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East Asian Archives of Psychiatry :... Jun 2024There is evidence suggesting that autistic traits are associated with schizotypal traits. This study examined the factor structure of the Autism Spectrum Quotient 10...
BACKGROUND
There is evidence suggesting that autistic traits are associated with schizotypal traits. This study examined the factor structure of the Autism Spectrum Quotient 10 (AQ-10) and its associations with schizotypal traits (measured by the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief [SPQ-B]) in a cohort of Chinese adolescents and young adults.
METHODS
Invitation letters, stratified by locations and housing types, were randomly sent to individuals aged 15 to 24 years for participation. Assessments were made using face-to-face or online interviews. Autistic traits were assessed using the Chinese version of the AQ-10. Schizotypal personality traits were assessed using the Chinese version of the 22-item SPQ-B.
RESULTS
In total, 395 male and 536 female participants (mean age, 19.93 years) were recruited between July 2020 and May 2021. Exploratory factor analysis of the AQ-10 yielded three factors (theory of mind, task switching, and attention deficits) explaining 55.11% of the total variance. Autistic traits were positively correlated with schizotypal traits of disorganised features ( = 0.21, p < 0.001), interpersonal relationship deficits ( = 0.19, p < 0.001), and cognitive-perceptual deficits ( = 0.11, p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
In Chinese adolescents and young adults, autistic traits, especially task switching and attention deficits (compared with theory of mind) are more closely correlated with schizotypal personality traits. Disentangling the overlapping and diametrical structure of autistic traits and schizotypal traits may help understand their aetiologies, assessment, and interventions.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Schizotypal Personality Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Hong Kong; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult; Theory of Mind; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
PubMed: 38955787
DOI: 10.12809/eaap2409 -
East Asian Archives of Psychiatry :... Dec 2023Suicidal behaviour can be influenced by attitudes towards suicide and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the associations between psychological...
BACKGROUND
Suicidal behaviour can be influenced by attitudes towards suicide and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the associations between psychological distress, attitudes towards suicide, and suicidal behaviour and to determine the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among students of a public university in East Malaysia.
METHODS
A total of 521 students from a public university in East Malaysia were asked to complete the Malay versions of the Suicidal Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), the Attitudes Towards Suicide Scale, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.
RESULTS
197 women and 290 men (mean age, 19.13 years) completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 93.4%. The prevalence of high-risk suicidal behaviour (SBQ-R score ≥7) was 23.8%. Suicidal behaviour was positively associated with psychological distress and favourable attitudes towards suicide, and negatively associated with unfavourable attitudes towards suicide. Predictors for suicidal behaviour were psychological distress and favourable attitudes towards suicide ('the ability to understand and accept suicide').
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of suicidal behaviour is high among students in a public university in East Malaysia. Services and education for mental health awareness and screening for early detection and intervention of psychological distress should be provided to university students. Implementation of suicide awareness policies and suicide prevention training is crucial.
Topics: Humans; Malaysia; Female; Male; Students; Young Adult; Universities; Psychological Distress; Prevalence; Adult; Suicidal Ideation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Suicide; Adolescent; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 38955783
DOI: 10.12809/eaap2342 -
East Asian Archives of Psychiatry :... Mar 2024During the COVID-19 pandemic, social-distancing and confinement measures were implemented. These may affect the mental health of patients with mental disorders such as... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social-distancing and confinement measures were implemented. These may affect the mental health of patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia. This study examined the clinical course of patients with schizophrenia at a public hospital in Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
This longitudinal observational study was conducted across three periods in 15 months: 1 April 2020 (start of strict home confinement) to 30 June 2020 (T1), 1 July 2020 to 31 January 2021 (corresponding to the Delta wave) [T2], and 1 February 2021 to 30 June 2021 (corresponding to the Omicron wave) [T3]. Patients aged 18 to 65 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (based on DSM 5) made before the pandemic who presented to the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat were invited to participate. Psychotic symptomatology was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Severity and improvement of mental disorder were evaluated using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-Severity and -Improvement subscales. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Calgary Depression Scale (CDS). Adherence to treatments was assessed using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). All assessments were made by psychiatrists or residents face-to-face (for T1) or via telephone (for T2 and T3).
