Are Optimism and Cynical Hostility Associated with Smoking Cessation in Older Women?

Background

Optimism and cynical hostility independently predict morbidity and mortality in Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) participants and are associated with current smoking. However, their association with smoking cessation in older women is unknown.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test whether optimism (positive future expectations) or cynical hostility (mistrust of others) predicts smoking cessation in older women.

Methods

Self-reported smoking status was assessed at years 1, 3, and 6 after study entry for WHI baseline smokers who were not missing optimism or cynical hostility scores (n = 10,242). Questionnaires at study entry assessed optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) and cynical hostility (Cook-Medley, cynical hostility subscale). Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and psychosocial characteristics including depressive symptoms.

Results

After full covariate adjustment, optimism was not related to smoking cessation. Each 1-point increase in baseline cynical hostility score was associated with 5% lower odds of cessation over 6 years (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.92–0.98, p = 0.0017).

Conclusions

In aging postmenopausal women, greater cynical hostility predicts lower smoking cessation over time. Future studies should examine whether individuals with this trait may benefit from more intensive cessation resources or whether attempting to mitigate cynical hostility itself may aid smoking cessation.

     

Dose-Response Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women: Results from the Breast Cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta (BETA)

Background

Exercise generally improves quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial functioning in adult populations but few randomized trials have examined dose-response effects.

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to report the QoL and psychosocial outcomes from the Breast Cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta (BETA).

Methods

Healthy but inactive postmenopausal women at risk for breast cancer were randomized to a year-long aerobic exercise intervention consisting of either 150 min/week (moderate volume group, n = 200) or 300 min/week (high volume group, n = 200). QoL was assessed at baseline and 1 year using the short form-36 health survey. Sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and happiness were also assessed. Participant preference for group assignment (i.e., exercise volume) was assessed at baseline and tested as a moderator.

Results

There were no statistically significant dose-response effects of aerobic exercise on any QoL, sleep quality, or psychosocial outcome. Participant preference for group assignment did not moderate any QoL, sleep quality, or psychosocial responses. Marital status was a significant moderator (p for interaction = 0.01) and obesity showed a trend towards being a moderator (p for interaction = 0.08) of the dose-response effects of aerobic exercise on global sleep quality such that unmarried and obese women improved sleep quality with the higher volume of aerobic exercise.

Conclusions

A higher volume of aerobic exercise, approximately double the minimum public health guideline, did not provide additional QoL or psychosocial benefits compared to the minimum public health guideline in inactive postmenopausal women, even for women who preferred the higher volume of exercise at baseline.

Trial Registration

Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT1435005.

     

Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Efficiency Sequentially Mediate Racial Differences in Temporal Summation of Mechanical Pain

Background

Racial differences in endogenous pain facilitatory processes have been previously reported. Evidence suggests that psychological and behavioral factors, including depressive symptoms and sleep, can alter endogenous pain facilitatory processes. Whether depressive symptoms and sleep might help explain racial differences in endogenous pain facilitatory processes has yet to be determined.

Purpose

This observational, microlongitudinal study examined whether depressive symptoms and sleep were sequential mediators of racial differences in endogenous pain facilitatory processes.

Methods

A total of 50 (26 African American and 24 non-Hispanic white) community-dwelling adults without chronic pain (mean 49.04 years; range 21–77) completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale prior to seven consecutive nights of sleep monitoring with actigraphy in the home environment. Participants subsequently returned to the laboratory for assessment of endogenous pain facilitation using a mechanical temporal summation protocol.

Results

Findings revealed greater depressive symptoms, poorer sleep efficiency, and greater temporal summation of mechanical pain in African Americans compared to non-Hispanic whites. In a sequential mediation model, greater depressive symptoms predicted poorer sleep efficiency (t = ?2.55, p = .014), and poorer sleep efficiency predicted enhanced temporal summation of mechanical pain (t = ?4.11, p < .001), particularly for African Americans.

Conclusions

This study underscores the importance of examining the contribution of psychological and behavioral factors when addressing racial differences in pain processing. Additionally, it lends support for the deleterious impact of depressive symptoms on sleep efficiency, suggesting that both sequentially mediate racial differences in endogenous pain facilitation.

