Measurement invariance of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale by sexual orientation: comparing the sexual functioning of gay and heterosexual individuals.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of sexual functioning requires accurate and reliable measures as well as short and easy to apply. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), which provides a quick, easy, and nonintrusive assessment of sexual functioning in men and women, is a clear example of a commonly used scale that satisfies these qualities. AIM: The study sought to examine measurement invariance and differential item functioning (DIF) by sexual orientation of the Spanish version of the ASEX. METHODS: A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on a sample of 1600 adults (800 gay and 800 heterosexual individuals), testing measurement invariance of the ASEX by sexual orientation in men and women separately, and calculating its reliability and DIF. OUTCOMES: The measure provided by the Spanish version of the ASEX is reliable and valid for assessing the sexual functioning of gay men and lesbians, but comparisons by sexual orientation are not recommended for men. RESULTS: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the unidimensional structure of the ASEX already found in the Spanish validation with heterosexual people. Measurement invariance showed that, in the men's sample, the factor structure of the ASEX only reached the weak level of invariance, whereas in the women's sample, strict invariance by sexual orientation was reached. The internal consistency reliability was adequate, with better coefficients in women than in men. No significant DIF was observed in either men or women. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should further their training in sexual and gender diversity as approaches such as affirmative LGBT psychotherapy gain popularity, and they must have access to assessment instruments that are psychometrically robust enough to be used with this population. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This research has some limitations. Because the distribution was administered solely through social media platforms, those without access to social media were unable to participate. Beyond these restrictions, however, the findings are thought to be significant from a research and clinical perspective since measurement invariance is a step that is often excluded when using an instrument validated in a mostly heterosexual sample. CONCLUSION: Validating assessment tools in gay men and lesbians is essential because sexual functioning is a crucial concept in sexual health. The findings of this study suggest that the Spanish version of the ASEX offers valid and reliable measures of sexual functioning for both heterosexual and gay people, though there would be bias in comparing men of both orientations.

Sleep, academic achievement, and cognitive performance in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A polysomnographic study.

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of parent-reported and polysomnography (PSG)-measured sleep patterns on the academic and cognitive performance of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We assessed 91 children (18 girls) diagnosed with ADHD aged 7-11 years (29 ADHD-Inattentive, 32 ADHD-Hyperactive/Impulsive, and 31 ADHD-Combined). The Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and Paediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) were used to assess subjective sleep quality, as perceived by parents, and objective sleep variables were assessed by PSG. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and the final average grade of the last school year was used as a measure of academic performance. Academic performance was predicted by the following sleep variables: Sleep time, time in bed, night awakenings, and daytime sleepiness. The best predictors of cognitive performance in children with ADHD were rapid eye movement latency, light sleep, periodic limb movements index (PLMs), awakenings, and daytime sleepiness. In conclusion, sleep parameters are closely associated with the academic and cognitive functioning of children with ADHD.

Predicting condom use in adolescents: a test of three socio-cognitive models using a structural equation modeling approach.

BACKGROUND: The theory of planned behavior (TPB), socio-cognitive model (SCM), and information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model are effective in predicting condom use. However, the adequacy of these three theoretical models in predicting the frequency of condom use (FCU) among young people has not been compared. This cross-sectional study tested the applicability and suitability of these three models in predicting the FCU, and analyzed the relationships among the postulated constructs. METHODS: Sexually experienced adolescents (n = 410) aged 13-18 completed a survey assessing the TPB, SCM, and IMB model constructs. Participants were students recruited from 18 high schools, randomly selected from the north, south, east, and southeast of Spain. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was applied to test TPB, SCM and IBM and constructs relationships of each model using R. RESULTS: The results of SEM demonstrated that behavioral skills predict behavior via motivation as hypothesized by the IMB model, but not directly via knowledge about condom use and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Cognitive factors, such knowledge about condom use and STIs as well as condom use self-efficacy, directly predicted the FCU when modeled as per the SCM. According to the TPB, condom use intention was the best predictor of the FCU, and condom use intention was predicted by attitudes toward condom use and subjective norms related to condom use, but perceived control was not directly or indirectly related to the FCU. Based on the data, the TPB becomes the best-fit model for predicting the FCU among young people compared to the SCM and IMB model. CONCLUSIONS: From a statistical perspective, the TPB seems to be the most suitable model for predicting the FCU among young people compared to the other models. Overall, key direct predictors of the FCU in adolescents included condom use intention, behavioral skills and cognitive factors, such as STIs knowledge and condom use self-efficacy. The next step should be to test integrative models that include personal, contextual, environmental, and social factors.

