The prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China:a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

Empty-nest elderly are those who have no children or whose children are away from home,and they have to live alone or with their spouses.The prevalence of depression in the elderly is worrying,especially in the empty-nest elderly.This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China and explore the factors that influence depression among the empty-nest elderly.Methods:We searched both international(PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,and Web of Science)and Chinese(CNKI,WanFang,SinoMed,and VIP)databases from their inception date until 12 April,2020,and collected cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China.Two reviewers independently screened the literature,extracted the data,and evaluated the risk of bias included in the study.Meta-analysis was performed using Stata12.0 software.Results:Twenty-seven cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis.The pooled prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China was 41%(95%CI:32%–50%).Subgroup analysis revealed that the Geriatric Depression Scale versions,sampling methods,living areas,gender,age,chronic diseases,and living arrangements were associated with the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China.Conclusions:The prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly in China was relatively high.Researchers could explore more reasons for the differences in the prevalence of depression among the empty-nest elderly from multiple perspectives in the future.Relevant departments should identify and routinely evaluate the negative emotions of the empty-nest elderly.Meanwhile,community nurses should care for the emotional needs of the empty-nest elderly,carry out targeted mental health education,and promote the realization of healthy aging.

Mental health and insomnia problems in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 pandemic:A multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Healthcare workers(HCWs)are at increased risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)as well as worsening mental health problems and insomnia.These problems can persist for a long period,even after the pandemic.However,less is known about this topic.AIM To analyze mental health,insomnia problems,and their influencing factors in HCWs after the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This multicenter cross-sectional,hospital-based study was conducted from June 1,2023 to June 30,2023,which was a half-year after the end of the COVID-19 emergency.Region-stratified population-based cluster sampling was applied at the provincial level for Chinese HCWs.Symptoms such as anxiety,depression,and insomnia were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and Insomnia Severity Index.Factors influencing the symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 2000 participants were invited,for a response rate of 70.6%.A total of 1412 HCWs[618(43.8%)doctors,583(41.3%)nurses and 211(14.9%)nonfrontline],254(18.0%),231(16.4%),and 289(20.5%)had symptoms of anxiety,depression,and insomnia,respectively;severe symptoms were found in 58(4.1%),49(3.5%),and 111(7.9%)of the participants.Nurses,female sex,and hospitalization for COVID-19 were risk factors for anxiety,depression,and insomnia symptoms;moreover,death from family or friends was a risk factor for insomnia symptoms.During the COVID-19 outbreak,most[1086(76.9%)]of the participating HCWs received psychological interventions,while nearly all[994(70.4%)]of them had received public psychological education.Only 102(7.2%)of the HCWs received individual counseling from COVID-19.CONCLUSION Although the mental health and sleep problems of HCWs were relieved after the COVID-19 pandemic,they still faced challenges and greater risks than did the general population.Identifying risk factors would help in providing targeted interventions.In addition,although a major proportion of HCWs have received public psychological education,individual interventions are still insufficient.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and colorectal polyps:A retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Colorectal polyps(CPs)are frequently occurring abnormal growths in the colorectum,and are a primary precursor of colorectal cancer(CRC).The triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index is a novel marker that assesses metabolic health and insulin resistance,and has been linked to gastrointestinal cancers.AIM To investigate the potential association between the TyG index and CPs,as the relation between them has not been documented.METHODS A total of 2537 persons undergoing a routine health physical examination and colonoscopy at The First People's Hospital of Kunshan,Jiangsu Province,China,between January 2020 and December 2022 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study.After excluding individuals who did not meet the eligibility criteria,descriptive statistics were used to compare characteristics between patients with and without CPs.Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between the TyG index and the prevalence of CPs.The TyG index was calculated using the following formula:Ln[triglyceride(mg/dL)×glucose(mg/dL)/2].The presence and types of CPs was determined based on data from colonoscopy reports and pathology reports.RESULTS A nonlinear relation between the TyG index and the prevalence of CPs was identified,and exhibited a curvilinear pattern with a cut-off point of 2.31.A significant association was observed before the turning point,with an odds ratio(95% confidence interval)of 1.70(1.40,2.06),P<0.0001.However,the association between the TyG index and CPs was not significant after the cut-off point,with an odds ratio(95% confidence interval)of 0.57(0.27,1.23),P=0.1521.CONCLUSION Our study revealed a curvilinear association between the TyG index and CPs in Chinese individuals,suggesting its potential utility in developing colonoscopy screening strategies for preventing CRC.

