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Thursday, August 18, 2022

Stickers and a smartphone for easy nitrite detection on foods

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Nitrates and nitrites give processed meats their characteristic pink color and robust flavor. Although many consumers want to limit consumption of these preservatives because the substances can form potentially cancer-causing compounds, knowing how much is in a food has been difficult to determine. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a color-changing film that consumers can stick onto foods and easily analyze nitrite levels by snapping a picture with a smartphone.

Cured and processed meats, such as salami and bacon, are often treated with nitrite or nitrate salts to keep them looking and tasting fresh. Though nitrate is relatively stable, it can be converted to the more reactive nitrite ion in the body. When in the acidic environment of the stomach or under the high heat of a frying pan, nitrite can undergo a reaction to form nitrosamines, which have been linked to the development of various cancers. Some methods to determine nitrite levels in foods already exist, but they are not very consumer-friendly and often require expensive and laborious techniques and instruments. To help consumers make more informed decisions, Saúl Vallejos, José M. García and colleagues wanted to develop an easy-to-use nitrite quantification system.

To accomplish this, the researchers developed a film they called “POLYSEN,” which stands for “polymeric sensor,” made of four monomers and hydrochloric acid. Disks punched from the material were placed on meat samples for 15 minutes, allowing the monomer units and acid in the film to react with nitrite in a four-step azo coupling reaction. The disks were then removed and dipped in a sodium hydroxide solution for one minute to develop the color. When nitrite was present, the film’s yellowish hue deepened with higher nitrite levels in the food. To quantitate the color change, the researchers created a smartphone app that self-calibrates when a chart of reference disks is photographed in the same image as the sample disks.

The team tested the film on meats they prepared and treated with nitrite, in addition to store-bought meats, and found that the POLYSEN-based method produced results similar to those obtained with a traditional and more complex nitrite detection method. In addition, POLYSEN complied with a European regulation for migration of substances from the film to the food. The researchers say the new approach could be a user-friendly and inexpensive way for consumers to determine nitrite levels in foods.

The authors acknowledge funding from La Caixa Foundation and the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación. They also acknowledge the support and collaboration of the company Inforapps.

The paper’s abstract will be available on Aug. 3, 2022, at 8 a.m. Eastern time here: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.2c09467.

For more of the latest research news, register for our upcoming meeting, ACS Fall 2022. Journalists and public information officers are encouraged to apply for complimentary press registration by completing this form.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

JOURNAL

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Ditching the toothbrush for whiter teeth, fewer cavities (video)

Peer-Reviewed Publication

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Ditching the toothbrush for whiter teeth, fewer cavities — IMAGE: A NEW HYDROGEL TREATMENT BREAKS APART CAVITY-FORMING BIOFILMS AND WHITENS TEETH WITHOUT DAMAGING ENAMEL. view more
CREDIT: AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

The first thing people notice when they meet you is your smile. To be more confident when giving wide-mouthed, eye-crinkling smiles, people want healthy, pearly white teeth. But toothpastes only remove surface stains, and whitening treatments can harm enamel, leading to cavities and discoloration. Now, researchers in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces report a new hydrogel treatment that breaks apart cavity-forming biofilms and whitens teeth without damaging them. Watch a video of the treatment here.

Daily toothbrushing and flossing are good ways to prevent cavities from forming, according to the American Dental Association. However, these methods don’t effectively whiten teeth. For better whitening, consumers often turn to over-the-counter or professional treatments that combine hydrogen peroxide-containing gels and blue light, producing a chemical reaction that removes stains. This combination removes most of the discoloration, but generates reactive oxygen species that can break down enamel. Previously, Xiaolei Wang, Lan Liao and colleagues modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles for a less destructive tooth-whitening treatment. This method still required high-intensity blue light, which can damage nearby skin and eyes. So, the team wanted to find a material that would be activated by green light — a safer alternative — to both whiten teeth and prevent cavities.

