METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This study was conducted using the motion analysis technique with the reflex responses measured in terms of knee angles. Forty healthy subjects were selected and categorized into three different age groups. Patellar reflexes were elicited from both the left and right patellar tendons of each subject at three different tapping angles and using the Jendrassik maneuver. The findings suggested that age has a significant effect on the magnitude of the reflex response. An angle of 45° may be the ideal tapping angle at which the reflex can be elicited to detect age-related differences in reflex response. The reflex responses were also not influenced by gender and were observed to be fairly symmetrical.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Neurologically normal individuals will experience an age-dependent decline in patellar reflex response.
METHODS: From 500 patient CBCT scans, 787 maxillary premolar teeth were evaluated. The sample was divided by gender and age (10-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61 years and older). Ahmed et al. classification system was used to record root canal morphology.
RESULTS: The most frequent classifications for right maxillary 1st premolars were 2MPM1 B1 L1 (39.03%) and 1MPM1 (2.81%), while the most frequent classifications for right maxillary 2nd premolars were 2MPM1 B1 L1 (39.08%) and 1MPM1 (17.85%). Most of the premolars typically had two roots (left maxillary first premolars: 81.5%, left maxillary second premolars: 82.7%, right maxillary first premolars: 74.4%, right maxillary second premolars: 75.7%). Left and right maxillary 1st premolars for classes 1MPM1 and 1MPM1-2-1 showed significant gender differences. For classifications 1MPM1 and 1MPM1-2-1, age-related changes were seen in the left and right maxillary first premolars.
CONCLUSION: This study provides novel insights into the root canal anatomy of maxillary premolars within the Saudi population, addressing a notable gap in the literature specific to this demographic. Through CBCT imaging and analysis of large sample sizes, the complex and diverse nature of root canal morphology in these teeth among Saudi individuals is elucidated. The findings underscore the importance of CBCT imaging in precise treatment planning and decision-making tailored to the Saudi population. Consideration of age and gender-related variations further enhances understanding and aids in personalized endodontic interventions within this demographic.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey comprising of 23 items was circulated via a secure internet-based platform, FORMSG between September and November 2022. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared for association with receptivity toward change in MLA using Chi-Squared test and multivariable logistic regression analysis using Rstudio. Post-hoc Bonferroni correction were further utilized for pairwise comparison.
RESULTS: Majority (80.3%) of the 608 participants expressed their support for MLA 21 implementation. Participants' age was a significant variable as those aged 15-17 years old (OR = 2.1, 95%CI = 1.01-4.32, p = 0.048) showed a higher likelihood of supporting MLA implementation compared to those aged 21 and above. In addition, majority (89.8%) of them were also aware of the harmful effects of passive smoking. When it came to discouraging smoking among youth, family influence (64%) and school education (55.6%) emerged as the top strategies.
CONCLUSION: Most of the youth express strong support for raising the MLA to 21, with over 80% in favor of such change, reflects a significant harmony among youth in favor of tobacco-free environment.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
METHODS: We included 548,830 women from six countries in Asia. The data were sourced from 20 cohorts participating in the Asia Cohort Consortium (ACC) and two additional cohort studies: Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohorts (J-MICC), and Japan Nurse Health Study (JNHS) with data on age at menarche. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate changes in age at menarche by birth year and by country.
RESULTS: The study includes data from cohorts in six Asian countries namely, China, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Birth cohorts ranged from 1873 to 1995. The mean age of menarche was 14.0 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.4 years, ranged from 12.6 to 15.5 years. Over 100 years age at menarche showed an overall decrease in all six countries. China showed a mixed pattern of decrease, increase, and subsequent decrease from 1926 to 1960. Iran and Malaysia experienced a sharp decline between about 1985 and 1990, with APC values of -4.48 and -1.24, respectively, while Japan, South Korea, and Singapore exhibited a nearly linear decline since the 1980s, notably with an APC of -3.41 in Singapore from 1993 to 1995.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we observed a declining age at menarche, while the pace of the change differed by country. Additional long-term observation is needed to examine the contributing factors of differences in trend across Asian countries. The study could serve as a tool to strengthen global health campaigns.
METHODS: We searched six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, and ProQuest) using appropriate search terms to identify the relevant literature published on the factors determining QoL following TKA. Two reviewers independently performed the study screening and study selection. A third reviewer was consulted in case of any disagreement. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black Index checklist. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022352887) and reported according to the PRISMA checklist.
RESULTS: We identified a total of 8517 studies, 29 of which were included. Advanced age; female sex; increased body mass index (BMI); the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes; contralateral knee pain; poor preoperative status; psychological and pain-related factors such as the presence of pain catastrophizing; central sensitization; kinesiophobia; anxiety; depression; chronic pain; psychological distress; low level of optimism; and reduced patient satisfaction were used to determine post-TKA QoL scores. High BMI and depression were the most common factors evaluated in these studies. Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies varied from high to low.
CONCLUSION: After TKA, the overall QoL score improved. However, there are a few physical, behavioral, and psychological factors that influence QoL. Identifying these factors could aid clinicians and health professionals in treating and rehabilitating patients by helping them improve patient prognosis after TKA.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of lower back, shoulder, and neck pain among Malaysian office workers.
METHODS: 752 subjects (478 women and 274 men) were randomly selected from the Malaysian office workers population of 10,000 individuals. The participants were aged between 20-50 years and had at least one year of work experience. All participants completed the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). Instructions to complete the questinnaire were given to the participants under the researchers supervision in the morning before they started a day of work. The participants were then classified into four categories based on body mas index (BMI) (BMI:≤18.4, 18.5-24.99, 25-29.99, ≥30) and age (Age: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, ≥50).
RESULTS: There was a significant association between pain severity in gender and right (p = 0.046) and left (p = 0.041) sides of the shoulders. There was also a significant association between BMI and severity of pain in the lower back area (p = 0.047). It was revealed that total pain score in the shoulders was significantly associated with age (p = 0.041).
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that a significant correlation existed between pain servity for gender in both right and left shoulder. These findings require further scientific investigation as do the identification of effective preventative stratgies.
AIMS: This study aims to examine sex-related differences in stroke metrics across Southeast Asia in 2015. Furthermore, relative changes between sexes are compared from 1990 to 2015.
METHODS: Data were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Incidence and mortality from ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes were explored with the following statistics derived: (1) women-to-men incidence/mortality ratio and (2) relative percentage change in rate.
RESULTS: Women had lower incidence and mortality from stroke compared to men. Notable findings include higher ischemic stroke incidence for women at 30-34 years in high-income countries (women-to-men ratio: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.1, 16.2 in Brunei and 1.3, 95% CI: 0.5, 3.2 in Singapore) and the largest difference between sexes for ischemic stroke mortality in Vietnam and Myanmar across most ages. Within the last 25 years, greater reductions for ischemic stroke metrics were observed among women compared to men. Nevertheless, women below 40 years in some countries showed an increase in ischemic stroke incidence between 0.5% and 11.4%, whereas in men, a decline from -4.2% to -44.2%. Indonesia reported the largest difference between sexes for ischemic stroke mortality; a reduction for women whereas an increase in men. For hemorrhagic stroke, findings were similar: higher incidence among young women in high-income countries and greater reductions for stroke metrics in women than men over the last 25 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Distinct sex-specific differences observed across Southeast Asia should be accounted in future stroke preventive guidelines.