Association between Residential Greenness and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Adults in Rural Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China:A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective This study aimed to explore the relationships between residential greenness and cardiometabolic risk factors among rural adults in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(Xinjiang)and thus provide a theoretical basis and data support for improving the health of residents in this region.Methods We recruited 9,723 adult rural residents from the 51st Regiment of the Third Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in September 2016.The normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)was used to estimate residential greenness.The generalized linear mixed model(GLMM)was used to examine the association between residential greenness and cardiometabolic risk factors.Results Higher residential greenness was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk factor prevalence.After adjustments were made for age,sex,education,and marital status,for each interquartile range(IQR)increase of NDVI500-m,the risk of hypertension was reduced by 10.3%(OR=0.897,95%CI=0.836-0.962),the risk of obesity by 20.5%(OR=0.795,95%CI=0.695-0.910),the risk of type 2 diabetes by 15.1%(OR=0.849,95%CI=0.740-0.974),and the risk of dyslipidemia by 10.5%(OR=0.895,95%CI=0.825-0.971).Risk factor aggregation was reduced by 20.4%(OR=0.796,95%CI=0.716-0.885)for the same.Stratified analysis showed that NDVI500-m was associated more strongly with hypertension,dyslipidemia,and risk factor aggregation among male participants.The association of NDVI500-m with type 2 diabetes was stronger among participants with a higher education level.PM10 and physical activity mediated 1.9%-9.2%of the associations between NDVI500-m and obesity,dyslipidemia,and risk factor aggregation.Conclusion Higher residential greenness has a protective effect against cardiometabolic risk factors among rural residents in Xinjiang.Increasing the area of green space around residences is an effective measure to reduce the burden of cardiometabolic-related diseases among rural residents in Xinjiang.

Dyslipidemia in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in a Rural Community in Ganadougou, Mali: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dyslipidemia is a disorder where abnormally lipid concentrations circulate in the bloodstream. The disorder is common in type 2 diabetics (T2D) and is linked with T2D comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia in T2D is typically characterized by elevated plasma triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. There is a significant gap in the literature regarding dyslipidemia in rural parts of Africa, where lipid profiles may not be captured through routine surveillance. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and demo-graphic profile of dyslipidemia in T2D in the rural community of Ganadougou, Mali. We performed a cross-sectional study of 104 subjects with T2D in Ganadougou between November 2021 and March 2022. Demographic and lipid profiles were collected through cross-sectional surveys and serological analyses. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia in T2D patients was 87.5% (91/104), which did not differ by sex (P = .368). High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was the most common lipid abnormality (78.9%, [82/104]). Dyslipidemia was associated with age and hypertension status (P = .013 and.036, respectively). High total and high LDL-C parameters were significantly associated with hypertension (P = .029 and .006, respectively). In low-resource settings such as rural Mali, there is a critical need to improve infrastructure for routine dyslipidemia screening to guide its prevention and intervention approaches. The high rates of dyslipidemia observed in Gandadougou, consistent with concomitant increases in cardiovascular diseases in Africa suggest that lipid profile assessments should be incorporated into routine medical care for T2D patients in African rural settings.

Patterns of Infertility and Abortion in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Infertility and abortion are significant reproductive health concerns globally, impacting individuals' well-being and healthcare systems. In Saudi Arabia, cultural, social, and religious factors influence perceptions and management of these issues, necessitating research to understand the patterns and associated factors. Study Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the patterns of infertility and abortion among 458 women in Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic profiles, reproductive histories, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Methodology: Participants were recruited from healthcare facilities, and data on age, BMI, reproductive history, medical conditions, assisted reproduction methods, and lifestyle behaviors were collected. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were conducted to examine associations between variables. Results: The majority of participants were aged 30 - 39 years (47.4%), with 76.9% experiencing secondary infertility. Among those with offspring (76.9%), 31% reported using assisted reproduction methods, primarily ovarian stimulators (54.2%). Abortion history was reported by 39.5% of participants. Significant associations were found between age and infertility type (X2 = 5.8, p = 0.054), having offspring and infertility type (X2 = 458.0, p = 0.001), menstrual irregularity and infertility type (X2 = 11.4, p = 0.001), and abortion history and delayed fertility (X2 = 10.4, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study reveals significant associations between demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors with infertility patterns and abortion history among Saudi women. These findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions addressing medical conditions, age-related factors, and access to reproductive healthcare services.

