Personality, Behavior Characteristics, and Life Quality Impact of Children with Dyslexia

Looking at the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents with Cleft Lip and/or Palate through Neuroticism and Emotional Regulation Strategies: A Case-Controlled Observational Study

Background: Children and adolescents with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) are at an increased risk of developing emotional disorders. This study aims to explore this question in greater depth by addressing three objectives: (1) the presence of neuroticism as an indicator of emotional symptomatology, (2) the use of adaptive and non-adaptive emotional regulation strategies, and (3) the relationship between these strategies and neuroticism. Methods: A case-control correlational methodology was employed, with 60 children and adolescents with CL/P (mean age = 12.80 years; 33 females) and 60 non-clinical equivalent children and adolescents. Results: The CL/P group has higher scores on neuroticism (t = -7.74; p ≤ 0.001, d Cohen = 1.43) and lower scores in almost all emotional regulation strategies. The presence of CL/P moderated the relationship between neuroticism and self-blame (Beta = -0.46, t = -2.81, p = 0.005), rumination (Beta = -0.49, t = -3.73, p < 0.001), catastrophizing (Beta = -0.61, t = -4.26, p < 0.001), and blaming others (Beta = -0.45, t = -2.84, p = 0.005). This model predicted a significant variance of neuroticism (all p < 0.005), which ranged from 39% to 41%. Conclusions: The CL/P group has worse mental health indicators. Particularly novel results about the CL/P group are the lower scores on regulation strategies (both adaptive and non-adaptive) and the fact that non-adaptive strategies contribute, contrary to their effect in the general population, to a decrease in neuroticism. It supports the need to incorporate mental health indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with CL/P.

Exposure to organophosphate, pyrethroid, and neonicotinoid insecticides and dyslexia: Association with oxidative stress

Organophosphates (OPPs), pyrethroids (PYRs), and neonicotinoids (NNIs) are three major classes of insecticides used worldwide. They might compromise child neurodevelopment. However, few studies have explored the association between exposure to them and dyslexia. The present study aimed to investigate the association between dyslexia and exposure to the three classes of insecticides, as well as explore the potential role of oxidative stress in the association. A total of 355 dyslexic children and 390 controls were included in this study. The exposure biomarkers were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Specifically, the exposure biomarkers included three typical metabolites of OPPs, three of PYRs, and nine of NNIs. Additionally, three typical oxidative stress biomarkers, namely, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) for DNA damage, 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) for RNA damage, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid (HNEMA) for lipid peroxidation were measured. The detection frequencies of the urinary biomarkers ranged from 83.9% to 100%. Among the target metabolites of the insecticides, a significant association was observed between urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy, the metabolite of chlorpyrifos, an OPP insecticide) and dyslexia. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, children in the highest quartile of TCPy levels had an increased odds of dyslexia (odds ratio [OR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 2.75] in comparison to those in the lowest quartile. Among the three oxidative stress biomarkers, urinary HNEMA concentration showed a significant relationship with dyslexia. Children in the highest quartile of HNEMA levels demonstrated an increased dyslexic odds in comparison to those in the lowest quartile after multiple adjustments (OR, 1.64; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.65). Mediation analysis indicated a significant effect of HNEMA in the association between urinary TCPy and dyslexia, with an estimate of 17.2% (P < 0.01). In conclusion, this study suggested the association between urinary TCPy and dyslexia. The association could be attributed to lipid peroxidation partially.

Sustainability of the effect of optical intervention on the reading performance of children with dyslexia

Background

Dyslexia is a learning disability associated with reading difficulties in children. Due to the potential of poor school outcomes interventions have been employed to help students with dyslexia read. This study was aimed at identifying the sustainability of the effect of combined Visual Tracking Magnifier (VTM) and Ministry of Education (MOE) interventions and MOE intervention alone on the reading performance of school children with dyslexia after discontinuation of intervention.

Methods

This prospective, interventional study was conducted on primary school children with dyslexia aged 8 - 11 years. The participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic and optometric examinations and were categorized into groups A, B, and C, comprising primary school children at level 1 or 2. Groups A and B received combined VTM and MOE interventions for 12 and 24 weeks, respectively, and group C received MOE intervention alone. The reading performance was assessed at baseline and 12, 24, and 36 weeks post-intervention.

