Purpose Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major cause of illness worldwide and the most common cause of hospitalization for pneumonia and bronchiolitis. These two diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years of age. Vitamin D is believed to have immunomodulatory effects on the innate and adaptive immune systems by modulating the expression of antimicrobial peptides, like cathelicidin, in response to both viral and bacterial stimuli. The aim of this review is to summarize the more recently published data with regard to potential associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with infectious respiratory tract diseases of childhood and the possible health benefits from vitamin D supplementation. Methods The literature search was conducted by using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, with the following keywords: vitamin D, respiratory tract infection, tuberculosis, influenza, infancy, and childhood. Results Several studies have identified links between inadequate 25(OH)D concentrations and the development of upper or lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. Some of them also suggest that intervention with vitamin D supplements could decrease both child morbidity and mortality from such causes. Conclusions Most studies agree in that decreased vitamin D concentrations are prevalent among most infants and children with RTIs. Also, normal to high-serum 25(OH)D appears to have some beneficial influence on the incidence and severity of some, but not all, types of these infections. However, studies with vitamin D supplementation revealed conflicting results as to whether supplementation may be of benefit, and at what doses.
Consumer health informatics is a part of medical informatics that has as first priority to analyse the interaction between Information Technology (IT) and health consumers. Consumer health informatics applications are designed to interact directly with the customer with or without the essential presence of healthcare. This field of virtual informatics tended to be developed by people other than clinical professions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of best practices and methods for customers' health information and to describe the best interactive visual learning tools for health education. Consumer health informatics is an interdisciplinary field much as other informatics fields. Some disciplines that may find consumer health informatics valuable include public health, nursing, health education and communication sciences. It is important that organisations such as medical universities and governmental agencies to provide trustworthy high-quality health information on internet and work harder and create practical health education tools.
Despite the high prevalence of low back pain(LBP)globally and the large range of health professionals engaged in its management,its sussessful clinical approach still remains elusive(Frymoyer et al., 1983). Rationale,aims,objective:The aim of the study was to highlight the role of history taking in assessing the nature of low back pain and its individual and related clinical issues (Billis et al.2007).This prospective study was based on a longitude survey in an attempt at excluding clinical items(signs,symptoms,aggravating and relieving factors)that seem to correlate with the syndrome of low back pain(Billis et al.2009;Bilis et al.2012).Study design:A survey form called ‘Archimedes ΙΙΙ’ was utilized for the role of history taking in assessing the nature of low back pain and its individual and related clinical issues. This prospective study was based on a longitude survey(Billis et al. 2009;Bilis et al.2012),which proved a reliable and valid tool while the Department of Physiotherapy Technological and Educational Institute of Western Greece took the initiative to perform the project.Methods:The survey form included a history(clinical questions),self-reported questionnaires and clinical tests.Τhe Greek translation of these questionnaires provided reliable and valid instruments for the evaluation of Greek speaking patients with Low Back Pain(Zigmont et al 1983;Boscainos et al.2003). The patient interview begins with a series of questions to determine the specific syndrome. A subsequent physical examination supports or refutes the findings in histor.Τhe study took place in Athens by a licenced physical therapist. Results:The findings revealed that there was a strong positive correlation between age and HAD scale ,p=0.001.In addition,there was a strong negative correlation between age and SF-12 quality of life(QoL)(physical and mental)p=0.020,p=0.017.Finally,a strong positive relation between age and ROM lumbar-flexion p=0.00(Ware J.,1995)Conclusions: Combining information from the history with the findings of the physical examination, the clinician has the ability to rule out a number of potentially grim diagnoses.A clinical perspective capable of recognizing a defined syndrome at first contact will lead to a better outcome.Most patients with low back pain can be treated successfully with simple, pattern-specific, noninvasive primary management.Patients without a pattern and those who do not respond as anticipated require further investigation and specialized care (Powell et al.,2007)
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