Psychometric properties of the arabic version of PHEEM applied on a sample of medical residents in Syria.

BACKGROUND: The clinical learning environment (CLE) plays a crucial role in shaping the learning experiences and professional development of medical professionals. Understanding and optimising this environment is essential for improving doctors' knowledge acquisition, clinical skills, and overall well-being. The development of the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) and its translation to numerous languages has been a milestone in clinical education. Even though PHEEM was recently translated into Arabic, its psychometric properties in this form remain unevaluated. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive psychometric analysis of the Arabic version of the PHEEM questionnaire. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire survey validation study. The defined population were medical residents in Damascus, Syria. A paper-based survey as well as an online-based one were conducted using several non-probability sampling methods namely, convenience, river and, snowball sampling between June 15, 2023, and June 21, 2023. Both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were conducted. Several psychometric criteria were applied including scree plot, eigenvalue > 1.5 and the 'proportion of variance accounted for' criterion. RESULTS: A total of 543 participants completed the questionnaire (56.9% female). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure for sample adequacy was high (0.937) and the P-value for Bartlett's test was < 0.001. EFA revealed five meaningful factors which were labelled: perception of teachers, learner's engagement and social participation, external regulation, work culture, and living conditions. These factors had the following eigenvalues: 12.6, 2.18, 2.03, 1.86, and 1.41 respectively, with a total explained variance of 43.45%. Cronbach's Alpha was 0.938. CFA confirmed the model structure of EFA (SRMR = 0.067 and RMSEA = 0.066). The Average Variance Explained (AVE) value of any given factor was > 0.7. DISCUSSION: The Arabic PHEEM inventory demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. The extracted domains are of theoretical relevance to the psychosocial-material conceptual framework for learning environment. Nonetheless, this validation was performed in the Syrian context; therefore, future studies in other Arabic countries are recommended to support the applicability of Arabic PHEEM in the wide Arab World.

Clinical meaningfulness and psychometric robustness of the MG Symptoms PRO scales in clinical trials in adults with myasthenia gravis.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to generate psychometric evidence supporting the myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms patient-reported outcome (PRO) scales as a fit-for-purpose measure of severity of core symptoms of MG and provide information allowing their meaningful interpretation using data from a phase 3 study in MG. Methods: Data from the MycarinG study, a phase 3 study of rozanolixizumab in patients with generalized MG who experience moderate to severe symptoms (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03971422) were analyzed with both classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch measurement theory (RMT). Meaningful within-individual change and group-level meaningful change were estimated for three MG Symptoms PRO scales using anchor- and distribution-based methods. Anchor-based methods used patient global impression of severity (PGIS) and change (PGIC) in MG symptoms as anchors. Results: Good measurement properties of the MG Symptoms PRO scales were shown in the sample of 200 participants: good to excellent reliability (test-retest and internal consistency reliability) and validity (associations between items and scores within the MG Symptoms PRO scales and between the MG Symptoms PRO scores and other clinical outcomes-MG ADL, QMG score, MGC score, and MGFA classes-were as expected); and the items showed good coverage of the continuum and fit to the Rasch model. Triangulation of the anchor- and distribution-based method results led to the definition of clinically meaningful within-patient improvement in scores for Muscle Weakness Fatigability (-16.67), Physical Fatigue (-20.00), and Bulbar Muscle Weakness (-20.00), with associated ranges. Benchmarks are also proposed for the interpretation of group-level results. Conclusion: The strong psychometric performance of the MG Symptoms PRO scales and the information generated to guide its interpretation supports its use in clinical trials for demonstrating the clinical benefits of new treatments targeting core symptoms of MG (muscle weakness fatigability, physical fatigue, bulbar muscle weakness, respiratory muscle weakness, and ocular muscle weakness).

On assessing trait rumination using the Ruminative Response Scale.

Introduction: This study explores the stability of scores on psychometrically validated trait questionnaires over time. We illustrate potential pitfalls through a larger study that used the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) to categorize participants prior to study inclusion into two groups based on their habitual tendency to ruminate. Surprisingly, when we re-administered the RRS at the start of an experimental session, significant score changes occurred, resulting in participants shifting between the two groups. Methods: To address this, we modified our recruitment process, aiming to reduce careless responses, including an online RRS assessment a week before the lab appointment. We analyzed the different samples prior to and after changing the recruitment procedure, as well as the total sample regarding the psychometric properties of the RRS. We also explored various indices to identify and predict score changes due to careless responding; however, only a subgroup of participants was successfully identified. Results: Our findings suggest that Mahalanobis distances are effective for identifying substantial score changes, with baseline state rumination emerging as a marginally significant predictor. Discussion: We discuss the importance of conducting manipulation checks and offer practical implications for research involving psychometrically validated trait questionnaires.

