Elisa R. Torres

Psychometric Properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in African American and Black Caribbean US Adults

A 12-item version of the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale was not validated in Black US adults but demonstrated strong psychometrics in other populations. Using data from the National Survey of American Life (n = 4,815), the psychometric properties of the scale were tested in African American and Black Caribbean adults. When compared with the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Dysthymia, most items in the CES-D Scale focus on depressed mood, providing evidence for content validity. Construct validity was questionable in African American and Black Caribbean men. The CES-D scores of African American men who met the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) criteria for Dysthymia were not significantly different than African American men who did not (t = 1.9, p = .109). The CES-D scores of Black Caribbean men who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD were not significantly different than Black Caribbean men who did not (t = 1.6, p = .198), and none of the Black Caribbean men met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Dysthymia. For the item, “I felt like everything I did was an effort,” all groups had item-to-total correlations and inter-item correlations below .30. After eliminating this item, the alpha for the remaining 11 items was .80 and .76 in African American and Black Caribbean women, respectively. African American and Black Caribbean men also had item-to-total correlations and inter-item correlations below .30 for the item “I felt that I was just as good as other people.” After eliminating these items, the alpha for the remaining 10 items was .73 in African American and Black Caribbean men. The cut-off score was 9 for the 11-item CES-D and 8 for the 10-item CES-D.

Physical activity and white matter hyperintensities: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Objective White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are markers of brain white matter injury seen on magnetic resonance imaging. WMH increase with age and are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. WMH progression can be slowed by controlling vascular risk factors in individuals with advanced disease. Since physical activity can decrease vascular risk factors, physical activity may slow the progression of WMH in individuals without advanced disease, thereby preventing neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the association between physical activity and WMH in individuals without advanced disease. Methods Articles published in English through March 18, 2014 were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EBSCOhost. Results Six studies found that more physical activity was associated with less WMH, while 6 found no association. Physical activity is associated with less WMH in individuals without advanced disease when studies are longitudinal or take into consideration physical activity across the lifespan, have a younger sample of older adults, measure different types of physical activity beyond leisure or objectively measure fitness via VO2 max, measure WMH manually or semi-automatically, and control for risk factors associated with WMH. Conclusion More physical activity was associated with less white matter hyperintensities in individuals without advanced disease.

Disability and comorbidity among major depressive disorder and double depression in African-American adults.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined differences in disability and comorbity among major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymia, and double depression in African-Americans (AA). METHODS A secondary analysis was performed on AA in the National Survey of American Life. Interviews occurred 2001-2003. A four stage national area probability sampling was performed. DSM-IV-TR diagnoses were obtained with a modified version of the World Health Organizations expanded version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Disability was measured by interview with the World Health Organizations Disability Assessment Schedule II. RESULTS Compared to non-depressed AA, AA endorsing MDD (t=19.0, p=0.0001) and double depression (t=18.7, p=0.0001) reported more global disability; AA endorsing MDD (t=8.5, p=0.0063) reported more disability in the getting around domain; AA endorsing MDD (t=19.1, p=0.0001) and double depression (t=12.1, p=0.0014) reported more disability in the life activities domain. AA who endorsed double depression reported similar disability and comorbidities with AA who endorsed MDD. Few AA endorsed dysthymia. LIMITATIONS This was a cross-sectional study subject to recall bias. The NSAL did not measure minor depression. CONCLUSIONS The current study supports the idea of deleting distinct chronic subtypes of depression and consolidating them into a single category termed chronic depression.

Meditation or exercise for preventing acute respiratory infection (MEPARI-2): A randomized controlled trial

Background Practice of meditation or exercise may enhance health to protect against acute infectious illness. Objective To assess preventive effects of meditation and exercise on acute respiratory infection (ARI) illness. Design Randomized controlled prevention trial with three parallel groups. Setting Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Participants Community-recruited adults who did not regularly exercise or meditate. Methods 1) 8-week behavioral training in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR); 2) matched 8-week training in moderate intensity sustained exercise (EX); or 3) observational waitlist control. Training classes occurred in September and October, with weekly ARI surveillance through May. Incidence, duration, and area-under-curve ARI global severity were measured using daily reports on the WURSS-24 during ARI illness. Viruses were identified multiplex PCR. Absenteeism, health care utilization, and psychosocial health self-report assessments were also employed. Results Of 413 participants randomized, 390 completed the trial. In the MBSR group, 74 experienced 112 ARI episodes with 1045 days of ARI illness. Among exercisers, 84 had 120 episodes totaling 1010 illness days. Eighty-two of the controls had 134 episodes with 1210 days of ARI illness. Mean global severity was 315 for MBSR (95% confidence interval 244, 386), 256 (193, 318) for EX, and 336 (268, 403) for controls. A prespecified multivariate zero-inflated regression model suggested reduced incidence for MBSR (p = 0.036) and lower global severity for EX (p = 0.042), compared to control, not quite attaining the p<0.025 prespecified cut-off for null hypothesis rejection. There were 73 ARI-related missed-work days and 22 ARI-related health care visits in the MBSR group, 82 days and 21 visits for exercisers, and 105 days and 24 visits among controls. Viruses were identified in 63 ARI episodes in the MBSR group, compared to 64 for EX and 72 for control. Statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in general mental health, self-efficacy, mindful attention, sleep quality, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were observed in the MBSR and/or EX groups, compared to control. Conclusions Training in mindfulness meditation or exercise may help protect against ARI illness. Limitations This trial was likely underpowered. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01654289

Validation of the Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire (LTPAQ) in midlife and older adults with a history of late-onset depression

HighlightsThe validity of the Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire was examined.Evidence of validity was provided for moderate and vigorous intensity.Evidence of validity was provided for transportation physical activity.Evidence of validity was provided for leisure‐time physical activity.Validity is enhanced when results are stratified by gender.

LIFETIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH CSF AMYLOID IN COGNITIVELY ASYMPTOMATIC APOE ɛ4+ ADULTS

Elisa R. Torres, Andrew P. Merluzzi, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Cynthia M. Carlsson, Sanjay Asthana, Sterling C. Johnson, Barbara B. Bendlin, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, M€olndal, Sweden; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, W.S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA. Contact e-mail: elisa.torres@wisc.edu

Gardening/Yard Work and Depressive Symptoms in African Americans.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of gardening/yard work in relation to depressive symptoms in African-Americans while controlling for biological and social factors. METHODS A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life (n=2,903) using logistic regression for complex samples. Gardening/Yard work was measured by self-reported frequency. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. RESULTS Biological and social factors, not gardening/yard work, were associated with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Biological and social factors may need to be addressed before the association between gardening/yard work and depressive symptoms can be determined.