Reliability and validity of the 6-item UCLA Loneliness Scale(ULS-6)for application in adults / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the psychometric properties and applicability of the 6-item University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) in adults.@*METHODS@#We conducted 2 surveys to assess the validity of different measurement scales and questionnaires. In Survey 1, a total of 1480 adults were measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the data were used for item analysis and assessment of the reliability, validity and measurement invariance. In Survey 2, UCLA Loneliness Scale was used for measurement in 652 college students, and the data were used for analysis of the criterion validity of ULS-6; 3 weeks later, 300 of the students were retested using ULS-6 to assess the retest reliability of the scale.@*RESULTS@#Item analysis suggested that the items in ULS-6 all had good discrimination power with discrimination indexes all above 0.775 (r=0.775-0.820, P < 0.001). Measuring only one dimension, ULS-6 had an internal consistency reliability of 0.891, a split-half reliability of 0.875, and a retest reliability of 0.726. The correlation coefficients of ULS-6 with ULS, ULS-8, PHQ-9 and PSSS were 0.882, 0.967, 0.528 and -0.532, respectively. The measurement invariances of ULS-6 across genders and age groups were all acceptable. Among the adult participants, the mean total score of ULS-6 was 12.97 ± 3.96; While only 20% of the adults had no loneliness, 80% of them exhibited varying degrees of loneliness, ranging from mild (39.6%) and moderate (25.7%) to intense (14.7%) feelings of loneliness.@*CONCLUSION@#The ULS-6 has good reliability, validity and applicability for measurement of loneliness in Chinese adults.

Erosive Gastroesophageal reflux disease – are we missing pulmonary symptoms?

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that affects about 20- 30% of the adult population, presenting with a broad spectrum of symptoms and varying degrees of severity and frequency. Extra esophageal manifestations like respiratory symptoms are being increasingly recognized. There are only very few studies on the prevalence of pulmonary symptoms in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Aim: The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of pulmonary symptoms in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done on 100 patients diagnosed based on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings. Patients were first interviewed about GERD symptoms using the GERD Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire. Then the respiratory symptoms are assessed. Demographic details are recorded in a proforma. Pulmonary function tests were done on all the patients. Upper GI endoscopic findings are graded according to Los Angeles (LA) grading from A to D Results: The prevalence of pulmonary symptoms was 60%. The most prevalent symptom was a cough, then followed by dyspnoea on exertion, chest pain, wheezing, and snoring. There was a significant association found between LA grading and pulmonary symptoms like wheezing, cough, chest pain, and hoarseness of voice. No significant association was found between GERD duration and pulmonary symptoms. There was a statistically significant association found between LA grading and pulmonary function test. No association was found between quality of life scoring and pulmonary symptoms. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of pulmonary symptoms in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Erosive GERD can affect pulmonary function according to severity. There was no association between prolonged GERD and pulmonary symptoms.

Validity and reliability of the Chinese Version of the University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for DSM-Ⅳ (Revision 1, Children version) / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To test the validity and reliability of the University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for DSM-Ⅳ (Revision 1,Children version) (UCLA PTSD-RI) in Chinese Children after flood.Methods:On the principle of convenient sampling,the students were chosen from 6 schools in Liaoning Province where was hit by flood.Totally 1593 students [aged 8-16 years,average (11 ± 2) years of age]completed the UCLA PTSD-RI.They were randomly divided into two groups for exploratory factor analysis (n =796) and confirmatory factor analysis (n =797) respectively.The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale(DASS-21) were used to evaluate the criterion validity.Results:The result of exploratory factor analysis indicated UCLA PTSD-RI consisted of 3 factors,accounting for 50％ of the total variance.The confirmatory factor analysis identified that a three-factor model fit well (x2/df=3.87,GFI =0.93,RFI =0.96,CFI =097,NNFI =0.97,IFI =0.97,RM-SEA =0.06).The scores of UCLA PTSD-RI subscales were positively correlated with the scores of DASS-21 subscales (r =0.52-0.70,Ps ＜ 0.001).The Cronbach's a coefficient and the split-half reliability coefficient of UCLA PTSD-RI were 0.90 and 0.87,respectively.Conclusion:The Chinese Version of the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-Ⅳ (Revision 1,Children version) could be an effective instrument for assessing and diagnosing PTSD of Chinese children after disasters.

