Long-Term Effectiveness of a Clinician-Assisted Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Smoking Cessation: Secondary Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the secondary effectiveness outcomes for Quit Genius, a digital clinician-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for smoking cessation. METHODS: Adult smokers (N = 556) were randomly assigned to Quit Genius (n = 277), a digital, clinician-assisted CBT intervention or very brief advice (VBA) to stop smoking, an evidence-based, 30-s intervention designed to facilitate quit attempts, coupled with referral to a cessation service (n = 279). Participants were offered combination nicotine replacement therapy (patches and gum) tailored to individual nicotine dependence. Analyses (n = 530), by intention-to-treat, compared Quit Genius and VBA at 4, 26, and 52 weeks post-quit date (QD). The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 4 weeks post-QD. Consecutive 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, defined as abstinent at two or more consecutive timepoints, was examined at weeks 26 and 52 to indicate long-term effectiveness. Abstinence was verified using a random sample of participants with carbon monoxide breath testing of <5 parts per million (n = 280). RESULTS: Self-reported consecutive 7-day PPA at weeks 26 and 52 for Quit Genius was 27.2% and 22.6%, respectively, compared with VBA which was 16.6% and 13.2% (RR = 1.70, 95% CI, 1.22-2.37; p = .003, 26 weeks; RR = 1.71, 95% CI, 1.17-2.50; P = .005, 52 weeks). Biochemically verified abstinence was significantly different at 26- (p = .03) but not 52 weeks (p = .16). Quit Genius participants were more likely to remain abstinent than those who received VBA (RR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.17-2.50; p = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides secondary evidence for the long-term effectiveness of Quit Genius in comparison with VBA. Future trials of digital interventions without clinician support and comparisons with active treatment are needed. IMPLICATIONS: The long-term effectiveness of clinician-assisted digital smoking cessation interventions has not been well studied. This study established the long-term effectiveness of an extended CBT-based intervention; results may inform implementation of scalable approaches to smoking cessation in the health system.

Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Differences in Colorectal and Breast Cancer Treatment Quality: The Role of Physician-level Variations in Care.

BACKGROUND: Despite a large body of research showing racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer treatment quality, the relative role of physician-level variations in care is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of physicians on disparities in breast and colorectal cancer care. SUBJECTS: Linked SEER Medicare data were used to identify Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with colorectal and breast cancer during 1995-2007 and their treating physicians. RESEARCH DESIGN: We identified treating physicians from Medicare claims data. We measured the use of NIH guideline-recommended therapies from SEER and Medicare claims data, and used logistic models to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cancer quality of care. We used physician fixed effects to account for between-physician variations in treatment. RESULTS: Minority and low socioeconomic status beneficiaries with breast and colorectal cancer were less likely to receive any recommended treatments as compared with whites. Overall, between-physician variation explained <20% of the total variation in quality of care. After accounting for between-physician differences, median household income explained 14.3%, 18.4%, and 13.2% of the variation in use of breast-conserving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for breast cancer, and 13.7%, 12.9%, and 12.6% of the within-physician variation in use of colorectal surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for colorectal cancer, whereas race and ethnicity explained <2% of the within-physician variation in cancer care. CONCLUSIONS: Between-physician variations partially explain racial disparities in cancer care. Residual within-physician disparities may be due to differences in patient-provider communication, patient preferences and treatment adherence, or unmeasured clinical severity.

Youth recovery outcomes at 6 and 9 months following participation in a mobile texting recovery support aftercare pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined youth recovery outcomes at 6- and 9-months post-participation in an aftercare pilot study called Educating and Supporting inQuisitive Youth in Recovery (ESQYIR) that aimed to investigate the utility of a 12-week mobile texting recovery support intervention. METHODS: A total of 80 youth [Mage 20.4 (SD = 3.5)] were randomized to a mobile texting aftercare intervention or an aftercare-as-usual control group. Both groups received identical data collection protocols with psychosocial and behavioral assessments occurring at baseline, during the trial (months 1 and 2), at discharge from the trial (month 3), and 3-, 6-, and 9-month post-intervention follow-ups. RESULTS: Mixed modeling showed that youth who participated in the mobile texting aftercare intervention were less likely to test positive for their primary drug compared to youth in the aftercare-as-usual condition during 6- and 9-months follow-ups (p < .01). Additionally, youth in the aftercare intervention reported significantly higher self-efficacy/confidence to abstain during recovery (p < .05) and were more likely to participate in recovery-related behaviors (self-help and goal-directed extracurricular activities; p < .05) than those in aftercare-as-usual at the 6- and 9-month follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that delivering a structured, behavioral-based wellness aftercare intervention using mobile texting can be an effective for sustaining recovery outcomes in youth over time compared to youth who receive aftercare-as-usual. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that a mobile-texting aftercare intervention sustained effects at 6- and 9-months post-intervention for young people in substance use recovery.

