Representações sociais do autocuidado na percepção de homens com diabetes / Representaciones sociales del autocuidado en la percepción de hombres con diabetes / Social representations of self-care in the perception of men with diabetes

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as representações sociais de homens com diabetes sobre o seu autocuidado. Método: abordagem processual das representações sociais com amostra por tipicidade (n=50), composta de homens atendidos num serviço ambulatorial mineiro. Coletaram-se dados de caracterização e realizaram-se entrevistas individuais em profundidade durante três meses. Foram tratados os dados, usando softwares SPPS versão 26, NVivo Pro11® e Iramuteq com análise de conteúdo (coeficiente de Pearson ≥0,70), e atendidos os requisitos ético-legais. Resultados: idade predominante ≥50 anos. Emergiram dos discursos duas categorias: 1) Possibilidade do diabetes: atitudes adotadas ou negligenciadas - enfocando adequações em hábitos alimentares; 2) Diabetes e autocuidado: prática social do cuidado enfocando a necessidade de controle da alimentação e prática de atividade física, visando à prevenção de complicações associadas. Conclusão: a adesão/negligência ao autocuidado evidenciadas remetem à necessidade de fortalecimento dos sistemas de apoio ao grupo referente às ações de prevenção de doença e promoção da saúde, visando a controle dos fatores de risco modificáveis e dos níveis glicêmicos e diagnóstico precoce para o adiamento/manejo das possíveis complicações.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las representaciones sociales de hombres con diabetes sobre su autocuidado. Método: enfoque procesal de las representaciones sociales con muestreo por conveniencia (n=50), compuesta de hombres atendidos en un servicio ambulatorio de Minas Gerais-Brasil. Se recogieron datos de caracterización y se realizaron entrevistas individuales en profundidad durante tres meses. Fueron tratados los datos, usando softwares SPPS versión 26, NVivo Pro11® e Iramuteq con análisis de contenido (coeficiente de Pearson ≥0,70), y atendidos los requisitos ético-legales. Resultados: edad predominante ≥50 años. Surgieron, de los discursos, dos categorías: 1) Posibilidad de la diabetes: actitudes adoptadas u olvidadas - enfocando adecuaciones en hábitos alimenticios; 2) Diabetes y autocuidado: práctica social del cuidado enfocando la necesidad de control de la alimentación y práctica de actividad física, teniendo por objetivo la prevención de complicaciones asociadas. Conclusión: la adhesión/negligencia evidenciada al autocuidado remiten a la necesidad de fortalecimiento de los sistemas de apoyo al grupo referente a las acciones de prevención de enfermedad y promoción de la salud, buscando controlar los factores de riesgo modificables y los niveles glucémicos y diagnóstico precoz para el aplazamiento/manejo de las posibles complicaciones.

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the social representations of men with diabetes concerning their self-care. Method: a procedural approach to social representations with sampling by typicity (N=50), composed of men treated in an outpatient service in Minas Gerais. The study collected characterization data and performed in-depth individual interviews for three months. The data were processed using the software SPPS version 26, NVivo Pro11®, and Iramuteq with content analysis (Pearson's coefficient ≥0.70), and ethical-legal requirements were met. Results: predominant age of 50 years. Two categories emerged from speeches: 1) possibility of diabetes: attitudes adopted or neglected - focusing on adjustments in eating habits; 2) Diabetes and self-care: social practice of care focusing on the need for food control and practice of physical activity, aimed at preventing complications associated. Conclusion: the adherence/neglect to self-care evidenced refer to the need to strengthen the support systems to the group regarding the actions of disease prevention and health promotion, aiming at control of modifiable risk factors and glycaemic levels and early diagnosis for the postponement/management of possible complications.

