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Item does not contain fulltext Background: Somatoform disorders are characterized by multiple recurring symptoms that resemble physical illnesses but defy medical explanation. Psychological models suggest that catastrophizing misinterpretations of harmless physical symptoms play a key role. However, the question of whether such biases predict somatoform-related symptoms and the onset of somatoform disorders has not been adressed. Hence, the aim of the present study was to further advance our understanding of the role of catastrophizing misinterpretations in somatoform disorders. Methods: In the present study, we used data from the Dresden Predictor Study (N = 1538), in which an epidemiologic sample of young German women was tested at two time points approximately 17 months apart. Each participant completed a diagnostic interview, an interpretation questionnaire for somatoform and hypochondriacal symptoms, and three measures of such symptomatology: somatization subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Whiteley Index (WI), Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ). Results: At follow-up, 33 women were diagnosed with new onsets of lifetime somatoform disorder. Results showed that catastrophizing misinterpretations assessed at baseline were predictive of somatoform-related symptoms at follow-up, i.e., symptoms assessed with the WI and BSQ. Moreover, catastrophizing misinterpretations were predictive of new onsets of somatoform disorders, even after controlling for general threat-related misinterpretations and indices of somatoform symptoms (i.e., SCL-90-R and BSQ). Conclusions: This is the first prospective, longitudinal study to demonstrate that catastrophizing misinterpretations have incremental validity as predictors of future somatoform-related symptomatology and somatoform disorders. 7 p.

Due to a technical error, a 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-42; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) which is not identical to the DASS-21 validated by Henry and Crawford (2005) was used in our study [1]. Ten items of the DASS version that was used in our study [1] were identical to the items of the original DASS-21, the remaining eleven items were part of the DASS-42, but not of the DASS-21 by Crawford and Henry (2005) [2]. In order to put the results of our paper into perspective, we have conducted an additional study that aimed to investigate the comparability of our 21-item version with the original DASS-21 that has been validated by Henry and Crawford (2005) [2]. A total of 1,031 individuals (47.9 % male) participated in a web-based survey, which included the DASS-42. Mean age of the participants was 48 years (SD = 15.26). Comparisons between the original DASS-21 and the version that was used in our study revealed that both scales were highly similar. Correlations between the original DASS-21 subscales and the subscales of the version that was used in our study were very high (r = .97, p

Xiao C Zhang1*, Scott Pasichow1, Melissa Bowler2 and David Lindquist3 1Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Emergency Medicine Residency, Providence, RI, USA 2Providence Improv Guild, Providence, RI, USA 3Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Providence, RI,USA *Corresponding author: Xiao C Zhang, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Emergency Medicine Residency, Providence, RI, USA, Tel: +1401-863-1000; E-mail: xzhang09@gmail.com

Objectives The objective was to assess and categorize the understandable components of patient-audible information (e.g., provider conversations) in emergency department (ED) care areas and to initiate a baseline ED soundscape assessment. Methods Investigators at an academic referral hospital accessed 21 deidentified transcripts of recordings made with binaural in-ear microphones in patient rooms (n = 10) and spaces adjacent to nurses' stations (n = 11), during ED staff sign-outs as part of an approved quality management process. Transcribed materials were classified by speaker (health care provider, patient/family/friend, or unknown). Using qualitative analysis software and predefined thematic categories, two investigators then independently coded each transcript by word, phrase, clause, and/or sentence for general content, patient information, and HIPAA-defined patient identifiers. Scheduled reviews were used to resolve any data coding discrepancies. Results Patient room recordings featured a median of 11 (interquartile range [IQR] = 2 to 33) understandable words per minute (wpm) over 16.2 (IQR = 15.1 to 18.4) minutes; nurses' station recordings featured 74 (IQR = 47 to 109) understandable wpm over 17.0 (IQR = 15.4 to 20.3) minutes. Transcript content from patient room recordings was categorized as follows: clinical, 44.8% (IQR = 17.7% to 62.2%); nonclinical, 0.0% (IQR = 0.0% to 0.0%); inappropriate (provider), 0.0% (IQR = 0.0% to 0.0%); and unknown, 6.0% (IQR = 1.7% to 58.2%). Transcript content from nurses' stations was categorized as follows: clinical, 86.0% (IQR = 68.7% to 94.7%); nonclinical, 1.2% (IQR = 0.0% to 19.5%); inappropriate (provider), 0.1% (IQR = 0.0% to 2.3%); and unknown, 1.3% (IQR = 0.0% to 7.1%). Limited patient information was audible on patient room recordings. Audible patient information at nurses' stations was coded as follows (median words per sign-out sample): general patient history, 116 (IQR = 19 to 206); social history, 12 (IQR = 4 to 19); physical examination, 39 (IQR = 19 to 56); imaging results, 0 (IQR = 0 to 21); laboratory results, 7 (IQR = 0 to 22); other results, 0 (IQR = 0 to 3); medical decision-making, 39 (IQR = 10 to 69); management (general), 118 (IQR = 79 to 235); pain management, 4 (IQR = 0 to 53); and disposition, 42 (IQR = 22 to 60). Medians of 0 (IQR = 0 to 0) and 3 (IQR = 1 to 4) patient name identifiers were audible on in-room and nurses' station sign-out recordings, respectively. Conclusions Sound recordings in an ED setting captured audible and understandable provider discussions that included confidential, protected health information and discernible quantities of nonclinical content.

We present a consistent model supported by experimental data of damage of dielectric films by femtosecond to nanosecond pulses. Special emphasis is given to the role of defects and transient processes in the material. New imaging and diagnostic techniques are discussed to characterize the film performance.

Background The present study investigated associations between vegetarian diet and mental disorders. Methods Participants were drawn from the representative sample of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey and its Mental Health Supplement (GHS-MHS). Completely vegetarian (N = 54) and predominantly vegetarian (N = 190) participants were compared with non-vegetarian participants (N = 3872) and with a non-vegetarian socio-demographically matched subsample (N = 242). Results Vegetarians displayed elevated prevalence rates for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and somatoform disorders. Due to the matching procedure, the findings cannot be explained by socio-demographic characteristics of vegetarians (e.g. higher rates of females, predominant residency in urban areas, high proportion of singles). The analysis of the respective ages at adoption of a vegetarian diet and onset of a mental disorder showed that the adoption of the vegetarian diet tends to follow the onset of mental disorders. Conclusions Vegetarian diet is associated with an elevated risk of mental disorders. However, there was no evidence for a causal role of vegetarian diet in the etiology of mental disorders.