Demographic Differences (demographic + difference)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Intake by Children and Adults: Temporal Trends and Demographic Differences

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 4 2004
Theresa A. Nicklas Dr.P.H.
Epidemiologic evidence suggests that dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) may have a beneficial health effect. Twenty-four-hour dietary intake data collected on 10-year-olds from 1978 to 1994 and on children and adults (ages 0,30 years) were examined for time, age, gender, ethnic, and geographic location differences in MUFA intake. Children's percent energy from MUFA decreased significantly from 1978 (14.1%) to 1994 (11.9%) with intake of oleic acid decreasing from 33.9 g/day (1973) to 25.7 g/day (1994). In 1994,96, percent energy from MUFA was 13% for children and adults aged 12 to 30 years, with 5% from palmitoleic acid and 93% from oleic acid. Males and blacks had significantly higher MUFA intake across all age groups than females and whites. Intakes of MUFA increased from 0 to 11 years of age to young adulthood (12,19 years), with no further increase at 20 to 30 years of age. Intakes of MUFA were lowest in the Northeast and highest in the Midwest. There were differences in food sources of MUFA by age group. For children 0 to 5 years of age, major sources were whole milk, peanut butter, 2% milk, and French fries; for children 6 to 11 years of age, major sources were whole milk, peanut butter, French fries, and 2% milk; for children 12 to 19 years of age, French fries, salty snacks, whole milk, and meat pizza were the major sources; for adults, French fries, whole milk, potato chips, and ground beef were the most common sources of MUFA. U.S. children and adults displayed temporal trends and demographic differences in intakes and food sources of MUFA. The implications of these changes and differences on biologic risk factors for specific chronic diseases warrant further investigation. [source]


Comparing self-reported and measured high blood pressure and high cholesterol status using data from a large representative cohort study

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2010
Anne Taylor
Abstract Objective: To examine the relationship between self-reported and clinical measurements for high blood pressure (HBP) and high cholesterol (HC) in a random population sample. Method: A representative population sample of adults aged 18 years and over living in the north-west region of Adelaide (n=1537) were recruited to the biomedical cohort study in 2002/03. In the initial cross-sectional component of the study, self-reported HBP status and HC status were collected over the telephone. Clinical measures of blood pressure were obtained and fasting blood taken to determine cholesterol levels. In addition, data from a continuous chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system were used to assess the consistency of self-reported measures over time. Result: Self-report of current HBP and HC showed >98% specificity for both, but sensitivity was low for HC (27.8%) and moderate for HBP (49.0%). Agreement between current self-report and clinical measures was moderate (kappa 0.55) for HBP and low (kappa 0.30) for HC. Demographic differences were found with younger people more likely to have lower sensitivity rates. Self-reported estimates for the surveillance system had not varied significantly over time. Conclusion: Although self-reported measures are consistent over time there are major differences between the self-reported measures and the actual clinical measurements. Technical aspects associated with clinic measurements could explain some of the difference. Implications: Monitoring of these broad population measures requires knowledge of the differences and limitations in population settings. [source]


Four years after graduation: Occupational therapists' work destinations and perceptions of preparedness for practice

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2009
Dione Brockwell
Abstract Objective:,The present study sought to identify the work destinations of graduates and ascertain their perceived preparedness for practice from a regional occupational therapy program, which had been specifically developed to support the health requirements of northern Australians by having an emphasis on rural practice. Design:,Self-report questionnaires and semistructured in-depth telephone interviews. Participants:,Graduates (n = 15) from the first cohort of occupational therapists from James Cook University, Queensland. Main outcome measure:,The study enabled comparisons to be made between rural and urban based occupational therapists, while the semistructured interviews provided a deeper understanding of participants' experiences regarding their preparation for practice. Results:,Demographic differences were noted between occupational therapists working in rural and urban settings. Rural therapists were predominantly younger and had worked in slightly more positions than their urban counterparts. The study also offered some insights into the value that therapists placed on the subjects taught during their undergraduate occupational therapy training, and had highlighted the differences in perceptions between therapists with rural experience and those with urban experience regarding the subjects that best prepared them for practice. Generally, rural therapists reported that all subjects included in the curriculum had equipped them well for practice. Conclusions:,Findings suggest the need to undertake further research to determine the actual nature of rural practice, the personal characteristics of rural graduates and the experiences of students while on rural clinical placements. [source]


UNEQUAL ATTENDANCE: THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RACE, ORGANIZATIONAL DIVERSITY CUES, AND ABSENTEEISM

PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
DEREK R. AVERY
Although prior evidence has demonstrated racial differences in employee absenteeism, no existing research explains this phenomenon. The present study examined the roles of 2 diversity cues related to workplace support,perceived organizational value of diversity and supervisor,subordinate racial/ethnic similarity,in explicating this demographic difference among 659 Black, White, and Hispanic employees of U.S. companies. Blacks reported significantly more absences than their White counterparts, but this difference was significantly more pronounced when employees believed their organizations placed little value on diversity. Moreover, in a form of expectancy violation, the Black,White difference was significant only when employees had racially similar supervisors (and thus would expect their companies to value diversity) and perceived that the organization placed little value on diversity. [source]


Use of additional oxytocin to reduce blood loss at elective caesarean section: A randomised control trial

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Kemal GÜNGÖRDÜK
Objective:, The purpose of this prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effects of a 5-IU oxytocin bolus and placebo infusion versus a 5-IU oxytocin bolus and 30 IU infusion on the control of blood loss at elective lower segment caesarean section (C/S). Methods:, Participants with indication for elective C/S were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A, 360 women, received oxytocin 5 IU bolus and placebo; group B, 360 women received oxytocin 5 IU bolus and 30 IU infusion. Blood loss was estimated based on the haematocrit values before and 48 h after delivery. The primary outcome was the incidence of excessive bleeding (estimated blood loss of >1000 mL), while secondary outcomes included use of additional uterotonics, estimated blood loss, need for blood transfusion, duration of hospital stay and the incidence of adverse effects. Results:, No demographic difference was observed between groups. Mean estimated blood loss (P < 0.001) and the proportion of women with blood loss estimated to be greater than 1000 mL were significantly less for group B than for group A (relative risk (RR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20,0.63). In addition, more women in the group A required additional uterotonic agents (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22,0.56) and blood transfusion (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01,0.98). Conclusion:, An additional oxytocin infusion after 5 IU oxytocin bolus infusion at elective C/S may reduce blood loss and required blood transfusion. [source]


CULTURAL DIVERSITY, DISCRIMINATION, AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

ECONOMIC INQUIRY, Issue 2 2007
PAUL J. FERRARO
Does cultural diversity affect economic outcomes? We develop an experimental framework that complements ongoing research on this question. We vary the ethnic mix of bargaining sessions to study intercultural interactions among members of U.S. Hispanic and Navajo cultures. We control for demographic differences in our subject pools and elicit beliefs directly in order to differentiate between statistical discrimination and preference-based discrimination. Hispanic and Navajo subjects behave differently, and their behavior is affected by the ethnic composition of the experimental session. Our experimental framework can shed light on economic behavior and outcomes in societies of mixed ethnicity, race, and religion. (JEL C78, C90, Z10) [source]


Welfare Comparisons: Sequential Procedures for Heterogeneous Populations

ECONOMICA, Issue 276 2002
Peter J. Lambert
Some analysts use sequential dominance criteria, and others use equivalence scales in combination with non-sequential dominance tests, to make welfare comparisons of joint distributions of income and needs. In this paper we present a new sequential procedure which copes with situations in which sequential dominance fails. We also demonstrate that the recommendations deriving from the sequential approach are valid for distributions of equivalent income whatever equivalence scale the analyst might adopt. Thus, the paper marries together the sequential and equivalizing approaches, seen as alternatives in much previous literature. All results are specified in forms that allow for demographic differences in the populations being compared. [source]


Aversive Workplace Conditions and Employee Grievance Filing: The Moderating Effects of Gender and Ethnicity

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 2 2008
PETER BAMBERGER
Studies examining the direct effects of employee demographic differences on grievance filing have yielded mixed results. Moreover, little is known regarding the possible moderating effect that such differences might have on the link between workplace adversity and grievance filing. Using a sample of 866 blue-collar workers drawn from four unions, we examine the potential moderating effects of gender and race/ethnicity. Our findings suggest that while gender and ethnicity are not significantly associated with perceptions of workplace adversity, grievance filing in response to certain forms of adversity is amplified among women (as compared to men) and among African Americans and Hispanics (as compared to whites). The meaning and implications of these findings are discussed. [source]


The relationship of magnesium intake to serum and urinary calcium and magnesium levels in Trinidadian stone formers

