Impact of physical and psychosocial factors on disability caused by lumbar pain amongst fishing sector workers

[Abstract] Functional disability due to lumbar pain should be considered from the biopsychosocial model. There is inconclusive evidence as to whether the key determining factors in this form of disability are psychosocial or physical. Our aim is to identify variables that cause functional disability due to lumbar pain amongst shellfish gatherers in Galicia by means of a cross-sectional survey. Participants (N = 929) completed a self-administered, paper-based questionnaire including sociodemographic and lifestyle issues, as well as the nature of the lumbar pain, the presence of musculoskeletal pain in other regions of the body, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and SF-36. Univariate examination, ROC curve and logistic regression analyses were performed. Most of these workers are women (98.7 %), with a mean age of 50.6 years. The point-prevalence of lumbar pain stands at 65.5 %. The RMDQ mean was 4.9 (SD = 4.7). In the logistic regression analysis, the variables associated with disability (RMDQ > median) were age (OR = 1.04), physical exercise (OR = 0.57), pain intensity (OR = 1.16), the number of regions of musculoskeletal pain (OR = 1.24) and mental health (SF-36) (OR = −0.95). Functional disability is determined by the physical nature of the pain and mental health attributes, although the former has a greater impact. In decreasing order of importance, functional disability is attributable to the presence of lower back pain, the number of regions of musculoskeletal pain, the intensity of that pain and age. Regular physical exercise and better mental health have a protective effect on disability

Impact of musculoskeletal pain on health-related quality of life among fishing sector workers

[Abstract] This study aims to determine the impact of musculoskeletal pain (in terms of intensity of the pain, location and functional disability due to back pain) and other factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle and co-morbidity) on the health-related quality of life on a group of shellfish gatherers. This observational transversal study included 929 shellfish gatherers (18–69 years, 98.7 % women) who completed a self-administered questionnaire, including socio-demographic and lifestyle questions, co-morbidity, intensity and location of musculoskeletal pain, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-36 were considered as outcome variables. The impact of the different factors on the PCS and MCS scores was evaluated using a stepwise linear regression analysis. Physical health was found to be independently associated to intensity of musculoskeletal pain (regression coefficient, B = −0.96), number of locations with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) (B = −0.77), presence of pain in the hip-knee (B = −2.26), self-reported rheumatic disorders (B = −2.79), lower back pain (B = −1.62) and age (B = −0.06). Mental health was associated with the presence of self-reported depressive syndrome (B = −1043.1) and RMDQ score (B = −42.2). The sample had significantly lower values than the reference population in all of the dimensions of the SF-36. Intensity of the pain, pain in the hip-knee, lower back pain, functional disability due to back pain and number of locations with musculoskeletal pain were found to have a detrimental impact on the physical health of the workers. Depressive syndrome and greater functional disability due to back pain, in turn, predict worse mental health

Quality of Life and Functionality in Patients with Flatfoot

The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of a plan, its impact on quality of life, dependence and functional limitation in a random population of 40 years and over. Cross-sectional study in a random population sample in Cambre (A Coruña-Spain) (n = 835) (α = 0.05; precision = ±3.4%). Anthropometric variables are studied, comorbidity (Charlson Score), foot functionality (FFI questionnaire), foot health questionnaire (FHSQ), quality of life (SF-36) and dependence on activities of daily living (Barthel index and Lawton). A logistic and linear multiple regression analysis was performed. The prevalence of flat feet was 26.62%. Patients with flat feet presented higher: age (65.73 ± 11.04 years), comorbidity index (0.92 ± 1.49), BMI (31.45 ± 5.55) and foot size (25, 16 ± 1.66 cm). Having flat feet decreases the quality of life and function of the foot. The association of flat feet with age, Charlson index, and BMI and foot size was found. The SF-36, Barthel and Lawton questionnaires remained unchanged due to the presence of the flat foot, a difference between the FHSQ and FFI that were significantly sensitive

Mesa redonda: La Estadística en la Investigación Médica

Este artículo es una transcripción de las conferencias dictadas en la mesa organizada en el 4º Congreso Galego de Estatistica y Investigación de Operacions que tuvo lugar en Santiago de Compostela en noviembre de 1999. Los autores discuten sobre el posible uso o abuso de la estadística en artículos científicos, sobre lo que se necesitaría para alcanzar la interdisciplinariedad y lo que se entiende por éxito profesional. Se define la disciplina (bioestadística) y se identifica a sus profesionales (bioestadísticos). Se discute sobre el papel de un bioestadístico en un equipo de investigación médico y se repasan las dificultades que tienen los médicos para realizar estudios clínico-epidemiológicos

Quality of Life in Cohabitants of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-sectional Study

