Sexual Quality of Life in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients and Their Partners.

BACKGROUND: Living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) comes with potentially burdensome aspects posed by, for example, battery packs and device drivelines. We aim to describe the impact of living with a durable LVAD on sexual quality of life (QOL), depression, and anxiety in patients and their partners. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this single-center, prospective, observational study, patients ≥4 months after LVAD implantation and their partners completed the Sexual Activities in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients or Partners questionnaire to assess their sexual QOL, the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) to assess symptoms of depression and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to assess symptoms of anxiety. Sixty patients and 60 partners completed the questionnaires 2.3 ± 1.9 years after implantation. Eighty-seven percent of the patients and 13% of partners were male. The mean age of patients was 57.4 ± 13.3 years, with 90% living with their partner. Ten percent of patients and 18% of partners had a current diagnosis of a psychological condition, most frequently depression and/or anxiety. Overall, 49% of participants indicated the LVAD influenced their sexual activity (patients 53% vs partners 45%; P = .33). Disturbances from the driveline were the most common problem indicated. Twenty-four percent of participants had scored in the mild to moderate depression range on the PHQ-8 and 28% scored in the mild to severe anxiety range on the GAD-7. The median total GAD-7 (1 [interquartile range (IQR) 0-4.25] vs 2.5 [IQR 0-5]; P = .06) were comparable between patients and partners; whereas patients had a higher total PHQ-8 score (3 [IQR 0-5.25] vs 1 [IQR 0-3.25]; P = .02). A preference to receive information regarding sexuality while on LVAD support was indicated by 54% of participants and did not differ between patients and partners (P > .99). Written resources were the most commonly preferred source of information. CONCLUSIONS: LVADs severely affect the sexual QOL for patients and their partners. The presence of a driveline is a major cause for concern. Patients prefer receiving written information on how to improve their sexual QOL.

Factors associated with racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain after acute traumatic injury.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain represents a substantial health burden and source of disability following traumatic injury. This study investigates factors associated with racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal, panel study. Seriously injured patients were recruited from two trauma centres in the Northeastern and Southwestern USA. Data from medical records and individual surveys were collected in-hospital, and at 3-month and 12-month postinjury from a balanced cohort of non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white and Hispanic patients. We used linear regression to estimate the associations between race and ethnicity and 3-month and 12-month pain severity outcomes. We grouped all available cohort data on factors that theoretically influence the emergence of chronic pain after injury into five temporally ordered clusters and entered each cluster sequentially into regression models. These included: participant race and ethnicity, other demographic characteristics, preinjury health characteristics, acute injury characteristics and postinjury treatment. RESULTS: 650 participants enrolled (Hispanic 25.6%; white 38.1%; black 33.4%). Black participants reported highest relative chronic pain severity. Injury-related factors at the time of acute hospitalisation (injury severity, mechanism, baseline pain and length of stay) were most strongly associated with racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain outcomes. After controlling for all available explanatory factors, a substantial proportion of the racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain outcomes remained. CONCLUSION: Racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain outcomes may be most influenced by differences in the characteristics of acute injuries, when compared with demographic characteristics and postacute treatment in the year after hospitalisation.

Uterus Transplant in Women With Absolute Uterine-Factor Infertility.

Importance: Uterus transplant in women with absolute uterine-factor infertility offers the possibility of carrying their own pregnancy. Objective: To determine whether uterus transplant is feasible and safe and results in births of healthy infants. Design, Setting, and Participants: A case series including 20 participants with uterine-factor infertility and at least 1 functioning ovary who underwent uterus transplant in a large US tertiary care center between September 14, 2016, and August 23, 2019. Intervention: The uterus transplant (from 18 living donors and 2 deceased donors) was surgically placed in an orthotopic position with vascular anastomoses to the external iliac vessels. Participants received immunosuppression until the transplanted uterus was removed following 1 or 2 live births or after graft failure. Main Outcomes and Measures: Uterus graft survival and subsequent live births. Results: Of 20 participants (median age, 30 years [range, 20-36]; 2 Asian, 1 Black, and 16 White), 14 (70%) had a successful uterus allograft; all 14 recipients gave birth to at least 1 live-born infant. Eleven of 20 recipients had at least 1 complication. Maternal and/or obstetrical complications occurred in 50% of the successful pregnancies, with the most common being gestational hypertension (2 [14%]), cervical insufficiency (2 [14%]), and preterm labor (2 [14%]). Among the 16 live-born infants, there were no congenital malformations. Four of 18 living donors had grade 3 complications. Conclusions and Relevance: Uterus transplant was technically feasible and was associated with a high live birth rate following successful graft survival. Adverse events were common, with medical and surgical risks affecting recipients as well as donors. Congenital abnormalities and developmental delays have not occurred to date in the live-born children. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02656550.

