A cross-sectional study for estimation of associations between education level and osteoporosis in a Chinese men sample

Socioeconomic status influences on bone mineral density in American men: findings from NHANES 2011-2020

The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and bone mineral density (BMD) in men remains controversial. We showed that SES was positively associated with BMD in American men. Confounding factors like race/ethnicity and age could affect the association.

INTRODUCTION

Based on the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011-2020, this article aims to investigate the association of SES (poverty income ratio (PIR) and education level) with the BMD in American men.

METHODS

We evaluated the association of SES with BMD in 4446 men aged ≥ 20 years (mean age, 41.0 ± 13.4 years) from the NHANES 2011-2020. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine. We used multivariate linear regression models to examine the relationship between SES and total spine BMD, adjusted for a large range of confounding factors.

RESULTS

Compared with other PIR quarters, individuals in the highest quarter of PIR were more likely to be older and white and had fewer smoking or drinking behaviors. After adjusting for race/ethnicity, age, drinking and smoking behavior, body mass index (BMI), total protein, serum calcium, serum uric acid, cholesterol, serum phosphorus, and blood urea nitrogen, PIR was positively correlated with total spine BMD (β = 0.004 95% CI: 0.001-0.007, P = 0.006). Individuals with the highest degree (college degree or above) had a 0.057 g/cm² greater BMD than that of the lowest degree (less than 9th grade) (β = 0.057 95% CI: 0.037-0.077, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that SES was positively associated with the lumbar BMD among American men. Clinicians, healthcare providers, and policymakers should consider the unequal SES of men when implementing osteoporosis prevention and treatment strategies.

Differential Analysis of Teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) Abilities According to Teaching Stages and Educational Levels

The development of educational informatization imposes new requirements on the cultivation of teachers’ digital competence, which appeals to teachers who aim to optimize their teaching by integrating appropriate Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The requirement of digital competence corresponds to the meaning of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Therefore, the development of teachers’ TPACK abilities can also positively influence the cultivation of their digital competence. The study was to examine the level of teachers’ TPACK abilities, and whether any difference in such abilities would be found according to the different teaching stages and teachers’ educational levels. An online questionnaire was distributed to the target teachers. Data of 1342 participants were analyzed. SPSS was used to conduct the descriptive statistics, and the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test with the post-hoc pairwise comparisons was used to determine teachers’ TPACK ability levels and explore the differences in teachers’ TPACK according to their different teaching stages and educational levels. The results indicated that teachers’ TPACK abilities were at a generally high level. Moreover, significant differences in teachers’ TPACK abilities were found in the teaching stages and educational levels. Teachers with different teaching stages have significant differences in Content Knowledge (CK), Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). However, no difference was found between Technological Knowledge (TK) and Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). In addition, the results suggested that the seven sub-dimensions of TPACK differed significantly according to teachers’ educational levels, where the higher the educational level, the better the teachers’ TPACK abilities. Therefore, teachers should effectively integrate technology and apply appropriate pedagogies according to the teaching content in different teaching stages. A planned and targeted series of ICT application training courses for teachers with lower educational levels would be helpful to improve their self-confidence in using technology to promote their teaching effectiveness.

Non-fermented tea consumption protects against osteoporosis among Chinese male elders using the Taiwan biobank database

Few studies compared the effects of non-fermented and fermented tea among the general population. We aimed to compare the risk of incident osteoporosis (OP) between non-fermented tea and fermented tea drinkers by this retrospective nationwide population-based analysis from the Taiwan Biobank. Participants ≥ 40 years who drink fermented tea (n = 2205) were compared with those who drink non-fermented tea (n = 1034) from 2008 to 2015 with a mean follow-up period of 3.64 years. OP was defined by T-score ≤ − 2.5. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to estimate the risk of developing OP between the two groups. Separate models were used to determine the relationship between tea consumption and OP stratified by sex and age. There was a significant interaction between sex, age, and type of tea consumed. In men aged ≥ 60 years, the risk of developing OP decreased by 79% for those who drank non-fermented tea (hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence level, 0.05–0.94) than those who drank fermented tea. Additionally, those with a family history of OP had a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. This study suggests that male elderly who consume non-fermented tea have a lower risk of OP. Drinking non-fermented tea, such as green tea, could be suggested, especially for those with a family history of osteoporosis.

