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Onofrei LM, Puiu M, Chirita-Emandi A, Serban CL. A comprehensive analysis concerning eating behavior associated with chronic diseases among Romanian community nurses. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1368069. [PMID: 38577280 PMCID: PMC10991806 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1368069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lifestyle factors, including inadequate eating patterns, emerge as a critical determinant of chronic disease. Apart from caring for patients, nurses should also take an active role in monitoring and managing their own health. Understanding the intricate relationship between nurses' eating behavior and managing their own health is crucial for fostering a holistic approach to healthcare, therefore our study aimed to evaluate eating behavior and demographic factors influencing chronic disease prevalence in a sample of community nurses from Romania. Methods Between October-November 2023, 1920 community nurses were invited to answer an online survey, using an advertisement in their professional network. Of them, 788 responded. In the survey, which included a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with 53 food items, the Intuitive Eating Survey 2 (IES-2), and demographic items were used. Results A multivariate model was built for the prediction of the association between eating behavior and other factors associated with chronic diseases. The majority of participants were females (95.1%), with the largest age group falling between 40 and 49.9 years (48.2%). Regarding the EFSA criteria for adequate carbohydrate and fat intake, 20.2% of the group have a high intake of carbohydrates, respectively, 43.4% of the group have a high intake of fat. Analysis of chronic diseases indicated that 24.9% of individuals reported at least one diagnosis by a physician. The presence of chronic disease was associated with a low level of perceived health status, with an OR = 3.388, 95%CI (1.684-6.814), compared to those reporting excellent or very good perceived health status. High stress had an OR = 1.483, 95%CI (1.033-2.129). BMI had an OR = 1.069, 95%CI (1.032-1.108), while low carbohydrate diet score had an OR = 0.956, 95%CI (0.920-0.992). Gender and IES-2 did not significantly contribute to the model, but their effect was controlled. Discussion By unraveling the intricate interplay between nutrition, lifestyle, and health outcomes in this healthcare cohort, our findings contribute valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions and support programs tailored to enhance the well-being of community nurses and, by extension, the patients they support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia-Manuela Onofrei
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Puiu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, part of ERN ITHACA, Timisoara, Timis, Romania
| | - Adela Chirita-Emandi
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, part of ERN ITHACA, Timisoara, Timis, Romania
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, part of ERN ITHACA, Timisoara, Timis, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
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Onofrei L, Serban CL, Chirita-Emandi A, Jeleriu RM, Puiu M. The impact of theory of mind, stress and professional experience on empathy in Romanian community nurses-a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:400. [PMID: 37875900 PMCID: PMC10598942 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01569-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High empathy levels in health professionals represent an important factor in patient satisfaction and compliance, reducing patient anxiety and pain, enhancing diagnostic and clinical results and strengthening patient empowerment. Our purpose was to determine empathy level and to identify which of the socioeconomic status (SES) and psychological factors were able to predict highest empathy levels in a Romanian sample of community nurses. METHODS Community nurses were invited in January-February 2023 to provide an answer to an online survey, using an advertisement in a professional network. 1580 participants voluntarily agreed to take part in this study, with a response rate of 85.8%. The survey included the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and socio-economic status items. A multivariate model for the prediction of belonging to the highest quartile of empathy as opposed to lowest quartile was constructed using SES and psychological variables as factors. RESULTS The mean (SD) empathy level was 49.1 (6.7), with 74.7% of participants over the threshold of high empathy level. In the multivariate analysis, predictors of belonging to the highest quartile of TEQ, as opposed to the lowest quartile were: low self-perceived stress level (OR = 2.098, 95%CI 1.362-3.231), higher experience as a community nurse (OR = 1.561, 95%CI 1.120-2.175) and higher levels of the theory of mind (OR = 1.158, 95%CI 1.118-1.199), when controlling for gender, age, relationship status, presence of children in families, education, and income. CONCLUSIONS Training programs targeting to increase emotional competences, reduce levels of stress and encourage personnel retention have the potential to increase the quality of community nursing in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Onofrei
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sqr, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children "Louis Turcanu" Timisoara, Timis, Romania.
