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Background: Whole blood donors may experience post‐donation symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or headache after blood donation, which could influence donor retention. We aimed to examine post‐donation symptoms during 1 week after whole blood donation, investigate donor characteristics associated with symptoms, and evaluate associations between symptoms and donor return. Methods: During 1 week, whole blood donors who donated successfully at one of the collection centers in The Netherlands were invited to participate. Three thousand seventy six donors filled in a diary, assessing post‐donation symptoms during days 1 to 6 after donation. We used linear mixed models analyses to determine the change in post‐donation symptoms after donation for male and female donors separately. Furthermore, we investigated associations between post‐donation symptoms and donors' physical characteristics using multivariable regression and determined associations between symptoms and donor return. Results: Donors reported fatigue as the most common symptom, with approximately 3% of donors experiencing severe problems at the first day after donation. Multiple symptoms improved significantly up to day 3 after whole blood donation. Age, BMI, blood pressure (male donors), and blood volume (female donors) were significantly associated with post‐donation symptoms. Donors with less fatigue after whole blood donation were more likely to return for their next donation within 31 days after receiving an invitation. Conclusion: Post‐symptoms improve up to 3 days after whole blood donation. Our results may help blood collection centers to identify donors more prone to post‐donation symptoms and provide personalized information about the presence and course of post‐donation symptoms, possibly increasing donor return rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive decline is a major reason for dependence and resource use in long-term care. Objective: We explored whether social activities may prevent cognitive decline of older residents of long-term care facilities. Methods: In a routine care cohort, 3,603 residents of long-term care facilities were assessed on average 4.4 times using the interRAI-Long-Term-Care-Facilities instrument which includes frequency of participation in social activities of long standing interest over the last 30 days and the Cognitive Performance Scale. Linear mixed models repeated measures analyses were performed corrected for age, sex, physical activity, Activities of Daily Living, mood, and health indicators. Results: Social activity was associated with cognitive preservation over time. This association was stronger in those with no or mild cognitive impairment at baseline, relative to those with moderate to severe impairment. Participation in specific social activities such as conversing and helping others showed a similar positive association. The relation between social activity and cognitive impairment appeared to be bi-directional. Conclusions: The protective effects of social activity offer a window of opportunity to preserve cognitive functioning in long-term care residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of first-trimester Down syndrome (DS) screening with serum sampling at different weeks of gestation. Material and Methods: We studied 35,431 singleton pregnancies (2005-2011), including 145 DS cases. Screening performance was determined in different maternal age groups with serum sampling between weeks 9 + 0 and 13 + 6. Results: No significant differences were found between the detection rates at different gestational weeks. The false-positive rate (FPR) in week 9 (6%) was comparable to the FPR in week 10 (6.5%; p = 0.214), whereas itwas significantly lower compared to weeks 11 (7.2%; p = 0.007), 12 (7.4%; p = 0.003) and 13 (8.5%; p < 0.001). The odds of receiving a false-positive result was significantly increased with serum sampling in week 11 (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08-1.63; p = 0.008) for women ≥36 years and from week 12 onwards (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.61; p = 0.04) for women <36 years. There were no differences in mean log10 multiple of the median values of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, free β-human chorionic gonadotrophin or nuchal translucency between both age groups, nor in mean maternal age between the different gestational weeks in either age group. Discussion: Early serum sampling (<11 weeks) resulted in higher screening performance. The impact of the increase in the FPR was highest in women ≥36 years. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Souvenaid aims to improve synapse formation and function. An earlier study in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) showed that Souvenaid increased memory performance after 12 weeks in drug-naïve patients with mild AD. The Souvenir II study was a 24-week, randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, multi-country trial to confirm and extend previous findings in drug-naïve patients with mild AD. Patients were randomized 1 : 1 to receive Souvenaid or an iso-caloric control product once daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the memory function domain Z-score of the Neuropsychological Test Battery (NTB) over 24 weeks. Electroencephalography (EEG) measures served as secondary outcomes as marker for synaptic connectivity. Assessments were done at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. The NTB memory domain Z-score was significantly increased in the active versus the control group over the 24-week intervention period (p = 0.023; Cohen's d = 0.21; 95% confidence interval [-0.06]-[0.49]). A trend for an effect was observed on the NTB total composite z-score (p = 0.053). EEG measures of functional connectivity in the delta band were significantly different between study groups during 24 weeks in favor of the active group. Compliance was very high (96.6% [control] and 97.1% [active]). No difference between study groups in the occurrence of (serious) adverse events. This study demonstrates that Souvenaid is well tolerated and improves memory performance in drug-naïve patients with mild AD. EEG outcomes suggest that Souvenaid has an effect on brain functional connectivity, supporting the underlying hypothesis of changed synaptic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the perceived seriousness and risk of type 2 diabetes among low risk with high risk profile non-diabetic subjects and examine the relationship of perceived risk with multiple self-reported risk indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study among 4435 low risk profile and 2607 high risk profile non-diabetic residents of the Hoorn region, participating in a stepwise type 2 diabetes screening study. Main outcome measures were perceived seriousness and risk of diabetes in subjects categorized (low vs. high risk profile) using the Symptom Risk Questionnaire. Results: 85.0% of the low risk and 81.2% of the high risk profile subjects perceived diabetes as a moderate to very serious disease. About half (43.0%) of all 7042 subjects reported that they do not know their risk of having diabetes. The mean perceived risk of having diabetes was slightly lower for the low risk compared with the high risk profile subjects (difference=2.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.8% to 3.8%; P <0.001). This difference was mostly explained by having a parent or sibling with diabetes, frequent thirst and claudication (difference=0.6%; 95% CI=−0.7% to 1.9%). Interestingly, perceived risk decreased with increasing age within both groups (P for trend<0.001). Conclusions: Both low risk and high risk profile subjects perceive diabetes as a serious disease. Even among those at high risk profile for type 2 diabetes, almost half appeared not to know their risk. Perceived risk of having diabetes was slightly lower for the low risk compared with the high risk profile subjects. Furthermore, perceived risk decreases with increasing age. Practice implications: This study points to a greater need to effectively address people's (mis)perceptions, and how to raise the awareness and understanding of type 2 diabetes and its risk factors in the general population in order to influence early detection and healthy lifestyle changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: This study investigates how voluntary changes in tobacco consumption are related to changes in biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 21- to 36-year-old men and women. Study Design and Setting: Data of the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS) were used to study the association between voluntary changes in tobacco consumption and changes in biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) during 4–6 years of follow-up in 165 men and 195 women aged 21–36 years. We used multiple linear regression analyses with corrections for age and changes in other lifestyles. Results: In both sexes, we found trends for a reduction in blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), body weight, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and a rise in the ratio between total serum cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C (TC/HDL-C) with increasing tobacco consumption. Opposite trends were found with reducing tobacco consumption. In women, body weight, WHR, and waist circumference reduced significantly and independently with increasing tobacco consumption and increased significantly with decreasing tobacco consumption. Conclusion: These results suggest that voluntary changes in tobacco consumption go together with both healthy and unhealthy changes in biological risk factors for CVD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Investigating the relationship between birth weight and the metabolic syndrome and the modifying effects of lifestyle in adults (36.5 years). Study