scholarly journals An Epidemiologic Study of the Association between Free Recall Dichotic Digits Test Performance and Vascular Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (04) ◽  
pp. 282-292
Author(s):  
Mary E. Fischer ◽  
Karen J. Cruickshanks ◽  
Lauren K. Dillard ◽  
David M. Nondahl ◽  
Barbara E. K. Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Recall ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Vascular Health ◽  
Auditory Function ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Central Auditory Function ◽  
The Right ◽  
Percentage Correct

AbstractAssociations between vascular health–related factors and hearing loss defined using audiometric pure-tone thresholds have been found. Studies have not focused on a potential relationship between vascular health–related factors and central auditory processing.The aim of this study was to evaluate, on a population level, the relationship of vascular health–related factors with central auditory function.A cross-sectional, population study.Subjects were participants in the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (EHLS) or the Beaver Dam Offspring Study (BOSS)—prospective studies of aging and sensory loss. BOSS participants were the adult offspring of participants in the EHLS. Participants who completed the Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) during the fourth examination period of the EHLS (2008–2010) or the second examination period of the BOSS (2010–2013) were included (n = 3,655, mean age = 61.1 years).The DDT-free recall test was conducted using 25 sets of triple-digit pairs at a 70 dB HL presentation level. The total number of correctly repeated digits from the right and left ears was converted to a percentage correct and used as an outcome. The percentage correct in the left ear was subtracted from the percentage correct in the right ear and used as an outcome. Vascular health–related measures obtained during the examination included blood pressure, mean carotid intima-media thickness, femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), hemoglobin A1C, and non–high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and, in the EHLS participants, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. Information on vascular health–related history and behaviors was self-reported. General linear modeling produced estimates of the age- and sex-adjusted least squares means for each vascular factor, and multiple linear regression was used for multivariable modeling of each outcome.After multivariable adjustment, participants with diabetes had a significantly lower (worse) mean DDT-free recall total score (−2.08 percentage points, p < 0.001) than those without diabetes. Participants who exercised at least once per week had a significantly higher (better) mean DDT-free recall total score (+1.07 percentage points, p < 0.01) than those who did not exercise at least once per week. Alcohol consumption was associated with a higher DDT-free recall total score (+0.15 percentage points per +25 g ethanol, p < 0.01). In multivariable modeling of the right–left ear difference in DDT-free recall scores, participants with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or higher PWV demonstrated significantly larger differences (CVD: +3.11 percentage points, p = 0.02; PWV: +0.36 percentage points per 1 m/sec, p < 0.01). Higher levels of non-HDL cholesterol were associated with smaller right–left ear differences (−0.22 percentage points per 10 mg/dL, p = 0.01). Adjustment for handedness did not affect the results.Vascular health–related factors may play a role in central auditory function.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of Peripheral and Central Auditory Function in Alzheimer’s Disease and in Mild Cognitive Impairment

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Häggström ◽  
Ulf Rosenhall ◽  
Christina Hederstierna ◽  
Per Östberg ◽  
Esma Idrizbegovic
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Auditory Processing Disorder ◽  
Central Auditory Processing ◽  
Auditory Function ◽  
Central Auditory Processing Disorder ◽  
Central Auditory Function ◽  
The Right

Background/Aim: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) might precede the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A method of evaluating CAPD is the dichotic digits test (DDT). The aim was to address this in a longitudinal setting. Methods: A total of 136 individuals were assessed with peripheral and central hearing tests at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. Results: Subjects with AD showed a significant decline in DDT scores of the right ear from baseline to follow-up. The other groups retained high DDT scores. Peripheral auditory function declined as expected according to age. Conclusions: Our study indicates that DDT performance reflects an ongoing process resulting in dementia.

Central Auditory Function

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-379
Author(s):  
Robert W. Keith ◽  
Myles L. Pensak
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Function ◽  
Central Auditory Function

Measuring Earwax Cortisol Concentration Using a Non-Stressful Method (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Herane-Vives
Keyword(s):  
Cortisol Level ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Sampling Device ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Novel Device ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
The Right

