Maria Saridi

Serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) against atherosclerosis.

Summary Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drug widely used for treatment of mood disorders, including depression and cardiovascular disease. A search for related articles in the PubMed database was attempted. It covered studies, reports, reviews and editorials of the last 5 years. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6, stimulate central serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission and are over-expressed in depression, which has been linked with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) hyperactivity. They have also been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of other stress-induced disorders, like myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), as they seem to modulate cardiovascular function by a variety of mechanisms. Biological mechanisms like these may explain the link between depression and CHD. There are a variety of environmental factors as well as genetic factors that might influence the pharmacogenetics of antidepressant drugs. New generation selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) causing a reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality may be related to serotonin platelet abnormalities in depressed patients that are effectively treated by SSRIs. SSRIs such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and citalopram are not only considered to be free from the cardiotoxicity of their predecessors but also to function as safe and efficacious agents against depression, platelet activation, atherosclerosis and development and prognosis of coronary heart disease. However, there is a need for more studies in order to establish the exact biochemical mechanisms that are responsible for these diseases and the immunoregulatory effects of chronic use of SSRI medications.

Prevalence of obesity in children aged 6-12 years in Greece: nutritional behaviour and physical activity

Introduction During the last two decades, obesity has proved to be one of the most important problems of public health, and it is considerably more frequent in developed countries, not only in adults, but in children, too. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. Material and methods Two thousand three hundred and seventy-four pupils in primary education were considered for the study (1206 boys and 1168 girls). Results In the population-based study, the proportion of overweight children was 23.9%, of obese children 7.3%, and of those with central obesity 35.5%. The boys were obese in a higher percentage than the girls (9.2% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.05). The obesity rates were gradually reduced as the children were growing older. The nutritional habits which were identified to have a positive association with obesity were the following: skipping breakfast, not consuming fruits and vegetables, and consuming bread and soft drinks. Childrens healthy nutrition in school was related to lower rates of generalised and central obesity, while the hours spent watching TV were positively associated with all types of obesity. Conclusions Results from the study suggest that a high proportion of children are overweight or obese. Therefore, it is important to adhere to a healthy lifestyle which emphasizes healthy food choices and habits, regular physical activity, and limiting screen time.

Assessing a sun protection program aimed at Greek elementary school students for malign melanoma prevention.

INTRODUCTIONnNumerous countries have launched campaigns regarding sun protection in the last decades.nnnAIMnThe aim of the present study was to assess an intervention program aimed at higher knowledge and healthier attitudes regarding sun protection.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe sample consisted of 4,133 students aged 8-12 years from a single Greek province.nnnRESULTSnIn most items, knowledge levels after the intervention were found to be higher than those before (2.8±0.9 vs 3.3±0.9), while knowledge about sun protection factors seems to have had the highest improvement (27.1% vs 56.6%). However, student attitudes did not appear to improve, with the exception of applying sunscreen with a higher SPF (29.7% vs 54.8%). Girls seemed to have healthier attitudes compared to boys, but gender played no role with regard to knowledge levels. Also, place of residence did not play any role regarding knowledge levels, although those living in semi-urban areas seemed to have more unhealthy attitudes. Logistic regression by correlating knowledge and attitudes established that higher knowledge levels are usually accompanied by healthier attitudes, albeit marginally.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe intervention had a positive contribution to the student knowledge level regarding sun protection and also led to small improvements regarding some attitudes. Continuous similar interventions could lead to better results and the adoption of healthier attitudes.

Sun-Protection Habits of Primary Students in a Coastal Area of Greece

Aim. The aim of the present study was to record habits and attitudes of primary school students in Greece regarding sun-protection measures. Materials and Methods. 2,163 students with an average age of 9.9 (±1.1) years, studying in 14 schools of a Greek region, constituted our sample. The SPSS 17.0 software was used for the statistical analysis and significance level was set to P ≤ 0.05. Results. Our sample had an equal gender distribution. 16% of the students belonged to the high-risk group, 70.2% of the participants lived 0–5u2009km away from the sea (urban area), 84.2% of the students were Greek, and 15.8% had non-Greek nationality. Half of the participants said they wear a hat when under the sun and 72% of them said they use sunscreen. 33.1% of the students said they had a sunburn last summer. Greek students as well as those who lived near the sea had better behaviour patterns regarding sun protection. Finally, children who did not use a sunscreen systematically had suffered sunburns more often than the rest. Conclusions. Health education programmes are necessary for students and parents/teachers alike, in order to raise awareness about everyday sun protection.

