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Biomedical subjects

D K Norman

Publications and source records attributed to D K Norman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Quality of life assessment in adults with type 1 Gaucher disease.

The effect of enzyme replacement therapy on health-related quality of life in 25 adults with type 1 Gaucher disease was investigated over a 2-year period. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Psychological functioning was assessed using the Symptom Checklist--90R. The results indicated significant improvement in 7 of 8 SF scale scores beginning at 18 months of therapy (P < 0.05 to 0.001). The SF scale showing improvement first was Vitality (energy level and fatigue) at 6 months of therapy (P < 0.01). The SF-36 scales showing the largest improvements were Role-Physical and Social Functioning (P < 0.001). Compared to the general US adult population, the study population's health profile was significantly lower prior to starting therapy but by 24 months of therapy there were no differences between the two. No differences were found in psychological functioning compared to a US adult normative group at the start of therapy. However, within the study population there was significant improvement in mood and global functioning and fewer psychological symptoms reported at 24 months of therapy. The findings indicate that enzyme replacement therapy for type 1 Gaucher disease has a positive impact on health-related quality of life from the patient's perspective.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Establishing the psychometric properties of the DSM-III-R personality disorders: implications for DSM-V.

In this study, symptom (item) level data were used to perform a psychometric analysis of the DSM-III-R personality disorders (PDs). Determined for each PD criteria set were convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency. The results indicated that the majority of the PD criteria sets (6 of the 11 ) possessed adequate convergent validity, although discriminant validity was problematic for most of these disorders. Internal consistency was also weak for the PD criteria sets, with only 3 of the 11 exceeding a minimum cutoff score of .70. The present study employed a methodology modeled after the one reported by Morey (1988a), and the results of the two studies were highly similar. Consistent findings across the two data sets can be taken to reflect the actual psychometric properties of the DSM-III-R PDs. The success of our replication demonstrates the potential that large-scale psychometric investigations hold for aiding the development and refinement of the DSM PDs.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

A psychometric evaluation of the DSM-IV personality disorder criteria.

In this study, we examined the psychometric quality of the recently revised DSM-IV Personality Disorders (PD). A nationally drawn sample of mental health professionals rated 280 patients known to them, using a symptom checklist containing all the DSM-IV PD criteria. From this symptom level data we determined internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity for each DSM-IV PD criteria. Overall, the findings were encouraging. The internal consistency--a measure of reliability--of the PD criteria sets appears to be substantially improved. The median coefficient alpha for the DSM-IV PDs was .73. Convergent validity was generally adequate for the DSM-IV PD criteria sets. However, discriminant validity, a measure of the specificity of a criterion's relationship to its parent scale, continues to be a problem of the PDs. The findings suggest that the DSM-IV PDs may have better reliability than did their DSM-III-R predecessors. However, the weak discriminant validity found for the DSM-IV PD criteria sets indicates that the Axis II system will continue to show high levels of comorbidity. The usefulness of psychometric procedures in the development and refinement of the DSM PDs is also highlighted.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Toward an empirical/theoretical grouping of the DSM-III-R personality disorders.

Despite some recent favorable findings, there has not been strong empirical support for the validity of DSM-III-R--and now DSM-IV--personality disorder (PD) clusters. In this study, Axis II symptom ratings on 320 personality disordered patients were used to obtain dimensional scores for the 11 DSM-III-R PDs. The dimensional scores for the DSM PDs were subjected to a principal component analysis with orthoginal rotation. Three factors emerged having eigenvalues > or = than 1. The pattern of factor loadings for the individual PDs were not consistent with the DSM Cluster. Rather, the factor loadings were quite consistent with Millon's theory of personality. These results are discussed in light of the clinical benefits provided by employing empirically determined and theoretically anchored model for organizing the Axis II disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effect of administration method: a comparison of the Rapaport and Exner Rorschach systems.

