Physical function trajectory after wrist or lower arm fracture in postmenopausal women: results from the Women's Health Initiative Study.

Long-term physical functioning trajectories following distal forearm fracture are unknown. We found that women with versus those without distal forearm fracture were more likely to experience a 5-year decline in physical functioning, independent of initial physical functioning level. This association was most evident among women 80 years and older. INTRODUCTION: Physical functioning trajectory following lower arm or wrist fracture is not well understood. PURPOSE: This study is to evaluate physical functioning trajectory before vs. after lower arm or wrist fracture, stratified by age. METHODS: We performed a nested case-control study of prospective data from the Women's Health Initiative Study (n = 2097 cases with lower arm or wrist fracture, 20,970 controls). Self-reported fractures and the physical functioning subscale of the RAND 36-item Short-Form Health Survey were assessed annually. We examined three physical functioning trajectory groups: stable, improving, and declining. RESULTS: Mean (SD) number of physical functioning measurements was 5.2 (1.5) for cases and 5.0 (1.4) for controls. Declining physical functioning was observed among 20.4% of cases and 16.0% of controls. Compared to women without lower arm or wrist fracture, women with lower arm or wrist fracture were 33% more likely to experience declining physical functioning (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.33 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.49, reference group stable or improving physical functioning trajectory). Associations varied by age: age ≥ 80 years aOR 1.56 (95% CI 1.29-1.88); age 70-79 years aOR 1.29 (95% CI 1.09-1.52); age < 70 years aOR 1.15 (95% CI 0.86-1.53) (pinteraction = 0.06). Associations between lower arm or wrist fracture and odds of declining physical functioning did not vary by baseline physical functioning or physical activity level. CONCLUSIONS: Women with lower arm or wrist fracture, particularly those aged 80 and older, were more likely to experience declines in physical functioning than women without such fractures, independent of baseline physical functioning level.

The relationship between sleep and weight change among women diagnosed with breast cancer participating in the Women's Health Initiative.

PURPOSE: Short and long sleep duration and poor sleep quality are risk factors for weight gain and cancer mortality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between sleep and weight change among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Women participating in the Women's Health Initiative who were diagnosed with incident breast cancer between year one and year three were included. Self-reported sleep duration was categorized as ≤ 5 h (short), 6 h, 7-8 h (optimal), and ≥ 9 h (long). Self-reported sleep quality was categorized as poor, average, and above average. Post-diagnosis weight change was the difference of weight closest to, but preceding diagnosis, and year 3 weight. We used linear regression to evaluate sleep duration and sleep quality associations with post-diagnosis weight change adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 1156 participants, 63% were weight stable after diagnosis; average weight gain post cancer diagnosis was 3.2 kg. Six percent of women reported sleeping ≤ 5 h, 26% reported 6 h, 64% reported 7-8 h, and 4% reported ≥ 9 h. There were no differences in adjusted estimates of weight change among participants with short duration (0.37 kg; 95% CI - 0.88, 1.63), or long duration (- 0.56 kg; 95% CI - 2.03, 0.90) compared to optimal duration, nor was there a difference among poor quality (- 0.51 kg; 95% CI - 1.42, 0.41) compared to above average quality. CONCLUSION: Among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors, sleep duration and quality were not associated with weight change after breast cancer diagnosis. Future studies should consider capturing change in adiposity and to expand beyond self-reported sleep.

Social Support, social ties, and cognitive function of women with breast cancer: findings from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Life and Longevity After Cancer (LILAC) Study.

