Self-report Research Articles

Orthostatic hypertension as a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration: Evidence from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing

PurposeAge related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible visual loss in developed countries. It is associated with vascular risk factors including hypertension. Dysregulated blood pressure (BP) behaviour including orthostatic hypertension (OHTN), hypotension (OH) and BP variability (BPV) are associated with end-organ damage, particularly in the brain. We investigated if abnormal orthostatic BP (OBP) was a risk factor for AMD, for which a vascular aetiology is implicated. MethodsA nationally representative, cross-sectional study was carried out 2009/2010 in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Beat-to-beat BP data, measured by digital photoplethysmography during active stand, was used to characterise OBP behaviour in the 30–110 s after standing. OH, OHTN, BPV and normal stabilisation recovery phenotypes were defined. AMD was identified following masked grading of 45° monoscopic colour retinal photographs, which were centred on the macula and taken with a NIDEK AFC-210 non-mydriatic auto-fundus camera. The relationship between OBP recovery phenotypes and AMD in 3750 adults aged ≥50 years was investigated using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for traditional AMD risk factors. ResultsFrom 30 to 110 s post active stand, systolic and diastolic OHTN was associated with increased odds of AMD after adjustment for demographics, health behaviours including smoking, family history of AMD, self-report (SR) diabetes, SR cataracts, objective hypertension and prescribed antihypertensives. No evidence of heterogeneity of OHTN effect was found between those who were hypertensive to those who were normotensive. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that OHTN may be an independent cardiovascular risk factor for AMD.

Cross-cultural psychometric assessment of the VAGUS insight into psychosis scale – Spanish version

Impaired insight into illness, a core feature of schizophrenia with negative clinical implications, is a multidimensional phenomenon existing on a continuum. However, the degree to which illness perception in distinct cultures influences the appraisal of insight into illness in schizophrenia remains unclear. As such, we aimed to determine if the psychometric properties of the VAGUS insight into psychosis scale (www.vagusonline.com), which was originally assessed in English speaking Canadians, were similar in a sample of Latino Mexican Spanish speaking patients with schizophrenia. To accomplish this, the VAGUS – Self-Report (SR) version was translated from English to Spanish and psychometrically evaluated in 95 participants. The Spanish version of the VAGUS-SR was internally consistent (ᾳ = 0.713), and demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity with the subscales of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Factor analysis identified two components of insight, congruent with two of the components of the English version of the VAGUS-SR. In conclusion, the VAGUS-SR is a brief, novel, and valid measure of insight into illness in schizophrenia, which demonstrated similar psychometric properties in two culturally and linguistically distinct samples with schizophrenia. Future studies should assess whether the VAGUS demonstrates similar psychometric properties in non-Western cultures.

Utility of Different Adherence Measures for PrEP: Patterns and Incremental Value

Measuring PrEP adherence remains challenging. In 2009–2010, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative randomized phase II trial participants to daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine or placebo in Uganda and Kenya. Adherence was measured by electronic monitoring (EM), self-report (SR), and drug concentrations in plasma and hair. Each adherence measure was categorised as low, moderate, or high and also considered continuously; the incremental value of combining measures was determined. Forty-five participants were followed over 4 months. Discrimination for EM adherence by area under receiver operating curves (AROC) was poor for SR (0.53) and best for hair (AROC 0.85). When combining hair with plasma or hair with self-report, discrimination was improved (AROC > 0.9). Self-reported adherence was of low utility by itself. Hair level was the single best PK measure to predict EM-assessed adherence; the other measurements had lower discrimination values. Combining short-term (plasma) and long-term (hair) metrics could be useful to assess patterns of drug-taking in the context of PrEP.

