Our results are of particular interest in view of the increasing need to draw upon professionals, other than psychiatrists and psychologists, for cost-effective and standardized evaluation of rehabilitation interventions.

The aim of the study was to evaluate in a heterogeneous. Italian sample (n = 340) the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Family Assessment Device (FAD), a 60-item questionnaire assessing family functioning. The questionnaire was administered to psychiatric (n = 116), medical (n = 114) and non-clinical samples (n = 110). In a sample of 30 non-clinical subjects the temporal stability of the FAD was investigated. The results showed a good temporal stability for Problem Solving, General Functioning. Communication, and Affective Responsiveness scales, and a good internal reliability of the scale. Factor analysis of the Italian version provided discrepancies with the hypothesized structure of the instrument, leading to the identification of seven slightly different dimensions. The proposed seven-factor model of the instrument did not provide a good fit to our data. The results of our study suggest the need for a major improvement in the adaptation of the FAD in the Italian setting.

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Background-Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are increased in patients with ventricular dysfunction and could have a diagnostic role in heart failure. ANP may be unstable after collection, however, limiting any practical diagnostic role. Methods-Blood samples were obtained from 18 patients with various conditions. Aliquots were either processed optimally or kept as blood or plasma at room temperature for 6-72 h before processing. Results-Concentrations of C-terminal ANP were lower in specimens kept as blood for 24 and 72 h (mean difference from control -43% and -76%, respectively, (P < 0.001) but N-terminal ANP (extracted) seemed to be stable under all conditions studied (-2% at 24 h and -7% at 72 h, not significant). Conclusions-N-terminal ANP (extracted) is stable and potentially has a role in the diagnosis of heart failure in routine clinical practice. (Heart 1996;75:410-413)