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Background: Gallbladder cancer is a major health concern in China, and awareness of the associated incidence and mortality rates is particularly important given the aging population. Objective: To determine trends in gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates over 12 years and quantitatively analyze the influence of demographic factors on these rates in China. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 98,860 Chinese citizens using the Chinese Cancer Registry, a national database. Gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality data pertaining to patients treated between 2005 and 2017 were collected. Joinpoint regression models were used to estimate the annual percentage change (APC) and average APC (AAPC). We used age-period-cohort analyses and decomposition methods to investigate differing trends in incidence and mortality. Results: The age-standardized gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates in China trended downward between 2005 and 2017, with AAPCs of -2.023% and -1.603%, respectively. Coefficients of age effect for incidence rate increased with age up to 70 years and peaked at 70–79 years, while coefficients of age effect for the mortality rate showed a consistent increase with age. Both coefficients of period for incidence and mortality rates increased in more recent periods; in terms of the cohort effect, coefficients of cohort for rates generally decreased in later birth years but showed a partial rise between 1982 and 1996. The crude incidence rates of gallbladder cancer according to demographic and non-demographic factors were 626.09% and -526.09% respectively (366.23% and -266.23% among men, and 6068.93% and -5968.93% among women, respectively). The rates were 543.01% and -443.01%, respectively, in urban areas and were 68.22% and 31.78%, respectively, in rural areas. The mortality rates according to demographic and non-demographic factors were -495.93% and 595.93%, respectively (-1763.10% and -1863.10% for men and -270.56% and -370.56% for women, respectively). These rates were -930.33% and 1030.33%, respectively, in urban areas and were 101.48% and -1.48%, respectively, in rural areas. Conclusions: The overall standardized gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates in China are trending downward, but not sufficiently so. Proper living and eating habits should be encouraged while exploring the establishment of long-term, standardized gallbladder cancer screening programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether jacket wearing by semi-indoor Holstein calves affected performance, body measurements and health status in the preweaning period throughout the winter months. A total of one hundred calves were allocated into two treatment groups (control and jacket) in terms of their weights and sex. The calves throughout the study period were raised at individual calf hutches in a semi-open barn. All calves and the consumed concentrate intakes were weighed every 28 days to determine body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), total and daily feed consumption (TFC, DFC). Incidence rate (IR) ratios were calculated from the records of daily health assessments. Calves in treatment group were jacketed from first to 45 days of age. The weaning process started gradually at 56 days of age and the calves were weaned on day 63. No significant effects of wearing jackets in terms of body measurements and performance. The respiratory diseases IR was 1.15 times higher in calves without jackets, which means that calf health was positively affected by wearing jackets. The improved health status of the treatment group showed that wearing jackets may protect calves from adverse effects of cold stress. There is a need for more comprehensive studies about the effect of calf jackets in early periods of preweaning, especially in calves in outdoor hutches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To understand the situation of reported cases with suspected occupational diseases in Chongqing from 2018 to 2023, providing data support for health authorities to predict the risk of occupational diseases. Methods The data of suspected occupational disease reports in Chongqing from 2018 to 2023 were extracted from the "Occupational Disease and Health Hazard Monitoring Information System" subsystem of the "China Disease Prevention and Control Information System." These data were combined with the annual employment statistics of various industries published by the Chongqing Statistics Bureau. Statistical analysis was conducted on demographic characteristics, report year, disease type, region, enterprise size, economic type, and industry category. Results From 2018 to 2023, a total of 9 608 suspected occupational disease cases were reported in Chongqing, involving 30 types of occupational diseases across 7 major categories listed in the "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases." The overall number of suspected occupational diseases showed a declining trend over the years, but the proportion of suspected occupational noise -induced hearing loss increased. The cases were distributed across 39 districts and counties in Chongqing, with 9 164 male cases (95.38%) and 444 female cases (4.62%), predominantly reported in the 40 to 59 age group (8 684 cases, 90.38%). The main disease types were suspected occupational pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases (6 076 cases, 63.23%), primarily coal workers' pneumoconiosis (2 708 cases, 44.56%); suspected occupational ear, nose, throat, and oral diseases (3 241 cases, 33.73%), mainly noise -induced hearing loss (3 232 cases, 99.72%); and suspected occupational chemical poisoning (281 cases, 2.92%), mainly benzene poisoning (214 cases, 76.16%). Suspected occupational disease cases were most common in the new areas of the main city, in mining and manufacturing, in medium, small and micro enterprises, and in private enterprises. From 2018 to 2022, the top five industries with the highest incidence rates of suspected occupational diseases were mining (145.063%), manufacturing (3.086%), electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply (0.739%), scientific research and technical services (0.329%), and water conservancy, environment, and public facility management (0.227%). The mining industry consistently had the highest incidence rate of suspected occupational diseases annually, and the manufacturing industry had the most diverse types of suspected occupational diseases. The proportion of suspected occupational disease reports from foreign-invested enterprises and enterprises invested by Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as small and micro enterprises, increased in 2022 and 2023. Conclusions Noise-induced hearing loss became the most common suspected occupational disease, replacing pneumoconiosis in Chongqing, and silicosis became the most common type of suspected occupational pneumoconiosis, replacing coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Occupational disease prevention efforts in Chongqing should focus on the mining and manufacturing industries, medium, small and micro enterprises, and private enterprises, as well as occupational hazards such as production noise and silica dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the association of the incidence and mortality of leukemia and the human development index (HDI) in different countries or regions in 2022, and the trend of leukemia incidence and mortality with age in countries with different HDI levels. Methods GLOBOCAN 2022 data related to leukemia incidence and mortality in different countries or regions worldwide and HDI were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test. The incidence and mortality rates of each age and the age change trend were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression model. Results Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and mortality to incidence ratio (M/I) were statistically significantly different among the four groups of HDI countries (P<0.001). HDI was positively correlated with ASIR and ASMR and negatively correlated with M/I. Among all ages, ASIR and ASMR of leukemia of the four groups had similar trends with age, and the risk of leukemia was high at ages less than 15 and more than 40. The incidence of leukemia in all age groups in China differed from those in other countries with high HDI, while the mortality rate was lower than those in other countries with high HDI. Conclusion Countries or regions with higher HDI have higher ASIR and ASMR and lower M/I because of their better medical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics and trends of leukemia incidence in Qidong between 1972 and 2021, and provide guidelines for prevention and control measures and strategies. Methods The cancer registry data was collected and analyzed on leukemia incidence during 1972—2021 in Qidong by sex, age and time. Crude incidence rate (CR), China age-standardized rate (ASRC), world age-standardized rate (ASRW), and average annual change percentage (AAPC) was calculated by Joinpoint software. Age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to analyze the influence of age, period and birth cohort on the changes in the incidence trend of leukemia patients. Results From 1972 to 2021, there were 2 948 patients with leukemia in Qidong, accounting for 2.00% of all cancer new cases, CR of leukemia was 5.26/105, ASRC was 4.34/105 , ASRW was 4.35/105 . The truncated incidence of 35—64 years old was 5.29/105 , the cumulative incidence rate between the ages of 0 and 74 years old was 0.40%, the cumulative risk was 0.40%. There were 1 608 male patients, the CR, ASRC, and the ASRW were 5.81/105, 4.88/105 and 4.85/105 . The number of female patients were 1 340, and the CR, ASRC, and the ASRW were 4.71/105, 3.86/105 and 3.91/105, respectively. Temporal trends indicated significant upward trends in ASRC among both gender, males and females with AAPC values of 1.41% (P＜0.001), 1.15% (P＜ 0.001), and 1.73% (P＜0.001), respectively. The results of the APC model showed that the average net drift value of leukemia incidence in all age groups was 1.57% (95% CI, 1.24%-1.89%), and the highest value of local drift was 3.20% (95% CI, 1.63%-4.78%) in the 80~ years old group. The incidence of leukemia increased with age. With the passage of time, the risk of leukemia incidence increased gradually compared with the rate ratio of leukemia incidence (risk ratio [RR], 1.00) in 1992—1996, the RR of leukemia incidence increased from 0.70 during 1972—1976 to 1.57 during 2017—2021. The later the cohort was born, the greater the risk of leukemia incidence compared with the relative risk of leukemia incidence (RR, 1.00) in 1952—1956 cohort, the RR of leukemia incidence increased from 0.24 in the 1892—1896 cohort to 2.73 in the 2017—2021 cohort. Conclusions The incidence of the leukemia has presented a rising trend in the past fifty years. Leukemia incidence increased with age, and the period and cohort effects on the risk of incidence increase. Further research is needed to investigate the risk factors related to leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, ranking as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, in Africa, CRC is the fifth most common invasive malignancy. Limited data hinder our understanding of the evolving burden of CRC in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores CRC trends in Mozambique, utilising data from population-based oncological registries. Methods: CRC data were gathered from Beira and Maputo population-based cancer registries, along with supplementary information from pathology-based and hospital-based registries. Comparative analyses were performed across different time periods, focusing on trends and epidemiological characteristics. Results: Incidence rates of CRC in Maputo and Beira were relatively low historically. However, data from recent years showed an increase, especially in age groups above 50. Analyses from pathology-based and hospital-based registries affirmed the rising trend. The age-standardised incidence rate in Maputo (2015-2017) was 3.17 for males and 2.55 for females. Beira exhibited increasing rates between 2009 and 2020, particularly in individuals aged 50 and above. Conclusion: The study reveals an emerging burden of CRC in Mozambique, challenging the perception of low incidence. The rising trend underscores the necessity for tailored interventions, emphasizing early diagnosis, preventive strategies, and investments in healthcare infrastructure to address the increasing CRC burden in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of Japanese Spotted Fever (JSF) cases reported through the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Disease (NESID) system in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, from 2000 to 2022, encompassing the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period. A retrospective analysis was conducted on JSF cases reported to the NESID system in Shimane Prefecture between 2000 and 2022. Population data were obtained from the Statistical Information of Shimane. Poisson regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the annual prevalence rate of JSF and the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 301 JSF cases were analyzed during the study period. Even the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, a gradual and significant increase in the prevalence rate was observed (prevalence rate = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05; p = 0.01), and a rapid increase was noted since 2020 (prevalence rate = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.39–1.78; p < 0.01). The slope during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period was estimated to have significantly increased (p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that while the prevalence rate of JSF had exhibited a slight increase in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, it demonstrated a more significant increase following the pandemic in Shimane Prefecture. JSF has increased since 2020 and may be linked to COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on global health, underscoring the importance of investigating the prevalence of specific infectious diseases and other health-related indicators to accurately assess the pandemic's impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health issue in Iran, especially smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (SPPTB), due to its high transmission rate. Examining the effective reproduction number(Rt) of SPPTB and patient characteristics is crucial for crafting targeted TB control measures. This study aimed to assess the Rt of SPPTB in Iran from 2011 to 2021 and profile SPPTB patient demographics, initial smear bacilli density, diagnosis delays, and spatial distribution. Study Design: This is a historical cohort study. Methods: A time-dependent method was used to estimate Rt, and monthly data from the national TB registry were scrutinized from 2011 to 2021. Results: A decline was observed in SPPTB incidence rates of 50 909 SPPTB cases in Iran from 2011 to 2021. Approximately 29.1% of the cases were diagnosed within a month, while 44.5% experienced a one to three-month delay in diagnosis. The analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity in TB transmission dynamics across various provinces of Iran. Provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan, Golestan, Guilan, Khuzestan, Tehran, and Khorasan Razavi exhibited the highest effective reproduction numbers. Additionally, there was a decreasing trend in the effective reproduction numbers across all provinces from 2011 to 2020. Conclusion: Effective reproduction numbers declined in most provinces from 2011 to 2020 but increased moderately after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions. Although SPPTB incidence rates are declining nationally, elevated incidence rates and effective reproduction numbers in regions such as Sistan and Baluchestan, Golestan, Guilan, Khuzestan, Tehran, and Khorasan Razavi signify the need for persistent TB management efforts in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to observe the effect of edaravone dexborneol (EDB) on the incidence of early post-stroke depression (PSD) and explore its inflammatory mechanisms. Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2023, involving patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at the Neurology Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The control group received routine treatment, while the experimental group received routine combined EDB treatment. The main outcome measures included PSD incidence, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores on days 14 and 30, and inflammatory factor levels on day 14. Results: A total of 93 patients were included in the study, 51 in the experimental group and 42 in the control group. On day 14, the PSD incidence was 13.7% in the experimental group, lower than 31.0% in the control group (95%CI 0.127-0.996; p = 0.044). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß (95%CI 3.353-5.184), IL-6 (95%CI 2.694-3.426), TNF-a (95%CI 4.985-12.196), IFN-γ (95%CI 0.163-0.451), MCP-1 (95%CI 0.335-0.787), IL-17A (95%CI 0.543-1.024), and IL-23p19 (95%CI 1.677-1.959) (all p < 0.001), and higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 (95%CI -1.087 to -0.941), IL-10 (95%CI -6.125 to -1.662), and IL-13 (95%CI -6.078 to -2.953) (all p = 0.001). On day 30, the PSD incidence in the experimental group was 15.7%, lower than 40.5% in the control group (95%CI 0.103-0.725; p = 0.007). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had lower PHQ-9 scores on day 14 (95%CI 0.034-1.577; p = 0.041) and day 30 (95%CI 0.018-1.573; p = 0.045), and also had lower HAMD scores on day 14 (95% CI 0.281-2.856; p = 0.018) and day 30 (95% CI 0.647-3.482; p = 0.005). Conclusion: EDB could reduce the incidence of early PSD, reduce proinflammatory cytokine levels, and elevate anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, which was possibly related to the anti-inflammatory mechanism of EDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term deterioration in the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been reported during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Determining the impact of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates on the mental health of HCWs is essential to prepare for potential new pandemics. This study aimed to investigate the association of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates with depressive symptoms over 2 years among HCWs in 20 countries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a multi-country serial cross-sectional study using data from the first and second survey waves of the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) global study. The HEROES study prospectively collected data from HCWs at various health facilities. The target population included HCWs with both clinical and non-clinical roles. In most countries, healthcare centers were recruited based on convenience sampling. As an independent variable, daily COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates were calculated using confirmed cases and deaths reported by Johns Hopkins University. These rates represent the average for the 7 days preceding the participants' response date. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms, assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A multilevel linear mixed model (LMM) was conducted to investigate the association of depressive symptoms with the average incidence and mortality rates. Results: A total of 32,223 responses from the participants who responded to all measures used in this study on either the first or second survey, and on both the first and second surveys in 20 countries were included in the analysis. The mean age was 40.1 (SD = 11.1), and 23,619 responses (73.3%) were from females. The 9323 responses (28.9%) were nurses and 9119 (28.3%) were physicians. LMM showed that the incidence rate was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms (coefficient = 0.008, standard error 0.003, p = 0.003). The mortality rate was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms (coefficient = 0.049, se = 0.020, p = 0.017). Conclusions: This is the first study to show an association between COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates with depressive symptoms among HCWs during the first 2 years of the outbreak in multiple countries. This study's findings indicate that additional mental health support for HCWs was needed when the COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates increase during and after the early phase of the pandemic, and these findings may apply to future pandemics. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04352634. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the incidence of Class B respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs) in China under the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and examines variations post-epidemic, following the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Two-stage evaluation was used in our study. In the first stage evaluation, we established counterfactual models for the pre-COVID-19 period to estimate expected incidences of Class B RIDs without the onset of the epidemic. In the second stage evaluation, we constructed seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average intervention (SARIMA-Intervention) models to evaluate the impact on the Class B RIDs after NPIs aimed at COVID-19 pandemic were relaxed. The counterfactual model in the first stage evaluation suggested average annual increases of 10.015%, 78.019%, 70.439%, and 67.799% for tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles, and pertussis respectively, had the epidemic not occurred. In the second stage evaluation, the total relative reduction in 2023 of tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles and pertussis were − 35.209%, − 59.184%, − 4.481%, and − 9.943% respectively. The actual incidence declined significantly in the first stage evaluation. However, the results of the second stage evaluation indicated that a rebound occurred in four Class B RIDs after the relaxation of NPIs; all of these showed a negative total relative reduction rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT I would like to reconsider a recent analysis by Prof. Senn on the statistics of the Pfizer‐BioNTech vaccine trial, to express some different opinions and to clarify some theoretical points, especially regarding the clinical applications of Bayesian statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with patients frequently experiencing significant psychological distress, particularly anxiety. Despite the high prevalence of anxiety in patients with cancer, there is limited comprehensive research focusing on the specific factors influencing anxiety in patients with early- and middle-stage lung cancer within the context of Chinese medicine hospitals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and factors influencing anxiety disorders in patients with early- and middle-stage primary bronchial lung cancer through a cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 340 patients with early and middle-stage lung cancer admitted to the outpatient ward of the oncology department at Guang'anmen Hospital from June 2023 to December 2023 were included in this study. Survey data, including the patients' general condition questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Mental Toughness Scale (CD-RISC-10), were collected and recorded in a database using a two-person input format. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Out of the 340 patients with early- and middle-stage lung cancer included in this study, 133 had anxiety, resulting in an overall anxiety detection rate of 39.12%. The chi-square test showed that statistically significant differences in religion, marital status, surgical treatment, tobacco use, and alcohol history between the anxious and non-anxious groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significant differences were observed in per capita annual family income, pathological type, VAS score, targeted therapy, treatment stage, and mental toughness level (p < 0.001). Other factors were not significantly correlated with anxiety onset. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher per capita family income and completed treatment independently acted as protective factors against anxiety onset in patients with early- and middle-stage lung cancer. Conversely, rare pathological types, increased pain severity, and lower levels of mental toughness were identified as independent risk factors for anxiety onset in these patients. Conclusion: Anxiety was prevalent in patients with early- and middle-stage lung cancers. Rare pathological types, increased pain severity, and lower levels of mental toughness were independent risk factors for anxiety. Therefore, clinicians and psychologists should pay more attention to patients with rare types of tumors, actively manage their pain symptoms, and consider implementing mental resilience training to improve patients' mental toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examines global trends in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2019, focusing on regional disparities in AIDS incidence, mortality, and DALYs across various levels of socio-demographic index (SDI). It also investigates variations in AIDS incidence, mortality, and DALYs across different age groups, and projects specific trends for the next 25 years. Methods: Comprehensive data on AIDS from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories was obtained from a GBD study. This included information on AIDS incidence, mortality, DALYs, and age-standardized rates (ASRs). Projections for AIDS incidence and mortality over the next 25 years were generated using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the global incidence of HIV cases increased from 1,989,282 to 2,057,710, while the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) decreased from 37.59 to 25.24 with an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of -2.38. The ASIR exhibited an upward trend in high SDI and high-middle SDI regions, a stable trend in middle SDI regions, and a downward trend in low-middle SDI and low SDI regions. In regions with higher SDI, the ASIR was higher in males than in females, while the opposite was observed in lower SDI regions. Throughout 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and age-standardized DALY rate remained stable, with EAPCs of 0.24 and 0.08 respectively. Countries with the highest HIV burden affecting women and children under five years of age are primarily situated in lower SDI regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Projections indicate a significant continued decline in the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of AIDS over the next 25 years, for both overall and by gender. Conclusions: The global ASIR decreased from 1990 to 2019. Higher incidence and death rates were observed in the lower SDI region, indicating a greater susceptibility to AIDS among women and < 15 years old. This underscores the urgent need for increased resources to combat AIDS in this region, with focused attention on protecting women and < 15 years old as priority groups. The AIDS epidemic remained severe in sub-Saharan Africa. Projections for the next 25 years indicate a substantial and ongoing decline in both age-standardized incidence and mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people with HIV (PHIV) globally. Our study is the first to evaluate TB incidence and its risk factors among PHIV in the country of Georgia, where previously no data were available. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among persons newly diagnosed with HIV in Georgia during 2019–2020. Active TB incidence was calculated within a minimum of 2-year follow-up period from HIV diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard model was used for evaluating risk factors for TB development. Results The median age in the final cohort of 1165 PHIV was 38 (interquartile range, 30–48) and 76.3% were male. Twenty-nine percent of patients had a CD4 cell count <200 at HIV diagnosis and 89.9% initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART). TB incidence rate was 10/1000 person-years (p-y; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6–10.4), with rates being higher within several subgroups, mainly: PHIV aged 40–49 years (17.5/1 000 p-y [95% CI, 16.8–18.2]); those not receiving ART (22/1000 p-y [95% CI, 20.9–23.1]); those with CD4 < 200 at baseline (28/1000 p-y [95% CI, 27.4–28.6]); and those who developed AIDS (29.1/1 000 p-y [95% CI, 28.6–29.6]). Age (aHR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.03–1.39; P =.01) and AIDS diagnosis (aHR, 3.2; 95% CI, 3.06–27.9; P =.001) were associated with TB development, whereas high CD4 count was protective against TB (aHR, 0.18; 95% CI,.06–.61; P =.005). Conclusions Study results highlight an imperative role of CD4 cell count management and the need for early HIV diagnosis and timely initiation of ART to ensure an effective immune response against tuberculosis, stressing the need for further in-depth evaluation of the TB preventive treatment delivery system's efficiency and gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine the impact of current age, age at diagnosis, and duration of diabetes on the incidence rate of complications among people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Baseline data from 19,327 individuals with type 2 diabetes in the UK Biobank were analysed. Poisson regression was used to model incidence rates by current age, age at diagnosis, and duration of diabetes for the following outcomes: myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), stroke, end‐stage kidney diseases (ESKD), chronic kidney diseases (CKD), liver diseases, depression, and anxiety. Results: The mean age at baseline was 60.2 years, and median follow‐up was 13.9 years. Diabetes duration was significantly longer among those with younger‐onset type 2 diabetes (diagnosed at <40 years) compared to later‐onset type 2 diabetes (diagnosed at ≥40 years), 16.2 and 5.3 years, respectively. Incidence rates of MI, HF, stroke, and CKD had strong positive associations with age and duration of diabetes, whereas incidence rates of ESKD liver diseases, and anxiety mainly depended on duration of diabetes. The incidence rates of depression showed minor variation by age and duration of diabetes and were highest among those diagnosed at earlier ages. No clear evidence of an effect of age of onset of diabetes on risk of complications was apparent after accounting for current age and duration of diabetes. Conclusions: Our study indicates age at diagnosis of diabetes does not significantly impact the incidence of complications, independently of the duration of diabetes. Instead, complications are primarily influenced by current age and diabetes duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease that affects individuals worldwide. An epidemiological observational population–cohort study was conducted on the basis of comprehensive research on CL incidence in Saudi and non-Saudi residents. The Ministry of Health recorded the incidence of CL between January 2020 and December 2022. The chi-square test was used to analyze the data and determine CL incidence rates in age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs) and gender between Saudi and non-Saudi residents in Saudi Arabia. The study found that between 2020 and 2022, there were 2280 cases of CL in Saudi Arabia, with 1367 and 913 cases in men and women, respectively. Of Saudi nationals, 64.26% and 12.91% were male and female, respectively. The frequency of CL was higher (87.09%) among non-Saudi residents than among Saudi nationals, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) between the two groups. The ASIRs for CL were higher in patients aged 15–45 years. This study revealed variations in CL incidence rates among the 13 administrative regions; Qassim, followed by Aseer, Ha'il, and Madinah, had higher rates than the other regions. These findings indicate the need for targeted interventions and public health strategies to reduce the burden on CL, particularly among non-Saudi residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Gallbladder cancer is a major health concern in China, and awareness of the associated incidence and mortality rates is particularly important given the aging population. Objective To determine trends in gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates over 12 years and quantitatively analyze the influence of demographic factors on these rates in China. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 98,860 Chinese citizens using the Chinese Cancer Registry, a national database. Gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality data pertaining to patients treated between 2005 and 2017 were collected. Joinpoint regression models were used to estimate the annual percentage change (APC) and average APC (AAPC). We used age-period-cohort analyses and decomposition methods to investigate differing trends in incidence and mortality. Results The age-standardized gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates in China trended downward between 2005 and 2017, with AAPCs of -2.023% and -1.603%, respectively. Coefficients of age effect for incidence rate increased with age up to 70 years and peaked at 70–79 years, while coefficients of age effect for the mortality rate showed a consistent increase with age. Both coefficients of period for incidence and mortality rates increased in more recent periods; in terms of the cohort effect, coefficients of cohort for rates generally decreased in later birth years but showed a partial rise between 1982 and 1996. The crude incidence rates of gallbladder cancer according to demographic and non-demographic factors were 626.09% and -526.09% respectively (366.23% and -266.23% among men, and 6068.93% and -5968.93% among women, respectively). The rates were 543.01% and -443.01%, respectively, in urban areas and were 68.22% and 31.78%, respectively, in rural areas. The mortality rates according to demographic and non-demographic factors were -495.93% and 595.93%, respectively (-1763.10% and -1863.10% for men and -270.56% and -370.56% for women, respectively). These rates were -930.33% and 1030.33%, respectively, in urban areas and were 101.48% and -1.48%, respectively, in rural areas. Conclusions The overall standardized gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality rates in China are trending downward, but not sufficiently so. Proper living and eating habits should be encouraged while exploring the establishment of long-term, standardized gallbladder cancer screening programs.