Examining the Impact of Separate Components of a Multicomponent Intervention Designed to Reduce At-Risk Drinking Among Older Adults: The Project SHARE Study.

BACKGROUND: Health promotion interventions often include multiple components and several patient contacts. The objective of this study was to examine how participation within a multicomponent intervention (Project SHARE) is associated with changes in at-risk drinking among older adults. METHODS: We analyzed observational data from a cluster-randomized trial of 31 primary care physicians and their patients aged ≥60 years, at a community-based practice with 7 clinics. Recruitment occurred between 2005 and 2007. At-risk drinkers in a particular physician's practice were randomly assigned as a group to usual care (n = 640 patients) versus intervention (n = 546 patients). The intervention included personalized reports, educational materials, drinking diaries, in-person physician advice, and telephone counseling by health educators (HEs). The primary outcome was at-risk drinking at follow-up, defined by scores on the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET). Predictors included whether a physician-patient alcohol risk discussion occurred, HE call occurred, drinking agreement with the HE was made, and patients self-reported keeping a drinking diary as suggested by the HE. RESULTS: At 6 months, there was no association of at-risk drinking with having had a physician-patient discussion. Compared to having had no HE call, the odds of at-risk drinking at 6 months were lower if an agreement was made or patients reported keeping a diary (odds ratio [OR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.90), or if an agreement was made and patients reported keeping a diary (OR 0.52, CI 0.28 to 0.97). At 12 months, a physician-patient discussion (OR 0.61, CI 0.38 to 0.98) or an agreement and reported use of a diary (OR 0.45, CI 0.25) were associated with lower odds of at-risk drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Within the Project SHARE intervention, discussing alcohol risk with a physician, making a drinking agreement, and/or self-reporting the use of a drinking diary were associated with lower odds of at-risk drinking at follow-up. Future studies targeting at-risk drinking among older adults should consider incorporating both intervention components.

Predictors of depression outcomes among abstinent methamphetamine-dependent individuals exposed to an exercise intervention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This paper expands on a study investigating depression outcomes in response to an 8-week exercise intervention among methamphetamine (MA) dependent individuals in early recovery. METHODS: A total of 135 MA-dependent individuals enrolled in residential treatment were randomly assigned to either a structured exercise intervention or a structured health education control group. Both groups were similar in format: 60-minute sessions, offered three times a week over an 8-week study period. RESULTS: Results showed that at the 8-week trial endpoint, participants randomized to the exercise intervention showed significantly greater reduction in depression symptom scores than participants randomized to the health education group, and that participants who attended the greatest number of exercise sessions derived the greatest benefit. This paper further analyzes study data to uncover individual predictors of depression response to exercise and finds that among participants randomized to exercise treatment, individuals with the most severe medical, psychiatric, and addiction disease burden at baseline showed the most significant improvement in depressive symptoms by study endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that exercise in moderate dose is effective at treating depressive symptoms in individuals in early recovery from addiction, and furthermore, that treatment with exercise appears to be particularly beneficial to individuals who suffer from severe medical, psychiatric, and addictive disorders.

Treatment outcomes in opioid dependent patients with different buprenorphine/naloxone induction dosing patterns and trajectories.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Induction is a crucial period of opioid addiction treatment. This study aimed to identify buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP) induction patterns and examine their association with outcomes (opioid use, retention, and related adverse events [AEs]). METHODS: The secondary analysis of a study of opioid-dependent adults seeking treatment in eight treatment settings included 740 participants inducted on BUP with flexible dosing. RESULTS: Latent class analysis models detected six distinctive induction trajectories: bup1-started and remained on low; bup2-started low, shifted slowly to moderate; bup3-started low, shifted quickly to moderate; bup4-started high, shifted to low; bup5-started and remained on moderate; bup6-started moderate, shifted to high dose (Fig. 1). Baseline characteristics, including Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS), were important predictors of retention. When controlled for the baseline characteristics, bup6 participants were three times less likely to drop out the first 7 days than bup1 participants (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = .28, p = .03). Opioid use and AEs were similar across trajectories. Participants on ≥16 mg BUP compared to those on <16 mg at Day 28 were less likely to drop out (aHR = .013, p = .001) and less likely to have AEs during the first 28 days (aOR = .57, p = .03). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: BUP induction dosing was guided by an objective measure of opioid withdrawal. Participants with higher baseline COWS whose BUP doses were raised more quickly were less likely to drop out in the first 7 days than those whose doses were raised slower. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study supports the use of an objective measure of opioid withdrawal (COWS) during BUP induction to improve retention early in treatment.

