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Community Study (community + study)
Kinds of Community Study Selected AbstractsGenetic variation and decreased risk for obesity in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities StudyDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2007M. L. Hart Sailors Aim:, To investigate the effects of variation in the leptin [LEP (19A>G)] and melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R (V103I)] genes on obesity-related traits in 13,405 African-American (AA) and white participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Methods:, We tested the association between the single-locus and multilocus genotypes and obesity-related measures [body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), waist,hip ratio, waist circumference and leptin levels], adjusted for age, physical activity level, smoking status, diabetic status, prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Results:, AA and white female carriers of the MC4R I103 allele exhibited significantly lower BW than non-carriers of this allele (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). AA female carriers of both the LEP A19 allele and the MC4R I103 allele were 63% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.18,0.78)] less likely to be obese, and white female carriers of the same two alleles were 46% [OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.32,0.91)] less likely to be obese, than non-carriers of the variant alleles. Female carriers of both the LEP A19 and MC4R I103 alleles had significantly lower BW (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05) and plasma leptin (p < 0.01) than the non-carriers of both the alleles. Carriers of the two variant alleles had lower BMI over the 9-year course of the ARIC study and significantly lower weight gain from age 25 years. No significant joint effect of these two variants was observed in males. Conclusion:, These results suggest that variation within the LEP and MC4R genes is associated with reduced risk for obesity in females. [source] Hepatitis C virus infection and incident type 2 diabetesHEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2003M.P.H. Assistant Research Professor, Shruti H. Mehta Ph.D. Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is more common among adults with type 2 diabetes, it is uncertain whether HCV precedes the development of diabetes. Thus, we performed a prospective (case-cohort) analysis to examine if persons who acquired type 2 diabetes were more likely to have had antecedent HCV infection when enrolled in a community-based cohort of men and women between the ages of 44 and 65 in the United States (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study [ARIC]). Among 1,084 adults free of diabetes at baseline, 548 developed diabetes over 9 years of follow-up evaluation. Incident cases of diabetes were identified by using fasting glucose and medical history and HCV antibodies were assessed at baseline. A priori, persons were categorized as low-risk or high-risk for diabetes based on their age and body mass index, factors that appeared to modify the type 2 diabetes-HCV infection incidence estimates. The overall prevalence of HCV in this population was 0.8%. Among those at high risk for diabetes, persons with HCV infection were more than 11 times as likely as those without HCV infection to develop diabetes (relative hazard, 11.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-96.6). Among those at low risk, no increased incidence of diabetes was detected among HCV-infected persons (relative hazard, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-4.40). In conclusion, pre-existing HCV infection may increase the risk for type 2 diabetes in persons with recognized diabetes risk factors. Additional larger prospective evaluations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. [source] Prospective study of the A455V polymorphism in the thrombomodulin gene, plasma thrombomodulin, and incidence of venous thromboembolism: the LITE StudyJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 1 2003N. Aleksic Summary., Plasma thrombomodulin (soluble TM; sTM) is considered to be a marker of endothelial injury, but a recent report indicated that the relationship of sTM with thrombosis is complex. Venous thromboembolic events were identified in adults in two longitudinal cohort studies, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study, totaling 21 690 participants. After 8 years of follow-up, sTM was measured in baseline plasma of 305 participants who developed venous thrombosis and 607 who did not. Thrombomodulin A455V genotype was determined in 302 cases and 626 controls. There was no difference in the prevalence of the three TM genotypes between cases and controls and no difference in age-adjusted mean values of sTM by genotype. There were no associations of age-adjusted sTM or TMA455V genotype with overall venous thromboembolism or with thrombosis in any subtype of venous thromboembolism. [source] The Effects of Health Sector Market Factors and Vulnerable Group Membership on Access to Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health CareHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 3p1 2007Susan E. Stockdale Objective. This study adapts Andersen's Behavioral Model to determine if health