Results

Both components of the reading performance improved significantly for school children at both levels in all study groups (all P < 0.05). However, the reading performance improvement was only approximately 28% in group C and 38% - 50% in groups A and B. In group A, students at level 1 showed significantly improved reading speed from baseline to 12 weeks post-VTM intervention and reading rate from baseline to 24 weeks post-VTM intervention (both P < 0.05). Students at level 2 showed significantly improved reading speed and rate from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks post-VTM intervention (all P < 0.05). In group B, students at both levels showed significantly improved reading speed and rate from baseline to 24 and 36 weeks post-VTM intervention (all P < 0.05). Students at level 2 showed significantly improved reading speed 12 weeks after cessation of intervention (at 36 weeks post-VTM intervention) compared to 24 weeks post-VTM intervention (P < 0.05). The improvement remaining stable 12 weeks after discontinuation of intervention indicated a sustained effect.

Conclusions

Combined or individual intervention improved the reading performance of school children with dyslexia at levels 1 and 2. However, combined intervention showed a better reading improvement effect. Improvement in the reading performance was maintained after discontinuation of the VTM intervention. Further interventional studies with a longer study period after discontinuation of this optical intervention are required to confirm the long-term sustainability of its positive effects on the reading performance of school children with dyslexia.

Diagnostic survey of dyslexia and accompanying behavioral indicators in primary school students in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Although dyslexia is the most common learning disorder in children, it has not received adequate attention in Saudi Arabia.

AIMS

This study aimed at determining the prevalence of dyslexia among Saudi students in Grades 3-6, exploring associations between severity of dyslexia, its behavioral indicators, gender and grade, and the moderating role of grade in the relationship between severity and behavioral indicators.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

The sample consisted of 2848 female students and 2647 male students in Zulfi governorate, Saudi Arabia. A survey-based mixed-methods design was chosen including a structured interview with teachers and three assessments using the Diagnostic Assessment Scale for Dyslexia, the Arabic Reading Test, and the Dyslexia Behavioral Indicators Scale.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Dyslexia was assessed in 5.86 % of the total sample. It was twice as prevalent among male students as among female students (6.54 % and 3.83 %, respectively). The mean score for behavioral indicators of dyslexia was also significantly higher for male than for female students. The correlation between dyslexia severity and behavioral indicators score was high and significant, with grade level as a significant moderator.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

We found that, for children with dyslexia in Saudi Arabia, dyslexia was twice as prevalent among male students as among female students. Early dyslexia diagnosis and intervention services are suggested to reduce the risk for reading problems.

Anxiety in children and youth: Part 1-Diagnosis

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concerns affecting Canadian children and adolescents. The Canadian Paediatric Society has developed two position statements that summarize current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of anxiety disorders. Both statements offer evidence-informed guidance to support paediatric health care providers (HCPs) making decisions around the care of children and adolescents with these conditions. The objectives of Part 1, which focuses on assessment and diagnosis, are to: (1) review the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of anxiety disorders and (2) describe a process for assessment of anxiety disorders. Specific topics are reviewed, including prevalence, differential diagnosis, co-occurring conditions, and the process of assessment. Approaches are offered for standardized screening, history-taking, and observation. Associated features and indicators that distinguish anxiety disorders from developmentally appropriate fears, worries, and anxious feelings are considered. Note that when the word 'parent' (singular or plural) is used, it includes any primary caregiver and every configuration of family.

Accessible Dyslexia Detection with Real-Time Reading Feedback through Robust Interpretable Eye-Tracking Features

Developing reliable, quantifiable, and accessible metrics for dyslexia diagnosis and tracking represents an important goal, considering the widespread nature of dyslexia and its negative impact on education and quality of life. In this study, we observe eye-tracking data from 15 dyslexic and 15 neurotypical Serbian school-age children who read text segments presented on different color configurations. Two new eye-tracking features were introduced that quantify the amount of spatial complexity of the subject’s gaze through time and inherently provide information regarding the locations in the text in which the subject struggled the most. The features were extracted from the raw eye-tracking data (x, y coordinates), from the original data gathered at 60 Hz, and from the downsampled data at 30 Hz, examining the compatibility of features with low-cost or custom-made eye-trackers. The features were used as inputs to machine learning algorithms, and the best-obtained accuracy was 88.9% for 60 Hz and 87.8% for 30 Hz. The features were also used to analyze the influence of background/overlay color on the quality of reading, and it was shown that the introduced features separate the dyslexic and control groups regardless of the background/overlay color. The colors can, however, influence each subject differently, which implies that an individualistic approach would be necessary to obtain the best therapeutic results. The performed study shows promise in dyslexia detection and evaluation, as the proposed features can be implemented in real time as feedback during reading and show effectiveness at detecting dyslexia with data obtained using a lower sampling rate.