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sqr, 300041, Timișoara, Romania.
| | - Adela Chirita-Emandi
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sqr, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children "Louis Turcanu" Timisoara, Timis, Romania
| | - Roxana Maria Jeleriu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sqr, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Puiu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sqr, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children "Louis Turcanu" Timisoara, Timis, Romania
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Putnoky S, Serban DM, Banu AM, Ursoniu S, Serban CL. Reliability and Validity of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire in Romanian Adults. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010026. [PMID: 36615682 PMCID: PMC9823580 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative emotions and chronic stress trigger abnormal compensatory behaviors known as emotional eating (EE). EE is a well-known mediator for increased body mass index and weight gain. Our aim was to analyze the factor structure and validity and reliability of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) in a sample of 200 Romanian adults with excess weight. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the construct validity. The mindful eating questionnaire (MEQ) was used to test concurrent validity. Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman correlations were used to analyze internal and external reliability. The socio-demographic characteristics were used as factors for convergent validity. PCA revealed the existence of three major factors, disinhibition, type of food, and guilt, which accounted for 64.9% of the variance. Concurrent validity showed medium to large associations with MEQ (r = 0.650; p < 0.001) and a large association with the emotional subscale of MEQ (r = 0.732; p < 0.001). Reliability was adequate with Cronbach’s alfa = 0.841 and ICC = 0.775. In a multivariate model, the highest contribution to the EE score was the age (beta = −0.327), followed by feminine gender (beta = 0.321), high levels of perceived stress (beta = 0.215), BMI (beta = 0.184) and lower perceived health status (beta = 0.184). The Romanian version of the EEQ is a reliable and valid tool for measuring emotional eating in adults with excess weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomeia Putnoky
- Department of Microbiology, Discipline of Hygiene, Centre for Studies in Preventive Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Denis Mihai Serban
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynaecology, Discipline of Obstetrics-Gynaecology II, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40256-204400
| | - Ancuta Mioara Banu
- Department 2, Discipline of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Serban DM, Serban CL, Ursoniu S, Putnoky S, Moleriu RD, Putnoky S. Mindful Eating Questionnaire: Validation and Reliability in Romanian Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:10517. [PMID: 36078231 PMCID: PMC9518582 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mindful eating may play an important role in long-term weight maintenance. In interventions aiming at weight reduction, increasing the levels of mindful eating was associated with higher levels of success and lower levels of weight rebound in the long run. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a mindful eating questionnaire for Romanian adults using Framson's Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ). To calculate the internal (n = 495) and external (n = 45) reliability, a general population sample was taken. Construct validity was assessed using the "known groups" method: dietitians (n = 70), sports professionals (n = 52), and individuals with overweight and obesity (n = 200). Convergent validity tested the association between the MEQ score and demographic characteristics of the total sample (n = 617). The internal (0.72) and external (0.83) reliability were adequate. Dietitians and sports professionals had overall lower scores, meaning more mindful eating compared to the group of individuals with overweight and obesity. The lower mindful eating practice was associated with the presence of excess weight, suboptimal health status perception, higher levels of stress and younger age. The Romanian version of the MEQ is a reliable and valid tool for measuring mindfulness of eating in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Mihai Serban
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Department of Functional Sciences, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Sandra Putnoky
- Psychiatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 300425 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Radu Dumitru Moleriu
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Salomeia Putnoky
- Department of Microbiology, Centre for Studies in Preventive Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Ursoniu S, Serban CL, Giurgi-Oncu C, Rivis IA, Bucur A, Papava I, Bredicean AC. Validation of the Romanian Version of the Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF) Among Undergraduate Medical Students. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:1195-1205. [PMID: 35734548 PMCID: PMC9207124 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s368476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Internet addiction is a recently recognized condition that has been linked to decreased academic performance, clinical symptoms of depression or anxiety, alongside decreased empathy levels. This study examined the validity and reliability of "the Social Media Addiction Scale - Student Form (SMAS-SF)". PATIENTS AND METHODS The final Romanian version of the questionnaire was tested in a focus group for the understandability of each question. For confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, a sample of 649 students was recruited. A subsample of 67 undergraduate students was used to measure reliability by Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS A 2-step confirmatory factor analysis was used and 4 factors emerged, similar to the original questionnaire: virtual tolerance, virtual problems, virtual information, and virtual communication, showing acceptable levels of fit. The structural equation modeling measured the structural relationship between measured variables and latent constructs and acknowledged that the 4-factor model had satisfactory levels for comparative fit index (0.916) and Tucker-Lewis index (0.897), root mean square error of approximation (0.062, with 95% CI between 0.055-0.069), and standardized root mean square residual (0.053). Values of Cronbach's alpha = 0.817 and ICC = 0.829 for the overall 16 item questionnaire were acceptable. CONCLUSION The Romanian version of the SMAS-SF is a reliable and valid tool to measure social media addiction among undergraduate medical students that may be further used in subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Catalina Giurgi-Oncu
- Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana-Alexandra Rivis
- Department of Neuroscience, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adina Bucur
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ion Papava
- Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ana-Cristina Bredicean
- Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Psychiatry Compartment, "Dr. Victor Popescu" Emergency Military Clinical Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
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Ursoniu S, Serban CL, Giurgi-Oncu C, Rivis IA, Bucur A, Bredicean AC, Papava I. Validation of the Romanian Version of the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) among Undergraduate Medical Students. IJERPH 2021; 18:ijerph182412871. [PMID: 34948481 PMCID: PMC8701033 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medical professionals require adequate abilities to identify others’ emotions and express personal emotions. We aimed to determine the validity and reliability of an empathy measuring tool in medical students for this study. We employed Spreng’s Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) as a starting point for this validation. The process was performed in several steps, including an English-Romanian-English translation and a focus group meeting to establish each question’s degree of understandability and usability, with minor improvements of wording in each step. We checked internal and external consistency in a pilot group (n = 67). For construct and convergent validity, we used a sample of 649 students. The overall internal and external reliability performed well, with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.727 and respective ICC = 0.776. The principal component analysis resulted in 3 components: prosocial helping behavior, inappropriate sensitivity, dismissive attitude. Component 1 includes positively worded questions, and components 2 and 3 include negatively worded questions. Women had significantly higher scores than men in convergent validity, but we did not highlight any differences for other demographic factors. The Romanian version of the TEQ is a reliable and valid tool to measure empathy among undergraduate medical students that may be further used in subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (S.U.); (C.L.S.)
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (S.U.); (C.L.S.)
| | - Catalina Giurgi-Oncu
- Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (C.G.-O.); (A.-C.B.); (I.P.)
| | - Ioana Alexandra Rivis
- Department of Neuroscience, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Adina Bucur
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (S.U.); (C.L.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-723-786442
| | - Ana-Cristina Bredicean
- Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (C.G.-O.); (A.-C.B.); (I.P.)
- Psychiatry Compartment, “Dr. Victor Popescu” Emergency Military Clinical Hospital, 300080 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ion Papava
- Department of Neuroscience, Discipline of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Research in Neuropsychiatric Pathology (NeuroPsy-Cog), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (C.G.-O.); (A.-C.B.); (I.P.)
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Serban CL, Putnoky S, Ek A, Eli K, Nowicka P, Chirita-Emandi A. Making Childhood Obesity a Priority: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on Facilitating Communication and Improving Treatment. Front Public Health 2021; 9:652491. [PMID: 34336760 PMCID: PMC8321411 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.652491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In Romania, one in four children has excess weight. Because childhood obesity is a sensitive topic, many healthcare professionals find it difficult to discuss children's excess weight with parents. This study aims to identify barriers and facilitators in childhood obesity-related communication, as perceived by healthcare professionals in Romania. As part of the STOP project, healthcare professionals (family physicians, pediatricians, and dieticians) who treat children with excess weight were invited to a telephone interview. The semi-structured questions were translated from a questionnaire previously used at the Swedish study site of the STOP project. Interviews were transcribed and then used for thematic analysis. Fifteen doctors and three dieticians (16 females and 2 males), with average 18.2 ± 10.1 years of experience, were interviewed. Four main themes were identified. Professionals reported that when children began experiencing obesity-related stigma or comorbidities, this became the tipping point of weight excess, where parents felt motivated to begin treatment. Barriers in communication