ObjectiveTo compare the association of the incidence and mortality of leukemia and the human development index (HDI) in different countries or regions in 2022, and the trend of leukemia incidence and mortality with age in countries with different HDI levels. MethodsGLOBOCAN 2022 data related to leukemia incidence and mortality in different countries or regions worldwide and HDI were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test. The incidence and mortality rates of each age and the age change trend were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression model. ResultsAge-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and mortality to incidence ratio (M/I) were statistically significantly different among the four groups of HDI countries (P

Abstract This study investigates the incidence of Class B respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs) in China under the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and examines variations post-epidemic, following the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Two-stage evaluation was used in our study. In the first stage evaluation, we established counterfactual models for the pre-COVID-19 period to estimate expected incidences of Class B RIDs without the onset of the epidemic. In the second stage evaluation, we constructed seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average intervention (SARIMA-Intervention) models to evaluate the impact on the Class B RIDs after NPIs aimed at COVID-19 pandemic were relaxed. The counterfactual model in the first stage evaluation suggested average annual increases of 10.015%, 78.019%, 70.439%, and 67.799% for tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles, and pertussis respectively, had the epidemic not occurred. In the second stage evaluation, the total relative reduction in 2023 of tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles and pertussis were − 35.209%, − 59.184%, − 4.481%, and − 9.943% respectively. The actual incidence declined significantly in the first stage evaluation. However, the results of the second stage evaluation indicated that a rebound occurred in four Class B RIDs after the relaxation of NPIs; all of these showed a negative total relative reduction rate.