This study compared two Rorschach administration methods across a number of test variables. With a within-subjects, counter-balanced design, 20 female subjects randomly received either an initial Rapaport (Rapaport, Gill, & Schafer, 1968) or an Exner (Exner, 1974, 1986) Rorschach administration. Results showed that the Exner administration produced significantly more Color (C), Shading (Shd), and Blend (B) responses than did the Rapaport administration. Intersystem differences were most prominent on the first presentation of the two administrations. The first Exner administration produced significantly more C, Shd, and Blend responses than did the first Rapaport administration. Findings are discussed in light of their clinical implications, limitations in the experimental design, and suggestions for improving future research.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Concurrent validity of the MCMI-II modifier indices.

The relationships between the three Modifier Indices (Disclosure X, Desirability Y, and Debasement Z) of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) and the validity and clinical scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were explored. A sample of 125 psychiatric inpatients was administered both personality measures within 7 days of admission. The pattern of Pearson correlation coefficients and principal component factors was seen as generally supporting the validity of the three MCMI-II Modifier Indices. However, the Disclosure and Debasement Indices were highly intercorrelated and similar in their MMPI-2 associations. The Desirability Index functioned in a more unique manner and demonstrated both convergent and divergent relationships with MMPI-2 Validity and Clinical scales.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Diagnosed intellectual and emotional impairment among parents who seriously mistreat their children: prevalence, type, and outcome in a court sample.

A substantial body of research evidence over the past three decades has indicated that intellectual and emotional impairment among parents is a factor contributing to child abuse and neglect. This study examined the court records of 206 seriously abused or neglected children and their families in a large urban area and found that in over half the records a parent had been diagnosed as having an emotional disorder and/or low IQ, with a majority of these diagnoses indicating significant impairment. Although type of impairment (emotional, low IQ, and a subsample of substance abusers) did not predict type of mistreatment, higher predicted risk for continued mistreatment, or greater likelihood of permanent removal of the child by the court, low IQ parents revealed significantly less prior court involvement and greater acceptance of court-ordered services. Parents diagnosed with serious emotional disorders were significantly more likely than less disturbed parents to have their children permanently removed despite findings of no significant differences in risk or compliance factors.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1990

Critical features of a curriculum in health care quality and resource management.

In response to mounting demands for quality and accountability in health care, a science of health care quality and resource management (QRM) has evolved, but too slowly and without the academic base needed to prepare practitioners to assume new roles and fulfill requirements to regulate their practice. To develop such a base, The University of Houston and The University of Texas Health Science Center sponsored a needs assessment survey to identify areas of knowledge and skills to be included in a master's degree curriculum in QRM. The study used a three-cycle Focus Delphi technique to secure experts' refinement of the survey instrument and consensus among participants, who included practitioner-members of the National Association of Quality Assurance Professionals (NAQAP), of health care administration educational program directors, and hospital administrators. Starting with a listing based on a competency outline obtained from NAQAP, the study identified critical learning needs and elaborated a framework with 12 broad categories and 108 specific knowledge and skill areas.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1989

Psychiatric outcome of burned children and adolescents.

Recent medical and surgical advances allow many severely burned patients to survive who formally would have died. Assessment of psychiatric outcomes with these patients may provide ways of measuring effects of acute burn care methods on later quality of life, specify more accurately their emotional needs during rehabilitation, and stimulate further research. Thirty children, aged 7 to 19, with severe burns are compared with 30 nonburned subjects matched for age, sex, SES, and parents' marital status according to DSM-III criteria. The burned children had significantly higher levels of overanxious disorder, phobias, and enuresis, but they had the same rates of present depressive disorders.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

A diagnostic outcome study of children and adolescents with severe burns.

The results of a diagnostic outcome study of children and adolescents with severe burns are presented. The positive research findings include evidence of present and lifetime full and partial anxiety and depressive disorders and statistically significant within-sample, burn-related, and demographic differences. The negative findings are less depression and post-traumatic stress disorder by DSM-III criteria than expected, the presence of a subgroup of severely burned children who appeared to be functioning well with only a few or no diagnoses, and absence of significant differences on many variables on within-group comparisons. Based on these data, periodic psychiatric evaluation or reevaluation and specifically targeted followup treatment are indicated for many burned children, adolescents, and their families.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Anterior chamber lenses. Part I: Complications and pathology and a review of designs.