Design and Setting: 273 subjects completed a birth-weight questionnaire; waist circumference, HDL and triglyceride concentrations, blood pressure and HbA1c, physical activity and fitness, smoking status and dietary intake were measured. Risks for the metabolic syndrome and for having at least two of the components of the metabolic syndrome were calculated and the modifying effect of lifestyle factors was assessed by comparing four groups based on birth weight and a lifestyle factor. Results: Birth weight was not associated with the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio OR = 0.67, 95% confidence interval CI = 0.25–1.79). Birth weight lower than the median increased the risk for having at least two components (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.15–4.50). Subjects who smoked and had a birth weight lower than the median had a 6.9 times increased risk. Modification by lifestyle measured at age 36 was not observed, although effect modification using lifestyle data from 32 years was found. Conclusions: Lower birth weight increased the risk for having at least two components of the metabolic syndrome. Smoking, being less physical active or fit, have an unfavorable diet at age 32 adds to this risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used to study the relationship between neuroticism and aging. At baseline, cross-sectional analyses of data from 2,117 respondents (aged 55-85 years, M = 70) showed no significant age differences. The magnitude of the 3- and 6-year stability coefficients was high, and 12% of the elderly participants showed a clinically relevant mean level change. Longitudinal multilevel analyses showed a small but statistical significant change with aging, but the mean change was not considered clinically relevant. A U-formed course was found, showing a slight decrease until respondents reached the age of 70. Adjusting the model for physical health-related variables slightly increased the stability. An additional interaction analysis showed that the individual trajectory of neuroticism was not affected by the physical health status. In conclusion, neuroticism remains rather stable in middle and older adulthood, with some apparent increase in late life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationship between personality characteristics and alcohol consumption in young and generally healthy men and women in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Pearson correlation coefficients between Dutch personality inventory (DPI) subscales; Odds ratios, regression coefficients and 95% confidence intervals of longitudinal relations between DPI subscales.

Differences in organization of the primary motor cortex and altered trunk motor control (sensing, processing and motor output) have been reported in people with low back pain (LBP). Little is known to what extent these differences are related. We investigated differences in 1) organization of the primary motor cortex and 2) motor and sensory tests between people with and without LBP, and 3) investigated associations between the organization of the primary motor cortex and motor and sensory tests. We conducted a case-control study in people with (N=25) and without (N=25) LBP. The organization of the primary motor cortex (Center of Gravity (CoG) and Area of the cortical representation of trunk muscles) was assessed using neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation, based on individual MRIs. Sensory tests (quantitative sensory testing, graphaesthesia, two-point discrimination threshold) and a motor test (spiral-tracking test) were assessed. Participants with LBP had a more lateral and lower location of the CoG and a higher temporal summation of pain. For all participants combined, better vibration test scores were associated with a more anterior, lateral, and lower CoG and a better two-point discrimination threshold was associated with a lower CoG. A small subset of variables showed significance. Although this aligns with the concept of altered organization of the primary motor cortex in LBP, there is no strong evidence of the association between altered organization of the primary motor cortex and motor and sensory test performance in LBP. Focusing on subgroup analyses regarding pain duration can be a topic for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease (AD) co-pathology may contribute to disease progression and severity in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This study aims to clarify whether a different pattern of neuroinflammation, such as alteration in microglial and astroglial morphology and distribution, is present in DLB cases with and without AD co-pathology. Methods: The morphology and load (% area of immunopositivity) of total (Iba1) and reactive microglia (CD68 and HLA-DR), reactive astrocytes (GFAP) and proteinopathies of alpha-synuclein (KM51/pser129), amyloid-beta (6 F/3D) and p-tau (AT8) were assessed in a cohort of mixed DLB + AD (n = 35), pure DLB (n = 15), pure AD (n = 16) and control (n = 11) donors in limbic and neocortical brain regions using immunostaining, quantitative image analysis and confocal microscopy. Regional and group differences were estimated using a linear mixed model analysis. Results: Morphologically, reactive and amoeboid microglia were common in mixed DLB + AD, while homeostatic microglia with a small soma and thin processes were observed in pure DLB cases. A higher density of swollen astrocytes was observed in pure AD cases, but not in mixed DLB + AD or pure DLB cases. Mixed DLB + AD had higher CD68-loads in the amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus than pure DLB cases, but did not differ in astrocytic loads. Pure AD showed higher Iba1-loads in the CA1 and CA2, higher CD68-loads in the CA2 and subiculum, and a higher astrocytic load in the CA1-4 and subiculum than mixed DLB + AD cases. In mixed DLB + AD cases, microglial load associated strongly with amyloid-beta (Iba1, CD68 and HLA-DR), and p-tau (CD68 and HLA-DR), and minimally with alpha-synuclein load (CD68). In addition, the highest microglial activity was found in the amygdala and CA2, and astroglial load in the CA4. Confocal microscopy demonstrated co-localization of large amoeboid microglia with neuritic and classic-cored plaques of amyloid-beta and p-tau in mixed DLB + AD cases. Conclusions: In conclusion, microglial activation in DLB was largely associated with AD co-pathology, while astrocytic response in DLB was not. In addition, microglial activity was high in limbic regions, with prevalent AD pathology. Our study provides novel insights into the molecular neuropathology of DLB, highlighting the importance of microglial activation in mixed DLB + AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social jetlag is a discordance between the social and biological rhythm and is associated with higher HbA1c, higher BMI, and higher odds of obesity. The pathways that could explain these associations are still debated. This study aims to assess the mediating role of several lifestyle factors in the cross-sectional association between social jetlag and BMI. We used cross-sectional data from 1784 adults from urban areas in the Netherlands, collected in 2019. Social jetlag (difference in midpoint of sleep between week and weekend nights) was categorized as low(<1 h), moderate(1−2 h), and high(>2 h). BMI(kg/m2) was calculated from self-reported height and weight. The association between social jetlag and BMI was assessed using linear regression, adjusted for sex, age, education, and sleep duration and stratified for the effect modifier stress (high vs. low). Mediation analysis was performed for self-reported smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and adherence to a healthy diet. High social jetlag was associated with higher BMI (0.69 kg/m2,95%CI 0.05;1.33). This association was stronger in people with high stress (0.93 kg/m2,95%CI 0.09;1.76). Social jetlag was also associated with higher odds of smoking, lower physical activity, higher alcohol consumption, and lower healthy diet adherence. In people with high stress, these factors mediated 10–15% of the association between social jetlag and BMI. Social jetlag is associated with higher BMI and this association is stronger in people with high stress. In people with high stress, healthy diet adherence mediated 12% of this association. Other pathways involved in this association should be further investigated. • Social jetlag is associated with higher BMI in adults. • Social jetlag is associated with several unhealthy lifestyle factors. • Diet significantly mediates 12% of the association between social jetlag and BMI. • Other pathways involved in this association should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We sought to assess the impact of coronary revascularization on myocardial perfusion and fractional flow reserve (FFR) in patients without a cardiac history, with prior myocardial infarction (MI) or non-MI percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Furthermore, we studied the impact of scar tissue. Methods: Symptomatic patients underwent [15O]H2O positron emission tomography (PET) and FFR before and after revascularization. Patients with prior CAD, defined as prior MI or PCI, underwent scar quantification by magnetic resonance imaging late gadolinium enhancement. Results: Among 137 patients (87% male, age 62.2 ± 9.5 years) 84 (61%) had a prior MI or PCI. The increase in FFR and hyperemic myocardial blood flow (hMBF) was less in patients with prior MI or non-MI PCI compared to those without a cardiac history (FFR: 0.23 ± 0.14 vs. 0.20 ± 0.12 vs. 0.31 ± 0.18, p = 0.02; hMBF: 0.54 ± 0.75 vs. 0.62 ± 0.97 vs. 0.91 ± 0.96 ml/min/g, p = 0.04). Post-revascularization FFR and hMBF were similar across patients without a cardiac history or with prior MI or non-MI PCI. An increase in FFR was strongly associated to hMBF increase in patients without a cardiac history or with prior MI/non-MI PCI (r = 0.60 and r = 0.60, p < 0.01 for both). Similar results were found for coronary flow reserve. In patients with prior MI scar was negatively correlated to hMBF increase and independently predictive of an attenuated CFR increase. Conclusions: Post revascularization FFR and perfusion were similar among patients without a cardiac history, with prior MI or non-MI PCI. In patients with prior MI scar burden was associated to an attenuated perfusion increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Besides programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, changes in the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) could contribute to the later metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of preterm birth. Objective: We compared serum cortisol, cortisone, and cortisol/cortisone ratio in early childhood in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants and term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) born infants. Methods: We included 41 VLBW infants, participating in the randomized controlled Neonatal Insulin Replacement Therapy in Europe trial, and 64 term AGA-born infants. Cortisol and cortisone were measured in blood samples taken at 6 months and 2 years corrected age (VLBW children) and at 3 months and 1 and 2 years (term children). At 2 years of (corrected) age (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin were also measured. Results: During the first 2 years of life, cortisol/cortisone ratio is higher in VLBW children compared to term children. In the total group of children, cortisol/cortisone ratio is positively related to triglycerides at 2 years of (corrected) age. In VLBW children, over the first 2 years of life both cortisol and cortisone are higher in the early-insulin group compared to the standard care group. Conclusions: In VLBW infants, lower 11β-HSD2 activity probably contributes to the long-term metabolic and cardiovascular risks. In VLBW infants, early insulin treatment could affect programming of the HPA axis, resulting in higher cortisol and cortisone levels during early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study whether intrauterine application of auto-crosslinked polymers of hyaluronic acid (ACP) gel after dilation and curettage (D&C) improves reproductive outcomes.Design: Follow-up of a prospective randomized trial.Setting: University and university-affiliated teaching hospitals.Patient(s): Women with a miscarriage at <14 weeks' gestation with at least one previous D&C were randomized to D&C plus ACP gel (intervention) or D&C alone (control). A hysteroscopy was performed after 8-12 weeks, and if intrauterine adhesion (IUAs) were encountered, adhesiolysis was executed.Intervention(s): Participants received a questionnaire 30 months after treatment.Main Outcome Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy and outcome of subsequent pregnancies.Result(s): Ongoing pregnancies were recorded in 74.6% (50/67) of the intervention group versus 67.2% (43/64) of the control group, and in, respectively, 94.3% (50/53) versus 71.7% (43/60) in the women wishing to conceive. The median times to conception leading to a live birth were, respectively, 21.9 versus 36.1 months. Reduced menstrual blood loss was reported in 7.5% (5/67) versus 20.3% (13/64) and dysmenorrhea in 14.9% (10/67) versus 34.4% (22/64), respectively.Conclusion(s): Application of ACP gel following D&C performed after miscarriage seems to have a favorable effect on subsequent reproductive outcomes in women with at least one previous D&C. Given the fact that the study was not powered for reproductive outcomes, the data should be interpreted with caution. The effect may be underestimated due to routine removal of IUAs.Dutch Clinical Trial Registry Number: NTR 3120. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To answer the questions: Are perinatal reproductive hormone profiles different in case of a twin compared with a singleton pregnancy? Are reproductive endocrine profiles of twin girls influenced by their male co-twin and vice versa?Design: Prospective cohort study from January 2004 to October 2009.Setting: Not applicable.Patient(s): A total of 204 mothers of twins and 248 singleton control subjects, aged >18 years, pregnant with a twin or singleton and no endocrine disease or malignancy.Intervention(s): Blood samples were collected at mid-gestation from the mother and at delivery from the mothers and the umbilical cords. Estrogens, androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin, progesterone, and gonadotropins were measured.Main Outcome Measure(s): Hormonal profiles were compared between singletons and twins, different types of twins, and opposite-sex and same-sex twins.Result(s): Estrogen and progesterone concentrations were higher in mothers of twins compared with singletons, but twin babies had lower estrogen and progesterone concentrations at birth. Opposite-sex twin girls did not have higher androgens in cord blood compared with same-sex twin girls. Boys of an opposite-sex twin had lower luteinizing hormone concentrations compared with dizygotic twin boys with a brother as a co-twin.Conclusion(s): Children from a twin are not overexposed to sex steroids at the time of birth, despite higher concentrations in their mothers, and girls from opposite sex twins do not show androgenic influences from their male co-twin. The female co-twin may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis of her brother via central inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosomatic therapy versus care as usual in primary care for patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS). We conducted a pragmatic, two-armed, randomised controlled trial among primary care patients with PSS in the Netherlands that included 39 general practices and 34 psychosomatic therapists. The intervention, psychosomatic therapy, consisted of 6–12 sessions delivered by specialised exercise- and physiotherapists. Primary outcome measure: patient's level of functioning. Secondary outcomes: severity of physical and psychosocial symptoms, health-related quality of life, health-related anxiety, illness behaviour and number of GP contacts. Compared to usual care (n = 85), the intervention group (n = 84) showed no improvement in patient's level of functioning (mean difference − 0.50 [95% CI -1.10 to 0.10]; p =.10), and improvement in health-related anxiety (mean difference − 1.93 [95% CI -3.81 to −0.04]; p =.045), over 12 months. At 5-month follow-up, we found improvement in physical functioning, somatisation, and health-related anxiety. The 12-month follow-up revealed no therapy effects. Subgroup analyses showed an overall effect in patient's level of functioning for the group with moderate PSS (mean difference − 0.91 [95% CI -1.78 to −0.03]; p =.042). In the year after the end of therapy, the number of GP contacts did not differ significantly between the two groups. We only found effects on some secondary outcome measures, and on our primary outcome measure especially in patients with moderate PSS, the psychosomatic therapy appears promising for further study. Trial registration: the trial is registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry, https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR7356 under ID NTR7356. • We investigated the effectiveness of psychosomatic therapy for PSS. • No improvement was established in patient's level of functioning. • We only found effects on some secondary outcome measures. • Especially patients with moderate PSS benefited from the psychosomatic therapy. • Psychosomatic therapy could be an important treatment to improve PSS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:  One-stop surgery (OSS) allows for same-day outpatient clinic visit, preoperative assessment, and surgical repair. This study aims to determine the efficiency, (cost-)effectiveness, and family satisfaction of one-stop inguinal hernia surgery compared with usual care.Material and Methods:  Children (≥ 3 months) with inguinal hernia and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I-II, scheduled for OSS (intervention) or regular treatment (control) between March 1, 2017, and December 1, 2018, were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria consisted of age less than 3 months and ASA grades III-IV. The primary outcome measure was treatment efficiency (i.e., total number of hospital visits and waiting time [days] between referral and surgery). Secondary outcome measures were the effectiveness in terms of complication and recurrence rate, and parent-reported satisfaction and cost-effectiveness using the Dutch Pediatric Quality of Life Healthcare Satisfaction and Institute for Medical Technology Assessment Productivity Cost Questionnaire.Results:  Ninety-one (intervention: 54; control: 37) patients (56% boys) were included. Median (interquartile range) number of hospital visits was lower in the intervention group (1 vs 3; p < 0.001). All but one of the OSS patients (98%) were discharged home on the day of surgery. Postoperative complication (1.9% vs 2.7%; p = 0.787) and recurrence rates (0% vs 2.7%; p = 0.407) did not differ between the intervention and control patients. "General satisfaction," "satisfaction with communication," and "inclusion of family" were higher after OSS, while satisfaction about "information," "technical skills," and "emotional needs" were similar. Median (range) follow-up was 28 (15-36) months.Conclusions:  Pediatric one-stop inguinal hernia repair seems to be an effective treatment strategy that limits the number of hospital visits and provides enhanced family satisfaction without compromising the quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) has been found to predict sickness absence (SA). The present study investigated the effect of replacing single-item SRH by a multi-item health measure on SA predictions. Methods: Longitudinal study of 2059 Norwegian nurses with assessments in three waves each separated by 