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Visontay R, Mewton L, Sunderland M, Chapman C, Slade T. Is low-level alcohol consumption really health-protective? A critical review of approaches to promote causal inference and recent applications. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:771-780. [PMID: 38643426 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Heavy and disordered alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for several health conditions and is associated with considerable disease burden. However, at low-to-moderate levels, evidence suggests that drinking is associated with reduced risk for certain health outcomes. Whether these findings represent genuine protective effects or mere methodological artifacts remains unclear, but has substantial consequences for policy and practice. This critical review introduces methodological advances capable of enhancing causal inference from observational research, focusing on the 'G-methods' and Mendelian Randomization. We also present and evaluate recent research applying these methods and compare findings to the existing evidence base. Future directions are proposed for improving our causal understanding of the relationships between alcohol and long-term health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Visontay
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise Mewton
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Sunderland
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cath Chapman
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Slade
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Auriol C, Cantisano N, Raynal P. Factors influencing the acceptability of alcohol drinking for a patient with colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296409. [PMID: 38153919 PMCID: PMC10754451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. One of the risk factors for the development of this type of cancer is alcohol consumption. Patients with colorectal cancer may be stigmatized regarding their cancer and regarding drinking behaviors they may exhibit. This study aimed to analyze community persons' and health professionals' acceptability judgments regarding alcohol drinkers having colorectal cancer. METHOD This study relies on an experimental method enabling the identification of variables involved in one's judgment, based on the exhaustive combination of factors yielding several scenarios rated by participants. Scenarios implemented factors possibly influencing participants' perception of a woman character having colorectal cancer. Factors included her drinking habits, post-diagnosis drinking behavior and type of diagnosis/prognosis. The participants were community persons (N' = 132) or health professionals (N" = 126). Data were analyzed using a within-subject factorial ANOVA. RESULTS In both samples, the "Post-diagnosis behavior" factor had large effect sizes, with drinking cessation being more acceptable than other drinking behaviors. Another factor, "Drinking habits", had significant influences on participants judgments, as higher drinking was considered less acceptable. A third factor, "Diagnosis" (polyps, early- or late-stage cancer), was taken into account by participants when it interacted with "Drinking habits" and "Post-diagnosis behavior". Indeed, participants considered most acceptable to continue drinking in the case of late-stage cancer, especially in the health professional sample where the acceptability of continuing drinking was almost doubled when the character had advanced- rather than early-cancer. CONCLUSION The lesser the drinking behavior, the better the acceptability. However, advanced cancer stage attenuated the poor acceptability of drinking in both samples, as participants' attitudes were more permissive when the patient had advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Auriol
- Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches en Psychopathologie et Psychologie de la Santé, Université de Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicole Cantisano
- Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches en Psychopathologie et Psychologie de la Santé, Université de Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, Toulouse, France
| | - Patrick Raynal
- Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches en Psychopathologie et Psychologie de la Santé, Université de Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, Toulouse, France
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Dykstra RE, Beadnell B, Rosengren DB, Schumacher JA, Daugherty R. A Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model for Preventing High-Risk Substance Use Across the Lifespan. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2023; 24:863-875. [PMID: 37269468 PMCID: PMC10409837 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01549-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
While effective models of alcohol and drug prevention exist, they often focus solely on youth or young adults. This article describes the Lifestyle Risk Reduction Model (LRRM), an approach applicable across the lifespan. The intent behind the LRRM is to guide the development of prevention and treatment programs provided to individuals and small groups. The LRRM authors' goals are to help individuals reduce risk for impairment, addiction, and substance use's negative consequences. The LRRM identifies six key principles that conceptualize the development of substance-related problems by drawing parallels with health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, which often result from combined effects of biological risk and behavioral choices. The model also proposes five conditions that describe important steps for individuals as they progress toward greater perception of risk and lower risk behavior. One LRRM-based indicated prevention program (Prime For Life) shows positive results in cognitive outcomes and in impaired driving recidivism for people across the lifespan. The model emphasizes common elements across the lifespan, responds to contexts and challenges that change across the life course, complements other models, and is usable for universal, selective, and indicated prevention programs.