Effect of androgen on bone metabolism in hyperuricemic rats

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the effect of androgen on bone metabolism in hyperuricemic rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation group, simple hyperuricemic group, hyperuricemic castration group, and simple castration group. A rat model of chronic hyperuricemia was established using potassium oxonate and ethambutol. Blood was sampled from the vena angularis at week 0, 4, 6, 8 and 12 after surgery to detect for uric acid, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase, and investigate the effect of androgen on bone metabolism in hyperuricemic rats.

RESULTS

From the 4^th week, compared with the sham operation group, the differences in uric acid levels between the simple hyperuricemic group and hyperuricemia castration group were statistically significant (p < 0.05), suggesting the successful establishment of the model of hyperuricemia. At the 6^th week, uric acid levels decreased in the two hyperuricemic groups, and the difference from the sham operation group decreased (p = 0.05), showing that the modeling method had deteriorated. At the 8^th week, the differences in uric acid levels between the two castration groups and sham operation group were statistically significant (p < 0.05). At the 12^th week, the differences in serum levels of phosphorus between the simple hyperuricemic group and hyperuricemic castration group were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Androgen can induce bone metabolism changes in rats with hyperuricemia.

Prevalence of primary osteoporosis and low bone mass in postmenopausal women and related risk factors

BACKGROUND

Globally, 30% of female over 50 years old have osteoporosis. This disease is one of the major causes of disability and death in the elderly. This research was aimed to determine the prevalence of primary osteoporosis and low bone density based on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women and its sociodemographic, obstetric, and life style risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed by simple random sampling on 850 postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years covered by all health centers, from August 2018 to April 2019, in Tabriz-Iran. Four hundred and forty-five eligible women underwent densitometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Socio-individual, obstetric-medical, international physical activity questionnaires-short form, and anthropometric questionnaires were completed. Data analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics including multivariate logistic regression in SPSS 21 software.

RESULTS

The prevalence of primary osteoporosis based on lumbar vertebra T-score, femoral neck T-score, and total was 23.4%, 3.4%, and 24.5%, respectively, and the prevalence of primary osteopenia based on lumbar vertebra T-score, femur neck T-score, and total was 42%, 35.5%, and 43.6%, respectively. The present study showed that the odds of osteoporosis increased by increment of age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.30), but it decreased by increasing menopausal age (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85-1.01), body mass index (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.97), arm circumference (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74-0.95), and education level (P = 0.028). It was higher in unmarried women (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 0.99-7.08) and those with nonpersonal housing (OR: 4.02; 95% CI: 1.24-13.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the high prevalence of primary osteoporosis and low bone mass in postmenopausal women, health education is necessary for preventing modifiable risk factors and reducing the complications of this disease.

A Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution Associated with Overweight, Obesity, and Underweight

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations among the nine types of body constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight.

Method

Participants aged 30 to 90 years were recruited from communities in Shanghai and assessed using a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to their demographics, lifestyles, and self-reported medical history. The data of 3748 participants with complete information was available for the analysis. Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to determine the associations among the TCM constitution variables and the health outcomes.

Results

The standards of classification and determination of the constitution in TCM were used to gauge the patients' constitution type. MLR revealed independent and significant associations among the Qi_Deficient and Yang_Deficient groups with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight (P < 0.10 for all). MLR revealed independent and significant associations among the Qi_Deficient and Yang_Deficient groups with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

Our study revealed significant negative correlations between the Qi_Deficient and Yang_Deficient groups with the outcomes of overweight, obesity, and underweight. On the other hand, positive correlations were found between Phlegm_Dampness and the outcomes of overweight and obesity.