     

Pathways Linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to Cigarette Smoking Among Young Black Men: a Prospective Analysis of the Role of Sleep Problems and Delayed Reward Discounting

Background

African American men experience increases in smoking during the young adult transition. Exposure to childhood adversity, a risk factor which disproportionately affects African American men, has been identified as a robust precursor to health risk behavior in general and cigarette smoking in particular. The intermediate mechanisms that transmit the influence of early adversity to smoking behavior are not well understood.

Purpose

We tested a model of the escalation of smoking behaviors among young adult African American men, investigating sleep disturbance and delayed reward discounting as intermediate factors linking adverse childhood experiences with smoking.

Methods

Hypotheses were tested with three waves of data (M _age-T1 = 20.34, M _age-T2 = 21.92, M _age-T3 = 23.02) from 505 African American men living in rural counties in South Georgia. Men provided self-report data on their adverse childhood experiences, sleep problems, and smoking behavior using audio-assisted computer self-interviews. Men also completed a computer-based delayed reward discounting task.

Results

Structural equation modeling analyses supported our hypotheses: Adverse childhood experiences predicted poor sleep adequacy, which forecast increases in delayed reward discounting; discounting, in turn, predicted increased smoking. Significant indirect pathways were detected linking adversity to discounting via sleep adequacy and linking sleep adequacy to smoking via discounting.

Conclusions

Prevention and intervention researchers can draw on these findings to develop programs that focus on sleep adequacy to reduce smoking in African American men exposed to childhood adversity.

     

Autonomic symptoms following Zika virus infection

Purpose

To determine if autonomic symptoms are associated with previous Zika virus infection.

Methods

Case–control study including 35 patients with Zika virus infection without evidence of neurological disease and 105 controls. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction were assessed with the composite autonomic symptom scale 31 (COMPASS-31).

Results

Patients with previous Zika virus infection had significantly higher COMPASS-31 score than controls regardless of age and sex (p = 0.007). The main drivers for the higher scores where orthostatic intolerance (p = 0.003), secretomotor (p = 0.04) and bladder symptoms (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Zika virus infection is associated with autonomic dysfunction. The mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

     

Onset of bladder and motor symptoms in multiple system atrophy: differences according to phenotype

Purpose

To compare the order of presentation of bladder and motor symptoms between multiple system atrophy phenotypes.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in 144 patients.

Results

Bladder symptoms occurred either before or within 12 months after onset of motor symptoms in significantly more patients with the cerebellar phenotype than the parkinsonian phenotype (80 vs. 53%, p = 0.003); similar results were observed for urinary incontinence (79 vs. 45%, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Urinary dysfunction is more likely to appear either before or shortly after motor symptoms in the cerebellar phenotype than in the parkinsonian phenotype.

     

Sleep disorders in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome

Objective

Patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) often describe symptoms of fatigue, sleepiness, and lack of refreshing sleep. We aimed to provide further objective measures of sleep in patients with POTS.

Methods

POTS patients (n = 18) were selected based on autonomic testing and evaluation at our center. Controls (n = 16) of similar age, gender, and BMI were selected from new patients referred to the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic for any sleep-related complaint. All patients underwent polysomnography and completed several sleep questionnaires and a 2-week sleep diary.

Results

POTS patients and control subjects were of similar age (27 ± 10.2 vs. 29 ± 5.4 years, p = 0.92) and Body Mass Index (21 ± 3.8 vs. 24 ± 4.1, p = 0.14). The majority of subjects in both groups were females (72 % POTS vs. 81 % controls). POTS patients scored higher on subjective fatigue scales but not sleepiness scales. POTS patients scored in the normal range on the BDI and the “evening” category on the MEQ. Their sleep diaries were not different from controls. With the exception of mild OSA, slightly reduced %REM and prolonged REM latency, their PSG data were normal and no different from controls.

Conclusions

It is unlikely that the sleep-related complaints of POTS patients are the result of a primary sleep disorder unique to POTS. We propose that a combination of factors such as body fatigue, chronic pain, and other somatic symptoms common in POTS patients might be the underlying reason for sleep-related symptoms in POTS.