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Visontay R, Mewton L, Sunderland M, Bell S, Britton A, Osman B, North H, Mathew N, Slade T. A comprehensive evaluation of the longitudinal association between alcohol consumption and a measure of inflammation: Multiverse and vibration of effects analyses. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 247:109886. [PMID: 37120919 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moderate alcohol consumption appears to be associated with reduced inflammation. Determining whether this association is robust to common variations in research parameters has wide-reaching implications for our understanding of disease aetiology and public health policy. We aimed to conduct comprehensive multiverse and vibration of effects analyses evaluating the associations between alcohol consumption and a measure of inflammation. METHODS A secondary analysis of the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study was performed, using data from 1970 through 2016. Measurements of alcohol consumption were taken in early/mid-adulthood (ages 34 and 42), and level of inflammation marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at age 46. Multiverse analyses were applied to comparisons of low-to-moderate consumption and consumption above various international drinking guidelines with an 'abstinent' reference. Research parameters of interest related to: definitions of drinking and reference groups; alcohol consumption measurement year; outcome variable transformation; and breadth of covariate adjustment. After identifying various analytic options within these parameters and running the analysis over each unique option combination, specification curve plots, volcano plots, effect ranges, and variance decomposition metrics were used to assess consistency of results. RESULTS A total of 3101 individuals were included in the final analyses, with primary analyses limited to those where occasional consumers served as reference. All combinations of research specifications resulted in lower levels of inflammation amongst low-to-moderate consumers compared to occasional consumers (1st percentile effect: -0.21; 99th percentile effect: -0.04). Estimates comparing above-guidelines drinking with occasional consumers were less definitive (1st percentile effect: -0.26; 99th percentile effect: 0.43). CONCLUSIONS The association between low-to-moderate drinking and lower hsCRP levels is largely robust to common variations in researcher-defined parameters, warranting further research to establish whether this relationship is causal. The association between above-guidelines drinking and hsCRP levels is less definitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Visontay
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Level 6, Jane Foss Russell Building, G02, The University of Sydney, NSW2006, Australia.
| | - Louise Mewton
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Level 6, Jane Foss Russell Building, G02, The University of Sydney, NSW2006, Australia; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Level 1, AGSM (G27), University of New South Wales, Gate 11, Botany Street, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Matthew Sunderland
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Level 6, Jane Foss Russell Building, G02, The University of Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Steven Bell
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Annie Britton
- Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bridie Osman
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Level 6, Jane Foss Russell Building, G02, The University of Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Hayley North
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW2031, Australia
| | - Nisha Mathew
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW2031, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Tim Slade
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Level 6, Jane Foss Russell Building, G02, The University of Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
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Mewton L, Visontay R, Hoy N, Lipnicki DM, Sunderland M, Lipton RB, Guerchet M, Ritchie K, Najar J, Scarmeas N, Kim K, Riedel Heller S, van Boxtel M, Jacobsen E, Brodaty H, Anstey KJ, Haan M, Scazufca M, Lobo E, Sachdev PS. The relationship between alcohol use and dementia in adults aged more than 60 years: a combined analysis of prospective, individual-participant data from 15 international studies. Addiction 2023; 118:412-424. [PMID: 35993434 PMCID: PMC9898084 DOI: 10.1111/add.16035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM To synthesize international findings on the alcohol-dementia relationship, including representation from low- and middle-income countries. METHODS Individual participant data meta-analysis of 15 prospective epidemiological cohort studies from countries situated in six continents. Cox regression investigated the dementia risk associated with alcohol use in older adults aged over 60 years. Additional analyses assessed the alcohol-dementia relationship in the sample stratified by sex and by continent. Participants included 24 478 community dwelling individuals without a history of dementia at baseline and at least one follow-up dementia assessment. The main outcome measure was all-cause dementia as determined by clinical interview. RESULTS At baseline, the mean age across studies was 71.8 (standard deviation = 7.5, range = 60-102 years), 14 260 (58.3%) were female and 13 269 (54.2%) were current drinkers. During 151 636 person-years of follow-up, there were 2124 incident cases of dementia (14.0 per 1000 person-years). When compared with abstainers, the risk for dementia was lower in occasional [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.68-0.89], light-moderate (HR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.70-0.87) and moderate-heavy drinkers (HR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.51-0.77). There was no evidence of differences between life-time abstainers and former drinkers in terms of dementia risk (HR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.81-1.18). In dose-response analyses, moderate drinking up to 40 g/day was associated with a lower risk of dementia when compared with lif-time abstaining. Among current drinkers, there was no consistent evidence for differences in terms of dementia risk. Results were similar when the sample was stratified by sex. When analysed at the continent level, there was considerable heterogeneity in the alcohol-dementia relationship. CONCLUSIONS Abstinence from alcohol appears to be associated with an increased risk for all-cause dementia. Among current drinkers, there appears to be no consistent evidence to suggest that the amount of alcohol consumed in later life is associated with dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Mewton
- Centre for Healthy Brain AgeingUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Rachel Visontay
- Centre for Healthy Brain AgeingUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Nicholas Hoy
- Centre for Healthy Brain AgeingUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Darren M. Lipnicki
- Centre for Healthy Brain AgeingUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | | | - Richard B. Lipton
- The Matilda Centre for Mental Health and Substance UseUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia
- Saul R. Korey, Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of MedicineYeshiva UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of MedicineYeshiva UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Maëlenn Guerchet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Albert Einstein College of MedicineYeshiva UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Karen Ritchie
- Limoges University, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealthLimogesFrance
- Neuropsychiatry, Epidemiological and Clinical Research, La Colombière HospitalMontpellierFrance
- Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Jenna Najar
- Centre for Clinical Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP) at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
| | - Nikolaos Scarmeas
- Region Västra GötalandSahlgrenska University Hospital, Psychiatry, Cognition and Old Age Psychiatry ClinicGothenburgSweden
- Department of Neurology, Aiginition HospitalNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Ki‐Woong Kim
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of NeuropsychiatrySeoul National University Bundang HospitalSeongnamSouth Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, College of MedicineSeoul National UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
| | - Steffi Riedel Heller
- Department of Brain and Cognitive SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
| | - Martin van Boxtel
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical FacultyUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Erin Jacobsen
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience/Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and NeuropsychologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain AgeingUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Kaarin J. Anstey
- Department of Psychiatry, School of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- School of PsychologyUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Mary Haan
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and WellbeingAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralia
| | - Marcia Scazufca
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Elena Lobo
- LIM‐23, Hospital das Clinicas (HCFMUSP), Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthUniversidad de ZaragozaZaragozaSpain
- Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria AragonZaragozaSpain
| | - Perminder S. Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain AgeingUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM)Ministry of Science and InnovationMadridSpain
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Visontay R, Mewton L, Slade T, Aris IM, Sunderland M. Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Depression: A Marginal Structural Model Approach Promoting Causal Inference. Am J Psychiatry 2023; 180:209-217. [PMID: 36651625 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.22010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk for depression, but it remains unclear whether this is a causal relationship or a methodological artifact. To compare the effects of consistent abstinence and occasional, moderate, and above-guideline alcohol consumption throughout early to middle adulthood on depression at age 50, the authors conducted a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort and employed a marginal structural model (MSM) approach. METHODS Baseline was set at 1994, when individuals were ages 29-37. The MSM incorporated measurements of alcohol consumption in 1994, 2002, and 2006, baseline and time-varying covariates, and repeated measurements with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Short Form (CES-D-SF). A total of 5,667 eligible participants provided valid data at baseline, 3,593 of whom provided valid outcome data. The authors used all observed data to predict CES-D-SF means and rates of probable depression for hypothetical trajectories of consistent alcohol consumption. RESULTS The results approximated J-curve relationships. Specifically, both consistent occasional and consistent moderate drinkers were predicted to have reduced CES-D-SF scores and rates of probable depression at age 50 compared with consistent abstainers (CES-D-SF scores: b=-0.84, 95% CI=-1.47, -0.11; probable depression: odds ratio=0.58, 95% CI=0.36, 0.88 for consistent occasional drinkers vs. abstainers; CES-D-SF scores: b=-1.08, 95% CI=-1.88, -0.20; probable depression: odds ratio=0.59, 95% CI=0.26, 1.13 for consistent moderate drinkers vs. consistent abstainers). Consistent above-guideline drinkers were predicted to have slightly increased risk compared with consistent abstainers, but this was not significant. In sex-stratified analyses, results were similar for females and males. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes preliminary evidence that associations between moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk for depression may reflect genuine causal effects. Further research using diverse methodologies that promote causal inference is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Visontay
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Visontay, Mewton, Slade, Sunderland); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Mewton); Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston (Aris)
| | - Louise Mewton
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Visontay, Mewton, Slade, Sunderland); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Mewton); Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston (Aris)
| | - Tim Slade
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Visontay, Mewton, Slade, Sunderland); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Mewton); Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston (Aris)
| | - Izzuddin M Aris
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Visontay, Mewton, Slade, Sunderland); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Mewton); Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston (Aris)
| | - Matthew Sunderland
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Visontay, Mewton, Slade, Sunderland); Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Mewton); Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston (Aris)
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Joint association of alcohol consumption and adiposity with alcohol- and obesity-related cancer in a population sample of 399,575 UK adults. Br J Nutr 2022:1-10. [PMID: 36268725 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114522003464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and alcohol consumption are both important modifiable risk factors for cancer. We examined the joint association of adiposity and alcohol consumption with alcohol- and obesity-related cancer incidence. This prospective cohort study included cancer-free UK Biobank participants aged 40-69 years. Alcohol consumption was categorised based on current UK guidelines into four groups. We defined three markers of adiposity: body fat percentage (BF %), waist circumference and BMI and categorised each into three groups. We derived a joint alcohol consumption and adiposity marker variable with twelve mutually exclusive categories. Among 399 575 participants, 17 617 developed alcohol-related cancer and 20 214 developed obesity-related cancer over an average follow-up of 11·8 (SD 0·9) years. We found relatively weak evidence of independent associations of alcohol consumption with cancer outcomes. However, the joint association analyses showed that across all adiposity markers, above guideline drinkers who were in the top two adiposity groups had elevated cancer incidence risk (e.g. HR for alcohol-related cancer was 1·53 (95 % CI (1·24, 1·90)) for within guideline drinkers and 1·61 (95 % CI (1·30, 2·00)) for above guideline drinkers among participants who were in the top tertile BF %. Regardless of alcohol consumption status, the risk of obesity-related cancer increased with higher adiposity in a dose-response manner within alcohol consumption categories. Our study provides guidance for public health priorities aimed at lowering population cancer risk via two key modifiable risk factors.
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Barnett BS, Ziegler K, Doblin R, Carlo AD. Is psychedelic use associated with cancer?: Interrogating a half-century-old claim using contemporary population-level data. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1118-1128. [PMID: 35971893 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221117536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 1967, concerns about the carcinogenic potential of psychedelics arose after a study reported chromosomal damage in human leukocytes following in vitro lysergic acid (LSD) exposure. Worries were further heightened by subsequent reports of leukemia and other cancers in LSD users. Additional investigations of psychedelics' effects on chromosomes were published over the next decade, with the majority suggesting these concerns were unfounded. However, the relationship between psychedelics and cancer has been explored only minimally from an epidemiological perspective. AIMS To determine whether associations exist between psychedelic use and either lifetime cancer or hematologic cancer diagnoses. METHODS We analyzed data from adult participants in the 2015-2019 administrations of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health for associations between lifetime use of psychedelics and lifetime diagnosis of either any cancer or hematologic cancer. RESULTS We identified no associations between lifetime psychedelic use and either lifetime cancer diagnosis or hematologic cancer diagnosis. Sub-analyses of lifetime lysergamide, phenethylamine, and tryptamine use also revealed no associations with lifetime cancer or hematologic cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS While laboratory studies and case reports from the 1960s and 1970s generated concerns about psychedelics' carcinogenic potential, this analysis of recent epidemiological data does not support an association between psychedelic use and development of cancer in general or hematologic cancer. Important study limitations to consider include a lack of information about psychedelic dosage, number of lifetime psychedelic exposures, and the temporal relationship between psychedelic use and cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S Barnett
