-
Australian Family Physician Jun 2013Varicose veins are a common condition. Presentations can range from those that are noticed incidentally to those causing significant symptoms. Management options range... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Varicose veins are a common condition. Presentations can range from those that are noticed incidentally to those causing significant symptoms. Management options range from conservative to surgical approaches, with many alternatives available that offer different advantages, disadvantages and long term outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the natural history, assessment and management of varicose veins.
DISCUSSION
Surgical or other intervention is only necessary in a small percentage of patients, and is seldom urgent, perhaps only in the setting of progressive thrombophlebitis. Duplex ultrasound has become an essential modality for diagnosis, treatment and follow up. All the current modalities of endoluminal and open surgical treatment have similar short term outcomes and risks. Appropriate surgical treatment has the best long term outcomes and evidence base. Treatment of choice, however, depends on many factors, including local expertise.
Topics: Catheter Ablation; Combined Modality Therapy; Compression Bandages; Decision Support Techniques; Endovascular Procedures; Humans; Physical Examination; Sclerotherapy; Varicose Veins
PubMed: 23781544
DOI: No ID Found -
PloS One 2022In Korea, the prevalence rate of hypertension among people aged over 30 is on an upward trend, which increased from 26.2% in 2008 to 28.3% in 2018. This hovers above the...
In Korea, the prevalence rate of hypertension among people aged over 30 is on an upward trend, which increased from 26.2% in 2008 to 28.3% in 2018. This hovers above the global morbidity rate of hypertension. As hypertension is the cause of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular diseases, early treatment and management are critical. Also, while there has been numerous research conducted on exercise intervention, the number of studies done on hypertension and physical fitness falls far below. To identify the relationship between health and physical fitness depending on the blood pressure levels of Korean seniors, the physical fitness test results of the National Fitness Award 100 conducted in 2017 were used, and blood pressure level, physique, and physical fitness data of 17,110 elderly population aged above 65 were analyzed. IBM Statistics SPSS 25.0 was used to process the collected data. Due to the gender difference in blood pressure levels, physique, and physical strength, the analysis was conducted by each gender, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to identify the differences in physique and physical strength depending on the blood pressure level. Also, Tukey's HDS test was conducted if such differences were found. All analyzes were tested at the significance level (α) of 0.05. As a result of comparing the physique factors by blood pressure level, only males showed a significant difference between groups in terms of height(p = .019), and higher blood pressure implied greater height. Also, for both genders, those with high blood pressure appeared to have greater body weight(p < .001), body fat percentage(p < .001), BMI(p < .001), waist circumference(p < .001), and waist-to-height ratio(p < .001),. In addition, as the result of comparing health-related physical strength and skill-related physical strength by blood pressure level, males showed a significant difference only in muscular strength(p = .026) and flexibility(p < .001), while females showed a significant difference between groups in terms of cardiovascular endurance(p < .001), muscular strength(p = .025), muscular endurance(p < .001), balance, and motor coordination except for flexibility. Holistically, males only showed a significant difference in muscular strength and flexibility while females appeared to have a significant difference between groups in all categories except flexibility, which can be considered that physical fitness factors influence the blood pressure of females more than males.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aged; Female; Adult; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Physical Fitness; Muscle Strength; Hypertension; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 36584236
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279264 -
Revista Latino-americana de Enfermagem 2020to know the relationship between the sensory function, gait ability, and cognitive function with dependency in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
to know the relationship between the sensory function, gait ability, and cognitive function with dependency in older adults.
METHOD
a descriptive cross-sectional design, 146 older adults took part.
MEASUREMENTS
Snellen chart, Audiometer, Stereognosia tests, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, basic aromas and flavors, GAITRite system, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test, the Barthel Index, and the Lawton and Brody Index.
RESULTS
sensory function, cognitive function and gait explain 25% dependence on basic activities of daily life and 21% dependence on instrumental activities of daily life. The variables that influence dependence on basic activities were taste (p=.029), gait speed (p=.009), cadence (p=.002) and step length (p=.001) and, in instrumental activities, gait speed (p=.049), cadence (p=.028) and step length (p=.010).
CONCLUSION
gait speed, cadence and stride length are variables that influence both dependence on basic and instrumental activities of daily life.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gait; Gait Analysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Walking Speed
PubMed: 32491121
DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.3499.3282 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jun 2023Current guidelines suggest that regular aerobic training might lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. However, evidence linking resistant hypertension (RH)...
INTRODUCTION
Current guidelines suggest that regular aerobic training might lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. However, evidence linking resistant hypertension (RH) with total daily physical activity (PA), including work-, transport-, and recreation-related PA, is limited. Therefore, this study assessed the association between daily PA and RH.
