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Occlusal schemes and designs of fixed and removable implant prostheses must satisfy requirements for the innocuous vertical loading of root form implants. Parafunctional habits (clenching, bruxing, or engaging) can transmit forces to the supporting bone that may result in destructive lateral stresses and overloading. Most nocturnal parafunctional habits can be ameliorated by acrylic resin nightguards.
OBJECTIVES: We describe the driving habits of adults aged 60 years and older who were interviewed in the context of a community survey focused on mental disturbances. Our goal was to identify clinical cues that might signal driving difficulty in older adults who might present to the primary care physician for health care. DESIGN: A population-based survey. SETTING: Continuing participants in a follow-up study of community-dwelling adults who were living in East Baltimore in 1981. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects were 1920 continuing participants of the Baltimore sample of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program; 589 were aged 60 years and older and provided information on driving habits. MEASUREMENTS: Respondents were asked about their driving status: had they made adaptations to driving and had they experienced any adverse driving events in the 2 years before the interview. Driving behaviors were assessed in relation to chronic disease, sensory impairment, functional status, and mental status. RESULTS: Former drivers were more likely to be older, female, and nonwhite. Diabetes, vision impairment, functional impairment, and making an error on the copy design task of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were associated with no longer driving. Women were more likely to report having made adaptations to driving, as were persons with heart disease, arthritis, vision impairment, and those who made an error on the copy design task of the MMSE. Heart disease and hearing impairment were associated with report of an adverse driving event. In multivariate models that included terms for potentially influential characteristics such as age, gender, and miles driven, only the copy design task was associated with driving status, and only heart disease was associated with driving adaptation and adverse driving events. CONCLUSION: Simple tests that tap visuospatial ability, such as the copy design task of the MMSE, may warrant additional study for use in driving assessment of older adults in primary care. The results underscore the importance of making an inquiry about driving as a separate and independent component of functional assessment.
Foreign citizens today constitute 5% of the Swedish population. While several epidemiological investigations have dealt with dental care habits in the Swedish population, very little is known about the dental care habits of immigrants. This constitutes a factor of uncertainty in the planning of dental care. A random sample of 170 Finnish immigrants, 20-80 years old, in the community of Huddinge was selected. They were summoned to the Faculty Clinics for interview and clinical and radiographic examination. 143 persons appeared for examination. The interview showed that 46.6% of the subjects had never visited a dentist in Sweden though 80% of them intended to remain in Sweden. 19.8% still made more or less regular use of dental services in Finland. The low frequency of utilization of dental services is mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining dental care, lack of knowledge of Swedish, lack of interest and fear of pain. According to the present study Finns in Sweden utilize dental services to a smaller extent than Swedes. The decision of principle adopted by the Swedish parliament in 1968 that immigrants shall be able to live under the same conditions as the Swedes seems not to be fully achieved with regard to the dental care of Finnish immigrants.
The aim of this study (part of the Juvenile Health Habit Study) was to analyze changes in how frequently certain oral hygiene measures are used, namely toothbrushing and dental flossing in 1977-81. A representative sample of Finnish adolescents aged 12, 14, 16 and 18 yr old, were sent a postal questionnaire in February 1977 (n = 3209), another in February 1979 (n = 4953), and a third one in February 1981 (n = 4705). The response rates for the three questionnaires were 88%, 86% and 88%, respectively. During the years studied no systematic changes occurred in the toothbrushing frequency. When the background factors that are highly correlated with toothbrushing frequency (school career or school success of adolescents, householder's occupation and education, place of residence) were studied, no consistent changes were observed from 1977 to 1981. The percentage of adolescents who used dental floss daily did not change. However, the proportion of sporadic users of dental floss increased from 13% in 1979 to 24% in 1981. Dental health education had little effect on toothbrushing habits and its background variables, although the amount of time spent in dental health education during the same period had increased significantly. Programs of dental health education should be evaluated so that the situation can be improved in the future.
Various structural abnormalities that contribute to the perpetuation of myofascial trigger point activity and the pain arising from it, have previously been well documented. In addition, however, there are a number of postural habits that are important to recognise as they may also contribute, as shown in the five cases discussed. These postural habits, which are likely to be carried out both frequently and unconsciously, are adopted during the course of sitting, standing or sleeping. They are entirely independent of any structural abnormalities that may be present. Correcting them is a necessary contribution to treatment, as failure to do so is liable to lead to persistence of the pain.
A study of the relation between smoking habits and lung cancer in male industrial workers over a period of three years has confirmed the earlier findings in doctors that the death-rate from lung cancer correlates closely with the number of cigarettes smoked. Of 54,460 men studied 68.7% were current cigarette smokers. The annual mortality rate from lung cancer was 0.33 per thousand in non-smokers and ex-smokers, and 1.2 per thousand for all cigarette smokers, and higher in heavy smokers.Heavy cigarette smokers who retained the cigarette in the mouth between puffs ("drooping" cigarette habit) had an annual mortality rate of 4.1 per thousand.The mortality from coronary thrombosis in smokers was nearly three times that in non-smokers. A mortality gradient with rising consumption of cigarettes was observed.Some correlation between smoking and cancer of other sites and from non-neoplastic lung disease was observed in older men, but no correlation was found with other cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases.
