Industry-specific prevalence and gender disparity of common mental health problems in the UK: A national repetitive cross-sectional study

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and temporal trend of common mental health problems (CMHPs) in the UK by industrial classification from 2012–2014 to 2016–2018 while evaluating the corresponding gender disparities./ Methods: We used data from the Health Survey for England. CMPH was judged by a 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Industrial classifications were defined using the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities. Data were fitted by the logistic models./ Results: In this study, 19,581 participants covering 20 industries were included. In total, 18.8% of participants screened positive for CMHP in 2016–2018, which significantly increased from 16.0% in 2012–2014 [adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.27]. In 2016–2018, the prevalence of CMHP ranged from 6.2% in the industry of mining and quarrying to 23.8% in the industry of accommodation and food service activities. From 2012–2014 to 2016–2018, none of the 20 industries studied experienced significant decreases in the above prevalence; conversely, three industries saw significant increases, including wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (AOR for trend = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67), construction (AOR for trend = 1.66, 95% CI 1.23–2.24), and other service activities, which cannot be classified (AOR for trend = 1.94, 95% CI 1.06–3.55). In total, 11 of the 20 industries studied had significant gender disparities against women, with the smallest gap being in the industry of transport and storage (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.09–2.0) and the highest in the industry of arts, entertainment, and recreation (AOR = 6.19, 95% CI 2.94–13.03). From 2012–2014 to 2016–2018, gender disparities were narrowed only in two industries, including human health and social work activities (AOR for trend = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.74), and transport and storage (AOR for trend = 0.5, 95% CI 0.27–0.91)./ Conclusion: The prevalence of CMHPs has increased and had a wide variation across industries in the UK. There were disparities against women, and the gender disparities have been keeping almost no improvement from 2012–2014 to 2016–2018

中國之棉作

棉屬錦葵科，其原產地為熱帶，或半熱帶，具草木二性。其初在熱帶為多年生之木本，其後移植於溫帶，因天演及選擇之關係，成為一年生之草木。惟其原有之木性，雖隱而未泯

CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL BACTERIA THAT REDUCTIVELY DECHLORINATE POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBS)

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Code-Based Algorithms for Identifying Dementia in Electronic Health Records:Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Code-based algorithms are crucial tools in the detection of dementia using electronic health record data, with broad applications in medical research and healthcare. Vassilaki et al.'s study explores the efficacy of code-based algorithms in dementia detection using electronic health record data, achieving approximately 70% sensitivity and positive predictive value. Despite the promising results, the algorithms fail to detect around 30% of dementia cases, highlighting challenges in distinguishing cognitive decline factors. The study emphasizes the need for algorithmic improvements and further exploration across diverse healthcare systems and populations, serving as a critical step toward bridging gaps in dementia care and understanding.</p

Industry-specific prevalence and gender disparity of common mental health problems in the UK: A national repetitive cross-sectional study.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and temporal trend of common mental health problems (CMHPs) in the UK by industrial classification from 2012-2014 to 2016-2018 while evaluating the corresponding gender disparities. METHODS: We used data from the Health Survey for England. CMPH was judged by a 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Industrial classifications were defined using the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities. Data were fitted by the logistic models. RESULTS: In this study, 19,581 participants covering 20 industries were included. In total, 18.8% of participants screened positive for CMHP in 2016-2018, which significantly increased from 16.0% in 2012-2014 [adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.27]. In 2016-2018, the prevalence of CMHP ranged from 6.2% in the industry of mining and quarrying to 23.8% in the industry of accommodation and food service activities. From 2012-2014 to 2016-2018, none of the 20 industries studied experienced significant decreases in the above prevalence; conversely, three industries saw significant increases, including wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (AOR for trend = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.67), construction (AOR for trend = 1.66, 95% CI 1.23-2.24), and other service activities, which cannot be classified (AOR for trend = 1.94, 95% CI 1.06-3.55). In total, 11 of the 20 industries studied had significant gender disparities against women, with the smallest gap being in the industry of transport and storage (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.09-2.0) and the highest in the industry of arts, entertainment, and recreation (AOR = 6.19, 95% CI 2.94-13.03). From 2012-2014 to 2016-2018, gender disparities were narrowed only in two industries, including human health and social work activities (AOR for trend = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.74), and transport and storage (AOR for trend = 0.5, 95% CI 0.27-0.91). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CMHPs has increased and had a wide variation across industries in the UK. There were disparities against women, and the gender disparities have been keeping almost no improvement from 2012-2014 to 2016-2018