PURPOSE: This study examined associations between self-reported cognitive functioning and social support as well as social ties among women with breast cancer. METHODS: The study included 3351 women from the Women's Health Initiative Life and Longevity After Cancer cohort who were diagnosed with breast cancer stages I-III. Social support was assessed using a modified Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey, and marital status was obtained from the baseline questionnaire. We also assessed social ties (e.g., number of friends, relatives, living children) and cognitive function (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function [FACT-COG]) on the year-1-follow up questionnaire. Multivariable quantile regression was used to estimate the changes in median cognitive scores. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess the association of cognitive function with social ties. RESULTS: The majority of participants were non-Hispanic White (93.3%), presently married (49%), with at least a 4-year college degree (53.2%), and had been diagnosed with localized breast cancer (79%). A 10-point higher social support score correlated to a 0.32 higher (better) median cognitive score (p < 0.001). Women who were presently married tended to have better cognition than women who were divorced/separated or widowed (p = 0.01). Significant associations were also present for having close relatives (p < 0.001) or friends (p < 0.001), with cognitive scores being higher in those with at least one close relative or friend compared to none. CONCLUSION: Women reporting higher social support and greater numbers of friends or relatives have higher cognitive functioning. Compared to divorced or separated women, married women were likely to have higher cognitive functioning. These findings suggest that social support assessments have the potential to help identify women at higher risk of cognitive decline.

Pilot testing the detection of elder abuse through emergency care technicians (DETECT) screening tool: results from the DETECT pilot project.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot test the feasibility of implementing an elder abuse (EA) screening tool (DETECT) designed for medics. METHODS: Testing occurred between September 17th, 2015 and October 26th, 2015. MedStar Mobile Healthcare medics completed the DETECT tool when responding to calls for community-dwelling patients 65 years of age or older. RESULTS: The DETECT tool was used 1,248 times by 97% of medics responding to an eligible 911 call. Medics responded affirmatively to at least one screening item on 209 of the completed screenings (16.8%). Immediately following the introduction of the DETECT tool, there was an increase of 5.4 (226% above baseline) reports per month (p = 0.0056). CONCLUSIONS: The DETECT tool was easily incorporated into medic's field-based practice and resulted in an increase in medic generated reports of EA to APS. Future research designed to evaluate the tool's validity and reliability are warranted.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal risk of physical impairment in a cohort of postmenopausal women who experience physical and verbal abuse.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to interpersonal violence, namely verbal and physical abuse, is a highly prevalent threat to women's health and well-being. Among older, post-menopausal women, several researchers have characterized a possible bi-directional relationship of abuse exposure and diminished physical functioning. However, studies that prospectively examine the relationship between interpersonal abuse exposure and physical functioning across multiple years of observation are lacking. To address this literature gap, we prospectively evaluate the association between abuse exposure and physical functioning in a large, national cohort of post-menopausal women across 12 years of follow-up observation. METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the adjusted association between experiencing abuse and physical function score at baseline in 154,902 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) participants. Multilevel modeling, where the trajectories of decline in physical function were modeled as a function of time-varying abuse exposure, was used to evaluate the contribution of abuse to trajectories of physical function scores over time. RESULT: Abuse was prevalent among WHI participants, with 11 % of our study population reporting baseline exposure. Verbal abuse was the most commonly reported abuse type (10 %), followed by combined physical and verbal abuse (1 %), followed by physical abuse in the absence of verbal abuse (0.2 %). Abuse exposure (all types) was associated with diminished physical functioning, with women exposed to combined physical and verbal abuse presenting baseline physical functioning scores consistent with non-abused women 20 years senior. Results did not reveal a differential rate of decline over time in physical functioning based on abuse exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest a need for increased awareness of the prevalence of abuse exposure among postmenopausal women; they also underscore the importance of clinician's vigilance in their efforts toward the prevention, early detection and effective intervention with abuse exposure, including verbal abuse exposure, in post-menopausal women. Given our findings related to abuse exposure and women's diminished physical functioning at WHI baseline, our work illuminates a need for further study, particularly the investigation of this association in younger, pre-menopausal women so that the temporal ordering if this relationship may be better understood.

