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Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origin with a cognitive‐behavioural profile that distinguishes it from other syndromes. Within this profile, language difficulties are particularly marked, having been more studied in childhood than in adulthood. More generally, there is a paucity of research on the prosodic skills of individuals with DS, despite the relevance of this linguistic component for effective communication. Aims: This study aimed to analyse, for the first time, the prosodic profile of Spanish‐speaking teenagers and young adults with DS. We hypothesized that participants with DS would show significantly lower skills for the perception and production of prosodic functions and forms when compared to peers with intellectual disability (ID) of unknown origin. We also hypothesized that teenagers and young adults with DS would have better prosody perception than prosody production. Methods & Procedures: The final sample included in the study comprised 28 Spanish‐speaking teenagers and young adults with DS and 29 teenagers and young adults with other ID matched on chronological age and nonverbal cognition. Their prosodic skills were tested by means of the Profiling Elements of Prosody for Speech and Communication battery. This battery allows for the separate evaluation of the comprehension and expression of the communicative functions of prosody and the discrimination and production of the forms that carry out such functions. Outcomes & Results: In the prosody function tasks, which are the most adaptive tasks for the communicative process, we found, as expected, significantly lower scores on the turn‐end, chunking, and focus tasks in the group with DS. However, no significant between‐group differences were found for the affect tasks. Participants with DS also had significantly lower scores on the prosodic form tasks than participants with other ID. The results of the comparison between prosodic perception and production skills showed that a generalization about a better profile in comprehension versus production is not possible and that there is a dependence on the demands of the prosodic task undertaken. Conclusions & Implications: The findings contribute to the ongoing development of the language profile of teenagers and young adults with DS and imply the need to design prosodic intervention programs based on their specific profile. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Prosody is a fundamental element of language, and its mastery affects the effectiveness of communication. However, research on prosody in Down syndrome (DS) that offers a holistic view from a psycholinguistic approach is still scarce. To date, studies focused on providing a detailed profile of prosodic skills in individuals with DS have been mainly conducted with a few English‐speaking children. These studies have shown that the comprehension and production of prosody is severely impaired, especially when considering affect and focus production, as well as the perception and production of prosodic forms. During childhood, greater efficacy is found in prosody comprehension than in prosody expression. What this study adds: This is the first study analysing the prosodic profile of a large group of Spanish‐speaking teenagers and young adults with DS. Poorer performance in the perception and production of both prosodic functions and forms was observed in participants with DS compared to participants with intellectual disability of unknown origin matched on chronological age and nonverbal cognition. Unlike what has been previously found in children, teenagers and young adults with DS performed at the same level as the control group on the understanding and expression of affect through prosodic cues. Results also showed that a generalization about a better prosody profile in comprehension versus production is not possible. What are the clinical implications of this work?: This study provides new data on the prosodic skills of Spanish‐speaking teenagers and young adults with DS. Given the impact of prosody on effective communication and the pattern of difficulties found in this study, speech and language therapists working with individuals with DS should consider including prosodic skills in interventions not only in childhood but also in adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, the prosodic profile of strengths and weaknesses in individuals with DS found in this research has direct implications for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serious games have proven to be a powerful tool in education to engage, motivate, and help students learn. However, the change in student knowledge after playing games is usually measured with traditional (paper) prequestionnaires–postquestionnaires. We propose a combination of game learning analytics and data mining techniques to predict knowledge change based on in‐game student interactions. We have tested this approach in a case study for which we have conducted preexperiments–postexperiments with 227 students playing a previously validated serious game on first aid techniques. We collected student interaction data while students played, using a game learning analytics infrastructure and the standard data format Experience API for Serious Games. After data collection, we developed and tested prediction models to determine whether knowledge, given as posttest results, can be accurately predicted. Additionally, we compared models both with and without pretest information to determine the importance of previous knowledge when predicting postgame knowledge. The high accuracy of the obtained prediction models suggests that serious games can be used not only to teach but also to measure knowledge acquisition after playing. This will simplify serious games application for educational settings and especially in the classroom easing teachers' evaluation tasks. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter Serious games are a powerful tool to engage, motivate, and help students learn.Pre‐post experiments are commonly used to measure knowledge acquisition.Game learning analytics can be applied to interaction data from games. What this paper adds We present a two‐step approach combining game learning analytics and data mining to predict players' performance in serious games based on their interactions.The approach is tested in a case study with pre‐post experiments collecting interaction data with 227 students playing a serious game to determine if performance can be accurately predicted.The comparison of prediction models has helped to determine if pretest information is essential.The highly accurate prediction models obtained suggest that games can be used to teach and measure knowledge acquisition after playing. Implications of study findings for practitioners The approach aims to simplify the measurement of players' learning with serious games.It may be generalized at least to similar scenarios (e.g., games for procedural learning or game‐likesimulations) where similar interaction data are feasible.Game mechanics and educational design should define the interaction data to capture.Using an accepted standard tracking profile is a clear recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Lipoatrophy is a long-term adverse effect of some antiretrovirals that affects quality of life, compromises adherence and may limit the clinical impact of HIV treatments. This paper explores the effect of tenofovir/emtricitabine ( TDF/ FTC) on the amount of limb fat in patients with virological suppression. Methods A randomized, prospective clinical trial was performed to compare continuation on a zidovudine/lamivudine ( ZDV/3TC)-based regimen with switching to a TDF/ FTC-based regimen in terms of the effect on limb fat mass as assessed by DEXA over a 72-week period. Results Eighty patients were included (39 in the TDF/ FTC arm and 41 in the ZDV/3 TC arm) and 73 completed the study (37 and 36, respectively). In the switch arm, limb fat increased by a median of 540 g from baseline ( P = 0.022), while in the ZDV/3TC arm it decreased by a median of 379 g ( P = 0.112; p between groups = 0.007). Subjects with baseline limb fat ≤ 7200 g, previous time on ZDV > 5 years or a body mass index > 25 kg/m2 experienced higher limb fat gains than other subjects, and these differences were statistically significant. Haemoglobin increased by a median of 1.0 g/d L in the TDF/ FTC arm ( P < 0.001) and remained unchanged in the ZDV/3TC arm (p between groups = 0.0002). There were no significant differences between groups in other secondary endpoints (body weight, total body and trunk fat content, total body bone mineral density, laboratory parameters, CD4 cell count and viral load). Conclusions Switching from a ZDV/3TC-based to a TDF/ FTC-based regimen led to a statistically significant improvement in limb fat, in contrast to the progressive loss of limb fat in subjects continuing ZDV/3TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychological impact on nursing students at the end of period of confinement during the first wave of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Spain. Design: A cross‐sectional study reported in line with the STROBE guidelines. Methods: Nursing students were invited to complete an online questionnaire at the end of the 2019–2020 academic year using convenience sampling. The questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic factors, work, and life experiences in relation to COVID‐19, habits and lifestyle using the World Health Organization Five Well‐Being Index (WHO‐5) and the Generalized Anxiety disorder‐7 scale. Variables related to anxiety were analysed using multiple lineal regression analysis, Results: The prevalence of low psychological well‐being in the 203 students was 44.3% and of anxiety 55.7%. In the multivariate analysis the variables associated with anxiety were having worked in the pandemic, having had symptoms of COVID‐19 and having been afraid of getting infected. Conclusions: The levels of anxiety due to the COVID‐19 pandemic in nursing students have been high, and levels of psychological well‐being have been low. The fact of having worked during the pandemic, having had symptoms compatible with COVID‐19 or being afraid of getting infected are associated with the highest scores for anxiety. Relevance to clinical practice: This study gives more evidence on the psychological impact on nursing students during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain. This can be used to design anxiety management programmes for inclusion into teaching syllabuses. It also gives arguments for the setting up of psychological and emotional support services for these students and other healthcare professionals working during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure (HF) causes high rates of hospital admissions. It is known that disease progression impacts the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of both patients and caregivers, yet to date, this finding is based on cross‐sectional studies with limited samples. Objectives: The study aim is to analyze the relationship between HF patients' use of hospital services (a proxy for disease progression) and the HRQoL of their family caregivers. Methods: This work is a multicenter nested case‐control study on a population of patients admitted to hospitals in southern Spain due to heart failure. The sample comprised 530 patient‐caregiver dyads. Hospital admission data were retrospectively collected for the 5 years prior to inclusion in the study. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine associations between patient deterioration and caregivers' quality of life. Results: Patients' use of hospital services was associated with worsened quality of life for family caregivers, with an overall OR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.23‐1.79). A positive correlation was found between patients' perceptions of their physical health and the perceived mental health of caregivers (r = 0.127, p = 0.004) and between the perceived mental health of both (r = 0.291; p <0.0001). Conclusions: Greater use of hospital services by patients with HF is an independent predictor of deterioration of family caregivers' HRQoL. The physical and mental components of patients' and their family caregivers' HRQoL interact and influence each other. Additional factors, such as the nature and intensity of care provided, also determine the worsening of a family caregiver's HRQoL. Clinical Relevance: These results can be used to identify family caregivers of people with heart failure at risk of suffering a deterioration in their health‐related quality of life. Increased use of hospital services is an independent predictor of the deterioration of the family caregivers' health‐related quality of life. Since clinical nurses are the main provider who gives support and education to family caregivers, they should be alert to this situation and individualize interventions to prevent this deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Cocaine consumption may result in irreversible structural changes in the brain. The long‐term effects of cocaine are related to a wide range of deteriorated cognitive functions. This study aimed to examine the fine motor control and hand‐function in cocaine users compared to healthy controls. Methods: An observational study was conducted. Sociodemographic variables, substance consumption, the Purdue Pegboard and the Jebsen–Taylor Hand‐function Test were evaluated bilaterally in 35 participants who were cocaine users and in 35 healthy participants. Differences between sides (dominant and non‐dominant hands) and groups were analysed with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The ANOVA revealed significant differences between groups (P < 0.001) and between sides (dominant and non‐dominant hands) (P = 0.005) for the one‐hand pin placement subtest of the Purdue Pegboard Test. Also, ANOVA tests showed significant differences between sides, but not groups, for the simulated feeding (P < 0.001) and stacking checkers (P < 0.001) Jebsen–Taylor subtests. Cocaine user participants exhibited significantly lower scores in bilateral pin placement and required more time for the Jebsen–Taylor subtests compared to healthy participants. Conclusions: Cocaine user participants display deficits of fine motor control and some aspects of manual dexterity when compared to healthy controls. These findings show the convenience of incorporating functional rehabilitation by occupational therapists as a key component within the treatment of cocaine users. This study therefore opens a new field of practice for occupational therapy based on the assessment and treatment of motor deficits in the hand and the upper limb of people who consume cocaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal methyl donor deficiency leads to homocysteine accumulation in the brain and impaired neurodevelopment in rats. We investigated the effect of moderately elevated preconception fasting total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) on child neurodevelopment in a prospective study of 67 and 76 mother-child pairs at 4 months and 6 years of age, respectively. Fasting blood samples at 2-10 weeks preconception, from the cord (nonfasting) and the mother and child 6 years after birth, were collected. Psychomotor and mental development were assessed at 4 months using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID) and cognitive development at 6 years using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). Highest tertile preconception tHcy (≥9.04 µmol/L) was categorized as moderately elevated and low-mid tertile tHcy as normal. Children, born to mothers with moderately elevated compared to normal preconception tHcy, scored lower [mean (95% CI)] in the BSID psychomotor [115 (105, 124) vs. 126 (121, 130), p = 0.03] and mental [101 (93, 109) vs. 113 (107, 119), p = 0.03] development tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that moderately elevated compared to normal preconception tHcy was associated with greater probability, OR (95%CI), of scoring in the lowest tertile for BSID psychomotor development (≤120): 4.0 (1.1, 