The researchers combined bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles and sodium alginate into a thick mixture. Then, they evenly coated the mixture onto the surface of teeth stuck to a slide and sprayed the concoction with a calcium chloride solution, forming a strongly adhering hydrogel. Next, the team tested the material on teeth that were stained with coffee, tea, blueberry juice and soy sauce and placed in a lab dish. Following treatment with the hydrogel and green light, the teeth got brighter over time, and there was no damage to the enamel. In another set of experiments, the team showed that the treatment killed 94% of bacteria in biofilms. To demonstrate that the treatment could work on teeth in vivo, the team used the new method on mice whose mouths were inoculated with cavity-forming bacteria. The green-light activated hydrogel effectively prevented moderate and deep cavities from forming on the surface of the animals’ teeth. The researchers say their safe, brush-free treatment both effectively prevents cavities and whitens teeth.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Youth Project of Jiangxi Province, Key Research and Development Program of Jiangxi Province, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province and the Graduate Innovation Special Fund Project of Jiangxi Province.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

JOURNAL

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

DOI

10.1021/acsami.2c00887

ARTICLE TITLE

Fast cross-linked hydrogel as a green light-activated photocatalyst for localized biofilm disruption and brush-free tooth whitening

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

Daily cannabis users less likely to view heavy cigarette smoking as dangerous

Peer-Reviewed Publication

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S MAILMAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

A growing number of Americans are using cannabis as it becomes legalized for recreational adult use in a rapidly increasing number of U.S. states. Questions abound about what impact legalization will have on adult and youth health.

In a new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, findings show that increased cigarette use is one possibility. While cigarette use has been declining for decades in the U.S., the study finds that adults who use cannabis daily do not perceive smoking a pack a day as being as harmful as those who do not use cannabis in the U.S. The findings are published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

“In the context of recent findings that perception of risk plays a key role in predicting substance use, and that perception of risk associated with cannabis use has declined steadily along with legalization, these findings were somewhat of a surprise,” said Renee D Goodwin, PhD, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public and professor of Epidemiology at The City University of New York of New York, and lead author.

The researchers used data from adults age 18 and older in the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a representative survey of U.S. individuals. Participants’ responses to a question about how much people risk harming themselves physically and in other ways by smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day were compared between those who use cannabis daily and those who did not use cannabis in the past year; 62 percent of adults who use cannabis daily perceived pack a day cigarette use to be of “great” risk to health, compared with 73 percent of those who did not use cannabis in the past year.

“Tobacco control has done a tremendous job in public education on the physical health risks associated with tobacco use, and cigarette smoking in particular, over the past several decades,” noted Goodwin. Her prior work shows that cigarette use, however, is much more common among those who use cannabis and that cannabis legalization may contribute to observed increases in cannabis use and cannabis-cigarette co-use among adults. “We wondered why that might be. Our findings suggest that diminished risk perception of pack a day cigarette use might be one contributing factor.”

At a recent Suffolk County Legislature Public Hearing on Introductory Resolution 1417 A Local law to Regulate the Packaging of Cannabis (Marijuana) Products to Dissuade its Appeal to Children, Goodwin discussed her work and, in particular, that of Canadian colleagues. The resolution, proposed by Legislator Kara Hahn, aims to ban cannabis packaging that appeals to children in Suffolk County, New York (NY01). Findings from Canada, which made cannabis legal federally show increases in adult cannabis use but as of the most recent study in 2022, no significant increases in cannabis use among adolescents. “Data from Canada suggests that plain packaging is one measure that can maximize the safe and effective rollout of cannabis legalization that ensures and protects the health, safety and wellbeing of all members of our community,” Goodwin said.

“Enacting legislation on the local and state level that reduces the appeal of cannabis products to youth vis-a-vis prohibiting product packaging that mimics foods and candies that are traditionally marketed to children (e.g., pop-tarts, Oreos) may reduce potential unintended harms to the most vulnerable members of our community via accidental ingestion/poisonings, which have exploded in number in recent years in the U.S., with child and adolescent intentional use of these products,” Goodwin suggests.

