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PubMed2003

Noncognitive predictors of academic performance. Going beyond the traditional measures.

The purpose of this study was to examine comparatively the use of an atypical, noncognitive predictor of academic achievement, the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI), with the traditional cognitive measures of American College Testing (ACT) score and grade point average (CPA). A review of relevant literature on noncognitive variables as predictors of academic success is provided, followed by a general overview of the PSI and pertinent literature. In this study, the PSI was administered to 28 dental hygiene students, and a series of models were tested. The first model examined the relationship between the traditional cognitive predictors of academic success (ACT score and entering GPA) on academic outcomes (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination score and exit CPA). A second model examined the influence of the PSI composite score when added to the cognitive predictors. A third model examined the addition of the three PSI factor scores to the cognitive predictors. The addition of PSI scores in the second and third models increased the predictive capacity of the respective model. Bivariate correlations indicated a significant inverse relationship (p < 0.05) between the admissions variables of ACT score and entering OPA with PSI composite and factor scores. The PSI personal control factor score showed a significant (p < 0.05) inverse relationship with the outcome measures. Preliminary findings indicate that the PSI adds slightly to the predictive capacity of ACT score and entering GPA, although its usefulness in augmenting these traditional measures used in the student selection process requires further investigation. The PSI factor score of personal control may provide insight into a student's coping skills, potentially having implications on academic achievement.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1992

Race and diabetes as death risk predictors in hemodialysis patients.

Case mix and laboratory predictors of death risk were evaluated in 17,185 hemodialysis patients. The laboratory variables most closely associated with the increased death risk borne by diabetic patients (relative to non-diabetics) and White patients (relative to non-Whites) were identified. The analyses of laboratory death risk predictors were similar to those previously reported. Serum albumin concentration is the most powerful death risk predictor among all of the variables, both case mix and laboratory. Statistical models including only case mix variables reveal both race (RRWhites = 1.42) and diabetes (RRdiabetes = 1.43) as significant predictors. Adding creatinine, albumin, and BUN concentrations to the model eliminated diabetes as a significant predictor. Creatinine and albumin accounted for most of the change. Adding only creatinine eliminated race. The data suggest that reduced visceral and somatic protein mass and/or metabolism may be important determinants of mortality in dialysis patients. Because differences in the concentrations of creatinine and albumin explain much of the risk associated with being White or diabetic, differences in nutritional status may explain the reduced survival observed in those groups. Therefore, clinicians should not simply accept without question the notion that diabetics and Whites are doomed to inferior survival.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of indigenous healer use among Samoans.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utilization of alternative modalities of care (i.e., indigenous healers or fofo) by Samoans, the indigenous peoples of the US Territory of American Samoa and examine predictors (i.e., socio-demographic, access to care, health status, culture-specific beliefs about disease etiology and treatment, and intentions to use healers) of utilization of fofo. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design, with systematic, random sampling procedures. SUBJECTS: 1,834 adult Samoan men and women residing in American Samoa, Hawaii, and Los Angeles. OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence and predictors of utilization of fofo. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of utilization of fofo. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of fofo across the three study sites was 41.0%. The following variables emerged as significant predictors of use of fofo: older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-2.06), resident of American Samoa (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.29-2.21), belief that indigenous healers can treat cancer (OR = 1.79, CI = 1.40-2.30), belief that some illnesses afflict only Samoans (OR = 2.15, CI = 1.72-2.70), and greater intentions to use a fofo (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.81-2.85). Some of the more common medical conditions for which Samoans used fofo were biomedically defined musculoskeletal and neurologic problems, and Samoan sicknesses (ma'i Samoa). CONCLUSIONS: Population-based estimates of use of alternative modalities of care by Samoans are comparable to that reported for the general US population. However, the predictors of utilization of indigenous healers are more likely to be culture-specific health beliefs about disease etiology and treatment. There is a need to better understand Samoan traditional medicine and help-seeking behavior and explore whether indigenous Samoan healers can assist in the delivery of clinically proven and culturally sensitive health interventions to positively impact both disease management and preventative behaviour in this minority Polynesian population.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Patient questionnaires and formal education level as prospective predictors of mortality over 10 years in 97% of 1416 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 15 United States private practices.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively analyze patient questionnaire scores concerning functional disability as well as formal education level as potential predictors of premature mortality over 10 years in 1416 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 15 private practice rheumatology settings in 11 diverse cities in the United States. METHODS: At baseline in 1985 and periodically over 10 years, patients completed mailed self-report multidimensional health assessment questionnaires (MDHAQ) that included functional disability scores, formal education level, and other demographic and clinical data. Vital status was determined 10 years after baseline. Potential predictors of 10 year mortality were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Vital status was accounted for in 1378 patients, 97.3% of the cohort. The standard mortality ratio was 1.6, similar to most reported series of patients with RA, as 401 patients died versus 251 expected over 10 years. Evidence of "dose-response" relations was seen for age, formal education level, functional disability scores, and helplessness scores as predictors of mortality. In Cox proportional hazards models, age, sex, formal education level, functional disability, and helplessness scores remained significant independent predictors of 10 year mortality. CONCLUSION: Functional disability and low formal education level are significant predictors of premature mortality in people with RA under care in US private practice settings, as in most reported cohorts of patients with RA. This study shows that it is possible to account for more than 95% of patients over 10 years using mailed questionnaires to monitor patient status.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Medical malpractice predictors and risk factors for ophthalmologists performing LASIK and PRK surgery.

