Search

Correctional workers form a high-priority group for tuberculosis control measures because of their high exposure and risk. This cross-sectional study conducted in April and May 2022 included 71 criminal police officers from the State Penitentiary of Francisco Beltrão-PR, Brazil. Their sociodemographic and laboratory data were collected. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was assessed using a QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus in-tube test kit. Binary logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the LTBI predictors. The prevalence of LTBI was 22.6% (95% CI, 12.8–32.2%). Factors associated with LTBI were age > 43 years (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04–0.70; p < 0.014) and the use of medications (OR, 5.13; 95% CI, 1.40–18.87; p < 0.014). The prevalence was close to that estimated worldwide for LTBI in correctional workers, reinforcing the need for occupational health control measures consisting of regular screening and treatment of positive cases of latent infection among correctional workers to reduce the risk of illness and spread of infection in the penitentiary system and community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based supervised group exercise may be an effective option to increase activity levels throughout pregnancy. Previous studies that have explored predictors of low adherence to exercise during pregnancy have not examined group-based settings. We analysed an international cohort of 347 pregnant women who participated in group-based prenatal exercise interventions (from <20 weeks to 34–36 weeks pregnant). Probable adherence predictors informed by previous literature that were assessed included: pre-pregnancy physical activity level and body mass index (BMI) classification, age, number of previous pregnancies, and education level. Adherence was measured by attendance. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to explore the relationship between the selected predictors and high adherence (≥70%). Post-secondary education level versus only secondary (aOR 5.28; CI 1.67; 16.72) or primary level (aOR 13.82; CI 4.30; 44.45) presented greater likelihood to have high adherence to the exercise intervention than low adherence. Future research and public health initiatives should consider implementing strategies to overcome education-related barriers to improve accessibility to prenatal exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quarantine periods change routines and behaviors with potential impact on different health outcomes. To determine the association between changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors with changes in back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Brazilian adults. This was a nationwide survey through online questionnaires using data from 43,062 adults (≥ 18 years of age). Information on back pain was assessed using questions about episodes of back pain and worsening symptoms during the quarantine. The pattern of movement behaviors adopted before and during the pandemic were considered for physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of activity), high TV-viewing (≥ 4 h/d), and high computer/tablet use (≥ 4 h/d). Covariates included sex, age group, academic achievement, skin color, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses (weighted for national representativity). Becoming inactive (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.37), with high TV-viewing (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) and high computer/tablet use (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) during the pandemic were associated with a higher incidence of back pain. The incidence of physical inactivity was also associated with increased back pain (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.64, 4.48). We conclude that increased physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine are associated with the incidence and worsening symptoms of back pain among Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women are recommended to engage in 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per week to reduce pregnancy complications. Many women struggle to remain physically active throughout pregnancy, and there is no consensus about whether women adopt a less efficient movement pattern as they progress through pregnancy and experience gestational weight gain. This study assessed the change in energy expenditure and mechanical efficiency in pregnant women (PREG; n = 10) when performing a walking treadmill task in early, mid, and late pregnancy and also compared with an age- and body mass index-matched, nonpregnant (CON; n = 10) group. On average, the PREG group gained within the Institute of Medicine’s gestational weight gain guidelines (11.6 ± 3.6 kg) and were all inactive (measured using accelerometry), except for 1 participant, by the third trimester, as per the 2019 Canadian physical activity guidelines for pregnant women. Energy expended to complete the walking task increased throughout pregnancy and was higher than the controls (111.5 ± 24.6 kcal) in mid and late pregnancy (139.0 ± 22.2 kcal, p = 0.02, and 147.3 ± 24.6 kcal, p = 0.005, respectively), but not early pregnancy (129.9 ± 18.9 kcal, p = 0.08). Walking mechanical efficiency was similar within pregnant women at each time point and compared to nonpregnant controls. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that pregnant women can safely perform physical activity by showing that walking mechanical efficiency is unchanged at low to moderate intensities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Presence of knee crepitus did not affect knee strength or objective function. • People with knee crepitus present lower self-reported physical function (small effect). • People with knee crepitus present lower quality of life (small effect). Crepitus is a common clinical feature of knee osteoarthritis. However, the importance of crepitus in the overall clinical presentation of individuals with knee osteoarthritis is unknown. (A) To compare function, pain and quality of life between individuals with knee osteoarthritis with and without crepitus; (B) to compare whether individuals with knee osteoarthritis in both knees, but crepitus in just one, differ in terms of function pain, and knee strength. Setting : Observational study. Participants : (A) A total of 584 participants with crepitus who had the same Kellgren–Lawrence grade on both knees were matched for gender, body mass index and Kellgren-Lawrence grade to participants without crepitus on both knees. (B) 361 participants with crepitus in only one knee and with the same Kellgren-Lawrence grade classification on both knees were included. Main outcome measure(s) : A – Self-reported function, pain, quality of life, 20-m walk test and chair-stand test. B –Knee extensor and flexor strength, self-reported function and pain. A – Individuals with crepitus had lower self-reported function, quality of life and higher pain compared to those without crepitus (3–11%; small effect = 0.17–0.41, respectively). No difference was found in objective function between groups. B – Self-reported function was lower in the limb with crepitus compared to the limb without crepitus (15%; trivial effect = 0.09). No difference was found in pain and knee strength between-groups. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis and knee crepitus have slightly lower self-reported physical function and knee-related quality of life (small or trivial effect). However, the presence of knee crepitus is not associated with objective function or knee strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]