Abstract Background Long-term deterioration in the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been reported during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Determining the impact of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates on the mental health of HCWs is essential to prepare for potential new pandemics. This study aimed to investigate the association of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates with depressive symptoms over 2 years among HCWs in 20 countries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a multi-country serial cross-sectional study using data from the first and second survey waves of the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) global study. The HEROES study prospectively collected data from HCWs at various health facilities. The target population included HCWs with both clinical and non-clinical roles. In most countries, healthcare centers were recruited based on convenience sampling. As an independent variable, daily COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates were calculated using confirmed cases and deaths reported by Johns Hopkins University. These rates represent the average for the 7 days preceding the participants’ response date. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms, assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A multilevel linear mixed model (LMM) was conducted to investigate the association of depressive symptoms with the average incidence and mortality rates. Results A total of 32,223 responses from the participants who responded to all measures used in this study on either the first or second survey, and on both the first and second surveys in 20 countries were included in the analysis. The mean age was 40.1 (SD = 11.1), and 23,619 responses (73.3%) were from females. The 9323 responses (28.9%) were nurses and 9119 (28.3%) were physicians. LMM showed that the incidence rate was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms (coefficient = 0.008, standard error 0.003, p = 0.003). The mortality rate was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms (coefficient = 0.049, se = 0.020, p = 0.017). Conclusions This is the first study to show an association between COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates with depressive symptoms among HCWs during the first 2 years of the outbreak in multiple countries. This study’s findings indicate that additional mental health support for HCWs was needed when the COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates increase during and after the early phase of the pandemic, and these findings may apply to future pandemics. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04352634.

Abstract Background This study examines global trends in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2019, focusing on regional disparities in AIDS incidence, mortality, and DALYs across various levels of socio-demographic index (SDI). It also investigates variations in AIDS incidence, mortality, and DALYs across different age groups, and projects specific trends for the next 25 years. Methods Comprehensive data on AIDS from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories was obtained from a GBD study. This included information on AIDS incidence, mortality, DALYs, and age-standardized rates (ASRs). Projections for AIDS incidence and mortality over the next 25 years were generated using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Results From 1990 to 2019, the global incidence of HIV cases increased from 1,989,282 to 2,057,710, while the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) decreased from 37.59 to 25.24 with an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of -2.38. The ASIR exhibited an upward trend in high SDI and high-middle SDI regions, a stable trend in middle SDI regions, and a downward trend in low-middle SDI and low SDI regions. In regions with higher SDI, the ASIR was higher in males than in females, while the opposite was observed in lower SDI regions. Throughout 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and age-standardized DALY rate remained stable, with EAPCs of 0.24 and 0.08 respectively. Countries with the highest HIV burden affecting women and children under five years of age are primarily situated in lower SDI regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Projections indicate a significant continued decline in the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of AIDS over the next 25 years, for both overall and by gender. Conclusions The global ASIR decreased from 1990 to 2019. Higher incidence and death rates were observed in the lower SDI region, indicating a greater susceptibility to AIDS among women and

Abstract Background Rates of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) across Europe are impacted by population demographics and geography. Regional differences in KC occurrence exist, but few European studies investigate incidences of specific subtypes in the secondary healthcare sector on a national level. Objectives To determine geographical differences in incidence rate and lifetime risk of KC subtypes across Denmark, including nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the KC precursor, Bowen's disease (BD), identified in office‐based dermatological practice. Methods Based on a nationwide registry (The Danish Skin Cancer Registry), all patients in Denmark's five regions with a histologically‐ or clinically verified KC or BD registered in a state‐funded office‐based dermatology practice between 2013 and 2022 were included. Trends in national‐ and region‐specific age and sex standardised tumour incidence rates (STIR) were calculated. Further, national lifetime risk of each tumour subtype was estimated. Results Between 2013 and 2022, the combined STIR for KC/BD rose 172% nationally from 180 to 489 per 100,000 person‐years (PY). This increase reflected rising rates of nodular BCC, SCC, and BD, while superficial BCC incidence was relatively stable. Regional differences in STIR for combined KC/BD were observed, with the Capital Region and North Jutland generally demonstrating higher rates than Zealand, Southern‐ and Central Denmark (e.g., North Jutland vs. Southern Denmark: 714 vs. 405/100,000PY). While the estimated lifetime risk of developing at least one KC or BD tumour was 21.8%, risk varied with tumour subtype, resulting in subtype‐specific risks of 16.4%, 5.1%, 1.9% and 1.3% for nodular BCC, superficial BCC, SCC, and BD, respectively. Conclusions In Denmark's secondary dermatological care sector, incidence of nodular BCC, SCC and BD continues to rise with an overall lifetime risk nearing 22%. While KC incidence is increasing in Denmark, the study detected differences in geographical trends and rate increases of specific tumour subtypes.

Abstract Background Understanding the trends of the prevalence and incidence rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is vital for improving the control and prevention of COPD. We aimed to examine the trends in the prevalence and incidence rate of COPD among adults aged 50 years or older in the United States during 2000–2020. Methods Utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study, we analyzed COPD prevalence across survey waves and calculated COPD incidence rates between consecutive interview waves, stratified by gender and race. We employed joinpoint regression models to investigate trends in COPD prevalence and incidence. Results The individuals reporting COPD are more likely to be women and Caucasians. The age‐adjusted prevalence of COPD among adults aged 50 years and over showed an increasing trend throughout the study period, spanning from 9.02% in 2000 to 9.88% in 2020 (average biennial percent change [ABPC] = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10, 0.71; p = 0.01). The age‐adjusted incidence rate of COPD among adults aged 50 and over showed a decreasing trend throughout the study period 1031.1 per 100,000 person‐years in 2000 to 700.5 per 100,000 person‐years in 2020 (ABPC = −1.63, 95% CI: −2.88, −0.36; p = 0.02). Conclusion Our findings indicate a rising prevalence of COPD among older adults in the United States since 2000, while the incidence rate of COPD has shown a declining trend.

