Digital empathy in behaviour change interventions: A survey study on health coach responses to patient cues.

Introduction: Digital health coaching interventions for behaviour change (BC) are effective in addressing various health conditions. Implementing these requires accurate descriptions of components and health coaches (HC) delivery methods, alongside understanding patients' perceptions of these interactions. The HC-patient relationship significantly influences BC outcomes. Here, empathy is an important driver that enables HCs to offer tailored advice that resonates with patients' needs, fostering motivation. Yet, defining and measuring empathy remains a challenge. In this study, we draw on various BC frameworks and Pounds' empathy appraisal approach to categorise HCs responses to patient cues and explore the interplay between empathy and BC. Methods: Using a two-round survey, we collected responses from 11 HCs to 10 patient messages from the Bump2Baby and Me trial in a simulated interaction. We analysed 88 messages to identify empathic responses and behaviour change techniques. Results: Patients' implicit empathy opportunities showed higher response rates than explicit ones. HCs prioritised positive reinforcement and employed various strategies to achieve similar objectives. The most common empathic response was 'Acceptance' for patients' implicit positive expressions of self-judgement. HCs emphasised relatedness-support and competence-promoting techniques for implicit negative feelings and judgements, such as 'Show unconditional regard' and 'Review behaviour goals', and 'Action planning and Problem-solving' techniques to address explicit negative appreciations and feelings. Conclusion: The use of different techniques with the same objective highlights the complexity of BC interactions. Further research is needed to explore the impact of this variability on patient outcomes and programme fidelity.

Personality traits and pre-treatment beliefs and cognitions predicting patient adherence to continuous positive airway pressure: A systematic review.

Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can be improved by behavioural interventions which modify patients' beliefs and cognitions about OSA, CPAP, and themselves. We have conducted the first systematic review of the literature on beliefs and cognitions held before starting treatment, and personality (which influences the former) that predict the decision to purchase or start CPAP, or CPAP adherence one month or more after CPAP initiation. A systematic search and screen of articles identified 21 eligible publications from an initial 1317. Quality assessment performed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale demonstrated that 13 (62%) studies were poor quality and only seven (33%) were high quality. Eighteen factors, such as self-efficacy (confidence) in using CPAP and value placed on health predicted CPAP adherence; however, for only six (33%), utility as an intervention target is known, from calculation of individual predictive power. Studies did not use new behavioural frameworks effective at explaining adherence behaviours, nor did they interview patients to collect in-depth data on barriers and facilitators of CPAP use. Future studies cannot have these limitations if high quality evidence is to be generated for intervention development, which is currently sparse as highlighted by this review.

The psychosocial experience and needs of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from their own perspective: a systematic and narrative review.

AIM: To understand the psychosocial experience of children and identify their primary support needs following a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. METHODS: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the literature in this area was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were included in the review. At diagnosis, the majority of children experienced high distress, including grief, anxiety, anger, irritation and injection anxiety. The intensity of this reaction decreased rapidly over the following weeks. At diagnosis, rates of depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress disorders and suicidal ideation were elevated. The initial reaction tended to peak shortly after diagnosis and declined over the following year. Thereafter, symptoms of depression and anxiety appeared to increase once again, corresponding with the children's experience of diabetes management and implications as being more difficult and upsetting. Injection anxiety, distress and depressive symptoms persisted for a smaller group of children. CONCLUSION: The initial high prevalence of depressive symptoms following diagnosis is transitional and should be regarded as a normal adaptive response. To facilitate this adaptive process, specific child-centred support should be prioritized as an integrated part of early diabetes care. Our findings point to five inter-related support needs following a type 1 diabetes diagnosis: (1) children need time to adjust to the diagnosis; (2) children need supportive relationships; (3) children need an opportunity for meaningful participation and appropriate protection; (4) children need to engage and explore; and (5) children need to feel supported, but not different.

Psychosocial factors associated with HbA1c in adults with insulin pump-treated type 1 diabetes: a systematic review.