Development and psychometric properties of an instrument to measure perception of aphrodisiac use among undergraduates in a southwestern Nigerian university.

A tool to measure perception of aphrodisiac use by undergraduates students of University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria was developed and validated. The study was hinged on several theories that could explain potential to use aphrodisiac among the youths. An exploratory mixed methods design was used to develop a scale to measure perception of aphrodisiac use by undergraduate students of University of Ibadan. Qualitative data collection was performed among thirty equally represented male and female students and five key informant interview participants while 919 participants completed the quantitative phase (surveys). Integration of matched qualitative themes from FGD/KII to survey domains was achieved through the 'building approach'. Qualitative themes assessing perceptions of aphrodisiac use by university undergraduate students were used to develop original survey items as well as new survey items peculiar to research subjects. Exploratory factor analysis was deployed on polychoric correlation matrix of the items using R-statistical packages. Further model fit analysis was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis on the items suggested by EFA as well as composite reliability and construct validity tests for the constructs. Mean Z-scores of factors were computed against socio-demographics and symptoms of aphrodisiac use among respondents that have ever used it. Most respondents (84.3%) were under 25 years, mostly male (58.4%) and singles (96.3%), with 41.3% earning ≤20,000 naira monthly. The enhanced content validity of the items from mixed method analysis yielded two major domains. Two succession of factor analyses and a structural equation modeling suggested that a first-order model is good fit for experimental data (TLI = 0.931; CFI = 0.948; SRMR = 0.047; RMSEA = 0.083). The four-factor solution to the model included: prolonged sexual performance, use without erectile dysfunction or medical advice, treatment of erectile dysfunction and recreational purposes with an internal and composite reliability that ranged from 0.62-0.92 and 0.63-0.92. The validation with socio-demographics and consequences of aphrodisiac use indicated that: Male respondents, those older than 20years, the married, those from poorly educated parent and sufferers of all related consequences had statistically significant differences with poor perception of aphrodisiac use' domains. This validated instrument is good for assessment of perception of aphrodisiac use among students in tertiary institution albeit with caution. A version of the scale that is broadened with highly refined items and tested for high internal validity is suggested.

The short version of the Sexual Distress Scale (SDS-3): Measurement invariance across countries, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Background: The three-item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS-3) has been frequently used to assess distress related to sexuality in public health surveys and research on sexual wellbeing. However, its psychometric properties and measurement invariance across cultural, gender and sexual subgroups have not yet been examined. This multinational study aimed to validate the SDS-3 and test its psychometric properties, including measurement invariance across language, country, gender identity, and sexual orientation groups. Methods: We used global survey data from 82,243 individuals (Mean age=32.39 years; 40.3 % men, 57.0 % women, 2.8 % non-binary, and 0.6 % other genders) participating in the International Sexual Survey (ISS; https://internationalsexsurvey.org/) across 42 countries and 26 languages. Participants completed the SDS-3, as well as questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, including gender identity and sexual orientation. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional factor structure for the SDS-3, and multi-group CFA (MGCFA) suggested that this factor structure was invariant across countries, languages, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Cronbach's α for the unidimensional score was 0.83 (range between 0.76 and 0.89), and McDonald's ω was 0.84 (range between 0.76 and 0.90). Participants who did not experience sexual problems had significantly lower SDS-3 total scores (M = 2.99; SD=2.54) compared to those who reported sexual problems (M = 5.60; SD=3.00), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.01 [95 % CI=-1.03, -0.98]; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The SDS-3 has a unidimensional factor structure and appears to be valid and reliable for measuring sexual distress among individuals from different countries, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Psychometric network analysis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) in Paraguayan general population.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are two of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders worldwide, both in the general population and in outpatient clinical settings. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) based on network analysis metrics. METHODS: A total of 911 Paraguayans (23.71% women and 76.29% men; mean age 31.25 years, SD = 10.63), selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling, participated in the study. Network analysis was used to evaluate the internal structure, reliability, and measurement invariance between men and women. RESULTS: The results revealed that the PHQ-4 is a unidimensional measure through Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA). Reliability, through structural consistency, identified that 100% of the time, only a single dimension was obtained, and all items remained stable, as they were always replicated within the empirical dimension. The unidimensional structure has shown evidence of configural invariance; therefore, the network structure functioned equally among the different sex groups. CONCLUSION: The PHQ-4 presented optimal preliminary evidence of validity based on its internal structure, reliability, and invariance between sexes. Therefore, it may be useful as an accurate and brief measure of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the Paraguayan context.

