Marked by Association(s): A Social Network Approach to Investigating Mental Health-Related Associative Stigma.

With most scholarly attention directed toward understanding the stigma experiences of individuals with mental illness, less attention has been given to associative stigma: an understudied form of social exclusion and devaluation experienced by the social ties of stigmatized individuals. This study advances scholarly understanding of associative stigma by drawing on social network methods to better illuminate how the quantity and quality of social relationships with those dealing with mental illness impact experiences of perceived discrimination. Using a nationally representative sample from the General Social Survey, I find that (1) knowing more people with mental illness, (2) having more core (friends and family members) versus peripheral ties, and (3) having ties who are most at risk of facing public stigma themselves (e.

The role of exercise in aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia.

Aromatase inhibitors are prescribed in breast cancer due to their associated lower rate of cancer recurrence compared to tamoxifen. However, aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIIA) is one of the leading causes of treatment nonadherence, increasing the risk of cancer recurrence. The pathophysiology of AIIA is poorly understood, and although current recommendations for AIIA include lifestyle changes and analgesics depending on the severity of symptoms, there is no established effective treatment.

Associations between Corneal Nerve Structure and Function in a Veteran Population.

We evaluate the relationship between corneal nerve structure and function in a veteran population. 83 veterans (mean age: 55 ± 5 years) seen at the Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) eye clinic were included in this study. Each individual filled out questionnaires to evaluate ocular symptoms (5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire, DEQ5; Ocular Surface Disease Index, OSDI) and ocular pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS; Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye, NPSI-Eye).

Lipids from ocular meibum and tears may serve as biomarkers for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Background: There is a need to develop biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of treatment responses in depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods: Cross-sectional study examining correlations between tear inflammatory proteins, meibum and tear sphingolipids, and symptoms of depression and PTSD-associated anxiety. Ninety individuals filled depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9, PHQ-9) and PTSD-associated anxiety (PTSD Checklist-Military Version, PCL-M) questionnaires.

FL-41 Tint Reduces Activation of Neural Pathways of Photophobia in Patients with Chronic Ocular Pain.

Purpose: To assess the therapeutic effect of tinted lenses (FL-41) on photophobia and light-evoked brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in individuals with chronic ocular surface pain.

Design: Prospective case series.

Methods: 25 subjects from the Miami veterans affairs (VA) eye clinic were recruited based on the presence of chronic ocular pain, dry eye symptoms, and photophobia.

Disentangling the neurological basis of chronic ocular pain using clinical, self-report, and brain imaging data: use of K-means clustering to explore patient phenotypes.

Introduction: The factors that mediate the expression of ocular pain and the mechanisms that promote chronic ocular pain symptoms are poorly understood. Central nervous system involvement has been postulated based on observations of pain out of proportion to nociceptive stimuli in some individuals. This investigation focused on understanding functional connectivity between brain regions implicated in chronic pain in persons reporting ocular pain symptoms.

Botulinum toxin A decreases neural activity in pain-related brain regions in individuals with chronic ocular pain and photophobia.

Introduction: To examine the effect of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) on neural mechanisms underlying pain and photophobia using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in individuals with chronic ocular pain.

Methods: Twelve subjects with chronic ocular pain and light sensitivity were recruited from the Miami Veterans Affairs eye clinic. Inclusion criteria were: (1) chronic ocular pain; (2) presence of ocular pain over 1 week recall; and (3) presence of photophobia.

Predictors of discharge to home/community following inpatient-rehabilitation in a US national sample of Guillain-Barre-Syndrome patients.

Background: Guillain-Barre-Syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune polyneuropathy causing acute flaccid paralysis, is a rare condition with1-2 cases per 100,000 annually (approximately 5000 cases/year) in the United States (US). There is a paucity of published data regarding patient outcomes in association with discharge destinations following inpatient-rehabilitation (IR) in this patient population, thus this study.

Objectives: To analyze IR efficacy, and possible predictors of discharge to home/community in a US-national-sample of GBS patients.

Factors affecting the prevalence, severity, and characteristics of ocular surface pain.

Introduction: Ocular surface pain has been traditionally lumped under the umbrella term "dry eye" (DE) but is now understood as its own entity and can occur in the absence or presence of tear dysfunction. Identifying patients at risk for the development of chronic ocular surface pain, and factors contributing to its severity are important in providing precision medicine to patients.

Areas Covered: In this review, we discuss factors linked to the presence and severity of ocular surface pain, including eye related features, systemic characteristics, and environmental findings.

Longitudinal Median Nerve Ultrasound Changes in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury and an Age- and Sex-Matched Nondisabled Cohort.

Objectives: To assess the natural history for development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in persons with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) at 1 year postdischarge from initial rehabilitation and to assess baseline median nerve (MN) cross-sectional area (CSA) above/below 10 mm correlates with any longitudinal changes in quantitative ultrasound (US) of the MN.