Damage to the medial-temporal region is known to result in declarative (explicit) memory deficits but nondeclarative (implicit) memory is largely unaffected by such lesions. Earlier studies have shown that some forms of implicit learning depend on cerebellar circuits but remain preserved following affections of the basal ganglia circuits. It is unknown which forms of implicit learning persist in patients with cerebellar pathology but are affected after basal ganglia lesions. Therefore, we determined if a test sensitive for habit-learning (probabilistic classification task) resulted in normal values for patients with cerebellar disease but resulted in affected results in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). To this end, 23 patients with PD, 16 patients with familial or idiopathic cerebellar degeneration (CD), and 20 controls were tested for habit-learning. There was no impairment of patients with CD for the early learning period but there was abnormal learning in the PD group. For a later learning period, the patients with the PD showed improved performance. We conclude that the probabilistic learning task is an implicit, nonmotor learning task which is sensitive for basal ganglia pathology but remains unaffected in the case of cerebellar pathology. Such a test may be of special interest for the detection and possible neurobehavioral treatment of cognitive and motor deficits.
BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder, characterized by reduced bone mass, deterioration of bone structure, increased bone fragility, and increased fracture risk. It is more frequent to find among women than men at a 4:1 ratio. Evidence suggests that to adopt changes on some life habits can prevent or delay development of osteoporosis. Several osteoporosis-risk factors have been confirmed in the US and western Europe, but in El Salvador there are neither reliable epidemiological statistics about this skeletal disorder nor studies addressing osteoporosis-risk factors in women. The aim of this study was to determinate the extent of osteoporosis knowledge, the levels of both daily calcium intake and weight-bearing physical activity, and the influence of several osteoporosis-risk factors on these variables in three age groups of Salvadorean women. METHODS: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, an osteoporosis knowledge assessment questionnaire including a food frequency and a physical activity record section were used to collect data and it was delivered through a face-to-face interview. A convenience sample (n = 197) comprised of three groups of women aged 25-35 years, 36-49 years, and over 49 years was taken. Among-group comparisons of means were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. To determinate the overall influence of osteoporosis-risk factors, the multivariate analysis was used. RESULTS: Study results indicated that better educated women had more knowledge about osteoporosis than women with a low education level, regardless of age, even though this knowledge was rather fair. Older women got more weight-bearing physical activity at home and less at place of employment than reported by the younger women; however, neither group performed sufficient high-intensity WBPA to improve bone mass. Regardless of age, the most women consumed 60% or less than the Dietary Reference Intake of calcium and depend on household income, lactose intolerance and coffee rather than milk consumption. CONCLUSION: In summary, the majority of women in this study have modest knowledge on osteoporosis. The knowledge base is not linked to preventive health habits, including sufficient calcium intake and performance of weight-bearing physical activities. They are thus at increased risk for low bone mass.
BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, there has been heightened interest in injury rates sustained by martial arts athletes, and more specifically, Taekwondo athletes. Despite this interest, there is a paucity of research on pre-competition habits and training of these athletes. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess training characteristics, competition preparation habits, and injury profiles of Taekwondo athletes. METHODS: A retrospective survey of Canadian male and female Taekwondo athletes competing in a national tournament was conducted. Competitors at a Canadian national level tournament were given a comprehensive survey prior to competition. Items on training characteristics, diet, and injuries sustained during training and competition were included. Questionnaires were distributed to 60 athletes. RESULTS: A response rate of 46.7% was achieved. Of those that responded, 54% dieted prior to competition, and 36% dieted and exercised pre-competition. Sixty-four percent of the athletes practised between 4-6 times per week, with 54% practicing 2 hours per session. Lower limb injuries were the most common (46.5%), followed by upper extremity (18%), back (10%), and head (3.6%). The majority of injuries consisted of sprains/strains (45%), followed by contusions, fractures, and concussions. More injuries occurred during training, including 59% of first injuries. CONCLUSION: More research needs to be conducted to further illustrate the need for appropriate regulations on weight cycling and injury prevention.
Exposure of primary school children and their mothers to NO2 was investigated in two schools in the city of Sapporo. One school was located in the city center and another in a suburb of the city. The school children and mothers were requested to put on NO2 filter badges for 24 hours and to record activity during that period. They were also requested to fill out ATS-DLD questionnaires. The surveys were repeated twice, in the summer of 1986 and in the winter 1987, due to possible seasonal variation. Average NO2 exposure levels of both school children and mothers were lower in the summer than the corresponding averages in the winter. The average of the children was lower than that of mothers in both summer and winter. Averages of the children of the city-center school were higher than those of children in the school in the suburb in both summer and winter. These differences were not observed in mothers' averages. To examine the relationship between NO2 exposure levels and maternal daily behavior and habits, the subjects were classified into three clusters by employment status, living area, smoking habits, type of heating appliance, and use of fans during cooking. While average NO2 exposure levels of children were similar among the three clusters, the average of the mothers of the third cluster was the highest among the clusters in either summer or winter. The third cluster was characterized by the highest rate of employment among the clusters, spending less time in their kitchens and not using fans regularly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Glaucoma, an eye disorder that gradually decreases peripheral vision, affects millions of older adults. Consequences of glaucoma can mean changes in the ability to perform familiar tasks, including driving an automobile. We surveyed older drivers with glaucoma and a control comparison group in order to learn more about their driving habits and expectations about driving cessation. Findings indicate that compared to the control group, drivers with glaucoma are significantly more likely to change their driving habits with regard to driving at night (p=0.003), on freeways (p=0.05), and in unfamiliar areas (p=0.01). Drivers with glaucoma were also significantly more likely to report family concern about their driving (p=0.01). However, the drivers with glaucoma did not anticipate that their disease would force them to discontinue driving. Social workers play a pivotal role in coordinating the complex care needs of visually impaired elders. When driving skills are affected, social workers must address transportation, housing as well as quality of life concerns.
