Project description:BackgroundPrimary dysmenorrhea is a common and often debilitating, gynaecological condition.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of specific lifestyle variables on the prevalence and severity of primary dysmenorrhea.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study of Jordanian women aged between 18-25 years old utilized a questionnaire as the main instrument of the study.ResultsPrimary dysmenorrhea was reported by 660 women out of 1988. It was found that approximately two thirds of them were students. Overall, 54.5% of the participants reported severe dysmenorrhea. A statistically significant correlation was found between severe dysmenorrhea and smoking at p value ˂0.001, sleeping less than 7 hours per 24 hours at p = 0.005, holding a university degree at p = 0.032, non-alcohol consumption at p = 0.044, frequent energy, fizzy, tea, coffee drinks and sugar intake. Interestingly, we found that severe dysmenorrhea was statistically significantly associated with women who never eat meat at p ˂0.001, cereals and fish consumers and with those who take less than 3 servings of fruit or none at all per week at p = 0.006. In addition to the previous variables, water intake of less than 1.0 litre a day, irregular cycles, non-OCP use and positive family history were found significantly associated with severe dysmenorrhea. Severe dysmenorrhea was significantly related to working less hours per week, higher stress level and longer bleeding duration at p = 0.021, 0.017 and 0.008, respectively. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference found between severe dysmenorrhea and the following variables: age, body mass index (BMI), weekly studying hours and age of menarche.ConclusionPrimary dysmenorrhea is prevalent in the Jordanian population. To overcome severe dysmenorrhea, women should increase their intake of fish and fresh fruits, drinking water and use of oral contraceptive pills. The study concluded that smoking, frequent sugar intake, fizzy drinks, coffee, tea and energy drinks were associated with severe dysmenorrhea. It is also worth mentioning that alcohol consumption had a positive impact on dysmenorrhea.Trial registrationRegistered in Clinicaltrial.gov (ID: NCT04583943).
Project description:Cross-sectional analysis of the microbiota of human gut and their direct environment in a household cohort with high background of antibiotic use.
Project description:Introduction Brucellosis is the commonest zoonotic disease worldwide and a common public health problem in Nepal. Because of the highly variable clinical presentation and non-specific manifestations, it remains a big challenge for clinicians from developing countries. Brucellosis has a tropism for the reticuloendothelial system, the liver is frequently involved. There is a paucity of data about the laboratory and clinical findings of human Brucellosis from Nepal. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted this study to find out the clinical profile and biochemical abnormalities of patients with brucellosis at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in western Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. All patients admitted to the in-patient department of our hospital with probable or definitive diagnoses of brucellosis were included. We excluded those who did not consent to their participation in our study, those who were under 18 years of age, and those who had deranged liver function due to other pre-existing illnesses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in terms of demography, clinical manifestations, and laboratory parameters. Results There was a total of 40 confirmed cases of Brucellosis (age: 18–66 years) during the study period. More than half (55%, n = 22) of the study participants were males and most of them lived in a rural setting (77.5%, n = 31). Most of them (70%, n = 28) gave history of ingestion of high-risk food. The commonest clinical findings were fever with/out chills (90%, n = 36) followed by nausea/vomiting (72.5%, n = 29), headache (40%, n = 16) and malaise (37.5, n = 15). Liver function was deranged in a majority of the patients, the common parameters being Alkaline phosphatase in 96% (n = 38) cases, followed by SGOT (62.5%, n = 25), leukocytosis (57.5%, n = 23), total bilirubin (52.5%, n = 21) and SGPT (37.5%, n = 15). Characteristic increment (more than two folds of the upper limit of normal) was observed for alkaline phosphatase. Conclusion The reticuloendothelial system is frequently involved in brucellosis. Notable changes were observed in liver function and hematological parameters in a majority of the participants in our study. These findings highlight the need for the implementation of effective control programs to address this problem in the Nepalese context. Highlights • There is a lack of evidence about human Brucellosis from Nepal.• Liver function was deranged in majority of the cases.• Characteristics increment was seen for alkaline phosphatase.• There is a need of effective brucellosis control program.
