Evaluation of infant and young child feeding practices in low-income areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh: insights from a cross-sectional study using the 2021 WHO/UNICEF guideline

Objective
This study aimed to assess the status of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and associated factors among children aged 0–23 months in the low-income regions of Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Design
A community-based cross-sectional study.

Settings
Low-income regions of Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Participants
530 children aged 0–23 months and their mothers.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Prevailing IYCF practices were assessed against the 17 indicators of IYCF recommended by the WHO/UNICEF in 2021. Modified Poisson regression models were built to explore the relation between socio-demographic variables and each of the selected IYCF indicators (early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD)).

Results
More than two-thirds of the children were reported to follow appropriate breastfeeding practices (EIBF, 70.4% and EBF, 60.9%). Among the complementary feeding indicators, almost half of the children (48.8%) were reported to meet MMF; however, only about 26% of the children reportedly met the MDD with a consequent low prevalence (22.9%) of the composite indicator MAD. More than half (55%) of the children were reported to consume egg and/or flesh food consumption; still, inappropriate dietary practices were observed among 60% had unhealthy food consumption, and 56% had zero vegetable or fruit consumption). Child age was a significant determinant of IYCF practices. The children of mothers with no pregnancy complications exhibited a greater chance of having EIBF (estimate: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.42, p=0.02), MDD (Estimate: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.55, p=0.02), and MAD (estimate: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.77, p=0.03) compared with the children of mothers with pregnancy complications. The children with a mother having secondary or higher education had a higher chance of having MDD (estimate: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.35, 2.76, p=0.003) and MMF (estimate: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.56, p=0.02) than the children of mothers having primary or no education. Similarly, children from higher-income households had a higher chance of getting MDD (estimate: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.03, p=0.02), and MAD (estimate: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.64, p=0.01) compared with children from lower-income households.

Conclusion
IYCF practices among a considerable proportion of children aged 0–23 months in the low-income regions of Dhaka City were found to be suboptimal and predicted by children’s age, maternal education and pregnancy complications, and household income.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Factors associated with health literacy in older adults aged 65 and over: a secondary data analysis of the 2021 Korea Health Panel applying the Andersen behavioural model

Objectives
Using the Korea Health Panel 2021 survey data, we identify factors associated with health literacy (HL) among older adults aged 65 years and older.

Design
A secondary data analysis of the 2021 Korea Health Panel survey.

Setting
Korea Health Panel survey.

Participants
Data were from 3410 older adults greater double equals65 years of age, drawn from the 2016 registration census of the Korea Health Panel 2021 survey, with a stratified selection approach for participants.

Outcome measure
To explore the factors associated with HL within the framework of the Andersen behavioural model, considering predisposing factors (age, gender, region and spouse), enabling factors (National Basic Livelihood Security recipient, education level, economic activity, usual source of care) and need factors (subjective health status, usual activities, depression/anxiety and chronic disease).

Analysis
Stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the factors associated with HL among the study participants within the framework of the Andersen behavioural model.

Results
Statistically significant associations with HL were found for predisposition factors (age, gender and residential area), enabling factors (National Basic Livelihood Security recipient, educational background and usual source of care) and need factors (subjective health status, usual activities and the presence of chronic diseases). While the National Basic Livelihood Security recipient was significant in model 2 (p=0.011), it became nonsignificant in model 3 after adding need factors (p=0.093). Adding enabling factors to model 1 significantly increased the explanatory power (R2=0.084, p

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Factors associated with health literacy in older adults aged 65 and over: a secondary data analysis of the 2021 Korea Health Panel applying the Andersen behavioural model

Objectives
Using the Korea Health Panel 2021 survey data, we identify factors associated with health literacy (HL) among older adults aged 65 years and older.

Design
A secondary data analysis of the 2021 Korea Health Panel survey.

Setting
Korea Health Panel survey.

Participants
Data were from 3410 older adults greater double equals65 years of age, drawn from the 2016 registration census of the Korea Health Panel 2021 survey, with a stratified selection approach for participants.

Outcome measure
To explore the factors associated with HL within the framework of the Andersen behavioural model, considering predisposing factors (age, gender, region and spouse), enabling factors (National Basic Livelihood Security recipient, education level, economic activity, usual source of care) and need factors (subjective health status, usual activities, depression/anxiety and chronic disease).

