Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 1396 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Hoffmann S, Gerhardt S, Mühle C, Reinhard I, Reichert D, Bach P, et al.
    Am J Psychiatry, 2024 May 01;181(5):445-456.
    PMID: 38196336 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230027
    OBJECTIVE: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) constitutes a critical public health issue and has sex-specific characteristics. Initial evidence suggests that progesterone and estradiol might reduce or increase alcohol intake, respectively. However, there is a need for a better understanding of how the menstrual cycle in females and the ratio of progesterone to estradiol in females and males influence alcohol use patterns in individuals with AUD.

    METHODS: In this sex-separated multicenter longitudinal study, the authors analyzed 12-month data on real-life alcohol use (from 21,460 smartphone entries), menstrual cycle, and serum progesterone-to-estradiol ratios (from 667 blood samples at four individual study visits) in 74 naturally cycling females and 278 males with AUD between 2020 and 2022, using generalized and general linear mixed modeling.

    RESULTS: Menstrual cycle phases were significantly associated with binge drinking and progesterone-to-estradiol ratio. During the late luteal phase, females showed a lower predicted binge drinking probability of 13% and a higher predicted marginal mean of progesterone-to-estradiol ratio of 95 compared with during the menstrual, follicular, and ovulatory phases (binge drinking probability and odds ratios vs. late luteal phase, respectively: 17%, odds ratio=1.340, 95% CI=1.031, 1.742; 19%, odds ratio=1.523, 95% CI=1.190, 1.949; and 20%, odds ratio=1.683, 95% CI=1.285, 2.206; difference in progesterone-to-estradiol ratios, respectively: -61, 95% CI=-105.492, -16.095; -78, 95% CI=-119.322, -37.039; and -71, 95% CI=-114.568, -27.534). In males, a higher progesterone-to-estradiol ratio was related to lower probabilities of binge drinking and of any alcohol use, with a 10-unit increase in the hormone ratio resulting in odds ratios of 0.918 (95% CI=0.843, 0.999) and 0.914 (95% CI=0.845, 0.988), respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: These ecologically valid findings suggest that high progesterone-to-estradiol ratios can have a protective effect against problematic alcohol use in females and males with AUD, highlighting the progesterone-to-estradiol ratio as a promising treatment target. Moreover, the results indicate that females with AUD may benefit from menstrual cycle phase-tailored treatments.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Factors
  2. Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhang A, Zhou Y, Li M, Cheng X, et al.
    BMC Ophthalmol, 2024 Apr 25;24(1):195.
    PMID: 38664615 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03464-z
    BACKGROUND: Analyzing the glaucoma burden in "Belt and Road" (B&R) countries based on age, gender, and risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in order to provide evidence for future prevention strategies.

    METHODS: We applied global burden of disease(GBD) 2019 to compare glaucoma prevalence and Years lived with disabilities (YLDs) from 1990 to 2019 in the B&R countries. Trends of disease burden between 1990 and 2019 were evaluated using the average annual percent change and the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) were reported.

    RESULTS: From 1990 to 2019, most B&R countries showed a downward trend in age-standardized prevalence and YLDs (all P  85 years), Malaysia(75-84 years), Brunei Darussalam(45-49 years), Afghanistan(70-79 years). Finally, in all Central Asian countries, the age-standardized YLDs due to glaucoma caused by fasting hyperglycemia demonstrated have an increase between 1990 and 2019 (all P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Distribution
  3. Saad S, Hisham S, Amir Hamzah SPA
    Malays J Pathol, 2024 Apr;46(1):21-40.
    PMID: 38682842
    INTRODUCTION: Sex estimation is crucial in forensic anthropology. In situations such as mass disasters, and forensic anthropology cases, sex estimation is a very important initial step in the disaster victim identification process. Literature has acknowledged that sex estimation is population-specific. However, sex estimation standards in South-East Asian populations are limited, leading to the usage of most Thais discriminant function equations on sex estimation by other South-East Asian countries including Malaysia. This systematic review was conducted to summarise the findings of sex estimation studies in South-East Asian countries.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed through the SCOPUS database and Web of Science (WOS) database for relevant studies between 2014 and 2022. All published articles that are related to sex estimation from different types of bone, methods, landmarks, and sample sources (i.e., photographs, dry bones, and CT images) were included in this review. The main inclusion criteria were studies on (i) sex estimation; (ii) in South-East Asian populations; (iii) between the years 2014 and 2022; and (iv) in English.

