Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire Research Articles

The Relationship Between Self-reported Cognitive Abilities and Psychological Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Many breast cancer survivors (BCSs) report numerous symptoms following cancer treatment, including cognitive concerns and psychological symptoms (anxiety and depression). However, the association among these symptoms is not well understood. The objectives were to, primarily, examine the relationship between self-reported cognitive ability and psychological symptoms (anxiety and depressive symptoms) controlling for potential confounders of age, education, and time posttreatment and, secondarily, examine the relationship between self-reported cognitive domains (attention, language, visuoperception, visual memory, and verbal memory) and psychological symptoms. This secondary data analysis pooled data from 2 theoretically and conceptually congruent, institutional review board-approved studies of BCSs. Breast cancer survivors completed the Multiple Ability Self-report Questionnaire (cognitive ability), Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (anxiety), and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (depressive symptoms). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and separate linear regression. One hundred fifty-five BCSs who were on average 54.8 (SD, 8.9) years of age, approximately 5 years (mean, 5.2 [SD, 3.8] years) posttreatment, and well-educated (mean, 15.2 [SD, 2.2] years) completed questionnaires. In bivariate correlations, higher anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly related to cognitive abilities in all domains ( P = <.01). In the regression model, increased anxiety was associated with poorer cognitive abilities in all domains ( P < .01). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with decrements in self-reported cognitive abilities among BCSs. With increasing numbers of BCSs, more research is needed to address psychological symptoms, which correlate with cognitive function. Findings from this analysis can inform clinical BCS survivorship care planning and future interventional research, focused on comprehensive symptom management.

Predictive Bidirectional Relations Between Pain, Fatigue, and Dyscognition in Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common and disabling disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, and dyscognition. Previous studies have shown strong positive correlations between pain, fatigue, and dyscognition. However, bidirectional relationships, particularly with dyscognition modeled as a predictor, have rarely been established. The purpose of this study was to examine the bidirectional, predictive nature of the relationships between these FM symptoms. Pain, fatigue, and dyscognition were measured via the Brief Pain Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire at baseline and a 2-year follow-up in a large sample of 450 well-characterized female patients with FM. Relationships between FM symptoms were evaluated using a cross-lagged, longitudinal model. Dyscognition, pain, and fatigue were positively correlated at both baseline and follow-up (rs .13 -.53, Ps<.01). Dyscognition at baseline was predictive of dyscognition (B=.76, β=.75, P<.001), pain, (B=.01, β=.09, P=.033) and fatigue (B=.05, β=.08, P=.050) at follow-up. Pain at baseline was predictive of pain (B=.59, β=.59, P<.001), dyscognition (B=.88, β=.07, P=.022), and fatigue (B=.85, β=.11, P=.004) at follow-up. Fatigue at baseline was only associated with fatigue (B=.61, β=.60, P<.001) at follow-up. Dyscognition is predictive of future pain and fatigue in patients with FM. Continued work should examine dyscognition as a clinical predictor of future severity of core symptoms such as pain and fatigue.

Adult Aging Moderates the Relationship Between Trait Cognitive Anxiety and Subjective Everyday Cognitive Difficulties.