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 3 2005
TREVOR I ANATOL
Abstract, Background:, The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the dietary intake of magnesium and the serum and urinary levels of calcium and magnesium in a group of Trinidadian stone formers. Methods:, A group of 102 confirmed stone formers presenting to urological clinics were interviewed using a questionnaire designed to obtain a semi-quantitative estimate of their oral magnesium intake. Patients were invited to give blood samples for serum calcium and magnesium levels and to provide 24-h urine specimens for the measurement of urinary levels of these minerals, as well as total urinary volumes. A group of 102 controls was subjected to a similar interview and blood and urinary testing. Chi-square tests and Student's t -tests were used to examine group demographic differences. The Mann,Whitney test investigated differences in biochemical indices. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of stone formation. Results:, Blood samples were obtained from 60 patients and 98 controls. Urine samples were returned by 34 patients and 97 controls. Only 10 stones were retrieved from patients. Patients had a significantly lower magnesium intake, but higher median serum and urinary calcium levels, and higher serum calcium to magnesium ratios than controls. Independent variables capable of predicting stone formation included total magnesium intake and serum and urinary calcium levels. Conclusions:, Increased serum and urinary calcium levels, calcium to magnesium ratios, and a low magnesium intake were predictive of stone formation in this Trinidadian population. [source]


Organisational climate, organisational commitment and intention to leave amongst hospital nurses in Taiwan

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11-12 2010
Shwu-Ru Liou
Aims and objectives., To examine: (1) Taiwanese nurses' perceptions of organisational climate, levels of organisational commitment and intention to leave, as well as relationships between these three variables; (2) demographic differences in the levels of these variables; and (3) mediating effects of organisational commitment on the relationship between organisational climate and intention to leave. Background., Organisational climate is related to organisational commitment and affects nurses' performances and attitudes towards an organisation. Design., A cross-sectional, descriptive design. Method., Registered nurses working in eight hospitals in southern Taiwan for more than six months were recruited. Data were collected using the Litwin and Stringer's Organisational Climate Questionnaire, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire and a five-item scale measuring intention to leave. Questionnaires were distributed to 612 potential participants; 486 valid returned questionnaires were analysed. Results., The study's participants were generally satisfied with their hospital's climate and yet claimed low commitment to their organisation and, nevertheless, reported low intention to leave their job. Single nurses were more satisfied with their hospital's climate and were more committed to their hospital and had a lower intention to leave their job compared to married nurses. Nurses working in district hospitals perceived a better hospital climate and had a lower intention to leave than nurses working in teaching or regional hospitals. Staff nurses perceived a better organisational climate than did nurse managers. Organisational climate, organisational commitment and intention to leave were intercorrelated. Organisational climate had almost 60% indirect effect on organisational commitment related to intention to leave. Conclusions., Creating a good organisational climate may increase nurses' organisational commitment and, in turn, decrease their intention to leave. Relevance to clinical practice., To motivate nurses' positive organisational behaviours and to address their diverse needs, hospital administrators are encouraged to understand nurses' work-climate perceptions and to address nurses' varied demographic factors. [source]


Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Intake by Children and Adults: Temporal Trends and Demographic Differences

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 4 2004
Theresa A. Nicklas Dr.P.H.
Epidemiologic evidence suggests that dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) may have a beneficial health effect. Twenty-four-hour dietary intake data collected on 10-year-olds from 1978 to 1994 and on children and adults (ages 0,30 years) were examined for time, age, gender, ethnic, and geographic location differences in MUFA intake. Children's percent energy from MUFA decreased significantly from 1978 (14.1%) to 1994 (11.9%) with intake of oleic acid decreasing from 33.9 g/day (1973) to 25.7 g/day (1994). In 1994,96, percent energy from MUFA was 13% for children and adults aged 12 to 30 years, with 5% from palmitoleic acid and 93% from oleic acid. Males and blacks had significantly higher MUFA intake across all age groups than females and whites. Intakes of MUFA increased from 0 to 11 years of age to young adulthood (12,19 years), with no further increase at 20 to 30 years of age. Intakes of MUFA were lowest in the Northeast and highest in the Midwest. There were differences in food sources of MUFA by age group. For children 0 to 5 years of age, major sources were whole milk, peanut butter, 2% milk, and French fries; for children 6 to 11 years of age, major sources were whole milk, peanut butter, French fries, and 2% milk; for children 12 to 19 years of age, French fries, salty snacks, whole milk, and meat pizza were the major sources; for adults, French fries, whole milk, potato chips, and ground beef were the most common sources of MUFA. U.S. children and adults displayed temporal trends and demographic differences in intakes and food sources of MUFA. The implications of these changes and differences on biologic risk factors for specific chronic diseases warrant further investigation. [source]