A Cross-Sectional Study on The Prevalence of Anemia in Maintenance Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Its Related Factors

Objective:To study the prevalence of anemia,the proportion of hemoglobin(Hb)levels,the treatment methods,and the influencing factors of Hb levels in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)and peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods:In this study,602 patients with maintenance hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis were enrolled from December 2020 to December 2022 in our hospital,and their medical records were collected and summarized.The main contents included the patient’s gender,age,primary disease,dialysis duration,dialysis method,the use of erythropoietic stimulating agents(ESA),intravenous iron,and laboratory tests.A Hb index exceeding 110 g/L was set as the standard for the prevalence of anemia.Results:The rate of anemia in patients undergoing blood purification was 83%.The proportion of ESA use was 84.1%,and the proportion of iron use was 76.7%,of which the proportion of intravenous iron used was 17.0%,and the proportion of folic acid used was 28.3%.Conclusion:The incidence of anemia in MHD patients was relatively high,with a low proportion of patients reaching the standard Hb levels.Risk factors include albumin(ALB)levels,iron storage,white blood cells,C-reactive protein,cholesterol,etc.Nutritional support,iron supplementation,and prevention of micro-inflammatory reactions can effectively promote the improvement of Hb indicators in dialysis patients to prevent anemia.

Predicting South Korea adolescents vulnerable to depressive disorder using Bayesian nomogram:A community-based crosssectional study

BACKGROUND Although South Korea has developed and carried out evidence-based interventions and prevention programs to prevent depressive disorder in adolescents,the number of adolescents with depressive disorder has increased every year for the past 10 years.AIM To develop a nomogram based on a naïve Bayesian algorithm by using epidemiological data on adolescents in South Korea and present baseline data for screening depressive disorder in adolescents.METHODS Epidemiological data from 2438 subjects who completed a brief symptom inventory questionnaire were used to develop a model based on a Bayesian nomogram for predicting depressive disorder in adolescents.RESULTS Physical symptoms,aggression,social withdrawal,attention,satisfaction with school life,mean sleeping hours,and conversation time with parents were influential factors on depressive disorder in adolescents.Among them,physical symptoms were the most influential.CONCLUSION Active intervention by periodically checking the emotional state of adolescents and offering individual counseling and in-depth psychological examinations when necessary are required to mitigate depressive disorder in adolescents.

Awareness of and attitudes towards infertility and its treatment： a cross-sectional survey of men in a United States primary care population

Previous studies have described racial and socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of infertility. Patient factors such as attitudes and awareness may be contributing factors. Since primary care is often the setting that serves as an entry into other areas of medicine, we sought to evaluate men＇s attitudes and awareness of male infertility in the primary care setting. To do this, we performed a cross-sectional survey of men＇s attitudes toward men＇s health issues in 210 men from two primary care clinic waiting rooms in Atlanta, Georgia. The survey was self-administered with closed-ended question items and was approximately 20 min in length. Of the 310 men approached, 210 agreed to participate and returned completed surveys. Overall, 52% of men said they were ＂very＂ or ＂somewhat＂ familiar with infertility and 25% were familiar with treatments for infertility. Some men had heard of surgery （21%） and medication （35%） as treatments for male infertility. Awareness and familiarity with the condition was greater in high socioeconomic status men （i.e. college graduates or those with income 〉$100 k per year） but did not differ by race on multivariate analysis. Attitudes toward infertility varied by race with non-Caucasian men being more likely to indicate that infertility is a serious condition, to be concerned about infertility, and to believe it decreases a man＇s quality-of-life. Therefore, a lack of awareness, but not negative attitudes, may contribute to previously-described disparities in the treatment of infertility.

