Adult Norms Research Articles

Characteristics of high-resolution esophageal manometry in children without dysphagia.

The absence of high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) norms in pediatrics limits the assessment of children with dysphagia. This study aimed to describe HREM parameters in a cohort of children without dysphagia. Children ages 9-16years with a negative Mayo Dysphagia Questionnaire screen and normal histologic findings underwent HREM after completion of esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Ten swallows of 5ml 0.45% saline boluses per subject were captured in supine position. Analyzed data included resting and integrated relaxation pressures (IRP) of lower (LES) and upper (UES) esophageal sphincters, peristaltic contractile integrals, transition zone (TZ) breaks, velocities, and lengths associated with proximal and distal esophagus. 33 subjects (15 female) with mean (range) age 12.9 (9-16) years completed the study. Two of 330 analyzed swallows failed. The UES mean resting pressure, and its 0.2s and 0.8s IRPs were 48.3 (95% CI 12.9) mmHg, 2.9 (95% CI 1.9) mmHg, and 12.1 (95% CI 2.5) mmHg, respectively. The LES mean resting pressure and its 4s IRP were 29.0 (95% CI 4.0) mmHg and 9.2 (95% CI 1.3) mmHg. The mean proximal (PCI) and distal (DCI) esophageal contractile integrals were 231 (95% CI 54.8) mmHg-s-cm and 1789.3 (95% CI 323.5) mmHg-s-cm, with mean TZ break 0.5 (95% CI 0.3) cm. This is the first study to describe HREM parameters in children without dysphagia. Most of the reported measurements were significantly different and less variable from reported adult norms. This emphasizes the need for child-specific catheters, norms, and protocols to define pediatric esophageal motility disorders.

The effect of refined nursing intervention on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in the hemodialysis center during the COVID-19 epidemic

BackgroundThe outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia has exerted considerable psychological pressure on patients undergoing hemodialysis, resulting in unhealthy psychological emotions. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out strict management and refined nursing intervention for patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis during the prevention and control of novel coronavirus. This study aims to analyze and discuss the effect of clinical refined nursing intervention on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study. In this study, we used the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) or the Chinese adult SCL-90 norm to conduct nursing interventions for patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis to investigate the effect of clinical refined nursing intervention on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis during the COVID-19 epidemic.ResultsThe scores for all the factors of SCL-90 of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were higher than those of the Chinese SCL-90, and patients with a single factor score ≥ 2 had a higher level of depression and anxiety, with extremely significant difference (p < 0.01). The depression and anxiety of the patients were reduced after the intervention, and there was a statistical difference. Among the 172 patients, the results of both nucleic acid tests were negative.ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 epidemic, providing patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis with refined nursing intervention can regulate negative emotions, reduce related complications, improve their quality of life, and improve the nurse–patient relationship.

Age-Related Differences in Affective Norms for Chinese Words (AANC).

Information on age-related differences in affective meanings of words is widely used by researchers to study emotions, word recognition, attention, memory, and text-based sentiment analysis. To date, no Chinese affective norms for older adults are available although Chinese as a spoken language has the largest population in the world. This article presents the first large-scale age-related affective norms for 2,061 four-character Chinese words (AANC). Each word in this database has rating values in the four dimensions, namely, valence, arousal, dominance, and familiarity. We found that older adults tended to perceive positive words as more arousing and less controllable and evaluate negative words as less arousing and more controllable than younger adults did. This indicates that the positivity effect is reliable for older adults who show a processing bias toward positive vs. negative words. Our AANC database supplies valuable information for researchers to study how emotional characteristics of words influence the cognitive processes and how this influence evolves with age. This age-related difference study on affective norms not only provides a tool for cognitive science, gerontology, and psychology in experimental studies but also serves as a valuable resource for affective analysis in various natural language processing applications.

