Effect of age on the performance of a diagnostic strategy based on clinical probability, spiral computed tomography and venous compression ultrasonography

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (03) ◽  
pp. 605-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Couturaud ◽  
Florence Parent ◽  
Guy Meyer ◽  
Philippe Girard ◽  
Grégoire Le Gal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Spiral Ct ◽  
Diagnostic Strategy ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Venous Compression ◽  
Negative Findings ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Effect Of Age

SummaryAs the prevalence of PE increases with age, the effect of age on the diagnostic work-up in front of a clinical suspicion of PE deserves exploration. In this retrospective analysis, we used the data from 1041 consecutive suspected PE patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles of age: under 54 years, 54 to 73 years and above 73 years. The prevalence of PE in patients with respectively low, intermediate and high pretest clinical probability was expressed within each age group. We studied the effect of age on the results observed in three main groups of patients, after performing CT scan and ultrasonography (CUS): (1) patients with inconclusive results; (2) patients with negative findings on both exams and non high pretest clinical probability;(3) patients with positive findings. The prevalence of PE increased significantly with age, in overall, as well as in patients with low or intermediate pretest clinical probability. An analysis according to the three main diagnostic groups showed that: (1) the distribution of inconclusive spiral CT or CUS examinations was not different between age groups;(2) no thromboembolic event occurred in untreated patients with low or intermediate clinical probability aged under 54 years of age, whereas 7 events were diagnosed in patients aged over 73 years (p< 0.001); (3) a higher proportion of older patients had a positive result at both spiral CT and CUS examinations. The percentage of positive CT scans in the case of negative or inconclusive CUS results was not different between age groups; conversely, in the case of a negative or inconclusive CT scan, the percentage of positive CUS was higher in older patients. In conclusion, management of elderly suspected PE patients appears to be different from both the work-up and the outcome perspectives.

Performance of magnetic resonance angiography in suspected acute pulmonary embolism

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (03) ◽  
pp. 503-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelouahab Bellou ◽  
Francis Guillemin ◽  
Philippe Douek ◽  
Marie-Claude Laprévote-Heully ◽  
Denis Wahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽  
Spiral Ct ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Observer Agreement ◽  
Prospective Clinical Study ◽  
Diagnostic Strategy ◽  
Clinical Probability

SummaryPulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially fatal disorder. Non-specific findings make the clinical diagnosis of PE difficult. To assess the diagnostic value and inter-observer agreement of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in a cohort of patients with suspected PE, we conducted a prospective clinical study. MRA was compared for sensitivity and specificity to a diagnostic strategy including clinical probability, D-dimer testing, spiral CT, ultrasound leg compression and pulmonary angiography. A total of 89 patients with clinically suspected PE were included: the clinical probability of PE was intermediate or high in 78, and low in the remaining 11. All patients underwent mono-or multi-slice spiral CT and MRA with gadolinium injection (both within 24 hours of entry to the study). Anticoagulation was withheld in patients concerned about the strategy. All subjects were followed up for 3 months. MRA was read independently by two experienced teams of radiologists: one local and one from another university centre. Spiral CT was positive in 62 of 63 cases of confirmed PE. No patient with negative CT findings was positive ultrasonographically. Only one patient with a negative CT (and negative ultrasound) had a recurrent thromboembolic event. The first team diagnosed PE with MRA in 47 cases, with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 92%; the second team obtained the diagnosis in 23 cases, with a sensitivity of 31% and a specificity of 85%. Inter-observer agreement between MRA reading was low: Kappa = 0.16 (-0.01 to 0.33); p = 0.07. In conclusion, compared with a non-invasive strategy based on spiral CT, the diagnostic value of MRA is limited by poor inter-observer agreement.

scholarly journals Age-Associated Characteristics of Patients With Chronic Dizziness and Vertigo