The present aim was to determine, across the adult lifespan, the extent to which different dimensions of trait anxiety might affect subjective cognitive difficulties in everyday life. Following Attentional Control Theory (ACT; Eysenck et al., 2007), we predicted that trait anxiety would have a greater effect on attention and verbal abilities than on visual abilities. We also expected trait cognitive anxiety to exhibit more robust relationships with cognition than trait somatic anxiety. Importantly, we predicted that effects of anxiety would be greater in older adults, in line with the Strength and Vulnerability Integration model (SAVI; Charles, 2010). The sample comprised 286 United Kingdom-based adults aged 18–93 years. Participants completed self-report measures of trait cognitive and somatic anxiety (the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety; STICSA, Ree et al., 2008) and everyday cognitive difficulties (the Multiple Abilities Self-Report Questionnaire; MASQ, Seidenberg et al., 1994). Moderated regression models were constructed, including trait cognitive or somatic anxiety as a predictor of cognitive difficulties, and age as the moderator variable. Covariates included depression, stress (the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales—short form; DASS-21, Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995), gender, current mental health treatment status, and physical health status. When cognitive anxiety was the predictor variable, somatic anxiety was also included as a covariate, and vice-versa. Trait cognitive anxiety and age interacted to predict all MASQ subscales other than visual-perceptual ability. Difficulties with attention, verbal memory, and language abilities were significantly greater at higher levels of anxiety for all age groups, with the effect greatest in older adults. Difficulties with visual-spatial memory were significantly greater at higher levels of anxiety in middle-aged and older adults only. Higher trait somatic anxiety predicted difficulties with verbal memory and language ability independently of age, and interacted with age to predict language difficulties. Interestingly, age also significantly predicted less subjective difficulty with attention, independently of anxiety level. The results show that trait cognitive and somatic anxiety are both related to subjective, everyday cognitive difficulties. However, effects of trait cognitive anxiety are more robust across cognitive domains and tend to increase, or first appear, over the course of the adult lifespan.

Cognitive awareness after treatment for high-grade glioma

ObjectiveIn patients with brain lesion, awareness of cognitive deficits is an important aspect of disease awareness. Glioblastoma (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) can cause cognitive deficits, but, to date, awareness of these deficits has not been documented. This study aimed to test cognitive awareness in these patients after the end of treatment. MethodsFifty patients with GBM or AA were assessed using the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Self Rating Depression Scale (SRDS), and memory, attention, mental speed, abstract reasoning, and flexibility neuropsychological tests. Cognitive awareness was calculated as the concordance between the composite score of neuropsychological performance (PEC) and the total MASQ score. The controls were 48 healthy subjects. Analysis of variance and regression analysis compared subject groups and explored variables predicting perceived abilities. ResultsPatients with GBM or AA showed similar attention, memory, and executive deficits compared with controls. Cognitive awareness was fair/full in 64% of patients. In the entire patients group, the worst MASQ scores were associated with neuropsychological deficits, anxiety, depression, and glioma location in the right hemisphere . In patients with fair/full awareness, MASQ scores were related to affective status and neuropsychological performance, whereas, in those with scarce/no awareness, they were related only to affective status. ConclusionsAfter treatment, many patients with GBM or AA are aware of their cognitive deficits. Anxiety, depression, and right hemisphere tumour exacerbate the perceived difficulties. This neurocognitive approach expands the behavioural phenotypes of high-grade gliomas and may have therapeutic implications over the course of the disease.

Sex-Related Differences in Symptoms and Psychosocial Outcomes in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Prospective Questionnaire Study.

ObjectiveTo investigate sex-related differences in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) in terms of demographic characteristics and clinical features, including tender point count (TPC), mood disorders, sleep problems, FM symptom severity, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and quality of life (QOL).Patients and MethodsWe studied 668 consecutive patients with FM (606 women) from May 1, 2012, to November 30, 2013. Validated questionnaires assessed outcomes of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), sleep problems (Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale), FM symptom severity (Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), cognitive dysfunction (Multiple Ability Self-report Questionnaire), and QOL (36-Item Short Form Health Survey). Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and Pearson χ2 tests were used to compare continuous and categorical outcome measures, respectively, between men and women. Linear regression models were performed for all continuous dependent variables, adjusting for age, body mass index, ethnicity, marital status, and highest education level completed. P<.05 was considered statistically significant. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was used to adjust for multiple comparisons.ResultsMultiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association of female sex and greater TPC (P<.001), lower overall FM symptom severity (lower overall Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score; P=.03), and higher QOL subscale score for vitality (36-Item Short Form Health Survey vitality subscale score; P=.02). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, only the association between female sex and greater TPC remained significant. There were no sex-related differences in demographic characteristics, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, FM symptom severity, cognitive dysfunction, and QOL.ConclusionA higher TPC may be associated with female sex in patients with FM. The assumption of other sex-based differences in the clinical presentation of FM was not supported in our study.

