20,280 results
Search Results
2. Measurement equivalence of the paper-based and electronic version of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS): A randomised crossover trial.
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Bolzani, Anna, Kupf, Sophie, Hodiamont, Farina, Burner-Fritsch, Isabel, Bausewein, Claudia, and Ramsenthaler, Christina
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RESEARCH , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *ANALYSIS of variance , *RESEARCH methodology evaluation , *AGE distribution , *RESEARCH methodology , *HEALTH outcome assessment , *COMPARATIVE studies , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *INTRACLASS correlation , *RESEARCH funding , *CROSSOVER trials , *STATISTICAL sampling , *STATISTICAL correlation , *PALLIATIVE treatment , *EVALUATION ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Background: The Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) validly and reliably measures symptoms and concerns of those receiving palliative care. Aim: To determine the equivalence of the paper version with an electronic version of the IPOS (eIPOS). Design: Multicentre randomised crossover trial (NCT03879668) with a within-subject comparison of the two modes (washout period 30 min). Setting/Participants: Convenience sample of specialist inpatient and palliative home care patients aged over 18 years with cancer and non-cancer conditions was recruited. Scores were compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots and via a mixed-effects analysis of variance. Results: Fifty patients were randomised to complete paper-electronic (n = 24) and electronic-paper (n = 26) IPOS with median age 69 years (range 24–95), 56% male, 16% non-cancer. The ICCs showed very high concordance for the total score (ICC 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.00), lowest ICCs being observed for symptoms 'Appetite loss' and 'Drowsiness' (ICC 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.97). Nine of seventeen items had ICCs above 0.98, as did all subscales. No statistically significant mode, order, age, and interaction effects were observed for IPOS total score and subscales, except for 'Communication' (Fmode = 5.9, p = 0.019). Fifty-eight percent preferred the electronic version. In the group 75+ years, 53% preferred the paper version. Only three entries in the free-text main problems differed between the versions. Conclusion: The very high equivalence in scores and free text between the IPOS and the eIPOS demonstrates that eIPOS is feasible and reliable in an older palliative population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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3. Fertility and parents' labour supply: new evidence from US census data: Winner of the OEP prize for best paper on Women and Work
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Vere, James P.
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- 2011
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4. A COMPARISON OF THE PAPER AND COMPUTERIZED TABLET VERSION OF THE KING-DEVICK TEST IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES AND THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON PERFORMANCE.
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Heick, John D., Edgerton, Glenn, and Raab, Scot
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BRAIN concussion diagnosis ,EYEGLASSES ,AGE distribution ,ATHLETIC ability ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,STATISTICAL correlation ,LONGITUDINAL method ,NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests ,RESEARCH methodology ,PORTABLE computers ,SACCADIC eye movements ,SEX distribution ,SPORTS ,STATISTICAL power analysis ,MULTIPLE regression analysis ,DATA analysis software ,INTRACLASS correlation - Abstract
Background: Sport-related concussion is a public concern with between 1.6 and 3.8 million sport- and recreationrelated injuries occurring annually. An estimated 65% to 90% of concussed athletes show oculomotor disruption such as difficulty with saccades, accommodation, smooth pursuit, and fixation. A rapid number-naming saccade test, the King-Devick (K-D) test, has shown promising results as part of a multifaceted concussion assessment tool. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the two versions of the K-D in collegiate aged (18-24) athletes to determine the agreement between versions. A secondary purpose was to investigate the association of K-D scores with sport, sex, use of glasses or contacts, and age of the athlete. Study design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Division 1 NCAA collegiate athletes across ten sports were recruited to participate in baseline concussion assessments at the beginning of their respective athletic season. Correlations and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association of K-D scores with sex and age. Results: One-hundred and nine athletes (69 males, 40 females; mean age =20.40±1.38 years) were baseline tested. There was excellent agreement (ICC=0.93, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.95) between the paper and computer version. Preseason K-D scores were statistically different (r2=0.873, p<0.05) with athletes scoring a mean of 37.58 seconds on the paper version (95% CI, 36.21, 38.96) and athletes scoring a mean of 41.48 seconds for the computerized tablet version (95% CI, 40.17, 42.91). There were no significant differences in sex, sport, or use of glasses noted for both versions. Age differences were identified; eighteen-year-old athletes took statistically longer than their peers for both K-D versions. Pairwise comparisons showed statistically significant differences between 18-year olds up to the age of 21-year-olds (p<0.05) for the computer version and statistically significant differences between 18-year olds up to 22-year-olds (p<0.05) for the paper version. Conclusion: This study supports the use of either version of the K-D test as a potential part of a multifaceted concussion assessment. The age of the athlete influences scores and therefore a K-D baseline should be repeated annually for collegiate athletes. Clinicians should not substitute K-D versions (computer vs. paper) in comparing baseline to a post-concussion K-D score as the scores are quite different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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5. Going paper-lite: housebound patient perspectives on the introduction of mobile working.
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Hopkins, Danielle Frances, Visser, Renske Claasje, and Armes, Jo
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HOME environment , *DIGITAL divide , *CONFIDENCE , *RESEARCH methodology , *AGE distribution , *POCKET computers , *TELEPHONES , *INTERVIEWING , *PATIENTS' attitudes , *HEALTH literacy , *QUALITATIVE research , *MEDICAL records , *HEALTH , *INFORMATION resources , *ELECTRONIC health records , *THEMATIC analysis , *JUDGMENT sampling , *EMOTIONS , *INFORMATION technology - Abstract
Healthcare policies promote technology use as a means to modernise healthcare and support seamless, person-centred care. However, despite information technology (IT) use being common practice in clinical settings, its use in patients' homes is still developing. This study explored patients' perspectives on the use of IT and electronic health records (EHR) in their home environment. Semi structured interviews were conducted with housebound patients who received regular care from the district nursing team, and thematic data analysis was undertaken. Participants reported variable knowledge and experiences with mobile working and EHR. Most were positive and identified clear benefits for clinicians. However, few participants reported benefits to themselves. Contrary to popular belief, IT use is expected by older patients and, while barriers were identified, the overall opinion was positive. A digital divide was apparent, with some at risk of being disadvantaged by the increasing use of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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6. Letter to the Editor: Corrigendum to the paper 'The impact of imagistic evaluation of premalignant and malignant lesions of the breast confirmed in histopathological terms'
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Alina Oana, Rusu-Moldovan, Mădălina Gabriela, Radu, Maria Iuliana, Gruia, Dan Nicolae, Pătroi, Camelia Manuela, Mîrza, and Dan, Mihu
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Adult ,Aged, 80 and over ,Research Report ,Embryology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Letter to the editor ,business.industry ,Breast Neoplasms ,Ultrasonography, Doppler ,Cell Biology ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Dermatology ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,Age Distribution ,Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ,Medicine ,Humans ,Female ,business ,Precancerous Conditions ,Letter to the Editor ,Developmental Biology ,Aged - Abstract
Breast cancer is a condition with the highest incidence of all neoplasms and a frequent cause of death. Due to increased incidence and mortality, this disease motivates healthcare professionals to redirect efforts to develop effective strategies for secondary prophylaxis. Imagistic investigations play an important role both in detecting lesions and in post-therapeutic evolutionary follow-up. The objective of the paper is to study cases of premalignant and malignant tumors, with a view to their imagistic identification confirmed in terms of histopathology, to highlight the accuracy of the imagistic examination as an important factor in the diagnosis and adaptation of an appropriate therapeutic attitude. The study was performed on a batch of 768 patients admitted to the Department of Surgery III, "Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu" Institute of Oncology, Bucharest, Romania. The classical examined hypothesis is local examination, mammography, ultrasound, with its variations, and histopathological (HP) confirmation, either by thick-needle biopsy puncture and∕or tumor excision. By correlating with HP examination of the imagistic representation of the lesion, we can show the importance or limitation of each imagistic investigation, but especially its usefulness in the choice of therapeutic behavior. Breast cancer screening using classical techniques currently requires implementation of modern techniques to diagnose this disease.
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- 2021
7. The Vaccination Problem. Paper By Professor Major Greenwood
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- 1930
8. Comparison of Performance-Based Observed Assessment, Self-Report, and Paper–Pencil Measures of Everyday Problem Solving in Chinese Older Adults.
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Chen, Bo, Huang, Yifan, Wang, Dahua, and Deng, Wengen
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AGE distribution , *GERIATRIC assessment , *AGING , *CHINESE people , *PSYCHOLOGY , *DRUG utilization , *PROBLEM solving , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *SELF-evaluation , *TELEPHONES , *FINANCIAL management , *ACTIVITIES of daily living , *EDUCATIONAL attainment - Abstract
The study was to verify for older adults, the applicability of a recently developed measure of everyday problem solving, a performance-based observed assessment (the Chinese Version of Observed Tasks of Daily Living [OTDL-C]), by comparing with two other measures—a self-report questionnaire and a paper–pencil test. Totally 183 older adults (aged 60–84 years) completed demographic questionnaires and three everyday problem-solving assessments. All assessments measured the same instrumental domains of daily life (medication use, phone use, electric appliance use, and financial management). We observed significant differences in inter-individual variation, and found significant differences in the effects of age and education level on OTDL-C performance compared with self-report and paper–pencil measure performance. Additionally, the inter-individual variance was significantly greater for the OTDL-C and paper–pencil test than for the self-report questionnaire. Age remained a significant predictor of OTDL-C performance after controlling the scores of the self-report and the paper–pencil measures. Education level had more consistent effects on the total score and each domain score of the OTDL-C compared to the other two measures. Overall, our finding indicated that the OTDL-C had greater inter-individual variation, might be a more sensitive tool for examining age-related differences in the ability to solve everyday problem, and could be more applicable to older populations with diverse education levels compared to the self-report and the paper–pencil measures. In circumstances where a high sensitive assessment of everyday problem solving is needed to detect individual differences, the OTDL-C might be a more appropriate choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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9. Age and Ageing to introduce a new category of paper: healthcare improvement science.
