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Population Studies Dec 2021advances research on fertility, mortality, family, migration, methods, policy, and beyond, yet it lacks a recent, rigorous review. We examine all papers published... (Review)
Review
advances research on fertility, mortality, family, migration, methods, policy, and beyond, yet it lacks a recent, rigorous review. We examine all papers published between 1947 and 2020 ( = 1,901) and their authors, using natural language processing, social network analysis, and mixed methods that combine unsupervised machine learning with qualitative coding. After providing a brief history, we map the evolution in authorship and papers towards shorter, multi-authored papers, also finding that females comprise 33.5 per cent of authorship across the period under study, with varied sex ratios across topics. Most papers examine fertility, mortality, and family, studying groups and change, but topics vary over time. Children are rarely studied, and research on women focuses on family planning, fertility decline, and unions, whereas key domains for research on men are migration, historical demography (war, famine), and employment. Research on Africa and Asia focuses on family planning, with work on fertility decline concentrated on North America and Europe, consistent with theories of demographic transition. Our resulting discussion identifies future directions for demographic research.
Topics: Birth Rate; Child; Demography; Developing Countries; Family Planning Services; Fertility; Humans; Mortality; Population Dynamics
PubMed: 34902285
DOI: 10.1080/00324728.2021.1996624 -
Dyslexia (Chichester, England) Feb 2023In many countries, intervention costs are not covered by public health care. A critical basis for deciding whether an intervention is covered or not is to analyse the...
In many countries, intervention costs are not covered by public health care. A critical basis for deciding whether an intervention is covered or not is to analyse the relation between benefits and costs of the intervention, and to quantify the consequential costs. In this study, a cost-utility analysis was computed to investigate the costs of individualized dyslexia intervention while quantifying the benefit in terms of health-related quality of life in a sample of 36 individuals with dyslexia. In addition, educational outcomes and costs of untreated dyslexia for the society were estimated using information for class repetition, school success, and unemployment rates from previous studies and official statistics. A significant increase in quality of life with medium effect sizes was found across all quality-of-life measures. Increases in quality of life were domain-specific, thus occurring specifically in those domains that are affected by learning disorders. The cost-utility ratio was 9,782 Euros per quality adjusted life years (QALYs), which is in line with similar therapy forms, such as speech therapy. The loss of productivity for untreated dyslexia in the German population was estimated for class repetition and reduced income due to lower school degrees. The cost-utility analysis and the calculation of consequential costs suggest that the dyslexia intervention is cost-effective.
Topics: Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Quality of Life; Dyslexia; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis; Quality-Adjusted Life Years
PubMed: 36308052
DOI: 10.1002/dys.1728 -
Journal of Community Psychology Apr 2022Mattering is defined as experiences of feeling valued and adding value in different domains of life: self, relationships, work, and community. Mattering is a construct...
Mattering is defined as experiences of feeling valued and adding value in different domains of life: self, relationships, work, and community. Mattering is a construct with great relevance across psychological and social issues. Research has suggested there may be value in understanding group differences in mattering. Following the recent validation of a scale which measures mattering across multiple domains of life (MIDLS), the present study analyzed a representative US sample to identify demographic group differences in domain-specific mattering. Despite the presence of few differences in Overall Mattering, significant differences were found among all domains and between groups for each demographic variable. Overall, high incomes, advanced degrees, and employment were most consistently associated with higher mattering across domains. In addition, individuals across demographic groups and domains were more likely to report adding value than feeling valued. Age, gender, ethnicity, and marital status correlations were found in certain domains. These results demonstrate the value of a multidimensional conception of mattering and provide initial insight into demographic differences in mattering in a United States, English-speaking sample.
Topics: Demography; Emotions; Humans; United States
PubMed: 34614237
DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22728 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) 2023Quality of life is currently one of the basic conceptual categories in many research disciplines. The authors of the present study are convinced that measurement of...
BACKGROUND
Quality of life is currently one of the basic conceptual categories in many research disciplines. The authors of the present study are convinced that measurement of quality of life in reference to people living on the poverty line deserves special attention.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to identify relationships between the quality of life and sociodemographic variables in low-income Wrocław residents.
METHODS
The research was conducted in Wrocław (Poland) and involved 1215 respondents aged 18-64 years, whose monthly gross income per capita in the household did not exceed 1043 PLN. The respondents' quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire with additional questions on the respondents' social and demographic status.
RESULTS
The Wrocław residents most often assessed their quality of life as average or below average. They rated their health-related quality of life in the social domain as the highest, and in the physical domain as the lowest. Age, household size, stable source of income, savings, and indebtedness were significantly correlated with the quality of life of Wrocław residents under study. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationships between perceived health condition assessment and age, professional status, stable source of income, and debt were also identified.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study indicate that public health programs and other activities related to quality of life management should be directed to individuals and social groups particularly threatened by low quality of life, i.e., people living on the income poverty line.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Quality of Life; Poverty; Income; Surveys and Questionnaires; Family Characteristics
PubMed: 36278380
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211110 -
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition... Jan 2024This study aims to review recent evidence (2022-2023) on the role of diet in promoting healthy aging in older adults. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This study aims to review recent evidence (2022-2023) on the role of diet in promoting healthy aging in older adults.