We aim to estimate the incidence rates (IRs) of SARS-CoV-2 infections stratified by disease severity and comorbidities in pediatric population and to describe the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in children with and without comorbidities. A population-based cohort study was conducted in 6 electronic healthcare records databases from Italy, Spain, and Norway. The study lasted from 1 January 2020 to the latest databases’ available data in each site, i.e., in Italian ARS Tuscany and PEDIANET: December 2021, in Spanish BIFAP: February 2022; SIDIAP: June 2022, and VID: December 2021. Finally, in Norwegian Health Registries: December 2021. Children and adolescents were included and stratified into three age categories (< 5, 5– < 12, and 12– < 18 years old). IRs (95% confidence intervals) per 100 person-years (PY) for non-severe (positive SARS-CoV-2 test or diagnosis without hospitalization) and severe COVID-19 (hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and death after COVID-19) are reported. The cumulative COVID-19 vaccination rollout was stratified by population with and without comorbidities. The study population comprised 5,654,040 individuals < 18 years of age (51% females) across the six European databases (median age: 6 years), with 1.4 to 8.5% of them having at least one at-risk comorbidity for severe COVID-19. Incidence rates of severe COVID-19 were low (0–1 per 100 PY) but 3 to 4 times higher among children and adolescents with comorbidities during Omicron BA.1–2 wave in December 2021–January 2022. Percentages of vaccination rollout in the general population were between 13% in PEDIANET-IT and 64% in BIFAP-ICU-ES. In ARS-IT and SIDIAP-IT, vaccination rate in children with comorbidities was slightly lower than that in the general population. Conclusion: Severe COVID-19 was rare across databases, but up to 3 to 4 times higher in children with comorbidities during the predominance of Omicron BA.1–2 variant in winter 2021–2022. COVID-19 vaccination coverage was slightly lower in children with comorbidities in ARS (Tuscany) and SIDIAP (Catalonia) data sources. Our findings will inform future public policies aimed to protect the pediatric population, both within these countries and globally. What is known: • Pediatric population is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. • COVID-19 severity rates in children vary across study settings and context. What is new: • This study confirms the low severity rates of COVID-19 in the pediatric population based on a large cohort of children and adolescents residing in Spain, Italy, and Norway. • Incidence of severe COVID-19 in children and adolescents with comorbidities was up to 3 to 4 times higher than in the general pediatric population during the SARS-CoV-2 high transmission wave of Omicron BA.1–2 variant in winter 2021–2022 in Italy and Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate changes in the incidence rate of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery over time and to determine to what extent these changes can be attributed to pseudophakia. Methods: This nationwide cohort study was based on national patient registries. The study population comprised individuals at risk of RRD aged 40 years and above from 2006 to 2021 in Denmark. The primary outcome was RRD incidence, and the exposure was phacoemulsification surgery. A chart review was conducted to validate and examine the lens status of the outcome. Results: The crude and age‐adjusted incidence rate of RRD in the Danish population increased significantly during the study period. The largest increase in RRD was seen in phakic RRD (phRRD) (65%), whereas pseudophakic RRD (pRRD) accounted for 35% of the total increase. A chart review revealed that 17% of phRRDs were misclassified as pseudophakic, resulting in pRRD accounting for a total of 45% of the increase in RRD. The prevalence of pseudophakia in Denmark grew significantly for all age groups and for both sexes (p = 10−6) from 2006 to 2021, but the 1‐year incidence of pRRD in the pseudophakic population was constant throughout the entire period. Conclusion: The incidence rate of RRD is continuing to increase in Denmark. The increase in phRRD remains undetermined, and while the risk of pRRD seemed to be constant during the study period, 45% of the overall increase in RRD could be attributed to the rise of a growing pseudophakic population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is relatively scarce data regarding the association between primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and incident diabetes in large population‐based longitudinal studies. We aimed to evaluate the risk of incident diabetes in individuals with and without PHPT and investigate the association between serum calcium concentrations and the risk of incident diabetes in patients with PHPT. Methods: We included 2749 PHPT patients and 13,745 age, sex and index year matched non‐PHPT individuals during 2000–2019. We used Cox regression models to compare the risk of incident diabetes in individuals with and without PHPT, and the risk of incident diabetes in PHPT patients with serum calcium concentration above and below the median value. The association between serum calcium concentrations and the risk of incident diabetes was examined by restricted cubic spline analyses in patients with PHPT. Results: During a median follow‐up time of 5.17 years (IQR 2.17, 9.58), 433 patients (15.75%) with PHPT and 2110 individuals (15.35%) without PHPT developed diabetes, respectively. Patients with PHPT had a higher incidence rate of diabetes compared to non‐PHPT individuals (27.60 [95% CI 25.00, 30.30] vs. 23.90 [95% CI 22.80, 24.90] per 1000 person‐years, log‐rank test p =.007]. Crude Cox regression model showed PHPT was associated with a 15% higher risk of incident diabetes (HR 1.15, 95%CI 1.04, 1.28). In patients with PHPT, a 44% higher risk of incident diabetes was found in patients with serum calcium concentrations above the median value (2.63 mmol/L), compared to those below the median value (HR 1.44, 95%CI 1.08, 1.90). Restricted cubic spline analyses confirmed a positive linear association between serum calcium concentrations and the risk of incident diabetes in those with PHPT (p‐value for nonlinear =.751) Conclusions: Patients with PHPT had a higher risk of incident diabetes compared to non‐PHPT individuals. A positive linear association was found between serum calcium concentrations and the risk of incident diabetes in patients with PHPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside biosecurity, vaccination is important for Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) control as it has been shown to contribute to the reduction of economic impact and, experimentally, also lessens horizontal transmission. In this study, the effect of MS live vaccination on horizontal transmission was quantified under field conditions by analysing 4-year MS monitoring data from non-MS-vaccinated broiler and layer breeders and MS-vaccinated broiler breeders with good biosecurity in single-age housing systems. Flocks were monitored at 20 and 30 weeks of age and every 12 weeks thereafter. At every sampling, 60 blood samples or 24 tracheal swabs were tested using rapid plate agglutination test and ELISA serially or MS DIVA PCR, respectively. The MS incidence rate was calculated and the association with vaccination was analysed by logistic regression. The average MS incidence rate per 1000 weeks was 11.6 cases for non-MS-vaccinated broiler breeders and decreased from 29.6 to 5.6 cases with successive vaccinated production cycles. In non-MS-vaccinated layer breeders it was 3.6. A significant negative association with MS incidence was found after vaccinating four to six successive production cycles compared to non-MS-vaccinated or only one production cycle vaccinated breeders (odds ratio (OR) = 0.23, P = 0.05 & OR = 0.12, P = 0.01, respectively). A significant negative association with MS in non-MS-vaccinated layer breeders (OR = 0.29, P = 0.00) was observed compared to non-MS-vaccinated broiler breeders, possibly due to more controlled contact structures within the layer breeder industry. The results suggest that vaccination and control of contacts contribute to the reduction of between-farm MS transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS) is an aggressive malignant soft tissue tumor that easily develops lymph node metastasis (LNM) and distant metastasis. No literature investigates the pattern of LNM in HNRMS. Methods: Ninety‐five consecutive patients with HNRMS newly diagnosed at one institution between November 2011 and July 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients underwent head and neck contrast‐enhanced MRI and/or CT, PET‐CT if necessary. The associations between LNMs and clinical characteristics and histopathological parameters were discovered. Results: 44.2% of patients had evidence of LNM at diagnosis, and the most common LNM occurred in the ipsilateral retropharyngeal space. The primary tumor metastasizes to the retropharyngeal space, and then next to level II is the most common LN drainage basin. In multivariate analysis, only distant metastasis determines the prognosis, other than LN status. Conclusions: LNM has a high incidence in HNRMS and rarely causes contralateral metastasis for localized lesions or skip metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveCompare the prediction effects of the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA), exponential smoothing (ETS), trigonometric box-cox transform, ARMA residuals, trend, and seasonal components (TBATS), and neural network autoregressive (NNAR) time series models on mumps incidence rate in Jiangxi province, to provide a reference for mumps prevention and control. MethodsMumps case and incidence rate data reported in Jiangxi province from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The reported mumps incidence rates from January 2010 to December 2018 were used as the training set, and SARIMA, ETS, TBATS, and NNAR models were constructed using R 4.1.2 software to predict the mumps incidence rates from January to December 2019. Root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used to compare the fitting and prediction effects of the four models. ResultsThe reported mumps incidence rates in Jiangxi province in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 were 20.49/100 000, 32.03/100 000, 31.89/100 000, 19.95/100 000, 12.22/100 000, 14.10/100 000, 16.56/100 000, 16.21/100 000, 14.29/100 000, and 21.14/100 000, respectively, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 19.84/100 000 from 2010 to 2019. Mumps incidence in Jiangxi province showed obvious seasonality, with the main peak from April to July and a secondary peak from November to January of the following year. The fitted values of the four models showed consistent trends with the actual values. Except for the high MAPE (32.01%) of the SARIMA model, the MAPEs of the other three models were all < 15%, with the NNAR model having fitted values closer to the actual values and the lowest RMSE, MAE, and MAPE of 0.20, 0.14, and 8.24%, respectively. Except for the SARIMA model, the predicted value trends of the other three models were consistent with the actual values, and their MAPEs were all < 15%, with the TBATS and ETS models having the best prediction effects. ConclusionThe ETS, TBATS, and NNAR models have good fitting and prediction effects on mumps incidence rates in Jiangxi province, and the prediction results can provide theoretical guidance for mumps prevention and control in the region.