     

Examining changes in personality disorder and symptomology in an adolescent sample receiving intensive mentalization based treatment: a pilot study

Objective

To examine changes in personality disorders and symptomology and the relation between personality disorder variables and treatment outcomes in an adolescent sample during partial residential mentalization based treatment.

Methods

In a sample of 62 (out of 115) adolescents treated for personality disorders, assessment was done pre- and post-treatment using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM personality disorders and the Symptom Check List 90.

Results

Significant reductions in personality disorder traits (t = 8.36, p = .000) and symptoms (t = 5.95, p = .000) were found. During pre-treatment, 91.8% (n = 56) of the patients had one or more personality disorders, compared to 35.4% (n = 22) at post-treatment. Symptom reduction was not related to pre-treatment personality disorder variables.

Conclusion

During intensive psychotherapy, personality disorders and symptoms may diminish. Future studies should evaluate whether the outcomes obtained are the result of the treatment given or other factors.

     

Socioeconomic Status Interacts with Conscientiousness and Neuroticism to Predict Circulating Concentrations of Inflammatory Markers

Background

Socioeconomic health disparities research may benefit from further consideration of dispositional factors potentially modifying risk associated with low socioeconomic status, including that indexed by systemic inflammation.

Purpose

This study was conducted to investigate interactions of SES and the Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits in predicting circulating concentrations of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Method

Using a sample of middle-aged and older adults from the Midlife in the United States Survey (MIDUS) biomarker project (N = 978), linear regression models tested interactions of each FFM trait with a composite measure of SES in predicting IL-6 and CRP, as well as the explanatory role of medical morbidity, measures of adiposity, and health behaviors.

Results

SES interacted with conscientiousness to predict levels of IL-6 (interaction b = .03, p = .002) and CRP (interaction b = .04, p = .014) and with neuroticism to predict IL-6 (interaction b = ?.03, p = .004). Socioeconomic gradients in both markers were smaller at higher levels of conscientiousness. Conversely, the socioeconomic gradient in IL-6 was larger at higher levels of neuroticism. Viewed from the perspective of SES as the moderator, neuroticism was positively related to IL-6 at low levels of SES but negatively related at high SES. Interactions of SES with both conscientiousness and neuroticism were attenuated upon adjustment for measures of adiposity.

Conclusions

Conscientiousness may buffer, and neuroticism amplify, excess inflammatory risk associated with low SES, in part through relationships with adiposity. Neuroticism may be associated with lower levels of inflammation at high levels of SES.

     

Engineering Online and In-Person Social Networks for Physical Activity: A Randomized Trial

Background

Social networks can influence physical activity, but little is known about how best to engineer online and in-person social networks to increase activity.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized trial based on the Social Networks for Activity Promotion model to assess the incremental contributions of different procedures for building social networks on objectively measured outcomes.

Methods

Physically inactive adults (n = 308, age, 50.3 (SD = 8.3) years, 38.3 % male, 83.4 % overweight/obese) were randomized to one of three groups. The Promotion group evaluated the effects of weekly emailed tips emphasizing social network interactions for walking (e.g., encouragement, informational support); the Activity group evaluated the incremental effect of adding an evidence-based online fitness walking intervention to the weekly tips; and the Social Networks group evaluated the additional incremental effect of providing access to an online networking site for walking as well as prompting walking/activity across diverse settings. The primary outcome was mean change in accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), assessed at 3 and 9 months from baseline.

Results

Participants increased their MVPA by 21.0 min/week, 95 % CI [5.9, 36.1], p = .005, at 3 months, and this change was sustained at 9 months, with no between-group differences.

Conclusions

Although the structure of procedures for targeting social networks varied across intervention groups, the functional effect of these procedures on physical activity was similar. Future research should evaluate if more powerful reinforcers improve the effects of social network interventions.

Trial Registration Number

The trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01142804).

     

Positive effects of fampridine on cognition,fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis over 2 years

Objective

To assess the effects of PR-fampridine on cognitive functioning, fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Methods

Thirty-two PwMS were included in this trial. Cognitive performance was assessed in an open-label and randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study design using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery as well as questionnaires examining depression and fatigue.