COVID-19 and MENtal Health: Addressing Men's Mental Health Needs in the Digital World.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a source of stress and have important mental health implications for all persons but may have unique implications for men. In addition to the risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19, the rising COVID-19 death toll, ongoing economic uncertainty, loneliness from social distancing, and other changes to our lifestyles make up the perfect recipe for a decline in mental health. In June 2020, men reported slightly lower rates of anxiety than women, but had higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. As of September 2020, men sought mental health care at a higher rate than women for family and relationships, with year-over-year visits up 5.5 times and total virtual mental health care visits monthly growth in 2020 was up 79% since January. Because men are not a homogeneous group, it is important to implement strategies for groups of men that may have particularly unique needs. In this paper, we discuss considerations for intervening in men's mental health during and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including current technology-based cyberpsychology options.

Dietary fatty acids and colorectal cancer risk in men: A report from the Shanghai Men's Health Study and a meta-analysis.

Evidence from animal models suggests that dietary fatty acids have both anticancer and tumor-promoting effects. Whether dietary fatty acids are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in humans remains inconclusive. We investigated associations between dietary fatty acids and risk of CRC among 59 986 men who participated in the Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS), an ongoing population-based prospective cohort study. We identified 876 incident CRC cases in the SMHS during a mean follow-up of 9.8 years. Associations between dietary fatty acid intake and CRC risk were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Consumption of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was not significantly associated with CRC risk. Multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for Quartile 4 vs Quartile 1 were 0.92 (0.74-1.14; Ptrend = 0.47) for SFA, 0.95 (0.79-1.16; Ptrend = 0.74) for MUFA and 1.18 (0.95-1.46; Ptrend = 0.21) for PUFA. No significant associations were found for total n-6 PUFA or total n-3 PUFA. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis to summarize results from the present study and 28 reports from 26 additional cohorts, which supported the overall null association between dietary fatty acid intake and CRC risk among men. Docosahexanoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were associated with 11% to 12% reduced risk, and linoleic acid a 19% increased risk, of CRC in the meta-analysis of combined sexes. In conclusion, this population-based prospective study and meta-analysis of cohort studies found little evidence that dietary fatty acid intake was associated with risk of CRC in men.

Testagem para o HIV e profilaxia pós-exposição entre homens que fazem/ não fazem sexo com homens / Pruebas de VIH y profilaxis postexposición entre hombres que tienen/no tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres / HIV testing and post-exposure prophylaxis among men who have/ do not have sex with men

Resumo Objetivos identificar a realização da testagem para o HIV e o conhecimento sobre profilaxia pós-exposição (PEP) entre homens; e comparar os dados entre homens que fazem (ou não) sexo com homens. Método estudo transversal realizado com 271 homens participantes do carnaval no Rio de Janeiro, selecionados através da amostragem por conveniência. Os dados foram coletados no sambódromo, com auxílio de um questionário em fevereiro de 2017. A análise foi realizada por meio do software SPSS. Resultados houve disparidades na realização de testagem para o HIV e conhecimentos sobre PEP entre homens que fazem (ou não) sexo com homens. Homens que fazem sexo com homens possuem comportamentos e conhecimento melhores de enfrentamento ao HIV. Conclusão e implicações para a prática as políticas de enfrentamento ao HIV têm conseguido alcançar uma das populações-chave da epidemia, os homens que fazem sexo com homens, contudo homens que não fazem sexo com homens continuam vulneráveis.

Resumen Objetivos identificar la realización de pruebas de VIH y el conocimiento sobre la profilaxis posterior a la exposición (PEP) entre hombres; y comparar datos entre hombres que tienen (o no) relaciones sexuales con hombres. Método estudio transversal llevado a cabo con 271 hombres que participan en el carnaval de Rio de Janeiro, seleccionados mediante muestra de conveniencia. Los datos fueron recolectados en el sambódromo (lugar de espectáculo de danza), con la ayuda de un cuestionario, en febrero de 2017. El análisis se realizó utilizando el software SPSS. Resultados hubo disparidades en las pruebas de VIH y el conocimiento sobre PEP entre hombres que tienen (o no) relaciones sexuales con hombres. Los hombres que tienen relaciones con hombres tenían mejores comportamientos y conocimientos para enfrentar el VIH. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica las políticas para combatir el VIH han logrado llegar a una de las poblaciones clave de la epidemia, los hombres que tienen relaciones con hombres, sin embargo, los hombres que no tienen sexo con hombres siguen vulnerables.

