Cross‐cultural assessment of eating disorders: psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Bulimia Test‐Revised

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Bulimia Test‐Revised (BULIT‐R). The goal was to test the factor‐structure equivalence of the BULIT‐R across two samples of college students from two different cultures, Spain and the US. Researchers using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) have reported different model solutions for the factor‐structure of the BULIT‐R: a one‐factor model, a four‐factor model, a five‐factor model and a six‐factor model. For the two samples, CFA did not support any of the models previously reported in the literature. EFA supported a six‐ and a four‐factor models for the US and Spanish samples, respectively. © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

Association of interarm blood pressure difference with cardio‐cerebral vascular disease: A community‐based,cross‐sectional study

Interarm blood pressure difference (IAD) is a risk factor for peripheral artery disease and cardio‐cerebral vascular disease (CCVD). The current study examines the association of IAD with stroke and coronary heart disease in a Chinese community. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Pudong New Area in Shanghai, China. A total of 10 657 residents aged 15 years and older were randomly selected through three‐stage sampling. Volunteers had systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) measured in both arms at recruitment, and IAD was defined in both arms as the absolute difference in BP. Medical records of study participants were reviewed by investigators to confirm measurements. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between systolic interarm blood pressure difference (sIAD) and diastolic interarm blood pressure difference (dIAD) with stroke and coronary heart disease. Compared with dIAD <5 mm Hg, the multivariate adjusted odds ratio (OR) of stroke prevalence was 1.357 (95% CI 0.725‐2.542, P = 0.034) for dIAD ≥20 mm Hg and 1.702 (95% CI1.025‐2.828, P = 0.040) for dIAD between 15 and 19 mm Hg, and the multivariate adjusted OR of coronary heart disease prevalence was 1.726 (95% CI 1.093‐2.726, P = 0.019) for dIAD ≥20 mm Hg and 1.498 (95% CI 0.993‐2.261, P = 0.044) for dIAD between 15 and 19 mm Hg. The relationship between cardio‐cerebral vascular disease and dIAD was significant in a Chinese community population. Further cohort studies are needed to investigate the association of different levels of IAD with the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and subsequent mortality.     

Cross‐genotype‐specific T‐cell responses in acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection

Hepatitis E is an inflammatory liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). In tropical regions, HEV is highly endemic and predominantly mediated by HEV genotypes 1 and 2 with >3 million symptomatic cases per year and around 70 000 deaths. In Europe and America, the zoonotic HEV genotypes 3 and 4 have been reported with continues increasing new infections per year. So far, little is known about T‐cell responses during acute HEV genotype 3 infection. Therefore, we did a comprehensive study investigating HEV‐specific T‐cell responses using genotypes 3‐ and 1‐specific overlapping peptides. Additional cytokines and chemokines were measured in the plasma. In four patients, longitudinal studies were performed. Broad functional HEV‐specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T‐cell responses were detectable in patients acutely infected with HEV genotype 3. Elevated of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine levels during acute HEV infection correlated with ALT levels. Memory HEV‐specific T‐cell responses were detectable up to >1.5 years upon infection. Importantly, cross‐genotype HEV‐specific T‐cell responses (between genotypes 1 and 3) were measurable in all investigated patients. In conclusion, we could show for the first time HEV‐specific T‐cell responses during and after acute HEV genotype 3 infection. Our data of cross‐genotype HEV‐specific T‐cell responses might suggest a potential role in cross‐genotype‐specific protection between HEV genotypes 1 and 3.     

Paediatric and adult bronchiectasis: Monitoring,cross‐infection,role of multidisciplinary teams and self‐management plans

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease associated with structurally abnormal bronchi, clinically manifested by a persistent wet/productive cough, airway infections and recurrent exacerbations. Early identification and treatment of acute exacerbations is an integral part of monitoring and annual review, in both adults and children, to minimize further damage due to infection and inflammation. Common modalities used to monitor disease progression include clinical signs and symptoms, frequency of exacerbations and/or number of hospital admissions, lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁)% predicted), imaging (radiological severity of disease) and sputum microbiology (chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa). There is good evidence that these monitoring tools can be used to accurately assess severity of disease and predict prognosis in terms of mortality and future hospitalization. Other tools that are currently used in research settings such as health‐related quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, magnetic resonance imaging and lung clearance index can be burdensome and require additional expertise or resource, which limits their use in clinical practice. Studies have demonstrated that cross‐infection, especially with P. aeruginosa between patients with bronchiectasis is possible but infrequent. This should not limit participation of patients in group activities such as pulmonary rehabilitation, and simple infection control measures should be carried out to limit the risk of cross‐transmission. A multidisciplinary approach to care which includes respiratory physicians, chest physiotherapists, nurse specialists and other allied health professionals are vital in providing holistic care. Patient education and personalized self‐management plans are also important despite limited evidence it improves QoL or frequency of exacerbations.     

Older community‐dwelling people's comparative optimism about falling: A population‐based telephone survey

Aim: To determine whether older community‐dwelling people underestimate their own perceived chance of falling compared with that of other older people (comparative optimism), and whether a history of falls is associated with comparative optimism. Method: A sample of community‐dwelling South Australians aged ≥65 years (n= 389) completed a computer‐assisted telephone interview about their 12‐month fall history, their perceived chance of falling and their rating of other older people's chance of falling. Results: Respondents were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling (Z =?8.1, P < 0.001). Those who had fallen in the last 12 months had a lower comparative optimism score (Z =?3.0, P < 0.003). Conclusion: As older people were comparatively optimistic about their likelihood of falling, they might not find fall prevention messages relevant. When older people present with a fall, clinicians could provide fall prevention information consistent with how older people present themselves.