1 year. Health was measured by single-item SRH and multi-item SF-12 in waves 1 and 2. SA was self-reported in all three waves and high SA was defined as more than or equal to 31 SA days within the last 12 months. Predictions of high SA by a model including age, prior SA and single-item SRH were compared with predictions by a model including age, prior SA and multi-item SF-12. Both models were bootstrapped to correct for over-optimism and prospectively validated for their predictions in a new time frame. Results: 1253 nurses (61%) had complete data for analysis. The SF-12 model predicted the risk of high SA more accurately (X2= 4.294; df = 8) and was more stable over time than the SRH model (model X2= 14.495; df = 8). Both prediction models correctly discriminated between high-risk and low-risk individuals in 73% of the cases at wave 2 and in 71% of the cases at wave 3. Conclusions: The accuracy of predictions increased when single-item SRH was replaced by multi-item SF-12, but the discriminative ability did not improve. Single-item SRH suffices to identify employees at increased risk of high SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although sleep is essential for (recovery of) health, it is adversely affected by hospitalization, due to disease discomfort, environmental noise, and care routines, causing reduced sleep and increased disturbances. This study evaluates factors affecting sleep quality and quantity in hospitalized children and compares inpatient sleep with sleep at home. Using an observational, prospective study design, we assessed sleep in hospitalized children aged 1–12 years, admitted to a tertiary center, and compared this with home 6–8 weeks after discharge. We measured total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep efficiency, awakenings, and subjective sleep quality, using actigraphy, sleep diaries, and PROMIS questionnaires. We explored an array of sleep-disturbing factors. Regression analyses identified key determinants affecting sleep patterns, while mixed linear models compared sleep in hospital to sleep at home. Out of 621 eligible patients, 467 were invited, and 272 (58%) consented to participate. Key determinants of sleep included pain, number of previous admissions, (underlying) chronic illness, and environment-, staff-, and disease-related factors. Parents reported lower perceived sleep quality in the hospital compared to at home, 97-min (SE 9) lower TST, 100-min (5) longer WASO, more difficulties with falling asleep, lower sleep satisfaction, and more awakenings. Actigraphy outcomes revealed shorter TST (20 min (6)), but better sleep efficiency and fewer awakenings in the hospital.Conclusion: Sleep in hospital was compromised in comparison to sleep at home, primarily due to disturbances related to treatment, environment, and staff. These findings underscore the necessity and potential of relative simple interventions to improve sleep quality and minimize sleep disturbances in hospitalized children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the relationship between personal characteristics of older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) and perceived shared decision making (SDM) resp. decisional conflict. In a video-observational study (N = 213) data were collected on personal characteristics. The main outcomes were perceived level of SDM and decisional conflict. The mediating variable was participation in the SDM process. A twostep mixed effect multilinear regression and a mediation analysis were performed to analyze the data. The mean age of the patients was 77.3 years and 56.3% were female. Health literacy (β.01, p <.001) was significantly associated with participation in the SDM process. Education (β = −2.43, p =.05) and anxiety (β = −.26, p =.058) had a marginally significant direct effect on the patients' perceived level of SDM. Education (β = 12.12, p =.002), health literacy (β = −.70, p =.005) and anxiety (β = 1.19, p =.004) had a significant direct effect on decisional conflict. The effect of health literacy on decisional conflict was mediated by participation in SDM. Health literacy, anxiety and education are associated with decisional conflict. Participation in SDM during consultations plays a mediating role in the relationship between health literacy and decisional conflict. Tailoring SDM communication to health literacy levels is important for high quality SDM. • Personal characteristics of older adults may influence their involvement and experience in SDM and decisional conflict. • Health literacy, anxiety and education are associated with decisional conflict. • The effect of health literacy on decisional conflict is mediated by participation in SDM communication during consultation. • Tailoring SDM communication to health literacy levels is important for high quality SDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Previous studies show that missing values in multi-item questionnaires can best be handled at item score level. The aim of this study was to demonstrate two novel methods for dealing with incomplete item scores in outcome variables in longitudinal studies. The performance of these methods was previously examined in a simulation study. The two methods incorporate item information at the background when simultaneously the study outcomes are estimated. Study Design and Setting: The investigated methods include the item scores or a summary of a parcel of available item scores as auxiliary variables while using the total score of the multi-item questionnaire as the main focus of the analysis in a latent growth model. That way the items help estimating the incomplete information of the total scores. The methods are demonstrated in two empirical data sets. Results: Including the item information results in more precise outcomes in terms of regression coefficient estimates and standard errors, compared with not including item information in the analysis. Conclusion: The inclusion of a parcel summary is an efficient method that does not overcomplicate longitudinal growth estimates. Therefore, it is recommended in situations where multi-item questionnaires are used as outcome measure in longitudinal clinical studies with incomplete scores because of missing item scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether an electronic health record (EHR)–integrated decision tool, combined with supportive interventions, results in more appropriate antibiotic prescribing in nursing home (NH) residents with suspected urinary tract infection (UTI), without negative consequences for residents. Cluster randomized controlled trial with NHs as the randomization unit; intervention group NHs received the EHR-integrated decision tool and supportive interventions, and control group NHs provided care as usual. 212 residents with suspected UTI, from 16 NHs in the Netherlands. Physicians collected data at index consultation (ie, UTI suspicion) and during a 21-day follow-up period (March 2019–March 2020). Overall antibiotic prescribing data at NH level, 12 months prior to and during the study, was derived from the electronic prescribing system. The primary study outcome was the percentage of antibiotic prescriptions for suspected UTI that was appropriate, at index consultation. Secondary study outcomes included changes in treatment decision, complications, UTI-related hospitalization, and mortality during follow-up; and pre-post study changes in antibiotic prescribing at the NH level. 295 suspected UTIs were included (intervention group: 189; control group: 106). The between-group difference in appropriate antibiotic prescribing was 13% [intervention group: 62%, control group: 49%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% CI 0.57-3.62]. In both groups, complications (2% vs 3%), UTI-related hospitalization (2% vs 1%), and possible UTI-related mortality (2% vs 2%) were rare. The pre-post study difference in antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 resident-care days was −0.95 in the intervention group NHs and −0.05 in the control group NHs (P =.02). Although appropriate antibiotic prescribing improved in the intervention group, this does not provide sufficient evidence for our multidisciplinary intervention. Despite this inconclusive result, our intervention could potentially still be effective, because we established a large reduction in the number of antibiotic prescriptions in the intervention group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cognitive training (CT) has been proposed as a treatment option for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to assess the efficacy of adaptive, computerized CT on cognitive function in PD.Methods: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial we enrolled PD patients that experienced substantial subjective cognitive complaints. Over a period of eight weeks, participants underwent 24 sessions of computerized multi-domain CT or an active control intervention for 45 min each (randomized 1:1). The primary outcome was the accuracy on the Tower of London task; secondary outcomes included effects on other neuropsychological outcomes and subjective cognitive complaints. Outcomes were assessed before and after training and at six-months follow-up, and analyzed with multivariate mixed-model analyses.Results: The intention-to-treat population consisted of 136 participants (n = 68 vs. n = 68, age M: 62.9y, female: 39.7%). Multivariate mixed-model analyses showed no group difference on the Tower of London accuracy corrected for baseline performance (n = 130): B: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.27 to 0.15, p = 0.562. Participants in the CT group were on average 0.30 SD (i.e., 1.5 s) faster on difficulty load 4 of this task (secondary outcome): 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.06, p = 0.015. CT did not reduce subjective cognitive complaints. At follow-up, no group differences were found.Conclusions: This study shows no beneficial effect of eight-week