WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ARTHRITIS SYMPTOM ALLEVIATION

Author(s):  
Ulla Slothuus ◽  
Mette L. Larsen ◽  
Peter Junker

Objective: To compare two methods of measuring willingness to pay (WTP): closed-ended questions with and without follow-up.Methods: A measurement experiment based on dichotomous choice contingent valuation survey data is reported. Marginal WTP estimates for alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms resulting from treatment with a novel anti-rheumatic agent, cA2 (TNF-α blockade), were calculated. Monte Carlo simulations were undertaken to evaluate the methods with respect to their statistical power.Results: The estimated marginal WTP values using closed-ended questions with and without follow-up were DKK 637 (US $91) and DKK 1,268 (US $181), respectively. A Wilcoxon's signed-rank test showed that the difference of DKK 631 was significant. Moreover, including a follow-up question increases the precision of the result. Monte Carlo simulations showed that trade-offs between power (i.e., the probability of a correct rejection of a false null hypothesis), efficiency, and size may exist in the two models.Conclusions: There was a significant difference between the WTP estimates when using closed-ended questions with and without follow-up. When choosing between the models, however, power, efficiency, and size could be used as selection criteria.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emre Erdem ◽  
Ahmet Karatas ◽  
Tevfik Ecder

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The effect of high serum ferritin levels on long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients is unknown. The relationship between serum ferritin levels and 5-year all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients was investigated in this study. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 173 prevalent hemodialysis patients were included in this study. The patients were followed for up to 5 years and divided into 3 groups according to time-averaged serum ferritin levels (group 1: serum ferritin &#x3c;800 ng/mL, group 2: serum ferritin 800–1,500 ng/mL, and group 3: serum ferritin &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL). Along with the serum ferritin levels, other clinical and laboratory variables that may affect mortality were also included in the Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighty-one (47%) patients died during the 5-year follow-up period. The median follow-up time was 38 (17.5–60) months. The 5-year survival rates of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 44, 64, and 27%, respectively. In group 3, the survival was lower than in groups 1 and 2 (log-rank test, <i>p</i> = 0.002). In group 1, the mortality was significantly lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.16 [0.05–0.49]; <i>p</i> = 0.001). In group 2, the mortality was also lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.32 [0.12–0.88]; <i>p</i> = 0.026). No significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2 was found (HR [95% CI]: 0.49 [0.23–1.04]; <i>p</i> = 0.063). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Time-averaged serum ferritin levels &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL in hemodialysis patients are associated with an increased 5-year all-cause mortality risk.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Leonard Naymagon ◽  
Douglas Tremblay ◽  
John Mascarenhas

Data supporting the use of etoposide-based therapy in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) arise largely from pediatric studies. There is a lack of comparable data among adult patients with secondary HLH. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the impact of etoposide-based therapy on outcomes in adult secondary HLH. The primary outcome was overall survival. The log-rank test was used to compare Kaplan-Meier distributions of time-to-event outcomes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Ninety adults with secondary HLH seen between January 1, 2009, and January 6, 2020, were included. Forty-two patients (47%) received etoposide-based therapy, while 48 (53%) received treatment only for their inciting proinflammatory condition. Thirty-three patients in the etoposide group (72%) and 32 in the no-etoposide group (67%) died during follow-up. Median survival in the etoposide and no-etoposide groups was 1.04 and 1.39 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival between the etoposide and no-etoposide groups (log-rank <i>p</i> = 0.4146). On multivariable analysis, there was no association between treatment with etoposide and survival (HR for death with etoposide = 1.067, 95% CI: 0.633–1.799, <i>p</i> = 0.8084). Use of etoposide-based therapy was not associated with improvement in outcomes in this large cohort of adult secondary HLH patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Oyamada ◽  
Shih-Wei Chiu ◽  
Takuhiro Yamaguchi

