Numerous studies show that happy individuals are successful across multiple life domains, including marriage, friendship, income, work performance, and health. The authors suggest a conceptual model to account for these findings, arguing that the happiness-success link exists not only because success makes people happy, but also because positive affect engenders success. Three classes of evidence--crosssectional, longitudinal, and experimental--are documented to test their model. Relevant studies are described and their effect sizes combined meta-analytically. The results reveal that happiness is associated with and precedes numerous successful outcomes, as well as behaviors paralleling success. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that positive affect--the hallmark of well-being--may be the cause of many of the desirable characteristics, resources, and successes correlated with happiness. Limitations, empirical issues, and important future research questions are discussed.

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The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?

Study design The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) has become one of the principal condition-specific outcome measures used in the management of spinal disorders. This review is based on publications using the ODI identified from the authors' personal databases, the Science Citation Index, and hand searches of Spine and current textbooks of spinal disorders. Objectives To review the versions of this instrument, document methods by which it has been validated, collate data from scores found in normal and back pain populations, provide curves for power calculations in studies using the ODI, and maintain the ODI as a gold standard outcome measure. Summary of background data It has now been 20 years since its original publication. More than 200 citations exist in the Science Citation Index. The authors have a large correspondence file relating to the ODI, that is cited in most of the large textbooks related to spinal disorders. Methods All the published versions of the questionnaire were identified. A systematic review of this literature was made. The various reports of validation were collated and related to a version. Results Four versions of the ODI are available in English and nine in other languages. Some published versions contain misprints, and many omit the scoring system. At least 114 studies contain usable data. These data provide both validation and standards for other users and indicate the power of the instrument for detecting change in sample populations. Conclusions The ODI remains a valid and vigorous measure and has been a worthwhile outcome measure. The process of using the ODI is reviewed and should be the subject of further research. The receiver operating characteristics should be explored in a population with higher self-report disabilities. The behavior of the instrument is incompletely understood, particularly in sensitivity to real change.

https://womenshealthapta.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/oswestry-fairbanks.pdf

The Oswestry Disability Index.

OBJECTIVE — To systematically review the incidence of posttransplantation diabetes (PTD), risk factors for its development, prognostic implications, and optimal management. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — We searched databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and others) from inception to September 2000, reviewed bibliographies in reports retrieved, contacted transplantation experts, and reviewed specialty journals. Two reviewers independently determined report inclusion (original studies, in all languages, of PTD in adults with no history of diabetes before transplantation), assessed study methods, and extracted data using a standardized form. Meta-regression was used to explain between-study differences in incidence. RESULTS — Nineteen studies with 3,611 patients were included. The 12-month cumulative incidence of PTD is lower (10% in most studies) than it was 3 decades ago. The type of immunosuppression explained 74% of the variability in incidence (P 0.0004). Risk factors were patient age, nonwhite ethnicity, glucocorticoid treatment for rejection, and immunosuppression with high-dose cyclosporine and tacrolimus. PTD was associated with decreased graft and patient survival in earlier studies; later studies showed improved outcomes. Randomized trials of treatment regimens have not been conducted. CONCLUSIONS — Physicians should consider modification of immunosuppressive regimens to decrease the risk of PTD in high-risk transplant recipients. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate the use of oral glucose-lowering agents in transplant recipients, paying particular attention to interactions with immunosuppressive drugs. Diabetes Care 25:583–592, 2002

A systematic review of the literature

Objective. To provide recommendations for the core outcome domains that should be considered by investigators conducting clinical trials of the efficacy and effectiveness of treatments for chronic pain. Development of a core set of outcome domains would facilitate comparison and pooling of d

http://www.immpact.org/static/publications/Turk%20et%20al.,%202003.pdf

Core outcome domains for chronic pain clinical trials: IMMPACT recommendations.

http://www.immpact.org/static/publications/Dworkin%20et%20al.,%202005.pdf

Topical Review and RecommendationsCore outcome measures for chronic pain clinical trials: IMMPACT recommendations

Information on the prevalence of pain in the general population has relevance for the allocation of health services and for understanding of chronic pain In 1986 a sample of 1498 adults were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule Questions on pain were taken from the somatisation section of the interview schedule These responses were used to determine the lifetime prevalence of pain in the urban population of New Zealand The majority of subjects reported more than one life disrupting experience of pain Pain was most common in the joints, back, head and abdomen Women reported more pain than men In general the prevalence of pain increased with age, however this was not true for headaches and abdominal pain Most subjects related their pain symptoms to a physical cause

Epidemiology of pain in New Zealand.

