1
|
Kibe M, Mizuno Y, Masuoka H, Kosaka S, Natsuhara K, Hirayama K, Inthavong N, Kounnavong S, Tomita S, Umezaki M. Transition to a market economy and chronic psychosocial stress in northern Laos: An exploratory study of urinary free cortisol in rural residents. Am J Hum Biol 2024; 36:e23976. [PMID: 37577830 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23976] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The indigenous population in northern Laos has experienced a transition from self-sufficiency to a market-oriented economy, which may have brought about unprecedented chronic psychosocial stress. This study examined the association between the transition to a market economy and urinary free cortisol (UFC) concentration as a stress biomarker among rural residents of three villages with different degrees of integration into the market economy. METHODS An interview survey and urine sample collection were conducted in August 2018 and March 2019. We measured the UFC concentration in spot urine samples collected in the morning from participants aged 20-60 years (n = 168) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine differences in UFC concentrations among villages by sex, with time of arrival for the survey, age, and body mass index included as covariates. RESULTS The UFC concentration was higher in men living in the village with the highest degree of integration into the market economy than in those in the two villages with a lower dependence on cash, possibly linking increased stress levels with a change in employment type. This trend was not observed in women. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic changes incidental to a transition to a market economy may increase the stress levels of men in northern Laos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihoko Kibe
- Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Mizuno
- Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Masuoka
- Laboratory for Microbiome Sciences, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Satoko Kosaka
- Department of Public Health & Nursing, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Kazuhiro Hirayama
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nouhak Inthavong
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Laos
| | | | - Shinsuke Tomita
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiro Umezaki
- Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Serafin D, Grabarek BO, Boroń D, Madej A, Cnota W, Czuba B. Evaluation of the Risk of Birth Defects Related to the Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology: An Updated Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:4914. [PMID: 35457778 PMCID: PMC9027614 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fertility problems constitute a serious medical, social, and demographic problem. With this review, we aim to critically appraise and evaluate the existing literature surrounding the risk of birth defects in offspring conceived using techniques based on assisted reproductive technology (ART). Based on searches of the literature in PubMed and ScienceDirect, we obtained a total of 2,003,275 works related to the topic. Ultimately, 11 original papers published in the last 10 years qualified for inclusion in the study. Based on five studies included in this analysis, it was shown that ART significantly increases the risk of congenital malformations in associated newborns. Due to the specifics of given studies, as well as potential confounding risk factors, this influence cannot be ignored. Therefore, considering the information contained in the articles included in this systematic review, it was determined that the risk of birth defects is not directly related to the use of ART itself but also depends on the age of partners, causes of infertility, comorbidities, and the number of fetuses during a pregnancy, as well as many other factors not covered in the literature. It is thus necessary to impress upon infertile couples who wish to have offspring that the use of ART is not risk-free but that the benefits outweigh the risks. Further education in this field, as well as social understanding, is also required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Beniamin Oskar Grabarek
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, 31-826 Kraków, Poland; (B.O.G.); (D.B.)
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Dariusz Boroń
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, 31-826 Kraków, Poland; (B.O.G.); (D.B.)
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Andrzej Madej
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Cnota
- Department of Women’s Health, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (W.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Bartosz Czuba
- Department of Women’s Health, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (W.C.); (B.C.)
| |
Collapse
|