSM-5-TR criteria. The Beck Depression Inventory II was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in both groups. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between female orgasmic disorder and ADHD and depression. The results of multiple logistic regression indicated that the highest risk of female orgasmic disorder was observed in women with ADHD (odds ratio [OR], 4.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.46-9.20; P < .001), women with severe depression (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.08-6.96; P = .04), and women who had sexual intercourse that focused on penetration (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.03-3.98; P = .04). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of sexual disorders in women. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This design selected all diagnosed cases of female orgasmic disorder and did not select a specific subgroup. However, some limitations must be considered. This study was conducted in a single clinic, although it should be noted that it is the main clinic for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in the country. A further limitation could be that this type of study design does not allow for statements about causality to be made. CONCLUSION: There is an increased risk of female orgasmic disorder in women with ADHD, with severe depression, and who engage in penetrative sex.

Comparison of Short-Term Effects of Different Spinal Manipulations in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Spinal manipulations for chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) include cervical, cervicothoracic junction, and thoracic spine (CCT) manipulations as well as upper cervical spine (UCS) manipulations. This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of UCS manipulation versus a combination of CCT spine manipulations on pain intensity, disability, and cervical range of motion (CROM) in CNNP patients. In a private physiotherapy clinic, 186 participants with CNNP were randomly assigned to either the UCS (n = 93) or CCT (n = 93) manipulation groups. Neck pain, disability, and CROM were measured before and one week after the intervention. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding pain intensity and CROM. However, there was a statistically significant difference in neck disability, with the CCT group showing a slightly greater decrease (CCT: 16.9 ± 3.8 vs. UCS: 19.5 ± 6.8; p = 0.01). The findings suggest that a combination of manipulations in the CCT spine results in a slightly more pronounced decrease in self-perceived disability compared to UCS manipulation in patients with CNNP after one week. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of pain intensity or CROM.

State-trait anxiety levels and vital signs of pregnant women following intervention with virtual reality during the nonstress test: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women often experience anxiety due to pregnancy, negatively impacting their and their fetus' health. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as virtual reality (VR), could reduce anxiety levels, potentially impacting non-stress tests or the physiological responses of the pregnant woman and the fetus. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial conducted between February and December 2022 involved 286 term pregnant women. They were divided into a VR intervention group (146 women) and a control group (140 women). The intervention consisted of 20 min of 3D glasses with images and sounds during a third-trimester nonstress test. Anxiety was measured using the Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), alongside physiological parameters. RESULTS: The VR group exhibited lower anxiety levels compared to controls (STAI score: Rosenthal's r: -0.54, p = 0.01; state anxiety: Rosenthal's r: -0.40, p = 0.001; trait anxiety: Rosenthal's r: -0.41, p = 0.001). Within the VR group, there was a significant reduction in trait anxiety (Rosenthal's r, 1.27; p < 0.001) and total anxiety (Rosenthal's r, 1.63; p < 0.001) post-intervention, along with decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and maternal heart rate (p = 0.02). LIMITATIONS: Future research could explore additional pregnancy-related variables, such as postpartum anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that the use of VR is beneficial for pregnant women and their fetuses, as it decreases anxiety levels, and improves physiological parameters such as blood pressure and maternal heart rate during the nonstress test. VR is a technique that is easy to integrate into the healthcare system due to its non-invasive and non-pharmacological nature.

Depressive symptoms and suicide attempts among farmers exposed to pesticides.

Pesticides safeguard crop health but may diminish cholinesterase activity in farmers, potentially leading to psychiatric disorders like depression and suicide attempts. This study, with 453 participants (225 pesticide-exposed farmers, 228 non-farmers) in Almería, Spain, aimed to investigate the presence of depressive symptoms and suicide attempts, the decrease acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity, and their relationship with pesticide exposure in farmers. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Spanish adaptation of the Beck Depression Inventory, and blood samples were analyzed for AChE and BChE activity. Farmers showed significantly increased risk of moderate/severe depression and suicide attempts compared to non-farmers (OR = 2.18; p = 0.001), with highest risks observed among mancozeb users (OR = 2.76; p = 0.001 for depression) and malathion users (OR = 3.50; p = 0.001 for suicide attempts). Findings emphasize elevated depression and suicide risks among pesticide-exposed farmers, particularly associated with chlorpyrifos, mancozeb, and malathion exposure.

