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Nair D, Cavanaugh KL, Wallston KA, Mason O, Stewart TG, Blot WJ, Ikizler TA, Lipworth LP. Religion, Spirituality, and Risk of End-Stage Kidney Disease Among Adults of Low Socioeconomic Status in the Southeastern United States. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2021; 31:1727-1746. [PMID: 33416749 DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2020.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Religiosity, encompassing spirituality and religious practices, is associated with reduced disease incidence among individuals of low socioeconomic status and who self-identify as Black. We hypothesized that religiosity associates with reduced end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) risk among Black but not White adults of low socioeconomic status. DESIGN Cox models of religiosity and ESKD risk in 76,443 adults. RESULTS Black adults reporting high spirituality had reduced ESKD risk after adjusting for demographic characteristics [Hazard Ratio (HR) .82 (95% Confidence Interval (CI)) (.69-.98)], depressive symptoms, social support, and tobacco use [HR .81 (CI .68-.96)]. When clinical covariates were added, associations between spirituality and ESKD were slightly attenuated and lost significance [HR .85 (CI .68-1.06)]. Associations were not demonstrated among White adults. CONCLUSIONS Spirituality associates with reduced ESKD risk among Black adults of low socioeconomic status independent of demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics. Effect modification by race was not statistically significant.
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O'Reilly SM, Hughes KN, Mooney T, Fitzpatrick P, O'Donoghue D, McNally S, Codd M, Ryan E, Doherty G, Mason O, Mulcahy HE, Cullen G. Characteristics and attitudes of first round invitees in the Irish National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme. Frontline Gastroenterol 2020; 12:374-379. [PMID: 35401954 PMCID: PMC8989011 DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2020-101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is proven to reduce CRC-related mortality. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT)-positive clients in the Irish National CRC Screening Programme underwent colonoscopy. Round 1 uptake was 40.2%. We sought to identify barriers to participation by assessing knowledge of CRC screening and examining attitudes towards FIT test and colonoscopy. METHODS Questionnaires based on a modified Champion's Health Belief Model were mailed to 3500 invitees: 1000 FIT-positive, 1000 FIT-negative and 1500 non-participants. 44% responded: 550 (46%) FIT-positive, 577 (48%) FIT-negative and 69 (6%) non-responders (NR). RESULTS 25% of respondents (n=286) did not perceive a personal risk of cancer, did not perceive CRC to be a serious disease and did not perceive benefits to screening. These opinions were more likely to be expressed by men (p=0.035). One-fifth (n=251) found screening stressful. Fear of cancer diagnosis and test results were associated with stress. FIT-positive clients, women and those with social medical insurance were more likely to experience stress. CONCLUSIONS The CRC screening process causes stress to one-fifth of participants. Greater use of media and involvement of healthcare professionals in disseminating information on the benefits of screening may lead to higher uptake in round 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne M O'Reilly
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katie N Hughes
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Therese Mooney
- BowelScreen, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Diarmuid O'Donoghue
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland,BowelScreen, National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sara McNally
- BowelScreen, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Codd
- School of Public Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth Ryan
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Glen Doherty
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olivia Mason
- School of Public Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hugh E Mulcahy
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Garret Cullen
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Kevane B, Day M, Bannon N, Lawler L, Breslin T, Andrews C, Johnson H, Fitzpatrick M, Murphy K, Mason O, O'Neill A, Donohue F, Ní Áinle F. Venous thromboembolism incidence in the Ireland east hospital group: a retrospective 22-month observational study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e030059. [PMID: 31230035 PMCID: PMC6596982 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the incidence of hospital-acquired VTE (HA-VTE) arising within the population served by the Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG). DESIGN /home/user/Documents/Sathish Kumar G/RFO/June/21-06-2019/bmjopen_iss_9_7_20190621_1/ A retrospective observational study was conducted using hospital discharge data obtained from the hospital inpatient enquiry data reporting system. In this system, VTE events recorded as 'primary diagnosis' represented the reason for initial hospital admission, whereas VTE recorded as a 'secondary diagnosis' occurred following admission and were therefore used as an approximation of HA-VTE. These data were used to estimate the overall incidence of VTE and the proportion of these events which were hospital-acquired. SETTING The IEHG is the largest hospital group in the Irish healthcare system and serves a population of over 1 million individuals. PARTICIPANTS Data were generated from records pertaining to the 2727 patient admission episodes where a diagnosis of VTE was made during the 22-month study period. RESULTS During the study period, 2727 VTE events were recorded within the IEHG (which serves a population of 1 036 279) corresponding to an incidence of 1.44 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.51) per 1000 per annum. 1273 (47%) of VTE events were recorded as secondary VTE. The incidence of VTE was highest among individuals over 85 years of age (16.03 per 1000;95% CI 12.81 to 19.26) and was more common following emergency hospital admission. CONCLUSION These data suggest that HA-VTE accounts for at least 47% of all VTE events arising within a hospital group serving a population of over 1 million individuals within the Ireland. Given that HA-VTE is a well-recognised source of (potentially preventable) hospital deaths, these findings provide a compelling argument for prioritising strategies directed at reducing the risk of VTE among hospital patients served by the IEHG and within the Ireland as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Kevane
