Psychosocial Effects of COVID-19 Measures on (Pre-)Dementia Patients During Second Lockdown

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses enormous social challenges, especially during lockdown. People with cognitive decline and their caregivers are particularly at risk of lockdown consequences. Objective: To investigate psychosocial effects in (pre-)dementia patients and caregivers during second lockdown and compare effects between first and second lockdown. Methods: We included n = 511 (pre-)dementia patients and n = 826 caregivers from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort and via Alzheimer Nederland. All respondents completed a self-designed survey on psychosocial effects of COVID-19. We examined relations between experienced support and psychosocial and behavioral symptoms using logistic regression. In a subset of patients and caregivers we compared responses between first and second lockdown using generalized estimating equation. Results: The majority of patients (≥58%) and caregivers (≥60%) reported that family and friends, hobbies, and music helped them cope. Support from family and friends was strongly related to less negative feelings in patients (loneliness: OR = 0.3[0.1–0.6]) and caregivers (loneliness: OR = 0.2[0.1–0.3]; depression: OR = 0.4[0.2–0.5]; anxiety: OR = 0.4[0.3–0.6]; uncertainty: OR = 0.3[0.2–0.5]; fatigue: OR = 0.3[0.2–0.4]; stress: OR = 0.3[0.2–0.5]). In second lockdown, less psychosocial and behavioral symptoms were reported compared to first lockdown (patients; e.g., anxiety: 22% versus 13%, p = 0.007; apathy: 27% versus 8%, p < 0.001, caregivers; e.g., anxiety: 23% versus 16%, p = 0.033; patient’s behavioral problems: 50% versus 35%, p < 0.001). Patients experienced more support (e.g., family and friends: 52% versus 93%, p < 0.001; neighbors: 28% versus 66%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: During second lockdown, patients and caregivers adapted to challenges posed by lockdown, as psychosocial and behavioral effects decreased, while patients experienced more social support compared to first lockdown. Support from family and friends is a major protective factor for negative outcomes in patients and caregivers.

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Diffusion tension imaging is a good tool for assessing patients with dementia and behavioral problems and discriminating them from other dementia patients

Acta Radiologica Open ◽

10.1177/20584601211066467 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 205846012110664

Author(s):

Mala Naik ◽

Morteza Esmaeili ◽

Owen Thomas ◽

Jonn T Geitung

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Problems ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Frontal Lobes ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Good Tool ◽

Dementia Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Icd 10 ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Background Dementia is one of the leading public health concerns as the world’s population ages. Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia diagnosis among older patients, some patients have additional behavioral symptoms. It is therefore important to provide an exact diagnosis, both to provide the best possible treatment for patients and to facilitate better understanding. Purpose To investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with fractional anisotropy (FA) can accurately find patients with behavioral symptoms within a group of AD patients. Material and Methods Forty-five patients from the geriatric outpatient clinic were recruited consecutively to form a group of patients with AD and behavioral symptoms (AD + BS) and a control group of 50 patients with established AD. All patients had a full assessment for dementia to establish the diagnosis according to ICD-10. MRI included 3D anatomical recordings for morphometric measurements, DTI for fiber tracking, and quantitative assessment of regional white matter integrity. The DTI analyses included computing of the diffusion tensor and its derived FA index. Results We found a significant difference in FA values between the patient groups’ frontal lobes. The FA was greater in the study group in both left (0.39 vs 0.09, p < 0.05) and right (0.40 vs 0.16, p < 0.05) frontal lobes. Conclusion MRI with FA will find damage in frontal tracts and may be used as a diagnostic tool and be considered a robust tool for the recognizing different types of dementia in the future.

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DDAA and Maternal Reflective Functions

Current Psychology ◽

10.1007/s12144-021-01818-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alessandro Frolli ◽

Antonella Cavallaro ◽

Stephen Oduro ◽

Antonia Bosco ◽

Agnese Lombardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Parent Training ◽

Old Age ◽

School Children ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Slight Reduction ◽

Central Idea ◽

Regulatory Functions ◽

Age Range

AbstractIn this study, we propose to examine two types of Parent Training (PT) under DDAA —behavioral and reflective types of PT. The central idea of our work is that the development of parenting educational skills cannot ignore the development of reflective and regulatory functions, which promote pre-mentalization, social cognition, and empathic skills. Because of the lack of studies on the efficacy of behavioral PT addressed to the parents of subjects with DDAA, this work took place. This study included 90 families whose children were diagnosed with the disorder of dysregulated anger and aggression (DDAA) according to criteria of CD 0–5 (2016). The sample included pre-school children aged between 2 and 3 years old (age range 2–3 years), who were equally divided into two groups based on the type of PT administered to the parents or caregivers. Our results indicate that the PT intervention, which is focused on the improvement of parental reflexive functions, helps in obtaining greater results even in the reduction of the externalizing behavioral symptoms. Additionally, results show that the intervention of PT with a behavioral matrix does not improve parental reflexive functions even if it guarantees a slight reduction of children’s behavioral problems.