Cognitive reserve and depression predict subjective reports of successful aging

BackgroundWith graying of western societies, successful aging is a hotly debated topic. Attaining successful aging brings benefits not only at the individual level, but also to society. To better understand successful aging, we conducted a study of older adults in the Republic of Slovenia. MethodsWe recruited 213 community-dwelling adults, age 65 years and older, who responded to the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI), Purpose of Life Questionnaire (PIL), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Cognitive Reserve Index, Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), and Multiple Abilities Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ). ResultsResponses to all scales were significantly correlated, which was taken into account when identifying covariates of latent successful aging in a structural equation model. Successful aging, as evaluated by the combination questionnaire responses, was most strongly associated with depression and marginally associated with cognitive reserve. Self-rated functional and cognitive capacities did not significantly explain individual differences in successful aging. DiscussionIn our study of community-dwelling, older Slovenes, self-rated depression emerged as a strong correlate of successful aging and, to a lesser degree, cognitive reserve. Future studies of interventions that aim to promote successful aging should consider the role of depression and cognitive reserve in the older adult’s experience of aging.

Spirituality and quality of life in epilepsy and other chronic neurological disorders

PurposeThe patients with neurological disorders often report a different quality of life (QoL), which is in part explained by clinical–pathological or psychosocial variables. This study evaluated spirituality in patients with chronic brain pathologies, aiming to clarify its specificity and position to a multidimensional model of QoL. MethodsA hundred and ninety-nine adult patients with epilepsy (E) (n = 88), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 32), ischemic vascular disorders (n = 29), tumors (n = 28), or multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 22), and 66 healthy subjects were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL) 100, Spiritual, Religious and Personal Beliefs (SRPB), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for the QoL, spirituality, depression, and anxiety. The Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ) and neuropsychological tests evaluated the cognitive functions. ResultsFactor analysis of the SRPB, STAI, and BDI scores yielded four factors: Personal Meaning, Inner Freedom, Awe and Openness, and Mood. Quality of life and spirituality were very similar between the patient groups. In comparison with the controls, all of the patients showed worse QoL, spirituality, mood, and lexical-memory abilities, and the patients with MCI and brain vascular disorders (BVD) also revealed worse cognitive impairments. Trait anxiety, self-rated health, age, and the SRPB Inner independence and Hope and optimism facets predicted the patients' WHOQoL 100 total score; the spiritual, affective, and socioeconomic variables predicted many QoL domains, but diagnosis only affected the Physical domain. Anxiety, self-rated health, Hope and optimism, and Personal beliefs predicted the controls' WHOQoL 100 total score. ConclusionsSpirituality, as marked by the meaning of self, inner independence, and transcendence, is distinct from mood. It cooperates, together with the affective states, to determine the QoL of the patients with chronic brain pathologies whereas diagnosis has a limited impact. These findings support a multidimensional cross-disease model for the QoL in neurological disorders.

Sex-related demographic and symptomatologic characteristics of patients with fibromyalgia

To assess sex-related characteristics in patients with fibromyalgia, specifically in terms of patient demographics (age, body mass index, marital status, and educational level), tender point count, symptoms (cognition, sleep disorder, fatigue, anxiety, and depression), and quality-of-life measurements. We studied 668 consecutive patients (606 women) who participated in the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) from May 2012 through November 2013. All patients completed a series of questionnaires at the initial consult, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS-Sleep Scale), the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R), the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ), and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test and the Chi 2 test for continuous variables and categorical variables were used to detect differences between sexes. We observed no significant sex-based differences in demographics, including age, marital status, and educational level. Likewise, no significant sex differences were seen in body mass index, mood, sleep, cognition, symptom impact, or fatigue. However, women had a significantly higher tender point count than men ( P = 0.001). The only sex-related difference observed in our cohort was the tender point count; the assumption of other sex-based differences in the clinical presentation of fibromyalgia was not supported in our study.