- Department of Haematology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Day
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Leo Lawler
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tomas Breslin
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Claire Andrews
- Department of Haematology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Howard Johnson
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
- Health Intelligence Unit, R&D, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Karen Murphy
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Haematology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olivia Mason
- Centre for Support and Training in Analysis and Research (CSTAR), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Annemarie O'Neill
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
- Thrombosis Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala Donohue
- Health Intelligence Unit, R&D, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala Ní Áinle
- Department of Haematology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
- Irish Network for VTE Research (INViTE)
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Hassan J, Moran J, Murphy G, Mason O, Connell J, De Gascun C. Discrimination between recent and non-recent HIV infections using routine diagnostic serological assays. Med Microbiol Immunol 2019; 208:693-702. [PMID: 30859301 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00590-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of routine diagnostic HIV assays to accurately discriminate between recent and non-recent HIV infections has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to compare an established HIV recency assay, the Sedia limiting antigen HIV avidity assay (LAg), with the diagnostic assays; Abbott ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo and INNO-LIA HIV line assays. Samples from all new HIV diagnoses in Ireland from January to December 2016 (n = 455) were tested. An extended logistic regression model, the Spiegelhalter-Knill-Jones method, was utilised to establish a scoring system to predict recency of HIV infection. As proof of concept, 50 well-characterised samples were obtained from the CEPHIA repository whose stage of infection was blinded to the authors, which were tested and analysed. The proportion of samples that were determined as recent was 18.1% for LAg, 6.4% with the ARCHITECT, and 14.5% in the INNO-LIA assay. There was a significant correlation between the ARCHITECT S/CO values and the LAg results, r = 0.717, p < 0.001. ROC analysis revealed that an ARCHITECT S/CO < 250 had a sensitivity and specificity of 90.32% and 89.83%, respectively. Combining the Abbott ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay and INNO-LIA HIV assays resulted in an observed risk of being recent of 100%. Analysis of the CEPHIA samples revealed a strong agreement between the LAg assay and the combination of routine assays (κ = 0.908, p < 0.001). Our findings provide evidence that assays routinely employed to diagnose and confirm HIV infection may be utilised to determine the recency of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaythoon Hassan
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Joanne Moran
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - Gary Murphy
- Public Health England, London on Behalf of the Consortium for Performance and Evaluation of HIV Incidence Assays (CEPHIA), London, UK
| | - Olivia Mason
- Department of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, Centre for Support and Training in Analysis and Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jeff Connell
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Cillian De Gascun
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Bartels HC, O'Connor C, Segurado R, Mason O, Mehegan J, Geraghty AA, O'Brien E, Walsh J, McAuliffe F. Fetal growth trajectories and their association with maternal and child characteristics. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 33:2427-2433. [PMID: 30614328 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1554041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: The growth of the fetus is a complex process, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Longitudinal patterns of fetal growth are required to fully understand this process, however to date, a paucity of data exists in this area.Objective: To identify fetal growth trajectories in-utero and to assess their association with maternal and child characteristics up to 5 years postnatal.Methods: Data from 781 mother-child pairs from the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study were analyzed. The ROLO study was a randomized control trial of a low glycemic index diet in pregnancy to prevent recurrence of macrosomia. Fetal ultrasound measurements were recorded at 20 and 34 weeks gestation, and birth weight was recorded. Abdominal circumference (AC), weight (fetal weight, or birth weight), a standardized proxy for length (femur length or birth length, individually standardized), and AC:length ratio were examined for trajectory classes using latent class trajectory mixture models. Two-, three-, four-, and five-class models were evaluated for fit, using a linear (first order) trajectory over three time-points. ANOVA and chi-square tests were applied to test associations between trajectory membership and maternal and child