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, EC-10 Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kathleen Ziegler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rick Doblin
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Andrew D Carlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
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Mama SK, Heredia NI, Johnston H, Conroy DE. Associations Between Physical Activity and Alcohol Consumption in Rural Cancer Survivors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:871192. [PMID: 35747787 PMCID: PMC9209737 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.871192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Rural adults and cancer survivors are more likely to be physically inactive and exceed recommendations for alcohol use. Physical activity and alcohol use are positively associated in adults and cancer survivors but associations between physical activity and alcohol use in rural cancer survivors is unknown. This cross-sectional study explored associations between physical activity, sitting time, and alcohol use in rural cancer survivors. Methods Cancer survivors residing in central Pennsylvania were recruited to the Partnering to Prevent and Control Cancer (PPCC) study and completed mailed questionnaires assessing physical activity (low, moderate, high), sitting time (<6 or ≥6 hours/day), and alcohol use (0 or ≥1 drinks/week). Binary logistic regression models tested associations between physical activity, sitting time, and alcohol use, adjusting for age, gender, and education. Results Participants (N=219) were in their mid-60s (M age=64.5 ± 12.2 years, 60.7% female), overweight (M BMI=29.6 ± 6.9 kg/m2), and 50.5% were college graduates. Nearly half of participants were breast (22.8%) or prostate (20.5%) cancer survivors and 90.4% were >12 weeks but <5 years post-treatment. Participants self-reported meeting physical activity recommendations (79.5%), sitting <6 hours/day (53.3%), and consuming ≥1 alcoholic drinks/week (54.1%). Participants who reported being moderately (OR=5.0, 95% CI: 1.9-12.9) or highly (OR=4.5, 95% CI: 1.9-10.9) active had higher odds of reporting alcohol use, after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Results mirror positive associations seen in adults and other subgroups (e.g., racial/ethnic minority adults). Cancer control efforts should stress being physically active while emphasizing messaging to curtail increases in alcohol use among rural cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scherezade K. Mama
- Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Scherezade K. Mama,
| | - Natalia I. Heredia
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hannah Johnston
- Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David E. Conroy
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Kagee A. The need for psychosocial oncology research in sub-Saharan Africa: a review of the terrain. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/00812463221093842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in many sub-Saharan African countries, but the field of psycho-oncology is underdeveloped. This article reviews the literature on psychosocial oncology in sub-Saharan African with a view to developing a research and practice agenda in the field. The search engines used were Google Scholar, Psych Info, Web of Science, and PubMed and articles were focused on but not limited to the past 10 years. The search terms were ‘Africa, psycho-oncology, psychosocial oncology, mental health, and cancer’. The review is structured as follows: cancer surveillance in sub-Saharan African, behavioural risk factors, cancer screening, and psychosocial issues related to various types of cancers. Psychological reactions in the context of cancer including adjustment, depression, and anxiety disorders are also discussed. It is suggested that sub-Saharan African countries require appropriate funding to support improved systems of surveillance and implementation of cancer registries. Public health and behavioural interventions are needed to increase the awareness of cervical cancer and preventive health-seeking behaviour among high-risk women. Restrictive laws on opioids need to be reconsidered and behavioural health campaigns to control obesity, limit salt intake, and increase awareness of the risks of ultra-violet light are necessary to reduce the incidence of various cancers. Psychosocial support is necessary to ameliorate depressed mood, anxiety, and anticipation and fear of death among persons living with cancer and their families in sub-Saharan Africa. To this end, the training of practitioners to strengthen psychosocial aspects of care, especially palliative care, is a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Kagee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