Living uterus donors' perceptions of decision-making and informed consent: a qualitative study of the Dallas Uterus Transplant Study participants.

Uterus transplantation is a growing field, but little is known about living uterus donors' perceptions of informed consent or their decision-making processes. This study used semistructured interviews to collect information regarding uterus donors' experiences with uterus donation, perceptions of the informed consent process, and information on how they decided to pursue uterus donation. Interviews were coded for thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged in this study. First, the decision-making process was based on individuals' motivations, rationale, and considerations of alternative contributions to help other women with infertility. Second, participants described how they felt about the process of informed consent, their decision-making processes, and how their experiences compared with their expectations. Third, participants discussed how uterus donation was a valuable experience. This study found that living uterus donors are motivated to give another woman the opportunity to experience pregnancy and childbirth. They were satisfied with the informed consent process, their experiences were in line with their expectations, and the value of uterus donation was associated with the act of donation itself. Our findings suggest that living donor uterus programs should develop robust informed consent processes that provide detailed information about uterus donation and encourage shared decision-making with potential uterus donors.

The journey from infertility to uterus transplantation: A qualitative study of the perspectives of participants in the Dallas Uterus Transplant Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how absolute uterine factor infertility affects women who undergo uterus transplantation, how uterus transplantation impacts women with absolute uterine factor infertility and how uterus transplant recipients view uterus transplantation in terms of their reproductive autonomy. DESIGN: Qualitative semi-structured interview study. SETTING: Uterus transplant programme in a large academic medical centre in the USA. POPULATION/SAMPLE: Twenty one uterus transplant recipients. METHODS: A medical chart review was conducted to collect patient demographic information and clinical outcomes. Semi-structured interviews collected information regarding participants' experience. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The outcomes of interest were participants' experience of infertility, experience with uterus transplantation and general perceptions of uterus transplantation. RESULTS: Six participants were pregnant (one with a second child), six had experienced early graft failure and removal, five had delivered a healthy baby, and four had a viable graft and were awaiting embryo transfer. The primary themes identified were: the negative impact of absolute uterine factor infertility diagnosis on psychological wellbeing, relationships and female identity; the positive impact of uterus transplantation on healing the emotional scars of absolute uterine factor infertility, female identity and value of research trial participation and the perception of uterus transplantation as an expansion of reproductive autonomy. All participants reported that uterus transplantation was worthwhile, regardless of individual outcome. CONCLUSION: Absolute uterine factor infertility has a negative impact on women from a young age, affects multiple relationships and challenges female identity. Uterus transplantation helps to reverse this impact, transforming women's life narrative of infertility and enhancing female identity. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) adversely affects women. Uterus transplantation helps mitigate the negative impact of AUFI, by transforming women's life narratives of infertility and enhancing female identity.

Psychometric validity and reliability of the 10- and 2-item Connor-Davidson resilience scales among a national sample of Americans responding to the Covid-19 pandemic: an item response theory analysis.