Co-authors are Meng Xi, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health; and Keely Cheslack-Postava, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Columbia Mailman School is the fourth largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its nearly 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change and health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with more than 1,300 graduate students from 55 nations pursuing a variety of master’s and doctoral degree programs. The Columbia Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers, including ICAP and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit www.mailman.columbia.edu.

JOURNAL

Nicotine & Tobacco Research

DOI

10.1093/ntr/ntac177

Physical activity affects boys and girls differently

Being physically active has major health benefits. But physical activity affects boys and girls differently

Peer-Reviewed Publication

NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Being physically active has major health benefits. But the physical activity affects boys and girls differently. New research has examined the relationship between body fat and physical activity in children.

“We looked at the connection between objectively measured physical activity and the proportion of body fat in girls and boys,” says Silje Steinsbekk, a professor at NTNU’s (the Norwegian University of Science and Technology) Department of Psychology.

The researchers measured participants’ body composition rather than their weight and height. They posed such questions as:

Does increased physical activity lead to a lower percentage of body fat over time? Or is it perhaps the other way around, that people who gain more body fat over time become less physically active?

Body fat and physical activity in girls are unrelated

The researchers examined the children every two years from the age of 6 until they were 14 years old. They found that the level of activity affects the sexes differently.

“In girls, we found no connection between their physical activity and amount of body fat. Increased physical activity didn’t lead to less body fat in the girls, and body fat had no effect on changes in their physical activity,” says Tonje Zahl-Thanem, a former research fellow and first author of the article.

But for boys, it's different. The amount of body fat influences their physical activity.

More body fat in boys results in less physical activity

“Increased body fat in boys led to less physical activity two years later, when they were 8, 10 and 12 years old,” says Zahl-Thanem.

With one exception, increased physical activity had no effect on changes in body fat.

“We found that boys who are more physically active when they’re 12 years old have a lower proportion of body fat when they’re 14. This wasn’t the case at an earlier developmental stage,” Steinsbekk says.

Several possible reasons for differences between the sexes

The study did not investigate the reasons for these differences, but the researchers point out that large bodies are heavier and require more exertion when exercising, which may explain why boys whose body fat increases become less active over time. But why isn’t this the case for girls?

“Here we can only speculate, but boys are generally more physically active than girls, so when boys reduce their activity level, the physical impact is greater,” Steinsbekk says.

We also know that children with large bodies are less satisfied with their bodies, and body dissatisfaction is associated with less physical activity in boys, but not in girls.

“Boys’ physical activity is probably even more competitively oriented than girls', and more body fat makes it more difficult to succeed. Both of these conditions can help explain why increased body fat leads to less physical activity in boys, but not girls,” says Lars Wichstrøm, a professor in NTNU’s Department of Psychology and also co-author of the study.

It could also be that girls are more likely to maintain physical activity when their proportion of body fat increases, because more attention is paid to girls' bodies and appearance.

Body fat affects sedentary activity in boys

The researchers also examined the link between inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle and body fat. In the same way that they objectively measured physical activity, they also measured how long the participants were sedentary during the day.

“The results show that boys who had an increase in the proportion of body fat had a corresponding increase in sedentary activity two years later. This carried through all the age groups studied, from the age of 6 through age 14.

In other words, boys whose proportion of body fat increases become more sedentary.

For the girls, however, there was no link here either. The percentage of body fat did not affect their level of inactivity over time, and they did not become less active by gaining more body fat.

“In sum, we found a link between physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and fat percentage in boys, but not in girls,” Steinsbekk says.

Trondheim Early Secure Study

The researchers used figures from the Trondheim Early Secure Study (TESS). They followed almost 1000 children at two-year intervals from when they were 4 years old. The participants are now 18 years old, and the eighth survey is underway.

In this study, the research group used data at five different times, when the participants were 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years old. The Trondheim Early Secure Study has provided data for a number of studies on children's development and health.