RESULTS
Of 146 patients recruited, 83 men and 19 women (mean age, 39 years) completed all three assessments. The CGI-Severity score was higher at T2 than T1 and T3 (3.24 vs 3.04 vs 3.08, p = 0.041), and the MARS score was higher at T1 and T2 than T3 (6.80 vs 6.83 vs 6.35, p = 0.033). Patient age was negatively correlated with CDS scores for depressive symptoms at T1 (Spearman's = -0.239, p = 0.016) and at T2 (Spearman's = -0.231, p = 0.019). The MARS score for adherence was higher in female than male patients at T1 (p = 0.809), T2 (p = 0.353), and T3 (p = 0.004). Daily tobacco consumption was associated with the PANSS total score at T3 (p = 0.005), the CGI-Severity score at T3 (p = 0.021), and the MARS score at T3 (p = 0.002). Patients with a history of attempted suicide had higher CDS scores than those without such a history at T1 (p = 0.015) and T3 (p = 0.018) but not at T2 (p = 0.346).
CONCLUSION
Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic had limited negative impact on the mental health of patients with schizophrenia in Morocco.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Morocco; Male; Female; Adult; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Schizophrenia; Young Adult; Adolescent; Psychotic Disorders; Antipsychotic Agents; Aged; Medication Adherence; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Depression; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38955777
DOI: 10.12809/eaap2255 -
RMD Open Jul 2024To identify multimorbidity trajectories over 20 years among incident osteoarthritis (OA) individuals and OA-free matched references.
OBJECTIVES
To identify multimorbidity trajectories over 20 years among incident osteoarthritis (OA) individuals and OA-free matched references.
METHODS
Cohort study using prospectively collected healthcare data from the Skåne region, Sweden (~1.4 million residents). We extracted diagnoses for OA and 67 common chronic conditions. We included individuals aged 40+ years on 31 December 2007, with incident OA between 2008 and 2009. We selected references without OA, matched on birth year, sex, and year of death or moving outside the region. We employed group-based trajectory modelling to capture morbidity count trajectories from 1998 to 2019. Individuals without any comorbidity were included as a reference group but were not included in the model.
RESULTS
We identified 9846 OA cases (mean age: 65.9 (SD 11.7), female: 58%) and 9846 matched references. Among both cases and references, 1296 individuals did not develop chronic conditions (no-chronic-condition class). We identified four classes. At the study outset, all classes exhibited a low average number of chronic conditions (≤1). Class 1 had the slowest progression towards multimorbidity, which increased progressively in each class. Class 1 had the lowest count of chronic conditions at the end of the follow-up (mean: 2.9 (SD 1.7)), while class 4 had the highest (9.6 (2.6)). The presence of OA was associated with a 1.29 (1.12, 1.48) adjusted relative risk of belonging to class 1 up to 2.45 (2.12, 2.83) for class 4.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that individuals with OA face an almost threefold higher risk of developing severe multimorbidity.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Osteoarthritis; Aged; Sweden; Middle Aged; Multimorbidity; Adult; Morbidity; Incidence; Chronic Disease; Prospective Studies; Comorbidity
PubMed: 38955511
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004164 -
Saudi Medical Journal Jul 2024To determine the effect of elevated supine position with back support on back pain, anxiety and comfort in patients undergoing coronary angiography. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect on back pain, anxiety, and comfort levels of an elevated supine position and back support applied to patients undergoing coronary angiography: A randomized controlled experimental study.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effect of elevated supine position with back support on back pain, anxiety and comfort in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
METHODS
This randomized-controlled, experimental study was conducted in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit between September 2021 and January 2022, with an intervention group of 51 patients and a control group of 53 patients. Data were collected using a patient information form, a visual analog scale, the anxiety state inventory and the immobilization comfort questionnaire. Following angiography, the intervention group received pillow support to the back and the bedhead was elevated to 30 degrees. Routine nursing care was applied to the control group. In both groups, the severity of back pain was measured at 0, 2, and 4 hours, and anxiety and comfort at 0 and 4 hours.
RESULTS
The pain severity at 2 and 4 hours after the procedure was determined to be significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (<0.001, <0.001). At 4 hours, the anxiety levels were similar in both groups (<0.05), and the comfort level was higher in the intervention group (<0.001). The mean pain value was 6.003 points lower and the comfort level was 20.499 points higher in the intervention group than in the control group.
CONCLUSION
The elevated supine position with back support was seen to reduce back pain, increase comfort, and did not change anxiety levels..