Results

We found significant improvements in cognitive measures assessing alertness (tonic alertness, p = 0.0244 and phasic alertness, p = 0.0428), psychomotor speed (p = 0.0140) as well as verbal fluency (p = 0.0002) during open-label treatment with PR-fampridine. These effects of performance were paralleled by patients’ perception of reduced fatigue (physical, p = 0.0131; cognitive, p = 0.0225; total, p = 0.0126). Fampridine-induced improvements in phasic alertness (p = 0.0010) and measures of fatigue (physical, p = 0.0014; cognitive, p = 0.0003; total, p = 0.0005) were confirmed during randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled assessment in the second year. In addition, we found positive effects of PR-fampridine on depressive symptoms (p = 0.0049). We demonstrated persisting beneficial effects of PR-fampridine on fatigue in PwMS over a period of more than 2 years. Drug responsiveness regarding cognitive performance and fatigue was not limited to walking responders.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate significant positive effects of treatment with PR-fampridine over 2 years on different cognitive domains as well as fatigue and depression in a cohort of PwMS. These findings imply that PR-fampridine should be considered as symptomatic treatment improving aspects of cognition, fatigue and depression in PwMS.

     

Intervention Mediators in a Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Colonoscopy Uptake Among Individuals at Increased Risk of Familial Colorectal Cancer

Background

Understanding the pathways by which interventions achieve behavioral change is important for optimizing intervention strategies.

Purpose

We examined mediators of behavior change in a tailored-risk communication intervention that increased guideline-based colorectal cancer screening among individuals at increased familial risk.

Methods

Participants at increased familial risk for colorectal cancer (N = 481) were randomized to one of two arms: (1) a remote, tailored-risk communication intervention (Tele-Cancer Risk Assessment and Evaluation (TeleCARE)) or (2) a mailed educational brochure intervention.

Results

Structural equation modeling showed that participants in TeleCARE were more likely to get a colonoscopy. The effect was partially mediated through perceived threat (β = 0.12, p < 0.05), efficacy beliefs (β = 0.12, p < 0.05), emotions (β = 0.22, p < 0.001), and behavioral intentions (β = 0.24, p < 0.001). Model fit was very good: comparative fit index = 0.95, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.05, and standardized root-mean-square residual = 0.08.

Conclusion

Evaluating mediating variables between an intervention (TeleCARE) and a primary outcome (colonoscopy) contributes to our understanding of underlying mechanisms that lead to health behavior change, thus leading to better informed and designed future interventions.

Trial Registration Number

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01274143.

     

“What Goes Around Comes Around”: Antecedents,Mediators, and Consequences of Controlling vs. Need-Supportive Motivational Strategies Used by Exercise Professionals

Background

Research into the factors associated with the use of different motivational strategies by exercise professionals is of empirical and practical utility.

Purpose

Grounded in self-determination theory, this study sought to analyze putative antecedents, mediators, and work-related well- and ill-being consequences of two types of motivational strategies reported by exercise professionals.

Methods

Participants were 366 exercise professionals (193 males; experience = 7.7 ± 5.8 years). Questionnaires assessing psychological need satisfaction frustration, self-determined work motivation, motivational strategies (need-supportive vs. controlling), emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment were completed online. Path analysis was used to test the hypothesized model.

Results

Model with good fit [χ ² (5) = 9.174, p> .05; CFI = .984; TLI = .936; RMSEA = .048; SRMR = .022] showed need satisfaction as positively associated with supportive strategies and personal accomplishment (β between .267 and .399) and negatively with emotional exhaustion (β = ?.145). Need frustration was negatively associated with work motivation and personal accomplishment (β = ?.315; ?.176), and positively with controlling strategies and emotional exhaustion (β = .195; .226). Furthermore, supportive strategies and work motivation were positively associated with personal accomplishment (β = .134; .184), whereas controlling strategies were positively associated with emotional exhaustion (β = .178).

Conclusions

Findings have theoretical implications, providing evidence of need satisfaction and frustration as being differently associated with work-related motivation, type of strategies used, and work-related emotional outcomes. Practical implications convey the importance of these variables in relation to the standard of motivational strategies provided and their role on work-related well- and ill-being indicators.

     

Sleep Habits and Susceptibility to Upper Respiratory Illness: the Moderating Role of Subjective Socioeconomic Status

Background

Sleep is a predictor of infectious illness that may depend on one’s socioeconomic status (SES).

