Assessing the Impact of Different Depression Treatment Success Metrics on Organizational Performance.

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is commonly used to assess depression symptoms, but its associated treatment success criteria (i.e., metrics) are inconsistently defined.

Demographic-Specific Rates for Life Events in the Cardiovascular Health Study and Comparisons With Other Studies.

Purpose Of The Study: (1a) We use the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a multi-site heterogeneous sample of Medicare enrollees ( = 5,849) to provide rates for specific life events experienced within 6 months; (1b) We present rates for 29 other studies of community-residing older adults ( = 41,308); (2) For the CHS, we provide demographic-specific rates and predicted probabilities for age [young-old (65-75) vs old-old (≥75)], gender, race, marital status, and education.

Design/methods: The CHS sample is 57.6% women, 84.

Technology Use, Preferences, and Capacity in Injured Patients at Risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Objective: This investigation comprehensively assessed the technology use, preferences, and capacity of diverse injured trauma survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Method: A total of 121 patients participating in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of stepped collaborative care targeting PTSD symptoms were administered baseline one-, three-, and six-month interviews that assessed technology use. Longitudinal data about the instability of patient cell phone ownership and phone numbers were collected from follow-up interviews.

Changes in Physical Activity Barriers among American Indian Elders: A Pilot Study​.

The objective of the present study was to assess whether selfreported physical activity barriers could be reduced among American Indian elders who participated in a 6-week randomized physical activity trial that compared the use of a pedometer only to that of pedometers with step-count goal setting. Elders (N = 32) were compared on the Barriers to Being Physically Active Quiz after participating in a pilot physical activity trial. Elders were classified into high- and low-barrier groups at baseline and compared on self-reported physical activity, health-related quality of life, pedometer step counts, and 6-minute walk performance.

A Randomized Trial of Collaborative Care for Perinatal Depression in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Women: The Impact of Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Objective: The comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with antenatal depression poses increased risks for postpartum depression and may delay or diminish response to evidence-based depression care. In a secondary analysis of an 18-month study of collaborative care for perinatal depression, the authors hypothesized that pregnant, depressed, socioeconomically disadvantaged women with comorbid PTSD would show more improvement in the MOMCare intervention providing Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy and/or antidepressants, compared to intensive public health Maternity Support Services (MSS-Plus).

Methods: A multisite randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment was conducted in the Seattle-King County Public Health System, July 2009-January 2014.

Barriers to Cancer Care among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Introduction: Cancer is among the leading causes of death in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), with rates increasing over the last two decades. Barriers in accessing cancer screening and treatment likely contribute to this situation.

Methods: We administered structured clinical interviews and conducted descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses of demographic, health, spiritual, and treatment factors associated with self-reported barriers to cancer care among 143 adult AI/AN oncology patients.

COLLABORATIVE CARE FOR PERINATAL DEPRESSION IN SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WOMEN: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL.

Background: Both antenatal and postpartum depression have adverse, lasting effects on maternal and child well-being. Socioeconomically disadvantaged women are at increased risk for perinatal depression and have experienced difficulty accessing evidence-based depression care. The authors evaluated whether "MOMCare,"a culturally relevant, collaborative care intervention, providing a choice of brief interpersonal psychotherapy and/or antidepressants, is associated with improved quality of care and depressive outcomes compared to intensive public health Maternity Support Services (MSS-Plus).

Caregiving among American Indians and Alaska Natives with cancer.

Purpose: Caregivers are an important source of support for oncology patients during cancer diagnosis and treatment, often helping patients manage barriers to care. Our study had three goals: to describe the characteristics of caregivers for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) oncology patients, to assess the similarities and differences between the perceptions of caregivers and patients regarding barriers to cancer care, and to compare AI/AN caregivers to non-AI/AN caregivers on perceived barriers to cancer care.

Methods: We conducted a structured interview that assessed perceived barriers to cancer care with a paired sample of 98 adult caregivers and 98 AI/AN oncology patients and to assess the degree of agreement between these two groups.

Genetic polymorphisms affecting susceptibility to mercury neurotoxicity in children: summary findings from the Casa Pia Children's Amalgam clinical trial.

Mercury (Hg) is neurotoxic, and children may be particularly susceptible to this effect. A current major challenge is identification of children who may be uniquely susceptible to Hg toxicity because of genetic predisposition. We examined the possibility that common genetic variants that are known to affect neurologic functions or Hg handling in adults would modify the adverse neurobehavioral effects of Hg exposure in children.

Culturally relevant treatment services for perinatal depression in socio-economically disadvantaged women: the design of the MOMCare study.

Background: Depression during pregnancy has been demonstrated to be predictive of low birthweight, prematurity, and postpartum depression. These adverse outcomes potentially have lasting effects on maternal and child well-being. Socio-economically disadvantaged women are twice as likely as middle-class women to meet diagnostic criteria for antenatal major depression (MDD), but have proven difficult to engage and retain in treatment.

Genetic polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase modify the neurobehavioral effects of mercury in children.

Mercury (Hg) is neurotoxic and children may be particularly susceptible to this effect. A current major challenge is identification of children who may be uniquely susceptible to Hg toxicity because of genetic disposition. This study examined the hypothesis that genetic variants of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) that are reported to alter neurobehavioral functions that are also affected by Hg in adults might modify the adverse neurobehavioral effects of Hg exposure in children.

The role of opioid prescription in incident opioid abuse and dependence among individuals with chronic noncancer pain: the role of opioid prescription.