Analysis
Stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the factors associated with HL among the study participants within the framework of the Andersen behavioural model.

Results
Statistically significant associations with HL were found for predisposition factors (age, gender and residential area), enabling factors (National Basic Livelihood Security recipient, educational background and usual source of care) and need factors (subjective health status, usual activities and the presence of chronic diseases). While the National Basic Livelihood Security recipient was significant in model 2 (p=0.011), it became nonsignificant in model 3 after adding need factors (p=0.093). Adding enabling factors to model 1 significantly increased the explanatory power (R2=0.084, p

Leggi
Marzo 2025

[Articles] Association between BMI and asthma in adults over 45 years of age: analysis of Global Burden of Disease 2021, China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data

This study elucidates a significant non-linear relationship between BMI and asthma risk in populations aged 45 years and older, providing insights for tailored asthma prevention strategies, although the cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Future studies should focus on collecting and stratifying longitudinal data and adjusting for asthma diagnosis timing to obtain more accurate results.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Cohort profile: the Genetics of Glucose regulation in Gestation and Growth (Gen3G) – a prospective prebirth cohort of mother-child pairs in Sherbrooke, Canada, 3-year and 5-year follow-up visits

Purpose
Initiated in 2010, the Genetics of Glucose regulation in Gestation and Growth (Gen3G) prospective cohort investigates the pathophysiology of impaired glycaemic regulation in pregnancy and evaluates its impact on both the mothers and her offspring health trajectory. Follow-up visits 3 and 5 years after delivery aimed to investigate pregnancy-related risk factors such as maternal obesity and gestational hyperglycaemia in relation to the mother’s metabolic health after pregnancy, and with offspring health outcomes such as risk of obesity and neurodevelopmental problems in early childhood. We also investigated molecular mechanisms involved in the fetal programming of these later health outcomes.

Participants
Of the 1024 women originally recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy, we have targeted the 854 who had complete glucose tolerance test data and the 724 newborns who provided placenta and/or cord blood samples for follow-up recruitment. Of these, 695 mother–child dyads agreed to be contacted for the prospective follow-up visits. 448 and 521 mother–child dyads completed the research visits at 3 and 5 years after delivery respectively.

Findings to date
At both visits, we collected the mother’s and child’s medical history, lifestyle (using validated questionnaires), sociodemographic status, anthropometric measurements, mother’s blood samples, child’s saliva samples and growth charts. At the 5-year-old visit, we additionally collected the mother’s and child’s urine and stool samples and the child’s blood samples; we performed a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in the mothers and assessed the body composition in children using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Using the Gen3G rich longitudinal data set, we have enhanced the understanding of the pathophysiology and characterisation of the heterogeneity of gestational diabetes mellitus, and we have shown that gestational hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance are associated with offspring epigenetics (DNA methylation) variations in the placenta, cord blood and blood at 5 years of age, as well as with offspring anthropometric, metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood.

Future plans
We are currently conducting a prospective follow-up of mothers and their children 12 years after delivery to study how prenatal and early-life metabolic factors may programme childhood adiposity and obesogenic dietary behaviours. This follow-up should be completed by the end of 2026.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Protocol of the follow-up of patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy by multimodality imaging (FAITH) study: a prospective observational study in patients with ATTR-CM undergoing treatment with tafamidis

Introduction
This prospective observational study of patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) undergoing treatment with tafamidis aims at identifying quantitative image markers and comparing imaging modalities regarding the follow-up and prognostication of these patients, with the goal of providing a multiparametric score to predict treatment response.

Methods and analysis
Patients with a board-approved decision to receive tafamidis will undergo, in addition to standard of care, baseline and follow-up cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans at 9 and 18 months. In total, the study plans to recruit and scan 60 patients. A blinded read will take place in a CMR research core laboratory. The final statistical analysis will be based on developing a multiparametric score for the prediction of treatment response. The study will be managed through the Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin, a clinical unit formed from the three clinical campus sites of the Charité in Berlin, using the Berlin Research Network for CMR.

Ethics and dissemination
The study was approved by the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin ethics committee EA1/262/23. The results of the study will be disseminated through international peer-reviewed publications and congress presentations.

