BackgroundThe measurement of handgrip strength (HGS) has prognostic value with respect to all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular disease, and is an important part of the evaluation of frailty. Published reference ranges for HGS are mostly derived from Caucasian populations in high‐income countries. There is a paucity of information on normative HGS values in non‐Caucasian populations from low‐ or middle‐income countries. The objective of this study was to develop reference HGS ranges for healthy adults from a broad range of ethnicities and socioeconomically diverse geographic regions.MethodsHGS was measured using a Jamar dynamometer in 125,462 healthy adults aged 35‐70 years from 21 countries in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study.ResultsHGS values differed among individuals from different geographic regions. HGS values were highest among those from Europe/North America, lowest among those from South Asia, South East Asia and Africa, and intermediate among those from China, South America, and the Middle East. Reference ranges stratified by geographic region, age, and sex are presented. These ranges varied from a median (25th–75th percentile) 50 kg (43–56 kg) in men <40 years from Europe/North America to 18 kg (14–20 kg) in women >60 years from South East Asia. Reference ranges by ethnicity and body‐mass index are also reported.ConclusionsIndividual HGS measurements should be interpreted using region/ethnic‐specific reference ranges.

In a diverse population, the Kawasaki formula is the most valid and least biased method of estimating 24-h sodium excretion from a single MFU and is suitable for population studies.

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and affecting factors in women with gynecological cancer, in a cross-sectional, descriptive and qualitative design. The study was held during the period between May 1st and June 30th 2013, in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer and the sample size consisted of 230 patients. The collection of data employed Patient Information Forms, Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and In-Depth Interview Forms. In-Depth interviews were conducted with 20 women with SD. The data were evaluated by MannWhitney U, Kruskall-Walls, Multiple Regression and Content Analysis techniques. The average IFSF score of women diagnosed with gynecological cancer was revealed to be 20.36 ± 10.32, and SD was observed in 80 % of these women. According to the collected data, more cases of SD were observed in women who are 50 years of age or older, with low levels of education (primary school), unemployed, married through arrangement, married for more than 30 years, diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and underwent surgical operations (p \ 0.05). At the end of the interviews conducted with these women, it was concluded that body image, sexual role, sexual functions and reproductivity, representing the four major dimensions of sexual health associated with diagnosis and treatment process were adversely affected at a great extent. SD is a common problem in patients with gynecological cancer. In this respect, it is of utmost importance for health professionals to adopt a holistic approach towards the sexual problems of women and initiate multidisciplinary attempts for their solution.

The aim of this study was to gather comprehensive data from three hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey, in order to gain in-depth understanding of the quality of antenatal care in this setting. The Bruce-Jain framework for quality of care was adapted for use in evaluating antenatal care. Methods included examination of hospital records, in-depth interviews, exit questionnaires, and structured observations. The study revealed deficiencies in the quality of antenatal care being delivered at the study hospitals in all six elements of the quality-of-care framework. The technical content of visits varied greatly among the hospitals, and an overuse of technology was accompanied by neglect of some essential components of antenatal care. Although at the private hospital some problems with the technical content of care were identified, client satisfaction was higher there, where the care included good interpersonal relations, information provision, and continuity. Providers at all three hospitals felt constrained by heavy patient loads and a lack of resources. Multifaceted approaches are needed to improve the quality of antenatal care in this setting.

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