Psychometric network analysis of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 in Chinese general adults.

The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) is a measure of intuitive eating behaviors that has been extensively validated, with traditional latent variable modeling approaches, in youth and adults from many different populations, including college students in China. However, there is still a lack of research on the psychometric properties of the IES-2 in adults from the Chinese general population. Moreover, psychometric network analysis, as a complement to traditional latent variable modeling approaches, has not been used for examining the psychometric properties of the IES-2. Thus, the present study used a psychometric network approach to evaluate the psychometric properties of the IES-2 in Chinese adults from the general population. A sample of 700 Chinese general adults (50% women; Mage = 31.13 years, SD = 9.19) recruited online were included in the present study. Psychometric network analysis was performed. Exploratory graph analysis (EGA) identified four dimensions, which were well separated in the estimated network. The network structure showed excellent stability and metric measurement invariance (i.e., network loadings) across men and women. Furthermore, several items on the IES-2 were identified as key nodes in the network of the IES-2 that may be important for the development and maintenance of intuitive eating. For example, two items (i.e., "I trust my body to tell me when to eat," and "I trust my body to tell me when to stop eating") related to reliance on body cues were the most impactful nodes in the complete network. The findings of our study provide a greater understanding of the IES-2 from the perspective of network analysis and have implications for applications of intuitive eating interventions for general populations.

Neighbourhood characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study.

This study examined the role of neighbourhood characteristics in explaining socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health (the total difficulties score from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) using data from Cohort '08 of Growing Up in Ireland Waves 3 (age 5; baseline) and 5 (age 9; follow-up). Twenty neighbourhood items were grouped into neighbourhood safety, built environments, cohesion, interaction, and disorder. Data were analysed using regression, single and multiple mediation, and network psychometric analyses. We found that neighbourhood safety, cohesion, interaction, and disorder were associated with child mental health. These four domains separately (by up to 18 %) or in concert (by up to 23 %) partially explained socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health. Built environments may explain socioeconomic inequalities in mental health in urban children only. Findings from network analysis indicated that specific concerns over "people being drunk or taking drugs in public" and "this is a safe neighbourhood" had the strongest connections with child mental health. Improving neighbourhood characteristics may be important to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health in Ireland.

Assessing the Structural Validity of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Scale.

BACKGROUND: The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scale is used to assess patient perspectives on knee health. However, the structural validity of the KOOS has not been sufficiently tested; therefore, our objective was to assess the KOOS in a large, multi-site database of patient responses who were receiving care for knee pathology. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Surgical Outcome System (SOS) database. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the proposed five-factor KOOS using a priori cut-off values. Because model fit indices were not met, a subsequent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify a parsimonious model. The resulting four-factor structure (i.e., KOOS SF-12) was then assessed using CFA and subjected to multigroup invariance testing. RESULTS: The original KOOS model did not meet rigorous CFA fit recommendations. The KOOS SF-12 did meet model fit recommendations and passed all invariance testing between intervention procedure, sex, and age groups. CONCLUSION: The KOOS failed to meet model fit recommendations. The KOOS SF-12 met model fit recommendations, maintained a multi-factorial structure, and was invariant across all tested groups. The KOOS did not demonstrate sound structural validity. A refined KOOS SF-12 model that met recommended model fit indices and invariance testing criteria was identified. Our findings provide initial support for a multidimensional KOOS structure (i.e., KOOS SF-12) that is a more psychometrically sound instrument for measuring patient-reported knee health.

Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the online learning climate scale for Chilean university students.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed university teaching and learning formats, leading to a significant increase in online learning. Consequently, the crisis has facilitated the potential development of this educational modality. However, researchers need adapted and validated instruments to assess the online learning climate in universities. Aim: This study aimed to adapt and psychometrically validate the Online Learning Climate Scale (OLCS) for Chilean university students. Method: Quantitative research was conducted with a non-experimental and cross-sectional, design executed in two phases: the first was oriented to the cultural adaptation of the instrument, and the second was focused on analyzing its psychometric properties in a sample of 491 university students. Results: A translated and culturally adapted version was obtained, composed of 15 items distributed in a factorial structure composed of four dimensions that showed excellent adjustment to the data [χ2 (84) = 189.628; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.979; TLI = 0.973; RMSEA = 0.051 (IC90% 0.044-0.059); SRMR = 0.028]; internal consistency was estimated through Cronbach's alpha and ranged between 0.892 and 0.955, and strict invariance between men and women was achieved. Discussion: The Online Learning Climate Scale (OLCS) is a valid and reliable measure for measuring the online learning climate within the Chilean higher education context so that it can be used both in research and in monitoring management programs in educational environments.