Sexual risk behaviors increasing among adolescents over time: comparison of two cohorts in Spain.

Despite advances in treatment and prevention, HIV/AIDS remains a serious health and social problem. This study's objective is to examine sexual behavior, levels of knowledge, and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS between two cohorts in Spanish adolescents, and to analyze gender differences in these cohorts. Participants were 2132 adolescents between 15 and 18 years of age: 1222 in 2006 (43.2% boys) and 910 in 2012 (54.1% boys). The results indicate lower HIV knowledge and less favorable attitudes about HIV/AIDS in the 2012 cohort. In addition, adolescents from the 2012 cohort had their first sexual intercourse at an earlier age and have more sexual partners than those from the 2006 cohort. Compared to boys, girls engage in fewer risky behaviors, although they did not use condoms with their stable partner; girls tended to use condom less when they were in a stable relationship than boys. This study confirms the insufficiency of prevention campaigns as well as the need to improve the impact from programs that promote healthy sexual habits. Assuming comparability of cohorts, this study suggests increased risk of HIV/AIDS over time.

[Validation of an HIV and other sexually transmitted infections knowledge scale in an adolescent population]. / Validación de una escala de conocimiento sobre el VIH y otras infecciones de transmisión sexual en población adolescente.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to determine the validity and reliability of a questionnaire designed to specifically assess the knowledge of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in a Spanish adolescent population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study for the validation of a questionnaire. LOCATION: A total of 17 schools in five Spanish provinces. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,570 adolescent schoolchildren between 13 and 17 years old. INTERVENTION: A pool of 40 items relating to knowledge about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections was established. This pool was analyzed by an expert panel. It was then administered to a pilot group with the same demographic characteristics of the sample, to ensure comprehension. MAIN MEASUREMENT: Item analysis, internal consistency, test/retest and exploratory factorial analysis. RESULTS: A factor analysis was performed, in which five factors that explained 46% of the total variance were retained: general knowledge about HIV, condom as a protective method, routes of HIV transmission, the prevention of HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. Reliability measures ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. The test-retest correlation was 0.59. There were gender differences in the knowledge of infections. CONCLUSIONS: These factors have adequate internal consistency and acceptable test-retest correlation. Theoretically, these factors fit properly with the content of the items. The factors have a moderate relationship, indicating that a high degree of knowledge about an aspect, but not a guarantee of general knowledge. The availability of a questionnaire to assess knowledge of sexually transmitted infections is helpful to evaluate prevention programs.

Sleep Patterns during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain.

BACKGROUND: To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, governments around the world adopted exceptional lockdown measures. This led to the disruption of normal life routines, including sleep. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in sleep patterns and subjective variables of sleep quality before and during lockdown. METHODS: A sample of 1673 Spanish adults (30% men; 82% of the total were between 21 and 50 years of age) was evaluated. The following sleep variables were evaluated: Sleep latency, sleep time, number and duration of awakenings, sleep satisfaction, daytime sleepiness, and the manifestation of symptoms related to sleep problems. RESULTS: Although 45% of people changed their sleep schedules (resulting in 42% sleeping longer during lockdown), sleep quality (37.6% worse), daytime sleepiness (28% worse), number of awakenings (36.9% more), and duration of awakenings (45% longer) were markedly worse. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences in all the evaluated sleep variables before and during lockdown in both men and women. Women reported less sleep satisfaction, and more symptoms related to sleep problems than men. CONCLUSIONS: A deterioration in the sleep patterns of the Spanish population, especially women, because of the lockdown declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measurement Invariance across Sexual Orientation for Measures of Sexual Attitudes.