Correlation of GerdQ Score with Severity of Reflux Esophagitis / 胃肠病学

Background:Gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire(GerdQ)is a potentially useful tool for diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). Reflux esophagitis(RE)is a clinical type of GERD characterized by endoscopic mucosal injury of esophagus. Aims:To study the correlation of GerdQ score with severity of RE. Methods:Patients with typical reflux-related symptoms and meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited consecutively from Department of Gastroenterology,the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region during Aug. 2014 to Dec. 2015. All patients recruited were asked to complete the GerdQ scoring scale,meanwhile,the demographic information was collected and an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. The severity of RE was graded endoscopically by Los Angeles classification system. Results:A total of 1 554 patients were enrolled in this study,664 with RE(RE group)and 890 without RE(control group). The proportion of males in RE group was significantly higher than those in control group (50.9% vs. 37.1%,P<0.05). The prevalence of RE was significantly higher in Uygur than in Han and other ethnics (48.5% vs. 40.5% and 39.3%,P all <0.05). The proportions of patients with RE rose up with the increase of GerdQ score in a cut-off range from 0-14(0%,19.7%,50.1% and 51.7% for 0-2,3-7,8-11 and 11-14,respectively). The mean GerdQ score was significantly higher in RE group than in control group(9.95 ± 2.76 vs. 9.09 ± 3.33,P<0.05), and GerdQ score was positively correlated with severity of RE(r=0.243,P<0.05). When stratified by nationality,the correlation of GerdQ score with severity of RE was unchanged. Conclusions:GerdQ is a useful complementary tool for the diagnosis of RE. A cut-off value of 8 might predict the presence of RE and the GerdQ score might reflect the disease severity.

A socioecological framework for research on work and obesity in diverse urban transit operators based on gender, race, and ethnicity

Urban transit (bus and rail) operators, totaling nearly 700,000 persons, are one of the heaviest occupational groups in the United States (US). Little is known about occupational risk factors for weight gain and obesity and their interrelationship with health-related behaviors, particularly among female minority (African Americans and Hispanics) transit operators who are at greater risk for obesity. As a step towards developing successful obesity interventions among urban transit operators, this paper aims to present a new socioecological framework for studying working conditions, chronic strain, health-related behaviors, weight gain/obesity, and obesity disparity in diverse urban transit operators based on gender, race, and ethnicity. Our framework is a synthesis of several different theories and disciplines: the resource-work load model (work stress), occupational ergonomics, the theory of intersectionality, and worksite health promotion. The framework was developed utilizing an extensive literature review, results from our on-going research on obesity, input from focus groups conducted with Los Angeles transit operators as well as interviews and meetings with transit operator stakeholders (management, unions, and worksite transit wellness program), and ride-along observations. Our hypotheses highlighted in the framework (see Fig. 1) are that adverse working conditions, largely characterized as a combination of high demands and low resources, will increase the risk for weight gain/obesity among transit operators directly through chronic strain and hypothalamic dysfunction (hyper-and hypo-activations), and indirectly through health-related behaviors and injuries/chronic severe pain. We also hypothesize that the observed increase in adiposity among female minority operators is due to their greater exposure to adverse occupational and non-occupational conditions that reflect their intersecting social identities of lower social class and being a minority woman in the US. Our proposed framework could greatly facilitate future transit worksite obesity studies by clarifying the complex and important roles of adverse working conditions in the etiology of weight gain/obesity and obesity disparity among transit operators and other working populations.

Investigation and reflection on UCLA medical education in the United States / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Taking the medical education of UCLA Medical School as an example, this paper com-pares the differences of medical education between Chinese and the United States medical schools . US medical education features students from undergraduate students, the organ system-oriented curriculum, diversified teaching methods with emphasis on the PBL one and diversified academic assessment, under-graduate-based teachers' allocation and training objectives for excellent clinical physicians. From the expe-rience of American medical education, our country should focus on optimizing the teaching system, updat-ing the teaching ideas, diversifying the teaching methods, promoting students' initiative, strengthening clinical probation, strengthening students' clinical skills, improving the construction of teaching facilities and network, and enhancing the humanistic quality education and the overall quality of teachers.

Ambulatory heart rate of professional taxi drivers while driving without their typical psychosocial work stressors: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined ambulatory cardiovascular physiological parameters of taxi drivers while driving in relation to their occupational hazards. This study aims to investigate and quantify the impact of worksite physical hazards as a whole on ambulatory heart rate of professional taxi drivers while driving without their typical worksite psychosocial stressors. METHODS: Ambulatory heart rate (HRdriving) of 13 non-smoking male taxi drivers (24 to 67 years old) while driving was continuously assessed on their 6-hour experimental on-road driving in Los Angeles. Percent maximum HR range (PMHRdriving) of the drivers while driving was estimated based on the individual HRdriving values and US adult population resting HR (HRrest) reference data. For analyses, the HRdriving and PMHRdriving data were split and averaged into 5-min segments. Five physical hazards inside taxi cabs were also monitored while driving. Work stress and work hours on typical work days were self-reported. RESULTS: The means of the ambulatory 5-min HRdriving and PMHRdriving values of the 13 drivers were 80.5 bpm (11.2 bpm higher than their mean HRrest) and 10.7 % (range, 5.7 to 19.9 %), respectively. The means were lower than the upper limits of ambulatory HR and PMHR for a sustainable 8-hour work (35 bpm above HRrest and 30 % PMHR), although 15–27 % of the 5-min HRdriving and PMHRdriving values of one driver were higher than the limits. The levels of the five physical hazards among the drivers were modest: temperature (26.4 ± 3.0 °C), relative humidity (40.7 ± 10.4 %), PM2.5 (21.5 ± 7.9 μg/m3), CO2 (1,267.1 ± 580.0 ppm) and noise (69.7 ± 3.0 dBA). The drivers worked, on average, 72 h per week and more than half of them reported that their job were often stressful. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of physical worksite hazards alone on ambulatory HR of professional taxi drivers in Los Angeles generally appeared to be minor. Future ambulatory heart rate studies including both physical and psychosocial hazards of professional taxi drivers are warranted.