Caregiving and all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women: Findings from the Women's Health Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Caregiving is commonly undertaken by older women. Research is mixed, however, about the impact of prolonged caregiving on their health, well-being, and mortality risk. Using a prospective study design, we examined the association of caregiving with mortality in a cohort of older women. METHODS: Participants were 158,987 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years at enrollment into the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) who provided information on current caregiving status and caregiving frequency at baseline (1993-1998) and follow-up (2004-2005). Mortality was ascertained from baseline through March of 2019. Cox regression with caregiving status defined as a time-varying exposure was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, smoking, and history of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. Stratified analyses explored whether age, race-ethnicity, depressive symptoms, frequency of caregiving, optimism, and living status modified the association between caregiver status and mortality. RESULTS: At baseline, 40.7% of women (mean age 63.3 years) self-identified as caregivers. During a mean 17.5-year follow-up, all-cause mortality (50,526 deaths) was 9% lower (multivariable-adjusted HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89-0.93) in caregivers compared to non-caregivers. The inverse association between caregiving and all-cause mortality did not differ according to caregiving frequency or when stratified by age, race-ethnicity, depressive symptoms, optimism, or living status (interaction p > 0.05, all). Caregiving was inversely associated with CVD and cancer mortality. CONCLUSION: Among postmenopausal women residing across the United States, caregiving was associated with lower mortality. Studies detailing the type and amount of caregiving are needed to further determine its impact on older women.

Mortality of Women Vietnam War-Era Veterans.

PURPOSE: Our objectives were to 1) understand the scope of the current mortality literature on U.S. women Vietnam War-era veterans and 2) identify major themes and knowledge gaps that might guide future research. METHODS: A systematic scoping review was conducted. Electronic bibliographic databases were searched for studies published on women Vietnam War-era veterans' mortality between 1973 and 2020. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, study information was charted using pre-established design parameters, and studies deemed eligible were retained for a more in-depth review. FINDINGS: One hundred nineteen studies were initially identified. Of these, six were ultimately retained for critical review. External cause, all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality were prominent outcomes across studies. Although both methodology and outcomes varied by study, unifying themes emerged. Prominent themes included a) historic barriers to accurately identifying and classifying this veteran cohort, b) historic barriers to comprehensive assessment of their health and mortality risk, and c) the healthy soldier effect and its limitations. Research gaps identified in this review reflect a need to pay more attention to sex differences in mortality risk and military occupational and sex-specific health risk confounders in mortality models. CONCLUSIONS: The research literature examining mortality among women Vietnam War-era veterans is circumscribed in size and scope. Questions about the roles of salient military occupational exposures and health risk factors on mortality risks and trends in this cohort remain unaddressed. These questions should be areas of focus in next steps research.

Suicide Risk Among US Veterans With Military Service During the Vietnam War.

Importance: There are persistent questions about suicide deaths among US veterans who served in the Vietnam War. It has been believed that Vietnam War veterans may be at an increased risk for suicide. Objective: To determine whether military service in the Vietnam War was associated with an increased risk of suicide, and to enumerate the number of suicides and analyze patterns in suicides among Vietnam War theater veterans compared with the US population. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study compiled a roster of all Vietnam War-era veterans and Vietnam War theater veterans who served between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975. The 2 cohorts included theater veterans, defined as those who were deployed to the Vietnam War, and nontheater veterans, defined as those who served during the Vietnam War era but were not deployed to the Vietnam War. Mortality in these 2 cohorts was monitored from 1979 (beginning of follow-up) through 2019 (end of follow-up). Data analysis was performed between January 2022 and July 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcome of interest was death by suicide occurring between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 2019. Suicide mortality was ascertained from the National Death Index. Hazard ratios (HRs) that reflected adjusted associations between suicide risk and theater status were estimated with Cox proportional hazards regression models. Standardized mortality rates (SMRs) were calculated to compare the number of suicides among theater and nontheater veterans with the expected number of suicides among the US population. Results: This study identified 2 465 343 theater veterans (2 450 025 males [99.4%]; mean [SD] age at year of entry, 33.8 [6.7] years) and 7 122 976 nontheater veterans (6 874 606 males [96.5%]; mean [SD] age at year of entry, 33.3 [8.2] years). There were 22 736 suicides (24.1%) among theater veterans and 71 761 (75.9%) among nontheater veterans. After adjustments for covariates, Vietnam War deployment was not associated with an increased risk of suicide (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93-0.96). There was no increased risk of suicide among either theater (SMR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99) or nontheater (SMR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98) veterans compared with the US population. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found no association between Vietnam War-era military service and increased risk of suicide between 1979 and 2019. Nonetheless, the 94 497 suicides among all Vietnam War-era veterans during this period are noteworthy and merit the ongoing attention of health policymakers and mental health professionals.