References:

Zahl-Thanem T, Wichstrøm L, Steinsbekk S. Relations between physical activity, sedentary time, and body fat from childhood to adolescence: Do they differ by sex? Int J Obes (Lond). 2022 Jun 3. doi: 10.1038/s41366-022-01156-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35662270. DOI: 10.1038/s41366-022-01156-6

Zahl-Thanem, T., Wichstrøm, L. & Steinsbekk, S. Relations between physical activity, sedentary time, and body fat from childhood to adolescence: Do they differ by sex?. Int J Obes (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01156-6

JOURNAL

International Journal of Obesity

DOI

10.1038/s41366-022-01156-6

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Data/statistical analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Relations between physical activity, sedentary time, and body fat from childhood to adolescence: Do they differ by sex?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition frequently managed by dermatologists. Dermatologists have an obligation to provide each patient with psoriasis with adequate time to address their concerns and develop strong communication and trust. Ineffective physician-patient communication can mean poor treatment adherence, comprehension, satisfaction, and outcomes for the patient.¹ It is unclear whether differences exist in the amount of time a dermatologist spends with a patient with psoriasis based on race or ethnicity. We aimed to evaluate the association between a patient’s race and ethnicity and time spent with a dermatologist for psoriasis treatment.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2010 through 2016.² Data were analyzed January 3 to April 24, 2022. We conducted multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, type of visit (follow-up or new patient), visit complexity based on the number of reasons for visit, insurance status, psoriasis severity on the basis of systemic psoriasis treatment or phototherapy, and complex topical regimen (3 or more topical agents) to evaluate the association between patient race and ethnicity and visit duration for psoriasis treatment with a dermatologist. Race and ethnicity were self-reported by patients. The eMethods in the Supplement provides further details. This study was categorized as exempt by the University of Southern California Institutional Review Board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived because only deidentified data were used. We followed the STROBE reporting guideline. Statistical tests were 2-tailed, and a 2-sided P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A weighted estimate of 4 201 745 (95% CI, 3 688 629-4 714 862) patient visits for psoriasis was identified. Of the tabulated demographic characteristics, a significant difference existed in age (37.2 [95% CI, 32.0-42.4] years for Asian patients vs 44.7 [95% CI, 33.4-56.0] years for Hispanic patients vs 33.3 [95% CI, 16.9-49.7] years for Black patients vs 54.8 [95% CI, 51.6-58.0] years for White patients; P = .001) and complex topical regimen (11.8% among Asian patients vs 1.5% among Black patients vs 1.1% among White patients; P = .03) among the groups (Table 1). Mean duration of visits was 9.2 (95% CI, 4.4-14.1) minutes with Asian patients, 15.7 (95% CI, 14.2-17.3) minutes with Hispanic or Latino patients, 20.7 (95% CI, 14.5-26.9) minutes with non-Hispanic Black patients, and 15.4 (95% CI, 13.5-17.3) minutes with non-Hispanic White patients. Visits with Asian patients had a 39.9% shorter mean duration compared with visits with White patients (β coefficient, −5.747 [95% CI, −11.026 to −0.469]; P = .03) and a 40.6% shorter mean duration compared with visits with non-Asian patients as a single group (β coefficient, −5.908 [95% CI, −11.147 to −0.669]; P = .03) (Table 2).

Discussion

Results of the present study suggest that Asian patients with psoriasis receive significantly less face-to-face time with a dermatologist compared with patients of other races and ethnicities. This study supports the results of previous studies in which Asian patients were found to be less likely to receive counseling from physicians compared with White patients.³^,4 Paradoxically, Asian individuals tend to present with more severe psoriasis compared with individuals of other races and ethnicities.⁵

The etiology of these differences is unclear. It is possible that factors, such as unconscious bias, cultural differences in communication, or residual confounding may be responsible for the observed findings.³^,6 Further research is needed to understand the underlying factors responsible for the differences observed in this study.

This study has limitations. Visit duration was self-reported by the physician or their staff and had been studied in other fields; formal validation studies are pending. Missing data on race and ethnicity were imputed using a sequential regression method.² It is possible that those patients who did not report race and ethnicity may have different characteristics affecting visit duration vs those who did report this information.

Dermatologists spend less time with Asian patients with psoriasis compared with patients of other races and ethnicities. Dermatologists need to allow sufficient time to develop strong physician-patient communication regardless of patient background.

