Publications (11) View all
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Article: Log transformation: application and interpretation in biomedical research.
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ABSTRACT: The log transformation has been widely used in biomedical research to deal with the skewed data. However, in the medical publications, we have found many misuses and misinterpretations of analysis based on log-transformed data. In this paper, we list some common scenarios of misuse and misinterpretation of log transformation in biomedical applications. We also provide both theoretical and practical justifications to support our viewpoints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Statistics in Medicine 07/2012; · 1.88 Impact Factor -
Article: Predictors of treatment outcomes among depressed women with childhood sexual abuse histories.
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ABSTRACT: A notable portion (21%) of female patients receiving treatment for depression in community mental health centers (CMHC) has childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories. Treatment outcomes in this population are heterogeneous; identifying factors associated with differential outcomes could inform treatment development. This exploratory study begins to address the gap in what is known about predictors of treatment outcomes among depressed women with sexual abuse histories. Seventy women with major depressive disorder and CSA histories in a CMHC were randomly assigned to interpersonal psychotherapy (n = 37) or usual care (n = 33). Using generalized estimating equations, we examined four pretreatment predictor domains (i.e. sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, social and physical functioning, and trauma features) potentially related to depression treatment outcomes. Among sociodemographic characteristics, Black race/ethnicity, public assistance income, and unemployment were associated with less depressive symptom reduction over the course of treatment. Two clinical features, chronic depression and borderline personality disorder, were also related to less reduction in depressive symptoms across the treatment period. Our results demonstrate the clinical relevance of attending to predictors of depressed women with CSA histories being treated in public sector mental health centers. Particular sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features among these women may be significant indicators of risk for relatively poorer treatment outcomes.Depression and Anxiety 05/2012; 29(6):479-86. · 4.18 Impact Factor -
Article: Prevalence, correlates, and symptom profiles of depression among men with a history of military service.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, correlates, and symptom profiles of depressive disorders in men with a history of military service. Data were obtained from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify correlates of lifetime and current depression. Regularly occurring symptom profiles were identified via cluster analysis. Prevalence of lifetime and current depression was similar in men with and without a history of military service. Younger age was positively, and black minority status, being in a relationship and self-reported good health were negatively associated with a lifetime diagnosis of depression. Other minority status (non-Hispanic, non-black) was positively, and older age, some college, being in a relationship, and self-reported good health were negatively associated with current depression. A cluster of younger men who experience significant depressive symptoms but may not report depressed mood or anhedonia was identified. Depression is as prevalent in men with a history of military service as it is in men without a history. Research should focus on subpopulations of men with a history of military service in which depression may be more prevalent or burdensome. Younger men with significant depressive symptoms may be missed by standard depression screens and still be at elevated risk for negative outcomes associated with depression.Social Psychiatry 07/2011; 46(7):607-14. · 2.05 Impact Factor -
Article: On fitting generalized linear mixed-effects models for binary responses using different statistical packages.
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ABSTRACT: The generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) is a popular paradigm to extend models for cross-sectional data to a longitudinal setting. When applied to modeling binary responses, different software packages and even different procedures within a package may give quite different results. In this report, we describe the statistical approaches that underlie these different procedures and discuss their strengths and weaknesses when applied to fit correlated binary responses. We then illustrate these considerations by applying these procedures implemented in some popular software packages to simulated and real study data. Our simulation results indicate a lack of reliability for most of the procedures considered, which carries significant implications for applying such popular software packages in practice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Statistics in Medicine 06/2011; · 1.88 Impact Factor -
Article: A randomized effectiveness trial of interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed women with sexual abuse histories.
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ABSTRACT: Many depressed women seen in community mental health centers (CMHCs) have histories of childhood sexual abuse and are economically disadvantaged. Randomized trials are needed to test the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions in this population and setting. This study compared interpersonal psychotherapy with usual care psychotherapy among women in a CMHC. Among 1,100 women seeking treatment in a CMHC, 230 (21%) had major depression and histories of childhood sexual abuse. Seventy women with major depression and sexual abuse before age 18 were randomly assigned to interpersonal psychotherapy (N=37) or usual care psychotherapy (N=33). Staff clinicians provided all treatments. Participants were assessed at study entry and at ten, 24, and 36 weeks after random assignment. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine change over time. Compared with women assigned to usual care, women who received interpersonal psychotherapy had greater reductions in depressive symptoms (Hamilton Rating Scale, p=.05, d=.34; Beck Depression Inventory-II, p=.01, d=.29), posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (p=.04, d=.76), and shame (p=.002, d=.38). Interpersonal psychotherapy and usual care yielded comparable improvements in social and mental health-related functioning. Interpersonal psychotherapy compared favorably to usual care psychotherapy in a CMHC in improving psychiatric symptoms and reducing shame among sexually abused women. However, there is a critical need for continued research to develop more effective treatments for the social and psychiatric sequelae of interpersonal trauma and socioeconomic disadvantage.Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) 04/2011; 62(4):374-80. · 2.81 Impact Factor