Trial registration number
Approved WHO primary register: German Clinical Trials Register: https://www.drks.de/DRKS00033884. WHO International Clinical Registry Platform: https://trialsearch.who.int/?TrialID=DRKS00033884. Recruitment started on 1 July 2024.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Trends in pulmonary arterial hypertension: insights from Global Burden of Disease 1990-2021

Objective
This study aimed to assess the global, regional and national burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) from 1990 to 2021 using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The focus was on evaluating trends in incidence, prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with PAH and examining these trends by age, gender and sociodemographic index (SDI).

Design
This is a systematic analysis leveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The analysis focused on both crude and age-standardised rates to track temporal trends in PAH burden, with data stratified by region and SDI.

Setting
The study used global, regiona, and national data from 204 countries and regions, spanning from 1990 to 2021.

Participants
The participants in this study include individuals diagnosed with PAH, with data representing populations globally, categorised by age, gender and SDI.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Primary outcome measures included global, regional and national incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs related to PAH. Secondary outcomes consisted of age-standardised rates (age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR)) and trends over the study period. A key strength of this study is the detailed stratification by SDI, revealing how PAH burden varies across different socio-economic settings. This extended temporal analysis offers new insights into long-term trends, highlighting the rising burden in lower-SDI regions and significant regional disparities in disease management and outcomes.

Results
From 1990 to 2021, global PAH cases showed substantial increases in both incidence (85.62%) and prevalence (81.46%), while age-standardised rates remained stable. Across SDI levels, high-SDI regions maintained stable ASIRs (0.37 per 100 000) with a slight decline (estimated average percentage change (EAPC) –0.06%), while low-SDI regions demonstrated the most significant reduction (EAPC –0.30%). Deaths increased by 48.36% globally, though the ASMR decreased from 0.35 to 0.27 per 100 000. The disease burden measured by DALYs decreased by 6.59%, with high-SDI regions showing better improvements in age-standardised DALY rates (–1.39% EAPC) compared with other SDI levels. Gender analysis revealed persistent female predominance (female-to-male ratio 1.62:1), particularly pronounced in populations over 50 years across all SDI quintiles.

Conclusions
While global age-standardised rates have declined, PAH remains a significant global health burden, particularly in low-SDI regions. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies, especially for high-risk populations, such as females and the elderly, to reduce the global health impact of PAH.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Time trends in subarachnoid haemorrhage mortality across the BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa): an age-period-cohort analysis for the GBD 2021

Objectives
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is the third most prevalent subtype of stroke, representing a critical and potentially life-threatening cerebrovascular emergency. Given their large populations and diverse healthcare infrastructures, the BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) nations play a pivotal role in the global SAH landscape. This investigation assesses the mortality trends of SAH in BRICS countries from 1982 to 2021.

Design and participants
This study uses data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 public dataset to investigate the temporal trends in SAH mortality over four decades globally and within BRICS countries. The age-period-cohort (APC) model was employed to estimate net drift, local drift, age-specific curves and period (cohort) relative risks.

Primary outcome measures
Mortality.

Results
From 1982 to 2021, there was a 3.85% increase in global SAH deaths and a 59.46% decrease in age-standardised mortality rates. SAH mortality rates are increasing across various age groups in BRICS countries, except in China and the Russian Federation, where most age groups show increasing trends. The annual net drift in SAH mortality varied from a decrease of 5.62% in China to an increase of 0.31% in the Russian Federation. Countries demonstrated similar age-effect patterns, with risk decreasing as age increased. However, period and cohort effects varied, suggesting different control measures and temporal mortality trends.

Conclusions
Changing patterns of mortality from SAH in the BRICS countries over the last four decades vary. We suggest using local resources to step up SAH prevention. Healthcare for all ages, especially the vulnerable, should improve to prevent and treat SAH better.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Stenting Versus Medical Therapy for Symptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis: Long-Term Follow-Up of a Randomized Trial

