Nipam Datta , Sushanta Biswas , Dwipen Barman , Bijoy Das , Piyal Basu Roy , Abhijit Sarkar
{"title":"Examining rural-urban differences in life satisfaction and its association with health among elderly people in India: Evidence from LASI survey","authors":"Nipam Datta , Sushanta Biswas , Dwipen Barman , Bijoy Das , Piyal Basu Roy , Abhijit Sarkar","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101950","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101950","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Health-related issues are common phenomena in the human body with increasing age. This study explores the disparities in life satisfaction among the elderly population in rural and urban areas of India and its association with health.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave-1 conducted in 2017-18 were used, with a sample size of 30,268 individuals aged 60 and above. The study employed multivariable regression models to assess the relationship between life satisfaction and physical, mental, and functional health, adjusting for socio-demographic variables. Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon test was performed to check the rural-urban differences in life satisfaction among elderly people.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Older adults in urban areas reported higher life satisfaction (Mean = 0.67, SD = 0.24) than their rural counterparts (Mean = 0.61, SD = 0.24). Mental health was found to be a significant predictor of life satisfaction among the elderly in both rural (β 0.443, CI = 0.419, 0.468,p < 0.001), and urban areas (β = 0.459, CI = 0.428, 0.489, p < 0.001) and functional health was not significantly associated with life satisfaction in rural areas (β = 0.002, CI = −0.013, 0.017, p < 0.001), but shows a significant associated with urban areas (β = 0.057, CI = 0.035, 0.078, p < 0.001), highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare services.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study highlights the need for development initiatives to enhance the well-being of senior citizens living in rural areas. Enhancing healthcare infrastructure, accessing medical facilities, and addressing functional limitations are essential steps to reduce disparities in life satisfaction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101950"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143379165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Childbirth preparedness and childbirth anxiety among primigravida in a lower-middle income country: A phenomenological qualitative study","authors":"Lekha Bist , Lekha Viswanath , Ruchira Nautiyal , Shagun Agarwal","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There is limited research about the primigravid's experience towards delivery preparation and anxiety in lower-middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to phenomenologically explore childbirth anxiety and childbirth preparation among Primigravida in a lower-middle-income country (LMIC)</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fifteen primigravidae with 28–34 weeks of pregnancy, selected community health centres, purposively recruited into this in-depth interview. Data was collected through semi-structured interview guides, analyzed using content analysis and written using Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four themes generated were preparation, awareness, expectation, and fear during childbirth. Each theme has three subthemes, except two subthemes in expectation theme, totalling 11 subthemes overall generated to phenomenologically explore childbirth anxiety and childbirth preparation among Primigravida.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Primigravid women feel childbirth anxiety towards the end of their pregnancies. Due to the assumed purpose of birth preparation that comes from conventional sources, healthcare practitioners hardly ever offer primigravid women enough knowledge about labour.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101918"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143199758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sufedin Ibrahim , Takele Gezahegn Demie , Temesgen Gelata , Seifadin Ahmed , Gemechu Gelan Bekele
{"title":"Underweight and its associated factors among reproductive age women on antiretroviral therapy in selected public health facilities of Arsi Zone, South East Ethiopia","authors":"Sufedin Ibrahim , Takele Gezahegn Demie , Temesgen Gelata , Seifadin Ahmed , Gemechu Gelan Bekele","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101953","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101953","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Despite progress in HIV treatment, the reproductive age group continues to experience high rates of underweight, which adversely affects their health and ART effectiveness. Current data on the prevalence and contributing factors of underweight in this group is scarce. This study aims to assess the prevalence of underweight and its associated factors among reproductive-age women on ART in selected public health facilities in the Arsi Zone, South East Ethiopia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 413 individuals receiving ART between December 15, 2021, and January 20, 2022. Data were collected through a review of medical records and interviews with selected participants. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with underweight among this population.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study found that the prevalence of underweight among women on ART was 24.5 % (95 % CI: 20.8%–28.3 %). Underweight was significantly associated with ambulatory status (individuals who can perform selfcare but can't fully engage in work) (AOR = 4.41, 95 % CI: 1.71–11.36), lack of HIV/AIDS-related nutrition counselling (AOR = 4.61, 95 % CI: 2.17–9.78), poor ART adherence (AOR = 11.49, 95 % CI: 4.77–27.67), and inadequate dietary diversity (AOR = 3.84, 95 % CI: 1.82–8.11).