Despite the growing interest in the study of sexual attitudes across sexual orientation, few studies have tested whether the instruments used to measure them are invariant. This study examined measurement invariance (configural, weak, strong, and strict) across sexual orientation in three different sexual attitude scales: the Sexual Opinion Survey (SOS) to assess erotophilia, the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Fantasy (HISF) to assess attitudes toward sexual fantasies, and the Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory (NATMI) to assess negative attitudes toward masturbation. A total of 2293 Spanish adult men and women with different sexual orientations (i.e., heterosexual, bisexual, and gay) participated in the study. The results indicated strict invariance for HISF across sexual orientation and only weak invariance for SOS and NATMI. Differential item functioning was also found in two items of the NATMI scale. Evidence of validity was provided for the three scales that were studied.

Content Validity through Expert Judgment for the Depression Clinical Evaluation Test.

Background/Objective: The evaluation of depression requires valid and reliable measuring instruments, which collect a wide spectrum of symptoms that this disorder displays, in order to carry out an accurate and differential diagnosis. The objective of this work is the construction of the Depression Clinical Evaluation Test (DCET), where affective, somatic, cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal symptoms are considered and also analyze its content validity through an expert judgment. Method: Based on different diagnostic and manual classifications, a specification table for a depression test was established. In its evaluation, 16 experts in Psychological Assessment, Psychometry and/or Psychopathology participated. A total of 300 items were created. The experts had to assess the items according to the criteria of Content, Relevance, Clarity, Comprehension, Sensitivity, and Offensiveness. In addition, 50 adults, evaluated the compression of the items. Results: The degree of understanding for all the items was high and the expert judgment favoured the suppression of 104 items, thus obtaining a shorter measuring instrument with a total of 196 items for ease of application. Conclusions: The content validity of the test is adequate and fits the agreed definition of depression.

Antecedentes: La evaluación de la depresión requiere de instrumentos de medida válidos, fiables y que recojan el amplio espectro de síntomas que este trastorno conlleva, para poder llevar a cabo un diagnóstico certero y diferencial. El objetivo de este trabajo es la construcción del Test de Evaluación Clínica de la Depresión (TECD), que contempla síntomas afectivos, somáticos, cognitivos, conductuales e interpersonales, y analizar su validez de contenido a través de un juicio de expertos. Método: A partir de diferentes clasificaciones diagnósticas y manuales se estableció la tabla de especificación del test para este cuestionario de depresión. En la evaluación de este participaron 16 expertos en Evaluación Psicológica, Psicometría y/o Psicopatología. Se crearon 300 ítems en total, que los expertos tuvieron que valorar atendiendo a los criterios de Contenido, Relevancia, Claridad, Comprensión, Sensitividad y Ofensividad. Además, 50 adultos, valoraron la compresión de los items. Resultados: El grado de comprensión de todos los ítems fue elevado y el juicio de expertos supuso la supresión de 104 ítems, obteniendo así un instrumento de medida más breve, con 196 ítems en total, lo que facilitará su aplicación. Conclusiones: La validez de contenido del test es adecuada y se adapta a la definición de depresión establecida.

Network and Exploratory Factorial Analysis of the Depression Clinical Evaluation Test.

Depression is a highly prevalent disorder with a wide range of symptomatology. Existing instruments for its assessment have only a few items for each factor. The Depression Clinical Evaluation Test (DCET) has been created to cover all depression symptoms at different times (month, year, and always) with several items for each facet. The content validity of this instrument has been judged by experts and, in this paper, we analyse its factorial structure and make a network analysis of it. The test (196 items) was administered to 602 adults without psychological disorders (Mage = 24.7, SD = 8.38, 72% women) both online and on paper. A network was estimated for each time point, using the absolute minimum selection and shrinkage operator. From the factor analysis, 12 factors were established for month, 11 for year, and 10 for always, leaving 94 items. The network analysis showed that the facets of depressive mood, anhedonia, and thoughts of Death, are central to all the estimated networks. The DCET is proposed as a valid and reliable multifactorial instrument to detect the variability of depressive symptoms in adults, guaranteeing its diagnostic usefulness.