Rey–Osterrieth complex figure normative data for the psychiatric population

Objective: Appropriate normative data are crucial for competent neuropsychological assessment. Although individuals with psychiatric illness often perform more poorly than healthy adults on neuropsychological testing, data that reflect the psychiatric population are often lacking. We present a normative dataset and calculation tools for the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) derived from the psychiatric inpatient population. Method: A sample of 301 psychiatric inpatients completed the RCFT and the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) between 1999 and 2018. Participants were 59.5% male, 82.1% Caucasian, 13.3% black, and 4.6% identified as another racial demographic, largely consistent with recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2018) data for inpatients in U.S. psychiatric facilities. Scores for RCFT Copy, Short-Delay Free Recall, Long-Delay Free Recall, Total Recognition, and Percent Retained were modeled via multiple regression with age and education as predictors. Base rates were computed for subscores comprising Total Recognition to aid clinical decision making. Results: Age and education served as significant individual predictors for all models except one model predicting percent retained across delay that included only age. Regression equations and regression standard errors were used to produce a score calculator using a commonly available spreadsheet software package. Healthy adult norms under-estimated performance in our sample, underscoring the importance of these normative data. Conclusions: These normative data for the RCFT represent a large cohort of psychiatric inpatients. For clinical practice and research, both the data and the tools provided are likely to be of particular usefulness among individuals with serious mental illness.

Family Function, Quality of Life, and Well-Being in Parents of Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Survival for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) has improved dramatically. Little is known about early family function, quality of life (QOL), or well-being/adjustment for parents of infants with HLHS. Parent/family outcomes over time, predictors, and differences in 143 mothers and 72 fathers were examined. Parents reported better family function compared with published norms, but 26% experienced family dysfunction. QOL and well-being were significantly lower than adult norms. QOL scores generally declined over time, whereas self-reported well-being improved. Responses from mothers and fathers showed different trends, with mothers having worse scores on most measures and at most time points. Being a single parent was a risk factor for poorer family function, but not for lower individual QOL or well-being. Family characteristics, stress, and coping skills were predictive of outcomes. Parents' psychosocial responses to the challenges of life with infants with HLHS change over time. Individually tailored psychosocial support is needed.

Using Adult Norms for Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy Evaluation in Children.

Using Adult Norms for Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy Evaluation in Children.

Reclassification of adolescent hypertension by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring using adult norms and association with left ventricular hypertrophy.

2017 pediatric blood pressure (BP) guidelines applied adult BP norms to define clinic hypertension (HTN) in patients ≥ 13 years. 2014 pediatric ambulatory BP monitor (ABPM) guidelines recommend age‐ and sex‐specific percentile norms for patients < 18 years. The authors evaluated reclassification of HTN when applying adult ABPM norms in patients ≥ 13 years and assessed the association of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with HTN. Charts of patients 13–17 years with ABPM 9/2018–5/2019 were reviewed for sex, age, height, weight, BP medication, ABPM results, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). American Heart Association 2005 (AHA 2005), AHA 2017 (AHA 2017), and European Society of Hypertension 2018 (ESH 2018) guidelines for adult ABPM were compared with 2014 AHA pediatric norms (pABPM). HTN was defined by each guideline using only ABPM. ABPM and clinic BP were used to classify white coat hypertension (WCH) and masked hypertension (MH). LVH was defined as LVMI > 51 g/m2.7. 272 patients had adequate ABPM. 124 patients also had echocardiogram. All adult norms resulted in significant reclassification of HTN. LVMI correlated significantly with systolic BP only. The odds of a patient with HTN having LVH was significant using AHA 2005 (OR: 8.75 [2.1, 36.4], p = .03) and ESH 2018 (OR: 4.94 [1, 24.3], p = .002). Significant reclassification of HTN occurs with all adult norms. HTN is significantly associated with LVH using AHA 2005 and ESH 2018. Applying pediatric norms for ABPM while using adult norms for clinic BP causes confusion. Guideline selection should balance misdiagnosis with over‐diagnosis.

