Evaluation of self-report questionnaires for assessing rheumatoid arthritis activity: A cross-sectional study of RAPID3 and RADAI5 and flare detection in 200 patients

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is commonly involved in various immune-mediated rheumatic disorders accounting for significant disability and impaired quality of life. The aim of our study was to assess inflammatory and immune parameters in patients with TMJ arthritis related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to identify potential relation with severity and dysfunction of TMJ pathology. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 433 consecutive RA, 32 JIA, 258 AS, and 103 PsA. Only patients presenting with clinically significant TMJ involvement (273) related to their rheumatic condition were included in the final analysis. TMJ involvement is traditionally described in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, particularly in patients with higher levels of inflammation as detected in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Disease activity and severity, as well as biological and positive serological assessments (rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, IL-1) remain significant determinants of the severity of TMJ arthritis.

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Prevalence of disabilities and non-communicable diseases in an elderly population in the Telangana state, India: a population-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041755

Author(s):

Srinivas Marmamula ◽

Satya Brahmanandam Modepalli ◽

Thirupathi Reddy Kumbham ◽

Rajesh Challa ◽

Jill E Keeffe

Keyword(s):

Elderly Population ◽

Self Care ◽

The Elderly ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Self Report ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of disabilities (vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care and communication) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the elderly population in two districts in Telangana, India.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study using a cluster random sampling method to select the study clusters.SettingElderly population in Khammam and Warangal districts were recruited. Detailed interviews were conducted by trained community health workers. Personal and demographic information such as age, gender, level of education and a self-report of NCDs was collected. The Washington Disability Questionnaire was administered to assess the presence of disabilities.Participants1821 participants aged ≥60 years, 54.5% were women, and 73.3% had no education.Primary outcome measurePrevalence of disabilities and NCDs.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of at least disability was 20.3% (95% CI 16.3 to 24.9). The prevalence of self- reported disabilities were: seeing (5.9%; 95% CI 4.4 to 7.8), mobility (12.8%; 95% CI 9.7 to 16.8), hearing (3.6%; 95% CI 2.7 to 4.8), cognition (4.8%; 95% CI 3.5 to 6.7), self-care (3.3%; 95% CI 2.3 to 4.7) and communication (1.8%; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6). Overall, the prevalence of at least one NCD was 34.2% (95% CI 30.9 to 37.7). Hypertension was the most common systemic condition (25.4%; 95% CI 22.4 to 28.7), followed by diabetes (9.0%; 95% CI 7.3 to 11.0), and body pains (muscle-skeletal) (9.9%; 95% CI 8.1 to 12.2).ConclusionEvery fifth elderly person in the districts of Khammam and Warangal in Telangana had at least one self-reported disability. Besides, a third of the elderly had at least one NCD. There is a definite need to develop comprehensive public health strategies to address disabilities and NCDs in Telangana.

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Mental health and its association with coping strategies and intolerance of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic among the general population in Saudi Arabia: cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03370-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ahmad N. AlHadi ◽

Mohammed A. Alarabi ◽

Khulood M. AlMansoor

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Symptoms

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s lives globally. The outbreak in Saudi Arabia worsened when the number of cases and deaths rose in March and April of 2020, leading to a national lockdown. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with mental health symptoms in a sample of people residing in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey distributed via social media, completed by 3032 respondents from all Saudi regions. We collected demographic data, illness history, and scores of validated self-report scales to assess mental health symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping strategies. Results In total, respondents indicated moderate to very severe symptoms during the pandemic as follows: 20.9% for depression, 17.5% for anxiety, and 12.6% for stress. Younger age, female gender, and history of mental illness were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Intolerance of uncertainty and certain coping strategies (such as denial or self-blame) were associated with more severe symptoms. Conclusions Mental health is a key concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for the identified vulnerable groups. Agencies concerned with mental health during crises may use the studied associated factors of mental health symptoms to generate targeted policies or interventions.

