Correlation between symptoms and functioning in psychiatric patients and temporal patterns of medication refills derived from pharmacy prescription claims

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-647
Author(s):  
Miikka Ermes ◽  
Anna-Leena Vuorinen ◽  
Geoffrey Schrader ◽  
Niranjan Bidargaddi
Keyword(s):  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Medication Refill ◽  
Regularity Index ◽  
Hierarchical Regression Model ◽  
Prescription Refill ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Standard Beta ◽  
Distress Scale

Objectives: Pharmacy dispensing claims data provide longitudinal records of prescriptions and refill events. Previous studies in psychiatric patients have utilised these data to derive indicators of medication adherence based on information regarding the amount of medication supplied and its dosage. An alternative approach was developed in which the regularity of medication refill events was analysed as a potential indicator of psychiatric patient symptoms and functioning. Methods: A method to quantify the regularity of medication refills was developed and subsequently used to investigate how the resulting regularity index (RI), derived from retrospective prescription refill records, correlated with symptomatic and functional assessments of 89 psychiatric patients after adjusting for covariates. Results: A two-step hierarchical regression model indicated that variances explained by prior hospitalisation and the RI were significant for patient scores on the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10), standard beta value 0.22, p < 0.05, for the SF-12 MC, standard beta value −0.31, p < 0.01, and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), standard beta value 0.31, p < 0.01. Conclusions: This method to quantify the regularity of medication refills using prescription supply date alone may provide valuable information about patients’ symptoms and functioning.

Kessler Psychological Distress Scale

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Kessler ◽  
G. Andrews ◽  
L. J. Colpe ◽  
E. Hiripi ◽  
D. K. Mroczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Kessler Psychological Distress Scale

Effects of Violence on Trauma among Immigrant Women from Central America

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlette Vila ◽  
Elizabeth C Pomeroy
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Hierarchical Regression Model ◽  
Effects Of Violence

Abstract The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of violence on trauma among forced-immigrant women from the northern triangle of Central America (NTCA) resulting from direct and indirect violence in their country of origin and during the migratory journey through Mexico. In trauma theory the concept of compounding stressors is an important framework for understanding aspects of human development, especially among low-socioeconomic-status and oppressed populations. Authors hypothesized that violence would have an impact on trauma and conducted interviews with 108 women ages 18 to 65 from the NTCA who traveled by land across Mexico before entering the United States. A survey instrument captured demographic information and types of violence experienced in the home country and during the migratory journey. A standardized screening tool was used to measure trauma symptoms. A hierarchical regression model for trauma was entered in the following order: (a) demographics and (b) violence. Violence was found to be a significant predictor for trauma. Findings suggest that having experienced violence in the country of origin and through the migratory journey had a powerful role in predicting trauma symptoms among immigrant women from the NTCA.

scholarly journals Swedish intrauterine growth reference ranges for estimated fetal weight

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Lindström ◽  
Mårten Ageheim ◽  
Ove Axelsson ◽  
Laith Hussain-Alkhateeb ◽  
Alkistis Skalkidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Hierarchical Regression Model ◽  
Gestational Week ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Estimate Fetal Weight ◽  
Estimated Fetal Weight

AbstractFetal growth restriction is a strong risk factor for perinatal morbidity and mortality. Reliable standards are indispensable, both to assess fetal growth and to evaluate birthweight and early postnatal growth in infants born preterm. The aim of this study was to create updated Swedish reference ranges for estimated fetal weight (EFW) from gestational week 12–42. This prospective longitudinal multicentre study included 583 women without known conditions causing aberrant fetal growth. Each woman was assigned a randomly selected protocol of five ultrasound scans from gestational week 12 + 3 to 41 + 6. Hadlock’s 3rd formula was used to estimate fetal weight. A two-level hierarchical regression model was employed to calculate the expected median and variance, expressed in standard deviations and percentiles, for EFW. EFW was higher for males than females. The reference ranges were compared with the presently used Swedish, and international reference ranges. Our reference ranges had higher EFW than the presently used Swedish reference ranges from gestational week 33, and higher median, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles from gestational week 24 compared with INTERGROWTH-21st. The new reference ranges can be used both for assessment of intrauterine fetal weight and growth, and early postnatal growth in children born preterm.

