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Vitamin D and obesity

2012-12-31T13:30:00Z

Title: Vitamin D and obesity Author: Vanlint, Simon John Abstract: Obesity is a significant health problem world-wide, particularly in developed nations. Vitamin D deficiency is pandemic, and has been implicated in a wide variety of disease states. This paper seeks to examine the consistently reported relationship between obesity and low vitamin D concentrations, with reference to the possible underlying mechanisms. The possibility that vitamin D may assist in preventing or treating obesity is also examined, and recommendations for future research are made. There is a clear need for adequately-powered, prospective interventions which include baseline measurement of 25D concentrations and involve adequate doses of supplemental vitamin D. Until such studies have been reported, the role of vitamin D supplementation in obesity prevention remains uncertain.

Older community-dwelling people's comparative optimism about falling: A population-based telephone survey

2012-12-31T13:30:00Z

Title: Older community-dwelling people's comparative optimism about falling: A population-based telephone survey Author: Dollard, Joanne Therese; Barton, Christopher Allan; Newbury, Jonathan William; Turnbull, Deborah Anne Abstract: Aim: To determine whether older community-dwelling people underestimate their own perceived chance of falling compared with that of other older people (comparative optimism), and whether a history of falls is associated with comparative optimism. Method: A sample of community-dwelling South Australians aged ≥65 years (n= 389) completed a computer-assisted telephone interview about their 12-month fall history, their perceived chance of falling and their rating of other older people's chance of falling. Results: Respondents were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling (Z =−8.1, P < 0.001). Those who had fallen in the last 12 months had a lower comparative optimism score (Z =−3.0, P < 0.003). Conclusion: As older people were comparatively optimistic about their likelihood of falling, they might not find fall prevention messages relevant. When older people present with a fall, clinicians could provide fall prevention information consistent with how older people present themselves.

Reducing postnatal depression, anxiety and stress using an infant sleep intervention

2011-12-31T13:30:00Z

Title: Reducing postnatal depression, anxiety and stress using an infant sleep intervention Author: Symon, Brian Gerald; Bammann, Michael Kent; Crichton, Georgina; Lowings, Chris; Tucsok, James Abstract: Objective: To examine the psychological well-being of mothers following participation in a behavioural modification programme previously shown to improve infant sleep. Design, setting and participants: A 45 min consultation with either a general practitioner (GP) or trained nurse providing verbal and written information describing sleep physiology in infants and strategies to improve infant sleep. Eighty mothers of infants 6−12 months of age with established infant sleep problems at a single general practice, Adelaide, South Australia. Main outcome measures: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS21) immediately prior to the first consultation and again at follow-up approximately 3 weeks later. The number of infant nocturnal awakenings requiring parental support was also reported by mothers on both occasions. Results: All measures of maternal well-being and infant nocturnal awakenings improved significantly. The mean number of maximum nocturnal awakenings decreased from 5.0 to 0.5 (mean difference 4.4, 95% CI 3.4 to 5.5). All measures of DASS21 improved significantly. The mean total DASS21 decreased from 29.1 to 14.9 (mean decrease 14.2, 95% CI 10.2 to 18.2); mean depression decreased from 7.9 to 2.8 (mean difference 5.2, 95% CI 3.7 to 6.7); mean anxiety decreased from 4.6 to 2.6 (mean difference 2.0, 95% CI 0.7 to 3.2); mean stress decreased from 16.6 to 9.5 (mean difference 7.0, 95% CI 5.1 to 9.0). The proportion of mothers assessed as having any degree of depression decreased by 85% from 26/80 (32.5%) to 4/80 (5%). Conclusions: The number of nocturnal awakenings requiring parental support among infants aged 6−12 months significantly decreased following a single consultation on infant sleep physiology and teaching behavioural strategies to improve sleep. Significant improvements in maternal stress, anxiety and depression were also observed. Description: Extent: 6p.

Design, implementation and initial assessment of the Northern Territory point-of-Care Testing Program

2011-12-31T13:30:00Z

Title: Design, implementation and initial assessment of the Northern Territory point-of-Care Testing Program Author: Shephard, Mark Douglas Samuel; Spaeth, Brooke; Mazzachi, Beryl; Auld, Malcolm; Schatz, Steven; Loudon, John; Rigby, Janet; Daniel, Vinod Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to improve pathology services in selected remote health centres from the Northern Territory (NT) through the implementation of a quality managed point-of-care pathology testing (POCT) service. DESIGN: Study of the efficacy of the POCT service after 1 year and qualitative survey of POCT device operators. SETTING: The study was set in thirty-three remote health centres in the NT administered by the NT Department of Health. PARTICIPANTS: Remote health centre staff at participating remote health centres participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The introduction of the i-STAT device to perform on-site POCT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures used in the study were the number of remote staff trained, volume of testing performed and satisfaction of POCT device operators. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four health professional staff were trained to perform i-STAT POCT during the first year of the program. A total of 2290 POCT tests were performed on the i-STAT. The volume of testing consistently increased across the year. Tests for international normalised ratio were the most frequently performed (averaging 70 tests per month). Stakeholder satisfaction with the i-STAT device was high, with a statistically significant improvement in satisfaction levels with pathology service provision being reported after the introduction of POCT. Greater than 80% of respondents stated POCT was more convenient than the laboratory service and assisted in the stabilisation of acutely ill patients. CONCLUSIONS: The NT POCT Program has been operationally effective and well received by staff working as i-STAT POCT operators in remote health centres. Retention of remote health centre staff is the most significant challenge to ensuring the program's long-term viability.