The following are available online at http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/16/6000/s1, Table S1: Sociodemographic variables of patients and cohabitants; Table S2: Clinical variables of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that impairs patients’ physical and mental health. However, few studies have considered the consequences of HS on cohabitants. The aims of this study were to explore the impact of HS on the quality of life (QOL) of cohabitants and to assess potentially associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted and patients with HS and their cohabitants were invited to participate. Validated questionnaires were used to measure QOL, anxiety and depression, type D personality and sexual dysfunction. The clinical variables of patients and the demographic characteristics of cohabitants were also collected. Twenty-seven patients and 27 cohabitants were included for analysis. Patients and cohabitants presented significant QOL impairment. A direct association was found between the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Familiar Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). DLQI scores were associated with the presence of negative affectivity, a trait typical of type D personality, as well as with cohabitants’ anxiety. FDLQI scores were associated with cohabitant anxiety and patient depression. Hidradenitis suppurativa damages quality of life in patients and cohabitants. Identifying potential psychological factors could help us to recognize at-risk patients and apply personalized treatments for them and their environment

Prevalence, co-occurrence, and predictive factors for musculoskeletal pain among shellfish gatherers

[Abstract] The aims of this study are to determine prevalence and co-occurrence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among shellfish gatherers and its consequences for the use of medicine, health care, and sickness leave and to investigate predictive factors (sociodemographic, lifestyle, comorbidity) of MSP in five anatomical areas (neck/shoulder/higher back, lower back, elbow/wrist/hand, hip/knee, and leg/ankle/foot). Nine hundred twenty-nine shellfish gatherers (94% women) voluntarily took part in a physiotherapy workshop. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess MSP and its consequences. Regression models were performed to determine the factors predicting the presence of MSP. The two most frequently self-reported forms of MSP were neck pain (70.9%) and lower back pain (65.5%). Sixty-four percent of respondents reported contact with their family doctor during the last 12 months due to MSP, and most subjects (88.1%) reported MSP in two or more locations. Hip/knee pain was associated with leg/ankle/foot pain (crude odds ratio = 3.14). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female and young is associated with lumbar pain, and being older is associated with pain in all areas of the lower limbs. The number of pain sites a person reported significantly predicted the presence of pain in all the anatomical areas studied. Prevalence of MSP and musculoskeletal comorbidity were high. The study shows that the presence of pain reported in one body area is highly dependent on the total number of painful areas. These findings are consistent with those of similar studies

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en trabajadoras del sector pesquero usando el cuestionario SF-36

[Resumen] Objetivo. Determinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) mediante el cuestionario SF-36 en trabajadoras del sector pesquero, y compararla con valores normalizados de población de referencia y con valores de otras muestras similares que presentan trastornos musculoesqueléticos. Método. Mediante un estudio transversal se midió la CVRS en 917 mariscadoras a pie seleccionadas a partir de la participación voluntaria en un taller de fisioterapia. Se utilizó un cuestionario autoadministrado que incluía variables sociodemográficas, de estilo de vida, de comorbilidad, de prevalencia de dolor musculoesquelético y de CVRS. Para el SF-36 se calcularon puntuaciones crudas, puntuaciones estandarizadas y puntuaciones z. Resultados. La edad media de las participantes es de 50,6 años (desviación estándar: 8,8). En todas las dimensiones del SF-36 la muestra tuvo valores inferiores que la población general de referencia. Las mayores diferencias se observaron en las personas más jóvenes. Las dimensiones más afectadas, superando la diferencia mínimamente importante, fueron dolor corporal, vitalidad y salud general. Su salud física está más afectada que su salud mental. Conclusiones. Se demuestra que este grupo de trabajadoras tiene peor CVRS que la población general y que otras muestras poblacionales, sobre todo en los componentes físicos.[Abstract] Objective. To determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with the 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) questionnaire in women workers in the fishing industry, compared with norm-based values in the reference population and other similar samples of persons with musculoskeletal disorders. Method. A cross-sectional study was performed to measure HRQoL in 917 shellfish gatherers. Women taking part in a physiotherapy workshop were invited to participate. We used a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, comorbidity, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, and HRQoL. For the SF-36 raw scores, norm-based scores and z-scores were calculated. Results. The mean age of participants was 50.6 years (standard deviation: 8.8). In all dimensions of the SF-36, values in the sample were lower than in the general reference population. The greatest differences were in younger people. The most affected dimensions were bodily pain, vitality and general health. Physical health was more affected than mental health. Conclusions. HRQoL, especially physical components, was worse in women shellfish gatherers than in the general population and other population samples

Identification of predictive factors of the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet through machine-learning techniques

