Between-group Differences (between-group + difference)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Between-group Differences

  • significant between-group difference


  • Selected Abstracts


    Kinematics of the ACL-deficient canine knee during gait: Serial changes over two years

    JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 5 2004
    Scott Tashman
    Abstract The ACL-deficient dog is a model for investigating the development and progression of mechanically driven osteoarthrosis of the knee. ACL loss creates dynamic instability in the ACL-deficient knee which presumably leads to progressive joint degeneration, but the nature of this instability over the time course of disease development is not well understood. The goal of this study was to characterize three-dimensional motion of the canine knee during gait, before and serially for two years after ACL transection. Canine tibial-femoral kinematics were assessed during treadmill gait before and serially for two years after ACL transection (ACL-D group; 18 dogs) or sham transection (ACL-I group; five dogs). Kinematic data was collected at 250 frames/s using a biplane video-radiographic system. Six degree-of-freedom motions of the tibia relative to the femur were calculated, and values immediately prior to pawstrike as well as the maximum, minimum, midpoint and range of motion during early/mid stance were extracted. Between-group differences relative to baseline (pre-transection) values, as well as changes over time post-transection, were determined with a repeated-measures ANCOVA. In the ACL-D group, peak anterior tibial translation (ATT) increased by 10 mm (p < 0.001), and did not change over time (p = 0.76). Pre-pawstrike ATT was similar to ACL-intact values early on (2,4 months) but then increased significantly over time, by 3.5 mm (p < 0.001). The range of ab/adduction motion nearly doubled after ACL loss (from 3.3° to 6.1°). The magnitude (midpoint) of knee adduction also increased significantly over time (mean increase 3.0°; p = 0.036). All changes occurred primarily between 6 and 12 months. There were no significant differences between groups in the transverse plane, and no significant changes over time in the ACL-I group. In summary, peak anterior tibial translation and coronal-plane instability increased immediately after ACL loss, and did not improve with time. ATT just prior to pawstrike and mean knee adduction throughout stance became progressively more abnormal with time, with the greatest changes occurring between 6 and 12 months after ACL transection. This may be due to overload failure of secondary restraints such as the medial meniscus, which has been reported to fail in a similar timeframe in the ACL-deficient dog. The relationships between these complex mechanical alterations and the rate of OA development/progression are currently under investigation. © 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. [source]


    A comparison of anthropometric indices of nutritional status in Tukanoan and Achuar Amerindians

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
    Caley M. Orr
    Anthropometric data from a Tukanoan population in the Vaupes region of Colombia and an Achuar population in the Ecuadorian Amazon were compared relative to international references. The Tukanoans exploit an oligotrophic blackwater ecosystem, whereas the Achuar inhabit a resource rich montane ecosystem. Given this ecological distinction, three hypotheses regarding nutritional statuses were proposed: (1) Tukanoans are significantly shorter than the Achuar, indicating a greater degree of stunting; (2) Tukanoans are significantly leaner, indicating a greater degree of wasting; and (3) Tukanaons have significantly lower upper arm muscle area, indicating lower lean body mass. Z-scores for height, weight-for-height, and estimated upper arm muscle area were determined and significant nutritional stress was assumed at z , ,2.0. Between population differences in z-scores for height-for-age (ZHT), weight-for-height (ZWH), and upper arm muscle area (ZUMA) were examined using analysis of variance with a subsequent Scheffe's test. Between-group differences in the frequencies of individuals with low z-scores (z , ,2.0) were assessed via chi-squared analysis. Both populations showed stunting in most age groups, but neither showed low ZWH or ZUMA. Significant differences between populations were found only for ZHT in children (females 1.0,4.9 and 5.0,9.9 years, and males 5.0,9.9 years). Tukanoans have significantly higher frequencies of stunting in all age-sex groups except females and males age 30,49.9 years. There were no significant between-population differences in the frequencies of individuals with low ZWH or ZUMA. These differences in nutritional status may reflect differences in resource availability. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:301,309, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Behavioural functioning of retinoblastoma survivors

    PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
    J. van Dijk
    Abstract Objective: To assess behavioural problems in retinoblastoma (RB) survivors. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study included 148 RB survivors (8,35 years), registered in the Dutch national RB register. Survivors and parents were asked to fill in behavioural questionnaires. Prevalence rates were computed, based on both self-reports and proxy reports. One-sample T -tests were applied to analyse differences compared with healthy reference samples. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors for behavioural problems within the RB sample. Results: Between-group differences varied across informants and across age groups. Parents reported significantly elevated total problem behaviour in 30% of their offspring (aged 8,17 years); this against 9% in adolescents (12,17 years) and 12% in adults (18,35 years) based on self-report. Parental reports showed significantly elevated rates of (1) internalising problems in boys and (2) somatic complaints in both girls and boys. Self-reports indicate significantly lowered levels of (1) externalising problems in adolescent and adult women and (2) thought problems in female adolescents and in adult men. Especially survivors who suffered hereditary RB, who had undergone more intensive treatment, and who came from a single-parent family were identified to be at most behavioural risk. Conclusion: Perception of severity and the nature of behavioural problems seem to differ between beholder, and to vary between age groups, if not between life stages. Health professionals should be aware that especially those who are confronted with hereditary RB and who subsequently undergo intensive treatment, and who grow up in broken families, run the risk of developing behavioural difficulties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Coping strategies used by hypersexual patients to defend against the painful effects of shame

    CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 2 2009
    Rory C. Reid
    This article reports the findings of a study investigating coping strategies used by hypersexual patients (n = 71), compared with a control group (n = 73), in their attempts to defend against shame. Coping strategies were measured using the Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS) and hypersexual behaviour was measured by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). A multivariate analysis of variance of between-group differences was significant, and examination of post hoc univariate tests revealed that the sample of hypersexual patients defended against shame with higher levels of withdrawal and higher tendencies to attack self and others when compared with the control group. The effect sizes of these differences were moderate to large. A categorical analysis of the patient group indicated that the greatest percentages of elevated shame scores were clustered on the Withdrawal and Attack Self subscales of the CoSS. Between-group differences on the Avoidance subscale of the CoSS were not significant. The results of this study are discussed as they pertain to clinical practice, and future recommendations for research are offered.,Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Fifty-two-week efficacy and safety of vildagliptin vs. glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy

    DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 2 2009
    E. Ferrannini
    Aim:, To examine the efficacy and safety of vildagliptin vs. glimepiride as add-on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a 52-week interim analysis of a large, randomized, double-blind, multicentre study. The primary objective was to demonstrate non-inferiority of vildagliptin vs. glimepiride in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction at week 52. Methods:, Patients inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy (HbA1c 6.5,8.5%) and receiving a stable dose of metformin (mean dose 1898 mg/day; mean duration of use 36 months) were randomized 1:1 to receive vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily, n = 1396) or glimepiride (titrated up to 6 mg/day; mean dose 4.5 mg/day, n = 1393). Results:, Non-inferiority of vildagliptin was demonstrated (97.5% confidence interval 0.02%, 0.16%) with a mean (SE) change from baseline HbA1c (7.3% in both groups) to week 52 endpoint of ,0.44% (0.02%) with vildagliptin and ,0.53% (0.02%) with glimepiride. Although a similar proportion of patients reached a target HbA1c level of <7% with vildagliptin and glimepiride (54.1 and 55.5%, respectively), a greater proportion of patients reached this target without hypoglycaemia in the vildagliptin group (50.9 vs. 44.3%; p < 0.01). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) reductions were comparable between groups (mean [SE] ,1.01 [0.06] mmol/l and ,1.14 [0.06] mmol/l respectively). Vildagliptin significantly reduced body weight relative to glimepiride (mean [SE] change from baseline ,0.23 [0.11] kg; between-group difference ,1.79 kg; p < 0.001) and resulted in a 10-fold lower incidence of hypoglycaemia than glimepiride (1.7 vs. 16.2% of patients presenting at least one hypoglycaemic event; 39 vs. 554 hypoglycaemic events, p < 0.01). No severe hypoglycaemia occurred with vildagliptin compared with 10 episodes with glimepiride (p < 0.01), and no patient in the vildagliptin group discontinued because of hypoglycaemia compared with 11 patients in the glimepiride group. The incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs and adjudicated cardiovascular events was 74.5, 7.1 and 0.9%, respectively, in patients receiving vildagliptin, and 81.1, 9.5 and 1.6%, respectively, in patients receiving glimepiride. Conclusions:, When metformin alone fails to maintain sufficient glycaemic control, the addition of vildagliptin provides comparable efficacy to that of glimepiride after 52 weeks and displays a favourable AE profile, with no weight gain and a significant reduction in hypoglycaemia compared with glimepiride. [source]


    Moxonidine improves glycaemic control in mildly hypertensive, overweight patients: a comparison with metformin

    DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2006
    Irina Chazova
    Aim:, To compare the effects of moxonidine and metformin on glycaemic control in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and signs of the metabolic syndrome. Methods:, A multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label study design was adopted with blinded endpoint evaluation. Patients ,40 years old, with impaired glucose tolerance (or diabetes mellitus treated with diet alone) and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27 kg/m2 were treated twice daily with moxonidine 0.2 mg or metformin 500 mg for 16 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at baseline and end-of-study; plasma insulin and plasma glucose levels were measured at 0, 60, 120 and 180 min after administration. Results:, With regard to effects on insulin [mean area under the curve (AUC) for insulin], the primary efficacy endpoint of the study, both drugs did not show equivalence. On the contrary, in the per protocol (PP) population, moxonidine statistically significantly (p = 0.025) decreased the AUC for insulin from baseline in the PP population; for metformin, the treatment effect on insulin was a small, net increase resulting in a statistically significant between-group difference of 16.2% (95% CI = 0.1,35.0). The change in mean insulin AUC was most marked in the subgroup of patients with higher sympathetic activity (heart rate >80 bpm). Mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and HbA1c levels were largely unchanged by moxonidine treatment but significantly decreased by metformin treatment. The difference between the groups was 14.7% (p = 0.0523) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) sample. By study end, both treatments had significantly increased the Matsuda Insulin Sensitivity Index (ISI) from baseline to a comparable extent: moxonidine by reducing plasma insulin after a glucose challenge, metformin by reducing FPG. BMI fell significantly in both groups and blood pressure normalized; both drugs were well tolerated. Conclusions:, Moxonidine improved insulin sensitivity in response to glucose challenge in patients with evidence of metabolic syndrome. This improvement resulted from a reduction in plasma insulin levels and was most marked in patients with high sympathetic drive at baseline. By enhancing insulin sensitivity, moxonidine treatment may help prevent the development of diabetes and thereby ameliorate the risk for cardiovascular disease. [source]


    Diabetes Care Protocol: effects on patient-important outcomes.

    DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010
    A cluster randomized, non-inferiority trial in primary care
    Diabet. Med. 27, 442,450 (2010) Abstract Aims, The Diabetes Care Protocol (DCP) combines task delegation, intensification of diabetes treatment and feedback. It reduces cardiovascular risk in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. This study determines the effects of DCP on patient-important outcomes. Methods, A cluster randomized, non-inferiority trial, by self-administered questionnaires in 55 Dutch primary care practices: 26 practices DCP (1699 patients), 26 usual care (1692 patients). T2DM patients treated by their general practitioner were included. Main outcome was the 1-year between-group difference in Diabetes Health Profile (DHP-18) total score. Secondary outcomes: DHP-18 subscales, general perceived health [Medical Outcomes Study 36-Items Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Euroqol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Euroqol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS)], treatment satisfaction (Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire; DTSQ status) and psychosocial self-efficacy (Diabetes Empowerment Scale Short Form; DES-SF). Per protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were performed: non-inferiority margin , = ,2%. At baseline 2333 questionnaires were returned and 1437 1 year thereafter. Results, Comparing DCP with usual care, DHP-18 total score was non-inferior: PP ,0.88 (95% CI ,1.94 to 0.12), ITT ,0.439 (95% CI ,1.01 to 0.08), SF-36 ,health change' improved: PP 3.51 (95% CI 1.23 to 5.82), ITT 1.91 (95% CI 0.62 to 3.23), SF-36 ,social functioning' was inconclusive: PP ,1.57 (95% CI ,4.3 to 0.72), ITT ,1.031 (95% CI ,2.52 to ,0.25). Other DHP and SF-36 scores were inconsistent or non-inferior. DHP-18 ,disinhibited eating' was significantly worse in PP analyses. For EQ-5D/EQ-VAS, DTSQ and DES-SF, no significant between-group differences were found. Conclusion, DCP does not seem to influence health status negatively, therefore diabetes care providers should not shrink from intensified treatment. However, they should take possible detrimental effects on ,social functioning' and ,disinhibited eating' into account. [source]


    Randomized controlled trial of the effects of completing the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test questionnaire on self-reported hazardous drinking

    ADDICTION, Issue 2 2008
    Jim McCambridge
    ABSTRACT Aims The direct effects of screening on drinking behaviour have not previously been evaluated experimentally. We tested whether screening reduces self-reported hazardous drinking in comparison with a non-screened control group. Design Two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT), with both groups blinded to the true nature of the study. Setting and participants A total of 421 university students aged 18,24 years, recruited in five London student unions. Interventions Both groups completed a brief pen-and-paper general health and socio-demographic questionnaire, which for the experimental group also included the 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) screening questionnaire. Measurements The primary outcome was the between-group difference in AUDIT score at 2,3-month follow-up. Eight secondary outcomes comprised other aspects of hazardous drinking, including dedicated measures of alcohol consumption, problems and dependence. Findings A statistically significant effect size of 0.23 (0.01,0.45) was detected on the designated primary outcome. The marginal nature of the statistical significance of this effect was apparent in additional analyses with covariates. Statistically significant differences were also obtained in three of eight secondary outcomes, and the observed effect sizes were not dissimilar to the known effects of brief interventions. Conclusions It is unclear to what extent these findings represent the effects of screening alone, a Hawthorne effect in which drinking behaviour has changed in response to monitoring, or whether they indicate reporting bias. These possibilities have important implications both for the dissemination of screening as an intervention in its own right and for behavioural intervention trials methodology. [source]


    Normal interhemispheric inhibition in persistent developmental stuttering,

    MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 5 2009
    Martin Sommer MD
    Abstract Imaging studies suggest a right hemispheric (pre)motor overactivity in patients with persistent developmental stuttering (PDS). The interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) studied with transcranial magnetic stimulation is an established measure of the interplay between right and left motor areas. We assessed IHI in 15 young male adults with PDS and 15 age-matched fluent-speaking subjects. We additionally studied the ipsilateral silent period (iSP) duration. We found no significant between-group difference for IHI or for iSP duration. We conclude that the interplay between the primary motor cortices is normal in patients with PDS. The abnormal right motor and premotor activity observed in functional imaging studies on PDS are not likely to reflect altered primary motor cortex excitability, but are likely to have a different origin. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society [source]


    Interstitial Fibrosis Quantification in Renal Transplant Recipients Randomized to Continue Cyclosporine or Convert to Sirolimus

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2009
    A. Servais
    Conversion from cyclosporine (CsA) to sirolimus at week 12 after kidney transplantation is associated with a significant improvement in renal function. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the effect of this conversion on interstitial fibrosis (IF), a hallmark of chronic allograft injury, in patients taking part in the CONCEPT trial. This multicenter, prospective, trial included 193 renal recipients randomized at week 12 to switch from CsA to sirolimus or to continue CsA, with mycophenolate mofetil. Routine biopsy with automated, quantified assessment of IF by a program of color segmentation was performed at 1 year in 121 patients. At 1 year, renal function was significantly improved in the conversion group as assessed by estimated GFR (MDRD) and measured GFR. Biopsy results, however, showed no between-group difference in percentage of IF. Calculated GFR at 1 year was significantly associated with the percentage of IF (p = 0.004, R2= 0.07). By multivariate analysis diabetic patients had more fibrosis than non-diabetic patients. In conclusion, although kidney transplant patients converted from CsA to sirolimus showed significant improvement in renal function, we found no difference of IF on 1-year biopsies. [source]


    COBRA combination therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Long-term structural benefits of a brief intervention

    ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 2 2002
    Robert B. M. Landewé
    Objective The Combinatietherapie Bij Reumatoide Artritis (COBRA) trial demonstrated that step-down combination therapy with prednisolone, methotrexate, and sulfasalazine (SSZ) was superior to SSZ monotherapy for suppressing disease activity and radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The current study was conducted to investigate whether the benefits of COBRA therapy were sustained over time, and to determine which baseline factors could predict outcome. Methods All patients had participated in the 56-week COBRA trial. During followup, they were seen by their own rheumatologists and were also assessed regularly by study nurses; no treatment protocol was specified. Disease activity, radiologic damage, and functional ability were the primary outcome domains. Two independent assessors scored radiographs in sequence according to the Sharp/van der Heijde method. Outcomes were analyzed by generalized estimating equations on the basis of intent-to-treat, starting with data obtained at the last visit of the COBRA trial (56 weeks after baseline). Results At the beginning of followup, patients in the COBRA group had a significantly lower mean time-averaged 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and a significantly lower median radiologic damage (Sharp) score compared with those in the SSZ monotherapy group. The functional ability score (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]) was similar in both groups. During the 4,5 year followup period, the time-averaged DAS28 decreased 0.17 points per year in the SSZ group and 0.07 in the COBRA group. The Sharp progression rate was 8.6 points per year in the SSZ group and 5.6 in the COBRA group. After adjustment for differences in treatment and disease activity during followup, the between-group difference in the rate of radiologic progression was 3.7 points per year. The HAQ score did not change significantly over time. Independent baseline predictors of radiologic progression over time (apart from treatment allocation) were rheumatoid factor positivity, Sharp score, and DAS28. Conclusion An initial 6-month cycle of intensive combination treatment that includes high-dose corticosteroids results in sustained suppression of the rate of radiologic progression in patients with early RA, independent of subsequent antirheumatic therapy. [source]


    Lamotrigine versus lithium as maintenance treatment in bipolar I disorder: an open, randomized effectiveness study mimicking clinical practice.

    BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 5 2010
    The 6th trial of the Danish University Antidepressant Group (DUAG-6)
    Licht RW, Nielsen JN, Gram LF, Vestergaard P, Bendz H. Lamotrigine versus lithium as maintenance treatment in bipolar I disorder: an open, randomized effectiveness study mimicking clinical practice. The 6th trial of the Danish University Antidepressant Group (DUAG-6). Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 483,493. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives:, In industry-generated pivotal studies, lamotrigine has been found to be superior to placebo and comparable to lithium in the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder. Here, we directly compared lamotrigine to lithium under conditions similar to clinical routine conditions. Methods:, Adult bipolar I disorder patients with at least two episodes within the last five years and an index episode requiring treatment were randomized to lithium (n = 78; doses adjusted to obtain serum levels of 0.5,1.0 mmol/L) or to lamotrigine (n = 77; up-titrated to 400 mg/day) as maintenance treatments. Randomization took place when clinically appropriate, and comedication was allowed within the first six months after randomization. The patients were enrolled from March 2001 to December 2005, and observations were censored December 2006, allowing a subgroup of patients to be followed for more than five years. The primary outcome measure was time to predefined endpoints indicating insufficient maintenance treatment, and the major secondary outcome measure was time to any study endpoint. Data were analyzed primarily by Cox proportional regression models. Results:, For the primary outcome measure, the crude Hazard Rate Ratio (HRR) (lamotrigine relative to lithium) was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60,1.40]. When the primary endpoints were broken down by polarity, the HRRs (lamotrigine relative to lithium) for mania and depression were, respectively, 1.91 (95% CI: 0.73,5.04) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.41,1.22). There was no between-group difference in terms of staying in study [HRR: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.61,1.19)]. Most treatment failures occurred within the first 1.5 years of treatment, and, among patients followed for at least five years, practically no patients were maintained successfully on monotherapy with either of the drugs. The lithium-treated patients reported diarrhea, tremor, polyuria, and thirst more frequently. Two cases, probably lamotrigine-related, of benign rash occurred. Conclusions:, No differences in maintenance effectiveness between lithium and lamotrigine could be demonstrated. Lamotrigine was better tolerated than lithium, but apparently this did not influence the outcome. [source]


    The expression of anger and its relationship to symptoms and cognitions in obsessive,compulsive disorder

    DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 3 2005
    Stephen P. Whiteside
    Abstract We compared the association between obsessive,compulsive disorder (OCD) and the expression of anger in a sample of 71 patients and 71 college students. Some authors [Rubenstein et al., J Anxiety Disord 1995;9:1,9] have proposed that anger and hostility underlie the symptoms of OCD; however, there has been little empirical study of this relationship. One recent study [Whiteside and Abramowitz, Cog Therapy Res 2004;28:259,268] with college undergraduates found that the association between OCD symptoms and anger was attributable to depressive symptoms. In the present study, we compared the expression of anger in a sample of patients diagnosed with OCD and nonclinical volunteers. Consistent with the previous study, we found increased levels of anger in patients with OCD as compared to control participants; however, these differences could be attributed to between-group differences in general distress. These results were discussed within the framework of the cognitive theory of OCD. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    A randomized study of massed three-week cognitive behavioural therapy schedule for panic disorder

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009
    M. K. Bohni
    Objective:, To compare the efficacy of massed vs. spaced group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD). Method:, Thirty-nine PD patients were randomly assigned to massed group CBT (daily 4-h sessions in week 1, two 2-h sessions in week 2 and one 2-h session in week 3) or traditional spaced weekly group CBT (13 consecutive, weekly 2-h sessions). The content and number of hours in the two treatment schedules were identical. Outcome was assessed after treatment, and at 3, 6 and 18 months of follow-up. Results:, Both treatment groups achieved significant improvement on all measures with large pre- to post-treatment and pre-treatment to follow-up effect sizes. No between-group differences were registered. Adherence and patient satisfaction did not differ between groups. Conclusion:, The massed, 3-week group CBT schedule proved to be effective and feasible for PD patients with outcomes comparable with that of standard, spaced group CBT. [source]


    A controlled randomized treatment study: the effects of a cognitive remediation program on adolescents with early onset psychosis

    ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2004
    T. Ueland
    Objective: To examine if a cognitive remediation program could be a positive supplement to a psychoeducational treatment program for adolescents with early onset psychosis. Method: Twenty-six subjects, randomly assigned to cognitive remediation (n = 14) or control group (n = 12), were assessed on cognitive, clinical, psychosocial and behavioural measures. Results: No significant between-group differences in pre- and post-treatment scores were found. This may be due to low statistical power. Exploratory within-group analyses showed that the training group improved on five of the 10 cognitive, and three of the five functioning outcome measures, while the control group improved on three of the cognitive, and one functioning outcome variable. Conclusion: Based on these results we cannot conclude that the addition of this cognitive remediation program, yields better results than psychoeducation alone. However, within-group analyses indicate that on specific cognitive functions, as well as on some functioning outcome measures, the remediation program may have a positive effect. [source]


    Diabetes Care Protocol: effects on patient-important outcomes.

    DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010
    A cluster randomized, non-inferiority trial in primary care
    Diabet. Med. 27, 442,450 (2010) Abstract Aims, The Diabetes Care Protocol (DCP) combines task delegation, intensification of diabetes treatment and feedback. It reduces cardiovascular risk in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. This study determines the effects of DCP on patient-important outcomes. Methods, A cluster randomized, non-inferiority trial, by self-administered questionnaires in 55 Dutch primary care practices: 26 practices DCP (1699 patients), 26 usual care (1692 patients). T2DM patients treated by their general practitioner were included. Main outcome was the 1-year between-group difference in Diabetes Health Profile (DHP-18) total score. Secondary outcomes: DHP-18 subscales, general perceived health [Medical Outcomes Study 36-Items Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Euroqol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Euroqol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS)], treatment satisfaction (Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire; DTSQ status) and psychosocial self-efficacy (Diabetes Empowerment Scale Short Form; DES-SF). Per protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were performed: non-inferiority margin , = ,2%. At baseline 2333 questionnaires were returned and 1437 1 year thereafter. Results, Comparing DCP with usual care, DHP-18 total score was non-inferior: PP ,0.88 (95% CI ,1.94 to 0.12), ITT ,0.439 (95% CI ,1.01 to 0.08), SF-36 ,health change' improved: PP 3.51 (95% CI 1.23 to 5.82), ITT 1.91 (95% CI 0.62 to 3.23), SF-36 ,social functioning' was inconclusive: PP ,1.57 (95% CI ,4.3 to 0.72), ITT ,1.031 (95% CI ,2.52 to ,0.25). Other DHP and SF-36 scores were inconsistent or non-inferior. DHP-18 ,disinhibited eating' was significantly worse in PP analyses. For EQ-5D/EQ-VAS, DTSQ and DES-SF, no significant between-group differences were found. Conclusion, DCP does not seem to influence health status negatively, therefore diabetes care providers should not shrink from intensified treatment. However, they should take possible detrimental effects on ,social functioning' and ,disinhibited eating' into account. [source]


    Heat or Cold Packs for Neck and Back Strain: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Efficacy

    ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010
    Gregory Garra DO
    Abstract Objectives:, Acute back and neck strains are very common. In addition to administering analgesics, these strains are often treated with either heat or cold packs. The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of heat and cold in relieving pain from back and neck strains. The authors hypothesized that pain relief would not differ between hot and cold packs. Methods:, This was a randomized, controlled trial conducted at a university-based emergency department (ED) with an annual census of 90,000 visits. ED patients >18 years old with acute back or neck strains were eligible for inclusion. All patients received 400 mg of ibuprofen orally and then were randomized to 30 minutes of heating pad or cold pack applied to the strained area. Outcomes of interest were pain severity before and after pack application on a validated 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain), percentage of patients requiring rescue analgesia, subjective report of pain relief on a verbal rating scale (VRS), and future desire for similar packs. Outcomes were compared with t-tests and chi-square tests. A sample of 60 patients had 80% power to detect a 15-mm difference in pain scores. Results:, Sixty patients were randomized to heat (n = 31) or cold (n = 29) therapy. Mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 37.8 (±14.7) years, 51.6% were female, and 66.7% were white. Groups were similar in baseline patient and pain characteristics. There were no differences between the heat and cold groups in the severity of pain before (75 mm [95% CI = 66 to 83] vs. 72 mm [95% CI = 65 to 78]; p = 0.56) or after (66 mm [95% CI = 57 to 75] vs. 64 mm [95% CI = 56 to 73]; p = 0.75) therapy. Pain was rated better or much better in 16/31 (51.6%) and 18/29 (62.1%) patients in the heat and cold groups, respectively (p = 0.27). There were no between-group differences in the desire for and administration of additional analgesia. Twenty-five of 31 (80.6%) patients in the heat group and 22 of 29 (75.9%) patients in the cold group would use the same therapy if injured in the future (p = 0.65). Conclusions:, The addition of a 30-minute topical application of a heating pad or cold pack to ibuprofen therapy for the treatment of acute neck or back strain results in a mild yet similar improvement in the pain severity. However, it is possible that pain relief is mainly the result of ibuprofen therapy. Choice of heat or cold therapy should be based on patient and practitioner preferences and availability. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:484,489 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source]


    Randomized controlled multicentre trial of cognitive behaviour therapy in the early initial prodromal state: effects on social adjustment post treatment

    EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2007
    Andreas Bechdolf
    Abstract Aim:, Improvement of social adjustment is a major aim of indicated prevention in young people at risk of developing psychosis. The present study explores the effect of specific cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as compared with supportive counselling (SC) on social adjustment in people in a potential early initial prodromal state of psychosis (EIPS) primarily defined by self-experienced cognitive thought and perception deficits (basic symptoms). Methods:, A total of 128 help-seeking outpatients in the EIPS were randomized to receive either specific CBT or SC for 12 months. Social adjustment was assessed with the Social Adjustment Scale II (SAS II) at baseline, time of transition or post treatment Results:, From 113 patients, who completed the SAS II at intake, 67 (59.3%) completed the SAS assessments at time of transition or post treatment. Both specific CBT and SC resulted in improvements in scales of SAS II, with no significant between-group differences post treatment. Conclusions:, Although treatment in specially designed early detection and intervention centres improves functioning of people in the EIPS, specific CBT was not superior to SC. One could hypothesize that additional vocational rehabilitation, case management and involvement of multidisciplinary teams are needed to further improve short-term outcome of specific interventions on this dimension. [source]