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion and recommendation</h3><div>The study revealed a high prevalence of underweight among women on ART. To effectively tackle this issue, enhancing nutritional counselling, strengthening ART adherence programs, and promoting a diverse diet are essential. Moreover, providing targeted support for ambulatory patients can further mitigate underweight in this group. By implementing these recommendations, we can improve health outcomes for women living with HIV/AIDS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101953"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical profile of stress hyperglycemia in medical intensive care units","authors":"Geethanjali Ganesan, Sudha Vidyasagar, Nandakrishna Bolanthakodi, Cynthia Amrutha Sukumar","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101941","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101941","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Stress hyperglycemia (SH) is a transient increase in blood glucose during acute physiological stress in the absence of glucose homeostasis dysfunction. In the setting of medical intensive care units (ICU), it significantly contributes to patient morbidity and mortality.It initates a cascade of pathophysiological responses that in turn increase blood glucose and insulin resistance. As research in this area of SH in ICU patients is sparse with conflicting results, we conducted this study to evaluate the clinical profile and prognostic outcome of Stress hyperglycemia (SH) in ICU.</div></div><div><h3>Aims and objectives</h3><div>The main objectives of the study were to find the proportion of patients with SH in medical ICU, define the illness associated with SH, and to assess the relation of mortality with SH ratio (SHR) among stress hyperglycemics.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>It is a cross sectional observational study of 400 patients whose written informed consent was taken and data was collected as per structured questionnaire, covering history and laboratory investigations. Patients were followed up to assess duration of hospital stay irrespective of the outcome (discharge or death).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The proportion of SH in the medical ICU was 29 %. Pneumonia, acute cerebrovascular accident, congestive cardiac failure, acute coronary syndrome, family history of diabetes and female gender were found to be significant risk factors for SH. There was no significant increase in duration of hospital stay due to SH. SOFA and APACHE scores were higher among the SH group and they had higher mortality. Among patients treated for SH mortality was significantly lower.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>SH was noted in one-third of ICU admissions. It had an impact on the overall prognosis and mortality and its treatment was beneficial. Hence it is important to recognise and treat SH early in ICUs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101941"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yen-Chen Lin , Hung-Yang Chang , Chia-Huei Chen , Jui-Hsing Chang , Wai-Tim Jim , Chyong-Hsin Hsu , Chia-Ying Lin , Yu-Xiang Song , Cheng-Wei Chen , Tzu-Yu Liu , Mary Hsin-Ju Ko
{"title":"Neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight preterm infants during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Yen-Chen Lin , Hung-Yang Chang , Chia-Huei Chen , Jui-Hsing Chang , Wai-Tim Jim , Chyong-Hsin Hsu , Chia-Ying Lin , Yu-Xiang Song , Cheng-Wei Chen , Tzu-Yu Liu , Mary Hsin-Ju Ko","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101940","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101940","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>During the COVID-19 pandemic, parental involvement in NICU and post-discharge follow-up for preterm infants in Taiwan were limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants in Taiwan.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This was a retrospective study enrolling very-low-birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants born between January 2018 and December 2021 from two hospitals. The pre-COVID-19 group (PCG) consisted of VLBW infants born between January 2018 and April 2019, before the pandemic. VLBW infants born after May 2019 and followed-up for at least 24 months during the pandemic were assigned to the COVID-19 group (CG). The antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal data, and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 and/or 24 months corrected age (CA) of the participants were collected and compared.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 547 VLBW infants were born during the study period. CG had significantly longer hospital stay and delayed follow-up time compared to PCG. No significant differences were observed in the composite cognitive, language, and motor scores between two groups. The percentages of moderate neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) were higher at 12 months CA, but not at 24 months. The severe NDI also presented no significant difference between the groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>VLBW preterm infants during the pandemic had extended hospital stays and delayed follow-ups, with higher moderate NDI at 12 months CA. Long-term monitoring and care are essential for this at-risk group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101940"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ivana Aprilia Pehopu , Andi Masyitha Irwan , Elly Lilianty Sjattar , Sakul Changmai , Noor Azah Abd Aziz
