Life expectancy among LDS and Non-LDS in Utah

This paper compares life expectancy between members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons) and non-LDS in Utah. It examines the extent to which tobacco-related deaths explain variation in life expectancy between LDS and non-LDS. Complete life table estimates were derived using conventional methods and cross-sectional data for white males and females from 1994-1998. Life expectancy was 77.3 for LDS males, 70.0 for non-LDS males, 82.2 for LDS females, and 76.4 for non-LDS females. For those alive at age 80, the remaining years of life expected were 8.2 for LDS males, 6.5 for non-LDS males, 10.3 for LDS females, and 7.1 for non-LDS females. Years of life expected increased more so among non-LDS after we removed deaths associated with tobacco use from the life table. A comparison between LDS and non-LDS of the adjusted life expectancy estimates indicates that although differential tobacco use explains some of the higher life expectancy in LDS, it only accounts for about 1.5 years of the 7.3 year difference for males and 1.2 years of the 5.8 year difference for females. Higher life expectancy experienced among LDS not explained by tobacco-related deaths may be due to factors associated with religious activity in general, such as better physical health, better social support, and healthier lifestyle behaviors. Religious activity may also have an independent protective effect against mortality.life style, life tables, Mormons, religion, risk factors, Utah

Toward a better understanding of the comparatively high prostate cancer incidence rates in Utah

BACKGROUND: This study assesses whether comparatively high prostate cancer incidence rates among white men in Utah represent higher rates among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons), who comprise about 70% of the state's male population, and considers the potential influence screening has on these rates. METHODS: Analyses are based on 14,693 histologically confirmed invasive prostate cancer cases among men aged 50 years and older identified through the Utah Cancer Registry between 1985 and 1999. Cancer records were linked to LDS Church membership records to determine LDS status. Poisson regression was used to derive rate ratios of LDS to nonLDS prostate cancer incidence, adjusted for age, disease stage, calendar time, and incidental detection. RESULTS: LDS men had a 31% (95% confidence interval, 26% – 36%) higher incidence rate of prostate cancer than nonLDS men during the study period. Rates were consistently higher among LDS men over time (118% in 1985–88, 20% in 1989–92, 15% in 1993–1996, and 13% in 1997–99); age (13% in ages 50–59, 48% in ages 60–69, 28% in ages 70–79, and 16% in ages 80 and older); and stage (36% in local/regional and 17% in unstaged). An age- and stage-shift was observed for both LDS and nonLDS men, although more pronounced among LDS men. CONCLUSIONS: Comparatively high prostate cancer incidence rates among LDS men in Utah are explained, at least in part, by more aggressive screening among these men

Acute Stretching Effect on Hamstring Muscle Stiffness using Elastography

Having first been introduced in the 1990s, shear wave elastography (SWE) has more recently been used to investigate intrinsic muscle stiffness. While studies have shown SWE to be an effective way of determining muscle stiffness, few have been conducted to measure the effects of stretching on the hamstring muscles. PURPOSE: to determine if there is a measurable difference of hamstring muscle stiffness with acute stretching using ultrasound elastography. METHODS: 16 subjects participated in this study (11 men and 5 women). Mean age 23.4 ± 2.6yrs for men and 21.2 ±1.5 for women. Mean height (cm) is 180.3± 4.7 for men and 172.7±2.5 for women. Mean weight (kg) is 76.8±9.7 for men and 70.0±14.9 for women. Participants lay supine and positioned to 90° hip and 90° knee flexion. Each participant came in for two sessions that consisted of (1) static stretching and (2) PNF stretching protocols. Maximum ROM of the knee joint, force, and muscle stiffness of the biceps femoris (BF), semimembranosus (SM) and semitendinosus (ST) were recorded both before and 1 minute after stretching. RESULTS: After accounting for age, weight and height, there was no significant difference between the use of static and PNF stretching techniques on either velocity (p= 0.4805) or kPa (p=0.5423) stiffness values. Both static and PNF stretching resulted in significant reductions in both velocity and kPa stiffness (pCONCLUSION: Stiffness as measured using SWE decreases following an acute stretching session for both static and PNF stretching techniques. This suggests alterations to intrinsic muscle characteristics beyond just “stretch tolerance” as suggested in previous literature. Changes in both ROM and force also support this claim. Further research on retention of decreased stiffness are needed as acute stretching has previously been shown to be temporary. Longer term stretching studies to determine if intrinsic muscle stiffness changes models plastic deformation are also needed and may help better elucidate duration and stretch technique differences