Abstract Objectives identify HIV testing and knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among men; and compare data among men who have (or do not have) sex with men. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with 271 men participating in Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, selected through convenience sampling. The data were collected in the Sambadrome, with the help of a questionnaire in February 2017. The analysis was performed through the SPSS software. Results There were disparities in HIV testing and knowledge about PEP among men who have (or do not have) sex with men. Men who have sex with men have better behaviors and knowledge of coping with HIV. Conclusion and implications for practice HIV policies have managed to reach one of the key populations of the epidemic, men who have sex with men, yet men who do not have sex with men remain vulnerable.

Epidemiology of Male Sexual Dysfunction in Asian and European Regions: A Systematic Review.

Male sexual dysfunctions (MSDs) often remain undiagnosed and untreated in Asia compared to Europe due to conservative cultural and religious beliefs, socioeconomic conditions, and lack of awareness. There is a tendency for the use of traditional medicines and noncompliance with and reduced access to modern healthcare. The present systematic review compared the incidence and factors of MSD in European and Asian populations. English language population/community-based original articles on MSDs published in MEDLINE from 2008 to 2018 were retrieved. A total of 5392 studies were retrieved, of which 50 (25 Asian and 25 European) were finally included in this review. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) (0%-95.0% vs. 0.9%-88.8%), low satisfaction (3.2%-37.6% vs. 4.1%-28.3%), and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) (0.7%-81.4 vs. 0%-65.5%) was higher in Asian than in European men, whereas the prevalence of anorgasmia (0.4% vs. 3%-65%) was lower in Asian than in European men. Age was an independent positive factor of MSD. In European men over 60 years old, the prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) decreased. The prevalence of MSD was higher in questionnaires than in interviews. The significant factors were age, single status, low socioeconomic status, poor general health, less physical activity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, lower urinary tract symptoms, prostatitis, anxiety, depression and alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. The prevalence of MSD differed slightly in Asian and European men. There is a need to conduct large studies on the various Asian populations for the effective management of MSD.

Older Men With Living Spouses Versus Men Without Spouses: An Example From the Arab World-Kuwait.

This research is concentrated on elderly Kuwait men and the effect that losing wife, a major determinant of social support, has on their general health. A sample of 472 older male adults aged 60 years and older have been included in this study. A questionnaire was the major tool of the study. The questionnaire included sociocultural information and social support scales (Degree of Religiosity, Social Support Scale, Frequency of Contact, and Strength of Relation scales). Health measurements also were used: two, one-item self-reported health scales in the current year and last year and a Somatic Symptoms Inventory (SSI) were used. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and glucose levels were taken. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 21) was used for data entry and analysis. t-test and regression were the major statistical procedures. Data show that there are differences between elderly men with a living wife compared to those without a living wife. Having a living wife was positively associated with better social support and health in Kuwaiti elderly men. Data show that a living wife is an important factor of men's health and well-being in general and that a wife is one of the major social support elements of elderly men.

Confidence in Understanding Health Insurance and Challenges Paying Medical Bills Among Men in the United States.