Towards Universal Design in the Classroom

In this Article, I will discuss how we can make the law school classroom more accessible through the use of universal design features. I am sure my list is incomplete and that others, including the contributors to this issue, can add to this list. Nonetheless, I think there are two key benefits to a discussion of universal design principles. First, the use of universal design features will lessen the need for students to identify themselves as disabled and seek to use an often-clumsy accommodation process. It is expensive to receive a disability diagnosis from a trained professional, and some universities require documentation with adult norms that would not have been used for K-12 testing, when students were not yet adults. Further, some universities require students to renew their requests each semester. Even if the renewal request is automatically approved, it is time-consuming, anxiety-producing and disrespectful to one’s dignity to have to say “yes, I still have a visual impairment.” Second, I have found that all students benefit from many universal design features. On my end-of-year student evaluations, I often get comments from students thanking me for my use of a universal design feature, such as posting Powerpoint slides in advance of class, even though they do not identify as disabled. My students with disabilities often also thank me for allowing them to access instruction more fully without going through an accommodation process. The “universality” aspect of universal design has broad appeal. It saves time and money while respecting the dignity interests of students with disabilities. As a starting point to learn more about universal design, I would recommend that instructors learn to use resources such as ones made available by CAST. CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization that created the Universal Design for Learning framework, which is used throughout the world to make education more inclusive. It provides strategies to have multiple means of engagement (the “why” of learning), multiple means of representation (the “what” of learning), and multiple means of action and expression (the “how” of learning) to reach the broadest possible audience. Within each of these categories, they offer guidelines on how to gain access, build knowledge and internalize learning so that students become expert learners. In this Article, I will discuss most of the sections on the CAST universal design chart and suggest ways that universal design can be achieved in a law school classroom. In making my suggestions, I am going to assume that some of my students are on the autism spectrum, some have visual or reading impairments that require the use of a screen reader, some have low vision, some have dyslexia, some have physical or motor disabilities, some are deaf or hard of hearing, some have an anxiety disorder or depression, some have ADHD, and some have a visual impairment such as color blindness. Some students, of course, may have several of those impairments. I will also add content to the issue of how to test students under principles of universal design, a topic not featured on the CAST website. While CAST is certainly not the only entity providing assistance with how instruction can proceed under principles of universal design, I am featuring it in this Article because I have found it helpful in my work. I encourage others to amplify what I have learned through their work.

Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren, Family Structure, and Depressive Symptoms in China

It is a cultural norm for Chinese older adults to engage in co-parenting and caring for grandchildren. Previous research documented health advantages for grandparents who provide occasional, extensive, or even custodial care to grandchildren in China. Yet there is little information regarding the impacts of living arrangement and its interaction with grandchild care on grandparents’ psychological well-being. Using three waves of the 2011-2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data, this study examined the longitudinal association of depressive symptoms with grandchild care intensity and living arrangement among adults aged 40 and above (N=5,037). Mixed effects regression models were applied to examine changes in depressive symptoms and the associations with explanatory variables. At baseline, about half of respondents reported caring for their grandchild (ren). And nine percent lived with grandchildren only, that is, in a skipped-generation household and taking a custodial grandparent role. Overall, depressive symptoms did not change over time. After controlling for sociodemographic and health covariates, we found that providing medium level of care (i.e., between three to 10 hours per day) was associated with fewer baseline depressive symptoms, whereas grandparents living with grandchildren had more symptoms at baseline relative to those living with others. Further, an increased level of caregiving in the skipped-generation households was associated with more depressive symptoms. Given that custodial grandparenting is a growing phenomenon in China, further research needs to investigate how to reduce caregiving burden and associated adversary effects and how to promote overall well-being in this population.

Assessment of naming by auditory confrontation in adults

AbstractBackgroundOne of the most frequent symptoms in normal aging and in some neurodegenerative diseases is the difficulty to find words. Naming assessment is fundamental in a standard neuropsychological assessment. Even though visual difficulties have a high prevalence in older adults, visual confrontation tests have been utilized as the gold standard to detect the word finding impairment. In the Auditory Naming Test (ANT) different descriptions of objects are presented orally, and the patient should name the object described. Although there have not been published norms for adults for this test so far, the ANT has shown to be more sensitive than visual naming tests in mixed etiology dementia. The aim of this study was to analyze the ANT performance in older adults and generate normative data in Argentinian population (Spanish first language speakers).MethodCross‐sectional descriptive‐observational study. The participants were assessed with Spanish adaptation of ANT and Beck Depression Inventory. SPSS program was used and Pearson correlations, ANOVA, means and standard deviations were calculated.Result115 adults (79 women, mean age: 66.57 SD: 10.36, mean education: 13,86 SD: 5.04) without concomitant pathologies that potentially affect cognition participated were assessed (table 1). There were no differences in performance according to sex. A negative correlation with age was found (r ‐.289, p = .002). A positive correlation was found with education (r .308, p = .001). A later analysis revealed that this correlation only occurs in the group of 50‐59 years (r .605, p &lt; .001) and 60‐69 years (r .405, p = .022).ConclusionIn the present study, the performance in the ANT of older adults was analyzed and normative data were generated. Age and education influence the performance of this test.

