Association Vs Causality in Transfusion Medicine: Understanding Multivariable Analysis in Prediction Vs Etiologic Research

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurabh Zalpuri ◽  
Rutger A. Middelburg ◽  
Leo van de Watering ◽  
Eleftherios Vamvakas ◽  
Jaap Jan Zwaginga ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Vangoitsenhoven ◽  
Rickesha Wilson ◽  
Deepa V Cherla ◽  
Chao Tu ◽  
Sangeeta R Kashyap ◽  
...  

<b>Objective</b>: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance (IR) and beta-cell dysfunction. Ectopic fat accumulation in liver and muscle causes IR. Since bariatric and metabolic surgery significantly improves fatty liver disease, <a>we hypothesized that coexistence of liver steatosis (i.e., when hepatic IR contributes in T2DM) would be associated with greater diabetes improvement after surgery.</a> <p> </p> <p><b>Research design and methods</b>: A total of 519 patients with T2DM who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and simultaneous liver biopsy and had a minimum 5-year follow-up were analyzed to assess the independent association between biopsy-proven liver steatosis and postoperative long-term diabetes remission (glycated hemoglobin < 6.5% off medications).</p> <p> </p> <p><b>Results</b>: Of the 407 patients with biopsy-proven liver steatosis, long-term diabetes remission was achieved in 211 (52%) patients, compared with 44/112 (39%) remission in patients without steatosis (P=0.027). In multivariable analysis, presence of liver steatosis was an independent predictor of long-term diabetes remission (odds ratio 1.96, [95% confidence interval 1.04 – 3.72], <i>P</i>=0.038). Hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation, or fibrosis at baseline did not predict diabetes remission.</p> <p> </p> <p><b>Conclusion</b>: This study, for the first time, suggests that in patients with T2DM who are considering bariatric and metabolic surgery, coexistence of liver steatosis is associated with better long-term glycemic outcomes. Furthermore, our data suggest that there are different variants of T2DM wherein metabolic responses to surgical weight loss are different. A subgroup of patients whose T2DM is characterized by the presence of hepatic steatosis (presumably associated with worse IR) experience better postoperative metabolic outcomes.</p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ellen Mackesy-Amiti ◽  
Lawrence J. Ouellet

Background. We examined correlates of past year suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) and described past year treatment experiences among young people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods. Participants were 570 adults (18-25 years) who injected primarily heroin. Interviews were conducted at field stations operated by Community Outreach Intervention Projects in Chicago, Illinois (USA). Interviewers administered the Psychiatric Research Instrument for Substance and Mental Disorders. Substance use and mental disorders were based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Past year STB was based on multiple questions. Results. Sixteen percent of men and 25% of women reported STB in the past year. In multivariable analysis, STB was associated with non-heterosexual orientation, foster care, and being raised by two parents. Primary major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder had independent effects on suicidality. Among those reporting past year STB (n=111), 83% ever received mental health treatment, while 44% did so in the past year. While 24% of respondents indicated that at least one treatment matched their needs very well, 30% reported treatment that did not match their needs at all. The most common reason for ending treatment was program completion (about 50%) while getting better was endorsed by about 25%. Nearly half reported ending treatment due to a bad experience, logistical issues, or expense. Conclusions. Young PWID are at high risk for suicidal behavior and their mental health treatment experiences often do not meet their needs. There is a pressing need for more integrated substance use and mental health treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
pp. 1863-1872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideaki Tanaka ◽  
Jean Gotman ◽  
Hui Ming Khoo ◽  
André Olivier ◽  
Jeffery Hall ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe authors sought to determine which neurophysiological seizure-onset features seen during scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and intracerebral EEG (iEEG) monitoring are predictors of postoperative outcome in a large series of patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who underwent resective surgery.METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed the records of 75 consecutive patients with focal epilepsy, who first underwent scalp EEG and then iEEG (stereo-EEG) for presurgical assessment and who went on to undergo resective surgery between 2004 and 2015. To determine the independent prognostic factors from the neurophysiological scalp EEG and iEEG seizure-onset information, univariate and standard multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Since scalp EEG and iEEG data were recorded at different times, the authors matched scalp seizures with intracerebral seizures for each patient using strict criteria.RESULTSA total of 3057 seizures were assessed. Forty-eight percent (36/75) of patients had a favorable outcome (Engel class I–II) after a minimum follow-up of at least 1 year. According to univariate analysis, a localized scalp EEG seizure onset (p < 0.001), a multilobar intracerebral seizure-onset zone (SOZ) (p < 0.001), and an extended SOZ (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with surgical outcome. According to multivariable analysis, the following two independent factors were found: 1) the ability of scalp EEG to localize the seizure onset was a predictor of a favorable postoperative outcome (OR 6.073, 95% CI 2.011–18.339, p = 0.001), and 2) a multilobar SOZ was a predictor of an unfavorable outcome (OR 0.076, 95% CI 0.009–0.663, p = 0.020).CONCLUSIONSThe study findings show that localization at scalp seizure onset and a multilobar SOZ were strong predictors of surgical outcome. These predictors can help to select the better candidates for resective surgery.