14.3) and lowest tertiles for WPPSI full (≤111), verbal (≤104) and performance (≤111), intellectual quotient: 6.0 (1.5, 23.7), 3.5 (1.1, 11.2) and 4.1 (1.1, 15.7), respectively. We conclude that moderately elevated preconception tHcy is inversely associated with psychomotor and cognitive development scores in infants and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To compare the use of sonic powered or manual toothbrush in patients with intellectual disability ( ID) in terms of plaque (PlI) and gingival ( GI) indices and adverse effects. Material and Methods Subjects with ID were recruited for this cluster-randomized, single blinded (examiner), 6-month clinical trial, comparing powered versus manual toothbrushing. Outcome variables included PlI and GI, evaluated at baseline and 3 months after supervised toothbrushing and after 3 additional months of unsupervised used. Clinical outcome variables were analysed by repeated measures ANCOVA considering time and group as factors and respective baseline values as covariates (generalized linear model). Results Sixty-four patients (34 male, mean age 34.5) in six clusters were included in the study. No statistically significant effect of toothbrushing group was observed for PlI or GI. A significant effect of time was identified ( p < 0.001) with mean reductions ranging 0.44-0.45 for PlI and 0.30-0.36 for GI from baseline to 3-6 months. No relevant adverse effect or technical problems were observed. Conclusion The tested sonic powered toothbrush was as effective and safe as the manual toothbrush. The use of powered or manual toothbrushes, together with fluoride toothpaste, may improve plaque and gingivitis levels, in patients with mild to limit ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Protein-energy wasting ( PEW) is a highly prevalent condition in haemodialysis patients ( HD). The potential usefulness of nutritional-inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of PEW in chronic kidney disease has not been established completely. We hypothesised that a combination of serum albumin, percentage of mid-arm muscle circumference and standard body weight comprises a better discriminator than either single marker of nutritional status in HD patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 80 HD patients. Patients were categorised in two groups: well-nourished and PEW. Logistic regression analysis was applied to corroborate the reliability of the three markers of PEW with all the nutritional-inflammatory markers analysed. Results PEW was identified in 52.5% of HD patients. Compared with the well-nourished patients, PEW patients had lower body mass index, serum pre-albumin and body cell mass (all P < 0.001) and higher C-reactive protein (s- CRP) ( P < 0.01). Logistic regression analyses showed that the combination of the three criteria were significantly related with s- CRP >1 mg dL−1, phase angle <4°, and serum pre-albumin <30 mg dL−1 (all P < 0.05). Other indicators, such as lymphocytes <20% and Charlson comorbidity index, were significantly involved (both P < 0.01). A receiver operating characteristic curve ( area under the curve) of 0.86 ( P < 0.001) was found. Conclusions The combined utilisation of serum albumin, percentage of mid-arm muscle circumference and standard body weight as PEW markers appears to be useful for nutritional-inflammatory status assessment and adds predictive value to the traditional indicators. Larger studies are needed to achieve the reliability of these predictor combinations and their cut-off values in HD patients and other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of periapical radiography in measuring peri-implant bone levels. Materials and Methods Twenty-five subjects with 46 implants in need of surgical treatment for peri-implantitis were included in this cross-sectional study. Prior to surgery, periapical radiographs were taken, a prediction of type of defect was made and radiographic peri-implant bone levels ( Rx BL) were determined at the mesial and distal aspects. Intra-operatively, the peri-implant bone level ( Surg BL) was assessed mesially, distally, buccally and orally and the type of defect was recorded. A paired t-test was applied to detect differences between inter-proximal Rx BL and Surg BL. ANOVA was used to compare Surg BL at different circumferential positions. Results The mean inter-proximal Rx BL was 4.0 ± 2.2 mm and the mean inter-proximal Surg BL was 5.3 ± 2.3 mm. The difference between Rx BL and Surg BL was statistically significant ( p = 0.014). There were no significant differences in Surg BL at the mesial, distal, buccal and oral aspects ( p > 0.05). Conclusions The intra-operatively measured peri-implant bone levels were more apical than the radiographic bone levels. The intra-operatively assessed peri-implant bone levels ( Surg BL) were similar at all the circumferential positions around the implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To explore the mechanisms by which some children select disruptive behaviours to cope with stressful dental events. In particular, the relationships between dental fear, expected effectiveness of destructive coping, and intentions of displaying uncooperative behaviours were analysed. Design. Participants were 170 children who filled out a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics by gender and group age as well as comparisons of means were calculated. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients and binary logistic regression analysis were used to test hypotheses of the relationships among variables. Results. Both dental fear and the expected effectiveness of destructive coping strategies were significantly associated with children's uncooperative intentions at the dentist. In addition, children who strongly endorsed the effectiveness of destructive coping strategies had a higher probability of uncooperative intentions as dental fear increased. In contrast, this relationship was not statistically significant among children who did not expect negative behaviours to be effective. Conclusions. Children's expectations about the effectiveness of destructive coping behaviours can help explain variations in the use of these strategies in stressful dental situations. Dental fear as well as children's inadequate expectancies about coping alternatives should be explored and targeted to prevent and modify uncooperative behaviour intentions at the dentist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are doubts on whether patients feel that they have sufficient information for actively participating in clinical decisions. Objective To describe the type of information that patients receive. To determine whether patients consider this information sufficient, and whether it contributes or not to improve clinical safety. To identify the barriers for patient participation in clinical decision making. Study Design Cross-sectional study with 764 patients and 327 physicians. Study Setting and participants Fourteen health centres belonging to three primary care districts and three hospitals in Spain. Principal Findings Just 35.1% (268) (95% CI 32.2, 39.1%) of patients preferred to have the last word in clinical decisions. Age (39 vs. 62%, P < 0.001) and severity of illness (38 vs. 46%, P = 0.002) increased the tendency to take a passive role. In 85.1% (650) (95% CI 83.3, 88.3%) of the cases, patients reported having received sufficient information. Lack of consultation time (29.6%, 95% CI 25.8, 32.5%) and patients' use of Internet or other sources (19.2%, 95% CI 16.4, 22.2%) were identified as new obstacles to doctor-patient communication by the patients. Only 19.6% (64) (95% CI 15.4, 24.2%) of doctors considered that they could intervene to involve patients in the decisions. Discussions and Conclusions The majority of patients prefer the decisions to be made by their doctor, especially those with more severe illnesses, and older patients. Patients are not normally informed about medication interactions, precautions and foreseeable complications. The information provided by general practitioners does not seem to contribute enough to the patient involvement in clinical safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tool to assess the built environment, which takes into account issues of disability, accessibility and the need for data comparable across countries and populations, is much needed. The Collaborative Research on Ageing in Europe (COURAGE) in Europe Built Environment Outdoor Checklist (CBE-OUT) helps us to understand when features of the neighbourhood environment have either a positive or negative impact on the accessibility of neighbourhoods for healthy ageing. The CBE-OUT is composed of 128 items that can be recorded when present in the evaluated environment. Audits were performed in households randomly selected from each cluster of the sample for Finland, Poland and Spain, following precise rules defined by experts. Global scores were computed both section by section and in the overall checklist, rescaling the resulting scores from 0 (negative environment) to 100 (positive). The total number of completed CBE-OUT checklists was 2452 (Finland, 245; Poland, 972; and Spain, 1235). Mean global score for our sample is 49.3, suggesting an environment composed both of facilitating and hindering features. Significant differences were observed in the built environment features of the three countries and in particular between Finland and the other two. The assessment of features of built environment is crucial when thinking about ageing and enhanced participation. The COURAGE in Europe project developed this tool to collect information on built environment in an objective evaluation of environmental features and is a recommended methodology for future studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message The CBE-OUT checklist is an objective evaluation of the built environment and is centred on technical measurement of features present in the environment and has its foundations in the concepts of disability and accessibility operating in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model., The CBE-OUT checklist can be analysed using both the total score and the single section score, allowing an evaluation of the facilitating or hindering role of the environment and is usable for predictive analysis of ageing trends., The CBE-OUT checklist makes it possible to collect information about the built environment by means of an objective evaluation of environment features and is a recommended methodology for future studies about the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective Studies performed over the last 15 years have suggested that periodontal diseases may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, this association has not been found in all populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether periodontal status and the presence of specific periodontal pathogens may influence the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Material and Methods Pregnant women were clinically examined before 26th week of gestation, and divided in two groups: non-periodontitis and periodontitis. Microbial samples were obtained in the periodontitis group and processed by anaerobic culturing. After delivery, data on the pregnancy outcome were taken; mother's socio-demographic and risk factors were obtained at inclusion. Simple and multiple regression analysis were performed. Results One hundred and seventy women were included in the study (116 non-periodontitis and 54 with periodontitis). The incidence of preterm ( PTB) and low-birth weight ( LBW) was 2.94% and 3.53%, respectively. Periodontal status did not show any association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The presence of Eikenella corrodens was significantly related to PTB ( p = 0.022) and the presence Capnocytophaga spp. was related to LBW ( p = 0.008). The multivariate analyses showed a significant association between PTB and newborn weight and counts of E. corrodens. Maternal health and counts of E. corrodens were significantly associated with PTB or LBW. Conclusion The clinical periodontal condition was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in a Spanish Caucasian population with medium-high educational level. The presence and counts of E. corrodens and the presence of Capnocytophaga spp. showed a significant association with PTB and LBW, respectively, in the bivariate and/or multivariate model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study aimed to assess the association of obesity and malnutrition with the mortality of hospitalised patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) and the risk of readmission in <30 days. Methods A retrospective chart review of consecutive patients admitted with COPD as the primary reason for discharge in Spain between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007 was performed. Patients with a diagnosis of obesity or malnutrition in the hospital discharge clinical report were identified. The in-hospital mortality and re-admittance 30 days after discharge indices of obese and malnourished patients were compared against the subpopulation without these diagnoses. Results Of the 313 233 COPD admittances analysed, there were 22 582 (7.2%) diagnoses of obesity and 6354 (2.0%) diagnoses of malnutrition. In-hospital global mortality and the re-admittance risk were 12.0% and 16.7%, respectively. Obese patients showed a lower in-hospital mortality risk [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.49-0.55] and early re-admittance risk ( OR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.85-0.92) compared to non-obese patients. Malnourished patients had a much higher risk of death when in hospital ( OR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.62-1.85) or of being re-admitted within 30 days after discharge ( OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.22-1.38), even after adjusting for possible confounding factors. Conclusions Obesity in patients hospitalised for COPD substantially reduces in-hospital mortality risk and the possibility of early re-admittance. Malnutrition is associated with an important increase in in-hospital mortality and risk of re-admittance in the 30 days following discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine differences related to gender among informal caregivers serving older disabled individuals. Design and Methods: A secondary analysis of the most recent national cross-sectional survey, which was conducted in Spain on informal caregivers who served older individuals (65 years of age or older), was conducted in 2011 ( N= 1,272, probability sample). The relationships between gender and intensity of care (amount and type of care provided), duration of caregiving, subjective burden, and satisfaction with caregiving were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate procedures. Findings: No statistically significant gender differences were found with regard to the intensity of care, duration of caregiving, or satisfaction; however, subjective burden was found to differ between men and women, and this difference was statistically significant (odds ratio = 1.98; p= .012). Conclusions: Because this study was conducted in Spain, a country with strong patriarchal norms with regard to caregiving and familism, whereas gender differences in intensity of care have been reported in countries with low familism, we conclude that cultural diversity can influence the relationship between gender and intensity of care. On the other hand, our study increases the evidence in support of there being gender-based differences in subjective burden among family caregivers serving older people in Western industrial countries. Finally, the results of our study support the hypothesis that sources of satisfaction are more strongly related to the caregiver's personal context and characteristics than to his or her gender. Clinical Relevance: These findings support the following recommendations regarding nursing interventions: (a) nurses should take into account specific cultural patterns in caregiving to improve their understanding concerning the relationships between gender and intensity of care, and (b) gender should