Although the number of men with health insurance has increased, men are less likely to utilize health services than females, and experience difficulty in paying medical bills. Understanding the details of health insurance can be challenging and the lack of understanding can have financial consequences. This study, guided by Andersen's model of health-care utilization, assessed the relationship between confidence level in understanding health insurance terms and difficulty in paying medical bills among American men. Data were drawn from the Health Reform Monitoring Survey, 2015-2016. The study included 6,643 men aged between 18 and 64. Descriptive statistics examined participants' difficulty in paying medical bills by predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics, and by confidence in understanding health insurance terms. A modified Poisson regression analysis examined the association between difficulty in paying medical bills, confidence in understanding health insurance terms score, and predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics. An increase in confidence in understanding health insurance terms score was associated with significantly lower reported difficulty in paying medical bills (PR = .98; 95% CI = [.97-.99]; p = .002). Participants with a college degree or higher were less likely to report difficulty in paying their medical bills compared to participants with less than a high school degree (PR = .72; 95% CI = [.56-.92]; p = .009). A better understanding of health insurance might prevent men from experiencing difficulties in paying medical bills. Additional research should be performed to understand the relationship between the level of confidence in understanding health insurance, knowledge level of health insurance terms, use of health insurance, and their impact on difficulty in paying medical bills.

Mental health professionals view about the impact of male gender for the treatment of men with depression - a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The underestimation of depression among men may result from atypical depression symptoms and male help-seeking behaviour. However, higher suicide rates among men than among women indicate a need for gender-specific services for men with depression. In order to develop gender-specific services, it is essential to examine professionals' attitudes towards men's depressive symptoms and treatment needs as well as barriers to and facilitators of treatment. This study examined gender-specific treatment needs in male patients and treatment approaches to male patients from a professional perspective. METHODS: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 33 mental health professionals (MHPs) from five German psychiatric institutions. The study assessed the characteristics and attributes of male patients with depression risk factors for the development of depression among men, their condition at the beginning of treatment, male patients' depressive symptoms, the needs and expectations of male patients, the importance of social networks in a mental health context, and MHPs' treatment aims and treatment methods. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The professionals' reference group of male patients were men who were characterised in accordance with traditional masculinity. Attributes reported as in line with this type of men were late initiations of inpatient treatment after crisis, suicidal ideation or attempted suicide, and high expectations towards treatment duration, success rate in recovery and therapeutic sessions. In contrast, male patients who deviate from these patterns were partially described with reference to female stereotypes. Professionals referred to psychosocial models in their explanations of the causes of depression and provided sociological explanations for the development of masculine ideals among men. The consequences of these for treatment were discussed against the background of normative expectations regarding the male gender. From the professionals' point of view, psychoeducation and the acceptance of depression (as a widespread mental illness) were the most important goals in mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In order to improve mental health among men, gender-specific services should be offered. Awareness of the role of gender and its implications on mental health treatment should be an integral part of MHPs' education and their daily implementation of mental health treatment practices.

The Association Between Men's Heath Behaviors and Interest in Workplace Health Promotion.

Background: Predictors of men's health behaviors and interest in workplace health promotion are not well known. The aim of this study was to describe men's interest in workplace health promotion and associated health behaviors. Method: Male employees (N = 781) at six workplaces in British Columbia, Canada, were invited to complete a survey of their health behaviors, demographics, and interest in health promotion prior to implementation of a workplace health program. Findings: A total of 227 male employees (Mage = 43.6 years; SD = 12.1) completed the survey (response rate = 29%). Regarding health behaviors, 62.1% reported 150 weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 29.3% consumed 5+ servings of fruit/vegetables per day, 56.8% reported 7+ hours sleep/night, 14.4% smoked, and 81.3% consumed alcohol. Men spent 50% of their workday sitting, and higher body mass index (BMI), higher income, and greater hours worked were related to greater hours sitting. Age was inversely related to MVPA. Alcohol consumption was lower among men who were older, had higher income, and worked fewer hours. Most men were interested in being physically active (85%), managing stress (85%), eating healthy (89%), and cancer screening (91%). Higher stage of change for physical activity (ß = .20, p = .003) and fruit/vegetable consumption (ß = .18, p = .027) were related to interest in these activities. Conclusions/Application to Practice: Occupational health providers should consider worker demographics and could support interventions that target individuals with varying levels of health behaviors given the importance of meeting the needs of often sedentary workers.