Physical function trends and their association with mortality in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Research is limited regarding the predictive utility of the RAND-36 questionnaire and physical performance tests in relation to all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and total-cancer mortality in older women. METHODS: Data on the RAND-36 questionnaire, gait speed, and chair stand performance were assessed in 5,534 women aged ≥65 years at baseline. A subset (n = 298) had physical function assessments additionally at follow-up (years 1, 3, or 6). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated associations (HR) for a 1-standard deviation (SD) difference in baseline RAND-36 scores and performance tests (alone and combined) with mortality outcomes in the overall cohort and in models stratified by enrollment age (<70 and ≥ 70 y). The relative prognostic value of each physical function exposure was assessed using the Uno concordance statistic. RESULTS: A total of 1,186 deaths from any cause, 402 deaths from CVD, and 382 deaths from total-cancer were identified during a mean follow-up of 12.6 years. Overall, each 1-SD unit higher baseline RAND-36 score was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality (HR =0.90) and discriminatory capacity (Uno = 0.65) that was comparable to each performance exposure (HRs 0.88-0.91; Uno = 0.65). These findings were consistent in women aged <70 and ≥ 70 years. The associations of RAND-36 and performance measures with CVD mortality and total-cancer mortality were not significant in multivariable models nor in age-stratified models. CONCLUSIONS: The RAND-36 questionnaire is a reasonable substitute for tracking physical functioning and estimating its association with all-cause mortality in older adults when clinical performance testing is not feasible.

Evaluation of Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Women in the US.

Importance: Social isolation and loneliness are increasing public health concerns and have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults. Objective: To examine the associations of social isolation and loneliness with incident CVD in a large cohort of postmenopausal women and whether social support moderated these associations. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study, conducted from March 2011 through March 2019, included community-living US women aged 65 to 99 years from the Women's Health Initiative Extension Study II who had no history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary heart disease. Exposures: Social isolation and loneliness were ascertained using validated questionnaires. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was major CVD, which was physician adjudicated using medical records and included coronary heart disease, stroke, and death from CVD. Continuous scores of social isolation and loneliness were analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for CVD were calculated for women with high social isolation and loneliness scores (midpoint of the upper half of the distribution) vs those with low scores (midpoint of the lower half of the distribution) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusting for age, race and ethnicity, educational level, and depression and then adding relevant health behavior and health status variables. Questionnaire-assessed social support was tested as a potential effect modifier. Results: Among 57 825 women (mean [SD] age, 79.0 [6.1] years; 89.1% White), 1599 major CVD events occurred over 186 762 person-years. The HR for the association of high vs low social isolation scores with CVD was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.13-1.23), and the HR for the association of high vs low loneliness scores with CVD was 1.14 (95% CI, 1.10-1.18). The HRs after additional adjustment for health behaviors and health status were 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03-1.12; 8.0% higher risk) for social isolation and 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01-1.09; 5.0% higher risk) for loneliness. Women with both high social isolation and high loneliness scores had a 13.0% to 27.0% higher risk of incident CVD than did women with low social isolation and low loneliness scores. Social support was not a significant effect modifier of the associations (social isolation × social support: r, -0.18; P = .86; loneliness × social support: r, 0.78; P = .48). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, social isolation and loneliness were independently associated with modestly higher risk of CVD among postmenopausal women in the US, and women with both social isolation and loneliness had greater CVD risk than did those with either exposure alone. The findings suggest that these prevalent psychosocial processes merit increased attention for prevention of CVD in older women, particularly in the era of COVID-19.