Longitudinal stability of fibromyalgia symptom clusters

BackgroundUsing self-report questionnaires of key fibromyalgia symptom domains (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, function, stiffness, dyscognition, depression, and anxiety), we previously identified four unique symptom clusters. The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of fibromyalgia symptom clusters between baseline and 2-year follow-up.MethodsWomen with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia completed the Brief Pain Inventory, Profile of Mood States, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep measure, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire, Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument at baseline. Follow-up measures were completed approximately 2 years later. The hierarchical agglomerative clustering algorithm previously developed was applied; agreement between baseline and follow-up was assessed with the κ statistic.ResultsAmong 433 participants, the mean age was 56 (range 20–85) years. The median Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total score was 57 (range 8–96). More than half of participants (58%) remained in the same cluster at follow-up as at baseline, which represented moderate agreement between baseline and follow-up (κ = 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–0.50). Only two patients changed from high symptom intensity to low symptom intensity; similarly, only three moved from low to high.ConclusionsFibromyalgia patients classified into four unique symptom clusters based on the key domains of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, function, stiffness, dyscognition, depression, and anxiety showed moderate stability in cluster assignment after 2 years. Few patients moved between the two extremes of severity, and it was slightly more common to move to a lower symptom level than to worsen.Trial registrationNot applicable.

(343) - Longitudinal stability of fibromyalgia symptom clusters

Using self-report questionnaires of key fibromyalgia symptoms domains (fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, function, stiffness, dyscognition, depression, and anxiety) we previously identified four unique symptom clusters. The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of fibromyalgia symptom clusters between baseline and two years follow-up. Female patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia completed a baseline Brief Pain Inventory, the 30-item Profile of Mood States, the Medical Outcomes Sleep Scale, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised, and the Medical Outcomes Short Form-36. Follow-up measures were completed approximately 2 years later. The hierarchical agglomerative clustering algorithm previously developed was applied; agreement between baseline and follow-up was assessed with the kappa statistic. Among the 433 participants, the mean age was 56 (range 20–85) years. The median FIQ total score was 57 (range: 8–96). 58% (251/433) participants remained in the same cluster at follow-up as compared to baseline, which represented moderate agreement between baseline and follow-up (kappa .44, 95% CI: .37–.50). Only 2 patients changed from high symptom intensity to low symptom intensity; similarly, only 3 moved from low to high. FM patients classified into four unique symptom clusters based on the key domains of fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, function, stiffness, dyscognition, depression, and anxiety showed moderate stability in cluster assignment at two years of follow-up. Few patients moved between the two extremes of severity, and it was slightly more common to move to a lower symptom level than to worsen.

Characterizing "fibrofog": Subjective appraisal, objective performance, and task-related brain activity during a working memory task.

The subjective experience of cognitive dysfunction (“fibrofog”) is common in fibromyalgia. This study investigated the relation between subjective appraisal of cognitive function, objective cognitive task performance, and brain activity during a cognitive task using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Sixteen fibromyalgia patients and 13 healthy pain-free controls completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ), a measure of self-perceived cognitive difficulties. Participants were evaluated for working memory performance using a modified N-back working memory task while undergoing Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI measurements. Fibromyalgia patients and controls did not differ in working memory performance. Subjective appraisal of cognitive function was associated with better performance (accuracy) on the working memory task in healthy controls but not in fibromyalgia patients. In fibromyalgia patients, increased perceived cognitive difficulty was positively correlated with the severity of their symptoms. BOLD response during the working memory task did not differ between the groups. BOLD response correlated with task accuracy in control subjects but not in fibromyalgia patients. Increased subjective cognitive impairment correlated with decreased BOLD response in both groups but in different anatomic regions. In conclusion, “fibrofog” appears to be better characterized by subjective rather than objective impairment. Neurologic correlates of this subjective experience of impairment might be separate from those involved in the performance of cognitive tasks.

Development and Initial Validation of a Brief Self-Report Measure of Cognitive Dysfunction in Fibromyalgia

