Members Of General Population Research Articles

The psychological impact of genocide on the Yazidis.

The genocide against the Yazidis by the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in the Sinjar area of Northern Iraq has costed many lives and has also caused a psychological long-term impact in this minority. This impact can be seen among individual survivors. Additionally, there is a large number of direct and indirect victims and for this reason, the impact can also be observed on the level of the group and society in this region at large. The research examines three different population groups (Yazidis members who had been exposed to violence by terrorist group actions, those not exposed to this experience as they were living in an area not directly exposed to ISIS violence, and a control group of non - Yazidi general population members). In total, 425 participants (age range 15-78) took part in the study and participated in interviews using standard scales to measure general physical and mental health. The results demonstrate that psychological stress and suicidality are higher among the Yazidis survivors of violence than in the other Yazidi participants. Psychological disorders after a genocide and war in post-conflict populations should receive more attention in the planning of mental health care and prevention and should be seen as a major problem, especially in camp settings and displaced persons besides the usual increased prevalence of posttraumatic stress and other disorders covered by research so far in this context.

Increased risk of depression after Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a potentially life-threatening disorder, and some patients may develop subsequent depression related to traumatic stress or permanent loss of motor function. We determined the short-term (0 to 2 years) and long-term (>2 years) risk of depression after GBS. Individual-level data from nationwide registries were linked in this population-based cohort study of all first-time hospital-diagnosed GBS patients in Denmark between 2005 and 2016 and individuals from the general population. After exclusion of individuals with previous depression, we computed cumulative rates of depression, defined as either antidepressant drug prescription or depression hospital diagnosis. We used Cox regression analyses to calculate adjusted depression hazard ratios (HRs) after GBS. We identified 853 incident GBS patients and recruited 8639 individuals from the general population. Depression within 2 years was observed in 21.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.2% to 25.0%) of GBS patients and in 3.3% (95% CI, 2.9% to 3.7%) of those in the general population, resulting in a HR of 7.6 (95% CI, 6.2 to 9.3). The highest depression HR was observed within the first 3 months after GBS (HR, 20.5; 95% CI, 13.6 to 30.9). After the first 2 years, GBS patients and the general population members had similar long-term depression risks with an HR of 0.8 (95% CI, 0.6 to 1.2). During the first 2 years after GBS hospital admission, patients with GBS had a 7.6-fold increased hazard of depression compared with individuals in the general population. Two years after GBS, the risk of depression was similar to that of the background population.

Is There a "Gifted Personality"? Initial Evidence for Differences between MENSA and General Population Members in the HEXACO Personality Inventory.

Contrary to the common notion that personality and intelligence are unrelated constructs, numerous correlational studies have demonstrated substantial associations between the two domains. Moreover, samples of intellectually gifted individuals have been found to differ from the general population in specific aspects of their personalities. However, most studies so far have relied on the Five-Factor Model of Personality (FFM), while none have investigated this phenomenon using the HEXACO personality framework. We recruited 617 adult members of the international high-IQ society MENSA and compared them to 3 reference samples (combined N = 112,637) regarding their personalities as measured by the HEXACO-60 personality inventory. We found that gifted persons scored higher in Honesty-Humility and Conscientiousness but lower in Emotionality compared to reference samples. Interestingly, gifted individuals scored only slightly higher in Openness to Experience, and no consistent differences emerged for Agreeableness. We demonstrate that some known personality differences between gifted and non-gifted persons translate from the FFM to the HEXACO model, while others do not. Our results indicate that within the HEXACO factor structure differences in sociability are more pronounced, while intellect-related differences are comparatively weak.