    Motivation and patch treatment for HIV+ smokers: a randomized controlled trial

    ADDICTION, Issue 11 2009
    Elizabeth E. Lloyd-Richardson
    ABSTRACT Aims To test the efficacy of two smoking cessation interventions in a HIV positive (HIV+) sample: standard care (SC) treatment plus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) versus more intensive motivationally enhanced (ME) treatment plus NRT. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting HIV+ smoker referrals from eight immunology clinics in the northeastern United States. Participants A total of 444 participants enrolled in the study (mean age = 42.07 years; 63.28% male; 51.80% European American; mean cigarettes/day = 18.27). Interventions SC participants received two brief sessions with a health educator. Those setting a quit date received self-help quitting materials and NRT. ME participants received four sessions of motivational counseling and a quit-day counseling call. All ME intervention materials were tailored to the needs of HIV+ individuals. Measurements Biochemically verified 7-day abstinence rates at 2-month, 4-month and 6-month follow-ups. Findings Intent-to-treat (ITT) abstinence rates at 2-month, 4-month and 6-month follow-ups were 12%, 9% and 9%, respectively, in the ME condition, and 13%, 10% and 10%, respectively, in the SC condition, indicating no between-group differences. Among 412 participants with treatment utilization data, 6-month ITT abstinence rates were associated positively with low nicotine dependence (P = 0.02), high motivation to quit (P = 0.04) and Hispanic American race/ethnicity (P = 0.02). Adjusting for these variables, each additional NRT contact improved the odds of smoking abstinence by a third (odds ratio = 1.32, 95% confidence interval = 0.99,1.75). Conclusions Motivationally enhanced treatment plus NRT did not improve cessation rates over and above standard care treatment plus NRT in this HIV+ sample of smokers. Providers offering brief support and encouraging use of nicotine replacement may be able to help HIV+ patients to quit smoking. [source]


    The Chorus Song of Cooperatively Breeding Laughing Kookaburras (Coraciiformes, Halcyonidae: Dacelo novaeguineae): Characterization and Comparison Among Groups

    ETHOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
    Myron C. Baker
    I studied vocalizations of laughing kookaburras in Western Australia by sampling the laugh-song choruses of eight different groups and the isolated vocalizations of four individuals of this cooperatively breeding species. These data provided a description of the acoustic structure of vocal elements of the laugh song and a between-group comparison of laugh choruses. I identified six different categories of syllables: some syllable types appear graded with modal forms predominating. Group choruses were produced by several birds vocalizing simultaneously, usually following initiation by a single bird producing one of two typical introductory sets of syllable repetitions. Statistical analyses of samples of mid-chorus vocalizations of kookaburra groups revealed that the samples from each of the eight groups clustered in principal coordinate space and the group clusters segregated from each other to a significant degree. Linear discriminant analysis assigned 24 of the 25 samples to their correct groups. These results suggest that there is group-specific vocal signature information in the laugh chorus. The within-group similarity and between-group differences may result from heritable variation or from imitation learning. Observations of the contexts of the laugh chorus vocalization supported the interpretations of others that the chorus song is involved in group advertisement of territory occupancy and in defense of the communal borders. [source]


    Comparison of perioperative management and outcome of parathyroidectomy between older and younger patients

    HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 11 2008
    Gideon Bachar MD
    Abstract Background. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical status, surgical course, and outcomes of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), over the age of 70, with younger patients. Methods. Between 1996 and 2006, 951 patients underwent parathyroidectomies for PHPT, of whom 190 were over the age of 70. Patient data were collected from chart reviews and a computerized database. Results. Fewer older patients were asymptomatic at presentation. No between-group differences in serum calcium were seen; however, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were higher in the older group. Hospitalization time was longer for the elderly. Duration of surgery, surgical success rates, and postoperative complications were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusion. Surgical treatment of PHPT has both physiological benefits and helps to preserve quality of life. Our findings suggest that there is no practical difference in perioperative management and surgical outcomes for older patients. Surgeons should consider parathyroidectomy in PHPT patients regardless of age. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [source]


    A Double-Blind Comparison of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) and Topiramate (TOPAMAX®) for the Prophylactic Treatment of Chronic Migraine: A Pilot Study