Pain is often the focus of research and clinical care in fibromyalgia (FM); however, cognitive dysfunction is also a common, distressing, and disabling symptom in FM. Current efforts to address this problem are limited by the lack of a comprehensive, valid measure of subjective cognitive dysfunction in FM that is easily interpretable, accessible, and brief. The purpose of this study was to leverage cognitive functioning item banks that were developed as part of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) to devise a 10-item short form measure of cognitive functioning for use in FM. In study 1, a nationwide (U.S.) sample of 1,035 adults with FM (age range = 18–82, 95.2% female) completed 2 cognitive item pools. Factor analyses and item response theory analyses were used to identify dimensionality and optimally performing items. A recommended 10-item measure, called the Multidimensional Inventory of Subjective Cognitive Impairment (MISCI) was created. In study 2, 232 adults with FM completed the MISCI and a legacy measure of cognitive functioning that is used in FM clinical trials, the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ). The MISCI showed excellent internal reliability, low ceiling/floor effects, and good convergent validity with the MASQ (r = −.82). PerspectiveThis paper presents the MISCI, a 10-item measure of cognitive dysfunction in FM, developed through classical test theory and item response theory. This brief but comprehensive measure shows evidence of excellent construct validity through large correlations with a lengthy legacy measure of cognitive functioning.

OMERACT-based fibromyalgia symptom subgroups: an exploratory cluster analysis

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to identify subsets of patients with fibromyalgia with similar symptom profiles using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core symptom domains.MethodsFemale patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and currently meeting fibromyalgia research survey criteria completed the Brief Pain Inventory, the 30-item Profile of Mood States, the Medical Outcomes Sleep Scale, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire–Revised (FIQ-R) and the Short Form-36 between 1 June 2011 and 31 October 2011. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to identify subgroups of patients with similar symptom profiles. To validate the results from this sample, hierarchical agglomerative clustering was repeated in an external sample of female patients with fibromyalgia with similar inclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 581 females with a mean age of 55.1 (range, 20.1 to 90.2) years were included. A four-cluster solution best fit the data, and each clustering variable differed significantly (P <0.0001) among the four clusters. The four clusters divided the sample into severity levels: Cluster 1 reflects the lowest average levels across all symptoms, and cluster 4 reflects the highest average levels. Clusters 2 and 3 capture moderate symptoms levels. Clusters 2 and 3 differed mainly in profiles of anxiety and depression, with Cluster 2 having lower levels of depression and anxiety than Cluster 3, despite higher levels of pain. The results of the cluster analysis of the external sample (n = 478) looked very similar to those found in the original cluster analysis, except for a slight difference in sleep problems. This was despite having patients in the validation sample who were significantly younger (P <0.0001) and had more severe symptoms (higher FIQ-R total scores (P = 0.0004)).ConclusionsIn our study, we incorporated core OMERACT symptom domains, which allowed for clustering based on a comprehensive symptom profile. Although our exploratory cluster solution needs confirmation in a longitudinal study, this approach could provide a rationale to support the study of individualized clinical evaluation and intervention.

Self-rated and assessed cognitive functions in epilepsy: Impact on quality of life

To compare the effects of perceived and assessed cognitive functions on quality of life (QoL) in patients with epilepsy (PWE). The study analyzed the data from a series of PWE who compiled the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-89 Inventory (QOLIE-89) and the Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ) for QoL and perceived cognitive abilities, respectively. The State-Trait Anxiety and Beck Depression inventories were used to assess mood. Neuropsychological tests evaluated abstract reasoning, attention, conceptual-motor tracking, constructional praxis, language, verbal and non-verbal memory, abstraction, category shifting, verbal fluency, and visual-spatial abilities. The QOLIE-89 overall score was predicted by the Mood and Attention and Executive Functions factors and MASQ scores, explaining 38, 6, and 4% of its variance, while disease duration, seizure frequency, and schooling determined 16%. The QOLIE-89 Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Physical Performance sub-domains related to mood. The Cognitive and Physical Performance factors also related to the MASQ and Attention and Executive Functions factor scores, respectively. In PWE, self-rated and assessed cognitive deficits may influence QoL, explaining 10% of its variance irrespective from mood and clinical variables. Treating cognitive deficits and their perception may help improve QoL.