Objective: Increasing rates of opioid use disorders (OUDs) (abuse and dependence) among patients prescribed opioids are a significant public health concern. We investigated the association between exposure to prescription opioids and incident OUDs among individuals with a new episode of a chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) condition.

Methods: We utilized claims data from the HealthCore Database for 2000 to 2005.

Improving depression treatment for women: integrating a collaborative care depression intervention into OB-GYN care.

Background: Women have higher rates of depression and often experience depression symptoms during critical reproductive periods, including adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Collaborative care intervention models for mood disorders in patients receiving care in an OB-GYN clinic setting have not been evaluated. Study design and methodology for a randomized controlled trial of collaborative care depression management versus usual care in OB-GYN clinics and the details of the adapted collaborative care intervention and model implementation are described in this paper.

Modification of neurobehavioral effects of mercury by genetic polymorphisms of metallothionein in children.

Mercury (Hg) is neurotoxic, and children may be particularly susceptible to this effect. A current major challenge is the identification of children who may be uniquely susceptible to Hg toxicity because of genetic disposition. We examined the hypothesis that genetic variants of metallothionein (MT) that are reported to affect Hg toxicokinetics in adults would modify the neurotoxic effects of Hg in children.

Modification of neurobehavioral effects of mercury by a genetic polymorphism of coproporphyrinogen oxidase in children.

Mercury (Hg) is neurotoxic, and children may be particularly susceptible to this effect. A current major challenge is the identification of children who may be uniquely susceptible to Hg toxicity because of genetic disposition. We examined the hypothesis that CPOX4, a genetic variant of the heme pathway enzyme coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX) that affects susceptibility to mercury toxicity in adults, also modifies the neurotoxic effects of Hg in children.

Mental health disorders and long-term opioid use among adolescents and young adults with chronic pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between mental health disorders and subsequent risk for long-term opioid use among adolescents and young adults presenting with common chronic pain complaints (back pain, neck pain, headache, and arthritis/joint pain).

Methods: Using claims data from January 1, 2001 to June 30, 2008, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of opioid use patterns among 13-24-year-old subjects presenting with a new episode of chronic pain. Long-term opioid use was defined as receiving >90 days of opioids within a 6-month period with no gap of >30 days in use of opioids in the 18 months after the first qualifying pain diagnosis.

Depression in pregnancy is associated with preexisting but not pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Background: The aim was to examine whether depression is associated with preexisting hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension in a large sample of women attending a university-based obstetrics clinic.

Methods: In this prospective study, participants were 2398 women receiving ongoing prenatal care at a university-based obstetrics clinic from January 2004 through January 2009. Prevalence of depression was measured using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as well as the self-reported use of antidepressant medication.

Does pedometer goal setting improve physical activity among Native elders? Results from a randomized pilot study.

We examined if step-count goal setting resulted in increases in physical activity and walking compared to only monitoring step counts with pedometers among American Indian/Alaska Native elders. Outcomes included step counts, self-reported physical activity and well-being, and performance on the 6-minute walk test. Although no significant between-group differences were found, within-group analyses indicated that elders significantly improved on the majority of step count, physical activity, health-related quality of life, and 6-minute walk outcomes.

Barriers and facilitators to walking and physical activity among American Indian elders.

Introduction: Physical inactivity is common among older American Indians. Several barriers impede the establishment and maintenance of routine exercise. We examined personal and built-environment barriers and facilitators to walking and physical activity and their relationship with health-related quality of life in American Indian elders.

The association of comorbid depression with intensive care unit admission in patients with diabetes: a prospective cohort study.

Background: It is unknown if comorbid depression in patients with diabetes mellitus increases the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Objective: This study examined whether comorbid depression in patients with diabetes increased risk of ICU admission, coronary care unit (CCU) admission, and general medical-surgical unit hospitalization, as well as total days hospitalized, after controlling for demographics, clinical characteristics, and health risk behaviors.

Method: This prospective cohort study included 3,596 patients with diabetes enrolled in the Pathways Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study.

The association between intensive care unit admission and subsequent depression in patients with diabetes.

Objective: To examine whether intensive care unit (ICU) admission is independently associated with increased risk of major depression in patients with diabetes.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 3596 patients with diabetes enrolled in the Pathways Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study, of whom 193 had at least one ICU admission over a 3-year period. We controlled for baseline depressive symptoms, demographics, and clinical characteristics.

Evaluation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item for detecting major depression among adolescents.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the performance characteristics and validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item (PHQ-9) as a screening tool for depression among adolescents.

Methods: The PHQ-9 was completed by 442 youth (aged 13-17 years) who were enrolled in a large health care-delivery system and participated in a study on depression outcomes. Criterion validity and performance characteristics were assessed against an independent structured mental health interview (the Child Diagnostic Interview Schedule [DISC-IV]).

Evaluation of the PHQ-2 as a brief screen for detecting major depression among adolescents.

Objective: To examine the validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ-2), a 2-item depression-screening scale, among adolescents.

Methods: After completing a brief depression screen, 499 youth (aged 13-17 years) who were enrolled in an integrated health care system were invited to participate in a full assessment, including a longer depression-screening scale (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item depression screen) and a structured mental health interview (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children). Eighty-nine percent (n = 444) completed the assessment.

Factors associated with detection and receipt of treatment for youth with depression and anxiety disorders.

Objective: Anxiety and depression are common among youth and are associated with significant morbidity. Few youth with depression are diagnosed and receive treatment for these disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of recognition and management among an insured population and the factors associated with evidence of detection among youth.