INVESTIGATION OF EMBRYONIC HISTOGENESIS OF THE PAROTID GLAND

Lectinohistochemistry methods are very sensitive and allow to identify certain types and subpopulations of cells, to characterize non-cellular tissue structures in morphological studies, when they cannot be differentiated by using traditional methods of carbohydrate histochemistry. In many diseases, changes in the carbohydrate component of various glycoconjugates are observed, which contribute to the modification of morphofunctional characteristics of the cell and changes in its interaction with other cells and extracellular factors. Most studies are devoted to the study of the existing pathology of individual organs and systems (or their norms) in adults and animals. Data from the scientific literature on the histotopography of lectin receptors in the first months of human prenatal ontogenesis are few, and regarding the peculiarities of the expression of carbohydrate determinants of the rudiments of the human parotid gland in early prenatal ontogenesis - are absent. Glycopolymers compounds make up structural and functional basis of cells and tissues of a living organism. The necessity of anatomical-lectinohistochemical examination of the parotid gland in early prenatal period of ontogenesis is substantiated, as the evidences concerning its topography are fragmentary and unsystematized, and certain aspects of its ontogenesis are disputable. A natural redistribution of glycopolimers of the cytolemma and cytoplasm of the cells of the epithelial anlage of the parotid salivary gland and the mesenchyma adjacent to it in the course of investigating 50 human embryos and prefetuses aged up 21 days to 12 weeks at stages 9-23 and the beginning of the fetal period according to the classification of Carnegy’s institute has been revealed. Invagination of epithelial cells in the regions bucco-alveolar pockets into the underlying mesenchyme and their transformation into epithelial cords due to the accumulation of specific glycopolymers lectin WGA, SNA, HPA, RCA, LABA. The results of lectin-histochemical examination of the early prenatal ontogenesis of the parotid gland can form the basis for the work of laboratories dealing with screening of morphological material in order to assess the degree of maturation and prognosis of fetus viability and diagnostics of deviations from normal development.

Lung function parameters among Australian Aboriginal ‘apparently healthy’ adults: an Australian Caucasian and Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI-2012) various ethnic norms comparative study

ABSTRACT Background: There is sparse literature evidence evaluating the applicability of the GLI-2012 spirometric norms for Australian Aboriginal adults. Methods: Lung function parameters (LFPs) were compared between Australian Aboriginal and Australian Caucasians, and the fit of Australian Aboriginals LFPs with various ethnic GLI equations was tested. Results: Of 1350 and 5634 Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in Australian Aboriginal and Australian Caucasian adults, 153 and 208 PFTs matched for anthropometrics and normal chest radiology, respectively. Absolute FVC and FEV1 values were 20% lower in Australian Aboriginals compared to Australian Caucasians. Differences remained significant after accounting for age, sex, height, weight and smoking status in multivariate regression (FVC −0.84 L (−0.98, −0.71), FEV1 − 0.72 L (−0.84, −0.59), but with nearly preserved FEV1/FVC. GLI-2012 transformation resulted in z-scores significantly below zero for each of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC with z-scores ranging from −4.52 (−4.87, −4.16) for North East Asian FVC transformation for males, to −0.34 (−0.73, 0.05) for Black FVC transformation for females. Conclusions: Australian Aboriginal adults had 20% lower values for FVC and FEV1 but nearly preserved absolute FEV1/FVC in comparison to Australian Caucasians. The GLI-2012 spirometric norms do not appear to fit for Australian Aboriginal adults regardless of which ethnicity options selected, including ‘others/mixed’.

Standard and multiple-frequency tympanometric norms in Chinese young and older adults

