Journal of Mid-life Health最新文献

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance observed in hospitalized as well as outdoor patients. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are reported among the most common drugs causing hyponatremia, especially in the elderly and in patients with known risk factors for hyponatremia. However, there have been only a few case reports of hyponatremia associated with antidepressants such as mirtazapine and flupentixol/melitracen. The exact mechanism of hyponatremia with the use of antidepressants is not known; however, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is presumed to be the reason. Here, we report two cases of antidepressant drug-induced hyponatremia in two postmenopausal females with no other risk factor for hyponatremia: one associated with mirtazapine and the other with flupentixol/melitracen.

Introduction: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) is a widely used tool to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and severity of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. The objective of the present study was to validate a Tamil translation of the MRS, as a Tamil translation is not available.

Methods: The Tamil translation of MRS was developed following standard methodology, and a validation study to assess psychometric properties was done at the community level in Mannar, Sri Lanka. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and test-rest reliability. Validity was assessed using content, discriminatory, and construct validity.

Results: Internal consistency using Cronbach's α coefficient ranged from 0.74 to 0.78 and test-retest reliability assessed by weighted kappa (k) ranged from 0.51 to 0.71. Content validity was evaluated by the acceptability of items for a sample of women and gynecologists conversant in Tamil during the translation process. Discriminant validity between symptomatic and asymptomatic women was significant for all three domains: somato-vegetative, sexual, and psychological (P < 0.05). Factor analysis with exploratory principal component analysis revealed three factors that explained 55.9% of the cumulative variance, demonstrating satisfactory construct validity. A MRS total score ≥6 had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 84.7% to identify symptomatic menopausal women.

Conclusion: Tamil translation of MRS retained the psychometric properties of the original questionnaire and will be an invaluable tool to assess menopausal symptoms and HRQOL among postmenopausal tamil-speaking women.

Introduction: Postmenopausal status is a known risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). Studies focusing on establishing the relationship between Mets and mental health state are limited.

Aims and objective: To identify the frequency of MetS along with its components in geriatric females and assess its relationship with three negative emotional states (depression/anxiety/stress).

Materials and methods: Women aged ≥60 years from October 2020 to March 2022 were included in study. We used the Consensus Definition IDF and AHA/NHLBI (2009) criteria to classify subjects as having metabolic syndrome. Mental health status were assessed using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) questionnaire.

Results: The frequency of metabolic syndrome in this sample was 36.58% (30 out of 82 patients). The Depression, anxiety, stress scale and total scores in women with MetS were 14 ± 5.3, 8.5 ± 3.92, 12.13 ± 5.58 and 34.66 ± 9.60 as compared to 6.6 ± 3.7, 5.3 ± 2.49, 7.1 ± 3.12 and 19.2 ± 6.51 in those without MetS; difference being statistically significant.

Conclusion: MetS results in poor mental health state in geriatric women but large-scale studies are needed to clarify this association.

Background: Vaginal laxity and sexual dysfunction are commonly experienced by women, but are typically stigmatized and considered inappropriate to discuss openly. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TTCRF), in addressing these concerns. The study used a single-blinded randomized sham-control design.

Aims and objectives: The aim was to study the role of TTCRF for vaginal rejuvenation using subjective and objective measurements.

Materials and methods: Two hundred parous women were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n = 110) or a sham group (n = 90). Participants who were between 35 and 55 years of age and reported complaints of vaginal laxity, as well as those who presented symptoms such as vaginal flatus or sexual issues, were included. The treatment group was administered TTCRF therapy, whereas the sham group had a placebo procedure to ensure blinding was maintained. The outcome measures included subjective assessments, such as the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ), the Vaginal Flatus Score (VFS), and the Vaginal Laxity and Bother Score (VLBS), as well as objective measurements, such as the Modified Oxford Score (MOS) and the Genital Hiatus (GH) questionnaire.

Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Significant improvements in FSFI, VLQ, and VLBS were noted in the treatment group compared to sham at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The MOS improvements did not reach statistical significance, suggesting potential limitations in its use as an objective measure. VFS showed improvement in both the groups, indicating a potential placebo effect. No significant changes were observed in GH. Adverse events were mild and transient, with no serious incidents reported.