Anxiety in children and youth: Part 1-Diagnosis

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concerns affecting Canadian children and adolescents. The Canadian Paediatric Society has developed two position statements that summarize current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of anxiety disorders. Both statements offer evidence-informed guidance to support paediatric health care providers (HCPs) making decisions around the care of children and adolescents with these conditions. The objectives of Part 1, which focuses on assessment and diagnosis, are to: (1) review the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of anxiety disorders and (2) describe a process for assessment of anxiety disorders. Specific topics are reviewed, including prevalence, differential diagnosis, co-occurring conditions, and the process of assessment. Approaches are offered for standardized screening, history-taking, and observation. Associated features and indicators that distinguish anxiety disorders from developmentally appropriate fears, worries, and anxious feelings are considered. Note that when the word 'parent' (singular or plural) is used, it includes any primary caregiver and every configuration of family.

A study on Instinctive Feelings, Perceived Stressors and Factors that helped in reducing Stress during COVID 19 pandemic among Health Care Workers

Background: Healthcare workers at the forefront of the battle against COVID 19 are not only putting their own health and lives at risk but are also fighting to keep their own worries and emotional stress at bay. Aim & Objective: To evaluate emotions, perceived stressors, and factors that helped in reducing stress of healthcare workers who worked during a COVID19 pandemic. Settings and Design: This cross sectional study was conducted among Health Care staff involved in COVID 19 duty in tertiary care hospital of Gujarat. Methods and Material: Google form link was shared though what’s up and mail. The questionnaire was completed online. Consent for voluntarily participation was also obtained through online Google form. Statistical analysis used: Data was entered and analysed through Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: Total 106 participants responded to the questionnaire. It was extremely stressful for health care workers to see their colleagues getting infection, as well as the fear that they could transmit the disease to their families or friends. Main factors that helped to reduce the stress were positive attitude from colleagues, improvement of patients conditions and availability of protective equipment. Conclusions: Personal safety, the protection of family members and unpredictability of pandemic were the main concerns. Hospitals should prioritise stress monitoring for health care workers and provide targeted psychological guidance for HCWs during the pandemic.

Interaction of job-related psychological flexibility, coping style and personality types in depression in Chinese physicians: A cross-section study

To investigate the associations of job-related psychological flexibility, coping style and personality types with and their interactions in depression in Chinese physicians. A cross-sectional survey of 444 physicians was conducted by using the convenience sampling method in the municipal hospitals in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression, Work-related Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revision Short Scale of China were administered to each participant. Depression tendency scores were significantly higher in healthcare workers with intermediate title, age 31 and older, introvert unstable personality than other counterparts, (P < .01). Female and extrovert stable healthcare workers had significantly higher coping score than male and other personality types (P < .05). The scores of job-related psychological flexibility in healthcare workers with Introvert Stable or working in emergency department were significantly higher than their counterparts (P < .01). General linear model algorithm of machine learning showed that Extrovert Unstable was the main risk factor for depression (β = 6.74), followed by Extrovert Stable (β = -4.90), negative coping, positive coping, and length of service. Multivariate regression models showed that a significant interaction existed between coping style, work-related psychological flexibility and Extroversion (β = -0.103, P < .05), independently explaining 0.7% variance of depression, and that a significant interaction existed between coping style, work-related psychological flexibility and neuroticism (β = 0.116, P < .05), independently explaining 1.0% variance of depression. Interactions existed between personality types, coping style and work-related psychological flexibility in depression tendency in Chinese healthcare workers, with neuroticism (extrovert unstable) being a risk factor and extroversion (extrovert stable) being a protective factor. Precision prevention strategies could be made based on personality types to reduce depression in health workers.

