Re-examining threats to the reliability and validity of putative brain-behavior relationships: new guidelines for assessing the effect of patients lost to follow-up

Assessment of measurement accuracy of amplified DNA using a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay

A colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay detects changes in pH during amplification based on color changes at a constant temperature. Currently, various studies have focused on developing and assessing molecular point-of-care testing instruments. In this study, we evaluated amplified DNA concentrations measured using the colorimetric LAMP assay of the 1POT™ Professional device (1drop Inc, Korea). Results of the 1POT analysis of clinical samples were compared with measurements obtained from the Qubit™ 4 and NanoDrop™ 2000 devices (both from Thermo Fisher Scientific, MA, USA). These results showed a correlation of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92-0.98) between 1POT and the Qubit and NanoDrop. 1POT can measure amplified DNA accurately and is suitable for on-site molecular diagnostics.

Relationship Between Obesity and Medial Longitudinal Arch Bowing

BACKGROUND

There have been reports about the association between obesity and the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of foot. The purpose of this study is to investigate the change of various parameters related to the MLA according to obesity classification severity by the World Health Organization using weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT).

METHODS

WBCT data of the noninvolved side of patients presenting with unilateral foot and ankle problems or healthy candidates from September 2014 to October 2022 were extracted from a single referral hospital. Forty-four cases in each of 5 obesity classes were selected sequentially. Two orthopaedic surgeons measured foot and ankle offset, forefoot arch angle (FAA), hindfoot moment arm, percentage of uncoverage of the middle facet of the subtalar joint, talonavicular angle (TNA), navicular-medial cuneiform angle, medial cuneiform-first metatarsal angle, talus-first metatarsal angle (TMT1A), first tarsometatarsal subluxation (TMT1S), talonavicular coverage angle, navicular floor distance (NFD), and NFD per height. Positive values indicate plantar collapse. Intra- and interobserver reliabilities were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. One-way analysis of variance tests were performed for parametric data with equal variances, and Welch's test for unequal variances. Kruskal-Wallis test was performed for nonparametric data. Post hoc analysis was performed for statistically significant parameters. Correlation analysis between body mass index (BMI) and 12 parameters were performed using Pearson test.

RESULTS

Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were excellent, except for TMT1S. The TNA and TMT1A showed a statistically significant difference. FAA (r = -0.2), TNA (r = 0.182), TMT1A (r = 0.296), and NFD (r = -0.173) showed a statistically significant correlation with BMI.

CONCLUSION

In nonsymptomatic feet, we found that the talonavicular joint, as measured by the TNA, to be influenced by obesity classification. Obesity and increased BMI was associated with a negative influence on the MLA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

A preliminary choroid plexus volumetric study in individuals with psychosis

The choroid plexus (ChP) is part of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, regulating brain homeostasis and the brain's response to peripheral events. Its upregulation and enlargement are considered essential in psychosis. However, the timing of the ChP enlargement has not been established. This study introduces a novel magnetic resonance imaging-based segmentation method to examine ChP volumes in two cohorts of individuals with psychosis. The first sample consists of 41 individuals with early course psychosis (mean duration of illness = 1.78 years) and 30 healthy individuals. The second sample consists of 30 individuals with chronic psychosis (mean duration of illness = 7.96 years) and 34 healthy individuals. We utilized manual segmentation to measure ChP volumes. We applied ANCOVAs to compare normalized ChP volumes between groups and partial correlations to investigate the relationship between ChP, LV volumes, and clinical characteristics. Our segmentation demonstrated good reliability (.87). We further showed a significant ChP volume increase in early psychosis (left: p < .00010, right: p < .00010) and a significant positive correlation between higher ChP and higher LV volumes in chronic psychosis (left: r = .54, p = .0030, right: r = .68; p < .0010). Our study suggests that ChP enlargement may be a marker of acute response around disease onset. It might also play a modulatory role in the chronic enlargement of lateral ventricles, often reported in psychosis. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the dynamics of ChP enlargement as a promising marker for novel therapeutic strategies.