computerized CT on the primary outcome (i.e., planning accuracy) and only minor improvements on secondary outcomes (i.e., processing speed) with limited clinical impact. Personalized or ecologically valid multi-modal intervention methods could be considered to achieve clinically meaningful and lasting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To study the effect of different government prenatal screening (PNS) policies on the uptake of PNS and prenatal diagnostic testing (PND) over the periods 2001–2003 (PNS on request), 2004–2006 (permission to offer the first-trimester combined test (FCT) to women of advanced maternal age (AMA), with women aged <36 years informed on explicit request) and 2007–2010 (introduction of population screening) and to evaluate whether trends in uptake are related to maternal age. The indication AMA for PND is still warranted, and the costs for FCT are only reimbursed for AMA women. Study design: Analysis of data on the first- and second-trimester screening program (n =41,600) for Down syndrome (DS) and on PND (n =10,795) performed from 2001 to 2010 in the region North-Holland of the Netherlands. To evaluate the actual participation in PNS and PND in different maternal age groups, estimation of the age distribution of women who underwent a fetal anomaly scan in 2009 (n =14,481) was used as a reference population (participation of 85.2%). Results: The overall uptake of FCT was 35.2% in 2010. Over the years the number of FCT in all age groups increased significantly (P <0.001). Overall the number of PND decreased significantly; the number of PND for AMA decreased and the number of PND for increased risk at FCT (in women <36 and ≥36 years) increased (P <0.05). Since 2004 significantly more DS cases were detected with FCT in AMA women and fewer with PND for AMA, and since 2007 more DS cases were detected with FCT in women <36 years (P <0.001). Conclusion: The effect of the national screening program is limited. Significantly more women opt for PNS but the overall uptake remains low, especially in younger women. A significant number of AMA women still opt for PND for AMA. The choice for FCT and PND for AMA seems dependent on background risk. To accomplish a more effective screening policy, reimbursement of the cost of the test should apply to all women and the indication for PND for AMA should be abolished. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study analyses distinct trajectories of vital exhaustion (VE; a measure of mental health incorporating signs of stress and depression) over a period of 15 years in healthy adults and investigates further the consequences for markers of low-grade inflammation as indicators of cardiovascular disease risk. Data of 341 participants of the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study were utilized. VE was measured by the Maastricht Questionnaire. Markers of low-grade inflammation included interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor-α. Distinct trajectories of VE were obtained by latent class growth models, and consequences for markers of low-grade inflammation of the trajectories were analysed by linear regressions. We found comparable trajectories of VE for men and women; a 'never vitally exhausted' subgroup (16.9% and 25.1%, respectively), a 'stable preclinical VE' subgroup (51.7% and 68.1%) and a 'chronic VE state' subgroup (31.5% and 6.7%). The subgroups had similar levels of the markers investigated. This study is the first to analyse VE longitudinally in healthy adults and indicates that although distinct trajectories of VE were identified, differential consequences for cardiovascular disease risk were unapparent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop an algorithm for the diagnosis of Behçet's disease (BD) uveitis based on ocular findings. Methods: Following an initial survey among uveitis experts, we collected multi-center retrospective data on 211 patients with BD uveitis and 207 patients with other uveitides, and identified ocular findings with a high diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Subsequently, we collected multi-center prospective data on 127 patients with BD uveitis and 322 controls and developed a diagnostic algorithm using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis and expert opinion. Results: We identified 10 items with DOR >5. The items that provided the highest accuracy in CART analysis included superficial retinal infiltrate, signs of occlusive retinal vasculitis, and diffuse retinal capillary leakage as well as the absence of granulomatous anterior uveitis or choroiditis in patients with vitritis. Conclusion: This study provides a diagnostic tree for BD uveitis that needs to be validated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess longitudinally whether smoking tobacco is related to muscle strength in healthy adults and to assess the influence of lifestyle covariates on this relation. Methods: Data were obtained from the observational Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study, with four repeated measurements at the ages of 21 (n = 181), 27 (n = 144), 32 (n = 426) and 36 (n = 373) years. Knee muscle strength (KMS) was measured at an angle of 300° per second. Smoking and the covariates physical activity and dietary intake were assessed with a questionnaire. Other covariates included physical fitness and body fat percentage. Cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed with a maximal running test and body fatness with skinfold measurements. Sex-specific longitudinal analyses were carried out using generalized estimating equations. Results: In men and women, an inverse relationship between smoking tobacco and KMS was found. Smoking 100 g of tobacco a week resulted in a reduction of 2.9% in KMS in men and a reduction of 5.0% in women. This relation existed largely independently of lifestyle covariates. Conclusion: This study indicates that smoking is inversely related to skeletal muscle strength in healthy adults. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore across countries the extent to which physicians understand Type 2 diabetes patients’ perceptions of seriousness, worries about complications, emotional distress, and needs for care improvement. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected in a multinational survey (SHARED). Type 2 diabetes patients (n =1609), general practitioners (n =818) and diabetes specialists (n =697) from eight countries were included. Data were gathered online and via telephone interviews. Responses from patients and professionals were compared using descriptive statistics and multilevel analyses. Results: Patients generally perceived diabetes as a serious condition and reported moderate distress. Physicians tended to underestimate patients’ perceived seriousness, while overestimating their level of distress. Physicians had difficulty estimating which diabetes complications concerned patients most, and what they needed to feel more confident about their diabetes. Patients did not wish for more consultation time, but rather active involvement, information and easy access to their physician. Conclusion: Results of this large survey highlight the importance of patient involvement and shared decision making. Practice implications: Further improvement of patient–provider communication as a basis for shared responsibilities and achieving optimal treatment outcomes is needed. With the growing numbers of diabetes patients worldwide, task delegation should be considered, in the framework of a multidisciplinary diabetes care model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Preterm infants are at risk of developing insulin resistance. It is not known whether insulin resistance in adult life is different between those with a low weight at term (preterm growth restraint, PGR) and those with a normal weight at term. Study Design: Insulin sensitivity, measured by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, was investigated in 21-year-old adults born very preterm (i.e. <32 gestational weeks), of whom 17 were small for gestational age (SGA), 12 were appropriate for gestational age with PGR (AGA-PGR) and 28 were AGA-non-PGR. Results: Insulin sensitivity expressed as M value (glucose disposal mg/kg/min) was lower in AGA-non-PGR (8.9) than in SGA (11.0) or AGA-PGR subjects (10.4). These differences disappeared after adjustment for current body size. Linear growth between 3 months and 21 years of age was different between AGA-non-PGR and SGA subjects and between AGA-nonPGR subjects and the combined AGA-PGR and SGA subjects. Conclusion: In young adults born very preterm, differences in insulin sensitivity between those born SGA, with PGR and without PGR are related to the current body composition. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between 11 patient safety culture dimensions and the implementation of 7 organizational patient safety defences. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Background: In the setting of multiple remission and relapse periods of a chronic disease, simple endpoint analysis does not fully capture all relevant information, and we need methods to additionally describe both the duration of remission as well as the interruptions in this desired state. Probably the two-state continuous Markov process model comprises the best mathematical approach to data analysis. However, this approach is complex and not intuitive to clinicians. In this paper we propose a simple scoring system and a graph that can enhance the information about the remission experience in a trial or cohort study. Methods: The continuity rewarded (‘ConRew’) score sums up periods in remission, and rewards extended periods by placing more value on uninterrupted periods than on interrupted periods. The ‘patient vector graph’ attempts to plot each patient''s remission experience over time as a horizontal line (the ‘vector’) that is visible when the patient is in remission, but interrupted whenever relapse occurs. In this way a pattern is formed that conveys the number of patients experiencing remission, their individual total duration and interruptions, and time when these occur. Results: In a dataset of a randomized trial in early rheumatoid arthritis, the graph clearly showed both early and late benefit of one group over the other. The scoring system demonstrated the main benefit was in the number of remission periods, not in their ‘uninterruptedness’. Conclusion: Both approaches proved feasible and added extra information. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated a representative set of 39 parameters characterizing center of pressure movements (sway) in seated balancing, with the aims to determine test–retest reliability, to clarify the interrelations between these parameters, and to determine which parameters were related to balance loss in seated balancing. 331 subjects volunteered to perform three 30-s seated balancing trials in a single session. Ten subjects lost balance on all three trials, 34 lost balance on one or two trials. The test–retest reliability of postural sway parameters was poor with all intra-class correlations below 0.7 and below 0.4 for 9 parameters. Sway parameters were strongly intercorrelated and many parameters thus provide little added value. Parameters that had no intercorrelations above 0.7 comprised three conventional summary statistics of center of pressure (CoP) movements and 3 parameters reflecting the temporal structure of the CoP trajectories. None of the parameters was related with balance loss in univariate analyses, while multivariate models revealed that higher sway velocity and a lower short-term diffusion coefficient were related with less balance loss. This indicates that a multivariate assessment of CoP trajectories is necessary to characterize balancing performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Olfactory deficits and executive dysfunction are early and common symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have shown that hyposmia can be a first sign of PD. The aim of the present study was to determine which of three olfactory tests and two selected tests of executive function would be the best predictor of future PD over a 5 year period. In a cohort of 361 nonparkinsonian, nondemented first-degree relatives of PD patients, in whom alternative causes of olfactory dysfunction were excluded, we measured baseline performance on three olfactory and two executive function tasks. Five years from baseline, clinical neurological evaluation and/or a screening questionnaire, sensitive to the presence of Parkinsonism, were used to detect individuals developing clinical PD. Our results show that in first degree relatives of PD patients worse performance on each of three olfactory processing tasks was associated with an increased risk of developing PD within 5 years, whereas performance on selected tests of executive dysfunction was not associated with an increased risk of developing PD. Interestingly, impaired odor discrimination was the best predictor for future PD. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of three different training protocols on physical function of older adults living in long-term care facilities. Emphasis was placed on feasibility in real-life situations. Methods: Subjects (N =224) were randomised to 6 months of twice weekly (1) resistance training; (2) all-round functional-skills training; (3) a combination of both; or (4) a control program. Fitness and performance measures and self-reported disability were measured at baseline and after 24 weeks intervention. Results: Attendance to the strength training was 76%, to the functional-skills training 70% and to the combined training 73%. In those who attended at least 75% of all classes (n =97) the functional-skills and combined training program improved several fitness and performance measures compared to the control group. Conclusion: Twice weekly functional-skills training, or a combination of resistance and functional-skills training can improve several fitness and performance measures of institutionalised older people. Practice implications: An important finding from our study was that less than twice a week exercise training is not enough for functional improvement, while it proved difficult for the elderly subjects to exercise twice weekly. Education on the health benefits of regular exercise, and a larger availability of classes in long-term care facilities may improve attendance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and Objective: Assessing levels and determinants of physical activity as outcome measurements might have an independent effect on participan's physical activity behavior. The objective is to study this effect in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) promoting regular physical activity in Dutch general practice. Methods: Using a Solomon four-group design, participants were randomized twice. After randomization to a control or intervention-condition at general practice level (N = 29), participants were randomized to a group participating in measurements at baseline, 2 and 6 months (3M-group, N = 361), or a group only participating in measurements at 6 months (1M-group, N = 356). Outcome measures assessed at 6 months included: level of physical activity (self-reported and objectively measured with accelerometry), meeting ACSM/CDC guideline for regular physical activity, stage of change, and determinants of physical activity. Results: Follow-up data on 635 participants (89%) was collected. Statistically significant measurement effects were found for meeting the ACSM/CDC guideline (self-reported), self-efficacy for resisting relapse, knowledge, and on awareness. Other outcome measures showed positive trends, except stages of change. Conclusion: Measurements of physical activity affect participant's physical activity behavior, possibly triggered by a raised awareness about their own physical activity level. Implications for future research are discussed, as well as methodologic limitations of the study design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and aims: The present study investigated stability and change in emotional well-being in a prospective study of a large sample of community-dwelling older adults (≥55 years). Emotional functioning was conceptualized according to the tripartite model distinguishing three aspects: general negative affect (NA), depression, and anxiety. The study tested models for the decline of mental health in late life based on the diathesis–stress model. In previous studies, support has been found for the diathesis–stress model (for an overview, see [Goldberg, D.P., Huxley, P., 1992. Common mental disorders: a biosocial model. Routledge, London; Zuckerman, M., 1999. Vulnerability to psychopathology. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.]). The predictive ability of vulnerability factors (the personality characteristics mastery and neuroticism) and stressful life events and their interaction was tested for an increase in general negative affect, decreased positive affect (PA), and increased anxiety. More specifically, we tested the hypothesis that loss leads to decreased positive affect in subjects with low mastery, whereas threat leads to anxiety in subjects with high neuroticism. Methods: Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used. LASA is a longitudinal study in a large representative sample of adults aged 55 to 85 (N=1837). Self-report data on depression, anxiety, and negative affect were collected from adults over a 6-year period in three waves. The data were analyzed using multilevel analysis. Results: The findings revealed an association between low mastery, high neuroticism, and an increase in negative affect, lack of positive affect, and anxiety. Furthermore, high mastery protected against the negative impact of loss events, but neuroticism did not augment the negative impact of threat events on emotional health. Conclusion: Partial support was found for a diathesis–stress model of change in emotional functioning in late life. Furthermore, support was found for distinguishing between symptoms of negative affect, depression, and anxiety. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To prepare the care system for a rising population of older people, it is important to understand what factors predict the use of care. This paper reports a study of transitions in the use of informal and professional care using Andersen-Newman models of the predictive predisposing, enabling and need factors. The study has drawn on Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam (LASA) data on the use of care and the contextual factors. The data were collected at three-yearly intervals from a random, sex- and age-stratified, population-based sample of adults aged 55-85 years. In summary, the findings for those who initially did not receive care were that almost one-third received some kind of care three years later, most of which was provided by informal care-givers. Need factors were important predictors of most transitions in care, and predisposing and enabling factors, such as age, partner status and income, also played a role. On the relationship between informal and professional care, evidence was found for both 'compensatory processes', i.e. informal care substitutes for professional care, and 'bridging processes', i.e. informal care facilitates professional care. In view of the increasing discrepancy between the demand for professional care and its supply, the significant impact of predisposing and enabling factors offers opportunities for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prognostic studies on neck pain are scarce and are typically restricted to short-term follow-up only. In this prospective cohort study, indicators of short- and long-term outcomes of neck pain were identified that can easily be measured in general practice. Patients between 18 and 