Contribution of Sensory Processing to Chronic Constipation in Preschool Children.

Objective: To assess differences in sensory processing patterns between children with chronic constipation compared with a matched normative sample as well as to examine the extent to which specific sensory processing patterns and modality scores predicted atypical toileting behaviors.

Study Design: We used a cross-sectional comparative design to evaluate differences between children age 3 and 5 years old with constipation (n = 66) and those in a matched control sample (n = 66). We also examined the contribution of sensory processing patterns to atypical toileting behavior in the clinical sample.

Mealtime Disruption and Caregiver Stress in Referrals to an Outpatient Feeding Clinic.

Background: This investigation explores the feeding behaviors, comorbidities, and parenting stress in young children referred to an outpatient feeding clinic.

Materials And Methods: Eligible participants (n =72) were primary caretakers of children ages 2-6 years referred to an interdisciplinary outpatient feeding disorder clinic, subcategorized according to the absence (n = 18) or presence (n = 54) of caretaker-reported medical or developmental comorbidities. This group was compared with an equivalent control sample of caretakers of age-matched children (n = 72).

Pediatric Outpatient Feeding Clinic: If You Build It, Who Will Come?

Background: Feeding disorders occur commonly in the pediatric population and vary in severity from picky eating to extreme food selectivity. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision provide more inclusive diagnostic criteria for feeding disorders, but little is known about the actual referral population to an outpatient feeding clinic. In this investigation, the nutrition status, reason for referral, and related exploratory questions of outpatient referrals are detailed.

Force of infection is key to understanding the epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Papua New Guinean children.

Genotyping Plasmodium falciparum parasites in longitudinal studies provides a robust approach to estimating force of infection (FOI) in the presence of superinfections. The molecular parameter (mol)FOI, defined as the number of new P. falciparum clones acquired over time, describes basic malaria epidemiology and is suitable for measuring outcomes of interventions.

Variation in pain medication use in end-of-life care.

Background: Pain is a common and distressing symptom at the end of life that medications can help relieve. We sought to explore variation in approaches to pharmaceutical management of pain among hospice-eligible patients and to determine if variation was explained by patient or site of care characteristics. Variation in medication use may suggest areas for best practices or quality improvement in medication use in end-of-life care.

Adolescent immunization delivery in school-based health centers: a national survey.

Purpose: Vaccinating adolescents in a variety of settings may be needed to achieve high vaccination coverage. School-based health centers (SBHCs) provide a wide range of health services, but little is known about immunization delivery in SBHCs. The objective of this investigation was to assess, in a national random sample of SBHCs, adolescent immunization practices and perceived barriers to vaccination.

Surgical outcomes in American Indian veterans: a closer look.

Background: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/ANs) male veterans have considerably higher postoperative mortality rates than their Caucasian counterparts, but similar postoperative morbidity rates even after adjusting for major preoperative risk factors. This study seeks to explain the discrepancy in morbidity and mortality.

Study Design: We obtained data from the Veterans Affairs National Surgical Quality Improvement Program on major, noncardiac, surgical procedures performed from 1991 to 2002 for all AI/AN men (n = 2,155), and a random sample of Caucasian men (n = 2,264), matched by site.

Drug users seeking emergency care for soft tissue infection at high risk for subsequent hospitalization and death.

Objective: Although soft tissue infections are common among injection drug users (IDUs), little is known about the health outcomes among those who seek care for these infections. Emergency department visits are an important point-of-health-care contact for IDUs. In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the hospitalization and mortality rates and factors associated with hospitalization or death among IDUs seeking emergency care for soft tissue infection.

Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer: a randomized trial.

Background: Small studies of variable quality suggest that massage therapy may relieve pain and other symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of massage for decreasing pain and symptom distress and improving quality of life among persons with advanced cancer.

Design: Multisite, randomized clinical trial.

POWER for reproductive health: results from a social marketing campaign promoting female and male condoms.

Purpose: To evaluate effects of a 6-month social marketing campaign on awareness of, attitudes toward and use of female as well as male condoms for 15-25 year-old-women.

Methods: Using a time-space sampling methodology, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 3407 women at pre-campaign in 12 western U.S.