characteristics up to age 5.Results: For AC, two fetal growth trajectories were identified, with 29% of participants on a "slow" trajectory and 71% on a "fast" trajectory. Those on a fast trajectory had higher rates of maternal impaired glucose tolerance (28.7 versus 16.5%, p<.001) and higher rates of mean child 5-year body mass index (BMI) centiles (64th versus 58th centile, p<.05) compared to those on the slow trajectory. For estimated fetal weight, four trajectories were identified, with 4% on a "very-slow" trajectory, 63% in a "moderate-slow" trajectory, 30% in a "moderate-fast" trajectory and 3% on a "very-fast" trajectory. Mothers with a fetus on the fastest trajectory had higher antenatal serum glucose levels (p<.05), and were more likely to deliver by cesarean section (59.1 versus 20%, p<.001). At 5 years of age, children on the fastest growth trajectory had the highest mean BMI centile (86th versus 60th centile, p<.05).Conclusions: This study shows that specific fetal growth trajectories may be associated with maternal serum glucose concentrations during pregnancy, mode of delivery and child BMI at 5 years of age. Diet and lifestyle measures that target maternal glucose levels during pregnancy may have lifelong benefits for children's BMI. Identifying those on an accelerated growth trajectory during fetal life provides a unique opportunity for antenatal and infant interventions that may have long-lasting health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena C Bartels
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clare O'Connor
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ricardo Segurado
- Centre for Support and Training in Analysis and Research (CSTAR), School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olivia Mason
- Centre for Support and Training in Analysis and Research and School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Mehegan
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aisling A Geraghty
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eileen O'Brien
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Walsh
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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McCollum DC, Mason O, Codd MB, O'Grady MJ. Management of type 1 diabetes in primary schools in Ireland: a cross-sectional survey. Ir J Med Sci 2018; 188:835-841. [PMID: 30488171 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-018-1942-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents reported experiences of support for diabetes management in schools are variable. Recent data from European countries are sparse and experiences in the Irish primary school setting have not been described previously. AIM To describe parents' experiences of support for diabetes management in primary schools in Ireland. METHODS Questionnaires were distributed through nine regional and tertiary paediatric diabetes services to parents of children aged 4-13 years with type 1 diabetes attending primary school. Data sought included patient demographics, treatment regimens, diabetes education of school staff, assistances received, and interactions between the school and family. RESULTS Responses were received from 418 parents of primary school children with type 1 diabetes. Twenty-six percent of children were not on intensive insulin therapy. Children on a multiple daily injection regime who were unable to self-administer insulin had administration facilitated by attendance of a parent in 95% of cases. Seventy-eight percent of parents were phoned by the school regarding diabetes management, particularly those of younger children (p < 0.001). More than half of parents attended the school at least once per month to assist with diabetes management, particularly those of younger children (p < 0.001). Younger children were also more likely to have a special needs assistant (p < 0.001) and have a written management plan (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our research has demonstrated deficits in care with respect to access to intensive insulin therapy, individualised care plans and a high burden on families which should be addressed through the National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology and relevant government departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C McCollum
- Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital Mullingar, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
| | - Olivia Mason
- Centre for Support and Training in Analysis and Research (CSTAR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Mary B Codd
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Michael J O'Grady
- Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital Mullingar, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. .,Women's and Children's Health, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Haroon M, Ahmad M, Baig MN, Mason O, Rice J, FitzGerald O. Inflammatory back pain in psoriatic arthritis is significantly more responsive to corticosteroids compared to back pain in ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective, open-labelled, controlled pilot study. Arthritis Res Ther 2018; 20:73. [PMID: 29665824 PMCID: PMC5905178 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-018-1565-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of corticosteroids in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inflammatory back pain has not been studied to date. In this controlled trial, we aimed to investigate the comparative performance of corticosteroids in patients with active axial-PsA (AxPsA) versus those with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS Patients with AxPsA and AS (naïve to biologic therapies), who not only had clinically active disease, but also had bone marrow oedema on magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joints, were recruited. Clinically active disease was defined as inflammatory back pain (fulfilling Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) expert criteria), with spinal pain score (numerical rating scale 0-10) ≥4 and Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score ≥4 despite taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, we recruited a control group of patients with non-inflammatory lower back pain. All patients received a single, intra-muscular dose of depot corticosteroid injection (triamcinolone acetonide 80 mg) at baseline. The intra-muscular corticosteroid option was used to overcome any drug compliance issues. Clinical outcome assessments were made at the following time points: baseline, week 2, and week 4. The primary efficacy end point was mean change in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) at week 2. Key secondary outcomes were mean change in the BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) at weeks 2 and 4. RESULTS In total, 40 patients were recruited (15 with AxPsA, 15 with AS, and 10 controls). At week 2 following corticosteroid treatment, patients with AxPsA had significantly greater improvement in the mean ASDAS compared to patients with AS (1.43 ± 0.39 vs. 1.03 ± 0.30, p = 0.004), and also when compared to controls (p < 0.001). At week-4, similar significant trend of ASDAS improvement was seen among AxPsA patients compared to AS patients (1.09 ± 0.32 vs. 0.77 ± 0.27, p = 0.007) and controls (p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean BASDAI, visual analogue scale spinal pain score, ASQoL and BASFI improved significantly among patients with AxPsA compared to patients with AS and controls at week 2 (p < 0.05), with this trend also largely maintained at week 4. CONCLUSIONS Axial inflammation in patients with PsA responds significantly better to corticosteroids than in patients with AS. This furthers the argument and adds to the growing evidence that AxPsA and AS are distinct entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Haroon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Kerry, Tralee, Ireland.
| | - Muddassar Ahmad
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Kerry, Tralee, Ireland
| | | | - Olivia Mason
- CSTAR (Centre for Support and Training in Analysis and Research), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Rice
- Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital Kerry, Tralee, Ireland
| | - Oliver FitzGerald
- Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Patterson C, Emslie C, Mason O, Fergie G, Hilton S. Content analysis of UK newspaper and online news representations of women's and men's 'binge' drinking: a challenge for communicating evidence-based messages about single-episodic drinking? BMJ Open 2016; 6:e013124. [PMID: 28028047 PMCID: PMC5223657 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the UK, men's alcohol-related morbidity and mortality still greatly exceeds women's, despite an increase in women's alcohol consumption in recent decades. New UK alcohol guidelines introduce gender-neutral low-risk alcohol consumption guidance. This study explores how UK newspaper and online news represent women's and men's 'binge' drinking to identify opportunities to better align reporting of harmful drinking with evidence. DESIGN Quantitative and qualitative content analysis of 308 articles published in 7 UK national newspapers and the BBC News website between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013. RESULTS Articles associated women with 'binge' drinking more frequently than men, and presented women's drinking as more problematic. Men were more frequently characterised as violent or disorderly, while women were characterised as out of control, putting themselves in danger, harming their physical appearance and burdening men. Descriptions of female 'binge' drinkers' clothing and appearance were typically moralistic. CONCLUSIONS The UK news media's disproportionate focus on women's 'binge' drinking is at odds with epidemiological evidence, may reproduce harmful gender stereotypes and may obstruct public understandings of the gender-neutral weekly consumption limits in newly proposed alcohol guidelines. In order to better align reporting of harmful drinking with current evidence, public health advocates may engage with the media with a view to shifting media framing of 'binge' drinking away from specific groups (young people; women) and contexts (public drinking) and towards the health risks of specific drinking behaviours, which affect all groups regardless of context.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Patterson
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - C Emslie
- Institute for Applied Health Research/School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - O Mason
- Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - G Fergie
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - S Hilton
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Li S, Lam J, Zhang J, Yu M, Chan J, Chan C, Espie C, Freeman D, Mason O, Wing Y. Can sleep disturbances predict suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders? A 8-year naturalistic longitudinal study. Sleep Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2015.02.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizotypy is a complex concept, commonly defined as a genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia that falls on a continuum between healthy variation and severe mental illness. There is a growing body of evidence supporting an association between childhood trauma and increased psychotic experiences and disorders. However, the evidence as to whether there is a similar association with schizotypy has yet to be systematically synthesized and assessed. METHOD We conducted a systematic search of published articles on the association between childhood trauma and schizotypy in four major databases. The search covered articles from 1806 to 1 March 2013 and resulted in 17,003 articles in total. Twenty-five original research studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. RESULTS All 25 studies supported the association between at least one type of trauma and schizotypy, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging between 2.01 and 4.15. There was evidence supporting the association for all types of trauma, with no differential effects. However, there was some variability in the quality of the studies, with most using cross-sectional designs. Individuals who reported adverse experiences in childhood scored significantly higher on positive and negative/disorganized schizotypy compared to those who did not report such experiences. CONCLUSIONS All forms of childhood trauma and other stressful events (e.g. bullying) were found to be associated with schizotypy, with especially strong associations with positive schizotypy. However, because of the methodological limitations of several studies and a lack of further exploration of different possible mechanistic pathways underlying this association, more research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Velikonja
