Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Body Piercing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

The coming of age of self-mutilation.

Self-mutilation (SM), the deliberate, nonsuicidal destruction of one's own body tissue, occurs in such culturally sanctioned practices as tattooing; body piercing; and healing, spiritual, and order-preserving rituals. As a symptom, it has typically been regarded as a manifestation of borderline behavior and misidentified as a suicide attempt. It has begun to attract mainstream media attention, and many more who suffer from it are expected to seek treatment. This review suggests that SM can best be understood as a morbid self-help effort providing rapid but temporary relief from feelings of depersonalization, guilt, rejection, and boredom as well as hallucinations, sexual preoccupations, and chaotic thoughts. Major SM includes infrequent acts such as eye enucleation and castration, commonly associated with psychosis and intoxication. Stereotypic SM includes such acts as head banging and self-biting most often accompanying Tourette's syndrome and severe mental retardation. Superficial/moderate SM includes compulsive acts such as trichotillomania and skin picking and such episodic acts as skin-cutting and burning, which evolve into an axis I syndrome of repetitive impulse dyscontrol with protean symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Maturity and adherence in adolescent and young adult heart recipients.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric transplant (txp) teams note high rates of non-adherence and risky behaviors linked to morbidity and mortality among adolescent and young adult recipients. Clinicians and parents alike report symptoms of social immaturity and failure to appreciate consequences of risky behavior; relationships between the two have not been studied in this population. METHOD: This two-phase mixed method study examined adherence, high-risk behaviors, and maturity in a sample of 27 heart recipients, aged 15-31, who underwent transplantation in childhood or adolescence at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. All subjects completed a projective ego development measure and a questionnaire about adherence to the post-txp regimen. Nine recipients, purposely selected for good or poor adherence according to criteria determined by the transplant team and matched on age, participated in phase 2 qualitative interviews and mood assessments. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the phase 1 sample missed medications, 67% missed appointments, 11% smoked, 37% had difficulty with diet, 89% exercised infrequently, 33% had tattoos, 26% had more than two body piercings, and 11% used street drugs. Six themes and a core construct of maturity were identified with qualitative methodology. Poor adherers were less mature on every theme and consistently scored at a less mature level on the projective measure of ego development. Chronological age was not related to the level of maturity in qualitative or projective data. Most interview subjects reported high levels of anxiety, and two reported clinically significant levels of depression and anger; mood was not related to adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence and high-risk behaviors are prevalent among adolescent and young adult heart recipients. Level of maturity appears to be associated with ability to adhere to the treatment regimen and avoid high-risk behaviors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Ethnic and cultural determinants influence risk assessment for hepatitis C acquisition.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the developed world hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is predominantly associated with sharing contaminated equipment between injecting drug users (IDU). In developing countries inadequately sterilized medical equipment, transmission of infected blood and cultural practices have been implicated. Accurate risk factor assessment is essential for education targeted at risk reduction in culturally diverse populations. METHODS: Ninety Australian-born Caucasians and 72 South-east Asian (SEA) HCV patients attending a Melbourne hospital liver clinic completed a questionnaire which assessed risk factor profile, perceived risk factors, knowledge of risk factors and methods to minimize transmission. Medical records were audited to identify doctor assessment of risk factors. RESULTS: Risk factors in Caucasians were IDU, body piercing and tattooing (89%, 47% and 32%, respectively). Risk factors in SEA patients were injection therapy, dental therapy and surgery (89%, 70% and 38%, respectively). Most Caucasian patients (94%) correctly identified their mode of acquisition compared with 33% of SEA patients (P < 0.0001). Accurate risk factor documentation in medical records was more common in Caucasians (96 vs 32%; P < 0.0001). The majority of patients identified blood-to-blood and sexual/vertical transmission as important modes of acquisition. However, 33% of SEA patients believed transmission occurred through food, water and poor hygiene and 80% did not identify therapeutic injection or traditional medical practices as risk factors. Education provided to SEA patients did not address less well established routes of transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnicity influences perception and knowledge of risk factors. Improved assessment of risk factors in high-risk ethnic groups is needed. Education should be culturally appropriate and address the concerns of all populations with HCV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Tattoo application is not associated with an increased risk for chronic viral hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Many reports cite tattoo application as an independent risk factor for viral hepatitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with tattoos are at increased risk for chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS: A total of 212 patients, aged 18-55 yr, who presented to the emergency center and outpatient clinic at a suburban tertiary care hospital participated in the study. Of these, 106 had tattoos and 106 did not. No patient had known liver disease or viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B DNA, hepatitis C RNA, and hepatitis G RNA were measured in the serum using the polymerase chain reaction on stored serum samples. Each participant completed an anonymous questionnaire concerning risk factors for viral hepatitis. RESULTS: Patients with tattoos did not have a higher rate of chronic hepatitis B, C, or G than did a gender-matched group without tattoos. One (0.9%), seven (6.6%), and three patients (2.8%) in the tattoo group were positive for hepatitis B DNA, hepatitis C RNA, and hepatitis G RNA, respectively. Among controls, no patients (0%), three (2.8%), and six (5.6%) patients were positive for hepatitis B DNA, hepatitis C RNA and hepatitis G RNA, respectively (p = 0.815). All infected patients except one in each group reported a risk factor for viral hepatitis. Individuals with tattoos were more likely to have body piercing (p = 0.049; CI = 1.000-1.995), and more than five sexual partners (p = 0.013; CI = 1.073-1.846) than the control group. CONCLUSION: We find no evidence to support the observation that tattoos serve as a risk factor for chronic viral hepatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Increase in hepatitis C virus incidence in HIV-1-infected patients followed up since primary infection.

