Search

Objectives. Risks for suicide and nonfatal self-injury hospitalizations associated with previous injury hospitalizations were investigated in a nationwide retrospective cohort study conducted in New Zealand. Methods. Linked data from all New Zealand public hospitals were used to identify individuals with injury hospitalizations. Participants were followed for 12 months. Results. Significantly increased age- and sex-adjusted relative risks for suicide were associated with previous hospitalization for self-injury, injuries of undetermined causes, and assault. Also, elevated risks were associated with these causes of hospitalization in the case of subsequent self-injury hospitalizations. Conclusions. Results indicate that identifiable subgroups of individuals hospitalized for injuries are at marked risk for serious suicidal behavior and suggest the potential of targeted suicide prevention for these individuals.

Lack of both awareness and application of evidence-based principles for obesity care for people with obesity (PwO) limit employers' role in supporting effective obesity management among employees with obesity (EwO). The aim of the ACTION (Awareness, Care, and Treatment In Obesity maNagement) study was to explore the current state of employer wellness programs related to obesity management, evaluate the impact of obesity in the workplace, assess attitudes regarding the role of employers in managing obesity, and identify challenges in implementing workplace wellness programs as perceived by employer representatives (ERs) and EwO. An online survey was conducted among ERs and adult PwO (BMI ≥30 by self-reported height and weight) using a cross-sectional, US-based stratified sample design. There were 153 ER respondents and 3008 adult PwO respondents; 1478 PwO were employed full-time, part-time, or were self-employed. ERs recognize the seriousness of obesity and its negative impact on work productivity; however, wellness programs tend to fall short of addressing specific needs of EwO, evidenced by low participation and success rates reported by EwO. This study highlights the need for programs that address the complexities of obesity and the specific needs of EwO, which currently are inadequately addressed according to EwO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: ACTION (Awareness, Care, and Treatment in Obesity maNagement) examined obesity-related perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors among people with obesity (PwO), health care providers (HCPs), and employer representatives (ERs).Methods: A total of 3,008 adult PwO (BMI ≥ 30 by self-reported height and weight), 606 HCPs, and 153 ERs completed surveys in a cross-sectional design.Results: Despite several weight loss (WL) attempts, only 23% of PwO reported 10% WL during the previous 3 years. Many PwO (65%) recognized obesity as a disease, but only 54% worried their weight may affect future health. Most PwO (82%) felt "completely" responsible for WL; 72% of HCPs felt responsible for contributing to WL efforts; few ERs (18%) felt even partially responsible. Only 50% of PwO saw themselves as "obese," and 55% reported receiving a formal diagnosis of obesity. Despite HCPs' reported comfort with weight-related conversations, time constraints deprioritized these efforts. Only 24% of PwO had a scheduled follow-up to initial weight-related conversations. Few PwO (17%) perceived employer-sponsored wellness offerings as helpful in supporting WL.Conclusions: Although generally perceived as a disease, obesity is not commonly treated as such. Divergence in perceptions and attitudes potentially hinders better management. This study highlights inconsistent understanding of the impact of obesity and need for both self-directed and medical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Relationships of asthma control to other asthma outcomes have been incompletely documented. Objective. This study examined the relationship between asthma control and health-related quality of life (HRQL) and subsequent healthcare resource utilization. Methods. A 1-year online prospective longitudinal survey was conducted in 497 adults and 170 children with asthma treated in the past year. Control was measured by Asthma Control Test™™ (ACT) and Childhood ACT™™ (C-ACT)™™ scores dichotomized into ''well-controlled'' (scores >19) or ''not well-controlled'' (scores ≤≤19), and HRQL was measured using the PedsQL™™ 3.0 Asthma Module (children) and the SF-12 Health Survey (adults). Multivariate models were used for analysis. Results. HRQL scores were significantly lower for adults (mean decrease 3.4) and children (mean decrease 12.8) whose asthma was not well-controlled compared to patients with well-controlled asthma. Adults with asthma that was not well-controlled at baseline had a threefold greater risk of an asthma-related doctor visit and a 10-fold greater risk of an emergency department (ED) visit for asthma in the subsequent 9 months (odds ratio (OR) == 3.3 and OR == 11.3, respectively). Children with asthma that was not well-controlled had a nearly fivefold increased risk for subsequent asthma-related doctors' and ED visits (OR == 4.8 and OR == 4.9, respectively). Conclusion. Both adults and children with not well-controlled asthma had significantly lower quality of life and were more likely to require an office or ED visit for asthma compared to patients with higher ACT scores. Therefore, it is important to continually assess asthma control and adjust controller therapy accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A key objective of this study was to examine obesity care attitudes and behaviors of people with obesity (PwO) and determine independent factors associated with a self-reported sustained weight loss success outcome.Methods: An online survey was conducted in 2015 among 3008 U.S. adult PwO (BMI > 30 through self-reported height and weight). Multivariate logistic models explained variation in weight loss success, defined as ≥ 10% weight loss in previous 3 years and maintained for > 1 year.Results: Controlling for weight changes over time, we found significant associations between self-reported weight history and weight loss success. PwO who had personal motivation to lose weight, were willing to talk to a diabetes educator about their weight, who had their weight loss attempts recognized by a healthcare provider, and were diagnosed with "obesity" or "overweight" were more likely to report having success losing weight.Conclusions: This study does not determine causality, but suggests motivation and engagement with PwO may impact weight loss, and presents a basis for assessing the mechanism involved. Determining such mechanisms may identify important targets to improve obesity treatment outcomes.Trial Registration: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT03223493, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03223493 . Registered July 17, 2017 (retrospectively registered). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]