Cognitive predictors of COVID-19 mitigation behaviors in vaccinated and unvaccinated general population members

BackgroundGiven the long-term threat posed by COVID-19, predictors of mitigation behaviors are critical to identify. Prior studies have found that cognitive factors are associated with some COVID-19 mitigation behaviors, but few studies employ representative samples and no prior studies have examined cognitive predictors of vaccination status. The purpose of the present study was to examine associations between cognitive variables (executive function, delay discounting, and future orientation) and COVID-19 mitigation behaviors (mask wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene and vaccination) in a population representative sample. MethodsA population representative sample of 2,002 adults completed validated measures of delay discounting, future orientation, and executive function. Participants also reported frequency of mitigation behaviors, vaccination status, and demographics. ResultsFuture orientation was associated with more mask wearing (β = 0.160, 95 % CI [0.090, 0.220], p < 0.001), social distancing (β = 0.150, 95 % CI [0.070, 0.240], p < 0.001), hand hygiene behaviors (β = 0.090, 95 % CI [0.000, 0.190], p = 0.054), and a higher likelihood of being fully vaccinated (OR = 0.80, 95 % CI [0.670, 0.970], p = 0.020). Lower delay discounting predicted more consistent mask wearing (β = −0.060, 95 % CI[−0.120, −0.010], p = 0.032) and being fully vaccinated (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI [1.13, 1.44], p < 0.001), while more symptoms of executive dysfunction predicted less mask wearing (β = −0.240, 95 % CI [−0.320, −0.150] p < 0.001) and hand hygiene (β = −0.220, 95 % CI [−0.320, −0.130], p < 0.001), but not vaccination status (OR = 0.96, 95 % CI [0.80, 1.16], p = 0.690) or social distancing behaviors (β = −0.080, 95 % CI [−0.180, 0.020], p = 0.097). Overall, social distancing was the least well-predicted outcome from cognitive factors, while mask wearing was most well-predicted. Vaccination status was not a significant moderator of these effects of cognitive predictors on mitigation behaviors. ConclusionsCognitive variables predict significant variability in mitigation behaviors. regardless of vaccination status. In particular, thinking about the future and discounting it less may encourage more consistent implementation of mitigating behaviors.

P18 Patient Preferences for Attributes of a Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test: A Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) Quantitative Pilot Study

Early cancer detection and intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality rates. Evidence shows that emerging blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests can detect a variety of cancer types across stages and provide a predicted cancer signal origin with high specificity. However, little is known about patients’ preferences for MCED tests. This study aimed to quantify preferences for attributes of blood-based MCED tests among the US general population aged 50-80 years. A DCE consisting of five attributes (true positives, false negatives, false positives, likelihood of the cancer type unknown [e.g., inaccurate cancer signal origin], and number of cancers tested for) was administered online to US general population members to elicit preferences to quantitatively pilot test the DCE. Data were analyzed using an error-component multinomial logit model and relative attribute importance (RAI) was obtained. Participants (N=303) were 62.0% male (n=188), mean age 68.2 years (SD=6.4). RAI indicated that the rank order of attribute importance was false negatives (35.7%), true positives (27.6%), false positives (17.3%), number of cancers tested for (16.8%), and cancer type unknown (2.7%). Attributes related to improved test accuracy were important and participants strongly preferred screenings that tested for more cancer types (all p < 0.05). Preferences were non-significant for the likelihood of cancer type unknown attribute levels. Overall, 71.9% of participants reported that they would prefer to receive the MCED test in addition to their currently recommended cancer screenings. Participants’ preferences were strongly driven by the desire for a screening test with fewer false negatives and more true positives, with these 2 attributes comprising 63.3% of the RAI. False positive results and number of types of cancer tested for also impacted preferences but were of lower importance. The majority of participants preferred adding a MCED test to supplement current cancer screenings.

Increased mortality following Guillain-Barré syndrome: A population-based cohort study.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) may be fatal in the acute phase but also affect long-term prognosis due to irreversible sequelae and secondary medical complications. We determined the short-term, intermediate, and long-term mortality of GBS compared to the general population. Individual-level data from nationwide registries were linked in this matched cohort study of all first-time hospital-diagnosed GBS patients in Denmark between 1987 and 2016 and 10 individuals from the general population, matched on age, sex, and index date. We used Cox regression analysis to calculate matched mortality hazard ratios (HRs) following GBS, assessing short-term (0-6months), intermediate (>6months-4years), and long-term (>4years) mortality. We identified 2414 patients with GBS and 23,909 matched individuals from the general population. Short-term mortality was 4.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.0-5.8) and 0.8% (95% CI = 0.7-0.9) for GBS patients and general population members, respectively, resulting in an HR of 6.6 (95% CI = 4.0-5.8). Intermediate mortality was 7.6% (95% CI = 6.5-8.9), compared with 5.8% (95% CI = 5.5-6.1) for general population members, corresponding to an HR of 1.5 (95% CI = 1.3-1.8). After the first 4years, long-term mortality showed similar results for GBS patients and general population members (HR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9-1.2). During the first 6months after GBS hospital admission, GBS was associated with a 6.6-fold increased mortality as compared with the background population of the same age. Mortality remained increased for approximately 4years following GBS, and then leveled off to a similar long-term mortality rate.