Occupational Exposure to Pesticides as a Risk Factor for Sleep Disorders.

Inadequate sleep has been linked to a variety of impairments in bodily functions, including endocrine, metabolic, higher cortical function, and neurological disorders. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyze the link between occupational pesticide exposure and sleep health among farmers in Almeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a population living on the coast of Almeria (southeastern Spain), where about 33,321 hectares of land are used for intensive agriculture in plastic greenhouses. A total of 380 individuals participated in the study: 189 greenhouse workers and 191 control subjects. The participants were contacted during their annual scheduled occupational health survey. Data on sleep disturbances were collected using the Spanish version of the Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire. Agricultural workers were found to be at a significantly higher risk of insomnia, especially among those who did not wear protective gloves (OR = 3.12; 95% C.I. = 1.93-3.85; p = 0.04) or masks (OR = 2.43; 95% C.I. = 1.19-4.96; p = 0.01). The highest risk of insomnia related to pesticide applicators was observed in those who did not wear a mask (OR = 4.19; 95% C.I. = 1.30-13.50; p = 0.01) or goggles (OR = 4.61; 95% C.I. = 1.38-10.40; p = 0.01). This study supports previous findings indicating an increased risk of sleep disorder in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides at work.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Monitoring of Pregnancy and Delivery of Pregnant Women in the Dominican Republic.

Pregnancy monitoring is vital to guaranteeing that both the foetus and the mother are in optimal health conditions. WHO protocols recommend at least eight medical examinations during the pregnancy period. While the cancellation or reduction of appointments during pregnancy due to the pandemic may help reduce the risk of infection, it could also negatively influence perinatal outcomes and the birthing process. The aim of this research was to analyse the differences in perinatal outcomes and birth characteristics in two groups of pregnant women: women who gave birth before and during the pandemic, and whether these differences are due to changes in pregnancy monitoring because of the COVID-19 situation. A retrospective study was carried out from July 2018 to December 2021, at the Santo Domingo Hospital (Dominican Republic). A total of 1109 primiparous pregnant women were recruited for this study during the birthing process and perinatal visits. The results describe how women who gave birth before the pandemic had greater control and monitoring of their pregnancy, more doctor visits (p = 0.001), fewer caesarean sections (p = 0.006), and more skin-to-skin contact after birth (p = 0.02). During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women's attendance at routine pregnancy monitoring, both doctor visits and ultrasound scans, has decreased, leading to an increase in the number of caesarean and instrumental deliveries. At the perinatal level, processes such as skin-to-skin contact after birth between mother and newborn or the introduction of early breastfeeding in the delivery room have also been reduced.

Short-term effects of spinal thrust joint manipulation on postural sway in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to compare the efficacy of spinal manipulation of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) on postural sway in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain with the application of a combination of cervical (C3-C4), cervicothoracic (C7-T1) and thoracic spine (T5-T6) thrust joint manipulation. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six (n = 186) individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain were randomised to receive an upper cervical spine manipulation (n = 93) or three different spinal manipulation techniques applied to the cervical spine, cervicothoracic joint and thoracic spine (n = 93). Measures included the assessment of stabilometric parameters using the Medicapteurs S-Plate platform. Secondarily, neck pain was analysed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. RESULTS: We observe a decrease in the length of the centre of pressure path, average speed, medio-lateral and antero-posterior displacement with statistically significant results (p < 0.05) in the upper cervical manipulation group. Both interventions are equally effective in reducing neck pain after fifteen days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The application of upper cervical thrust joint manipulation is more effective in improving stabilometric parameters in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. Trial registration: The study was registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (no. ACTRN12619000546156).Implications for rehabilitationPatients who suffer from neck pain exhibit increased postural sway than asymptomatic subjects.Both spinal manipulation treatments applied in this study are equally effective in reducing neck pain.Spinal manipulation treatment on the upper cervical spine improves postural stability parameters.