70 years of age, suffering for at least 2 weeks from neck pain were recruited by 42 general practitioners (GPs). Perceived recovery, pain intensity and neck dysfunction after 7 and 52 weeks were considered as outcome measures. Indicators of prognosis were identified by means of logistic regression analyses (perceived recovery) and linear regression analyses (pain intensity and neck dysfunction). In total, 183 patients were included. After 1 year, 63% had recovered. The prognostic models showed differences between short- and long-term indicators. At the short term, besides the baseline values of the respective outcome measurements, only older age (≥40) and concomitant low back pain and headache were associated with poor outcome. At the long term, in addition to age and concomitant low back pain, previous trauma, a long duration of neck pain, stable neck pain during the 2 weeks prior to baseline measurement, and previous neck pain predicted poor prognosis. The predictive power of the models was weak: the explained variance (R2) varied from 24 to 36%. Patient history and physical examination give GPs little handholds to predict the prognosis for patients with sub-acute and chronic neck pain. A few indicators of a less favourable prognosis of neck pain were identified, of which older age and concomitant low back pain was the most consistent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Evaluates the sign of secondary traumatic stress in community of couples who experienced World War II. Assessment of the multilevel regression analysis; Observation of clinical trials; Implication of social support system.

An important recent development in mediation analysis is the use of causal mediation analysis. Causal mediation analysis decomposes the total exposure effect into causal direct and indirect effects in the presence of exposure-mediator interaction. However, in practice, traditional mediation analysis is still most widely used. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the similarities and differences between the causal and traditional estimators for mediation models with a continuous mediator, a binary outcome, and exposure-mediator interaction. A real-life data example, analytical comparisons, and a simulation study were used to demonstrate the similarities and differences between the traditional and causal estimators. The causal and traditional estimators provide similar indirect effect estimates, but different direct and total effect estimates. Traditional mediation analysis may only be used when conditional direct effect estimates are of interest. Causal mediation analysis is the generally preferred method as its casual effect estimates help unravel causal mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychotropic drugs are frequently prescribed to people with dementia in nursing homes although severe adverse events and side effects are common. Less is known about the prevalence and types of psychotropic drug prescription in primary care for people with dementia. Objective: This study examined the prevalence of psychotropic drug prescriptions in primary care among persons with dementia from the year of diagnosis onwards. Methods: A longitudinal observational study using electronic health record (EHR) data was conducted. People with dementia were selected from EHR data of 451 general practices in the Netherlands. Age and gender‐adjusted psychotropic drug prescription rates were calculated per 1000 person‐years from the year the dementia diagnosis was first recorded in general practice up to 8 years after diagnosis. Results: Data of 15,687 patients were analyzed. The prescription rate of psychotropic drugs (not including antidementia drugs) was 420 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI 409; 431) in the first year after the recorded dementia diagnosis, which increased to 801 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI 649; 989) in the eighth year. The most frequently prescribed drugs were antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antidementia drugs, followed by anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antiepileptics. Conclusions: After a dementia diagnosis is recorded in general practice, the prevalence of psychotropic drug prescriptions is substantial and increases steadily during the disease trajectory of persons with dementia. Although the (in)appropriateness of prescribing was not assessed, these insights may stimulate primary care clinicians to (re)consider their prescription policy of psychotropics for people with dementia more carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the number of steps taken by older patients in hospital and 1 week after discharge; to identify factors associated with step numbers after discharge; and to examine the association between functional decline and step numbers after discharge. Prospective observational cohort study conducted in 2015–2017. Older adults (≥70 years of age) acutely hospitalized for at least 48 hours at internal, cardiology, or geriatric wards in 6 Dutch hospitals. Steps were counted using the Fitbit Flex accelerometer during hospitalization and 1 week after discharge. Demographic, somatic, physical, and psychosocial factors were assessed during hospitalization. Functional decline was determined 1 month after discharge using the Katz activities of daily living index. The analytic sample included 188 participants [mean age (standard deviation) 79.1 (6.7)]. One month postdischarge, 33 out of 174 participants (19%) experienced functional decline. The median number of steps was 656 [interquartile range (IQR), 250–1146] at the last day of hospitalization. This increased to 1750 (IQR 675–4114) steps 1 day postdischarge, and to 1997 (IQR 938–4098) steps 7 days postdischarge. Age [β = −57.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) −111.15 to −4.71], physical performance (β = 224.95; 95% CI 117.79–332.11), and steps in hospital (β = 0.76; 95% CI 0.46–1.06) were associated with steps postdischarge. There was a significant association between step numbers after discharge and functional decline 1 month after discharge (β = −1400; 95% CI –2380 to −420; P =.005). Among acutely hospitalized older adults, step numbers double 1 day postdischarge, indicating that their capacity is underutilized during hospitalization. Physical performance and physical activity during hospitalization are key to increasing the number of steps postdischarge. The number of steps 1 week after discharge is a promising indicator of functional decline 1 month after discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survival benefit was demonstrated for patients with low-volume metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) when local radiotherapy was added to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). To determine the effect of ADT combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the prostate on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with primary bone mPCa. The HORRAD trial is a multicentre randomised controlled trial recruiting 432patients with primary bone mPCa between 2004 and 2014. Patients were randomised to ADT with EBRT or to ADT alone. Patients completed two validated HRQoL questionnaires (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of Life Questionnaire Core Module (QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Prostate Module [QLQ-PR25]) at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and24 mo after the initiation of treatment. The effect of both treatments was evaluated based on mixed-effect models. Patient characteristics and HRQoL scores at baseline were similar in both arms. At baseline, 98% of patients completed the questionnaires, compared with 58% at 24 mo. Patients reported significantly more diarrhoea (difference between the groups 10.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.3–14.2), bowel symptoms (4.5; 95% CI 2.1–6.8), and urinary symptoms (11.9; 95% CI 8.9–14.8) after EBRT and ADT compared with ADT alone (all between-arm difference p < 0.001). Urinary complaints levelled at 6 mo. At 2 yr, only bowel symptom scores were significantly different (8.0; 95% CI 4.8–11.1, p ≤ 0.001), but 68% of patients in the radiotherapy group did not report clinically relevant worsening of their bowel symptom scores. Patients with bone mPCa reported temporary modest urinary and bowel symptoms after combined treatment with EBRT of the prostate and ADT compared with ADT alone. For some patients (22%), deterioration of bowel functions remains at 2 yr, whereas general HRQoL does not deteriorate.. This study investigated the effect of radiotherapy to the prostate added to hormonal therapy on patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with primary bone metastatic prostate cancer. Most patients reported only temporary urinary and bowel symptoms. In 22% of patients, bowel symptoms remained at 2 yr, whereas general HRQoL did not deteriorate. Patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer reported temporary modest urinary and bowel symptoms after combined treatment with prostate radiotherapy and hormonal therapy compared with hormonal therapy alone. Both treatments did not affect global health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity in people with dementia (PwD) may enhance physical and mental functioning. Exergaming, which combines physical exercise with cognitive stimulation in a gaming environment, was developed to overcome barriers in performing physical activities. We evaluated the effects of exergaming in day care centers (DCCs) for PwD and informal caregivers (ICs). A randomized controlled trial among 23 DCCs across the Netherlands randomized to exergaming (interactive cycling during 6 months) or a care-as-usual control group. A total of 112 (73 exergaming, 39 control) community-dwelling dyads (PwD, IC), with the PwD visiting a DCC at least twice per week. All outcomes were assessed using structured questionnaires during interviews with PwD and ICs at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2). Primary outcomes: physical activity and mobility of the PwD. Secondary outcomes: physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning, and quality of life for PwD. For ICs: experienced burden, quality of life, and positive care experiences. Mixed-model analyses showed no statistically significant effects on primary outcomes. There were statistically significant positive effects on PwD's secondary outcomes at T2 on cognition [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): r = 2.