Stroke, Ahead of Print. BACKGROUND:Whether the long-term benefit of stroke prevention when stenting is added to medical therapy (MT) over MT alone for symptomatic severe intracranial artery stenosis offsets the perioperative risks of the stenting has not been directly evaluated in a randomized trial. We aimed to compare the long-term ( >3 years) effect of stenting versus MT alone in patients with symptomatic severe intracranial artery stenosis in a randomized trial.METHODS:We extended the follow-up of 358 subjects enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, randomized trial conducted at 8 centers in China. Patients with transient ischemic attack or stroke attributed to severe intracranial stenosis (70% to 99%) were recruited between March 5, 2014, and November 10, 2016. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke or death within 30 days or stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery beyond 30 days. Other secondary outcomes included stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery, as well as disabling stroke or death after enrollment.RESULTS:A total of 358 patients (stenting 176 versus MT 182) were recruited from March 5, 2014, and followed up till January 22, 2024. The median duration of follow-up was 7.4 years (interquartile range, 6.0–8.0). The primary outcome was not significantly different (stenting 14.8% versus MT 14.3%; hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.58–1.77];P=0.97). No significant difference was found between groups for the secondary outcomes: stroke in the territory of qualifying artery (14.8% versus 14.3%; hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.58–1.77];P=0.97), disabling stroke or death (16.5% versus 14.3%; hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.66–1.91];P=0.70), and death (9.1% versus 7.1%; hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.58–2.58];P=0.60).CONCLUSIONS:This study provides compelling evidence that, even over prolonged observed periods, the addition of stenting to MT does not confer additional benefits to MT alone in patients with symptomatic severe intracranial artery stenosis. These results underscore the importance of MT as the cornerstone of long-term stroke prevention in this patient population.REGISTRATION:URL:https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01763320.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Ischemic Stroke Severity in the National Inpatient Sample Between 2018 and 2021

Stroke, Ahead of Print. BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study is to examine the association between race and ethnicity and ischemic stroke severity in the United States.METHODS:We performed an analysis of adult hospital discharges in the National Inpatient Sample from 2018 to 2021 with a primary discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke. We stratified our cohort based on self-reported race and ethnicity and evaluated stroke severity using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Age- and sex-adjusted estimates of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale were derived from linear regression models.RESULTS:We included 231 396 stroke discharges with a mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 6.5±7.2. The cohort was 68.1% White, 17.4% Black, 8.2% Hispanic, and 6.3% other. The age- and sex-adjusted National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for White patients was 6.25 (95% CI, 6.22–6.29), for Black patients was 7.12 (95% CI, 7.05–7.19), for Hispanic patients was 6.86 (95% CI, 6.76–6.97), and for patients of other races and ethnicities was 7.29 (95% CI, 7.18–7.41). Further adjustment for the Charlson Comorbidity Index, socioeconomic factors, and poorly controlled hypertension or diabetes did not significantly alter these findings.CONCLUSIONS:In a large, contemporary, and nationally representative sample of patients with acute ischemic stroke, we show an association between non-White race and ethnicity and higher stroke severity. These results are concerning for an underappreciated health disparity in acute ischemic stroke.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Barriers to annual diabetic retinopathy screening and subsequent recommended follow-up adherence among Chinese diabetics: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Objectives
Adherence to routine annual eye evaluations for diabetes is frequently insufficient on a global scale. We evaluated the adherence to annual diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) and recommended follow-up among Chinese patients with diabetes, and we also identified the associated risk variables.

Design
This was a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Setting
Patients with diabetes were inquired about their completion of DRS within the preceding year. All participants were required to complete the Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey.

Participants
Participants with diabetes who initially sought eye examination from November 2021 to October 2023 at He Eye Specialist Hospital, Shenyang, China.

Outcome measures
Logistic regression analyses defined the risk factors associated with poor compliance with the annual DRS and recommended follow-up.

Results
There were 468 patients registered, with a mean age of 67.42±10.66 years. A total of 308 (65.8%) participants had DRS in the previous year. Rural residents (OR 1.704, 95% CI 1.019 to 2.850, p=0.042), vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) (OR 1.948, 95% CI 1.145 to 3.313, p=0.014), item 7 (over the past 4 weeks, I have felt blue, downhearted or depressed) (OR 0.624, 95% CI 0.401 to 0.971, p=0.037) and item 42 (I receive a reminder from my eye doctor’s office when it is time to schedule an exam) (OR 0.618, 95% CI 0.387 to 0.989, p=0.045) were associated with non-adherence to annual DRS. The compliance with DRS improved to 80.9% in the second year after health education and reminders of follow-up. VTDR (OR 3.063, 95% CI 1.852 to 5.066, p

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Demographic variation in continuous glucose monitoring utilisation among patients with type 1 diabetes from a US regional academic medical centre: a retrospective cohort study, 2018-2021

Objective
While continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) utilisation has been increasing among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), few studies have examined patterns of use across age, race/ethnicity and insurance status together. In this study, we examine CGM utilisation among patients with T1D from a regional academic medical centre across all insurance types.