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Models for Longitudinal Data: A Generalized Estimating Equation Approach

Biometrics ◽

10.2307/2531734 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 1049 ◽

Cited By ~ 2602

Author(s):

Scott L. Zeger ◽

Kung-Yee Liang ◽

Paul S. Albert

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Data ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

Equation Approach ◽

Generalized Estimating

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Remittances and the Financing of Terrorism In Sub-Saharan Africa: 1974 - 2006

Peace Economics Peace Science and Public Policy ◽

10.1515/1554-8597.1257 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Juliet U. Elu ◽

Gregory N. Price

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Count Data ◽

Important Determinant ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Consumption Expenditures ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Financing Of Terrorism

AbstractRemittances have been recognized as an important determinant of economic growth for Sub-Saharan African economies as they can finance other determinants that constitute drivers of growth. To the extent that remittances finance terrorism, they can also inhibit economic growth as terrorism can constrain important drivers of growth such as investment and consumption expenditures. In this paper, we appeal to a theory of rational terrorism and consider whether remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa finance terrorism. We estimate the parameters of a static and dynamic terrorism incident supply function with maximum likelihood and Generalized Estimating Equation count data estimators for Sub-Saharan Africa between 1974 and 2006. Our parameter estimates suggest that for Sub-Saharan Africa, remittances are a source of finance for terrorism. We find that approximately one terrorism incident is financed in Sub-Saharan Africa for remittance inflows that range between approximately one quarter of a million dollars and one million dollars.

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Hip and Trunk Muscle Activity and Mechanics During Walking With and Without Unilateral Weight

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.2020-0273 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Kerri A. Graber ◽

Kari L. Loverro ◽

Mark Baldwin ◽

Erika Nelson-Wong ◽

Joshua Tanor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

Frontal Plane ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Trunk Muscle ◽

Lower Extremity Injury ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

Functional Activities ◽

Strengthening Exercises ◽

Hip Abductor

Pelvic drop is caused by decreased hip abductor muscle activity and is associated with lower-extremity injury. Hip abductor strengthening exercises are well established; however, no standard method exists to increase hip abductor activity during functional activities. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of walking with a unilateral weight. A total of 26 healthy adults walked on an instrumented treadmill with and without handheld weight (15%–20% body weight). Muscle activity, kinematic, and kinetic data were collected using surface electromyography, motion capture, and force plates, respectively. Average hip and trunk muscle activity, hip, pelvic, and trunk angles, and peak internal hip moments during stance were compared for each side (contralateral/ipsilateral to the weight) between conditions (unweighted/weighted) using a generalized linear model with generalized estimating equation correction. Interactions between condition and side were observed for muscle activity, frontal plane pelvic and trunk angles, and frontal plane hip moments (P ≤ .003). Compared with the unweighted condition, the weighted condition had higher hip abductor activity contralateral to the weight (P < .001), while no change was found ipsilateral to the weight (P ≥ .790). Similar changes were found for kinematic and kinetic variables. Walking with a unilateral weight may be a therapeutic option to increase functional hip abductor activity.

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The relationship between remission and health-related quality of life in a cohort of SLE patients

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/key349 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 (4) ◽

pp. 628-635 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Michel W P Tsang-A-Sjoe ◽

Irene E M Bultink ◽

Maaike Heslinga ◽

Lilian H van Tuyl ◽

Ronald F van Vollenhoven ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Global Assessment ◽