PURPOSE: To identify physician predictors in laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery that correlate with a higher risk for malpractice liability claims and lawsuits. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study comparing physician characteristics of 100 consecutive Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC) LASIK and PRK claims and suits to demographic and practice pattern data for all active refractive surgeons insured by OMIC between 1996 and 2002. Background information and data were obtained from OMIC underwriting applications, a physician practice pattern survey, and claims file records. Using an outcome of whether or not a physician had a prior history of a claim or suit, logistic regression analyses were used separately for each predictor as well as controlling for refractive surgery volume. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the most important predictor of filing a claim was surgical volume, with those performing more surgery having a greater risk of incurring a claim (odds ratio [OR], 31.4 for >1,000/year versus 0 to 20/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9 - 125; P = .0001). Having one or more prior claims was the only other predictor examined that remained statistically significant after controlling for patient volume (OR, 6.4; 95% CI 2.5 - 16.4; P = .0001). Physician gender, advertising, preoperative time spent with patient, and comanagement appeared to be strong predictors in multivariate analyses when surgical volume was greater than 100 cases per year. CONCLUSION: The chances of incurring a malpractice claim or suit for PRK or LASIK correlates significantly with higher surgical volume and a history of a prior claim or suit. Additional risk factors that increase in importance with higher surgical volume include gender, advertising, preoperative time spent with patient, and comanagement with optometrists. These findings may be used in the future to help improve the quality of care for patients undergoing refractive surgery and provide data for underwriting criteria and risk management protocols to proactively manage and reduce the risk of claims and lawsuits against refractive surgeons.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[The pegasys using and HCV genotype were the independent predictors of the response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictors of IFN therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C through making the multivariate logistic regression analysis. METHODS: The patients in the opened, randomized and controlled trial were enrolled into two group, pegasys and Roferon-A group, and were given 24 weeks of pegasys (injection of 180 microg a week), and Roferon-A (injection three times of Roferon-A 3 MU a week) therapy, and followed 24 weeks. The HCV RNA content was determined at the time before, end of treatment and at the followed-up. The association of the response to the treatment with the clinical characteristics including age, gender, way of HCV infection, history of IFN treatment, planet count, AST/ALT ratio, HCV RNA level, HCV genotype and treatment drugs was made trough multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The PP population containing 197 cases was analyzed. After controlling for age, gender, way of HCV infection, history of IFN treatment, planet count, AST/ALT ratio, HCV RNA level and treatment, the HCV genotype was not predictor of the end of treatment viral response (ETVR) to IFN therapy (OR 0.604, 95% CI 0.271-1.349, P = 0.219), but was the independent predictor of sustained viral response (SVR) (OR 0.408, 95% CI 0.189-0.881, P = 0.023). After controlling for other characteristics, the treatment drug was the predictors of ETVR (OR 0.105, 95% CI 0.052-0.212, P < 0.001) and SVR (OR 0.255, 95% CI 0.123-0.529, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The pegasys using and HCV genotype were the independent predictors of the response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Is hemoglobin level alone a reliable predictor of outcome in the severely anemic surgical patient?