Needle orientation for temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis in Koreans

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the highest opportunity skin puncture point and needle orientation according to facial asymmetry and classification.

METHODS

Computed tomography of 136 patients was analyzed. Horizontal and vertical angles and distances from the canthal-tragal line were investigated to determine the puncture point and needle's angle.

RESULT

All patients' average points were 7.39 (±2.85) mm anterior to the tragus and 3.44 (±4.18) mm below the canthal-tragal line with an angle of 8.53 (±6.90)° anteriorly and 32.26 (±7.23)° superiorly. Regarding asymmetry, there was a statistical difference in horizontal angle, depth, and canthal-tragal distance between the deviated and non-deviated sides. Especially, vertical distances were 4.44 (±4.66) mm and 2.59 (±4.11) mm in the deviated and non-deviated sides, respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In closed-mouth, the puncture point was closer to the tragus and lower than the conventional point. The point in the deviated side should be considered lower than the non-deviated side.

Assessment of medical students' clinical performance using high-fidelity simulation: comparison of peer and instructor assessment

BACKGROUND

High-fidelity simulators are highly useful in assessing clinical competency; they enable reliable and valid evaluation. Recently, the importance of peer assessment has been highlighted in healthcare education, and studies using peer assessment in healthcare, such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy, have examined the value of peer assessment. This study aimed to analyze inter-rater reliability between peers and instructors and examine differences in scores between peers and instructors in the assessment of high-fidelity-simulation-based clinical performance by medical students.

METHODS

This study analyzed the results of two clinical performance assessments of 34 groups of fifth-year students at Ajou University School of Medicine in 2020. This study utilized a modified Queen's Simulation Assessment Tool to measure four categories: primary assessment, diagnostic actions, therapeutic actions, and communication. In order to estimate inter-rater reliability, this study calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient and used the Bland and Altman method to analyze agreement between raters. A t-test was conducted to analyze the differences in evaluation scores between colleagues and faculty members. Group differences in assessment scores between peers and instructors were analyzed using the independent t-test.

RESULTS

Overall inter-rater reliability of clinical performance assessments was high. In addition, there were no significant differences in overall assessment scores between peers and instructors in the areas of primary assessment, diagnostic actions, therapeutic actions, and communication.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that peer assessment can be used as a reliable assessment method compared to instructor assessment when evaluating clinical competency using high-fidelity simulators. Efforts should be made to enable medical students to actively participate in the evaluation process as fellow assessors in high-fidelity-simulation-based assessment of clinical performance in situations similar to real clinical settings.

Randomized controlled trial of group motivational interviewing for veterans with substance use disorders

BACKGROUND

Motivational interviewing delivered in a group format is understudied yet promising as a treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). We evaluated the efficacy of group motivational interviewing (GMI) relative to a treatment-control (TCC) for enhancing treatment and self-help engagement and decreasing alcohol and drug use among veterans with SUD and co-existing psychiatric disorders.

METHOD

Veterans (n = 118) with alcohol use disorder were recruited within an outpatient SUD treatment program and randomized to GMI or TCC upon program entry. Alcohol use, SUD treatment, and 12-step session attendance were primary outcomes. Drug use days was the secondary outcome. Participants were assessed at baseline and at one-and three-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed between GMI and TCC for binge drinking at both one (RR = .74; 95 % CI [.58, .94]) and three-month follow-up (RR = .74; 95 % CI [.59, .91]). At three-month follow-up, significant differences between treatment conditions were observed for alcohol use days (RR = .79; 95 % CI [.67, .94]), number of SUD treatment sessions (RR = 2.53; 95 % CI [1.99, 3.22]), and 12-step sessions attended (RR = 1.64; 95 % CI [1.35-1.98]). Similarly, we observed significant effects for GMI on reducing alcohol consumption in standard drinks (RR = .49; 95 % CI [.25, .95]). Drug use days declined at each follow-up, with no significant differences between treatment conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

GMI delivered at SUD treatment program entry enhanced treatment session and 12-step group attendance and lowered alcohol consumption among outpatient Veterans. Future research should study how GMI works and its effectiveness in SUD treatment settings.

