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Adverse Health Consequences (adverse + health_consequence)
Selected AbstractsThe Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Mental and Physical Health of Low-Income Parents in New OrleansAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2010Jean Rhodes The purpose of this study was to document changes in mental and physical health among 392 low-income parents exposed to Hurricane Katrina and to explore how hurricane-related stressors and loss relate to post-Katrina well-being. The prevalence of probable serious mental illness doubled, and nearly half of the respondents exhibited probable posttraumatic stress disorder. Higher levels of hurricane-related loss and stressors were generally associated with worse health outcomes, controlling for baseline sociodemographic and health measures. Higher baseline resources predicted fewer hurricane-associated stressors, but the consequences of stressors and loss were similar regardless of baseline resources. Adverse health consequences of Hurricane Katrina persisted for a year or more and were most severe for those experiencing the most stressors and loss. Long-term health and mental health services are needed for low-income disaster survivors, especially those who experience disaster-related stressors and loss. [source] Harm reduction programmes in the Asia,Pacific RegionDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 1 2008GARY REID MPH Abstract Introduction and Aims. This paper reports on the public health intervention of harm reduction to address drug use issues in the Asia , Pacific region. Design and Methods. It is based on the report ,Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in Asia and the Pacific', commissioned by the Australian National Council on Drugs Asia Pacific Drug Issues Committee. A comprehensive desk-based review based on published and unpublished literature and key informant data. Results. Drug use in the Asia , Pacific region is widespread, resulting in serious adverse health consequences. Needle and syringe programmes are found in some parts of Asia, but not in the six Pacific Island countries reviewed. Outreach and peer education programmes are implemented, but overall appear minor in size and scope. Substitution therapy programmes appear to be entering a new era of acceptance in some parts of Asia. Primary health care specifically for drug users overall is limited. Discussion and Conclusions. Harm reduction programmes in the Asia , Pacific region are either small in scale or do not exist. Most programmes lack the technical capacity, human resources and a limited scope of operations to respond effectively to the needs of drug users. Governments in this region should be encouraged to endorse evidence-based harm reduction programmes. [source] In vivo genotoxic effects of industrial waste leachates in mice following oral exposureENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 5 2006Saurabh Chandra Abstract Contamination of ground water by industrial waste poses potential health hazards for man and his environment. The improper disposal of toxic wastes could allow genotoxic chemicals to percolate into ground waters, and these contaminated ground waters may produce toxicity, including mutation and eventually cancer, in exposed individuals. In the present study, we evaluated the in vivo genotoxic potential of leachates made from three different kinds of industrial waste (tannery waste, metal-based waste, and waste containing dyes and pigments) that are disposed of in areas adjoining human habitation. Three different doses of test leachates were administered by oral gavage for 15 consecutive days to Swiss albino mice; their bone marrow cells were examined for chromosome aberrations (CAs), micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs), and DNA damage using the alkaline Comet assay. Exposure to the leachates resulted in significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) dose-dependent increases in chromosome and DNA damage. Fragmented chromosomes and chromatid breaks were the major CAs observed. Chemical analysis of the leachates indicated that chromium and nickel were elevated above the limits established by health organizations. The highest levels of genotoxicity were produced by the metal-based leachate and the tannery-waste leachate, while the dye-waste leachate produced weaker genotoxic responses. The cytogenetic abnormalities and DNA damage produced by the leachates indicate that humans consuming water contaminated with these materials are at increased risk of developing adverse health consequences. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mineral metabolism disturbances in patients with chronic kidney diseaseEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 8 2007B. Kestenbaum Abstract Background Kidney disease, especially chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a worldwide public health problem with serious adverse health consequences for affected individuals. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, a disorder characterized by elevated serum parathyroid hormone levels, and alteration of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis are common metabolic complications of CKD that may impact cardiovascular health. Materials and methods Here, we systematically review published reports from recent observational studies and clinical trials that examine markers of altered mineral metabolism and clinical outcomes in patients with CKD. Results Mineral metabolism disturbances begin early during the course of chronic kidney disease, and are associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in observational studies. Vascular calcification is one plausible mechanism connecting renal-related mineral metabolism with cardiovascular risk. Individual therapies to correct mineral metabolism disturbances have been associated with clinical benefit in some observational studies; clinical trials directed at more comprehensive control of this problem are warranted. Conclusions There exists a potential to improve outcomes for patients with CKD through increased awareness of the Bone Metabolism and Disease guidelines set forth by the National Kidney Foundation,Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. Future studies may include more aggressive therapy with a combination of agents that address vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone and phosphorus excess, as well as novel agents that modulate circulating promoters and inhibitors of calcification. [source] Clinical significance of clinical interventions in community pharmacy: a randomised trial of the effect of education and a professional allowanceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 2 2003Shalom I. Benrimoj professor of pharmacy practice Objectives To assess the clinical significance of clinical interventions undertaken by community pharmacists, and to explore the effect of providing education and/or remuneration on the clinical significance of interventions. Design Randomised