Comparison of clinician-rated and self-report insight in Korean patients with schizophrenia using VAGUS insight scale

This study was aimed to explore self-report auditory verbal hallucinations to provide unique and valuable information in addition to clinician-rated assessment in patients with schizophrenia. The VAGUS (http://www.vagusonline.com) is a recently developed insight scale that includes both clinician-rated (CR) and self-report (SR) versions. Insight measures obtained by the two versions of the VAGUS from the clinicians and the patients, respectively, in forty-one patients diagnosed with schizophrenia by DSM-IV-TR criteria were compared. Correlation coefficients for inter-scale convergence and 3-D biplots for multivariate relationship were derived from the subscales of the VAGUS. For external validation, correlation analyses with abridged version of Scale to Assess Unawareness in Mental Disorder (SUMD-A) and PANSS G12 item were conducted. Total scores of VAGUS-CR and –SR were 5.2 ± 2.6 and 4.9 ± 2.2, respectively. There was a strong correlation between them along with moderate pairwise correlations among the subscales. The 3-D biplots demonstrated that most subscales were clustered as a single factor apart from self-report Symptom Attribution separated as an independent factor. The VAGUS-CR, not -SR correlated significantly with the SUMD-A and PANSS G12. The utility of the VAGUS in reaching more overall understanding of the elusive phenomenon of insight in patients with schizophrenia is discussed.

Agreement between electronic medical records and self-reported urologic domains in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR): Implications for future research

Self-report (SR) is an efficient data collection method. However, SR data have been shown to be discrepant with medical record (MR) documentation, which raises questions about using SR to supplement retrospective chart review in research. In this study, pediatric spina bifida (SB) patients who completed SR interviews about continence status and personal bladder/bowel management were identified. We examined agreement between SR data and Urology provider notes in MRs. This study aimed to (1) identify demographic, medical, or methodological factors that might contribute to SR/MR disagreement; (2) postulate how these findings might be significant clinically; and (3) recommend improvements to SR data collection and MR documentation. Our institution participates in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR). NSBPR-enrolled subjects typically complete annual interviews about their urologic outcomes; we consider this to be a form of SR. After identifying patients who interviewed within 1 month of an encounter with a urology provider, we systematically reviewed and compared their SR responses to the MR. Overall SR/MR agreement (no. of agreeing data pairs/no. of complete data pairs) and strength of agreement (kappa, κ) were assessed. Agreement about daytime continence status was assessed for children ≥5 years or in younger children who were toilet trained. Analyses were also stratified by diagnosis, type of bladder management, and ethnicity. Eleven urologic domains were analyzed for 176 patients. Overall SR/MR agreement was ≥90% for nine out of 11 domains (figure). Daytime urinary and stool incontinence (DUSI) domains demonstrated the lowest overall agreement, at 69% and 74% respectively. Patients with myelomeningocele (MM) and those on clean intermittent catheterization demonstrated twice as much SR/MR disagreement about DUSI than patients without MM and those who void. There was no significant difference in rates of SR/MR agreement about DUSI when analyzed by ethnicity, race, and ambulatory function status. Among cases of SR/MR disagreement about DUSI, the SR and MR had a roughly equal percentage of better outcomes reported for both UI and SI. There was strong SR/MR agreement for the majority of urologic data we analyzed. Medically complex patients faced lower SR/MR agreement, which is consistent with findings in other patient populations. Biased reporting by patients/families or providers was not found. Minimizing SR/MR disagreement through standardized data collection methods and tools, improved definitions of patient outcomes, and documentation of respondent identity will improve large, multisite studies that utilize SR and MR concurrently.

Comparison of six methods to estimate adherence in an ART-na\xefve cohort in a resource-poor setting: which best predicts virological and resistance outcomes?