Clinical Study of Mobile Application- (App-) Based Family-Centered Care (FCC) Model Combined with Comprehensive Iron Removal Treatment in Children with Severe Beta Thalassemia

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical records of 148 children diagnosed with severe beta thalassemia who were admitted to our hospital between October 2018 and September 2021. The patients were separated into two groups, a control group and an intervention group, with 74 cases in each group, according to the various care approaches. The basic treatment regimen was given to all of the children: deferoxamine mesylate combined with deferiprone. During treatment, the control group received routine care, and the intervention group adopted the FCC model based on a mobile app. The quality of life scale for children and adolescents (QLSCA) score, the family assessment device (FAD) score, the exercise of self-care agency scale (ESCA) score, and the medication compliance scale score were compared between the two groups.

Results

The QLSCA score, ESCA score, and medication compliance scale score of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group and showed a significant difference (intergroup effect: F = 198.400, 259.200, and 129.800, all P < 0.001). Scores in both groups increased over time (time effect: F = 19.350, 40.830, and 12.130, all P < 0.001), and there was an interaction effect between grouping and time (interaction effect: F = 3.937, 12.020, and 5.028). The P values were 0.020, <0.001, and 0.007. The FAD score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group (intergroup effect: F = 177.200, P < 0.001). The FAD scores of both groups decreased over time (time effect: F = 7.921, P = 0.005). There was an interaction effect between groups and time (interaction effect: F = 5.206, P = 0.006).

Conclusion

The application effect of the mobile app-based FCC model combined with the comprehensive iron removal treatment program in children with severe beta thalassemia is significant, which can significantly improve the quality of life, family function, self-care ability, and medication compliance of children, and has high clinical application value.

Dyslexia: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis

Dyslexia is a disorder characterized by an impaired ability to understand written and printed words or phrases. Epidemiological longitudinal data show that dyslexia is highly prevalent, affecting 10-20% of the population regardless of gender. This study aims to provide a detailed overview of research status and development characteristics of dyslexia from types of articles, years, countries, institutions, journals, authors, author keywords, and highly cited papers. A total of 9,166 publications have been retrieved from the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) and Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) from 2000 to 2021. The United States of America, United Kingdom, and Germany were the top three most productive countries in terms of the number of publications. China, Israel, and Japan led the Asia research on dyslexia. University of Oxford had the most publications and won first place in terms of h-index. Dyslexia was the most productive journal in this field and Psychology was the most used subject category. Keywords analysis indicated that "developmental dyslexia," "phonological awareness," children and fMRI were still the main research topics. "Literacy," "rapid automatized naming (RAN)," "assessment," "intervention," "meta-analysis," "Chinese," "executive function," "morphological awareness," "decoding," "dyscalculia," "EEG," "Eye tracking," "rhythm," "bilingualism," and "functional connectivity" might become the new research hotspots.

Quality of life in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to compare the quality of life (QoL) between Chinese developmental dyslexia (DD) and healthy children.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The participants were recruited from grades 3-6 in six primary schools in Tianmen, a city of Hubei Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5679 students were recruited. After excluding children with visual and auditory dysfunction or psychiatric diseases or with a response rate on the scales or questionnaires of less than 90%, 5352 children were finally included in the analysis. DD children were diagnosed according to their clinical symptoms, which were mainly assessed by the Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children and the Pupil Rating Scale Revised Screening for Learning Disabilities.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The QoL for DD and healthy children was appraised by the Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents (QLSCA). Outcome measures included its four domain scores (psychosocial function, physiological and mental health, living environment and satisfaction with QoL) and total score.

RESULTS

A total of 186 children were diagnosed with DD. The distribution of DD children in five levels of QoL was statistically different from that of healthy children (χ²=57.63, p<0.001). Compared with healthy children, the proportion of poor or worse QoL in DD was higher, and the proportion of moderate, better or good QoL was lower. The total QLSCA score in DD children was 3.475 lower than that in healthy children (B=-3.475, p=0.006). Psychosocial function, physiological and mental health, living environment and satisfaction with QoL of DD children were also inferior to those of healthy children.

CONCLUSION

The QoL of DD was significantly lower than that of healthy children, prompting more public efforts to improve DD QoL.

Relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive impairment in children with sleep-disordered breathing

BACKGROUND

As an important neuroprotective factor, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may have a key role in cognitive impairment in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The main aim of this study was to compare the levels of BDNF and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) in normal children and those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring (PS) and to explore a possible link between BDNF/TrkB, inflammation, and SDB with cognitive impairment in children.