The relationship between outcome and hemoglobin (Hgb), oxygen extraction ratio (ER), history of cardiac, renal, pulmonary, and/or hepatic disease, diabetes, malignancy, sepsis, hypertension, and active bleeding was analyzed in 47 patients with severe anemia (Hgb less than 7.0 gm/dl, mean = 4.6 +/- .2 gm/dl) to evaluate the effect of Hgb on survival and to look for other predictors of outcome. All patients had refused blood transfusion on religious grounds and were participants in a randomized, controlled study of the blood substitute Fluosol DA-20 per cent. Patients were analyzed as a group and after stratifying by Hgb into four levels: (Hgb less than 3.0 gm/dl, N = 7; Hgb less than 3.5 gm/dl, N = 12; Hgb less than 4.0 gm/dl, N = 17; Hgb less than 4.5 gm/dl, N = 23) and by ER into two levels of less than 50 per cent and greater than 50 per cent. Only Hgb, ER, sepsis and active bleeding were predictors of outcome, with sepsis being the only significant, independent predictor of outcome at all levels (P less than .01). Active bleeding was a predictor for levels of Hgb below 4.0 gm/dl. Hgb level alone was a significant predictor only at levels below 3 gm/dl (P less than .05). Extraction ratio interacted with Hgb only below 3 gm/dl (P less than .05). Multiple independent factors influence outcome in the severely anemic patient, the strongest being sepsis and active bleeding. Prevention of sepsis and early intervention to stop bleeding should improve survival in the patient who refuses transfusion.

Anemia↗

PubMed2004

[Application of multi-predictors in the ventilator weaning process].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), airway occlusion pressure (P(0.1)) and traditional weaning predictors in the weaning process for patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Having past 60-min spontaneous breathing trial and satisfied at least 8 of 10 traditional weaning predictors, 80 patients fulfilled the criteria of discontinuing ventilation and were included in the study. The coordinate capability of breath movement, the quantity of sputum, the quantity of rales in the lungs, the efficiency of coughing, respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute ventilation, compliance of the respiratory system, pulse oxygen saturation, pH value of the arterial blood, RSBI and P(0.1) were determined. According to the outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation, patients were divided into a failure group and a success group. T test, chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis were used for statistics analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen (20%) patients failed weaning. By univariate analysis, the average age, RSBI and P(0.1) values were significantly different between the failure and the success groups (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis with weaning outcome as the dependent variable, RSBI [(71 +/- 23) breaths.min(-1).L(-1), (53 +/- 13) breaths.min(-1).L(-1), OR = 1.03] and P(0.1) [(7.4 +/- 2.1) cm H2O, (3.6 +/- 1.4) cm H2O, OR = 6.87] were the only significant variables in the model. Using RSBI </= 105 breaths.min(-1).L(-1) as the threshold value for predicting successful weaning, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 90%, 36% and 78% respectively. Using P(0.1) </= 4.5 cm H2O as the threshold value for predicting successful weaning, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 87%, 66% and 82% respectively. The values of ten traditional predictors, as spirometric and gas exchange, showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the weaning process for patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation, RSBI and P(0.1) are valuable and accurate predictors. Traditional weaning predictors may be useless.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Predictors of black medical student success.