Objective: While the use of intraoperative laser angiography (SPY) is increasing in mastectomy patients, its impact in the operating room to change the type of reconstruction performed has not been well described. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether SPY angiography influences post-mastectomy reconstruction decisions and outcomes. Methods and materials: A retrospective analysis of mastectomy patients with reconstruction at a single institution was performed from 2015-2017.All patients underwent intraoperative SPY after mastectomy but prior to reconstruction. SPY results were defined as ‘good’, ‘questionable’, ‘bad’, or ‘had skin excised’. Complications within 60 days of surgery were compared between those whose SPY results did not change the type of reconstruction done versus those who did. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were entered into multivariable logistic regression models if significant at the univariate level. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: 267 mastectomies were identified, 42 underwent a change in the type of planned reconstruction due to intraoperative SPY results. Of the 42 breasts that underwent a change in reconstruction, 6 had a ‘good’ SPY result, 10 ‘questionable’, 25 ‘bad’, and 2 ‘had areas excised’ (p<0.01). After multivariable analysis, predictors of skin necrosis included patients with ‘questionable’ SPY results (p<0.01, OR: 8.1, 95%CI: 2.06 – 32.2) and smokers (p<0.01, OR:5.7, 95%CI: 1.5 – 21.2). Predictors of any complication included a change in reconstruction (p<0.05, OR:4.5, 95%CI: 1.4-14.9) and ‘questionable’ SPY result (p<0.01, OR: 4.4, 95%CI: 1.6-14.9). Conclusion: SPY angiography results strongly influence intraoperative surgical decisions regarding the type of reconstruction performed. Patients most at risk for flap necrosis and complication post-mastectomy are those with questionable SPY results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (01) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
Farida Parvin ◽  
Mohammed Abdul Quader ◽  
Daanish Arefin Biswas ◽  
Mohammed Ali ◽  
Bepasha Naznin ◽  
...  

Background: Transfusion of blood components and derivatives in day care unit is an eminent part of management of transfusion dependent patients. Day care transfusion service is an alternative to hospital admission and beneficial for those patients who receive blood more frequently for their survival. Objective: The aim of present study is to assess Transfusion Services provided in a Day Care Unit (DCU) of a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This study was carried out in DCU of Transfusion Medicine Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, (BSMMU) at Dhaka during January 2014 to December 2014. Data were collected from record registers. Recorded retrospective data were analyzed as percentage and proportion. Results: Total recipients were 718. Among those 424 (59.05%) were male and 294 (40.95%) were female and 562 (78.27%) were between 10 to 40 years. A total of 8587 units of blood components were used during this period. Red Cell Concentrate was most commonly utilized product 6388 (74.39%) followed by Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) 1360 (15.83%), Platelet Concentrate 544 (6.33%), Whole blood 260 (3.05%) and Cryoprecipitate 35 (0.40%). Transfusion was required more frequently in thalassaemic 365(50.88%) patients. Haemophilia 77(10.72%) and aplastic anaemia patients 49 (6.82%) were next high. The main transfusion reaction observed during transfusion was febrile non-haemolytic reactions. Conclusion: For increasing use of specific blood product and hassle-free transfusion services this kind of day care unit services should be strengthened. Long term study of this kind will help us to develop safe clinical transfusion practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghada El Khoury ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Wissam K. Kabbara ◽  
Nibal Chamoun ◽  
Nadim Atallah ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that affects 387 million people around the world. Episodes of hyperglycemia in hospitalized diabetic patients are associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, prevention of hyperglycemia is critical to decrease the length of hospital stay and to reduce complications and readmissions. Objective: The study aims to examine the prevalence of hyperglycemia and assess the correlates and management of hyperglycemia in diabetic non-critically ill patients. Methods: The study was conducted on the medical wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Lebanon. A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2014 until September 2015. Diabetic patients admitted to Internal Medicine floors were identified. Descriptive analysis was first carried out, followed by a multivariable analysis to study the correlates of hyperglycemia occurrence. Results: A total of 235 medical charts were reviewed. Seventy percent of participants suffered from hyperglycemia during their hospital stay. The identified significant positive correlates for inpatient hyperglycemia, were the use of insulin sliding scale alone (OR=16.438 ± 6.765-39.941, p=0.001) and the low frequency of glucose monitoring. Measuring glucose every 8 hours (OR= 3.583 ± 1.506-8.524, p=0.004) and/or every 12 hours (OR=7.647 ± 0.704-79.231, p=0.0095) was associated with hyperglycemia. The major factor perceived by nurses as a barrier to successful hyperglycemia management was the lack of knowledge about appropriate insulin use (87.5%). Conclusion: Considerable mismanagement of hyperglycemia in diabetic non-critically ill patients exists; indicating a compelling need for the development and implementation of protocol-driven insulin order forms a comprehensive education plan on the appropriate use of insulin.