- Author
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Parker, S G, Downes, T, Godfrey, M, Matthews, R, and Martin, F C
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AGE distribution , *ELDER care , *AGING , *MEDICAL ethics , *QUALITY assurance , *PATIENT participation - Abstract
Age and Ageing is now inviting papers on healthcare improvement for older people. In this article we outline the nature and scope of healthcare improvement and reference improvement models and the tools and methods of improvement science. We emphasise the issues of sustainability, including scale and spread; evaluation – including associated ethical consideration and the involvement of patients and the public in healthcare improvement and associated research. Throughout we refer to resources the authors have found useful in their own work, and provide a bibliography of sources and web-links which will provide essential guidance and support for potential contributors to this new category of submission to Age and Ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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10. Cancer incidence among women in the Norwegian pulp and paper industry
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Aage Andersen and Hilde Langseth
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Adult ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Population ,Cohort Studies ,Age Distribution ,Neoplasms ,Occupational Exposure ,Epidemiology ,Confidence Intervals ,Odds Ratio ,Humans ,Medicine ,education ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,education.field_of_study ,Bladder cancer ,Norway ,business.industry ,Incidence ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Absolute risk reduction ,Cancer ,Middle Aged ,Pulp and paper industry ,medicine.disease ,Wood ,Occupational Diseases ,Cohort ,Women's Health ,Female ,business ,Cohort study - Abstract
Background The aim of the present study was to investigate cancer risk among women working in the Norwegian pulp and paper industry. The cohort included a total of 4,247 workers employed for at least one year between 1920 and 1993 (108,095 person-years), 85% of them as paper or administration workers. Methods The follow-up period for cancer was from 1953–1993. No data of exposure measurements were available. The analyses were based on comparisons of standard incidence ratios. The expected numbers of cancer cases were calculated using the five-year age-specific incidence rates for the entire female population. Results During the follow-up period, 380 new cases of cancer were observed vs. 322 expected (SIR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.07–1.30). An excess risk of ovarian cancer was found (SIR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.07–2.09). The SIR was highest among those younger than 55 years, and mostly among those working in paper departments. Short-term workers showed increased risk of lung and bladder cancer. Conclusions Based on results from the present study, the increased risk of ovarian cancer is difficult to interpret, since existing knowledge of its etiology is limited. However, these women might have been exposed to various work-related agents such as talc, microbes, and different types of paper dust. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:108–113, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Published
- 1999
11. Human papillomavirus vaccination: The ESGO–EFC position paper of the European society of Gynaecologic Oncology and the European Federation for colposcopy.
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Joura, Elmar A., Kyrgiou, Maria, Bosch, Francisco X., Kesic, Vesna, Niemenen, Pekka, Redman, Charles WE., and Gultekin, Murat
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HUMAN papillomavirus vaccines , *AGE distribution , *COLPOSCOPY , *COST effectiveness , *GYNECOLOGY , *MEDICAL societies , *PAPILLOMAVIRUS diseases , *SEX distribution , *VACCINATION , *DISEASE complications , *TUMOR risk factors , *THERAPEUTICS ,PAPILLOMAVIRUS disease prevention ,CERVIX uteri tumors ,TUMOR prevention ,VAGINAL tumors - Abstract
Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) are available in Europe since 2006. They have been highly effective in preventing infection and disease caused by the vaccine types. Clinical efficacy data are available for cervical, vulvovaginal and anal precancer and invasive cervical cancer. Disease reduction is best with early vaccination and a coverage of more than 70%. Gender-neutral vaccination provides direct protection for all men and improves the coverage. A good coverage is followed by herd protection of the unvaccinated men and women. School-based programs appear to be most effective; under the age of 15 years, two doses with an interval of 6–12 months are sufficient. From the age of 15 years, the standard regimen with three doses is recommended. A broad catch-up program for young adult women and men improves the effectiveness. The vaccines are also effective in sexually active women and men with previous but cleared infections. Vaccination in addition to local treatment of HPV-related disease appears to reduce recurrent or subsequent HPV-related disease. Combination of HPV vaccination and screening with HPV testing is the most effective approach to prevention of cervical cancer. The screening intervals may increase in the vaccinated cohorts. The upper age limit for vaccination remains to be evaluated, is country specific and depends on cost-effectiveness. The European Society of Gynaecologic Oncology and the European Federation for Colposcopy strongly support gender-neutral vaccination programs for children and young adolescents, with a catch-up program for young adults. • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is highly effective in preventing cervical disease caused by the vaccine types. • It further reduces the burden of other HPV-related cancers, such as anal, oropharyngeal, vulvar and vaginal cancer. • School-based programs appear to be more cost-effective. • The vaccines have excellent safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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12. Paper Spirits and Flower Sacrifices: Hmong Shamans in the 21st Century.
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Helsel, Deborah
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AGE distribution , *RITES & ceremonies , *GROUNDED theory , *HEALERS , *HMONG (Asian people) , *IMMIGRANTS , *INTERVIEWING , *RESEARCH methodology , *METROPOLITAN areas , *CULTURAL pluralism , *STATISTICAL sampling , *SHAMANISM , *SPIRITUAL healing , *QUALITATIVE research , *LAW - Abstract
Introduction: Fresno, California, is home to more than 30,000 Hmong. The purpose of this research was to explore the utilization of Hmong shamans 40 years after the first Hmong immigrants arrived in the United States. Hmong shamanism is examined to identify and analyze changes to shamans' practices or patients. Methods: Using grounded theory, semistructured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 20 shamans in their homes. Transcribed data were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Shamans continue to train and practice in this community; utilization by older patients persists while young adult patients have become the fastest-growing group of users. Healing rituals have changed in response to the legalities of animal sacrifice in urban areas and the time demands of work schedules. Discussion: Nurses' awareness that the availability of biomedicine does not preclude the continuing or recurring utilization of traditional healers can facilitate understanding of culturally defined health care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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13. Electronic paper display preferred viewing distance and character size for different age groups
- Author
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Hsin-Chieh Wu
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Adult ,Male ,Paper ,Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation ,Human Factors and Ergonomics ,Fixation, Ocular ,law.invention ,Young Adult ,Age Distribution ,Age groups ,law ,Statistics ,Humans ,Electronic paper ,Size Perception ,Vision, Ocular ,Aged ,Communication ,business.industry ,Age Factors ,Computer terminal ,Consumer Behavior ,Middle Aged ,Age factor ,Character (mathematics) ,Reading ,Computer Terminals ,Female ,Ergonomics ,Psychology ,Older people ,business ,Word (group theory) - Abstract
This study explores the preferred viewing distance and character size for an electronic paper display for three age groups. Proofreading speed and accuracy ratio were measured during Chinese proofreading tests using the preferred character size and minimum acceptable character size. Data analysis showed that the mean preferred viewing distance for young, middle-aged and older groups was 503, 455 and 444 mm, respectively. The mean preferred character size determined by young, middle-aged and older groups was 42.0, 50.0 and 55.2 min arc, respectively. The proofreading test results indicated that the older group proofread significantly more slowly (1.25 word/sec) than the young (1.76 word/sec) and middle-aged groups (1.74 word/sec). Further, the participants proofread more correctly with their preferred character size (73.3%) than with their minimum acceptable character size (65.4%). This study provides valuable information for the design of Chinese text presentations for various age groups. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This study confirmed the preferred viewing distance and character size for E-paper display were influenced by age. The preferred Chinese character size for young, middle-aged and older people was 42, 50 and 55 min arc, respectively. Therefore, the age factor should be considered for E-paper displays design and video display terminal (VDT) guidelines.
- Published
- 2011
14. Evaluation of the filter paper blood collection method for detecting Og4C3 circulating antigen in bancroftian filariasis
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Roger H. Webber, John O. Gyapong, and Kwabena Omane-Badu
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Male ,Circulating antigen ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Rural Health ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Ghana ,Microfilaria ,Serology ,Filariasis ,Age Distribution ,Antigen ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Wuchereria bancrofti ,Whole blood ,Blood Specimen Collection ,Filter paper ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Virology ,Infectious Diseases ,Antigens, Helminth ,Immunology ,Female ,Parasitology - Abstract
Serological diagnosis of filariasis is generally known to be more reliable than detection of microfilariae. The recently developed Og4C3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting Wuchereria bancrofti circulating antigen has been shown to be very sensitive in diagnosing filiariasis using serum samples. The commercially available form of this ELISA, using whole blood collected on filter paper, has not been validated independently. We evaluated the sensitivity of this new method against standard 20 microL night blood films in 1808 paired samples from 18 communities in different endemic areas of Ghana. The diagnostic performance of the method was consistently low in all but 2 communities (sensitivity = 50.3%). This method of diagnosing filariasis is not suitable for field use in its present form.
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- 1998
15. Epidemiology of peripheral artery disease in Europe: VAS Educational Paper
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Mariella Catalano, Mihail Spinu, Dan-Alexandru Tătaru, Gerit-Holger Schernthaner, Gerry Fowkes, Agata Stanek, Aaron Liew, D. Olinic, Calin Homorodean, and Maria Olinic
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Arterial disease ,Disease ,Comorbidity ,Coronary Artery Disease ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Peripheral Arterial Disease ,0302 clinical medicine ,Global awareness ,Age Distribution ,Cost of Illness ,Risk Factors ,Internal medicine ,0502 economics and business ,Epidemiology ,medicine ,Ethnicity ,media_common.cataloged_instance ,Humans ,cardiovascular diseases ,European union ,Sex Distribution ,media_common ,business.industry ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Incidence ,05 social sciences ,Critical limb ischemia ,medicine.disease ,Prognosis ,body regions ,Europe ,Stroke ,Cardiovascular Diseases ,050211 marketing ,medicine.symptom ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business - Abstract
This paper reviews the current epidemiological data on peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Europe. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden is presented and PAD prevalence is discussed, as compared to coronary (CAD) and cerebrovascular (CeVD) diseases, in European Union (EU) countries and European continent countries. The article reviews PAD clinical manifestations, PAD diagnosis, risk factors for PAD incidence and progression, PAD prognosis and financial implications. CVD mortality is higher in women than in men and in European continent countries, as compared to EU countries. While CAD and CeVD have a lower prevalence in EU countries, as compared to the whole continent, PAD and other CVDs still have a higher prevalence in EU countries. PAD prevalence vary widely between countries, increases sharply with aging and has a relation with ethnicity. CVD comorbidities are high in PAD subjects and particularly high in those with critical limb ischemia. PAD prognosis is related to CAD and CeVD mortality, that are particularly high in critical limb ischemia. This review promotes the need for global awareness on PAD burden, stimulates PAD screening and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of PAD and associated cardiovascular comorbidities.