The impact of "male clinics" on health-seeking behaviors of adult men in rural Kenya.

BACKGROUND: In most parts of the world, men access health services less frequently than women, and this trend is unrelated to differences in need for services. While male involvement in healthcare as partners or fathers has been extensively studied, less is known about the health-seeking behavior of men as clients themselves. This interventional research study aimed to determine how the introduction of male-friendly clinics impacted male care-seeking behavior and to describe the reasons for accessing services among men in rural Kenya. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We questioned men to assess utilization and perceptions of existing health clinics, then designed and evaluated a "male clinics" intervention where dedicated male health workers were hired for one year to offer routine, free services exclusively to men within existing healthcare facilities. Results were compared between data from Male Clinics in specific health facilities, the same facilities concurrently, nearby control facilities concurrently, and intervention facilities historically. Costs of services, distance to facilities, and quality of care were the main barriers to healthcare access reported. The number of total visits was significantly higher than control groups (p<0·0001). In the intervention group, 18·6% of visits were for a checkup compared to almost none in control groups. The most common diagnoses overall were upper respiratory tract infections, malaria and injury. A major limitation of this study is the non-comparability in information captured using the Male Clinic registers compared to control registers. CONCLUSIONS: Costs and quality of services deter men from seeking healthcare. The introduction of male-friendly health services could encourage men to seek preventive care and increase service uptake.

Eating Disorders in Males: An 8-Year Population-Based Observational Study.

The objective of the study was the realistic evaluation of the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) among Polish men who sought treatment through the National Health Fund (NFZ) in the years 2010-2017. According to ICD-10, four types of ED were analyzed: anorexia nervosa-AN (F50.0), atypical anorexia nervosa (F50.1), bulimia nervosa-BN (F50.2), and atypical bulimia nervosa (F50.3). The NFZ database was used. The ED groups were defined according to ICD-10 codes. Demographic data were collected from the web page of Statistics Poland (GUS). The annual prevalence of EDs was estimated, and the age groups were categorized into nine groups. For the incidence of EDs in male patients in the years 2010-2017, relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated. The frequency trend of AN in males remains relatively stable. AN occurred mainly in young men (between 11 and 30 years). It was noted that AN affected approximately 100 men in each year of observation, while atypical anorexia nervosa affected about 40 men. In 2017, the RR for EDs in young males was 0.041 (95% CI [0.033, 0.051]). Bulimia was relatively rare (about 35 males each year). The incidence of EDs in males is a relatively constant phenomenon. The real number of male patients with EDs may be higher. The current conceptualizations of ED pathology should be modified and better adapted to men. Clinical guidelines for specialists working with males with EDs should be developed.

Improving men's health: successful initiatives and barriers to progress.

Peter Baker, Director, Global Action on Men's Health ( peter.baker@gamh.org ), discusses initiatives to encourage men to take care of their health and examines the barriers that prevent men from seeking help.

Caregiving and all-cause mortality in older men 2005-15: the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project.

BACKGROUND: while both negative and positive impacts of caregiving on health have been reported, findings regarding caregiver's mortality may be biased by the lack of consideration of changes in their health and caregiving status during follow-up. This study examines the impact of caregiving on the risk of death in older men, allowing for caregiving-transition by individuals and adjusting for changes over time in their health status. METHODS: data from 1639 men age ≥70 years old from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) were collected between baseline (2005-07), 2-year and 5-year follow-up and linked to death records up to 30 September 2015. A time-varying Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the risk of death from caregiving between 2005 and 2015, adjusting for baseline education, history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and risk factors which may change over time (age, income, self-rated overall health, number of morbidities, physical disability, depression and anxiety). RESULTS: the average follow-up was 7.39 years (SD = 2.95) with 495 deaths observed. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between caregivers and non-caregivers in the multivariable model (HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.67-1.32, P = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: this study addressed the dynamic caregiving role and covariates which has been rarely considered in the literature. While there is concern that when older people take on a caring role their health suffers, we found no difference in mortality between older male caregivers and non-caregivers when we accounted for transitions in their caregiving status.