- Mental Health Sciences Unit,University College London,UK
| | - H L Fisher
- MRC Social,Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London,UK
| | - O Mason
- Department of Clinical Psychology,University College London,UK
| | - S Johnson
- Mental Health Sciences Unit,University College London,UK
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Morgan CJA, Duffin S, Hunt S, Monaghan L, Mason O, Curran HV. Neurocognitive function and schizophrenia-proneness in individuals dependent on ketamine, on high potency cannabis ('skunk') or on cocaine. Pharmacopsychiatry 2012; 45:269-74. [PMID: 22511328 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1306310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine, psychostimulants and cannabis have all been associated with psychotic phenomena but no study has directly compared users of these drugs. AIMS The aim of this study was to assess schizophrenia proneness and neurocognitive function in individuals dependent upon ketamine, cannabis and cocaine. METHOD 130 volunteers - 29 'skunk' users, 22 cocaine users, 21 ketamine users, along with 28 'recreational' poly-drug users and 30 drug-naïve controls - were assessed on the Schizophrenia Proneness Instrument, Adult version (SPI-A). They were specifically asked to rate symptoms when not under the acute influence of a psychoactive drug. RESULTS Ketamine and skunk users manifested the greatest attentional and cognitive disturbances. The symptom profile of the dependent ketamine users was very similar to that of prodromal individuals who transitioned to psychosis. CONCLUSIONS Given the recent rapid rise in use of high potency cannabis and of ketamine, these findings are important and clinicians should be careful to rule out the effects of persistent drug use, especially in users of ketamine or skunk, when assessing an individual's risk of psychosis. A longitudinal study is needed to differentiate which basic symptoms persist following abstention from ketamine and skunk.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J A Morgan
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, U.K
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Mason O, Morgan CJA, Dhiman SK, Patel A, Parti N, Patel A, Curran HV. Acute cannabis use causes increased psychotomimetic experiences in individuals prone to psychosis. Psychol Med 2009; 39:951-956. [PMID: 19017430 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291708004741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological evidence suggests a link between cannabis use and psychosis. A variety of factors have been proposed to mediate an individual's vulnerability to the harmful effects of the drug, one of which is their psychosis proneness. We hypothesized that highly psychosis-prone individuals would report more marked psychotic experiences under the acute influence of cannabis. METHOD A group of cannabis users (n=140) completed the Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI) once while acutely intoxicated and again when free of cannabis. A control group (n=144) completed the PSI on two parallel test days. All participants also completed a drug history and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Highly psychosis-prone individuals from both groups were then compared with individuals scoring low on psychosis proneness by taking those in each group scoring above and below the upper and lower quartiles using norms for the SPQ. RESULTS Smoking cannabis in a naturalistic setting reliably induced marked increases in psychotomimetic symptoms. Consistent with predictions, highly psychosis-prone individuals experienced enhanced psychotomimetic states following acute cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that an individual's response to acute cannabis and their psychosis-proneness scores are related and both may be markers of vulnerability to the harmful effects of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Mason
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
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Abstract
A survey of the use of graph theoretical techniques in Biology is presented. In particular, recent work on identifying and modelling the structure of bio-molecular networks is discussed, as well as the application of centrality measures to interaction networks and research on the hierarchical structure of such networks and network motifs. Work on the link between structural network properties and dynamics is also described, with emphasis on synchronisation and disease propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Mason
- Hamilton Institute, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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Zettler LAA, Laatsch AD, Zettler E, Nerad TA, Cole J, Diaz FC, Diaz J, Janzen DH, Sittenfeld A, Mason O, Reysenbach AL. A Microbial Observatory of Caterpillars: Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Protists Associated with the Saturniid Moth Caterpillar Rothschildia lebeau1,2. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2005; 52:107-15. [PMID: 15817115 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2005.05202008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Amaral Zettler
- The Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA.
