SPSD - A new rating scale for psychological distress in adolescence: a validation study on a nationwide Italian cohort of 31,661 adolescents

In this paper we present a new rating scale for adolescent psychological distress based on an Italian population study carried out in a cohort of 31,661 adolescents, and analyzed with Rasch Analysis in addition to the traditional tests. The Italian epidemiological survey on drug use in the school population was conducted by the Department of Anti Drug Policies in the first six months of 2014. It was based on a methodology of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and the Drug Addiction (EMCDDA - European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs - ESPAD). The questionnaire and the survey procedures were taken from ESPAD and adjusted modified in order to address the specific characteristics of to the Italian school system. The total population sample consisted on 31,661 15-19 years old students who attended Italian public high schools. Among the items in the source scale we have selected nine items belonging to three dominions (Energy, Emotional Stability, Impulsivity and Risk-Taking) from which we expected the maximal indirect relation to wellbeing state and therefore as complement, to distress. To evaluate the psychometric properties of distress scale we carried out the homogeneity analysis or internal consistency of the scale, using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and analysis of the validity of the scale, using the Gamma coefficient of Goodman and Kruskal - index rank correlation. The data dimensionality was explored using Rasch Analysis and factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha obtained considering all items was to 0.694, making it quite satisfactory and meeting the standards criteria of acceptability. Rasch analysis confirmed the items validity and that the items distribution remains in the area of the tolerance defined. A very good distribution emerges with a complete absorption of possible values along the scale range; neither ceiling or floor effect is observed. Whereas the level of distress measured by the scale is higher the lower the score detected, it is observed a significantly higher level of distress in females than in males (52.59 vs 59.61). For all psychotropic substances analyzed,significantly higher levels of distress in consumers than non-consumers have been found. In addition,the level of distress as measured by the scale appears to increase going from users of \u201csoft\u201d drugs to users of \u201chard\u201d drugs: - 57.18 is the mean value obtained in the distress scale from the group of students who say they have never used any illegal drug; - 53.00 is the mean value obtained in the distress scale from the group of students who report use of cannabis at least once in their life; - 50.18 is the mean value obtained in the distress scale from the group of students who report use of cocaine at least once in their life; - 47.95 is the mean value obtained in the distress scale from the group of students who report use of heroin at least once in their life. This survey has detected several factors/conditions associated to the use of substances, which can be considered a reliable proxy of psychological distress: family background seems to be very important as well as the relationship with parents; this emerged as regards the presence of rules on behavior outside the home, the quality of relationships with prominent adult figures (particularly the father), their leadership role, and the family harmony

Is an episiotomy always necessary during an operative vaginal delivery with vacuum? A longitudinal study

: Objective: The use of episiotomy during operative vaginal birth (OVB) is rather debated among operators and in literature. It is also important to evaluate the indications for which episiotomy is performed. In fact, the consequences of an episiotomy can be invalidating for patients with long-lasting results. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the role of episiotomy during OVB with the vacuum extractor and its correlation with Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASIs).Methods: On of 9165 vaginal births, a total of 498 OVB (5.4%) were enrolled in a longitudinal prospective observational study. The incidence of OASIs was evaluated in our population after OVB performed with the vacuum extractor, during which the execution of episiotomy was performed indicated by clinician in charge.Results: OASIs occurred in 4% of the patients (n = 20). Episiotomy was performed in 39% of them (n = 181). OASIs incidence was 6% (n = 17) in the No Episiotomy and 1.8% (n = 3) in Episiotomy group (p<.001). Performance of episiotomy during OVB determined a protective effect against OASIs (p = 0.025 in full cohort and p = 0.013 in the primiparous group). An expulsive phase under one hour was an almost significant protective factor (p = 0.052).Conclusions: The use of episiotomy during OVB was associated with much lower OASIs rates in nulliparous women with a vacuum extraction; OR 0.23 (CI 95% 0.07-0.81) p = 0.037 in nulliparous women and the number necessary to treat was 18 among nulliparous women to prevent 1 OASIs. A further risk factor that emerged from the analysis is a prolonged expulsive period, whereas fundal pressure does not seem to have a statistically significant influence

Results from the linear mixed model testing the effect of insecticide type, application method and time after treatment and their interactions on population reduction (%).

<p>The non-significant interactions (P>0.10) were removed using a backward deletion procedure.</p

Interaction plot between time after treatment and insecticide type.

<p>The dots indicated the average population reduction across the six trials.</p