BACKGROUND “Short-term” samples are not the most appropriate for reflecting Chronic Cortisol Concentration (CCC). Although hair is used for reflecting the systemic cortisol level over “long-term”, its use appears clinically problematic. Local stress and non-stress related factors may release a circumscribed cortisol secretion that is accumulated in hair. Non-stressful earwax extraction methods may provide a more accurate specimen to measure CCC. OBJECTIVE Correlate cortisol levels using hair, serum and earwax samples METHODS Earwax from both ears of 37 controls were extracted using a clinical procedure commonly associated with local pain. One month later, earwax from the left ear side was extracted using the same procedure, and earwax from the right ear side was comfortably extracted, using an earwax self-sampling device. Participants also provided one centimetre of hair that represented the retrospective month of cortisol output, and one serum sample that reflected the effect of systemic stressors on cortisol levels. Earwax (ECC), Hair (HCC) and Serum (SCC) Cortisol Concentration were correlated and compared. Confounders´ effect on cortisol levels were studied. RESULTS Serum showed the largest and hair the lowest cortisol concentration (p<0.01). Left-ECC was larger than Right-ECC (p=0.03). Right-ECC was the only sample unaffected by confounders (all p>0.05). Right-ECC and HCC showed the only significant association (r=0.39; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS The self-sampling device did not represent a local stressor for the ceruminous glands. It provided the cortisol level with the least likely to be affected by confounding factors over the previous month. ECC using the novel device may constitute another accurate, but more suitable and affordable specimen for measuring CCC.

scholarly journals Avoidance of Healthcare Utilization in South Korea during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4363
Author(s):  
Minjung Lee ◽  
Myoungsoon You
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
First Case ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Health Related

Avoidance of healthcare utilization among the general population during pandemic outbreaks has been observed and it can lead to a negative impact on population health. The object of this study is to examine the influence of socio-demographic and health-related factors on the avoidance of healthcare utilization during the global outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020. Data were collected through an online survey four weeks after the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed the first case in South Korea; 1000 subjects were included in the analysis. The logit model for regression was used to analyze the associations between sociodemographic and health-related factors regarding the avoidance of healthcare utilization. Among the participants, 73.2% avoided healthcare utilization, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of healthcare avoidance between groups with (72.0%) and without (74.9%) an underlying disease. Sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, income level, and residential area) were related to healthcare avoidance. Among the investigated influencing factors, residential areas highly affected by COVID-19 (i.e., Daegu/Gyeoungbuk region) had the most significant effect on healthcare avoidance. This study found a high prevalence of healthcare avoidance among the general population who under-utilized healthcare resources during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the results reveal that not all societal groups share the burden of healthcare avoidance equally, with it disproportionately affecting those with certain sociodemographic characteristics. This study can inform healthcare under-utilization patterns during emerging infectious disease outbreaks and provide information to public health emergency management for implementing strategies necessary to improve the preparedness of the healthcare system.

scholarly journals Health-Related Quality of Life and Related Factors in Persons with Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surve

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
I Re Heo ◽  
Ho Cheol Kim ◽  
Tae Hoon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Poor Hrqol ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Prism Group ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Background and Objectives: preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is a common spirometric pattern that causes respiratory symptoms, systemic inflammation, and mortality. However, its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its associated factors remain unclear. We aimed to identify these HRQOL-related factors and investigate the differences in HROOL between persons with PRISm and those with normal lung function. Materials and Methods: we reviewed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2008 to 2013 to evaluate the HRQOL of persons with PRISm, as measured while using the Euro Quality of Life-5D (EQ-5D) and identify any influencing factors. PRISm was defined as pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) <80% predicted and FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (FEV1/FVC) ≥0.7. Individuals with FEV1 ≥80% predicted and FEV1/FVC ≥0.7 were considered as Controls. Results: of the 27,824 participants over the age of 40 years, 1875 had PRISm. The age- and sex-adjusted EQ-5D index was lower in the PRISm group than in the control group (PRISm, 0.930; control, 0.941; p = 0.005). The participants with PRISm showed a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.001), low physical activity (p = 0.001), ever-smoker (p < 0.001), and low income (p = 0.034) than those in the control group. In participants with PRISm, lower EQ-5D index scores were independently associated with old age (p = 0.002), low income (p < 0.001), low education level (p < 0.001), and no economic activity (p < 0.001). Three out of five EQ-5D dimensions (mobility, self-care, and usual activity) indicated a higher proportion of dissatisfied participants in the PRISm group than the control group. Conclusions: the participants with PRISm were identified to have poor HRQOL when compared to those without PRISm. Old age and low socioeconomic status play important roles in HRQOL deterioration in patients with PRISm. By analyzing risk factors that are associated with poor HRQOL, early detection and intervention of PRISm can be done in order to preserve patients’ quality of life.