BackgroundIncomplete adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) results in virologic failure and resistance. It remains unclear which adherence measure best predicts these outcomes. We compared six patient-reported and objective adherence measures in one ART-naïve cohort in South Africa.MethodsWe recruited 230 participants from a community ART clinic and prospectively collected demographic data, CD4 count and HIV-RNA at weeks 0, 16 and 48. We quantified adherence using 3-day self-report (SR), clinic-based pill count (CPC), average adherence by pharmacy refill (PR-average), calculation of medication-free days (PR-gaps), efavirenz therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and an electronic adherence monitoring device (EAMD). Associations between adherence measures and virologic and genotypic outcomes were modelled using logistic regression, with the area under the curve (AUC) from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses derived to assess performance of adherence measures in predicting outcomes.ResultsAt week 48 median (IQR) adherence was: SR 100% (100–100), CPC 100% (95–107), PR-average 103% (95–105), PR-gaps 100% (95–100) and EAMD 86% (59–94), and efavirenz concentrations were therapeutic (>1 mg/L) in 92%. EAMD, PR-average, PR-gaps and CPC best predicted virological outcome at week 48 with AUC ROC of 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.83), 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.85), 0.72 (95% CI 0.59–0.84) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.52–0.76) respectively. EAMD, PR-gaps and PR-average were highly predictive of detection of resistance mutations at week 48, with AUC ROC of 0.92 (95% CI 0.87–0.97), 0.86 (0.67–1.0) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.65–1.0) respectively. SR and TDM were poorly predictive of outcomes at week 48.ConclusionEAMD and both PR measures predicted resistance and virological failure similarly. Pharmacy refill data is a pragmatic adherence measure in resource-limited settings where electronic monitoring is unavailable.Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, number PACTR201311000641402, on the 13 Sep 2013 (www.pactr.org). The first participant was enrolled on the 12th July 2012. The last patient last visit (week 48) was 15 April 2014

Agreement between Self-Reports and Medical Records in the Reporting of Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract Background: Since previous studies have shown that self-reports may not be as accurate as medical record data, this secondary analysis investigated the agreement between maternal self-report (SR) and medical

Tangled Up in Blue: Unraveling the Links Between Emotional Distress and Treatment Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes.

We conducted comprehensive assessments of emotional distress to examine relations with diabetes medication adherence over time. Ethnically and socioeconomically diverse adults treated for type 2 diabetes completed validated self-reports (SRs) for diabetes distress and depression, were administered semistructured depression interviews, and provided blood samples for A1C. Medication adherence among 104 participants was electronically monitored (EM) over the subsequent 3 months; validated SRs of medication adherence were also obtained. Hierarchical linear regression evaluated independent effects of diabetes distress and depression on adherence. Mean ± SD 3-month medication adherence was 76.1% ± 25.7% for EM and 83.7% ± 21.9% for SR. Higher levels of SR (P < 0.001) and interview-based (P < 0.05) depressive symptom severity (P < 0.05) and diabetes-related distress (P < 0.01) showed a significant bivariate association with EM and SR nonadherence. Regression models showed baseline diabetes distress was a significant independent predictor of EM (β = -0.29; P = 0.001) and SR adherence (β = -0.24; P < 0.02) at follow-up. SR depression was an independent predictor of EM and SR adherence and reduced the effects of diabetes distress to nonsignificance. Subsequent models indicated this effect was driven by somatic rather than cognitive-affective symptoms of depression. Results were consistent but weaker for interview-based depressive symptoms. Findings support diabetes-related distress and depression symptom severity as risk factors for type 2 diabetes medication nonadherence. Somatic symptoms captured by depression measures, but not cognitive-affective symptoms, independently predict nonadherence and should be further investigated as a potential link between emotional distress and nonadherence.

Effect of alcohol consumption on all-cause and liver-related mortality among HIV-infected individuals.

The aim of the study was to examine the association between levels of past and current alcohol consumption and all-cause and liver-related mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). A prospective cohort study of 1855 PLWH in Baltimore, MD was carried out from 2000 to 2013. We ascertained alcohol use by (1) self-report (SR) through a computer-assisted self interview, and (2) medical record abstraction of provider-documented (PD) alcohol use. SR alcohol consumption was categorized as heavy (men: > 4 drinks/day or > 14 drinks/week; women: > 3 drinks/day or > 7 drinks/week), moderate (any alcohol consumption less than heavy), and none. We calculated the cumulative incidence of liver-related mortality and fitted adjusted cause-specific regression models to account for competing risks. All-cause and liver-related mortality rates (MRs) were 43.0 and 7.2 per 1000 person-years (PY), respectively. All-cause mortality was highest among SR nondrinkers with PD recent (< 6 months) heavy drinking (MR = 85.4 deaths/1000 PY) and lowest among SR moderate drinkers with no PD history of heavy drinking (MR = 23.0 deaths/1000 PY). Compared with SR moderate drinkers with no PD history of heavy drinking, SR nondrinkers and moderate drinkers with PD recent heavy drinking had higher liver-related mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 7.28 and 3.52, respectively]. However, SR nondrinkers and moderate drinkers with a PD drinking history of > 6 months ago showed similar rates of liver-related mortality (HR = 1.06 and 2.00, respectively). Any heavy alcohol consumption was associated with all-cause mortality among HIV-infected individuals, while only recent heavy consumption was associated with liver-related mortality. Because mortality risk among nondrinkers varies substantially by drinking history, current consumption alone is insufficient to assess risk.

