Medicina
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Background and objectives: It is unclear why many patients with hypothyroidism prefer the use of desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) as a thyroid hormone replacement formulation over levothyroxine (LT4) treatment, as recommended by clinical practice guidelines. We analyzed patient-reported information from patient online forums to better understand patient preferences for and attitudes toward the use of DTE to treat hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study by evaluating the content of online posts from three popular hypothyroidism forums from patients currently taking DTE (n = 673). ⋯ Qualitative analysis of posts' content supported these findings and raised additional issues around the need for individualizing therapy approaches for hypothyroidism (e.g., a sense of each patient has different needs), as well as difficulties obtaining DTE (e.g., issues with pharmacy availability). Conclusions: Lack of individualized treatment and a feeling of not been listened to were recurrent themes among DTE users. A subset of patients may prefer DTE to LT4 for many reasons, including perceived better effectiveness and improved overall well-being, despite the risks associated with DTE.
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Type D personality, characterized by two stable traits (social inhibition and negative affectivity), is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. A possible mediating factor for this association could be hypertension. Previous research has shown that individuals with Type D personality were associated with an increased risk of hypertension. However, the association of negative affectivity and social inhibition on blood pressure in normotensive individuals has not yet been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether negative affectivity and social inhibition were associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive middle-aged and older Taiwanese adults. ⋯ Negative affectivity of the Type D personality was significantly associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with a medium effect size, in apparently healthy middle-aged and older adults. Assessment of negative affectivity may be clinically useful in identifying individuals at risk of hypertension.
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The aim of the present study was to examine subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in female volleyball players with regards to (a) variation by anatomical site, (b) differences among age groups and playing positions, and (c) physiological characteristics associated with performance. Participants were adolescent (n = 89, age 15.6 ± 0.9 years, mean ± standard deviation) and adult female volleyball players (n = 78, 24.8 ± 5.3 years), who performed a series of anthropometric and performance tests including skinfold thickness in 10 sites, Abalakov jump (AJ) and handgrip test (HG). Chin had the smallest thickness, and iliac crest and abdomen the largest. ⋯ The anatomical site of skinfold was near the active muscle groups related to performance in HG. In conclusion, performance indices such AJ and HG were related with thickness of specific skinfolds and with the variation of thickness by anatomical site (i.e., the less the variation, the better the performance). Considering the relevance of specific skinfolds (e.g., triceps and chin) for performance, their further use would be recommended for purposes of training monitoring, volleyball players' selection and talent identification.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
EMS-effect of Exercises with Music on Fatness and Biomarkers of Obese Elderly Women.
Background and objectives: Electromyostimulation (EMS) has been shown to improve body composition, but what biomarkers it affects has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the EMS-effect of exercises with music on fatness and biomarker levels in obese elderly. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five women were randomly classified into a control group (CON) and EMS group (EMSG). ⋯ Tumor necrosis factor-a, C-reactive protein, resistin, and carcinoembryonic antigen of biomarkers were significantly different in the groups by time interaction. Similarly, the positive changes caused by EMS were represented in lipoprotein-cholesterols. Conclusions: The results indicate that a significant effect due to the EMS intervention was found concerning body composition and biomarkers in obese elderly women.
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Factors that Decrease Sedentary Behavior in Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A Longitudinal Study.
Background and objectives: This study was to clarify how the frequency of participation in a health class affected the reduction in sedentary behavior after two years, and whether decreases in sedentary behavior in elderly people who participated in a health class persisted two years after the end of an intervention. Materials and Methods: This study was longitudinal, and the results of a previous study conducted in 2017 were added to the findings of a different year. The participants were elderly health class members at a community dwelling in Japan who participated between 2016 and 2018. ⋯ Conclusions: Continuous participation in a health class may help reduce sedentary behavior. After two years, "Active Guide" brochures and documents may not help in reducing sedentary behavior, despite seeing improvements after one year. Persistent social participation may have a more lasting effect than one-off interventions in reducing the sedentary behavior ratio.