This study identifies those variables, cognitive and noncognitive, that relate significantly to the successful completion of the combined BA/MD degree program. The study sample included 69 black students who entered at year one, directly from high school, between 1972 and 1981. The Student's t-test identified statistically significant differences in the means of selection variables of successful and nonsuccessful black students. Single order correlations between predictor variables and the criterion of graduation were determined. This was followed by a stepwise regression procedure. The same predictor variables were correlated with grade point average (GPA) at the end of year one, and a further analysis added year one GPA to the predictors of graduation in a stepwise regression procedure. The same statistical analyses were carried out on a stratified sample of 69 nonminority students. Predictors of graduation for black students were parents' level of education, admission test score, self-evaluation, and council index (average vote of all committee members on an applicant). Year one GPA was a strong predictor of success for both cohorts of students. This study supports the inclusion of noncognitive information when considering black applicants for medical school. In particular, parents' levels of education and applicants' self-appraisals, along with admission test scores, showed a significant relationship to graduation 6 years later with the MD degree.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2005

Predictors for typical asthma onset from cough variant asthma.

Cough variant asthma is recognized to be a precursor of asthma or preasthmatic state because nearly 30% patients with cough variant asthma develop typical asthma within several years. However, predictors for risk of typical asthma onset from cough variant asthma are unknown. Forty-one patients with cough variant asthma (median age 50 years, 13 men and 28 women), who had undertaken spirometry, bronchial reversibility test, methacholine provocation test, measurements of peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum total IgE, and specific IgE to common allergens, and induced sputum eosinophil count at presentation, were followed up with special emphasis on typical asthma onset during 1 year or more (median 4 years, range 1-12.4). Long-term inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were taken in 27 patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to determine the predictors for typical asthma onset. Asthma onset was recognized in 7 patients. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, peripheral blood eosinophil count, and no use of ICS were significant predictors for the typical asthma onset by univariate analysis. However, only bronchial hyperresponsiveness was the significant predictor when multivariate analysis was used (adjusted OR 0.028, 95% CI 0.001-0.783, p = 0.0355). Bronchial hyperresponsiveness may be the most important predictor for risk of typical asthma onset from cough variant asthma.

Asthma↗

PubMed2006

Rates and predictors of colorectal cancer screening.

INTRODUCTION: Despite widespread recommendations for colorectal cancer screening, the U.S. screening rate is low. The objectives of this study were to describe the rates and predictors of colorectal cancer screening use by examining groups in two categories--1) those who have ever been screened and 2) those with up-to-date screening--and to assess whether trends and predictors change over time. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2000 and 2003 National Health Interview Surveys about the use of fecal occult blood tests, sigmoidoscopies, and colonoscopies for adults aged 50 years and older and without a history of colorectal cancer (N = 11,574 in 2000 and N = 11,779 in 2003). RESULTS: Rates in the 2000 study population of those who have ever been screened for colorectal cancer (53%) had increased in the 2003 study population (55%) as had the rates in the 2003 study population of those with up-to-date colorectal screening (53%) compared with the rates in the 2000 study population (38%). Among those who were ever screened, 76% were up-to-date with screening in 2003, compared with 68% in 2000. There was increased use of colonoscopies but decreased use of fecal occult blood tests and sigmoidoscopies. Individuals were more likely to be up-to-date with screening if they had higher income, higher education, insurance coverage, a usual source of care, and a dental visit in the last year than if these predictors were not evident. Since 2000, these predictors of colorectal cancer screening use have remained stable. CONCLUSION: Although there has been relatively limited success in increasing overall screening, it is encouraging that most people in the group of those who have ever been screened are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. Predictors for colorectal screening were stable over time despite changes in screening policies and rates. Further research is needed to uncover barriers to colorectal cancer screening.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Classic prognostic factors, flow cytometric data, nuclear morphometric variables and mitotic indexes as predictors in transitional cell bladder cancer.