The experience and effects of emotional support: What the study of cultural and gender differences can tell us about close relationships, emotion, and interpersonal communication

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 1 2003
Brant R. Burleson
Theorists claim that emotional support is one of the most significant provisions of close relationships, and studies suggest that the receipt of sensitive emotional support is associated with diverse indices of well,being. Research highlighting the beneficial outcomes of emotional support raises several important questions: Does emotional support play a similar role in the personal relationships of both men and women and those representing different ethnicities and nationalities? Is what counts as effective, sensitive, emotional support the same for everyone? And when seeking to provide emotional support, do members of distinct social groups pursue similar or different goals? This article reviews and synthesizes empirical research assessing gender, ethnic, and cultural differences in emotional support in the effort to ascertain the extent and import of these differences. Particular attention is given to demographic differences in (a) the value placed on the emotional support skills of relationship partners, (b) the intentions or goals viewed as especially relevant in emotional support situations, and (c) the evaluation of distinct approaches to providing emotional support. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of the findings are explored. [source]


Time dependent memory decay

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002
Paul Jenkins PhD
Abstract Background To estimate the rate of time dependent memory decay, injury rates from three independent studies were compared. Methods The studies asked subjects to recall injuries during the previous 2 months, 12 months, or 10 years. Results The annual injury rates obtained were 108/1,000, 66/1,000, and 19/1,000, respectively. These rates are all significantly different from one another at the 0.05 level. Conclusions Important methodological and demographic differences between the studies, such as those involving age, injury severity, and seasonality, were ruled out as causes of these differences. Results found in the literature for other studies are compared and contrasted. These data suggest that recall periods of greater than 2 months are likely to significantly underestimate injury rates. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:98,101, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The Role of Alcohol Use in Intimate Partner Femicide

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 2 2001
Phyllis W. Sharps Ph.D., R.N.
The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol use by victims and perpetrators as a risk factor for intimate partner violence and femicide. A case control design was used to describe alcohol use among Femicide/Attempted Femicide victims (n = 380,), Abused Controls (n = 384) and Non-Abused Controls (n = 376), and their intimate partners. Telephone interviews of proxies (family members or friends) of femicide victims and actual survivors of attempted femicide were conducted in 10 cities. The purpose of the interviews was to gather information about relationship violence and alcohol use by femicide victims, attempted femicide survivors, and their perpetrators. Telephone interviews of controls, recruited from the same cities by random digit dialing, were also conducted. Perpetrator problem drinking was associated with an eight fold increase in partner abuse (eb = 8.24, p < .0001) and a two fold increased risk of femicide/attempted femicide (eb = 2.39, p = .001), controlling for demographic differences. [source]


Six-month Follow-up of a Brief Intervention on Self-reported Safety Belt Use Among Emergency Department Patients

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009
William G. Fernandez MD
Abstract Objectives:, Safety belt use (SBU) reduces motor vehicle deaths by 45%. We previously reported that a brief intervention improved self-reported SBU among emergency department (ED) patients at 3 months. We sought to determine if these effects were sustained at 6 months postenrollment. Methods:, This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial of adult patients (age , 21 years) at an academic medical center ED from February 2006 to May 2006. Patients were systematically sampled for self-reported SBU. Those with self-reported SBU less than "always" were asked to participate. Subjects were surveyed at baseline with a nine-item series of situational SBU questions scored on a five-point Likert scale (e.g., 5 = always, 1 = never). This nine-item average comprised the mean SBU score. Subjects were randomized to a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). The CG received an injury prevention brochure; the IG received a brief motivation interview by a trained interventionist and the brochure. Subjects were phoned at 3 and 6 months to determine interval change in SBU scores via a standard script. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance and t-tests were used to analyze trends in mean SBU scores between groups, as well as to test mean changes in SBU scores from the 3- to 6-month intervals. Results:, Of 432 eligible patients, 292 enrolled (mean age = 35 years, SD ± 11.2 years; 61% male). At baseline, there were no significant demographic differences; the IG (n = 147) and CG (n = 145) had similar mean SBU scores (2.8 vs. 2.6, p = 0.31), and 66% (n = 96 in each) completed both 3- and 6-month follow-up. The mean SBU score at 6 months in the IG was greater than in the CG group (3.6 vs. 2.9, p < 0.001), as were the mean SBU score differences from baseline (IG = 0.84 vs. CG = 0.29, p < 0.001). These differences were sustained from the 3-month interval (IG = ,0.02 vs. CG = ,0.06, p > 0.05). Conclusions:, The previously reported finding that ED patients who received a brief motivation interview reported higher SBU scores at 3 months compared to a CG was sustained at 6-month follow-up. Although limited by self-report, a brief intervention may enhance lasting SBU behavior among high-risk ED patients. [source]


Is routine cervical dilatation necessary during elective caesarean section?