    HEADACHE, Issue 10 2009
    Ninan T. Mathew MD
    Background., There is a need for effective prophylactic therapy for chronic migraine (CM) that has minimal side effects. Objective., To compare the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) and topiramate (TOPAMAX®, Ortho-McNeil, Titusville, NJ) prophylactic treatment in patients with CM. Methods., In this single-center, double-blind trial, patients with CM received either onabotulinumtoxinA, maximum 200 units (U) at baseline and month 3 (100 U fixed-site and 100 U follow-the-pain), plus an oral placebo, or topiramate, 4-week titration to 100 mg/day with option for additional 4-week titration to 200 mg/day, plus placebo saline injections. OnabotulinumtoxinA or placebo saline injection was administered at baseline and month 3 only, while topiramate oral treatment or oral placebo was continued through the end of the study. The primary endpoint was treatment responder rate assessed using Physician Global Assessment 9-point scale (+4 = clearance of signs and symptoms and ,4 = very marked worsening [about 100% worse]). Secondary endpoints included the change from baseline in the number of headache (HA)/migraine days per month (HA diary), and HA disability measured using Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), HA diary, Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire, and Migraine Impact Questionnaire (MIQ). The overall study duration was approximately 10.5 months, which included a 4-week screening period and a 2-week optional final safety visit. Follow-up visits for assessments occurred at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Adverse events (AEs) were documented. Results., Of 60 patients randomized to treatment (mean age, 36.8 ± 10.3 years; 90% female), 36 completed the study at the end of the 9 months of active treatment (onabotulinumtoxinA, 19/30 [63.3%]; topiramate, 17/30 [56.7%]). In the topiramate group, 7/29 (24.1%) discontinued study because of treatment-related AEs vs 2/26 (7.7%) in the onabotulinumtoxinA group. Between 68% and 83% of patients for both onabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate groups reported at least a slight (25%) improvement in migraine; response to treatment was assessed using Physician Global Assessment at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Most patients in both groups reported moderate to marked improvements at all time points. No significant between-group differences were observed, except for marked improvement at month 9 (onabotulinumtoxinA, 27.3% vs topiramate, 60.9%, P = .0234, chi-square). In both groups, HA/migraine days decreased and MIDAS and HIT-6 scores improved. Patient-reported quality of life measures assessed using MIQ after treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA paralleled those seen after treatment with topiramate in most respects. At month 9, 40.9% and 42.9% of patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate groups, respectively, reported ,50% reduction in HA/migraine days. Forty-one treatment-related AEs were reported in 18 onabotulinumtoxinA-treated patients vs 87 in 25 topiramate-treated patients, and 2.7% of patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA group and 24.1% of patients in the topiramate group reported AEs that required permanent discontinuation of study treatment. Conclusions., OnabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate demonstrated similar efficacy in the prophylactic treatment of CM. Patients receiving onabotulinumtoxinA had fewer AEs and discontinuations. [source]


    Construction of periventricular white matter hyperintensity maps by spatial normalization of the lateral ventricles

    HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 7 2009
    Cynthia Jongen
    Abstract Subcortical and periventricular white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) may have different associations with cognition and pathophysiology. The aim of the present study is to develop an automated method for construction of periventricular WMH maps that enables the analysis of between-group differences in WMH location and characteristics in the periventricular region without the requirement of prior boundary definition. To avoid influence of WMHs on spatial normalization, a reference image of the lateral ventricles was constructed based on images of 24 subjects. Construction was not biased to a single subject. WMHs were segmented by k-nearest neighbor-based classification of magnetic resonance inversion recovery and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images. Cerebrospinal fluid segmentations of individual subjects were nonrigidly mapped to the reference image of the lateral ventricles. The subject's WMHs were transformed to the reference space accordingly. Spatial normalization accuracy was validated using measures of overlap and of displacement relative to the boundary of the lateral ventricles. After spatial normalization, the boundaries of the lateral ventricles closely matched the reference image and in an area of ,1 cm around the lateral ventricles the relative displacement was less than 1 mm. To illustrate the method, it was applied to 61 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 26 control subjects, whereupon periventricular WMH maps were constructed and compared. The proposed method is particularly suited to analyze WMH distribution differences at the level of the lateral ventricles between large groups of patients. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Should bulimia nervosa be subtyped by historyof anorexia nervosa?

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue S3 2007
    A longitudinal validation
    Abstract Objective: To determine whether a past diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) predicts longitudinal course and outcome among women with bulimia nervosa (BN). Method: A subset (n = 176) of participants in the Longitudinal Study of Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa who met DSM-IV criteria for BN either at study intake (n = 144) or during follow-up (n = 32; 4 had restricting AN at intake, 28 had binge/purge AN at intake) were included in this report. Over a median of 9 years, weekly eating disorder symptom data were collected from participants using the Longitudinal Interview Follow-up Examination, Eating Disorders Version. Results: While there were no between-group differences in likelihood of partial recovery, women with BN who had a history of AN were more likely to have a protracted illness, relapsing into AN during follow-up, compared to those with no AN history who were more likely to move from partial to full recovery. Conclusion: Lifetime AN is an important prognostic indicator among women with BN and these longitudinal data would support the subtyping of BN on the basis of AN history. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007 [source]


    Differences in depression symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: evidence from the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 10 2007
    Daniel Weintraub
    Abstract Objective Depression occurs frequently in patients with both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), but there has been little comparison of depression symptoms in the two populations. Method The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was administered as a depression screening instrument to 232,AD patients and 266,PD specialty care patients with at most mild dementia. Logistic regression models were used to determine disease-specific associations with individual GDS-15 items, and factor analysis was used to assess GDS-15 factor structure in the two populations. Results Controlling for total GDS-15 score and other covariates, AD patients reported more dissatisfaction with life (p,=,0.03) and memory problems (p,<,0.001), while PD patients reported more fearfulness (p,=,0.01), helplessness (p,<,0.01), a preference to stay at home (p,=,0.02), and diminished energy (p,<,0.01). Three factors were generated in PD (explaining 55% of the total variance) and five in AD (explaining 59% of the total variance), and the two main factors generated in both populations related primarily to unhappiness and negative thoughts. Conclusions The factor structure of the GDS-15 is similar in AD and PD patients with at most mild stage dementia, but between-group differences on 6 of the GDS-15 items suggests the non-specificity of certain items in the two populations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Patient responses to an integrated service, initiated by community pharmacists, for the prevention of osteoporosis

