Food insecurity and its associations with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders,mood disorders,and anxiety disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults

Purpose

To examine cross-sectional associations between food insecurity and 12-month eating disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders among U.S. adults.

Methods

This study used data collected between 2001 and 2003 from 2914 participants in the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication, a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (mean age = 44.9 years; 53.4% female). Twelve-month food insecurity was assessed with a modified version of the Short Form U.S. Household Food Security Scale. Twelve-month DSM-IV diagnoses of mental disorders were based on the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Modified Poisson regression models were conducted, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and income-to-poverty ratio.

Results

Food insecurity was experienced by 11.1% of participants. Food insecurity was associated with greater prevalence of bulimic-spectrum eating disorders (prevalence ratio [PR] = 3.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.26–6.42), mood disorders (PR = 2.53; 95% CI 1.96–3.29), and anxiety disorders (PR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.39–2.07).

Conclusion

Results indicate that food insecurity is associated with a range of internalizing mental disorders, though these findings should be confirmed with contemporary data to reflect DSM-5 diagnostic updates and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from this study emphasize the need to expand food insecurity interventions and improve access to mental health services for food-insecure populations.

     

Use of modified barium swallow study to measure posterior airway space in obstructive sleep apnea

Conclusion Measurement of the posterior airway space (PAS) using modified barium swallow (MBS) appears to correlate well with CT imaging. This data suggests MBS may be a low-cost alternative imaging modality to assess obstructive sleep apnea patients. Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea research has focused on imaging modalities that supplement polysomnography in evaluation of potential sites of airway obstruction. While several techniques have been used to assess the PAS, many incur significant costs and risks to the patient. This study proposes use of MBS as a simple modality to measure PAS. Advantages include its simplicity, lower radiation, and dynamic tongue base visualization, which may help predict surgical outcomes. It is hypothesized that cephalometric measurements obtained using MBS will correlate well with CT. Methods Thirty-six adult patients who underwent both CT imaging and MBS for head and neck cancer were included. Cephalometric measurements of the PAS were obtained using each imaging modality. Statistical analysis focused on correlating measurements taken using CT and MBS. Results The average PAS measurements were 12.53?±?1.81?mm and 12.80?±?1.75?mm by MBS and CT imaging, respectively. In comparing the two modalities, Pearson correlation between CT and MBS measurements revealed significant positive correlations between r?=?0.769 and 0.937.     

Physical Activity,Decision-Making Abilities,and Eating Disturbances in Pre- and Postbariatric Surgery Patients

Background

Physical activity (PA) is considered to have a beneficial influence on executive functioning, including decision-making. Enhanced decision-making after bariatric surgery may strengthen patients’ ability to delay gratification, helping to establish appropriate eating behavior. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare a preoperative group with a postoperative group with regard to daily PA, decision-making, and eating disturbances; and (2) investigate the relationship between these variables.

Methods

The study included 71 bariatric surgery candidates (55 % women, BMI [kg/m²] M?=?46.9, SD?=?6.0) and 73 postoperative patients (57 % women, BMI M?=?32.0, SD?=?4.1; 89 % Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 11 % sleeve gastrectomy; months postoperative M?=?8.2, SD?=?3.5; total weight loss [%] M?=?33.2, SD?=?8.9) who completed SenseWear Pro₂ activity monitoring. Decision-making was assessed using a computerized version of the Iowa Gambling Task and eating disorder psychopathology using the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire.

Results

The number of patients who were classified as physically inactive was similarly high in the pre- and postoperative groups. No group differences emerged with regard to decision-making, but the postoperative group exhibited less eating disturbances than the preoperative group. No significant associations were found between PA, decision-making, and eating behavior.

Conclusions

Patients after bariatric surgery were not more physically active than bariatric surgery candidates, which should be considered in care programs. Additionally, future research is needed to explore the possible link between PA, patients’ decision-making abilities, and eating disturbances concerning dose-response questions.

     

Learning from UJAMBO: Perspectives on Gynecologic Care in African Immigrant and Refugee Women in Boston,Massachusetts

African-born immigrant women, and particularly refugees and asylum seekers, are at risk for reproductive health disparities but inadequately use relevant gynecologic services. We sought to elucidate perspectives on gynecologic care in a population of Congolese and Somali immigrants. We conducted a secondary qualitative analysis of focus group data using a grounded theory approach and the Integrated Behavioral Model as our theoretical framework. Thirty one women participated in six focus groups. Participant beliefs included the states of pregnancy and/or pain as triggers for care, preferences included having female providers and those with familiarity with female genital cutting. Barriers included stigma, lack of partner support, and lack of resources to access care. Experiential attitudes, normative beliefs, and environmental constraints significantly mediated care preferences for/barriers to gynecologic health service utilization in this population. Centering of patient perspectives to adapt delivery of gynecologic care to immigrants and refugees may improve utilization and reduce disparities.     

Identifying Communication Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence among Appalachian Kentuckians

Utilizing data from 40 in-depth interviews, this article identifies both barriers and facilitators to colorectal screening guideline adherence among Appalachian Kentucky adults recruited through a community-based research network. Key findings identify (a) varying levels of knowledge about screening guidelines, (b) reticence to engage in screening processes, and (c) nuanced communication with healthcare providers and family members regarding screening adherence. What participants knew about the screening process was often derived from personal stories or recalled stories from family members about their screening experiences. Reticence to engage in screening processes reflected reports of cumbersome preparation, privacy issues, embarrassment, medical mistrust, fear of receiving a cancer diagnosis, and lack of symptoms. Participants cited many ways to enhance patient-centered communication, and the findings from this study have implications for health communication message design and communication strategies for healthcare practices in Appalachian Kentucky clinics.     

Cost of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Purpose

To compare the healthcare costs of women with unilateral breast cancer who underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) with those of women who did not.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 904 women treated for stage I–III breast cancer with or without CPM. Women were matched according to age, year at diagnosis, stage, and receipt of chemotherapy. We included healthcare costs starting from the date of surgery to 24 months. We identified whether care was immediate or delayed (CPM within 6 months or 6–24 months after initial surgery, respectively). Costs were converted to approximate Medicare reimbursement values and adjusted for inflation. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of CPM on total breast cancer care costs adjusting for patient characteristics and accounting for matched pairs.

Results

The mean difference between the CPM and no-CPM matched groups was $3,573 (standard error [SE] $455) for professional costs, $4,176 (SE $1,724) for technical costs, and $7,749 (SE $2,069) for total costs. For immediate and delayed CPM, the mean difference for total costs was $6,528 (SE $2,243) and $16,744 (SE $5,017), respectively. In multivariable analysis, the CPM group had a statistically significant increase of 16.9 % in mean total costs compared with the no-CPM group (p < 0.0001). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu-positive status, receipt of radiation, and reconstruction were associated with increases in total costs.

Conclusions

CPM significantly increases short-term healthcare costs for women with unilateral breast cancer. These patient-level cost results can be used for future studies that evaluate the influence of costs of CPM on decision making.