    RESULTS: The literature search identified 30 potentially relevant studies, of which 15 publications met all the inclusion criteria. From those research, 13 studies were related to the Thai population and two to the Malaysian population. Only one study was based on morphological traits, while the rest were based on a morphometric approach.

    CONCLUSION: All studies found that sex estimation is populationspecific. Therefore, further research is recommended to explore more on population-specific sex estimation using different parts of bone.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Determination by Skeleton/methods
  4. Guo L, Malara D, Battaglia P, Waiho K, Davis DA, Deng Y, et al.
    Genome Biol Evol, 2024 Mar 02;16(3).
    PMID: 38408866 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae037
    The suppression of recombination is considered a hallmark of sex chromosome evolution. However, previous research has identified undifferentiated sex chromosomes and sex determination by single SNP in the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). We observed the same phenomena in the golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) of the same family Carangidae and discovered a different sex-determining SNP within the same gene Hsd17b1. We propose an evolutionary model elucidating the turnover of sex-determining mutations by highlighting the contrasting dynamics between purifying selection, responsible for maintaining W-linked Hsd17b1, and neutral evolution, which drives Z-linked Hsd17b1. Additionally, sporadic loss-of-function mutations in W-linked Hsd17b1 contribute to the conversion of W chromosomes into Z chromosomes. This model was directly supported by simulations, closely related species, and indirectly by zebrafish mutants. These findings shed new light on the early stages of sex chromosome evolution.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Chromosomes/genetics
  5. Horie Y, Chihaya Y, Yap CK, Ríos JM, Ramaswamy BR, Uaciquete D
    PMID: 38218565 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109836
    Phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers are used in polymer materials, such as plastic and rubber. It has recently been found that diisobutyl adipate (DIBA), which is considered an environmentally safe non-phthalate plasticizer, potentially acts as a thyroid disruptor in fish. Here, we investigated the sexual hormone effects of DIBA based on the expression levels of genes that respond to endocrine disruption and sexual hormone activity in the livers and gonads, and on gonadal sexual differentiation in Japanese medaka. Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of chgH, vtg1, vtg2, and esr1 was significantly suppressed in the livers of DIBA exposed XX individuals. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of gsdf was significantly upregulated and downregulated in the gonads of XX and XY individuals, respectively. The mRNA expressions of esr1 and esr2b were significantly suppressed by DIBA exposure in the gonads of both XX and XY individuals. These observations suggest that DIBA has potential androgenic activity in Japanese medaka. However, normal testes and ovaries were observed in respective XY and XX medaka after DIBA exposure; therefore, these results suggest that DIBA may have weak androgenic activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Differentiation
  6. Meskó N, Kowal M, Láng A, Kocsor F, Bandi SA, Putz A, et al.
    Arch Sex Behav, 2024 Feb;53(2):811-837.
    PMID: 38127113 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02724-1