Analyzing the psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 using item response theory in a Chinese adolescent population.

BACKGROUND: People are more likely to fall victim to depression during adolescence since it is a period of rapid biopsychosocial transformation. Despite this, most depression research has concentrated on clinical issues, and evaluating depressive symptoms in teenagers is not as widespread. This study used item response theory (IRT) to examine the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Report scale (PHQ-9) in Chinese adolescents. Meanwhile, item function difference tests were used to check whether there were differences in depression symptoms in this group based on education and gender. METHODS: In this research, the PHQ-9 was employed as a measurement tool, and 5958 valid data points were obtained from 12 secondary schools in China (Mage = 13.484; SDage = 1.627; range 11-19 years; 52.17% boys). RESULTS: IRT shows that all items of the PHQ-9 satisfy monotonicity, unidimensionality and local independence and that they have good psychometric properties. Furthermore, DIF analysis revealed gender and educational disparities in adolescent depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that the PHQ-9 possesses favourable psychometric properties for use in Chinese adolescents. As a result, it serves as a valuable tool for effectively screening depressive symptoms in adolescents. It provides a foundation for prioritizing the development of secondary school students' physical and mental health.

Instrument development and an intervention to increase parents' self-efficacy regarding their infant's sleep.

OBJECTIVE: Many Swedish parents experience that their infant has sleeping problems. Parents' self-efficacy regarding their infants' sleep may play an important role in how they perceive these problems. This pilot study aimed to develop an instrument measuring parents' self-efficacy regarding their infant's sleep and to examine if parents' self-efficacy was affected by an intervention focusing on parental education. METHOD: Mothers and fathers, at a maternity unit in Sweden, were drawn into either an intervention (n = 46) or a control (n = 42) group. The intervention group received a home visit from a nurse who provided information about infant sleep; the importance of attachment; and advice regarding sleep, breastfeeding and bed sharing, including guidelines for safe bed sharing. Three months later, the participants answered questions on background data, breastfeeding, sleep and self-efficacy. RESULTS: The 11-item two-factor Uppsala Parental Self-Efficacy about Infant Sleep Instrument (UPPSEISI) was constructed to measure parents' perceived self-efficacy. In adjusted analyses, being in the intervention group was associated with a higher self-efficacy (P = 0.035), as were being a mother (P = 0.003) and being satisfied with one's own sleep (P = 0.007), while parents' own sleeping problems were associated with a lower self-efficacy (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Importantly, parental education may increase parents' self-efficacy regarding their infant's sleep.

The MCID of the PROMIS physical function instrument for operatively treated tibial plateau fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding minimal clinically important differences (MCID) in patient reported outcome measurement are important in improving patient care. The purpose of this study was to determine the MCID of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) domain for patients who underwent operative fixation of a tibial plateau fracture. METHODS: All patients with tibial plateau fractures that underwent operative fixation at a single level 1 trauma center were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients without PROMIS PF scores or an anchor question at two-time points postoperatively were excluded. Anchor-based and distribution-based MCIDs were calculated. RESULTS: The MCID for PROMIS PF scores was 4.85 in the distribution-based method and 3.93 (SD 14.01) in the anchor-based method. There was significantly more improvement in the score from the first postoperative score (<7 weeks) to the second postoperative time (<78 weeks) in the improvement group 10.95 (SD 9.95) compared to the no improvement group 7.02 (SD 9.87) in the anchor-based method (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients achieving MCID at 7 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were 37-42 %, 57-62 %, 80-84 %, and 95-87 %, respectively. DISCUSSION: This study identified MCID values for PROMIS PF scores in the tibial plateau fracture population. Both MCID scores were similar, resulting in a reliable value for future studies and clinical decision-making. An MCID of 3.93 to 4.85 can be used as a clinical and investigative standard for patients with operative tibial plateau fractures.