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15
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alexithymia is characterized by a difficulty identifying and describing emotional states, as well as an externally oriented thinking style. This study investigated the prevalence of alexithymia in a British undergraduate sample and assesses its relationship to both parental bonding and dissociation. METHOD The Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) were administered to a sample of 181 male and 190 female undergraduate students from both arts and science subjects. RESULTS Rates of alexithymia were comparable with those observed in some other countries. Contrary to predictions, females were found to have higher rates than males, and the highest presence of alexithymia was in female science students. As in previous studies, alexithymia was linked to both dissociation and perceptions of a lack of maternal care, though the degree of association to the latter was small. Dissociative experiences were predicted by both maternal overprotection and difficulties identifying feelings. DISCUSSION Some qualified support was found for the relevance of early maternal bonding to later difficulties processing emotions. The presence of greater alexithymia in females, and female science students in particular, was discussed in reference to similar observations elsewhere. There was also an understandable relationship between 'difficulty identifying feelings' (TAS) and both depersonalization/derealization and absorption (DES).
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Affiliation(s)
- O Mason
- Sub-Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University College London, UK.
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16
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Mason O, Marsh IB, Whittington RJ. Comparison of immunomagnetic bead separation-polymerase chain reaction and faecal culture for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis in sheep faeces. Aust Vet J 2001; 79:497-500. [PMID: 11549050 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb13024.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O Mason
- NSW Agriculture, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden
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17
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Mason O, Hargreaves I. A qualitative study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Br J Med Psychol 2001; 74:197-212. [PMID: 11453171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Psychotherapeutic interventions containing training in mindfulness meditation have been shown to help participants with a variety of somatic and psychological conditions. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a meditation-based psychotherapeutic intervention designed to help reduce the risk of relapse of recurrent depression. There is encouraging early evidence from multi-centre randomized controlled trials. However, little is known of the process by which MBCT may bring therapeutic benefits. This study set out to explore participants' accounts of MBCT in the mental-health context. Seven participants were interviewed in two phases. Interview data from four participants were obtained in the weeks following MBCT. Grounded theory techniques were used to identify several categories that combine to describe the ways in which mental-health difficulties arose as well as their experiences of MBCT. Three further participants who have continued to practise MBCT were interviewed so as to further validate, elucidate and extend these categories. The theory suggested that the preconceptions and expectations of therapy are important influences on later experiences of MBCT. Important areas of therapeutic change ('coming to terms') were identified, including the development of mindfulness skills, an attitude of acceptance and 'living in the moment'. The development of mindfulness skills was seen to hold a key role in the development of change. Generalization of these skills to everyday life was seen as important, and several ways in which this happened, including the use of breathing spaces, were discussed. The study emphasized the role of continued skills practice for participants' therapeutic gains. In addition, several of the concepts and categories offered support to cognitive accounts of mood disorder and the role of MBCT in reducing relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Mason
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
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18
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Abstract
Numerous previous studies have reported on handedness differences among schizophrenics, as well as in normal subjects who are high in ''schizotypal'' traits, and hence putatively at risk for schizophrenia. Results have varied, but there is evidence of a shift away from dextrality, especially consistent among schizotypal individuals. Using both a conventional three-category and Annett's seven-category classification of handedness, we re-examined the question in 681 general population subjects assessed for schizotypy. The three-category analysis confirmed previous findings of increased schizotypy in mixed-handers. However, the more fine-grained analysis showed that, although mild degrees of mixed handedness were indeed associated with increased schizotypy, this trend was reversed in the most mixed-handed subjects whose schizotypy scores did not differ significantly from right-handers. Independently of our work, this subgroup of mixed-handers are also reported to show superior intellectual function, especially on some spatial tasks. We concluded that previous studies of schizophrenia and schizotypy have failed to distinguish different reasons for shifts from dextrality. It is argued that the latter's association with schizophrenia might come about through exogenous, neurodevelopmental, influences, whereas some-possibly genetically basedforms of mixed handedness could reflect a variety of cerebral organisation that protects against, rather than enhances, the risk for mental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Claridge
