1
|
Ozturk ED, Zhang Y, Lai MHC, Sakamoto MS, Chanfreau-Coffinier C, Merritt VC. Measurement Invariance of the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory in Male and Female Million Veteran Program Enrollees Completing the Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation. Assessment 2024; 31:967-979. [PMID: 37710416 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231198214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated measurement invariance across males and females on the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) in U.S. military veterans enrolled in the VA Million Veteran Program. Participants (N = 17,059; males: n = 15,450; females: n = 1,609) included Veterans who took part in the VA Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Screening and Evaluation Program and completed the NSI. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses investigated measurement invariance of the NSI 4-factor model. The configural (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.948, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.060) and metric (CFI = 0.948, RMSEA = 0.058) invariance models showed acceptable fit. There was a minor violation of scalar invariance (Δχ2 = 232.50, p < .001); however, the degree of noninvariance was mild (ΔCFI = -0.002, Δ RMSEA = 0 . 000 ). Our results demonstrate measurement invariance across sex, suggesting that the NSI 4-factor model can be used to accurately assess symptoms in males and females following TBI. Findings highlight the importance of considering validity of measurement across study groups to increase confidence that a measure is interpreted similarly by respondents from different subgroups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin D Ozturk
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, USA
- San Diego State University and University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Yichi Zhang
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark H C Lai
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - McKenna S Sakamoto
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, USA
- Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - Victoria C Merritt
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, USA
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Clark JMR, Ozturk ED, Chanfreau-Coffinier C, Merritt VC. Evaluation of clinical outcomes and employment status in veterans with dual diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Qual Life Res 2024; 33:229-239. [PMID: 37856045 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-023-03518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine clinical outcomes and employment status in Veterans with and without a dual diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS This cross-sectional study examined a national sample of Veterans enrolled in the VA Million Veteran Program who completed the Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE) as part of the Veterans Health Administration's TBI Screening and Evaluation Program. Veterans (N = 12,985) were classified into the following TBI/SCI groups using CTBIE data: those with a dual diagnosis of TBI and SCI (TBI+/SCI+); those with a history of TBI but no SCI (TBI+/SCI-); and those with no history of TBI or SCI (TBI-/SCI-; i.e., the control group). CTBIE-derived outcomes included neurobehavioral symptoms, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, pain and pain interference, and employment status. RESULTS Chi-square analyses showed significant associations between TBI/SCI group and all clinical outcomes evaluated (all p's < .001; V = 0.07-0.11). In general, the TBI+/SCI+ and TBI +/SCI- groups endorsed comparable levels of neurobehavioral symptoms, psychiatric symptoms, and pain, but significantly greater rates of symptoms and pain relative to the TBI-/SCI- group. Effect sizes for all pairwise comparisons were small (φ = 0.01-0.11). Finally, there was no significant association between TBI/SCI group and employment status (p = .170; V = 0.02), with all three groups showing relatively comparable rates of unemployment. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of SCI status, Veterans with TBI history endorsed poorer clinical outcomes than Veterans without TBI and SCI. However, rates of unemployment were similarly high across all three groups. Findings suggest that any Veteran completing the CTBIE may be at risk for poor clinical and employment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian M R Clark
- Psychology & Research Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Erin D Ozturk
- Psychology & Research Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, USA
- San Diego Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Victoria C Merritt
- Psychology & Research Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS, San Diego, CA, USA.
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (151B), 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Double Blast Wave Primary Effect on Synaptic, Glymphatic, Myelin, Neuronal and Neurovascular Markers. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020286. [PMID: 36831830 PMCID: PMC9954059 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Explosive blasts are associated with neurological consequences as a result of blast waves impact on the brain. Yet, the neuropathologic and molecular consequences due to blast waves vs. blunt-TBI are not fully understood. An explosive-driven blast-generating system was used to reproduce blast wave exposure and examine pathological and molecular changes generated by primary wave effects of blast exposure. We assessed if pre- and post-synaptic (synaptophysin, PSD-95, spinophilin, GAP-43), neuronal (NF-L), glymphatic (LYVE1, podoplanin), myelin (MBP), neurovascular (AQP4, S100β, PDGF) and genomic (DNA polymerase-β, RNA polymerase II) markers could be altered across different brain regions of double blast vs. sham animals. Twelve male rats exposed to two consecutive blasts were compared to 12 control/sham rats. Western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence analyses were performed across the frontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brainstem. The results showed altered levels of AQP4, S100β, DNA-polymerase-β, PDGF, synaptophysin and PSD-95 in double blast vs. sham animals in most of the examined regions. These data indicate that blast-generated changes are preferentially associated with neurovascular, glymphatic, and DNA repair markers, especially in the brainstem. Moreover, these changes were not accompanied by behavioral changes and corroborate the hypothesis for which an asymptomatic altered status is caused by repeated blast exposures.
Collapse
|
4
|
Clark AL, McGill MB, Ozturk ED, Schnyer DM, Chanfreau-Coffinier C, Merritt VC. Self-reported physical functioning, cardiometabolic health conditions, and health care utilization patterns in Million Veteran Program enrollees with Traumatic Brain Injury Screening and Evaluation Program data. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:2. [PMID: 36597157 PMCID: PMC9810242 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-022-00435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Examining the health outcomes of veterans who have completed the United States Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Screening and Evaluation Program may aid in the refinement and improvement of clinical care initiatives within the VHA. This study compared self-reported physical functioning, cardiometabolic health conditions, and health care utilization patterns in Million Veteran Program enrollees with TBI Screening and Evaluation Program data (collected between 2007 and 2019), with the goal of enhancing understanding of potentially modifiable health conditions in this population. METHODS In this observational cohort study, veterans (n = 16,452) were grouped based on the diagnostic outcome of the TBI Screening and Evaluation Program: 1) negative TBI screen (Screen-); 2) positive TBI screen but no confirmed TBI diagnosis [Screen+/ Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE)-]; or 3) positive TBI screen and confirmed TBI diagnosis (Screen+/CTBIE+). Chi-square tests and analysis of covariance were used to explore group differences in physical functioning, cardiometabolic health conditions, and health care utilization patterns, and logistic regressions were used to examine predictors of Screen+/- and CTBIE+/- group status. RESULTS The results showed that veterans in the Screen+/CTBIE- and Screen+/CTBIE+ groups generally reported poorer levels of physical functioning (P's < 0.001, np2 = 0.02 to 0.03), higher rates of cardiometabolic health conditions (P's < 0.001, φ = 0.14 to 0.52), and increased health care utilization (P's < 0.001, φ = 0.14 to > 0.5) compared with the Screen- group; however, health outcomes were generally comparable between the Screen+/CTBIE- and Screen+/CTBIE+ groups. Follow-up analyses confirmed that while physical functioning, hypertension, stroke, healthcare utilization, and prescription medication use reliably distinguished between the Screen- and Screen+ groups (P's < 0.02, OR's 0.78 to 3.38), only physical functioning distinguished between the Screen+/CTBIE- and Screen+/CTBIE+ groups (P < 0.001, OR 0.99). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that veterans who screen positive for TBI, regardless of whether they are ultimately diagnosed with TBI, are at greater risk for negative health outcomes, signifying that these veterans represent a vulnerable group that may benefit from increased clinical care and prevention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Clark
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, 92161, USA.,Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Makenna B McGill
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Erin D Ozturk
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, 92161, USA.,San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, 92120, USA
| | - David M Schnyer
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Catherine Chanfreau-Coffinier
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
| | - Victoria C Merritt
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, 92161, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 29093, USA. .,Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS, San Diego, 92161, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|