ABSTRACT The normative data of standard and multiple-frequency tympanometry should be established depending on gender, age, race and specific recording parameters. However, the lack of normative data of standard and multiple-frequency tympanometry was documented in Chinese older adults. Previous studies which conducted the normative data from Southern Chinese young adults may not represent the Chinese young and older adults in Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to establish the norms of standard and multiple-frequency tympanometry in Chinese young and older adults. The effects of age and gender are investigated for understanding the characteristics of normative data of tympanometry. A total of 100 young adults and 100 older adults with normal middle ear status were recruited from the community in Taiwan. The data of peak Ytm, Vea and TW were obtained by a 226 Hz probe tone. Multiple-frequency tympanometry was recorded by 226, 678 and 1000 Hz probe tones and categorized by the Vanhuyse model. The resonance frequency was obtained by the method of sweep-pressure. The two-way independent ANOVA was used separately to examine the effects of age and gender on each of the tympanometric measures. The effect of gender was found in Ytm, Vea and TW, while the effect of age was only found in Vea. Older adults have more complex patterns of multiple-frequency tympanometry and have significantly lower resonance frequency than young adults do. Results suggest that the middle ear system status changes with aging. The norms, especially gender-specific norms, are needed for Chinese older adults for interpretation.

Effects of Otosclerosis on Middle Ear Function Assessed With Wideband Absorbance and Absorbed Power.

Wideband absorbance and absorbed power were evaluated in a group of subjects with surgically confirmed otosclerosis (Oto group), mean age 51.6 years. This is the first use of absorbed power in the assessment of middle ear disorders. Results were compared with control data from two groups of adults, one with normal hearing (NH group) mean age of 31 years, and one that was age- and sex-matched with the Oto group and had sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL group). The goal was to assess group differences using absorbance and absorbed power, to determine test performance in detecting otosclerosis, and to evaluate preoperative and postoperative test results. Audiometric and wideband tests were performed over frequencies up to 8 kHz. The three groups were compared on wideband tests using analysis of variance to assess group mean differences. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also used to assess test accuracy at classifying ears as belonging to the Oto or control groups using the area under the ROC curve (AUC). A longitudinal design was used to compare preoperative and postoperative results at 3 and 6 months. There were significant mean differences in the wideband parameters between the Oto and control groups with generally lower absorbance and absorbed power for the Oto group at ambient and tympanometric peak pressure (TPP) depending on frequency. The SNHL group had more significant differences with the Oto group than did the NH group in the high frequencies for absorbed power at ambient pressure and tympanometric absorbed power at TPP, as well as for the tympanometric tails. The greatest accuracy for classifying ears as being in the Oto group or a control group was for absorbed power at ambient pressure at 0.71 kHz with an AUC of 0.81 comparing the Oto and NH groups. The greatest accuracy for an absorbance measure was for the comparison between the Oto and NH groups for the peak-to-negative tail condition with an AUC of 0.78. In contrast, the accuracy for classifying ears into the control or Oto groups for static acoustic admittance at 226 Hz was near chance performance, which is consistent with previous findings. There were significant mean differences between preoperative and postoperative tests for absorbance and absorbed power. Consistent with previous studies, wideband absorbance showed better sensitivity for detecting the effects of otosclerosis on middle ear function than static acoustic admittance at 226 Hz. This study showed that wideband absorbed power is similarly sensitive and may perform even better in some instances than absorbance at classifying ears as having otosclerosis. The use of a group that was age- and sex-matched to the Oto group generally resulted in greater differences between groups in the high frequencies for absorbed power, suggesting that age-related norms in adults may be useful for the wideband clinical applications. Absorbance and absorbed power appear useful for monitoring changes in middle ear function following surgery for otosclerosis.

Age, gender and side-stratified grip strength norms and related socio-demographic factors for 20–80 years Iranian healthy population: Comparison with consolidated and international norms

As an index for many adverse health outcomes, normative values on handgrip strength are established for many populations. The aim of this study was to establish handgrip strength (HGS) norms for the Iranian population and to compare them with other existing norms. Related variables affecting HGS were also determined in order to provide appropriate prediction models. The sample consisted of 4282 Iranian 20–80 years adults; divided into 5-year intervals, male/female and dominant/non-dominant hand. Results were compared to consolidated data and those of some other countries. To ensure a valid and comparable dataset, HGS was measured using the JAMAR® hydraulic dynamometer following the standardized procedure. Hand length, palm length, palm width, forearm length, wrist circumference, forearm circumference, height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated. HGS norms for Iranian adults were established. Inverted U-shaped lifespan profiles were found with mean maximum values of about 53 kg for males (35–39 years) and 31 kg for females (40–44 years). Two regression models (by hand dominance) were developed. The mean values of HGS in Iran were weaker than consolidated norms but greater than in some Asian countries. Applying normative data specific to each population is more accurate than international or multinational norms. It is recommended to investigate the causes of accelerated age-related decline in HGS of Iranian elders in future studies.