A brief survey of eight motor habits, including body-rocking, was administered to two large samples of college undergraduates. A subsample was retested to establish survey reliability and validity. Those indicating engagement in body-rocking were interviewed about their body-rocking. Two psychopathology instruments were administered. The general prevalence of self-described body-rocking was higher than expected, and there were positive correlations among the eight habits. Body-rocking was usually related to negative affect and usually reported to begin during the school years and later. Many individuals said other family members engaged in body-rocking. Psychopathology assessments indicated higher levels of general distress and higher prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in this subsample compared with a group not reporting body-rocking.
One hundred and sixty patients with head and neck carcinomas were followed from one to 15 years to assess the associations between tobacco usage and the development of multiple head and neck cancers. Seventy-three percent had tobacco habits, with nine of ten users smoking cigarettes. In almost one in five patients (18.1%), second primary oral/oropharyngeal cancers developed in a mean time of five years. Those who did not change their original tobacco habits incurred the greatest risk, as a second primary cancer developed in 30%. Reducing or discontinuing smoking appeared to have a beneficial effect. There was also an increased risk for multiple cancers in males, probably because of their larger amount of daily smoking.
AIMS: This study sought to analyse the oral hygiene habits (toothbrushing frequency, use of toothpick and dental floss), of a group of Brazilian adults, in relation to socio-demographic variables. The level of dental plaque and number of teeth with gums bleeding after probing were also investigated. METHODOLOGY: The sample was composed of 234 women and 237 men, from two socioeconomic status. The age range was from 24 to 44 years. Data was collected through structured interviews and clinical examinations. RESULTS: Daily toothbrushing was frequent. The median and mode were three, and it was associated with sex and socio-economic status. The majority of the sample population (67.5%), reported using dental floss and its use was associated with sex and socio-economic status. The use of toothpicks was frequent: 54.6% of the study group used them, and their use was also associated with sex, age and social class. The majority of the sample population had a moderate level of dental plaque (62.6%). The level of dental plaque was associated with social class. A quarter of the subjects did not have teeth with gums bleeding after probing. Bleeding gums were associated with age and social class. CONCLUSION: Oral hygiene habits were considered good for most of the participants of the study. However, improvements, are necessary among men and members of low social class.
Three developmentally normal adolescents with chronic hair pulling were treated with a simplified habit reversal procedure consisting of awareness training, competing response training, and social support. Treatment resulted in an immediate reduction to near-zero levels of hair pulling, with one to three booster sessions required to maintain these levels. The results were maintained from 18 to 27 weeks posttreatment, although 1 participant reported difficulty at follow-up. The effectiveness of simplified habit reversal and suggestions for future research are discussed.
This study investigated the relationship between family reading habits and the academic achievement of 1021 Xhosa-speaking children whose mean age was 15.3 yr. A questionnaire was administered to identify each pupil's family status. Analysis of variance indicated positive and statistically significant main effects for the two variables on a reading habits score.
The present study examined relationships between individual differences in the consideration of future consequences, sleep habits and sleep quality, and academic achievement in a sample of 231 undergraduates, 156 women and 75 men, whose ages ranged from 18 to 41 years (M = 19.0 yr., SD=2.82). Individuals were recruited from two introductory courses and two upper-division courses, one each in the fields of biology and psychology. An 8-page questionnaire was administered to assess variables relating to personality, sleep habits and quality, and grade point average (GPA). Each volunteer was given extra credit in their respective courses for participation. Higher scores on the Consideration of Future Consequences scale were associated with self-reported measures of more regular sleep schedules, greater satisfaction with sleep, a reduced likelihood of oversleeping, and higher grade point averages. Moreover, oversleeping was significantly correlated with both scale scores and GPA.
There are few empirical studies on the issues of psychology graduate students beyond dissertation research. Data from a sample of 65 psychology graduate students were analyzed to explore how stress relates to self-esteem, mood, and daily habits (eating, sleeping, smoking, exercise, and alcohol consumption). The results suggest that sleep patterns, exercise habits, and negative mood were significant correlates and predictors of stress. Findings prompt further investigation of the effects of the stress on psychology graduate students, which might aid in developing interventions leading to increased productivity, satisfaction, and global well-being for both graduate students and faculty.