Nonfatal Child Pedestrian Injury in Two Urban Cities of Guangdong Province,China:Results from a Cross-sectional Survey

Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics of nonfatal child pedestrian injuries and provide information to help understand an important public-health problem.Methods This was a school-based,cross-sectional questionnaire survey.The sample （42 750 children） was obtained from two urban cities of Guangdong Province,China,using multi-stage randomized sampling.Information was collected by the respondents self-reporting in the classroom.Results The incidence rate of nonfatal child pedestrian injuries in the cities was 2.0%.Boys had a higher incidence rate （2.6%） than girls （1.4%）.Compared to other children,those aged 10 years are at the highest risk.The primary places of occurrence were sidewalks,residential roads,and crosswalks.High-risk behavior of the children immediately prior to injury included mid-block crossings,playing on roads,and crossing on red lights.The major vehicles that caused pedestrian injuries were bicycles,car or vans,and motorcycles.Bruises,fractures,and injuries to the internal organs were the top three types of injuries.Almost 40% of victims were hospitalized,and nearly 30% of the victims suffered long-term disabilities.Conclusion This study shows that nonfatal child pedestrian injuries are a very serious public-health problem in the urban cities of Guangdong.Based on the epidemiological characteristics,prevention strategies and further research should be carried out to reduce the occurrence of injuries.

Cross-sectional study of the educational background and trauma knowledge of trainees in the “China trauma care training” program

Background:Since the trauma knowledge of trauma providers correlates with the outcomes of injured patients,this study aims to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and levels of trauma knowledge of trainees in the China trauma care training(CTCT)program in addition to their post-course test results to provide support for the development of trauma care training programs and trauma systems in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting demographic information,hospital-related information and trauma knowledge of the trainees from 19 regions in China.All participants were assessed by questionnaires collecting the socio-demographic data,the trauma care knowledge levels and the information of the hospitals.Results:There were 955 males(78.9%)and 256 females(21.1%)enrolled.Among them,854 were physicians(70.5%),357 were registered nurses(29.5%).In addition,64 of them also played an administrative role in the hospitals(5.3%).The score of the trainees who were members of the emergency department staff(72.59±14.13)was the highest among the scores of all the personnel surveyed,followed by those of the trainees from the intensive care unit(ICU)(71.17±12.72),trauma surgery department(67.26±13.81),orthopedics department(70.36±14.48),general surgery department(69.91±14.79)and other departments(69.93±16.91),P=0.031.The score of the professors(73.09±15.05)was higher than those of the associate professors(72.40±14.71),lecturers(70.07±14.25)and teaching assistants(67.58±15.16),P<0.0001.The score of the individuals who attended experts’trauma lectures(72.22±14.45)was higher than that of individuals who did not attend the lectures(69.33±15.17),P=0.001.The mean scores before and after the training were 71.02±14.82 and 84.24±13.77,respectively,P<0.001.The mean score of trauma knowledge after the training of trainees from different provinces and with different educational backgrounds was higher than that before the training,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusions:The level of trauma knowledge of trauma care providers was associated with their department,professional position and previous participation in related academic conferences.Trauma care experience and participation in academic lectures and training program including CTCT may effectively improve individuals’level of trauma knowledge.

Tea Consumption is Associated with Increased Risk of Kidney Stones in Northern Chinese： A Cross-sectional Study

Kidney stones are a common urinary system condition that can progress to kidney disease. Previous studies on the association between tea consumption and kidney stones are inconsistent. A cross-sectional study to investigate the association between tea consumption and kidney stones was conducted from 2013 to 2014 and recruited 9,078 northern Chinese adults. A total of 8,807 participants were included in the final analysis. Participants＇ prevalence of kidney stones was 1.07%, 1.73%, and 2.25% based on their tea consumption frecluencv of never, occasionally,