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the moderating effects of objective and subjective SES on sleep-clinical cold risk link and test whether nasal inflammation serves as a plausible biological pathway.

Methods

This study combined data (n = 732) from three viral challenge studies. Measures of self-reported sleep and objective and subjective measures of SES were obtained. Participants were quarantined and administrated rhinovirus (RV) or influenza virus and monitored over 5 (RV) or 6 (influenza) days for the development of a cold. Symptom severity, including mucus production and nasal clearance time, and levels of nasal cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β) were measured prior to administration and each day during the quarantined period.

Results

Subjective SES, but not objective SES, moderated associations between shorter sleep duration and increased likelihood of a clinical cold. Compared to ≥8-hour sleepers, ≤6-hour sleepers with low subjective SES were at increased risk for developing a cold (OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.10–6.02). There was no association between sleep duration and colds in high subjective SES participants. Among infected individuals who reported low subjective SES, shorter sleep duration was associated with greater mucus production. There was no evidence that markers of nasal inflammation mediated the link between sleep duration and cold susceptibility among those reporting low subjective SES.

Conclusion

Subjective SES may reflect an important social factor for understanding vulnerability to and protection against infectious illness among short sleepers.

     

Pilot study of enhanced social support with automated telephone monitoring after psychiatric hospitalization for depression

Background

Following discharge, patients hospitalized for depression are at high risk for poor retention in outpatient care and adverse outcomes.

Aims

Pilot tests a post-hospital monitoring and enhanced support program for depression.

Method

48 patients at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center discharged following a depression-related inpatient stay received weekly visits or phone calls for 6 months from their choice of either a family member/friend (n = 19) or a certified peer support specialist (n = 29). Participants also completed weekly automated telephone monitoring calls assessing depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication adherence.

Results

Over 90% of participants were more satisfied with their care due to the service. The mean change from baseline to 6 months in depression symptoms was ?7.9 (p < 0.05) according to the Patient Health Questionnaire and ?11.2 (p < 0.05) according to the Beck Depression Inventory-II for those supported by a family member/friend, whereas those supported by a peer specialist had mean changes of ?3.5 (p < 0.05) and ?1.7 (p > 0.10), respectively.

Conclusions

Increased contact with a chosen support person coupled with automated telephone monitoring after psychiatric hospitalization is an acceptable service for patients with depression. Those who received the service, and particularly those supported by a family member/friend, experienced reductions in symptoms of depression.

     

Preventing Weight Gain Improves Sleep Quality Among Black Women: Results from a RCT

Background

Obesity and poor sleep are highly prevalent among Black women.

Purpose

We examined whether a weight gain prevention intervention improved sleep among Black women.

Methods

We conducted a randomized trial comparing a 12-month weight gain prevention intervention that included self-monitoring through mobile technologies and phone coaching to usual care in community health centers. We measured sleep using the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale at baseline, 12 months, and 18 months. The scale examines quantity of sleep, sleep disturbance, sleep adequacy, daytime somnolence, snoring, shortness of breath, and global sleep problems (sleep problem indices I and II).

Results

Participants (n = 184) were on average 35.4 years and obese (BMI 30.2 kg/m²); 74% made <$30,000/year. At baseline, average sleep duration was 6.4 (1.5) hours. Controlling for weight change and sleep medication, the intervention group reported greater improvements in sleep disturbance [?8.35 (?16.24, ?0.45)] and sleep problems at 12 months: sleep problem index I [?8.35 (?16.24, ?0.45)]; sleep problem index II [?8.35 (?16.24, ?0.45)]. However, these findings did not persist at 18 months.

Conclusions

Preventing weight gain may afford clinical benefit on improving sleep quality.

Trial Registration Number

The trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov database (NCT00938535)

     

Epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression is common and not correlated to gene copy number in ependymoma

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in ependymoma specimens, as there is a need for new prognostic and druggable targets in this disease.

Methods

Ependymomas (WHO grade II, n = 40; WHO grade III, n = 15) located spinal (n = 35), infratentorial (n = 14), and supratentorial (n = 6) of 53 patients with a median age of 40 (range, 2–79) years were analyzed for Ki-67, p53, and EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray and for EGFR gene copy number alterations/mutations. Results were correlated to clinical data.

