Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement in Radiation Oncology: Interpretation of Individual Scores and Change over Time in Clinical Practice

Tools for measuring patients’ perceived health and quality of life, such as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), inform clinical decisions for patients requiring radiation therapy. However, there may be inconsistencies in how patients interpret and respond to PROMs due to cultural, environmental, personal, or experiential factors. Differential item functioning (DIF) and response shift (RS) refer to differences in the meaning of PROMs between patients or over time (respectively). DIF and RS can threaten the accurate interpretation and use of PROMs, potentially resulting in erroneous conclusions about effectiveness, and flawed individual-level clinical decision-making. Given the empirical evidence of DIF and RS, we aim to review clinical implications and solutions for addressing DIF and RS by providing vignettes from collaborative examinations with workshop participants, as well as the literature. By making these methodological concepts accessible and relevant, for practice, clinicians may feel more confident to ask clarifying questions of patients when PROM scores and the contextual patient information do not align. PROM scores need to be interpreted via dialogue with the patient to avoid misinterpretation due to DIF and RS, which could diminish patient–clinician communication and impede shared decision-making. This work is part of an interdisciplinary knowledge translation initiative focused on the interpretation of PROM scores by clinically-oriented audiences.     

Psychometric properties of visual functioning index using Rasch analysis

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 797–803

Abstract.

Purpose: The visual functioning index (VFI) was one of the first questionnaires developed using classical test theory to assess outcomes of cataract surgery. However, it was not Rasch‐validated. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the VFI using Rasch analysis in patients with cataract. Methods: The 11‐item VFI was self‐administered to 243 patients (mean age 73.9 years) drawn from a cataract surgery waiting list. We examined the response category thresholds, item fit statistics, differential item functioning and unidimensionality for the VFI and its three subscales. Results: Category thresholds were ordered. The person separation and reliability were low, indicating the poor discriminatory ability of the VFI. No items misfit but there was suboptimal targeting of item difficulty to patient ability. On the whole the items in the VFI were too easy for the sample. Only one item showed moderate differential item functioning. Conclusion: The VFI does not meet the stringent requirements of the Rasch model. However adding more items to suit the more able patients with cataract as well as those awaiting second‐eye cataract surgery could optimize the VFI.     

Feasibility of Spotlight Consultations Tool in Routine Care: Real-World Evidence

Background:Burnout in people with diabetes and healthcare professionals (HCPs) is at an all-time high. Spotlight AQ, a novel “smart” adaptive patient questionnaire, is designed to improve consultations by rapidly identifying patient priorities and presenting these in the context of best-practice care pathways to aid consultations. We aimed to determine Spotlight AQ’s feasibility in routine care.Materials and Methods:The Spotlight prototype tool was trialed at three centers: two UK primary care centers and one US specialist center (June-September 2020). Participants with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) completed the questionnaire prior to their routine consultations. Results were immediately available and formed the basis of the clinical discussion and decision-making within the clinic visit.Results:A convenience sample of 49 adults took part, n=31 T1D, (n=18 female); and n=18 T2D (n=10 male, n=4 female, n=4 gender unreported). Each identified two priority concerns. “Psychological burden of diabetes” was the most common priority concern (T1D n = 27, 87.1%) followed by “gaining more skills about particular aspects of diabetes” (T1D n=19, 61.3%), “improving support around me” (n=8, 25.8%) and “diabetes-related treatment issues” (n=8, 25.8%). Burden of diabetes was widespread as was lack of confidence around self-management. Similarly, psychological burden of diabetes was the primary concern for participants with T2D (n=18,100%) followed by “gaining more skills about aspects of diabetes” (n=7, 38.9%), “improving support around me” (n=7, 38.9%) and “diabetes-related treatment issues” (n=4; 22.2%).Conclusions:Spotlight AQ is acceptable and feasible for use in routine care. Gaining more skills and addressing the psychological burden of diabetes are high-priority areas that must be addressed to reduce high levels of distress.     

Attitudes towards HPV testing: a qualitative study of beliefs among Indian,Pakistani, African-Caribbean and white British women in the UK

This study examined attitudes to human papillomavirus (HPV) testing among a purposively selected sample of women from four ethnic groups: white British, African Caribbean, Pakistani and Indian. The design was qualitative, using focus group discussion to elicit women's attitudes towards HPV testing in the context of cervical cancer prevention. The findings indicate that although some women welcomed the possible introduction of HPV testing, they were not fully aware of the sexually transmitted nature of cervical cancer and expressed anxiety, confusion and stigma about HPV as a sexually transmitted infection. The term 'wart virus', often used by medical professionals to describe high-risk HPV to women, appeared to exacerbate stigma and confusion. Testing positive for HPV raised concerns about women's sexual relationships in terms of trust, fidelity, blame and protection, particularly for women in long-term monogamous relationships. Participation in HPV testing also had the potential to communicate messages of distrust, infidelity and promiscuity to women's partners, family and community. Concern about the current lack of available information about HPV was clearly expressed and public education about HPV was seen as necessary for the whole community, not only women. The management of HPV within cervical screening raises important questions about informed participation. Our findings suggest that HPV testing has the potential to cause psychosocial harm to women and their partners and families.     