BACKGROUND: An increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) has recently been reported. OBJECTIVE: To estimate HCV incidence and risk factors among HIV-1-infected patients followed up since primary HIV infection in the French PRIMO Cohort between 1996 and 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with at least 18 months of follow-up were studied. HCV antibody tests were performed on baseline plasma samples and repeated on the latest available sample when negative at baseline. RESULTS: In total, 402 patients with a median follow-up of 36 (range 18-104) months were eligible. HCV seroconversion was observed in 6 patients (4 men and 2 women), corresponding to an HCV incidence rate of 4.3 per 1000 person-years. Incidence rates in men and women were 3.5 and 7.8 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The incidence rate was 1.2 per 1000 person-years before January 2003 and 8.3 per 1000 person-years after January 2003 (p = 0.06). The classic risk factors for HCV infection were found in women (intravenous drug use, and body piercing), whereas the only identified risk factor for HCV acquisition was unsafe sex in the four men. CONCLUSIONS: Increase in the incidence of acute HCV infection in recently HIV-infected patients confirms the shift in sexual behaviour in the recent years, especially in HIV-infected MSM. Repeated testing for HCV antibodies should be carried out in HCV-negative HIV-infected patients and specific recommendations about protected sex should be clearly provided.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors in an incarcerated juvenile population: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of liver failure in adulthood. Although the prevalence of HCV is reportedly as high as 80% in incarcerated adult populations, little is known about the prevalence of HCV in incarcerated juvenile populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV and high-risk behaviors in a population of incarcerated youths. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional prevalence study of HCV infection in youths who were admitted to a juvenile detention center between September 1999 and January 2001. Subjects were asked questions regarding behaviors that might put them at risk for acquiring HCV, and blood was drawn for HCV antibody testing. Qualitative HCV RNA testing was performed on antibody-positive subjects. RESULTS: Seventy-four percent (n = 305) of youths consented to participate in the seroprevalence study. HCV risk behaviors were common in this population: sexual activity (70%), intravenous drug use (6%), intranasal drug use (32%), body piercing (53%), and tattoos (33%). Six study youths (2%) were HCV antibody positive; 4 of these subjects were also HCV RNA positive. HCV-positive status was significantly associated with history of intravenous drug use and having had a sexually transmitted disease. Only 17% of study participants could correctly identify behaviors that might put them at risk for HCV. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HCV in incarcerated youths is higher than in the general pediatric population but not yet at adult levels of prevalence. Given the high prevalence of risk factors in this population, future studies should address the need for targeted HCV screening and education of incarcerated youths regarding risks for HCV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection and high rate of response to hepatitis B virus Butang vaccine in adolescents from low income families in Central Brazil.

