Drug-abusing Offenders with Co-morbid Mental Disorders:Gender Differences in Problem Severity,Treatment Participation,and Recidivism

Objective This study examined the gender differences in drug‐related problems and predictors of recidivism among a sample of 1444 offenders with co‐morbid drug abuse and mental disorders participating in California＇s Proposition 36 Program.Methods Background characteristics and problem severity in multiple key life areas were assessed at intake by using Addiction Severity Index,and drug treatment participation,mental health diagnoses and arrests were based on official records.Results Women demonstrated greater problem severity than men in family relationships,health,psychological health,and sexual and physical abuse history.Men on the other hand had greater criminal history,high rates of attention disorder,and psychotic disorder.More men than women were rearrested during the year after treatment admission.Logistic regression analyses showed that for the combined sample,male,young age,cocaine use（relative to methamphetamine）,drug abuse severity,methadone treatment,arrest history and fewer prior treatment history were associated with higher recidivism at 12‐month follow‐up;lower education,cocaine use,and arrest history were related to women＇s recidivism,while young age,outpatient treatment,and arrest history were predictors of men＇s recidivism.Conclusion Although the specific type of mental disorder did not seem to be predictive of recidivism,the high rates of mental health disorder and arrest of this population is problematic.Intervention strategies taking into consideration gender‐specific problems and needs can improve outcomes for both.

Effects of age on ocular anterior segment dimensions measured by optical coherence tomography

Background Older subjects tend to have smaller ocular anterior segment. The present study aimed to measure anterior segment dimensions with optical coherence tomography （OCT） and quantitatively assess the effect of age and other factors. Methods Anterior segment OCT images were obtained in normal subjects residing in the greater Los Angeles area. Four line scans were acquired at the 90%, 45%, 0% and 135% meridians of each eye. Computer calipers acquired anterior segment dimensions of corneal diameter, anterior chamber width, corneal vault and anterior chamber depth on OCT images. Measurements from 4 meridians were averaged. Axial length and corneal power were measured by partial coherence interferometry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess correlations. Results Sixty-six eyes of 33 normal subjects （aged 22-65 years, 19 Asians, 14 Caucasians） were enrolled. For every 1 year of age, corneal diameter was 0.03：3 mm narrower （P 〈0.01）, anterior chamber width was 0.031 mm narrower （P 〈0.01）, corneal vault was 0.016 mm lower （P 〈0.01）, and anterior chamber depth was 0.025 mm lower （P 〈0.01）. Asian eyes had smaller corneal diameter （P=-0.035） and anterior chamber width （P=0.015） compared with those of Caucasian eyes. Body height showed positive correlation with corneal diameter （0.039 mm per centimeter of height, P 〈0.01） and corneal vault （0.024 mm per centimetre of height, P 〈0.01）. Gender did not have an independent effect on anterior segment dimensions. Conclusions Anterior segment dimensions were smaller in older subjects. Age-related changes may affect the tolerability of long-term implants such as phakic intraocular lens.