Assessing the Adequacy of the Physical, Social, and Attitudinal Environment to the Specific Needs of Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy: The European Adult Environment Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: To present the development of the European Adult Environment Questionnaire (EAEQ), to assess to what extent it covers the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and to describe the adequacy of the physical, social, and attitudinal environment to the specific needs of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Administrative regions in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Young adults with CP (N=357), with varying severity profiles, aged 19-28 years at time of interview (2018-20). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Physical, social, and attitudinal environment unmet needs. RESULTS: Relevant environmental factors (EFs) for young adults with CP were identified during focus groups in England and Portugal. EFs were mapped to the ICF environmental classification and the EAEQ analytical structure resulted from this linking procedure. It comprised 61 items, linked to 31 ICF environmental classification categories, and covered 4 of its 5 chapters. Content validity assessed with the bandwidth index (percentage coverage of ICF Core Sets for adults with CP) was satisfactory (79.3%). A descriptive analysis was carried out. Participants had a mean age of 24 years, 56% were men, 38% had severely limited mobility. Less than 16% reported unmet needs for EFs relating to home, college/work/day placement, and communication in the Products and technology chapter. Unmet needs were higher (>20%) for the other items in the Public use and Land development categories. Social support, attitudes, and understanding of relatives were often adequate to the participants' needs. The proportion of unmet needs varied by sex (women were more often concerned) and raised with increasing gross motor impairment. CONCLUSION: The EAEQ describes in detail the adequacy of the environment to the specific needs of young adults with CP. Its ICF-based structure opens up possibilities for use in a universal conceptual framework.

Differences in participation between young adults with cerebral palsy and their peers: A cross-sectional multicentre European study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with disabilities are known to participate less in most areas of life than their non-disabled peers. OBJECTIVES: (1) To estimate differences in participation between young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and their non-disabled peers; (2) to test the mediating role of financial difficulties and student status; (3) to test the moderating role of personal factors on participation difference; and (4) to test the moderating role of impairment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in young adults [19-28 years] with CP (n = 228) and non-disabled peers (n = 2861) in France, Germany and Sweden. Participation was assessed using the Questionnaire of Young People's Participation adapted for young adults (QYPP-YA). Differences in five domains of participation were estimated using structural equation modeling with WLSMV method and bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. RESULTS: Young adults with CP showed lower participation than others in all domains, with the largest difference in the "intimate relationships" domain (ß = 1.71 bcCI95[1.46; 1.95]). Student status mediated the difference in "intimate relationships", "interpersonal relationships" and "independence". Women showed greater differences than men on "independence". Impairments moderated difference in participation. The less severely impaired young adults showed no difference with their non-CP peers in "interpersonal relationships", "social life" and "independence", but made autonomous everyday decisions more often than their peers. CONCLUSIONS: Young adults with CP do not have the same opportunities to attain the participation level of non-CP people of the same age. Continuance of education could help to reduce participation difference in "interpersonal relationships" and "independence".

Prevalence and characteristics of children with cerebral palsy according to socioeconomic status of areas of residence in a French department.

AIM: To study the association between the socioeconomic environment of area of residence and prevalence and characteristics of children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Data on 8-year-old children with CP born in 2000-2011 (n = 252) were extracted from a regional population-based register in France. The European Deprivation Index (EDI), available at census block level, characterised socioeconomic deprivation in the child's area of residence at age of registration. The prevalence of CP was estimated in each group of census units defined by EDI distribution tertiles in the general population. The association between deprivation level and CP severity was assessed according to term/preterm status. RESULTS: CP prevalence differed between deprivation risk groups showing a J-shaped form with the prevalence in the most deprived tertile (T3) being the highest but not significantly different of the prevalence in the least deprived one (T1). However, the prevalence in the medium deprivation tertile (T2) was significantly lower than that in the most deprived one with a prevalence risk ratio (PRR) of: PRRT2/T3 = 0.63 95% CI [0.44-0.89]). Prevalences of CP with associated intellectual disability (ID) and CP with inability to walk were significantly higher in the most deprived tertile compared to the least deprived one (respectively PRRT3/T1 = 1.86 95% CI [1.19-2.92] and PRRT3/T1 = 1.90 95% CI [1.07-3.37]). Compared to children living in the least deprived areas, children with CP born preterm living in the most deprived areas had more severe forms of motor impairment, such as an inability to walk or a combination of an inability to walk and moderate to severe impairment of bimanual function. They also had more associated intellectual disability. No associations were observed among term-born children. INTERPRETATION: A significant association between area deprivation group and CP severity was observed among preterm children but not among term-born children.