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110361
Author(s):  
Alexander Wassermann ◽  
Sigrid Finn ◽  
Hubertus Axer
Keyword(s):  
Older Patients ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Bilateral Vestibulopathy ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Chronic Dizziness ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Objective: The incidence of dizziness and vertigo is increasing with age, and symptoms lead to significant limitations in daily living and to disability in older patients. Method: Data of 1,752 patients with chronic dizziness/vertigo subjected to a tertiary care, specialized interdisciplinary vertigo center were analyzed. Age, gender, symptoms, medical diagnosis, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were collected based on a questionnaire and analysis of associated patient records. The patients were assigned to 3 age groups (< 41, 41-65, and > 65 years). Results: 33.7% of the patients were older than 65 years. Frequency of symptoms and DHI score increased with age. Older patients reported less frequently about coexisting symptoms such as nausea, headache, tinnitus, ear pressure, and visual impairment. Multisensory deficit, central vertigo, bilateral vestibulopathy, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were diagnosed increasingly with age, while persistent postural–perceptual dizziness and vestibular migraine were diagnosed in the younger age groups. Conclusion: In the diagnostic work-up of older patients age-specific characteristics of dizziness/vertigo have to be considered. The older patient generally is more impaired by the symptoms but possibly will not report typical diagnosis-defining symptoms.

D-dimer Assays for the Exclusion of Venous Thromboembolism: Which Test for which Diagnostic Strategy?

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (02) ◽  
pp. 180-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. de Moerloose
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Diagnostic Strategy ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Lung Scan ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Diagnostic Work Up ◽  
D Dimer

SummaryD-dimer measurement has proven to be very useful to rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in symptomatic outpatients (1). The problem faced by many physicians is the choice and the position of the D-Dimer tests in the diagnostic work-up of patients suspected of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In the last and present issues of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, two very interesting studies addressing these questions were published.In the first paper (2), de Groot and colleagues evaluated, in a management study, the clinical utility of incorporating the SimpliRED assay in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected PE. Of the 245 study subjects, 59 did not receive anticoagulant therapy on the basis of a nondiagnostic lung scan, a normal D-dimer and a non-high clinical probability of PE. In the follow-up, only one patient experienced a thromboembolic event (which can be compared with the 6% of subsequent rate of VTE in the follow-up of the 54 patients with a normal perfusion lung scan). However, if SimpliRED D-dimer would have been used alone as a first exclusion step, 6 of 61 patients with proven PE had been missed (9.8%, 95% CI 3.7-20.2).

Effect of Age on the Efficacy and Safety of Lenvatinib in Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in the Phase III SELECT Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (23) ◽  
pp. 2692-2699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia S. Brose ◽  
Francis P. Worden ◽  
Kate L. Newbold ◽  
Matthew Guo ◽  
Arti Hurria
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Effect Of Age

Purpose In the Study of (E7080) Lenvatinib in Differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid (SELECT), lenvatinib significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). This prespecified subanalysis investigated the effect of age on the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib. Patients and Methods This randomized, double-blind, phase III study enrolled patients with histologically confirmed RR-DTC stratified by age (≤ 65 or > 65 years). Patients (N = 392) received lenvatinib 24 mg/day (n = 261) or placebo (n = 131). The primary end point was PFS; secondary end points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate, and safety. Results In both treatment arms, median ages were 56 (younger group) and 71 years (older group). PFS benefit was maintained with lenvatinib versus placebo in the younger and older age groups, with median PFS of 20.2 versus 3.2 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.27; P < .001) and 16.7 versus 3.7 months (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.43; P < .001), respectively. PFS did not differ with age in either treatment arm. OS was improved in older lenvatinib-treated patients versus placebo (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.91; P = .020). Younger lenvatinib-treated patients showed significantly higher ORR (72% v 55%; P = .0038), longer time to first dose reduction (3.7 v 1.5 months), and lower proportion of grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events (67% v 89%; P < .001) compared with older patients. Conclusion This subanalysis demonstrated improved PFS with lenvatinib treatment versus placebo in both age groups, although higher toxicity was observed in older patients. Despite the allowance of crossover after disease progression, the OS benefit was observed in older patients, suggesting that lenvatinib should be considered for treatment of patients of any age with RR-DTC.

