The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes in past decades has aroused public health concern. This study aims to review the literature on the prevalence of e-cigarette use among the general adult and young populations in Europe. We searched Medline and Google Scholar from September 2019, and included “prevalence of e-cigarettes”, “electronic cigarettes” or “e-cigarettes”, and “electronic nicotine delivery system” or “vaping”. The prevalence of current e-cigarette use ranged from 0.2% to 27%, ever-use ranged from 5.5% to 56.6% and daily use ranged from 1% to 2.9%. Current smokers of conventional cigarettes showed the highest prevalence for the use of e-cigarettes, ranging from 20.4% to 83.1%, followed by ex-smokers, with ranges from 7% to 15%. The following socio-demographic factors were associated with a higher chance of using e-cigarettes: male sex and younger age groups; results for economic status were inconclusive. In European countries, there is a higher prevalence of e-cigarette use among males, adolescents and young adults, smokers of conventional cigarettes, and former smokers.

Kidney transplantation (KTx) in end-stage renal disease is associated with a significant increase in quality of life (QoL) and self-perceived health, optimally leading to the maintenance of employment or return to work (RTW) in working-age patients. The aim of this study was to assess individual factors including the QoL and mental health of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) associated with employment after transplantation. A cross-sectional study including working-age patients with a history of KTx after 2012 was conducted at two Austrian study centers (Vienna and Graz). Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) and Workability Index (WAI) were assessed along with detailed questionnaires on employment status. Out of n = 139 KTRs (43.2 ± 9.07 years; 57.6% male), 72 (51.8%) were employed. Employed patients were more frequently in a partnership (p = 0.018) and had higher education levels (p = 0.01) and QoL scores (<0.001). Unemployed KTRs reported fatigue and mental health issues more often (p < 0.001), and had significantly higher anxiety, depression and somatization scores (BSI-18). In unadjusted logistical regression, workability score (WAS; odds ratio (OR) = 3.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.97–5.82; p < 0.001), partnership (OR = 5.47; 95% CI 1.43–20.91; p = 0.013) and no psychological counseling after KTx (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.003–0.969; p = 0.048) were independently associated with employment. Self-assessed mental health, workability and QoL were significantly associated with employment status after KTx. Thus, in order to facilitate RTW after KTx in Austria, vocational rehabilitation and RTW programs addressing KTRs should focus on increasing social support and care for their mental health.

Background. The postural stability is a major factor that helps prevent developing knee osteoarthritis with aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Baduanjin qigong on postural control and physical function in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Methods. Fifty-six individuals over 60 years of age with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 28) or a control group (n = 28). Participants in the experimental group received a 12-week Baduanjin training, while those in the control group did not receive any additional physical exercise during the study period. The postural control was quantified by perimeter and ellipse area of center of pressure movement trajectory. The assessments were conducted three times (baseline, week 8, and week 12). Results. The perimeter and ellipse area with both open- and closed-eyes conditions and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function were significantly improved at week eight in the experimental group (p<0.005). The ellipse area with open-eyes condition, WOMAC index, and stiffness and physical function domains were significantly decreased after the 12 weeks of Baduanjin training compared to the control group (p<0.005). Only the perimeter area with both open- and closed-eyes conditions was not statistically significant at week 12 in the intervention group (p>0.005). Conclusions. Baduanjin is an effective and adjuvant therapy for older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Regular Baduanjin training can improve postural control and WOMAC function of old individuals with knee osteoarthritis. More advanced techniques and biopsychological measurements are required for further understanding of Baduanjin exercise in this population. The trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-16010042).

Objective: Healthcare providers are encouraged to prescribe lifestyle modifications for preventing and managing obesity and associated chronic conditions. However, the pattern of lifestyle advice provision is unknown. We investigate the prevalence of advised lifestyle modification according to weight status and chronic conditions in a US nationally representative sample.Methods: Adults 20-64 years (n=11,467) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Study between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed, with weight status, and chronic conditions (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus). Lifestyle modification advice by healthcare providers included increase physical activity/exercise, reduce dietary fat/calories, control/lose weight, and all of above.Results: High blood pressure (32.7%) and cholesterol (29.3%) were highly prevalent compared to osteoarthritis (7.4%), type 2 diabetes (5.7%) and coronary heart disease (3.7%). Those with type 2 diabetes received considerably frequent advice (56.5%; 95%CI: 52.4%-60.6%) than those with high blood pressure (31.4%; 95%CI:29.3%-33.6%) and cholesterol (27.0%; 95%CI:24.9%-29.3%). Prevalence of lifestyle advice exhibited substantial increases with graded BMI and comorbidity (all P<0.001). After adjusting for comorbid conditions, advice were more commonly reported among women, those overweight/obese, non-white, or insured. Remarkably low proportion of overweight (21.4: 95%CI: 18.7-24.3%) and obese (44.2%;95%CI:41.0%-47.4%) adults free of chronic conditions reported receiving any lifestyle advice.Conclusions: Prevalence of lifestyle modification advised by healthcare providers is generally low among US adults with chronic conditions, and worryingly low among those without chronic conditions however overweight or obese. Prescribed lifestyle modification is a missing opportunity in implementing sustainably strategies reducing chronic condition burden.