Maria Piedade Brandão

Impact of academic exposure on health status of university students

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influencia da vida academica na saude de estudantes universitarios. METODOS: Estudo longitudinal envolvendo 154 estudantes de graduacao da Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, por pelo menos dois anos de acompanhamento. Caracteristicas sociodemograficas e comportamentais foram recordados, por meio de questionarios. Foram medidos peso, altura, pressao arterial, glicemia, perfil lipidico e os niveis sericos de homocisteina dos alunos. Foi realizada analise de regressao com modelos lineares mistos considerando as medidas repetidas de cada sujeito. RESULTADOS: Estudantes expostos a vida academica, quando comparados aqueles de ingresso recente a universidade apresentaram proporcao mais elevada de dislipidemia (44,0% versus 28,6%), sobrepeso (16,3% versus 12,5%) e tabagismo (19,3% versus 0,0%). No geral, foi observada alta proporcao de sedentarismo (cerca de 80%). O colesterol total, lipoproteina de alta densidade, triglicerides, pressao arterial sistolica e niveis de atividade fisica apresentaram associacao significativa com o genero (p < 0,001). A exposicao academica apresentou-se associada com o aumento dos niveis das lipoproteinas de baixa densidade (cerca de 1,12 vezes), e marginalmente com os niveis de colesterol total (p = 0,041). CONCLUSOES: Nem o alto nivel de instrucao parece ter papel protetor na adocao de estilo de vida saudavel, tampouco o envolvimento com areas de saude muda o comportamento dos estudantes. Altas proporcoes de fatores de risco para doencas nao-transmissiveis em jovens universitarios podem afetar seu bem-estar. Os resultados podem servir de apoio as universidades no desenvolvimento de programas de prevencao e promocao da saude.OBJECTIVEnTo assess the impact of academic life on health status of university students.nnnMETHODSnLongitudinal study including 154 undergraduate students from the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, with at least two years of follow-up observations. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were collected using questionnaires. Students weight, height, blood pressure, serum glucose, serum lipids and serum homocysteine levels were measured. Regression analysis was performed using linear mixed-effect models, allowing for random effects at the participant level.nnnRESULTSnA higher rate of dyslipidemia (44.0% vs. 28.6%), overweight (16.3% vs. 12.5%) and smoking (19.3% vs. 0.0%) was found among students exposed to the academic life when compared to freshmen. Physical inactivity was about 80%. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and physical activity levels were significantly associated with gender (p<0.001). Academic exposure was associated with increased low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (about 1.12 times), and marginally with total cholesterol levels (p = 0.041).nnnCONCLUSIONSnHigh education level does not seem to have a protective effect favoring a healthier lifestyle and being enrolled in health-related areas does not seem either to positively affect students behaviors. Increased risk factors for non-transmissible diseases in university students raise concerns about their well-being. These results should support the implementation of health promotion and prevention programs at universities.

Quantitative in vivo longitudinal nerve excursion and strain in response to joint movement: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUNDnNeural system mobilization is widely used in the treatment of several painful conditions. Data on nerve biomechanics is crucial to inform the design of mobilization exercises. Therefore, the aim of this review is to characterize normal nervous system biomechanics in terms of excursion and strain.nnnMETHODSnStudies were sought from Pubmed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scielo. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, assessed full reports for potentially eligible studies, extracted information on studies characteristics and assessed its methodological quality.nnnFINDINGSnTwelve studies were included in this review that assessed the median nerve (n=8), the ulnar nerve (n=1), the tibial nerve (n=1), the sciatic nerve (n=1) and both the tibial and the sciatic nerves (n=1). All included studies assessed longitudinal nerve excursion and one assessed nerve strain. Absolute values varied between 0.1mm and 12.5mm for median nerve excursion, between 0.1mm and 4.0mm for ulnar nerve excursion, between 0.7 mm and 5.2mm for tibial nerve excursion and between 0.1mm and 3.5mm for sciatic nerve excursion. Maximum reported median nerve strain was 2.0%.nnnINTERPRETATIONnRange of motion for the moving joint, distance from the moving joint to the site of the lesion, position of adjacent joints, number of moving joints and whether joint movement stretches or shortens the nerve bed need to be considered when designing neural mobilization exercises as all of these factors seem to have an impact on nerve excursion.