A comparison of fibromyalgia symptoms in patients with Healthy versus Depressive, Low and Reactive affect balance styles

Background and aimsAffect balance reflects relative levels of negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA) and includes four styles: Healthy (low NA/high PA), Depressive (high NA/low PA), Reactive (high NA/high PA) and Low (low NA/low PA). These affect balance styles may have important associations with clinical outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia. Herein, we evaluated the severity of core fibromyalgia symptom domains as described by the Outcomes Research in Rheumatology-Fibromyalgia working group in the context of the four affect balance styles. MethodsData from 735 patients with fibromyalgia who completed the Brief Pain Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Profile of Mood States, Medical Outcomes Sleep Scale, Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were included in this analysis. ResultsThe majority (51.8%) of patients in our sample had a Depressive affect balance style; compared to patients with a Healthy affect balance style, they scored significantly worse in all fibromyalgia symptom domains including pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, dyscognition, depression, anxiety, stiffness, and functional status (P=<.001 to .004). Overall, patients with a Healthy affect balance style had the lowest level of symptoms, while symptom levels of those with Reactive and Low affect balance styles were distributed in between those of the Depressive and Healthy groups. Conclusions and implicationsThe results of our cross-sectional study suggest that having a Healthy affect balance style is associated with better physical and psychological symptom profiles in fibromyalgia. Futures studies evaluating these associations longitudinally could provide rationale for evaluating the effect of psychological interventions on affect balance and clinical outcomes in fibromyalgia.

Theory of mind and epilepsy: What clinical implications?

Epilepsy can impair theory of mind (ToM), but the clinical significance of such a deficit is unknown. This study evaluated the influence of selective ToM deficits on self-appraisal, coping, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with focal epilepsy. Data were collected from 66 patients with temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy, and from 42 healthy controls. The Faux Pas Task (FPT), Multiple Ability Self-report Questionnaire (MASQ), Coping Responses Inventory-Adult (CRI-Adult), and World Health Organization QoL 100 (WHOQoL 100) evaluated ToM, self-rated cognitive abilities, coping to stressful events, and QoL. Different tests and inventories assessed other cognitive functions, depression, and anxiety. Patients were impaired in the recognition and comprehension of social faux pas. The FPT scores contributed to predict the MASQ, CRI-Adult, and WHOQoL overall scores; the comprehension of others' mental states and interactions score exerted a prominent influence. In patients with focal epilepsy, selective ToM deficits may have clinical implications, with specific influence on self-appraisal, coping, and overall QoL. ToM evaluation may contribute in explaining some psychobehavioral difficulties and to plan nonpharmacological treatment.

Results of switching to milnacipran in fibromyalgia patients with an inadequate response to duloxetine: a phase IV pilot study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of milnacipran following a direct switch from duloxetine in fibromyalgia patients experiencing inadequate clinical response to duloxetine after receiving treatment for 6 weeks or longer.MethodsThis exploratory study included 107 patients with fibromyalgia who had been treated with duloxetine 60 mg/day for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Following a 2-week open-label period on duloxetine, patients who had visual analog scale pain scores ≥ 40 and were dissatisfied with current treatment were randomized 4:1 to milnacipran 100 mg/day (n = 86) or placebo (n = 21) for 10 weeks of double-blind treatment. The small placebo group was included solely to blind the study and minimize expectation bias among patients and investigators, and there was no preplanned statistical comparison between treatment groups. The primary efficacy parameter was the percentage of patients rating themselves as “much improved” or “very much improved” on the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) at the final visit. Other efficacy parameters included changes in one-week recall visual analog scale pain, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR), and Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ).ResultsOf patients switched to milnacipran, 32.9% were classified as PGIC responders, and they also demonstrated improvement in visual analog scale pain, FIQR total, and MASQ total scores (mean changes from baseline were −12.3, −7.77, and −2.39, respectively). Nausea and dizziness were the most common treatment-emergent adverse events in patients switched to milnacipran, reported in 21% and 15%, respectively, of patients in this group.ConclusionResults from this exploratory study suggest that switching from duloxetine to milnacipran may be beneficial in some patients with fibromyalgia who have an inadequate response to duloxetine. Further research investigating the efficacy and safety of switching fibromyalgia therapies is warranted.

