C-peptide: a predictor of cardiovascular mortality in subjects with established atherosclerotic disease

Aim: Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Levels of C-peptide are increased in these patients and its role in the atherosclerosis progression was studied in vitro and in vivo over the past years. To evaluate the possible use of C-peptide as cardiovascular biomarkers, we designed an observational study in which we enrolled patients with mono- or poly-vascular atherosclerotic disease. Methods: We recruited 431 patients with stable atherosclerosis and performed a yearly follow-up to estimate the cardiovascular and total mortality and cardiovascular events. Results: We performed a mean follow-up of 56months on 268 patients. A multivariate Cox analysis showed that C-peptide significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality [Hazard Ratio: 1.29 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.65, p<0.03513)] after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes treatment, estimated glomerular filtration rate and known diabetes status. Furthermore, levels of C-peptide were significantly correlated with metabolic parameters and atherogenic factors. Conclusion: C-peptide was associated with cardiovascular mortality independently of known diabetes status in a cohort of patients with chronic atherosclerotic disease. Future studies using C-peptide into a reclassification approach might be undertaken to consider its potential as a cardiovascular disease biomarker

Rendimiento en el doctorado en función del área de conocimiento

Uno de los factores que influyen en la consecucin de los estudios de doctorado es el rea de conocimientoa la que pertenece la tesis. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las diferencias en el nmero dematrculas, rendimiento y tiempo medio para realizar la tesis por rea de conocimiento. Se seleccionaron1948 doctorandos, se buscaron sus nombres en la base TESEO y se clasificaron segn las reas deconocimiento del Consejo de Coordinacin Universitaria de Espaa. Los resultados mostraron diferenciasentre las diversas reas de conocimiento en el nmero de estudiantes matriculados (ciencias experimentalesrepresentan el 45.6% del total), en el rendimiento (las enseanzas tcnicas con un 49% dedoctores dobla el dato de humanidades con el 23.3%) y en el tiempo medio de realizacin de tesis. Estosdatos son similares a los de investigaciones previas con muestras de estudiantes con becas o contratosdestinados a la realizacin de sus estudios

Development and Preliminary Validation of the “Teacher of Physical Education Burnout Inventory” (TPEBI) in Arabic Language: Insights for Sports and Occupational Psychology

Background: Burnout is an inappropriate response to chronic work stress, leading to emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (D), and low personal accomplishment (PA). Burnout can affect workers in the helping professions. To quantitatively assess the burnout level among teachers, Maslach has adapted the “Maslach Burnout Inventory” (MBI) to the educational environment (the so-called MBI Educators Survey version or MBI-ES). Among teachers, sports and physical education teachers may suffer from burnout due to high workload.Aims: No reliable psychometric tool in Arabic language exists that can be used to measure the burnout level among sports and physical education teachers. The objective of the present study was to develop a burnout measurement scale according to the Maslach’s three-dimensional theoretical model for physical education teachers in Tunisia and to test its factor structure, in terms of internal consistency/reliability, predictive validity, and sensitivity.Methods: A total of 525 Tunisian teachers teaching in secondary schools from different Tunisian governorates volunteered to participate in this study. The sample comprised of 285 males (54.3%) and of 240 females (45.7%). More in detail, 327 were teachers of primary school of physical education (62.3%) and 198 teachers of secondary school (37.7%). Teachers were administered both the ad hoc developed “Teacher of Physical Education Burnout Inventory” (TPEBI) and the MBI-ES. Both exploratory [principal component analysis (PCA)] and confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were performed.Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were excellent (0.93, 0.94, and 0.91 for EE, D, and PA, respectively). The correlation matrix indicated significant correlations between the TPEBI and MBI-ED dimensions. However, CFA fit indices were not completely satisfactory.Conclusion: Given the good PCA factor loadings, the correlation matrix, the sensitivity analysis, and the excellent internal consistency, it can be concluded that the TPEBI is a reliable psychometric tool that can be used to quantitatively assess the burnout level among teachers of physical education in the Arabic-speaking world. However, considering the CFA fit indices, further modifications to fully support the model are warranted

Evaluación del rendimiento, de la salud psicosocial y de los accidentes en el trabajo en pacientes con el síndrome de apnea del sueño antes y después de un periodo de terapia con CPAP

Tesis Univ. Granada. Programa Oficial de Doctorado en: PsicologíaEste trabajo ha sido realizado gracias a la beca de Formación Predoctoral de Personal Docente e Investigador concedida por la Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo de la Junta de Andalucía

SleepOMICS: How Big Data Can Revolutionize Sleep Science

Sleep disorders have reached epidemic proportions worldwide, affecting the youth as well as the elderly, crossing the entire lifespan in both developed and developing countries. &#8220;Real-life&#8222; behavioral (sensor-based), molecular, digital, and epidemiological big data represent a source of an impressive wealth of information that can be exploited in order to advance the field of sleep research. It can be anticipated that big data will have a profound impact, potentially enabling the dissection of differences and oscillations in sleep dynamics and architecture at the individual level (&#8220;sleepOMICS&#8222;), thus paving the way for a targeted, &#8220;one-size-does-not-fit-all&#8222; management of sleep disorders (&#8220;precision sleep medicine&#8222;)