Quality of Life in Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Longitudinal Analysis of the SPARCLE Study.

Introduction: While most people with cerebral palsy (CP) will have a life expectancy similar to that of the general population, international research has primarily focused on childhood and adolescence; and knowledge about the quality of life (QoL) of young adults with CP, its trajectories, and associated factors remains scarce. Methods: This longitudinal study included young adults with CP living in five European regions and who had previously participated in the SPARCLE cohort as children and/or adolescents. Their QoL in the psychological well-being and social relationships domains was estimated using age-appropriate validated instruments (KIDSCREEN-52 in childhood/adolescence and WHOQOL-Bref in young adulthood). We used generalized linear mixed-effect models with random intercept to estimate long-term trajectories of QoL in both domains and to investigate whether severity of impairment, pain, and seizure influenced these trajectories. We sought to identify potentially different trajectories of QoL from childhood to adulthood using a shape-based clustering method. Results: In total, 164 young adults with CP aged 22-27 years participated in the study. Psychological well-being linearly decreased by 0.78 points (scale 0-100) per year (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.99 to -0.56) from childhood to young adulthood, whereas QoL in the social relationships domain increased (ß coefficient 1.24, 95% CI 0.92-1.55). Severity of impairment was associated with reduced QoL in all life periods of the study (childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood): motor impairment with social relationships, and more nuancedly intellectual disability with psychological well-being and social relationships. At all periods, frequent pain significantly reduced psychological well-being, and seizures were associated with lower QoL in the social relationships domain. In both domains, we identified a group of individuals with CP who presented a reverse trajectory compared with the general QoL trajectory. Conclusion: Identification of QoL trajectories and their associated factors yields improved knowledge about the experience of individuals with CP until young adulthood. Further studies are needed to better understand the determinants that have the greatest influence on the different shapes of long-term trajectories of QoL.

Determinants of participation and quality of life of young adults with cerebral palsy: longitudinal approach and comparison with the general population - SPARCLE 3 study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Effective inclusion in society for young people with disabilities is increasingly seen as generating opportunities for self-development, and improving well-being. However, significant barriers remain in the vast majority of activities meaningful for young adults. Research argues that various personal (disabilities, health) and environmental (access to the resources needed, accessible environment, discrimination, lack of personal economic independence) factors contribute to limited participation. However, previous studies conducted in young people with cerebral palsy (CP) mainly investigated the transition period to adulthood, and did not fully consider the whole range of impairment severity profiles or environmental barriers. In this study, we will use the follow-up of the SPARCLE cohort and a comparison group from the general population (1) to investigate the impact of the environment on participation and quality of life of young adults with CP, (2) to determine predictors of a successful young adulthood in educational, professional, health and social fields, (3) to compare quality of life and frequency of participation in social, work and recreational activities with the general population, (4) to document on participation and quality of life in those with severe disabilities. METHODS: The SPARCLE3 study has a combined longitudinal and cross-sectional design. Young adults with CP aged 22 to 27 years in 6 European regions previously enrolled in the SPARCLE cohort or newly recruited will be invited to self-complete a comprehensive set of questionnaires exploring participation (daily life and discretionary activities), health-related quality of life, body function, personal factors (health, personal resources), and contextual factors (availability of needed environmental items, family environment, services provision) during home visits supervised by trained researchers. Proxy-reports or adapted questionnaires will be used for those with the most severe impairments. The recruitment of a large group from the general population (online survey) will enable to identify life areas where the discrepancies between young people with CP and their able-bodied peers are the most significant. DISCUSSION: This study will help identify to what extent disabilities and barriers in environment negatively affect participation and quality of life, and how previous valued experiences during childhood or adolescence might modulate these effects.

Identification of adipose tissue dendritic cells correlated with obesity-associated insulin-resistance and inducing Th17 responses in mice and patients.