be taken into account in interventions that are tailored toward addressing subjective burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the relationship between childhood sexual and physical abuse, and key attitudinal and behavioural aspects of eating disorders (ED). Method Participants included 708 female undergraduates in a Spanish public university, aged from 18 to 30. Abuse was measured by the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire, and ED by the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Results 14.3% of the sample had suffered childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and 3.8% childhood physical abuse (CPA). With respect to ED attitudinal features, we observed an increased Weight Concern score among CSA survivors. No association was found between this kind of abuse and disordered eating behaviours, after adjusting for depression, anxiety, self-esteem, body mass index, age and socioeconomic status. An inverse relationship was found between CPA and ED attitudes measured by EDE-Q (Restraint, Weight Concern, Shape Concern and the Overall Score), whereas no association was found with the behavioural aspects of eating disturbances. Discussion After controlling for different risk factors, CSA appears to be related to an increased Weight Concern, whilst other ED attitudinal features and behaviours do not seem to be related to childhood abuse. The inverse relationship found is discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to address the controversy over the influence of intensive glucose control on the risk for cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods FRENA is an ongoing registry of stable outpatients with symptomatic coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral artery disease.We compared the incidence of subsequent ischaemic events (myocardial infarction, stroke or critical limb ischaemia) in patients with Type 2 diabetes and mean HbA1c levels < 7.0% (< 53 mmol / mol) vs. those with HbA1c levels > 7.0%(> 53 mmol /mol). Results Of 974 patients with Type 2 diabetes, 480 (49%) had mean HbA1c levels < 7%(< 53 mmol/ mol). Over a mean follow-up of 14 months, 126 patients (13%) had subsequent ischaemic events: myocardial infarction (43), stroke (29) and critical limb ischaemia (64). The incidence of subsequent ischaemic eventswas significantly lower in patients with mean HbA1c levels < 7.0% (< 53 mmol / mol) than in those with HbA1c levels > 7.0%(> 53 mmol / mol) (8.6 vs. 14 per 100 patient-years; rate ratio 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-0.9). These differences persisted after adjusting for potential confounders. However, this better outcome was only found in patients presenting with coronary artery disease (rate ratio 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.8), not in those with cerebrovascular disease (rate ratio 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-2.0) or peripheral artery disease (rate ratio 0.8; 95% CI 0.5-1.3). Patients with mean HbA1c levels < 7.0% (< 53 mmol / mol) also had a lower mortality (rate ratio 0.6; 95% CI 0.3-0.99). Conclusions In secondary prevention, patients with diabetes and HbA1c levels < 7.0% (< 53 mmol /mol) had a lower incidence of subsequent ischaemic events and a lower mortality than those with HbA1c levels > 7.0% (> 53 mmol /mol). These differences appeared only in patients with coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims and objectives The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) is a three-item instrument that measures disability in three inter-related domains: work, family life/home responsibilities and social/leisure activities. The main objective of the present study was to examine the factor structure, reliability and construct validity of the SDS in a wide Spanish sample of primary care (PC) patients. Methods One phase cross-sectional survey. A total of 3815 patients, aged 18 years or older attending PC for a medical visit, were interviewed between October 2005 and March 2006. The interviews included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders for depressive and anxiety disorders, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for the rest of mental disorders, a medical conditions checklist, the 2.0 version of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) for measuring quality of life and the SDS. Results The principal component analysis and the subsequent confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the SDS is one-dimensional (normed fit index = 0.990, non-normed fit index = 0.987, comparative fit index = 0.991, goodness-of-fit index = 0.993, standardized root mean-square residual = 0.037, root mean-square error of approximation = 0.053). The internal consistency of the scale was good (α = 0.83) and it was significantly associated with the physical and mental component of the SF-12. Concerning discriminative validity, patients with major depression or panic disorder scored higher on the SDS than patients with chronic medical conditions or with no chronic pathology. We also found that a cut-off point of 8 in the SDS adequately discriminated between patients with and without depression (area under the curve = 0.814, sensitivity = 81.60%, specificity = 70.60%). Conclusions The SDS seems a reliable, valid and useful clinical tool for measuring disability in Spanish PC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]