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
A randomised controlled trial
Objective: The purpose of this prospective randomised study was to determine the effect of routine cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section on maternal morbidity. Methods: Participants with indication for elective caesarean section were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A (n = 200) women with intraoperative cervical dilatation; group B (n = 200) women with no intraoperative cervical dilatation. Results: No demographic differences were observed between groups. There was no significant difference between groups in infectious morbidity (P = 0.87) (relative risk (RR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58,2.11), endometritis (P = 0.72) (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.39,7.14), febrile morbidity (P = 0.66) (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.51,2.87), wound infection (P = 0.82) (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.44,2.81), endometritis (P = 0.72) (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.39,7.14) or urinary tract infection (P = 1.00) (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.28,3.50), and estimated blood loss (P = 0.2). However, group A had longer operative times compared with the group B (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Intraoperative digital cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section did not reduce blood loss and postoperative infectious morbidity. The routine digital cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section is not recommended. [source]


Choosing medical or surgical terminations of pregnancy in the first trimester: What is the difference?

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Felicity GOODYEAR-SMITH
Background: Women seeking termination of pregnancy in Auckland, New Zealand can chose between medical and surgical options up to eight weeks gestation. Aims: To assess demographic differences or changes over time between proportions of women choosing medical or surgical abortions at a single centre and determine whether changing the mifepristone,misoprostol interval from two to one day impacted on outcomes. Methods: Retrospective audit of two consecutive years (December 2005,November 2006 and December 2006,November 2007) of first-trimester surgical and medical terminations where the mifepristone-misoprostol interval was reduced from two to one day between years. Analysis using descriptive statistics and assessment of probability of observed differences between groups. Results: A total of 1495 terminations were performed in 2005,2006 and 1588 in 2006,2007. No significant difference (P = 0.4) of eligible women choosing medical (21% and 23%) or surgical abortion between years. Ethnicity, age and residency status did not influence choice. Medical termination of pregnancy was more likely in women who were without previous children (P = 0.009), pregnancies (P = 0.02) or terminations (P = 0.04). Medical termination was similarly effective within six hours with either two- or one-day intervals. Conclusions: Both medical and surgical first-trimester abortions are safe and effective. It is optimal to be able to offer women choice. Reducing the medical interval to one day does not increase adverse outcomes. [source]


Substance use disorders among adolescents with bipolar spectrum disorders

BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 4 2008
Benjamin I Goldstein
Objective:, We set out to examine the prevalence and correlates of substance use disorders (SUD) in a large sample of adolescents with bipolar disorder (BP). Methods:, Subjects were 249 adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for bipolar I disorder [(BPI), n = 154], or bipolar II disorder [(BPII), n = 25], or operationalized criteria for BP not otherwise specified [(BP NOS), n = 70], via the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children (K-SADS). As part of the multi-site Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth study, demographic, clinical, and family history variables were measured via intake clinical interview with the subject and a parent/guardian. Results:, The lifetime prevalence of SUD among adolescents with BP was 16% (40/249). Results from univariate analyses indicated that subjects with, as compared to without, SUD were significantly less likely to be living with both biological parents, and that there was significantly greater lifetime prevalence of physical abuse, sexual abuse, suicide attempts, conduct disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder among subjects with SUD. Subjects with SUD reported significantly greater 12-month prevalence of trouble with police, and females with SUD reported significantly greater 12-month prevalence of pregnancy and abortion. Significant predictors of SUD in a logistic regression model included living with both biological parents (lower prevalence), conduct disorder and suicide attempts (increased prevalence). In logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic differences and conduct disorder, SUD remained significantly associated with trouble with police, whereas the association of SUD with pregnancy and abortion was reduced to a statistical trend. The prevalence of SUD was not significantly different among child- versus adolescent-onset BP subjects. Conclusions:, SUD among adolescents with BP is associated with profound hazards including suicide attempts, trouble with police, and teenage pregnancy and abortion. [source]