- Published
- 2018
16. Patients Given Take Home Medications Instead of Paper Prescriptions Are More Likely to Return to Emergency Department.
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Sarangarm, Dusadee, Sarangarm, Preeyaporn, Fleegler, Melissa, Ernst, Amy, and Weiss, Steven
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AGE distribution , *BLACK people , *DRUG prescribing , *ETHNIC groups , *HOSPITAL emergency services , *INSURANCE , *LONGITUDINAL method , *MARRIAGE , *MEDICAL appointments , *MEDICAL care , *MEDICAL care use , *PATIENTS , *PUBLIC welfare , *PHYSICIAN practice patterns , *DISCHARGE planning , *PATIENT readmissions , *DATA analysis software , *ELECTRONIC health records , *ODDS ratio - Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the 30-day emergency department (ED) return rate between patients given a Take Home Medication pack (THM) versus a standard paper prescription (SPP) prior to discharge. Methods: This was an observational, prospective cohort study in an urban, university-affiliated, level I trauma center. Patients were identified through daily pharmacy reports. Consecutive adult patients discharged from the ED with either a THM or equivalent SPP were included. For each patient, baseline characteristics including age, gender, primary care provider (PCP), primary language, ethnicity, marital status, and insurance status were recorded from the electronic medical record (EMR). Review of the EMR was used to determine whether patients returned to the ED within 30 days and whether the return visit was for all-causes or for the same complaint targeted by the THM or SPP from the index visit. Similarly, visits to other providers in the health system within 30 days were recorded. Results: A total of 711 patients were included in the study, with 268 receiving a THM and 443 receiving a SPP. In comparison with the SPP group, the THM group was more likely to have an all-cause return (Relative Risk [RR] = 1.7, P < .01). Variables associated with increased odds of returning to the ED within 30 days included study group (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 1.7), male gender (aOR: 1.6), African American ethnicity (aOR: 3.0), public insurance (aOR: 3.3), and institutional financial assistance (aOR: 5.0). The difference between study groups for index visit complaint-specific returns was not significant. Conclusions: Patients receiving a THM demonstrated a higher all-cause return rate than patients receiving a SPP. A randomized study is needed evaluating the effect of THM on return ED visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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17. WordSword: An Efficient Online Word Reading Assessment for Global English.
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Ho, Jana Chi-San, McBride, Catherine, Lui, Kelvin Fai Hong, and Łockiewicz, Marta
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READING ,RECOGNITION (Psychology) ,DIGITAL technology ,PEARSON correlation (Statistics) ,DATA analysis ,CRONBACH'S alpha ,STATISTICAL significance ,RESEARCH methodology evaluation ,RESEARCH evaluation ,INTERNET ,AGE distribution ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,ENGLISH as a foreign language ,RESEARCH methodology ,STATISTICS ,DATA analysis software ,EDUCATIONAL attainment - Abstract
The development of efficient and reliable online assessments has become increasingly important in the digital era. We developed a 10-min online word reading assessment of global English based on the existing paper-and-pencil version of our English silent word reading test. The test includes two parts, namely, random word recognition and contextual word reading. A total of 889 participants (437 children and 392 adults; 62.7% female) took part in the study. They were from various regions including mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Poland, the United States, and the Philippines. Reliability and validity analyses on various demographics samples (by age and country/region of origin) demonstrated that the WordSword Test is highly reliable and valid (e.g., the correlation of this test with other English reading measures were above.80). Education level was positively correlated with test performance, while the correlations between age and test performance were not consistent. Ninety-seven children participants also took the paper-and-pencil version of the WordSword Test. The correlation between performances on the online and paper-and-pencil versions of the test was.879, one year apart. With more children and adults taking the WordSword Test, we ultimately hope to establish norms by area, grade level, and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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18. Comparison of documentation of patient reported adverse drug reactions on both paper-based medication charts and electronic medication charts at a New Zealand hospital
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Wilson, Shen, Bernice, Wong, Jessica Yi Ping, Chin, Michael, Lee, Carolyn, Coulter, and Rhiannon, Braund
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Adult ,Aged, 80 and over ,Male ,Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ,Documentation ,Middle Aged ,Tertiary Care Centers ,Electronic Prescribing ,Young Adult ,Age Distribution ,Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems ,Humans ,Medication Errors ,Female ,Self Report ,Aged ,New Zealand - Abstract
Known adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can have profound effects on disease states, as well as prescribing practice. Therefore, the correct and complete documentation of each individual patient's ADR history, upon hospital admission, is important in optimising that individual patient's pharmacotherapy. This study investigated the documentation of ADRs at a tertiary New Zealand hospital, on both paper-based medication charts and electronic medication charts to quantify both the number of ADRs patients self-report, as well as the differences between recording of that information in electronic and paper-based charting systems.Following ethical approval, inpatient medication charts on the general medical ward (electronic prescribing), or the general surgical ward (paper-based medication charts) were viewed for documented ADRs-as reported by each patient on admission. Consecutive patient charts (and electronic clinical management system) were viewed until 50 patients from each ward, each with at least one documented ADR, (in any of the information sources) were obtained. Patient demographic information, ADR history and discrepancies between information sources were determined.In both wards 114 patients were reviewed in order to find 50 patients with documented ADRs. In the medical ward (electronic) 44 (90%) patients had discrepancies in ADR information between different information sources and in the surgical ward (paper) this occurred in 49 (98%) patients.A large number of patients self-report ADRs. Full documentation of patient reported ADRs is required to adequately inform future prescribing decisions. Discrepancies between ADR information recorded in different information systems exist, but information sharing between electronic and non-electronic sources could be prioritised in order to allow full and complete information to be collected, stored and utilised; and reduce the current inadequacies.
- Published
- 2016
19. Total mortality and cause-specific mortality of Swedish shift- and dayworkers in the pulp and paper industry in 1952-2001
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Berndt Karlsson, Lars Alfredsson, Kjell Torén, Anders Knutsson, and Eva Andersson
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Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Coronary Disease ,Occupational safety and health ,Occupational medicine ,Shift work ,Cohort Studies ,Age Distribution ,Environmental health ,Diabetes mellitus ,Work Schedule Tolerance ,medicine ,Diabetes Mellitus ,Humans ,cardiovascular diseases ,Child ,Stroke ,Occupational Health ,Sweden ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Total mortality ,Cohort ,business ,Cohort study - Abstract
The study investigated the relationship between shiftwork and mortality, both total mortality and cause-specific mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and diabetes. Methods The cohort consisted of 2354 shiftworkers and 3088 dayworkers in two pulp and paper manufacturing plants. The mortality of the cohort was monitored from 1 January 1952 to 31 December 2001 by linkage to the national Cause of Death Register. Groups of workers defined by different durations of shiftwork exposure were compared with dayworkers by calculating standardized relative rates (SRR).Death due to any cause (total mortality) was not higher among the shiftworkers than among the dayworkers [SRR 1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.93-1.11]. A longer duration of shiftwork was associated with an increased risk of CHD, and shiftworkers with30 years of shiftwork had the highest risk of CHD (SRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.49) Diabetes was more common as the number of shift years of exposure increased [b(linear coefficient) = 4.14 x 10(-5), 95% CI 2.46 x 10(-5) -5.81 x 10(-5)]. Compared with dayworkers, shiftworkers had a greater risk of death due to stroke (SRR 1.56, 95% CI 0.98-2.51).In the present study, no general increase in mortality was observed among shiftworkers when they were compared with dayworkers. However, the results demonstrate an increased mortality from CHD among shiftworkers with a long duration of shiftwork exposure. Mortality due to diabetes also increased as the number of shift years and mortality due to ischemic stroke in shiftworkers increased.
- Published
- 2005
20. Mortality and cancer incidence in New Zealand pulp and paper mill workers
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Dave, McLean, Didier, Colin, Paolo, Boffetta, and Neil, Pearce
- Subjects
Adult ,Aged, 80 and over ,Male ,Paper ,Lung Neoplasms ,Middle Aged ,Cohort Studies ,Occupational Diseases ,Age Distribution ,Risk Factors ,Neoplasms ,Humans ,Industry ,Female ,Sex Distribution ,Aged ,New Zealand - Abstract
To evaluate mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of workers employed in the New Zealand pulp and paper industry, and to identify the exposures responsible for any increased risk.A total of 8456 workers employed for at least one year in three pulp and paper mills between 1978 and 1990 were followed up until 1992. The observed number of deaths and cancer cases was compared with expected numbers calculated using five-year age-specific rates for the New Zealand population.Vital status was determined for 81% of the cohort, and for 93% of the total person-years at risk. Mortality from all causes (standardised mortality ratios (SMR) = 0.80, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.71-0.89; 314 deaths), and from all malignant neoplasms (SMR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.78-1.15, 103 deaths), was lower than expected. Mortality from lung cancer (SMR = 1.33, 95% CI 0.94-1.83, 37 deaths) was marginally increased.No overall increase in mortality from cancer or other causes was observed in this cohort. A small increase in lung cancer risk is suggested, although this was not statistically significant. Numbers of cases were too small for detailed analyses of associations between disease and specific exposures.