    The current study investigates attitudes toward one form of sex for resources: the so-called sugar relationships, which often involve exchanges of resources for sex and/or companionship. The present study examined associations among attitudes toward sugar relationships and relevant variables (e.g., sex, sociosexuality, gender inequality, parasitic exposure) in 69,924 participants across 87 countries. Two self-report measures of Acceptance of Sugar Relationships (ASR) developed for younger companion providers (ASR-YWMS) and older resource providers (ASR-OMWS) were translated into 37 languages. We tested cross-sex and cross-linguistic construct equivalence, cross-cultural invariance in sex differences, and the importance of the hypothetical predictors of ASR. Both measures showed adequate psychometric properties in all languages (except the Persian version of ASR-YWMS). Results partially supported our hypotheses and were consistent with previous theoretical considerations and empirical evidence on human mating. For example, at the individual level, sociosexual orientation, traditional gender roles, and pathogen prevalence were significant predictors of both ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS. At the country level, gender inequality and parasite stress positively predicted the ASR-YWMS. However, being a woman negatively predicted the ASR-OMWS, but positively predicted the ASR-YWMS. At country-level, ingroup favoritism and parasite stress positively predicted the ASR-OMWS. Furthermore, significant cross-subregional differences were found in the openness to sugar relationships (both ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS scores) across subregions. Finally, significant differences were found between ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS when compared in each subregion. The ASR-YWMS was significantly higher than the ASR-OMWS in all subregions, except for Northern Africa and Western Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Characteristics
  7. Thomas AG, Harrison S, Mogilski JK, Stewart-Williams S, Workman L
    Arch Sex Behav, 2024 Feb;53(2):611-627.
    PMID: 38030825 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02749-6
    Polygamy is a form of "one-sided" consensually non-monogamous relationship where one person has multiple committed partners, each of whom is only involved with that one person. It was likely a reoccurring feature of ancestral mating that posed adaptive problems for our ancestors. Yet polygamy, and multi-partnering more generally, is understudied in Western cultures, raising questions about the existence of polygamous interest and whether this is calibrated adaptively to personal conditions. In two studies, we examined polygamous interest in two heterosexual online samples from the UK. In Study 1 (N = 393), modest interest was found for polygamous relationships overall. Men were six times more open to polygyny than women, but there was little sex difference in openness to polyandry. Further analysis revealed that all forms of multi-partnering were undesirable relative to singlehood and monogamy; however, consensual multi-partner relationships were less undesirable than non-consensual ones. Sex differences were largest for polygyny and arrangements where men had agreed access to a casual partner alongside a committed one, yet these were two of the most acceptable forms of multi-partnering when men and women's responses were combined. Sociosexuality positively predicted interest in most forms of multi-partnering. Study 2 (N = 735) focused on polygyny and added status-linked traits as predictors. The results of Study 1 were broadly replicated, though the status-linked traits did not predict polygynous interest specifically. Instead, sociosexuality and male intrasexual competitiveness uniquely predicted general interest in multi-partner relationships. Overall, interest in polygamy appears to emerge despite social discouragement and sex differences in interest track the relative costs and benefits associated with it. However, there is no strong evidence that polygamous interest is uniquely calibrated to personal conditions when compared to other forms of multi-partnering.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Characteristics
  8. Colangelo LA, Carroll AJ, Perak AM, Gidding SS, Lima JAC, Lloyd-Jones DM
    Psychosom Med, 2024 01 09;86(2):60-71.
    PMID: 38193784 DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001277
    OBJECTIVE: Depression is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a potent predictor of coronary heart disease events. Whether depression is associated with LVH has received limited investigation. This study assessed cross-sectional and 20-year longitudinal associations of depressive symptoms with LVH outcomes after accounting for important known confounders.