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Rovira P, Rehm J. Estimation of cancers caused by light to moderate alcohol consumption in the European Union. Eur J Public Health 2021; 31:591-596. [PMID: 33338220 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has identified alcohol to be an important risk factor for several types of cancers. This study estimates the number of incident cancers attributable to alcohol consumption in the European Union (EU) in 2017, with a special focus on those caused by light to moderate drinking levels. METHODS The attributable-fraction methodology is used to estimate the number of new cancer cases in the year 2017 in the EU caused by alcohol use, and further examines those due to light to moderate drinking levels, defined here as alcohol consumption of <20 g of pure alcohol per day. RESULTS Light to moderate drinking levels of alcohol caused almost 23 000 new cancer cases in the EU in 2017, and accounted for 13.3% of all alcohol-attributable cancers, and 2.3% of all cases of the seven alcohol-related cancer types. Almost half of these (∼11 000 cases) were female breast cancers. Also, more than a third of the cancer cases due to light to moderate drinking resulted from a light drinking level of <1 standard drink per day (total: 37%; women: 40%; men: 32%). CONCLUSIONS Alcohol use, including light to moderate drinking, continues to cause considerable cancer burden, and efforts should be made to reduce this burden. In addition to the alcohol control policies suggested by the World Health Organization, public information campaigns and the placement of warning labels on alcohol containers advising of the cancer risk associated with alcohol use should be initiated to increase knowledge about the alcohol-cancer link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Rovira
- Program on Substance Abuse, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Program on Substance Abuse, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Lockwood N, de Visser R, Larsen J. "Have a little less, feel a lot better": Mixed-method evaluation of an alcohol intervention. Addict Behav Rep 2020; 12:100306. [PMID: 33364315 PMCID: PMC7752714 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A multimedia campaign encouraging men to drink less produced changes in alcohol use. Men appreciated the straightforward message and friendly tone of the campaign. There is also a need to develop the necessary behavioural skills for behaviour change.
The aim of the mixed-methods study reported here was to evaluate the impact of a “gain-framed”, multimedia campaign to encourage heavier drinking men aged 45–64 years to drink less. Quantitative analyses were based on pre-intervention panel surveys of 3057 men in intervention regions and 500 in the control region, and post-intervention panel surveys of 1508 men in intervention regions and 219 in the control region. Qualitative analyses entailed thematic analysis of interviews with 14 men: five who had reduced their drinking after seeing the campaign, four who had considered reducing but did not, and five who did not consider changing. Interviews focused on men’s responses to the campaign, and their ideas for how to improve it. In quantitative analyses, the campaign was associated with significant changes in alcohol consumption, and significant increases in readiness to change and likelihood of using moderate drinking strategies. In qualitative analyses, men appreciated the friendly, non-threatening tone and that the message was straightforward, meaningful, achievable, and was gain-framed - i.e., emphasised the benefits of drinking less rather than the harms of drinking too much. However, the men who did not change their behaviour also identified several barriers to responding in ways encouraged by the message. It would be important to address their views of their drinking as not problematic, as pleasurable, and as socially expected, and also their sense of not feeling empowered to initiate or maintain behaviour change.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancers constitute a major non-communicable disease category globally and in the European Union (EU). SUMMARY Alcohol use has been established as a major cause of cancer in humans. Principal cancer agencies agree that the following cancer sites are causally impacted by alcohol: lip and oral cavity, pharynx (excluding nasopharynx), oesophagus, colon and rectum, liver, (female) breast, and larynx. For all of these cancer sites, there is a dose-response relationship with no apparent threshold: the higher the average level of consumption, the higher the risk of cancer incidence. In the EU in 2016, about 80,000 people died of alcohol-attributable cancer, and about 1.9 million years of life were lost due to premature mortality or due to disability. Key messages: Given the above-described impact of alcohol on cancer, public awareness about the alcohol-cancer link needs to be increased. In addition, effective alcohol policy measures should be implemented. As a large part of alcohol-attributable cancers are in low and moderate alcohol users, in particular for females, general population measures such as increases in taxation, restrictions on availability, and bans on marketing and advertisement are best suited to reduce the alcohol-attributable cancer burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Rehm
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
- Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation,
| | - Kevin D Shield
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Rehm J, Crépault J, Wettlaufer A, Manthey J, Shield K. What is the best indicator of the harmful use of alcohol? A narrative review. Drug Alcohol Rev 2020; 39:624-631. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.13053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Rehm
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Institute for Mental Health Policy Research Toronto Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute Toronto Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto Toronto Canada
- Department of Psychiatry University of Toronto Toronto Canada
