W Indian Med J
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The occurrence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is a major problem of ageing. For assessing the severity of bone loss, bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is the gold standard. Because of the limitations of BMD, use of simpler serum-based tests to classify osteoporosis/osteopenia patients is gaining interest. In this preliminary work, we aimed to discriminate between healthy individuals and osteoporosis/osteopenia patients through a simple serum-based equation. ⋯ The suggested equation is a simple model that obtains reasonable results in discriminating healthy individuals from patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis. More study is needed to reach an exact, conclusive statement about the potential clinical application of this equation in the assessment of bone loss severity.
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The onset of HIV/AIDS has increased stigma and discrimination at workplaces, making those with these ailments worried about going to work to avoid being victimized. Most previous works focussed on stigma and discrimination in the communities with little emphasis on what occurs in the workplaces. This study assessed the prevalence of workplace stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending antiretroviral (ARV) clinics in health institutions in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. ⋯ The prevalence of stigma and discrimination in workplaces is high. Efforts should be made by agencies to reduce such social problems in the workplace since they can affect overall management and productivity.
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In humans, it has been suggested that low-level mean platelet volume (MPV) may be related to secondary thrombosis due to inflammation. For this reason, MPV can be used as a marker showing inflammation in the body. ⋯ The lower MPV level surrogates active and/or chronic inflammatory state in the body. Thus, MPV may be used as a negative acute-phase reactant in rheumatic diseases.
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This study aims to investigate the impact of comprehensive treatment on the trunk controlling ability (TCA) of children with cerebral palsy (CPC). ⋯ The balancing instrument training, combined with physical therapy technology training, could effectively improve the TCA of CPC, and the balancing instrument could also provide the objective and quantitative efficacy assessment toward the TCA of CPC.
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To assess knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to their disease among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in one regional health district in Trinidad and Tobago and to compare these attributes between patients receiving/not receiving nutrition counselling. ⋯ Patients receiving nutrition counselling were more knowledgeable about diabetes than those not receiving such counselling, and had a more positive outlook as to what it would take on the part of the patient and clinicians to manage the disease effectively.