In December 2019, 27 cases of pneumonia were reported in Wuhan. In 2020, the causative agent was identified as a virus called SARS-CoV-2. The disease was called "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19) ...and was determined as a Public Health Emergency. The main measures taken to cope with this included a state of lockdown. The aim of this study was to assess how the unhealthy lifestyles that ensued influenced different parameters. A prospective study was carried out on 6236 workers in a Spanish population between March 2019 and March 2021. Anthropometric, clinical, and analytical measurements were performed, revealing differences in the mean values of anthropometric and clinical parameters before and after lockdown due to the pandemic, namely increased body weight (41.1 ± 9.9-43.1 ± 9.9), BMI (25.1 ± 4.7-25.9 ± 4.7), and percentage of body fat (24.5 ± 9.1-26.9 ± 8.8); higher total cholesterol levels, with a statistically significant increase in LDL levels and a reduction in HDL; and worse glucose levels (90.5 ± 16.4-95.4 ± 15.8). Lockdown can be concluded to have had a negative effect on health parameters in both sexes in all age ranges, causing a worsening of cardiovascular risk factors.
Objective:
Existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that acupuncture has similar clinical effectiveness in the prevention of headache disorders (HDs) as drug therapy, but with fewer ...side effects. As such, examining acupuncture’s use in a pragmatic, real-world setting would be valuable. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and prophylactic drug treatment (PDT) on headache frequency in patients with HDs, under real-world clinical conditions.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of patients with HDs referred to a pain clinic, using electronic health record data. Patients continued with tertiary care (treatment of acute headache attacks and lifestyle, meditation, exercise and dietary instructions) with PDT, or received 12 sessions of acupuncture over 3 months, instead of PDT under conditions of tertiary care. The primary outcome data were the number of days with headache per month, and groups were compared at baseline and at the end of the third month of treatment.
Results:
Data were analysed for 482 patients with HDs. The number of headache days per month decreased by 3.7 (standard deviation (SD) = 2.9) days in the acupuncture group versus 2.9 (SD = 2.3) in the PDT group (p = 0.007). The proportion of responders was 39.5% versus 16.3% (p < 0.001). The number needed to treat was 4 (95% confidence interval = 3–7).
Conclusion:
Our study has shown that patients with HDs in tertiary care who opted for treatment with acupuncture appeared to receive similar clinical benefits to those that chose PDT, suggesting these treatments may be similarly effective of the prevention of headache in a real-world clinical setting.
•BMI positively correlates with the presence of weight stigma.•The presence of weight stigma does not exert a significant influence on weight loss.•Inflammatory markers are greater with the presence ...of weight stigma among subjects living with obesity.
Weight stigma (WS) and prejudice are one of the most prevalent ways of discrimination among adults, comparable with rates of racial discrimination. Exposure to WS among patients with obesity (PWO) may make the adoption of healthy dietary patterns and regular physical activity even more challenging and, therefore, the achievement of weight loss. Additionally, WS could also induce physiological responses such as increased levels of inflammatory markers, due to stress exposure.
Subjects attending two obesity clinics were evaluated at baseline and after a minimum follow-up of six months. The weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS) and the Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI) were administered to evaluate WS. Also, anthropometric and inflammatory markers, including cortisol, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP), were recorded at baseline.
79 PWO (87.3%♀, 45.5 ± 1.3 years, 35.9 ± 6.3 kg/m2) were included. At baseline, 72.2% started liraglutide as anti-obesity drug. Baseline body mass index (BMI) correlated positively with both WBIS (r = 0.23; p = 0.03) and SSI (r = 0.25; p = 0.02) scores. Mean percentual weight loss after a mean follow-up of six months was -7.28%. However, there was a negative, but not statistically significant, correlation between weight loss and both WBIS (r=-0.14; p = 0.2) and SSI (r=-0.19; p = 0.08). Regarding inflammatory markers, plasma cortisol levels at baseline correlated positively with WBIS (p = 0.005) and SSI (p = 0.02). CRP at baseline also presented a positive correlation with SSI (p = 0.03). No significant correlations were found for stigma tests and ferritin levels.