    METHODS: From 5115 participants enrolled in 1985-1986 in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study, 2533 had serial measures of depressive symptoms and subsequent echocardiography to measure normal LV geometry, concentric remodeling, and LVH. The primary exposure variable was trajectories of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale score from 1990-1991 to 2010-2011. Multivariable polytomous logistic regression was used to assess associations of trajectories with a composite LV geometry outcome created using echocardiogram data measured in 2010-2011 and 2015-2016. Sex-specific conflicting results led to exploratory models that examined potential importance of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin.

    RESULTS: Overall CES-D and Somatic subscale trajectories had significant associations with LVH for female participants only. Odds ratios for the subthreshold (mean CES-D ≈ 14) and stable (mean CES-D ≈ 19) groups were 1.49 (95% confidence interval = 1.05-2.13) and 1.88 (95% confidence interval = 1.16-3.04), respectively. For female participants, sex hormone-binding globulin was inversely associated with LVH, and for male participants, bioavailable testosterone was positively associated with concentric geometry.

    CONCLUSIONS: Findings from cross-sectional and longitudinal regression models for female participants, but not male ones, and particularly for Somatic subscale trajectories suggested a plausible link among depression, androgens, and LVH. The role of androgens to the depression-LVH relation requires additional investigation in future studies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
  9. Gong J, Harris K, Lipnicki DM, Castro-Costa E, Lima-Costa MF, Diniz BS, et al.
    Alzheimers Dement, 2023 Aug;19(8):3365-3378.
    PMID: 36790027 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12962
    INTRODUCTION: Sex differences in dementia risk, and risk factor (RF) associations with dementia, remain uncertain across diverse ethno-regional groups.

    METHODS: A total of 29,850 participants (58% women) from 21 cohorts across six continents were included in an individual participant data meta-analysis. Sex-specific hazard ratios (HRs), and women-to-men ratio of hazard ratios (RHRs) for associations between RFs and all-cause dementia were derived from mixed-effect Cox models.

    RESULTS: Incident dementia occurred in 2089 (66% women) participants over 4.6 years (median). Women had higher dementia risk (HR, 1.12 [1.02, 1.23]) than men, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income economies. Associations between longer education and former alcohol use with dementia risk (RHR, 1.01 [1.00, 1.03] per year, and 0.55 [0.38, 0.79], respectively) were stronger for men than women; otherwise, there were no discernible sex differences in other RFs.

    DISCUSSION: Dementia risk was higher in women than men, with possible variations by country-level income settings, but most RFs appear to work similarly in women and men.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Characteristics*; Sex Factors
  10. Flaherty GT, Khairy WMZBM, Holmes A
    J Travel Med, 2023 Jun 23;30(4).
    PMID: 36322169 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac131
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Offenses*
  11. Chapman N, Ching SM, Konradi AO, Nuyt AM, Khan T, Twumasi-Ankrah B, et al.
    Hypertension, 2023 Jun;80(6):1140-1149.
    PMID: 36919603 DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.20448
    Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death among women globally. However, there is a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding the sex-specific pathophysiology of the condition. In addition, risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease unique to women or female sex are insufficiently acknowledged in clinical guidelines. This review summarizes the existing evidence on women and female-specific risk factors and clinical management of hypertension, to identify critical knowledge gaps relevant to research, clinical practice, and women's heart health awareness. Female-specific risk factors relate not only to reproduction, such as the association of gynecological conditions, adverse pregnancy outcomes or menopause with hypertension, but also to the specific roles of women in society and science, such as gender differences in received medical care and the underrepresentation of women in both the science workforce and as participants in research, which contribute to the limited evidence-based, gender- or sex-specific recommendations. A key point is that the development of hypertension starts in young, premenopausal women, often in association with disorders of reproductive organs, and therefore needs to be managed early in life to prevent future cardiovascular disease. Considering the lower blood pressure levels at which cardiovascular disease occurs, thresholds for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension may need to be lower for women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Factors
  12. Schroeder M, Lim YMF, Savarese G, Suzart-Woischnik K, Baudier C, Dyszynski T, et al.
    Eur J Heart Fail, 2023 Jun;25(6):912-921.
    PMID: 37101398 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2868
    AIMS: In order to understand how sex differences impact the generalizability of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), we sought to compare clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes between RCTs and HF observational registries stratified by sex.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from two HF registries and five HFrEF RCTs were used to create three subpopulations: one RCT population (n = 16 917; 21.7% females), registry patients eligible for RCT inclusion (n = 26 104; 31.8% females), and registry patients ineligible for RCT inclusion (n = 20 810; 30.2% females). Clinical endpoints included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and first HF hospitalization at 1 year. Males and females were equally eligible for trial enrolment (56.9% of females and 55.1% of males in the registries). One-year mortality rates were 5.6%, 14.0%, and 28.6% for females and 6.9%, 10.7%, and 24.6% for males in the RCT, RCT-eligible, and RCT-ineligible groups, respectively. After adjusting for 11 HF prognostic variables, RCT females showed higher survival compared to RCT-eligible females (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-0.83), while RCT males showed higher adjusted mortality rates compared to RCT-eligible males (SMR 1.16; 95% CI 1.09-1.24). Similar results were also found for cardiovascular mortality (SMR 0.89; 95% CI 0.76-1.03 for females, SMR 1.43; 95% CI 1.33-1.53 for males).

