Early-life Chronic Stressors, Rumination, and the Onset of Vulvodynia.

Introduction: Vulvodynia is a debilitating, chronic vulvar pain condition. Community-based case-control studies have consistently shown associations between early-life chronic stressors and vulvodynia onset.

Aim: We examined rumination as a specific stress response involved in the psychobiological mechanism of vulvodynia.

Using an Emic lens to understand how Latino families cope with dementia behavioral problems.

Focus group data collected for a larger project to develop a fotonovela for Latino caregivers was used to conduct a meaning-centered thematic analysis in order to elicit Latino family caregiver perspectives on how behavior problems occurring in the context of dementia are perceived and managed. A sample of 42 Spanish-speaking Latino caregivers were recruited from organizations affiliated with the Alzheimer's Association near San Diego, California. Caregivers were queried on challenging behaviors, coping strategies, as well as other daily challenges.

Prevalence of symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of vulvodynia: population-based estimates from 2 geographic regions.

Objective: We used validated sensitive and specific questions associated with clinically confirmed diagnoses of unexplained vulvar pain (vulvodynia) to compare the cumulative incidence of vulvar pain and prevalence of care-seeking behavior in Boston metropolitan area (BMA) and in Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area (MSP) from 2001 through 2005 using census-based data, and 2010 through 2012, using outpatient community-clinic data, respectively.

Study Design: We received self-administered questionnaires from 5440 women in BMA and 13,681 in MSP, 18-40 years of age, describing their history of vulvar burning or pain on contact that persisted >3 months that limited/prevented intercourse.

Results: By age 40 years, 7-8% in BMA and MSP reported vulvar pain consistent with vulvodynia.