The mitochondrial inhibitor oligomycin induces an inflammatory response in the rat knee joint

[Abstract] Background. Recent findings support a connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of inflammatory pathways in articular cells. This study investigates in vivo in an acute model whether intra-articular administration of oligomycin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial function, induces an oxidative and inflammatory response in rat knee joints. Methods. Oligomycin was injected into the rat left knee joint on days 0, 2, and 5 before joint tissues were obtained on day 6. The right knee joint served as control. Results were evaluated by macroscopy and histopathology and by measuring cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE, a marker of lipid peroxidation), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and CD68 (macrophages) and chemokine levels. The marker of mitochondrial mass COX-IV was also evaluated. Results. The macroscopic findings showed significantly greater swelling in oligomycin-injected knees than in control knees. Likewise, the histological score of synovial damage was also increased significantly. Immunohistochemical studies showed high expression of IL-8, coinciding with a marked infiltration of polymorphonuclears and CD68+ cells in the synovium. Mitochondrial mass was increased in the synovium of oligomycin-injected joints, as well as cellular and mitochondrial ROS production, and 4-HNE. Relatedly, expression of the oxidative stress-related transcription factor Nrf2 was also increased. As expected, no histological differences were observed in the cartilage; however, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated in this tissue. Conclusions. Mitochondrial failure in the joint is able to reproduce the oxidative and inflammatory status observed in arthritic joints.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; 09/02340Instituto de Salud Carlos III, RD12/0009/0018, RIERGalicia. Consellería de Innovación, Industria e Comercio; PXIB916357PRInstituto de Salud Carlos III; PI12/02771Xunta de Galicia; PS09/56Galicia. Consellería de Economía e Industria; INCITE 09E1R916139ESGalicia. Consellería de Economía e Industria; IN845B2010/176Galicia. Consellería de Economía e Industria; 10CSA916035P

Evaluación del uso del preservativo femenino promovido desde un programa de educación para la salud: un enfoque cualitativo

This study is concerned with the promotion of the female condom. It is a qualitative study that was carried out by means of discussion groups, with the participation of nine groups. The study's sample was formed by 83 university students aged 19-42 years, from Galicia (Spain). The main objective of this study is to know the degree of satisfaction of the participants, and the advantages/drawbacks of using the female condom, which was promoted by a health programme. With regard to the conclusions of the study, it should be pointed out that the female participants focused more on the advantages of using the female condom, whereas the male participants primaly emphasised its drawbacks. The main point mentioned in favour of the female condom was its resistance to breakage, and its insertion and appearance were the most common complaints. The evaluation of the use of the female condom reveals the need to continue developing health programmes aimed at its promotion, without ruling out the utilization of other methods, and also to reinforce the incorporation of educational strategies which foster the elimination of gender stereotypes.El trabajo aquí recogido se aborda desde un estudio de caso, a través del enfoque cualitativo, mediante la técnica del grupo de discusión con la participación de 9 grupos, conformados por un total de 83 estudiantes universitarios del noroeste de España, con edades entre 19 y 42 años. Los objetivos principales de este trabajo son conocer la satisfacción de los y las participantes con el uso del preservativo femenino, así como las ventajas y obstáculos encontrados en su utilización que ha sido promovida a través de un programa de promoción de la salud. Como resultados y conclusiones destacar que las mujeres enfatizan en mayor medida que los varones la satisfacción y ventajas obtenidas con la utilización del método. Como puntos fuertes sobre el uso del preservativo femenino los y las participantes destacan la alta resistencia a la rotura y entre las debilidades apuntan los problemas ligados a su colocación y estética. El estudio sobre el uso del preservativo femenino revela la necesidad de continuar desarrollando intervenciones de formación encaminadas a la promoción de este método, sin excluir el empleo de otros, así como de reforzar la incorporación de estrategias educativas que permitan avanzar en la eliminación de estereotipos de género

Actividades de ocio y consumo abusivo de alcohol en adolescentes gallegos escolarizados

En el presente estudio pretendemos analizar, en población adolescente escolarizada, la relación entre el ocio y consumo de alcohol, en función del género.Los resultados del estudio, realizado con 1532 participantes, evidencian la importancia que el estilo de ocio tiene sobre el consumo y abuso de alcohol. En él, se aprecian diferencias en función del género en la prevalencia e intensidad de consumo. Estos datos son de utilidad, para el diseño e implementación de acciones preventivas

The evolution of opioid-related mortality and potential years of life lost in Spain from 2008 to 2017: differences between Spain and the United States