Three-dimensional assessment of the anterior and inferior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve using computed tomography images in patients with and without mandibular asymmetry

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in configuration and dimensions of the anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve (ALIAN) in patients with and without mandibular asymmetry.

Method

Preoperative computed tomography images of patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery from January 2016 to December 2018 at a single institution were analyzed. Subjects were classified into two groups as “Asymmetry group” and “Symmetry group”. The distance from the most anterior and most inferior points of the ALIAN (IANant and IANinf) to the vertical and horizontal reference planes were measured (dAnt and dInf). The distance from IANant and IANinf to the mental foramen were also calculated (dAnt_MF and dInf_MF). The length of the mandibular body and symphysis area were measured. All measurements were analyzed using 3D analysis software.

Results

There were 57 total eligible subjects. In the Asymmetry group, dAnt and dAnt_MF on the non-deviated side were significantly longer than the deviated side (p < 0.001). dInf_MF on the non-deviated side was also significantly longer than the deviated side (p = 0.001). Mandibular body length was significantly longer on the non-deviated side (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in length in the symphysis area (p = 0.623). In the Symmetry group, there was no difference between the left and right sides for all variables.

Conclusion

In asymmetric patients, there is a difference tendency in the ALIAN between the deviated and non-deviated sides. In patients with mandibular asymmetry, this should be considered during surgery in the anterior mandible.

Impact of rapid palatal expansion on the internal nasal valve and obstructive nasal symptoms in children

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on the nasal airway subjectively by utilizing patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) and objectively by evaluating validated internal nasal valve (INV) measurements obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in pediatrics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, subjects who underwent RPE from March to December 2018 with cone beam CT and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores were included. Exclusion criteria included craniofacial deformity, allergies, asthma, recent nasal trauma, or surgery. INV measurements (angle and cross-sectional area), diastema, midpalatal suture opening, and NOSE scores were evaluated.

RESULTS

Fifty-one subjects met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 10.1 ± 2.6. Pre-expansion mean NOSE score was 32.55 (moderate) while post-expansion was 13.92 (mild). Mean NOSE score improved significantly by an average of 18.63 following post-expansion (P < 0.0001). The patients' right and left INV angles increased significantly by a mean of 2.42° and 2.65° respectively (P < 0.0001). Right and left INV cross-sectional areas increased significantly by an average of 14.35 mm² (P < 0.0001) and 14.17 mm² (P < 0.0001) respectively. An average expansion of the diastema and the suture was 1.60 mm and 3.05 mm respectively (P < 0.0001), with an average of 6.29 mm of expansion. We found the amount of diastema expansion to correlate with change in NOSE score (R = - 0.32, P = 0.022). Age and diastema showed a negative correlation (R = - 0.44, P = 0.0019), while INV angle and diastema showed a statistically significant positive correlation (R = 0.28, P = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

RPE showed improvement in both NOSE scores and objective measures of the INV. This may show the possibility of considering RPE in managing resistant pediatric nasal airways. Future studies should include collaboration with pediatric otolaryngologists, with the inclusion of pediatric patients with persistent nasal obstruction.

A randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a brief alcohol intervention supplemented with a substance-free activity session or relaxation training

OBJECTIVE

Behavioral economic theory suggests that a reduction in alcohol use is most likely when there is an increase in rewarding substance-free activities. Anxiety has also been linked to heavy drinking, and strategies to reduce anxiety may enhance alcohol interventions. The goal of this 2-site randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a brief alcohol intervention that was supplemented with either a behavioral economic substance-free activity session (SFAS) or a relaxation training (Relaxation training [RT]) session.