Mortalidade em homens com câncer de próstata e sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas / Mortality among men bearing prostate cancer and its association with sociodemographic and clinical variables / Mortalidad en hombres con cáncer de próstata y su asociación con variables sociodemográficas y clínicas

Objective: The study's purpose has been to evaluate the association of socio-demographic and clinical variables with the general and specific mortality from prostate cancer. Methods: This is a retrospective study that was carried out through the analyses of medical records from 1,290 men diagnosed with prostate cancer over the period from 2000 to 2006. Results: Considering the 1,290 men, 758 were alive, 308 had died from prostate cancer, and 224 had died from other causes. Those that were associated with death from prostate cancer include: Gleason score > 9, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) > 20 and the presence of metastasis. Furthermore, there were those associated with death due to other causes, as follows: widowers, admission to the hospital without diagnosis and without treatment, and also PSA > 50. Conclusion: Clinical variables predominated with regards to prostate cancer-specific mortality. On the other hand, socio-demographic variables prevailed towards deaths originated from other causes

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação de variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas com a mortalidade geral e específica por câncer de próstata. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de 1290 homens diagnosticados com câncer de próstata entre 2000 e 2006. Consultou-se prontuários, Sistema de Registro Hospitalar e Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Resultados: Dos 1290 homens, 758 estavam vivos, 308 morreram por câncer de próstata e 224 por outras causas. Associaram-se ao óbito por câncer de próstata: escore de Gleason > 9, PSA > 20 (entre 2,82 e 5,55 vezes) e presença de metástase. Associaram-se ao óbito por outras causas: estado civil viúvo, ingresso no hospital sem diagnóstico e sem tratamento e PSA > 50. Conclusão: Variáveis clínicas predominaram sobre a mortalidade específica por câncer de próstata, já variáveis sociodemográficas em óbitos por outras causas

Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación de las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas con la mortalidad general y específica por cáncer de próstata. Métodos:Estudio retrospectivo de 1.290 hombres con cáncer de próstata en el período del 1 de enero de 2000 al 31 de diciembre de 2006. Resultados: De los 1.290 hombres, 758 estaban vivos, 308 murieron por cáncer de próstata y 224 por otras causas. Se asociaron con la muerte por cáncer de próstata: Gleason puntuación >9, PSA>20 (entre 2,82 y 5,55 veces) y metástasis. Ellos se asociaron con muerte por otras causas: el estado civil viuda, la admisión al hospital diagnosticar y sin tratar y el PSA>50. Conclusión: Las variables clínicas predominaron sobre la mortalidad específica por cáncer de próstata, ya variables sociodemográficas en muertes por otras causas

Serum Concentrations of Sex Hormone-binding Globulin Vary Widely in Younger and Older Men: Clinical Data from a Men's Health Practice.