    CONCLUSION: Generalizability of HFrEF RCTs differed substantially between the sexes, with females having lower trial participation and female trial participants having lower mortality rates compared to similar females in the registries, while males had higher than expected cardiovascular mortality rates in RCTs compared to similar males in registries.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Characteristics
  13. Ranjit YS, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA
    AIDS Care, 2023 Jun;35(6):784-790.
    PMID: 34723714 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1995839
    An estimated 37,000 cisgender and transgender women work as sex workers in Malaysia, a population that has been disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. Although Malaysia provides no-cost antiretroviral therapy (ART) to people with HIV, little is known about sex workers' engagement in the HIV care continuum. We analyzed data from 57 HIV-infected cisgender women (n = 33) and transgender women (n = 24) sex workers from a respondent-driven sampling study on HIV prevalence among sex workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We examined the proportion of women who were newly diagnosed with HIV, had a baseline CD-4 count test, were initiated and retained on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Overall, only 26.3% had ever been HIV tested and almost 60% were newly diagnosed. Only a small proportion of cisgender (15.2%) and transgender (12.5%) women were currently taking ART. Interventions to enhance sex workers' engagement in the HIV care continuum are urgently needed. Deployment of evidence-based strategies to improve linkage and retention in HIV care should be adapted to address the unique needs of this important key population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Workers*
  14. Mat S, Jaafar MH, Razack AHA, Lim J, Ong TA, Khong SY, et al.
    Neurourol Urodyn, 2023 Mar;42(3):641-649.
    PMID: 36728321 DOI: 10.1002/nau.25136
    INTRODUCTION: The common assumption that urinary incontinence occurs in osteoarthritis (OA) due to poor mobility is supported by limited evidence. The influence of gender in such associations is also yet to be elucidated.

    OBJECTIVE: This study, therefore, identified any potential associations between knee OA symptoms and urinary incontinence and further explore sex differences in the associations.

    DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

    SETTING: University Hospital.

    PARTICIPANTS: This was a cross-sectional study from a longitudinal research study comprising 1221 community-dwelling older persons (57% women), mean age (SD) 68.95 (7.49) years.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Presence of urinary incontinence: mixed, stress and urge symptoms. Physical performance and C-reactive protein levels were also assessed.

    RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-seven (22.83%) individuals reported the presence of urinary incontinence: mixed (41.5%), stress (30%), and urge (28.5%) symptoms. In an unadjusted analysis, stratified by gender, the association between knee pain and urinary incontinence was only present in women with mixed symptoms. After further adjustment of demographics differences and body mass index, the association between knee pain with any urinary incontinence and mixed symptoms remained significant with the odds ratios (95% confidence interval): 1.48 (1.02-2.15) and 1.73 (1.06-2.83), respectively. This relationship was attenuated after further adjustment for waist circumference and impaired lower limb mobility.

    CONCLUSION: Our study refutes previous assumptions that urinary incontinence in individuals with OA is attributed to impaired mobility alone, but introduces the role of abdominal obesity in this relationship, particularly in women. Future studies should assess the temporal relationship between body fat distribution and OA with urinary incontinence.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Characteristics*; Sex Factors
  15. Wan SA, Tiong IK, Chuah SL, Cheong YR, Singh BSM, Lee KH, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Mar;78(2):207-212.
    PMID: 36988532
    INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture pose a major public health problem in our ageing population, and particularly concerning is the increased morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporotic hip fractures. While overall diagnosis and treatment for osteoporosis have improved, osteoporosis in men remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. We aim to describe the difference in clinical characteristics between elderly men and women with osteoporotic hip fractures in Sarawak General Hospital.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients diagnosed with osteoporotic hip fracture admitted to Sarawak General Hospital from June 2019 to March 2021 were recruited, and demographic data and clinical features were obtained.

