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Full-Text Articles in Nursing

Saitohin And Apoe Polymorphisms Influence Cognition And Function In Persons With Advanced Alzheimer Disease, D. Schutte, D. Reed, S. Decrane, Anne Ersig May 2012

Saitohin And Apoe Polymorphisms Influence Cognition And Function In Persons With Advanced Alzheimer Disease, D. Schutte, D. Reed, S. Decrane, Anne Ersig

Anne L. Ersig

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by variability in the onset and progression of cognitive, functional and behavioral symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic correlates of symptom variability in persons with moderate-to-advanced AD. METHODS: Repeated measures of cognition, function and behavior were collected from institutionalized persons with AD over 12 months. Candidate genes were assayed. RESULTS: Single polymorphisms within the saitohin and APOE genes were associated with increased cognitive impairment and functional dependence. The APOE-epsilon4 allele was associated with increased baseline physical agitation. CONCLUSION: The development of predictive profiles for the clinical symptoms of AD may …


Communication, Encouragement, And Cancer Screening In Families With And Without Mutations For Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Study, Anne Ersig, Janet Williams, D. Hadley, L. Koehly Oct 2011

Communication, Encouragement, And Cancer Screening In Families With And Without Mutations For Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Study, Anne Ersig, Janet Williams, D. Hadley, L. Koehly

Anne L. Ersig

PURPOSE: Known and suspected mutation carriers for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer are advised to have colonoscopies every 1 to 2 years to detect colorectal cancer. Little is known about colonoscopy completion in families suspected of having hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer but without identified mutations. METHODS: This study examined the effect of communication and encouragement on colonoscopy in families with and without known mutations. Twenty-three respondents from 11 families with indeterminate genetic test results were matched with 23 respondents from 11 families with mutation-positive results. Hierarchical modeling examined the effects of relational characteristics on time since last colonoscopy in index cases …


The Genetics Of Colorectal Cancer, Anne Ersig Oct 2011

The Genetics Of Colorectal Cancer, Anne Ersig

Anne L. Ersig

No abstract provided.


Explanations Of Risk In Families Without Identified Mutations For Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer, Anne Ersig, Lioness Ayres, D. Hadley, L. Koehly Oct 2011

Explanations Of Risk In Families Without Identified Mutations For Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer, Anne Ersig, Lioness Ayres, D. Hadley, L. Koehly

Anne L. Ersig

Purpose: Genetic testing for hereditary forms of cancer does not always identify a causative mutation. Little is known about personal or family response to these indeterminate results when a hereditary form of cancer is suspected. This study explored thoughts about and responses to risk for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) when a family member has received indeterminate genetic test results. Design: In this qualitative study, data were gathered from index cases who received indeterminate genetic test results through a longitudinal study offering genetic counseling and testing for HNPCC. First-degree relatives of these indeterminate index cases were also invited to participate …


Characteristics Of Health Information Gatherers, Disseminators, And Blockers Within Families At Risk Of Hereditary Cancer: Implications For Family Health Communication Interventions, L. Koehly, J. Peters, R. Kenen, L. Hoskins, Anne Ersig, N. Kuhn, J. Loud, M. Greene Oct 2011

Characteristics Of Health Information Gatherers, Disseminators, And Blockers Within Families At Risk Of Hereditary Cancer: Implications For Family Health Communication Interventions, L. Koehly, J. Peters, R. Kenen, L. Hoskins, Anne Ersig, N. Kuhn, J. Loud, M. Greene

Anne L. Ersig

OBJECTIVES: Given the importance of the dissemination of accurate family history to assess disease risk, we characterized the gatherers, disseminators, and blockers of health information within families at high genetic risk of cancer. METHODS: A total of 5466 personal network members of 183 female participants of the Breast Imaging Study from 124 families with known mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes (associated with high risk of breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer) were identified by using the Colored Eco-Genetic Relationship Map (CEGRM). Hierarchical nonlinear models were fitted to characterize information gatherers, disseminators, and blockers. RESULTS: Gatherers of information were more …


Understanding Patterns Of Health Communication In Families At Risk For Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: Examining The Effect Of Conclusive Versus Indeterminate Genetic Test Results, Anne Ersig, D. Hadley, L. Koehly Oct 2011

Understanding Patterns Of Health Communication In Families At Risk For Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: Examining The Effect Of Conclusive Versus Indeterminate Genetic Test Results, Anne Ersig, D. Hadley, L. Koehly

Anne L. Ersig

In families meeting criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), genetic testing may or may not identify a mutation. Communication about genetic testing and risk in families with identified HNPCC mutations is associated with individual and relational factors. Similar communication patterns would be expected in families with similar clinical and pathological characteristics, but without an identified HNPCC mutation; however, previous studies have not included such families. Social network analysis was used to compare communication networks and associated individual and relational factors in families with and without identified HNPCC mutations. Respondents from families without identified mutations communicated about genetic counseling and …