Low correlation between self-report and medical record documentation of urinary tract infection symptoms

Correlations between symptom documentation in medical records and patient self-report (SR) vary depending on the condition studied. Patient symptoms are particularly important in urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis, and this correlation for UTI symptoms is currently unknown. This is a cross-sectional survey study in hospitalized patients with Escherichia coli bacteriuria. Patients were interviewed within 24hours of diagnosis for the SR of UTI symptoms. We reviewed medical records for UTI symptoms documented by admitting or treating inpatient physicians (IPs), nurses (RNs), and emergency physicians (EPs). The level of agreement between groups was assessed using Cohen κ coefficient. Out of 43 patients, 34 (79%) self-reported at least 1 of 6 primary symptoms. The most common self-reported symptoms were urinary frequency (53.5%); retention (41.9%); flank pain, suprapubic pain, and fatigue (37.2% each); and dysuria (30.2%). Correlation between SR and medical record documentation was slight to fair (κ, 0.06-0.4 between SR and IPs and 0.09-0.5 between SR and EDs). Positive agreement was highest for dysuria and frequency. Correlation between self-reported UTI symptoms and health care providers' documentation was low to fair. Because medical records are a vital source of information for clinicians and researchers and symptom assessment and documentation are vital in distinguishing UTI from asymptomatic bacteriuria, efforts must be made to improve documentation.

The spinal cord independence measure (SCIM)-III self report for youth.

The items and response scales of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM-III) self report (SR) were exposed to formal cognitive testing with children with SCI, and in parallel a survey using the modified Delphi Technique was conducted to engage content experts in an iterative critical review of the SCIM-III SR. To evaluate the validity of the SCIM-III SR for pediatric utilization. United States of America. Formal cognitive testing was conducted with 17 youths with SCI and required them to read and answer each SCIM-III SR item aloud. Think aloud methodology was used to record details about how youths understood and interpreted items and why they selected a given response. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis focused on identifying words that children could not read or understand. In parallel, the Modified Delphi Technique engaged expert therapists to critically review the SCIM-III SR for pediatric utilization. Every SCIM-III SR item and response scale required modification before children were able to read, understand and respond to them. Youth encountered difficulties because of vague terms, medical jargon and complex words and phrases. Three iterative Delphi rounds were required before achieving 80% agreement that items and response scales were written well for children. Our findings informed modifications to every SCIM-III SR item and response scale, producing a pediatric version of the tool that we formally refer to as the SCIM-III SR-Youth (SCIM-III SR-Y). The study was funded by the Craig H Neilsen Foundation, Spinal Cord Injury Research on the Translation Spectrum, Senior Research Award #282592 (Mulcahey, PI).

Are young drivers as careful as they deem? In vehicle data recorders and self reports evaluations

This paper aims to explore the driving behavior of young drivers few years after licensure based on two different evaluation approaches, which are used in a complementary manner. The evaluation was done with respect to driving exposure and trip safety. The evaluation is based on two data collection approaches, which were compiled for the same trips: The first, In Vehicle Data Recorders (IVDR), which were installed in the young drivers’ vehicles for a study period of 8 months. The second, Self-Reports (SR), which were provided by the young drivers at random times throughout the study period. These data have been compared and used in a complementary manner in order to provide an understanding of participants’ driving behavior. The results show high correlation of driving exposure which was self-reported and these obtained from IVDR. The results also indicate that young drivers clearly perceived themselves as being safer drivers than they are, according to IVDR findings. In addition variables available only in the SR e.g., the presence of passenger in the car were found to affect the trip risk level. The analysis obtained should be considered as exemplifying the potential of what may be accomplished and understood using these evaluation approaches.