Project description:BackgroundPrimary dysmenorrhea (PD) is an etiological cyclic pelvic pain related to the menstrual period; it can negatively impact women's quality of life and productivity. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of PD and analyze associated symptoms in Brazilian women.MethodsAn online cross-sectional study was carried out in Brazil, with a structured questionnaire regarding dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms. PD intensity was measured with the Numerical Rating Scale for Pain and classified as mild (1-3), moderate (4-7) and severe (> 8). The association between qualitative variables was performed using Pearson's Chi-Square Test. The quantification of this association was measured using multinomial logistic regression models, with calculation of Odds Ratio and confidence interval. A significance level of 5% was considered.ResultsA total of 10,070 women were included. Most participants classified PD intensity as moderate (40.4%, 41.9% and 49.7%) and severe (21.2%, 24.8% and 28.4%) in the previous month, 3 months and 5 years, respectively. The most common symptoms associated with PD were irritability, abdominal distension sensation, anxiety and feeling more emotional. The increased of the risk (OR > 1.0) for moderate and severe PD-related pain intensity is related to age, nulliparity and presence PD since adolescence.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of PD among Brazilian women, and the most common symptoms reported were irritability, abdominal distension sensation, anxiety and feeling more emotional.
Project description:BackgroundAsthma is significantly related to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) both in prevalence and severity. However, the clinical patterns of uncontrolled asthma with and without comorbid CRS are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and cytokine patterns of patients with uncontrolled asthma, with and without comorbid CRS.Methods22 parameters associated with demographic characteristics, CRS comorbidity, severity of airflow obstruction and airway inflammation, and inflammation type of asthma were collected and assessed in 143 patients with uncontrolled asthma. Different clusters were explored using two-step cluster analysis. Sputum samples were collected for assessment of Th1/Th2/Th17 and epithelium-derived cytokines.ResultsComorbid CRS was identified as the most important variable for prediction of different clusters, followed by pulmonary function parameters and blood eosinophil level. Three clusters of patients were determined: Cluster 1 (n = 46) characterized by non-atopic patients with non-eosinophilic asthma without CRS, demonstrating moderate airflow limitation; Cluster 2 (n = 54) characterized by asthma patients with mild airflow limitation and CRS, demonstrating higher levels of blood eosinophils and immunoglobulin E (IgE) than cluster 1; Cluster 3 (n = 43) characterized by eosinophilic asthma patients with severe airflow limitation and CRS (46.5% with nasal polyps), demonstrating worst lung function, lowest partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), and highest levels of eosinophils, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and IgE. Sputum samples from Cluster 3 showed significantly higher levels of Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, IL-33, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than the other two clusters; and remarkably elevated IL-4, IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ compared with cluster 2. The levels of IL-10 and IL-25 were not significantly different among the three clusters.ConclusionsUncontrolled asthma may be endotyped into three clusters characterized by CRS comorbidity and inflammatory cytokine patterns. Furthermore, a united-airways approach may be especially necessary for management of asthma patients with Type 2 features.