Psychometric network analysis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) in Paraguayan general population

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are two of the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders worldwide, both in the general population and in outpatient clinical settings. Objective This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) based on network analysis metrics. Methods A total of 911 Paraguayans (23.71% women and 76.29% men; mean age 31.25 years, SD = 10.63), selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling, participated in the study. Network analysis was used to evaluate the internal structure, reliability, and measurement invariance between men and women. Results The results revealed that the PHQ-4 is a unidimensional measure through Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA). Reliability, through structural consistency, identified that 100% of the time, only a single dimension was obtained, and all items remained stable, as they were always replicated within the empirical dimension. The unidimensional structure has shown evidence of configural invariance; therefore, the network structure functioned equally among the different sex groups. Conclusion The PHQ-4 presented optimal preliminary evidence of validity based on its internal structure, reliability, and invariance between sexes. Therefore, it may be useful as an accurate and brief measure of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the Paraguayan context.

Development and Validation of Knowledge Attitudes and Practices Questionnaire (Nu-KAPQ): for the assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated with Arsenic.

More than 70 million individuals have been exposed to environmental arsenic toxicity, worldwide. United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) policy brief -2018 report to mitigate arsenic in drinking water, emphasizes assessing, and changing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) as one of the long-term effective solutions to be implemented as a part of surveillance strategies. This study aims to develop a valid and reliable tool to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of arsenic and its risk in general health. A cross-sectional survey of N=449 general population was conducted in the outpatient department of Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences-Indian Council for Medical Research for data collection. The construct validation of the questionnaire was done using Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory factor analysis. The Item-Content Validity Index(I-CVI) and Scale-Content Validity Index (S-CVI) Kappa scores were used to analyze the content validity of the items. The I-CVI ranges from 0.70 to 1, the and the moderate to high cumulative content validity is S-CVI/Universal Agreement=0.84; S-CVI/Average =0.96. Following the principal component analysis, the cumulative Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy (KMO) was 0.91 and the three domains in the tool (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy for Knowledge (0.917), Attitude (0.825) & Practices (0.80)) were within the acceptable range. The Barret's test for sphericity was (P <0.001) and was highly acceptable. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis model of Nu-KAP has demonstrated excellent model fit where, majority of fit indices has sown good fit (X2/df=1.88, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.04, Comparative Fit Index=0.98, Goodness of Fit Index = 0.93, and Tucker Lewis Index=0.977). The Cronbach's alpha of 19 item tool was 0.72. The Nu-KAPQ questionnaire demonstrated exceptional validity and reliability while also capturing and integrating all pertinent psychometric analytic domains. Conclusively, this questionnaire can be used to assess psychometric properties associated with arsenic bridging the gap in current research to understand people's perception towards arsenic, since it is a crucial component of arsenic mitigation.

An Independent Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Russian Version of the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS).

Background: The quality of sleep significantly impacts children's day-to-day performance, with at least 20% reporting issues with sleepiness. Valid tools for assessing the quality of sleep are needed. Objective: In this study, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Russian version of the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). The initial adaptation of the PDSS was conducted on a sample from the Arctic regions of Russia. This location may have influenced the scale's generalizability due to variations in natural daylight across different areas of the country. Design: To rectify this, we gathered a comprehensive, geographically diverse sample from Russia. This combined dataset comprised 3772 participants between 10 to 18 years of age, from nine different regions of Russia. Results: We confirmed the unifactorial structure of the PDSS, which showed no regional effects. The psychometric analysis indicated that one item from the 8item PDSS could be removed, thereby improving the scale's model fit. We also observed gender and age impacts on sleep quality: boys reported fewer sleep-related issues than girls, and younger children reported fewer problems than older children. Conclusion: This study validates the usefulness and reliability of the Russian version of the PDSS, thereby enhancing its general applicability. Furthermore, we replicated previously reported age and sex effects on the sleep quality of school-aged children.

Does the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) have the range to capture the experience of fully ambulatory multiple sclerosis patients? Learnings from the ASCLEPIOS studies.

