A longitudinal study to explain the pain-depression link in older adults with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate whether osteoarthritis (OA) pain determines depressed mood, taking into consideration fatigue and disability and controlling for other factors.

Methods: In a community cohort with hip/knee OA, telephone interviews assessed OA pain and disability (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory), depressed mood (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and covariates (demographics, self-rated health, comorbidity, pain coping, pain catastrophizing, and social support) at 3 time points over 2 years. Drawing on previous research, a path model was developed to test the interrelationships among the key concepts (pain, depression, fatigue, disability) over time, controlling for covariates.

The association between low back pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a population-based cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether prevalent self-reported back pain predicts future osteoarthritis-related pain and disability in individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We studied a population-based cohort of Ontario residents who were 55 years or older and reported symptomatic hip/knee OA at baseline (between 1996 and 1998). The sample was followed-up between 2000 and 2001.

The nerve of osteoarthritis pain.

Objective: Cumulative data suggest that central sensitization may contribute to pain in osteoarthritis (OA) and present with symptoms typically associated with neuropathic pain (NP). We evaluated the responses from focus group participants on the knee OA pain experience for pain descriptions that suggest NP.

Methods: Focus group transcripts were analyzed by 2 independent assessors for unprompted use of pain descriptors that suggested NP.

A prospective study to identify factors affecting adherence to recommended daily calcium intake in women with low bone mineral density.

Objective: Factors that influence calcium intake among women with low bone mass have not been clearly identified. The objective of this study was to evaluate confidence, attitudes and beliefs regarding calcium intake and to identify determinants of adherence to calcium recommendations among women with low bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: Participants were 104 women with low BMD attending an initial visit to an osteoporosis program.

Fatigue in osteoarthritis: a qualitative study.

Background: Fatigue is recognized as a disabling symptom in many chronic conditions including rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus. Fatigue in osteoarthritis (OA) is not routinely evaluated and has only been considered in a very limited number of studies. To date, these studies have focused primarily on patients with OA under rheumatological care, which represent the minority of people living with OA.

Validation of a phytoestrogen food frequency questionnaire with urinary concentrations of isoflavones and lignan metabolites in premenopausal women.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between dietary intake of phytoestrogens estimated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with urinary metabolites.

Methods: Participants were 26 premenopausal, Caucasian women aged 25 to 42 years. Dietary intake of isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) and lignans (secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol) were estimated by a 53-item interviewer-administered FFQ on two occasions, reflecting 'habitual' (previous 2 months) and 'recent' (previous 2 days) dietary intake.

Factors that influence adherence to calcium recommendations.

To identify barriers to following calcium recommendations among women with reduced bone mineral density (BMD), four focus group sessions were held with 30 postmenopausal women diagnosed with low BMD. Key concepts and themes were derived from transcripts. Participants were aware of the importance of calcium to their bone health, and were attempting to follow calcium intake recommendations.

Folate intakes and awareness of folate to prevent neural tube defects: a survey of women living in Vancouver, Canada.

Objective: To estimate folate intake and knowledge in women of childbearing age, in relation to risk of neural tube defects.

Subjects/setting: One hundred forty-eight women (aged 18 to 45 years) in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada.

Design: Using an interviewer-administered survey, we examined women for folate knowledge and the relation of folate knowledge to intake in a random sample.