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Biomedical subjects

Paula M Trief

Publications and source records attributed to Paula M Trief.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes: co-morbidity and outcomes in a male veterans sample.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of comorbid diabetes and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder(PTSD)and potential relationships between PTSD and diabetes outcomes. Male patients enrolled in a VA primary care database (N = 73,270) were classified as having diabetes from pharmacy records (N = 14,438) and grouped into those with diagnoses of PTSD with depression (N = 649), PTSD-only (N = 480), Depression-only (N = 1696), Other psychiatric diagnosis (N = 736), or No psychiatric diagnosis (N = 10,877) based on the Purpose of Visit diagnoses in the medical record. Outcomes included glycemic control (HbA1c), cholesterol and triglycerides. Correlates were age, substance use disorder, other psychiatric diagnosis, number of primary care encounters, and medications. The prevalence of comorbid diabetes and PTSD was 8% (n = 1129). Of these, 57% (n = 649) had comorbid depression. Patients with PTSD and depression had higher rates of substance use disorder and higher cholesterol and LDL. Patients with depression had poorer glycemic control. Patients with PTSD and depression weighed more and had higher BMI than patients with neither diagnosis. Thus, male diabetes patients with PTSD and depression may be vulnerable to substance use disorders and to weight/lipid problems that can affect health. Depression is a likely contributor to poor glycemic control. Careful screening for mental health comorbidities is needed for diabetes patients.

Aged↗

Emotional health predicts pain and function after fusion: a prospective multicenter study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether patients with poorer emotional health before fusion surgery will have worse pain and function after surgery, and to identify patient variables that predict fusion outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A systematic review of fusion outcomes studies reported an average of 68% "satisfactory" outcomes. The persistence of pain and functional limitations leads to emotional and financial costs. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that affect fusion outcome. Research has explored psychosocial factors (e.g., depression, anxiety) as being important outcome predictors. METHODS: Data from subjects enrolled in a multisite trial of 2 fusion systems were analyzed. Subjects completed measures of health-related quality of life (SF-36), pain (visual analog scale), and function (Oswestry Disability Index). A total of 160 subjects completed measures before fusion, 155 completed measures 12 months after fusion, and 115 completed measures 24 months after fusion. Subject variables (i.e., age, gender, smoking, workers' compensation, and second surgery status) and presurgical pain/function were regressed on pain/function outcomes after surgery. This model was compared to one that included presurgical Mental Component Scores (MCSs), which is a SF-36 derived measure of emotional health, to determine whether MCS data significantly improved the prediction of pain/function. RESULTS: Higher presurgical MCS (i.e., better emotional health) predicted less back and leg pain after surgery. Similarly, higher presurgical MCS predicted better physical function after surgery. Other important predictors of pain and function were presurgical pain and function, workers' compensation, and smoking status. The associations were modest (2% to 9% of independent variance accounted for), but significant. CONCLUSIONS: Presurgical emotional status is one significant predictor of pain and function outcomes up to 2 years after fusion. Other significant predictors included workers' compensation status, smoking status, and presurgical pain/function. Studies to identify and intervenewith patients with poorer emotional status will clarify whether presurgical mental health intervention can improve pain and function outcomes after surgery or whether these patients are not candidates for surgery.

Adult↗

Depression and glycemic control in elderly ethnically diverse patients with diabetes: the IDEATel project.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of comorbid depression on glycemic control and on response to a telemedicine case management intervention for elderly, ethnically diverse diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Medicare beneficiaries in underserved areas were participants (n = 1,665) in the Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) project and randomized to a telemedicine case management intervention or usual care. The data analyzed include baseline demographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, insulin use, years of education, years of diabetes, and pack-years smoked) and measures of glycemic control (HbA(1c) [A1C]), comorbidity, diabetes symptom severity, functional disability and depression, and 1-year (n = 1,578) A1C. The association between depression and glycemic control was analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively. RESULTS: At baseline, there was a significant correlation between depression and A1C and a trend for depression to predict A1C when other factors were controlled. However, in prospective analyses, depression did not predict change in A1C, either in the control or intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: In this large sample of elderly diabetic patients, a weak relationship between depression and A1C was found, but depression did not prospectively predict change in glycemic control. Thus, there is no evidence that depression should be used to exclude patients from interventions. Also, we should evaluate the impact of depression on outcomes other than glycemic control.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Psychological attributes of preoperative total joint replacement patients: implications for optimal physical outcome.

