Study One: Sample Characteristics

Abstract. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for most mental disorders, including anxiety disorders. Successful psychotherapy implies new learning experiences and therefore neural alterations. With the increasing availability of functional neuroimaging methods, it has become possible to investigate psychotherapeutically induced neuronal plasticity across the whole brain in controlled studies. However, the detectable effects strongly depend on neuroscientific methods, experimental paradigms, analytical strategies, and sample characteristics. This article summarizes the state of the art, discusses current theoretical and methodological issues, and suggests future directions of the research on the neurobiology of psychotherapy in anxiety disorders.

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Sample Characteristics Influence the Structure of PTSD Symptoms

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e517292011-756 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Scott McDonald ◽

Patrick Calhoun

Keyword(s):

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Sample Characteristics

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Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children: agreement between Rome III and Rome IV diagnoses

European Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s00431-021-04013-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Desiree F. Baaleman ◽

Carlos A. Velasco-Benítez ◽

Laura M. Méndez-Guzmán ◽

Marc A. Benninga ◽

Miguel Saps

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Criteria ◽

Functional Dyspepsia ◽

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽

Functional Constipation ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽

Rome Iii ◽

Sample Characteristics ◽

Irritable Bowel ◽

Rome Iv

AbstractTo evaluate the agreement between the Rome III and Rome IV criteria in diagnosing pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), we conducted a prospective cohort study in a public school in Cali, Colombia. Children and adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age were given the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Rome III version on day 0 and Rome IV version on day 2 (48 h later). The study protocol was completed by 135 children. Thirty-nine (28.9%) children were excluded because of not following the instructions of the questionnaire. The final analysis included data of 96 children (mean 15.2 years old, SD ± 1.7, 54% girls). Less children fulfilled the criteria for an FGID according to Rome IV compared to Rome III (40.6% vs 29.2%, p=0.063) resulting in a minimal agreement between the two criteria in diagnosing an FGID (kappa 0.34, agreement of 70%). The prevalence of functional constipation according to Rome IV was significantly lower compared to Rome III (13.5% vs 31.3%, p<0.001), whereas functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence according to Rome IV than Rome III (11.5% vs 0%).Conclusion: We found an overall minimal agreement in diagnosing FGIDs according to Rome III and Rome IV criteria. This may be partly explained by the differences in diagnostic criteria. However, limitations with the use of questionnaires to measure prevalence have to be taken into account. What is Known:• The Rome IV criteria replaced the previous Rome III criteria providing updated criteria to diagnose functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).• Differences found between Rome IV and historic Rome III FGID prevalence may have been affected by changes in prevalence over time or differences in sample characteristics. What is New:• We found a minimal agreement between Rome III and Rome IV FGID diagnosis, especially in the diagnoses of functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia.• The minimal agreement may be partly explained by changes in diagnostic criteria, but limitations with the use of questionnaires to measure prevalence have to be taken into account.

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Delayed rabies post-exposure prophylaxis treatment among Dutch travelers during their stay abroad: a comprehensive analysis

Journal of Travel Medicine ◽

10.1093/jtm/taaa240 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Loes Verdoes ◽

Floriana S Luppino ◽

Jacco Wallinga ◽

Leo G Visser

Keyword(s):

Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Travel Destination ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Post Exposure ◽

Associated Injury ◽

Immune Globulins ◽

Study Population ◽

Sample Characteristics ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Main Factor

Abstract Background After an animal-associated injury (AAI) in rabies-endemic regions, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed to prevent infection.1,3 PEP consist of rabies vaccinations (RV) and in some cases also additional rabies immune globulins (RIG). Not always PEP medication, and RIG in particular, is accessible. Along with an increased number of exposure notifications among Dutch travelers, this might lead to treatment delay, and thus to increased health risks. Until now, research mainly focused on factors associated with exposition, but none on which factors are associated with PEP delay. This study aimed to identify which general sample characteristics are associated with PEP delay while being abroad. Methods A quantitative retrospective observational study was conducted. The study population consisted of insured Dutch international travelers who actively contacted their medical assistance company (2015-2019) because of an animal-associated injury (AAI) (N = 691). The association between general sample characteristics and delay of different PEP treatments was studied using survival analysis. Results Travelers without PrEP had an increased hazard, and therefore a shorter delay, for receiving their first RV as compared to travelers with PrEP (HR:1.11, 95%CI:1.01-1.22). The travelers needing both RV and RIG had a decreased hazard, and therefore a longer delay, as compared to travelers only needing RV (HR:0.81, 95%CI:0.67-0.96). General sample characteristic associated with RIG administration delay was travel destination. Travelers to Central and South America, East Mediterranean and Europe had a decreased hazard, and therefore a longer delay, for receiving RIG treatments relative to travelers to South East Asia (HR:0.31, 95%CI:0.13-0.70; HR:0.34, 95%CI:0.19-0.61; HR:0.46, 95%CI:0.24-0.89; HR:0.48, 95%CI:0.12-0.81 respectively). Conclusions Our results suggest that the advice for PrEP should be given based travel destination, as these was found to be the main factor for PEP delay, among travelers going to rabies endemic countries.

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