AIMS: To identify currently available studies on the association between psychosocial factors and HbA1c in adults with insulin pump-treated type 1 diabetes, by performing a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched for original studies on the association between psychosocial factors and HbA1c in ≥ 50 adult, non-pregnant, insulin pump users with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: The search resulted in 1777 unique records, of which eight were eligible for inclusion. All identified studies were observational, with sample sizes ranging from 51 to 214. Seven different psychosocial factors were investigated in the eight studies. Study analysis suggested that HbA1c may be associated with diabetes numeracy and quality of life. There were no indications of associations between HbA1c and fear of hypoglycaemia or self-efficacy. Results regarding associations between HbA1c and coping style, diabetes distress and locus of control were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review summarizes the currently limited information on the association between psychosocial factors and HbA1c during insulin pump therapy. The evidence base of the included studies was weak, and this review highlights the need for more research in these areas, with improved methodological and theoretical frameworks, including exploration of a broader spectrum of psychosocial variables and their potential association with HbA1c and other metabolic outcomes. (PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews registration no: CRD42020145705).

Risk factors and outcomes of anxiety symptom trajectories in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II.

AIM: To identify determinants and outcomes of 4-year trajectories of anxiety symptoms in a community-based cohort with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Some 1091 participants in the Fremantle Diabetes Study-Phase II with type 2 diabetes completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale at baseline and biennially for 4 years, in addition to psychological, biomedical and self-management measures. Latent growth mixture modelling identified trajectories of anxiety symptom severity, and regression models determined predictors of trajectory membership and associated outcomes. RESULTS: Two distinct groups of participants were identified: those with continuously low-no anxiety symptoms (87%) and those with improving but consistently high anxiety symptoms (elevated anxiety; 13%). Higher HbA1c and BMI, macrovascular complications and a history of generalized anxiety and/or major depressive disorder increased the risk of elevated anxiety. Elevated anxiety did not predict change in health-related outcomes over time. Elevated anxiety and depression symptoms were highly comorbid and those with both displayed the most persistent anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of individuals with type 2 diabetes are at risk of persistently elevated anxiety symptoms. Routine monitoring of the severity of psychological symptoms over time in this population should facilitate earlier and more intensive mood management.

Twenty-five years of diabetes distress research.

The term 'diabetes distress' first entered the psychosocial research vernacular in 1995, and refers to 'the negative emotional or affective experience resulting from the challenge of living with the demands of diabetes'. At first the proponents of the concept were hesitant in advocating that diabetes distress was a major barrier to individuals' self-care and management of diabetes. Since then, a burgeoning body of evidence, now including several systematic reviews of intervention studies, suggests that diabetes distress, in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, across ages and in all countries and cultures where it has been studied, is common and can be a barrier to optimal emotional well-being, self-care and management of diabetes. As a consequence, monitoring diabetes distress as part of routine clinical care is part of many national guidelines. The present narrative review summarizes this research and related literature, to postulate the aetiology of diabetes distress, and thus how it may be prevented. The current evidence base for the management of diabetes distress is summarized, and the next steps in the prevention and management of diabetes distress identified.

Depression prevalence in Type 2 diabetes is not related to diabetes-depression symptom overlap but is related to symptom dimensions within patient self-report measures: a meta-analysis.

AIM: Depression is common in Type 2 diabetes, yet rates vary. Overlap between symptoms of depression and diabetes may account for this variability in depression prevalence rates. We examined to what extent depression prevalence was a function of the proportion of depression-diabetes symptom overlap (items within symptom dimensions) and sample characteristics. METHODS: Electronic and hand searching of published and unpublished works identified 147 eligible papers. Of 3656 screened, 147 studies (149 samples, N = 17-229 047, mean sample age 25.4-82.8 years, with 152 prevalence estimates), using 24 validated depression questionnaires were selected. Sample size, publication type, sample type, gender, age, BMI, HbA1c , depression questionnaire and prevalence rates were extracted. RESULTS: Prevalence rates ranged from 1.8% to 88% (mean = 28.30%) and were higher in younger samples, samples with higher mean HbA1c and clinic samples. Diabetes-depression symptom overlap did not affect prevalence. A higher proportion of anhedonia, cognition, cognitive, negative affect and sleep disturbance symptoms, and a lower proportion of somatic symptoms were consistently associated with higher depression prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of an overall effect of diabetes-depression symptom overlap might suggest that assessment of depression in Type 2 diabetes is generally not confounded by co-occuring symptoms. However, questionnaires with proportionally more or fewer items measuring other symptom categories were associated with higher estimates of depression prevalence. Depression measures that focus on the cardinal symptoms of depression (e.g. negative affect and cognition), limiting symptoms associated with increasing diabetes symptomatology (e.g. sleep disturbance, cognitive) may most accurately diagnose depression.