One hundred and eighty-seven patients with a transitional cell bladder cancer were followed by retrospectively for a mean of 9.5 years. Clinical stage (p less than 0.0001), histological grade (p less than 0.0001), papillary (p less than 0.0001), SPF (p less than 0.0001), M/V index (p less than 0.0001), MAI (p less than 0.0001), DNA index (p = 0.0001) SDNA (p = 0.0004), NA10 (p = 0.0023), NA (p = 0.0044) and G2% (p = 0.0158) were significantly correlated with survival in univariate analysis. In Cox's analysis T-category, papillarity and MAI had independent prognostic value and in combination they predicted bladder cancer-related survival significantly (X2 = 117.5, p less than 0.0001). When histological parameters only were analysed, WHO grade, SPF and papillarity were independent predictors and their combined prognostic significance was high (X2 = 76.6, p less than 0.0001). In papillary tumours SPF (p v 0.0005), MAI (p = 0.0009), DNA index (p = 0.0010) and M/V index (p = 0.0021) predicted survival significantly in addition to stage (P less than 0.0001) and grade (p = 0.0003) in univariate analysis. In Cox's analysis T-category, MAI and M/V index were independent predictors and their combined prognostic value was high (X2 = 54.1, p less than 0.0001). In Ta-T1 and in T2-T3 tumours, WHO grade, papillarity, SPF, mitotic indexes and DI were significant predictors in univariate analysis. In Cox's analysis of Ta-T1 tumours papillarity had independent prognostic value, whereas in papillary Ta-T1 tumours mitotic activity included all prognostic information. In T2-T3 tumours WHO grade and SPF were independent predictors. In conclusion, in papillary bladder tumours T-category is the most important predictor of survival followed by parameters reflecting proliferative activity of cancer cells.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of operative mortality for coronary bypass grafting in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Predictors for operative mortality (OM) were studied in 172 consecutive patients (pts) undergoing coronary artery grafts (CAG) for angina pectoris.Seventy eight pts had Class IV angina; of the 147 patients given propranolol, 41 were gradually withdrawn from propranolol and finally discontinued 24 hours before surgery, and 106 were abruptly withdrawn from propranolol 24 hours before CAG; 20 pts had left main coronary disease; 156 pts had cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time shorter than 20 minutes, and 16 pts had a CPB longer than 120 minutes.The operative mortality was 5.2% (9/172) for the entire group. Class IV angina (OM 7%), abrupt propranolol withdrawal (OM 6.6%), left main coronary artery disease (OM 25%), and CPB longer than 120 minutes (OM 50%), all significantly increased OM. These variables were interdependent, however, as many pts belonged to several predictor categories, combinations of predictors were examined, in order to more accurately predict the risk of individual pts. The combination of left main coronary artery disease and CPB longer than 120 minutes; and Class IV angina and CPB longer than 120 minutes were significantly associated with higher operative mortality.We conclude that Class IV angina, abrupt propranolol withdrawal, left main coronary artery disease and prolonged CPB are potent, interdependent predictors of OM in pts undergoing CAG. Consideration of these predictors, alone and in combination, allows effective prediction of OM for CAG in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of health practices within age-sex groups: National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences, 1979.

Health promotion-disease prevention programs share with health behavior research the common objective of identifying population subgroups toward whom services can be targeted. For this report, six age-sex groups were examined to determine similarities and differences in the predictors of eight health practice indices. Data were from the 1979 National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences. Results showed very little similarity of predictors across the three age cohorts (20-34, 35-49, 50-64), between men and women, and among the six age-sex groups. No predictor achieved significance consistently for several health practices in any of the six groups, although years of education made the best showing. The lack of overlap among predictors helps to explain why health promotion messages and recruitment strategies may not appeal to as diverse an audience as initially intended. Possible explanations for the absence of similar predictors include differences in the nature of the various practices themselves, absence of data on intentions behind a person's behavior, and the "over-determined" character of an individual person's behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Predictors of failure after endocardial resection for sustained ventricular tachycardia.