METHODS

A total of 44 OSA children and 35 PS children who completed polysomnography between October 2017 and October 2019 were enrolled. At the same time, 40 healthy children during the same period were included as a control. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum indices of BDNF, TrkB, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Correlation and pooled analyses were performed between the cognitive scores and four serological indicators. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in serum BDNF, TrkB, IL-1β, and TNF-α between the three groups (all P < 0.01). The serum BDNF and TrkB in the OSA and PS groups were lower than those in the control group, whereas the serum IL-1β and TNF-α were higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, among these four indices, the strongest correlation was found between BDNF and the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed a correlation between OSA status, TrkB, and course of mouth breathing and cognitive status.

CONCLUSION

The levels of serum BDNF and TrkB were related to cognitive impairment in children with SDB. Also, BDNF and TrkB could be used as noninvasive and objective candidate markers and predictive indices of cognitive impairment in children with SDB.

The Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Children With Reading Disabilities in a Multiethnic City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the risk factors for reading disabilities (RDs) among children. Based on these studies, factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, and the home literacy environment have been widely found to be associated with children who have RDs. However, children from a multiethnic city are seldom investigated. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of RDs and the potential environmental risk factors in Shihezi, Xinjiang, where people of multiple ethnicities, including Han and ethnic minority children, live and study together. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Shihezi. A two-stage sampling strategy was applied to randomly select six primary schools in the city. In total, 6,539 students in grades two to six participated in this study. There were 6,065 valid questionnaires obtained for further analyses. We used the Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children and the Pupil Rating Scale to screen for the children with RDs. The χ² test and multivariate logistic regression were employed to reveal the potential risk factors of RDs. The prevalence of children with RDs was 3.38% in Shihezi City and was significantly different between Han (3.28%) and Uighur (7.42%) children (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of RDs between Han and Hui children. Among these children with RDs, the gender ratio of boys to girls was nearly 2:1. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that gender (P < 0.01), learning habits (P < 0.01), and the home literacy environment (P < 0.01) were associated with RD. The results may be useful in the early identification and intervention of children with RDs, especially among ethnic minorities.

The Role of Emoticons in the Comprehension of Emotional and Non-emotional Messages in Dyslexic Youth - A Preliminary Study

The study explored how well-dyslexic youth deals with written messages in an environment simulating popular social network communication system. The messaging systems, present more and more in pandemic and post-pandemic online world, are rich in nonverbal aspects of communicating, namely, the emoticons. The pertinent question was whether the presence of emoticons in written messages of emotional and non-emotional content changes the comprehension of the messages. Thirty-two pupils aged 11–15 took part in the study, 16 had a school-approved diagnosis of dyslexia and were included in the experimental group. Sixteen controls had no diagnosed disabilities. Both groups viewed short messages of four types (each including seven communicates): verbal-informative (without emoticons and emotional verbal content), verbal-emotive (without emoticons, with emotional verbal content), emoticon-informative (including emoticon-like small pictures, but without emotional content either verbal or nonverbal), and emoticon-emotive (with standard emoticons and including verbal-emotional content). The participants had to answer short questions after quick presentation of each message that tested their comprehension of the content. RTs and accuracy of the answers were analyzed. Students without dyslexia had shorter response times to the questions regarding all types of messages than the dyslexic participants. The answers of the experimental group to the questions about the emoticon-informative messages were less correct. The study pointed tentatively to the beneficial role of emoticons (especially the nonstandard, i.e., of non-emotional kind) in reading short messages with understanding.

Developmental Dyslexia: Environment Matters

Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a multifactorial, specific learning disorder. Susceptibility genes have been identified, but there is growing evidence that environmental factors, and especially stress, may act as triggering factors that determine an individual's risk of developing DD. In DD, as in most complex phenotypes, the presence of a genetic mutation fails to explain the broad phenotypic spectrum observed. Early life stress has been repeatedly associated with the risk of multifactorial disorders, due to its effects on chromatin regulation, gene expression, HPA axis function and its long-term effects on the systemic stress response. Based on recent evidence, we discuss the potential role of stress on DD occurrence, its putative epigenetic effects on the HPA axis of affected individuals, as well as the necessity of early and appropriate intervention, based on the individual stress-associated (endo)phenotype.