RECENT FINDINGS
Current evidence of diet and healthy aging is limited to epidemiological studies. A healthy diet is beneficial for individual domains of intrinsic capacity, that is, cognition, locomotion, vitality, psychological, and/or sensory functions, with sex-specific differences reported. Only a few studies used the multidimensional concept of intrinsic capacity as an outcome. This review supports that a healthy diet for older adults consists of plenty of plant-based foods, adequate protein-rich foods, and healthy fats. Next to quantity, improving the quality and variety within food groups play a role in optimizing health. Data on the associations between adherence to national food-based dietary guidelines and intrinsic capacity are scarce.
SUMMARY
A healthy diet, centered on plant-based foods, adequate protein-rich foods and healthy fats, potentially promotes healthy aging. Future studies may evaluate the association between adherence to healthy dietary patterns (particularly national food-based dietary guidelines) and the multidimensional concept of intrinsic capacity, with consideration of sex-specific differences. Clinical trials are warranted to inform the causal effects of diet and outcomes related to intrinsic capacity.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diet, Healthy; Diet; Cognition; Health Status
PubMed: 37522819
DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000972 -
Age and Ageing Jul 2023Vitality is conceptually considered as the underlying capacity influencing other intrinsic capacity (IC) domains and being related to nutrition, physiological reserve...
BACKGROUND
Vitality is conceptually considered as the underlying capacity influencing other intrinsic capacity (IC) domains and being related to nutrition, physiological reserve and biological ageing. However, there is no consensus on its operationalisation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the structure and magnitude of the association of vitality with other IC domains and functional difficulties using three operational definitions of vitality.
METHODS
We included 1,389 older adults from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial with data on Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), handgrip strength and plasma biomarkers (comprising inflammatory and mitochondrial markers). Using path analysis, we examined the effects of vitality on difficulties in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL and IADL) exerted directly and indirectly through the mediation of other IC domains: cognition, locomotion, psychological, vision and hearing. We further explored the longitudinal association of vitality with IC domains, ADL and IADL over 4 years using linear mixed-effect regression.
RESULTS
We observed significant indirect effects of vitality on IADL, mainly through cognitive, locomotor and psychological domains, regardless of the vitality measurement. Participants with higher vitality had fewer IADL difficulties at follow-up (MNA score: β [95% CI] = -0.020 [-0.037, -0.003]; handgrip strength: -0.011 [-0.023, 0.000]; plasma biomarker-based index: -0.015 [-0.028, -0.002]). Vitality assessed with the plasma biomarker-based index predicted improved locomotion over time.
CONCLUSION
Vitality was associated with disability primarily through the mediation of other IC domains. The three indicators examined are acceptable measurements of vitality; biomarkers might be more suitable for the early detection of locomotion decline.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Nutritional Status; Activities of Daily Living; Hand Strength; Alzheimer Disease; Geriatric Assessment; Aging; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37505993
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad133 -
Mayo Clinic Proceedings Oct 2022Lymphedema has historically been underrated in clinical practice, education, and scholarship to the detriment of many patients with this chronic, debilitating condition.... (Review)
Review
Lymphedema has historically been underrated in clinical practice, education, and scholarship to the detriment of many patients with this chronic, debilitating condition. The mechanical insufficiency of the lymphatic system causes the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitium, which triggers a cascade of adverse consequences such as fat deposition and fibrosis. As the condition progresses, patients present with extremity heaviness, itchiness, skin infections, and, in later stages, dermal fibrosis, skin papillomas, acanthosis, and other trophic skin changes. Correspondingly, lymphedema results in psychological morbidity, including anxiety, depression, social avoidance, and a decreased quality of life, encompassing emotional, functional, physical, and social domains. For this review, we conducted a literature search using PubMed and EMBASE and herein summarize the evidence related to the fundamental concepts of lymphedema. This article aims to raise awareness of this serious condition and outline and review the fundamental concepts of lymphedema.
Topics: Fibrosis; Humans; Lymphatic System; Lymphedema; Physicians; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32829905
DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.01.006 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jul 2023Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that manifests in symptoms that compromise health-related quality... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that manifests in symptoms that compromise health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL focuses on a person's overall, subjective evaluation of health status primarily in the physical and mental domains. Exercise training is a form of rehabilitation for managing MS-related outcomes that might influence HRQOL. Reviews on exercise training are available, but we are unaware of a recent comprehensive review and meta-analysis of exercise effects for improving physical and mental domains of HRQOL. This analysis provides an updated review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining interventions consisting of aerobic, resistance and combined exercise training for improving HRQOL in persons with MS. This systematic review 1) assessed the overall strength of evidence for exercise interventions on HRQOL, 2) evaluated the relative effect of exercise interventions on physical and mental domains of HRQOL, and 3) determined moderators of exercise intervention effects on HRQOL.
