Exploring aspects of the cognitive behavioural model of physical hoarding in relation to digital hoarding behaviours

While the hoarding of physical objects has been extensively explored, there is little research relating to the hoarding of digital materials. The research that has been conducted suggests that digital hoarding (DH) behaviours appears to have some similarities with physical hoarding (PH) behaviours, and can be just at psychologically distressing. This study uses the framework of the cognitive behavioural model of physical hoarding to explore digital hoarding behaviours, including possible similarities regarding emotional attachment to digital possessions, and possible links with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and indecisiveness. Two hundred and eighty two participants completed an online survey which measured levels of digital and physical hoarding, compulsive acquisition, OCD, indecisiveness, and mood. Strong emotional attachments to particular types of digital possessions were evident: this was especially true for photographs and videos. Significant positive relationships were found between all the variables measured. However, a regression analysis revealed that only OCD and physical hoarding scores were significant predictors of digital hoarding. Digital hoarding thus appears to share some of the features of physical hoarding. Implications, limitations and future research possibilities are discussed

Effect of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P = 0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P = 0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events