PURPOSE: Psychometric validity/reliability of 10-item and 2-item abbreviations of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10; CD-RISC-2) was investigated via item response theory and classic approaches. METHODS: We sampled 5023 adult American participants in a June/July 2020 survey on the COVID-19 pandemic's psychological effects. Our questionnaire incorporated the CD-RISC-10 with other validated measures. CD-RISC-10 items were ranked on item-to-scale correlations, loadings on a one-factor confirmatory factor analysis model, and item slope/threshold parameters plus information curves from a unidimensional graded response model. Concurrent validity of the highest ranked item pair was evaluated vis-à-vis the CD-RISC-10 and CD-RISC-2. Internal consistency, based on average variance extracted (AVE) and multiple reliability coefficients, was also compared. Convergent/divergent validity was tested by correlating anxiety, depression, fear of COVID-19, anxiety sensitivity, coping, and personality measures with both scales and the highest ranked item pair. Binary agreement/classification indexes assessed inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: Items 2 and 9 from CD-RISC-10 ranked the highest. Reliability coefficients were > 0.93, > 0.72, and > 0.82 for the CD-RISC-10, CD-RISC-2, vs summation of items 2 and 9. AVEs were 0.66, 0.67, and 0.77. CD-RISC abbreviations and the summation of items 2 and 9 correlated negatively with anxiety (> - 0.43), depression (> - 0.42), and fear of COVID-19 (> - 0.34); positively with emotional stability (> 0.53) and conscientiousness (> 0.40). Compared to the CD-RISC-2, summative scores of items 2 and 9 more efficiently classified/discriminated high resilience on the CD-RISC-10. CONCLUSION: We confirmed construct validity/reliability of copyrighted CD-RISC abbreviations. The CD-RISC-10's items 2 and 9 were psychometrically more salient than the CD-RISC-2.

Attitudes and personal beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine among people with COVID-19: a mixed-methods analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little research is available regarding vaccination attitudes among those recently diagnosed with COVID-19. This is important to investigate, particularly among those experiencing mild-to-moderate illness, given the ongoing need to improve uptake of both initial vaccine series and booster doses, and the divergent ways such an experience could impact attitudes. METHODS: From September 3 - November 12, 2021, all patients enrolled in Baylor Scott & White's "COVID-19 Digital Care Journey for Home Monitoring" were invited to participate in an online survey that included questions about vaccination status and attitudes/opinions regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines. Following an item asking about accordance of COVID-19 vaccination with religious/personal beliefs, participants were asked to describe those beliefs and how they relate to taking/not taking the vaccine. RESULTS: Of 8,075 patients age ≥ 18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 and invited to join the survey during the study period, 3242 (40.2%) were fully vaccinated. In contrast, among the 149 who completed the questionnaire, 95(63.8%) reported full vaccination. Responses differed significantly between vaccination groups. The vaccinated group strongly agreed that COVID-19 is a major public health problem, the vaccines are safe and effective, and their decision to vaccinate included considering community benefit. The unvaccinated group responded neutrally to most questions addressing safety and public health aspects of the vaccine, while strongly disagreeing with statements regarding vaccine effectiveness and other preventative public health measures. The vaccinated group strongly agreed that taking the vaccine accorded with their religious/personal beliefs, while the unvaccinated group was neutral. In qualitative analysis of the free text responses "risk perception/calculation" and "no impact" of religious/personal beliefs on vaccination decisions were frequent themes/subthemes in both groups, but beliefs related to the "greater good" were a strong driver among the vaccinated, while statements emphasizing "individual choice" were a third frequent theme for the unvaccinated. CONCLUSION: Our results show that two of the three factors that drive vaccine hesitancy (complacency, and lack of confidence in the vaccines) are present among unvaccinated adults recently diagnosed with COVID-19. They also show that beliefs emphasizing the importance of the greater good promote public health participation.

Uterus Transplantation: Lessons Learned From a Psychological Perspective.

Uterus transplantation has gained increasing acceptance as a medically viable treatment to achieve pregnancy in women with absolute uterine infertility or loss of uterus. Over 20 live births have occurred worldwide since the first successful live birth in Sweden in 2014. However, the psychological and emotional impact on women who seek uterus transplant, their partners, and the women who donate their uterus is a critical area to explore. This paper will discuss issues related to recipient and donor selection, parenting posttransplant, and consideration of unanticipated outcomes including uterus transplant failure and inability to achieve pregnancy.