How and to what extent can pensions facilitate increased use of health services by older people: evidence from social pension expansion in rural China.

Funder: National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004572BACKGROUND: The proportion of people aged 60 years or over is growing faster than other age groups. Traditionally, retirement has been considered as both a loss to the labour market and an additional economic burden on the nation. More recently, it is widely accepted that retired people can still contribute to society in many ways, though the extent of their contributions will depend heavily on their state of health. In this context, a significant practical issue is how to encourage older people to use the health services they need. This study aims to evaluate the effects of pensions on older adults' health service utilization, and estimate the level of pension required to influence such utilization. METHODS: Using data from a nationally representative sample survey, the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we adopted a fuzzy regression discontinuity design and undertook segmented regression analysis. RESULTS: It was found that a pension did encourage low-income people to use both outpatient (OR = 1.219, 95% 1.018-1.460) and inpatient services (OR = 1.269, 95% 1.020-1.579); but also encouraged both low- and high-income people to choose self-treatment, specifically over-the-counter (OR = 1.208, 95% 1.037-1.407; OR = 1.206, 95% 1.024-1.419; respectively) and traditional Chinese medicines (OR = 1.452, 95% 1.094-1.932; OR = 1.456, 95% 1.079-1.955; respectively). However, receiving a pension had no effect on the frequency of outpatient and inpatient service use. Breakpoints for a pension to promote health service utilization were mainly located in the range 55-95 CNY (7.1-12.3 EUR or 8.0-13.8 USD). CONCLUSIONS: A pension was found to have mixed effects on health service utilization for different income groups. Our study enriches existing evidence on the impact of pensions on healthcare-seeking behaviour and can be helpful in policy design and the formulation of improved models relating to pensions and healthcare utilisation

Quality of life and its contributors among adults with late-onset Pompe disease in China.

BACKGROUND: Pompe disease (PD) is a rare inherited disorder caused by the deficiency of acid-α glucosidase, which leads to the impairment of organ and tissue functions and causes disabilities. As the first national survey on patients with late-onset PD (LOPD) in China, this study investigated the quality of life (QOL) of adult patients with LOPD in China and explored its contributors. METHODS: Data were derived from a nation-based, cross-sectional, self-response survey on rare diseases (RDs) in early 2018. Answers from 68 adult Chinese patients with LOPD were used for data analysis. QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life: Brief Version. Covariates included age, gender, education, employment, reliance on assistive devices, medication history, social support, and disease economic burden. Data were analyzed using linear regression in R. RESULTS: For adult patients with LOPD, the average scores and standard deviations (SD) of the four dimensions of QOL were physical health = 33.77 (SD = 18.28), psychological health = 43.81 (SD = 21.70), environmental health = 39.43 (SD = 16.93), and social relationship = 46.20 (SD = 19.76); the scoring for each dimension was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100. At the significance level of p < 0.05, with increasing age, the patients experienced a significant decrease in physical health QOL (β = - 0.75) and environmental health QOL (β = - 0.79). Those who relied heavily on assistive devices had lower perceived physical health (β = - 17.8), psychological health (β = - 22.76), environmental health (β = - 17.8), and social relationships (β = - 22.12) than those who did not. A one-unit increase in the amount of social support, as a form of social interaction, led to a significant increase in physical health (β = 0.28), psychological health (β = 0.71), environmental health (β = 0.72), and social relationships (β = 0.70). CONCLUSION: Adult Chinese patients with LOPD had a lower physical health and QOL compared to their counterparts with other RDs. Being employed was found to affect the QOL of adult Chinese patients with LOPD in almost all dimensions. Encouraging adult Chinese patients with LOPD to be socially active and help them become more involved in social life might improve their QOL

Quality of life and its contributors among adults with late-onset Pompe disease in China.