Comparison of Gastrocnemius Shear Wave Elastography Stiffness Over 5 Different Zones

A few studies report that shear wave elastography (SWE) is a reliable method of measuring gastrocnemius muscle stiffness. To date there are no studies assessing variance in stiffness measures at different locations on the muscle. This led us to ask whether the spot at which gastrocnemius stiffness is measured matters. PURPOSE: To determine if measurement site on the medial and lateral gastrocnemius affects SWE stiffness values. METHODS: Twelve subjects (3 men, 9 women) completed this study (Mean age is 23.0 (SD = 1.0) for men and 21.7 (SD = 2.0) for women (t p = 0.3035). Mean height (cm) is 179.5 (SD = 2.9) for men and 167.1 (SD = 7.8) for women (t p = 0.0256). Mean weight (kg) is 74.9 (SD =10.4) for men and 62.5 (SD = 9.7) for women (t p = 0.0892). Subjects wore shorts and lay prone on a treatment table with their bare feet hanging off the edge of the table. Ultrasound images to confirm borders of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius were confirmed and marked. SWE of both the Medial head (MG) and lateral head (LG) were taken with each head area divided into 4 zones (1=superior medial, 2=superior lateral, 3=inferior medial, 4= inferior lateral). A fifth zone was collected at the center of the muscle at 70% of the length of the lateral malleolus to lateral femoral epicondyle. All 5 points were assessed for SWE in both a relaxed and neutral (900) ankle joint position. Three separate elastogram frames were used to calculate muscle stiffness using both the velocity (m/s) and young’s modulus model (kPa) utilizing an overall area analysis for each. RESULTS: MG velocity and kPa values were significantly greater than LG in the relaxed and neutral positions (pCONCLUSION: MG stiffness is greater than LG regardless of position while intrinsic stiffness of MG increases more relative to LG when placed in neutral. Measurement of stiffness is best represented at the center of the muscle belly in the neutral position, but zones 2,3 and 5 produce similar stiffness values in the relaxed position

Massage Gun Use at a Lower Frequency Does Not Alter Blood Flow

Data has shown that whole body vibration can affect blood flow velocity in arteries and improves cutaneous blood flow. However, there is very limited information available on therapeutic localized vibration. Massage guns have become very popular with little to no research validating their efficacy. It is currently unknown if massages guns can affect arterial blood flow. PURPOSE: To determine if massage gun treatment at 30Hz improves and retains blood flow in the popliteal artery as compared to a control condition. METHODS: There were 12 participants in this study (8 males and 4 females). The mean age was 22.7±1.6 yrs, the mean height was 181.1± 11.8 cm, and the mean weight was 78.2±16.2 kg. Participants wore shorts that allowed us to access their popliteal artery using ultrasound imaging. Participants wore electrodes to control the measurement of blood flow from widest artery diameter. Participants lay prone with a foam roller under their ankles to slightly elevate their feet. After ten minutes of rest, ultrasound imaging was used to find the participant’s popliteal artery behind the knee and took two baseline measurements. We measured the mean velocity of blood flow (TAmean) and volume flow (VolF). We measured subjects on 4 different days (30Hz at 5 minutes, 30Hz 10 minutes, Control 5 minutes, Control 10 minutes). Measurements of TAmean and VolF were measured at multiple time points after treatment. RESULTS: A two-factor repeated measures analysis was performed. Each subject was measured under all levels of condition (1=30hz 5 min, 4=Control 5 mi, 5=30hz 10 min, 8=Control 10 min) and time (baseline, post, post1-5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19). TA mean is significantly greater in 30Hz versus control (p=0.0349). TAmean varies across time, and the effect of the condition on TAmean is related to time (p=0.0104). There is not a significant difference in flow between 30Hz and control (p=0.2425). Blood flow varies across time (pCONCLUSION: Use of a massage gun at a lower frequency setting of 30Hz may cause slight increases in velocity but does not increase mean blood flow as compared to control. Lower frequency settings on massage guns may not be benefit blood flow in the massaged muscle group