Sleep quality, obstructive sleep apnea, and psychological distress in truck drivers: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in truck drivers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and poor sleep quality in truck drivers, and to analyze the relationship between sleep problems and mental health. Methods: A total of 526 male truck drivers (mean age 45.9; DS 9.4) responded to a questionnaire about risk factors for OSA (STOP-Bang), sleep quality perception (Pittsburg sleep questionnaire inventory, PSQI), excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale, ESS), and psychological disorders (general health questionnaire, GHQ-12). Results: It was found that 51.1% of the drivers were at risk of OSA, 17.3% had bad sleep quality, and 8.9% had excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The association between psychological distress, OSA (OR = 1.67; CI 95% 0.99\ue2\u80\u932.83; p = 0.057), bad sleep quality (OR = 2.58; CI 95% 1.52\ue2\u80\u934.37; p &lt; 0.001), and EDS (OR = 1.65; CI 95% 0.83\ue2\u80\u933.30; p = 0.151) was assessed. Conclusions: The high prevalence of sleep problems, especially suspected OSA, and low quality of sleep in truck drivers can worsen the general and psychological wellbeing of the workers. Educational programs focusing on sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions are needed to promote adequate sleep habits and improve individual and public health

Sleep Quality among Police Officers: Implications and Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature

Poor sleep is associated with bad health outcomes, worse wellbeing and decreases in performance, productivity and safety at work. Police officers are exposed to several risk factors including extended work schedules, shift work, occupational stress, dangerous and traumatic events and can, as such, develop sleep problems. The aim of the present study was to analyze the sleep quality among police officers. A systematic literature search, in PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, ISI/Web of Science (WoS) and the Cochrane Library was conducted. Original articles, published in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, the primary objective of which was the evaluation of the quality of sleep through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in Police Forces, were selected. From an initial sample of 1,149 studies, 13 articles were included in the meta-analysis (3,722 police officers). The pooled prevalence of bad sleep quality in police officers was 51% [95%CI 42&ndash;60%]. The pooled global score of the PSQI was 5.6 [95%CI 5.0&ndash;6.3], corresponding to a low average quality. At the meta-regressions, statistically significant associations could be found for work seniority (in terms of years of service) and being on shift. The poor quality of sleep in police officers could have negative consequences for workers&rsquo; health and for the safety of third parts. The implementation of health and sleep hygiene promotion programs in police forces is strongly recommended

Efectos del Síndrome de Apneas- Hipopneas del Sueño sobre la calidad de vida y la somnolencia diurna

The objective of this research was to evaluate quality of life and impact of daytime sleepiness in patients with Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS). 100 subjects were included: 50 patients with OSAS and 50 healthy subjects, who responded to the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The comparison between clinical and control group showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in most of the variables studied. The results found that body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index and desaturation index were the most important affecting factors. This study shows the great impact OSAS has on the quality of life of patients.El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar en pacientes con Síndrome de Apneas-Hipopneas del Sueño (SAHS), la calidad de vida y el impacto de la somnolencia diurna. Se incluyeron 100 sujetos (50 pacientes con SAHS y 50 sujetos sanos) que respondieron al Cuestionario de Salud (SF-36), Cuestionario de Impacto Funcional del Sueño (FOSQ) y a la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth (ESE). Respecto al grupo control, el grupo clínico mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0.05) en la mayoría de las variables estudiadas. Los factores más influyentes fueron el índice de masa corporal, el índice de apneas-hipopneas y el índice de desaturación. Este estudio demuestra la importante repercusión que el SAHS tiene en la calidad de vida de los pacientes

Efectos del Síndrome de Apneas- Hipopneas del Sueño sobre la calidad de vida y la somnolencia diurna

The objective of this research was to evaluate quality of life and impact of daytime sleepiness in patients with Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS). 100 subjects were included: 50 patients with OSAS and 50 healthy subjects, who responded to the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The comparison between clinical and control group showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in most of the variables studied. The results found that body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index and desaturation index were the most important affecting factors. This study shows the great impact OSAS has on the quality of life of patients.El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar en pacientes con Síndrome de Apneas-Hipopneas del Sueño (SAHS), la calidad de vida y el impacto de la somnolencia diurna. Se incluyeron 100 sujetos (50 pacientes con SAHS y 50 sujetos sanos) que respondieron al Cuestionario de Salud (SF-36), Cuestionario de Impacto Funcional del Sueño (FOSQ) y a la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth (ESE). Respecto al grupo control, el grupo clínico mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0.05) en la mayoría de las variables estudiadas. Los factores más influyentes fueron el índice de masa corporal, el índice de apneas-hipopneas y el índice de desaturación. Este estudio demuestra la importante repercusión que el SAHS tiene en la calidad de vida de los pacientes