Psychological differences in adults with and without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence is emerging regarding the broad societal and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about whether infected individuals are differently affected. AIM: We evaluated psychological differences between individuals who do vs. do not report testing positive for COVID-19. METHODS: An online survey was offered to adults (≥18 years) who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by a provider within a large integrated-delivery healthcare system, enrolled in COVID-19-related clinical trials at the healthcare system, or responded to targeted local distribution. Measures assessed included the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale, and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5. RESULTS: Of 487 respondents, 43% reported testing positive for COVID-19, including 11% requiring hospitalization. Overall rates of general anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress were 34% and 16%, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. Prevalence of depression was higher among respondents reporting a positive COVID-19 test (52% vs. 31%). This difference persisted after controlling for respondent characteristics (odds ratio = 3.7, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: People who report testing positive for COVID-19, even those not requiring hospitalization, have increased risk for depression. Mental health care screening and services should be offered to individuals testing positive, facilitating early intervention.

Resilience, coping, and distress among healthcare service personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of health care workers (HCWs). The extent to which HCWs may differ in their experience of depression and anxiety is unclear, and longitudinal studies are lacking. The present study examined theorized differences in distress between resilient and non-resilient HCWs over time, as reported in a national online survey. We also examined possible differences in distress as a function of sex and doctoral-level status. METHODS: A national sample responded to an online survey data that included the study measures. Of the HCWs who responded, 666 had useable data at the two time points. A longitudinal structural equation model tested an a priori model that specified the relationship of a resilient personality prototype to self-reported resilience, coping, depression and anxiety at both measurement occasions. Additional invariance models examined possible differences by sex and doctoral-level status. RESULTS: The final model explained 46.4% of the variance in psychological distress at Time 1 and 69.1% at Time 2. A non-resilient personality prototype predicted greater depression and anxiety. A resilient personality prototype was predictive of and operated through self-reported resilience and less disengaged coping to effect lower distress. No effects were found for active coping, however. The final model was generally invariant by sex and HCWs status. Additional analyses revealed that non-doctoral level HCWs had significantly higher depression and anxiety than doctoral-level HCWs on both occasions. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs differ in their susceptibility to distress imposed by COVID-19. Those who are particularly vulnerable may have characteristics that contribute to a lower sense of confidence and efficacy in stressful situations, and more likely to rely on ineffective, disengaged coping behaviors that can exacerbate stress levels. Individual interventions and institutional policies may be implemented to support HCWs at risk.

Anxiety sensitivity, COVID-19 fear, and mental health: results from a United States population sample.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented consequences. Transdiagnostic factors, such as anxiety sensitivity, could be an important component to understand how individuals experience COVID-19 specific fear, depression and anxiety. A US representative sample (5,023) completed measures including the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-8. Analyses controlled for age, sex, race, marital status, education level, working status, household income, and COVID-19 exposure. Results were consistent with prediction. First, higher ASI-3 Total scores were associated with above average COVID-19 fear (ß = 0.19). Second, the ASI-3 physical concerns subscale was the strongest predictor of COVID-19 fear; one SD increase on the ASI-3 physical concerns subscale was associated with almost a twofold risk of reaching above average levels of COVID-19 (OR = 1.93). Third, higher ASI-3 Total scores were associated with higher anxiety (ß = 0.22) and depression (ß = 0.20). Finally, COVID-19 fear mediated the relationship between ASI-3 Total scores and anxiety (17% of effect mediated) as well as ASI-3 Total scores and depression (16% of effect mediated). These data support the role of anxiety sensitivity in predicting fear of COVID-19 and resulting mental health.

Injustice is Served: Injustice Mediates the Effects of Interpersonal Physical Trauma on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Depression Following Traumatic Injury.

Previous research has consistently found that traumas of an interpersonal nature are associated with elevated levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In the current study, we examined whether feelings of injustice related to sustained physical trauma mediate the association between the interpersonal nature of a traumatic injury and two outcomes: PTSS and depressive symptoms. The sample consisted of 176 patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center for traumatic injuries. Participants completed measures of PTSS, depressive symptoms, and injury-related injustice perception at baseline and again at 3- and 6-month postinjury follow-ups. The results revealed that, compared to noninterpersonal injuries, interpersonal injuries were related to significantly higher levels of perceived injustice, PTSS, and depressive symptoms at all three assessment points, except for PTSS at baseline, ds = 0.47-1.23. These associations remained significant after accounting for injury severity. It is important to note that higher levels of perceived injustice 3-month postinjury follow-up mediated the association between the interpersonal nature of the trauma and higher levels of PTSS and depressive symptoms at 6 months postinjury. Our results suggest injustice may be an important factor that helps explain why interpersonal traumas are associated with poorer mental health outcomes than noninterpersonal traumas. Additionally, the current study provides some of the first prospective analyses of injustice perception and trauma outcomes.

