Nepal Journal of Epidemiology最新文献

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common medical problem that seriously affects patients' physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being. To identify the most effective drug management techniques, this retrospective study aimed to describe the demographics, etiology, and medical traits of people with UI.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Rumailah Hospital, Ambulatory Care Centre, and Hamad General Hospital to investigate UI risk factors, causes, and management practices in people aged ≥ 65 years within the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar.

Results: The 272 patients enrolled in the study had a marked male preponderance, and a larger percentage of non-Qatari residents than Qataris residents. Solifenacin (24.9%), Tolterodine (4.1%), and Oxybutynin (1.1%) were the most commonly administered anticholinergic drugs, while Tamsulosin (82.9%), Alfuzosin (14.5%), and Doxazosin (1.7%) were the most frequently prescribed alpha-blockers.

Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of investigating UI in institutionalized older adult populations considering the limited research available in Qatar. The identified preventable risk factors can be proactively addressed to mitigate UI. This study also highlights the need for thorough documentation of the diagnosis and reasons for improving the standards of patient care. The findings of this study provide important information that can be used to design medication management methods for enhancing patient outcomes.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) published the Global Action Plan 2017-2025 seven years ago to address the dementia burden for those impacted, including persons living with dementia, their families, and health-care providers. There were seven action areas in the global action plan; the least achieved was action area seven (dementia research and innovation). The primary objective of the study was to assess the top 10 dementia research priorities among healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, the public, and stakeholders to develop the Qatar National Dementia Research Plan.

Methods: Convenience sampling was used in this cross-sectional survey. The study was conducted online with the involvement of HMC staff (physicians, nurses, and allied health staff) from all HMC facilities, patients and caregivers from Rumailah Hospital's Geriatric Department, and the public who attended the 2022 Advanced Dementia Research Conference. The survey was conducted during 22nd of October 2022 till April 31, 2024. Overall, 2000 participants provided their responses, which included health care professionals under HMC, including physicians, nurses, allied health staff, patients, caregivers, the public, and stakeholders in Qatar.

Results: Dementia Risk Reduction (79%) was the top priority for the survey participants. The remaining nine priorities were the impact of early treatment (76%), health system capacity (73%), implementation of best practices for care (73), access to information and services post-diagnosis (71), caregiver support (70%), emotional well-being (67%), care provider education (65%), end-of-life care (65%), and non-drug approaches to managing symptoms (65%).

Conclusion: The survey results clearly indicated that most participants ranked Dementia Risk Reduction as their top priority, indicating the essential focus on dementia prevention. These findings, together with goals such as early treatment, healthcare system capacity, and caregiver support, highlight the importance of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to dementia management.

Background: The Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) is a monitoring and accountability tool for the Global Action Plan on Public Response to Dementia 2017-25. Evidence from dementia registries may be utilized to better address WHO efforts in member countries, as well as to improve clinical practice and public health policy. The goal of this study was to analyze one-year data from a prospective memory clinic registry.

Methods: This study was a baseline analysis of prospective memory clinics registry data of Qatar from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.

Results: This study investigated the demographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics of 464 participants who were enrolled in memory clinics. Mild neurocognitive disorders were the most prevalent diagnoses in both sexes, affecting 61.5% of male patients and 63.7% of female patients. Dementia was slightly more common in men (19.8% vs. 18.9%), although delirium was more common in women (1.9% vs. 0%). In terms of risk factors, the analysis revealed that females were more likely to be obese (36.8% vs. 16.7% in males), while males had higher rates of diabetes (61.1% vs. 51.9% in females), hypertension (69.4% vs. 62.7% in females), and smoking (17.1% vs. 3.8% in females).

Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the differences in dementia risk factors between genders and races, highlighting the need for customized interventions. Furthermore, the registry is a great resource for policymakers and healthcare professionals, providing evidence-based suggestions to improve dementia care, increase the well-being of patients and caregivers, and maximize resource allocation.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used around the world in the production of Polycarbonate (PC) plastics. Notably, the ubiquitous 5-gallon water bottles in the UAE are primarily made of PC plastic, making them a significant concern as bottled water is the region's main supply of drinking water. These bottles undergo temperature variations during storage and transportation, potentially leading to harmful BPA (Bisphenol A) leaching. This study analyzed 40 PC 5-gallon water bottles from two local brands A and B, with 20 bottles per brand, under two conditions: room temperature and outdoor sunlight exposure for a month. BPA levels were assessed at 0, 15, and 30 days, following ethical approval. Liquid-liquid extraction and ELISA assays were conducted, with comprehensive kit validation. The results revealed a significant increase in BPA concentration over time, particularly in bottles exposed to elevated temperatures (Day 30 outdoor-stored samples exhibited the highest concentration at 9.05 ± 2.30 μg/L). Brand B consistently exhibited higher BPA concentrations across different samples and environments. This study emphasizes the link between BPA content and storage time, highlighting the need for preventive measures to reduce BPA exposure. Individuals should be aware of potential health risks associated with prolonged storage in plastic containers and consider safer alternatives.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are small particles with a surface area ranging from 1 to 100 nm in diameter that are rampantly used in different fields, e.g., medicine, engineering, and others. Because of their unique properties, such as their tiny size, magnetic properties, quantum size effects, and macroscopic quantum tunnelling effects, they are crucial for a wide range of potential applications. NPs play a significant role in the treatment of vascular disorders, the production of vaccines, and the development of drug carriers for diverse therapies due to their bioavailability, targeting ability, and efficacy. However, significant risks to the environment and health are also associated with it. NPs cause necrotic plasma membrane rupture or apoptosis, which leads to cell death. NPs interfere with cell signalling, endosomal membranes, and organelles like the nucleus or mitochondria, affecting their function. NPs cause autophagic cell death, which causes a stress response and sterile inflammation. The primary routes for the entry of NPs into the human body are inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. NPs accumulate in the respiratory system based on their size, shape, and surface properties. NPs can cause lung inflammation and fibrosis, disrupt the endocrine system by attaching to hormone receptors, and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with DNA damage, oligospermia, and male infertility. Carcinogenic properties of NPs cause mutations, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Collaborative research between ecologists and epidemiologists may enlighten ways to reduce the harmful effects of NPs.