Is military sexual trauma associated with trading sex among women veterans seeking outpatient mental health care?

A robust association between sexual trauma and trading sex has been documented in civilian samples but has not been examined in veterans. Women veterans experience high rates of sexual victimization across the lifespan, including during military service (military sexual trauma [MST]). Associations between MST and trading sex were examined in 200 women enrolled in a crosssectional study of HIV risks and seroprevalence among women receiving outpatient mental health care at a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Each woman completed an assessment interview composed of validated measures that queried childhood sexual trauma; substance use; and risk behaviors, including trading sex for money, drugs, shelter, food, or other things. History of MST was derived from mandated VA screening results and chart notes. Overall, 19.7% reported a history of trading sex. Those who reported trading sex had a higher rate of MST than those who did not report trading sex (87.2% vs. 62.9%, respectively). A multivariable logistic regression model examined the relationship between trading sex and MST, controlling a priori for substance abuse and childhood sexual trauma (both associated with trading sex in civilian samples) and education, which was associated with trading sex in our sample. In this adjusted model, MST was associated with trading sex: odds ratio = 3.26, p = .025, 95% confidence interval = [1.16, 9.18]. To our knowledge, this is the 1st report of an association between MST and trading sex. Results extend previously observed associations between sexual trauma and trading sex in civilian cohorts and underscore the pernicious influence of sexual victimization across the lifespan.

After the initial fracture in postmenopausal women, where do subsequent fractures occur?

BACKGROUND: The locations of subsequent fractures after initial fracture in postmenopausal women are poorly characterized. METHODS: We conducted a prospective analysis of subsequent fractures after initial fracture in Women's Health Initiative (1993-2018) participants who provided follow-up (mean 15.4 years, SD 6.2 years) data (n = 157,282 participants; baseline age 50-79; 47,458 participants with incident fracture). Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and other covariates. FINDINGS: The risk of each type of subsequent fracture was increased after each type of initial fracture. Incident lower arm/wrist fracture was associated with significantly elevated risks of subsequent fractures at the upper arm/shoulder, upper leg, knee, lower leg/ankle, hip/pelvis, and spine (adjusted hazard ratios [aHRs] ranging 2·63-5·68). The risk of hip fracture was increased after initial lower arm or wrist fracture (aHR 4·80, 95% CI 4·29-5·36), initial upper arm or shoulder fracture (aHR 5·06, 95% CI 4·39-5·82), initial upper leg fracture (aHR 5·11, 95% CI 3·91-6·67), initial knee fracture (aHR 5·03, 95% CI 4·20-6·03), initial lower leg/ankle fracture (aHR 4·10, 95% CI 3·58-4·68), and initial spine fracture (aHR 6·69, 95% CI 5·95-7·53). Associations were significant in all age groups, even women aged 50-59 years. Risks of subsequent fracture were more pronounced among non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latina, and Asian/Pacific Islander than among non-Hispanic White women. INTERPRETATION: Increased risk of subsequent fracture is observed for all fracture types across all ages. Women who experience any of these fractures should be targeted for interventions to prevent subsequent fractures. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health HHSN268201600018C,HHSN268201600001C, HHSN268201600002C, HHSN268201600003C, and HHSN268201600004C.