神经症患者家庭功能特点及患者与父母间家庭功能的知觉差异

目的 探讨神经症患者家庭功能的特点及患者与父母间家庭功能知觉差异的特点.方法 采用家庭环境量表中文版(FES-CV)、家庭亲密度和适应性量表中文版(FACESⅡ-CV),对37个神经症患者家庭进行调查并与31个对照组家庭进行比较.结果 ①在家庭功能的各维度上,神经症患者家庭与对照组家庭分数差异有统计学意义(P<0.05...     

影响人群健康的心理社会因素随访比较研究

目的：运用应激理论和综合健康概念,研究影响人群健康的心理社会因素及其一年间变化。方法：抽取简阳市某厂1160名职工为研究对象,进行基线调查和一年后随访。以问卷和临床检查相结合调查其社会人口学特征、应激性生活事件、心理健康状况、社会支持和社会功能及现患疾病,并进行单因素和多元线性回归分析。结果：1997年影响该人群疾病总分的主要因素有工种、年龄、阳性症状数、阳性症状均分、主观支持分,R^2＝0．32;1998年的主要因素有年龄、SCL－90总分、阳性症状均分、支持利用度,R^2＝0．345。结论：年龄、心理应激水平、社会支持等是影响人群健康的主要心理社会因素,且一年时间变化不大。     

Searching for bridges between psychopathology and real-world functioning in first-episode psychosis: A network analysis from the OPTiMiSE trial

BackgroundNetwork analysis has been used to explore the interplay between psychopathology and functioning in psychosis, but no study has used dedicated statistical techniques to focus on the bridge symptoms connecting these domains. The current study aims to estimate the network of depressive, negative, and positive symptoms, general psychopathology, and real-world functioning in people with first-episode schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder, focusing on bridge nodes.MethodsBaseline data from the OPTiMiSE trial were analyzed. The sample included 446 participants (age 40.0 ± 10.9 years, 70% males). The network was estimated with a Gaussian graphical model, using scores on individual items of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), the Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia, and the personal and social performance scale. Stability, strength centrality, expected influence (EI), predictability, and bridge centrality statistics were computed. The top 20% scoring nodes on bridge strength were selected as bridge nodes.ResultsNodes from different rating scales assessing similar psychopathological and functioning constructs tended to cluster together in the estimated network. The most central nodes (EI) were Delusions, Emotional Withdrawal, Depression, and Depressed Mood. Bridge nodes included Depression, Conceptual Disorganization, Active Social Avoidance, Delusions, Stereotyped Thinking, Poor Impulse Control, Guilty Feelings, Unusual Thought Content, and Hostility. Most of the bridge nodes belonged to the general psychopathology subscale of the PANSS. Depression (G6) was the bridge node with the highest value.ConclusionsThe current study provides novel insights for understanding the complex phenotype of psychotic disorders and the mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of comorbidity and functional impairment after psychosis onset.     

对接大健康产业发展的康复治疗学人才培养体系的构建

在大健康产业发展背景下,康复服务产业发展模式和服务理念逐步转变。康复人力资源是康复服务产业发展的基石,文章基于《国际功能、残疾和健康分类》(international classification of functioning,disability and health,ICF)康复科学理论体系,切合康复服务产业化和专业化需求,重构康复治疗学专业人才培养的课程体系,强化实践教学,探讨构建康复治疗学专业人才培养新模式。     

Tinnitus characteristics and associated variables on Tinnitus Handicap Inventory among a Hungarian population

BackgroundTinnitus is a sound precepted without an external sound stimulus. Its background can be categorised into primary and secondary cases. The secondary cases include pathologies of the external, middle and inner ear. Tinnitus can be objective or subjective; the latter can only identified by the sufferer. Previous research results have shown that tinnitus significantly affects the quality of life and daily functioning.ObjectivesTo analyse the impact of tinnitus on the daily functioning and the possible influence of demographical data and tinnitus duration on it.Methods630 patients (265 males and 365 females, 25–85 years of age) suffering from primary tinnitus were enrolled. In the Hungarian language, these patients completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire and underwent a complete otorhinolaryngological examination. IBM SPSS V24 software was used for data processing; correlation tests, the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests were used.ResultsAccording to the THI questionnaires outcomes, most patients (62.5%) were presented with a mild handicap. Based on statistical analysis, no significant correlation was observed between the total THI points and the age of the patients, along with the duration and localisation of the symptoms. However, the total THI scores of male and female patients significantly differed, indicating higher THI values in the female group (p = 0.000521).ConclusionsThe tinnitus severity was not affected by the duration, localisation of the symptoms and age but by gender, indicating higher values in the case of females.