Conclusion: Despite societal taboos, TTCRF demonstrated notable improvements in subjective measures of vaginal laxity and sexual dysfunction over a 6-month period. The safety and outpatient feasibility of TTCRF were established. The findings contribute to understanding the role of TTCRF in managing these sensitive concerns among women.

Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is an extremely rare tumor mostly idiopathic in nature arising from the peritoneal layers of the abdominal cavity. We present here a unique case of a 72-year-old female with a history of abdominal swelling and difficulty in micturition and defecation for 3 months. Diagnostic imaging and histopathological examinations led to the diagnosis of PPSC. Simultaneously, the patient also has a space-occupying lesion involving the left ovary which on histopathological examination was found to be mucinous cystadenoma. We present this case as PPSC with synchronous mucinous cystadenoma of the left ovary, an extremely rare phenomenon. This combination has not been reported in the literature yet to the best of our knowledge.

The first step to decreasing the occurrence of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women is raising awareness. The aim of this narrative review is to obtain relevant insights into women's awareness and intervention models for CVD. Data were collected through a comprehensive literature search across reputable databases, including PubMed, Crossref, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria focused on CVD, knowledge, awareness, education, mobile health (mHealth), and women. The researchers reviewed 36 articles, and based on the results, CVD awareness remains low in several countries, particularly among young women. Some factors influencing knowledge, awareness, and preventive behaviors for CVD include age, education level, marital status, occupation, number of children, and urban/rural residence. Digital technology-based applications, specifically mHealth interventions, have been developed to prevent and control CVD risks in women. Examples include SMARTWOMAN™, HeartBeat, Smart Walk, Diet Tracking, TRIANGLE, and FitBit. Digital interventions, such as text messaging, websites, and emails, serve as primordial prevention tools, offering health information and medication adherence reminders to reduce CVD risks in women. Therefore, recognizing the importance of enhancing CVD awareness in young women through health education, specifically using mHealth applications, is important.

Introduction: While mastectomy a crucial procedure in preventing and treating breast cancer is essential, it significantly impacts the emotional well-being, dignity, and overall quality of life (QoL) of survivors. Dealing with the physical challenges of mastectomy is emotionally demanding as it requires adapting to the changes in one's body following breast cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of mastectomy on the QoL among cancer survivors.

Subjects and methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the outpatient departments of oncology at two tertiary care hospitals in Mysuru. Women diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2021-2022 and who have undergone mastectomy of at least one breast were chosen for the study. The QoL was measured by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - C-30 and BR (breast specific) - 23 modules.

Results: Emotional, physical, social, and cognitive functioning scores assigned a maximum number of participants in the average to good QoL category. The survivors scored lower in sexual enjoyment (10.758 ± 29.73), sexual functioning (32.024 ± 45.35), future perspective (57.419 ± 38.773), and body image (57.309 ± 32.51) and reported lower QoL which was also related to their menstruation status and age. However, a small group of participants had a positive body image despite their transformed bodies. Symptoms such as fatigue (80.43 ± 24.84), nausea/vomiting (116.39 ± 64.7), insomnia (73.43 ± 38.85), and financial difficulties (65.28 ± 45.46) negatively affected the QoL. The study also highlighted that poor QoL was associated with hair loss (85.48 ± 34.60), side effects of systemic therapy (42.08 ± 22.28), arm symptoms (83.16 ± 23.67), and breast symptoms (20.71 ± 30.45).

Conclusion: Survivors face physical and psychological changes that significantly impact their QoL. QoL assessments offer insights into the impact of the disease during and after treatment.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women globally, with high mortality rates in India. Early detection of BC significantly increases survival rates and reduces mortality. Raising awareness about BC is crucial for educating the public about screening, symptoms, and treatment to help recognize early signs and seek prompt treatment. This article aims to describe a case of breast primary lymphedema and emphasizes the importance of public awareness regarding risk factors, clinical manifestations, and self-examination for early detection and mortality reduction.