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Objective: Problem gambling is associated with various negative health behaviors, such as physical inactivity. However, physical activity may also be used as a coping mechanism to manage stress and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate whether personality traits are associated with physical activity levels in individuals attending a rehabilitation center for gambling disorder (GD). Methods: An observational study was conducted in 71 patients belonging to a Gamblers' Recovery Association. All of them completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Exploratory Personality Questionnaire-III (CEPER-III) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Comparisons with general population and association between personality traits and physical activity were analyzed. Results: The study sample predominantly consisted of male participants (91.5%), with the majority having an educational attainment of compulsory schooling or less (70.4%). Additionally, a substantial proportion of participants exhibited school-related problems (43.7%) and had a history of mental health issues (33.8%). Compared to the general population, individuals in the CEPER-III cohort demonstrated significantly lower scores in the following personality traits: paranoid (p < 0.05), histrionic (p < 0.001), narcissistic (p < 0.001), passive-aggressive (p < 0.05), and sadistic (p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the antisocial, borderline, obsessive-compulsive, and self-destructive personality traits were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the level of physical activity. Conclusion: This study found a link between personality traits and physical activity levels in patients with GD. Gamblers with higher scores on obsessive-compulsive and self-destructive personality traits were more likely to fall into the moderate-high physical activity group. In contrast, those with higher scores on antisocial and borderline personality traits were more likely to be classified in the low physical activity group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016 diabetes was declared an epidemic and a health emergency in Mexico. As the rationale of the treatment is to achieve target glycemia levels, the appropriateness of the medications used is important. The aim of this study is to learn the pattern of antidiabetic drug prescription and factors associated with inappropriate prescription in Mexico. A retrospective cross-sectional drug utilization study has been conducted. A randomly selected sample was carefully examined. Out of 3600 clinical records of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 196 records were revised. As far as control is concerned, 36.7% had their glycemia values in the recommended range. A combination of different antidiabetics was the most common pattern observed (60.7%); the most frequent was that of the association of metformin with whatever oral antidiabetics. Prescriptions were considered as inappropriate in 149 cases (76.0%); younger age and lack of nutritional assessment was significantly related to inappropriate prescription. A trend to use more drugs for treating T2DM has been consistently observed. Despite using so many drugs, most of the patients are not controlled. Avoiding inappropriate prescription by following current guidelines may contribute to a better control and, in turn, decrease morbidity and mortality for this cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article examines the relationship between the consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs and the experience of road-rage victimization and perpetration among drivers and nondrivers in the general population. Method: A cross-sectional survey was designed with 2,500 subjects, ages 14-70 years, living in Castile and Leon, Spain, of which 1,276 (51%) were males and 1,224 (49%) females. The Alcohol-Use And Drug-Use Survey of Castile and Leon, Spain 2008 focused on patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug consumption. Potential risk factors for road-rage experience for the previous 12 months was assessed, including sociodemographics (7 variables), patterns of alcohol consumption (7 variables), and patterns of drug consumption (10 variables). Results: Among drivers, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or cannabis during the previous year was associated with being a perpetrator of road rage (odds ratio [OR] = 3.72, 95% CI [1.71, 8.10] and 6.77 [1.55, 29.48], respectively), being both a victim and perpetrator of road rage (OR = 1.80 [1.05, 3.07] for alcohol, 5.34 [1.64, 17.41] for cannabis, and 4.81 [1.09, 21.16] for alcohol and cannabis), and with serious road-rage perpetration (OR = 4.97 [2.40, 10.30] for alcohol and 17.75 [5.88, 53.56] for cannabis). Problem drinking (CAGE scores [greater than or equal to] 2) was associated with being both a victim and perpetrator of road rage (OR = 2.74 [1.67, 4.50]) and with low (OR = 1.77 [1.09, 2.85]) and serious (OR = 3.47 [1.65, 7.30]) road-rage perpetration. Conclusions: Driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis and being a problem drinker are associated with the perpetration of serious road-rage behavior, as well as experiencing road-rage victimization and perpetration. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72, 185-193, 2011), ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO ESTABLISHED definition of road rage at a scientific level (Smart and Mann, 2002; Smart et al., 2005), it can be understood as 'an attempt to intimidate, [...]

