A Tinnitus Inventory Focusing on Body Function, Activities, and Participation Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Background and Objectives@#This study describes the development of an International Classification for Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based inventory for tinnitus (ICF-TINI) that measures the impact of tinnitus on the function, activities, and participation of an individual. @*Subjects and Methods@#This cross-sectional study utilized the ICF-TINI, which included 15 items from the two ICF components of body function and activities. We included 137 respondents with chronic tinnitus. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the two-structure framework (body function, activities and participation). The model fit was assessed by comparing fit values of chi-square (df), root mean square error of approximation, comparative fit index, incremental fit index, and Tucker-Lewis index, with the suggested fit criteria values. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency reliability. @*Results@#The fit indices confirmed the presence of two structures in ICF-TINI, while the factor loading values suggested each item’s goodness of fit. The ICF-internal TINI exhibited high consistency reliability (0.93). @*Conclusions@#The ICFTINI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the impact of tinnitus on an individual’s body function, activities, and participation.

Reproducibility and construct validity of a food frequency questionnaire for assessing dietary intake in rural and urban Asian Indian adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility and construct validity of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation FFQ (MDRF-FFQ) with biomarkers for its use in epidemiological settings in India. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The MDRF-FFQ was administered to 500 participants representing rural and urban areas of 10 Indian states, twice at an interval of 12 months. Reproducibility was assessed using intra cluster correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity of carbohydrate and fat intake was assessed using baseline serum lipids by regression analysis. RESULTS: Reproducibility as measured by ICC was 0.50-0.77 for saturated fatty acids (SFA) and energy in urban and 0.61-0.72 for protein and SFA in rural areas. The ICC for food groups was 0.53-0.77 for whole grains, fruits and vegetables in urban and 0.50-0.89 for animal foods and whole grains in rural areas. After adjusting for potential confounders, carbohydrate intake was positively associated with serum triglycerides (TG) (ß [SE]: +2.3 [0.72] mg/dL; p=0.002) and inversely with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (ß [SE]:-0.48 [0.12], p<0.001), while dietary fat and SFA (% Energy) were positively associated with HDL, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol and inversely with TG. CONCLUSIONS: The MDRF-FFQ can be considered as a reliable and valid tool to measure the long-term dietary exposure in respect of macronutrient intakes in Indian populations despite diverse dietary practices.

Physical activity patterns and gestational diabetes outcomes - The wings project.

OBJECTIVE: To compare physical activity (PA) patterns in pregnant woman with and without gestational diabetes (GDM) and to assess the effects of an exercise intervention on change in PA patterns, blood glucose levels and pregnancy outcomes in GDM women. METHODS: For the first objective, PA patterns were studied in 795 pregnant women with and without GDM. For the second objective, the Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Strategy-Model of Care (WINGS-MOC) intervention were evaluated in 151 women out of 189 with GDM. PA was assessed using a validated questionnaire and a pedometer. Changes in PA patterns, glycemic parameters and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, only 10% of pregnant women performed recommended levels of PA. Women with GDM were significantly more sedentary compared to those without GDM (86.2 vs. 61.2%, p<0.001). After the MOC was implemented in women with GDM, there was a significant improvement in PA and a decrease in sedentary behaviour amongst women (before MOC, moderate activity: 15.2%, sedentary: 84.8% vs. after MOC-moderate: 26.5%, sedentary: 73.5%; p<0.001), and an increase in their daily step count from 2206/day to 2476/day (p<0.001). Fasting 1 and 2-h postprandial glucose values significantly decreased (p<0.001 for all). Sedentary behaviour was associated with a fourfold higher risk (p=0.02), and recreational walking with 70% decreased risk, of adverse neonatal outcomes (p=0.04) after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: PA levels are inadequate amongst this group of pregnant women studied i.e. those with and without GDM. However, a low-cost, culturally appropriate MOC can bring about significant improvements in PA in women with GDM. These changes are associated with improved glycemic control and reduction in adverse neonatal outcomes.