METHODS
Seven databases were searched for RCTs evaluating physical and/or mental domains of HRQOL with adults diagnosed with MS and undergoing an intervention of aerobic, resistance or combined exercise training compared with a non-exercise comparator. Data extraction included participant and intervention characteristics, and pre- and post-intervention HRQOL outcome data. Effect sizes (ESs) were calculated as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and a multilevel random-effects model was used to generate an aggregated SMD that compared exercise with non-exercise control conditions.
RESULTS
Twelve RCTs met the inclusion criteria and yielded 23 ESs to be analyzed. Participants (N = 593; 308 intervention vs. 285 control conditions) had a mean (±standard deviation) age of 42.4 (6.5) years and 80% (18.3%) were female. Results generated a medium effect of exercise for improving overall HRQOL (ES=0.64, p = 0.0001) with high heterogeneity (Q=58.8, I=86.7%). Exercise training yielded a large effect on the physical domain (k = 12, ES=0.82, p<0.0009) and a medium effect on the mental domain (k = 11, ES=0.41, p<0.0001). Moderator analyses identified exercise modality, supervision level, intervention delivery and length, HRQOL tool, and number of participants with relapsing-remitting MS as significant influences of ES for HRQOL.
CONCLUSIONS
Exercise training is clinically effective for improving overall HRQOL in MS and produces greater improvements in the physical domain of HRQOL than the mental domain. The moderator analysis suggests that supervised, aerobic, and group-delivered exercise training of ≥3 months yields the most influence on HRQOL. Such results may have major implications for MS treatment and care.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Exercise; Quality of Life; Health Status; Exercise Therapy; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 37172366
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104746 -
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials 2022Recently, the number of Japanese people living in Asia has increased. A previous study suggested that obesity and overweight are growing health problems both in Malaysia...
BACKGROUND
Recently, the number of Japanese people living in Asia has increased. A previous study suggested that obesity and overweight are growing health problems both in Malaysia and worldwide that result from lifestyle changes such as a decrease in physical activity, an increase in sedentary behaviour, and poor eating habits.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of differences in social demographic factors and domain-specific sedentary behaviour and health-related quality of life by age in Japanese living overseas.
METHODS
We surveyed 109 participants by self-entry questionnaire for social demographic factors and domain-specific sedentary behaviour by life scenario and by Short Form-36 (SF-36) for healthrelated quality of life. The subjects were divided into the ≥65 years group and <65 years group.
RESULTS
Significant differences were noted in age, employment, alcohol intake, and marital status between the groups, whereas none were noted for transportation, driving, television viewing, and smartphone/personal computer use. Work time and total sitting time of sedentary behaviour were higher, and leisure-time activity and SF-36 Mental Component Score for health-related quality of life were lower in the <65 years group.
CONCLUSION
By assessing differences in social demographic factors and discouraging sedentary behaviour, sitting time in overseas-dwelling Japanese residents may be reduced, and effective strategies to improve health-related quality of life can be developed to combat such behaviour.
Topics: Humans; Sedentary Behavior; Quality of Life; Malaysia; Japan; Cross-Sectional Studies
PubMed: 35289254
DOI: 10.2174/1574887117666220314112244 -
BMJ Open Apr 2022To evaluate the patterns and demographic correlates of domain-specific physical activities (PAs) and their associations with dyslipidaemia among ethnic minorities in...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the patterns and demographic correlates of domain-specific physical activities (PAs) and their associations with dyslipidaemia among ethnic minorities in China.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional.
PARTICIPANTS
In total, 17 081 individuals were included.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Domain-specific PAs were assessed using a questionnaire related to occupational, transportation, housework and leisure-time PAs. Dyslipidaemia was measured using an automatic biochemical instrument. Demographic variables were self-reported.
RESULTS
Housework accounted for most PAs in the study. Elderly people were more likely to participate in housework and leisure-time PA, whereas the mean level of PA in people with low education level and household income was high. With G3-G4 levels of occupational PA, Dong men (G4: OR=0.530, 95% CI 0.349 to 0.806), Miao women (G3: OR=0.698, 95% CI 0.524 to 0.931; G4: OR=0.611, 95% CI 0.439 to 0.850) and Bouyei women (G3: OR=0.745, 95% CI 0.566 to 0.981; G4: OR=0.615, 95% CI 0.440 to 0.860) tended to have a low risk of dyslipidaemia. With G2 levels of transportation, PA could reduce the risk of dyslipidaemia in Bouyei women (G2: OR=0.747, 95% CI 0.580 to 0.962). G2-G3 levels of leisure-time PA could reduce the risk of dyslipidaemia in Miao men (G2: OR=0.645, 95% CI 0.446 to 0.933; G3: OR=0.700, 95% CI 0.513 to 0.954). However, a high risk of dyslipidaemia was observed with G4 levels of leisure-time PA among Bouyei women (G4: OR=.353, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.905) and with transportation PA among Dong men (G4: OR=1.591, 95% CI 1.130 to 2.240).
CONCLUSION
The main PA of the ethnic minorities in Guizhou Province involved housework. Domain-specific PAs varied with demographic factors, and active domain-specific PAs were associated with a reduced risk of dyslipidaemia.
Topics: Aged; China; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Dyslipidemias; Exercise; Female; Humans; Leisure Activities; Male
PubMed: 35418424
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052268