Do patients with chronic neck pain have distorted body image and tactile dysfunction

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare perceived neck image and tactile acuity between individuals with and without chronic idiopathic neck pain. Materials and methods: Perceived neck image was assessed in seven participants with chronic idiopathic neck pain and seven asymptomatic participants through participants’ drawings. Tactile perception threshold (TPT) and two-point discrimination threshold (TPD) were also assessed using Semmes–Weinstein filaments and a mechanical calliper, respectively. Results: Participants with neck pain tended to draw their neck/shoulders less symmetrically, shorter or larger than asymptomatic participants. Despite an increased overall mean for TPD in the neck pain group, no statistically significant differences were found between groups for tactile acuity (TPD: neck painu2009=u200921.29u2009±u200914.21u2009mm, asymptomaticu2009=u200916.43u2009±u200916.84u2009mm, pu2009>u2009.05; TPD: neck painu2009=u20090.17u2009±u20090.08u2009g, asymptomaticu2009=u20090.23u2009±u20090.17u2009g, pu2009>u2009.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that patients with idiopathic neck pain might have a distorted image of their neck. These findings need to be further investigated in future studies with larger sample sizes.

Impacto da exposição académica no estado de saúde de estudantes universitários

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influencia da vida academica na saude de estudantes universitarios. METODOS: Estudo longitudinal envolvendo 154 estudantes de graduacao da Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, por pelo menos dois anos de acompanhamento. Caracteristicas sociodemograficas e comportamentais foram recordados, por meio de questionarios. Foram medidos peso, altura, pressao arterial, glicemia, perfil lipidico e os niveis sericos de homocisteina dos alunos. Foi realizada analise de regressao com modelos lineares mistos considerando as medidas repetidas de cada sujeito. RESULTADOS: Estudantes expostos a vida academica, quando comparados aqueles de ingresso recente a universidade apresentaram proporcao mais elevada de dislipidemia (44,0% versus 28,6%), sobrepeso (16,3% versus 12,5%) e tabagismo (19,3% versus 0,0%). No geral, foi observada alta proporcao de sedentarismo (cerca de 80%). O colesterol total, lipoproteina de alta densidade, triglicerides, pressao arterial sistolica e niveis de atividade fisica apresentaram associacao significativa com o genero (p < 0,001). A exposicao academica apresentou-se associada com o aumento dos niveis das lipoproteinas de baixa densidade (cerca de 1,12 vezes), e marginalmente com os niveis de colesterol total (p = 0,041). CONCLUSOES: Nem o alto nivel de instrucao parece ter papel protetor na adocao de estilo de vida saudavel, tampouco o envolvimento com areas de saude muda o comportamento dos estudantes. Altas proporcoes de fatores de risco para doencas nao-transmissiveis em jovens universitarios podem afetar seu bem-estar. Os resultados podem servir de apoio as universidades no desenvolvimento de programas de prevencao e promocao da saude.OBJECTIVEnTo assess the impact of academic life on health status of university students.nnnMETHODSnLongitudinal study including 154 undergraduate students from the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, with at least two years of follow-up observations. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were collected using questionnaires. Students weight, height, blood pressure, serum glucose, serum lipids and serum homocysteine levels were measured. Regression analysis was performed using linear mixed-effect models, allowing for random effects at the participant level.nnnRESULTSnA higher rate of dyslipidemia (44.0% vs. 28.6%), overweight (16.3% vs. 12.5%) and smoking (19.3% vs. 0.0%) was found among students exposed to the academic life when compared to freshmen. Physical inactivity was about 80%. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and physical activity levels were significantly associated with gender (p<0.001). Academic exposure was associated with increased low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (about 1.12 times), and marginally with total cholesterol levels (p = 0.041).nnnCONCLUSIONSnHigh education level does not seem to have a protective effect favoring a healthier lifestyle and being enrolled in health-related areas does not seem either to positively affect students behaviors. Increased risk factors for non-transmissible diseases in university students raise concerns about their well-being. These results should support the implementation of health promotion and prevention programs at universities.

Threats to Health and Well-Being Perceived by Older People in Poland and Portugal

INTRODUCTIONnAccording to the OECD, Portugal and Poland rank below average in several well-being measures such as income and wealth, and health status. Investigating how people perceive the threats to health in these two countries, is an important issue to address priority needs. To meet this need, the objective of this paper was to compare the perceptions of the threats to the health and well-being among the Polish and Portuguese older persons and explore differences between the countries in respect of patterns of self-rated health.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnA Cross-sectional study with two convenience samples from primary health care services of Poland and Portugal was conducted; 480 adults aged 65 and over (247 Portuguese) were included. The EASYCare standard assessment of 2010 was applied under a joint project of both countries. The association between self-rated unhealthy and socio-demographic and threats to health variables was examined using logistic regression.nnnRESULTSnIn both countries about two thirds of the older persons self-rated their health as unhealthy. Having more than enough finances was associated with a significant lower odds of being unhealthy compared with those without enough finances at the end of the month (Portugal: OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.63; Poland: OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.88). Visual problems, bodily pain, memory loss, feeling bored or lonely and reporting shortness of breath during normal activities was consistently associated with fair or poor self-rated health.nnnDISCUSSIONnThese findings provide important information regarding the health profile of older people which can help in the development of people-centred health systems where their lives and well-being can be improved.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe unhealthy perception of older people was consistently associated with indicators of major health threats.