In order to evaluate the seroepidemiology and response to Butang vaccine in adolescents from low income families in Central Brazil, blood samples of 664 adolescents were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) markers, and multiple logistical regression analysis was carried out to determine variables associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection markers. further, three 20 microg Butang vaccine doses were offered to all susceptible individuals (n = 304). Among those who accepted them (n = 182), the seroresponse was evaluated in 170 individuals by quantitative anti-HBs. an overall hbv prevalence of 5.9% was found: four adolescents were HBsAg positive, 24 were anti-HBc, anti-HBs-reactive, and 11 were anti-HBc only. The analyse of risk factors showed that age 16-19 years, place of birth outside Goiás, school B and body piercing were statistically associated with HBV infection markers (p < 0.05). All 170 adolescents responded to Butang, and a geometric mean titer (gmt) of 4344 mUI/ml was obtained. these results reinforce the importance of hepatitis b vaccine in adolescents despite of the hbv regional endemicity, and suggest that three doses of 20 microg of the Butang should guarantee protective anti-hbs levels to individuals at a critical time for hepatitis b acquiring such as latter adolescence and adulthood.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travel patterns and risk behavior in solid organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: International travel is associated with an increased risk of enteric, vector-borne and bloodborne infections. The risk of acquiring travel-related illness is higher in those who are immunocompromised. However, little is known about travel practices and risk behaviors in transplant recipients who travel. We herein profile transplant recipients who travel, and characterize their pre-travel precautions, travel activities, burden of illness, and exposure history. METHODS: With the use of a standardized and validated questionnaire, patients attending a transplant clinic were surveyed regarding recent travel and risk behaviors. RESULTS: Of 267 transplant recipients who participated, 95 (36%) indicated that they had recently traveled outside Canada and the USA. Their mean age was 49.9 years, 54% were male, and 54% were born outside Canada. Eighty-six percent of travelers were receiving at least two immunosuppressive drugs at the time of their trip. Sixty-six percent of travelers sought pre-travel advice, primarily from their transplant physician. Sixty-three percent traveled to areas where hepatitis A is endemic, but only 5% had received hepatitis A immunization. Fifty percent traveled to dengue- and malaria-endemic areas, but,25% adhered to mosquito prevention measures. Ten percent reported behaviors that exposed them to blood or body fluids, including injections, body piercing, and casual sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: Solid organ transplant recipients represent a unique group of compromised travelers; however, few were adequately protected against travel-associated enteric, vector-borne and bloodborne pathogens.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution of HCV and HBV infection in the tribal population: a community based study in south India.

Viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents a major public health problem in India. These viruses share common modes of transmission, such as parenteral routes. We aimed to assess the exposure of a tribal population to these viruses in south India. The present study was carried out on serum samples from 890 individuals (526 males and 324 females) belonging to the Lambada tribe residing in the state of Andhra Pradesh, south India. Anti-HCV antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status in the sera were analyzed using commercially available enzyme immunoassays (Abbott Labs, Chicago, IL). HCV-RNA and HBV-DNA in the sera was tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and PCR, respectively. The infecting genotype of HCV was determined using type-specific primers corresponding to the NS5 region of the virus. Out of the 890 samples, 18 (2.02%; male 11/526; female 7/364) were positive for HCV-RNA by RT-PCR and, 17 of them were positive for anti-HCV antibody. Genotyping of HCV isolates from the 18 individuals positive for HCV-RNA revealed that 66.67% (12/18) were infected with type 1 of HCV and its variants; while in the remaining (6/18), the infecting genotype was found to be type 3 and its variants. A total of 46 samples (5.16%; males 28/526; female 18/364) were positive for HBsAg; while 11 were positive only for HBV-DNA, 9 were positive for both hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV-DNA. Cultural practices such as tattooing, traditional medicine (e.g. blood-letting), rituals (e.g. scarification), body-piercing etc are the potential sources of spread of infection in this tribe. None of the samples analyzed revealed co-infection with the 2 viruses.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Nickel contact dermatitis. A ring signal in actual pathology].

Contact dermatitis produced by nickel is extremely common in women by earrings or other items of jewelry which contain nickel. Areas of involvement are under rings, bracelets, watches, spectacle frames, coins in pockets, jeans studs and other sites of direct contact with the metal. The frequency of nickel dermatitis is increasing in the male population and this may be due of body-piercing or professional contact in the field of metallic constructions. The treatment is difficult because of the presence of nickel in so many substances, things or even food. The management of contact dermatitis include the reduction or elimination of the allergen, the use of topical or systemic steroids, oral desensitisation and use of nickel in selected cases.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiology of hepatitis C infection and its public health implications in Puerto Rico.