Abstract Background: There are currently no methodological studies on the performance of the statistical models for estimating intervention effects based on the time-to-recurrent-event (TTRE) in stepped wedge cluster randomised trial (SWCRT) using an open cohort design. This study aims to address this by evaluating the performance of these statistical models using an open cohort design with the Monte Carlo simulation in various settings and their application using an actual example.Methods: Using Monte Carlo simulations, we evaluated the performance of the existing extended Cox proportional hazard models, i.e., the Andersen-Gill (AG), Prentice-Williams-Peterson Total-Time (PWP-TT), and Prentice-Williams-Peterson Gap-time (PWP-GT) models, using the settings of several event generation models and true intervention effects, with and without stratification by clusters. Unidirectional switching in SWCRT was represented using time-dependent covariates.Results: Using Monte Carlo simulations with the various described settings, the PWP-GT model with stratification by clusters showed the best performance in most settings and reasonable performance in the others. The only situation in which the performance of the PWP-TT model with stratification by clusters was not inferior to that of the PWP-GT model with stratification by clusters was when there was a certain amount of follow-up period, and the timing of the trial entry was random within the trial period, including the follow-up period. The AG model performed well only in a specific setting. By analysing actual examples, it was found that almost all the statistical models suggested that the risk of events during the intervention condition may be somewhat higher than in the control, although the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions: The PWP-GT model with stratification by clusters had the most reasonable performance when estimating intervention effects based on the TTRE in SWCRT in various settings using an open cohort design.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumer M Alaki ◽  
Bashaer S Abdulhadi ◽  
Medhat A AbdelBaki ◽  
Najla M Al-Alamoudi

Abstract Background: Providing restorations to anterior teeth in children is a challenging task due to the need for high esthetics, strength, and durability. This study was done to compare prefabricated primary zirconia with resin composite strip crowns on primary maxillary central and lateral incisors with regards to gingival health, plaque accumulation, recurrent caries, restoration failure, and opposing teeth wear over a period of 3, 6 and 12 months. Methods: Children attending the King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) clinics who needed restorations were screened for inclusion criteria. A total of 120 teeth were treated; 60 with zirconia and 60 with strip crowns. Randomization was done by simple random allocation using SPSS software version 20.0 (Armonk, NY; IBM Corp.). A simple descriptive statistic was used for analysis by Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Chi-square test. Level of significance was set at (α = 0.05) and level of confidence at (95%). The presented research was registered retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov in 6th of August 2017, under registration number NCT03184012.Results: Zirconia crowns showed significantly less gingival bleeding at the 3- and 6-months follow up periods (p<0.006, p<0.001; respectively), less plaque accumulation at all follow up visits (p<0.001), no restoration failure (p<0.001), but more wear to opposing teeth (p<0.02). No significant difference was found between the two crowns with regards to recurrent caries (p<0.135).Conclusion: Based on our data we conclude that overtime teeth covered with zirconia crowns show better gingival health and less bleeding, plaque accumulation as well as less loss of material. On the other hand, zirconia can cause more loss of opposing tooth structure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Nama Medoua ◽  
Patricia M Ntsama ◽  
Anne Christine A Ndzana ◽  
Véronique J Essa’a ◽  
Julie Judith T Tsafack ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo compare an improved corn–soya blend (CSB+) with a ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) to test the hypothesis that satisfactory recovery rate will be achieved with CSB+ or RUSF when these foods provide 50 % of the child’s energy requirement, the 50 % remaining coming from usual diet.DesignA comparative efficacy trial study was conducted with moderately wasted children, using a controlled randomized design, with parallel assignment for RUSF or CSB+. Every child received a daily ration of 167 kJ (40 kcal)/kg body weight during 56 d with a follow-up performed every 14 d. Every caregiver received nutrition counselling at enrolment and at each follow-up visit.SettingHealth districts of Mvog-Beti and Evodoula in the Centre region of Cameroon.SubjectsEight hundred and thirty-three children aged 6–59 months were screened and eighty-one malnourished children (weight-for-height Z-score between −3 and −2) aged 25–59 months were selected.ResultsOf children treated with CSB+ and RUSF, 73 % (95 % CI 59 %, 87 %) and 85 % (95 % CI 73 %, 97 %), respectively, recovered from moderate acute malnutrition, with no significant difference between groups. The mean duration of treatment required to achieve recovery was 44 d in the RUSF group and 51 d in the CSB+ group (log-rank test, P=0·0048).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in recovery rate between the groups. Both CSB+ and RUSF were relatively successful for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in children. Despite the relatively low ration size provided, the recovery rates observed for both groups were comparable to or higher than those reported in previous studies, a probable effect of nutrition education.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Derrick Tam ◽  
Rodolfo Rocha ◽  
Jiming Fang ◽  
Maral Ouzounian ◽  
Joanna Chikwe ◽  
...  