METHOD

Participants were 393 college students (61% female, mean age = 18.77 years) who reported 2 or more past-month heavy drinking episodes. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) assessment; (b) alcohol brief motivational intervention (BMI) plus SFAS; or (c) BMI plus RT. Both treatment conditions included 2 in-person sessions plus a phone booster session. Outcomes were evaluated 1-, 6-, 12-, and 16-months postintervention.

RESULTS

Generalized linear mixed models indicated that the combination of a BMI plus either the SFAS or RT was associated with significant reductions in alcohol use and problems across the 16-month follow-up compared with assessment only. There were no significant differences between the two active treatment conditions. Changes in proportional reinforcement from substance-related activities, and protective behavioral strategies mediated treatment effects.

CONCLUSION

Two-session (plus booster) interventions that combine BMI and either substance-free activity enhancement or RT can result in enduring reductions in alcohol misuse among college drinkers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The relationship between masseter muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography and facial profile in young Korean adults

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between masseter muscle thickness, facial morphology, and mandibular morphology in Korean adults using ultrasonography.

Materials and Methods

Ultrasonography was used to measure the masseter muscle thickness bilaterally of 40 adults (20 males, 20 females) and was performed in the relaxed and contracted states. Facial photos and panoramic radiography were used for morphological analyses and evaluated for correlations with masseter muscle thickness. We also evaluated the correlations of age, body weight, stature, and body constitution with masseter muscle thickness.

Results

In the relaxing, the masseter was 9.8±1.3 mm in females and 11.3±1.2 mm in males. In the contracted state, it was 12.4±1.4 mm in females and 14.7±1.4 mm in males. Facial photography showed that bizygomatic facial width over facial height was correlated with masseter muscle thickness in both sexes in the relaxed state, and was statistically significantly correlated with masseter muscle thickness in males in the contracted state. In panoramic radiography, correlations were found between anterior angle length and posterior angle length and masseter muscle thickness in females, and between body length and posterior angle length, between anterior angle length and body length, between ramal length and body length, and between body length and condyle length in males.

Conclusion

Masseter muscle thickness was associated with facial and mandibular morphology in both sexes, and with age in males. Ultrasonography can be used effectively to measure masseter muscle thickness.

Factors influencing attrition in a multisite, randomized, clinical trial following traumatic brain injury in adolescence

BACKGROUND

Attrition in longitudinal research negatively affects statistical power, disrupts statistical stability, and can produce unwanted bias.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors associated with shorter length of study participation and lower rates of study completion (ie, attrition) in a large, multisite, longitudinal, randomized, clinical trial examining the efficacy of a Web-based family problem-solving treatment following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adolescence.

SETTING

Five major trauma centers in the central and western regions of the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Children (N = 132) aged 12 to 17 years hospitalized for complicated mild to severe TBI within the previous 6 months.

RESULTS

Completers had a higher primary caregiver education and higher family income than noncompleters, whereas ethnicity, latency to baseline assessment, and intervention group were not significantly associated with study completion.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that has specifically examined factors of attrition in a pediatric TBI population. The results suggest that research on pediatric TBI populations may be biased toward higher-income families and highlights the importance of designing studies with increased awareness of the impact of participant demographic factors.

An anatomically sound surgical simulation model for myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion

OBJECTIVE

Myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion (MT) is a common surgical procedure. Although surgical simulation has proven to be an effective training tool, an anatomically sound simulation model for MT is lacking. We developed such a model and assessed its impact on the operating room performance of senior medical students.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective randomized trial.

METHODS

A randomized single-blind controlled study of simulation training with the MT model versus no simulation training. Each participant was randomized to either the simulation model group or control group, after performing an initial MT procedure. Within two weeks of the first procedure, the students performed a second MT. All procedures were performed on real patients and rated with a Global Rating Scale by two attending otolaryngologists. Time to complete the MT was also recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-four senior medical students were enrolled. Control and intervention groups did not differ at baseline on their Global Rating Scale score or time to complete the MT procedure. Following simulation training, the study group received significantly higher scores (P=.005) and performed the MT procedure in significantly less time (P=.034). The control group did not improve their performance scores (P>.05) or the time to complete the procedure (P>.05).