A community-based epidemiological study of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore any gender-related differences in prevalence of and condition-associated factors related to an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level amongst residents of Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 11 898 of a potential 20 112 regional residents aged 30 years or more completed a related questionnaire that was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade between 1991 and 1994 inclusively, with blood samples being collected by public nurses. The overall questionnaire response rate was 59.3% (52.4% for males and 66.0% for females). RESULTS: The prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level for this sub-population was found to be 7.2%, the prevalence revealing a statistically significant decrease with increasing population age (P<0.0001). Males exhibited a greater prevalence of elevated serum ALT level than did females (9.4% vs 5.3%, P<0.0001). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, in addition to male gender, a younger age, greater waist circumference, presence of type-2 diabetes and hyperuricemia were the significant factors associated with an elevated serum ALT level for both males and females. Gender-related differences as regards associated factors were also revealed. For males, obesity was significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level (OR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.00-1.66) but this was not so for females (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.84-1.42). Hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.36-2.39) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.03-2.52) were significantly related to elevated serum ALT levels only for females. CONCLUSION: Several gender-related differences were noted pertaining to the prevalence of and relationship between obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia and elevated serum ALT level in the present study.

Association of ABO blood groups with the severity of coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate whether ABO blood groups is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods Between January 2015 and December 2017, 1425 first diagnosed CAD patients confirmed by selective coronary angiography were recruited into this cross-sectional study, and their baseline characteristics, ABO blood groups, Gensini score were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the association between the severity of CAD and ABO blood groups. Results The Gensini score was significantly higher in the blood group A than in the non-A groups(41.2 ± 32 vs. 38 ± 27;P = 0.026). After adjusting for age, male, smoking, family history of CAD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, multivariate linear regression indicated that blood group A was associated with the severity of CAD(β= 3.298, 95% CI: 0.91–6.505, P = 0.044). In diabetes group, A blood type was also associated with increased Gensini score(P = 0.02) after adjusting for age, male, family history of CAD, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and hypertension. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, the data indicated that blood group A was an independent risk factor of severity of CAD in Chinese population and Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Prevalence and Influencing Factors on Fatigue of First-line Nurses Combating with COVID-19 in China:A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Summary:Nurses'work-related fatigue has been recognized as a threat to nurse health and patient safety.The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fatigue among first-line nurses combating with COVID-19 in Wuhan,China,and to analyze its influencing factors on fatigue.A multi-center,descriptive,cross-sectional design with a convenience sample was used.The statistical population consisted of the first-line nurses in 7 tertiary general hospitals from March 3,2020 to March 10,2020 in Wuhan of China.A total of 2667 samples from 2768 contacted participants completed the investgation,with a response rate of 96.35%.Social-demographic questionnaire,work-related questionnaire,Fatigue Scale-14,Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and Chinese Perceived Stress Scale were used to conduct online survey.The descriptive statistic of nurses'social-demographic characteristics was conducted,and the related variables of work,anxiety,depression,perceived stress and fatigue were analyzed by Z-tests,nonparametric test and Pearson's correlation analysis.The significant factors which resulted in nurses'fatigue were further analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.The median score for the first-line nurses'fatigue in Wuhan was 4(2,8).The median score of physical and mental fatigue of them was 3(1,6)and 1(0,3)respectively.According to the scoring criteria,35.06%nurses(w=935)of all participants were in the fatigue status,their median score of fatigue was 10(8,11),and the median score of physical and mental fatigue of them was 7(5,8)and 3(2,4)respectively.Multiple linear regression analysis revealed the participants in the risk groups of anxiety,depression and perceived stress had higher scores on physical and mental fatigue and the statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the variables and nurses'fatigue,the frequency of exercise and nurses'fatigue had a statistically significant negative correlation,and average daily working hours had a significantly positive correlation with nurses'fatigue,and the frequency of weekly night shift had a low positive correlation with nurses'fatigue(P<0.01).There was a moderate level of fatigue among the first-line nurses fighting against COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan,China.Government and health authorities need to formulate and take effective intervention strategies according to the relevant risk factors,and undertake preventive measures aimed at reducing health hazards due to increased work-related fatigue among first-line nurses,and to enhance their health status and provide a safe occupational environment worldwide.Promoting both medical and nursing safety while combating with the pandemic currently is warranted.

