A prospective comparison of UK and Malaysian patients with irritable bowel syndrome in secondary care

Background The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is now known to be similar in various geographical regions, but there has been no study directly comparing characteristics of patients with IBS between populations. Aims To evaluate clinical and psychological differences between adults with IBS seen in secondary care in the United Kingdom (UK) and Malaysia. Methods Age- and sex-matched patients with IBS from a single centre in the UK (Leeds) and two centres in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu), who fulfilled Rome III criteria, were recruited prospectively. Demographic characteristics and gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms were compared between both groups. Results A total of 266 (133 UK and 133 Malaysian) age- and sex-matched patients with Rome III IBS were recruited (mean age: 45.1 years Malaysia, vs. 46.5 years UK; 57.9% female). UK patients were more likely to consume alcohol than Malaysian patients (54.1% vs. 10.5%, p < 0.001). Compared with Malaysian patients, UK patients had more frequent abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, meal-related symptoms (p < 0.001 for all), higher symptom scores (mean 268.0 vs 166.0; p < 0.001), greater limitation of activities due to IBS (p = 0.007) and were more likely to report abnormal anxiety scores (p < 0.001). Higher perceived stress (mean 21.3 vs. 19.1, p = 0.014) and gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety scores (mean 50.8 vs. 43.0, p < 0.001) were also observed in UK patients. Finally, UK patients had higher somatoform symptom-reporting scores (mean 8.9 vs. 6.9, p < 0.001). Conclusions IBS is more severe and is associated with a higher level of psychological symptoms in the UK compared with Malaysian patients in secondary care

A systematic review of the health and well-being benefits of biodiverse environments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: Critical Reviews on 05 Mar 2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10937404.2013.856361Recent ecosystem service models have placed biodiversity as a central factor in the processes that link the natural environment to health. While it is recognized that disturbed ecosystems might negatively affect human well-being, it is not clear whether biodiversity is related to or can promote "good" human health and well-being. The aim of this study was to systematically identify, summarize, and synthesize research that had examined whether biodiverse environments are health promoting. The objectives were twofold: (1) to map the interdisciplinary field of enquiry and (2) to assess whether current evidence enables us to characterize the relationship. Due to the heterogeneity of available evidence a narrative synthesis approach was used, which is textual rather than statistical. Extensive searches identified 17 papers that met the inclusion criteria: 15 quantitative and 2 qualitative. The evidence was varied in disciplinary origin, with authors approaching the question using different study designs and methods, and conceptualizations of biodiversity, health, and well-being. There is some evidence to suggest that biodiverse natural environments promote better health through exposure to pleasant environments or the encouragement of health-promoting behaviors. There was also evidence of inverse relationships, particularly at a larger scale (global analyses). However, overall the evidence is inconclusive and fails to identify a specific role for biodiversity in the promotion of better health. High-quality interdisciplinary research is needed to produce a more reliable evidence base. Of particular importance is identifying the specific ecosystem services, goods, and processes through which biodiversity may generate good health and well-being.European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013European Social Fund Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Gambaran Karakteristik Penderita Hipertensi yang Berobat di Puskesmas Kawatuna Periode Juli s/d September 2020

Gambaran Karakteristik Penderita Hipertensi yang Berobat di Puskesmas Kawatuna Periode Juli s/d September 2020 Rosmita Sahran (2020) Program Studi D-III Keperawatan Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Tadulako Ratna Devi, SKM., M.Kes ABSTRAK Hipertensi merupakan penyakit yang sampai sekarang menjadi penyakit yang banyak dijumpai di negara berkembang seperti di Indonesia dan juga negara-negara maju. Menurut data buku kunjungan pasien, jumlah kasus hipertensi di Puskesmas Kawatuna pada 2 tahun terakhir yaitu pada tahun 2018 penderita hipertensi berjumlah 1.431 kasus dan pada tahun 2019 berjumlah 1.458 penderita hipertensi. Hipertensi berhubungan dengan usia, jenis kelamin, dan pedidikan Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui karakteristik penderita hipertensi yang berobat di Puskesmas Kawatuna tahun 2020. Metode penelitian deskriptif dengan desain survey dengan menggunakan data sekunder penderita hipertensi yang pernah berobat di Puskesmas Kawatuna. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan usia responden pasien hipertensi paling banyak berusia 26-45 tahun, yaitu sebanyak 92 responden (42,8%), berdasarkan jenis kelamin yang paling banyak menderita hipertensi adalah jenis kelamin perempuan yaitu 126 responden (58,6%), dan untuk karaktersitik pendidikan paling sering terjadi pada pendidikan SD sebanyak 96 orang (44,6%). Dapat disimpulkan bahwa karakteristik penderita hipertensi di puskesmas kawatuna untuk karakteristik usia 26-45 tahun, jenis kelamin perempuan dan pendidikan rendah (SD). Diharapkan agar dapat meningkatkan pelayanan terhadap pasien-pasien dan memberikan penanganan masalah hipertensi sehingga masalah-masalah umum yang umum dialami oleh pasien hipertensi dapat ditangani dengan baik oleh tenaga kesehatan. Kata Kunci: Hipertensi, Usia, Jenis Kelamin, Pendidika