Increase in the Prevalence of Online Pornography Use: Objective Data Analysis from the Period Between 2004 and 2016 in Poland

Despite the considerable amount of attention presently devoted to the high accessibility of online pornography, very little formal analyses have been carried out to show how the advent and proliferation of Internet technology has changed the prevalence of pornography use in populations. We conducted a preliminary analysis based on objective website traffic data, representing the changes in the number of (1) Internet users generally and (2) online pornography users specifically, between 2004 and 2016 in Poland. We observed a clear increase in the estimated number of people using online pornography in the analyzed period. The estimated number of general population members viewing pornography on the Internet increased over three times (310%) between October 2004 and October 2016–starting from an estimated 2.76 million in the first period to 8.54 million in the last. At the same time, we did not observe a clear increase in the percentage of Internet users who viewed online pornography in the same time period. Additionally, pornography viewership on the Internet was almost 2 times more prevalent among male (47%) than female Internet users (27%), and most popular in the 18–27 age group. Since our analysis is based on objective data, it does not share the limitations inherent in self-reports. However, our approach also has several important limitations (e.g., the analysis does not include online activity generated on mobile devices and under a private browsing mode); thus, the results should be interpreted with caution.

177Physical functional limitations and psychological distress in people with and without colorectal cancer

Abstract Background This study aims to quantify physical disability and psychological distress in people with and without colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods Questionnaire data (2006-2009) from 267,153 Australian general population members aged ≥45 years participating in the 45 and Up Study (n = 213,231 following exclusions) were linked to cancer registry and hospital admission data, to ascertain CRC status. Modified Poisson regression estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for physical disability and psychological distress in participants with versus without CRC. Results Compared with participants without CRC (n = 210,836), CRC survivors (n = 2,395) had significantly higher disability prevalence (11.9% versus 19.5%, respectively): PR = 1.11 (95%CI=1.03-1.20); and a similar prevalence of distress (23.1% versus 20.2%): PR = 1.03 (0.94-1.20). Adverse outcomes were associated with certain clinical characteristics. Compared to participants without CRC, CRC survivors diagnosed 5-&amp;lt;10 and ≥10 years, with regional spread and without recent cancer treatment had similar outcomes; survivors with metastatic CRC and recent treatment had 30-60% higher prevalence of disability and distress. Compared to participants with neither CRC nor disability, PRs for distress were 4.71 (4.22-5.26) for those with disability and CRC and 4.22 (4.13-4.31) for those with disability without CRC. Conclusions Physical disability is elevated in CRC survivors. Psychological distress is elevated 4- to 5-fold with disability, regardless of CRC diagnosis, with lesser increases around diagnosis and treatment. Key message CRC survivors with less advanced disease and who have not been recently diagnosed or treated have physical disability and psychological distress comparable to the general population. Survivors with disability are at particularly high risk of distress.

An Innovative Health Literacy Approach Designed to Improve Patient Understanding of Medication Labeling