As weight increases among PWO, so does stigma. Despite we did not find a significant negative association between the presence of WS and weight loss outcomes, there was an increase in inflammatory markers among PWO who experienced higher levels of WS.
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Food addiction (FA) is highly prevalent among people with obesity (PwO) and may constitute a key factor in weight loss failure or weight regain. GLP-1 analogues have been shown to act on the ...mesolimbic system, which is related to hedonic overeating and substance abuse. We aimed to study the effects of low doses of semaglutide on FA symptomatology and to evaluate whether the presence of FA have a negative impact on weight loss despite treatment with semaglutide.
One hundred and thirteen PwO (45.5 ± 10.2 years) were evaluated anthropometrically baseline and after four months of treatment with semaglutide. PwO were evaluated for the presence of FA by completing The Spanish version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 questionnaire (YFAS 2.0).
Baseline BMI and fat mass (%) were greater among PwO with FA (35.8 ± 4.5 vs 33 ± 3.9 kg/m
and 44.2 ± 6.5 vs 40.1 ± 7.9%;
= .01). After four months of treatment with semaglutide, the prevalence of FA diminished from 57.5% to 4.2% (
< .001). The percentage of weight loss (6.9 ± 12.7 vs 5.3 ± 4.6%;
= .4) and the proportion of fat mass loss (2 ± 9 vs 1.6 ± 3.1%;
= .7) were comparable between PwO with and without FA. No differences regarding side effects and treatment discontinuations were seen between the two groups.
Semaglutide is an effective tool for the amelioration of FA symptomatology among PwO. Despite PwO with FA had greater basal BMI and fat mass, semaglutide showed similar results compared to PwO without FA in terms of weight and fat mass loss at short term.
The objective is to evaluate the effect of phytate supplements on calciuria in patients with urinary stones and elevated bone resorption. The secondary objective is to analyze the therapeutic effect ...of phytate based on measurements of serum markers of bone resorption. This is a controlled randomized study included patients according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and randomized them into two groups. Patients in the phytate group received a 380 mg capsule of calcium-magnesium InsP6 (Salvat Laboratories
®
) every 24 h for 3 months and patients in the control group received no treatment. All included patients were male or female, 18–65 years old, had hypercalciuria (> 250 mg/24 h), had a ß-Crosslaps level greater than 0.4 ng/mL, and had bone densitometry results indicative of osteopenia or osteoporosis in the femur and/or spine. At study onset, calciuria was 321 ± 52 mg/24 h in the phytate group and 305 ± 57 mg/24 h in the control group (
p
> 0.05). At 3 months, calciuria was significantly lower in the phytate group than the control group (226 ± 45 mg/24 h vs. 304 ± 58 mg/24 h,
p
< 0.05). At study onset, the mean ß-CrossLaps level was 1.25 ± 0.72 ng/mL in the phytate group and 0.57 ± 0.13 ng/mL in the control group (
p
< 0.05). However, at 3 months, the ß-CrossLaps level was significantly lower in the phytate group than in the control group (0.57 ± 0.13 ng/mL vs. 0.77 ± 0.42 ng/mL,
p
< 0.05). Phytate reduced calciuria in patients with hypercalciuria secondary to bone resorption. The ß-CrossLaps assay was effective for evaluating the efficacy of phytate on hypercalciuria during follow-up.
Introduction
Vitamin D has known effects on the immune system, and its deficiency has been associated with allergen sensitization.
Material and methods
A retrospective study was performed to evaluate ...the association between 25(OH)vitamin D (25(OH)D) and specific IgE for the most frequent allergens in our area in children and adolescents. All subjects under 15 years of age with a determination of Phadiatop® or Phadiatop Infant® and close serum 25(OH)D determination were included, from 2012 to 2019. From this sample, demographic and analytical variables were collected: specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; dog and cat dander; grass, olive, and pellitory pollens; egg white; and cow milk; as well as complete blood count analysis and immunoglobulins.