Background: High cytokine levels have been associated with severe COVID-19 disease. Although many cytokine studies have been performed, not many of them include combinatorial analysis of cytokine profiles through time. In this study we investigate the association of certain cytokine profiles and its evolution, and mortality in SARS-CoV2 infection in hospitalized patients. Methods: Serum concentration of 45 cytokines was determined in 28 controls at day of admission and in 108 patients with COVID-19 disease at first, third and sixth day of admission. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to characterize cytokine profiles through time associated with mortality and survival in hospitalized patients. Results: At day of admission non-survivors present significantly higher levels of IL-1a and VEGFA (PC3) but not through follow up. However, the combination of HGF, MCP-1, IL-18, eotaxine, and SCF (PC2) are significantly higher in nonsurvivors at all three time-points presenting an increased trend in this group through time. On the other hand, BDNF, IL-12 and IL-15 (PC1) are significantly reduced in non-survivors at all time points with a decreasing trend through time, though a protective factor. The combined mortality prediction accuracy of PC3 at day 1 and PC1 and PC2 at day 6 is 89.00% (p<0.001). Conclusions: Hypercytokinemia is a hallmark of COVID-19 but relevant differences between survivors and non-survivors can be early observed. Combinatorial analysis of serum cytokines and chemokines can contribute to mortality risk assessment and optimize therapeutic strategies. Three clusters of cytokines have been identified as independent markers or risk factors of COVID mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of alcohol-related social problems, as well as to assess the relationship between alcohol-related social problems and patterns of alcohol consumption in the general population during the year 2004. Methods: A total of 2,500 individuals, age range from 14 to 70 years, in Castille and Leon, Spain, were surveyed in 2004 for their patterns of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related social consequences during the previous year. Results: Participants who admitted to having had some kind of social problem related to the consumption of alcohol in the previous year were 6.5%, with a mean of 2.4 alcohol-related social problems. The most frequent problems cited were “argument, discussion, or serious conflict without physical aggression” (3%). Conclusions: The present study shows that the reporting of alcohol-related social problems was quite frequent and that having alcohol-related social problems was related to drunkenness episodes in the previous year, having 5 or more drinks on a single occasion in the previous year, and alcohol intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of road rage in the general population and the sociodemographic factors associated with this phenomenon., Methods: A total of 2,500 interviews were carried out in the population of Castile and Leon aged 14-70 years. Road rage was evaluated in the year prior to the survey using a test with eight questions., Results: One-third (31.1%) of the interviewees reported they had experienced a situation involving road rage during the previous 12 months (26.8% on more than one occasion). Among these episodes, 2.6% involved "serious" aggressors. In drivers, the probability of experiencing road rage increased in line with the number of kilometers driven per week (odds ratio [OR]=1.52), decreased as the age of the driver increased (OR=0.975), and was highest in men (OR=1.287), university graduates (OR=1.408), and persons living in towns with over 10,000 inhabitants (OR=1.25)., Conclusions: The results of this study show that road rage affects almost a third of the general population of Castile and Leon, which would amply justify the adoption of prevention and/or reduction measures., (Copyright © 2010 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse premature deaths due to alcohol consumption in 2004 in Spain and its different Autonomous Communities., Design: Using data on deaths that can be attributed to alcohol consumption in 2004 for Spain and its different Autonomous Communities, the Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) were calculated up to the age of 70 for each diagnostic category, by sex and 5-year age groups., Setting: Spain: 17 Autonomous Communities, Ceuta and Melilla., Participants: Data on deaths that can be attributed to alcohol consumption in 2004 for Spain and its different Autonomous Communities., Measurements: The number of PYLL, the percentage of PYLL, and average PYLL., Results: During 2004, 118,411 PYLL were lost, 4 times higher in males than in females, the average PYLL per death being attributable to alcohol was 22.6 years (ranging from 34.7 in Ceuta and 20.2 in Asturias). Acute causes (68% of the PYLL), and in particular unintentional accidents (47.9 of the PYLL), were the main causes that contributed to premature death related to alcohol consumption in Spain and in each of Spanish Autonomous Communities., Conclusions: The estimation of the PYLL shows the great impact that alcohol consumption has on the premature death rate in Spain ant the Spanish Autonomous Communities. Given that alcohol consumption is an avoidable cause of death, the adoption of preventive measures aimed at reducing consumption, as well as the early detection and treatment of possible alcohol related problems is vital.

Background and Objective: To assess alcohol-related mortality and premature death in Spain between 1999 and 2004., Population and Method: The records of deaths according to cause of death were used, grouped by age, sex and 60 diagnostic categories. The number of deaths attributable to alcohol consumption according to sex and age group, the mortality percentages, rates per 100,000 inhabitants adjusted to the European population standard, and potential years of life lost (PYLL) per alcohol-related death up to the age of 70 were calculated., Results: Alcohol-related mortality adjusted to the European population standard was 2.1%, decreasing from 1999 to 2004. Chronic causes, in general, accounted for 60% of alcohol-related mortality. Digestive system disorders, and in par ticular <>, among chronic disorders, were those conditions with the highest contributing rate. The 9.3% of all PYLL in Spain were attributable to alcohol consumption. Acute disorders (about 70% of the PYLL), were the causes that mainly contributed to premature death related to alcohol consumption, being unintentional accidents the main cause., Conclusions: Alcohol consumption is an important cause of death and premature death in Spain.