Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale

The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS; Sullivan et al., Psychol. Assess. 7, 524–532, 1995) has recently been developed to assess three components of catastrophizing: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. We conducted three studies to evaluate the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the PCS. In Study I, we conducted principal-components analysis with oblique rotation to replicate the three factors of the PCS. Gender differences on the original PCS subscales were also analyzed. In Study II, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the adequacy of fit of four alternative models. We also evaluated evidence for concurrent and discriminant validity. In Study III, we evaluated the ability of the PCS and subscales to differentiate between the responses of clinic (students seeking treatment) and nonclinic undergraduate samples. Also, in the clinic sample, we evaluated evidence of concurrent and predictive validity for the PCS. The internal consistency reliability indices for the total PCS and subscales were examined in all three studies. Limitations and future directions are discussed.     

Decline in perinatal HIV transmission in New York State (1997-2000)

BACKGROUND: Perinatal HIV transmission has declined significantly in New York State (NYS) since implementation of a 3-part regimen of zidovudine prophylaxis in the antenatal, intrapartum, and newborn periods. This study describes the factors associated with perinatal transmission in NYS from 1997 to 2000, the first 4 years of NYS's comprehensive program in which all HIV-exposed newborns were identified through universal HIV testing of newborns. METHODS: This population-based observational study included all HIV-exposed newborns whose infection status was known and their mothers identified in NYS through the universal Newborn HIV Screening Program (NSP) from February 1997 to December 2000. Antepartum, intrapartum, newborn, and pediatric medical records of HIV-positive mothers/infants were reviewed for history of prenatal care, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and infant infection status. Risks associated with perinatal HIV transmission were examined. RESULTS: Perinatal HIV transmission declined significantly from 11.0% in 1997 to 3.7% in 2000 (P < 0.05). Prenatal ART was associated with a decline in perinatal HIV transmission both for monotherapy (5.8%, relative risk [RR] = 0.3, 95% confidence interval: 0.2%-0.5%) and combination therapy [2.4%, RR = 0.1, 95% confidence interval: 0.1%-0.2%) compared with no prenatal antiretroviral prophylaxis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Public health policies to improve access to care for pregnant women and advances in clinical care, including receipt of appropriate preventive therapies, have contributed to declines in perinatal HIV transmission in NYS.     

Thymic stroma is required for the development of human T cell lineages in vitro

Development of the T cell lineage is characterized by the homingof hematopoietic precursors to thymus, followed by their acquisitionof receptors for antigen. T cell receptors are ß or heterodimers associated with CD3 (TCR-CD3). Very early T cellprecursors in humans have been characterized as CD7+45+ cellswhich lack the T cell differentiation antigens CD1, CD2, CD3,CD4, and CD8. A phenotypically equivalent early thymocyte populationalso occurs in postnatal life, and we have previously shownthat interleukin 2 (IL2) promotes the development in vitro ofboth the ß and the T cells from these early thymocytes.Here we have analyzed the requirements of the induction of theIL2 pathway in early thymocytes, and their developmental potential.We show that: (I) thymic stromal cells, which are present inthymocyte suspensions, are necessary to induce the IL2 pathwayand the development of ß or T cell lineages fromearly thymocytes in vitro; and (II) when removed from the invivo environment, early thymocytes can develop in vitro intoTCR-CD3^– cells of the natural killer (NK) lineage. Weconclude that CD7+45+, CD1–2–3–4–8–early thymocytes are multipotential progenitors that, at least,have the capacity to develop into ß or T cell andNK lineages. The analysis of the mechanisms of generation andselection of human T and NK cell diversity, not feasible inbone marrow cultures, is now possible.     

Postmenopausal oral estrogen therapy and blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects: the Estrogen in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis Trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine if 17beta-estradiol increases blood pressure in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A total of 222 healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to either 1 mg micronized 17beta-estradiol daily or placebo for 2 years. Blood pressure measurements were obtained every other month and common carotid artery intima-media thickness measured every 6 months. Statistical analyses comparing longitudinal changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between treatment groups used a mixed general linear model including interaction terms to evaluate variations by age or estradiol level. RESULTS: Both placebo and estradiol groups showed small declines in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the trial among the normotensive subjects and subjects on antihypertensive medications. However, the decline did not differ significantly between the groups. Treatment effects on systolic blood pressure differed significantly by the age of the subject (interaction P value = 0.04) with younger women on estradiol showing on average a rise in systolic blood pressure, and older women a decline. The association between serum estradiol level and systolic blood pressure showed a similar modification with age (P = 0.03). Changes in systolic blood pressure in women on estradiol were positively correlated with intima-media thickness progression (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 17beta-estradiol did not influence changes in blood pressure in normotensive or hypertensive women. The effect of 17beta-estradiol treatment on systolic blood pressure may be influenced by a woman's age. Estradiol may increase systolic blood pressure in younger postmenopausal women, while having the opposite effect in older postmenopausal women.     