- Published
- 2002
21. Cancer incidence among male pulp and paper workers in Norway
- Author
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Aage Andersen and Hilde Langseth
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Lymphoma ,Air Pollutants, Occupational ,medicine.disease_cause ,Asbestos ,Cohort Studies ,Age Distribution ,Risk Factors ,Neoplasms ,medicine ,Confidence Intervals ,Humans ,Registries ,Risk factor ,Lung cancer ,business.industry ,Norway ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Incidence ,Smoking ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Cancer ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Respiratory Tract Neoplasms ,Surgery ,Occupational Diseases ,Survival Rate ,Standardized mortality ratio ,Chemical Industry ,Cohort ,business ,Cohort study ,Demography - Abstract
Objectives The study investigated cancer incidence among 23 718 male pulp and paper workers employed continuously for at least 1 year between 1920 and 1993 in Norway. Methods The name, date of birth, personal identification number, dates of hire and termination for all employment periods, specific department, and job categories were registered for each worker. Six subcohorts were established (sulfite mill, sulfate mill, paper mill, maintenance department, administrative staff and other departments). Data on the cohort were linked with data in the Norwegian Cancer Register. The follow-up period for cancer incidence, date of death, or emigration was from 1953 through 1993. Results An excess incidence of lung cancer was found among both short- and long-term employees [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.13-2.03 and SIR 1.2, 95% CI 1.09-1.34, respectively], especially for workers with the longest latency (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.08-1.44) and for sulfite mill workers (SIR 1.5, 95% CI 1.09-1.99). The risk for pleural mesothelioma was also increased (SIR 2.4, 95% CI 1.45-3.75), especially among maintenance workers. The results also showed an increased risk for malignant melanoma (SIR 1.3, 95% CI 1.04-1.60), an unexpected finding. Conclusion Almost all the increased risk for lung cancer can be explained by a combination of smoking habits and asbestos use, although an effect of other work-related exposures (sulfur and chloride compounds, wood dust) cannot be excluded. Most of the cases of pleural mesothelioma occurred in departments where asbestos was used. There is no clear explanation for the excess of malignant melanoma, and the finding may be a chance occurrence.
- Published
- 2000
22. Life span and disability in Sweden and Russia: Paper highlights poor health among Russian women
- Author
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Martin Bobak, Hynek Pikhart, Margareta Kristenson, and Michael Marmot
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,Cross-sectional study ,Health Status ,Population ,World health ,Russia ,Cohort Studies ,Age Distribution ,Life Expectancy ,Medicine ,Humans ,Disabled Persons ,Life Tables ,Letters ,Sex Distribution ,education ,Self-rated health ,General Environmental Science ,Aged ,Expectancy theory ,Sweden ,education.field_of_study ,Life span ,business.industry ,General Engineering ,virus diseases ,General Medicine ,social sciences ,Middle Aged ,humanities ,Survival Rate ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Cohort ,Papers ,Life expectancy ,Russian population ,Survey data collection ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Female ,business ,geographic locations ,Cohort study - Abstract
Objectives To compare levels of disability (in terms of physical function and self rated health) among middle aged and elderly people in Russia and Sweden, a country with high life expectancy. Design Cross sectional study. Setting General population of the Russian Federation and of two counties in southern Sweden. Participants Randomly selected men and women in Sweden (n = 9489) and Russia (n = 1599). Main outcome measures Official life table data; self rated health and physical functioning (subscale of the SF-36). Results The official life table data showed large differences in mortality—for example, 36% of Russian men aged 45-49 years would survive the next 25 years compared with 75% of Swedish men. The survey data showed, for both sexes, similar levels of self rated health and physical functioning in the two countries up to the age of about 45 years, but after that, the age related decline in both outcomes was much faster in Russia than in Sweden. By combining the national life tables with survey data on physical functioning we estimated that in the age group 45-49 years, 99% of Russian and 97% of Swedish men would be free of disability; of these, if these data were for a cohort, only 17% of Russians would be alive and free of disability 25 years later compared with 65% of Swedes. The difference in survival was similar in women. Conclusions Large differences exist in survival without disability between elderly Russians and Swedes. The short life span in Russia reflects high levels of ill health and disability and is associated with a rapid age related decline in physical functioning.
- Published
- 2004
23. Detection of antibodies against hepatitis A virus in eluates of blood spotted on filter-paper: a pilot study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Author
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Claudio J. Struchiner, Angélica Arpon Marandino Guimarães, Raymundo Soares Azevedo, Liz Maria de Almeida, Evandro Silva Freire Coutinho, and Eduardo Massad
- Subjects
Adolescent ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Pilot Projects ,Hepatitis A Antibodies ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,Serology ,Age Distribution ,Predictive Value of Tests ,medicine ,Prevalence ,Seroprevalence ,Humans ,Hepatitis Antibodies ,Child ,Filter paper ,biology ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Hepatitis A ,Infant ,General Medicine ,Gold standard (test) ,medicine.disease ,Virology ,Hepatitis a virus ,Infectious Diseases ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Child, Preschool ,biology.protein ,Parasitology ,Viral disease ,Antibody ,business ,Biomarkers ,Brazil - Abstract
The validity of blood spotted on to filter-paper (BSOFP) eluates for the detection of antibodies against hepatitis A virus (HAV) was investigated in 718 individuals (children and adults) during a field study in a small area in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Serum samples were considered the ‘gold standard’. BSOFP eluates were analysed by 2 different techniques: microplate competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the whole study group and microparticle enzyme immune assay (MEIA) of a subsample of 59 individuals. For BSOFP eluates by ELISA, sensitivity and specificity were 89·6% (95% CI: 84·7–93·1) and 97·5% (95% CI: 95·6–98·7), respectively. For a seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies of 32%, the positive predictive value was 94·5% (95% CI: 90·3–97·0) and the negative predictive value was 95·2% (95% CI: 92·8–96·8). The test efficiency was 95·0% (95% CI: 93·1–96·4). Similar results were found for BSOFP eluates by MEIA. Agreement between the 2 techniques used for BSOFP (ELISA and MEIA) was also high (κ = 0·93). These results encourage the more widespread application of BSOFP as a means of surveillance for large-scale epidemiological studies for hepatitis A.
- Published
- 2000
24. Methodological issues for population-based research into dementia in developing countries. A position paper from the 10/66 Dementia Research Group
- Author
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Martin Prince
- Subjects
Gerontology ,China ,International Cooperation ,Population ,Developing country ,India ,Nigeria ,Population based ,Age Distribution ,Prevalence ,Medicine ,Dementia ,Humans ,education ,Developing Countries ,Aged ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,Incidence ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Thailand ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Research Design ,Population Surveillance ,Position paper ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,business ,Inclusion (education) ,Dementia research ,Forecasting - Abstract
The 10/66 Dementia Research Group has been formed to promote good-quality, internationally comparable research into dementia in developing countries through active research collaboration. In this position paper, we review existing research into dementia prevalence in developing regions of the world. Seven methodologically robust studies were identified. The prevalence of dementia, age-adjusted to the age structure of the Kerala population, ranged from 1.3% to 5.3% for all those aged 60 or over and from 1.7% to 5.2% for all those aged 65 and over. Two studies, from Ibadan, Nigeria and Ballabgarh, India, reported strikingly low prevalence figures. The reported prevalence for most studies was somewhat lower than the consistent figures for Europe reported by the EURODEM concerted action. Based on critical review of the literature, and on the practical research experience of members of the 10/66 group, recommendations have been made for procedure in the following areas: age limits for inclusion in dementia surveys, age ascertainment, sampling, scope for incidence studies, functional assessment and culture- and education-fair dementia diagnosis. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Published
- 2000
25. Undirected health IT implementation in ambulatory care favors paper-based workarounds and limits health data exchange
- Author
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Ryan Tandjung, Thomas Rosemann, Oliver Senn, Nadine Ursprung, Sima Djalali, University of Zurich, and Djalali, Sima
- Subjects
11035 Institute of General Practice ,Adult ,Male ,Health Information Exchange ,Referral ,Health information technology ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,610 Medicine & health ,Health Informatics ,Health informatics ,Workflow ,Age Distribution ,Ambulatory care ,Nursing ,Physicians ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Health care ,Ambulatory Care ,Medicine ,Electronic Health Records ,Humans ,Practice Patterns, Physicians' ,Sex Distribution ,Referral and Consultation ,2718 Health Informatics ,Aged ,Response rate (survey) ,business.industry ,Attitude to Computers ,Workaround ,Health information exchange ,Middle Aged ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Logistic Models ,Female ,business ,Medical Informatics ,Switzerland - Abstract
The adoption and use of health information technology (IT) continues to grow around the globe. In Switzerland, the government nor professional associations have to this day provided incentives for health IT adoption.We aim to assess the proportion of physicians who are routinely working with electronic health data and describe to what extent physicians exchange electronic health data with peers and other health care providers. Additionally, we aim to estimate the effect of physicians' attitude towards health IT on the adoption of electronic workflows.Between May and July 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1200 practice based physicians in Switzerland. Respondents were asked to report on their technical means and where applicable their paper-based workarounds to process laboratory data, examination results, referral letters and physician's letters. Physicians' view of barriers and facilitators towards health IT use was determined by a composite score.A response rate of 57.1% (n=685) was reached. The sample was considered to be representative for physicians in Swiss ambulatory care. 35.2% of the respondents documented patients' health status with the help of a longitudinal semi-structured electronic text record generated by one or more encounters in the practice. Depending on the task within a workflow, around 11-46% of the respondents stated to rely on electronic workflow practices to process laboratory and examination data and dispatch referral notes and physician's letters. The permanent use of electronic workflow processes was infrequent. Instead, respondents reported paper-based workarounds affecting specific tasks within a workflow. Physicians' attitude towards health IT was significantly associated with the adoption of electronic workflows (OR 1.04-1.31, p0.05), but the effect sizes of factors related to the working environment (e.g., regional factors, medical specialty, type of practice) were larger.At present, only a few physicians in Swiss ambulatory care routinely work with electronic health data. Until more of their peers participate in electronic exchange of structured clinical information, most physicians will continue to stay in paper-based systems and workarounds. The survey found that physicians with a positive attitude towards health IT were more likely to adopt electronic workflows, but the impact is minor. It will likely be necessary to introduce financial incentives and develop national standards in order to promote the adoption by a critical mass of practicing clinicians.