Author(s):  
Ga Young Yoon ◽  
Joo Hee Cha ◽  
Hak Hee Kim ◽  
Hee Jung Shin ◽  
Eun Young Chae ◽  
...  

Background: Metaplastic breast cancer (MC) is a rare disease, thus it is difficult to study its clinical outcomes. Objective: To investigate whether any clinicopathological or imaging features were associated with clinical outcome in MC. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathological and imaging findings, and the clinical outcomes of seventy-two pathologically confirmed MCs. We then compared these parameters between triple-negative (TNMC) and non-TNMCs (NTNMC). Results: Oval or round shape, and not-circumscribed margin were the most common findings on mammography, ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was mostly a mass without calcification on mammography, and revealed complex or hypoechoic echotexture, and posterior acoustic enhancement on US, and rim enhancement, wash-out kinetics, peritumoral edema, and intratumoral necrosis on MRI. Of all 72, 64 were TNMCs, and eight were NTNMCs. Clinicopathological and imaging findings were similar between the two groups, except that MRI showed peritumoral edema more frequently in TNMCs than NTNMCs (p=0.045). There were 21 recurrences and 13 deaths. Multivariable analysis showed that larger tumor size and co-existing DCIS were significantly predictive of Disease free survival (DFS), and larger tumor size and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were significantly predictive of overall survival (OS). Conclusion: MC showed characteristic imaging findings, and some variables associated with survival outcome may help to predict prognosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 658-666
Author(s):  
Tossapon Chamnankit ◽  
Parichat Ong-artborirak ◽  
Jukkrit Wangrath

Background: Elderly people with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) are at risk of falls, which can lead to injury and disability. Not much is known of informal caregivers’ awareness of falls in elderly patients with DM. Objective: This study aims to identify an association between caregiver’s awareness and falls in elderly patients with DM. Methods: A total of 136 pairs of DM patients and their respective family caregivers were recruited from a clinical service center at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The questionnaire regarding the caregiver’s awareness of the risk of falls in elderly patients was given via a face-to-face interview. Each elderly patient was asked about their history of falls in the prior year, and the risk of falls was assessed by Time Up & Go (TUG) test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine association. Results: The mean age of the DM patients was 65.7 years. Sixty-two patients (45.6%) had fallen at least once in the prior year. The mean TUG test result was 12.67±1.83 second. Most caregivers demonstrated a high level of awareness regarding the risk of falls in elderly patients. The results of the multivariable analysis showed that three variables – balance problems, risk of falls assessed by TUG test, and scores of caregiver’s awareness of risk of falls – were significantly related to falls in the previous year among elderly patients with DM (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: The caregivers’ awareness of fall risk may influence fall occurrence among older adults with DM. An intervention program to improve awareness among informal caregivers should be considered for fall prevention in elderly people.


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