Introduction: Multiple arterial grafting (MAG) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with improved survival and freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in observational studies of mostly males. It is not known whether the MAG is beneficial in females. Herein, we compared the late clinical outcomes of MAG versus single arterial grafting (SAG) in females undergoing CABG for multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) Methods: Clinical and administrative databases for Ontario, Canada, were linked to obtain all female patients with angiographic evidence of left main, triple, or double vessel disease undergoing isolated non-emergent primary CABG from 2008-2019. Baseline characteristics were compared and 1:1 propensity score matching was performed to account for differences. 30-day mortality was compared in the matched groups. Late mortality and MACCE ( composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and death) was compared between the matched groups with a stratified log rank test and Cox-proportional hazard model. Results: In total 2,961 and 7,954 females underwent CABG with MAG and SAG respectively for multivessel CAD. Prior to propensity-score matching, compared to SAG, those that underwent MAG were younger (66.0 vs. 68.9 years) and had less comorbidities. After propensity-score matching, 2,446 well-matched pairs were formed. In matched patients, there was no significant difference in 30-day mortality (1.6% vs 1.8%, P=0.43) between MAG and SAG. The median and maximum follow-up was 5.0 and 11.0 years respectively. Over the entire follow-up, MAG was associated with improved survival (Figure, hazard ratio (HR): 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75-0.98) and freedom from MACCE (HR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.76-0.95). Conclusions: MAG was associated with improved survival and freedom from MACCE and should be considered for female patients with good life expectancy requiring CABG.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kano ◽  
K Nasu ◽  
M Habara ◽  
T Shimura ◽  
M Yamamoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background For recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, subintimal guidewire tracking in both antegrade and retrograde approaches are commonly used. Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of subintimal tracking on long-term clinical outcomes after recanalization of CTO lesions. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2016, 474 CTO lesions (434patients) were successfully recanalized in our center. After guidewire crossing in a CTO lesion, those lesions were divided into intimal tracking group (84.6%, n=401) and subintimal tracking group (15.4%, n=73) according to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings. Long-term clinical outcomes including death, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR) were compared between the two groups. In addition, the rate of re-occlusion after successful revascularization was also evaluated. Results The median follow-up period was 4.7 years (interquartile range, 2.8–6.1). There was no significant difference of the rate of cardiac death between the two groups (intimal tracking vs. subintimal tracking: 7.0% vs. 4.1%; hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 2.00; p=0.41), TLR (14.3% vs. 16.2%; hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.71 to 2.53; p=0.37), and TVR (17.5% vs. 20.3%; hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.72 to 2.23; p=0.42). However, the rate of re-occlusion was significantly higher in the subintimal tracking group than intimal tracking group at 3-years re-occlusion (4.2% vs. 14.5%; log-rank test, p=0.002, Figure). In the multivariate COX regression, subintimal guidewire tracking was an independent predictor of re-occlusion after CTO recanalization (HR: 5.40; 95% CI: 2.11–13.80; p<0.001). Figure 1 Conclusions Subintimal guidewire tracking for recanalization of coronary CTO was associated with significantly higher incidence of target lesion re-occlusion during long-term follow-up period.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16576-e16576
Author(s):  
K. Y. Terada ◽  
J. Davis ◽  
J. Kitayama ◽  
D. Shimizu

e16576 Background: Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) traditionally have been classified as low grade or high grade based on mitotic activity and histologic appearance. High-grade tumors are currently referred to as undifferentiated uterine sarcomas and are not included in this series. ESS are known to have high expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors. This is a retrospective study of patients with metastatic ESS treated with hormonal therapy. Methods: Following approval by the institutional review board all patients diagnosed with ESS from 1987–2007 were identified. Clinical and demographic information were abstracted from the charts and all histologic materials were re-reviewed. Estrogen and progesterone receptor testing was performed utilizing mouse monoclonal antibodies and the Cell Analysis Systems 200 Image analyzer. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons utilized the log rank test. Results: Thirteen patients with ESS were identified during this period. Seven had disease confined to the uterus. Six had extrauterine disease; 5 patients presented with metastases and 1 patient presented with a pelvic recurrence 20 years following a hysterectomy. All underwent surgical resection except for 1 patient that declined surgery. All 6 patients with metastases had tumors that tested positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors; all were treated with megestrol acetate initially for a period of 1–4 years. Two patients were then changed to maintenance with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Three patients with persistent disease were changed to aromatase inhibitors; 1 to letrozole and 2 to anastrazole. One of these patients has had a complete response and 2 have had stable disease. One patient has been lost to follow-up. Follow-up for the 6 patients was 2–22 years; no known patients died of their disease. Actuarial 2- and 5-year survivals were 80% and 65%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with metastases and without metastases. Conclusions: ESS tumors are relatively uncommon and there is an absence of studies to guide treatment of patients with metastases. This experience indicates that these tumors respond well to hormonal manipulation. Treatment with progestins or aromatase inhibitors may result in remission or stable disease. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14714-e14714
Author(s):  
Olugbenga Olanrele Olowokure ◽  
Ivan Dario Bedoya ◽  
Michelle Lynn Mierzwa ◽  
Maria Patricia Torregroza ◽  
Alok kumar Dwivedi ◽  
...  