Serum insulin, insulin resistance, p-cell dysfunction, and gallstone disease among type 2 diabetics in Chinese population: A community-based study in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore the association of serum insulin, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction with gallstone disease (GSD) in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: We used a community-based study conducted between 1991 and 1993 in Kinmen, Taiwan to identify type 2 diabetics. A screening program for GSD was performed in 2001 by a panel of specialists who employed real-time ultrasound sonography to examine the abdominal region after the patient had fasted for at least 8 h. Screening was conducted in 2001 on 848 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The HOMA method was used to compare the profile differences for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) and β-cell dysfunction (HOMA β-cell). RESULTS: We studied 440 type 2 diabetics who attended sonography check-ups. After excluding eight insulin-treated diabetics, the prevalence of GSD among the remaining 432 was 13.9% (26/187) among males and 14.7% (36/245) among females. After adjustment for other GSD-associated risk factors in addition to age and obesity, GSD risk increased among females with levels of serum insulin [4th vs 1st quartile odds ratios (OR) = 4.46 (95%CI: 1.71-11.66)] and HOMA IR [4th vs 1st quartile OR = 4.46 (95%CI: 1.71-11.66)]. Better HOMA β-cell function was significantly related to decreased risk of GSD [4th vs 1st quartile OR = 0.16 (95%CI: 0.03-1.70)]. Among males, age and central obesity were the most significant risk factors for GSD. No association of GSD with serum insulin, HOMA IR, and HOMA β-cell was observed among males. CONCLUSION: Serum insulin, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction are risk factors for GSD in females, but not males with type 2 diabetes.

Impact of Frequency of Intercourse on Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-sectional Study in Wuhan, China

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of coital frequency and masturbation on erectile dysfunction （ED） in Chinese patients. A total of 332 male outpatients with or without ED and volunteers were recruited from Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, China. ED was assessed by using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function scale and the frequency of intercourse by patients＇ self-report. After adjusting for lifestyle factors and diseases-related factors, the analyses showed that coital and masturbation in a certain frequency tended to decrease the risk of ED. Men reporting intercourse once a week had lower risk of ED than those did less than once a week, with age, hyperlipidemia, hy-pertension, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and drinking as covariates （P=0.67, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]： 0.37-1.88）. For those reporting coital frequency two times per week and three or more times per week, there were 63% （adjusted OR = 0.37; 95% CI： 0.18-0.77） and 85% （adjusted OR = 0.15; 95% CI： 0.07-0.35） lower risk of ED than those reporting intercourse frequency less than once per week, respectively （P〈0.05）. Results indicated that maintaining a regular frequency of intercourse can reduce the risk of ED for males aged among 30 to 75 years.

Awareness intervention for Beijing neurologists regarding secondary prevention of cerebral infarction/transient ischemia Cross-sectional investigation

BACKGROUND： Stroke prevention guidelines should be made available application to aid in uniformity, timing, preciseness, and acceptance of disease. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the awareness of neurologists in some Beijing secondary prevention of cerebral infarction/transient ischemia. DESIGN： Cross-sectional study. to neurologists for clinical hospitals of intervention in SETTING： Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, General Hospital of Beijing Military Area, Command of Chinese PLA, Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital, Beijing 6^th Hospital, Beijing Hepingli Hospital, and Beijing Daxing District Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 28 （associate） chief physicians, 58 attending physicians, and 54 resident physicians who engaged in clinical treatment of cerebrovascular diseases were selected from 8 hospitals in Beijing from March to April 2007. All physicians provided informed consent. METHODS： Self-made closed questionnaires were provided for data collection, consisting of 16 questions that were single choice or multiple choice. Specifically, questions 1-7 focused on awareness of blood pressure regulation in different patients and first choice of decompression drug; questions 8-12 focused on awareness of lipid regulation; and questions 13-16 focused on awareness of anti-blood platelet drugs applied in secondary prevention. The scores ranged from 0-100 points, and each question was worth 6.25 points. The scores positively correlated with the awareness rate. To test leveling real-time, the survey lasted for a maximum of 20 minutes. One questionnaire was independently finished by each subject in the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Awareness intervention among neurologists during secondary prevention of cerebral infarction/transient ischemia and questionnaire scores. RESULTS： 140 subjects were included in the final analysis. ① The awareness rate among neurologists for intervention during secondary prevention of cerebral infarction/transient ischemia ranged from 0.7-57.9%, the scores ranged between 0-56 points, and the mean score was 26 points.② Scores of resident physicians were 0-56 points with a mean score of 26 points; attending physicians scored 6-50 points, with a mean score of 26 points; and chief physicians scored 6-50 points, with a mean score of 23 points. There were no significant differences among the various physicians （F = 0.771, t = 0.465, P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Awareness among neurologists of intervention during secondary prevention of cerebral infarction/transient ischemia is not ideal. However, there was no significant difference between professional titles.