This study was designed to identify characteristics that might be predictors of failure of surgical treatment alone (endocardial resection) for sustained ventricular tachycardia. Thirty-three consecutive patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia were studied by standard techniques preoperatively, intraoperatively, and 7 to 36 days postoperatively. Standard endocardial resection was guided by intraoperative mapping in all patients. Adjuvant cryoablation was used in areas that were not accessible to excision. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the results of the postoperative electrophysiologic study. Group I (14) were patients who still had ventricular tachycardia (failure) and Group II (19) were those who did not have ventricular tachycardia (success). On the basis of the postoperative electrophysiologic testing, the time from myocardial infarction to surgical treatment (less than 3 months) was a powerful predictor of failure of operation alone to prevent ventricular tachycardia (p less than 0.01). This may indicate a different mechanism of ventricular tachycardia in this group of patients. Another possible predictor of surgical failure was three-vessel disease. The site of origin of ventricular tachycardia, the use of cryoablation, the number of morphologies, and the amount of tissue resected were not significant predictors of success or failure. The result of the postoperative electrophysiologic study was also a strong prognostic predictor of subsequent arrhythmias.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

Predictors of low and very low birth weight and the relation of these to cerebral palsy.

In a large prospective study, we investigated predictors of moderately low (1,501 to 2,500 g) and very low (less than 1,501 g) birth weight. Maternal age, height, and socioeconomic status, related to moderately low birth weight on univariate analysis, were not on multivariate analysis significant predictors for either low-birth-weight outcome. The leading predictors of very low birth weight were low weight (less than 2,000 g) of last live birth, fetal malformation, nonwhite race, early vaginal bleeding, cigarette smoking, and chorionitis. Some of these were also predictors of moderately low birth weight. About 20% of births under 1,501 g could be attributed to chorionitis, a characteristic of less than 3% of the births. Of the major predictors of low birth weight, only prolonged rupture of membranes, chorionitis, and congenital malformations contributed to the risk of cerebral palsy beyond their contribution to the risk of low birth weight.

Cerebral Palsy↗

PubMed1983

Evaluation of common predictors for selection of postdoctoral dental students.

Certain predictors are traditionally presumed to be reliable measures for selection of candidates for general dentistry training programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative value of academic standing, letters of recommendation, and personal interview impressions by comparing them with performance during training. Predictor data were collected from the application files of all postdoctoral trainees in the advanced general dentistry training program at the Eastern Dental Center of the past ten years (N = 154). However, only 102 postdoctoral students had information available for all three predictor criteria. Performance was rated subjectively on completion of training by two faculty members on a six-point rating scale. The highest correlations between predictors and performance were to academic achievement (r = 0.347). Weaker, though statistically significant, correlations were found for the personal interview (r = 0.206) and letters of recommendation (r = 0.192). Although these predictor criteria will continue to be used in the selection of candidates, administrators and selection committees must be aware of the limitations of such criteria in predicting performance.

Education, Dental, Graduate↗

PubMed1995

Predictors of left ventricular mass and resting blood pressure in children: the Muscatine Study.

The objective of this study was to determine predictors of left ventricular mass (LVM) and resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) in preteenage children. Subjects consisted of 124 children (7.9-12 yr) from Muscatine, Iowa. Methods consisted of echocardiographic examinations, random-zero SBP, hormone determination of serum androgens, physician's examination for Tanner stage, anthropometry, maximal bicycle ergometry, hand grip dynamometry, and a physical activity survey. Least square's regression analysis quantified the percentage of explained variability in LVM and resting SBP attributable to the predictor variables. All models were adjusted for body composition. In boys, 72% of the variability in LVM was explained by fat-free body mass (FFM), sum of skinfolds, and peak SBP. In girls, FFM and peak SBP explained 69% of the variability in LVM. Peak SBP was also a significant predictor of resting SBP in boys and girls. Study results indicated that physical fitness and physical activity are not significant predictors of LVM nor resting SBP; however, after adjusting for body composition, peak SBP was an independent predictor of LVM and resting SBP. This result suggests that peak SBP may aid in the prediction of subsequent hypertension and its complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy.

Blood Pressure↗