Effect of an Interdisciplinary Weight Loss and Lifestyle Intervention on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity: The INTERAPNEA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Obesity is the leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); however, the effects of weight loss and lifestyle interventions on OSA and comorbidities remain uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the effect of an interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention on OSA and comorbidities among adults with moderate to severe OSA and overweight or obesity. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Interdisciplinary Weight Loss and Lifestyle Intervention for OSA (INTERAPNEA) study was a parallel-group open-label randomized clinical trial conducted at a hospital-based referral center in Granada, Spain, from April 1, 2019, to October 23, 2020. The study enrolled 89 Spanish men aged 18 to 65 years with moderate to severe OSA and a body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 25 or greater who were receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The sole inclusion of men was based on the higher incidence and prevalence of OSA in this population, the differences in OSA phenotypes between men and women, and the known effectiveness of weight loss interventions among men vs women. Interventions: Participants were randomized to receive usual care (CPAP therapy) or an 8-week weight loss and lifestyle intervention involving nutritional behavior change, aerobic exercise, sleep hygiene, and alcohol and tobacco cessation combined with usual care. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the change in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from baseline to the intervention end point (8 weeks) and 6 months after intervention. Secondary end points comprised changes in other OSA sleep-related outcomes, body weight and composition, cardiometabolic risk, and health-related quality of life. Results: Among 89 men (mean [SD] age, 54.1 [8.0] years; all of Spanish ethnicity; mean [SD] AHI, 41.3 [22.2] events/h), 49 were randomized to the control group and 40 were randomized to the intervention group. The intervention group had a greater decrease in AHI (51% reduction; change, -21.2 events/h; 95% CI, -25.4 to -16.9 events/h) than the control group (change, 2.5 events/h; 95% CI, -2.0 to 6.9 events/h) at the intervention end point, with a mean between-group difference of -23.6 events/h (95% CI, -28.7 to -18.5 events/h). At 6 months after intervention, the reduction in AHI was 57% in the intervention group, with a mean between-group difference of -23.8 events/h (95% CI, -28.3 to -19.3 events/h). In the intervention group, 18 of 40 participants (45.0%) no longer required CPAP therapy at the intervention end point, and 6 of 40 participants (15.0%) attained complete OSA remission. At 6 months after intervention, 21 of 34 participants (61.8%) no longer required CPAP therapy, and complete remission of OSA was attained by 10 of 34 participants (29.4%). In the intervention vs control group, greater improvements in body weight (change, -7.1 kg [95% CI, -8.6 to -5.5 kg] vs -0.3 kg [95% CI, -1.9 to 1.4 kg]) and composition (eg, change in fat mass, -2.9 kg [95% CI, -4.5 to -1.3 kg] vs 1.4 kg [95% CI, -0.3 to 3.1 kg]), cardiometabolic risk (eg, change in blood pressure, -6.5 mm Hg [95% CI, -10.3 to -2.6 mm Hg] vs 2.2 mm Hg [95% CI, -2.1 to 6.6 mm Hg]), and health-related quality of life (eg, change in Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index, 0.8 points [95% CI, 0.5-1.1 points] vs 0.1 points [95% CI, -0.3 to 0.4 points]) were also found at the intervention end point. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, an interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention involving Spanish men with moderate to severe OSA and had overweight or obesity and were receiving CPAP therapy resulted in clinically meaningful and sustainable improvements in OSA severity and comorbidities as well as health-related quality of life. This approach may therefore be considered as a central strategy to address the substantial impact of this increasingly common sleep-disordered breathing condition. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03851653.

A Reliability Generalization Meta-analysis of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS).