{"title":"Continuous follow-up intervention of a low-salt diet to control blood pressure among older people with hypertension in rural Indonesia","authors":"Ivana Aprilia Pehopu , Andi Masyitha Irwan , Elly Lilianty Sjattar , Sakul Changmai , Noor Azah Abd Aziz","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101943","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101943","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem considered</h3><div>In older people, hypertension is a leading cause of death and results in serious complications that reduce the quality of life. A high-salt diet is one contributing factor to the increased incidence of hypertension in older people, and the implementation of appropriate interventions is required to address this issue. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of providing education on a low-salt diet, along with continuous follow-up, on blood pressure control in older people with hypertension.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study used a quasi-experimental pre- and posttest with a control group design and involved 148 older people with hypertension who were randomly allocated. The intervention group received a one-time low-salt diet education and 2-month follow-up. In contrast, the control group received only standard education from the community health center with no follow-up.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the control group, blood pressure showed no significant changes and tended to remain stagnant. The control group did not show significant changes in any variables, including systolic blood pressure (<em>p</em> = 0.747) and diastolic blood pressure (<em>p</em> = 0.208). In the intervention group, blood pressure decreased and remained stable during the first and second months. The statistical tests for the intervention group showed significant changes in both systolic blood pressure (<em>p</em> = 0.000) and diastolic blood pressure (<em>p</em> = 0.000).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Providing education on a low-salt diet along with continuous follow-up significantly influences the control of blood pressure in older people with hypertension.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101943"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143199991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Radhika Aditya Jadhav , G. Arun Maiya , Vidyut Rajhans , Shashikiran Umakanth , Shivashankara K N
{"title":"Perception and impact of customized physical activity programs on objective physical activity parameters in prediabetes","authors":"Radhika Aditya Jadhav , G. Arun Maiya , Vidyut Rajhans , Shashikiran Umakanth , Shivashankara K N","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101938","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101938","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Prediabetes is an established vital risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), yet an under-recognized problem. The effectiveness of the Physical Activity Promotion Programme (PAPP) has rarely been studied extensively regarding objective Physical Activity (PA) assessment and subjective acceptance in prediabetes. The present mixed-method study evaluated the effect and perception of customized PAPP in prediabetes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The pre-post study included 54 prediabetes participants between 18 and 60 years of age who received the customized PAPP for 24 weeks. PA parameters were measured objectively using the tri-axial accelerometer Actigraph GT3X at baseline and the end of PAPP. Twelve participants were included in the qualitative study, and their perception of PAPP was explored using semi-structured telephonic interviews. Data analysis was done using a paired <em>t</em>-test and thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PA was significantly improved, which is evident in an increase in the average step count (MD = 1408), light activity duration (MD = 34.7 Min.), and moderate to vigorous PA duration (MD = 9.1 Min.). Average sedentary duration reduced significantly (MD = 32.46 Min.) (p < 0.05). Customized PAPP was happily accepted and continued by all the participants. Despite their challenging situations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Customized PAPP has yielded promising results, indicating its effectiveness in reducing sedentary duration and improving health parameters among prediabetic individuals. Customized physical activity interventions planned with due consideration of health parameters are crucial in enhancing health outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101938"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143097038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clustering of non-communicable disease risk factors among school teachers: A cross-sectional study in Kerala, India","authors":"Mini GK , Sangeeth KS , Anand Marthanda Pillai , Sarma PS , Thankappan KR","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101951","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101951","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There is limited data on non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors among teachers in low and middle-income settings. We assessed the prevalence and clustering of NCD risk factors among school teachers in Kerala.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study analyzed data from 2216 school teachers in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPs questionnaire for NCD risk factor surveillance was used. We collected socio-demographic information and behavioural risk factors using STEP-1 and clinical measurements using STEP-2. We included WHO recommended four behavioural risk factors and four metabolic risk factors for analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The main risk factors were physical inactivity (76.4 %) and overweight/obesity (68.8 %). Current tobacco use was reported by 5 % of men, while 13.4 % of men and 2.6 % of women reported alcohol use. A quarter of teachers consumed than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Self-reported diabetes prevalence was 10.6 % and dyslipidaemia was 22.4 %. Hypertension prevalence was 18.1 %. Only 2.8 % had no risk factors, 18.9 % had one, 37.7 % had two, and 40.6 % had three or more. Among physically inactive participants, the most common co-occurring risk factor was overweight, followed by insufficient fruit and vegetable intake. For overweight participants, physical inactivity and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption were prevalent. In hypertensives, the most common co-morbidity was being overweight, followed by physical inactivity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A higher proportion of teachers had three or more NCD risk factors indicating the need for targeted interventions for school teachers to mitigate these risk factors to prevent NCDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101951"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143199987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md Farhan Alam , Saima Zaki , Saurabh Sharma , Mohammed Ghareeb , Shibili Nuhmani