Better with age? A comparison of geriatric and non-geriatric trauma patients' psychological outcomes 6 months post-injury.

This is the first study to compare both physical and psychological outcomes in geriatric and non-geriatric patients (n = 268) at baseline and 6 months post-trauma. Demographic, clinical, and psychological data, including screens for alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were collected from 67 geriatric patients (70.7 ± 8.0 years) and 201 non-geriatric patients (40.2 ± 12.8 years) admitted to a Level I trauma center for ≥ 24 h. Geriatric patients were significantly less likely to screen positive for alcohol use at baseline, and depression, PTSS, and alcohol use at follow-up. When not controlling for discharge to rehabilitation or nursing facility, geriatric patients had significantly lower odds of alcohol use at follow-up. There was no significant difference in injury severity, resilience, or pre-trauma psychological status between the two groups. Results indicate that geriatric trauma patients fare better than their younger counterparts at 6 months post-trauma on measures of alcohol use, depression, and PTSS. Screenings and interventions for both age groups could improve psychological health post-trauma, but younger patients may require additional attention.

Preoperative psychological evaluation of uterus transplant recipients, partners, and living donors: Suggested framework.

Uterus transplant has become a real option for women with uterine-factor infertility to become pregnant and give birth. The screening before uterus transplant consists of a multidisciplinary evaluation and includes the potential recipient, living donor, and, to some extent, the recipient's partner and future co-parent. The psychological evaluation has evolved from broad-based screening in the first uterus transplant trial, where the aim was to find suitable candidates for a novel experimental procedure with an unknown outcome, to a more directed screening with specific psychological domains for a complex infertility treatment with promising results. This report outlines a consensus by investigators with pioneering experience in the field of the key factors and suggests a framework for psychological evaluation of recipients and their partners as well as for live uterus donors before uterus transplant. We identify the main areas of particular value to the recipient screening (general psychological health, factors associated with infertility, and medication adherence), the partner (general psychological health and factors associated with infertility), and the living donor (psychological health and motivation to donate, especially in the case of the nondirected donor).

Craniofacial Trauma Is Associated With Significant Psychosocial Morbidity 1 Year Post-Injury.

PURPOSE: The face and head play critical roles in one's sense of self and body image; as such, facial, head, and scalp injuries and potential associated disfigurement can lead to particular difficulties in coping. This study examined the psychosocial outcomes of patients with craniofacial (CF) trauma 1 year after injury and compared these outcomes with those of other traumatically injured patients who did not sustain such injuries. It was hypothesized that participants in the CF injury group would have worse outcomes than those without CF trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included patients at least 18 years of age admitted to the trauma service of a level I trauma center for at least 24 hours. Demographic and injury-related variables were collected. CF injury was determined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 12 months and included depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use, and pain severity. Paired t tests and logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen percent (n = 35) of the study sample (N = 230) had CF injuries. Those with CF injuries had lower income, higher injury severity, and higher intensive care unit admission rates. The CF and non-CF trauma groups did not differ in rates of depression or PTSD at either time point. However, participants with CF trauma had higher odds of risky alcohol use than those without CF trauma at baseline and lower odds of a higher pain severity score at baseline and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The groups did not differ in depression and PTSD. However, rates of depression, PTSD, alcohol use, and physical pain were higher than expected for the 2 groups. Given the high rate of psychological morbidity found after CF trauma, patients with these injuries should be screened for symptoms soon after injury and provided with resources for treatment.

Posttraumatic growth in a heterogeneous sample of traumatically injured patients 1 year postinjury.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) describes positive change resulting from challenging life events. The current study examined factors associated with PTG in traumatically injured patients 1 year postinjury. METHOD: Participants (N = 221) in this prospective cohort study included adults admitted to a Level I trauma center. Over half the participants (60%) were male, with a mean age of 47. Participants completed baseline measures during hospitalization. PTG was assessed at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Greater PTG was associated with minority race/ethnicity, lower income, automotive collision, and premorbid psychological disorder other than depression or posttraumatic stress (PTS). These variables are also known to predict PTS in trauma patients. Analysis confirmed that greater PTS at follow-up was associated with more growth. CONCLUSION: Participants with the most growth also experienced the most distress. This finding demonstrates the importance of implementing psychological screening and intervention for trauma patients in the acute care setting to reduce PTS and facilitate growth.