Hvidoere Smiley Faces: International diabetes quality of life assessment tool for young children.

BACKGROUND: Few diabetes-specific quality of life (QOL) tools are available for young children. OBJECTIVES: To design and evaluate, a new age-specific QOL questionnaire and its associations with treatment regimens and metabolic control. METHODS: Clinical, demographic data and centrally analyzed HbA1c were collected on 1133 children <11 years (girls 48%; mean ± SD age 8.0 ± 2.1 years; diabetes duration ≥1 year) from 18 centers (Europe, Japan, North America and Australia). Children completed the 10-item Smiley Faces QOL questionnaire constructed for the study, and children ≥7 years also completed the KIDSCREEN-10 Index. RESULTS: In total, 1035 children completed the new Smiley Faces questionnaire which was well understood by 993 (70% ≥4 years and 96% ≥5 years, respectively). Internal consistency and reliability were good (Cronbach's α = .73). Inter-item correlation ranged r = 0.047 to 0.451 indicating each item measures separate aspects of children's satisfaction construct. Convergent validity assessed by comparison to the HrQOL KIDSCREEN-10 Index showed moderate correlation coefficient 0.501. Factor analysis revealed 3 factors explaining 51% of the variance. Children reported good QOL with most items positive, mean values between 1 and 2 on a 5-point scale (lower scores indicating greater QOL). Diabetes satisfaction was unrelated to age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, or severe hypoglycemia. Girls were more satisfied than boys. Children on intensive regimens reported better QOL (P < .02). Main dissatisfaction related to insulin injections and blood sugar testing. CONCLUSIONS: The Smiley Faces questionnaire enables QOL assessment in young children and identification of areas of dissatisfaction and other clinically relevant items relating to diabetes management.

Depression symptoms are persistent in Type 2 diabetes: risk factors and outcomes of 5-year depression trajectories using latent class growth analysis.

AIMS: To describe the long-term trajectories of depression symptom severity in people with Type 2 diabetes, and to identify predictors and associates of these trajectories. METHODS: A community-dwelling cohort of 1201 individuals with Type 2 diabetes from the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II was followed for 5 years. The nine-item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire was administered annually to assess depression symptoms, and biomedical and psychosocial measures were assessed at baseline and biennially. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify classes of depression severity trajectories and associated outcomes, and logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of class membership. RESULTS: Three trajectories of depression symptoms were identified: continuously low depression symptoms (85.2%); gradually worsening symptoms that then began to improve (persistent depression - low-start; 7.3%); and gradually improving symptoms which later worsened (persistent depression - high-start; 7.5%). Younger age, being a woman, and a lifetime history of major depressive disorder, were associated with greater risk of persistent depression symptoms. Persistent depression was associated with consistently higher BMI over time, but not with changes in HbA1c or self-monitoring of blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of individuals with Type 2 diabetes is at risk of depression symptoms that remain elevated over time. Younger, overweight individuals with a history of depression may benefit from early and intensive depression management and ongoing follow-up as part of routine Type 2 diabetes care.

Explaining psychological insulin resistance in adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: The roles of diabetes distress and current medication concerns. Results from Diabetes MILES--Australia.

