The structure of affective symptomatology in older adults with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To examine the structure of symptoms of affective disorder among older adults with a chronic health problem (osteoarthritis) and to explore cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of obtained affective symptom clusters with key health outcomes (pain, functional disability, perceived health).

Methods: One-year longitudinal study of older adults with diagnosed osteoarthritis of the knee. Symptoms of DSM depression and anxiety were assessed in a research diagnostic interview by using a DSM-IV symptom checklist; self-reports captured demographic characteristics, objective health, pain, disability, and perceived health.

Pain, disability, and depression in osteoarthritis: effects of race and sex.

Objectives: A cross-sectional study examined how race and sex affect associations among osteoarthritis (OA) pain, disability, and depression in 363 older adults with diagnosed knee OA.

Method: African American (Black; N = 94) and non-Hispanic White (White; N = 269) men and women self-reported pain, disability, depressive symptoms, arthritis history, general health, and demographic information.

Results: Women experienced greater pain and marginally greater disability than men; African Americans reported greater disability and marginally greater pain than non-Hispanic Whites.

Un Corazón Saludable: factors influencing outcomes of an exercise program designed to impact cardiac and metabolic risks among urban Latinas.

A high prevalence of physical inactivity, metabolic risk factors, and depression place Latinas in peril of developing cardiovascular disease. "Un Corazón Saludable: A Healthy Heart" was developed to engage urban Latinas in physical activity and increase awareness of cardiac and metabolic risk factors. Two hundred and twenty-five Latinas enrolled in the program that included salsa aerobics and culturally sensitive health education modules.

Necessary and discretionary activities in knee osteoarthritis: do they mediate the pain-depression relationship?

Objective: This study examined direct vs indirect associations of pain and physical function with depression in 369 older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. A key focus was the distinction of functional disability in necessary tasks (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) from discretionary, leisure activities.

Design: A naturalistic longitudinal study examined effects of demographic variables, indicators of arthritis status, general health, pain, and several measures of functional disability upon depressive symptoms at baseline and 1 year later.

Factors influencing delay in seeking treatment for acute ischemic symptoms among lower income, urban women.

Objective: We examined factors associated with delay in seeking emergency medical attention for acute ischemic symptoms in a sample of predominantly African American women.

Method: Female patients who presented with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were interviewed. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine barriers associated with delay.

Effects of pain on functioning and well-being in older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee.

The effects of pain on functioning and well-being were examined in 367 older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The relationship of OA-related pain to depressive symptoms and perceived health was hypothesized to be direct as well as mediated by physical and social functioning. Results showed that OA-related pain was related to poorer physical and social functioning, had a direct effect on depressive symptoms, and direct and indirect effects on perceived health.

Similarities and differences in depression among black and white nursing home residents.

The authors examined racial similarities and differences in depressive symptomatology, diagnosis, and the predictors of depression in four independent nursing homes, conducting analyses across all sites and separately for the nursing home with the greatest racial balance (NH4). All-site data indicated that white residents showed more depression than black residents. There were no racial differences in the depression diagnosis derived from a structured interview of DSM-III-R.