- Published
- 2015
26. Web-based survey attracted age-biased sample with more severe illness than paper-based survey
- Author
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Hogne Sandvik, Atle Klovning, and Steinar Hunskaar
- Subjects
Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Epidemiology ,Population ,Prevalence ,Sample (statistics) ,Urinary incontinence ,Epidemiological method ,Norwegian ,Severity of Illness Index ,Young Adult ,Age Distribution ,Bias ,medicine ,Humans ,education ,Aged ,Internet ,education.field_of_study ,Norway ,business.industry ,Patient Selection ,Public health ,Age Factors ,Middle Aged ,Health Surveys ,language.human_language ,Surgery ,Urinary Incontinence ,language ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Demography - Abstract
To assess how web-based recruitment is comparable to postal surveys.In 2002, we invited female users of major Norwegian websites to join a women's health study on the Internet. The results of this study on the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) were compared with similar data collected by post in a previous epidemiological study, EPINCONT (Epidemiology of Urinary Incontinence in Nord-Trøndelag).Altogether 1,812 web respondents compared with 27,936 postal respondents from the EPINCONT study. The Internet sample was younger than the EPINCONT sample (37 vs. 48 years, P0.05). The proportion of women 60 years or older was 3.3% in our study and 29.0% in the EPINCONT study. Unadjusted prevalence of UI was lower in our study (20%) than in the EPINCONT study (25%), but stratified prevalence rates were higher in all individual age groups. In the Internet sample, we found less slight UI in all age groups, and more moderate (30-39 and 50-59-year age groups) and severe UI (30-39, 40-49, and 50-59-year age groups).We attracted a younger population with more severe UI than the EPINCONT study. Web-based approaches are less appropriate for studies on conditions concerning the older population than postal methods.
- Published
- 2009
27. Focus on the prophylaxis, epidemiology and therapy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infections and a position paper on associated risk factors: the perspective of an Italian group of surgeons.
- Author
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Sganga, G., Tascini, C., Sozio, E., Carlini, M., Chirletti, P., Cortese, F., Gattuso, R., Granone, P., Pempinello, C., Sartelli, M., and Colizza, S.
- Subjects
- *
SURGICAL site infection prevention , *ANTIBIOTICS , *AGE distribution , *CEPHALOSPORINS , *THORACIC surgery , *DELPHI method , *HOSPITAL care , *LENGTH of stay in hospitals , *LAPAROSCOPIC surgery , *OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases , *NURSING home patients , *PUBLIC health surveillance , *QUINOLONE antibacterial agents , *SURGICAL site infections , *TIME , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *CARBAPENEMS , *METHICILLIN-resistant staphylococcus aureus , *ANTIBIOTIC prophylaxis , *DISEASE risk factors - Abstract
Background: The aim of this research was to study the epidemiology, microbiology, prophylaxis, and antibiotic therapy of surgical site infections (SSIs), especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and identify the risk factors for these infections. In Italy SSIs occur in about 5 % of all surgical procedures. They are predominantly caused by staphylococci, and 30 % of them are diagnosed after discharge. In every surgical specialty there are specific procedures more associated with SSIs. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on SSIs, especially MRSA infections, and used the Delphi method to identify risk factors for these resistant infections. Results: Risk factors associated with MRSA SSIs identified by the Delphi method were: patients from long-term care facilities, recent hospitalization (within the preceding 30 days), Charlson score > 5 points, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and thoracic surgery, antibiotic therapy with beta-lactams (especially cephalosporins and carbapenem) and/or quinolones in the preceding 30 days, age 75 years or older, current duration of hospitalization >16 days, and surgery with prothesis implantation. Protective factors were adequate antibiotic prophylaxis, laparoscopic surgery and the presence of an active, in-hospital surveillance program for the control of infections. MRSA therapy, especially with agents that enable the patient's rapid discharge from hospital is described. Conclusion: The prevention, identification and treatment of SSIs, especially those caused by MRSA, should be implemented in surgical units in order to improve clinical and economic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. How common is early chronic kidney disease?: A Background Paper prepared for the UK Consensus Conference on Early Chronic Kidney Disease
- Author
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Mark S. MacGregor
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Age Distribution ,Risk Factors ,Humans ,Medicine ,Sex Distribution ,Intensive care medicine ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Transplantation ,business.industry ,Consensus conference ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,United Kingdom ,United States ,Nephrology ,Kidney Failure, Chronic ,Female ,Hemodialysis ,business ,Glomerular Filtration Rate ,Kidney disease - Published
- 2007
29. Private health insurance incentives and passive adverse selection: is Lifetime Health Cover responsible for the excess ageing of Australia's hospital cover risk pool?
- Author
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Ryan, Jonathon Bruce
- Subjects
INSURANCE ,HEALTH insurance reimbursement ,VALUE-based healthcare ,HEALTH policy ,PRIVATE sector ,HOSPITALS ,AGE distribution ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,AGING ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL care costs - Abstract
Objective: Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) was introduced in mid-2000 to increase participation in private health insurance that includes hospital cover (PHI-HC) and improve the risk profile of PHI-HC participants. It initially achieved both objectives, but since 2001 the PHI-HC population has aged faster than the general population. The aim of this study was to determine if the excess ageing of the PHI-HC risk pool has been due to passive age-based adverse selection, an inherent risk of LHC. This study has potential implications for the retention of LHC. Methods: A descriptive population-level analysis of publicly available administrative datasets was performed. Data relating to PHI-HC were obtained from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority. National population data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Trends in demography, PHI-HC participation rates and LHC loading payments were analysed. Results: By 2021, age-based adverse selection had returned to the pre-LHC level. Based on the available data, this was due to passive age-based adverse selection not active age-based adverse selection. Specifically, it reflected the combination of an avoidable unintended consequence of the introduction of LHC (the over-representation, in 2001, of individuals aged 45–59) and one of LHC's intended effects (incentivisation of insured individuals to retain PHI-HC). Conclusions: This study supports the retention of LHC. Nonetheless, it highlights the risk of passive age-based adverse selection created by incentivising insured individuals to retain PHI-HC in the presence of distortions in the age distribution of the PHI-HC risk pool. Early targeted interventions are required when such distortions arise. What is known about the topic? Since the introduction of Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) in mid-2000, the participation rate for private health insurance that includes hospital cover (PHI-HC) has remained relatively stable, but the PHI-HC population has aged faster than the general population. What does this paper add? This paper makes a novel distinction between 'active' and 'passive' age-based adverse selection to explain LHC's role in the excess ageing of the PHI-HC risk pool. What are the implications for practitioners? Governments need to be vigilant for the emergence of distortions in the age distribution of the PHI-HC risk pool and respond with targeted interventions to normalise the age distribution, or risk problematic passive age-based adverse selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Aging of transformer insulation of experimental transformers and laboratory models with different moisture contents: Part II — moisture distribution and aging kinetics.
- Author
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Vasovic, Valentina, Lukic, Jelena, Mihajlovic, Draginja, Pejovic, Branko, Milovanovic, Milovan, Radoman, Uros, and Radakovic, Zoran
- Subjects
TRANSFORMER insulation ,MOISTURE content of food ,AGE distribution ,KRAFT paper ,ELECTRIC insulators & insulation ,MOISTURE ,ARRHENIUS equation - Abstract
Part II of the paper presents the results of the experimental data processing presented in Part I dedicated to distribution of water content in the standard Kraft paper along the height of HV windings during aging of experimental transformers and comparisons of paper aging rates of experimental transformers and laboratory models. The dependence of aging constant (pre-exponential factor of Arrhenius equation) on the moisture content of cellulose insulation is introduced. The developed functional dependence is obtained by detailed processing of the data — hot-spot temperature, moisture and degree of polymerization of cellulose insulation during 460 days of aging experiment of two transformers on load, with conductor insulation moisture of ca. 1 % and ca. 4 % and 300 days of aging experiment on corresponding laboratory models. Based on the results shown in this paper, aging curve, i.e. change of degree of polymerization during transformer operation insulated with Kraft paper and inhibited mineral oil was proposed, including varying water contents during aging. Using this equation it is possible to evaluate aging rate of solid insulation, starting from known hot-spot temperature and moisture content in cellulose insulation. Good comparison of aging curves of experimental transformers and laboratory models, i.e. measured and calculated values of degree of polymerization of paper to existing literature findings was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Commentary: Thomas & Gunnell's paper
- Author
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David Goldberg
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Gerontology ,History ,Adolescent ,Epidemiology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Suicide rates ,History, 21st Century ,Young Adult ,Age Distribution ,Humans ,Sex Distribution ,Poverty ,Aged ,media_common ,History, 19th Century ,General Medicine ,History, 20th Century ,Middle Aged ,Infant mortality ,Suicide ,Unemployment ,Great Depression ,Life expectancy ,Female ,Demography - Abstract
This paper 1 is an interesting and unusual data set that raises a number of questions, only some of which are answerable. Life expectancy has steadily increased from 1900 to 2000, while infant mortality has also steadily improved. Suicide rates have not kept pace with this general improvement in health by showing similar linear decreases. If we disregard the major reductions in suicide rates in both world wars, more pronounced for males than females, we can say that male rates rose steadily from 1863 to 1905, but had returned to 1905 levels by 1937 during the Great Depression. Since then, however, the reduction in the male rates has been steady and sustained. Female rates rose gradually from 1863 to 1967, with smaller decreases during the world wars, and have fallen fairly steadily since then. The progressive increase in suicide rates in the earlier period is not easy to account for in terms of what is known about risk factors for suicide.
- Published
- 2010
32. Research paper. Differential trends in cigarette smoking in the USA: is menthol slowing progress?
- Author
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Giovino, Gary A., Villanti, Andrea C., Mowery, Paul D., Sevilimedu, Varadan, Niaura, Raymond S., Vallone, Donna M., and Abrams, David B.
- Subjects
- *
SMOKING , *AGE distribution , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *FLAVORING essences , *INTERVIEWING , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *RESEARCH funding , *SEX distribution , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *TOBACCO products , *DISEASE prevalence , *DATA analysis software , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Introduction Mentholated cigarettes are at least as dangerous to an individual's health as non-mentholated varieties. The addition of menthol to cigarettes reduces perceived harshness of smoke, which can facilitate initiation. Here, we examine correlates of menthol use, national trends in smoking menthol and non-menthol cigarettes, and brand preferences over time. Methods We estimated menthol cigarette use during 2004-2010 using annual data on persons ≥12 years old from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. We adjusted self-reported menthol status for selected brands that were either exclusively menthol or nonmenthol, based on sales data. Data were weighted to provide national estimates. Results Among cigarette smokers, menthol cigarette use was more common among 12-17 year olds (56.7%) and 18-25 year olds (45.0%) than among older persons (range 30.5% to 34.7%). In a multivariable analysis, menthol use was associated with being younger, female and of non-Caucasian race/ethnicity. Among all adolescents, the percentage who smoked non-menthol cigarettes decreased from 2004-2010, while menthol smoking rates remained constant; among all young adults, the percentage who smoked non-menthol cigarettes also declined, while menthol smoking rates increased. The use of Camel menthol and Marlboro menthol increased among adolescent and young adult smokers, particularly non-Hispanic Caucasians, during the study period. Conclusions Young people are heavy consumers of mentholated cigarettes. Progress in reducing youth smoking has likely been attenuated by the sale and marketing of mentholated cigarettes, including emerging varieties of established youth brands. This study should inform the Food and Drug Administration regarding the potential public health impact of a menthol ban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Age-Related Differences and Reliability on Computerized and Paper-and-Pencil Neurocognitive Assessment Batteries.