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 2 2008
    Dr. Judith A. Crockett project officer
    Objective This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate an integrated service provided by pharmacists to consumers based on the results of a risk-assessment survey carried out by the pharmacist and testing of bone mineral density (BMD) by a radiographer. It also investigated whether measurement of BMD in the pharmacy increased the effectiveness of the service and pharmacist referral in terms of adherence to advice and uptake of referral compared with the same service offered without BMD testing. Setting Community pharmacists in urban and rural settings in New South Wales, Australia, delivered the service. Method The adherence to advice or referral given by 12 community pharmacists during 2003 to 217 participants about the prevention of osteoporosis following screening with either a BMD test plus risk-assessment questionnaire or a risk-assessment questionnaire only was compared. Key findings No significant between-group differences in adherence to advice or referral were found. However, participants valued the BMD service significantly more highly than the non-BMD service as measured by satisfaction scores. Conclusions Consumers were interested in receiving information about osteoporosis and their own risk of it and even greater interest in BMD testing in the pharmacy. There was no difference in uptake of referral or advice following either questionnaire only or questionnaire plus BMD testing. Low uptake of referral and advice overall by those deemed to be at high risk is of concern. Far greater education and encouragement for consumers to follow through is required. [source]


    Systematic pelvic floor training for lower urinary tract symptoms post-prostatectomy: a randomized clinical trial

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2008
    Joanne P. Robinson
    Abstract Because the majority of prostate cancers are diagnosed in the local or regional stages, radical prostatectomy is a treatment of choice for many patients, particularly men younger than 65 years of age. However, radical prostatectomy carries a significant risk of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and may also impair quality of life. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of systematic postoperative pelvic floor training (PFT) on LUTS intensity, LUTS distress and health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 3, 6 and 12 months following radical prostatectomy. This randomized clinical trial was guided by the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms. All participants (n = 126) received brief instructions for exercising pelvic floor muscles before surgery and the offer of a biofeedback evaluation session 1 month following catheter removal. The intervention group (n = 62) received an additional 4 weeks of PFT immediately following catheter removal. Intervention and control groups both reported steady declines in the intensity and distress associated with LUTS, but no between-group differences were found. Similarly, no between-group differences were found in impact on HRQL; however, the pattern of HRQL impact differed by group (p < 0·01) in the direction of greater impairment over time for the control group. LUTS intensity, LUTS distress and negative effects on HRQL decline for many radical prostatectomy patients over the first postoperative year; however, improvement does not occur in all patients. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of factors that influence development, resolution and management of LUTS following radical prostatectomy. [source]


    Treatment of Depression Improves Physical Functioning in Older Adults

    JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 3 2005
    Christopher M. Callahan MD
    Objectives: To determine the effect of collaborative care management for depression on physical functioning in older adults. Design: Multisite randomized clinical trial. Setting: Eighteen primary care clinics from eight healthcare organizations. Participants: One thousand eight hundred one patients aged 60 and older with major depressive disorder. Intervention: Patients were randomized to the Improving Mood: Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) intervention (n=906) or to a control group receiving usual care (n=895). Control patients had access to all health services available as part of usual care. Intervention patients had access for 12 months to a depression clinical specialist who coordinated depression care with their primary care physician. Measurements: The 12-item short form Physical Component Summary (PCS) score (range 0,100) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (range 0,7). Results: The mean patient age was 71.2, 65% were women, and 77% were white. At baseline, the mean PCS was 40.2, and the mean number of IADL dependencies was 0.7; 45% of participants rated their health as fair or poor. Intervention patients experienced significantly better physical functioning at 1 year than usual-care patients as measured using between-group differences on the PCS of 1.71 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.96,2.46) and IADLs of ,0.15 (95% CI=,0.29 to ,0.01). Intervention patients were also less likely to rate their health as fair or poor (37.3% vs 52.4%, P<.001). Combining both study groups, patients whose depression improved were more likely to experience improvement in physical functioning. Conclusion: The IMPACT collaborative care model for late-life depression improves physical function more than usual care. [source]


    Original Paper: Telmisartan Effects on Insulin Resistance in Obese or Overweight Adults Without Diabetes or Hypertension

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 9 2010
    Willa Hsueh MD
    J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:746,752. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are antihypertensive agents associated with reduced risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus. The ARB telmisartan is a partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator,activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-,). This study evaluated the effect of telmisartan on insulin resistance, a known target of PPAR-, agonism. Overweight/obese persons with body mass index ,28 kg/m2, waist circumference ,35 inches, and components of the metabolic syndrome without hypertension or diabetes who were not preselected for insulin resistance were enrolled. Patients were randomized to telmisartan or matching placebo for 16 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was changed from baseline in the insulin sensitivity index (SI), calculated from oral glucose tolerance testing. SI was also evaluated in a subset of patients using a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Secondary end points included measures of insulin sensitivity and glucose and lipid metabolism. A total of 138 patients were randomized and received ,1 dose of study medication; 128 completed the study. At end point, no significant difference was found between telmisartan and placebo groups regarding change from baseline in SI or in glucose area under the curve. No significant between-group differences were found regarding glucose metabolism or lipoprotein levels. In the population with abdominal obesity and components of the metabolic syndrome, telmisartan did not increase insulin sensitivity. [source]


    Poverty, socio-economic position, social capital and the health of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Britain: a replication

    JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2007
    E. Emerson
    Abstract Background When compared with their nonintellectually disabled peers, people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have poorer health and are more likely to be exposed to poverty during childhood. Given that exposure to child poverty has been linked to poorer health outcomes, we attempted to estimate the extent to which the health inequalities faced by children and adolescents with IDs may be accounted for by their more disadvantaged socio-economic position. Methods Secondary analysis of data on a nationally representative sample of 12 160 British children aged under 17 years extracted from the Department of Work and Pensions' Families and Children Study. Results After controlling for age and sex, children with IDs were significantly more likely (corrected odds ratio = 2.49) to be reported to have less than good health than their nonintellectually disabled peers. However, 31% of the elevated risk for poorer health was accounted for by between-group differences in socio-economic position and social capital. Conclusions A socially and statistically significant proportion of the increased risk of poorer health among children and adolescents with IDs may be attributed to their increased risk of socio-economic disadvantage. [source]