sector market conditions affect vulnerable subgroups' use of alcohol, drug, and mental health services (ADM) differently than the general population, focusing specifically on community-level predisposing and enabling characteristics. Data Sources. Wave 2 data (2000,2001) from the Health Care for Communities study, supplemented with cases from wave 1 (1997,1998), were merged with area characteristics taken from Census, Area Resource File (ARF), and other data sources. Study Design. The study used four-level hierarchical logistic regression to examine access to ADM care from any provider and specialty ADM access. Interactions between community-level predisposing and enabling vulnerability characteristics with individual race/ethnicity, age, income category, and insurance type were explored. Principal Findings. Nonwhites, the poor, uninsured, and elderly had lower likelihoods of service use, but interactions between race/ethnicity, income, age and insurance status with community-level vulnerability factors were not statistically significant for any service use. For ADM specialty care, those with Medicare, Medicaid, private fully managed, and private partially managed insurance, the likelihood of utilization was higher in areas with higher HMO penetration. However, for those with other insurance or no insurance plan, the likelihood of utilization was lower in areas with higher HMO penetration. Conclusions. Community-level enabling factors explain part of the effect of disadvantaged status but, with the exception of the effect of HMO penetration on the relationship between insurance and specialty care use, do not modify any of the residual individual-level effects of disadvantage. Interventions targeting both structural and individual levels may be necessary to address the problem of health disparities. More research with longitudinal data is necessary to sort out the causal direction of social context and ADM access outcomes, and whether policy interventions to change health sector market conditions can shift ADM treatment utilization. [source] Measurement of HbA1c from stored whole blood samples in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities studyJOURNAL OF DIABETES, Issue 2 2010Elizabeth SELVIN Abstract Background:, The aims of the present study were to demonstrate the reliability of HbA1c measurements during two time periods and to compare these measurements with HbA1c distribution in the general US population. Methods:, HbA1c was measured in 14 069 whole blood samples in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study using different HPLC instruments across two time periods, namely 2003,2004 and 2007,2008. At the time of measurement, samples had been in storage at ,70°C for up to 18 years. To assess differences in values, HbA1c measurements were repeated in 383 samples at both periods. Indirect comparisons were made by comparing our measurements against those from a nationally representative study. Results:, The coefficients of variation for quality control samples were 1.8% (n = 89) in 2003,2004 and 1.4% (n = 259) in 2007,2008. The correlation between measurements at the two time points was high (r = 0.99), but with a slight bias: 0.29% points higher in 2007,2008 vs 2003,2004 (n = 383; P < 0.0001). The comparison yielded the following Deming regression equation: y(2007,2008) = 0.073 + 1.034x(2003,2004). After alignment using this equation, the distribution of HbA1c in the ARIC study was similar to that in the national study using fresh samples. Conclusions:, Measurements of HbA1c from samples stored for up to 18 years are highly reliable when using state-of-the-art HPLC instruments, but with some bias introduced over time. The HbA1c data now available in the ARIC study should be invaluable for investigations into the clinical utility of HbA1c as a diagnostic test for diabetes. [source] Metabolic syndrome, its preeminent clusters, incident coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality , results of prospective analysis for the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities studyJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007Y. Hong Abstract. Objective., To investigate the prospective association between Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality. Subjects and Design., A bi-racial cohort of 14 699 middle-aged Americans from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study were followed for the development of new CHD and death over a period of 9 years. MetS, using the original ATP-III criteria, was defined as having at least three of the following components: elevated blood pressure (BP), elevated plasma glucose, elevated blood triglyceride (TG), increased waist circumference, and low HDL cholesterol (HDL-c). Incident CHD cases included hospitalized myocardial infarction (MI), fatal CHD, revascularization procedures, and silent MI as detected by EKG. Results., The prevalence of the MetS at baseline was 29%, 30%, 40% and 26% among CHD-free white women, white men, black women, and black men, respectively. There were 1018 incident CHD cases and 1039 deaths. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of incident CHD associated with MetS was 2.46 (1.99, 3.03) for women and 1.86 (1.59, 2.18) for men. Clear dose,response relationship between the number of MetS components and incidence of CHD was found (P for linear trend <0.001). The following three clusters of MetS components posed the highest risk for CHD: (i) the elevated BP and glucose and low HDL-c group [RR = 5.68 (3.44, 9.37)]; (ii) the elevated BP and glucose and TG group [RR = 5.08 (2.96, 8.70)]; and (iii) the elevated BP and TG and low HDL-c group [RR = 3.98 (2.75, 5.77)]. When all five components co-existed, the risk was the highest [RR = 6.24 (4.65, 8.36)]. Similar results with attenuated RR were found for all-cause mortality. Conclusions., Individuals, especially women, with the MetS have significantly higher risk of developing CHD. The riskiest combination is high-BP and glucose clustered with low HDL-c or high TG. These data highlight the importance of targeting MetS in the prevention of CHD and premature death. [source] Twenty-five-year course and outcome in anxiety and depression in the Upper Bavarian Longitudinal Community StudyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2010M. M. Fichter Fichter MM, Quadflieg N, Fischer UC, Kohlboeck G. Twenty-five-year course and outcome in anxiety and depression in the Upper Bavarian Longitudinal Community Study. Objective:, Assessment of 25-year course of pure and mixed anxiety and depression in a community sample. Method:, Participants were grouped into pure anxiety, pure depression, mixed anxiety and depression, and no anxiety or depressive syndrome at baseline. Assessments consisted of a: i) baseline survey, ii) 5-year follow-up, iii) 25-year follow-up. Self-rating scales as well as expert-rating interviews yielded data on social and psychopathological risk factors and outcome measures. Results:, Baseline prevalence for mixed anxiety and depressive syndrome was 8.7%. Subjects with combined anxiety and depressive syndrome were more predisposed towards later adverse mental health outcomes and reduced functionality. The transition from anxiety syndrome (pure and mixed) to depressive syndrome over the 25-year study is more likely than the reverse. Logistic regression analysis emphasized the impact of early anxiety syndromes on later depression. Conclusion:, Results underscore the long-term risks of suffering from a combined anxiety and depressive syndrome. [source] Risk factors predicting onset and persistence of subthreshold expression of bipolar psychopathology among youth from the communityACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2010M. J. A. Tijssen Tijssen MJA, Van Os J, Wittchen HU, Lieb R, Beesdo K, Wichers M. Risk factors predicting onset and persistence of subthreshold expression of bipolar psychopathology among youth from the community Objective:, To examine factors increasing the risk for onset and persistence of subthreshold mania and depression. Method:, In a prospective cohort community study, the association between risk factors [a family history of mood disorders, trauma, substance use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and temperamental/personality traits] and onset of manic/depressive symptoms was determined in 705 adolescents. The interaction between baseline risk factors and baseline symptoms in predicting 8-year follow-up symptoms was used to model the impact of risk factors on persistence. Results:, Onset of manic symptoms was associated with cannabis use and novelty seeking (NS), but NS predicted a transitory course. Onset of depressive symptoms was associated with a family history of depression. ADHD and harm avoidance (HA) were associated with persistence of depressive symptoms, while trauma and a family history of depression predicted a transitory course. Conclusion:, Different risk factors may operate during onset and persistence of subthreshold mania and depression. The differential associations found for mania and depression dimensions suggest partly different underlying mechanisms. [source] One-year prevalence of subthreshold and threshold DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder in a nationally representative sampleDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2001Robin M. Carter B.A. Abstract Several studies of representative populations have reported prevalence rates of DSM-III and DSM-III-R generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); however, no community study has examined the effect of the stricter DSM-IV criteria on prevalence estimates and patterns of comorbidity. Furthermore, past studies based on "lifetime" symptom assessments might have led to upper-bound 1-year and point prevalence estimates. Data is presented from a national representative sample study of 4,181 adults in Germany, 18,65 years old, who were interviewed for DSM-IV disorders with the 12-month version of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The prevalence rate of strictly defined, 12-month threshold DSM-IV GAD was estimated to be 1.5%; however, 3.6% of respondents presented with at least subthreshold syndromes of GAD during the past 12 months. Higher rates of worrying and GAD were found in women (worrying 10%, GAD 2.7%) and in older respondents (worrying 9.3%, TAD 2.2%). Taking into account a wider scope of diagnoses than previous studies, a high degree of comorbidity in GAD cases was confirmed: 59.1% of all 12-month GAD cases fulfilled criteria for major depression, and 55.9% fulfilled criteria for any other anxiety disorder. In conclusion, prevalence and comorbidity rates