e14714 Background: 30-40 % of PC pts present with LAPC. Optimal management remains controversial. Current NCCN guidelines, suggests clinical trial, FOLFIRINOX, G, G based combination therapy, chemo followed by CRT as options in pts with good PS. This single institution retrospective review, evaluated the UC experience of the impact of G+nab-p+/- CRT in LAPC. Methods: From 05/01/09-09/01/11,105 newly registered pts were identifiedusing ICD code 157, 13pts met inclusion criteria: ECOG PS 0-2, histologically proven LAPC, without prior therapy that received G + nab-P, pre or post radiation as part of their treatment. G+nab-p was given as cycles of G=1,000mg/m2 and nab-P=100mg/m2 weekly x3 every 4 weeks with appropriate modifications. CT scans and CA19-9 levels were followed. PFS was estimated from the date of diagnosis to date of progression or death if this occurred first and OS was estimated from date of diagnosis until date of death or loss to follow up. Kaplan Meier survival estimates were obtained with 95% confidence interval (CI). Log rank test was used to compare the PFS according to categorical variables. Results: Median duration of follow up was estimated to be 14.4 months (M) range(R) (5.8-19). CA19-9 data was available for 12 pts, 2 had baseline <1 (R<1-12,861), CA19-9 decrease > 50% from baseline was seen in 9/10. Mean # of G+nab-P cycles administered was 3, R (1-10). 77% received G based CRT with only 1pt receiving this post op. 38% (5/13) underwent resection, 4 post CRT with R0 margins and -ve LN’s and 1 pre CRT with R0 margins but 1/13 LN’s +ve. 11 pts were evaluable for response by RECIST (4PR, 6SD, 1PD). Disease control rate 91%. PFS 92% (CI: 57- 99%) at 6 M and 65% (CI: 31-85%) at 12 M. OS was 85% (CI: 51-96%) at 6M and 77 %(CI: 44-92%) at 12M. At 6M, 100% PFS was observed in resected group, whereas 88% PFS in non-resected group (p=0.12). There was no significant difference in PFS according to gender (p=0.44) and T lesion (p=0.49). Grade III/IV toxicity was mainly hematologic and gastrointestinal. (4/7) 57% received further therapy upon progression. Conclusions: Compared to contemporary G- based trials, the UC experience of G+ nab-P with CRT appears to be associated with improved survival in LAPC and warrants further study.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 99-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Berman Milby ◽  
Andrzej Pawel Wojcieszynski ◽  
Smith Apisarnthanarax ◽  
James M. Metz ◽  
John Peter Plastaras

99 Background: Radiation (RT) is considered an integral component of trimodality therapy for locally-advanced esophageal carcinoma to improve locoregional control and potentially survival. However, the long-term risk of cardiopulmonary mortality (CPM) is not well-understood in this population. Methods: Patients age 20-85 with esophageal carcinoma with T3, T4 or node positive (N+) disease who underwent esophagectomy were identified within 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries from 1988-2006. Patients with metastatic disease or <6 mo follow up were excluded. CPM was calculated for patients receiving vs not receiving RT and compared by the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used for univariate associations and Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis (MVA). Results: A total of 4,079 patients met the defined selection criteria of whom 2,408 were treated with RT, and 1,671 were not. Median age was 62.2 yrs (22-84) and follow-up was 22 mos (6-248). There was no significant difference in CPM in patients who received RT versus those who did not (p=0.8). At 10 yr, the majority of deaths were from esophageal cancer (73 with vs 78% without RT) compared to CPM (13.7 with vs 11.6% without RT). On univariate analysis ( table ), age <60, diagnosis era, and histology were significant independent predictors of CPM. On MVA, age <60 (HR 0.36) and diagnosis era (0.63 for 1994-2000 and 0.55 for 2000-2006) remained statistically significant for CPM. Conclusions: RT for esophageal cancer is not associated with an increased long-term risk of CPM in the overall population. Older age and earlier diagnosis era predict for CPM. Although survival in esophageal cancer is dominated by cancer deaths, advances in RT are still needed to prevent excess treatment-related mortality. [Table: see text]


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