Prevalence of osteoporosis and related lifestyle and metabolic factors of postmenopausal women and elderly men: A cross-sectional study in Gansu province, Northwestern of China

The aim of this study was to investigate the osteoporosis prevalence and the risks of postmenopausal women and elderly men in Gansu province.This cross-sectional study involved 3359 postmenopausal women and 3205 elderly males who were randomly selected from 7 areas in Gansu province. Areal bone mineral density (BMD) (g/cm) was measured at the distal one-third radius of the nonstressed forearm using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA: Osteometer MediTech). Factors related to osteoporosis were analyzed.The prevalence of osteoporosis in the entire study population was 9.65% for postmenopausal women and 8.08% for elderly males by WHO criteria, while the rate of osteopenia were 27.09% for postmenopausal women and 26.68% for elderly males. Risk of osteoporosis was significantly associated with age, menopause age, duration of menopause, body mass index (BMI), educational level, and alcohol consumption in postmenopausal women. In elderly men, age, BMI, current smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and sun exposure were associated with osteoporosis. The bone turnover markers osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen (β-CTX) were inversely correlated with BMD in both genders; serum P and 25(OH)D found no significant correlation with BMD. Serum Ca showed a positive effect on BMD in elderly men only.The osteoporosis prevalence of postmenopausal women and the men aged over 60 years in Gansu province is presented. Risk of osteoporosis was significantly associated with age, menopause age, year since menopause, BMI, and educational level in postmenopausal women. In elderly men, age, BMI, and current smoking were associated with osteoporosis. This study also found that higher OC and β-CTX level were associated with lower BMD. Poor 25(OH)D, Ca, P status were not associated with an increased risk of low BMD.

The Analysis of Constitutions of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Relation to Cerebral Infarction in a Chinese Sample

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between the constitutions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and patients with cerebral infarction (CI) in a Chinese sample.

METHODS

A total of 3748 participants with complete data were available for data analysis. All study subjects underwent complete clinical baseline characteristics' evaluation, including a physical examination and response to a structured, nurse-assisted, self-administrated questionnaire. A population of 2010 neutral participants were used as the control group. Multiple variable regression (MLR) were employed to estimate the relationship between constitutions of TCM and the outcome.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the association of body constitution of TCM and CI.

SETTINGS/LOCATION

Communications and healthcare centers in Shanghai.

SUBJECTS

A total of 3748 participants with complete data were available for data analysis.

OUTCOME MEASURES

All study subjects underwent complete clinical baseline characteristics' evaluation, including a physical examination and response to a structured, nurse-assisted, self-administrated questionnaire. A population of 2010 neutral participants were used as the control group. MLR were employed to estimate the relationship between constitutions of TCM and the outcome.

RESULT

The prevalence of CI was 2.84% and 4.66% in neutral participants and yang-deficient participants (p = 0.012), respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between yang deficiency and CI. After adjustment for relevant potential confounding factors, the MLR detected significant associations between yang deficiency and CI (odds ratio = 1.44, p = 0.093).

CONCLUSION

A yang-deficient constitution was significantly and independently associated with CI. A higher prevalence of CI was found in yang-deficient participants as compared with neutral participants.

Analyzing the association between fish consumption and osteoporosis in a sample of Chinese men

BACKGROUND

The main purpose of this study was to estimate the associations between frequency of fish food consumption and osteoporosis (OP) in general Chinese men.

METHODS

We conducted a large-scale, community-based, cross-sectional study to investigate the associations by using self-report questionnaire to access frequency of fish food intake. A total of 1092 men were available for data analysis in this study. Multiple regression models controlling for confounding factors to include frequency of fish food consumption variable were performed to investigate the relationships for OP.

RESULTS

Positive correlations between frequency of fish food consumption and T score were reported (β = 0.084, P value = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the frequency of fish food consumption was significantly associated with OP (P < 0.05 for model 1 and model 2). The men with high frequency of fish food consumption had a lower prevalence of OP.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that frequency of fish food consumption was independently and significantly associated with OP. The prevalence of OP was less frequent in Chinese men preferring fish food habits.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02451397 retrospectively registered 28 May 2015.