AIMS: To investigate the contribution of general and diabetes-specific emotional wellbeing and beliefs about medicines in the prediction of insulin therapy appraisals in adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The sample included Diabetes MILES-Australia cross-sectional survey participants whose primary diabetes treatment was oral hypoglycaemic agents (N=313; 49% women; mean±SD age: 57±9 years; diabetes duration: 7±6 years). They completed validated measures of beliefs about the 'harm' and 'overuse' of medications in general (BMQ General); 'concerns' about and 'necessity' of current diabetes medications (BMQ Specific); negative insulin therapy appraisals (ITAS); depression (PHQ-9); anxiety (GAD-7), and diabetes distress (DDS-17). Factors associated with ITAS Negative scores were examined using hierarchical multiple regressions. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the variance in ITAS Negative scores (52±10), was explained by: number of complications (ß=-.15, p=.005), DDS-17 subscale 'emotional burden' (ß=.23, p<.001), and 'concerns' about current diabetes treatment (ß=.29, p<.001). General beliefs about medications and general emotional wellbeing did not contribute significantly to the model. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological insulin resistance may reflect broader distress about diabetes and concerns about its treatment but not general beliefs about medicines, depression or anxiety. Reducing diabetes distress and current treatment concerns may improve attitudes towards insulin as a potential therapeutic option.

Anthropometric indices: How they compare in screening of cardio- metabolic risks in a Nigerian sub-population.

BACKGROUND: The current anthropometric indices used for diagnosis of cardio-metabolic syndrome (CMS) in sub-Saharan Africa are those widely validated in the western world. We hereby aim to compare the sensitivity and specificity of these tools in identifying risk factors for CMS. METHOD: The study assessed body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Statistical analyses were performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of WHtR in comparison with WC cut-off points recommended by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATPIII) as well as BMI cut-offs prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). RESULT: WHtR had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in screening CMS. WHtR >0.5 also showed highest sensitivity in both genders in identifying CMS and clusters of >2 CMS risk factors, but with lowest specificity and positive likelihood ratio (LR+). ATPIII WC cut-off revealed lowest sensitivity and highest specificity in screening CMS and >2 CMS risk factors in males (p<0.000l). IDF WC-threshold had the more stable sensitivity and specificity in males (p<0.0001) but not in females. CONCLUSION: WHtR>0.5 is more sensitive than WC and BMI recommended values in screening for CMS, but with the least positive likelihood ratio. However, more studies in other nations of sub-Saharan Africa are needed to assure evaluation of different cut points that will yield optimal specificity and sensitivity. This will help curb the problem of over-diagnosis of CMS risk factors and increase better health outcome of the population.

Negative appraisals of insulin therapy are common among adults with Type 2 diabetes using insulin: Results from Diabetes MILES - Australia cross-sectional survey.

AIM: To identify insulin therapy appraisals among adults with Type 2 diabetes using insulin and how negative appraisals relate to clinical, self-care and psychosocial outcomes. METHODS: Diabetes MILES - Australia 2011 was a national survey of adults with diabetes, focused on behavioural and psychosocial issues. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the responses of 273 adults with Type 2 diabetes using insulin (46% women; mean ± sd age: 59 ± 9 years; diabetes duration: 12 ± 7 years; years using insulin: 4 ± 4). They completed validated measures of insulin therapy appraisals (ITAS), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), diabetes distress (PAID) and diabetes-specific self-efficacy (DES-SF). RESULTS: Insulin was perceived to be very important, and its benefits (e.g. improves health) were endorsed by most (82%). Fifty-one per cent believed that taking insulin means their diabetes has become worse; 51% that insulin causes weight gain; 39% that they have 'failed to manage' their diabetes. Those with the greatest and least 'ITAS negative' scores did not differ by diabetes duration or years using insulin, or by average number of insulin injections or blood glucose checks per day. Those with more negative insulin appraisals were significantly younger (Mean Diff. = 5 years, P < 0.001), less satisfied with recent blood glucose levels (P < 0.001, d = 0.63), had reduced diabetes-specific self-efficacy (P < 0.001, d = 0.7), and were more likely to report depressive symptoms, anxiety or diabetes distress (all P < 0.001, d = 0.65-1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Negative insulin therapy appraisals are common among adults with Type 2 diabetes using insulin, and are associated with lower general and diabetes-specific emotional well-being, reduced diabetes-specific self-efficacy and satisfaction with blood glucose.