were part of several layers of distrust, recognized as tension between professionals and caregivers due to conflicting beliefs about excess weight, as well as lack of trust in medical studies. Most respondents felt confident using models of good practice, consisting of a gentle approach and patient-centered care. Nonetheless, professionals noted systemic barriers due to a referral system and allocation of clinical time that hinder obesity treatment. They suggested that lack of specialized centers and inadequate education of healthcare professional conveys the system does not prioritize obesity treatment and prevention. The interviewed Romanian doctors and dieticians identified patient-centered care as key to treating children with obesity and building trust with their caregivers. However their efforts are hindered by healthcare system barriers, including the lack of specialized centers, training, and a referral system. The findings therefore suggest that, to improve childhood obesity prevention and treatment, systemic barriers should be addressed. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03800823; 11 Jan 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Functional Sciences Department, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Salomeia Putnoky
- Microbiology Department, Centre for Studies in Preventive Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Anna Ek
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Eli
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.,School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paulina Nowicka
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Food Studies, Nutrition, and Dietetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adela Chirita-Emandi
- Department of Microscopic Morphology Genetics Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania.,Regional Center of Medical Genetics, "Louis Turcanu" Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, Timişoara, Romania
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Serban CL, Banu AM, Putnoky S, Butica SI, Niculescu MD, Putnoky S. Relative Validation of a Four Weeks Retrospective Food Frequency Questionnaire versus 7-Day Paper-Based Food Records in Estimating the Intake of Energy and Nutrients in Adults. NDS 2021. [DOI: 10.2147/nds.s310260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Borsi E, Serban CL, Potre C, Potre O, Putnoky S, Samfireag M, Tudor R, Ionita I, Ionita H. High Carbohydrate Diet Is Associated with Severe Clinical Indicators, but Not with Nutrition Knowledge Score in Patients with Multiple Myeloma. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18105444. [PMID: 34069672 PMCID: PMC8161065 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although the survival rate of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma has doubled over the last few decades, due to the introduction of new therapeutic lines and improvement of care, other potential contributors to the therapeutic response/relapse of disease, such as nutrient intake, along with nutrition knowledge, have not been assessed during the course of the disease. The purpose of this research was to assess nutrition knowledge and diet quality in a group of patients with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Anthropometric, clinical and biological assessments and skeletal survey evaluations, along with the assessment of nutritional intake and general nutrition knowledge, were performed on 61 patients with a current diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A low carbohydrate diet score was computed, classified in tertiles, and used as a factor in the analysis. Patients in tertiles indicative of high carbohydrate or low carbohydrate intake showed significant alteration of clinical parameters, such as hemoglobin, uric acid, albumin, total proteins, beta-2 microglobulin, percentage of plasmacytes in the bone marrow and D-dimers, compared to patients in the medium carbohydrate intake tertile. Nutrition knowledge was not associated with clinical indicators of disease status, nor with patterns of nutrient intake. Better knowledge of food types and nutritional value of foods, along with personalized nutritional advice, could encourage patients with MM to make healthier decisions that might extend survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ema Borsi
- Discipline of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania; (E.B.); (C.P.); (O.P.); (I.I.); (H.I.)
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Department of Functional Science, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.L.S.); (S.P.); Tel.: +40-770-198-363 (C.L.S.)
| | - Cristina Potre
- Discipline of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania; (E.B.); (C.P.); (O.P.); (I.I.); (H.I.)
- Hematology Clinic, Timisoara’s Emergency City Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu Potre
- Discipline of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania; (E.B.); (C.P.); (O.P.); (I.I.); (H.I.)
- Hematology Clinic, Timisoara’s Emergency City Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
| | - Salomeia Putnoky
- Department of Microbiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
- Correspondence: (C.L.S.); (S.P.); Tel.: +40-770-198-363 (C.L.S.)
| | - Miruna Samfireag
- Hematology Clinic, Timisoara’s Emergency City Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Discipline of Clinical Practical Skills, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania
| | - Raluca Tudor
- Department of Neurology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
| | - Ioana Ionita
- Discipline of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania; (E.B.); (C.P.); (O.P.); (I.I.); (H.I.)
- Hematology Clinic, Timisoara’s Emergency City Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
| | - Hortensia Ionita
- Discipline of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania; (E.B.); (C.P.); (O.P.); (I.I.); (H.I.)
