Self-Administered Screening Test Research Articles

Auto-Global Examination of Mental State (Auto-GEMS): a web-based self-administered cognitive screening.

Recent methodological developments have contributed to a significant advance in computerised neuropsychological instruments and procedures, including those accessible from remote. In this paper we present Auto-GEMS, a newly developed, web-based, self-administered screening test allowing to quickly estimate an individual's cognitive state also considering their cognitive reserve. Auto-GEMS measures cognitive functioning on eleven items similarly to the in-person paper-and-pencil version (GEMS) and to the remote (phone or video call) version (Tele-GEMS) of the same screening. We collected normative data on a sample of 1308 Italian-speaking participants (age range 18-93) to verify its psychometric properties and computed regression models on demographic variables to establish clinical cut-offs. The psychometric properties of Auto-GEMS have shown good internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity. This short and user-friendly tool has a number of potential applications. For instance, it can be useful in clinical practice to monitor the cognitive profile of patients or vulnerable individuals, or even administered in a face-to-face, standard clinical setting. It can also be used in research studies to screen participants. The testing materials and the collected data are freely available in a digital archive along with a web App to visualise the test outcome with reference to its normative data.

Development and Validation of a Self-Administered Screening Test for Betel Quid Use Disorders in Betel Quid Chewers in Hunan, China.

Processed betel quid product chewing is a public health problem in areca non-plant areas in China. However, there is no valid instrument to screen for betel quid use disorder (BQUD) in mainland China. We developed a self-administered screening test for betel quid use disorders (SST-BQUD) and tested its reliability and validity in a sample of betel quid chewers (BQCers) in Hunan, China. Items of SST-BQUD were selected from the test results of an item pool, which includes 52 questions related to the psycho-social and behavioral presentations of BQUD. All participants, in a self-administered manner, completed the item pool. A subsample completed the re-test one week later. Two psychiatrists interviewed all participants to ascertain the presence of BQUD. The receiver Operating Characteristic curve was used to determine the best cut-off value to discriminate BQUD. One hundred and twelve BQCers were recruited. Based on the statistical analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, 14 yes/no questions were selected for SST-BQUD. As indicated by Cronbach's α coefficient, the internal consistency was 0.876. The area under the curve of SST-BQUD was 0.881, representing a satisfactory diagnostic value. The one-week re-test reliability test was 0.771 (P<0.001), suggesting good stability over time. The optimal cut-off score for BQUD screening was six, with a sensitivity of 0.921 and a specificity of 0.716, implying the satisfactory accuracy of SST-BQUD to screen for BQUD. The standard version of SST-BQUD consists of 14 items. The total score of SST-BQUD was the sum of affirmative answers, with higher scores denoting a more severe BQUD symptom. If one answered six or more times "yes" to these 14 questions, they can be classified with BQUD. The SST-BQUD is a valid screening method for BQUD among BQCers in betel quid processed area.

A validation of a self-administered screening test for Parkinson's disease

BackgroundThe detection and diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is of paramount importance for optimal treatment and for participation in disease-modifying trials. The present study assesses the diagnostic accuracy of the Baylor Functional Assessment Scale (BFAS), a self-administered screening instrument, designed to distinguish between patients with PD, other disorders (OD), and healthy controls (HC). MethodsUsing the BFAS, we screened a total of 265 individuals including patients diagnosed at the Baylor College of Medicine Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic (PDCMDC) with PD (N = 63) and with OD (N = 47), and HC (N = 155) participants recruited from the PDCMDC and community health fairs. ResultsSignificant group differences in BFAS total scores were found (F = 172.6; p < 0.001) between patients with PD and those with OD and both groups endorsed more items than the HC group. A cut-point of 3 on the BFAS total score maximized the sensitivity (85.7%, 95%CI: 74.61% to 93.25%) and the specificity (87.7%, 05% Ci: 81.52% to 92.46%) for distinguishing PD from HC with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 93.8% and a negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of 0.16. At a cut-point of 5, the BFAS maximized sensitivity (76%, 95% CI: 63.79% to 86.02%) and specificity (72%, 95% CI: 57.36% to 84.38%) for distinguishing PD from OD with a NPV of 69.4% and a NLR of 0.33. ConclusionsIn this pilot study, the BFAS provides a sensitive and specific screening tool for PD that helps differentiate individuals with PD from HC and from those with other disorders. Through future validation studies, the BFAS may be a useful instrument for identifying individuals with PD and for recruitment into PD clinical trials.

Adaptation and Validation of the Standardized Assessment of Personality – Abbreviated Scale as a Self-Administered Screening Test (SA-SAPAS)

Personality disorder assessments are time-intensive and require trained interviewers. They are unlikely to be performed on a routine basis. In clinical and general populations, there is a requirement for short and robust self-administered screening tests for personality disorders. We first translated the original form of the SAPAS into French and validated it in a clinical sample (n=28). This adaptation revealed properties similar to those of the original version. The first and second studies validated the adaptation of the SA-SAPAS as a self-administered questionnaire in clinical (n=45) and general (n=186) populations. We were able to use the same cut-off (score ≥ 2) in both the clinical and general populations and this permitted correct identification in 89% of the clinical subjects (sensitivity of 97.3%; specificity of 50%) and 86% in the general population (sensitivity of 87.5%; specificity of 85.7%). These results suggest possible applications for researchers and clinicians, either as a routine screening test or as a selection tool in both general and clinical populations.

