Associations between disease severity, coping and dimensions of health-related quality of life in patients admitted for elective coronary angiography – a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), the overall aim was to analyse the relationships between disease severity and both mental and physical dimensions of health related quality of life (HRQOL) using a modified version of the Wilson and Cleary model.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a cross-sectional design, 753 patients (74% men), mean age 62 years, referred for elective cardiac catheterisation were included. The measures included 1) physiological factors 2) symptoms (disease severity, self-reported symptoms, anxiety and depression 3) self-reported functional status, 4) coping, 5) perceived disease burden, 6) general health perception and 7) overall quality of life. To analyse relationships, we performed linear and ordinal logistic regressions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CAD and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were significantly associated with symptoms of angina pectoris and dyspnea. CAD was not related to symptoms of anxiety and depression, but less depression was found in patients with low LVEF. Angina pectoris and dyspnea were both associated with impaired physical function, and dyspnea was also negatively related to social function. Overall, less perceived burden and better overall QOL were observed in patients using more confronting coping strategy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study demonstrated that data from cardiac patients to a large extent support the suggested model by Wilson and Cleary.</p

A proposed method to investigate reliability throughout a questionnaire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Questionnaires are used extensively in medical and health care research and depend on validity and reliability. However, participants may differ in interest and awareness throughout long questionnaires, which can affect reliability of their answers. A method is proposed for "screening" of systematic change in random error, which could assess changed reliability of answers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A simulation study was conducted to explore whether systematic change in reliability, expressed as changed random error, could be assessed using unsupervised classification of subjects by cluster analysis (CA) and estimation of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The method was also applied on a clinical dataset from 753 cardiac patients using the Jalowiec Coping Scale.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The simulation study showed a relationship between the systematic change in random error throughout a questionnaire and the slope between the estimated ICC for subjects classified by CA and successive items in a questionnaire. This slope was proposed as an awareness measure - to assessing if respondents provide only a random answer or one based on a substantial cognitive effort. Scales from different factor structures of Jalowiec Coping Scale had different effect on this awareness measure.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Even though assumptions in the simulation study might be limited compared to real datasets, the approach is promising for assessing systematic change in reliability throughout long questionnaires. Results from a clinical dataset indicated that the awareness measure differed between scales.</p

Food practices and risk constructions in Norwegian and French kindergartens

International audienc

Food practices and risk constructions in Norwegian and French kindergartens

Food practices are culturally and historically situated, and so are conceptions of ‘risk’. Comparative studies of food practices can highlight these cultural norms and conceptions. In this article we will present results from a study that investigated food practices in Norwegian and French kindergartens with a particular focus on constructions of ‘risk’. We used a polyphonic ethnographic approach, where teachers and assistants from both countries were invited to reflect upon video clips that we filmed of their kindergarten settings, to discuss and critically reflect on their own and others’ practices. The results show that ‘risk’ can be seen in light of ‘risk’ discourses in the society. We identified both health-related and pedagogical ‘risks’. Food practices in early childhood education and care become a socio-political tool to either support or avoid and work against the experiences and food customs the children bring from home. The study can contribute to reflections on the taken-for-granted – on both a practical and a political level

Body practices: negotiations of ‘risk’ in Norwegian and French preschools

International audienc

Food practices and risk constructions in Norwegian and French kindergartens

Food practices are culturally and historically situated, and so are conceptions of ‘risk’. Comparative studies of food practices can highlight these cultural norms and conceptions. In this article we will present results from a study that investigated food practices in Norwegian and French kindergartens with a particular focus on constructions of ‘risk’. We used a polyphonic ethnographic approach, where teachers and assistants from both countries were invited to reflect upon video clips that we filmed of their kindergarten settings, to discuss and critically reflect on their own and others’ practices. The results show that ‘risk’ can be seen in light of ‘risk’ discourses in the society. We identified both health-related and pedagogical ‘risks’. Food practices in early childhood education and care become a socio-political tool to either support or avoid and work against the experiences and food customs the children bring from home. The study can contribute to reflections on the taken-for-granted – on both a practical and a political level