ObjectiveLimited health literacy negatively impacts understanding of medication-related information. We describe an innovative methodology designed to optimize user understanding of patient medication labeling through the systematic application of evidence-based health literacy principles, using the Patient Package Insert (PPI) for bezlotoxumab (ZINPLAVA™, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA) as an example.MethodsWe used a mixed-model, iterative approach consisting of three phases: (1) content development; (2) focus group testing; and (3) comprehension testing. Content development was based on evidence-based health literacy principles and conducted through a collaborative partnership between industry and academia professionals. The PPI was then tested in four focus groups, two in Atlanta and two in Chicago, with an emphasis on collecting feedback from respondents with limited health literacy, evaluated using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) health literacy assessment tool. Subsequent comprehension testing included patients with C. diff, caregivers, and general population members, with a pre-defined target sample of 25% with limited health literacy identified through two health literacy assessment tools: the Single Item Literacy Screener and the NVS.ResultsContent development of the bezlotoxumab PPI occurred in May 2015. In June 2015, focus group respondents (n = 34) provided generally favorable feedback, with insights revolving around organization and usability; language and comprehension; and volume of information. Comprehension testing of the revised PPI resulted in average comprehension scores of 96% for the overall population (n = 59), 90% for individuals presenting with limited health literacy (n = 14), and 97% for those with adequate health literacy (n = 45). This PPI development approach was similarly effective for subsequent products across diverse therapeutic areas, with comprehension scores ≥ 86% for all participants (n = 1197).ConclusionThis methodology represents a significant advancement for the development of understandable patient medication labeling, especially for people with limited health literacy.

Physical functional limitations and psychological distress in people with and without colorectal cancer: findings from a large Australian study.

To quantify physical disability and psychological distress in people with and without colorectal cancer (CRC). Questionnaire data (2006-2009) from 267,153 Australian general population members aged ≥ 45 years participating in the 45 and Up Study (n = 213,231 following exclusions) were linked to cancer registry and hospital admission data, to ascertain CRC status. Modified Poisson regression estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for physical disability and psychological distress in participants with CRC versus those without. Compared with participants without CRC (n = 210,836), CRC survivors (n = 2395) had significantly higher physical disability prevalence (11.9% versus 19.5%, respectively), PR = 1.11 (95% CI = 1.03-1.20); and a similar prevalence of distress (23.1% versus 20.2%), PR = 1.03 (0.94-1.20). Adverse outcomes were associated with certain clinical characteristics. Compared with participants without CRC, CRC survivors diagnosed 5-< 10 and ≥ 10 years, with regional spread, and without recent cancer treatment had broadly similar outcomes; survivors with metastatic CRC and recent treatment had 30-60% higher prevalence of disability and distress. Compared with participants with neither CRC nor disability, PRs for distress were 4.71 (4.22-5.26) for those with disability and CRC; and 4.22 (4.13-4.31) for those with disability without CRC. Physical disability is elevated in CRC survivors. Psychological distress is elevated 4- to 5-fold with disability, regardless of CRC diagnosis, with lesser increases around diagnosis and treatment. CRC survivors with less advanced disease and who have not been recently diagnosed or treated have physical disability and psychological distress comparable to the general population. Survivors with disability are at particularly high risk of psychological distress.

Stated preferences for relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma treatments in Sweden and Germany.

Background: We aimed to elicit treatment preferences in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (r/r MCL). Materials & methods: A discrete-choice experiment comprising six attributes ('overall survival', 'progression-free survival', 'fatigue', 'nausea', 'risk of serious infections' and 'treatment administration') was administered to r/r MCL patients, physicians and the general population (GP) in Sweden and Germany. Results: 18 patients, 68 physicians and 191 GP members participated. 'Overall survival' was the most important attribute, followed by 'risk of serious infection' and 'progression-free survival' among physicians and the GP. In contrast, 'treatment administration' was the second most important attribute to patients, followed by 'risk of serious infection.' Conclusion: Preferences for characteristics differentiating treatments of r/r MCL varies between patients, physicians and members of the GP.

Risk for cervical herniated intervertebral disc in dentists: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundProlonged static postures (PSPs) may predispose dentists to develop cervical herniated intervertebral disc (C-HIVD); however, there is limited evidence supporting this in the literature thus far. We conducted this study to fit the data gap.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective nationwide population-based study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify 10,930 dentists, an identical number of age- and sex-matched participants from the general population, and 73,718 other health care providers (HCPs, non-dentists). Comparisons for the risk of developing C-HIVD between dentists and the general population, and between dentists and other HCPs were performed by tracing their medical histories between 2007 and 2011.ResultsDentists had a cumulative incidence rate of 1.1% for C-HIVD during the 5-year follow-up period. Overall, there was no difference of the risk for C-HIVD between dentists and the general population after adjusting for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, liver disease, mental disorders, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, malignancy, stroke, and renal disease (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9–1.6). However, stratified analysis showed that younger dentists (≤ 34 years) had a trend of higher risk for C-HIVD than members of the younger general population (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 0.9–4.1). There was no difference found between dentists and other HCPs (AOR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.8–1.1).ConclusionYounger dentists had a trend of higher risk of developing C-HIVD than members of the general population.