Adherence to World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research lifestyle recommendations reduces prostate cancer aggressiveness among African and Caucasian Americans.

The effect of adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) lifestyle recommendations on cancer aggressiveness is unknown. We examined associations between adherence to recommendations and risk of highly aggressive prostate cancer in research subjects enrolled in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP). We examined associations between adherence to WCRF recommendations and risk of highly aggressive prostate cancer among 2212 newly diagnosed African Americans (AA) or Caucasian Americans (CA) aged 40-70 years in PCaP. Prostate cancer aggressiveness was based on Gleason scores, serum prostate-specific antigens, and TNM stage. Adherence to WCRF recommendations was based on point scores and odds ratios estimated. Results showed that adherence to recommendations was significantly and negatively associated with risk of a highly aggressive prostate cancer. Each additional point in the total adherence score corresponded to a 13% risk reduction. Total adherence score <4 predicted increased risk in both AA (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.01-1.85) and CA (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.01-1.98). Consumption of <500 g red meat per week or ≤125 total kcal/100 g solid food per day is a statistically significant protective factor in the overall cohort. Recommendations aimed at preventing all cancers also may reduce risk of highly aggressive prostate cancer.

Internet-based tools to assess diet and provide feedback in chronic kidney disease stage IV: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Successfully changing patients' dietary behavior is a challenging problem in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility and acceptability of an Internet-based, self-administered, dietary assessment tool equipped with instructional feedback, aimed at facilitating dietary adherence to disease-specific nutritional guidelines among CKD stage IV patients while reducing resource burdens on providers. METHODS: Focus groups were used to develop a user-friendly dietary reporting format. The report was then calibrated to the dietary guidelines outlined by Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) and incorporated into the assessment tool. Elements of the report were developed based on the "transtheoretical model of behavior change" theory, aimed at facilitating patients to enter the action stage of change. The tool was later deployed in a nephrology care site at an academic medical center, where 12 patients diagnosed with stage IV CKD (late-stage, predialysis) completed a dietary assessment before their provider encounter as well as questionnaires gauging their computer literacy, nutritional education history, nutritional knowledge and awareness, and acceptability of the tool. The report was made available to the provider during the clinical encounter, and both patient and physician perception of the report's utility was assessed after the encounter. RESULTS: Approximately 25% to 30% of the patients were severely noncompliant to the K/DOQI guidelines for each nutrient. Awareness about the role of diet in CKD management was widely variable, ranging from 0% to 58% of the patients over different nutrients. All of the patients successfully completed the Web-based dietary assessment. Eighty-four percent of the patients positively rated the tool on its ability to record the patients' dietary data, 58% noted the tool was always able to satisfactorily estimate portion sizes, and 50% thought the navigation was easy or very easy. Eleven of the 12 patients were satisfied with the time taken (range: 10 to 40 minutes, median time: 20 minutes) to complete the dietary assessment. Patients and physicians differed considerably in their perception of the use of the report during the clinical encounter. CONCLUSION: Dietary knowledge and adherence to K/DOQI guidelines among CKD patients is suboptimal. However, interest and motivation is high. Web-based tools are well accepted among CKD patients as an aid to assessing dietary adherence to K/DOQI guidelines and may pose a cost-effective approach to bridging the adherence gap.

Does Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Affect Post-Treatment Methamphetamine Use?