Design: A prospective cohort study of persons with acute SCI evaluated for CTS using quantitative US and compared to a group without SCI (non-SCI).

Setting: Academic medical center.

Clinical Neuroimaging of Photophobia in Individuals With Chronic Ocular Surface Pain.

Purpose: To examine neural mechanisms underlying photophobia in individuals with chronic ocular surface pain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Design: Cross-sectional case/control analysis.

Methods: A total of 16 individuals from the Miami Veterans Affairs eye clinic underwent comprehensive ocular surface evaluations and were surveyed for ocular surface symptoms.

Multidimensional pain phenotypes after Traumatic Brain Injury.

More than 50% of individuals develop chronic pain following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research suggests that a significant portion of post-TBI chronic pain conditions is neuropathic in nature, yet the relationship between neuropathic pain, psychological distress, and somatosensory function following TBI is not fully understood. This study evaluated neuropathic pain symptoms, psychological and somatosensory function, and psychosocial factors in individuals with TBI (TBI, = 38).

Treatments perceived to be helpful for neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury: A multicenter cross-sectional survey study.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To evaluate the perceived helpfulness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and their combinations for neuropathic pain (NeuP) and subcategories of NeuP after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Six Spinal Cord Injury Model System Centers.

Public Stigma and Personal Networks: Confronting the Limitations of Unidimensional Measures of Social Contact.

One of the most promising directions for reducing mental illness stigma lies in Allport's contact theory, which suggests that intergroup interactions reduce stigma. Here, we argue that stigmatizing attitudes are driven by the nature, magnitude, and valence of community-based ties to people with mental illness (PMI), not simply their presence. Using the 2018 General Social Survey (N = 1,113), we compare network-based measures of contact to traditional survey indicators.

Differential Effects of Treatment Strategies in Individuals With Chronic Ocular Surface Pain With a Neuropathic Component.

Dysfunction at the ocular system via nociceptive or neuropathic mechanisms can lead to chronic ocular pain. While many studies have reported on responses to treatment for nociceptive pain, fewer have focused on neuropathic ocular pain. This retrospective study assessed clinical responses to pain treatment modalities in individuals with neuropathic component ocular surface pain.

Access limitations and level of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in a geographically-limited sample of individuals with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: Assess changes in access and psychological status during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Study Design: Cohort telephone survey study.

Setting: South Florida SCI Model System (SF-SCIMS).

Labeling, causal attributions, and social network ties to people with mental illness.

Evidence supports Allport's (1954) contention that social contact reduces mental illness stigma and promotes symptom recognition. However, an important limitation of existing research is that it typically relies on relatively simplistic measures of contact (e.g.

Self-Report of Severity of Ocular Pain Due to Light as a Predictor of Altered Central Nociceptive System Processing in Individuals With Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a diagnosis given to individuals with a heterogeneous combination of symptoms and/or signs, including spontaneous and evoked ocular pain. Our current study evaluated whether and which ocular pain assessments could serve as screening tools for central sensitization in individuals with DED. A cohort of individuals with DED symptoms (n = 235) were evaluated for ocular pain, DED signs (tear production, evaporation), evoked sensitivity to mechanical stimulation at the cornea, and evidence of central sensitization.

Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index/Capacity: Responsiveness to Change Over Time.

Objective: To establish responsiveness of 3 Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index/Capacity (SCI-FI/C) item banks in the first year after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Longitudinal patient-reported outcomes assessment replicated through secondary analysis of an independent data set.

Setting: A total of 8 SCI Model Systems rehabilitation hospitals in the United States.

Physical Function Recovery Trajectories After Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To explore trajectories of functional recovery that occur during the first 2 years after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Eight SCI Model System sites.

Prevalence and Impact of Neuropathic and Nonneuropathic Pain in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To compare prevalence, intensity ratings, and interference ratings of neuropathic pain (NeuP) and nociceptive pain in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Six SCI Model System centers in the United States.

Participants: Convenience sample of 391 individuals (N=391) with traumatic SCI, 18 years or older, 81% male, 57% White.

Characterizing the Experience of Spasticity after Spinal Cord Injury: A National Survey Project of the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers.

Objective: To characterize the qualities that individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) associate with their experience of spasticity and to describe the relationship between spasticity and perceived quality of life and the perceived value of spasticity management approaches.

Design: Online cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Multicenter collaboration among 6 Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems hospitals in the United States.

Interrelationship of Neurogenic Obesity and Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.

The prevalence of obesity and of neuropathic pain are both estimated at above 50% in the population of people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). These secondary consequences of SCI have significant negative impact on physical functioning, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Investigations of relationships between weight or body composition and chronic neuropathic pain in people with SCI are lacking, but investigations in non-SCI cohorts suggest an association between obesity and the presence and severity of neuropathic pain conditions.