Topics: Humans; Anxiety; Coronary Angiography; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Supine Position; Back Pain; Patient Comfort; Aged; Pain Measurement; Patient Positioning; Adult
PubMed: 38955437
DOI: 10.15537/smj.2024.45.7.20240201 -
JMIR Dermatology Jul 2024Dermatology is an ideal specialty for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven image recognition to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care. Lack of dermatologists in... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Dermatology is an ideal specialty for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven image recognition to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care. Lack of dermatologists in many parts of the world and the high frequency of cutaneous disorders and malignancies highlight the increasing need for AI-aided diagnosis. Although AI-based applications for the identification of dermatological conditions are widely available, research assessing their reliability and accuracy is lacking.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the Aysa AI app as a preliminary diagnostic tool for various dermatological conditions in a semiurban town in India.
METHODS
This observational cross-sectional study included patients over the age of 2 years who visited the dermatology clinic. Images of lesions from individuals with various skin disorders were uploaded to the app after obtaining informed consent. The app was used to make a patient profile, identify lesion morphology, plot the location on a human model, and answer questions regarding duration and symptoms. The app presented eight differential diagnoses, which were compared with the clinical diagnosis. The model's performance was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F-score. Comparison of categorical variables was performed with the χ test and statistical significance was considered at P<.05.
RESULTS
A total of 700 patients were part of the study. A wide variety of skin conditions were grouped into 12 categories. The AI model had a mean top-1 sensitivity of 71% (95% CI 61.5%-74.3%), top-3 sensitivity of 86.1% (95% CI 83.4%-88.6%), and all-8 sensitivity of 95.1% (95% CI 93.3%-96.6%). The top-1 sensitivities for diagnosis of skin infestations, disorders of keratinization, other inflammatory conditions, and bacterial infections were 85.7%, 85.7%, 82.7%, and 81.8%, respectively. In the case of photodermatoses and malignant tumors, the top-1 sensitivities were 33.3% and 10%, respectively. Each category had a strong correlation between the clinical diagnosis and the probable diagnoses (P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The Aysa app showed promising results in identifying most dermatoses.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Artificial Intelligence; Skin Diseases; Male; Female; Mobile Applications; Adult; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity; Reproducibility of Results; India; Adolescent; Dermatology; Aged; Young Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Child
PubMed: 38954807
DOI: 10.2196/48811 -
JMIR Formative Research Jul 2024Emerging evidence indicates that individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more prone to mental health issues than the general population; however, there is a...
BACKGROUND
Emerging evidence indicates that individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more prone to mental health issues than the general population; however, there is a significant lack of data concerning the mental health burden in Chinese Americans with T2D.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the comorbid mental health status, health-seeking behaviors, and mental service utilization among Chinese Americans with T2D.
METHODS
A cross-sectional telephone survey was performed among 74 Chinese Americans with T2D in New York City. We used standardized questionnaires to assess mental health status and to gather data on mental health-seeking behaviors and service utilization. Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 74 Chinese Americans with T2D completed the survey. Most participants (mean age 56, SD 10 years) identified as female (42/74, 57%), were born outside the United States (73/74, 99%), and had limited English proficiency (71/74, 96%). Despite nearly half of the participants (34/74, 46%) reporting at least one mental health concern (elevated stress, depressive symptoms, and/or anxiety), only 3% (2/74) were currently using mental health services. Common reasons for not seeking care included no perceived need, lack of information about Chinese-speaking providers, cost, and time constraints. The cultural and language competence of the provider was ranked as the top factor related to seeking mental health care.
CONCLUSIONS
Chinese Americans with T2D experience relatively high comorbid mental health concerns yet have low service utilization. Clinicians may consider team-based care to incorporate mental health screening and identify strategies to provide culturally and linguistically concordant mental health services to engage Chinese Americans with T2D.
PubMed: 38954806
DOI: 10.2196/59121 -
Journal, Physical Therapy Education Jun 2024The 2 aims of this observational study are (a) to describe the implementation and feasibility of a bed mobility skills simulation-based mastery learning (SBML)...
INTRODUCTION
The 2 aims of this observational study are (a) to describe the implementation and feasibility of a bed mobility skills simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curricular module for physical therapist students and (b) to measure learning outcomes and student perceptions of this module.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Simulation-based mastery learning is an outcome-based educational approach that has been successful in other health professions but has not been explored in physical therapy education.
SUBJECTS
Eighty-seven students in a single cohort of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
METHODS
The SBML module in this pretest-posttest study included a pretest, instruction, initial posttest, and additional rounds of instruction and assessment as needed for all learners to achieve the minimum passing standard (MPS) set using the Mastery Angoff and Patient Safety methods. Outcome measures were bed mobility assessment pass rates and scores, additional student and faculty time compared with a traditional approach, and student perceptions of their self-confidence and the module.
