Editorial: Measurement Tools for Clinical Assessment, Characterization and Neurorehabilitation of Parkinson's Disease

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Monitorización del comportamiento y las actitudes de la población relacionadas con la COVID-19 en España: el estudio COSMO-Spain

Comunicación presentada en las II Jornada del Centro Nacional de Epidemiología - 2021.Se exponen las acciones llevadas a cabo para diseñar el estudio COSMOS-Spain. Se pretendía conocer los factores que influyen en el comportamiento de la población ante una crisis sanitaria y saber cómo se informa. Las teorías del comportamiento indican que la conducta esta influida por el conocimiento, la percepción del riesgo y la autoeficacia

Social relations and health in older people in Spain using SHARE survey data

Introduction: Social relationships (SR) are an important aspect in the healthy ageing process. The study aimed to describe SR in over-50s in Spain and analyse their association with physical/emotional, functional and cognitive/sensory health variables. Methods: The study sample was formed by 5583 people representing the Spanish population aged 50 and over, who participated in the sixth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The variables were divided into socio-demographic aspects and economic, health and SR aspects represented by the number of friends, family members and satisfaction with social network and the Revised UCLA loneliness scale. The health variables were grouped using a main component analysis. Multiple linear regressions were performed between the health components with socio-demographic and SR variables. Results: 67.26% of respondents said they did not feel lonely. The feeling of loneliness was the variable most closely related to the physical and emotional, functional and cognitive and sensory health components. The main SR variable associated to health components was the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (standardised beta, p < 0.001; p < 0.001; and p < 0.001, respectively). The number of family members in social network SR variable was also associated with the physical/emotional health (β = 0.09, p < 0.001) and cognitive/sensory ability (β = 0.10, p = 0.001) components. Conclusions: The main SR aspect that impacts health status was loneliness. The results of this study suggest the importance of developing public health policies oriented to promoting action on the SR characteristics that enhance older people’s health.This study was funded by the Institute of Health Carlos III through the QASP (PI18CIII/00046), and partially funded by REDISSEC (RD16/0005/0002 and RD16/0001/0005, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund “A way to make Europe”/“Investing in your future”) projects, and the ENCAGEN-CM project (H2019/HUM-5698) funded by the Community of Madrid and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.S

Loneliness, ageism and mental wellbeing in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic

16th European Public Health Conference 2023 Our Food, Our Health, Our Earth: A Sustainable Future for Humanity Dublin, Ireland 8-11 November 2023.Background: The measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially social distancing, had important effects on feelings of loneliness. The objective of this work is to assess the perception of loneliness in older adults living in nursing homes during the pandemic, how it has changed during the pandemic and its explanatory factors. Methods: The data come from the cross-sectional project "Protective environments of the elderly in health crises", carried out in the Community of Madrid (Spain) in 2021. The variables used were the frequency of feelings of loneliness and its change during the pandemic, as well as socio-demographic, health, emotional and contextual characteristics. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were calculated. Results: The sample consisted of 447 people; mean age was 83.8; 63.1% were women; half of the sample were widowed; 40% had an educative level lower than primary. Almost 3 out of 10 residents stated that they often or always/almost always felt alone. In the regression model, loneliness was negatively associated with age, number of medications, emotional balance, coping ability, self-perception of aging, and engaging in rewarding activities; while having a low assessment of mobility in the residential environment was positively associated. In addition, 28% of the participants who declared loneliness, also felt lonelier than before the pandemic. The variables associated with change in feelings of loneliness were age, self-perception of aging and a low assessment of the residential environment. Conclusions: The restrictions on mobility and social relationships during the COVID-19 epidemic have affected older people who were living in residences, with an increase in the feeling of loneliness related to demographic, emotional and contextual variables. Interventions on the design of residential spaces can mitigate the effects of isolation and loneliness related to health crises such as COVID-19 pandemic.S

The COSMO-Spain Survey: Three First Rounds of the WHO Behavioral Insights Tool

Objective: To describe changes in knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices (KAP), risk perception, and psychological variables of Spanish population toward the COVID-19 pandemic from July to November 2020. Methods: Three samples, each of one composed by 1,000+ persons aged 18 years or older, were interviewed online in three rounds, every 2 months, from July to November 2020. Results: The level of knowledge on COVID-19 was high in the three rounds, with percentages above 95% of correct answers related to ways of contagion and correct use of face masks. The most accepted measure was the mandatory use of face masks (80-86% of agreement in the three rounds, p = 0.001), followed by the night curfew (63% of agreement). Most participants (>80%) consistently reported using face masks, ventilating spaces, and washing or disinfecting hands. However, risk perception and self-efficacy were low. Worry about losing a loved one, the health system overload and people who do not wear face masks was high (>85% of the samples). The percentage of respondents who felt depressed due to COVID-19 increased from round 1 to round 3 (p = 0.044). Conclusions: Spanish population has a high degree of KAP, but a relatively low risk perception and self-efficacy. These findings can help health authorities to guide containment measures and campaigns addressed to improve preventive practices.This work was funded by Carlos III Health Institute.S