{"title":"Intra-rater reliability and validity of navicular drop test for the assessment of medial longitudinal arch in patients having pronated feet with chronic low back pain","authors":"Md Farhan Alam , Saima Zaki , Saurabh Sharma , Mohammed Ghareeb , Shibili Nuhmani","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101939","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101939","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Navicular Drop (ND) test serves as a diagnostic tool for evaluating foot protonation by measuring the variation in the height of the navicular tuberosity between sitting and standing positions. Pronated feet (PF) are considered to be associated with lower limb injuries and low back pain (LBP). Hence, a highly reliable assessment method for accurately diagnosing foot protonation is essential.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to explore the intra-rater test-retest reliability, Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Smallest Detectable Difference (SDD) and validity related to the ND test among patients having PF with chronic low back pain (CLBP).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Foot protonation was measured using the ND test for both lower limbs on a sample of 45 CLBP patients (16 male, 29 female). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), SEM and SDD values were calculated to obtain reliability and measurement error.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The test-retest reliability of the ND test was found to be good, exhibiting ICC values of 0.89 for the dominant limb and 0.82 for the non-dominant limb. The 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were reported as 0.804 to 0.941 for the dominant limb and 0.672 to 0.901 for the non-dominant limb. The SEM and SDD were 0.94 and 2.62 for the dominant limb, and 1.35 and 3.75 for the non-dominant limb, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings of the study suggested ND test is a reliable method for measuring foot arches, making it applicable in clinical practice to assess patients for foot protonation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101939"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vishwak Gundeti, Shrikiran Aroor, Koushik H, Leslie E. Lewis, Suneel C. Mundkur, Ramesh Bhat Y, Pushpa Kini
{"title":"Alarming rise in prevalence of obesity among children with essential hypertension: Reflection of larger global epidemiological change of adolescent nutritional status","authors":"Vishwak Gundeti, Shrikiran Aroor, Koushik H, Leslie E. Lewis, Suneel C. Mundkur, Ramesh Bhat Y, Pushpa Kini","doi":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101948","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101948","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Young-onset hypertension is emerging as a substantial public health issue globally, especially in children and adolescents. The rising incidence of essential hypertension in pediatric populations is chiefly attributable to changes in lifestyle and obesity.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study assesses the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and causes of hypertension in children aged 1 month to 18 years with a focus on essential hypertension and obesity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective observational study was undertaken at the Department of Paediatrics of a tertiary care medical college in Southern India from October 2022 to July 2024. The research encompassed 116 children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted with hypertension, diagnosed as per 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines. Data encompassing demographic information, familial history - risk factors for hypertension, anthropometric parameters, and clinical characteristics were gathered. Details of diagnostic evaluations conducted, comprising blood tests, imaging studies, and hormonal analyses were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The prevalence of hypertension among the admitted children during the study period was found to be 1.6 %. Renal parenchymal disorders accounted for the major cause of hypertension (68.9 %), followed by essential hypertension (15.5 %). In children with essential hypertension, obesity/overweight was the most common risk factor, observed in 72.2 % of patients, followed by family history of hypertension (44.4 %). Hypertensive urgency and emergency were seen in 14 (13.3 %) and 6 (5.7 %) patients.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>There has been a substantial increase in the proportion of essential hypertension among children and a significant rise in the incidence of overweight/obesity among children with essential hypertension. Timely screening, lifestyle alterations, and effective care are essential for reducing long-term problems related to paediatric hypertension.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46404,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"32 ","pages":"Article 101948"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143096583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}