Objective. To investigate the evolution of opioid-related mortality and potential years of life lost in Spanish general population from 2008 to 2017. To evaluate the differences between Spain and US. Methods. A descriptive study using retrospective annual data from 2008 to 2017 in Spanish and US general population. Information on the population and opioid-related deaths stratified by age and sex was obtained from Spanish National Statistics Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER Multiple Cause of Death Database, according to the ICD-10 codes. Years of life lost, crude and standardised mortality rates are reported and compared with the results in US. Results. Crude rate of opioid-related deaths per 10^5 inhabitants has changed from 1.68 in 2008 to 2.25 in 2017 in Spain, with around 30 000 years of life lost per year. The most affected groups were middle-aged men and women over 65, and the main cause of death was accidental poisoning. The standardised rates per 10^5 inhabitants across the years were between 1.19 and 1.62 in Spain and between 11.17 and 20.68 in US population. Conclusions. An opioid overuse crisis does not seem a likely scenario in Spain. However, it is a social problem that requires special health surveillance, particularly in middle-aged men and women over 65

Knowledge of COVID-19 and prevention measures among university workers. Identification of subgroups through cluster analysis

Introduction: The knowledge of COVID-19 and the recommended preventive measures for controlling the disease have been widely studied in the general population, but little is known about whether the University workers as educators and transmitters of knowledge have appropriate knowledge and take preventive measures for COVID-19. This study aims to analyze the knowledge of COVID-19 and the recommended preventive measures in university workers, to identify groups according to the preventive practices they adopt, and to analyze the factors associated with these practices. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 677 university workers in the University of Cádiz, Spain. A questionnaire with sociodemographic variables, housing, health conditions, knowledge of COVID-19 and preventive measures were administered. The information was collected between 8th and 22nd April, 2020. A cluster analysis was performed to identify subgroups depending on the preventive measures. Associated factors were tested with binary logistic regression. Results: Two groups were identified. Group 1 included 513 subjects who took preventive measures most frequently (means 2.59-4.83). Group 2 included 164 subjects who took preventive measures less frequently (means 1.59-4.22). Men (OR = 1.39), the Teaching and research personnel (OR = 1.49) and individuals with a chronic illness (OR = 1.60) were more likely to belong to the group 2. Those with more knowledge about isolation prevention (OR = 0.167) and early treatment (OR = 0.665) were more likely to belong to group 1. Conclusion: In order to reduce the transmission of the disease, it is necessary to promote the knowledge and use of preventive measures among the group of individuals identified as less engaged in preventive measures. © 2022 The Author

Psychometric Properties of the Pictorial Pain Interference Questionnaire for Assessing Functional Interference in Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective To analyze the psychometric properties of the Pictorial Pain Interference Questionnaire (PPIQ) for evaluating functional interference in the population with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Rehabilitation Unit in a hospital. Participants Ninety-nine patients with CLBP. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Functional interference was assessed using PPIQ. The following data were also collected: sociodemographic data; pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]); physical functioning (30-s arm curl, 30-s chair stand [30CST], and timed Up and Go [TUG] tests), fitness (International Physical Activity Questionnaire); quality of life (Short-Form 12 Health Survey version 1 [SF-12v1]); sleep quality (Spanish-validated 12-item Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale [12-MOS Sleep]); anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]); and social support (Duke-UNK Functional Social Support Questionnaire). Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, structural validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and discriminant and convergent validity using bivariate analysis. Results Ninety-nine patients with CLBP were included (age [mean ± SD]: 54.37±12.44 y); women, 67.7%). The EFA extracted 2 factors: “physical function and “social and sleep,” which explained 57.75% of the variance. Excellent internal consistency was observed for the overall PPIQ score (Cronbach's α=0.866). Convergent validity was observed between the PPIQ and other functional measures (ρ: 0.52 and −0.47 for the TUG and 30CST, respectively; P<.001) and with the following variables: physical and mental component summaries of the SF-12v1 (ρ: −0. 55 and −0.52, respectively (P<.001); anxiety and depression of the HADS (ρ: 0.47 and 0.59, respectively (P<.001); NPRS (ρ: 0.45; P<.001); and index 9 of the 12-MOS Sleep scale (r: 0.49; P<.001). Conclusions The PPIQ is a valid instrument with good psychometric properties for measuring functional interference in people with CLBP. This questionnaire appears to be a feasible alternative when language or communication barriers exist in CLBP population

Psychological Impact of the Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in University Workers: Factors Related to Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