Hepatitis C infection is the most common chronic blood-borne pathogen in the United States associated with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is the leading reason for liver transplantation. It has been estimated that hepatitis C infection may lead to a substantial health and economic burden over the next 10 to 20 years. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection varies worldwide, with an estimated overall prevalence of 3%. However, the only available data of hepatitis C in the general population of Puerto Rico suggest an elevated prevalence of hepatitis C infection in the municipality of San Juan (6.3%) in comparison with estimates for the adult population residing in the United States (0.9%-3.9%). Much of the inter-region variability in the prevalence of hepatitis C can be attributable to the frequency and extent to which different risk factors have contributed to the transmission of the virus. Established risk factors for infection include injection drug use, transfusion of blood and solid organ transplantation from infected donors prior to July 1992 and blood clotting products before 1987, occupational injury, vertical transmission, sex with an HCV infected partner, and multiple sexual partners. Other potential exposures for infection that have been investigated in epidemiologic studies include history of intranasal cocaine use, sharing of contaminated equipment and personal care items, tattooing, body piercing, imprisonment, acupuncture, and use of contaminated healthcare instruments. The high incidence of AIDS in Puerto Rico and the large prevalence observed in Puerto Rican inmates and in adults residing in the municipality of San Juan indicate that HCV infection is an emerging public health concern. From a public health perspective, potential targets for intervention to decrease the spread of HCV infection, ongoing surveillance, increased clinician awareness of disease reporting systems and the epidemiology and management of hepatitis C, availability of diagnosis and treatment facilities, and recognition of the need for local resources will be of paramount importance to face this silent infection in Puerto Rico.

Hepatitis C↗
PubMed2006

Insertion procedure, aftercare, and soft-tissue reaction of the 2.5-mm titanium tube system for a transcutaneous air conduction hearing aid system.

The term transcutaneous air conduction hearing aid system designates a new category of hearing devices established by the U.S Food and Drug Administration in 2002. The only product included in this category is the RetroX device manufactured by Auric Hearing Systems, Rheine, Germany. This device consists of two components: a titanium tube system for sound conduction and a hearing processor. The component implanted in the soft tissue of the outer ear is the titanium tube system, for which the outer diameter of the central part has recently been reduced. Both the implantation tools and the tube system itself have been optimized over the last few years with regard to shape and function, thus effectively reducing the surgery involved to a kind of "functional body piercing" procedure. As a result of this, the time required for implantation has been minimized, as has the duration and severity of postoperative soft-tissue reaction. Complications may be avoided by correct positioning and proper mounting of the tube system in the outer ear, comprehensive patient counseling, and scheduled aftercare. One key objective is to ensure that the soft-tissue channel in which the titanium tube is implanted heals without any inflammatory reaction.

Device Approval↗
PubMed1996

Ugly Risks of Beauty Routines.

Beauty products and practices may put women at risk for infection. Adverse events range in seriousness from the superficial to the systemic--from conjunctivitis caused by contaminated eye makeup, to fungal infections picked up from the locker room or manicurist, to more troubling soft-tissue infections caused by unsanitary body piercing or tattooing, practices that can also transmit hepatitis B and C.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Fine-needle aspiration cytology in lesions related to ornamental body procedures (skin tattooing, intraoral piercing) and recreational use of drugs (intranasal route).

Body adornment through tattooing and body piercing and the use of recreational drugs are on the increase, producing a variety of secondary lesions, the etiology of which often remains undetected, as the medical community is not yet aware of the extent of the morbidity of such procedures and practices. Three cases are presented, which underscore the problem and also the role that fine-needle aspiration (FNA) can play in clarifying the etiology of such lesions. Two of these cases were lymphadenopathies, one secondary to tattooing and the other to tongue piercing, while the third was a deep intranasal lesion, which in all probability had resulted from intranasal use of recreational drugs. Although the clinical diagnosis of these lesions was problematic, the FNA performed by a pathologist, by associating the cytologic findings with the corresponding clinical setting, was quite indicative of their relation to the aforementioned procedures or practices.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2001

[Piercing and tattooing: from the body to the master piece].

In recent years, new uses of the body have taken place among youths. Body art has become democratic and reaches more and more heterogeneous groups of customers. Considered for a long time as a primitive attribute, tattooing has come out from the 'underground' for an open display. The many uncertainties of our modernity appear to incline young people to knock around their bodies. From circumcision to piercing and tattooing, all these body writings appear as religious, initiatory or community rituals, more in keeping with a primitive law rather than with an individual revolt.

Adolescent↗