Factor Associations (factor + association)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Risk Factors for Vertebral Deformities in Men: Relationship to Number of Vertebral Deformities

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2000
A. A. Ismail
Abstract Recent epidemiological studies suggest a similar overall prevalence of vertebral deformity in men to that in women, though the influence of increasing age on the prevalence of vertebral deformity is less marked in men. However, most affected men have only a single or two vertebral deformities, which may be unrelated to osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to examine the role of risk factors, previously demonstrated to be associated with vertebral osteoporosis in females, in men with single/dual deformities compared to those with multiple deformities. Age stratified random samples of men aged 50 years and over were recruited from population registers in 30 European centers as part of the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study (EVOS). Subjects had a lateral spinal radiograph and the presence of vertebral deformity was determined using the McCloskey algorithm. Lifestyle and other risk factor data were obtained from an interviewer-administered questionnaire. In all 6937 men with a mean age of 64.4 (SD = 8.5) years were studied of whom 738 (10.6%) subjects had one or two deformities, and 109 (1.6%) subjects had three or more deformities. There was a marked increase in the prevalence of multiple vertebral deformities with increasing age, but only a modest effect of age on the prevalence of single deformities. Associations between various risk factors for osteoporosis and vertebral deformity were analyzed separately in men with single/dual vertebral deformity from those with three or more deformities using logistic regression. After adjustment for age, there were statistically significant associations between the following risk factors and multiple deformities: previous hip fracture (odds ratio [OR] 10.5), lack of regular physical activity (OR 2.9), low body mass (OR 2.5), and previous steroid use (OR 2.3). By contrast, there were only weak associations with these same variables in males with single/dual deformities and, apart from poor self-reported general health, all of the 95% confidence intervals spanned unity. There was no difference in the reporting of very heavy levels of physical activity under the age of 50 years between men with single/dual deformities and those with multiple deformities. In conclusion, men with multiple deformities showed a similar pattern of risk factor association to those seen in women with vertebral deformity, in contrast to men with single/dual deformities. (J Bone Miner Res 2000;15:278,283) [source]


Lipid Risk Factor Correlates of Ischemic Heart Disease as Diagnosed by Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy

PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000
Kevin A. Bybee MD
Patients with known coronary artery disease frequently change their lifestyles (e.g., diet, exercise, and smoking habit) after the diagnosis is made. Such changes can alter lipid risk factor levels and obscure etiologic risk factor associations with the presence of coronary artery disease. It is therefore preferable to determine the contribution of potential risk factors before the diagnosis of coronary artery disease has been established. In this trial, we used stress nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging to diagnose coronary artery disease in patients presenting for evaluation of chest pain. Two groups of age- and sex-matched patients were identified: a normal group (patients with no evidence of coronary artery disease), and an abnormal group (patients whose scans indicated the presence of significant coronary artery disease due to either fixed or reversible perfusion defects). Blood samples were drawn before scanning and analyzed for lipid risk factors. Compared to the normal group, the abnormal group had higher levels of triglycerides (189±91 vs. 135±51 mg/dL, p=0.003), lower levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (39±9 vs. 45±14 mg/dL, p=0.037), and higher levels of small, dense low density lipoprotein (LDL3) (42±18 vs. 32±13 mg/dL, p=0.007). Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and lipoprotein(a) levels were similar between groups. These findings suggest that ischemic heart disease, as assessed by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, is more closely associated with the low high density lipoprotein/high triglyceride syndrome than with increased low density lipoprotein or total cholesterol levels. [source]


Clinical score for nonbacterial osteitis in children and adults

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2009
Annette F. Jansson
Objective To accurately differentiate nonbacterial osteitis (NBO) from other bone lesions by applying a clinical score through the use of validated diagnostic criteria. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to assess data on patients from a pediatric clinic and an orthopedic tertiary care clinic, using administrative International Classification of Diseases codes as well as laboratory and department records from 1996 to 2006. Two hundred twenty-four patients older than age 3 years who had either NBO (n = 102), proven bacterial osteomyelitis (n = 22), malignant bone tumors (n = 48), or benign bone tumors (n = 52) were identified by chart review. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine associations of single risk factors with a diagnosis of NBO, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess simultaneous risk factor associations with NBO. Results NBO was best predicted by a normal blood cell count (odds ratio [OR] 81.5), symmetric bone lesions (OR 30.0), lesions with marginal sclerosis (OR 26.8), normal body temperature (OR 20.3) a vertebral, clavicular, or sternal location of lesions (OR 13.9), presence of >1 radiologically proven lesion (OR 10.9), and C-reactive protein level ,1 mg/dl (OR 6.9). The clinical score for a diagnosis of NBO based on these predictors ranged from 0 to 63. A score for NBO of ,39 had a positive predictive value of 97% and a sensitivity of 68%. Conclusion The proposed scoring system helps to facilitate the diagnostic process in patients with suspected NBO. Use of this system might spare unnecessary invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. [source]


Factorial and Construct Validity of the Revised Short Form Integrative Psychotherapy Alliance Scales for Family, Couple, and Individual Therapy

FAMILY PROCESS, Issue 3 2008
WILLIAM M. PINSOF PH.D
The Integrative Psychotherapy Alliance model brought an interpersonal and systemic perspective to bear on theory, research, and practice on the psychotherapeutic alliance. Questions have been raised about the independence of the theoretical factors in the model and their operationalization in the Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy Alliance Scales. This paper presents results of a confirmatory factor analysis of the scales that delineated at least three distinct interpersonal factors as well as shorter versions of the three scales to facilitate their use in research and practice. The paper also presents the results of a study testing each factor's association with client retention and progress over the first eight sessions in individual and couple therapy. At least two of the interpersonal factors were uniquely associated with progress in individual and couple functioning. Implications of the results for theory, research, practice, and training in individual, couple, and family therapy are elaborated. RESUMEN Validez de constructo y factorial de las versiones cortas revisadas de las escalas de alianza en psicoterapia integradora para la terapia familiar, de pareja e individual El modelo de alianza psicoterapéutica integradora aplicó una perspectiva sistémica e interpersonal en la teoría, la investigación y la práctica de la alianza psicoterapéutica. Se cuestionó la independencia de los factores teóricos en el modelo y su operacionalización en las escalas de alianza en terapia individual, de pareja y familiar. Este artículo presenta resultados de un análisis factorial confirmativo de las escalas que delinearon por lo menos tres factores interpersonales distintos, como también versiones más cortas de las tres escalas para facilitar su uso en la investigación y la práctica. El artículo también presenta los resultados de un estudio que analiza la asociación de cada factor con la fidelización de clientes y la evolución durante las primeras ocho sesiones en terapia individual y de pareja. Por lo menos dos de los factores interpersonales estuvieron asociados exclusivamente con la evolución en el funcionamiento individual y de pareja. Se elaboran las implicancias de los resultados para la teoría, la investigación, la práctica y la capacitación en terapia individual, de pareja y familiar. Palabras clave: alianza, análisis factorial, validez de constructo, evolución/resultado, integración [source]