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 1466-1472
Author(s):  
Grażyna Kobus ◽  
Jolanta Małyszko ◽  
Hanna Bachórzewska-Gajewska
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Renal Failure ◽  
Acute Renal Failure ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Common Cause

Introduction: In the elderly, impairment of kidney function occurs. Renal diseases overlap with anatomic and functional changes related to age-related involutionary processes. Mortality among patients with acute renal injury is approximately 50%, despite advances in treatment and diagnosis of AKI. The aim: To assess the incidence of acute kidney injury in elderly patients and to analyze the causes of acute renal failure depending on age. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis included medical documentation of patients hospitalized in the Nephrology Clinic during the 6-month period. During this period 452 patients were hospitalized in the clinic. A group of 77 patients with acute renal failure as a reason for hospitalization was included in the study. Results: The prerenal form was the most common cause of AKI in both age groups. In both age groups, the most common cause was dehydration; in the group of patients up to 65 years of age, dehydration was 29.17%; in the group of people over 65 years - 43.39%. Renal replacement therapy in patients with AKI was used in 14.29% of patients. In the group of patients up to 65 years of age hemodialysis was 16.67% and above 65 years of age. -13.21% of patients. The average creatinine level in the group of younger patients at admission was 5.16 ± 3.71 mg / dl, in the group of older patients 3.14 ± 1.63 mg / dl. The size of glomerular filtration GFR in the group of younger patients at admission was 21.14 ± 19.54 ml / min, in the group of older patients 23.34 ± 13.33 ml / min. Conclusions: The main cause of acute kidney injury regardless of the age group was dehydration. Due to the high percentage of AKI in the elderly, this group requires more preventive action, not only in the hospital but also at home.

A new medical Internet system in healthcare: innovation of Telegeriatrics and healthcare demands of older patients of different age groups (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Gong ◽  
Jianyuan Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
World Health ◽  
New Model

BACKGROUND Healthcare for older patients is a worldwide challenge for public health system. A new medical Internet system in healthcare which is a new model of telegeriatrics system has been established. The key innovation is the new telegeriatrics system was conducted jointly by general practitioners in the Community Health Service Center and specialists in university teaching hospital. Unlike the typical telemedicine that has been practiced in other countries, the new model provides a solution for the key issues in telemedicine where a doctor is unable to conduct a direct physical examination and the associated potential diagnostic error. OBJECTIVE This study is to introduce the operation mechanism of the new Telegeriatrics system and analyze healthcare demands of older patients in different age groups applying the new Telegeriatrics system. METHODS 472 older patients (aged≥60) were enrolled and divided into the young older group (aged 60 to 74), the old older group (aged 75 to 89) and the very old group (aged≥90) according to the age stratification of World Health Organization. Proportion of the top 10 diseases of older patients of different age groups was analyzed. RESULTS The process of older patients’ diagnosis and treatment made by specialist and general practitioners formed a closed loop. It ensures the timeliness and effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment of older patients. The treatment effect can be observed by general practitioners and specialist can adjust the treatment plan in time. In this study, it was found that older patients in different age groups have different healthcare demands. Coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus were found to be the main diseases of the older patients and the young older patients as well as the old older patients applying Telegeriatrics. CONCLUSIONS The new telegeriatrics system can provide convenient and efficient healthcare services for older patients and overcome the disadvantage of currently used models of telegeriatrics. Older patients in different age groups have different medical care demands. Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic diseases have become the main diseases of the elderly applying the new Telegeriatrics system. Healthcare policy makers should invest more medical resources to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic diseases in the elderly.

CT imaging features of the normal parathyroid gland in the dog

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (05) ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
Esther Lautscham ◽  
Clea von Klopmann ◽  
Sebastian Schaub ◽  
Christiane Stengel ◽  
Antje Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Parathyroid Gland ◽  
Spiral Ct ◽  
Ct Imaging ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Hounsfield Units ◽  
Klinische Relevanz