Dimensiones socioemocional e instrumental de la reconciliación social en el conflicto armado colombiano

ABSTRACT The objective of this article is to analyze the psycho-metric adjustment of two scales for a Disposition for Social Reconciliation (DRS) in the context of Colombia. Two studies were carried out, based on samplings from the inhabitants of Barranquilla (387 victimized persons and 387 members of general population) and Medellin (384 members of the general population, of whom 27,6% acknowledged that they had been direct or indirect victims). Thus, both studies surveyed victimized persons, a key factor because victimization was used as a criterion for comparing the victimized respondents and the respondents from the general population. Victimization shows a positive and significant correlation with a DRS. The results confirm the validity of the construct.

General Population vs. Patient Preferences in Anticoagulant Therapy: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Preference weights derived from general population samples are often used for therapeutic decision making. In contrast, patients with cardiovascular disease may have different preferences concerning the benefits and risks of anticoagulant therapy. Using a discrete choice experiment, we compared preferences for anticoagulant treatment outcomes between the general population and patients with cardiovascular disease. A sample of the general US population and a sample of patients with cardiovascular disease were selected from online panels. We used a discrete choice experiment questionnaire to elicit preferences in both populations concerning treatment benefits and risks. Seven attributes described hypothetical treatments: non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, minor bleeding, major bleeding, fatal bleeding, and the need for monitoring. We measured preference weights and maximum acceptable risks in both populations. A total of 352 individuals from the general population and 341 patients completed the questionnaire. After propensity score matching, 284 from each group were included in the analysis. On average, the general population members valued a 1% increased risk of fatal bleeding as being the same as a 4.2% increase in a non-fatal myocardial infarction, a 2.8% increase in cardiovascular death, or a 14.1% increase in minor bleeding. Patients, in contrast, perceived a 1% increased risk of fatal bleeding as being the same as a 2.0% increase in a non-fatal myocardial infarction, a 3.2% increase in cardiovascular death, and a 16.7% increase in minor bleeding. The general population and patients with cardiovascular disease had slightly different preferences for treatment outcomes. The differences can potentially influence estimated benefits and risks and patient-centered treatment decisions.

A tale of two countries: comparing disability weights for gambling problems in New Zealand and Australia.

This study aimed to assess the impact of gambling problems on quality of life. Specifically, we generated disability weight estimates for gambling problems in New Zealand, and compared these results with (i) Australian figures (J Gambl Issues, 10.4309/jgi.v0i36.3978, 2017) and (ii) other health states (Lancet, 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61680-8, 2013); such as anxiety and alcohol use disorders. The 324 participants (48 experts and 276 general population members) evaluated a series of gambling harm vignettes. The participants rated the decrement to one's quality of life using Visual Analogue Scale and Time Trade-Off protocols (Br Med Bull, 10.1093/bmb/ldq033, 2010). These evaluations enabled the calculation of disability weights for three categories of gamblers (low-risk, moderate-risk, and problem gamblers). Disability weight estimates for low-risk, moderate-risk, and problem gamblers in NZ were consistently higher than the Australian weights: low (0.18 vs. 0.13), moderate (0.37 vs. 0.29), and problem (0.54 vs. 0.44). The quality of life impact for problem gambling in NZ (0.54) was comparable to that experienced in severe alcohol use disorder (0.55) (Lancet, 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61680-8, 2013). This study represents one of the first attempts to assess gambling-related harm through a public health perspective. The results of this study are informative for policy-making, resource allocation, and service planning. These estimates now allow for the population-level impact of gambling in NZ to be calculated and tracked over time, which is essential for informing harm-minimisation initiatives.