RESULTS
All students achieved the MPS after 3 rounds of training and assessment beyond the initial posttest. Mean Total Scores improved from 67.6% (12.9%) at pretest to 91.4% (4.8%) at mastery posttest (P < .001, Cohen's d = 1.8, 95% CI [1.4-2.1]); mean Safety Scores improved from 75.2% (16.0%) at pretest to 100.0% (0.0%) at mastery posttest (P < .001, Cohen's d = 1.5, 95% CI [1.2-1.9]). Students who did not achieve the MPS at the initial posttest (n = 30) required a mean of 1.2 hours for additional instruction and assessment. Survey results revealed an increase in student confidence (P < .001) and positive student perceptions of the module.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Implementation of this SBML module was feasible and resulted in uniformly high levels of bed mobility skill acquisition. Based on rigorous learning outcomes, feasible requirements for implementation, and increased student confidence, SBML offers a promising approach for wider implementation in physical therapy education.
PubMed: 38954765
DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000358 -
PloS One 2024Sleep is critical to a person's physical and mental health and there is a need to create high performing machine learning models and critically understand how models... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
IMPORTANCE
Sleep is critical to a person's physical and mental health and there is a need to create high performing machine learning models and critically understand how models rank covariates.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to compare how different model metrics rank the importance of various covariates.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted retrospectively using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which is publicly available.
METHODS
This study employed univariate logistic models to filter out strong, independent covariates associated with sleep disorder outcome, which were then used in machine-learning models, of which, the most optimal was chosen. The machine-learning model was used to rank model covariates based on gain, cover, and frequency to identify risk factors for sleep disorder and feature importance was evaluated using both univariable and multivariable t-statistics. A correlation matrix was created to determine the similarity of the importance of variables ranked by different model metrics.
RESULTS
The XGBoost model had the highest mean AUROC of 0.865 (SD = 0.010) with Accuracy of 0.762 (SD = 0.019), F1 of 0.875 (SD = 0.766), Sensitivity of 0.768 (SD = 0.023), Specificity of 0.782 (SD = 0.025), Positive Predictive Value of 0.806 (SD = 0.025), and Negative Predictive Value of 0.737 (SD = 0.034). The model metrics from the machine learning of gain and cover were strongly positively correlated with one another (r > 0.70). Model metrics from the multivariable model and univariable model were weakly negatively correlated with machine learning model metrics (R between -0.3 and 0).
CONCLUSION
The ranking of important variables associated with sleep disorder in this cohort from the machine learning models were not related to those from regression models.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Male; Female; Machine Learning; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Nutrition Surveys; Logistic Models; Aged; Models, Statistical
PubMed: 38954735
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306359 -
PloS One 2024Previous evidence suggests an individual variation in the preferred oral processing behavior. Individuals can be classified as firm processing(FPL) or soft processing...
INTRODUCTION
Previous evidence suggests an individual variation in the preferred oral processing behavior. Individuals can be classified as firm processing(FPL) or soft processing likers(SPL). FPL(crunchers and chewers) prefer using their teeth while SPL(smooshers and suckers) prefer using the tongue and the palate when processing different food items. Variation in the preferred oral processing behavior has been associated with differences in food texture preference and eating time. Time is one of the factors directly related to the development of dental caries(tooth decay). Oral retention and eating times are associated with greater caries experience. This study aims to explore if a relationship exists between the preferred oral processing behavior and the individual's caries experience.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional, dental center-based study conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Five hundred participants consented to fill out the preferred oral processing behavior(POPB) questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (including weight, height, and waist circumference) were recorded. A single trained and calibrated dentist registered each participant's caries experience and plaque levels using the DMFS index and plaque index of Silness and Loe.
RESULTS
A total of 351(70.2%) and 149(29.8%) participants were typed as FPL and SPL, respectively. SPL demonstrated higher levels of dental caries experience compared to FPL. The mean DMFS score for SPL was 28.8(±25.43) while for FPL was 18.71(± 18.34). This difference remained significant after adjustment for confounders(P<0.001). SPL exhibited a significantly higher mean score for the "M" component(P <0.001) while no significant difference in the mean score of the "D"(P = 0.076) and "F"(P = 0.272) components was observed when compared to FPL.
CONCLUSION
The current findings provide new insight into a possible relationship between the preferred oral processing behavior and an individual's caries experience. A relationship in which the preferred oral processing behavior can potentially affect and/or be affected by the dental caries experience.
Topics: Humans; Dental Caries; Male; Female; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Feeding Behavior; Food Preferences; Jordan
PubMed: 38954716
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306143