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65, 3.96, P =.007; and Trail Making Test part A (TMT-A): r = −28.98, 95% CI: −54.89, −3.08, P =.029], social functioning (Behavior Observation Scale for Intramural Psychogeriatrics subscale 1 (GIP): r = −1.86, 95% CI: −3.56, −0.17, P =.031), and positive post-test effects in ICs on distress caused by the PwD's neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI-Q total distress: r = −3.30, 95% CI: −6.57, −0.03, P =.048) and on sense of competence (SSCQ: r = 2.78, 95% CI: 0.85, 4.71, P =.005). Exergaming appeared not effective on the primary outcomes. Despite the study being underpowered, we found positive effects on secondary outcomes for PwD and ICs, and no negative effects. We therefore recommend further study, dissemination, and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background: Primary prevention of overweight is to be preferred above secondary prevention, which has shown moderate effectiveness. Objective: To develop and internally validate a dynamic prediction model to identify young children in the general population, applicable at every age between birth and age 6, at high risk of future overweight (age 8). Methods: Data were used from the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy birth cohort, born in 1996 to 1997, in the Netherlands. Participants for whom data on the outcome overweight at age 8 and at least three body mass index SD scores (BMI SDS) at the age of ≥3 months and ≤6 years were available, were included (N = 2265). The outcome of the prediction model is overweight (yes/no) at age 8 (range 7.4‐10.5 years), defined according to the sex‐ and age‐specific BMI cut‐offs of the International Obesity Task Force. Results: After backward selection in a Generalized Estimating Equations analysis, the prediction model included the baseline predictors maternal BMI, paternal BMI, paternal education, birthweight, sex, ethnicity and indoor smoke exposure; and the longitudinal predictors BMI SDS, and the linear and quadratic terms of the growth curve describing a child's BMI SDS development over time, as well as the longitudinal predictors' interactions with age. The area under the curve of the model after internal validation was 0.845 and Nagelkerke R2 was 0.351. Conclusions: A dynamic prediction model for overweight was developed with a good predictive ability using easily obtainable predictor information. External validation is needed to confirm that the model has potential for use in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur. The authors sought to directly compare these disorders using structural brain imaging data from ENIGMA consortium data.Methods: Structural T1-weighted whole-brain MRI data from healthy control subjects (N=5,827) and from patients with ADHD (N=2,271), ASD (N=1,777), and OCD (N=2,323) from 151 cohorts worldwide were analyzed using standardized processing protocols. The authors examined subcortical volume, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area differences within a mega-analytical framework, pooling measures extracted from each cohort. Analyses were performed separately for children, adolescents, and adults, using linear mixed-effects models adjusting for age, sex, and site (and intracranial volume for subcortical and surface area measures).Results: No shared differences were found among all three disorders, and shared differences between any two disorders did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Children with ADHD compared with those with OCD had smaller hippocampal volumes, possibly influenced by IQ. Children and adolescents with ADHD also had smaller intracranial volume than control subjects and those with OCD or ASD. Adults with ASD showed thicker frontal cortices compared with adult control subjects and other clinical groups. No OCD-specific differences were observed across different age groups and surface area differences among all disorders in childhood and adulthood.Conclusions: The study findings suggest robust but subtle differences across different age groups among ADHD, ASD, and OCD. ADHD-specific intracranial volume and hippocampal differences in children and adolescents, and ASD-specific cortical thickness differences in the frontal cortex in adults, support previous work emphasizing structural brain differences in these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of different geriatric syndromes in older home care (HC) recipients is yet to be determined. Dizziness is often regarded as a geriatric syndrome. The natural course of dizziness in older people is still unknown, because of a lack of longitudinal studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and persistence of dizziness in HC recipients. Prospective cohort study. Home care organizations in 6 European countries participating in the EU-funded Identifying best practices for care-dependent elderly by Benchmarking Costs and outcomes of community care (IBenC) project. 2616 community-dwelling long-term HC recipients aged 65 years or older. Data were collected at baseline and 6 and 12 months by using the interRAI Home Care instrument (interRAI-HC). Dizziness status was assessed by the number of days people experienced dizziness in the last 3 days (0-3) and later dichotomized for analyses (present or not in the last 3 days). Dizziness persistence was defined as the odds for dizzy people at baseline to also report dizziness at subsequent follow-up moments, compared with people who were not dizzy at baseline. The pattern of dizziness was descriptively analyzed in recipients who completed all measurements. Generalized estimating equations analysis was used to determine the persistence of dizziness symptoms. The prevalence of dizziness of 2616 eligible HC recipients at baseline was 25.1%, ranging from 16.2% (Belgium) to 39.7% (Italy). The majority of dizzy recipients at baseline also experienced dizziness after 6 and 12 months (79.1%). Dizziness persistence was high at 6 months [odds ratio (OR) 57.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 43.1-77.5] and at 12 months (OR 30.2, 95% CI 22.3-41.1). Dizziness in older HC recipients in Europe is common, and dizziness persistence is high. This warrants a more active approach in treating dizziness in older HC recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have discouraged the use of the Cox proportional hazards (PH) model for traditional mediation analysis as it might provide biased results. Accelerated failure time (AFT) models have been proposed as an alternative for Cox PH models. In addition, the use of the potential outcomes framework has been proposed for mediation models with time‐to‐event outcomes. The aim of this paper is to investigate the performance of traditional mediation analysis and potential outcomes mediation analysis based on both the Cox PH and the AFT model. This is done by means of a Monte Carlo simulation study and the illustration of the methods using an empirical data set. Both the product‐of‐coefficients method of the traditional mediation analysis and the potential outcomes framework yield unbiased estimates with respect to their own underlying indirect effect value for simple mediation models with a time‐to‐event outcome and estimated based on Cox PH or AFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the longitudinal associations between self-reported sleep duration and cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk in corporate executives. Self-reported sleep duration and lifestyle, occupational, psychological, and anthropometrical, blood pressure and blood marker variables were obtained from 1512 employees at annual health risk assessments in South Africa between 2016 and 2019. Gender-stratified linear mixed models, adjusting for age, lifestyle, occupational and psychological covariates were used to explore these longitudinal associations. Among women, shorter sleep duration was associated with higher body mass index (BMI) covarying for age only (ß with 95% confidence intervals: −0.19 [−0.36, −0.03]), age and occupational factors (−0.20 [−0.36, −0.03]) and age and psychological factors (−0.20 [−0.37, −0.03]). Among men, shorter sleep was associated with both BMI and waist circumference (WC) covarying for age only (BMI: −0.15 [−0.22; −0.08]; WC: −0.62 [−0.88; −0.37]); age and lifestyle factors (BMI: −0.12 [−0.21; −0.04]); WC: −0.016 [−0.92; −0.29], age and occupational factors (BMI: −0.20 [−0.22; 0.08]; WC: −0.62 [−0.88; −0.36]), and age and psychological factors (BMI: −0.15 [−0.22; −0.07]; WC: −0.59 [−0.86; −0.33]). Among men, shorter sleep was also longitudinally associated with higher CMD risk scores in models adjusted for age and lifestyle factors (CMD: −0.12 [−0.20; −0.04]) and age and psychological factors (CMD: −0.08 [−0.15; −0.01]). Corporate executives who report shorter sleep durations may present with poorer CMD risk profiles, independent of age, lifestyle, occupational and psychological factors. Addressing sleep health in workplace health programmes may help mitigate the development of CMD in such employees. • Sleep duration and cardiometabolic disease risk were assessed. • Short sleep duration was associated with increased cardiometabolic disease risk. • Potential confounders were included in longitudinal mixed models. • Workplaces could include sleep health to manage cardiometabolic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]