A simple diagnostic index for asthma

BACKGROUND: Asthma is becoming increasingly prevalent and a number of research groups are investigating its genetic and environmental basis. OBJECTIVE: To produce a brief screening tool suitable for determining phenotype in asthma research. METHODS: The scores from eight questions on symptoms and history were obtained from 678 adults and 244 children from high asthma-incidence caucasian families. An independent physician diagnosis was also obtained with the use of a modified NHLBI-CSGA questionnaire and pulmonary function test. Stepwise logistic regression was applied to determine which of the eight questions had greatest predictive value for asthma, and the quality of the resultant models was evaluated using an independent set of 643 adults and 239 children. RESULTS: For adults, the most parsimonious model used responses from three of the eight questions. It had sensitivity and specificity of 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. For children, responses to two questions gave a model with sensitivity and specificity of 0.97. For both age groups, negative predictive values were above 0.87. Positive predictive values were 0.58 and 0.78 for adults and children respectively. The latter emphasize the need for conformation, by physician, of "affected" calls made by this initial screen. CONCLUSION: The brief questionnaires described are potentially useful in a research setting, as a preliminary screening mechanism of low cost. Their use will reduce the numbers of subjects that must undergo detailed phenotyping.     

What Can Be Learned from a Lattice Analysis of a Laterality Questionnaire?

In order to develop a genetic study of human laterality, we conducted an exploratory study concerning one aspect of this phenotype: lattice analysis was used to determine whether the structure of manual preference was the same for right- and left-handers. The study highlights the links between two sets — participants and actions — describing binary data, by ordering them dually along a Galois lattice: participants were ordered according to subsets of actions for which they used only their writing hand, while actions were ordered according to sub-groups using their writing hand to perform them. The twelve item questionnaire of Annett was analysed in two samples of 94 adult right-hand and 31 left-hand writers. The items did not have the same categorical impact for the two groups of left- and right-hand writers. The behaviour of right-handers appeared globally more stereotyped. On the contrary, left-handed profiles were nearly all distinct. To explore these conclusions more thoroughly in the general population would certainly require greater samples. Nevertheless in both cases the observed structures were highly dimensional, a result that would grow stronger as the group sizes increase. Hence whereas some questionnaires purport to evaluate laterality along an unidimensional continuum, the present analysis questions such a strong assumption providing evidence to the contrary.     

青少年网络行为问卷的编制及信效度分析

目的:编制青少年网络行为问卷,为系统评估网络成瘾青少年的网络相关行为特点提供工具。方法:通过开放式访谈和文献复习,建立问卷的初始条目库。采用探索性因素分析技术筛选条目。在湖南永州和长沙市分别取样490例和606例,进行问卷的有关信效度检验。结果:青少年网络行为问卷最终由56个条目构成,其中反映网络使用时间和上网条件等一般情况的条目16条,余40个条目可归纳为9个因子,分别为信息与技术、性与游戏、娱乐放松、网络人际关系、网络效能感、对网络的积极评价、消极评价、上网焦虑、网络满意度。9因子累计可解释方差变异的51.651%。验证性因素分析表明,9因子结构拟合良好,χ2/df=2.780,NFI=0.961,RFI=0.957,IFI=0.975,TLI=0.972,CFI=0.975,RMSEA=0.054。除少数分量表外,各分量表的"系数和重测相关系数较高。结论:青少年网络行为问卷具有较好的结构效度和信度。其实证效度有待进一步检验。     

老化态度问卷的编制及其初步试用

目的：编制老化态度问卷。方法：通过调查和参考国外量表,组成问卷。在老年人中使用后,对问卷进行各项量表属性分析。结果：根据项目分析结果。对条目筛选后的老化态度问卷,因此分析显示具有两个主成分。内部一致性信度和复测信度达到0.9以上。分半信度0.77。结论：自编老化态度问卷具有良好信度,效度。     

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.     