found for DSM-IV GAD are not substantially different from rates reported for DSM-III-R GAD. The minor differences in our findings compared to previous reports are more likely attributable to differences in study methodology rather than changes in diagnostic criteria for DSM-IV. Depression and Anxiety 13:78,88, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Adult versus adolescent onset of smoking: how are mood disorders and other risk factors involved?ADDICTION, Issue 8 2009Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross ABSTRACT Aims To examine the strength of association between smoking and mood disorders and the association between smoking and its traditional risk factors, comparing those who started smoking in adolescence with those who started smoking in early adulthood. Design and participants The analyses relied on prospective data from the Zurich Study. This longitudinal community study started in 1979 with a stratified sample of 591 participants aged 20/21 years, weighted towards those with mental disorders. Follow-up interviews were conducted at ages 23, 28, 30, 35 and 41. Measurements In this analysis the adult versus adolescent onset of smoking was regressed on the cumulative prevalence of mood disorders, personality characteristics measured by the Freiburg Personality Inventory, common risk factors such as parental smoking, conduct and school problems, troubles with the family and basic socio-demographic variables (sex, education). Findings In the Zurich Study cohort we found that 61.6% were former or current smokers, of whom 87% started smoking before the age of 20 and 13% after the age of 20. Adolescent onset of smoking was associated strongly with later major depression, dysthymia or bipolar disorders and, furthermore, with parental smoking, extroverted personality and discipline problems and rebelliousness in youth. However, only depression and dysthymia were associated with adult onset smoking and other risk factors associated with smoking were not so associated in this group. Conclusions Correlates of smoking onset in adolescence are mainly not applicable to the onset of smoking in young adulthood. Smoking onset beyond adolescence is an open research issue. [source] Psychometric properties of the Retrospective Self Report of Inhibition (RSRI) in a representative German sampleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008Heike Rohrbacher Abstract The present study examined the internal consistency, factorial structure, and construct validity of the German version of the Retrospective Self Report of Inhibition (RSRI), a questionnaire measure of behavioral inhibition. The research was based on data from a German prospective-longitudinal community study of 3021 adolescents and young adults (aged 14,24 years at baseline). Diagnostic assessment was based on the DSM-IV/M-CIDI and general psychopathological distress was assessed with SCL-90-R. Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit of the two-factor model, suggested by the authors of the original version. Indices of internal consistency of the RSRI and its subscales ,social/school' and ,fear/illness' were shown to be sufficient for the total sample and even higher in subgroups of subjects with certain DSM-IV diagnoses. Associations with variables such as mental distress, parental psychopathology, and DSM-IV disorders were in line with theoretical assumptions and confirm different aspects of the validity (convergent, concurrent, predictive) of the instrument. The psychometric properties of the German RSRI were found to be comparable to those of the English version. The applicability of this questionnaire in German-speaking countries is therefore recommended for adolescents and young adults. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional community studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 3 2007Sarath LEKAMWASAM Abstract Objective:, This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women selected from seven provinces in Sri Lanka. Method:, The study was a community-based cross-sectional survey of a group of 1642 community-dwelling postmenopausal women in seven provinces, except the North and East, in Sri Lanka. Phalangeal bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in all subjects using an AccuDEXA. In a subgroup of 150 women BMDs in the spine from L2,L4 and proximal femur were measured using a Norland Eclipse central DXA machine. In this subgroup, the diagnosis of osteoporosis was made according to the WHO criteria based on T-scores of the spine or femoral neck. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of different phalangeal BMD levels were examined and the prevalence of osteoporosis was calculated using the most acceptable cut-off value. Results:, A sharp decline in phalangeal BMD (0.006 g/cm2/year) was seen during the postmenopausal period. Phalangeal T-score of ,2.00, which had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 78%, 85%, 91% and 68% respectively, was selected as the most suitable value to predict osteoporosis: 357 women had phalangeal T-scores either equal to or lower than ,2.00. When the positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this cut-off value were applied, 736 women (44.9%) in our sample were likely to have osteoporosis. Conclusions:, Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease among postmenopausal women in Sri Lanka. Similar prevalence figures have been reported from other Asian countries. [source] Prevalence and etiology of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level in an adult population in TaiwanJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 9 2007Chien-Hua Chen Abstract Background:, The prevalence and etiologies of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have geographic variations and they are rarely reported in Taiwan. Through a population-based screening study, the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population of Taiwan were assessed. Methods:, A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3260 Chinese adults (age ,18 years) undergoing ultrasonography (US), blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) included alcohol intake <20 g/week for women or <30 g/week for men, negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, no known etiologies of liver disease, and US consistent with fatty liver. Results:, The prevalence of elevated ALT was 11.4% (372/3260). The probable cause of this elevation was excess alcohol consumption in 0.8%, HBV in 28.5%, HCV in 13.2%, both HBV and HCV in 2.2%, NAFLD in 33.6%, and unexplained cause in 21.8%. The etiologic distribution of elevated ALT was similar in both genders, although elevation was more common in men compared to women (17.3%vs 6.1%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of elevated ALT in NAFLD was 18.1% (125/691), and the positive predictive value was 33.6% (125/372). The development of NAFLD was related to increasing age (age between 40 years and 64 years, odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25,2.01; age , 65 years, OR 1.46, 95%CI: 1.08,1.96), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) , 126 mg/dL (OR 1.54, 95%CI: 1.11,2.14), bodymass index (BMI) , 25 kg/m2 (OR 5.01, 95%CI: 4.13,6.26), triglyceridemia , 150 mg/dL (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.58,2.42), and hyperuricemia (OR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.22,1.84). Elevated ALT was related to male gender, BMI , 25 kg/m2, and triglyceridemia , 150 mg/dL in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease appears to be the commonest cause of elevated ALT and presumed liver injury in Taiwan. The development of NAFLD is closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders are also related to elevated ALT in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease. [source] Prevalence of enteric pathogens among community based asymptomatic individualsJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2000Margaret E Hellard Abstract Background and Aims: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in asymptomatic individuals in a community study in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: The study population was a subset of 2803 individuals participating in the Water Quality Study; a community based randomized trial. Faecal specimens (1091) were collected over a 3-month period from asymptomatic individuals. Specimens were tested for a range of bacteria including Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter species. Rotavirus and adenovirus were detected using a Rota-Adeno latex kit, and protozoa were detected using a permanent stain (modified iron-haemotoxylin). Results: Twenty-eight known pathogens were identified from the 1091 faecal specimens, a total carriage rate of 2.6%. Giardia species were present in 18 specimens (1.6%), Salmonella in four (0.4%), Campylobacter in one (0.1%), Cryptosporidium in four (0.4%) and adenovirus in one (0.1%). Blastocystis hominis was found in 65 specimens. The median age of those without a pathogen was 12.5 years compared with 6.6 years for those with a pathogen (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Except for Giardia, pathogens were rarely found in asymptomatic individuals in the community. The prevalence of pathogens was higher in children than adults. © 2000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd [source] Irritable bowel syndrome is strongly associated with generalized anxiety disorder: a community studyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2009S. LEE Summary Background, No previous study has examined the comorbidity of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in a general population using standardized diagnostic methods. Aim, To examine the prevalence, comorbidity and risk correlates of IBS and GAD in a general population. Methods, A random community-based telephone survey was conducted. The questionnaire covered symptoms of IBS, GAD, core depressive symptoms, help-seeking behaviour and functional impairment on the Sheehan Disability Scale. Results, A total of 2005 participants completed the interview. The current prevalence of IBS was 5.4% and the 12-month prevalence of GAD was 4%. GAD was five times more common among IBS respondents than non-IBS respondents (OR: 5.84, P < 0.001), whereas IBS was 4.7 times more common among GAD respondents than among non-GAD respondents (OR: 6.32, P < 0.001). Core depressive symptoms (OR: 6.25, P < 0.01) and education level (OR: 5.918, P = 0.021) were risk correlates of GAD among IBS respondents. Comorbid respondents were more impaired than respondents having either disorder alone, but were not more likely to seek