- Author
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Register-Mihalik, Johna K., Kontos, Daniel L., Guskiewicz, Kevin M., Mihalik, Jason P., Conder, Robert, and Shields, Edgar
- Subjects
- *
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests , *AGE distribution , *ANALYSIS of variance , *COLLEGE athletes , *COMPARATIVE studies , *STATISTICAL correlation , *HIGH school athletes , *LONGITUDINAL method , *STATISTICS , *EFFECT sizes (Statistics) , *CONTINUING education units , *INTER-observer reliability , *DATA analysis software , *COMPUTER-aided diagnosis ,RESEARCH evaluation ,WRITING - Abstract
Context: Neurocognitive testing is a recommended component in a concussion assessment. Clinicians should be aware of age and practice effects on these measures to ensure appropriate understanding of results. Objective: To assess age and practice effects on computerized and paper-and-pencil neurocognitive testing batteries in collegiate and high school athletes. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Classroom and laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Participants consisted of 20 collegiate student-athletes (age = 20.00 ± 0.79 years) and 20 high school student-athletes (age = 16.00 ± 0.86 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Hopkins Verbal Learning Test scores, Brief Visual-Spatial Memory Test scores, Trail Making Test B total time, Symbol Digit Modalities Test score, Stroop Test total score, and 5 composite scores from the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) served as outcome measures. Mixed-model analyses of variance were used to examine each measure. Results: Collegiate student-athletes performed better than high school student-athletes on ImPACT processing speed composite score (F1,38 = 5.03, P = .031) at all time points. No other age effects were observed. The Trail Making Test B total time (F2,66 = 73.432, P < .001), Stroop Test total score (F2,76 = 96.85, P = < .001) and ImPACT processing speed composite score (F2,76 = 5.81, P = .005) improved in test sessions 2 and 3 compared with test session 1. Intraclass correlation coefficient calculations demonstrated values ranging from 0.12 to 0.72. Conclusions: An athlete's neurocognitive performance may vary across sessions. It is important for clinicians to know the reliability and precision of these tests in order to properly interpret test scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Recommendations from the Epithelioid Sarcoma Collaborative: A White Paper.
- Author
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Voermans, M., Bui, M., Conrad, E., D'Amato, G., Goodwin, J., O'Driscoll, A., Ratan, R., Reinke, D., and Peregrine Antalis, E.
- Subjects
CANCER patient psychology ,EVALUATION of medical care ,HEALTH services accessibility ,SOCIAL support ,PROFESSIONS ,AGE distribution ,MEDICAL personnel ,EARLY detection of cancer ,SOFT tissue tumors ,SEX distribution ,MEDICAL protocols ,EXPERIENCE ,PATIENTS' families ,QUALITY assurance ,PATIENT-professional relations ,SARCOMA - Published
- 2021
35. Electronic adaptation and danish cross-cultural translation of PEmb-QoL and VEINES-QoL/Sym for patients with venous thromboembolism.
- Author
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Lindegaard, Stine Foged, Højen, Anette Arbjerg, and Rolving, Nanna
- Subjects
FIELD research ,PULMONARY embolism ,HUMAN research subjects ,AGE distribution ,ACTIVITIES of daily living ,HEALTH surveys ,INTERVIEWING ,VENOUS thrombosis ,INFORMED consent (Medical law) ,SEX distribution ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,RESEARCH funding ,JUDGMENT sampling - Abstract
Purpose: Most patient-reported outcome (PROs) used in thrombosis research and clinical practice are delivered using technology like online questionnaires. However, only few have undergone formal electronic adaptation from paper to digital versions, threatening the validity and reliability of the PROs. The present study aimed to perform an electronic adaption and cross-cultural translation of two PROs measuring health-related quality of life in a Danish cohort of patients with venous thrombosis (VTE), specifically the VEINES-QoL/Sym questionnaire and the PEmb-QoL questionnaire. Methods: The electronic adaption and cross-cultural translation processes followed the international guidelines recommended by ISPOR. The migration of the questionnaires from paper to electronic versions was conducted in the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). Following approval of the electronically adapted and translated versions, a pretest of the questionnaires was performed by cognitive interviewing patients with VTE recruited from a hospital setting. Results: Nine men and ten women between the age of 19 and 73 years participated in cognitive interviews. The questionnaires were successfully adapted from paper to electronic versions, and during the migration process only a few modifications to the content and format were made. Most comments were related to technicalities, e.g. touch functions and checkboxes. The cross-cultural translation of both questionnaires was satisfactory, as only minor rephrasing was required. Conclusions: The original and Danish version of VEINES-QoL/Sym and PEmb-QoL were successfully adapted into electronic versions and are ready to share for REDCap users. Furthermore, the Danish versions of the two questionnaires have shown satisfactory face validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Habitual protein intake, protein distribution patterns and dietary sources in Irish adults with stratification by sex and age.
- Author
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Hone M, Nugent AP, Walton J, McNulty BA, and Egan B
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animal Proteins, Dietary analysis, Diet Records, Energy Intake, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Ireland, Male, Meals, Middle Aged, Nutrition Surveys, Plant Proteins, Dietary analysis, Young Adult, Age Distribution, Diet statistics & numerical data, Dietary Proteins analysis, Sex Distribution
- Abstract
Background: Given the importance of habitual dietary protein intake, distribution patterns and dietary sources in the aetiology of age-related declines of muscle mass and function, the present study examined these factors as a function of sex and age in Irish adults aged 18-90 years comprising The National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS)., Methods: In total, 1051 (males, n = 523; females, n = 528) undertook a 4-day semi-weighed food diary. Total, body mass relative intake and percentage contribution to total energy intake of dietary protein were determined in addition to protein distribution scores (PDS), as well as the contribution of food groups, animal- and plant-based foods to total protein intake., Results: Total and relative protein intake [mean (SD)] were highest in those aged 18-35 years [96 (3) g day
-1 , 1.32 (0.40) g kg-1 day-1 ], with lower protein intakes with increasing age (i.e. in adults aged ≥65 years [82 (22) g, 1.15 (0.34) g kg-1 day-1 , P < 0.001 for both]. Differences in protein intake between age groups were more pronounced in males compared to females. Protein distribution followed a skewed pattern for all age groups [breakfast, 15 (10) g; lunch, 30 (15) g; dinner, 44 (17) g]. Animal-based foods were the dominant protein source within the diet [63% (11%) versus 37% (11%) plant protein, P < 0.001]., Conclusions: Protein intake and the number of meals reaching the purported threshold for maximising post-prandial anabolism were highest in young adults, and lower with increasing age. For main meals, breakfast provided the lowest quantity of protein across all age categories and may represent an opportunity for improving protein distribution, whereas, in older adults, increasing the number of meals reaching the anabolic threshold regardless of distribution pattern may be more appropriate., (© 2020 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.)- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Non food foreign body injuries. a meta-analysis of published papers
- Author
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Foltran, F, Ballali, S, Passali, Fm, Kern, E, Morra, B, Passali, G, Berchialla, P, Lauriello, M, and Gregori, D
- Subjects
Humans ,Infant, Newborn ,Child ,Europe ,Foreign Bodies ,Age Distribution ,Child, Preschool ,Registries ,Infant ,Hospitalization ,Adult ,Adolescent ,Sex Distribution ,Female ,Male ,Newborn ,Settore MED/31 - Otorinolaringoiatria ,Preschool - Published
- 2012
38. [Detection of antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi in Somoto, Nicaragua, using indirect ELISA and IFI on blood samples on filter paper]
- Author
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X, Palacios, A, Belli, and A M, Espino
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Adolescent ,Trypanosoma cruzi ,Infant, Newborn ,Antibodies, Protozoan ,Infant ,Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Nicaragua ,Middle Aged ,Age Distribution ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,Child, Preschool ,Animals ,Humans ,Leishmaniasis, Visceral ,Chagas Disease ,Female ,Sex Distribution ,Child ,Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ,Filtration - Abstract
We standardized a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in order to study the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in asymptomatic persons who live in an area of Nicaragua endemic for Chagas' disease. The test was standardized to analyze filter-paper blood samples, which are easy to transport. In the first phase of our investigation, ELISA was used to study 18 samples of total serum and 18 eluates of blood from patients with chronic Chagas' disease; 30 samples of serum and 30 eluates of blood from healthy people, used as negative controls; and 14 samples of serum and 14 eluates of blood from patients with cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis, which were used to study cross-reactions. Both with the total-serum and the blood-eluate samples, the ELISA test provided 100% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Cross-reactions in the patient samples were observed only with visceral leishmaniasis. The second phase of our investigation was a population study that included eight rural communities in the area of Somoto, Nicaragua. Through random sampling, filter-paper blood samples were collected from 2,434 people (1,335 men and 1,099 women) from the communities of Aguas Calientes, El Brocal, La Manzana, Las Playas, Los Canales, Santa Isabel, Santa Rosa, and Santa Teresa. Studied by ELISA and by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), the samples included 260 found seropositive by ELISA (10.7%), of which 207 were positive according to IIF (8.5%). With both techniques, the majority of seropositives were among women, but the difference between men and women was not statistically significant. There was a high level of agreement between the results obtained with the two techniques. There was an upward trend with age, with 5.4% of those found seropositive by ELISA being persons 10 years of age or younger and 42.7% of those found seropositive being older than 50. The vast majority of the individuals analyzed were asymptomatic.