CONCLUSION

Our surgical simulation model shows promise for being a valuable teaching tool for MT for senior medical students. Such anatomically appropriate physical simulators may benefit teaching of junior trainees.

Startup circuit training program reduces metabolic risk in Latino adolescents

PURPOSE

This study aimed to test the effects of a circuit training (CT; aerobic + strength training) program, with and without motivational interviewing (MI) behavioral therapy, on reducing adiposity and type 2 diabetes risk factors in Latina teenagers.

METHODS

Thirty-eight Latina adolescents (15.8 ± 1.1 yr) who are overweight/obese were randomly assigned to control (C; n = 12), CT (n = 14), or CT + MI (n = 12). The CT classes were held twice a week (60-90 min) for 16 wk. The CT + MI group also received individual or group MI sessions every other week. The following were measured before and after intervention: strength by one-repetition maximum; cardiorespiratory fitness (V·O 2max) by submaximal treadmill test; physical activity by accelerometry; dietary intake by records; height, weight, waist circumference; total body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and hepatic fat fraction by magnetic resonance imaging; and glucose/insulin indices by fasting blood draw. Across-intervention group effects were tested using repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc pairwise comparisons.

RESULTS

CT and CT + MI participants, compared with controls, significantly increased fitness (+16% and +15% vs -6%, P = 0.03) and leg press (+40% vs +20%, P = 0.007). Compared with controls, CT participants also decreased waist circumference (-3% vs +3%; P < 0.001), subcutaneous adipose tissue (-10% vs 8%, P = 0.04), visceral adipose tissue (-10% vs +6%, P = 0.05), fasting insulin (-24% vs +6%, P = 0.03), and insulin resistance (-21% vs -4%, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CT may be an effective starter program to reduce fat depots and improve insulin resistance in Latino youth who are overweight/obese, whereas the additional MI therapy showed no additive effect on these health outcomes.

Cognitive outcome in children and young adults who sustained severe and moderate traumatic brain injury 10 years earlier

OBJECTIVE

This study is a population-based, retrospective follow-up study of neuropsychological functions after severe and moderate TBI.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-five survivors of TBI injured in 1987-1991 in the 0-17-year age group were identified. Of the traceable individuals (149), 53 patients who sustained injury at a mean of 9.96 years participated in a neuropsychological investigation 10 years post-injury. A control group of 40 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex was chosen. An extensive neuropsychological test battery was used.

RESULTS

The TBI group showed significantly poorer performance in tests of intellectual function, with substantially lower results in verbal tests and in tests of verbal learning and memory, visuo-constructive ability and executive functions. The severely injured group showed substantial recovery. Poor results in visuo-constructive tests and tests of executive functions remained.

CONCLUSIONS

Severity of injury is an important factor when assessing outcome, even 10 years after childhood TBI. The TBI group obtained poorer results on most of the measurements compared with healthy controls. Verbal function was strongly affected which needs to be taken into consideration when preparing for rehabilitation programmes. Evaluations of final outcome should not be made before the subjects reach adulthood.

Neuropsychological prediction of attrition due to death

In aging research, attrition bias produces underestimates of cognitive decline and limits the interpretation of cognitive change. Using data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, we identified neuropsychological predictors of death among not cognitively impaired (NCI) and cognitively impaired, not-demented (CIND) persons. For those with NCI, two neuropsychological measures significantly predicted attrition, over and above age, in the short term, while age was the best long-term predictor. The absence of neuropsychological predictors for the CIND group may reflect the group's etiological heterogeneity. In future research, the use of a more homogeneous subset of CIND may yield additional predictors.

Long-term attention problems in children with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To examine long-term attention problems and their cognitive correlates after childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHOD

Data were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal study conducted between 1992 and 2002. Participants included 41 children with severe TBI, 41 with moderate TBI, and 50 with orthopedic injury (OI), who were all between 6 and 12 years of age at the time of injury. Parent ratings of attention problems were obtained at a long-term follow-up on average 4 years post-injury and compared with ratings of premorbid attention problems obtained shortly after injury. At the long-term follow-up, children also completed several cognitive tests of attention and executive functions.