BACKGROUND: The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is one of the most widely used screening instruments for evaluating addiction to gambling. METHOD: The main objective of this study is to analyze whether the SOGS is a reliable instrument and what characteristics of studies on the SOGS are linked to its reported reliability. RESULTS: A meta-analysis was carried out with 63 studies including 65 independent samples. The mean value of a was .86 (95% CI of .84­.88), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.27%). The variables that explain the most heterogeneity were the continent where the study was performed (R2 = .61), application to participants with or without clinical problems (R2 = .58), the form of administration of the questionnaire (R2 = .56), and the standard deviation in the SOGS score (R2 = .13). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the SOGS is a reliable instrument for evaluating gambling addiction. However, the meta-analysis highlights the need to report the reliability values for each empirical study and to provide a set of recommendations for researchers and professionals who use this instrument.

Characteristics of sleep spindles in school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder, characterized by different presentations with distinct cognitive and neurobiological characterizations. Here we aimed to investigate whether sleep spindle activity, which has been associated with brain maturation, may be a potential biomarker able to differentiate ADHD presentations in school-aged children (7-11 years). METHOD: Spindle characteristics were extracted from overnight polysomnography in 74 children (27 ADHD-Inattentive [IQ = 96.04], 25 ADHD-hyperactive/impulsive [IQ = 98.9], and 22 ADHD-combined [IQ = 96.1]). We obtained data of the frontal (Fz) and parietal (Pz) derivations using a validated spindle detection algorithm. RESULTS: Children with ADHD showed a higher number and density of slow compared to fast spindles which were more frequent in frontal area. No differences were observed among ADHD presentations for any spindle characteristics. Spindle frequency and density increased with age, indicating an age-dependent maturation of different sleep spindles. However, no associations between IQ and spindle characteristics were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In children with ADHD the spindle characteristics evolve with age but sleep spindle activity does not seem to be a valid biomarker of ADHD phenotypes or general cognitive ability.

[Relationship between productivity and efficiency in research funding for Spanish regions]. / Relación de la productividad y eficiencia en investigación con la financiación de las comunidades autónomas españolas.

Quality is a major current needs and requirements for any university system. The funding that universities receive a relevant influence on the scientific productivity of these. Thus the main objective of this study is to classify the Spanish regions in terms of scientific productivity and economic efficiency of their universities. It followed the same procedure used to prepare the 2009 ranking of research productivity in Spanish universities. The results show that there are differences in the classifications made on the basis of productivity and efficiency in the investigation. The more efficient Spanish regions in managing its resources to obtain research results are Catalonia, Asturias, Aragon, and Cantabria. From the results, each region can compare their situation with the rest and analyze strengths and weaknesses in research in terms of resources.

A Meta-Analysis of the Generalization of the Reliability of State/Trait Depression Inventory Scores.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a disorder that is highly prevalent nowadays. Within the dimensional explanatory model of depression, the State/Trait Depression Inventory was developed. Its objective is to identify the degree of affectation (state) and the frequency of occurrence (trait) of the affective component of depression. The instrument has proven reliable and comprises two factors in its structure: state and trait, with two euthymia and dysthymia subscales in each one. The objective of this meta-analysis is to find an average alpha for the questionnaire. METHOD: A bibliographical search was conducted on Web of Science and Scopus. Forty-five articles were selected. RESULTS: The alpha ranges from .84 to .89 for all factorizations, and in most studies a bifactorial structure of state and trait depression was found. CONCLUSIONS: The State/Trait Depression Inventory is a reliable and suitable instrument for measuring depression.

Sleep among presentations of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Analysis of objective and subjective measures.

To examine subjective and objective sleep patterns in children with different Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presentations. METHOD: We assessed 92 children diagnosed with ADHD (29 ADHD-Inattentive [ADHD-I], 31 ADHD-Hyperactive/Impulsive [ADHD-H/I], and 32 ADHD-Combined [ADHD-C)]) aged 7-11 years. The Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS), and a sleep diary were used as subjective sleep measures, and polysomnography was used to objectively assess sleep quantity, quality, and fragmentation. RESULTS: Subjective data showed impaired sleep in 12.7% of the sample. No significant differences were found between ADHD presentations in any objective and subjective sleep variable. Nevertheless, data on sleep fragmentation suggested a worse sleep continuity for the ADHD-H/I group, and correlation analyses confirmed that sleep is affected by age. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ADHD may suffer from sleep breathing problems and daytime sleepiness, as reported by their parents, even when their total sleep time and sleep efficiency are not affected. It seems that sleep in this population does not largely vary as a function of the ADHD presentation. Sleep in children with ADHD evolves with age.