A cost and clinical effectiveness analysis among moist wound healing dressings versus traditional methods in home care patients with pressure ulcers

The aim of the study was a cost and clinical effectiveness analysis between moist wound healing dressings and gauze in a homecare set up for the treatment of stage III and IV pressure ulcers up to complete healing. In addition, we assessed the overall economic burden on the Healthcare System. Treatment method for each patient was chosen randomly by using sealed opaque envelopes. The authors monitored the healing progress and recorded treatment costs without interfering with the treatment process. The healing progress was estimated by using surface measurement transparent films. To estimate treatment costs, the authors took into account labor costs, cost of dressings, as well the cost of other materials such as cleansing gauzes, normal saline, syringes, examination gloves, antiseptics and adhesive tape. The patient group under treatment with moist wound healing dressings consisted of 27 men and 20 women aged 75.1u2009±u20098,6 and had an average ulcer surface of 43.5u2009±u200930.70 cm2; the patient group under treatment with gauze comprised 25 men and 23 women aged 77.02u2009±u20098.02 and had an average ulcer surface 41.52u2009±u200929.41 cm2 (pu2009=u20090.25, 95% CI, Students t test). The average healing time for the moist wound healing dressings group was 85.56u2009±u200952.09 days, while 121.4u2009±u200952.21 days for the “gauze group” (pu2009=u20090.0001, 95% CI, Students t test). The dressing change frequency per patient was reduced in the “moist wound healing dressings group,” 49.5u2009±u200929.61, compared with a dressing change frequency per patient of 222.6u2009±u2009101.86 for the “gauze group” (pu2009=u20090.0001, 95% CI, Students t test). The use of moist wound healing dressings had a lower total treatment cost of 1,351 € per patient compared with, the use of gauzes (3,888 €).

Investigation of depression in Greek patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Background: Considerable studies directly connect the complications in diabetic patients, and especially peripheral neuropathy, with the emergence of depression. Neuropathetic pain may deteriorate the general health status of the diabetic patient and glycaemic regulation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the appearance and degree of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its correlation with depression, with other parameters of the disease and also duration. Methods: 57 diabetic patients participated with diagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy (male n=27, female n= 30, mean of age 72.7±6.35 years). The first part of Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and the Zung Depression Rating Scale were used as tools for our study. Data was analysed with the SPSS 18.0 statistic program. Results: 57.9% of the patients were overweight, 35.1% were obese and only 7% were within normal weight range. The BMI findings between the two genders indicate that male participants are more often obese than females. Women surpassed men in the category of overweight patients (p<0.05). The score based on MNSI was high and between 3 to 12 (mean average of 8.19±2.60 with 8 as intermediate rate). Almost 60% of patients had severe neuropathy, only 2 were found with mild symptoms and the rest had moderate neuropathtic symptoms, based on the score summary from the questionnaire. Investigating in detail the relation of diabetic neuropathy and depression, it derives that a high degree of diabetic neuropathy is related with high score of depression [F(3.160)=9.821, p=0.001]. Moderate and severe neuropathy was found with almost the same levels of depression. Conclusions: The correlation between diabetic neuropathy and depression is confirmed, while a very high depression rate was found in patients with severe neuropathy. The issue needs further study by using common instruments to obtain comparative results from the scientific community.