Short Form ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between remission and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with SLE in a longitudinal observational cohort. Methods HRQoL was measured at cohort visits using the physical and mental component score (PCS and MCS, respectively) of the Short Form 36 questionnaire. Definitions of Remission in SLE remission categories (no remission/remission on therapy/remission off therapy) were applied. Determinants of PCS and MCS were identified with simple linear regression analyses. Association between remission and HRQoL was assessed using generalized estimating equation models. Results Data from 154 patients with 2 years of follow-up were analysed. At baseline 60/154 (39.0%) patients were in either form of remission. Patients in remission had higher Short Form 36 scores in all subdomains compared with patients not in remission. PCS was positively associated with remission and employment, and negatively associated with SLICC damage index, ESR, medication, patient global assessment and BMI. MCS was positively associated with Caucasian ethnicity and negatively associated with patient global assessment. In generalized estimating equation analysis, a gradual and significant increase of PCS was observed from patients not in remission (mean PCS 36.0) to remission on therapy (41.8) to remission off therapy (44.8). No significant difference in MCS was found between remission states. Conclusion we show a strong and persistent association between remission and PCS, but not MCS. These results support the relevance (construct validity) of the Definition of Remission in SLE remission definitions and the further development of a treat-to-target approach in SLE.

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Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Freedom and Economic Growth: Evidence from Developing Countries

International Journal of Economics and Finance ◽

10.5539/ijef.v8n11p200 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 200 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Md. Shakib Hossain

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Foreign Direct Investment ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Poisson Regression ◽

Direct Investment ◽

Economic Freedom ◽

Random Effect ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation

<p class="Default">This paper has explores the interplay between economic freedom, foreign direct investment and economic growth using panel data analysis for a sample of 79 developing countries from 1998 to 2014 by considering the level of economic freedom, as provided by the “Heritage Foundation”. Panel unit root, pedroni residual co-integration test, generalized least square (GLS), feasible GLS (FGLS), pooled OLS, random effect, fixed effect, poisson regression, prais-winsten, generalized method of movement (GMM) and generalized estimating equation (GEE) methods have used to estimates the relationship. According to the OLS and generalized method of movement the coefficient implies that a one standard deviation improvement in business freedom, trade freedom, size, investment freedom, property rights, freedom from corruption, labor freedom, financial freedom, fiscal freedom, monetary freedom increases FDI by 21.4%, 15.6%, 21.6%, 17.5%, 11.55, 9.1%, 6.9%, 8.5%, 7.4%, 10.3% and 56.1%, 45.3%, 58.3%, 51.6%, 33.7%, 39.2%, 47.4%, 41.6%, 32.5%, 38.5% points respectively and for the economic variable ,the coefficient implies that a one standard deviation improvement in GDPG and GDPPC increases FDI by 24.1%, 17.4% and 30.2%, 33.4% points respectively. By using the other method like random effect, fixed effect, poisson regression, prais-winsten and generalized estimating equation (GEE) method explores that economic freedom in the host country is a positive determinants of FDI inflows in developing countries and also the result suggests that foreign direct investment is positively correlated with the economic growth in the host countries.</p>

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Relapses and disease-modifying drug treatment in pregnancy and live birth in US women with MS

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000006382 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 91 (17) ◽

pp. e1570-e1578 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Maria K. Houtchens ◽

Natalie C. Edwards ◽

Amy L. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Live Birth ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Emergency Room Visit ◽

Outpatient Visit ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Generalized Estimating Equation ◽

Administrative Claims ◽

Second Trimester ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

Relapse Rates

ObjectiveTo evaluate relapse rates and disease-modifying drug (DMD) treatment in US women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and a live birth.MethodsThis retrospective administrative claims database study used US commercial health plan data from women with MS and a live birth from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2015. Relapses and DMD treatment were evaluated 1-year prepregnancy, during pregnancy, during puerperium (6 weeks postpregnancy), and 1-year postpregnancy. Relapse was defined as MS-related hospitalization, emergency room visit, or outpatient visit with corticosteroid prescription within 7 days. Generalized estimating equation models for longitudinal data tested for differences between prepregnancy vs the other time periods.ResultsA total of 2,158 patients were eligible. The odds of relapse declined during pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 0.623, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.521–0.744; p < 0.0001), increased during puerperium (OR 1.710, 95% CI 1.358–2.152; p < 0.0001), and ended at a higher level during the last 3 postpartum quarters (OR 1.216, 95% CI 1.052–1.406; p = 0.0081). The proportion of women with DMD treatment was rather low overall: approximately 20% prepregnancy, bottoming to 1.9% during the second trimester, and peaking at 25.5% 9 to 12 months postpartum. DMD treatment declined significantly during pregnancy (OR 0.171, 95% CI 0.144–0.203; p < 0.0001), remained lower during puerperium (OR 0.361, 95% CI 0.312–0.418; p < 0.0001), and ended at a higher level during the last 3 postpartum quarters (OR 1.259, 95% CI 1.156–1.371; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe rate of MS relapse decreased during pregnancy, increased 6 months postpartum, and decreased 6 to 12 months postpartum. DMD treatment was uncommon in the year before pregnancy, further decreased immediately prepregnancy and during pregnancy, and increased postpartum.