Design and setting
This is a retrospective cohort study including both paediatric and adult patients with T1D who visited a regional academic medical centre between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021.

Methods
Patients were followed from the date of their first T1D encounter during the study period until the first of the following: CGM use was documented, ≥730 days with no encounters at this centre or the end of the study period. We compared CGM use across demographic and clinical characteristics and used logistic regression models to assess the association between demographic variables and CGM utilisation.

Results
Among 3311 eligible patients with T1D, CGM utilisation was 51.22%. The highest utilisation rates were among patients

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Trends From 1990 to 2021 and 20-Year Forecasts

Stroke, Ahead of Print. BACKGROUND:Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a critical condition that has far-reaching implications for public health systems globally due to its severe consequences and long-term disabilities. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of SAH trends from 1990 to 2021 and project future trends up to 2041, aiding in better understanding and management of its global burden.METHODS:We utilized data from the GBD (Global Burden of Disease) 2021 database, using joinpoint regression, frontier, and decomposition analyses to assess changes in SAH burden. Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort modeling was implemented to predict future trends. Our study included populations from 204 countries and territories.RESULTS:From 1990 to 2021, SAH incidence decreased by −1.03% for men and −1.16% for women, while mortality rates declined by −2.56% for men and −2.69% for women. Middle sociodemographic index locations and East Asia experienced substantial declines, particularly among women. However, countries like the Philippines and Turkmenistan showed increasing trends. Population aging and growth significantly contributed to these trends, while epidemiological changes led to reductions in SAH burden. The prediction model forecasts continued decreases in SAH mortality and disability-adjusted life years over the next 20 years, although incidence rates may slightly increase.CONCLUSIONS:The global burden of SAH has significantly diminished from 1990 to 2021, with considerable variations across regions, sexes, and countries. Ongoing and future research should prioritize high-risk populations and develop innovative interventions to further decrease SAH incidence and enhance outcomes.

Leggi
Marzo 2025

Occupational-class trends in diagnosis-specific sickness absence in Finland: a register-based observational study in 2011-2021

Objectives
To examine the prevalence and days of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) by occupational class and by most important diagnostic groups in Finland during 2011–2021.

Design
Population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants
National comprehensive register data were linked for all employed persons and entrepreneurs in Finland aged 25–64 for years 2011–2021 (yearly number of individuals in the study population around 2 million persons).

Main outcome measures
LTSA was measured by sickness allowance that covers over 10-day long absences. Yearly age-standardised LTSA prevalences and average number of LTSA days were calculated for women and men in four occupational classes, separately for all-cause LTSA and LTSA due to mental disorders, musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. Modified Poisson regression and negative binomial regression models were run to assess relative differences between occupational classes, adjusted for age, marital status, education and region of residence.

Results
All-cause LTSA slightly decreased between years 2011 and 2021, but the trends varied by occupational class and diagnostic group. LTSA due to mental disorders increased in all occupational classes after 2016 among both sexes, while LTSA due to musculoskeletal diseases and injuries continued to decrease in all occupational classes. The increase in LTSA due to mental disorders was largest among lower non-manual employees, especially among women, whereby all-cause LTSA prevalence among female lower non-manual employees reached the level of female manual workers. Men showed broadly similar trends, but manual workers still had the highest all-cause LTSA prevalence at the end of the study period. The main results were similar adjusted for covariates.

Conclusions
The magnitude and order of the occupational-class differences in LTSA changed between 2011 and 2021, along with increasing LTSA due to mental disorders, especially among employees, and decreasing LTSA due to somatic diagnoses, especially among manual workers. Occupational-class differences should be taken into account when aiming to prevent LTSA and especially further increases in LTSA due to mental disorders.

Leggi
Febbraio 2025