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Hassan H, Williams F, Cordwell J, Mann J. Ethnic minority fathers' experiences of the Neonatal Care Unit: barriers to accessing psychological support. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023:1-13. [PMID: 38018095 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2287079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Neonatal Care Unit is a challenging environment for parents. Previous literature documents the need for increased and more specialised understanding of support for fathers. There remains a dearth of literature on the experiences of ethnic minority fathers in particular, who may be less likely to access psychological support available. METHOD This project aimed to understand the barriers ethnic minority fathers face when accessing psychology support at a Neonatal Care Unit in England. Seven fathers from ethnic minority backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews after their babies were discharged. RESULTS Data were analysed using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. Three main themes were identified: 'Psychology is a Threat', 'It's Not Really Talked About in our Culture', and 'A Space for Mum, Not Me'. These themes are discussed in reference to the extant literature, and recommendations are provided to improve access to support in this neonatal unit. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to recognise interacting influences of gender and cultural norms in supporting these fathers, including understanding the role of psychology, consideration of stigma, and knowing families in relation to their cultural context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hibah Hassan
- The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fin Williams
- The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacinta Cordwell
- Children's Psychological Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Joanna Mann
- Children's Psychological Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
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Woodham A, David AL, Cooper M, Cordwell J. The experiences of adolescents diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 27:336-350. [PMID: 34852661 DOI: 10.1177/13591045211055077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide a qualitative perspective of adolescents' experiences of functional gastrointestinal disorders. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with eleven adolescents aged 11-16. The transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three superordinate themes were identified: 1) The journey to diagnosis: the good, the bad and the unknown; 2) Making sense of 'functional': the search for meaning; and 3) To share or conceal?: the impact of anticipated stigma on peer disclosure. The themes highlighted a complex process of meaning-making, with limited information about their diagnosis impacting on approaches to self-management and peer disclosure. Findings suggest adolescents would benefit from developmentally appropriate information and resources about the biopsychosocial aetiology of their presentation. It is considered that this may lead to greater self-efficacy in self-management of symptoms and reduce potential for perceived and self-stigma. Further implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Woodham
- 8955Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, Isis Education Centre, Warneford Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabel L David
- 6397Children's Psychological Medicine, Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Myra Cooper
- 8955Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, Isis Education Centre, Warneford Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacinta Cordwell
- 6397Children's Psychological Medicine, Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Carton AM, Cordwell J, Steinhardt K. A framework synthesis reviewing the impact of neonatal care unit admission on early caregiver-infant relationships. J Adv Nurs 2020; 76:3258-3272. [PMID: 33058269 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To critically review and synthesize qualitative research pertaining to the establishment of early caregiver-infant relationships in the neonatal care unit (NCU). BACKGROUND It is well-established that bonding and attachment, established across the prenatal and early childhood periods, affect child cognitive and behavioural development. Proximity, reciprocity, and commitment are key to the formation of these early relationships. It is intuitively likely that an admission to the NCU may affect early reciprocal caregiver-infant relationships. DESIGN A qualitative best-fit framework synthesis. DATA SOURCES A systematic search of four databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, British Nursing Index and CINAHL) was conducted, from January 2000-December 2018. REVIEW METHODS The RATS quality appraisal tool was used to evaluate study quality. To ensure reliability, 20% of studies were randomly selected for independent rating. A "best-fit" synthesis approach using an existing framework of early parent-infant attachment and bonding was adopted to synthesize the review findings. FINDINGS Twenty studies, from an original 3,526 unique articles, were included in the review. Studies varied in the extent to which they demonstrated transparency of procedures and in the quality of recruitment information provided. The meta-synthesis demonstrated that proximity, reciprocity, and commitment were affected by admission to a NCU and identified that parental reflections on bonding and the role of staff in this process, were important factors to consider. CONCLUSIONS Caregiver-infant relationships are affected by admission to the NCU. The review theoretically supports moves to Family Integrated Care. Units should evaluate caregiver emotional state and consider the role of peer support. IMPACT The synthesis revealed that areas typically implicated in the formation of attachment and bonds were affected by admission to a NCU. Results have implications on the clinical care delivered as part of neonatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Myri Carton