Psychological well-being of Australian hospital clinical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective This study assessed the psychological well-being of Australian hospital clinical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was conducted in a large metropolitan tertiary health service located in Melbourne, Australia. The survey was completed by nurses, midwives, doctors and allied health (AH) staff between 15 May and 10 June 2020. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 items (DASS-21) assessed the psychological well-being of respondents in the previous week. Results In all, 668 people responded to the survey (nurses/midwives, n=391; doctors, n=138; AH staff, n=139). Of these, 108 (16.2%) had direct contact with people with a COVID-19 diagnosis. Approximately one-quarter of respondents reported symptoms of psychological distress. Between 11% (AH staff) and 29% (nurses/midwives) had anxiety scores in the mild to extremely severe ranges. Nurses and midwives had significantly higher anxiety scores than doctors (P<0.001) and AH staff (P<0.001). Direct contact with people with a COVID-19 diagnosis (P<0.001) and being a nurse or midwife (P<0.001) were associated with higher anxiety scores. Higher ratings of the health service's pandemic response and staff support strategies were protective against depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.05) and stress (P<0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the psychological well-being of hospital clinical staff, particularly nurses and midwives. Staff would benefit from (additional) targeted supportive interventions during the current and future outbreaks of infectious diseases. What is known about the topic? The outbreak of COVID-19 is having, and will have, a considerable effect on health services. No Australian data about the effect of COVID-19 on the psychological well-being of hospital clinical staff are available. What does this paper add? Australia healthcare providers have experienced considerable emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly nurses and midwives and clinical staff who have had direct contact with people with a COVID-19 diagnosis. In this study, nurses and midwives had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress during the pandemic than general Australian adult population norms, and significantly more severe anxiety symptoms than medical and AH staff. Despite a lower number of COVID-19 cases and a lower death rate than in other countries, the proportion of Australian hospital clinical staff experiencing distress is similar to that found in other countries. What are the implications for practitioners? Targeted well-being interventions are required to support hospital clinical staff during the current and future outbreaks of infectious diseases and other 'crises' or adverse events.

Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT): Norms for the Greek older adult population

Background The Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) is an integral part of every neuropsychological assessment, measuring visuoconstructional abilities in research and clinical practice. Aims Our goal was to create norms for the Greek older adults over 50 years old since there is no previous relevant study in Greece. Methods The RCFT was administered to 228 cognitively intact individuals aged 50 to 87 years (M = 64.12, SD = 8.69) with education from 3 to 23 years (M = 11.5, SD = 4.45). First, regression analyses explored the impact of demographics on RCFT performance. Afterwards, we calculated normative data using raw scores and transformed to percentile scores for RCFT Copy, Immediate recall, Delayed Recall, and Recognition tasks. Results Age and education were predictors of the Copy and Recall trials, whereas gender was not, having as the only exception the Recognition condition. Greek normative data adjusted for age and education level for the three RCFT conditions and gender for the Recognition trial are presented, as well as the relationship between the RCFT sub tasks. Discussion This is the first study measuring the RCFT norms in cognitively intact Greek older adults. Conclusions Future studies should measure the psychometric properties of RCFT in this population.

Differences in substance use by sexual orientation and gender among Jewish young adults in Israel

BackgroundThis study focuses on sexual orientation and gender-based differences among Israeli young adult substance use behaviors. In addition, it evaluates young adult perception of substance use and acceptance of substances use by close friends.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study. A self-reported anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 496 young-adults (age: M = 23.14, SD = 2.48), which included 126 heterosexual males, 128 heterosexual females, 131 gay men, and 111 lesbians.ResultsThis study revealed significant sexual orientation and gender differences in all outcomes examined. Significant substance usage differences were found for same-sex orientation as 52% reported cannabis use and 24% reported using other illegal substances during the past 12 months compared to 34 and 6% (respectively) among heterosexuals. Significant gender differences were found, as male participants reported 50% cannabis use and 19% reported other illegal substance use in the past 12 months compared to 35 and 11% (respectively) among females.Additionally, compared with heterosexuals, gay men and lesbians perceived/assessed significantly higher substance usage rates among their close friends and higher levels of substance use acceptance by close friends. Regression models indicated the important role of respondent perceived and acceptance of substance use among close friends.Binge drinking, cannabis use, and other illegal substance use were positively associated with participants’ perceived substance use and substance use acceptance level by close friends, after controlling for gender, sexual orientation, age, and level of education.ConclusionsClose friends and community norms can play an important role in shaping substance usage among young adults, especially among gay men and lesbians. The results of the current study highlight the need for developing prevention and harm reduction drug policies for Israeli young adults, especially for gay men and lesbians. Interventions should also focus on young adult peers and community norms related to substance use by professionals in educational, policy-making, and therapeutic contexts.