OBJECTIVE: Although trauma is a well-established risk factor for substance use disorders, little is known about the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment outcomes among methamphetamine users. In the present study, we examine the relationship between PTSD and post-treatment methamphetamine use outcomes, hospitalizations, and overall psychiatric impairment. METHODS: Using data from 526 adults in the largest psychosocial clinical trial of methamphetamine users conducted to date, this study examined: (1) treatment outcomes of methamphetamine users with concomitant PTSD three years after psychosocial treatment for methamphetamine dependence; and (2) PTSD symptom clusters as risk factors for post-treatment relapse to methamphetamine use. RESULTS: PTSD was associated with poorer methamphetamine use outcomes; methamphetamine use frequency throughout the 3-year follow-up was significantly greater among individuals with a PTSD diagnosis, and those with PTSD had more than five times the odds of reporting methamphetamine use in the 30 days prior to the follow-up interview, OR= 5.2, 95% CI [2.0-13.3]. Additionally, higher levels of other Axis I psychopathology were observed among methamphetamine users with PTSD. Avoidance and arousal symptoms predicted post-treatment methamphetamine use. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing these high risk PTSD symptoms and syndromes in methamphetamine users may be helpful as a means of improving treatment outcomes in this population.

Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a Mobile Intervention Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Virtual Coaching, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Nicotine Vaping Cessation.

Background: Despite research demonstrating that those who use e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, express an interest in quitting, evidence-based vaping cessation interventions are lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of an mHealth vaping cessation intervention. Methods: Adults (N = 51) who were vaping nicotine were recruited online and enrolled in a 6-week mHealth intervention combining nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and coaching support through telephone and asynchronous messaging. Feasibility and self-reported 7- and 30-day abstinence were assessed at baseline and 1-month postquit date. Results: The majority of participants completed treatment (45/51) and found the intervention helpful in supporting their vaping behavior change objectives. At 1-month postquit date, 48.9% (22/45) of study completers reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and 28.8% (13/45) reported continuous 30-day abstinence. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary support for an mHealth intervention approach to vaping cessation combining remote CBT-based coaching with NRT.

Demonstration of an app-delivered digital therapeutic program for methamphetamine use disorder.

This study assessed the feasibility and utility of a digital, all-virtual program designed for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Forty-nine adults with moderate- to severe-level MUD (per DSM-5 criteria) commenced the 8-week intervention. All aspects of the program were delivered via smartphone-based app. Intervention components included counseling (cognitive behavioral therapy in group and individual sessions), app-based therapeutic tasks, remote biological drug testing, medical oversight by psychiatrists/nurse practitioners, and contingency management procedures (including rewards for methamphetamine-free saliva drug tests, accomplishing tasks, and engaging in assigned activities). Of the 49 participants who commenced treatment, 27 participants (55%) completed the program. Repeated-measures mixed-model analyses show that participants were more likely to test negative for meth use from week 1 to week 8 (OR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.28, 1.97]; p = 0.034). Well-being and social functioning improved among the majority of participants. These results demonstrate the utility of the all-virtual, digital therapeutic program and its ability to help individuals with MUD to reduce or cease methamphetamine use. The program was efficiently implemented and was well received by participants and clinical personnel, indicating its ability to deliver comprehensive, effective care and to retain the difficult-to-engage population of persons with MUD. Of the 27 completers, 16 responded to a 1-month follow-up survey and reported no meth use in the month since completing the program.

Coffee consumption and prostate cancer aggressiveness among African and Caucasian Americans in a population-based study.

This study evaluated the relationship between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and prostate cancer (CaP) aggressiveness using data from a population-based incident CaP study within the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP). Classification of CaP aggressiveness at diagnosis was based on clinical criteria for 1,049 African-American (AA) and 1,083 Caucasian-American (CA) research subjects. Coffee consumption was measured using a modified NCI Dietary History Questionnaire. No significant associations were found between CaP aggressiveness and consumption of either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. The OR for high aggressive CaP among consumers of more than 4 cups per day was 0.92 (95%CI = 0.61, 1.39), compared to non-coffee-drinkers. Results stratified by race found no significant associations and no noticeable trends in either AAs (P for trend = 0. 62) or CAs (P for trend = 0.42). In contrast to a recent report on a select population that has less complete information on CaP aggressiveness suggesting that coffee prevents aggressive CaP, this rapid case ascertainment population-based study, in a biracial population with differing risks of CaP did not demonstrate a protective relationship between high coffee consumption and risk of high aggressive CaP.

A multilevel analysis of the impact of socio-structural and environmental influences on condom use among female sex workers.