- Oxford Institute for Clinical Psychology Training, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacinta Cordwell
- Oxford Children's Hospital, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Karen Steinhardt
- Oxford Children's Hospital, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Freeman D, Bird JC, Loe BS, Kingdon D, Startup H, Clark DM, Ehlers A, Černis E, Wingham G, Evans N, Lister R, Pugh K, Cordwell J, Dunn G. The Dunn Worry Questionnaire and the Paranoia Worries Questionnaire: new assessments of worry. Psychol Med 2020; 50:771-780. [PMID: 30947766 PMCID: PMC7168652 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719000588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cognitive process of worry, which keeps negative thoughts in mind and elaborates the content, contributes to the occurrence of many mental health disorders. Our principal aim was to develop a straightforward measure of general problematic worry suitable for research and clinical treatment. Our secondary aim was to develop a measure of problematic worry specifically concerning paranoid fears. METHODS An item pool concerning worry in the past month was evaluated in 250 non-clinical individuals and 50 patients with psychosis in a worry treatment trial. Exploratory factor analysis and item response theory (IRT) informed the selection of scale items. IRT analyses were repeated with the scales administered to 273 non-clinical individuals, 79 patients with psychosis and 93 patients with social anxiety disorder. Other clinical measures were administered to assess concurrent validity. Test-retest reliability was assessed with 75 participants. Sensitivity to change was assessed with 43 patients with psychosis. RESULTS A 10-item general worry scale (Dunn Worry Questionnaire; DWQ) and a five-item paranoia worry scale (Paranoia Worries Questionnaire; PWQ) were developed. All items were highly discriminative (DWQ a = 1.98-5.03; PWQ a = 4.10-10.7), indicating small increases in latent worry lead to a high probability of item endorsement. The DWQ was highly informative across a wide range of the worry distribution, whilst the PWQ had greatest precision at clinical levels of paranoia worry. The scales demonstrated excellent internal reliability, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and sensitivity to change. CONCLUSIONS The new measures of general problematic worry and worry about paranoid fears have excellent psychometric properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jessica C. Bird
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Bao S. Loe
- The Psychometrics Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Kingdon
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - David M. Clark
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anke Ehlers
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma Černis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Gail Wingham
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nicole Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rachel Lister
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Graham Dunn
- Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Startup H, Pugh K, Dunn G, Cordwell J, Mander H, Černis E, Wingham G, Shirvell K, Kingdon D, Freeman D. Worry processes in patients with persecutory delusions. Br J Clin Psychol 2016; 55:387-400. [DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Startup
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Oxford; UK
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; West Sussex; UK
| | - Katherine Pugh
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Oxford; UK
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; West Sussex; UK
| | - Graham Dunn
- Centre for Biostatistics; Institute of Population Health; University of Manchester; UK
- MRC NW Hub for Trials Methodology Research
| | - Jacinta Cordwell
- Academic Department of Psychiatry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Southampton; Southampton; UK
| | - Helen Mander
- Academic Department of Psychiatry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Southampton; Southampton; UK
| | - Emma Černis
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Oxford; UK
| | - Gail Wingham
- Academic Department of Psychiatry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Southampton; Southampton; UK
| | - Katherine Shirvell
- Academic Department of Psychiatry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Southampton; Southampton; UK
| | - David Kingdon
- Academic Department of Psychiatry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Southampton; Southampton; UK
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Freeman D, Dunn G, Startup H, Pugh K, Cordwell J, Mander H, Černis E, Wingham G, Shirvell K, Kingdon D. Effects of cognitive behaviour therapy for worry on persecutory delusions in patients with psychosis (WIT): a parallel, single-blind, randomised controlled trial with a mediation analysis. Lancet Psychiatry 2015; 2:305-13. [PMID: 26360083 PMCID: PMC4698664 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(15)00039-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worry might be a contributory causal factor in the occurrence of persecutory delusions in patients with psychotic disorders. Therefore we postulated that reducing worry with cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) would reduce persecutory delusions. METHODS For our two-arm, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial (Worry Intervention Trial [WIT]), we recruited patients aged 18-65 years with persistent persecutory