Suchergebnisse

AbstractObjectiveDivers with a history of decompression sickness may be at high risk for sleep problems. However, limited studies have investigated the relationship between diving exposure and sleep problems of occupational divers. This study investigated the association between diving exposure and sleep quality and quantity among male occupational divers in southern Taiwan.MethodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional study included 52 occupational divers and 121 non-divers recruited from southern Taiwan in 2018. Survey data were collected using the Taiwanese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and a self-report questionnaire that included demographic variables, diving exposure/protocols, and factors associated with sleep quality.ResultsAmong all participants examined, occupational divers were significantly more likely to have both poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.48–6.06; P = 0.002) and excessive daytime sleepiness (adjusted OR = 4.49; 95% CI = 2.12–9.52; P < 0.001). The diving exposure time, depth, ascent rate, and decompression table use showed no significant associations between poor and good sleepers in the divers group. However, a history of decompression sickness was associated with poor sleep quality among divers (adjusted OR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.07–4.54; P = 0.032).ConclusionsOur results showed that occupational divers had poor sleep quality and more excessive sleepiness than non-divers. Decompression sickness likely contributes to poor sleep quality. Prevention and early detection of decompression sickness-related sleep problems should be an occupational health priority.

Han-Wei Chou,1–3 Wen-Chii Tzeng,4,5 Yu-Ching Chou,6 Hui-Wen Yeh,4,7 Hsin-An Chang,1,5 Yu-Cheng Kao,1,8 Nian-Sheng Tzeng1,5 1Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, 2Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Beitou Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Psychiatry, Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; 4Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Nursing, 5Student Counseling Center, 6School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 7Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Kang-Ning Health Care and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan; 8Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Song-Shan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan Objective: The mental health of military personnel varies as a result of different cultural, political, and administrative factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological morbidity and quality of life of military personnel in Taiwan. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, brief version, Taiwan version, the General Health Questionnaire-12, Chinese version, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in several military units. Results: More than half of the subjects (55.3%) identified themselves as mentally unhealthy on the General Health Questionnaire-12, Chinese version; however, a higher percentage of officers perceived themselves as healthy (57.4%) than did noncommissioned officers (38.5%) or enlisted men (42.2%). Officers also had higher total quality of life (QOL) scores (83.98) than did enlisted men (79.67). Scores on the VAS also varied: officers: 72.5; noncommissioned officers: 67.7; and enlisted men: 66.3. The VAS and QOL were positively correlated with perceived mental health among these military personnel. Conclusion: Our subjects had higher rates of perceiving themselves as mentally unhealthy compared to the general population. Those of higher rank perceived themselves as having better mental health and QOL. Improving mental health could result in a better QOL in the military. The VAS may be a useful tool for the rapid screening of self-reported mental health, which may be suitable in cases of stressful missions, such as in disaster rescue; however, more studies are needed to determine the optimal cut-off point of this measurement tool. Keywords: military, quality of life, general health scale, Taiwan

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Different drug dependencies may have unique genetic vulnerabilities. Changes in serotonin availability and function have been linked to addiction. We investigated whether 2 serotonergic polymorphisms, <i>TPH1 A218C</i> (rs1800532) and <i>5-HTT</i>-linked promoter region <i>(5-HTTLPR)</i> (rs25531), are differently associated with alcohol or opiate dependence. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Alcohol-dependent patients (n = 292), opiate-dependent patients (n = 309), and healthy controls (n = 301) were recruited from the Han Chinese population in Taiwan. Genotypes of <i>TPH1 A218C</i> and <i>5-HTTLPR</i> polymorphisms were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The genotype frequencies of the <i>TPH1 A218C</i> polymorphisms were not significantly different in the 3 groups. The genotype frequencies of the<i> 5-HTTLPR S+</i> (<i>S/S</i>,<i> S/L</i>_<i>G</i>,<i> L</i>_<i>G</i><i>/L</i>_<i>G</i>) polymorphisms were significantly higher in opiate-dependent patients (&#x03C7;² = 8.77, p = 0.01), but not after controlling for the covariates of age, gender, and interaction effect in logistic regression analysis. Moreover, there was a significant interaction between the <i>TPH1 A218C A/C</i> and <i>5-HTTLPR S+</i> gene polymorphisms in opiate-dependent (OR 2.72, p = 0.01), but not in alcohol-dependent patients. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our data suggested that there may be a differential genetic vulnerability in serotonergic genes for alcohol and opiate addiction. However, replications of our findings are still needed.