- Institute of Medical Science University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Jean‐François Crépault
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Institute for Mental Health Policy Research Toronto Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Ashley Wettlaufer
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Institute for Mental Health Policy Research Toronto Canada
| | - Jakob Manthey
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Dresden University of Technology Dresden Germany
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
| | - Kevin Shield
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Institute for Mental Health Policy Research Toronto Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto Toronto Canada
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15
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Rehm J, Shield K. Alcohol Use and Cancers of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Epidemiology and Preventive Implications. Front Oncol 2020; 10:403. [PMID: 32269967 PMCID: PMC7109294 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Alcohol is a carcinogen for human cancer. This contribution summarizes the relationships between alcohol use and gastrointestinal cancers, and implications for prevention. Methods: Comparative risk assessment and narrative literature review. Results: The following gastrointestinal cancer sites were found to be causally impacted by alcohol use: lip and oral cavity, pharynx other than nasopharynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, and liver. Globally, 368,000 deaths (304,000 men and 64,000 women) and more than 10 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost (10.1 million; 8.4 million men and 1.6 million women) in 2016 were attributable to alcohol use, making up about 10% of all deaths and DALYs lost due to these cancers, respectively. There are effective and cost-effective alcohol control policies available to reduce this burden, namely the best buys of increasing taxation, reducing availability, and banning advertisement. In addition, public knowledge about the alcohol-cancer link should be increased. Discussion: There are a number of assumptions underlying these estimates, but overall all of them seem to be conservative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Rehm
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Kevin Shield
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Hasin DS, Shmulewitz D, Keyes K. Alcohol use and binge drinking among U.S. men, pregnant and non-pregnant women ages 18-44: 2002-2017. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 205:107590. [PMID: 31600616 PMCID: PMC6893082 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drinking during pregnancy dropped sharply in the U.S. in the 1980s. More recent time trends in adult drinking and binge drinking in men, non-pregnant and pregnant women have not been directly compared. METHODS Using logistic regression and National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2002-2017 data on any drinking and 2002-2014 data on binge drinking, trends in men, non-pregnant and pregnant women were compared. Analyses of any drinking included 470,309 participants (221,344 men; 236,197 non-pregnant women; 12,768 pregnant women); of binge drinking, 379,379 participants (178,869 men; 189,923 non-pregnant women; 10,587 pregnant women). RESULTS In all participants, drinking decreased (62.2%-60.3%). Among adults ages 18-20, drinking decreased in men, non-pregnant women, and pregnant women (-18.4%; -11.1%; -5.3%), as did binge drinking (-11.8%; -5.6%; -3.7%). Among adults ages 21-44, drinking increased in non-pregnant women (+2.3%), and decreased in men and pregnant women (-2.6% and -3.3%), while binge drinking increased in non-pregnant women (+2.7%), but not in pregnant women (-1.8%) or men (0.0%). CONCLUSIONS Drinking increased in U.S. women ages 21-44, but not those who were pregnant. Increases in women and continuing high rates in men indicate the need for better public health efforts. Divergent trends in men, non-pregnant, and pregnant women ages 21-44 suggest differential influences on drinking. Continued low rates in pregnant women are encouraging, but maintaining public health messages about drinking during pregnancy and innovative efforts to prevent such drinking are needed. Different results in ages 18-20 and 21-44 highlight the importance of developmental stages in drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah S Hasin
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Dvora Shmulewitz
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Katherine Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Iranpour A, Nakhaee N. A Review of Alcohol-Related Harms: A Recent Update. ADDICTION & HEALTH 2019; 11:129-137. [PMID: 31321010 PMCID: PMC6633071 DOI: 10.22122/ahj.v11i2.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In the early decades of the 20th century, discussions regarding alcohol were dominantly directed toward its therapeutic uses, but authorities now state that any level of alcohol consumption poses negative effects on health. Over recent months, increased attention has been devoted to disease burdens attributable to alcohol use worldwide. As more and more studies are conducted to illuminate the harmful effects of alcohol on different body systems, the mounting evidence generated requires documentation and publication. The current review was aimed at providing an overview of the recent literature on the adverse consequences of alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abedin Iranpour
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nouzar Nakhaee
- Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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