delusions but non-affective psychosis from two centres: the Oxford Health National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust (Oxford, UK) and the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (Southampton, UK). The key inclusion criteria for participants were a score of at least 3 on the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS) denoting a current persecutory delusion; that the delusion had persisted for at least 3 months; a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or delusional disorder; and a clinically significant level of worry. We randomly assigned (1:1) eligible patients, using a randomly permuted block procedure with variable block sizes and division by four strata, to either six sessions of worry-reduction CBT intervention done over 8 weeks added to standard care (the CBT-intervention group), or to standard care alone (the control group). The assessors were masked to patient allocations and did their assessments at week 0 (baseline), 8 weeks (end of treatment), and 24 weeks, follow-up. The primary outcomes were worry measured by the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and delusions measured by the PSYRATS-delusion scale; we did the analyses in the intention-to-treat population, and also did a planned mediation analysis. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry (number ISRCTN23197625) and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS From Nov 1, 2011, to Sept 9, 2013, we recruited 150 eligible participants and randomly assigned 73 to the CBT intervention group, and 77 to the control group. 143 patients (95%) provided primary outcome follow-up data. Compared with standard care alone, at 8 weeks the CBT intervention significantly reduced worry (mean difference 6·35 [SE 1·56] PSWQ units, 95% CI 3·30-9·40; p<0·001) and persecutory delusions (2·08 [SE 0·73] PSYRATS units, 95% CI 0·64-3·51; p=0·005). The reductions were maintained to 24 weeks follow-up. The mediation analysis suggested that the change in worry accounted for 66% of the change in delusion. No patients died or were admitted to secure units during our study. Six suicide attempts (two in the CBT intervention group, and four in the control group) and two serious violent incidents (one in each group) were noted, but no adverse events were deemed related to the treatments or the assessments. INTERPRETATION To our knowledge, this is the first large trial focused on persecutory delusions. We have shown that long-standing delusions were significantly reduced by a brief intervention targeted on worry, although the limitations for our study include no determination of the key elements within the intervention. Our results suggest that worry might cause paranoia, and that worry intervention techniques might be a beneficial addition to the standard treatment of psychosis. FUNDING Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme, which is a UK Medical Research Council and National Institute of Health Research partnership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Graham Dunn
- Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Medical Research Council NorthWest Hub for Trials Methodology Research, Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Startup
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Development Department, Mill View Hospital, Hove, UK
| | - Katherine Pugh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Development Department, Mill View Hospital, Hove, UK
| | - Jacinta Cordwell
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Helen Mander
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Emma Černis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gail Wingham
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Katherine Shirvell
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David Kingdon
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Freeman D, Startup H, Dunn G, Černis E, Wingham G, Pugh K, Cordwell J, Mander H, Kingdon D. Understanding jumping to conclusions in patients with persecutory delusions: working memory and intolerance of uncertainty. Psychol Med 2014; 44:3017-3024. [PMID: 25066636 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291714000592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persecutory delusions are a key psychotic experience. A reasoning style known as 'jumping to conclusions' (JTC) - limited information gathering before reaching certainty in decision making - has been identified as a contributory factor in the occurrence of delusions. The cognitive processes that underpin JTC need to be determined in order to develop effective interventions for delusions. In the current study two alternative perspectives were tested: that JTC partially results from impairment in information-processing capabilities and that JTC is a motivated strategy to avoid uncertainty. METHOD A group of 123 patients with persistent persecutory delusions completed assessments of JTC (the 60:40 beads task), IQ, working memory, intolerance of uncertainty, and psychiatric symptoms. Patients showing JTC were compared with patients not showing JTC. RESULTS A total of 30 (24%) patients with delusions showed JTC. There were no differences between patients who did and did not jump to conclusions in overall psychopathology. Patients who jumped to conclusions had poorer working memory performance, lower IQ, lower intolerance of uncertainty and lower levels of worry. Working memory and worry independently predicted the presence of JTC. CONCLUSIONS Hasty decision making in patients with delusions may partly arise from difficulties in keeping information in mind. Interventions for JTC are likely to benefit from addressing working memory performance, while in vivo techniques for patients with delusions will benefit from limiting the demands on working memory. The study provides little evidence for a contribution to JTC from top-down motivational beliefs about uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry,University of Oxford,Oxford,UK