Article Information

Accepted for Publication: May 6, 2022.

Published Online: August 3, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.2426

Corresponding Author: April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH, Department of Dermatology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Ave, KAM 510, MC 9034, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (armstrongpublication@gmail.com).

Author Contributions: Dr Wu had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: All authors.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Wu.

Drafting of the manuscript: All authors.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Statistical analysis: Wu.

Administrative, technical, or material support: All authors.

Supervision: Armstrong.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Armstrong reported receiving personal fees from AbbVie and Regeneron for research funding and serving as a scientific adviser and speaker; Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Dermira, Eli Lilly & Co., Janssen, Novartis, and UCB Pharma for research funding and serving as a scientific adviser; Modernizing Medicine Ortho Dermatologics, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, Pfizer, Almirall, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, Beiersdorf, EPI Health, Incyte, and Nimbus Therapeutics for serving as a scientific adviser; and Boehringer Ingelheim and Parexel for serving as a Data Safety Monitoring Board member outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Disclaimer: Dr Armstrong is on the Editorial Board of JAMA Dermatology, but she was not involved in any of the decisions regarding review of the manuscript or its acceptance.

References

Stewart MA. Effective physician-patient communication and health outcomes: a review. CMAJ. 1995;152(9):1423-1433.PubMed Google Scholar

Ambulatory health care data: about the ambulatory health care surveys. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. Updated December 30, 2021. Accessed January 30, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ahcd/about_ahcd.htm

Ngo-Metzger Q, Legedza AT, Phillips RS. Asian Americans’ reports of their health care experiences: results of a national survey. J Gen Intern Med. 2004;19(2):111-119. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.30143.xPubMed Google Scholar Crossref

Murray-García JL, Selby JV, Schmittdiel J, Grumbach K, Quesenberry CP Jr. Racial and ethnic differences in a patient survey: patients’ values, ratings, and reports regarding physician primary care performance in a large health maintenance organization. Med Care. 2000;38(3):300-310. doi:10.1097/00005650-200003000-00007PubMed Google Scholar Crossref

Shah SK, Arthur A, Yang YC, Stevens S, Alexis AF. A retrospective study to investigate racial and ethnic variations in the treatment of psoriasis with etanercept. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(8):866-872.PubMed Google Scholar

Saposnik G, Redelmeier D, Ruff CC, Tobler PN. Cognitive biases associated with medical decisions: a systematic review. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2016;16(1):138. doi:10.1186/s12911-016-0377-1PubMed Google Scholar Crossref

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Augmented reality could be the future of paper books, according to new research

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

Augmented reality books — IMAGE: NEXT GENERATION PAPER BOOK EXAMPLE view more
CREDIT: COURTESY OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

Augmented reality might allow printed books to make a comeback against the e-book trend, according to researchers from the University of Surrey.

Surrey has introduced the third generation (3G) version of its Next Generation Paper (NGP) project, allowing the reader to consume information on the printed paper and screen side by side.

Dr Radu Sporea, Senior lecturer at the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), comments:

“The way we consume literature has changed over time with so many more options than just paper books. Multiple electronic solutions currently exist, including e-readers and smart devices, but no hybrid solution which is sustainable on a commercial scale.

“Augmented books, or a-books, can be the future of many book genres, from travel and tourism to education. This technology exists to assist the reader in a deeper understanding of the written topic and get more through digital means without ruining the experience of reading a paper book.”

Power efficiency and pre-printed conductive paper are some of the new features which allow Surrey’s augmented books to now be manufactured on a semi-industrial scale. With no wiring visible to the reader, Surrey’s augmented reality books allow users to trigger digital content with a simple gesture (such as a swipe of a finger or turn of a page), which will then be displayed on a nearby device.

George Bairaktaris, Postgraduate researcher at the University of Surrey and part of the Next Generation Paper project team, said:

“The original research was carried out to enrich travel experiences by creating augmented travel guides. This upgraded 3G model allows for the possibility of using augmented books for different areas such as education. In addition, the new model disturbs the reader less by automatically recognising the open page and triggering the multimedia content.”