Project description:ObjectivesTo explore the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea (PD), the characteristics of PD and self-care strategies for managing PD among Chinese college girls.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingChangsha, China.ParticipantsA total of 2555 college girls were recruited using multistage cluster random sampling.Outcome measuresA self-report questionnaire was used to measure sociodemographic information, characteristics of PD and self-care strategies for managing PD. Additionally, a Visual Analogue Scale was used to measure pain severity.ResultsOf the 2555 girls, 1306 had experienced PD, representing a 51.1% prevalence. In addition, the prevalence rates of mild, moderate and severe pain in PD were 18.1%, 27.7% and 5.4%, respectively. The most common symptoms associated with PD were cramps (96.9%), weakness (70.0%), backache (65.1%), facial blemishes (55.3%) and irritability (55.3%). Commonly used self-care strategies for managing PD comprised reducing physical activity (94.6%), keeping warm (84.6%), communicating dysmenorrhea with friends or classmates (79.0%), drinking warm beverages (75.7%) and avoiding cold drinks and foods (74.2%). In addition, only 34.8% self-medicated with Western medicine (15.6%), traditional Chinese medicine (8.6%), or both (10.6%). Medical advice was sought by 27.4% of subjects from a Western medical doctor (10.3%), a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (13.6%), or both (3.5%). Girls who had greater pain severity were more likely to be self-medicated (OR=7.01; 95% CI 4.50 to 10.91), use complementary therapies (OR=2.64; 95% CI 1.70 to 4.10) and seek medical advice (OR=5.93; 95% CI 3.80 to 9.24).ConclusionsPD is highly prevalent among Chinese college girls, with a high burden of symptoms. In addition, these girls are most likely to change their lifestyle, communicate dysmenorrhea with friends or mothers, use heat therapy and engage in self-talk, but less likely to self-medicate or seek medical advice for managing PD.
Project description:mRNA microarray profiling was performed on healthy gingival biopsies from nonhuman primates (NHPs) (between 3 and 23 years old, and periodontitis gingival biopsies from NHPs (12-22 years old)
Project description:PurposeDysmenorrhea is a common disorder that substantially disrupts the lives of young women. The frequency of 14 associated symptoms both within and outside the pelvis was determined.Patients and methodsSymptom questionnaires were completed by 168 women with dysmenorrhea, allocated to three groups based on their diagnostic status for endometriosis confirmed (Endo+), endometriosis excluded (Endo-), or endometriosis diagnosis unknown (No Lap). Those with endometriosis confirmed were further divided into current users (Endo+ Hx+) and non-users of hormonal treatments (Endo+ Hx-). Users of hormonal treatments were further divided into users (Endo+ Hx+ LIUCD+) and non-users (Endo+ Hx+ LIUCD-) of a levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine contraceptive device (LIUCD). The frequency and number of symptoms within groups and the effect of previous distressing sexual events were sought.ResultsWomen with and without endometriosis lesions had similar symptom profiles, with a mean of 8.5 symptoms per woman. Only 0.6% of women reported dysmenorrhea alone. The presence of stabbing pelvic pains was associated with more severe dysmenorrhea (P=0.006), more days per month of dysmenorrhea (P=0.003), more days per month of pelvic pain (P=0.016), and a diagnosis of migraine (P=0.054). The symptom profiles of the Endo+ Hx+ and Endo+ Hx- groups were similar. A history of distressing sexual events was associated with an increased number of pain symptoms (P=0.003).ConclusionAdditional symptoms are common in women with dysmenorrhea, and do not correlate with the presence or absence of endometriosis lesions. Our study supports the role of central sensitization in the pain of dysmenorrhea. The presence of stabbing pelvic pains was associated with increased severity of dysmenorrhea, days per month of dysmenorrhea, days per month of pelvic pain, and a diagnosis of migraine headache. A past history of distressing sexual events is associated with an increased number of pain symptoms.
Project description:The assessment of co-existing psychological and psychiatric disorders is advocated in the Standards of Care for the health of transsexual people. This study aimed to determine the psychopathological characteristics of transsexuals based on a large sample of French individuals and to identify whether these characteristics differed according to the individual's sociodemographic or clinical characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the psychopathological characteristics of transsexuals from a large sample of French individuals and whether these differed by sociodemographic or clinical characteristics. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a French public university hospital. The inclusion criteria were 18 years or older, diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and eligibility for a standardized sex reassignment procedure. Personality characteristics were assessed using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2). A total of 108 individuals provided a valid MMPI-2 between January 2007 and December 2010. The final sample had a median age of 31 years and included 54 (50%) Female-to-Male individuals. In multivariate models, hormonal therapy status was significantly related to the scales of MMPI-2 (Psychasthenia and Masculinity/Femininity). Personality assessment can help a multidisciplinary gender dysphoria team detect potential psychopathological factors of vulnerability.