RESULTS

Hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses indicated that the severe TBI group displayed significantly more attention problems than the OI group at 4 years post-injury, both behaviorally and cognitively, after controlling for race, socioeconomic status, and premorbid attention problems. At long-term follow-up, 46% of the severe TBI group displayed significant attention problems on the Child Behavior Checklist, as opposed to 26% of the OI group (odds ratio=3.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-9.94). On the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, 20% of the severe TBI group displayed clinically significant attention problems compared with 4% in the OI group (odds ratio=9.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-73.99). However, group differences in behavioral symptoms were significantly larger for children with more premorbid symptoms than for children with fewer premorbid problems. Measures of executive functions were significantly related to behavioral attention problems, after controlling for group membership, race, and socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood TBI exacerbates premorbid attention problems. Long-term behavioral symptoms of attention problems are related to the cognitive deficits in attention and executive functions that often occur in association with childhood TBI.

Interpersonal stressors and resources as predictors of parental adaptation following pediatric traumatic injury

The authors examined the relationship of preinjury interpersonal resources and stressors to parental adaptation following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and orthopedic injury. Parents of children with severe TBI (n = 53), moderate TBI (n = 56), and orthopedic injuries (n = 80) were assessed soon after injury, 6 and 12 months after the initial evaluation, and at an extended follow-up with a mean of 4 years postinjury. General linear model analyses provide support for both main and moderating effects of stressors and resources on parental adjustment. Support from friends and spouse was associated with less psychological distress, whereas family and spouse stressors were associated with greater distress. The results also reveal a marked decline in injury-related stress over follow-up for families in the severe TBI group who reported a combination of high stressors and high resources. The decline suggests that interpersonal resources attenuated long-term family burden because of severe TBI. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for intervention following TBI.

Short- and long-term social outcomes following pediatric traumatic brain injury

The social outcomes of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) were examined in a prospective, longitudinal study that included 53 children with severe TBI, 56 with moderate TBI, and 80 with orthopedic injuries, recruited between 6 and 12 years of age. Child and family functioning were assessed at baseline, at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, and at an extended follow-up a mean of 4 years post injury. Growth curve analyses revealed that pediatric TBI yields negative social outcomes that are exacerbated by family environments characterized by lower socioeconomic status, fewer family resources, and poorer family functioning. After controlling for group membership, age, race, socioeconomic status, and IQ, path analyses indicated that long-term social outcomes were accounted for in part by specific neurocognitive skills, including executive functions and pragmatic language, and by social problem-solving. Deficits in these domains among children with TBI are likely to reflect damage to a network of brain regions that have been implicated in social cognition.

A prospective study of short- and long-term neuropsychological outcomes after traumatic brain injury in children

Longitudinal neuropsychological outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were investigated in 53 children with severe TBI, 56 children with moderate TBI, and 80 children with orthopedic injuries only. Neuropsychological functioning was assessed at baseline, at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, and at an extended follow-up (a mean of 4 years postinjury). Mixed model analyses revealed persistent neuropsychological sequelae of TBI that generally did not vary as a function of time postinjury. Some recovery occurred during the first year postinjury, but recovery reached a plateau after that time, and deficits were still apparent at the extended follow-up. Further recovery was uncommon after the first year postinjury. Family factors did not moderate neuropsychological outcomes, despite their demonstrated influence on behavior and academic achievement after childhood TBI.

A prospective study of long-term caregiver and family adaptation following brain injury in children

OBJECTIVE

We examined long-term differences in family adaptation following traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and orthopedic injuries.

DESIGN

Families of children with severe TBI (n = 53), moderate TBI (n = 56), and orthopedic injuries (n = 80) were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months post injury and at an extended follow-up an average of 4.1 years post injury. Caregiver and family outcomes were examined using mixed model analysis.