    RESULTS: There were 140 patients with osteoporotic hip fracture, and 40 were men (28.6%). The mean age for males was 74.1 ± 9.5 years, while the mean age for females was 77.4 ± 9.1 years (p=0.06). The types of fracture consisted of neck of femur=78, intertrochanteric=61 and subtrochanteric=1. More men were active smokers (15% vs 1%, p<0.001). There were 20 men with secondary osteoporosis (50%), while 13 women (13%) had secondary osteoporosis (p<0.001). The causes of secondary osteoporosis among the men were hypogonadism, COPD, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, renal disease, androgen deprivation therapy, thyroid disorder, prostate cancer and previous gastrectomy. There were two deaths among the men and four deaths among the women during the inpatient and 3 months follow-up period. There was no statistical significance between the mortality rates between male patients (5%) and female patients (4%) (p=0.55).

    CONCLUSION: There were more females with osteoporotic hip fractures, and there were significantly more males with secondary osteoporotic hip fractures.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Factors
  16. Hays GC, Laloë JO, Lee PLM, Schofield G
    Curr Biol, 2023 Jan 09;33(1):R14-R15.
    PMID: 36626854 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.035
    Climate change is a clear and present threat to species survival. For species with temperature-dependent sex determination, including all sea turtles, it has been hypothesised that climate change may drive the creation of sex-ratio biases leading to population extinctions1. Through a global analysis across multiple species, we present the first direct empirical evidence for a demographic consequence of male scarcity in sea turtle populations, with a lower incidence of multiple paternity being found in populations with more extreme female-biased hatchling sex-ratio skews. For green turtles, when the female bias in hatchling sex ratio was >90%, the incidence of multiple paternity was low compared to other nesting sites, being 24.5% in the eastern Mediterranean (Cyprus), 36.4% on Redang Island (Malaysia) and 15.4% on the southern Great Barrier Reef (Heron Island, Australia) compared to higher values (range 61.1-91.7%) at other sites globally. These results suggest that a low incidence of multiple paternity may serve as a harbinger of future problems with egg fertility if males become even scarcer. Assessments of the incidence of multiple paternity at sites where adult males are expected to become scarce, such as Raine Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef in Australia, may help to identify when a lack of males raises the threat of local extinctions. In such cases, intervention to increase the production of male hatchlings may be needed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Ratio
  17. Sun Y, Zhong Y, Sun W, Chu L, Long J, Fan XW
    Front Public Health, 2023;11:1167234.
    PMID: 37521991 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1167234
    BACKGROUND: Adolescent depression has become a leading problem around the world, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has remained prevalent and heavily influenced people's mental health. While gender difference has always been a topic in the field of psychiatry, there are cultural differences across the world that must be taken into account. The current study is examining gender differences in symptoms of Chinese adolescents with depression.

    METHODS: The sample was obtained from a total of 574 adolescent patients (172 males and 402 females) diagnosed with depression following the DSM-IV/ICD-10 diagnostic criteria; patients who also had other severe mental or physical illnesses were excluded. The ages of participants ranged from 10 to 19 years. Additionally, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to examine differences in symptoms between different gender and age groups. The LPA was used to examine whether females and males were having different patterns of symptoms.

    RESULTS: Our analysis showed that compared to males, females exhibited higher rates of depression and more severe depressive symptoms across age groups. Likewise, the analysis also revealed an earlier onset of depression among Chinese adolescents compared to that in Western countries in previous studies. Finally, the LPA showed that mild to moderate depression was predominant in male patients, while severe depression was predominant in female patients.