The Sunscreen for Kindergarteners (SKIN) Study trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major modifiable risk factor for skin cancers. The majority of lifetime UVR exposure occurs before age 20, underscoring an important window for risk reduction. Incorporation of skills-based sunscreen education into school health curricula may foster the development of consistent and effective use of sunscreen among children and youth. We describe the study protocol for a first-of-its-kind study that examined the feasibility of bringing skills-based sunscreen education into kindergarten classrooms. METHODS: Participants were 96 kindergarten students across four classrooms in a single elementary school. A single-blind open-label trial design was used to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating a song-based, video-guided intervention for independent application of sunscreen into the kindergarten curriculum. Students first completed a 10-day no-intervention baseline period, followed by a 10-day intervention period, and then a 10-day randomized follow-up period where students were randomly assigned to continue with the intervention or to revert to the no-intervention condition. OUTCOMES: Feasibility metrics associated with study process, resources, management, scientific outcomes and safety were gathered. The primary outcome was pre-to-post intervention changes in student engagement in the sunscreen task. The secondary outcome was pre-to-post intervention changes in the proportion of exposed skin to which a student applies sunscreen. Teacher and student perceptions of intervention value and utility were also evaluated. DISCUSSION: This is the study protocol for a clinical trial designed to determine the feasibility of implementing a skills-based sunscreen curriculum in kindergarten classrooms. Next steps include evaluation of the intervention for efficacy and effectiveness. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03752736.

Risk of Subsequent Fractures in Postmenopausal Women After Nontraumatic vs Traumatic Fractures.

Importance: The burden of fractures among postmenopausal women is high. Although nontraumatic fractures are strong risk factors for future fracture, current clinical guidelines do not address traumatic fractures. Objective: To determine how future fracture risk varies according to whether an initial fracture is traumatic or nontraumatic. Design, Setting, and Participants: We conducted a prospective observational study using data from the Women's Health Initiative Study (WHI) (enrollment, September 1994-December 1998; data analysis, September 2020 to March 2021), which enrolled postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years at baseline at 40 US clinical centers. The WHI Clinical Trials and WHI Bone Density Substudy, conducted at 3 of the clinical centers, asked participants to report the mechanism of incident fractures. Of 75 335 participants, information regarding incident fracture and covariates was available for 66 874 participants (88.8%), who comprised the analytic sample of this study. Mean (SD) follow-up was 8.1 (1.6) years. Interventions: None. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident clinical fractures were self-reported at least annually and confirmed using medical records. Participants reported the mechanism of incident fracture as traumatic or nontraumatic. Results: Among the 66 874 participants in the analytic sample (mean [SD] age, 63.1 [7.0] years and 65.3 [7.2] years among women without and with clinical fracture, respectively), 7142 participants (10.7%) experienced incident fracture during the study follow-up period. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of subsequent fracture after initial fracture was 1.49 (95% CI, 1.38-1.61). Among women whose initial fracture was traumatic, the association between initial fracture and subsequent fracture was significantly increased (aHR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48). Among women whose initial fracture was nontraumatic, the association between initial fracture and subsequent fracture was also increased (aHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.37-1.68). Confidence intervals for associations between initial fracture and subsequent fracture were overlapping for traumatic and nontraumatic initial fracture strata. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, among postmenopausal women older than 50 years, fracture was associated with a greater risk of subsequent fracture regardless of whether the fracture was traumatic or nontraumatic. These findings suggest that clinical osteoporosis assessment should include high-trauma as well as low-trauma fractures.

Characterization and Comparison of Physical and Mental Health Profiles and Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Utilization Patterns among Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Women Veterans in Puerto Rico versus the United States.

