Sex differences in incidence of respiratory symptoms and management by general practitioners

Abstract Background Differences between women and men play an important role in lung physiology and epidemiology of respiratory diseases, but also in the health care processes. Objective To analyse sex differences in patients encountering their general practitioner (GP) with respiratory symptoms with regard to incidence, GP’s management and final diagnoses. Methods Retrospective cohort study, using data of the Dutch Practice Based Research Network. All patients who encountered their GP from 01-07-2013 until 30-06-2018 with a new episode of care starting with a reason for encounter in the respiratory category (R) of the ICPC-2 classification were included (n = 16 773). Multi-level logistic regression was used to analyse influence of patients’ sex on management of GPs with adjustment for possible confounders. Results We found a significant higher incidence of respiratory symptoms in women than in men: 230/1000 patient years [95% confidence interval (CI) 227–232] and 186/1000 patient years (95% CI 183–189), respectively. When presenting with cough, GPs are more likely to perform physical examination [odds ratio (OR) 1.22; 95% CI 1.11–1.35] and diagnostic radiology (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.08–1.44), but less likely to prescribe medication (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82–0.95) in men. When visiting the GP with dyspnoea, men more often undergo diagnostic imaging (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.05–1.66) and are more often referred to a specialist (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.13–1.62). Conclusions Women encounter their GP more frequently with respiratory symptoms than men and GPs perform more diagnostic investigations in men. We suggest more research in general practice focussing on sex differences and possible confounders.

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Leveraging Electronic Dental Record Data for Clinical Research in the National Dental PBRN Practices

Applied Clinical Informatics ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1709506 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (02) ◽

pp. 305-314 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Thankam Paul Thyvalikakath ◽

William D. Duncan ◽

Zasim Siddiqui ◽

Michelle LaPradd ◽

George Eckert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Research ◽

Small Group ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Research Network ◽

Permanent Teeth ◽

Data Completeness ◽

Learning Health System ◽

Practice Based Research ◽

Dental Practices ◽

Using Data

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting clinical research using electronic dental record (EDR) data from U.S. solo and small-group general dental practices in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (network) and evaluate the data completeness and correctness before performing survival analyses of root canal treatment (RCT) and posterior composite restorations (PCR). Methods Ninety-nine network general dentistry practices that used Dentrix or EagleSoft EDR shared de-identified data of patients who received PCR and/or RCT on permanent teeth through October 31, 2015. We evaluated the data completeness and correctness, summarized practice, and patient characteristics and summarized the two treatments by tooth type and arch location. Results Eighty-two percent of practitioners were male, with a mean age of 49 and 22.4 years of clinical experience. The final dataset comprised 217,887 patients and 11,289,594 observations, with the observation period ranging from 0 to 37 years. Most patients (73%) were 18 to 64 years old; 56% were female. The data were nearly 100% complete. Eight percent of observations had incorrect data, such as incorrect tooth number or surface, primary teeth, supernumerary teeth, and tooth ranges, indicating multitooth procedures instead of PCR or RCT. Seventy-three percent of patients had dental insurance information; 27% lacked any insurance information. While gender was documented for all patients, race/ethnicity was missing in the dataset. Conclusion This study established the feasibility of using EDR data integrated from multiple distinct solo and small-group network practices for longitudinal studies to assess treatment outcomes. The results laid the groundwork for a learning health system that enables practitioners to learn about their patients' outcomes by using data from their own practice.

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Validation of the BATT score for prehospital risk stratification of traumatic haemorrhagic death: usefulness for tranexamic acid treatment criteria

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13049-020-00827-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Francois-Xavier Ageron ◽

Timothy J. Coats ◽

Vincent Darioli ◽

Ian Roberts

Keyword(s):

Tranexamic Acid ◽

Acid Treatment ◽

Injury Severity ◽

External Validation ◽

Research Network ◽

Brier Score ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Using Data ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Tranexamic acid reduces surgical blood loss and reduces deaths from bleeding in trauma patients. Tranexamic acid must be given urgently, preferably by paramedics at the scene of the injury or in the ambulance. We developed a simple score (Bleeding Audit Triage Trauma score) to predict death from bleeding. Methods We conducted an external validation of the BATT score using data from the UK Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018. We evaluated the impact of tranexamic acid treatment thresholds in trauma patients. Results We included 104,862 trauma patients with an injury severity score of 9 or above. Tranexamic acid was administered to 9915 (9%) patients. Of these 5185 (52%) received prehospital tranexamic acid. The BATT score had good accuracy (Brier score = 6%) and good discrimination (C-statistic 0.90; 95% CI 0.89–0.91). Calibration in the large showed no substantial difference between predicted and observed death due to bleeding (1.15% versus 1.16%, P = 0.81). Pre-hospital tranexamic acid treatment of trauma patients with a BATT score of 2 or more would avoid 210 bleeding deaths by treating 61,598 patients instead of avoiding 55 deaths by treating 9915 as currently. Conclusion The BATT score identifies trauma patient at risk of significant haemorrhage. A score of 2 or more would be an appropriate threshold for pre-hospital tranexamic acid treatment.

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Antibiotic Use in Periodontal Therapy among French Dentists and Factors Which Influence Prescribing Practices

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10030303 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 303

Author(s):

Kevimy Agossa ◽

Kadiatou Sy ◽

Théo Mainville ◽

Marjolaine Gosset ◽

Sylvie Jeanne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Use ◽

Aggressive Periodontitis ◽

Periodontal Therapy ◽

Research Network ◽

Prescribing Practices ◽

French Society ◽

Private Practitioners ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Practice Based Research ◽

Systemic Antibiotics

The aim of the present survey is to investigate the use of antibiotics during periodontal therapy among French dentists with a focus on exploring potential differences between various groups of practitioners. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to different groups of practitioners including members of (i) the French Society of Periodontology and Implantology; (ii) the College of University Teachers in Periodontology and, (iii) private practitioners participating in the French general dental practice-based research network. 272 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Prescription patterns were globally in line with the current recommendations. Systemic antibiotics are most frequently used as a first-line therapy in necrotizing periodontitis (92%) and aggressive periodontitis (53.3% to 66.1%). However, malpractice still exists, including in the management of periodontal abscesses. Antibiotics are prescribed (i) less frequently for periodontal abscesses and (ii) more frequently for generalized aggressive periodontitis by members of the periodontal society and University college (p < 0.05). Amoxicillin (59.9%) and the amoxicillin + metronidazole (59.6%) combination were the most frequently prescribed molecules. Providing a high number of periodontal treatments per week, being more recently graduated, having a post-graduate certificate in periodontology and holding or having held an academic position/hospital practice were all factors associated with a better knowledge of and/or more adequate antibiotic use.

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