This preliminary study compared the associations between objective and subjective socioeconomic status (SES) with psychological and physical variables among 157 healthy White women, 59 of whom subsequently participated in a laboratory stress study. Compared with objective indicators, subjective social status was more consistently and strongly related to psychological functioning and health-related factors (self-rated health, heart rate, sleep latency, body fat distribution, and cortisol habituation to repeated stress). Most associations remained significant even after controlling for objective social status and negative affectivity. Results suggest that, in this sample with a moderately restricted range on SES and health, psychological perceptions of social status may be contributing to the SES-health gradient.

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Relationship of subjective and objective social status with psychological and physiological functioning: preliminary data in healthy white women.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation is recognized as a core component of the management of individuals with chronic respiratory disease. Since the 2006 American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Statement on Pulmonary Rehabilitation, there has been considerable growth in our knowledge of its efficacy and scope.

Purpose: The purpose of this Statement is to update the 2006 document, including a new definition of pulmonary rehabilitation and highlighting key concepts and major advances in the field.

Methods: A multidisciplinary committee of experts representing the ATS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly and the ERS Scientific Group 01.02, “Rehabilitation and Chronic Care,” determined the overall scope of this update through group consensus. Focused literature reviews in key topic areas were conducted by committee members with relevant clinical and scientific expertise. The final content of this Statement was agreed on by all members.

Results: An updated definition of pulmonary rehabilitation is proposed. New data are presented on the science and application of pulmonary rehabilitation, including its effectiveness in acutely ill individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in individuals with other chronic respiratory diseases. The important role of pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic disease management is highlighted. In addition, the role of health behavior change in optimizing and maintaining benefits is discussed.

Conclusions: The considerable growth in the science and application of pulmonary rehabilitation since 2006 adds further support for its efficacy in a wide range of individuals with chronic respiratory disease

Read More: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201309-1634ST

/pdf/an-official-american-thoracic-society-european-respiratory-5fbz6s326i.pdf

An official American thoracic society/European respiratory society statement: Key concepts and advances in pulmonary rehabilitation

Reporting standards for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

Objective
B cells are likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rituximab induces depletion of B cells. The Exploratory Phase II/III SLE Evaluation of Rituximab (EXPLORER) trial tested the efficacy and safety of rituximab versus placebo in patients with moderately-to-severely active extrarenal SLE.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/art.27233

Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in Moderately-to-Severely Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase II/III Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Evaluation of Rituximab Trial

Background: Women with breast cancer are the largest group of female survivors of cancer. There is limited information about the long-term quality of life (QOL) in diseasefree breast cancer survivors. Methods: Letters of invitation were mailed to 1336 breast cancer survivors who had participated in an earlier survey and now were between 5 and 10 years after their initial diagnosis. The 914 respondents interested in participating were then sent a survey booklet that assessed a broad range of QOL and survivorship concerns. All P values were two-sided. Results: A total of 817 women completed the follow-up survey (61% response rate), and the 763 disease-free survivors in that group, who had been diagnosed an average of 6.3 years earlier, are the focus of this article. Physical well-being and emotional well-being were excellent; the minimal changes between the baseline and follow-up assessments reflected expected age-related changes. Energy level and social functioning were unchanged. Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal discharge, and breast sensitivity were less frequent. Symptoms of vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence were increased. Sexual activity with a partner declined statistically significantly between the two assessments (from 65% to 55%, P = .001). Survivors with no past systemic adjuvant therapy had a better QOL than those who had received systemic adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, tamoxifen, or both together) (physical functioning, P = .003; physical role function, P = .02; bodily pain, P = .01; social functioning, P = .02; and general health, P = .03). In a multivariate analysis, past chemotherapy was a statistically significant predictor of a poorer current QOL (P = .003). Conclusions: Long-term, disease-free breast cancer survivors reported high levels of functioning and QOL many years after primary treatment. However, past systemic adjuvant treatment was associated with poorer functioning on several dimensions of QOL. This information may be useful to patients and physicians who are engaging in discussion of the risks and benefits of systemic adjuvant therapy. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;94:39–49]

Quality of Life in Long-Term, Disease-Free Survivors of Breast Cancer: a Follow-up Study

Objectives The authors test the reliability and validity of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) as a written, self-administered survey in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods Thirty-six schizophrenic outpatients completed a written and oral form of the SF-36. A psychiatrist rated the patients using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale to determine severity of psychopathology. Cognitive functioning and academic achievement were also assessed. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent and discriminative validity of the oral and written versions were determined. Results The SF-36 in both forms was shown to have good internal consistency, stability, and concurrent validity. The mental health SF-36 subscales had poor discriminant validity, compared with the physical functioning scale that demonstrated good discriminant validity. Conclusions The validity of using the written form of the SF-36 on a sample of patients with chronic mental illness was demonstrated. The SF-36 appears to be an appropriate outcome measure for changes in physical and role functioning in consumers of outpatient mental health programs.

Carol A. Trujillo

Papers

The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey: reliability, validity, and preliminary findings in schizophrenic outpatients.