- Published
- 2001
39. Electronic paper display preferred viewing distance and character size for different age groups.
- Author
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Wu, Hsin-Chieh
- Subjects
ERGONOMICS ,ELECTRONICS ,AGE distribution ,AGING ,ANALYSIS of variance ,CHINESE people ,STATISTICAL correlation ,MEDICAL protocols ,MULTIVARIATE analysis ,OFFICE management ,RESEARCH funding ,STATISTICS ,DATA analysis ,DATA analysis software - Abstract
This study explores the preferred viewing distance and character size for an electronic paper display for three age groups. Proofreading speed and accuracy ratio were measured during Chinese proofreading tests using the preferred character size and minimum acceptable character size. Data analysis showed that the mean preferred viewing distance for young, middle-aged and older groups was 503, 455 and 444 mm, respectively. The mean preferred character size determined by young, middle-aged and older groups was 42.0, 50.0 and 55.2 min arc, respectively. The proofreading test results indicated that the older group proofread significantly more slowly (1.25word/sec) than the young (1.76 word/sec) and middle-aged groups (1.74 word/sec). Further, the participants proofread more correctly with their preferred character size (73.3%) than with their minimum acceptable character size (65.4%). This study provides valuable information for the design of Chinese text presentations for various agegroups. Statement of Relevance: This study confirmed the preferred viewing distance and character size for E-paper display were influenced by age. The preferred Chinese character size for young, middle-aged and older people was 42, 50 and 55 min arc, respectively. Therefore, the age factor should be considered for E-paper displays design and video display terminal (VDT) guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Dr. P. C. Sen Memorial Award Paper. A study of HIV infection in thalassaemia patients of rural Bengal
- Author
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D, Sur, A K, Chakraborty, and S P, Mukhopadhyay
- Subjects
Male ,Adolescent ,HIV ,India ,Transfusion Reaction ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,HIV Infections ,Rural Health ,Age Distribution ,Socioeconomic Factors ,Child, Preschool ,Disease Transmission, Infectious ,Prevalence ,Humans ,Thalassemia ,Female ,Longitudinal Studies ,Child - Abstract
Thalassaemia patients receiving repeated blood transfusions are vulnerable to transfusion related infections. HIV infection is the most life threatening of them all. Blood being the most efficient mode of transmission of HIV, increases the risk of infection even further. Although the National AIDS Control programme has laid down stringent rules regarding blood safety, it remained to be seen whether they were being followed meticulously especially in rural areas. The present study was conducted to identify the HIV status of multi-transfused thalassaemia patients attending hospital blood banks of rural Bengal. Only 3 (0.9%) of the 330 thalassaemia patients examined were found to be HIV positive. Although the situation has not reached alarming proportions, yet appropriate control measures must be adopted on a mass scale to prevent further spread of the world wide pandemic.
- Published
- 1999
41. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination among male nurses.
- Author
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Sağtaş, Furkan and Gürsoy, Melike Yalçın
- Subjects
PAPILLOMAVIRUS diseases ,CROSS-sectional method ,SEXUAL orientation ,VACCINATION ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,SMOKING ,HUMAN papillomavirus vaccines ,NURSING ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,AGE distribution ,POPULATION geography ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) ,CHRONIC diseases ,NURSES' attitudes ,NURSING practice ,MARITAL status ,ECONOMIC impact ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,DATA analysis software ,ALCOHOL drinking ,PSYCHOLOGY of nurses ,REGRESSION analysis ,EDUCATIONAL attainment ,EMPLOYMENT ,PHYSICAL activity - Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of male nurses towards human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination and to examine whether knowledge about the HPV vaccine affects attitudes and beliefs about HPV vaccines. Background: HPV is responsible for ≈5% of all cancers worldwide. Therefore, vaccination against HPV is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV‐related cancers in men and women. Methods: The study group included 383 male nurses who were asked to complete online questionnaires. The data were collected using the following tools: a sociodeomographical characteristics form, the Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale (HPVKS), and The Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS). Results: It was determined that the general HPV knowledge of the male nurses participating in the study was at a moderate level, but their knowledge of HPV screening test, HPV vaccination, and current HPV vaccination programmes were at a low level. Male nurses' HPV vaccination rates were relatively low, and most of them did not intend to be vaccinated. In addition, CHIAS Attitudes and Beliefs scores of the male nurses were at an average level and HPV knowledge affected the attitudes and beliefs of the nurses. Conclusion: These results demonstrate an opportunity to improve information and awareness about HPV and vaccines by nursing education. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Although HPV vaccination is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV‐related cancers in men and women, vaccination rates are far behind the target, especially for men. What this paper adds? Findings showed that male nurses' HPV vaccination rates were relatively low.Male nurses' knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was not sufficient.HPV knowledge affected the attitudes and beliefs of these male nurses. The implications of this paper: Nurses need to be aware of the HPV vaccine during their undergraduate education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Exercise Effects on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients over Time: A Meta-Regression Study.
- Author
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Chiang, Jui-Kun, Chiang, Po-Chen, Kao, Hsueh-Hsin, You, Weir-Chiang, and Kao, Yee-Hsin
- Subjects
SYMPATHETIC nervous system physiology ,AUTONOMIC nervous system physiology ,PARASYMPATHETIC nervous system physiology ,EXERCISE physiology ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,STATISTICAL models ,DATA analysis ,EXERCISE therapy ,SEX distribution ,META-analysis ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,AGE distribution ,MEDLINE ,HEART beat ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,PRE-tests & post-tests ,RESISTANCE training ,TYPE 2 diabetes ,MEDICAL databases ,AEROBIC exercises ,STATISTICS ,ONLINE information services ,REGRESSION analysis ,PUBLICATION bias - Abstract
Background: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in patients with long-term, poorly controlled diabetes. This study investigates the effects of exercise on autonomic nervous system activity in T2DM patients over time. Methods: A literature review using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed identified studies assessed via heart rate variability. Papers were categorized into three groups: immediate effects (within 60 min), short-term effects (2–3 months), and long-term effects (over 4 months). Results: Nine articles with 161 T2DM patients were included in the meta-analysis. RMSSD changes after exercise were −4.3 (p = 0.227), 8.14 (p < 0.001), and 4.17 (p = 0.002) for the immediate, short-term, and long-term groups, respectively. LF/HF ratio changes were 0.21 (p = 0.264), −3.04 (p = 0.102), and −0.05 (p = 0.006) for the respective groups. Meta-regression indicated age, male gender, and exercise duration were associated with increased RMSSD, with coefficients of 2.36 (p = 0.001), 13.76 (p = 0.008), and 1.50 (p = 0.007), respectively. Age positively correlated with the LF/HF ratio, with a coefficient of 0.049 (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Regular exercise (≥3 times per week) for over 2 months increases parasympathetic activity in T2DM patients, while sympathetic activity decreases significantly after 4 months. Further study is needed to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Multiple risk factors for unplanned readmissions within 1 month of hospital discharge in acute care hospitals in Japan.
- Author
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Tomita, Masako, Murata, Kanako, Suzuki, Hiroko, Osaki, Chieko, Matuki, Eri, Komatuzaki, Kiiko, Ishihara, Yukie, Yoshihara, Shoko, and Sakai, Shima
- Subjects
RISK assessment ,HOME care services ,ACADEMIC medical centers ,RESEARCH funding ,PATIENT readmissions ,LOGISTIC regression analysis ,MULTIPLE regression analysis ,HOSPITALS ,DISCHARGE planning ,CONTINUUM of care ,RETROSPECTIVE studies ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,HEART failure ,AGE distribution ,HOSPITAL emergency services ,ODDS ratio ,TRANSITIONAL care ,RESEARCH methodology ,OBSTRUCTIVE lung diseases ,ELECTRONIC health records ,STATISTICS ,RESEARCH ,LENGTH of stay in hospitals ,DECISION trees ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,DISEASE relapse ,TUMORS ,COMPARATIVE studies ,DATA analysis software ,CRITICAL care medicine ,PATIENT aftercare ,ACTIVITIES of daily living ,NONPARAMETRIC statistics ,DISEASE complications - Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the risk factors for unplanned readmissions within 1 month after hospital discharge to develop a seamless support system from discharge to home care. Background: With shorter hospital stay lengths, understanding the characteristics of patients with multiple risk factors is important to prevent rehospitalization. Design: This is a single‐centre retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Logistic regression and decision tree analyses were performed using eight items from the records of 3117 patients discharged from a university hospital between April–September 2017 as risk factors. Results: Unplanned readmission risk was significantly associated with emergency hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.04–4.77), malignancy (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.44–3.24), non‐surgical admission (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.07–2.88), hospital stay of ≥ 15 days (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.14–2.43) and decline in activities of daily living owing to hospitalization (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.06–2.64). The highest risk combinations for rehospitalization were as follows: emergency hospitalization and malignancy; emergency admission, non‐malignancy and a hospital stay of ≥15 days; and scheduled hospitalization, no surgery and a hospital stay of ≥15 days. Conclusions: Patients with multiple risks for unplanned readmission should be accurately screened and provided with optimal home care. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Although the characteristics of patients at high risk of rehospitalization include malignancy, heart failure, conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other diseases prone to recurrence, old age, reduced activities of daily living and emergency hospitalization, few studies have reported on cases with multiple risks. What this paper adds? The most frequent risk types for unplanned readmissions within a month were emergency admissions for malignant tumours, emergency admissions for non‐malignant tumours with a hospital stay of 2 weeks or more and scheduled admissions for non‐surgical purposes with a length of stay of 2 weeks or more. The implications of this paper: The risk of unplanned readmission within 1 month of discharge increased due to a combination of multiple risks.This study helps us identify patients who are at high risk for readmission early in the hospitalization process and in providing nursing support for transition to their homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Age and ageing cardiovascular collection: blood pressure, coronary heart disease and heart failure.
