Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer in Catalonia (Spain).
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension at all levels of the Catalan FIT-based CRC screening program on March 12, 2020. Screening invitations to FIT were resumed on September 1, 2020. We aimed to assess the short-term impact of the pandemic and describe strategies implemented to minimize harm by the disruption of the FIT-based CRC screening in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. ⋯ Individuals with a positive test did not report higher levels of perceived distress compared to those with a negative test. Although the disruption of screening had a temporary impact on participation and colonoscopy adherence, timing delay continues and a large backlog in the invitation of the target population remains. Thus, it is critical to implement strategies to minimize the long-term effects.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Effect of maternal alcohol consumption during the pre-pregnancy/early-pregnancy period on congenital heart disease: A prospective cohort study in Central China.
Evidence of associations between maternal alcohol consumption and congenital heart disease (CHD) are mixed. Previous studies have been potentially biased due to recall bias or unmeasured confounding. This study aimed to examine the association of maternal alcohol consumption in 3 months before pregnancy and in early pregnancy with risks of offspring congenital heart disease (CHD) and its seven common subtypes. ⋯ More specifically, the offspring exposed to maternal alcohol consumption in 3 months before pregnancy had the highest increased risk of Tetralogy of Fallot (adjusted-RR:8.62; 95%CIs:3.61-20.61). These findings persisted in analyses that were further adjusted for the other behavior variables other than the characteristic being assessed, and were also confirmed by sensitivity analyses. Our study supports the need for continued efforts for public health messages surrounding the potential risks of alcohol consumption prior to or during pregnancy.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Multimorbidity and simultaneity of health risk factors, from adolescence to early adulthood: 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort.
The co-occurrence of two or more diseases is called multimorbidity, and the occurrence of two or more risk factors is called simultaneity of risk factors. Multimorbidity and simultaneity of risk factors are not widely understood in adolescence and early adulthood. This paper aims to describe how multimorbidity and simultaneity of risk factors are distributed throughout adolescence and early adulthood, considering demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, among the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort members. ⋯ The presence of both multimorbidity and simultaneity of risk factors was 19.7% at 11 and 35.4% at 22y. Less than 2% have no morbidity and no risk factors at each age assessed. This study highlighted the early emergence and accelerated growth of diseases and risk factors in a young population, especially their co-occurrence.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Using apps to self-monitor diet and physical activity is linked to greater use of disordered eating behaviors among emerging adults.
Use of weight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) apps is common among emerging adults, as are weight and shape concerns. The present study aimed to examine (1) whether emerging adult use of dietary-focused (e.g., MyFitnessPal) and physical activity-focused (e.g., Fitbit) WRSM apps was associated with weight-control and muscle-building behaviors, including commonly recommended/conventional behaviors and disordered behaviors and (2) whether prior use of weight-control and muscle-building behaviors in adolescence might explain such relationships. Data were collected as part of the EAT (Eating and Activity over Time) 2010-2018 study (n = 1446) and analyzed using gender-stratified logistic regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics and body mass index. ⋯ The observed associations remained statistically significant in models that further adjusted for adolescent use of the respective behaviors. Findings suggest that emerging adults who use physical activity- and dietary-focused WRSM apps are more likely to engage in disordered weight-control and muscle-building behaviors and that associations are not explained by engagement in these behaviors during adolescence. Future research is needed to examine if there are aspects of WRSM apps that could be modified to reduce potential harm.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2022
Evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening in a central Canadian province.
We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening in Manitoba, Canada using an interrupted time series (ITS) design and data from Manitoba's population-based, organized cancer screening programs from April 2020 to August 2021. In June 2020 (breast screening was suspended during April and May 2020), there was a 54% decrease between the predicted (i.e., observed data produced from regression models) and expected (i.e., counterfactual values produced for the COVID-19 period by assuming COVID-19 did not occur) number of screening mammograms (ratio = 0.46, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.28-0.64). By December 2020, there was no significant difference between predicted and expected number of screening mammograms (ratio = 0.95, 95% CI 0.80-1.10). ⋯ The estimated cumulative deficit (i.e., backlog) from April 2020 to August 2021 was 17,370 screening mammograms, 22,086 Pap tests, and 5253 screening program FOBTs. Overall, screening programs adapted quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional strategies may be needed to address remaining backlogs.