Clinicopathologic data to assist ophthalmologists in choosing a safe and efficacious anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) are rapidly becoming available. Two important factors that have led to an increased success rate with some anterior chamber IOL styles are (1) attention to lens design and (2) attention to modern manufacturing and lens finishing techniques. We now know much more about how to achieve appropriate lens flexibility, which decreases the need for perfect sizing. Increased attention has been given to the anterior-posterior vaulting characteristics of IOLs. This has reduced the incidence of various complications such as the intermittent touch syndrome and the uveal chafing syndrome. We recognize several design flaws in some lens styles. For example, there is now a considerable decrease in the number of small-diameter, round-looped anterior chamber IOLs being implanted, particularly those with a closed-loop configuration. Several problems have been and continue to be caused by some poorly manufactured anterior chamber lenses with sharp optic and haptic edges. Technology to assure smooth lens finishing and polishing is available and readily accessible to all manufacturers. Defective lenses should soon be a thing of the past.

Anterior Chamber↗
PubMed1987

Cloning and characterization of human liver cDNA encoding a protein S precursor.

Human liver cDNA encoding a protein S precursor was isolated from two cDNA libraries by two different techniques. Based upon the frequency of positive clones, the abundance of mRNA for protein S is approximately 0.01%. Blot hybridization of electrophoretically fractionated poly(A)+ RNA revealed a major mRNA approximately 4 kilobases long and two minor forms of approximately 3.1 and approximately equal to 2.6 kilobases. One of the cDNA clones contains a segment encoding a 676 amino acid protein S precursor, as well as 108 and 1132 nucleotides of 5' and 3' noncoding sequence, respectively, plus a poly(A) region at the 3' end. The cDNAs are adenosine plus thymidine-rich (60%) except for the 5' noncoding region, where 78% of the nucleotides are guanosine or cytosine. The protein precursor consists of a 41 amino acid "leader" peptide followed by 635 amino acids corresponding to mature protein S. Comparison of the mature protein region with homologous vitamin K-dependent plasma proteins shows that it is composed of the following domains: an amino-terminal gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-rich region of 37 amino acids; a 36 amino acid linker region rich in hydroxy amino acids; four epidermal growth factor-like segments, each approximately 45 amino acids long; and a 387 amino acid carboxyl-terminal domain of unrecognized structure and unknown function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Frequency of bulimic behaviors and associated social maladjustment in female graduate students.

A questionnaire survey of 550 female medical, business and law students revealed that 12% met criteria for bulimia. The bulimic students reported significantly more social maladjustment than their non-eating disordered peers. Frequency of binging and purging was associated with the degree of social impairment, with significant social dysfunction being noted on the overall scale at a minimum binging/purging frequency of once weekly. This finding suggests that the proposed DSM-III frequency criterion may be too restrictive.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A 3-year outcome study of normal-weight bulimia: assessment of psychosocial functioning and eating attitudes.

The Eating Attitudes Test, Social Adjustment Scale: Self-Report (SAS-SR), and Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) were administered to 18 normal-weight bulimics at 1- and 3-year follow-ups. Eating attitudes and depressive symptoms improved significantly at year 1. There was no significant improvement on the SAS-SR at year 1. At year 3, significant improvement in all HSCL scores was evident, but only in the Work scale of the SAS-SR.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Eating disorders and social maladjustment in female medical students.

A survey of eating disorders in female medical students showed that 15% had a lifetime history of bulimia or anorexia nervosa. On the work, social/leisure, and overall subscales of the Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report, those medical students who had current or previous eating disorders reported greater social maladjustment then medical students who did not have eating disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Sexual conflict and eating disorders in 27 males.

Twenty-seven anorectic and bulimic males and 142 anorectic and bulimic females treated on an eating disorders unit were compared. Significantly more male patients reported experiencing sexual isolation, sexual inactivity, and conflicted homosexuality.

Adolescent↗