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel Ziel dieser prospektiven Pilotstudie war zu beurteilen, ob die physiologische Glandula parathyroidea beim Hund computertomografisch dargestellt werden kann, und eine Beschreibung ihres CT-Erscheinungsbildes zu geben. Material und Methoden In die Studie wurden 25 Hunde aufgenommen, bei denen aufgrund von Erkrankungen im Halsbereich ohne Bezug zu Schild- oder Nebenschilddrüse ein CT-Scan erfolgte. Einschlusskriterium waren unauffällige Befunde bei der allgemeinen klinischen Untersuchung und der Blutuntersuchung (Blutbild und blutchemische Analyse). CT-Bilder vor und nach Kontrastmittelapplikation (30–45 Sekunden nach der Kontrastmittelinjektion, frühe venöse Phase) wurden mit einem 16-Schichten-Spiral-CT unter Verwendung eines Field of View von 18 cm, einer Schichtdicke von 1 mm und einer Matrix von 512 × 512 angefertigt. Zwei Radiologen begutachteten die CT-Aufnahmen unabhängig voneinander. Die Sichtbarkeit der Parathyreoidea wurde erfasst und die Interobserver-Reliabilität ermittelt. Bei den darstellbaren Nebenschilddrüsen wurden folgende Parameter bestimmt: Größe, Dichte (in Hounsfield Units [HU], vor und nach Kontrastmittelgabe), Dichte der Schilddrüse, Abgrenzung (exzellent, mäßig, schlecht). Ergebnisse Nur 20 bzw. 25 Nebenschilddrüsen waren durch die beiden Untersucher erkennbar. Die Anzahl differierte zwischen Nativaufnahmen und Bildern nach Kontrastmittelgabe nicht. Die Interobserver-Reliabilität hinsichtlich der Erkennbarkeit war moderat (κ = 0,40). Für Länge, Breite und Höhe der Nebenschilddrüsen (Mittelwert ± Standardabweichung) ergaben sich 4,2 × 2,5 × 2,9 mm ± 1,3 × 0,8 × 1,0 mm. Die Dichte betrug 39,7 ± 20,6 HU vor und 103,1 ± 47,1 HU nach Kontrastmittelgabe. Damit stellten sich die Nebenschilddrüsen im Vergleich zur Schilddrüse (vor und nach Kontrastmittelgabe 166,7 ± 34,3 HU bzw. 234,0 ± 60,1 HU) hypoattenuierend dar. Schlussfolgerung Diese Studie liefert die erste Beschreibung des CT-Erscheinungsbilds der angenommen physiologischen Nebenschilddrüse beim Hund. Die Sichtbarkeit des Organs war jedoch schlecht. Klinische Relevanz Trotz der schlechten Visualisierung der Nebenschilddrüse im CT ist sie gelegentlich wahrnehmbar. Die ermittelten Dimensionen waren teilweise größer als bisher für sonografische Darstellung beschrieben, ohne dass die untersuchten Hunde erkennbare Symptome eines Hyperparathyreodismus aufwiesen. Eine computertomografisch sichtbare Nebenschilddrüse impliziert daher möglicherweise nicht unbedingt eine Erkrankung. Weitere Studien dazu sind notwendig.

Does body position, age, and heart rate induce IOP’s changes?

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110233
Author(s):  
Marcelina Sobczak ◽  
Magdalena Asejczyk ◽  
Malwina Geniusz
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cardiovascular Parameters ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Group B ◽  
Effect Of Age

Objectives: The main goal of this research was to determine the differences between the values of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the supine and sitting positions, and to assess the effect of age and cardiovascular parameters. Methods: Seventy-two healthy adults were enrolled and classified into age groups: 20–30 years (group A), 31–40 years (group B), and 41–71 years (group C). Corneal biometry and cardiovascular parameters, such as heart rate (HR), were measured. IOP measurements were taken in the sitting position (IOPS) and in the supine position (IOPL) using the iCare® Pro tonometer. Results: A significant difference between the IOPS and IOPL in the entire cohort was found ( p < 0.001). Regarding the age subgroups, a significant difference ( p < 0.001) between the IOPS and IOPL was obtained in group A (2.6 ± 1.6 mmHg) and group C (1.5 ± 1.3 mmHg). There were no significant differences in the IOPS between groups. The highest IOP values were obtained for group A. The correlations between HR and IOPS are statistically significant for group A and group B, and for HR and IOPL-S for group B only. Multivariate analysis showed that HR has a significant influence on the difference in IOP in the two body positions. Conclusion: A statistically significant difference between the effect of age and the values of IOPS and IOPL was shown. Cardiovascular parameters showed some relevant statistical dependencies, but with a rather marginal significance in young people. The influence of body position for the measurement of IOP for healthy subjects does not seem to matter, despite the fact that there are some dependencies that are statistically significant.

