Justice Mbizo

The Relationship Between Waist Circumference and Biomarkers for Diabetes and CVD in Healthy Non-Obese Women. The Pensacola Study

Background: Waist circumference (WC) measurement has been shown to perform as well as or better than body mass index (BMI) in identifying women at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between WC and the classic biomarkers of risk in healthy women. Methods: Nondiabetic, non-obese, middle-aged women were categorized by WC quartiles. The correlation of WC to fasting plasma glucose (FPG), A1c, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) was examined. Results: Waist circumference correlated with triglycerides, CRP, cholesterol/HDL, non-HDL, LDL, and glucose, and inversely with HDL (r = 0.465, 0.414, 0.321, 0.299, 0.267, 0.279, 0.266, respectively; P = 0.000 for all), but not A1c or WBC. There was a trend of increasing glucose, LDL, and CRP with increasing WC. Quartile 4 showed the highest glucose, CRP, LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and non-HDL. Conclusion: Increasing WC correlates with several biomarkers of risk for diabetes and CVD in healthy women.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Overweight and Obese Cancer Survivors in the United States

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among US cancer survivors; examine whether use varies by underweight/normal weight, overweight, and obese body mass index status; determine reasons for use; and document disclosure rates of CAM use to medical professionals. Methods. Data for 1785 cancer survivors were obtained from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey and CAM supplement. The prevalence and associations of CAM use in the previous 12 months were compared among underweight/normal weight, overweight, and obese adult cancer survivors. Results. Nearly 90% of cancer survivors used at least one type of CAM therapy in the 12 months preceding the survey. Those who were overweight, but not obese, were more likely to use a CAM modality compared to normal/underweight respondents. Over two thirds (71%) reported using CAM therapy for general health and wellness and 39.3% used CAM because a health care provider recommended it. Disclosure rates of CAM use to conventional medical professionals varied widely by CAM modality. Conclusions. An overwhelming majority of US cancer survivors use CAM for a variety of reasons. Overweight cancer survivors may be more likely to use CAM than those who are underweight, normal weight, or obese. Cancer survivors should be screened by medical providers for the use of CAM therapies; furthermore, prospective clinical research evaluating the efficacy and safety of biologically based CAM therapies, often used by cancer survivors, is important and necessary for the well-being of this population.

Prostate and Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake among US and Foreign-Born Males: Evidence from the 2015 NHIS Survey

Research suggests that prostate and colorectal cancers disproportionately affect men in the US, but little is known about the determinants of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake among US and foreign-born males. The purpose of this study was to investigate what factors influence prostate and colorectal cancer screening uptake among US-native born and foreign-born men. Using the 2015 National Health Interview Survey, we conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to highlight factors associated with the uptake of prostate and colorectal cancer screening among US-native born and foreign-born men. The sample size consisted of 5651 men respondents, with the mean age of 59.7 years (SD = 12.1). Of these, more than two-fifths (42%) were aged 50–64 years old. With respect to race/ethnicity, the sample was predominantly non-Hispanic Whites (65.5%), 863 (15.6%) Hispanics, and 710 (12.4%) Blacks. Our analysis found higher rates of both US-born and foreign-born men aged 65 years or older, who had either a PSA or CRC screening tests than those aged <65 years. Results of the general multivariate model suggest that men under 50 years old, US-born and foreign-born alike, are statistically significantly less likely to have prostate or colorectal cancer screenings than men aged 65 years or above. This study highlights the influencing factors that encourage or discourage PSA and CRC screening uptake between US-native born and foreign-born men. The results of this inquiry provide an evidence-based blueprint for policymakers and interventionists seeking to address prostate and colorectal cancer among men.

Socioeconomic Status, Family Functioning and Delayed Care Among Children With Special Needs

ABSTRACT Parents of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) face tremendous stress in caring for their children. Families of CSHCN face increased barriers to health services as evidence also reflects the influence of socioeconomic factors on access. This study investigates the impact of socioeconomic factors and family functioning on delayed care. Descriptive, bivariate, and adjusted multivariate logistic regression were performed using sampling weights. findings suggest that family dynamics are more impactful on delayed care than socioeconomic predictors. Promoting family-centered care that incorporates social support for families to reduce barriers is essential for improved quality of life and health outcomes.

Is the Correlation of HbA1c to Average Glucose Predictable in Individuals With Sickle Cell Trait

Hemoglobin A1c has a predictable correlation to blood glucose, and is used to estimate average glucose for the previous 2-3 months.1 Hemoglobin variants may invalidate HbA1c results in vitro by analytical interference or in vivo by altering RBC lifespan or glycation rate. Several researchers have examined analytical reproducibility in heterozygous Hemoglobin AS (HbAS) samples, i.e. from subjects with sickle cell trait (SCT), and determined which assays provide reproducible results.2-5 No study to date has compared HbA1c to 3 months of glucose measurements in persons with SCT and diabetes. We asked if the correlation between HbA1c and average glucose was altered by the presence of SCT.