A-06 Current Norms May Overestimate Rates of Neurocognitive Impairment among American Indian and Alaskan Native Adults.

Abstract Objective Currently available normative data subsume American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) populations within the non-Latinx white (NLW) ethnoracial group. The classification accuracy of such norms among AI/AN remains unknown. This cross-sectional study aims to identify whether disparities exist in the rates of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) between AI/AN and NLW adults. &amp;lt; br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br &amp;gt; Method Two hundred community-dwelling adults (50&amp;#37; NLW; 50&amp;#37; Male; M Age = 42 ± 14 years; M Education = 13 ± 3 years) completed comprehensive neurocognitive, quality of education (Wide Range Achievement Test- 4 [WRAT-4]), neuromedical, urine toxicology, and psychiatric/substance use evaluations. Average T-scores were calculated using widely used demographically corrected (age, gender, education) NLW norms to identify NCI (&amp;gt; 1 SD; e.g., Heaton et al., 2004; Heaton &amp; Marcotte, 2000). A comorbid condition propensity score (CCPS) identified the probability to which comorbid conditions (e.g., Heaton et al., 2010) informed ethnoracial identity. &amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br &amp;gt; Results After adjusting for WRAT-4 and CCPS, the results of a logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant ethnoracial disparity in risk for NCI (X2(3) = 13.88, p&amp;lt;.01, R2 = .07), such that the AI/AN group was at 2.52 times higher odds (32.3&amp;#37; vs. 16.0, CI: 1.15–5.46, p = .01, Cohen’s d = .51) for NCI in comparison to the NLW group. &amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br &amp;gt; Conclusions Published norms for NLW adults may overestimate impairment in AI/AN adults. Thus, population-specific normative data are needed to clarify the classification accuracy of neurocognitive impairment and possible disparities in neurocognitive disorders (e.g., HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders) among AI/AN adults. Future work should replicate these findings among other diverse populations (e.g., Caribbean, Middle Eastern) lacking population-specific normative data.876199.

Effects of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and immune status on the speed of information processing and complex motor functions in adult Cameroonians

HIV-associated neurocognitive deficits include impaired speed-of-information processing (SIP) and motor functions. There is lack of Cameroonian adult norms for assessing SIP or motor functions. This study of 683 Cameroonians (320 HIV+, 363 HIV−) establishes demographically-adjusted norms for six SIP [Wechsler-Adult-Intelligence-Scale (WAIS)-III Digit Symbol (WAIS-IIIDS) and Symbol Search (WAIS-IIISS), Stroop Color-Naming, Stroop Word-Reading, Trail-Making Test-A (TMT-A), Color Trails-1 (CTT1)], and two motor function [Grooved Pegboard-dominant (GP-DH) and non-dominant (GP-NDH) hands] tests. We assessed viral effects on SIP and motor functions. HIV-infected persons had significantly lower (worse) T scores on GP-DH, WAIS-IIIDS, Stroop Word-Reading, TMT-A; lower motor and SIP summary T scores. Significantly higher proportion of cases (20.7%) than controls (10.3%) had impaired SIP. Male cases had better T scores than female cases on GP-NDH, WAIS-IIIDS, WAIS-IIISS, TMT-A, CTT1; better SIP summary T scores. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was associated with significantly better T scores on GP-NDH, WAIS-IIIDS, Stroop Color-Naming; better motor and SIP summary T scores. Cases with higher CD4 had better T scores on WAIS-IIIDS, TMT-A, CTT1; better SIP summary T scores. Overall, we demonstrate that HIV infection in Cameroon is associated with deficits in SIP and motor functions; ART and higher CD4 are associated with better cognitive performance. We provide SIP and psychomotor functions normative standards, which will be useful for neurobehavioral studies in Cameroon of diseases affecting the brain.