Original Article | J Health Care and Research. 2022 Sept 03;3(2):41-50 | DOI: 10.36502/2022/hcr.6210

A Comparison of Mental Health and Substance Use Risk Factors between Veteran and Non-Veteran Connected Families in Nebraska, 2016 and 2019

Author(s): David Palm^*, Rashmi Lamsal, Valerie Pacino, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway

Abstract

Background: Many studies have found that Veterans and their family members have experienced more mental health disorders and substance use. The purpose of this study compared mental health and substance use risk indicators between U.S. military Veteran and non-Veteran- connected families, so earlier and more targeted interventions can be developed.
Methods: The data for this study were based on the 2016 and 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey in Nebraska. The comparisons between Veterans and non-Veteran connected families were made on a set of 9 indicators, including general health status (fair/poor), poor mental health defined as not good on 14 or more of the past 30 days (yes/no), ever told they had depression (yes/no), current cigarette smoker (yes/no), current smokeless tobacco use (yes/no), current e-cigarette use (yes/ no), any tobacco use (yes/no), any alcohol consumption in the past 30 days (yes/no), and binge drank in the past 30 days (yes/no). A Chi-Square test was used to determine significant differences between the indicators.
Results: When comparisons were made between Veterans and non-Veterans, some significant differences were found in both 2016 and 2019. For example, in 2016, non-Veterans were more likely to have poor mental health, ever told they had depression, be a current smoker, and engage in binge alcohol drinking. Significant differences were also found between non-Veterans and the spouses and significant others of Veterans for selective risk factors in 2016 and 2019. For example, in both years, spouses and significant others of Veterans were considerably more likely to have greater mental health distress and depression. However, they were less likely to use alcohol or engage in binge drinking.
Conclusion: These results indicate that spouses and significant others of Veterans are more likely to suffer from depression and other mental health conditions than Veterans themselves and the non-Veteran population. Organizations serving military families should develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the culture of military families to implement strategies that effectively support Veteran spouses and partners.

Original Article | J Health Care and Research. 2022 May 24;3(1):16-30 | DOI: 10.36502/2022/hcr.6207

Diagnosis of Thyroid Malignancy using Levels of Chemical Element Contents in Nodular Tissue

Author(s): Vladimir Zaichick*

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid benign (TBN) and malignant (TMN) nodules are a common thyroid lesion. The differentiation of TMN often remains a clinical challenge and further improvements of TMN diagnostic accuracy are warranted. The aim of present study was to evaluate possibilities of using differences in chemical elements (ChEs) contents in nodular tissue for diagnosis of thyroid malignancy.
Methods: Contents of ChEs such as aluminum (Al), boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), coper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), potassium (K), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were prospectively evaluated in “normal” thyroid (NT) of 105 individuals as well as in nodular tissue of thyroids with TBN (79 patients) and to TMN (41 patients). Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive and destructive methods: instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.
Results: It was observed that in TMN tissue the mean mass fraction of I was lower while the mean mass fractions of K, Mg, and P were higher than in both NT and TBN groups of samples. It was demonstrated that I content is nodular tissue is the most informative parameter for the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. It was found that “Sensitivity”, “Specificity” and “Accuracy” of TMN identification using the I level in the needle biopsy of affected thyroid tissue was significantly higher than that using US examination and cytological test of fine needle aspiration biopsy.
Conclusions: It was concluded that determination of the I level in a needle biopsy of TNs using non-destructive instrumental analytical method is a fast, reliable, and very informative diagnostic tool that can be successfully used as an additional test of thyroid malignancy identification.

Original Article | J Health Care and Research. 2022 Apr 25;3(1):11-15 | DOI: 10.36502/2022/hcr.6206

Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis of COVID-19 Patients in a Local Hospital during Delta Surge

Author(s): Bahaar Kaur Muhar^*, Hillary Chu, Norah Zhou

Abstract

Many community members believe the vaccine is not effective against COVID-19 and that local hospitals are full of vaccinated patients with severe COVID-19. Furthermore, they feel national figures do not reflect local numbers. We aimed to analyze the profile of COVID-19 patients in our local community hospital in Sacramento, California to see if indeed most COVID-19 hospitalized patients are vaccinated. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of COVID-19 patients that were admitted to a community hospital on August 26, 2021, during the delta variant surge. We analyzed the profile of patients in the hospital who had a positive COVID-19 test by PCR. A total of 96 COVID-19 patients were studied of which 20 are vaccinated and 76 are unvaccinated. The average age of hospitalized vaccinated patients with COVID-19 is 69 while unvaccinated patients is 52.6. Additionally, 24 patients were on high flow oxygen with only 3 of them being fully vaccinated. There are 26 patients in the ICU with COVID-19 of which only 3 are fully vaccinated. 21 of these ICU patients are on mechanical ventilation with only 2 being fully vaccinated. Our data is consistent with national trends. While breakthrough infections are inevitable, analysis shows that the elderly population is most significantly impacted. However, breakthrough infections tend to also be less severe. Importantly, the unvaccinated population with COVID-19 disease and hospitalization tend to be of younger age. Altogether, this data from our local hospital highlights and emphasizes the need for our community to be fully vaccinated to prevent COVID-19 disease and hospitalizations.

Review Article | J Health Care and Research. 2022 Feb 10;3(1):1-6 | DOI: 10.36502/2022/hcr.6204

Robotic Surgery in Total Hip Replacement in Obesity

Author(s): Mohammed Almashahedi^*, Wasim Khan, Stephen McDonnell

Abstract

Total hip replacement is one of the most successful orthopaedic operation of recent time. The outcomes of THR may be influenced by several factors including patient demographics, surgical technique and implant features. One of the most important surgeon-controlled factors is component positioning. Surgical positioning of the acetabular cup and femoral prosthesis remains fundamental to obtaining accurate implant fit and prevent hip dislocation or impingement. Different categories of robotic assistance have been established during the previous years and all of the technologies target accuracy and reliability to reduce complications, and enhance clinical outcomes.

In this article, we discuss the advantages and difficulties of robotic total hip replacement in obese patient and provide the recent scientific evidence from the literatures.

Original Article | J Health Care and Research. 2021 Nov 15;2(3):170-75 | DOI: 10.36502/2021/hcr.6203

Relationship Between Tongue Strength and Dysphagia Symptoms in Japanese Older Adults in Need of Care

Author(s): Morisaki Naoko^*

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the tongue pressure of older adults who require nursing care and to clarify the relationship between dysphagia symptoms and tongue strength.
Methods: The participants were Japanese older adults (age: ≥ 65 years) in need of care who were able to communicate with others and agreed to participate in the study. Tongue pressure was measured using TPM-01, a tongue pressure measuring instrument. The Dysphagia Risk Assessment for Community-Dwelling Elderly was used to assess dysphagia. The association between tongue pressure and 12 dysphagia symptoms was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance.
Results: The average tongue pressure was 23.22 ± 9.9 kPa. Tongue pressure was significantly associated with occasional food spillage from the mouth and sputum formation in the throat during meals or after eating or drinking (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Decreased tongue strength should be suspected in older adults with food spillage from the mouth or sputum formation in the throat during meals.