Psychometric Properties of the COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue Scale: Cross-sectional Online Survey Study

Background: Pandemic fatigue is defined as feelings of demotivation to follow preventive measures against COVID-19, together with decreased trust in government and frequency of information-seeking behaviors. Objective: This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the COVID-19-specific pandemic fatigue scale according to classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch model approaches in the general Spanish population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 1018 adults who completed an online survey in November 2020 in the framework of the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO)-Spain project. The assessments included the 6-item COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue Scale (CPFS) and other COVID-19-related variables: COVID-19 infection, adherence to preventive behaviors, information-seeking behavior, self-efficacy, worry, and cognitive and affective risk perception. Data quality, acceptability, reliability, and validity were analyzed according to CTT, and the fit to the Rasch model, unidimensionality, appropriateness of the response scale, item local independency, reliability (person-separation index [PSI]), and item-person distribution were also calculated. Results: The mean CPFS score was 17.06 (SD 5.04, range 6-30), with higher scores for women, younger participants, participants who never seek information on COVID-19, those who think they would contract a mild disease in case of infection, those with higher level of worry about coronavirus/COVID-19, and those who felt depressed or felt the coronavirus/COVID-19 is spreading slowly (all P<.01). The Cronbach alpha for the CPFS was 0.74. In the confirmatory factor analysis, one factor was identified (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=.02; comparative fit index [CFI]=.99; χ25=8.06, P=.15). The CPFS showed good fit to the Rasch model (χ 224=42.025, P=.01, PSI=.642), unidimensionality (binomial 95% CI -.005 to .045), and item local independency. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the CPFS has moderate reliability and internal consistency and it is composed of a single dimension. It is a useful tool to ascertain the level of pandemic fatigue in the general population, which may help to guide the communication and information strategies to face the COVID-19 pandemic.The research was funded by the Carlos III Health Institute. The funder had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the paper; or decision to submit for publication.S

Validação da escala breve do comportamento resiliente (BRCS) uma amostra multiétnica de idosos chilenos

[EN] The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) for a multiethnic sample of Chilean older people (800). This sample has the particular feature of including non-indigenous (231) and indigenous Aymara (201) and Mapuche (368) people resident in native rural areas. It is a cross-sectional study. Descriptive statistics were calculated for socio-demographic and outcome data, covering mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. For the BRCS, psychometric properties were analyzed according to the principles of Classical Test Theory. The analysis of the psychometric properties of the BRCS for three ethnic groups of older Chilean people shows that this rating scale is acceptable, reliable and valid, although the differences between groups highlight the need for culturally adapted geriatric assessment scales. The BRCS showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics for the studied samples. It is important for medical and social sciences to have ethnically sensitive instruments for the evaluation of psychosocial resources that promote successful aging. [ES] El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Breve de Afrontamiento Resiliente (BRCS) para una muestra multiétnica de 800 personas mayores chilenas. Esta muestra tiene la particularidad de incluir personas no indígenas (231) e indígenas aymaras (201) y mapuche (368) residentes en áreas rurales nativas. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos para las variables sociodemográficos, tales como media, desviación estándar (DE), frecuencias y porcentajes. Para BRCS, las propiedades psicométricas se analizaron de acuerdo con los principios de la Teoría Clásica de las Pruebas. Los análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de BRCS para los tres grupos étnicos de personas mayores chilenas muestran que esta escala es aceptable, confiable y válida, aunque las diferencias entre los grupos resaltan la necesidad de que las escalas de evaluación geriátrica sean adaptadas culturalmente. BRCS mostró características psicométricas satisfactorias para las muestras estudiadas. Es importante para las ciencias médicas y sociales contar con instrumentos étnicamente sensibles para la evaluación de los recursos psicosociales que promueven un envejecimiento exitoso. [PT] O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as propriedades psicométricas da Escala Breve do Comportamento Resiliente (BRCS) para uma amostra multiétnica de 800 idosos chilenos. Esta amostra tem a particularidade de incluir pessoas não indígenas (231), Aimarás (201) e Mapuche (368) residentes em áreas rurais nativas. Foi realizado um estudo transversal. Foram realizadas análises descritivas para as variáveis sociodemográficas, como média, desvio padrão (DP), frequências e percentuais. Para a BRCS, as propriedades psicométricas foram analisadas segundo os princípios da Teoria Clássica dos Testes. As análises das propriedades psicométricas da BRCS para os três grupos étnicos de idosos chilenos mostram que esta escala é aceitável, confiável e válida, embora as diferenças entre os grupos destacam a necessidade de adaptação cultural das escalas de avaliação geriátrica. BRCS mostrou características psicométricas satisfatórias para as amostras estudadas. É importante para as ciências médicas e sociais contar com instrumentos etnicamente sensíveis para a avaliação dos recursos psicossociais que promovem o envelhecimento bem- -sucedido.This work was supported by the Government of Chile (Proyecto FONDECYT 1170493) and University of Tarapacá (Proyecto UTA MAYOR 3768-20) and the Research Program of the Madrid Autonomous Community, Spain (ENCAGENCN, Ref: H2019/HUM-5698).S