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Some individual psychological characteristics as protective or risk factors for occurrence of conduct disorder

Psihologija ◽

10.2298/psi1102167m ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 167-185

Author(s):

Jasminka Markovic ◽

Jelena Srdanovic-Maras ◽

Valentina Sobot ◽

Svetlana Ivanovic-Kovacevic ◽

Sladjana Martinovic-Mitrovic

Keyword(s):

Conduct Disorder ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Conduct Disorders ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Psychological Characteristics ◽

Stress Coping ◽

Coping With Stress ◽

Healthy Siblings ◽

Stress Coping Strategies

Our study included 30 pairs of siblings aged 12-18 years; one sibling with and one without conduct disorder in each pair. The aim of the study was to assess individual characteristics of those siblings, i.e. to determine differences in psychological characteristics of the siblings with regard to locus of control, stress coping strategies and frequency and structure of behavioral problems and emotions. The results suggested significant differences in individual characteristics of children with conduct disorder and their healthy siblings. These results mainly confirm previous results of foreign research on a sample of our population. Exception of findings was related to strategies for coping with stress: religious behavior that didn?t turn out as a protective factor and avoiding confrontation and withdrawal which are shown as a protective factor. These results suggest the importance of individual psychological characteristics for the occurrence of conduct disorders and have implications in therapy and in preventive work with adolescents.

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Mother’s PCOS Diagnosis Is Not Associated With Behavioral Symptoms in Offspring at 4-5 years

Journal of the Endocrine Society ◽

10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1509 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A742-A742

Author(s):

Kathleen M Hoeger ◽

Donald Harrington ◽

Sally Thurston ◽

Nicole R Bush ◽

Sheela Sathyanarayana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Problems ◽

Maternal Age ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Assessment System ◽

Composite Score ◽

Social Impairment ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Social Responsiveness ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

History Of

Abstract Introduction: Variation in prenatal sex steroid concentrations has been linked to child behavioral problems, with higher maternal total and free testosterone associated with child internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hyperandrogenic disorder that results in elevated testosterone levels during pregnancy among affected women. Population-based analyses suggest a higher risk of depression and anxiety diagnosis in children of women with PCOS. Animal models of prenatal hyperandrogenism further support an association with increased anxiety in offspring. Within the context of a multi-center U.S. pregnancy cohort, we examined early childhood behavioral and social responsiveness in children born to mothers with and without PCOS. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited in their first trimester for The Infant Development and Environment Study (TIDES). PCOS status was determined by maternal reports of PCOS diagnosis or history of hirsutism/oligomenorrhea. Women who reported neither a history of PCOS or symptoms of hirsutism or oligomenorrhea served as a comparison group. When participating children were age 4, mothers completed the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, 2nd Edition (BASC-2), a measure of child behavior problems, and the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2), a measure of social impairment consistent with autistic traits. We fit linear regression models considering three outcomes: (1) BASC-2 externalizing composite score (e.g., hyperactivity, aggression); (2) BASC internalizing composite score (e.g., anxiety, depression, somatization); and (3) SRS-2 total score, adjusting for covariates, maternal age, child age, race, study center, income, education, alcohol and tobacco use, child sex, maternal depression. For all outcomes, higher scores indicate more problematic behaviors. Results: A total of 360 mother/child pairs completed the 4-year assessment and were included in this analysis. This included 81 mothers with PCOS (37 male, 44 female) and 279 comparison mothers (132 male, 147 female). Mean maternal age at delivery was 30.7 years (±4.7) for PCOS cases and 31.9 years (±5.4) for comparison mothers. Interaction terms indicated no effect modification by child sex. In analyses combining both sexes, maternal PCOS was not associated with externalizing behaviors (β=1.81; 95% CI: -2.37, 6.0; p=0.40), internalizing behaviors (β=2.20; 95% CI: -2.14, 6.53; p=0.32), or social impairment (β=-0.34; 95% CI: -3.34, 2.65; p=0.82). Conclusions: In this prospective evaluation, we observed no association between maternal PCOS and neurobehavioral symptoms in children at age 4. Given that prior literature using population databases suggested increased behavioral symptoms in school-aged and older children of PCOS mothers, these symptoms may become more apparent with development and continued assessment is warranted.

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