In this study, 107 primary total joint replacement (TJR) patients were assessed preoperatively using the SF-36 (Mental Component Score [MCS] and Physical Component Score [PCS]), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Patients with preoperative MCS < 50 had significantly higher trait anxiety (P <.001), higher BDI scores (P <.001), and lower appraisal (P <.018) and belonging (P <.006) support when compared with patients with preoperative MCS > or = 50. Low MCS patients used more catastrophizing coping techniques (P <.001) and reported poorer pain control (P <.04). A multivariate prediction model found that adding preoperative MCS to baseline demographic and physical function (PCS) measures significantly improved the prediction of 6-month change in PCS. Further research should evaluate the role of multimodality emotional support in assuring optimal physical return after TJR.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

The relationship between marital quality and adherence to the diabetes care regimen.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires significant behavior change through adherence to, and maintenance of, a complex health care regimen. Social support has been found to be a factor that influences adherence. PURPOSE: This article reports a cross-sectional and prospective assessment of the relationship between marital quality (i.e., intimacy and adjustment) and self-reported adherence to the diabetes care regimen. METHODS: Seventy-eight insulin-treated adults with diabetes were assessed at Time 1 (T1) when they completed two marital quality measures and a measure of adherence to the diabetes care regimen. Sixty participants were contacted 2 years later (Time 2; T2), and the self-care measure was readministered. Blood glucose (sugar) control was assessed by hemoglobin A1c. Demographic data (age, gender, type and duration of diabetes, years married, other medical problems, family history of diabetes, years of education) were gathered from charts and questionnaires. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the ability of the two marital measures at T1 to predict adherence to self-care at T2, controlling for confounding baseline variables. RESULTS: Results showed that both of the marital quality measures predicted many aspects of self-care at T1. Dietary self-care related to marital intimacy and adjustment, as did adherence to exercise and to doctor's recommendations. Neither adherence to blood glucose testing nor blood glucose control was related to marital quality. Prospective analyses showed that neither marital quality measure at T1 was a prospective predictor of aspects of adherence to self-care at T2. CONCLUSIONS: Future efforts to improve self-care should explore the value of interventions that target the spouse and/or the couple's relationship.

Adult↗

A comparison of health-related quality of life of elderly and younger insulin-treated adults with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: diabetes is a significant disease of elderly people, an age group whose numbers will double over the next 20-30 years. Yet studies which assess diabetes-related quality of life have rarely included elderly participants. OBJECTIVES: to compare and contrast the health-related quality of life of elderly (> or = 65 years) and younger individuals with diabetes using reliable and valid assessment tools. METHODS: 191 adults (> or = 30 years) with diabetes currently on an insulin regimen were recruited. Medical and demographic data were gathered from the medical chart. Participants completed a generic quality of life measure (SF-36) and 3 diabetes-specific measures. Statistical analyses compared adults (30-64 years) to elderly adults (> or = 65 years). RESULTS: on the generic SF-36, physical and mental summary scores did not differ. However, elderly participants reported greater role limitations due to physical problems, and better social function. On diabetes-specific measures, elderly participants reported higher satisfaction with diabetes-related aspects of their lives, less diabetes-related emotional distress, and better ability to cope with their diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: the differences that did emerge between the two groups suggest that, though experiencing more limitations in their ability to function in their roles, elderly individuals with diabetes may still feel that they can cope with these limitations and thus manage the distress and lifestyle demands of the diabetes. The value of subscale analysis of the SF-36 and use of diabetes-specific health-related quality of life measures is also affirmed.

Adult↗

A prospective analysis of marital relationship factors and quality of life in diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the relation between marital relationship domains (i.e., intimacy and adjustment) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and glycemic control of individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A previous cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between marital quality and adaptation to diabetes for 78 insulin-treated adults. Each participant completed two marital quality measures (Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Scale) at time 1 (T1). A total of 61 subjects were contacted two years later (time 2 [T2]) and re-administered four HRQoL measures (Diabetes Quality of Life Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey-SF36, Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Glycemic control was assessed by HbA(1c). Demographic data (age, sex, type and duration of diabetes, years married, other medical problems, family history, and years of education) were gathered from charts and questionnaires. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the ability of the two marital measures at T1 to predict HRQoL at T2, controlling for confounding HRQoL and baseline subject variables. RESULTS: Both of the marital quality measures at T1 were prospective predictors of aspects of HRQoL at T2. Less diabetes-related distress at T2 was predicted by better marital adjustment at T1. Greater satisfaction with aspects of the diabetes care regimen at T2 was predicted by better marital adjustment and greater perceived marital intimacy at T1. Neither marital measure predicted general HRQoL or glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: For insulin-treated adults with diabetes, quality of marriage prospectively predicts diabetes-related quality of life. This study highlights the sensitivity of diabetes-specific measures. Future work should explore the value of interventions that target the spouse and/or couple.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