Awareness, overestimation, and underestimation of cognitive functions in epilepsy

This study estimated cognitive awareness and the predictors of self-rating in patients with epilepsy (PWE). The Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ), State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory were used for self-evaluation. Neuropsychological assessment yielded five single-domain scores (Long-Term Memory, Mental Speed, Working Memory, Set Shifting, and Visuospatial Matching) and a total composite score. Awareness was computed as the concordance between the neuropsychological and MASQ scores. In 37 patients with full awareness, self-ratings were predicted by Long-Term Memory, Working Memory, and Mental Speed. In 58 patients with incomplete or no awareness, self-ratings related to depression and seizure frequency. Compared with overestimation, underestimation was associated with higher test scores, better education, and younger age. Brain lesion and the type of epilepsy showed no effect. Therefore, PWE may appear unaware of their cognitive abilities due to negative affect and clinical burden. Understanding patients' awareness of their cognitive deficits can help clarify the clinical pattern provoked by epilepsy, as well as patients' compliance with treatment for seizures or cognitive difficulties.

Measures of fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, and Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ).

The assessment of fibromyalgia (FM) is challenging because there are no biomarkers for this condition. Clinicians must rely upon patient-reported symptoms in order to understand the complexities of this condition. While in 1990 the American College of Rheumatology developed research classification criteria involving tender point counts, it has only been within the past year that the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) proposed clinical diagnostic criteria1. Historically, many symptoms have been thought to be associated with FM. In order to narrow the field to those symptoms with the greatest clinical relevance, a working group within OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) conducted several Delphi exercises within both patients and clinicians to obtain consensus regarding which domains should be assessed in clinical trials for FM 2,3. The instruments to be reviewed in this paper reflect the clinically relevant domains defined by this OMERACT working group. A wide variety of instruments have been used to index the OMERACT domains for FM. Many of the instruments were developed for use generically or have been borrowed from other clinical populations. In recent phase 2 & 3 clinical trials of medications for FM, wide variation was observed in the selection of domain indices (see Table 1). While many of these measures are reviewed elsewhere in this special issue, we have selected a representative measure from each of the following domains of relevance: pain (Brief Pain Inventory), fatigue (Multi-dimensional Fatigue Inventory), sleep disturbance (MOS Sleep Scale), and cognitive dysfunction (Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire. Mood and Functional status are also important domains for FM; however the instruments most commonly used to assess these domains are reviewed elsewhere in this special issue and will not be repeated here (e.g. mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and functional status (SF-36). Recent work in the development of responder indices suggest that either these specific instruments or other measurement tools from within the same domain can be used to differentiate responders from non-responders in clinical treatment trials for FM 4. The precision by which these domains will be able to be assessed in the future is likely to be enhanced as newer measurements that are being developed using either classical test construction methods or methods such as item response theory and computer adaptive testing as is being done in the NIH-sponsored Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMIS) 5. Table 1 Outcome measures in fibromyalgia trials of FDA-approved medications FIBROMYALGIA IMPACT QUESTIONNAIRE General Description Purpose The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was developed in the late 1980’s by clinicians at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to assess the total spectrum of problems related to FM and associated responses to therapy 6. The FIQ was first published in 1991 7 and modified in both 1997 and 2002 to refine items and to clarify the scoring system 6. The FIQ was revised in 2009 (FIQR) to better reflect current understanding of FM and to address limitations of the original FIQ while retaining its essential properties 8.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Standardized Assessment Tools in the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and in the Assessment of Fibromyalgia Severity

Standard assessments for fibromyalgia (FM) diagnosis and core FM symptom domains are needed for biomarker development and treatment trials. Diagnostic and symptom assessments are reviewed and recommendations are made for standards. Recommendations for existing assessments include the American College of Rheumatology FM classification criteria using the manual tender point Survey for diagnosis, the brief pain inventory average pain visual analogue scale for pain intensity, the function subscale of the revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQR) for physical function, the patient global impression of change and FIQR for overall/global improvement, the hospital anxiety and depression scale depression subscale for depression, the multiple ability self-report questionnaire for cognitive dysfunction, the fatigue severity scale for fatigue, the FIQR for multidimensional function/health-related quality of life, the jenkins sleep scale for sleep disturbance, and the fibromyalgia intensity score for tenderness. Forthcoming assessments including the FIQR for diagnosis, NIH PROMIS, and FIBRO Change scales are discussed.