Increasing capacity to deliver diabetes self-management education: results of the DESMOND lay educator non-randomized controlled equivalence trial.

AIM: To develop and test a format of delivery of diabetes self-management education by paired professional and lay educators. METHODS: We conducted an equivalence trial with non-randomized participant allocation to a Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (DESMOND) course, delivered in the standard format by two trained healthcare professional educators (to the control group) or by one trained lay educator and one professional educator (to the intervention group). A total of 260 people with Type 2 diabetes diagnosed within the previous 12 months were referred for self-management education as part of routine care and attended either a control or intervention format DESMOND course. The primary outcome measure was change in illness coherence score (derived from the Diabetes Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised) between baseline and 4 months after attending education sessions. Secondary outcome measures included change in HbA1c level. The trial was conducted in four primary care organizations across England and Scotland. RESULTS: The 95% CI for the between-group difference in positive change in coherence scores was within the pre-set limits of equivalence (difference = 0.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.52). Equivalent changes related to secondary outcome measures were also observed, including equivalent reductions in HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: Diabetes education delivered jointly by a trained lay person and a healthcare professional educator with the same educator role can provide equivalent patient benefits. This could provide a method that increases capacity, maintains quality and is cost-effective, while increasing access to self-management education.

Stability and predictive utility, over 3 years, of the illness beliefs of individuals recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To determine the stability of beliefs of patients with Type 2 diabetes about their diabetes over 3 years, following diagnosis. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a multicentre cluster randomized controlled trial of a 6-h self-management programme, across 207 general practices in the UK. Participants in the original trial were eligible for follow-up with biomedical data (HbA1c levels, blood pressure, weight, blood lipid levels) collected at the practice, and questionnaire data collected by postal distribution and return. Psychological outcome measures were depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and diabetes distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes scale). Illness beliefs were assessed using the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised and the Diabetes Illness Representations Questionnaire scales. RESULTS: At 3-year follow-up, all post-intervention differences in illness beliefs between the intervention and the control group remained significant, with perceptions of the duration of diabetes, seriousness of diabetes and perceived impact of diabetes unchanged over the course of the 3-year follow-up. The control group reported a greater understanding of diabetes during the follow-up, and the intervention group reported decreased responsibility for diabetes outcomes during the follow-up. After controlling for 4-month levels of distress and depression, the perceived impact of diabetes at 4 months remained a significant predictor of distress and depression at 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Peoples' beliefs about diabetes are formed quickly after diagnosis, and thereafter seem to be relatively stable over extended follow-up. These early illness beliefs are predictive of later psychological distress, and emphasize the importance of initial context and provision of diabetes care in shaping participants' future well-being.

Health priorities in an Australian mining town: an intercept survey.

INTRODUCTION: In developed countries men's health is poorer than women's for a range of key indicators, and being an Indigenous man in Australia widens the gap substantially. Establishing the rates of mortality and health inequality between the sexes is useful for identifying that men's health needs attention and Indigenous men need particular attention. Men's health-seeking behaviour has been suggested as one of the causes of poor outcomes. This study aimed to identify differences in health concerns between men and women, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in an Australian mining town with the aim of targeting health promotion activities more effectively. METHODS: An intercept survey was conducted of residents of the Pilbara region towns Port Hedland and South Hedland in 2010. Settings included the main shopping centres and precincts in the towns and at community event venues. Interviewers recorded gender, age, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander self-identification status, whether people worked in the mining industry or not and in what capacity and occupation. Participants were asked a series of questions about health issues of concern from a list of 13 issues which included national and local health priorities. They were then asked to prioritise their choices. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty participants completed the survey, 48% were male; 18.4% identified as an Indigenous person and 21% worked in the local mining industry. Men's and women's health priorities were generally similar but women prioritised 'sick kids' as their number one priority and men prioritised heart disease (χ² =28.75 df=12 p = 0.004). More than half of the Aboriginal men identified diabetes as a priority (53%) compared with the non-Aboriginal men (24%). This was significantly different (χ²=10.04 df=1 p = 0.002). Approximately one-third of Aboriginal women identified alcohol misuse as a priority (32.4%) compared with non-Aboriginal women (6%). This was also significantly different (χ²= 19.45 df=1 p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Health promotion in the Pilbara region needs to be re-evaluated for areas such as injury prevention, which remains the commonest cause of hospitalisations after renal dialysis, yet is a low health priority in the community mindset, especially among Indigenous people.