RESULTS

Patterns of adaptation over time varied across groups but indicated long-standing injury-related stress and burden in the severe TBI group.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe TBI results in persistent caregiver stress for a substantial proportion of families.

A prospective study of short- and long-term outcomes after traumatic brain injury in children: behavior and achievement

Longitudinal behavior and achievement outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were investigated in 53 children with severe TBI, 56 children with moderate TBI, and 80 children with orthopedic injuries not involving brain insult. Measures of preinjury child and family status and of postinjury achievement skills were administered shortly after injury. Assessments were repeated 3 times across a mean follow-up interval of 4 years. Results from mixed model analysis revealed persisting sequelae of TBI. Recovery of math skills was observed in the severe TBI group but only for children from less stressed families. Social disadvantage in children with TBI predicted more adverse behavioral sequelae and less favorable changes in some outcome measures. The findings suggest that pediatric TBI has long-term effects on behavior and achievement but that postinjury progress is influenced by the family environment.

School-age consequences of birth weight less than 750 g: a review and update

Recent advances in perinatal care have led to the survival of increasing numbers of children born at the lower limits of viability. Children with very low birth weight (LBW; less than 1,500 g, 3 lb 5 oz) have been studied extensively. Findings document poorer outcomes relative to normal birth weight term-born controls in neurologic and health status, cognitive-neuropsychological skills, school performance, academic achievement, and behavior. This report reviews current knowledge regarding LBW children, with special emphasis on outcomes for children with birth weight less than 750 g (1 lb 10 oz). Results from an ongoing longitudinal study suggest a gradient of sequelae, with poorer outcomes in less than 750 g birth weight children compared to both 750 g to 1,499 g birth weight children and term-born controls. Children with less than 750 g birth weight fail to catch up with their peers over time and may even be at risk for age-related increases in sequelae. Outcomes are highly variable but related to neonatal medical complications of prematurity and social risk factors. Further research is needed to understand the etiology and neuropathological basis of sequelae, the long-term developmental implications of LBW, and treatment needs.

Characteristics of people lost to attrition in psychiatric follow-up studies

In a large (N = 1,744) study of previously hospitalized psychiatric patients, multiple follow-up attempts were made to contact the ex-patients over a 1-year period after their discharges. When contacted they were asked to provide information about their posthospital adjustment; 59.5% of the sample was reached at least once and usable data obtained either in a telephone interview or from a mailed survey form. The contacted and noncontacted people represented very different subpopulations, both demographically and in terms of typical psychiatric descriptors. Those who were of lower socioeconomic status, male, unmarried, racial minorities, and those with records of substance abuse or assaultiveness, and who were generally more severely impaired during the baseline hospitalization were underrepresented in the contacted group. Possible reasons for these sample biases, the implications for hospitals conducting outcome assessments (i.e., for research and program evaluation purposes), and strategies for dealing with this kind of methodological problem are discussed.

Systematic bias in outcome studies of persons with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

(1) Examine systematic biases created by subjects lost at 1-year follow-up in samples of persons with traumatic brain injury; (2) identify potential threats to generalization of outcomes data.

DESIGN

A consecutive sample of admissions to acute rehabilitation studied 1 year following discharge.

SETTING

An inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit in a large, academic medical center.

SUBJECTS

Eighty-eight patients with primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Subjects were considered lost to follow-up when phone calls, mail, clinic visits, and assistance from family failed to allow contact 1 year after discharge from acute rehabilitation. Potential effects of the biased follow-up sample were examined for seven suboptimal outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 38.6% of subjects were lost to follow-up. Subjects intoxicated at time of injury and those with history of substance abuse were more-likely to be lost. Among subjects followed, the likelihood of working or being in school 1 year after discharge was significantly less for those intoxicated at time of injury and those with a history of substance abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic bias in longitudinal studies may result from subjects with substance use problems being lost to follow-up. Population estimates for return to work or school will be overestimated if those lost who have substance use problems resemble those followed.