Asymptomatic HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment increases risk for symptomatic decline.

While HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent despite combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), the clinical relevance of asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI), the most common HAND diagnosis, remains unclear. We investigated whether HIV-infected persons with ANI were more likely than those who were neurocognitively normal (NCN) to experience a decline in everyday functioning (symptomatic decline). A total of 347 human participants from the CNS HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) cohort were NCN (n = 226) or had ANI (n = 121) at baseline. Neurocognitive assessments occurred approximately every 6 months, with median (interquartile range) follow-up of 45.2 (28.7-63.7) months. Symptomatic decline was based on self-report (SR) or objective, performance-based (PB) problems in everyday functioning. Proportional hazards modeling was used to generate risk ratios for progression to symptomatic HAND after adjusting for baseline and time-dependent covariates, including CD4+ T-lymphocyte count (CD4), virologic suppression, CART, and mood. The ANI group had a shorter time to symptomatic HAND than the NCN after adjusting for baseline predictors: adjusted risk ratios for symptomatic HAND were 2.0 (confidence interval [CI] 1.1-3.6; p = 0.02) for SR, 5.8 (CI 3.2-10.7; p < 0.0001) for PB, and 3.2 (CI 2.0-5.0; p < 0.0001) for either SR or PB. Current CD4 and depression were significant time-dependent covariates, but antiretroviral regimen, virologic suppression, and substance abuse or dependence were not. This longitudinal study demonstrates that ANI conveys a 2-fold to 6-fold increase in risk for earlier development of symptomatic HAND, supporting the prognostic value of the ANI diagnosis in clinical settings. Identifying those at highest risk for symptomatic decline may offer an opportunity to modify treatment to delay progression.

MP16-02 "GETTING TO ZERO": PHENOTYPE, SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND TREATMENT IN CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME PATIENTS WHO SELF REPORT SYMPTOM RESOLUTION

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfections/Inflammation of the Genitourinary Tract: Prostate & Genitalia1 Apr 2014MP16-02 "GETTING TO ZERO": PHENOTYPE, SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND TREATMENT IN CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME PATIENTS WHO SELF REPORT SYMPTOM RESOLUTION Chad Reichard, Irene Makovey, and Daniel Shoskes Chad ReichardChad Reichard More articles by this author , Irene MakoveyIrene Makovey More articles by this author , and Daniel ShoskesDaniel Shoskes More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.02.575AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI) was developed to quantify the extent and severity of symptoms in chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and impact on quality of life. It is responsive to symptom change and a 6 point drop correlates with perceived patient improvement. Symptom improvement is not equivalent to "cure" and no studies have examined CPSI score targets in patients who consider their CPPS completely resolved. Indeed, there are sufficient non-specific questions in the CPSI that would allow many otherwise normal patients to have a score greater than zero. The aim of this study was to identify a cohort of CPPS patients who considered their symptoms completely resolved and analyze their demographics, clinical phenotype, treatments and CPSI scores. METHODS We identified 27 CPPS patients seen at our tertiary referral center who at the follow up visits reported that they felt their symptoms to be completely resolved ("cured"). Demographics, UPOINT phenotypes, treatments, and pre and post CPSI scores were examined. We also compared these variables to an existing database of 220 CPPS patients previously evaluated and phenotyped at our clinic. RESULTS Patients ranged in age from 22 to 68 years. Median follow up was 11 months (range 3 to 73 months). There were a median of 3 UPOINT domains positive (range 1-5) and a median of 3 treatments prescribed (range 1-6). UPOINT positive domains were 67% urinary, 26% psychosocial, 63% organ specific, 11% infectious, 26% neurologic, and 70% musculoskeletal tenderness. Mean change in CPSI subscores before and after therapy were pain 9.7 to 3.0, urinary 3.6 to 1.2, QOL 8.1 to 2.4, and total 21.4 to 6.7 (all p<0.0001). Of note, only 5 (19%) patients reported a total score of 0. Comparing this "cured" group to a previously published cohort of phenotyped CPPS patients, the "cured" group had lower starting total and pain CPSI scores (21.4 vs 25.0 p=0.008; 9.7 vs 11.5 p=0.02 respectively). There were no differences in number of UPOINT domains, age or proportion of positive domains between the two data sets. CONCLUSIONS Many men with CPPS can reach a subjective cure, however having done so, the majority do not reach a CPSI score of 0. This group of "cured" patients is similar to our typical tertiary referral cohort in terms of age and phenotype but differs in having slightly lower starting CPSI pain scores. © 2014FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 191Issue 4SApril 2014Page: e153-e154 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2014MetricsAuthor Information Chad Reichard More articles by this author Irene Makovey More articles by this author Daniel Shoskes More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Positive Adolescents in Uganda Assessed by Multiple Methods

