Testing integrated behavioural and biomedical models of activity and activity limitations in a population-based sample.

Purpose: The predictive utility of an integrated model of disability is tested. The integrated model incorporates an impairment based model (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)) and the behavioural models.

Methods: Community dwelling adults (n = 628) completed a postal questionnaire measuring the integrated model.

Cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, or both for treating chronic widespread pain.

Background: The clinical impact of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (TCBT), exercise, or a combined intervention in primary care patients with chronic widespread pain (CWP) is unclear.

Methods: A total of 442 patients with CWP (meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria) were randomized to receive 6 months of TCBT, graded exercise, combined intervention, or treatment as usual (TAU). The primary outcome, using a 7-point patient global assessment scale of change in health since trial enrollment (range: very much worse to very much better), was assessed at baseline and 6 months (intervention end) and 9 months after randomization.

Temporal stability of beliefs about medicines: implications for optimising adherence.

Objective: To compare beliefs about medicines, as measured by the BMQ-General questionnaire, at two time points for the same respondents.

Methods: Respondents completed the BMQ-General as part of two separate postal questionnaires, administered with an intervening period of almost 4 years. BMQ-General scores were compared for all respondents at the two time points (2002 and 2005).

Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in the European Union countries: a systematic review.

Background: As part of the REPROSTAT2 project, this systematic review aimed to identify factors associated with teenage pregnancy in 25 European Union countries.

Methods: The search strategy included electronic bibliographic databases (1995 to May 2005), bibliographies of selected articles and requests to all country representatives of the research team for relevant reports and publications. Primary outcome measure was conception.

Preferences for self-care or professional advice for minor illness: a discrete choice experiment.

Aim: To determine the relative importance of factors that influence decision making in the management of minor illness, and how people trade between these factors.

Design Of Study: Discrete choice experiment.

Setting: Scottish electoral roll.