Results
A total of 749 subjects were recruited. Clusters according to deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency of 25(OH)D showed an association with age, Phadiatop®, D. pteronyssinus, cat and dog dander specific IgE, and a higher frequency of positive allergen sensitization (P < .05). Logistic regression, compared with vitamin D levels of greater than 30 ng/mL after age adjustment, showed that deficient 25(OH)D was associated with D. pteronyssinus (OR 1.90; 95% CI, 1.25‐2.90) and dog dander (OR, 2.10; 1.10‐4.02); whereas insufficient 25(OH)D was associated with cat dander (OR, 2.46; 1.15‐5.28) and also with D. pteronyssinus (OR, 1.55; 1.06‐2.29) (P < .05). No associations were found between 25(OH) D levels and other analytical parameters.
Conclusion
Vitamin D status is associated with sensitization to D. pteronyssinus, and cat and dog dander in children and adolescents, and also with a higher number of positive specific IgE.
La identificación temprana de los neonatos expuestos a drogas de abuso permite realizar un manejo clínico más preciso.
Describir las características clínicas e identificar factores de riesgo ...asociados a la detección precoz de neonatos expuestos a drogas de abuso en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos e Intermedios Neonatales.
Estudio observacional prospectivo de neonatos con y sin sospecha clínica de exposición prenatal a drogas de abuso. Se analizó meconio empleando técnicas cromatográficas estandarizadas. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos univariante y multivariante.
Se incluyeron 372 neonatos. En 49 (13,2%) casos se detectó exposición a alguna droga de abuso; en 41 (83,7%) a una, y en ocho (16,3%) a más de una. La somatometría al nacimiento objetivó: a) menor percentil de longitud en expuestos a alguna droga, a más de una y a cannabis; b) menor percentil de peso en expuestos a cannabis, y de éstos en comparación con los expuestos a alcohol. En mayores de 34 semanas de gestación (SG): a) menor percentil de longitud en expuestos a alguna droga; b) menor percentil de longitud y peso en expuestos a más de una. Los factores de riesgo independientes clínicamente útiles para detectar casos de exposición prenatal a drogas de abuso fueron (odds ratio IC 95%): motivo de ingreso distinto a prematuridad (5,52 2,55-1,93), percentil de longitud menor a 33 (1,95 1,05-3,60) y (2,14 1,04-3,40) en mayores de 34 SG y distocia social/embarazo no controlado en mayores a 34SG (4,47 1,03-19,29).
Existen alteraciones somatométricas y factores de riesgo que pueden ayudar a detectar precozmente a los neonatos expuestos a drogas de abuso. Las alteraciones somatométricas identificadas pueden servir para ampliar su diagnóstico diferencial y el estudio de sus causas.
Early identification of neonates exposed to drugs of abuse during pregnancy allows a more precise clinical management.
To describe the clinical characteristics and to identify risk factors associated with the early detection of neonates exposed to drugs of abuse in a Neonatal Intermediate and Intensive Care Unit.
Prospective observational study of neonates with and without clinical suspicion of prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. Meconium was analyzed using standard chromatographic techniques. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyzes were performed.
372 neonates were included. Exposure to drugs of abuse was detected in 49 (13.2%) cases: in 41 (83.7%) one drug and in 8 (16.3%) more than one. Somatometry at birth revealed: a) lower length percentile in those exposed to some drug, more than one and cannabis; b) lower weight percentile in those exposed to cannabis and of these compared to those exposed to alcohol. In neonates older than 34 pregnancy weeks (PW): a) lower length percentile in those exposed to any substance; b) lower percentile of length and weight in exposed to more than one. The most clinically relevant independent risk factors useful to detect cases of prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse were (Odds ratio (95% CI)): reason for admission other than prematurity (5.52 (2.55-1.93)), length percentile less than 33 (1.95 (1.05-3.60) and 2.14 (1.04-3.40) in older than 34 PW) and social dystocia/uncontrolled pregnancy in older than 34 PW (4.47 (1.03-19.29)).