The effectiveness of traditional adherence measurements used in adolescent populations is difficult to assess. Antiretroviral (ARV) adherence research among adolescents living with HIV in resource-constrained countries is particularly challenging and little evidence is available. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of a large-scale, long-term study using electronic adherence monitoring in Uganda. The secondary objective was to compare accuracy of pill count (PC) and self-report (SR) adherence with electronic medication vials (eCAPs™). Adolescents receiving ARV therapy at the Joint Clinical Research Centre in Kampala, Uganda, were recruited. ARVs were dispensed in eCAPs™ for 1 year. Person-pill-days (PPDs) [1 day where adherence was measured for one medication in one patient] were calculated and a weighted paired t-test was used to compare the levels of adherence among subjects for three different adherence measurement methods. Fifteen patients were included: 40% were female, mean age was 14 years, mean baseline CD4+ cell count was 244 cells/μL, and average treatment duration was 9 months at study entry. Overall, 4721 PPDs were observed. Some eCAPs™ required replacement during the study resulting in some data loss. Consent rate was high (94%) but was slow due to age limit cut-points. Overall adherence for SR was 99%, PC was 97% and eCAP™ was 88% (p<0.05 for all comparisons). 93%, 67% and 23% of patients had an adherence of greater than 95% as measured by SR, PC and eCAP™ methods, respectively. A large-scale adherence study in Uganda would be feasible using a more robust electronic monitoring system. Adherence measurements produced by PCs and self-reporting methods appear to overestimate adherence measured electronically.

Response to Antiretroviral Therapy of HIV Type 1-Infected Children in Urban and Rural Settings of Uganda

From 2006 to 2011, a cohort study was conducted among 1000 children resident in urban and rural settings of Uganda to ascertain and compare the response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among urban versus rural children and the factors associated with this response. Clinical, immunological, and virological parameters were ascertained at baseline and weeks 24, 48, 96, and 144 after ART initiation. Adherence to ART was assessed at enrollment by self-report (SR) and pill counts (PC). Overall, 499/948 (52.6%) children were resident in rural areas, 504/948 (53.1%) were male, and their mean age was 11.9±4.4 years (urban children) and 11.4±4.1 years (rural children). The urban children were more likely to switch to second-line ART at a rate of 39.9 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 28.2-56.4) versus 14.9 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 8.7-25.7), p=0.0038, develop any new WHO 3/4 events at 127/414 (30.7%) versus 108/466 (23.2%), p=0.012, and have a higher cumulative incidence of hospitalization of 54/449 (12.0%) versus 32/499 (6.4%), p=0.003, when compared to rural children. No differences were observed in mean changes in weight, height, CD4 count and percentage, and hemoglobin and viral load between urban and rural children. Adherence of ≥95% was observed in 88.2% of urban versus 91.3% of rural children by SR (p=0.130), and in 78.8% of urban versus 88.8% of rural children by PC (p<0.0001). In this study rural children had more favorable clinical outcomes and were more likely to adhere optimally to ART than urban children.