scholarly journals An approach to assess stress in response to drive hunts using cortisol levels of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Güldenpfennig ◽  
Marion Schmicke ◽  
Martina Hoedemaker ◽  
Ursula Siebert ◽  
Oliver Keuling
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Effect Of Age

AbstractHunting can easily be linked to stress in wildlife. Drive hunts performed two to three times in one area during the respective hunting period, are thought to decrease the pressure hunting places on wildlife. Nevertheless, the expression of cortisol—one of the main mammalian stress hormones—is considered to have negative impacts on animals’ well-being if expressed excessively, which may occur during some (especially repeated) hunting events. We explored the effect of drive hunts on cortisol levels in wild boar in Lower Saxony, Germany, compared these cortisol levels to reference values given by a similar study, and investigated the effect of age, sex, and pregnancy. Blood collected from wild boar shot on drive hunts was analysed using a radioimmunoassay. As expected, we observed elevated cortisol levels in all samples, however, we still found significant differences between age groups and sexes, as well as an influence of pregnancy on cortisol levels. The effect of drive hunts on cortisol levels appears to be weaker than predicted, while the effects of other variables, such as sex, are distinct. Only half of the evaluated samples showed explicitly increased cortisol levels and no significant differences were found between sampling months and locations. Group living animals and pregnant females showed significantly higher cortisol levels. The impact of hunting is measurable but is masked by natural effects such as pregnancy. Thus, we need more information on stress levels in game species.

scholarly journals Dual-tracer (68Ga-DOTATOC and 18F-FDG-)-PET/CT scan and G1-G2 non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A single-center retrospective evaluation of 124 non-metastatic resected cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Paiella ◽  
Luca Landoni ◽  
Sarah Tebaldi ◽  
Michele Zuffante ◽  
Matteo Salgarello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
18F Fdg ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Pet Ct Scan ◽  
Dual Tracer

Introduction:The combined use of 68Gallium [68GA]-DOTA-peptides and 18Fluorine-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose [18F-FDG] PET/TC scans in the work-up of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) is controversial. This study aimed at assessing both tracers’ capability to identify tumors and to assess its association with pathological predictors of recurrence. Methods:Prospectively collected, preoperative, dual-tracer PET/CT scan data of G1-G2, non-metastatic, PanNETs that underwent surgery between January 2013 and October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results:The final cohort consisted of 124 cases. There was an approximately equal distribution of males and females(50.8%/49.2%), and G1 and G2 tumors(49.2%/50.8%). The disease was detected in 122(98.4%) and 64(51.6%) cases by 68Ga-DOTATOC and by 18F-FDG PET/CT scans, respectively, with a combined sensitivity of 99.2%. 18F-FDG-positive examinations found G2 tumors more often than G1 (59.4% versus 40.6%;p = 0.036), and 18F-FDG-positive PanNETs were larger than negative ones (median tumor size 32 mm, IQR 21 versus 26 mm, IQR 20;p = 0.019). The median Ki67 for 18F-FDG-positive and -negative examinations was 3(IQR 4) and 2(IQR 4), respectively, (p = 0.029). At least one pathologic predictor of recurrence was present in 74.6% of 18F-FDG-positive cases (versus 56.7%;p = 0.039), whereas this was not found when dichotomizing the PanNETs by their dimensions (≤/> 20 mm). None of the two tracers predicted nodal metastasis. ROC curve analysis showed that 18F-FDG uptake higher than 4.2 had a sensitivity of 49.2%, and specificity of 73.3% for differentiating G1 from G2 (AUC=0.624, p=0.009). Conclusion: The complementary adoption of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 18F-FDG tracers may be valuable in the diagnostic work-up of PanNETs despite not being a game-changer for the management of PanNETs ≤ 20 mm.

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