There are somatometric alterations and risk factors that can help in the early detection of neonates exposed to drugs of abuse. The somatometric alterations identified can be useful to extend the differential diagnosis of these alterations and to study their causes.
Early identification of neonates exposed to drugs of abuse during pregnancy allows a more precise clinical management.
To describe the clinical characteristics and to identify risk factors associated ...with the early detection of neonates exposed to drugs of abuse in a Neonatal Intermediate and Intensive Care Unit.
Prospective observational study of neonates with and without clinical suspicion of prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. Meconium was analyzed using standard chromatographic techniques. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyzes were performed.
372 neonates were included. Exposure to drugs of abuse was detected in 49 (13.2%) cases: in 41 (83.7%) one drug and in 8 (16.3%) more than one. Somatometry at birth revealed: a) lower length percentile in those exposed to some drug, more than one and cannabis; b) lower weight percentile in those exposed to cannabis and of these compared to those exposed to alcohol. In neonates older than 34 pregnancy weeks (PW): a) lower length percentile in those exposed to any substance; b) lower percentile of length and weight in exposed to more than one. The most clinically relevant independent risk factors useful to detect cases of prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse were (Odds ratio (95% CI)): reason for admission other than prematurity (5.52 (2.55-1.93)), length percentile less than 33 (1.95 (1.05-3.60) and 2.14 (1.04-3.40) in older than 34 PW) and social dystocia/uncontrolled pregnancy in older than 34 PW (4.47 (1.03-19.29)).
There are somatometric alterations and risk factors that can help in the early detection of neonates exposed to drugs of abuse. The somatometric alterations identified can be useful to extend the differential diagnosis of these alterations and to study their causes.
type-2 diabetes (T2DM) seems to worsen the prognosis of patients admitted for COVID-19, although most studies included Asiatic patients. We aimed to assess whether this condition applies for ...Mediterranean patients.
a total of 90 patients admitted for COVID-19 with T2DM were retrospectively compared with 50 patients without T2DM.
subjects with T2DM were older than their counterparts (73.3 ± 12.4 vs 53 ± 15.7 years; p < 0.0001). Either absolute lymphocyte count (1.1 ± 0.6 vs 1.3 ± 0.7 x 109/L; p = 0.005) or hemoglobin (11.9 ± 1.6 vs 13.1 ± 2.1 g/dL; p < 0.0001) were lower among subjects with T2DM. CRP and procalcitonin were higher among subjects with T2DM (91.9 ± 71.2 vs 70.1 ± 63.3 mg/L; p = 0.002 and 0.8 ± 0.3 vs 0.4 ± 0.1 ng/mL; p < 0.0001, respectively). Albumin was lower among patients with T2DM (3.4 ± 0.5 vs 3.8 ± 0.5 g/L: p < 0.001). Length of stay was longer among subjects with T2DM (11.7 ± 7.7 vs 9.7 ± 8.6 days; p = 0.01). However, both groups were comparable regarding both the proportion of subjects who were admitted to the ICU (16.5 % vs 8 %; p = 0.1) and mortality (11 % vs 4 %; p = 0.2).
in a Mediterranean sample, despite of age, comorbidities, nutritional status, and inflammatory markers, subjects with T2DM with a proper glycemic control admitted for COVID-19 had similar prognostic outcomes than patients without this metabolic condition.
Reply letter to the editor by Dr. Kawada Nicolau, Joana; Romerosa, Juan Manuel; Rodríguez, Irene ...
Acta diabetologica,
10/2020, Letnik:
57, Številka:
10
Journal Article
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