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK
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19
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Abstract
The relationships between several indices of psychosis proneness and bilateral electrodermal orienting were examined in a large group of normal subjects and a heterogeneous group of schizophrenic patients. In the normal group, the Cognitive Disorganisation scale was characterised by shorter latencies and more irregular patterns of responding that may indicate greater disinhibitory processing in the regulation of attentional mechanisms. The Unusual Experiences scale and paranoia (both measures of positive or 'active' schizotypy) were associated with a predominance of left hemisphere influences in normal female controls. High Introvertive Anhedonia scores predicted non-responding status in schizophrenic patients and hypo-responsivity in normal controls in support of some previous studies. Overall the results support the specificity and validity of different measures of psychosis proneness and the utility of psychophysiological investigation beyond the psychotic disorders themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Mason
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Wales, UK
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20
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Abstract
The heterogeneity of schizotypal traits, suggested in previous research, was further investigated in a sample of subjects (N = 1095) administered a composite questionnaire consisting of a large number of published scales the majority of which were designed to measure psychotic characteristics. Factor analysis confirmed the four components previously indicated in our work with the same instrument; namely, "aberrant perceptions and beliefs', "cognitive disorganization', "introvertive anhedonia' and "asocial behaviour'. This structure was maintained regardless of whether or not the analysis included scales from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, which might otherwise have been held to explain the variance. "Aberrant perceptions and beliefs'-reminiscent of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia-was the strongest component; but, given the multidimensional nature of the data, together with the pattern of factor loadings and intercorrelations for the scales involved, it was concluded that the broader term "psychosis-proneness' or "psychoticism' (in a non-Eysenckian sense) might be a better descriptor of the clinical and personality domain sampled.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Claridge
- University of Oxford Department of Experimental Psychology, UK
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21
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Bruce V, Burton AM, Hanna E, Healey P, Mason O, Coombes A, Fright R, Linney A. Sex discrimination: how do we tell the difference between male and female faces? Perception 1993; 22:131-52. [PMID: 8474840 DOI: 10.1068/p220131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
People are remarkably accurate (approaching ceiling) at deciding whether faces are male or female, even when cues from hair style, makeup, and facial hair are minimised. Experiments designed to explore the perceptual basis of our ability to categorise the sex of faces are reported. Subjects were considerably less accurate when asked to judge the sex of three-dimensional (3-D) representations of faces obtained by laser-scanning, compared with a condition where photographs were taken with hair concealed and eyes closed. This suggests that cues from features such as eyebrows, and skin texture, play an important role in decision-making. Performance with the laser-scanned heads remained quite high with 3/4-view faces, where the 3-D shape of the face should be easiest to see, suggesting that the 3-D structure of the face is a further source of information contributing to the classification of its sex. Performance at judging the sex from photographs (with hair concealed) was disrupted if the photographs were inverted, which implies that the superficial cues contributing to the decision are not processed in a purely 'local' way. Performance was also disrupted if the faces were shown in photographic negatives, which is consistent with the use of 3-D information, since negation probably operates by disrupting the computation of shape from shading. In 3-D, the 'average' male face differs from the 'average' female face by having a more protuberant nose/brow and more prominent chin/jaw. The effects of manipulating the shapes of the noses and chins of the laser-scanned heads were assessed and significant effects of such manipulations on the apparent masculinity or femininity of the heads were revealed. It appears that our ability to make this most basic of facial categorisations may be multiply determined by a combination of 2-D, 3-D, and textural cues and their interrelationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bruce
- Department of Psychology, University of Nottingham, UK
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