Prospective effects of hearing status on loneliness and depression in older persons: Identification of subgroups

Objective: To determine the possible longitudinal relationships between hearing status and depression, and hearing status and loneliness in the older population. Design: Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between baseline hearing and 4-year follow-up of depression, social loneliness, and emotional loneliness. Hearing was measured both by self-report and a speech-in-noise test. Each model was corrected for age, gender, hearing aid use, baseline wellbeing, and relevant confounders. Subgroup effects were tested using interaction terms. Study sample: We used data from two waves of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (2001–02 and 2005–06, ages 63–93). Sample sizes were 996 (self-report (SR) analyses) and 830 (speech-in-noise test (SNT) analyses). Results: Both hearing measures showed significant adverse associations with both loneliness measures (p < 0.05). However, stratified analyses showed that these effects were restricted to specific subgroups. For instance, effects were significant only for non-hearing aid users (SR-social loneliness model) and men (SR and SNT-emotional loneliness model). No significant effects appeared for depression. Conclusions: We found significant adverse effects of poor hearing on emotional and social loneliness for specific subgroups of older persons. Future research should confirm the subgroup effects and may contribute to the development of tailored prevention and intervention programs.SumarioObjetivo: Determinar las posibles relaciones longitudinales entre la condición auditiva y la depresión, y la condici n auditiva y la soledad, en adultos mayores. Diseño: Se usaron múltiples análisis de regresión lineal para evaluar las asociaciones entre la audición basal y el seguimiento a 4 años con la depresiún, la soledad social y la soledad emocional. La audición se midió tanto por auto-reporte como por la prueba de audición en ruido. Cada modelo fue corregido por edad, g nero, uso del auxiliar auditivo, bienestar basal y elementos relevantes de confusión. El efecto de subgrupo fue evaluado usando términos de interacción. Muestra del Estudio: Usamos datos de dos etapas del Estudio Longitudinal de Envejecimiento e Amsterdam (2001-02 y 2005-06, edades 63-93). El tamaño de las muestras fue 996 (análisis de auto-reporte (SR) y 830 (análisis de la prueba de audición en ruido). Resultados: Ambas mediciones auditivas mostraron asociaciones adversas significativas con ambas medidas de soledad (p < 0.05). Sin embargo, los análisis estratificados mostraron que estos efectos eran restringidos a subgrupos específicos. Por ejemplo, los efectos fueron significativos solo para quienes no usaban auxiliar auditivo (modelo SR – soledad social) y para hombres (SR y SNT – modelo de soledad emocional). No hubo efecto significativo para la depresión. Conclusiones: Encontramos efectos adversos significativos de un audición pobre sobre la soledad emocional y social para subgrupos específicos de personas mayores. Investigaciones futuras deberán confirmar el efecto de subgrupo y podrán contribuir al desarrollo de programas de prevenci n e intervenci n a la medida.

Self-Reported Hearing Difficulty Versus Audiometric Screening in Younger and Older Smokers and Nonsmokers

BackgroundThe high incidence of age-related hearing loss demands accessible, low cost hearing screenings for prevention and hearing health promotion. This study assessed performance of self report (SR) against audiometry, and prevalence of hearing difficulty when screening hearing in middle-aged and younger adults, including smokers and nonsmokers.MethodsProspective participants (N = 219) completed a questionnaire providing biographical, health, and smoking information. Their Yes/No responses about hearing or communication difficulty provided data for self-reported hearing loss. Eligible (N = 170) participants received a hearing test including immittance, pure-tone, and speech audiometry. The binaural pure-tone average (PTA) hearing threshold was determined; PTA decibel (dB) level indicated degree (e.g., mild) of hearing loss. All hearing screening data were coded and initially analyzed in an Access database. Statistical analyses based on conditional probability included measures of prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the SR versus audiometric measures. Participants provided a urine sample for biochemical analysis to confirm smoker/nonsmoker status.ResultsAmong all participants (N = 170), overall prevalence of self-reported hearing difficulty (15.9%) was in excellent agreement with measured, mild hearing loss (16.5%). However, factoring in age and smoking revealed that SR was incongruent with audiometry because hearing loss was overestimated by smokers and younger participants and underestimated by middle-aged individuals. The SR question yielded high specificity (80-90%) overall. Specificity was highest in nonsmokers (89-94%) and younger (90-91%) individuals with lower performance in smokers and middle-aged participants. SR sensitivity was high (86-100%) only when the hearing impairment cutoff was > 40 dB (moderate loss) and > 60 dB (severe loss). Sensitivity was highest in smokers (100%), supporting SR for screenings. High negative and low positive predictive value (PPV) occurred in smokers, younger, and middle-aged persons. This study reports new sensitivity and specificity data on self-reported hearing difficulty in smokers (N = 98), younger (N = 80), and middle-aged (N = 90) adults, indicating efficacy of SR as an adult hearing screening measure.ConclusionsSR was effective as few normal-hearing persons were labeled “hearing-impaired”. However, audiometry should supplement SR to optimize detection of mild hearing loss for at-risk adults. Results may guide community health initiatives for hearing screenings, prevention, and health promotion.KeywordsAging; Smoking; Self Report; Health Promotion; Hearing Screening