BACKGROUND: Research on the physical and mental health profiles and patterns of health care use among women veterans receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the island of Puerto Rico is lacking. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examines differences in physical and mental health conditions, and patterns of VA health care use, between women veterans of the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) era who were using VA facilities in Puerto Rico (n = 897) and those using U.S.-based VA facilities (n = 117,216) from 2002 to 2015. RESULTS: Results of fully adjusted logistic regression models revealed that OIF/OEF women in Puerto Rico had heightened risk for global pain-related disorders (i.e., any pain) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.71), back pain (AOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.56-2.14), diabetes (AOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03-1.95), hyperlipidemia (AOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.80-3.98), major depression (AOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.53-2.06), and bipolar depression (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.34-2.04). They also evidenced greater risk for a host of reproductive health conditions and had higher average annual use of VA health care than their U.S. counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: OIF/OEF women receiving VA health care in Puerto Rico evidenced a greater burden of physical illness, depression, and heightened use of VA health care services relative to their U.S. counterparts. Providers' increased awareness of the physical and mental health care needs of this population is warranted. Research efforts that help to identify efficient and effective strategies to provide culturally tailored and/or personalized health care for this population could also be useful.

Social Relationships and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Postmenopausal Women.

OBJECTIVES: We examined whether social relationship variables (social support, social strain, social network size, and stressful life events) were associated with risk of developing type 2 diabetes among postmenopausal women. METHOD: 139,924 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years without prevalent diabetes at baseline were followed for a mean of 14 years. 19,240 women developed diabetes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models tested associations between social relationship variables and diabetes incidence after consideration of demographics, depressive symptoms, and lifestyle behaviors. We also examined moderating effects of obesity and race/ethnicity, and we tested whether social variable associations were mediated by lifestyle or depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest quartile, women in the highest social support quartile had lower risk of diabetes after adjusting for demographic factors, health behaviors, and depressive symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89-0.97). Social strain (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04-1.13) and stressful life events (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.15) were associated with higher diabetes risks. The association between diabetes and social strain was stronger among African American women. Social relationship variables had direct relationships to diabetes, as well as indirect effects partially mediated by lifestyle and depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION: Social support, social strain, and stressful life events were associated with diabetes risk among postmenopausal women independently of demographic factors and health behaviors. In addition to healthy behaviors such as diet and physical activity, healthy social relationships among older women may be important in the prevention of diabetes.

Is Interpersonal Abuse Associated with Sexual (Dis)satisfaction among Postmenopausal Women?

PURPOSE: To investigate associations between past-year verbal and/or physical abuse (VA/PA) and sexual (dis)satisfaction, that is, global or frequency-related (dis)satisfactions with sexual activity, among postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative. PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional analysis of archival data was performed from the subset of 83,329 Women's Health Initiative participants (clinical trial and/or observational study components) who reported sexual activity in the year before baseline. Associations between VA/PA and global frequency (dis)satisfactions were modeled using logistic regression. MAIN FINDINGS: Most participants reported sexual satisfaction (global, 77%; frequency related, 66%). Disappointment with sexual frequency, specifically a desire for more frequent sex, was the most common dissatisfaction expressed. Past-year VA/PA exposure was reported by 9,410 participants (11%). In regression models adjusted for sociodemographic, health and health risk, and menopausal symptom variables, VA/PA was associated with higher rates of global (35% VA/PA exposed vs. 22% non-exposed; adjusted odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-1.80) and frequency-related dissatisfactions (50% of VA/PA exposed vs. 32% of non-exposed; adjusted odds ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-1.90). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual satisfaction was common, but not universally reported by study participants. Sexual dissatisfactions were overrepresented in VA/PA-exposed participants and associated with a desire for more frequent sexual activity. Opportunities for postmenopausal women to receive clinician-led education about safe and healthy ways to increase sexual activity are needed. Further research on this topic, particularly efforts to characterize safety concerns as well as modifiable barriers to satisfying sexual activity among postmenopausal women with recent VA/PA, would ensure that these interventions are evidence based.