trial involving four groups of community pharmacists; expert panel to assess the clinical significance of the interventions. Methods The "proactive" clinical interventions undertaken by community pharmacists during the trial were reviewed by an expert panel for assessment of avoided adverse health consequences and clinical significance. The panel used a validated assessment instrument developed from the existing research literature and a pilot study by the authors. Data analysis Agreement between experts was determined using the kappa statistic. In addition, the results of the expert panel were analysed for cases where the majority of experts provided the same assessment of clinical significance (ie, consensus). Results Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in the clinical significance of clinical interventions undertaken by the four study groups. However, there were significant differences (95% CI) in the types of proactive interventions undertaken, with the two groups that received an educational intervention being more likely to engage in more complex intervention areas, such as drug/drug interactions and adverse/side effects. Analysis of consensus revealed that 52% of proactive clinical interventions were deemed to be "clinically significant" and 2% were deemed to be either "clinically very significant" or "potentially life-saving". When extrapolated to national Australian prescribing figures, a mean of 3,752 potentially life-saving interventions by community pharmacists could be expected per year (95% CI 454 to 13,554). Conclusion The results of this study provide the first estimates of the potential clinical benefits associated with clinical interventions in Australian community pharmacies. The study contributes evidence on the value of pharmaceutical services to the health care system. As such, it is expected that the study findings will provide a platform for discussion and decision-making. [source] Change in Motor Function and Risk of Mortality in Older PersonsJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007Aron S. Buchman MD OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between change in motor function and mortality. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: Approximately 40 retirement communities across the Chicago metropolitan area participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred thirty-seven community-based older persons without dementia. MEASUREMENTS: Change in composite measures of motor performance and muscle strength. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 2.2 years, 81 persons died. In a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, education, and body mass index, each 1-unit increase in the level of baseline motor performance was associated with an approximately 10% decrease in risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=0.901, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.863,0.941), and each unit of annual increase in motor performance was associated with an approximately 11% decrease in the risk of mortality (HR=0.887, 95% CI=0.835,0.942). In a similar model, each 1-unit increase in the level of baseline strength was associated with an approximately 9% decrease in the risk of mortality (HR=0.906, 95% CI=0.859,0.957), and each 1-unit annual increase in strength was associated with an approximately 10% decrease in the risk of mortality (HR=0.898, 95% CI=0.809,0.996). These results were similar when men and women were analyzed separately and after controlling for physical activity, cognition, and chronic disorders. When motor performance and muscle strength were examined in a single model, only baseline and annual change in motor performance were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Level and rate of change in strength and motor performance are associated with mortality. The attenuation of the association between strength and mortality by motor performance suggests that motor function is not a unitary process and that its components may vary in their associations with adverse health consequences in older persons. [source] The Nutrition Transition: An Overview of World Patterns of ChangeNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 2004Barry M. Popkin Ph.D. This paper examines the speed of change in diet, activity, and obesity in the developing world, and notes potential exacerbating biological relationships that contribute to differences in the rates of change. The focus is on lower- and middle-income countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. These dietary, physical activity, and body composition changes are occurring at great speed and at earlier stages of these countries' economic and social development. There are some unique issues that relate to body composition and potential genetic factors that are also explored, including potential differences in body mass index (BMI),disease relationships and added risks posed by high levels of poor fetal and infant growth patterns. In addition there is an important dynamic occurring,the shift in the burden of poor diets, inactivity and obesity from the rich to the poor. The developing world needs to give far greater emphasis to addressing the prevention of the adverse health consequences of this shift to the nutrition transition stage of the degenerative diseases [source] The long-term impact of bereavement upon spouse health: a 10-year follow-upACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 5 2010Michael P. Jones Jones MP, Bartrop RW, Forcier L, Penny R. The long-term impact of bereavement upon spouse health: a 10-year follow-up. Objectives: This study is the first to examine the effect of bereavement of a first-degree family member on subsequent morbidity over a 10-year follow-up period. Methods: A sample of bereaved subjects (n = 72) were compared with a control group (n = 80) recruited in the same period with respect to morbidity experience during follow-up. Morbidity events were ascertained from the subject themselves, their health care providers and these sources were also compared. Results: Bereavement was associated with an elevated total burden of illness as well as with mental health and circulatory system categories diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases - Clinically Modified (ICD-9) classification system. The elevation ranged from approximately 20% for any illness to 60,100% among circulatory system disorders. Although in an earlier study there was a downregulation of T-cell function in the bereaved during the first 8 weeks, there was no evidence that the bereavement was associated with increased morbidity in the respiratory or immune system ICD-9 categories long-term. Conclusions: Past epidemiological research has indicated that bereavement of a close family member is associated with adverse health consequences of a generalised morbidity. Our study suggests an increase in mental health and circulatory system effects in particular. Further research is required to determine whether other systems are also affected by bereavement. [source] | ||||||||||