The mental health of Australian medical practitioners during Covid-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110108
Author(s):  
Michelle Anne Adams ◽  
Matthew Brazel ◽  
Richard Thomson ◽  
Hannah Lake
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Junior Doctor ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Objectives: To ascertain whether doctors were experiencing higher rates of distress during Covid-19 and whether this was impacted by demographic factors. Our hypotheses were that being a junior doctor, having a previous mental health diagnosis and treating Covid-19 positive patients would predict higher rates of distress. Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted via Survey Monkey. Voluntary participants were recruited from the mailing list of a national-based referral service for doctors to psychiatrists. Distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Demographic factors were analysed for predictive value of a higher rating on the K10. Areas of concern in relation to Covid-19 and preference for support services were measured on a Likert scale and compared to levels of distress. Results: The rate of very high distress was 15%. Being a junior doctor and having a previous mental health diagnosis were predictive factors of a higher K10 score. K10 was not affected by likelihood of contact with Covid-19-positive patients. Social isolation had a larger impact on mental health in the context of a previous psychiatric diagnosis. Face-to-face assessments were preferred. Conclusions: Rates of distress in doctors have been higher than baseline during Covid-19. Some groups have been particularly vulnerable.

Sanctification of marriage, religious coping and marital adjustment of Iranian couples

2021 ◽  
pp. 008467242199682
Author(s):  
Reza Fallahchai ◽  
Maryam Fallahi ◽  
Arefeh Moazenjami ◽  
Annette Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Religious Coping ◽  
Marital Adjustment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hierarchical Regression Model ◽  
Negative Religious Coping ◽  
Global Indicators

This study examined cross-sectional links of the theistic and non-theistic sanctification of marriage and positive and negative religious coping with marital adjustment for 316 married Muslims (women = 157, men = 159) from Iran. Perceiving marriage to be a manifestation of God (i.e. theistic sanctification) and reflective of sacred qualities (i.e. non-theistic sanctification) as well as engaging in positive and negative religious/spiritual (r/s) coping strategies each uniquely contributed variance to marital adjustment, after controlling for each other and global indicators of devotion to Islam (e.g. frequency of prayer, religious pilgrimages, fasting, reciting the Quran), and demographic variables (e.g. education level). Specifically, theistic sanctification (β = .40), non-theistic sanctification (β = .29), and positive r/s coping (β = .56) were uniquely tied to higher marital adjustment whereas negative r/s coping was uniquely tied to lower marital adjustment theistic (β =-15) in a hierarchical regression model with all primary variables and controls entered. These findings replicate and extend prior findings on the perceived sanctity of marriage with US samples of predominantly Christians to Muslims living in the Middle East, and offer novel cross-cultural insights into the possible roles that sanctification of marriage and r/s coping may play for marital well-being for non-distressed married Muslims.

scholarly journals Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6700
Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
The Government ◽  
Distress Scale

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.

scholarly journals Development and validation of a parent-proxy health-related quality of life survey for Australian First Nations children

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e046007
Author(s):  
Kaley Butten ◽  
Lee Jones ◽  
Peter A Newcombe ◽  
Anne B Chang ◽  
Jeanie K Sheffield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Parent Proxy

ObjectiveWithin Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) populations perceive health and well-being differently to non-Indigenous Australians. Existing health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) measurement tools do not account for these differences. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a culturally specific parent-proxy HR-QoL measurement tool for First Nations children.DesignScale development was informed by parents/carers of children with a chronic illness and an expert panel. The preliminary 39-item survey was reviewed (n=12) and tested (n=163) with parents/carers of First Nations children aged 0–12 years at baseline with comparative scales: the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, generic HR-QoL (Paediatric QoL Inventory 4.0, PedsQL4.0) and Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale, and repeated (n=46) 4 weeks later. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used for scale reduction. Reliability and validity were assessed by internal consistency, test–retest, and correlations with comparison scales.ResultsItems within our First Nations-Child Quality of Life (FirstNations-CQoL) were internally consistent with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of ≥0.7 (quality of life, 0.808; patient experience, 0.880; patient support, 0.768) and overall test–retest reliability was good (r=0.75; 95% CI 0.593 to 0.856). Convergent validity was observed with the PedsQL4.0 with Pearson’s coefficients of r=0.681 (ages 2–4 years); r=0.651 (ages 5–12 years) and with the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (r=−0.513). Divergent validity against the Spence Anxiety Scale was not demonstrated.ConclusionsThe FirstNations-CQoL scale was accepted by the participants, reliable and demonstrated convergent validity with comparison measures. This tool requires further evaluation to determine responsiveness, its minimal important difference and clinical utility.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document