professional help than IBS-only respondents. Conclusion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and GAD comorbidity was common and added to impairment in the community. The strong association between psychiatric morbidity and IBS observed in referral centres was not a consequence of increased help-seeking behaviour. [source] Agricultural cycle and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder: A longitudinal community study in postwar Mozambique,JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 3 2009Victor Igreja The influence of physical activity on the prevalence and remission of war-related mental disturbances has never been systematically evaluated. This study examined the influence of participation in the agricultural cycle on the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence and correlated symptoms longitudinally in postcivil war Mozambique. Prevalence rates were examined in the end and the outset of the agricultural cycle in a community population (N = 240). The agricultural cycle, which is characterized by fluctuations in physical activities, social connectedness, and the sense of purpose in life influences the PTSD prevalence and correlated symptoms. By studying the influence of the agricultural cycle on PTSD prevalence, severe PTSD cases that fail to respond to the agricultural cycle can be identified, and subsequently evaluated regarding the need for specialized care. [source] Maternal mental health and faltering growth in infantsCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 5 2007Laura Dunne Abstract This study reports on the first phase of a large-scale, longitudinal, multidisciplinary community study examining the growth, learning and development of young children with a particular focus on failure to thrive without organic cause. However, the group identified in this study may be better described as weight faltering. This paper examines the psychological data collected using the Parenting Stress Index, Rosenberg Self-Esteem and the General Health Questionnaire in relation to child growth. There were no significant differences between the mothers of the weight faltering and control children in terms of parenting stress, maternal depression, maternal perceptions of their parenting competence or maternal self-esteem. Maternal sensitivity to comments about child size, regardless of direction, had a negative impact on mood. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] High seroprevalence of Pneumocystis infection in Spanish childrenCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 11 2004N. Respaldiza Abstract Pneumocystis infection occurs worldwide, and most individuals test seropositive for Pneumocystis early in childhood. Little is known about the epidemiology of this infection in western Europe. The seroprevalence of Pneumocystis infection in 233 Spanish children was determined in a community study by immunoblot analysis of sera. The overall seroprevalence was 73%, with an age-related increase from 52% at 6 years to 66% at 10 years and 80% at 13 years. The data indicated a high seroprevalence of Pneumocystis infection in healthy Spanish children, thereby demonstrating that this pathogen is widespread in southern Spain. [source] A community study on the relationship between stress, coping, affective dispositions and periodontal attachment lossCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Sam K. S. Ng Abstract,,, Background:, Psychological factors may increase the risk for periodontal diseases. Contemporary conceptualization of the stress process supports the evaluation of stress at three levels: stressors, moderating and mediating factors, and stress reactions. Objective:, This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship of periodontal disease in terms of clinical attachment level (CAL) to psychosocial stress, making reference to the major components of stress process. Methods:, A cross-sectional study of 1000 subjects aged 25,64 years in Hong Kong was conducted. Subjects were asked to complete a set of questionnaires measuring stressors including changes, significant life event and daily strains, stress reactions including physiological and affective responses, and coping and affective dispositions. CAL was assessed. Results:, Individuals with high mean CAL values had higher scores on the job and financial strain scales than periodontally healthy individuals (P < 0.05), after adjusting for age, gender, cigarette smoking and systemic disease. Depression, anxiety trait, depression trait, problem-focused coping, and emotion-focused coping were also related to CAL. Logistic regression analysis indicated that all these factors were significant risk indicators for periodontal attachment loss, except problem-focused coping, which reduced the odds of CAL. Individuals who were high emotion-focused copers, low problem-focused copers, trait anxious, or trait depressive had a higher odds of more severe CAL. Conclusion:, Chronic job and financial strains, depression, inadequate coping, and maladaptive trait dispositions are significant risk indicators for periodontal attachment loss. Adequate coping and adaptive trait dispositions, evidenced as high problem-focused coping and low anxiety/depression trait, may reduce the stress-associated odds. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||