This study uses multilevel analysis to examine individual, organizational and community levels of influence on condom use among female commercial sex workers (FSW) in the Philippines. A randomized controlled study involving 1,382 female commercial sex workers assigned to three intervention groups consisting of peer education, managerial training, combined peer and managerial intervention and a usual care control group was conducted. The results of the multilevel analysis show that FSWs who work in establishments with condom use rules tend to have a higher level of condom use (ß = .70, P < 0.01). Among the different intervention groups, the combined peer and managerial intervention had the largest effect on condom use (ß = 1.30, P < 0.01) compared with the usual care group. Using a three-level hierarchical model, we found that 62% of the variation lies within individuals, whereas 24% and 14% of the variation lies between establishments, and communities, respectively. Standard errors were underestimated when clustering of the FSWs in the different establishments and communities were not taken into consideration. The results demonstrate the importance of using multilevel analysis for community-based HIV/AIDS intervention programs to examine individual, establishment and community effects.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of an Integrated Telemedicine Intervention Combining Naltrexone and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder.

Background: A small fraction of individuals in need of treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) seek care, owing largely to barriers to accessing treatment. In the present pilot study, we examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of an m-health intervention combining cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy for individuals with AUD. Methods: Adults with AUD (N = 26) recruited through online, social media-based advertising were enrolled in a 12-week, integrated telemedicine intervention combining psychosocial treatment with medical management: Quit Genius for AUD (QG-A). Feasibility, acceptability, perceived helpfulness, treatment engagement, retention, completion, and clinical outcomes including alcohol use and secondary mental health outcomes were assessed. Results: Participants found the QG-A intervention to be acceptable and helpful in facilitating action toward their therapeutic goals concerning alcohol use. Treatment completion, achieved by the majority (85%) of participants, was excellent. On average, participants reduced their past 30-day alcohol use from baseline (mean proportion of days of abstinent = 0.13) to follow-up (M = 0.59), t(19) = -4.97, p < 0.001, and consumed fewer drinks per drinking day from baseline (M = 6.7) to follow-up (M = 2.0), t(19) = 3.61, p < 0.001. Concurrently, reductions were observed in depressive (t[22] = 5.39, p < 0.001) and anxiety (t[22] = 2.87, p < 0.01) symptom severity, from the moderately severe range at baseline to the mild range at treatment-end, with increases in resilience (t[22] = -3.54, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Addressing AUDs using an integrated m-health intervention to deliver evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacological treatment is feasible and may produce improvements in both alcohol use and psychiatric symptoms.

Promising outcomes from a cognitive behavioral therapy text-messaging intervention targeting drug use, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and HIV risk behaviors among adults living with HIV and substance use disorders.

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies have reported the use of text messaging to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to people living with HIV and substance use disorders. OBJECTIVE: We developed and evaluated a 12-week, CBT-based text-messaging intervention (TXT-CBT) targeting drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults with HIV and comorbid opioid and stimulant use disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either TXT-CBT (n = 25) or an informational pamphlet (INFO) discussing substance use and medication adherence (n = 25). ART adherence, drug use, and HIV-risk behaviors were assessed at baseline, monthly during treatment, and treatment-end, and were compared between groups using a mixed-model repeated-measures analysis. Injection drug use was examined as a moderator of outcomes. RESULTS: Relative to the INFO group, TXT-CBT participants evidenced increased ART adherence, measured by phone-based unannounced pill counts and biochemically by viral load and CD4 count. TXT-CBT participation was also associated with reductions in opioid use and HIV risk behaviors. While reductions in cocaine use were observed in the TXT-CBT group, relative to the INFO group, other stimulant use did not change. Among people who inject drugs, TXT-CBT produced increases in ART adherence and corresponding changes in viral load, relative to injection drug users in the control condition. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrated promising preliminary evidence for the efficacy of TXT-CBT in improving ART adherence and reducing drug use and HIV-risk behaviors among people with HIV infection and comorbid opioid and stimulant use disorders.

Craving among individuals with stimulant use disorder in residential social model-based treatment - Can exercise help?

BACKGROUND: In a randomized controlled 8-week trial, we examined the efficacy of aerobic and resistance exercise in reducing craving for methamphetamine (MA) among individuals with MA-use disorder during residential treatment. METHODS: Individuals with MA use disorder (138) who were newly enrolled in residential treatment volunteered for random assignment to either an 8-week exercise intervention (EX) or health education control (HE), with both conditions meeting 3 times weekly; 3 dropped out of the trial, bringing the analysis sample to 135. The majority of participants were male (80%), and 48% were Latino/Hispanic. The mean age of the sample was 31.7 (SD = 6.9) years. Using multivariate mixed models, differences between conditions were examined in: (1) craving for MA, measured by self-reported ratings on a Visual Analog Scale over the 8-week trial and, (2) MA use, measured by self-report and urine drug screens at baseline and 30 and 60 days after discharge from the 8-week study. RESULTS: Results revealed significantly lower craving scores among the participants in the EX group than those in the HE group over the 8-week trial (median daily craving score for EX = 13.5, for HE = 21.8; p = .009). In addition, participants with less craving during treatment had significantly lower rates of MA use after discharge than participants with high craving measured at 30-days (p = .004) and 60-days post-discharge (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Results support the utility of incorporating a structured exercise program for individuals with MA-use disorder to reduce craving and improve MA-use outcomes.