Background: Trials of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) often include patients with minimal disability. Patient-reported outcome instruments used in these trials have often not captured physical and psychological treatment effects concomitant with observed clinical benefits. Objective: To examine whether the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) captures changes in the impact of MS in a sample of patients enrolled in the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS studies (ofatumumab vs. teriflunomide). Methods: Measurement properties (i.e. item fit, reliability, and targeting) of the MSIS-29 were analyzed using Rasch measurement theory (RMT) in data from two phase 3 ofatumumab clinical trials including patients with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS (N = 1882). Targeting of the MSIS-29 items to the patient population was explored within groups categorized by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Results: Under RMT analyses, both the Physical and Psychological Impact scales of the MSIS-29 were not appropriately targeted to the overall sample of patients. In particular, 49% and 30% of patients with an EDSS score ≤ 2.5 had fewer physical and psychological impacts, respectively, than would typically be captured by these MSIS-29 items compared to patients with EDSS scores of ≥ 3. Conclusion: The MSIS-29 is commonly used to evaluate the patient-reported physical and psychological impact of MS. However, it may be limited in evaluating changes associated with DMTs in patients with minimal disability.

The shared and dissociable aspects of burnout, depression, anxiety, and irritability in health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic: A latent and network analysis.

Burnout syndrome (BS) has been classified as an independent 'work-related phenomenon', however, there is still an important discussion on whether BS is a unique clinical construct due to the overlapping symptoms with other domains of negative affect such as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and irritability. Thus, we investigated the common and dissociable aspects between BS and domains of negative affect such as depression, anxiety, and irritability through a cross-sectional study with 3428 essential service professionals from a national project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were assessed with Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scales to assess the severity of depression, anxiety, and irritability. The discriminability between the constructs was investigated using correlation tests, Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Bifactor (ESEM), and network analyzes. The mean correlation among the four subscales of BAT-12 was stronger with each other than with depression, anxiety, and irritability. Both ESEM and network analysis, despite showing shared characteristics, clearly delineated that Burnout domains were dissociable from other domains of negative affect. Our findings corroborate the ICD-11 strategy to include BS as a separate entity that cannot be fully explained by variance accounted for by other domains.

Aging deteriorates the ability to discriminate the weight of an object during an action observation task.

The ability to predict the weight of objects is important for skilled and dexterous manipulation during activities of daily living. The observation of other people moving objects might represent an important source of information on object features and help to plan the correct motor interaction with it. In aging, an impaired ability to evaluate the object weight might have negative drawbacks in term of the safety of the person. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of aging in the ability to discriminate the object weight during action observation. Twenty older adults (Old) and twenty young subjects (Young) performed a two-interval forced-choice task consisting in the observation of a couple of videos showing an actor moving a box of different weights. The observer had to evaluate which video showed the heavier box. Handgrip strength was acquired from all subjects. Sensitivity analysis was performed and psychometric curves were built on participants' responses. The results showed a diminished sensitivity in the object weight discrimination in Old than in Young group. The analysis of the psychometric curves revealed that this impairment pertained both the light and heavy boxes and the minimum difference to discriminate different weights was greater in Old than in Young. At last, the sensitivity and the discrimination ability significantly correlated with individuals' handgrip strength. These findings allow us to deeply characterize the impairments older adults have in discriminating the weight of an object moved by another individual.

Evaluating Psychometric Properties of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form in a Heterogeneous Sample of Post-Operative Patients.

Background: The International Knee Document Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) is a patient-reported outcome measure used in orthopedics and sports medicine. Further psychometric assessment is necessary to confirm measurement properties in a large, heterogenous sample. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the IKDC-SKF in a large, heterogenous sample. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Methods: An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify a sound latent structure and to assess internal consistency in a large sample of patients who underwent knee arthroscopy. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to confirm structural validity. Multi-group invariance was conducted to assess factorial stability across sex and age groups, while longitudinal invariance procedures were performed to assess stability over time. Results: A 3-factor, 9-item IKDC-SKF short form was identified with EFA procedures. The model was confirmed with CFA (CFI = 0.983; TLI = 0.975; IFI = 0.983; RMSEA = 0.057), while a sound 2-factor, 6-item model was also identified (CFI = 1.0; TLI = 0.999; IFI = 1.0; RMSEA = 0.11). The 9-item IKDC-SKF short form was invariant across groups but not time; removal of a single item (i.e., 8-item IKDC-SKF short form) resulted in longitudinal invariance. The 6-item IKDC-SKF short form was invariant across groups and time. Conclusion: The 6-item, 8-item, and 9-item short form versions of the IKDC-SKF exceed contemporary fit recommendations and present as plausible alternatives to the IKDC-SKF with improved measurement properties, reduced scale response burden, and evidence of multi-group and longitudinal invariance. Further, the 6- and 8-item IKDC-SKF short forms may be used to assess group differences or change across time.# Level of evidence hereLevel 3©The Author(s).