This study reports a 9-18 month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of pain management programmes for chronic, non-malignant pain. Twenty-two inpatients, 18 outpatients and 12 control subjects completed the follow-up assessments. Significant treatment effects were demonstrated by the inpatient group on pain ratings, the Pain Behaviour Checklist, and General Health Questionnaire, with similar effects demonstrated by the outpatient group on the former 2 measures. The findings were confounded by higher inpatient scores at pretreatment, in comparison with the 2 other conditions. There was a high drop-out rate of subjects, particularly from the control condition which illustrates the limitations of controlled group designs in this area. Analgesic use, activity levels and pain ratings were also evaluated using the criteria for 'success' described by Malec et al. (1981). Results indicated that 68% of inpatients, 61% of outpatients and 21% of control subjects met all 3 criteria. Both treatment programmes were effective in returning patients to paid employment, whilst 3 control group patients gave up work. The cost-benefit implications of these changes are discussed. We conclude that pain management programmes contribute substantially to the rehabilitation of chronic pain sufferers.

Follow-up results from a randomised controlled trial evaluating in- and outpatient pain management programmes.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness characterised by extreme fatigue of uncertain origin which has been present for at least six months. The fatigue should have a sudden onset and be severe enough to substantially reduce the patient's day to day activities.' A number of other symptoms are associated with chronic fatigue syndrome including complaints of impaired memory, difficulty making decisions, poor attention, and reduced concentration. ' Many patients complain that it is these cognitive symptoms which cause them the greatest frustration and disability. Over the past six years several researchers have conducted neuropsychological tests on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in an attempt to objectively quantify the nature and extent of these cognitive difficulties. Despite the objective aims of these studies the pattern of results has been contradictory and often confusing. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary and discussion of the results from neuropsychological studies which have compared patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with controls or normative data, to provide both some clarity in the area and directions for future research. Studies published since the Centre for Disease Control issued the first diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome2 were accessed through a search on the MEDLINE and PsycLIT databases. Only fully reported studies were reviewed, as we were unable to reliably assess the limited information presented in the abstracts. The results of the search are grouped into five neuropsychological categories; global intellectual functioning, receptive functioning (encompassing sensation and perception), mental activity (subgrouped into activity rate and attentional functions), memory, and cognition (which incorporates the higher mental functions of planning, organising, problem solving, and abstracting).3 We also examine the relations between cognitive impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome and both psychological and physical factors.

https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/jnnp/60/5/474.full.pdf

Neuropsychological deficits in chronic fatigue syndrome: artifact or reality?

The clinical experience of a psychiatrist working in a pain clinic is described. One hundred and seventy two patients were assessed over a 4-year period. The modal age was 45-54 years with a male : female ratio of 7 : 10. The model duration of pain was 1-5 years, the back being the commonest site. Depression was diagnosed in 30% of cases. PErsonality disorder, traumatic neurosis, anxiety, hysteria and drug dependence were the next most common diagnoses. Treatment was instituted in half of the patients seen and half of the treated patients improved or recovered. Drug withdrawal, EMG feedback and brief psychotherapy were associated with more improvement than pharmacotherapy or treatment at a psychiatric unit. The response to antidepressant medication was particularly disappointing and possible reasons for this are discussed.

The psychiatrist and the chronic pain patient: 172 anecdotes

Objective: To undertake a comparative examination of the reliability and validity of two frequently used self-report measures of functional disability, the Pain Disability Index (PDI) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OLBPDQ).Design: A descriptive ex-post facto design

Robert G. Large

Papers

Epidemiology of pain in New Zealand.

Follow-up results from a randomised controlled trial evaluating in- and outpatient pain management programmes.

Neuropsychological deficits in chronic fatigue syndrome: artifact or reality?

The psychiatrist and the chronic pain patient: 172 anecdotes

Function and the patient with chronic low back pain.