Secondary traumatic stress in emergency medicine clinicians.

Previously called Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), secondary exposure to trauma is now considered a valid DSM-5 Criterion A stressor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies have found high rates of STS in clinicians who treat traumatically injured patients. However, little research has examined STS among Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs). The current study enrolled EM providers (N = 118) working in one of 10 hospitals to examine risk factors, protective factors, and the prevalence of STS in this understudied population. Most of the participants were physicians (72.9%), Caucasian (85.6%), and male (70.3%) with mean age of 39.7 (SD = 8.9). Overall, 12.7% of the sample screened positive for STS with clinical levels of intrusion, arousal, and avoidance symptom clusters, and 33.9% had at least one symptom cluster at clinical levels. Low resilience and a history of personal trauma were positively associated with positive STS screens and STS severity scores. Borderline significance suggested that female gender and spending ≥10% of one's time with trauma patients could be additional risk factors. Findings suggest that resilience-building interventions may be beneficial.

The Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale among SARS-CoV-2 Survivors: Psychometric Properties and Item Correlations with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms.

Background/Objectives: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale (FACs) among adult COVID-19 survivors and its unique ability to assess symptomology not accounted for by measures of depression and anxiety. Methods: COVID-19 survivors completed an online survey that included the FACs, a measure of brain fog and central fatigue with 20 items rated on a digital-analog scale. Useable data from 559 participants were analyzed to test the two-factor structure of the FACs, test for measurement invariance by sex and device was used to complete the survey (hand-held, computer), and item correlations with symptoms of depression and anxiety were examined. Results: The two-factor structure of the FACs replicated, supporting the separate assessments of brain fog and fatigue, χ2(164) = 1028.363, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.923, RMSEA = 0.097, SRMR = 0.053. The FACs exhibited invariance at the scalar level, indicating item and factor integrity regardless of sex and device type. Using a correlation > 0.70 as a criterion (i.e., indicating more than 50% shared variance between two items), items on the FACs (assessing fatigue and lack of energy) were highly correlated with feeling tired or having little energy on the depression measure. No other items correlated with any anxiety symptom larger than 0.70. Conclusions: The FACs appears to be a psychometrically sound and efficient measure for use with COVID-19 survivors, assessing symptoms of brain fog and central fatigue that are not attributable to symptoms assessed by established measures of depression and anxiety.

The impact of perceived injustice on pain and psychological outcomes after traumatic injury: a longitudinal analysis.

ABSTRACT: Individuals' appraisals regarding the injustice of their pain or physical injury have emerged as a significant risk factor for worse physical and psychological outcomes. Injustice appraisals are defined by perceptions of external blame for pain or injury and viewing pain or injury as a source of irreparable loss. To date, research on the impact of injustice appraisal has been primarily cross sectional, and existing longitudinal studies have examined injustice appraisals at only 2 time points in the context of rehabilitation treatment. This study examined the trajectory of injustice appraisals in 171 patients admitted for traumatic injury at admission, as well as 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge and examined injustice appraisals as a potential moderator of recovery after injury. Findings can be summarized as follows: First, injustice perception was largely stable in the 12 months after hospital discharge. Second, elevated injustice perception was associated with decreased recovery in pain intensity and depressive symptomatology over the study period but did not moderate changes in pain catastrophizing or posttraumatic stress symptomatology over time. This study is the first naturalistic prospective analysis of injustice appraisal following trauma admission within the American healthcare system. Findings indicate that injustice appraisals do not naturally decrease in the aftermath of traumatic injury and may be a risk factor for poorer physical and psychological recovery. Future research should examine additional sociodemographic and psychosocial factors that may contribute to elevated injustice appraisal, as well as ways of addressing the potential deleterious impact of injustice appraisals in treatment settings.