862名医学院校低年级大学生HIV检测行为及影响因素分析

目的 了解四川省某医学院校低年级大学生HIV检测情况及影响因素,为制定在校大学生艾滋病防控教育措施,提高HIV检测率提供参考依据。方法 2021年3月,在四川省泸州市某医学院校对4门选修课共11个班级的学生进行问卷调查,调查内容包括艾滋病基本知识知晓情况、艾滋病自评感染风险、性态度、HIV检测情况、恋爱及性行为经历等。采用单因素logistic回归进行单因素分析,采用多因素logistic回归进行多因素分析。结果 本次调查共纳入大一、大二学生862例。6.4%(55/853)的调查对象有过HIV检测史。89.8%(767/854)的调查对象表示愿意在每次高危行为后都主动进行HIV检测。年龄>18岁(OR=1.990,95%CI:1.021～3.878)、自评有HIV感染风险(OR=1.940,95%CI:1.073～3.509)、知道HIV检测可快速实现(OR=2.401,95%CI:1.329～4.337)、发生过性行为(OR=2.591,95%CI:1.208～5.560)是HIV检测的促进因素。结论 应在大学生群体中加强HIV检测知识和可及性的宣传,同时加强艾滋病防控教育,提高大学生的HIV感染风险意识。     

Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Coeliac Disease: The Italian Version of CDDUX

We aimed to assess Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of Italian children and their parents with coeliac disease (CD) using the Coeliac Disease Dutch Questionnaire (CDDUX). The CDDUX underwent a cross-cultural adaptation in a multi-step process, according to international guidelines. A total of 224 children aged between 8–18 years and their parents were prospectively recruited. Cronbach α coefficient was determined as a measure of internal consistency of the questionnaire and inter-children/parent reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient. Univariate and bivariate regression models were used to evaluate correlations between clinical variables and children and parents subclasses of CDDUX and overall mean Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). The Italian CDDUX proved to be valid and reliable, mean CDDUX total score revealing a neutral evaluation of the quality of life in children 52.6 ± 17.2 and parents 49.5 ± 17.9 (p = 0.07) with strong correlation with PedsQL. The only clinical variable which appeared to affect significantly quality of life both in children and parents was the lower age. A comparison with our results showed remarkable differences in the HRQoL of populations of various nationalities. The Italian version of the CDDUX questionnaire is a simple and reliable tool for assessing the HRQoL in children and adolescents with CD.     

Functional Health Literacy: Psychometric Properties of the Newest Vital Sign for Portuguese Adolescents (NVS-PTeen)

Self-management of health requires skills to obtain, process, understand, and use health-related information. Assessment of adolescents’ functional health literacy requires valid, reliable, and low-burden tools. The main objective of this study was to adapt and study the psychometric properties of the Newest Vital Sign for the Portuguese adolescents’ population (NVS-PTeen). Classic psychometric indicators of reliability and validity were combined with item response theory (IRT) analyses in a cross-sectional survey, complemented with a 3-month test-retest assessment. The NVS-PTeen was self-administered to students enrolled in grades 8 to 12 (12 to 17 years old) in a school setting. Overall, 386 students (191 girls) from 16 classes of the same school participated in the study (mean age = 14.5; SD = 1.5). Internal reliability of the NVS-PTeen was α = 0.60. The NVS-PTeen total score was positively and significantly correlated with Portuguese (r = 0.28) and mathematics scores (r = 0.31), school years (r = 0.31), and age (r = 0.19). Similar to the original scale (for the U.S.), the NVS-PTeen is composed of two dimensions, reading-related literacy and numeracy. Temporal reliability is adequate, though with a learning effect. IRT analyses revealed differences in difficulty and discriminative capacity among items, all with adequate outfit and infit values. Results showed that the NVS-PTeen is valid and reliable, sensible to inter-individual educational differences, and adequate for regular screening of functional health literacy in adolescents.     