Results

EGFR overexpression was found in 30/60 % of ependymomas depending on the antibody used and was more pronounced in WHO grade III. High EGFR gene copy number gains were found in 6 (11 %) ependymomas with half of them being amplifications. EGFR amplified ependymomas displayed an EGFR overexpression with both antibodies in two of three cases. A missense mutation in exon 20 of EGFR (S768I) was detected in one amplified case.

Conclusions

EGFR is frequently overexpressed in ependymomas. Other mechanisms than amplification of the EGFR gene appear to contribute to EGFR overexpression in most cases. EGFR mutations may be present in a small subset of ependymomas.

     

A Self-Regulatory Intervention for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Pilot Randomized Trial

Background

Research is yet to investigate whether psychological interventions delivered early after diagnosis can benefit patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a brief self-regulatory intervention (targeting illness perceptions and coping) at improving HNC patient health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Methods

A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which 64 patients were assigned to receive three sessions with a health psychologist in addition to standard care or standard care alone. Participants completed questionnaires assessing HRQL, general distress, and illness perceptions at baseline and again 3 and 6 months later.

Results

Compared to the control group, patients who received the intervention had increased treatment control perceptions at 3 months (p = .01), and increased social quality of life at 6 months (p = .01). The intervention was particularly helpful for patients exhibiting distress at baseline.

Conclusion

A brief psychological intervention following HNC diagnosis can improve patient perceptions of treatment and social quality of life over time. Such interventions could be targeted to patients who are distressed in order to confer the greatest benefit.

Trial Registration Number

12614000813684.

     

Community treatment orders and social outcomes for patients with psychosis: a 48-month follow-up study

Purpose

Community treatment orders (CTOs) are widely used internationally despite a lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. Most effectiveness studies are relatively short (12-months or less) and focus on clinical symptoms and service data, while a little attention is given to patients’ social outcomes and broader welfare. We tested the association between the duration of CTO intervention and patients’ long-term social outcomes.

Methods

A sub-sample (n = 114) of community-based patients from the Oxford Community Treatment Order Evaluation Trial (OCTET) were interviewed 48 months after randomisation. Multivariate regression models were used to examine the association between the duration of the CTO intervention and social outcomes as measured by the social network schedule, Objective Social Outcomes Index, Euro-Qol EQ-5D-3L (EQ-5D), and Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health.

Results

No significant association was found between the duration of CTO intervention and social network size (IRR = 0.996, p = .63), objective social outcomes (B = ?0.003, p = .77), health-related quality of life (B = 0.001, p = .77), and capabilities (B = 0.046, p = .41). There were no between-group differences in social outcomes when outcomes were stratified by original arm of randomisation. Patients had a mean of 10.2 (SD = 5.9) contacts in their social networks, 42% of whom were relatives.

Conclusions

CTO duration was not associated with improvements in patients’ social outcomes even over the long term. This study adds to growing concerns about CTO effectiveness and the justification for their continued use.

     

The yield of non-elective inpatient video-EEG monitoring in adults

Background

Inpatient video-EEG monitoring (VEM) can contribute to the diagnosis and treatment in many of the monitored patients. Most admissions to VEM are elective and are scheduled ahead before the monitoring session.

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate the yield of non-elective VEM sessions.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the VEM recordings and medical records of all the patients admitted to our one-bed VEM unit from June 2007 to June 2015. A VEM session was diagnostic when a seizure, an event or previously unreported interictal epileptiform discharges were recorded.

Results

The study group included 304 adults aged 18–92 years (mean 40.4 ± 17.4 years), 181 (59%) women. The diagnostic yield of non-elective and elective VEM session was similar (66 and 69%, respectively). In non-elective VEM, fewer patients had known epilepsy (p = 0.0001), session duration was shorter (p = 0.0001), and seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges were recorded less frequently compared to elective VEM (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

Non-elective VEM can provide useful information in patients admitted to the neurology department with recent neurological or behavioral events. A timely and correct diagnosis in these patients can potentially reduce unnecessary use of antiepileptic drugs in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and the morbidity and mortality associated with undiagnosed seizures.