Validity of a multipass, web-based, 24-hour self-administered recall for assessment of total energy intake in blacks and whites.

To date, Web-based 24-hour recalls have not been validated using objective biomarkers. From 2006 to 2009, the validity of 6 Web-based DietDay 24-hour recalls was tested among 115 black and 118 white healthy adults from Los Angeles, California, by using the doubly labeled water method, and the results were compared with the results of the Diet History Questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire developed by the National Cancer Institute. The authors performed repeated measurements in a subset of 53 subjects approximately 6 months later to estimate the stability of the doubly labeled water measurement. The attenuation factors for the DietDay recall were 0.30 for blacks and 0.26 for whites. For the Diet History Questionnaire, the attenuation factors were 0.15 and 0.17 for blacks and whites, respectively. Adjusted correlations between true energy intake and the recalls were 0.50 and 0.47 for blacks and whites, respectively, for the DietDay recall. For the Diet History Questionnaire, they were 0.34 and 0.36 for blacks and whites, respectively. The rate of underreporting of more than 30% of calories was lower with the recalls than with the questionnaire (25% and 41% vs. 34% and 52% for blacks and whites, respectively). These findings suggest that Web-based DietDay dietary recalls offer an inexpensive and widely accessible dietary assessment alternative, the validity of which is equally strong among black and white adults. The validity of the Web-administered recall was superior to that of the paper food frequency questionnaire.

Quality of life among treatment seeking methamphetamine-dependent individuals.

As the number of men and women entering treatment for substance use disorders continues to increase across the country, it becomes vitally important to understand their quality of life (QOL) or perceived health status, in order to inform treatment efforts for improving such outcomes. To date, QOL assessments among methamphetamine (MA) dependent users are limited. This paper examines QOL health status among a sample of 838 treatment seeking MA users at admission. Using regression analysis, predictors of QOL are examined among MA users. Predictors of poor QOL among MA users at treatment admission included being female, white, high school educated or more, married, experiencing psychosocial dysfunction (lifetime trauma, suicide, social conflict), reporting a high frequency of both MA and polydrugs for 15 days or more in the past month, chronicity of MA and polydrug use, injection use, and having co-morbid medical and psychiatric impairment. Employment status was the only factor related to better health status perceptions. This study expands the scope of scholarly examination of MA-dependent users entering treatment, as there has not been a development of coherent profiles of QOL among representative samples of clinical MA-abusing populations to date.

Neighborhood protective effects on depression in Latinos.

Neighborhood social ecologies may have protective effects on depression in Latinos, after adjusting for demographic risk factors, such as nativity and length of stay in the US. This study examines the effects of neighborhood collective efficacy and linguistic isolation on depression in a heterogeneous urban Latino population from 1,468 adult respondents in Los Angeles County. We used multilevel models to analyze how major depression is associated with socioeconomic background, length of stay in the U.S., neighborhood collective efficacy and linguistic isolation among Latinos. A significant cross-level interaction effect was found between collective efficacy and foreign-born Latinos who resided in the US ≥ 15 years. We report cross-level interaction effects between linguistic isolation and nativity for U.S.-born and nativity and duration of residence for foreign-born Latinos who had lived in the U.S. at least 15 years. The moderating effects reported in this study suggest that the benefits of neighborhood collective efficacy and linguistic isolation vary by Latino subgroup and are conceptually discrete forms of social capital and offer insights for community based interventions.

Bulimia nervosa among methamphetamine dependent adults: association with outcomes three years after treatment.

Although weight loss is among the most commonly cited reasons for using methamphetamine (MA), little is known about the association between eating disorders and treatment outcomes in this population. This study examined psychiatric, substance use, and functional outcomes of MA users (N = 526) with bulimia nervosa 3 years after treatment for MA dependence. Bulimia nervosa was observed among 2.4% (N = 13) of the participants and was associated with poorer MA use outcomes, increased health service utilization, and higher levels of functional impairment. Addressing MA use among adults with eating disorders may be helpful as a means of improving treatment outcomes.