    CONCLUSION: This study highlights the gender differences in the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. The current study highlighted the importance of gender equality and developing gender-friendly interventions in maintaining the overall mental health of adolescents in China.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Factors*
  18. Chung KL, Sheridan L
    J Interpers Violence, 2022 Nov;37(21-22):NP19644-NP19663.
    PMID: 34490815 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211042601
    Research in stalking perceptions has shown certain relational biases, in which people tend to view ex-partner stalkers to be less dangerous than stranger or acquaintance stalkers. These findings are in direct contrast to those of real-life cases whereby ex-partner stalkers pose a greater threat. In addition, although stalking is recognized as a global social problem, most studies have been based on samples drawn from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic countries. The current study examined whether the prior relationship between the stalking perpetrator and target influences people's perceptions of stalking and whether cross-national differences exist between participants based in Malaysia (where there is currently no law that criminalizes stalking) and England (where stalking has been outlawed since 1997). In a 3 × 2 between-subjects design, 294 Malaysian participants and 170 English participants were presented with a vignette describing a stalking scenario in which the perpetrator was depicted as a stranger, acquaintance, or ex-partner. Participants judged the extent to which the perpetrator's behavior constitutes stalking; necessitates police intervention; would cause the victim alarm or personal distress; would cause the victim to fear the use of violence; and can be attributed to encouragement on the part of the victim. Results showed that typical relational biases existed in both samples, but Malaysian participants were less likely than their English counterparts to label any harassing scenario as serious. Perceptions of victim responsibility were found to mediate the effect of prior relationship and nationality on participants' perceptions. The findings point to the urgency of better cross-cultural understanding of harassment behavior as well as legislations against stalking.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Offenses*
  19. Wan Jaafar WA, Arithra A, Fauzi MH, Wan Mohamad WS, Nor J
    Med J Malaysia, 2022 Nov;77(6):704-712.
    PMID: 36448388
    INTRODUCTION: Sexual assault is a serious social problem. Due to its stigma, it is severely underreported with the survivors delay in seeking treatment. We aim to study the patterns, clinical characteristics, and time taken to manage sexual assault cases in our One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC), and determine the factors associated with delayed presentation.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational case review study of all sexual assault cases from 2012-2017 at the OSCC of a suburban, tertiary hospital in Malaysia. A total of 304 cases were analysed.

    RESULTS: The median age of the survivors was 15 years old. Majority were females (n=291, 95.7%), single (n=290, 95.4%), students (n=235, 77.3%), and from low socio-economic class (n=230, 75.7%). Rape constitutes the majority (n=246, 80.6%) with 153 cases (62.1%) were statutory rape. The most common perpetrator was the victim's boyfriend (n=107, 35.2%) while only 60 cases (19.7%) involved strangers. Delayed presentations were more likely among victims who previously knew their perpetrators (AOR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.37 to 4.68, p<0.01). The median duration for management at OSCC was 6.48 hours.

    CONCLUSION: Majority of sexual assault survivors were females, teenagers, and from low socio-economic class. Rape, mainly statutory rape, made the majority of cases. Therefore, sexual and safety education targeting primary intervention should be started early. Multidisciplinary teams must work together to optimise the management of sexual assault.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Offenses*
  20. Power S, Biondi A, Saatci I, Bennett K, Mahadevan J, Januel AC, et al.
    Interv Neuroradiol, 2022 Jun;28(3):311-322.
    PMID: 34516279 DOI: 10.1177/15910199211030783
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Women's representation in medicine has increased over time yet the proportion of women practicing neurointervention remains low. We conducted an anonymous online survey through which we could explore the gender gap in neurointervention, identify potential issues, difficulties, or obstacles women might face, and evaluate if men encounter similar issues.

    METHODS: An online questionnaire was designed in SurveyMonkey®. Invitation to participate was emailed through national and international neurointerventional societies as well as directly through private mailing lists to men and women working in neurointervention. Responses were collected from 10 May 2019 to 10 September 2019.

    RESULTS: There were 295 complete responses, 173 (59%) male and 122 (41%) female. Most respondents (83%) fell within age categories 35-60 years, with representation from 40 countries across five continents. In all 95% were working full time, 73% had worked as a neurointerventionalist for >6 years, 77% worked in University-affiliated teaching institutions. Almost half of the respondents indicated no female neurointerventionalist worked in their center. Female respondents were younger and age-adjusted analysis was undertaken. Significantly fewer females than males were married and had children. Significantly fewer females held supervisory roles, held academic titles, and significantly less had a mentor. Females were less satisfied in their careers. More females felt they receive less recognition than colleagues of the opposite sex. Males had a greater proportion of work time dedicated to neurointervention. Similar proportions of both genders experienced bullying in work (40%-47%); however, sexual harassment was more common for females. There were no differences between genders in how they dealt with complications or their effects on mental well-being.

    CONCLUSION: There are many potential reasons why women are underrepresented in neurointervention, however, the literature suggests this is not unique to our specialty. Multiple long-term strategies will be necessary to address these issues, some of which are discussed in the article.

    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Factors*
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links