What constitutes too long of a delay? Determining the cortisol awakening response (CAR) using self-report and PSG-assessed wake time

The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a burst of cortisol in response to awakening from sleep that is superimposed on the circadian rhythm of cortisol. Determination of the CAR is contingent on the timing of sample collection: a delay between waking and collection of the first sample may affect the rise of the CAR, and could explain equivocal findings reported in the literature. We evaluated the impact of a delay between wake time and collection of waking cortisol samples on the CAR. Two methods were used to identify wake time: polysomnography (PSG) and self-report (S-R). Participants (total n=207, mean age 74.0+/-7.2 years) included bereaved older adults (n=35), caregivers (n=50), patients with insomnia and co-morbid medical disorders (n=68), and the healthy older adults (n=54). We used ANOVA to test if a delay >15 min affected the CAR. We also fitted cubic spline models to assess expected cortisol levels, the expected CAR, and the expected decrease in CAR. Wake times measured by PSG and S-R did not differ significantly. Large delays were observed (for both PSG and S-R) between wake time and collection of the waking cortisol sample (24.8+/-32.2 min for PSG and 28.3+/-49.2 min for S-R). Both statistical methods indicated that a delay >15 min between wake time and first cortisol sample collection significantly affected the CAR (p's<.005); later collection times were associated with smaller CAR values. Later collection times and reduced CAR values may affect the interpretation of clinical associations. Our data also show that S-R assessments of wake time perform equally well to PSG for evaluating adherence with CAR sampling procedures.

The Sensitivity of the Method Used to Detect Atrial Fibrillation in Population Studies Affects Group-Specific Prevalence Estimates: Ethnic and Regional Distribution of Atrial Fibrillation in the REGARDS Study

BackgroundAmong African-Americans, and in southern US states, the rates of stroke are high but the reported prevalences of atrial fibrillation (AF) are low. We hypothesized that the reported ethnic and regional distributions of AF are affected by the sensitivity of the methods that were used to detect AF in previous reports.MethodsA total of 18 833 black and white participants from the US national REasons For Geographic And Racial Differences In Stroke (REGARDS) study were included in this analysis. Levels of sensitivity to detect AF, from least to most sensitive, were created for combinations of self-report (SR) and ECG methods, as follows: (1) SR plus ECG, (2) ECG alone, (3) SR alone, and (4) SR or ECG. Geographic regions were dichotomized as Stroke Belt (the southern US states) and non-Stroke Belt. Logistic regression analysis estimated the odd ratios of AF associated with the Stroke Belt and black ethnicity for each diagnostic combination.ResultsResidence in the Stroke Belt was significantly associated with AF when diagnosed by SR plus ECG (multivariable-adjusted OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.92), but not when diagnosed with SR or ECG (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.06). Similarly, for the 4 methods used to detect AF, the strength of the association between black ethnicity and AF progressively decreased with increasing test sensitivity (ORs: 0.20, 0.40, 0.70, 0.71, respectively).ConclusionsThe association of AF with residence in the Stroke Belt and black ethnicity was inversely related to the sensitivity of the method used to detect AF: as test sensitivity increased, the association became attenuated. This may partially explain the lower reported prevalence of AF in populations and regions with higher stroke rates.