Frailty and Autonomy among the Oldest Old: Evidence from the Multicenter Prospective AgeCoDe-AgeQualiDe Study

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
André Hajek ◽  
Christian Brettschneider ◽  
Tina Mallon ◽  
Hanna Kaduszkiewicz ◽  
Birgitt Wiese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Clinical Frailty Scale ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Introduction: There is a lack of studies examining the link between perceived autonomy and frailty among the oldest old. Therefore, our objective was to fill this gap. Methods: Data were used from the multicenter prospective cohort study “Needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+)” (AgeQualiDe; follow-up [FU] wave 9; n = 510 observations in the analytical sample). The average age was 90.3 years (SD: 2.7 years). The Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was used to assess frailty. Socioeconomic and health-related covariates were included in our regression model. The autonomy scale developed by Schwarzer was used to assess perceived autonomy in old age. Results: Adjusting for various confounders, multiple linear regressions showed that lower perceived autonomy was associated with increased levels of frailty (total sample: β = −0.13, p < 0.001; women: β = −0.14, p < 0.001; and men: β = −0.12, p < 0.001). Furthermore, lower perceived autonomy was associated with more depressive symptoms, higher cognitive impairment, and being institutionalized (except for men) in the total sample and in both sexes, but it was not significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, educational level, and social support. Conclusion: Findings indicate that frailty is associated with lower autonomy among the oldest old. More generally, while health-related factors were consistently associated with autonomy, sociodemographic factors (except for being institutionalized) were not associated with autonomy among the oldest old. We should be aware of the strong association between autonomy and physical as well as mental health in very old age.

Risk Assessment vs. Right to Privacy: The Access to Health Information on the Insurance Candidate through Questionnaires and the Right to Privacy

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78
Author(s):  
Maria Inês de Oliveira Martins
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Right To Privacy ◽  
The Right To Privacy ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Principle Of Proportionality ◽  
The Right

Abstract The need of private insurers for information on the candidate’s health risks is recognized by the law, which places pre-contractual duties of disclosure upon the candidates. When the risks are influenced by health factors, e.g. in the case of life- and health insurances, it implies the provision of health information by the candidates, who thus voluntarily limit their right to privacy. This consent, however, often happens in a context of factual coercion to contract. Next to this, from a legal standpoint, the collection of personal information must respond to the principle of proportionality. Against this background, this article assesses the compatibility of questionnaire techniques that rely on open-ended health related questions with the right to privacy, as protected by Portuguese and international law. It then analyses the extent of pre-contractual duties of disclosure as defined by the Portuguese Insurance Act, which requires the candidate to volunteer all the relevant information independently of being asked for it. In doing so, the article also refers to some other European countries. It concludes that the relevant Portuguese legislation is incompatible both with Portuguese constitutional law and with international law.

icann’s New Generic Top-Level Domain Names Dispute Resolution Procedure Viewed Against the Protection of the Public Interest of the Internet Community: Litigation Regarding Health-Related Strings

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vezzani
Keyword(s):  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Commercial Arbitration ◽  
Domain Names ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Rules Of Procedure ◽  
Rights Discourse ◽  
The Right ◽  
Human Rights Discourse

icann’s decision to liberalize the market for Internet Generic Top-Level Domain Names has been giving rise to many concerns, related in particular to the registration of health-related strings, which may favour fraud and the dissemination of misleading health information. However, a very sophisticated mechanism has been put into place by icann, intended to prevent the registration of strings which face opposition from a significant portion of the community they purportedly aim to serve, or which are contrary to generally accepted principles related to morality and public order. Tailored after the model of commercial arbitration, icann rules of procedure are noteworthy in that they give standing to all interested Internet users and to an Independent Objector. Though underlining some of its procedural deficiencies, this article emphasizes the importance of the icann mechanism in the “constitutionalization” of the Internet. It also discusses the contribution of icann expert panels to international human rights discourse, as illustrated by the expert panel determinations walking the tightrope between freedom of expression and the right to health.

Oral health related quality of life and it’s related factors of stroke patients at home in Korea

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Jin Jang ◽  
Eun-Kyong Kim ◽  
Kyeong-Soo Lee ◽  
Hee-Kyung Lee ◽  
Youn-Hee Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
At Home

scholarly journals Microelectrode and neuroimaging studies of central auditory function

2002 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan R Palmer ◽  
A Quentin Summerfield
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Function ◽  
Central Auditory Function
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