- Hematology Clinic, Timisoara’s Emergency City Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Timis County, Romania;
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Pleava R, Mihaicuta S, Serban CL, Ardelean C, Marincu I, Gaita D, Frent S. Long-Term Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy on Obesity and Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Resistant Hypertension-An Observational Study. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092802. [PMID: 32872644 PMCID: PMC7564990 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to investigate whether long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and resistant hypertension (RHTN) could attenuate the cardiovascular disease risk by lowering their body-mass index (BMI). METHODS This was a long-term observational study of RHTN patients diagnosed with OSA. Patients were evaluated with polysomnography initially and after a mean follow-up period of four years. The patients were divided into two groups based on their compliance to CPAP therapy. RESULTS 33 patients (aged 54.67 ± 7.5, 18 men, 54.5%) were included in the study, of which 12 were compliant to CPAP therapy. A significant reduction in BMI at follow-up was noted in patients compliant to CPAP therapy (1.4 ± 3.5 vs. -1.6 ± 2.5, p = 0.006). We also noted a large effect size reduction in abdominal circumference at follow-up in the CPAP group. At follow-up evaluation, the mean heart rate (b/min) was lower in the CPAP group (58.6 ± 9.5 vs. 67.8 ± 7.8), while arrhythmia prevalence increased between initial (28.6%) and follow-up (42.9%) evaluation with an intermediate effect size in non-compliant patients. CONCLUSIONS In our cohort of OSA patients with RHTN, long-term adherence to CPAP therapy was associated with weight loss and improvement in cardiac rhythm outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Pleava
- Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (R.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Stefan Mihaicuta
- Department of Pulmonology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Cardioprevent Foundation, 300298 Timisoara, Romania;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-744-867-743
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Department of Functional Sciences, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | | | - Iosif Marincu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Dan Gaita
- Department of Cardiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (R.P.); (D.G.)
- Cardioprevent Foundation, 300298 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Stefan Frent
- Department of Pulmonology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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Chirita-Emandi A, Serban CL, Paul C, Andreescu N, Velea I, Mihailescu A, Serafim V, Tiugan DA, Tutac P, Zimbru C, Puiu M, Niculescu MD. CHDH-PNPLA3 Gene-Gene Interactions Predict Insulin Resistance in Children with Obesity. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2020; 13:4483-4494. [PMID: 33239899 PMCID: PMC7682614 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s277268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Insulin resistance plays a major role in metabolic syndrome and is recognized as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Identifying predictors for insulin resistance could optimize screening and prevention. PURPOSE To evaluate the contribution of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms across genes related to NAFLD and choline metabolism, in predicting insulin resistance in children with obesity. METHODS One hundred fifty-three children with obesity (73 girls), aged 7-18 years, were evaluated within the NutriGen Study (ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT02837367). Insulin resistance was defined by Homeostatic Model Assessment for insulin-resistance cut-offs that accommodated pubertal and gender differences. Anthropometric, metabolic, intake-related variables, and 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms related to NAFLD and choline metabolism were evaluated. Gene-gene interaction effects were assessed using Multiple Data Reduction Software. RESULTS Sixty percent (93/153) of participants showed insulin resistance (58.7% of boys, 63% of girls). Children with insulin resistance presented significantly higher values for standardized body mass index, triglycerides, transaminases and plasma choline when compared to those without insulin resistance. Out of 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms analysed, the interaction between genotypes CHDH(rs12676) and PNPLA3(rs738409) predicted insulin resistance. The model presented a 6/10 cross-validation consistency and 0.58 testing accuracy. Plasma choline levels and alanine aminotransferase modulated the gene interaction effect, significantly improving the model. CONCLUSION The interaction between genotypes in CHDH and PNPLA3 genes, modulated by choline and alanine aminotransferase levels, predicted insulin-resistance status in children with obesity. If replicated in larger cohorts, these findings could help identify metabolic risk in children with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Chirita-Emandi
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Costela Lacrimioara Serban
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Paul
- Pediatrics Department – Pediatrics Discipline II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, Clinic II Pediatrics, “Pius Branzeu” Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Nicoleta Andreescu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: Nicoleta Andreescu Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania Email
| | - Iulian Velea
- Pediatrics Department – Pediatrics Discipline II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, Clinic II Pediatrics, “Pius Branzeu” Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mihailescu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Vlad Serafim
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- The National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Diana-Andreea Tiugan
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Paul Tutac
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristian Zimbru
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Automation and Applied Informatics, Politehnica University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Puiu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mihai Dinu Niculescu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania
- Advanced Nutrigenomics, Cary, NC27511, USA
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