Abstract Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease that affects individuals worldwide. An epidemiological observational population–cohort study was conducted on the basis of comprehensive research on CL incidence in Saudi and non-Saudi residents. The Ministry of Health recorded the incidence of CL between January 2020 and December 2022. The chi-square test was used to analyze the data and determine CL incidence rates in age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs) and gender between Saudi and non-Saudi residents in Saudi Arabia. The study found that between 2020 and 2022, there were 2280 cases of CL in Saudi Arabia, with 1367 and 913 cases in men and women, respectively. Of Saudi nationals, 64.26% and 12.91% were male and female, respectively. The frequency of CL was higher (87.09%) among non-Saudi residents than among Saudi nationals, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) between the two groups. The ASIRs for CL were higher in patients aged 15–45 years. This study revealed variations in CL incidence rates among the 13 administrative regions; Qassim, followed by Aseer, Ha’il, and Madinah, had higher rates than the other regions. These findings indicate the need for targeted interventions and public health strategies to reduce the burden on CL, particularly among non-Saudi residents.

Aims: Achilles tendon re-rupture (ATRR) poses a significant risk of postoperative complication, even after a successful initial surgical repair. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with Achilles tendon re-rupture following operative fixation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed a total of 43,287 patients from national health claims data spanning 2008 to 2018, focusing on patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary Achilles tendon rupture. Short-term ATRR was defined as cases that required revision surgery occurring between six weeks and one year after the initial surgical repair, while omitting cases with simultaneous infection or skin necrosis. Variables such as age, sex, the presence of Achilles tendinopathy, and comorbidities were systematically collected for the analysis. We employed multivariate stepwise logistic regression to identify potential risk factors associated with short-term ATRR. Results: From 2009 to 2018, the short-term re-rupture rate for Achilles tendon surgeries was 2.14%. Risk factors included male sex, younger age, and the presence of Achilles tendinopathy. Conclusion: This large-scale, big-data study reaffirmed known risk factors for short-term Achilles tendon re-rupture, specifically identifying male sex and younger age. Moreover, this study discovered that a prior history of Achilles tendinopathy emerges as an independent risk factor for re-rupture, even following initial operative fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(7):315–320.

ObjectiveTo understand the incidence and death of female breast cancer patients and the premature death caused by breast cancer in Putuo District of Shanghai, and to reduce the incidence of breast cancer, mortality and the probability of early death, and to provide reference for realizing the control target of the probability of early death of major chronic diseases.MethodsThe incidence and death data of the registered female residents with breast cancer in Putuo District of Shanghai from 2004 to 2019 were collected using Shanghai Population-based tumor registration management system. The crude incidence rate, standardized incidence rate, crude mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, age-specific incidence rate, age-specific mortality rate and other indicators were calculated. The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of breast cancer incidence, mortality and premature death probability, and to analyze the changing trend.ResultsFrom 2004 to 2019, the crude incidence of breast cancer in Putuo District of Shanghai increased from 75.76/105 to 95.77/105 (APC=2.26%, t=6.05, P

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious and causes a series of health problems, particularly in Yemen, which has a fragile healthcare system and cannot handle public health emergencies. Aims This analysis aimed to determine the epidemiological status of COVID-19 in the Taiz governorate between April 2020 and December 2023. Methods A retrospective study based on surveillance data from the Taiz governorate was used. The required data were gathered from the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden and analyzed using SPSS. Results Out of 5826 suspected of COVID-19 cases, 1933 (33.18%) cases were positive for COVID-19 infection. The high rates of COVID-19 cases were reported at 35.40% in males, 37.80% in people aged 35–44 years, 47.20% in 2020, 72.73% in Dhubab district, and 27.78% in March 2021. The overall incidence rate of cases was reported at 6.2 per 10,000 people in Taiz governorate (8.85 in males and 3.80 in females). In addition, the high incidence rate of COVID-19 was observed among age groups ≥ 65 years, in 2021, and in Al-Mukha districts. In total, the rate of fatality cases was 14.12%, the higher rate of fatality cases was 15.46% among males and 32.23% among individuals aged ≥ 65 years, and 26.97% in 2020. Conclusion In this finding, the incidence rate of COVID-19 is high. It is necessary to increase the public’s awareness of the transmission and prevention methods of COVID-19, as well as implement appropriate strategies to protect populations from infectious diseases.

Abstract Introduction Ethiopia implemented measures to reduce preterm mortality, and much is currently being done to avoid preterm death, yet preterm death remains the top cause of infant death. As a result, evaluating median time of recovery and determinants will provide information to planners and policymakers to design strategies to improve preterm survival. Methods Hospital-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted in four selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa from September 2018 to August 2021. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Epi-data 4.6 and STATA Version 16 were used for data entry and analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve, log-rank test, and median time were computed. To find predictors of time to recovery, a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was fitted, and variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results A total of 466 preterm babies were included in the study of which 261 (56.1%) preterm neonates survived and were discharged from NICUs. The median time to recovery was 10 days (95% CI: 9–12). Low birth weight (Adjusted hazard-ratio [AHR]: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.2–3.06), normal birth weight (AHR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.16–3.76), late preterm (AHR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.02–3.55), no hospital-acquired infection (AHR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.36–3.5), no thrombocytopenia (AHR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.27–3.02), continuous positive airway pressure (AHR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48–0.91), and kangaroo mother care (AHR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.48–2.81) were found to be independent predictors of time to recovery of preterm babies. Discussion/Conclusion The recovery rate was found relatively low. Several predictors of preterm recovery time were discovered in the study. The majority of predictors were preventable or treatable. Therefore, emphasis should be given towards prevention and early anticipation, and management of these predictors. Studies to assess the quality of care and cause of low survival rate of preterm infants are recommended.

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), an entrapment neuropathy caused by pressure of the median nerve, is a progressive condition that can lead to a decreased quality of life. Studies suggest an association between CTS and arthritis; however, previous studies examining osteoarthritis (OA) and CTS are limited in number, scope and study design. This study estimated the incidence and risk of CTS among patients with OA, both overall and by specific joints, in a large population-based cohort in the United States. Methods Patients from the Optum claims database aged ≥ 45 years and diagnosed with OA between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, were eligible for the OA cohort. The non-OA cohort included those without a diagnosis of OA at the index date and no history of OA for 12 months pre-index. Baseline characteristics were balanced using propensity score matching. The risk of CTS in the OA and non-OA cohort were evaluated using incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios that were estimated using Cox regression. Results After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 3,610,240 of the 6,023,384 adults with a diagnosis of OA remained in the OA cohort. After propensity-score matching, each cohort included 1,033,439 individuals. The incidence rates for CTS per 1000 person-years were 7.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.21–7.49) in the OA cohort and 1.44 (95% CI 1.38–1.50) in the non-OA cohort. The risk of developing CTS in patients with OA was ~ 4 times that of patients without (hazard ratio = 3.80; 95% CI 3.54–4.07). This increased risk was found across all OA joint types, with OA of the hand/wrist having the highest risk for CTS. Additionally, multiple OA joints presented a higher risk compared with a single affected joint. Conclusions OA increases the risk of CTS, but this is not limited to patients with hand/wrist OA, suggesting a systemic impact of OA on CTS. While the risk appears highest for patients with hand/wrist OA, patients with more distant affected joints like knee or hip also have an increased risk of CTS.