[Abstract] Food consumption patterns have undergone changes that in recent years have resulted in serious health problems. Studies based on the evaluation of the nutritional status have determined that the adoption of a food pattern-based primarily on a Mediterranean diet (MD) has a preventive role, as well as the ability to mitigate the negative effects of certain pathologies. A group of more than 500 adults aged over 40 years from our cohort in Northwestern Spain was surveyed. Under our experimental design, 10 experiments were run with four different machine-learning algorithms and the predictive factors most relevant to the adherence of a MD were identified. A feature selection approach was explored and under a null hypothesis test, it was concluded that only 16 measures were of relevance, suggesting the strength of this observational study. Our findings indicate that the following factors have the highest predictive value in terms of the degree of adherence to the MD: basal metabolic rate, mini nutritional assessment questionnaire total score, weight, height, bone density, waist-hip ratio, smoking habits, age, EDI-OD, circumference of the arm, activity metabolism, subscapular skinfold, subscapular circumference in cm, circumference of the waist, circumference of the calf and brachial area.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI17/01826Xunta de Galicia; ED431G/01Xunta de Galicia; ED431D 2017/16Xunta de Galicia; ED431D 2017/23Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2018/4

SMALL AND MEDIUM PORTS' ACTIVITIES MODELLING: INTRODUCTION TO THE PIXEL APPROACH

[EN] Port activities undeniably have an impact on their environment, the city and citizens living nearby. To have a better understanding of these impacts, the ports of the future will require tools allowing suitable modelling, simulation and data analysis. This challenge is also tied to another current reality: the heterogeneous data coming from different stakeholders converging into ports are not optimally exploited due to lack of interoperability. Thus, the forthcoming research and development initiatives must address these demands from a holistic point of view. PIXEL (H2020-funded project) aims at creating the first smart, flexible and scalable solution reducing the environmental impact while enabling optimization of operations in port ecosystems. PIXEL brings the most innovative IoT and ICT technology to ports and demonstrate their capacity to take advantage of modern approaches. Using an interoperable open IoT platform, data is acquired and integrated into an information hub comprised of small, low-level sensors up to virtual sensors able to extract relevant data from high level services. Finally, this hub integrates smart models to analyse port processes for prediction and optimization purposes: (i) a model of consumption and energy production of the port with the aim of moving towards green energy production; (ii) a model of congestion of multi-modal transport networks to reduce the impact of port traffic on the network; and (iii) models of environmental pollution of the port to reduce the environmental impacts of the port on the city and its citizens. The main issue tackled by PIXEL is to provide interoperability between these models and allow real integration and communication in the context of an environmental management model. Besides that, PIXEL devotes to decouple port¿s size and its ability to deploy environmental impact mitigation specifying an innovative methodology and an integrated metric for the assessment of the overall environmental impact of ports.The PIXEL project, the results of which are presented in this paper, is being funded from the European Union s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 769355 Port IoT for Environmental Leverage (PIXEL)Simon, E.; Garnier, C.; Lacalle, I.; Costa, JP.; Palau Salvador, CE. (2019). SMALL AND MEDIUM PORTS' ACTIVITIES MODELLING: INTRODUCTION TO THE PIXEL APPROACH. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment (Online). 187:149-163. https://doi.org/10.2495/MT190141S14916318

Cost-effectiveness analysis of preoperative treatment of acromegaly with somatostatin analogue on surgical outcome

[Abstract] Context. There is no uniform standard of care for acromegaly. Due to the high costs involved, steps must be taken to ensure the cost-effective delivery of treatment. Objective. Taking the results of an earlier meta-analysis as a starting point, this study aims to determine whether treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogue (SSA) prior to surgery improves the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of acromegaly. Methods. The results are presented as an Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) immediately after surgery, for the following year and over the next four decades. The cure rates percentage (95% CI) for the three randomized prospective controlled trials were 44.4% (34.2–54.7) and 18.2% (10.1–26.3) for preoperative treated and untreated patients respectively. The cost of pharmacological treatments was based on the number of units prescribed, dose and length of treatment. Results. The mean (95% CI) ICER immediately after surgery was €17,548 (12,007–33,250). In terms of the postoperative SSA treatment, the ICER changes from positive to negative before two years after surgery. One decade after surgery the ICER per patient/year was €− 9973 (− 18,798; − 6752) for postoperative SSA treatment and €− 31,733 (− 59,812; − 21,483) in the case of postoperative pegvisomant treatment. Conclusions. In centres without optimal surgical results, preoperative treatment of GH-secreting pituitary macroadenomas with SSA not only shows a significant improvement in the surgical results, but is also highly cost-effective, with an ICER per patient/year one decade after surgery, of between €− 9973 (− 18,798; − 6752) and €− 31,733 (− 59,812; − 21,483) for SSA and pegvisomant respectively.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI10/00088Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI13/00322Xunta de Galicia; IN845B-2010/187Xunta de Galicia; 10CSA916014PRXunta de Galicia; CN2012/31