Mania profile in a community sample of prepubertal children in Turkey

BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 4 2008
Rasim Somer Diler
Background:, Mania in youth is increasingly recognized and accompanied by substantial psychiatric and psychosocial morbidity. There are no data on prepubertals in the general population and we aimed to search for mania symptoms and its clinical correlations in a community sample of prepubertal Turkish children. Methods:, Among all children (n = 56,335) aged 7,11 in Adana, Turkey, 2,468 children (48% girls) were randomly included. Parents completed Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 4,18 and Parent-Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS). Cut-off scores of 17 and 27 on total P-YMRS were defined as efficient (probable-mania group) and specific (mania group), respectively, for bipolar profile. We searched for clinical correlations and used logistic regression to show how well each CBCL subscale predicted the presence of mania and probable-mania, after adjusting for any demographic differences. Results:, Parent-Young Mania Rating Scale scores were ,17 but <27 (probable-mania) in 155 (6.3%) children and ,27 (mania) in 32 (1.3%) children. Elevated mood, increased activity levels, and poor insight were the most frequent manic symptoms in our sample. Children with probable-mania and mania had higher scores on all CBCL subscales and the CBCL-Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (CBCL-PBD) profile (sum of attention, aggression, and anxiety/depression subscales). Logistic regression analysis revealed only thought problems on CBCL that predicted probable-mania and mania. Conclusion:, Our study shows that mania profile is common in the community sample of Turkish prepubertal children and does not support the thought that mania is rare outside the US. We need further population-based studies that will use diagnostic interviews and multiple informants. [source]


Survival and toxicity differences between 5-day and weekly cisplatin in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

CANCER, Issue 1 2007
Mark H. Einstein MD
Abstract BACKGROUND. Cisplatin (CDDP) administration concomitant with radiotherapy (RT) for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer has evolved from an inpatient 5-day every 21-day regimen to a weekly outpatient regimen. This study was designed to test for differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity between the 2 regimens. METHODS. In all, 77 consecutive patients at a single institution with stage IB2-IV cervical cancer were included in this analysis (using the International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians staging system). All patients were treated with CDDP, external beam RT, and 2 9-Gy high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatments. Two cohorts were compared: 1) 5-day, patients treated from 1995 to 2001 with CDDP 20 mg/m2 × 5 days every 21 days concomitant with RT; 2) weekly, treated after May 2001 with CDDP 40 mg/m2 weekly concomitant with RT. RESULTS. In all, 50 patients were treated with the 5-day regimen and 27 patients with the weekly regimen. There were no significant demographic differences between the groups. Overall 3-year PFS, controlling for stage, was 90% and 76% for 5-day and weekly groups, respectively (P = .01). Adjusting for stage, age, and completion of treatment, the risk of treatment failure among the weekly group was 3.46 times higher than the 5-day group (P = .02). The weekly group had a 3.43 times higher risk of developing acute toxicities than the 5-day group (P = .02) in advanced-stage patients. CONCLUSIONS. Patients who received weekly CDDP have a shorter 3-year PFS. Patients with advanced-stage cervical cancer who received weekly CDDP had significantly more acute toxicities. These data should be confirmed in a multiinstitutional, randomized, controlled study. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society. [source]


Response rate and nonresponse bias in a questionnaire survey of dentists

COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
Peter Parashos
Abstract , Objectives:, (a) To report on response rate and nonresponse bias of a questionnaire survey of dentists. (b) To make recommendations for future questionnaire survey research in dentistry. Methods:, A questionnaire was mailed to a stratified systematic sample of 908 Australian dentists. The strategy included three mailings, a final telephonic contact, university stationery, paid reply envelopes and personalized correspondence. Nonresponse bias was assessed by comparing responses to a simple ,yes/no' question from each contact (late responders), and by comparing demographic information (nonresponders). Results:, The response rate achieved was 87% and there was no evidence of nonresponse bias based on practice location or year of graduation. The cumulative proportions of ,yes/no' responses essentially remained constant after each contact, but significantly more late responders answered in the negative to the test question than did early responders. The telephonic contact aided in the identification of nonparticipants and ineligible units. Conclusions:, The current survey indicates that differences in data between early and nonresponders can occur despite there being no demographic differences. Therefore, assessment of nonresponse bias based on demographic data alone would seem to be insufficient. Questionnaire survey research must first be based on sound sampling techniques, and then on achieving as high a response rate as possible using the many incentives available. [source]