Reliability and validity of the EASYCare-2010 Standard to assess elderly people in Portuguese Primary Health Care☆

Introduction The EASYCare is a multidimensional assessment tool for older people, which corresponds to the concerns and priorities of older people in relation to their needs, health, and quality of life. The EASYCare instrument has been used in many countries worldwide. Lack of reliability evidence has recently been raised by researchers. This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the EASYCare-2010 instrument in community-dwelling Portuguese older people attended in Primary Health Care centres. Methods The sample for this transversal study (N = 244) was collected from Portuguese Primary Health Care Centers. Categorical Principal Component Analysis was used to assess the underlying dimensions of EASYCare-2010. Construct validity was evaluated through correlation with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Short Form. Results A two-factor model (labelled “mobility and activities of daily life”, and “general well-being and safety”) was found. The EASYCare-2010 instrument showed acceptable levels for internal consistency (≥0.70). The EASYCare-2010 factors were correlated with measures of quality of life. Results showed that in most polytomous items, some of the more extreme categories were not considered at all or only by a residual number of participants. Conclusion EASY Care -2010 version is a valid and reliable instrument for holistic assessment of the older people attended in Primary Health Care centres in Portugal.

Impacto de la exposición académica en el estado de salud de estudiantes universitarios

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influencia da vida academica na saude de estudantes universitarios. METODOS: Estudo longitudinal envolvendo 154 estudantes de graduacao da Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, por pelo menos dois anos de acompanhamento. Caracteristicas sociodemograficas e comportamentais foram recordados, por meio de questionarios. Foram medidos peso, altura, pressao arterial, glicemia, perfil lipidico e os niveis sericos de homocisteina dos alunos. Foi realizada analise de regressao com modelos lineares mistos considerando as medidas repetidas de cada sujeito. RESULTADOS: Estudantes expostos a vida academica, quando comparados aqueles de ingresso recente a universidade apresentaram proporcao mais elevada de dislipidemia (44,0% versus 28,6%), sobrepeso (16,3% versus 12,5%) e tabagismo (19,3% versus 0,0%). No geral, foi observada alta proporcao de sedentarismo (cerca de 80%). O colesterol total, lipoproteina de alta densidade, triglicerides, pressao arterial sistolica e niveis de atividade fisica apresentaram associacao significativa com o genero (p < 0,001). A exposicao academica apresentou-se associada com o aumento dos niveis das lipoproteinas de baixa densidade (cerca de 1,12 vezes), e marginalmente com os niveis de colesterol total (p = 0,041). CONCLUSOES: Nem o alto nivel de instrucao parece ter papel protetor na adocao de estilo de vida saudavel, tampouco o envolvimento com areas de saude muda o comportamento dos estudantes. Altas proporcoes de fatores de risco para doencas nao-transmissiveis em jovens universitarios podem afetar seu bem-estar. Os resultados podem servir de apoio as universidades no desenvolvimento de programas de prevencao e promocao da saude.OBJECTIVEnTo assess the impact of academic life on health status of university students.nnnMETHODSnLongitudinal study including 154 undergraduate students from the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, with at least two years of follow-up observations. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were collected using questionnaires. Students weight, height, blood pressure, serum glucose, serum lipids and serum homocysteine levels were measured. Regression analysis was performed using linear mixed-effect models, allowing for random effects at the participant level.nnnRESULTSnA higher rate of dyslipidemia (44.0% vs. 28.6%), overweight (16.3% vs. 12.5%) and smoking (19.3% vs. 0.0%) was found among students exposed to the academic life when compared to freshmen. Physical inactivity was about 80%. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and physical activity levels were significantly associated with gender (p<0.001). Academic exposure was associated with increased low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (about 1.12 times), and marginally with total cholesterol levels (p = 0.041).nnnCONCLUSIONSnHigh education level does not seem to have a protective effect favoring a healthier lifestyle and being enrolled in health-related areas does not seem either to positively affect students behaviors. Increased risk factors for non-transmissible diseases in university students raise concerns about their well-being. These results should support the implementation of health promotion and prevention programs at universities.