Background Female breast cancer remains the most common malignant disease and a leading cause of death worldwide. We aim to follow up on the annual dynamics of its incidence, prevalence and mortality rates in the region of Varna, Bulgaria. Methods Data for the recent retrospective analyses was accessed through the information system of Marko Markov Specialized Hospital for Oncological Diseases of Varna for 2017-2021 and two most recent publications for 2013-2017, in accordance with the Medical University-Varna Ethical committee guidelines. Results The total number of newly registered cases of breast cancer in women aged between 24 and 95 years amounted to 1,341. Mean crude incidence rate in 2017-2021 was 108.83 per 100,000, ranging from 119.89 to 105.25 per 100,000 in 2017 and 2020, respectively. The age group of 61-70 years was most affected (26.55% of the cases). Mean crude prevalence rate during this period was 1496.32 per 100,000, varying from 1447.75 to 1549.71 per 100 000 in 2017 and 2020, respectively. The total number of deaths until the end of 2022 reached 310 with 2018 being the greatest in mortality rate (30.22% of the cases). In 2017-2021, bilateral breast cancer was diagnosed as synchronous in 15 women and metachronous in 9 women. Conclusions The regular regional epidemiological investigations could contribute to the enhancement of the effectiveness and quality of prevention, timely diagnosis and adequate complex treatment.