Preventive strategies for feeding intolerance among patients with severe traumatic brain injury:A cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to investigate the application status of preventive measures for feeding intolerance in patients with severe traumatic brain injury(STBI)in China and analysis the differences and their causes.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted.From December 2019 to January 2020,ICU nurses and physicians of 89 hospitals in China were surveyed by using a questionnaire on preventive strategies for feeding intolerance in patients with STBI.The questionnaire included two parts:the general information of participants(10 items)and application of preventive measures for feeding intolerance in STBI patients(18 items).Results Totally 996 nurses and physicians completed the questionnaire.Among various methods,gastrointestinal symptoms(85.0%)and injury severity(71.4%)were mostly used to assess gastrointestinal functions and risk of feeding intolerance among STBI patients,respectively.Initiating enteral nutrition(EN)within 24–48 h(61.5%),nasogastric tubes(91.2%),30°–45°of head-of-bed elevation(89.5%),continuous feeding by pump(72.9%),EN solution temperature of 38–40°C(65.5%),<500 ml initial volume of EN solution(50.0%),monitoring gastric residual volume with a syringe(93.7%),and assessing gastric residual volume every 4 h(51.5%)were mostly applied for EN delivery among STBI patients.Prokinetic agents(73.3%),enema(73.6%),probiotics(79.0%),antacid agents(84.1%),and non-nutritional preparations as initial EN formula(65.6%)were commonly used for preventing feeding intolerance among STBI patients.Conclusions The survey showed that nurses and clinicians in China have a positive attitude towards preventive strategies for feeding intolerance.However,some effective new technologies and methods have not been timely applied in clinical practice.We suggest that managers,researchers,clinicians,nurses,and other health professionals should collaborate to explore effective and standard preventive strategies for feeding intolerance among patients with STBI.

Prevalence and risk factors of prolonged grief disorder among bereaved survivors seven years after the Wenchuan earthquake in China: A cross-sectional study

Background:This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of prolonged grief disorder(PGD)among those bereaved by the Wenchuan earthquake in Southwestern China seven years after the event.Methods:A cross-sectional survey based on census tracts was conducted on the bereaved earthquake survivors.Responses to the questionnaire regarding PGD and its potential associated factors were obtained either through face-to-face or telephone interview.PGD was screened by a validated Chinese version of the PGD questionnaire-13(PG-13).Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of PGD.Results:A total of 1464 bereaved earthquake survivors,with a response rate of 97.6%,were included in the study.Of the 1464 respondents studied,124(8.47%)were diagnosed with PGD.Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that PGD in the bereaved earthquake individuals was significantly associated with several factors,including age,economic burden,close kinship with the deceased,and living with the deceased before the loss.Wenchuan earthquake bereaved aged 41e60 years were more likely to develop PGD compared to those aged younger than 40 or older than 60(OR=2.075,95%CI=1.297e3.319).Those who had a close kinship with the deceased had a higher tendency to develop PGD(OR=5.144,95%CI=2.716e9.740).The odds of PGD among the earthquake bereaved with economic burdens were higher relative to those who did not experience an economic burden(OR=8.123,95%CI=2.657e24.831).Those who living with the deceased before loss also had a higher tendency to develop PGD(OR=0.179,95%CI=0.053e0.602).Conclusions:This study revealed that a significantly high proportion(8.47%)of the Wenchuan earthquake-bereaved remain grieving seven years after the event.Those diagnosed with PGD should receive appropriate interventions from clinical psychologists.The risk factors identified in this study are crucial for the early screening and prevention of PGD in future nursing and psycho-clinical practices.