Living with Chronic Illness Scale: International validation through the classic test theory and Rasch analysis among Spanish-speaking populations with long-term conditions

Background: The Living with Chronic Illness (LW-CI) Scale is a comprehensive patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates the complex process of living with long-term conditions. Objective: This study aimed to analyse the psychometric properties of the LW-CI scale according to the classic test theory and the Rasch model among individuals living with different long-term conditions. Design: This was an observational, international and cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 2753 people from six Spanish-speaking countries living with type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, Parkinson's disease, hypertension and osteoarthritis were included. The acceptability, internal consistency and validity of the LW-CI scale were analysed using the classical test theory, and fit to the model, unidimensionality, person separation index, item local independency and differential item functioning were analysed using the Rasch model. Results: Cronbach's α for the LW-CI scale was .91, and correlation values for all domains of the LW-CI scale ranged from .62 to .68, except for Domain 1, which showed correlation coefficients less than .30. The LW-CI domains showed a good fit to the Rasch model, with unidimensionality, item local independency and moderate reliability providing scores in a true interval scale. Except for two items, the LW-CI scale was free from bias by long-term condition type. Discussion: After some adjustments, the LW-CI scale is a reliable and valid measure showing a good fit to the Rasch model and is ready for use in research and clinical practice. Future implementation studies are suggested. Patient and Public Contribution: Patient and public involvement was conducted before this validation study - in the pilot study phase.Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, Spanish Government; FEDER/ Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ Proyecto, Grant/Award Number: CSO2017–82691‐RS

Psychometric Properties of the CASP-12 Scale in Portugal: An Analysis Using SHARE Data.

The purpose of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure (CASP)-12 scale used in the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. Data were obtained from a representative sample of 1666 people aged ≥50 years living in Portugal and participating in the SHARE wave 6. In addition to the CASP-12 scale, sociodemographic data and health status, activity limitation (GALI), depression (Euro-D) and satisfaction with life scores were collected. Data quality and acceptability, construct and structural validity and internal consistency of the CASP-12 scale were analyzed. A Rasch analysis was also performed. CASP-12 total score (mean: 33.3; standard deviation: 5.8, range: 12-48) correlated with Euro-D (-0.57) and with life satisfaction (0.52). Mean scores were significantly lower for women, people aged ≥75 years and those with activity limitations and worse health status (p < 0.001). The confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit to the 4-factor model (root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA): 0.07; comparative fit index (CFI): 0.90, χ2 (48) = 444.59, p < 0.001), which was confirmed by Rasch analysis (χ2 (36) = 10.089, p = 0.745, person separation index (PSI) = 0.722 for the 4-factor model). For domains, person separation index ranged 0.31-0.79 and Cronbach's alpha, 0.37-0.73. In conclusion, the Portuguese version of the CASP-12 scale presents some inadequacies in acceptability, internal consistency and structural validity.The SHARE data collection has been funded by the European Commission through FP5(QLK6-CT-2001-00360), FP6 (SHARE-I3: RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE: CIT5-CT-2005-028857, SHARELIFE: CIT4-CT-2006-028812), FP7 (SHARE-PREP: GA Nº211909, SHARE-LEAP: A N227822, SHARE M4: GA N261982) and Horizon 2020 (SHARE-DEV3: GA Nº676536, SERISS: GA Nº654221) and by DG Employment, Social Aairs & Inclusion. Additional funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01_AG09740-13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG_BSR06-11, OGHA_04-064, HHSN271201300071C) and from various national funding sources is gratefully acknowledged (see www.shareproject. org). This work is part of the QASP research project and has been funded by the Institute of Health Carlos III, Intramural Strategical Action in Health AESI 2018, Ref: PI18CIII/00046.S