Changes of esophageal intraluminal baseline impedance in 47 reflux esophagitis / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate the changes of esophageal intraluminal baseline impedance in patients with refluxesophagitis.Methods From December 2013 to August 2014,47 patients with reflux esophagitis and 17 healthy controls were enrolled.The patients with reflux esophagitis were graded according to Los Angeles classification (LA) grading standards.All subjects accepted 24 h multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) pH examination,and the baseline value of impedance were measured.Independent sample t test was used to compare the difference in impedance between the two groups.Spearman rank correlation coefficient was performed to analyze the correlation between acid exposure time (AET) and the baseline impedance of patients with reflux esophagitis.Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the differences in baseline impedance of patients with different grades of reflux esophagitis.Results The impedance baseline value of reflux esophagitis group was (1 676.72±644.41) Ω,which was lower than that of healthy control group ((2 151.27± 322.05) Ω),and the difference was statistically significant (t =-3.883,P＜0.01).The AET of esophagus was negatively correlated with the baseline impedance of the patients with reflux esophagitis (r=-0.530,P＜0.01).The baseline impedance of patients with grade LA-A and grade LA-B reflux esophagitis were 1 823.62 Ω (1 515.38 52 Ω,2 208.38 Ω) and 1 771.81 Ω(1 304.75 52 Ω,2 080.50 Ω),respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (Z=-0.630,P=0.529).The baseline impedance of patients with grade LA C/D reflux esophagitis was 300 Ω (300 Ω,500 Ω),which was obviously lower than those of patients with grade LA-A or grade LA-B (Z=-2.647 and-2.818,both P＜0.017).Conclusion The baseline impedance of patients with reflux esophagitis is low and correlated with AET.

Conocimiento de escalas de evaluación inicial de accidente cerebrovascular por médicos de guardia en tres provincias argentinas / Awareness of initial stoke evaluation scales among emergency room physicians in three argentinian provinces

Introducción: las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyeron en 2004 la causa más frecuente de muerte en Argentina,duplicando a las neoplasias malignas en su conjunto. El accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) representó el7,5% del total de muertes. La Asociación Americana del Corazón propone el empleo de la escala prehospitalaria delaccidente cerebrovascular de Cincinnati (CPSS) y la escala de evaluación prehospitalaria del ACV de Los Ángeles(LAPSS) para evaluar sujetos con posible ACV.Objetivos: evaluar el conocimiento de estas escalas por médicos de guardia, y su opinión respecto al valor que ellaspodrían tener sobre su práctica.Material y método: estudio prospectivo y observacional encuestando 569 médicos durante diciembre de 2008 amarzo 2009 en distintas ciudades de las provincias de Santa Fe, Entre Ríos y Chaco, Argentina.Resultados: un 32,3% manifestó conocer las escalas, pero solamente 8,4% de ellos pudo enumerar los puntos deCPSS, un 1,9% pudo hacerlo con LAPSS y el 0,7% ambas. Quienes recordaban una o ambas escalas manifestaronsentirse más seguros al evaluar un posible ACV (p= 0,02); ninguno de los que recordaban LAPSS manifestó sentirseinseguro. Quienes se sentían menos seguros fueron los que atribuyeron más beneficios a las escalas (p= 0,0003).Los no especialistas las consideraron más útiles (p= 0,005). El 89% refirió que las escalas beneficiarían su práctica.Conclusiones: ambas escalas fueron consideradas de valor por médicos de guardia para evaluar pacientes con posibleACV. Enfatizamos la necesidad de una mayor difusión de ellas a fin de mejorar el abordaje inicial de estos pacientes.