BACKGROUND: The testosterone (T) status of a man is influenced by serum concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Specifically, tight binding of T to SHBG is believed to render the SHBG-bound T fraction biologically unavailable, meaning that interpretation of T levels in the clinical setting depends in part on knowledge of SHBG concentrations. Although SHBG levels have been reported in population studies, there is scant information for men presenting with clinical symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To report SHBG values for a large cohort of men presenting to a men's health center. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Medical records were reviewed for 1000 consecutive patients seen at our center with a reported SHBG value. SHBG concentrations were measured by a national clinical laboratory using an immunoassay run on a Beckman Coulter DXi system. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Patients were age-stratified and data were plotted in the form of comparative histograms. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The mean age (±standard deviation) of the total cohort was 53.5±13.5 yr (range 17-91). The mean SHBG was 31.8±15.2nmol/l (range 6-109), with a nearly 20-fold difference from the lowest to the highest values. SHBG was >60nmol/l in 5.6% of the men. Patients were stratified according to age. A total of 535 patients were ≤54 yr old. In this younger cohort, the mean age was 40.52±7.9 yr (range 17-54) and mean SHBG was 27.7±13.3nmol/l (range 6-88), and 2.2% of patients had SHBG >60nmol/l. A total of 465 patients were ≥55 yr old. In this older cohort, the mean age was 64.8±7.23 yr (range 55-91) and mean SHBG was 36.6±15.8 nmol/l (range 11-109), and 9% of patients had SHBG >60 nmol/l. Mean SHBG was significantly higher in the older group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A remarkably wide distribution of SHBG concentrations was observed in a clinical population of men presenting to a men's health center, among both younger and older men. Since SHBG concentrations greatly influence test results for hormones that bind to SHBG, recognition of this large interindividual variability should be considered in the clinical interpretation of these hormone results, particularly for T. Routine SHBG testing should be considered for men suspected of T deficiency. PATIENT SUMMARY: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels vary widely among both older and younger men. This may impact the interpretation of test results for hormones that bind to SHBG, such as testosterone, since the portion that binds to SHBG is believed to not be biologically available.

Plasma selenoprotein P concentration and lung cancer risk: results from a case-control study nested within the Shanghai Men's Health Study.

Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is a major selenoenzyme in plasma and linked to antioxidant properties and possibly to lung cancer; however, supporting evidence is limited. We investigated the association between pre-diagnostic plasma SELENOP concentration and lung cancer risk in a case-control study of 403 cases and 403 individually matched controls nested within the Shanghai Men's Health Study. SELENOP concentration in pre-diagnostic plasma samples was measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cases were diagnosed with lung cancer between 2003 and 2010. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for studying the association between plasma SELENOP concentration and lung cancer risk. Cases had slightly lower plasma SELENOP concentration than controls (4.3 ± 1.2 versus 4.4 ± 1.1 mg/l, P difference = 0.09). However, the multivariate analysis showed no association between plasma SELENOP concentration and lung cancer risk among all participants (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.54-2.14 for quartile 4 versus quartile 1), or by smoking status or tumor aggressiveness. In contrast, although the number of cases was limited, plasma SELENOP concentration was positively associated with lung adenocarcinoma risk (OR = 5.38, 95% CI = 1.89-15.35 for tertile 3 versus tertile 1), but not with squamous cell lung carcinoma (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 0.43-6.70). Our study of adult men living in selenium non-deficient areas in China provides little support for the inverse association between pre-diagnostic plasma SELENOP concentration and lung cancer risk. Our finding of a positive association with risk of lung adenocarcinoma needs to be interpreted with caution.

Healthy Weight and Cardiovascular Health Promotion Interventions for Adolescent and Young Adult Males of Color: A Systematic Review.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for one fourth of deaths. Higher rates of obesity put Hispanic and Black men at increased risk. The American Heart Association cites diet quality, physical activity, and body weight as alterations responsive to health promotion intervention. Prevention strategies need to begin in adolescence and the emerging adulthood years to impact cumulative risk factors. A scoping review identified search terms and this was followed by a systematic review of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PubMed databases for articles published in English from January 1, 2002, through May 11, 2017. This review explores community-based content, delivery, recruitment, or retention strategies used with young men of color aged 15 to 24 years. Of 17 articles describing 16 individual interventions and 1 describing multiple interventions (with samples ranging from 37 to 4,800), 13 reported significant results in one or more domains. No studies specifically targeted the needs of young men and only three had more than 50% male participants. There was a gap in studies that addressed young men in the ages of interest with most interventions reaching participants aged 11 to 19 years. Cultural tailoring was addressed through recruitment setting, interventionist characteristics, community involvement, and theoretical frameworks such as motivational interviewing that allow individual goal setting. Because young men seek access to preventive health services less than young women, it is suggested that interventions that are community based or use push technology (send information directly to the user) be increased.