T-cell regulation in adipose tissue provides a link between inflammation and insulin resistance. Because of alterations in adipose tissue T-cell composition in obesity, we aimed to identify the antigen-presenting cells in adipose tissue of obese mice and patients with insulin resistance. Dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells were studied in mice and in two cohorts of obese patients. In lean mice, only CD11c(+) DCs were detected in adipose tissue. Adoptive transfer of naive CD4(+) T cells in Rag1(-/-) mice led to a predominant Th1 response in adipose tissue. In contrast, during obesity DCs (human CD11c(+)CD1c(+) and mouse CD11c(high)F4/80(low)) accumulated in adipose tissue. CD11c(high)F4/80(low) DCs from obese mice induced Th17 differentiation. In patients, the presence of CD11c(+)CD1c(+) DCs correlated with the BMI and with an elevation in Th17 cells. In addition, these DCs led to ex vivo Th17 differentiation. CD1c gene expression further correlated with homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese patients. We show for the first time the presence and accumulation of specific DCs in adipose tissue in mouse and human obesity. These DCs were functional and could be important regulators of adipose tissue inflammation by regulating the switch toward Th17 cell responses in obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Interplay between human adipocytes and T lymphocytes in obesity: CCL20 as an adipochemokine and T lymphocytes as lipogenic modulators.

OBJECTIVE: Adipose tissue (AT) plays a major role in the low-grade inflammatory state associated with obesity. The aim of the present study was to characterize the human AT lymphocytes (ATLs) and to analyze their interactions with adipocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human ATL subsets were characterized by flow cytometry in subcutaneous ATs from 92 individuals with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 19 to 43 kg/m(2) and in paired biopsies of subcutaneous and visceral AT from 45 class II/III obese patients. CD3(+) ATLs were composed of effector and memory CD4(+) helper and CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells. The number of ATLs correlated positively with BMI and was higher in visceral than subcutaneous AT. Mature adipocytes stimulated the migration of ATLs and released the chemokine CCL20, the receptor of which (CCR6) was expressed in ATLs. The expression of adipocyte CCL20 was positively correlated with BMI and increased in visceral compared to subcutaneous adipocytes. ATLs expressed inflammatory markers and released interferon gamma (IFN gamma). Progenitor and adipocyte treatment with ATL-conditioned media reduced the insulin-mediated upregulation of lipogenic enzymes, an effect involving IFN gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, crosstalk occurs between adipocytes and lymphocytes within human AT involving T cell chemoattraction by adipocytes and modulation of lipogenesis by ATLs.

Unexpected trafficking of immune cells within the adipose tissue during the onset of obesity.

The primary inflammatory events occurring in the adipose tissue (AT) during high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity are poorly defined. The present study was undertaken to characterize, in wild-type(+/+) and lymphocyte deficient RAG2(-/-) mice under HFD, the changes in AT immune cells by flow cytometry analyses. In (+/+) mice, early accumulation of AT B-cells was observed, followed by increased AT T-cell numbers and finally by the appearance of insulin resistance and AT macrophage accumulation. Lack of lymphocytes in the RAG2(-/-) mice did not affect the onset of obesity and the state of insulin resistance. However, a striking accumulation of AT NK cells and activated macrophages was detected. The present study demonstrates that AT is the site of an unexpected dynamic in innate and adaptive cells during diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Moreover it appears that early AT lymphocyte infiltration could be considered a protective process to temper adipose tissue inflammation.

Short- and long-term insulin-like effects of monoamine oxidases and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase substrates in cultured adipocytes.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is known to increase during in vitro adipogenesis and to be one of the most highly expressed membrane proteins of white adipocytes. Although less well documented, mitochondrial monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are also present in adipocytes and share with SSAO the capacity to generate hydrogen peroxide. This work therefore aimed to compare several biologic effects of MAO and SSAO substrates in 3T3-F442A adipocytes. In differentiated cells, tyramine oxidation was predominantly MAO dependent, whereas benzylamine oxidation was SSAO dependent. Both amines partially mimicked insulin actions, including stimulation of Akt phosphorylation and glucose uptake. In addition, tyramine and benzylamine impaired tumor necrosis factor alpha-dependent nitric oxide formation in a pargyline- and semicarbazide-sensitive manner, respectively. Various biogenic amines were tested in competition for tyramine or benzylamine oxidation and classified as MAO-preferring (methoxytyramine, tryptamine) or SSAO-preferring substrates (methylamine, octopamine). Short-term incubation with 1 mmol/L of all amines except histamine stimulated glucose uptake up to 20% to 50% of maximal insulin activation. One-week treatment with either MAO or SSAO substrates alone allowed postconfluent cells to differentiate into adipocytes, reproducing 60% of insulin-promoted lipid accumulation. All amines also exerted a slight improvement in the adipogenic action of insulin. Therefore, like SSAO, substrate activation of MAO can interact with adipocyte metabolism by mimicking diverse effects of insulin in addition to preventing tumor necrosis factor alpha-dependent responses.