Six-minute walk test (6MWT) performance is more commonly used in clinic patients with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases but not in home-dwelling individuals of similar age, and its correlations with oxygen uptake (VO2) and muscle strength require further investigation. The current study determined the 6MWT performance of 106 home-dwelling residents (mean age of 62 years) in Suzhou, China. VO2 at a respiratory exchange ratio (R) of 1 was measured through graded cycling exercise tests on 46 participants. Handgrip strength of all participants was tested. 6MWT distance measured 543.4 ± 67.2 m (total work 351.0 ± 62.8 kJ) with similar distances ambulated each minute. Heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of perceived exertion scores significantly increased after 6MWT. VO2 at R = 1 reached 1238 ± 342 mL/min (18.6 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min), whereas handgrip strength totaled 29.8 ± 9.6 kg. 6MWT distance showed strong correlations with VO2 (r = 0.549, p ≤ 0.001) and handgrip strength (r = 0.359, p < 0.001). Aside from providing reference values for 6MWT performance (~543 m, ~559 m in males and ~533 in females) for home-dwelling Chinese residents, our results suggest that as a parameter of exercise endurance, 6MWT performance correlates with both aerobic capacity and muscle fitness.
Background: To elucidate the prevalence of and associated risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients in plateau areas. Methods: We enrolled patients who were hospitalized in three grade III-a hospitals in Qinghai Province, China, between January 2020 and October 2020. The demographic and clinical data and laboratory results were collected at admission. Simultaneously, we performed ultrasonography of the bilateral lower extremities, and the length of hospital stay was collected before discharge. Results: In total, 3432 patients were enrolled; of them, 159 were diagnosed with DVT (4.60%). The total length of hospital stay of patients with DVT was longer than that of those without DVT (16.40 ± 7.66 vs. 14.77 ± 8.55 days). Age of >50 years (OR = 1.969, 95% CI: 1.192–3.252, P = 0.008), residence altitude of ≥3000 m (OR = 2.344, 95% CI: 1.238–4.438, P = 0.009), D-dimer level of ≥0.5 mg/L (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.813–3.529, P < 0.001), comorbidities (OR = 1.906, 95% CI: 1.365–2.662, P < 0.001),history of varicose veins (OR = 2.202, 95% CI: 1.096–4.425, P = 0.027), and current medications (OR = 2.591, 95% CI: 1.857–3.616, P < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for DVT in plateau areas. Conclusion: The prevalence of DVT in hospitalized patients in plateau areas was 4.60%. We recommend considering individualized risk stratification (age > 50 years, residence altitude ≥ 3000 m, history of varicose veins, D-dimer level ≥ 0.5 mg/L, current medications, and comorbidities) for patients at admission.
BACKGROUND Health care workers treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients experience burnout and stress due to overwork and poor working conditions. AIM To investigate the work experiences of frontline health care workers in Wuhan city and Qinghai province, China, during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a self-reported questionnaire was designed to evaluate work experiences of medical staff throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 178 health care workers responded to the questionnaire between February 19 and 29, 2020. Higher questionnaire dimen-sional score confirmed dimensional advantage. RESULTS Of all dimensions evaluated by this questionnaire, the occupational value dimension had the highest mean score of 2.61 (0.59), followed by the support/security dimension score of 2.30 (0.74). Occupational protection scored lowest at 1.44 (0.75), followed by work environment at 1.97 (0.81). The social relationships dimension had an intermediate score of 2.06 (0.80). Significant differences in working conditions were observed across hospital departments, with the fever ward scoring lowest. Total scores also differed significantly across workplaces; the fever outpatient department scored lowest ( P < 0.01). This phenomenon was likely due to the fact that work in the fever outpatient department, where many patients present to hospital, necessitates constant contact with a large number of individuals with insufficient provision of resources (such as protective equipment and social support). Medical workers in the fever outpatient department were burdened with a fear of COVID-19 infection and a lower sense of professional value as compared to workers in other hospital departments. Medical staff in Wuhan worked longer hours ( P < 0.01) as compared to elsewhere. The mean support/security dimension score was higher for tertiary hospital as compared to secondary hospital medical staff as well as for Wuhan area as compared to Qinghai region staff ( P < 0.01). Staff in Wuhan had a lower mean work environment score as compared to staff in Qinghai ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Medical staff treating COVID-19 patients in China report poor occupational experiences strongly affected by work environment, occupational protection and social relationships. Health care managers must address the occupational needs of medical staff by ensuring a supportive and safe work environment.
BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass, which depends on an assessment of muscle strength and muscle mass. The diagnostic definition of sarcopenia varies by region. AIM To determine the optimal diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia in a plateau population. Cut off values for the components of diagnostic algorithms for sarcopenia in plateau populations should consider altitude. METHODS One hundred and fifty subjects aged > 60 years attending a tertiary comprehensive hospital in the city of Xining (elevation: 2260 m) between October and December 2018 were enrolled. Handgrip strength, muscle mass, and physical performance were measured. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria, Beijing criteria, and Lasha criteria. RESULTS Across diagnostic criteria, there were significant differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia in the overall population and stratified by gender. The prevalence of sarcopenia measured by the AWGS 2019 or Lasha criteria was significantly higher in female compared to male subjects. In males, the prevalence of sarcopenia measured by the Beijing criteria was significantly higher in subjects who identified as Han compared to Minority. In females, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia by ethnicity according to any criteria. CONCLUSION The Lasha criteria provided a lower prevalence of sarcopenia (males, 8.7%; females, 22.41%; overall, 14%) and were able to differentiate between males and females. The Lasha criteria are likely most appropriate for detection of sarcopenia in this plateau population. We recommend the Lasha criteria for detection of sarcopenia in Xining.
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