BACKGROUND: Pompe disease (PD) is a rare inherited disorder caused by the deficiency of acid-α glucosidase, which leads to the impairment of organ and tissue functions and causes disabilities. As the first national survey on patients with late-onset PD (LOPD) in China, this study investigated the quality of life (QOL) of adult patients with LOPD in China and explored its contributors. METHODS: Data were derived from a nation-based, cross-sectional, self-response survey on rare diseases (RDs) in early 2018. Answers from 68 adult Chinese patients with LOPD were used for data analysis. QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life: Brief Version. Covariates included age, gender, education, employment, reliance on assistive devices, medication history, social support, and disease economic burden. Data were analyzed using linear regression in R. RESULTS: For adult patients with LOPD, the average scores and standard deviations (SD) of the four dimensions of QOL were physical health = 33.77 (SD = 18.28), psychological health = 43.81 (SD = 21.70), environmental health = 39.43 (SD = 16.93), and social relationship = 46.20 (SD = 19.76); the scoring for each dimension was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100. At the significance level of p < 0.05, with increasing age, the patients experienced a significant decrease in physical health QOL (β = - 0.75) and environmental health QOL (β = - 0.79). Those who relied heavily on assistive devices had lower perceived physical health (β = - 17.8), psychological health (β = - 22.76), environmental health (β = - 17.8), and social relationships (β = - 22.12) than those who did not. A one-unit increase in the amount of social support, as a form of social interaction, led to a significant increase in physical health (β = 0.28), psychological health (β = 0.71), environmental health (β = 0.72), and social relationships (β = 0.70). CONCLUSION: Adult Chinese patients with LOPD had a lower physical health and QOL compared to their counterparts with other RDs. Being employed was found to affect the QOL of adult Chinese patients with LOPD in almost all dimensions. Encouraging adult Chinese patients with LOPD to be socially active and help them become more involved in social life might improve their QOL

Failure patterns and survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity modulated radiation in Northwest China: A pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>To evaluate the clinical outcomes and patterns of failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in Northwest China.</p> <p>Methods and materials</p> <p>From January 2006 to December 2009, 138 NPC patients were treated at Xijing Hospital. Of them, 25 cases with stage I-II received IMRT only, 113 cases with stage III-IVb received IMRT plus accomplished platinum-based chemotherapy. The IMRT prescribed dose was PTV 68-74 Gy to gross disease in nasopharynx and 66-72 Gy to positive lymph nodes in 30-33 fractions, and high risk and low risk region PTV was 60-63 Gy and 50.4~56 Gy in 30~33 and 28 fractions respectively. Plasma Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA load was measured before treatment. The clinical toxicities, outcomes and patterns of failure were observed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median follow up time was 23 months (range 2 to 53 months). EBV infection positive was only 15.9%. Overall disease failure developed in 36 patients, 99% belonged to stage III/IV disease. Among these, there were 26 distant metastases, 6 local recurrence, and 4 regional recurrence. The 3-year local control rate(LCR), distant metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and the overall survival (OS) was 93.9%, 79.5%, 70% and 83.1% respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that age and anemia pre-radiotherapy were independent predictors for OS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>IMRT with or without chemotherapy can improve the long term survival of NPC patients in Northwest China. Distant metastasis becomes the main cause of treatment failure. Age and anemia before radiotherapy were the main prognosis factors of NPC patients.</p