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AB0180 Relationship between area level socio-economic deprivation and autoantibody status in rheumatoid arthritis patients: Multicentre cross-sectional study

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.180 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 71 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. 647.17-647

Author(s):

S.L. Mackie ◽

J.C. Taylor ◽

S. Twigg ◽

S.G. Martin ◽

S. Steer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Economic Deprivation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Autoantibody Status

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Mental health of undocumented migrants and migrants undergoing regularization in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03149-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julien Fakhoury ◽

Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽

Liala Consoli ◽

Aline Duvoisin ◽

Delphine Courvoisier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Legal Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Undocumented Migrants ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Undocumented migrants live and work in precarious conditions. Few studies have explored the mental health consequences of such environment. The objective of this study is to describe the mental health of migrants at different stages of a regularization program. Methods This cross-sectional study included migrants undocumented or in the process of regularization. We screened for symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance using validated tools. We created a composite outcome of altered mental health including these components plus self-report of a recent diagnosis of mental health condition by a health professional. Results We enrolled 456 participants of whom 246 (53.9%) were undocumented. They were predominantly women (71.9%) with a median age of 43.3 (interquartile range: 15.5) years, from Latin America (63.6%) or Asia (20.2%) who had lived in Switzerland for 12 (IQR: 7) years. Overall, 57.2% presented symptoms of altered mental health. Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance were 36% (95% confidence interval: 31.6–40.6%), 45.4% (95% CI: 40.8–50.1%) and 23% (95% CI: 19.2–27.2), respectively. Younger age (adjusted odd ratio: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5–0.9 for each additional decade), social isolation (aOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4–4.2), exposure to abuse (aOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.5), financial instability (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4–3.7) and multi-morbidity (aOR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7–6.5) were associated with increased risk of having altered mental health while being in the early stages of the process of regularization had no effect (aOR: 1.3: 95% CI: 0.8–2.2). Conclusions This study highlights the need for multi-pronged social and health interventions addressing the various domains of undocumented migrants living difficulties as complement to legal status regularization policies. Protection against unfair working conditions and abuse, access to adequate housing, promoting social integration and preventive interventions to tackle the early occurrence of chronic diseases may all contribute to reduce the burden of altered mental health in this group. More research is needed to assess the long-term impact of legal status regularization on mental health.

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Preferences for life-sustaining treatment in Korean adults: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039470 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e039470

Author(s):

HyunChul Youn ◽

Suk-young Lee ◽

Han-yong Jung ◽

Shin-Gyeom Kim ◽

Seung‑Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Self Report ◽

Ventricular Assist Devices ◽

Optimal Time ◽

Left Ventricular Assist Devices ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ventricular Assist ◽

Life Sustaining Treatment

ObjectivesLife-sustaining treatment is any treatment that serves to prolong life without reversing the underlying medical conditions, and includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, haemodialysis and left ventricular assist devices. This study aimed to investigate the thoughts on life-sustaining treatment of Koreans and to assess the factors associated with deciding to not receive life-sustaining treatment if they develop a terminal disease.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingGuro-gu centre for dementia from 1 May 2018 to 31 December 2019.ParticipantsIn total, 150 individuals participated in this study.Outcome measuresThe questionnaire consisted of self-report items with some instructions, demographic characteristics, thoughts on life-sustaining treatment and psychosocial scales. The preferences of the participants were investigated on the assumption that they develop terminal cancer. The psychosocial scales included the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).ResultsWe classified our participants into two groups: individuals who wanted to receive life-sustaining treatment (IRLT) and individuals who wanted to not receive life-sustaining treatment (INLT). There were twice as many participants in the INLT group than there were in the IRLT. In making this decision, the INLT group focused more on physical and mental distress. Additionally, 32.7% of participants responded that terminal status was an optimal time for this decision, but more participants want to decide it earlier. The GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher in the INLT group than in the IRLT group. However, the INLT group had significantly lower MSPSS family scores.ConclusionOur findings can help assess issues regarding advance directives and life-sustaining treatment, and will be a reference for designing future studies on this issue.

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A Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate the Effects of Age and Duration of HIV Infection on Anxiety and Depression in Cisgender Men

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-021-03373-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sara Gianella ◽

Rowan Saloner ◽

Genevieve Curtin ◽

Susan J. Little ◽

Anne Heaton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Small Sample ◽

Self Report ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Results

AbstractThis observational cross-sectional study of 152 people with HIV (PWH) examined the effects of age and estimated duration of HIV infection (EDI) on depressive and anxiety symptoms. All participants were cisgender men and completed the Profile of Moods State (POMS), a self-report inventory of current (i.e., past week) mood states. Overall, study results confirmed higher levels of anxiety and depression in PWH compared to individuals without HIV. Age group (< 50 or ≥ 50 years) moderated the effect of EDI (< 3 or ≥ 3 years) on mood disturbance. Specifically, younger PWH with early diagnosed infection exhibited the highest levels of depression and anxiety, whereas depression and anxiety were attenuated in older PWH with early infection such that their POMS scores did not significantly differ from the HIV-negative and chronically HIV-infected groups. Despite the small sample size and other important limitations in our study design, our preliminary findings confirm previous observations that older people may have some adaptive ability to better handle the acute psychological stressors associated with recent HIV infection.

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