This study aims to explore the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related lockdown in university workers, and to analyse the factors related to their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 8-22 April 2020, 3.5 weeks after the COVID-19-related lockdown in Spain. We collected sociodemographic and occupational data, in addition to housing, work and health conditions. Coping strategies (Brief COPE-28); level of anxiety, stress, and depression (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales DASS-21); perception of the disease (COVID-19) (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire BIPQ); and perceived level of social support (Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social EMAS) were measured. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to explore the factors related to the level of anxiety, depression, and stress. The sample included 677 subjects. Higher scores in depression, anxiety, and stress occurred among females, younger subjects, administration and service workers; and subjects with a smaller home, as well as those with worse health status, worse quality of sleep, and dysfunctional coping strategies. The COVID-19-related lockdown had a great impact on the mental health of university workers. The participants with specific sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, clinical disorders, and dysfunctional coping strategies were more at risk

Differences in physical and psychological health in patients with chronic low back pain: A national survey in general Spanish population

Purpose To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed chronic low back pain (CLBP-D and CLBP-UD, respec tively) in the general adult population in Spain and to compare the characteristics of these two groups with subjects without CLBP symptoms (No-CLBP). To establish CLBP-D patient sub-groups according to their self-perceived health status, mental health, level of pain and the impact of their pain on daily activities. Methods Data were obtained from the National Health Survey of Spain 2017 with a sample of 23,089 adults. Three groups were defned: CLBP-D, CLBP-UD and No-CLBP. In the CLBP-D group, a cluster analysis was performed to identify sub groups. A multinomial regression model was constructed to determine the factors associated with each of the sub-groups identifed. Results The prevalence of CLBP-D was 22% (95% CI 21.5–22.5) and that of CLBP-UD was 1.4% (95% CI 1.2–1.5). CLBP-D was more common in middle-aged females with a low educational level. They have a worse perceived health status, report more comorbidities, have worse mental health and more limitations in comparison with the populations without CLBP and with CLBP-UD. Three sub-groups of CLBP-D subjects were identifed. Women and older subjects with a lower educational level, more occupational stress, less social support and with more physical limitations were the most likely subjects to be included in the group worst-afected. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of CLBP among the adult population in Spain. Occupational stress and a lack of social support are common factors among subjects’ worst-afected of CLBP-D and identifying the subjects with these risks is therefore a recommended strategy for improving the healthcare provided to CLBP patients

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19-related lockdown in university workers. Identifying groups through cluster analysis.

Objective: To analyse the COVID-19-related lockdown impact on University workers, to identify groups based on this information, and to study the factors associated with each group. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A survey was conducted 3.5 weeks after COVID-19-related lockdown in University workers in Spain. Sociodemographic variables, housing, work, health conditions, levels of anxiety, stress and depression (DASS-21), and social support (MSPSS) were collected. A cluster analysis was performed to identify groups depending on the impact of the lockdown. Differences between groups were tested using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney-U tests, and associated factors with binary logistic regression. Results: We identified two groups of workers. "G1: Consequences in the daily life routine" was mainly composed of men, Research and Teaching Personnel (RTP) with more stable professional categories, higher income level, and bigger houses than people in G2. Participants in "G2: Concerns for the current and future well-being" presented worse intensity of pain than before the lockdown, more anxiety, depression, stress and less social support than people in G1. ASP (Administration and Services Personnel) had more risk of belonging to G2 than RTP (OR = 5.863). A higher number of people living at home decreased the risk of being in G2 (OR = 0.439). People with lower pain intensity had less risk of being in G2 (OR = 0.014), and this risk decreased as friends support increased (OR = 0.833). Conclusions: In G1, the consequences were immediately reflected in the stress resulting from changes in their daily work routine. In G2, the concerns were related to their professional future, with worse mental health, greater intensity of pain and less social support

Enhancing exercise intervention for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome using mobile health technology: The COVIDReApp randomised controlled trial protocol

Objectives: To analyse the effectiveness of a physical exercise programme guided by a mobile health technology system (COVIDReApp) for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. This syndrome is a multisystem disease that occurs in people with a history of COVID-19 between 1 and 3 months after the onset of the disease. This study will assess the impact of the intervention on fatigue, post-exertional dyspnoea, quality of life, pain severity, physical fitness, anxiety, depression and cognitive function. We also aim to analyse whether there are associations between the variables studied and the evolution of these associations during follow-up. Design: A single-blind randomised controlled trial. Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed with post-acute COVID-19 will be enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will perform the intervention through a physical exercise programme guided by the COVIDReApp system, whereas the control group will perform the programme in paper format. Study outcomes will be collected at baseline and at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. Student's t-tests or Mann–Whitney U-tests will be used to analyse differences between groups, mixed ANOVA for differences over time and longitudinal structural equations for associations between variables at follow-up. Discussion: This study is based on current evidence regarding exercise prescription recommendations for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Our intervention is supported by a solid theoretical framework; however, challenges include tailoring the physical exercise programme to everyone's predominant symptoms and ensuring adherence to the programme. Trial registration number: NCT05725538