Personality traits and diabetes incidence among postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether personality traits, including optimism, ambivalence over emotional expressiveness, negative emotional expressiveness, and hostility, were associated with risk of developing type 2 diabetes (hereafter diabetes) among postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 139,924 postmenopausal women without diabetes at baseline (between 1993 and 1998) aged 50 to 79 years from the Women's Health Initiative were prospectively followed for a mean of 14 (range 0.1-23) years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess associations between personality traits and diabetes incidence adjusting for common demographic factors, health behaviors, and depressive symptoms. Personality traits were gathered at baseline using questionnaires. Diabetes during follow-up was assessed via self-report of physician-diagnosed treated diabetes. RESULTS: There were 19,240 cases of diabetes during follow-up. Compared with women in the lowest quartile of optimism (least optimistic), women in the highest quartile (most optimistic) had 12% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84-0.92) lower risk of incident diabetes. Compared with women in the lowest quartile for negative emotional expressiveness or hostility, women in the highest quartile had 9% (HR, 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.14) and 17% (HR, 1.17; 95% CI: 1.12-1.23) higher risk of diabetes, respectively. The association of hostility with risk of diabetes was stronger among nonobese than obese women. CONCLUSIONS: Low optimism and high NEE and hostility were associated with increased risk of incident diabetes among postmenopausal women independent of major health behaviors and depressive symptoms. In addition to efforts to promote healthy behaviors, women's personality traits should be considered to guide clinical or programmatic intervention strategies in diabetes prevention.

Distress and pain during pelvic examinations: effect of sexual violence.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the range and severity of distress and pain during pelvic examinations among female veterans with and without histories of sexual violence, and to examine whether posttraumatic stress disorder explains additional variance in examination-related distress and pain above that accounted for by exposure to sexual violence. METHODS: We employed a cross-sectional cohort design in which 67 selected female veterans completed self-administered questionnaires to assess history of sexual violence and experiences of distress and pain associated with the pelvic examination. A subsample of 49 completed an assessment for posttraumatic stress disorder approximately 2 weeks later. RESULTS: Distress associated with the pelvic examination was highest for women with prior sexual violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (median 5.49), next highest for women with sexual violence only (median 2.44), and lowest for women with neither (median 0), P=.015. Higher ratings of pain were also found among women with sexual violence (median 2.5) compared with those without (median 0), P=.04. However, posttraumatic stress disorder was not linked with increased pain from speculum insertion beyond that accounted for by sexual violence; limited power may have precluded detection of this effect. CONCLUSION: Distress and pain during pelvic examinations may indicate a history of previous sexual violence, particularly in those with posttraumatic stress disorder. Extra sensitivity to the special needs of this population is warranted and may contribute positively to the quality of patients' experiences. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Vasomotor symptom characteristics: are they risk factors for incident diabetes?

OBJECTIVE: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), encompassing hot flashes and night sweats, may be associated with diabetes, but evidence is limited. We sought to estimate these associations. METHODS: Among 150,007 postmenopausal Women's Health Initiative participants from 1993 to 2014, we prospectively examined associations of incident diabetes with VMS characteristics at enrollment: any VMS, severity (mild/ moderate/severe), type (hot flashes/night sweats), timing (early [premenopausal or perimenopausal]/late [postmenopausal]), and duration. Cox proportional-hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Mean duration of follow-up was 13.1 years. VMS prevalence was 33%. Reporting any VMS was associated with 18% increased diabetes risk (95% CI 1.14, 1.22), which increased with severity (mild: HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.08, 1.17; moderate: HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.22, 1.36; severe: HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.34, 1.62) and duration (4% per 5 years, 95% CI 1.03, 1.05), independent of obesity. Diabetes risk was more pronounced for women reporting any night sweats (night sweats only: HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.13, 1.26; night sweats and hot flashes: HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.17, 1.27) than only hot flashes (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02, 1.15) and was restricted to late VMS (late: HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07, 1.18; early and late: HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11, 1.22; early: HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95, 1.04). CONCLUSIONS: VMS are associated with elevated diabetes risk, particularly for women reporting night sweats and postmenopausal symptoms. The menopause transition may be an optimal window for clinicians to discuss long-term cardiovascular/metabolic risk with patients and leverage the bother of existing symptoms for behavior change to improve VMS and reduce diabetes risk.