ANTECEDENTES/OBJETIVO: Examinar los patrones de sueño subjetivos y objetivos de niños con diferentes presentaciones del Trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH). Método: Se evaluaron 92 niños (29 TDAH-inatento [TDAH-I)], 31 TDAH-hiperactivo/impulsivo [TDAH-H/I] y 32 TDAH-combinado [TDAH-C]) de entre 7­11 años. El Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), la Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) y un diario de sueño se utilizaron como medidas subjetivas de sueño. Para evaluar objetivamente la cantidad, calidad y fragmentación del sueño se utilizó la polisomnografía. Resultados: Los datos subjetivos mostraron alteraciones del sueño en el 12,7% de la muestra. No se observaron diferencias significativas en ninguna variable objetiva y subjetiva de sueño entre las diferentes presentaciones de TDAH. No obstante, los datos de fragmentación de sueño sugirieron una peor continuidad en el grupo con TDAH-H/I, y los análisis correlacionales confirmaron que el sueño se ve afectado por la edad. Conclusiones: Los niños con TDAH pueden experimentar problemas respiratorios durante el sueño y somnolencia diurna, según lo informado por sus padres, incluso cuando su tiempo total y eficiencia de sueño no se vean afectados. Parece que el sueño en el TDAH no varía en función de la presentación. El sueño en los niños con TDAH evoluciona con la edad.

[Psychometric analysis of the Spanish version of the Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) in a male drug abuse sample]. / Análisis psicométrico de la versión española del Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) en una muestra de hombres con historia de abuso de drogas.

It is well known that there is a lack of psychometric studies testing sexual function in drug-dependent population. Thus, the main objective of this work was to carry out the first psychometric analysis of the Brief Sexual Functioning Inventory (BSFI) in a sample of drug users (N = 104). Participants filled out the BSFI, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14) and Addictive Behavior Questionnaire (ABQ). The BSFI shows a five-factor structure similar to the original (Sexual drive, alpha = .75; Satisfaction, alpha = .63; Erectile function, alpha = .70; Ejaculatory function, alpha = .74; and Problem Assessment, alpha = .70), though compared to the original scale two items are loading in a different dimension. The high and significant correlations with the CSFQ-14 indicated adequate validity of the measures. Capacity of the BSFI to discriminate between clinical and non-clinical samples is discussed.

Reliability and validity of the Basic Depression Questionnaire.

Depressive disorders have a high prevalence around the world. They present a great comorbidity with other disorders like anxiety, thereby making a differential diagnosis very difficult. The Basic Depression Questionnaire was designed to palliate this issue by isolating specific depression symptoms. Our aim is to study the reliability, factorial structure, and differential item functioning of this questionnaire. METHOD: The sample consisted of 1,397 adults without psychological problems (M age  = 29.76, SD = 11.25, 64.78% women) who completed the CBD. RESULTS: We observed that none of the items presented differential functioning. A monofactorial structure was established. In this model a good fit was obtained by confirmatory factor analysis and a strict invariance by sex. The ordinal alpha was used to check the reliability and it fetched an index of .95. CONCLUSIONS: The Basic Depression Questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties. The absence of differential item functioning and the invariance by sex are guarantees of an adequate use to diagnose depression for men and women. So, its clinical use can help to differentiate between the specific diagnoses for depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.