Cognitive representations of peripheral neuropathy and self-reported foot-care behaviour of people at high risk of diabetes-related foot complications.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the cognitive representations of peripheral neuropathy and self-reported foot-care behaviour in an Australian sample of people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was undertaken with 121 participants with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Cognitive representations of peripheral neuropathy were measured by the Patients' Interpretation of Neuropathy questionnaire and two aspects of self-foot-care behaviour were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Hierarchical cluster analysis using the average linkage method was used to identify distinct illness schemata related to peripheral neuropathy. RESULTS: Three clusters of participants were identified who exhibited distinct illness schemata related to peripheral neuropathy. One cluster had more misperceptions about the nature of peripheral neuropathy, one cluster was generally realistic about the nature of their condition and the final cluster was uncertain about their condition. The cluster with high misperceptions of their condition undertook more potentially damaging foot-care behaviours than the other clusters (F = 4.98; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: People with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have different illness schemata that may influence health-related behaviour. Education aimed at improving foot-care behaviour and foot-health outcomes should be tailored to specific illness schemata related to peripheral neuropathy.

Personality traits, self-care behaviours and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle diabetes study phase II.

AIMS: To determine whether the personality traits of conscientiousness and agreeableness are associated with self-care behaviours and glycaemia in Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The Big Five Inventory personality traits Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Neuroticism and Openness were determined along with a range of other variables in 1313 participants with Type 2 diabetes (mean age 65.8 ± 11.1 years; 52.9% men) undertaking their baseline assessment as part of the community-based longitudinal observational Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II. Age- and sex-adjusted generalized linear modelling was used to determine whether personality was associated with BMI, smoking, self-monitoring of blood glucose and medication taking. Multivariable regression was used to investigate which traits were independently associated with these self-care behaviours and HbA1c . RESULTS: Patients with higher conscientiousness were less likely to be obese or smoke, and more likely to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose and take their medications (P ≤ 0.019), with similar independent associations in multivariate models (P ≤ 0.024). HbA1c was independently associated with younger age, indigenous ethnicity, higher BMI, longer diabetes duration, diabetes treatment, self-monitoring of blood glucose (negatively) and less medication taking (P ≤ 0.009), but no personality trait added to the model. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no independent association between personality traits and HbA1c , the relationship between high conscientiousness and low BMI and beneficial self-care behaviours suggests an indirect positive effect on glycaemia. Conscientiousness could be augmented by the use of impulse control training as part of diabetes management.

Pilot evaluation of anterior dynamic ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in an Australian regional hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is the most common notifiable musculoskeletal birth defect in South Australia (SA). Despite routine screening by physical examination of the hips in the neonatal period and at 6 weeks of age, the risk of late diagnosis is increased in rural areas. It is assumed this is due to the examining doctors' reduced clinical expertise. Introducing Anterior Dynamic Ultrasound (ADUS) has reduced the late detection rates in Sweden to almost zero, and may benefit Australian infants in rural areas if routine screening was introduced. This study reports on a small implementation pilot in a SA regional hospital where volunteer postnatal mothers consented to their babies having ADUS examinations. METHODS: The pilot was evaluated by collecting results of physical examination, ADUS, and surveying parental impressions of the screening test. RESULTS: Hips of 86 infants underwent ADUS during the implementation pilot. Parents' perceptions were mainly very positive and indicated ADUS was an accessible and acceptable screening test. Of the hips scanned, three were found to have maximum movement of the femoral head of >3 mm and were deemed to demonstrate increased laxity. Four hips described as loose or mobile on clinical examination were found to be within normal limits of maximum mobility on ADUS. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that a larger scale implementation project would be feasible in regional Australia, and would enable researchers to better understand how to reduce the late diagnosis rate of DDH in rural areas.