P0756 ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF NEWLY-QUALIFIED DOCTORS TOWARDS AIDS INFECTION

Background: Health-care professionals are at a high risk of AIDS infection, among hospitalized HIV infected patients. Proper training and knowledge accompanied by necessary preventive measures are by all means, the most significant factors which ensure low accident rates and furthermore lower contamination rates of the health-care personnel. Objective: Screening and assessment of knowledge and attitudes of newly-qualified doctors towards AIDS infection. Methodology: We conducted a cohort study with a screening questionnaire, which included demographic data and 16 questions associated with AIDS infection. 51 forms were filled in by specializing and rural doctors. The statistical analysis was conducted using the statistical program SPSS 13. Results: 25,5% (n=13) of the participants in this reserch have treated at least one patient for HIV infection, 19% (n=10), of them would willingly specialize in intense care of HIV patients and lastly 90.2%(n=46) believe that we should preserve the medical confidential for HIV patients. 96.1% (n=49) of the participants doctors knew that AIDS disease is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), 88.2%(n=45) is aware that HIV virus damages the immune system and finally 92% (n=47) recognize HIV symptomatology.The vast majority of the doctors (98%,n=50) is aware that HIV infection is spread through sexual intercourse, blood contact and by sharing needles or syringes. Nevertheless, a percentage of 13.7% (n=7) believe that HIV transmission is feasible through kissing and 7.8% (n=15) through insects’ bites. At last 85-98% of the personnel refer that it’s familiar with the general preventive measures, which are usually applied to all HIV positive inpatients. Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude of new doctors towards AIDS infection is, in general terms satisfactory. Nevertheless, it’s imperative that we constantly inform and update newly-qualified doctors about AIDS infection, in order to minimize their inhibitions and compensate for the lack of knowledge, which is commonly observed in new doctors.

“A cost and clinical effectiveness analysis among moist wound healing dressings versus traditional methods in home care patients with pressure ulcers ‐ A randomized controlled trial”

The aim of the study was a cost and clinical effectiveness analysis between moist wound healing dressings and gauze in a homecare set up for the treatment of stage III and IV pressure ulcers up to complete healing. In addition, we assessed the overall economic burden on the Healthcare System. Treatment method for each patient was chosen randomly by using sealed opaque envelopes. The authors monitored the healing progress and recorded treatment costs without interfering with the treatment process. The healing progress was estimated by using surface measurement transparent films. To estimate treatment costs, the authors took into account labor costs, cost of dressings, as well the cost of other materials such as cleansing gauzes, normal saline, syringes, examination gloves, antiseptics and adhesive tape. The patient group under treatment with moist wound healing dressings consisted of 27 men and 20 women aged 75.1u2009±u20098,6 and had an average ulcer surface of 43.5u2009±u200930.70 cm2; the patient group under treatment with gauze comprised 25 men and 23 women aged 77.02u2009±u20098.02 and had an average ulcer surface 41.52u2009±u200929.41 cm2 (pu2009=u20090.25, 95% CI, Students t test). The average healing time for the moist wound healing dressings group was 85.56u2009±u200952.09 days, while 121.4u2009±u200952.21 days for the “gauze group” (pu2009=u20090.0001, 95% CI, Students t test). The dressing change frequency per patient was reduced in the “moist wound healing dressings group,” 49.5u2009±u200929.61, compared with a dressing change frequency per patient of 222.6u2009±u2009101.86 for the “gauze group” (pu2009=u20090.0001, 95% CI, Students t test). The use of moist wound healing dressings had a lower total treatment cost of 1,351 € per patient compared with, the use of gauzes (3,888 €).

Influenza vaccination among nurses in Greece

Seasonal influenza has become a serious public health problem worldwide, and vaccination is recognized as the most effective preventative measure. However, data suggest that influenza vaccination rates are generally low among health care workers. The present study showed that the vaccination rates for influenza among nurses are 21.2%.

Sun burn incidence and knowledge of Greek elementary and high school children about sun protection

INTRODUCTIONnOverexposure to sun radiation and particularly its accumulation during childhood and adolescence is a significant risk factor for skin cancer development. The sun burn is particularly important.nnnAIMnTo estimate sun burn incidence in young pupils in a coastal area of Greece.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnTwo surveys were conducted in a school population in the same district in Greece, over different periods of time, in young people 9 to 18 years old (n=2 977). Anonymous questionnaires were completed. Levels of significance were two- tailed and statistical significance was set at p=0.05. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis.nnnRESULTSnFrom the individual characteristics of the participants it was shown that the majority of them had dark hair and fair skin, whereas a significant percentage reported the existence of moles on face and their body (83.4% vs 68.1%). The sun burn incidence was high in adolescents and the younger pupils (41.9% vs 55.6%). The younger aged children who were living in an urban area had significantly higher rates of sun burn than those living in semi-urban areas (33.8% vs 24.8%, p=0.020). As far as the knowledge of pupils about the risks of sun radiation it was shown that the elementary school pupils had better knowledge than those at high school. Finally, those with better knowledge had the fewer sun burns (Mean 2.83 SD 0.87, p<0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe contribution of knowledge to the decrease of sun burn incidence is important as long as this is continuous. Therefore, the education should concern not only children but also teachers and parents in the context of continuous and systematic programs of health education.