Monthly Archives: November 2014

Valuation of depression co-occurring with a somatic condition: feasibility of the time trade-off task.

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Papageorgiou K, Vermeulen KM, Leijten FR, Buskens E, Ranchor AV, Schroevers MJ






Valuation of depression co-occurring with a somatic condition: feasibility of the time trade-off task.

Health Expect. 2014 Nov 13;

Authors: Papageorgiou K, Vermeulen KM, Leijten FR, Buskens E, Ranchor AV, Schroevers MJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health state valuations obtained from the general population are used for cost-utility analyses of health-care interventions. Currently, most studies have focused on valuations of somatic conditions, to a much lesser extent of mental states, that is, depression and even less on valuations of depression co-occurring with somatic conditions.
OBJECTIVE: We tested the feasibility of the time trade-off (TTO) task to elicit valuations for depression solitary or co-occurring with a somatic condition. Moreover, we explored person- and state-related factors that may affect valuations.
DESIGN: During semi-structured interviews, 10 individuals (five women, mean age: 36 years) used a TTO task to value vignettes describing mild and severe depression; and mild depression co-occurring with moderate and severe states of cancer, diabetes or heart disease. During valuations, participants were thinking aloud. Feasibility criteria were successful completion and difficulty/concentration (1-10); logical consistency of values; and comprehension of the TTO, based on qualitative analysis of think aloud data. Factors influencing valuations were generated from think aloud data.
RESULTS: Participants reported satisfactory levels of difficulty (mean: 1.9) and concentration (mean: 8.3) and assigned consistent values. Qualitative analysis revealed difficulties with imagining: living with depression for lifetime (n = 4); reaching the age of 80 (n = 6); and living with a somatic condition and mentally healthy (n = 6). Person- and state-related factors, for example perceived susceptibility to depression (n = 4), appeared to affect valuations.
CONCLUSION: Quantitative findings supported feasibility of the valuation protocol, yet qualitative findings indicated that certain task aspects should be readdressed. Factors influencing valuations can be explored to better understand valuations.

PMID: 25393599 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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A critical reanalysis of the relationship between genomics and well-being.

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Brown NJ, MacDonald DA, Samanta MP, Friedman HL, Coyne JC






Related Articles
A critical reanalysis of the relationship between genomics and well-being.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Sep 2;111(35):12705-9
Authors: Brown NJ, MacDonald DA, Samanta MP, Friedman HL, Coyne JC
… Continue reading →

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Valuation of depression co-occurring with a somatic condition: feasibility of the time trade-off task

Posted on November 14, 2014 by






CONCLUSION: Quantitative findings supported feasibility of the valuation protocol, yet qualitative findings indicated that certain task aspects should be readdressed. Factors influencing valuations can be explored to better understand valuations. Continue reading →

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Valuation of depression co-occurring with a somatic condition: feasibility of the time trade-off task

Posted on November 14, 2014 by






CONCLUSION: Quantitative findings supported feasibility of the valuation protocol, yet qualitative findings indicated that certain task aspects should be readdressed. Factors influencing valuations can be explored to better understand valuations. Continue reading →

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Weight and height in children newly diagnosed with cancer.

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Brinksma A, Roodbol PF, Sulkers E, Hooimeijer HL, Sauer PJ, van Sonderen E, de Bont ES, Tissing WJ






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Weight and height in children newly diagnosed with cancer.

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 Oct 30;

Authors: Brinksma A, Roodbol PF, Sulkers E, Hooimeijer HL, Sauer PJ, van Sonderen E, de Bont ES, Tissing WJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although weight loss and lack of linear growth occur in children with cancer, growth history is not included in research that aims to determine nutritional status in children newly diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to determine weight loss and lack of linear growth in this patient group.
PROCEDURE: Weight and height were recorded in 95 children (ages 1.5-10 years) at diagnosis and compared with data predicted from growth curves. Age, gender, type of malignancy, extent of disease, and prior weight and height were tested for their potential relation to differences between actual and predicted data.
RESULTS: The incidence of undernutrition, based on z-scores for weight-for-age (WFA), height-for-age (HFA), and weight-for-height (WFH), was 2%, 4%, and 7%, respectively. Actual z-scores were lower than predicted z-scores. Differences between actual and predicted z-scores of <-0.5 standard deviation score (SDS) in WFA, HFA, or WFH were found in 25%, 23%, and 29% of the children, respectively. Children with advanced cancer had the highest risk of significant weight loss (<-0.5 SDS in WFA) (ORWFA  = 3.45, P = 0.012) prior to diagnosis. Differences were unrelated to type of malignancy, age, gender, and weight and height prior to diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: At diagnosis, approximately 25% of the children showed a significant reduction in z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height. This reduction may indicate a deteriorated nutritional status. Therefore, assessment of growth history should be standard of care to ensure appropriate nutritional interventions and should be included in research that aims to evaluate nutritional status in children newly diagnosed with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID: 25359660 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Weight and height in children newly diagnosed with cancer

Posted on November 1, 2014 by






CONCLUSIONS: At diagnosis, approximately 25% of the children showed a significant reduction in z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height. This reduction may indicate a deteriorated nutritional status. Therefore, assessment of growth history should be standard of care to ensure appropriate nutritional interventions and should be included in research that aims to evaluate nutritional status in children newly diagnosed with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:269-273. ©… Continue reading →

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Weight and height in children newly diagnosed with cancer

Posted on November 1, 2014 by






CONCLUSIONS: At diagnosis, approximately 25% of the children showed a significant reduction in z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height. This reduction may indicate a deteriorated nutritional status. Therefore, assessment of growth history should be standard of care to ensure appropriate nutritional interventions and should be included in research that aims to evaluate nutritional status in children newly diagnosed with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:269-273. ©… Continue reading →

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