Clinical Profiles and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Adults with Specific Learning Disorder in Northern Greece

The manifestation of Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) during adulthood is one of the least examined research areas among the relevant literature. Therefore, the adult population with SLD is considered a "rare" and "unique" population of major scientific interest. The aim of the current study was to investigate, describe, and analyze the clinical, academic, and socio-demographic characteristics, and other everyday functioning life-skills of adults with SLD, in an attempt to shed more light on this limited field of research. The overall sample consisted of 318 adults, who were assessed for possible SLD. The diagnostic procedure included self-report records (clinical interview), psychometric/cognitive, and learning assessments. The main finding of the study was that SLD, even during adulthood, continues to affect the individuals' well-being and functionality in all of their life domains. There is an ongoing struggle of this population to obtain academic qualifications in order to gain vocational rehabilitation, as well as a difficulty to create a family, possibly resulting from their unstable occupational status, their financial insecurity, and the emotional/self-esteem issues they usually encounter, due to their ongoing learning problems. Moreover, the various interpersonal characteristics, the comorbidity issues, and the different developmental backgrounds observed in the clinical, academic, personal, social, and occupational profiles of the participants, highlight the enormous heterogeneity and the continuum that characterizes SLD during adulthood. We conclude that there is an imperative need for further research and the construction of more sufficient tools for the assessment and diagnosis of SLD during adulthood, which will take into account the developmental challenges and milestones in a series of domains, in order to assist this "vulnerable" population with their life struggles.

Risk Factors and Psychological Analysis of Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia in Children

Objective

To study the risk factors and psychological changes in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (CITP).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 234 children with ITP diagnosed and treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2016 to December 2018. The clinical characteristics and related laboratory factors of all patients were collected, and their impact on the chronicity of ITP was analyzed. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Children’s Version (7–15 years old) is a psychological assessment of children with chronic ITP (CITP).

Results

Univariate analysis found that the course of the initial diagnosis (χ2 =6.879, P<0.05), the age of onset (χ2 =13.846, P<0.05) and the absolute value of the initial diagnosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (χ2 =6.436, P<0.05) had statistical differences in the chronicity of ITP in children; a multivariate analysis of the course of the first diagnosis, the age of onset and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) revealed that ALC is an independent factor in children’s chronic ITP (P<0.05). Compared with normal children, children with CITP had statistical significance in extraversion (t=−3.476, P<0.05); compared with newly diagnosed children, they had statistical significance in extraversion (E) and lying (L) (P<0.05); and there was no statistical difference compared with persistent children (P>0.05).

Conclusion

The age of onset, the absolute value of lymphocytes at the initial diagnosis, and the course of the initial diagnosis are important for predicting the chronicity of ITP in children. ALC is an independent predictor; children with chronic ITP have psychological problems.

Emotional and Cognitive Responses and Behavioral Coping of Chinese Medical Workers and General Population during the Pandemic of COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) might affect the psychological health of population, especially medical workers. We aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional and cognitive responses and behavioral coping among Chinese residents.

METHODS

An online investigation was run from 5 February to 25 February 2020, which recruited a total of 616 Chinese residents. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect demographic information, epidemic knowledge and prevention of COVID-19 and characteristics of medical workers. The emotional and cognitive responses were assessed via the Symptom Check List-30 (SCL-30) and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Behavioral coping was assessed via Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ).

RESULTS

In total, 131 (21.3%) medical workers and 485 (78.7%) members of the general public completed the structured online survey. The structural equation models showed that emotional response interacted with cognitive response, and both emotional response and cognitive response affected the behavioral coping. Multivariate regression showed that positive coping enhanced emotional and cognitive responses, while negative coping reduced emotional and cognitive responses. The emotional response (depression, anxiety and photic anxiety) scores of the participants were higher than the norm (all p < 0.001); in particular, the panic scores of members of the general public were higher than those of medical workers (p < 0.05), as well as the cognitive response (paranoia and compulsion). Both positive and negative coping scores of the participants were lower than the norm (p < 0.001), and the general public had higher negative coping than medical workers (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

During the preliminary stage of COVID-19, our study confirmed the significance of emotional and cognitive responses, which were associated with behavioral coping and significantly influenced the medical workers and the general public's cognition and level of public health emergency preparedness. These results emphasize the importance of psychological health at times of widespread crisis.