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Simple Summary: There is a growing need to clarify the effect of modifiable lifestyle factors such as obesity on outcomes of multiple myeloma (MM). In this paper, we examined the associations between body mass index (BMI) at different periods of life up to the time of diagnosis and overall survival among patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The key findings are that BMIs before and at the time of diagnosis were not associated with overall survival in MM, except that a higher BMI at diagnosis was associated with a better overall survival for females, irrespective of race/ethnicity. This is the first evidence that the BMI-survival association may differ by sex. Obesity is associated with survival in several solid tumors and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but its impact on multiple myeloma (MM) survival is unclear. We examined the associations between body mass index (BMI) at different periods of life up to the time of diagnosis and overall survival (OS) among 563 patients newly diagnosed with MM in 2010–2019. BMI at diagnosis was calculated using measured height and weight from electronic medical records (EMR). BMIs at age 20, maximum during adulthood, and 5 years before diagnosis were calculated using self-reported weights and measured height from EMR. Over a median follow-up of 49.3 months, 191 (33.93%) deaths were identified. We used multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models to examine the associations between BMIs and OS. Height as well as BMI before and at diagnosis was not associated with OS, but there is a U-shape association between weight and OS. Higher BMIs at diagnosis were associated with better OS among females (HR = 0.39 [0.22–0.71]), irrespective of race. In conclusion, our results suggest that BMI at different periods of life up to the time of diagnosis may not be associated with OS in MM, except that a higher BMI at diagnosis was associated with superior OS for females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In May 2023, Romagna, Italy, faced a devastating flood resulting in 16 fatalities, forced displacement of 26,000 citizens, and significant economic losses. Due to potential water contamination, implementing public health strategies became imperative for the Local Health Authority to mitigate the health consequences, analyze the flood's impact on the local population's health, and detect early anomalies requiring timely public health interventions. Methods: Between June and July 2023, general practitioners who were part of the RespiVirNet surveillance network completed weekly structured forms. These forms collected data on individuals exposed or not to floodwaters and clinical syndromes. Rates per 1000 resident population aged > 14 were stratified by district, week of observation, and symptomatology. Missing data were addressed by imputation using second-order autoregressive modeling. Results: An incidence of 3.52 syndromes potentially related to flood water exposure per 1000 individuals (95% CI 2.82–4.35) was estimated. Ravenna, the city most affected by the flood, recorded the highest rate (6.05 per 1000, 95% CI 4.59–7.82). Incidence decreased in the weeks post-event. Anxiety, or trauma and stress symptoms, exhibited higher rates among the exposed, diminishing over weeks. The incidence for the non-exposed (12.76 per 1000, 95% CI 10.55–15.29) showed no significant territorial differences compared to the exposed ones. Conclusions: Syndromic surveillance provided timely information on the flood's health impact, revealing a higher incidence of individual syndromes among the non-exposed. This study contributes to guiding the implementation of future public health preparedness and response strategies for populations facing similar natural disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The actual literature highlights the importance of the socio-cultural context in the development of children. However, there is a lack of specific evidence about the middle East, especially regarding the development of Kurdish children who are living in a post-war scenario, in a country which is experiencing continuous instability due to the different crises. The main aim of this study is to identify the features of the motor development of Kurdish children according to parents' opinion. A comparison with Italian children is provided as a Western example, which reflects data from the literature. In the study, 331 parents of Kurdish and Italian children aged between 3 and 7 years were involved. Parents filled the questionnaire at kindergartens, after providing consent. The questionnaire was conceptualized, designed, tested and provided ad hoc for this study; it focused on the timing of development, concerning major milestones like head control, sitting and standing-up. The questionnaire consists of 15 questions and has not been standardized yet. A logistic regression showed several differences between Kurdish and Italian children, like head control (p = 0.007) or the manipulation of big objects (p < 0.0001). These results identify the effect of the socio-cultural context and the impact of the growing environment of the child. Moreover, the results of this survey show the need for introducing different adapted, translated and validated assessment tools for motor development, considering differences related to the socio-cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the association between chronic low back pain (CLBP) and chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2010–2012 and included women who answered a questionnaire in the KNHANES asking whether they had low back pain for ≥3 months. Participants were divided into non-CLBP and CLBP groups. For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Results: Of 5961 participants, the non-CLBP group comprised 4098 women and the CLBP group comprised 1863. Adjusted logistic regression model revealed that dyslipidemia was positively associated with CLBP (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.140, 1.530; p < 0.001). However, hypertension and diabetes were not associated with CLBP. Conclusions: Our results suggest that proper treatment of dyslipidemia may contribute to lowering the risk of CLBP later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents with intellectual disability have substantial health needs. This retrospective analysis of data from the Ask Study describes reasons for primary care encounters and the prevalence and incidence of chronic physical and mental conditions among a cohort of community-dwelling adolescents with intellectual disability. Participants