Background: Ideally, health services and interventions to improve dental health should be tailored to local target populations. But this is not the standard. Little is known about risk clusters in dental health care and their evaluation based on small-scale, spatial data, particularly among under-represented groups in health surveys. Our study aims to investigate the incidence rates of major oral diseases among privately insured and self-paying individuals in Germany, explore the spatial clustering of these diseases, and evaluate the influence of social determinants on oral disease risk clusters using advanced data analysis techniques, i.e. machine learning. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to calculate the age- and sex-standardized incidence rate of oral diseases in a study population of privately insured and self-pay patients in Germany who received dental treatment between 2016 and 2021. This was based on anonymized claims data from BFS health finance, Bertelsmann, Dortmund, Germany. The disease history of individuals was recorded and aggregated at the ZIP code 5 level (n = 8871). Results: Statistically significant, spatially compact clusters and relative risks (RR) of incidence rates were identified. By linking disease and socioeconomic databases on the ZIP-5 level, local risk models for each disease were estimated based on spatial-neighborhood variables using different machine learning models. We found that dental diseases were spatially clustered among privately insured and self-payer patients in Germany. Incidence rates within clusters were significantly elevated compared to incidence rates outside clusters. The relative risks (RR) for a new dental disease in primary risk clusters were min = 1.3 (irreversible pulpitis; 95%-CI = 1.3–1.3) and max = 2.7 (periodontitis; 95%-CI = 2.6–2.8), depending on the disease. Despite some similarity in the importance of variables from machine learning models across different clusters, each cluster is unique and must be treated as such when addressing oral public health threats. Conclusions: Our study analyzed the incidence of major oral diseases in Germany and employed spatial methods to identify and characterize high-risk clusters for targeted interventions. We found that private claims data, combined with a network-based, data-driven approach, can effectively pinpoint areas and factors relevant to oral healthcare, including socioeconomic determinants like income and occupational status. The methodology presented here enables the identification of disease clusters of greatest demand, which would allow implementing more targeted approaches and improve access to quality care where they can have the most impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smear‑positive pulmonary tuberculosis (SPPTB) is a significant public health concern in Iran. This registry‑based study aimed to investigate the incidence rates of SPPTB in Iran from 2018 to 2022. Methods: The study analyzed SPPTB cases using the Spatial Lag Model to investigate the spatial distribution of SPPTB incidence rates, income inequality, and delayed diagnosis across the provinces of Iran and mapped the results using GIS maps. Results: The study found that SPPTB is prevalent among older individuals and males. The analysis identified significant spatial variation in the distribution of SPPTB incidence rates, income inequality, and delayed diagnosis across the provinces. The highest incidence rate of SPPTB was found in Sistan and Baluchestan Province and Golestan provinces. The study found a positive association between income inequalities, measured by the Gini index, and SPPTB incidence rates, indicating that provinces with higher income inequality may have higher incidence rates of SPPTB. The negative correlation with delayed diagnosis implies that predominantly, SPPTB cases are identified in the early months. Conclusions: The study highlights the need to address socioeconomic disparities in health outcomes and implement targeted interventions in areas with higher income inequality to reduce the burden of SPPTB in Iran. Despite decreased SPPTB incidence rates in Iran over the past decade, some regions, such as Sistan and Baluchestan, still have high incidence rates. The Iranian government has implemented policies and programs to reduce income inequality and delayed diagnosis within the country, which can contribute to reducing the burden of SPPTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are the most common viral diseases in Russia. HFRS is caused by six different types of hantaviruses: Hantaan, Amur, Seoul, Puumala, Kurkino, and Sochi, which are transmitted to humans through small mammals of the Muridae and Cricetidae families. TBE is caused by viruses belonging to five different phylogenetic subtypes. The similarities in the ecology of HFRS and TBE pathogens is presented here. Hantavirus-infected small mammals can transmit the virus to uninfected animals, and ticks can also transmit hantavirus to other ticks and mammals. Hantavirus transmission from ticks to humans is possible only hypothetically based on indirect data. Over the past 23 years, 164,582 cases of HFRS (4.9 per 105 people) and 71,579 cases of TBE (2.5 per 105 people) were registered in Russia. The mortality rate was 0.4% (668 cases) in HFRS and 1.6% deaths (1136 cases) in TBE. There were 4030 HFRS (2.5%) and 9414 TBE (13%) cases in children under 14 years old. HFRS and TBE cases were registered in 42 out of 85 Russian regions; in 18—only HFRS, in 13—only TBE, and 12 had no reported cases. The prospects of applying a combined vaccine for HFRS and TBE prevention are shown in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hysterectomy protects against cervical cancer when the cervix is removed. However, measures of cervical cancer incidence often fail to exclude women with a hysterectomy from the population-at-risk denominator, underestimating and distorting disease burden. In this study, we estimated hysterectomy prevalence from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys to remove the women who were not at risk of cervical cancer from the denominator and combined these estimates with the US Cancer Statistics data. From these data, we calculated age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates for women aged > 30 years from 2001-2019, adjusted for hysterectomy prevalence. We calculated the difference between unadjusted and adjusted incidence rates and examined trends by histology, age, race and ethnicity, and geographic region using joinpoint regression. The hysterectomy-adjusted cervical cancer incidence rate from 2001-2019 was 16.7 per 100 000 women—34.6% higher than the unadjusted rate. After adjustment, incidence rates were higher by approximately 55% among Black women, 56% among those living in the East South Central division, and 90% among women aged 70-79 and ≥80 years. These findings underscore the importance of adjusting for hysterectomy prevalence to avoid underestimating cervical cancer incidence rates and masking disparities by age, race, and geographic region. This article is part of a Special Collection on Gynecological Cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common X-linked hereditary disorder in southern China. However, the incidence rate of G6PD deficiency and the frequency of the most common G6PD gene variants vary widely. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, genotype, and phenotypic features of G6PD deficiency in neonates in Fujian province, southeastern China. Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 2,789,002 newborns (1,521,431 males and 1,267,571 females) based on the newborn screening program for G6PD deficiency in Fujian Province between January 2010 and December 2021. Results: Of the 2,789,002 newborns enrolled, 26,437 cases were diagnosed (22,939 males and 3,498 females), and the estimated prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Fujian province was 0.95%. The prevalence was significantly higher among males (1.51%) than in females (0.28%) (p < 0.00001). Among the 3,198 patients with G6PD deficiency, 3,092 cases (2,145 males and 947 females) were detected to have G6PD gene variants. The top six prevalent genotypes identified represented 90.84% (2095/3,198) of the total and included c.1376G > T (44.93%), c.1388G > A (18.42%), c.1024C > T (9.32%), c.95A > G(8.69%), c.392G > T (5.25%), and c.871G > A (4.22%). The frequency of genotypes with c.1388G > A, c.1024C > T, and c.871G > A was higher in males in the Fujian province than in females, while the frequency of genotypes with c.1376G > T was lower. Furthermore, when comparing the enzyme activities of the top six prevalent genotypes, there were significant differences in the enzyme activities among the genotypes of male hemizygotes and female heterozygotes. According to the new classification of G6PD variants proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the variants with c.1376G > T, c.95A > G, and c.871G > A were recognized as Class A, while the c.392G > T, c.1388G > A, and c.1024C > T were recognized as Class B. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to systematically describe the overview of epidemiological characteristics of newborn G6PD deficiency in Fujian province, China, including the screening rate, incidence rate, and variant spectrum. Additionally, we elucidated the relationship between the distribution of enzyme activity with specific mutations and their WHO classification patterns. Our results could provide strategies for screening, diagnosis, and genetic counseling of G6PD deficiency in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious and causes a series of health problems, particularly in Yemen, which has a fragile healthcare system and cannot handle public health emergencies. Aims: This analysis aimed to determine the epidemiological status of COVID-19 in the Taiz governorate between April 2020 and December 2023. Methods: A retrospective study based on surveillance data from the Taiz governorate was used. The required data were gathered from the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden and analyzed using SPSS. Results: Out of 5826 suspected of COVID-19 cases, 1933 (33.18%) cases were positive for COVID-19 infection. The high rates of COVID-19 cases were reported at 35.40% in males, 37.80% in people aged 35–44 years, 47.20% in 2020, 72.73% in Dhubab district, and 27.78% in March 2021. The overall incidence rate of cases was reported at 6.2 per 10,000 people in Taiz governorate (8.85 in males and 3.80 in females). In addition, the high incidence rate of COVID-19 was observed among age groups ≥ 65 years, in 2021, and in Al-Mukha districts. In total, the rate of fatality cases was 14.12%, the higher rate of fatality cases was 15.46% among males and 32.23% among individuals aged ≥ 65 years, and 26.97% in 2020. Conclusion: In this finding, the incidence rate of COVID-19 is high. It is necessary to increase the public's awareness of the transmission and prevention methods of COVID-19, as well as implement appropriate strategies to protect populations from infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the incidence trend of viral hepatitis C (HCV) in China from 2006 to 2020, and to explore the influence of age, period and birth cohort on the incidence of HCV. Methods The data of hepatitis C cases and demographic data were collected in China from 2006 to 2020. The Joinpoint regression model was applied to analyze the trend of the incidence of hepatitis C in the whole population and by age group. The age-period-cohort model was applied to explore the effects of age, period and birth cohort on the incidence. Results The incidence of hepatitis C increased from 2006 to 2020, and the average incidence was 12.82 per 100 000. Unlike other age groups, the incidence of hepatitis C in people age group 60 and above still showed an upward trend from 2010 to 2018 (APC=3.40). The time of onset effect of hepatitis C increased from 0.63 (95%CI: 0.77-0.70) during 2006-2010 to 0.92 (95%CI: 0.84-1.00) during 2016 to 2020. The birth cohort effect was lowest in the 1926-1930 cohort and peaked in the 1991-1995 cohort (RR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.01-1.97). Conclusion The incidence of hepatitis C increased during the study period, and the disease burden increased with age. High-risk groups should be regularly screened and monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ethiopia implemented measures to reduce preterm mortality, and much is currently being done to avoid preterm death, yet preterm death remains the top cause of infant death. As a result, evaluating median time of recovery and determinants will provide information to planners and policymakers to design strategies to improve preterm survival. Methods: Hospital-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted in four selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa from September 2018 to August 2021. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Epi-data 4.6 and STATA Version 16 were used for data entry and analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve, log-rank test, and median time were computed. To find predictors of time to recovery, a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was fitted, and variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 466 preterm babies were included in the study of which 261 (56.1%) preterm neonates survived and were discharged from NICUs. The median time to recovery was 10 days (95% CI: 9–12). Low birth weight (Adjusted hazard-ratio [AHR]: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.2–3.06), normal birth weight (AHR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.16–3.76), late preterm (AHR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.02–3.55), no hospital-acquired infection (AHR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.36–3.5), no thrombocytopenia (AHR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.27–3.02), continuous positive airway pressure (AHR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48–0.91), and kangaroo mother care (AHR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.48–2.81) were found to be independent predictors of time to recovery of preterm babies. Discussion/Conclusion: The recovery rate was found relatively low. Several predictors of preterm recovery time were discovered in the study. The majority of predictors were preventable or treatable. Therefore, emphasis should be given towards prevention and early anticipation, and management of these predictors. Studies to assess the quality of care and cause of low survival rate of preterm infants are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several weighted cumulative sum (CUSUM) and adaptive CUSUM (ACUSUM) control charts have been developed to address the challenge of time-varying sample sizes in detecting the incidence rates of Poisson count data. However, the known post-drift parameters in the CUSUM chart make it less realistic. Additionally, the adaptive component in the ACUSUM chart cannot integrate with time-varying sample sizes naturally. Furthermore, the existing charts predominantly address step drift, neglecting linear drift. Hence, this study introduces a Poisson ACUSUM chart that considers both linear drift and integration issues. Detailed comparisons are made among the proposed control chart, CUSUM control charts, and other ACUSUM control charts. Results demonstrate the proposed method's superior robustness and ability to effectively detect small drifts. Finally, the empirical results of the mortality data are employed to further validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and severity of root-knot nematodes in peach orchards in the Pothwar Region of Pakistan. Thirty-seven peach orchards were surveyed in the region and root and soil samples were collected from 10 randomly selected plants in each orchard for analysis. In the region, an overall incidence rate of 19.8% and a prevalence rate of 65.7% of root-knot nematodes were observed. The district Attock exhibited the highest prevalence rate of 71.43% and incidence rate of 34.29%. Conversely, the district Islamabad displayed the lowest prevalence rate of 50.5% and incidence rate of 10%. The surveys encountered five distinct peach varieties, and Early Grand had the highest prevalence (85.71%) of root-knot nematodes while Local Aroo showed the lowest (50%). Florida Gold and Aroo-5 were not infested with root-knot nematodes. In the region, peach trees were found to be infected by two types of root-knot nematodes, namely, Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica., which was more prevalent than M. incognita, and it dominated all districts, except for Attock, where M. incognita was dominant. M. incognita was not present in Islamabad district. The occurrence of M. incognita and M. javanica as single populations were observed in 26.09 and 43.48% of orchards, respectively, while mixed populations were found in 30.43% of peach orchards. The overall galling index of the root-knot nematodes was 1.33, with the highest index in Attock and the lowest in Islamabad districts. Among the different peach cultivars, the Early Grand cultivar exhibited the maximum galling index, whereas no galling index was observed in the Florida Gold and Aroo-5 cultivars. It is recommended that stringent control strategies should be adopted to prevent the spread of nematodes to new plantations and to eradicate them from established orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Hypothermia poses a threat to the health and lives of newborns. Therefore, it is essential to identify the factors that influence neonatal hypothermia and provide targeted intervention suggestions for clinical practice to reduce its occurrence. Methods: We conducted a literature search to identify factors influencing neonatal hypothermia and performed a meta‐analysis to determine the prevalence of neonatal hypothermia and its associated factors. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of cohort and case–control studies, while the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was used to evaluate the quality of cross‐sectional studies. Results: Eighteen studies involving 44 532 newborns from 13 countries were included. The incidence of neonatal hypothermia was 52.5% (95% CI: 0.37, 0.68). Factors such as no skin‐to‐skin contact, prematurity, low birth weight, delayed breastfeeding, asphyxiation and resuscitation after birth, low APGAR score, not wearing a cap, and caesarean section were found to affect neonatal hypothermia. Conclusion: Multiple factors influence neonatal hypothermia, and clinicians can utilise these factors to develop targeted intervention measures to prevent and reduce the incidence of neonatal hypothermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse and compare the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with acute angle closure (AAC) who presented before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the COVID-19 management and after their downgrading. Methods: Consecutive AAC patients were recruited from our hospital and divided into three groups: those treated before the COVID-19 pandemic (Group1), during the COVID-19 management (Group2) and after the management downgrade (Group3). The demographic variables, clinical characteristics, treatment methods and therapeutic outcomes of the groups were compared. Results: When compared to Groups1 and 2, Group3 showed a significantly higher incidence of AAC (0.27%, P < 0.001), a longer time from symptoms to treatment (TST; 160.88 ± 137.05 h, P = 0.031) and worse uncorrected visual acuity (P = 0.009) at presentation. In Group3, 68.9% had a history of COVID-19 and 28.5% developed ocular symptoms of AAC after taking medication for COVID-19 symptoms. The average time from the onset of COVID-19 to the appearance of eye symptoms was 3.21 ± 4.00 days. Conclusions: The COVID-19 has had a multifaceted impact on the incidence of AAC. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen health education on glaucoma, especially AAC. The prevention and timely treatment of AAC should be emphasised to combat global blindness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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