Los trastornos depresivos tienen una elevada prevalencia a nivel mundial. Presentan una gran comorbilidad con otros trastornos como la ansiedad, lo que hace muy difícil su diagnóstico diferencial. El Cuestionario Básico de Depresión (CBD) fue diseñado para aislar los síntomas específicos de la depresión y así paliar este problema. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la fiabilidad, la estructura factorial y el funcionamiento diferencial de los ítems del CBD. Método: La muestra estuvo compuesta de 1.397 adultos sin problemas psicológicos (64,78% mujeres, M edad  = 29,76, DT = 11,25) a los que se le administró el CBD. Resultados:Se observó que ninguno de los ítems presentaba funcionamiento diferencial. Se obtuvo una estructura monofactorial. En dicho modelo se obtuvo un buen ajuste mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio y una invarianza estricta por sexo. Se usó el alfa ordinal para comprobar la fiabilidad, obteniendo un índice de 0,95. Conclusiones: El Cuestionario Básico de Depresión tiene adecuadas propiedades psicométricas. La ausencia de funcionamiento diferencial del ítem y la invarianza por sexo son garantías de un adecuado uso para diagnosticar depresión en hombres y mujeres. Por ello, su uso clínico puede ayudar al diagnóstico específico de trastornos depresivos frente a trastornos de ansiedad.

Weight loss and lifestyle interventions for obstructive sleep apnoea in adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lifestyle interventions addressing diet, exercise-training, sleep hygiene, and/or tobacco/alcohol cessation are recommended in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Yet their effectiveness on this condition still requires further research. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed at establishing (a) the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and secondary OSA measures among adults, and (b) which intervention characteristics may drive the greatest improvements. A systematic search of studies was conducted using CINAHL, ProQuest, Psicodoc, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to April 2018. Standardized mean differences were calculated using the inverse variance method and random-effects models. The meta-analyses of 13 randomized controlled trials and 22 uncontrolled before-and-after studies (1420 participants) revealed significant reductions on AHI (d = -0.61 and -0.46, respectively), ODI (d = -0.61 and -0.46) and EDS (d = -0.41 and -0.49). Secondary OSA outcomes were also improved after interventions. However, effectiveness of interventions differed depending on their components, OSA severity, and gender. Thus, until future research further supports the differential effectiveness among lifestyle interventions on OSA, those addressing weight loss through diet and exercise-training may be the most effective treatments for male patients with moderate-severe OSA.

[Research Ranking of Spanish Public Universities (2019)].

Research Ranking of Spanish Public Universities (2019). BACKGROUND: The changes produced in the Spanish university system due to the Bologna process require periodically updated evaluation reports of research activity. The objective of this study is to update the last available ranking of Spanish public universities, based on data from 2013-2018. METHOD: The production and productivity of each university were assessed based on seven specific indicators and a global score: articles in journals indexed in the JCR (Journal Citation Reports), research periods, R+D projects, doctoral theses, FPU (training of university professors) grants, FPI (training of personal researchers) grants, and patents. RESULTS: Globally, the universities Complutense of Madrid, Barcelona, and Granada hold the first positions in terms of production, while the first positions in terms of productivity are held by the universities Pompeu Fabra, Autonomous of Madrid, and Autonomous of Barcelona. CONCLUSIONS: The universities that hold the top positions in this ranking remain relatively steady over time and are also the Spanish universities that stand out in international classifications.

Interdisciplinary Weight Loss and Lifestyle Intervention for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Adults: Rationale, Design and Methodology of the INTERAPNEA Study.

Obesity is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the most common sleep-disordered breathing related to neurocognitive and metabolic syndromes, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Although strongly recommended for this condition, there are no studies on the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention including nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and smoking and alcohol cessation. INTERAPNEA is a randomised controlled trial with a two-arm parallel design aimed at determining the effects of an interdisciplinary tailored weight loss and lifestyle intervention on OSA outcomes. The study will include 84 males aged 18-65 with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 and severe to moderate OSA randomly assigned to usual care (i.e., continuous positive airway pressure), or interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention combined with usual care. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, intervention end-point, and six-month post-intervention, including apnoea-hypopnoea index (primary outcome), other neurophysical and cardiorespiratory polysomnographic outcomes, sleep quality, daily functioning and mood, body weight and composition, physical fitness, blood biomarkers, health-related quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. INTERAPNEA may serve to establish a cost-effective treatment not only for the improvement of OSA and its vast and severe comorbidities, but also for a potential remission of this condition.