attended secondary schools in southern Queensland, Australia. Primary care data were extracted from primary care records. Demographic and health information was collected using carer-completed questionnaires. Reasons for primary care encounters, disease prevalence at age 16 years, and disease incidence through adolescence were reported. Data were obtained for 432 adolescents with intellectual disability (median follow-up: 4.1 years). Skin problems (29.4 per 100 encounters) were the most common reason patients presented for primary care, followed by psychological and behavioural problems (14.4 per 100 encounters) and musculoskeletal problems (13.8 per 100 encounters). Conditions with the highest prevalence were autism spectrum disorder (18.6%) and asthma (18.1%). The prevalence of epilepsy, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy were 14.7, 11.1, and 8.0%, respectively. Gastroesophageal reflux had the highest incidence (9.4 cases per 1000 person-years). Adolescents with intellectual disability have significant healthcare needs, which general practitioners need to be aware of and address. Study findings should inform the development of training programs for general practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Cerebral MRI plays a significant role in assessing the extent of brain injury in neonates with neonatal encephalopathy after perinatal asphyxia. Over the last decades, several MRI scoring systems were developed to enhance the predictive accuracy of MRI. The aim of this study was to validate the correlation of four established MRI scoring systems with cognitive long-term outcomes in cooled asphyxiated newborns. (2) Methods: Forty neonates with neonatal encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia were included in this retrospective study. The MRI scans from the second week of life were scored using four existing MRI scoring systems (Barkovich, NICHD, Rutherford, and Weeke). The patients' outcome was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) at the age of 2 years. To evaluate the correlation between the MRI scoring system with the cognitive scores of BSID-III, the correlation coefficient was calculated for each scoring system. (3) Results: All four MRI scoring systems showed a significant correlation with the cognitive scores of BSID-III. The strongest correlation was found between the Weeke Score (r2 = 0.43), followed by the Rutherford score (r2 = 0.39), the NICHD score (r2 = 0.22), and the Barkovich score (r2 = 0.17). (4) Conclusion: Our study confirms previously published results in an independent cohort and indicates that the Weeke and Rutherford scores have the strongest correlation with the cognitive score of BSID-III in cooled asphyxiated newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, likely due to changing lifestyle habits, including diet. We found that a higher total choline intake was associated with an elevated risk of CRC, as well as glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and sphingomyelin (SM). Conversely, betaine intake was associated with a decreased risk of CRC. Consequently, it is possible to focus on the intake of betaine sources and manage the use of animal products as references for SM or other choline types with risks of CRC. Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, likely due to changing lifestyle habits, including diet. We aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary betaine, choline, and choline-containing compounds and CRC risk. Methods: We analyzed data from a case–control study, including 865 CRC cases and 3206 controls from Iran. Detailed information was collected by trained interviewers using validated questionnaires. The intake of free choline, phosphocholine (Pcho), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), and sphingomyelin (SM), as well as of betaine was estimated from food frequency questionnaires and categorized into quartiles. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of CRC for choline and betaine quartiles were calculated using multivariate logistic regression by adjusting for potential confounders. Results: We observed excess risk of CRC in the highest versus lowest intake of total choline (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.13, 1.33), GPC (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.00, 1.27), and SM (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01, 1.28). The intake of betaine exerted an inverse association with CRC risk (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.83, 0.99). There was no association between free choline, Pcho, PtdCho, and CRC. Analyses stratified by gender showed an elevated OR of CRC in men for SM intake OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.03, 1.40) and a significantly decreased CRC risk in women for betaine intake (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.73, 0.97). Conclusion: Dietary modifications leading to an increase in betaine sources and managing the use of animal products as references for SM or other choline types might contribute to decreasing the risk of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study is a preliminary evaluation of how perceived barriers towards transition might impact patient attitudes towards their own readiness and ability to transition, self-efficacy towards their IBD, and the allocation of treatment responsibility. Methods: A sample of 81 young adults with IBD were seen for standard care in a Young Adult Clinic (YAC). Patients completed questionnaires on perceived transition barriers; perceived confidence, importance, motivation, and readiness towards transition and transfer; IBD self-efficacy; and allocation of treatment responsibility. Path model analyses were conducted. Results: Not knowing how and who to transfer to and not understanding insurance details were the most commonly endorsed perceived barriers to transition. A significant relationship was found between the attitude toward transition and allocation of treatment responsibility, but no meaningful indirect effects were found from perceived barriers to the allocation of treatment responsibility, using attitudes toward transition as an intervening variable. The relationship between perceived barriers and allocation of treatment responsibility was at least partially explained by examining the intervening effects of attitudes toward transfer and self-efficacy. Conclusions: The study findings carry important implications for targets of clinical intervention to assist young adults with IBD in engaging in their health care and ultimately transferring into adult care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]