“What started as an augmented book project, evolved further into scalable user interfaces. The techniques and knowledge from the project led us into exploring organic materials and printing techniques to fabricate scalable sensors for interfaces beyond the a-book”.

More information on the upgraded 3G augmented reality book will appear in IEEE Pervasive Computing magazine, which can be found here.

Ends

Notes to Editors

Research on the 2G ‘augmented reality-book’ was published in e-Review of Tourism Research in 2019 by Dr Emily Corrigan-Kavanagh
More information on this research can be found here : http://teamsporea.info/research/user_interfaces/
Dr Radu Sporea is available for interview upon request
Contact the University’s press office via mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk

JOURNAL

IEEE Pervasive Computing

DOI

10.1109/MPRV.2022.3181440

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Augmented Books: Hybrid Electronics Bring Paper to Life

More women turning to medical cannabis for relief of menopause symptoms

New study finds that a growing number of primarily perimenopausal women are using medical cannabis to treat menopause symptoms such as sleep disturbance and mood/anxiety

Peer-Reviewed Publication

THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY (NAMS)

CLEVELAND, Ohio (August 3, 2022)—The legalization of medical cannabis has led to its use in treating a growing number of health problems. A new study suggests that it is becoming more common for women to use medical cannabis for menopause-related symptoms. Perimenopausal women, who report significantly worse menopause symptoms (particularly depression), represent the greatest percentage of users. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Hormone changes associated with menopause are responsible for causing a wide array of bothersome symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbance, depressed mood, and anxiety. Although several treatment options, particularly hormone therapy, have proven effective in managing these symptoms, not all women are able or willing to use these options. This has led to the ongoing search for more nonhormone treatment options.

Several observational studies previously demonstrated that medical cannabis use is associated with various clinical benefits, including improvements on measures of anxiety, mood, sleep, and pain, as well as cognitive improvement after treatment. But no studies to date have examined the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis to alleviate menopause-related symptoms.

In this new study involving more than 250 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who were recruited through advertising targeted to women interested in women’s health and cannabis or cannabinoids, researchers sought to assess cannabis use, including modes of use, and to compare usage patterns between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Results suggested that many women (86%) currently use cannabis as an adjunct treatment for menopause-related symptoms via a variety of different modes of use, with the most common being smoking (84.3%) and edibles (78.3%). The most frequently reported indications for medical cannabis use were menopause-related disturbances of sleep and mood/anxiety.

Compared with postmenopausal participants, perimenopausal participants reported significantly worse menopause-related symptomatology, including more anxiety and hot flashes. Perimenopausal women were also more likely to report a higher incidence of depression and anxiety, as well as increased use of medical cannabis to treat these symptoms. Additional research is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of cannabis for the treatment of various menopause symptoms.

Study results are published in the article “A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause.”

“This study suggests that medical cannabis use may be common in midlife women experiencing menopause-related symptoms. Given the lack of clinical trial data on the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis for management of menopause symptoms, more research is needed before this treatment can be recommended in clinical practice. Healthcare professionals should query their patients about the use of medical cannabis for menopause symptoms and provide evidence-based recommendations for symptom management,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.

For more information about menopause and healthy aging, visit www.menopause.org.

Founded in 1989, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is North America’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women during midlife and beyond through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging. Its multidisciplinary membership of 2,000 leaders in the field—including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, sociology, psychology, nutrition, anthropology, epidemiology, pharmacy, and education—makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive resource for health professionals and the public for accurate, unbiased information about menopause and healthy aging. To learn more about NAMS, visit www.menopause.org.

JOURNAL

Menopause

DOI

10.1097/GME.0000000000002018

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Survey

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment

Thursday, August 18, 2022

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Body fat and physical activity in girls are unrelated

More body fat in boys results in less physical activity

Several possible reasons for differences between the sexes

Body fat affects sedentary activity in boys

Trondheim Early Secure Study

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DOI

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Differences in Face-to-Face Time Spent With a Dermatologist Among Patients With Psoriasis Based on Race and Ethnicity

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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