- Author
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Masoli, Jane A H, Mensah, Ekow, and Rajkumar, Chakravarthi
- Subjects
BLOOD pressure ,MORTALITY ,AGE distribution ,CARDIOVASCULAR diseases ,CORONARY disease ,ORTHOSTATIC hypotension ,DISEASES ,MYOCARDIAL infarction ,TREATMENT effectiveness ,AGING ,HEART failure - Abstract
As people age they are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Understanding cardiovascular ageing is essential to preserving healthy ageing and preventing serious health outcomes. This collection of papers published in Age and Ageing since 2011 cover key themes in cardiovascular ageing, with a separate collection on stroke and atrial fibrillation planned. Treating high blood pressure remains important as people age and reduces strokes and heart attacks. That said, a more personalised approach to blood pressure may be even more important as people age to lower blood pressure to tight targets where appropriate but avoid overtreatment in vulnerable groups. As people age, more people experience blood pressure drops on standing (orthostatic hypotension), particularly as they become frail. This can predispose them to falls. The papers in this collection provide an insight into blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension. They highlight areas for further research to understand blood pressure changes and management in the ageing population. Inpatient clinical care of older people with heart attacks differs from younger people in UK national audit data. People aged over 80 had improved outcomes in survival after heart attack over time, but had lower rates of specialist input from cardiology compared with younger people. This may partly reflect different clinical presentations, with heart attacks occurring in the context of other health conditions, frailty and multimorbidity. The care and outcomes of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease are impacted by the frailty and health status of an individual at baseline. The research included in this collection reinforces the wide variations in the ageing population and the necessity to focus on the individual needs and priorities, and provide a person-centred multidisciplinary approach to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking: an overview.
- Author
-
Barr, Ethan and Newman, Andrew
- Subjects
PREVENTION of stalking ,CYBERBULLYING ,VICTIM psychology ,MENTAL health ,MENTAL health services ,EARLY medical intervention ,STALKING ,SEX distribution ,CRIMINALS ,AGE distribution ,TEENAGERS' conduct of life ,INTERPERSONAL relations ,SOCIAL support ,DEMOGRAPHY ,CHILD behavior ,ADOLESCENCE ,CHILDREN - Abstract
Purpose: Stalking is considered a public health priority with a range of adverse outcomes. This paper aims to explore existing literature on children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking, with a focus on rates of stalking and victim and perpetrator characteristics associated with stalking. Design/methodology/approach: A review of research where stalking was engaged in by those 18 years old and younger was conducted, where 17 manuscripts met criteria for review. Findings: This review found a prevalence of young people engaging in stalking of between 5.3% and 36%. Considerations including demographics, typologies, prior relationship characteristics, stalking and pursuit tactics, cyberstalking and a brief consideration of the impact are given. Practical implications: Literature considering perpetration remains thin, and future research should seek to move towards a widely acceptable definition of stalking, as well as considering effective interventions for early intervention, and to consider the role of mental health services in supporting perpetrators and victims, who may not always be mutually exclusive groups. Originality/value: This paper extends previous literature reviews; the authors understand this to be original work that contributes to a gap in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. The scholarly impact of diversity research.
- Author
-
Ng, Thomas W. H.
- Subjects
EXPERIMENTAL design ,AUTHORS ,ANALYSIS of variance ,MINORITIES ,SCHOLARLY communication ,AGE distribution ,BIBLIOMETRICS ,CULTURAL pluralism ,RACE ,SOCIAL stigma ,PSYCHOLOGY ,SEX distribution ,CITATION analysis ,STEREOTYPES ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,THEORY ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,FACTOR analysis ,DATA analysis software ,MEDICAL research - Abstract
This study contributes to the diversity literature by probing whether diversity papers are cited as frequently as nondiversity papers in management and industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology journals. Based on the stigma‐by‐association theory, I argue that as a result of their association with minority groups, diversity papers may be devalued and thus "othered" by scholars. Using a citation analysis of 46,930 papers published in 29 peer‐reviewed management and I/O psychology journals, I present empirical evidence in Study 1 that diversity papers were cited significantly less frequently than nondiversity papers. The authors' gender and institutional prestige, journal tier and domain, and year of publication were not moderators. In Study 2, I used a scenario experiment to demonstrate the stigma‐by‐association effect. The authors' gender demonstrated a significant moderating effect in this experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Student diversity and e‐exam acceptance in higher education.
- Author
-
Froehlich, Laura, Sassenberg, Kai, Jonkmann, Kathrin, Scheiter, Katharina, and Stürmer, Stefan
- Subjects
STATISTICS ,ANALYSIS of variance ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,COMPUTER assisted testing (Education) ,AGE distribution ,CROSS-sectional method ,SELF-evaluation ,TIME ,CULTURAL pluralism ,HEALTH outcome assessment ,SEX distribution ,PRE-tests & post-tests ,ACADEMIC achievement ,EDUCATIONAL technology ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,FACTOR analysis ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,STUDENT attitudes ,PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation ,SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors ,ANXIETY ,DATA analysis software - Abstract
Background: The use of e‐exams in higher education is increasing. However, the role of student diversity in the acceptance of e‐exams is an under‐researched topic. In the current study, we considered student diversity in terms of three sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, and second language) and three dispositional student characteristics (computer anxiety, test anxiety, and technology openness). Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between student diversity and acceptance of e‐exams. Methods: Our research combined cross‐sectional analyses (N = 1639) with data from a natural experiment on the introduction of e‐exams versus the established paper‐pencil exams (N = 626) and used both self‐report and institutional data. Sociodemographic and dispositional characteristics were indirectly related to pre‐exam acceptance via expectancy variables from the Technology Acceptance Model framework. Results and Conclusions: Comparisons of post‐exam acceptance showed that practical experience with the e‐exam led to a significant increase in e‐exam acceptance, and that students with low openness toward technology particularly benefited from this effect. Students' exam performance (i.e., grades) was unrelated to the exam format or their pre‐exam acceptance of the e‐exam format, and this was true across students' sociodemographic and dispositional characteristics. Takeaway: Student diversity plays a role in e‐exam acceptance, but its influence is mitigated by first‐hand experience with e‐exams. The practical implications for higher education institutions aiming to implement e‐exams are discussed. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The use of e‐exams in higher education is increasingThe role of student diversity for e‐exam acceptance is unclearTechnology acceptance is predicted by expectancies towards new system What this paper adds: We investigated students' sociodemographic and dispositional diversityDiversity predicted e‐exam acceptance via the expectanciesIn a natural experiment, first‐hand experience increased e‐exam acceptanceNo difference between performance in e‐exams and paper‐pencil‐exams found Implications of the study findings for practitioners: Higher education institutions implementing e‐exams should consider diversitySupport for older students and students with low technology openness neededNo student groups systematically disadvantaged by e‐exam implementationPractice rooms can increase experience with new system before exam [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Setting bounds on age, period, and cohort effects using observed data.
- Author
-
O'Brien, Robert M.
- Subjects
AGE distribution ,HOMICIDE rates ,AGE groups ,FIXED effects model ,AGE ,DEPENDENT variables - Abstract
This paper presents a method that uses observed data from an age-period table to set bounds on the age, period, and cohort effects in an age-period-cohort multiple classification (APCMC) model. The rationale is that with enough periods over a long time span the age distributions within periods on the dependent variable will be affected by different sets of cohorts for each of the periods. This is likely to result in different trends in these separate period age distributions such that the trends in the age distributions will encompass the trend in the age effects that generated the dependent variable values. This approach can help to identify bounds that likely encompass the age, period, cohort parameters that generated the data. The data used in this papers are estimated homicide arrests by single years for those aged 15–64 for the periods 1964 to 2019 in the United States. I utilize the observed trends in the age-distributions for each of the 56 periods as different constraints on the trends for the age effects in the APCMC fixed effects model. These estimates are used to form bounds on the age effects, period effects, and cohort effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Use of a Web-based Questionnaire in the Black Women's Health Study.
- Author
-
Russell, Cordelia W., Boggs, Deborah A., Palmer, Julie R., and Rosenberg, Lynn
- Subjects
AGE distribution ,ANALYSIS of variance ,BLACK people ,COST control ,LONGITUDINAL method ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,RESEARCH funding ,SURVEYS ,WOMEN ,WORLD Wide Web ,CONTENT mining ,ECONOMICS - Abstract
The authors assessed the utility and cost-effectiveness of using a World Wide Web-based questionnaire in a large prospective cohort study, the Black Women's Health Study (BWHS). In 1995, 59,000 African-American women were recruited into the BWHS through a paper questionnaire. Follow-up paper questionnaires have been mailed every 2 years since then. During the 2003, 2005, and 2007 questionnaire cycles, participants were given the option of completing a Web-based questionnaire. The cost of developing and processing a returned paper questionnaire was 4 times that of a returned Web questionnaire, primarily because of return postage costs and greater processing time for paper questionnaires. The proportion of respondents who completed a Web questionnaire doubled from 2003 to 2007, from 10.1% to 19.9%, but the characteristics of those completing the Web questionnaire remained the same. Web response was greatest at younger ages (20.9% of those aged <30 years) and declined with age to 3.6% among women aged 60 years or more. Web questionnaires were filled out more completely than paper questionnaires, regardless of the sensitivity of a question. The use of a Web questionnaire in the BWHS resulted in cost savings and more complete responses. Although there are advantages to using a Web questionnaire, the use of multiple means of soliciting questionnaire responses is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. White paper on vaping: Electronic cigarettes use -- A case for restrictive policies in Grenada, West Indies.
- Author
-
Richards, Christine, Glasgow, Lindonne, Bidaisee, Satesh, Ramdass, Prakash, Oladimeji, Tolulope, Loukas, Marios, and Keku, Emmanuel
- Subjects
SMOKING laws ,AGE distribution ,HEALTH education ,HEALTH promotion ,MEDICAL care costs ,HEALTH policy ,PUBLIC health ,SUBSTANCE abuse ,SOCIOECONOMIC factors ,ELECTRONIC cigarettes - Abstract
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or the practice of vaping has emerged as a global public health concern. If this practice remains unchecked, all the gains due to public health efforts to reduce smoking of combustible cigarettes and thus reduce morbidity and mortality from tobacco-related deaths will be reversed. While e-cigarettes were initially introduced as a smoking cessation strategy, sufficient evidence for this has not been forthcoming. In fact, the use of e-cigarettes has produced more negative health outcomes than positive ones, as evidenced in the recent morbidity and mortality related EVALI. While this is more evident in developed countries, governments of low- and middle-income countries such as Grenada, need to protect youth and young adults from initiating and/or continuing use of these potentially harmful products. Many countries, as well as states in the United States, have implemented some level of restrictive policies on the use of e-cigarettes based on the available evidence of harm caused by these products. It is proposed that the same interventions that have worked for smoking of combustible cigarettes reduction should be applied to e-cigarettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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