METHOD
A cross-sectional study was conducted using data acquired from a nationwide survey in the US (the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES). The weighted prevalence of RH was calculated, and moderate and vigorous daily PA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). A multivariate logistic regression model determined the association between daily PA and RH.
RESULTS
A total of 8,496 treated hypertension patients were identified, including 959 RH cases. The unweighted prevalence of RH among treated hypertension cases was 11.28%, while the weighted prevalence was 9.81%. Participants with RH had a low rate of recommended PA levels (39.83%), and daily PA and RH were significantly associated. PA exhibited significant dose-dependent trends with a low probability of RH (p-trends < 0.05). Additionally, participants with sufficient daily PA had a 14% lower probability of RH than those with insufficient PA [fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.74-0.99).
CONCLUSION
The present study revealed that RH has an incidence of up to 9.81% in treated hypertension patients. Hypertensive patients tended to be physically inactive, and insufficient PA and RH were significantly associated. Sufficient daily PA should be recommended to reduce the RH probability among treated hypertension patients.
Topics: Humans; Nutrition Surveys; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hypertension; Exercise; Blood Pressure
PubMed: 37286953
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03303-x -
Medicine Apr 2017The serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels have been reported altered in the traditional drug-dependence (such as marijuana and heroin). However,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels have been reported altered in the traditional drug-dependence (such as marijuana and heroin). However, studies assessing the relationships among serum TC, TG, and methamphetamine (MA)-dependence have not been described well. In this study, our aim is to explore the serum TG and TC levels in large sample of MA-dependent patients. A retrospective study was conducted in 938 MA-dependent patients who were recruited between February 2, 2008 and March 11, 2013, with social characteristics and drug-dependence history (duration of MA use, routes of drug administration, and daily dose were collected). Then, the serum levels of TC, TG, glucose (GLU), body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were measured among the participants. Meanwhile, 985 age- and gender-matched healthy people in the physical examination center were selected as control group. Compared with the control group, significant decreases of TC, TG, GLU, and BMI were observed in MA-dependent patients (P < 0.05). Besides, we found that the daily dose of MA use was associated with TC (β = -0.079, P = 0.015) and the duration of MA use was independently related to BMI (β = -0.071, P = 0.031). This study demonstrated that the levels of TC, TG, GLU, and BMI factors altered in the MA-dependent patients. In addition, there is a negative association between MA dependence and TC and BMI.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Triglycerides; Young Adult
PubMed: 28422859
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000006631 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022(1) Background: The regular practice of dancing benefits the physical condition, improving quality of life and minimising the adverse effects of ageing. Therefore, this... (Review)
Review
(1) Background: The regular practice of dancing benefits the physical condition, improving quality of life and minimising the adverse effects of ageing. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the impact of dance programmes by quantifying different physical parameters of the lower body in older adults. (2) Methods: A systematic qualitative review in the English language (PubMed, Scopus, OvidSP, Cochrane and PEDro database) until mid-2020 considering the PRISMA guidelines and the PEDro quality criteria considering the following parameters of gait: stride length and width, speed. Physical parameters: flexion and dorsiflexion joint, muscle strength and range of motion were carried out. (3) Results: 9 studies with a population of 544 subjects from 5 continents and 6 types of dances were taken into account. The improvement of some parameters over others depended on the type of dance and the movements generated, having moderate positive effects on strength, agility, mobility and balance. (4) Conclusions: there is a general improvement in the functional capacity of the elderly through the practice of ballroom dancing, with specific improvement of each parameter depending on the type of dance.
Topics: Aged; Dancing; Gait; Humans; Muscle Strength; Postural Balance; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35162569
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031547 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Feb 2013Learning constitutes a fundamental property of the human brain-yet an unresolved puzzle is the profound variability of the learning success between individuals. Here we...
Learning constitutes a fundamental property of the human brain-yet an unresolved puzzle is the profound variability of the learning success between individuals. Here we highlight the relevance of individual ongoing brain states as sources of the learning variability in exposure-based somatosensory perceptual learning. Electroencephalogram recordings of ongoing rhythmic brain activity before and during learning revealed that prelearning parietal alpha oscillations as well as during-learning stimulus-induced contralateral central alpha changes are predictive for the learning outcome. These two distinct alpha rhythm sources predicted up to 64% of the observed learning variability, one source representing an idling state with posteroparietal focus and a potential link to the default mode network, the other representing the sensorimotor mu rhythm, whose desynchronization is indicative for the degree of engagement of sensorimotor neuronal populations during application of the learning stimuli. Unspecific effects due to global shifts of attention or vigilance do not explain our observations. Our study thus suggests a brain state-dependency of perceptual learning success in humans opening new avenues for supportive learning tools in the clinical and educational realms.