| | - H Startup
- Department of Psychiatry,University of Oxford,Oxford,UK
| | - G Dunn
- Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Population Health,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
| | - E Černis
- Department of Psychiatry,University of Oxford,Oxford,UK
| | - G Wingham
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,University of Southampton,Southampton,UK
| | - K Pugh
- Department of Psychiatry,University of Oxford,Oxford,UK
| | - J Cordwell
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,University of Southampton,Southampton,UK
| | - H Mander
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,University of Southampton,Southampton,UK
| | - D Kingdon
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,University of Southampton,Southampton,UK
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Freeman D, Startup H, Dunn G, Černis E, Wingham G, Pugh K, Cordwell J, Kingdon D. The interaction of affective with psychotic processes: a test of the effects of worrying on working memory, jumping to conclusions, and anomalies of experience in patients with persecutory delusions. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:1837-42. [PMID: 23871449 PMCID: PMC3905189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Worry has traditionally been considered in the study of common emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression, but recent studies indicate that worry may be a causal factor in the occurrence and persistence of persecutory delusions. The effect of worry on processes traditionally associated with psychosis has not been tested. The aim of the study was to examine the short-term effects of a bout of worry on three cognitive processes typically considered markers of psychosis: working memory, jumping to conclusions, and anomalous internal experience. Sixty-seven patients with persecutory delusions in the context of a non-affective psychotic disorder were randomised to a worry induction, a worry reduction, or a neutral control condition. They completed tests of the cognitive processes before and after the randomisation condition. The worry induction procedure led to a significant increase in worry. The induction of worry did not affect working memory or jumping to conclusions, but it did increase a range of mild anomalous experiences including feelings of unreality, perceptual alterations, and temporal disintegration. Worry did not affect the occurrence of hallucinations. The study shows that a period of worry causes a range of subtle odd perceptual disturbances that are known to increase the likelihood of delusions. It demonstrates an interaction between affective and psychotic processes in patients with delusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK.
| | - Helen Startup
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Graham Dunn
- Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Population Health, Manchester University, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Emma Černis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Gail Wingham
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, College Keep, 4-12 Terminus Terrace, Southampton SO14 3DT, UK
| | - Katherine Pugh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Jacinta Cordwell
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, College Keep, 4-12 Terminus Terrace, Southampton SO14 3DT, UK
| | - David Kingdon
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, College Keep, 4-12 Terminus Terrace, Southampton SO14 3DT, UK
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Fitzgerald DA, Cooper DM, Paul M, Tiley S, Kado J, Cordwell J, Collins C. Burkholderia cepacia in cystic fibrosis: novel Australian cluster strain without accelerated respiratory deterioration. J Paediatr Child Health 2001; 37:130-6. [PMID: 11328466 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2001.00629.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether 4 years of colonization with a novel Australian cluster strain (The 'Hunter' strain) of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was associated with more rapid decline in nutritional status and pulmonary function than in non-colonized contemporaries from the same CF clinic. METHODOLOGY A retrospective review of respiratory function and nutritional data from a single multidisciplinary paediatric CF clinic over 4 years (1993-97). RESULTS Paired spirometry data for 1993 and 1997 were available in 47 patients without (n = 31) and with B. cepacia (n = 16) colonization (mean (+/- SD) ages in 1993: 12.1 years +/- 4.0 vs 12.6 years +/- 6.5; P = 0.83). Their percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (94.2% +/- 16.7 vs 85.9% +/- 21.2; P = 0.19) were not significantly different. The averaged annual fall in FEV1 over 4 years was also not significantly different (3.8% +/- 3.8 vs 3.6% +/- 3.7; P = 0.82). Weight percentile (Wt%), height percentile (Ht%) and percentage age weight for height (%WFH) were not significantly different between groups in 1993. By 1997, Wt% (36.7% +/- 25.1 vs 22.3% +/- 19.6; P = 0.04) and Ht% (42.5% +/- 29.6 vs 17.6% +/- 19.4; P = 0.002) but not %WFH (102% +/- 10.0 vs 106% +/- 11.2; P > 0.10) were lower in subjects with B. cepacia. CONCLUSIONS In adolescent CF patients, colonization with the Hunter strain of B. cepacia was associated with a deterioration in some nutritional parameters but not with an accelerated decline in FEV1 over 4 years. As varying pathogenicity of B. cepacia strains may account for differing rates of pulmonary decline, further assessment of the consequences of colonization with certain strains of B. cepacia in CF is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Fitzgerald
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
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