Psychological distress and ischaemic heart disease: cause or consequence? Evidence from a large prospective cohort study

BackgroundIschaemic heart disease (IHD) incidence is elevated in people reporting psychological distress. The extent to which this relationship is causal or related to reverse causality—that is, undiagnosed disease causing distress—is...

No Association of COMT (Val158Met) Genotype with Brain Structure Differences between Men and Women

We examined the effect of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680), on brain structure in a subset (N = 82) of general population members of the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, selected through a randomization procedure, aged 33–35. Optimised voxel-based morphometry was used to produce grey matter maps from each subject's high resolution T1 weighted brain magnetic resonance images, which were subsequently entered into a general linear model with COMT genotype as defined by Met allele loading, gender and genotype by gender interaction as independent variables. Additional analyses were carried out on grey matter volumes within the dorsal lateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC) to examine effects on overall DLPFC volume and also using the DLPFC as a mask for voxelwise analyses, as this is an area previously reported as associated with Met allele loading. We failed to find any statistically significant association with grey matter volume and Met allele loading in the COMT gene or interaction affects between COMT and gender in either the whole brain voxel-wise analysis or in the area of the DLPFC.

Long-term clinical outcomes of patients with primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia: a Danish population-based cohort study

AbstractFew data exist on the long-term prognosis of patients with chronic primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). We examined the risk of infections, hemorrhage resulting in hospitalization, hematologic malignancies, and total and cause-specific mortality among patients with ITP compared with the general population. We used population-based medical databases to identify 407 patients with primary chronic ITP diagnosed during 1996 to 2007 and 4069 general population members individually matched on age, sex, and comorbidity level. We used Cox regression analysis to estimate rate ratios (RRs) adjusted for age (≤ 60 or > 60 years), sex, calendar year, and level of comorbidity. The adjusted 1-year RR of infection was 4.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-6.1) for patients with chronic ITP compared with the general population cohort. The adjusted RR decreased to 1.8 (95% CI, 1.3-2.5) for the second to fifth year of follow-up. The adjusted 5-year RR was 3.2 (95% CI, 1.2-9.0) for hospitalized intracranial hemorrhage, 4.4 (95% CI, 2.3-8.3) for other hospitalized hemorrhages, and 4.7 (95% CI, 1.7-12.7) for hematologic malignancy. The 5-year all-cause mortality RR was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.8-3.0). In summary, primary chronic ITP was associated with substantially increased long-term risk of infections, hemorrhagic episodes requiring hospitalization, hematologic malignancies, and mortality.

Content of uranium in urine of uranium miners as a tool for estimation of intakes of long-lived alpha radionuclides

Uranium in the urine of 10 uranium miners (hewers), 27 members of general population and 11 family members of miners was determined by the High-Resolution ICP-MS method. Concentration of uranium in urine of the miners was converted to daily excretion of (238)U under the assumption that the daily excretion of urine is 2 l and compared with the modelled excretion of (238)U. Daily excretion of (238)U was modelled using input data from personal dosemeters from a component for measurement of intake of long-lived alpha radionuclides. A reasonable agreement between evaluated and measured values was found. The uncertainty of inhalation intakes, derived from measurements of filters from personal dosemeters, and uncertainty of concentration of uranium in urine are discussed.

Measuring Participation: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Experience

Bode RK, Hahn EA, DeVellis R, Cella D, on behalf of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Social Domain Working Group. Measuring participation: the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System experience. Objectives To describe the lessons learned in the initial development of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System social function item banks. Design Development and testing of 2 item pools within a general population to create item banks that measure ability to participate and satisfaction with participation in social activities. Setting Administration via the Internet. Participants General population members (N=956) of a national polling organization registry participated; data for 768 and 778 participants were used in the analysis. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Measures of ability to participate and satisfaction with participation in social activities. Results Fifty-six items measuring the ability to participate were essentially unidimensional but did not fit an item response theory model. As a result, item banks were not developed for these items. Of the 56 items measuring satisfaction with participation, 14 items measuring social roles and 12 items measuring discretionary activities were unidimensional and met item response theory model assumptions. Two 7-item short forms were also developed. Conclusions Four lessons, mostly concerning item content, were learned in the development of banks measuring social function. These lessons led to item revisions that are being tested in subsequent studies.