Self-Reported Dietary Supplement Use Is Reproducible and Relatively Valid in the Cancer Prevention Study-3 Diet Assessment Substudy

BackgroundDietary supplement use is common, particularly among cancer survivors and those at increased risk for cancer.ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to assess 1-year test–retest reproducibility of dietary supplement use reported via food frequency questionnaire (FFQ-1 vs FFQ-2) and relative validity in comparison to repeated 24-hour dietary recalls (FFQ-2 vs DRs).DesignThis ancillary study was conducted within a large prospective cohort, the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3.Participants/settingBetween 2015 and 2016, 684 participants in the United States (64% women; 62% non-Hispanic White, 23% non-Hispanic Black, and 15% Hispanic) completed two FFQs and up to six unannounced telephone interviewer-administered DRs over 1 year as part of the Cancer Prevention Study-3 Diet Assessment Substudy.Primary outcome measuresFFQs queried current multivitamin-mineral supplement (≥10 components) use, frequency and dose (range) for seven supplements taken individually or as part of a complex (individual/complex) including calcium, vitamins D, C, and E, folic acid, fish oil, and glucosamine. DRs allowed exact reporting of supplement frequency and dose.Statistical analysesWeighted κ statistics were used to evaluate reproducibility between FFQ-1 and FFQ-2 and Spearman correlation coefficients assessed agreement between supplemental nutrient amounts assessed by FFQ-2 and the average of DRs.ResultsJust more than half of the participants reported taking multivitamin-mineral supplements on the baseline FFQ. Kappa statistics for the comparison of categorical responses between FFQ-1 and FFQ-2 were 0.67 for multivitamin-mineral supplements. Kappas for individual/complex supplements ranged from 0.47 for folic acid to 0.74 for vitamin D, with a mean of 0.64. Results were similar between men and women. Spearman correlation coefficients comparing FFQ-2 with the average of DRs (validity) for nutrient intakes from all sources ranged from 0.65 (fish oil for women) to 0.77 (vitamin D for men and calcium for women); results were similar among men and women.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the FFQ used in Cancer Prevention Study-3 has good reproducibility over 1 year and yields estimates comparable to a more detailed assessment for commonly consumed dietary supplements.     

Relative Validity of a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire to Estimate Dietary Intake According to the NOVA Classification in Mexican Children and Adolescents

BackgroundUltra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with poor diet quality and chronic diseases. UPFs fall into 1 of the following 4 groups classified according to the extent and purpose of processing: group 1 is unprocessed or minimally processed foods (MPFs); group 2 is processed culinary ingredients; group 3 is processed foods; and group 4 is UPFs.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relative validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) compared with two 24-hour dietary recalls (24DRs) `to estimate dietary intake per NOVA food group in Mexican children and adolescents.DesignThis study is a secondary analysis of dietary data from a subsample of children and adolescents who participated in the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey.Participants/settingThe study participants were 217 children (aged 5 through 11 years) and 165 adolescents (aged 12 through 19 years) with complete information for the SFFQ and two 24DRs.Main outcome measuresDaily averages of energy intake and percent of energy intake for each NOVA category were calculated using the SFFQ and two 24DRs.Statistical analysisTo assess relative validity, the SFFQ was compared with two 24DRs to estimate dietary intake per NOVA food group. Mean differences, Spearman correlations, intraclass correlations coefficients (ICCs), and Bland–Altman plots for continuous variables and weighted κ for ordinal variables were calculated.ResultsFor percentage of energy intake, ICCs in children and adolescents were moderate for MPFs (ICC = 0.47 and ICC = 0.56, respectively) and UPFs (ICC = 0.53 and ICC = 0.57, respectively). Bland–Altman plots indicated reasonably consistent agreement for UPFs and MPFs groups in children and adolescents. Classification by quintiles was acceptable in all groups.ConclusionsData from this study indicated reasonable relative validity of the SFFQ to rank the percentage of energy intake from MPFs and UPFs in Mexican children and adolescents.