Prevalence of psychiatric and physical morbidity in an urban geriatric population

Background:With a rapidly increasing population of older aged people, epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of mental and physical illnesses are urgently required for proper health planning. However, there is a scarcity of such data from India.Aims:To study the frequency and pattern of psychiatric morbidity present and the association of physical illness with psychiatric morbidity in an elderly urban population.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional, epidemiological study.Materials and Methods:All the consenting elderly persons in a municipal ward division (n=202) were enrolled after surveying a total adult population of 7239 people. A door to door survey was undertaken where the participants were interviewed and physically examined. General Health Questionnaire-12, Mini Mental State Examination, CAGE Questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale were used in the interview apart from consulting the available documents. Other family members were also interviewed to verify the information.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test with Yates correction.Results:Psychiatric illnesses were detected in 26.7% while physical illnesses were present in 69.8% of the population surveyed. Predominant psychiatric diagnoses were depressive disorders, dementia, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol dependence and bipolar disorder. The most common physical illness was visual impairment, followed by cardiovascular disease, rheumatic illnesses, pulmonary illnesses, hearing impairment, genitourinary diseases and neurological disorders. Presence of dementia was associated with increased age, single/widowed/separated status, nuclear family, economic dependence, low education, cardiovascular disorders, rheumatic disorders and neurological disorders. Depression was associated with female sex, single/widowed/separated status, staying in nuclear families, economic dependence on others and co-morbid physical illnesses, specifically cardiovascular disorders and visual impairment.Conclusions:This study presented a higher rate of dementia and old age depression. The interesting association with several sociodemographic factors as well as physical illnesses may have important implications for health planning.

Development of a Computer-Based, Multi-media Hearing Loss Prevention Education Program for Veterans and Military Personnel

Purpose: Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are prevalent and costly problems for military personnel and Veterans. To reduce the prevalence and burden of these conditions, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are working together to develop an interactive, computer-based, multimedia hearing loss prevention education program that can be delivered at military bases, primary care or other medical settings. Method: One participant at a time interacts with the program inside a sound-attenuated enclosure that is large enough for wheelchair access. A computer touch screen allows participants to select among a variety of activities, including a self-administered screening test of high-frequency hearing; learning why, when, and how to protect hearing; learning how hearing works and how loud sounds damage hearing; learning how sound intensity is measured and which sounds are too loud; listening to demonstrations of simulated hearing loss; learning how to select and use hearing protective devices; learning about tinnitus; and learning about hearing health care services available at each site. Results/Conclusions: The program will be made available to all Veterans, military personnel, and other members of the public through the internet and at medical centers throughout the country.

Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use in a Primary Care Sample

ABSTRACT Background: Primary care settings are an ideal system in which to identify and treat substance use disorders. Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use in the office of 88 primary care clinicians by gender, age and ethnicity. Method: 21,282 adults ages 18-65 completed a self-administered Health Screening Survey while participating in a trial for early alcohol treatment. Results: The period prevalence of tobacco use was 27%. For alcohol: abstainers 40%, low risk drinkers 38%, at-risk drinkers 9%, problem drinkers 8%, and dependent drinkers 5%. Twenty percent of the sample reported using illicit drugs five or more times in their lifetime and 5% reported current illicit drug use. There were marked differences in alcohol use disorders by age and ethnicity. The majority of persons who smoked reported the desire to cut down or stop using tobacco. Significance: This is the first report on the combined prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and drug disorders in a large sample of persons attending community-based non-academic primary care clinics. This report confirms the high prevalence of these problems and suggests that patients will accurately complete a self-administered screening test such as the Health Screening Survey. The office procedures developed for this study provide Managed Care Organizations with a system of care that can be used to screen all persons for tobacco, alcohol and drug use disorders.

New concept for cancer screening.

Prevention of cancer mortality can be achieved by two main routes: (1) detection of precancerous lesions and preventing their progression to cancer, and (2) detecting cancers at an early stage when they are still amenable to curative treatment. Early detection of cancer is dependent on the population being well-informed about cancer, and about how to carry out self-examination as a preliminary screen (followed by a full clinical examination in the event of suspicious symptoms). In this paper the warning signs that the population should be taught to look out for are discussed. Superficial observation and palpation can be used for surface tumours (which comprise 10-15% of the total). A further 60-70% of tumours are of the digestive tract, respiratory tract or urogenital tract. For these, it is argued that a simple occult blood test could be used as a self-administered screening test. Data are presented to show that this is a practicable way for the general population to detect early signs of cancer or pre-cancer, with a high yield of clinically significant results in the occult blood positive persons.

The EASI: a self-administered screening test for cognitive impairment in the elderly.

The Early Assessment Self Inventory (EASI), a rapid self-administered screening test for cognitive impairment in the elderly, was constructed to permit individuals to be assessed in a group or singly without examiner intervention. This paper-and-pencil device requires a fourth-grade reading level and makes minimal demands on literacy while assessing orientation, recent and remote memory, language, visual-construction, calculation, and attention. In the present study, the EASI was group-administered to 146 elderly persons attending senior centers and completed individually without examiner intervention by 19 outpatients at a memory disorders clinic. Participants were 60 to 95 years old with 5 to 18 years of education. The EASI demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability and was significantly correlated with the Mini-Mental State Exam and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, both widely used screening instruments. Neuropsychological measures of memory, attention, and verbal fluency correlated as well with the EASI as with the examiner-administered screening instruments, suggesting that the EASI may provide an efficient method of screening for cognitive impairment.