Changing and sustaining medical students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes about patient safety and medical fallibility.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of a patient safety and medical fallibility curriculum on second-year medical students at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine in 2003-2004. METHOD: Students completed a knowledge, skills, and attitudes questionnaire before the curriculum, after the final learning experience, and one year later. A 95% confidence interval (CI) for paired differences assessed change over time. At one year, students also responded to items about their use of the curriculum, error reporting, and disclosure experiences. RESULTS: Fifty three of 92 students (55%) completed the questionnaire at all three assessment points. Students' eight items and the calculated knowledge score improved after the curriculum but only seven of these improvements were sustained one year. Responses to seven items did not change and five changed in an undesired direction after the curriculum and/or after one year. Seventy two students completed the self-reported behavior questions at one year. More than half reported using what they learned in the curriculum. Although 76% of students reported observing an error, 71% of these disclosed an error to their peers, 56% to a resident, and 46% to faculty. Only 7% reported an error using our electronic error reporting system. CONCLUSIONS: The curriculum led to changes in second-year medical students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes, but not all of the changes were sustained at one year, were in the desired direction, or were supported by their self-reported behaviors. The extent to which other informal or hidden curriculum experiences reversed the gains and affected the changes at one year is unknown.     

Behavioral Health Screening and Care Coordination for Rural Veterans in a Federally Qualified Health Center

Many rural veterans receive care in community settings but could benefit from VA services for certain needs, presenting an opportunity for coordination across systems. This article details the Collaborative Systems of Care (CSC) program, a novel, nurse-led care coordination program identifying and connecting veterans presenting for care in a Federally Qualified Health Center to VA behavioral health and other services based upon the veteran’s preferences and eligibility. The CSC program systematically identifies veteran patients, screens for common behavioral health issues, explores VA eligibility for interested veterans, and facilitates coordination with VA to improve healthcare access. While the present program focuses on behavioral health, there is a unique emphasis on assisting veterans with the eligibility and enrollment process and coordinating additional care tailored to the patient. As VA expands its presence in community care, opportunities for VA-community care coordination will increase, making the development and implementation of such interventions important.

     

Enhancing Behavior Change Skills in Health Extension Workers in Ethiopia: Evaluation of an Intervention to Improve Maternal and Infant Nutrition

Maternal and infant nutrition are problematic in areas of Ethiopia. Health extension workers (HEWs) work in Ethiopia’s primary health care system, increasing potential health service coverage, particularly for women and children, providing an opportunity for health improvement. Their roles include improving maternal and infant nutrition, disease prevention, and health education. Supporting HEWs’ practice with ‘non-clinical’ skills in behavior change and health communication can improve effectiveness. This intervention study adapted and delivered a UK-developed training intervention for Health Extension Workers (HEWs) working with the United Nations World Food Programme in Ethiopia. The intervention included communication and behavioral training adapted with local contextual information. Mixed methods evaluation focused on participants’ reaction to training, knowledge, behavior change, and skills use. Overall, 98 HEWs were trained. The intervention was positively received by HEWs. Pre-post evaluations of communication and behavior change skills found a positive impact on HEW skills, knowledge, and motivation to use skills (all p < 0.001) to change women’s nutritional behavior, also demonstrated in role-play scenarios. The study offered substantial learning about intervention delivery. Appropriate cultural adaptation and careful consideration of assessment of psychological constructs are crucial for future delivery.     

Interventions to Increase Multivitamin Use Among Women in the Interconception Period: An IMPLICIT Network Study

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Each year, 3% of infants in the Unites States (US) are born with congenital anomalies, including 3000 with neural tube defects. Multivitamins (MVIs) including...     

The Development of a Multilevel Intervention to Optimise Participant Engagement with an Obesity Prevention Programme Delivered in UK children’s Centres

Prevention Science - Poor participant engagement threatens the potential impact and cost-effectiveness of public health programmes preventing meaningful evaluation and wider application. Although...