Introduction: In 2004, the most frequent cause of death in Argentina was cardiovascular disease, which almost duplicated all types of malignant neoplasm. Cerebrovascular disease caused 7.5% of total deaths. The American Heart Association proposes the use of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) and Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS) toevaluate patients with possible cerebrovascular disease. Objective: To evaluate the awareness of these scales knowledge among doctors working in emergency rooms and prehospitalconsultation, and what are their opinions about the usefulness of the scales.Material and method: Observational and prospective survey of 569 doctors from the Argentinian provinces of Santa Fe,Entre Rios, and Chaco from December 2008 to March 2009. Results: One third (32.3%) of doctors included in the mentioned survey declared to know the scales, although only 8.4% of them could enumerate CPSS points, 1.9% could enumerate LAPSS points and 0.7% remembered both CPSS andLAPSS points. Those who remembered either one or both scales felt safer evaluating a possible stroke (p= 0.02) while and no doctor who remembered LAPSS felt doubtful. Those who felt more hesitant where the doctors who adscribed more benefits to the scales (p= 0.0003). Non specialists considered scales more useful (p= 0.005). Overall, 89% of doctors admitted scales would benefit their practice. Conclusion: Both scales were highly valued by doctors on call in order to diagnose patients with possible stroke. We stress the need of a bigger widespread coverage of these scales in order to improve the initial approach for managing these patients.

Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection have less severe gastroesophageal reflux disease: a study using endoscopy, 24-hour gastric and esophageal pH metry.

Background and aim The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori is controversial. We evaluated endoscopic, 24-h gastric and esophageal acid profile among patients with GERD in relation to H. pylori, as the latter might alter gastric acid secretion. Methods Patients with GERD (n=123), who were not on acid-suppressive drugs, and had not received anti-H. pylori therapy, underwent gastroduodenoscopy and tests for H. pylori detection. Esophageal manometry, 24-h pH metry, serum pepsinogen-I (PG-I), PG-II and gastrin-17 ELISA were done in all these patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess independent predictors for erosive esophagitis (EE). Results Of 123 patients (mean age 40.5 [13.1] years, 85 [69.1%] men), 59 (47.9%) had H. pylori infection. EE was more common in H. pylori non-infected than infected (49 vs. 32, p<0.001). Among patients older than 40 years, absence of H. pylori was associated with lower esophageal pH and longer reflux (p=0.02 and p<0.001, respectively). PG-I/PG-II ratio was lower in H. pylori infected subjects (p <0.001). In patients with higher LA grade of esophagitis, elevated PG-I levels and PG-I/PG-II ratio were associated with more acidic stomach (p=0.04 and p=0.01, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed low gastrin-17 (p=0.016), higher age (p=0.013), hiatus hernia (p=0.004) and absence of H. pylori (p=0.03) were independent predictors for risk of EE. Conclusion H. pylori infection is associated with less acidic stomach and less severe GERD. Low gastrin-17, higher age, hiatus hernia and absence of H. pylori were the best predictors for EE risk.

Sexual solicitation of Latino male day laborers by other men / Solicitación sexual de hombres jornaleros latinos por otros hombres

OBJECTIVE: To examine the likelihood of Latino day laborers being solicited for sex by other men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 450 Latino day laborers were recruited in Los Angeles, California, from July to September 2005. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which day laborers were more likely to be solicited and subsequently to have sex. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent reported being solicited for sex by another man while seeking work. Those solicited were more likely to live longer in the US, be more educated and screen positive for drug dependence. Of those solicited, 9.4 percent had sex with their solicitors. Those screening positive for drug dependence were more likely to have sex. Most of the day laborers who had anal sex with their solicitors did not always use condoms. CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevention efforts should target drug dependent day laborers, who may place themselves at risk for HIV through sex with male solicitors.

OBJETIVO: Examinar hasta qué punto los jornaleros latinos son solicitados por otros hombres para tener relaciones sexuales. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Cuatrocientos cincuenta jornaleros latinos fueron reclutados en Los Ángeles, California, de julio a septiembre de 2005. Un análisis de regresión logística fue utilizado para determinar cuáles jornaleros tenían más probabilidades de que fueran solicitados y, subsecuentemente, de que tuvieran sexo. RESULTADOS: Treinta y ocho por ciento reportaron que fueron solicitados para sexo por otros hombres mientras buscaban trabajo. Estos hombres que fueron solicitados tenían más probabilidades de haber vivido más tiempo en los Estados Unidos, tener más educación formal y dar resultados positivos en dependencia de drogas. De los solicitados, 9.4 por ciento tuvieron sexo con los solicitadores. Aquellos que dieron resultados positivos para dependencia de drogas tenían más probabilidades de tener sexo. La mayoría de los jornaleros que tuvieron sexo anal con los solicitadores no siempre usaron condón. CONCLUSIONES: Esfuerzos de prevención del VIH deben dirigirse a jornaleros dependientes de drogas quienes pueden estar exponiéndose al riesgo de contraer VIH al tener sexo con solicitadores masculinos.