Topics: Adult; Alpha Rhythm; Arousal; Attention; Brain; Cortical Synchronization; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Discrimination, Psychological; Electric Stimulation; Electroencephalography; Evoked Potentials; Female; Humans; Individuality; Learning; Male; Neurons; Perception; Physical Stimulation; Psychomotor Performance; Sensory Thresholds; Touch; Young Adult
PubMed: 23407948
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4039-12.2013 -
American Family Physician Nov 2000Early diagnosis and management of the undescended testicle are needed to preserve fertility and improve early detection of testicular malignancy. Physical examination of... (Review)
Review
Early diagnosis and management of the undescended testicle are needed to preserve fertility and improve early detection of testicular malignancy. Physical examination of the testicle can be difficult; consultation should be considered if a normal testis cannot be definitely identified. Observation is not recommended beyond one year of age because it delays treatment, lowers the rate of surgical success and probably impairs spermatogenesis. By six months of age, patients with undescended testicles should be evaluated by a pediatric urologist or other qualified subspecialist who can assist with diagnosis and treatment. Earlier referral may be warranted for bilateral nonpalpable testes in the newborn or for any child with both hypospadias and an undescended testis. Therapy for an undescended testicle should begin between six months and two years of age and may consist of hormone or surgical treatment. The success of either form of treatment depends on the position of the testicle at diagnosis. Recent improvements in surgical technique, including laparoscopic approaches to diagnosis and treatment, hold the promise of improved outcomes. While orchiopexy may not protect patients from developing testicular malignancy, the procedure allows for earlier detection through self-examination of the testicles.
Topics: Age Factors; Algorithms; Cryptorchidism; Decision Trees; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Physical Examination; Referral and Consultation; Spermatic Cord Torsion; Testicular Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 11087186
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Precision in evaluating underweight and overweight status among children and adolescents is paramount for averting health and developmental issues. Existing standards...
BACKGROUND
Precision in evaluating underweight and overweight status among children and adolescents is paramount for averting health and developmental issues. Existing standards for these assessments have faced scrutiny regarding their validity. This study investigates the age and height dependencies within the international standards set by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), relying on body mass index (BMI), and contrasts them with Japanese standards utilizing the percentage of overweight (POW).
METHOD
We scrutinized a comprehensive database comprising 7,863,520 children aged 5-17 years, sourced from the School Health Statistics Research initiative conducted by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Employing the quantile regression method, we dissected the structure of weight-for-height distributions across different ages and sexes, quantifying the potentially biased assessments of underweight and overweight status by conventional criteria.
RESULTS
Applying IOFT criteria for underweight assessment revealed pronounced height dependence in males aged 11-13 and females aged 10-11. Notably, a discernible bias emerged, wherein children in the lower 25th percentile were classified as underweight five times more frequently than those in the upper 25th percentile. Similarly, the overweight assessment displayed robust height dependence in males aged 8-11 and females aged 7-10, with children in the lower 25th percentile for height deemed obese four or five times more frequently than their counterparts in the upper 25th percentile. Furthermore, using the Japanese POW criteria for assessment revealed significant age dependence in addition to considerably underestimating the percentage of underweight and overweight cases under the age of seven. However, the height dependence for the POW criterion was smaller than the BMI criterion, and the difference between height classes was less than 3-fold.
CONCLUSION
Our findings underscore the intricacies of age-dependent changes in body composition during the growth process in children, emphasizing the absence of gold standards for assessing underweight and overweight. Careful judgment is crucial in cases of short or tall stature at the same age, surpassing sole reliance on conventional criteria results.
Topics: Reference Standards; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Female; Pediatric Obesity; Thinness; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Body Weights and Measures; Age Factors; Japan; International Classification of Diseases
PubMed: 38721543
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1379897 -
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease... May 2013Relating to Alzheimer's disease (AD), dependence has been defined as the increased need for assistance due to deterioration in cognition, physical functioning, and...
BACKGROUND
Relating to Alzheimer's disease (AD), dependence has been defined as the increased need for assistance due to deterioration in cognition, physical functioning, and behavior. Our objective was to evaluate the association between dependence and measures of functional impairment.
METHODS
Data were compiled by the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. We used multinomial logistic regression to estimate the association between dependence and cognition, physical functioning, and behavior.
RESULTS
The independent association with dependence was positive. Dependence was most strongly associated with physical functioning. A secondary analysis suggested a strong association of dependence with multiple impairments, as measured by the interaction terms, in more severe patients.
CONCLUSIONS
We find that dependence is simultaneously associated with physical functioning, cognition, and behavior, which support the construct validity of dependence. Dependence might be a more simple measure to explain the multifaceted disease progression of AD and convey the increasing need for care.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Databases, Factual; Dependency, Psychological; Disability Evaluation; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 23512996
DOI: 10.1177/1533317513481092