National Trends in Diagnostic Imaging for Appendicitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using NSQIP

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-630
Author(s):  
Alexandra Z. Agathis ◽  
Michael Miller ◽  
Celia M. Divino
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Imaging ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Underweight Patients ◽  
Acs Nsqip Database ◽  
National Trends

Prior studies elucidate a high predictive value of imaging to diagnose appendicitis in small, regional cohorts. This cross-sectional study uniquely analyzes diagnostic imaging in a national appendectomy population. Using the 2016 ACS NSQIP database, positive predictive values (PPVs) for CT, ultrasound (US), and MRI were evaluated using chi-squared tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses considered patient-specific factors. Imaging was performed in 94.63 per cent of 11,841 appendectomy cases; most frequently via CT (78.69%), then combination CT and US (7.52%), US (7.15%), and MRI (0.30%). CT PPV was higher in overweight (98.70%) versus underweight patients (94.85%) ( P = 0.01). Gender and age did not impact CT PPV. Imaging from a referral site did not change CTor US PPV. Our study describes imaging frequencies and confirms high PPV. We found imaging equally predictive in women of childbearing age and elderly individuals compared with the general population. Furthermore, repeat scanning is unnecessary with prior positive imaging at outside sites.

scholarly journals Elderly Patients in Primary Care are Still at Risks of Receiving Potentially Inappropriate Medications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110350
Author(s):  
Pasitpon Vatcharavongvan ◽  
Viwat Puttawanchai
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Clinic ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

Background Most older adults with comorbidities in primary care clinics use multiple medications and are at risk of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescription. Objective This study examined the prevalence of polypharmacy and PIMs using Thai criteria for PIMs. Methods This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were collected from electronic medical records in a primary care clinic in 2018. Samples were patients aged ≥65 years old with at least 1 prescription. Variables included age, gender, comorbidities, and medications. The list of risk drugs for Thai elderly version 2 was the criteria for PIMs. The prevalence of polypharmacy and PIMs were calculated, and multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine associations between variables and PIMs. Results Of 2806 patients, 27.5% and 43.7% used ≥5 medications and PIMs, respectively. Of 10 290 prescriptions, 47% had at least 1 PIM. The top 3 PIMs were anticholinergics, proton-pump inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Polypharmacy and dyspepsia were associated with PIM prescriptions (adjusted odds ratio 2.48 [95% confident interval or 95% CI 2.07-2.96] and 3.88 [95% CI 2.65-5.68], respectively). Conclusion Prescriptions with PIMs were high in the primary care clinic. Describing unnecessary medications is crucial to prevent negative health outcomes from PIMs. Computer-based clinical decision support, pharmacy-led interventions, and patient-specific drug recommendations are promising interventions to reduce PIMs in a primary care setting.

scholarly journals Quality of Life Prior and in the Course of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study with Brazilian Dietitians

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2712
Author(s):  
Raquel Adjafre da Costa Matos ◽  
Rita de Cassia Coelho de Almeida Akutsu ◽  
Renata Puppin Zandonadi ◽  
Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Squared

Dietitians as healthcare professionals could decrease their quality of life during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic period; therefore, this study aimed to compare Brazilian dietitians’ perceptions of quality of life before and during the pandemic. This nationwide cross-sectional research aimed to evaluate Brazilian dietitians’ quality of life before and in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, using a previously validated self-administered instrument WHO-QOL-BREF in Brazilian-Portuguese. The questionnaire was composed of 26 items (four domains) to evaluate life quality (physical, psychological, social relationship, and environment). The questionnaire also presented some sociodemographic variables and three questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. It was applied using GoogleForms® platform (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA). For the statistical analysis of data, Paired T-test, Chi-squared test, and Analysis of Variance were used. A total of 1290 Brazilian dietitians replied to the instrument. Comparing quality of life (QoL) before SARS-COV-2 (3.83 ± 0.59) and during the pandemic (3.36 ± 0.66), data was statistically different. Comparing prior and in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, all variables and domains presented statistical differences (better before the pandemic period). Among Brazilian dietitians, the psychological health domain was the most affected. The Sars-Cov-2 pandemic negatively impacted the QoL of Brazilian dietitians since health professionals face changes in their lives because of work.

Prevalence of vaginal candidiasis and associated factors in pregnant women with diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Doreen Macherera Mukona ◽  
Maxwell Mhlanga ◽  
Mathilda Zvinavashe
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaginal Candidiasis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Monthly Family Income ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Diabetic Treatment ◽  
Living Children ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Background/aims Vaginal candidiasis is commonly experienced by women with diabetes, but its prevalence is not well documented in Zimbabwe. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis and factors associated with diabetic treatment adherence in pregnant women with diabetes. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on a consecutive sample of 157 participants from a central hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. A structured questionnaire and physical examination of the perineum were used to collect data. All procedures were conducted in privacy. Diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis was made clinically. Data were analysed using the Chi-squared test, with P<0.05 being significant. Results The prevalence of vaginal candidiasis was 19.7%. There was a significant association between monthly family income (P=0.041), parity (P=0.029) and number of living children (P=0.049) and the presence of vaginal candidiasis. Women with poor adherence to diabetic therapy were 3.95 times more likely to have vaginal candidiasis (P=0.002). Conclusions Individualised health education on glycaemic control and good perineal hygiene remains key in the prevention of vaginal candidiasis among diabetic pregnant women.

scholarly journals A "miracle" cancer drug in the era of social media: A survey of Brazilian oncologists' opinions and experience with phosphoethanolamine

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Juliana Florinda M. Rêgo ◽  
◽  
Gilberto Lopes ◽  
Rachel P. Riechelmann ◽  
Cinthya Sternberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brazilian Society ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Summary Introduction: Patients who are treating cancer have often used alternative therapies. In the internet era, information can be broadcasted widely, and this happened with phosphoethanolamine in Brazil, where this substance was claimed by the population to be the "cure for cancer." Method: This is a cross-sectional study developed by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC). An objectively structured questionnaire was sent by e-mail and SMS to active MDs members of the SBOC. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the data. Statistical significance between the variables was tested by Pearson's Chi-squared test (p<0.05 was considered significance). Results: The survey was sent to 1,072 oncologists, and 398 (37.1%) answered at least part of it. One hundred and fifteen (28.9%) had followed patients who had used phosphoethanolamine. Among these, 14 (12.2%) observed adverse events and four (3.5%) attributed clinical benefit to the substance. Most of the oncologists (n=331; 83.2%) believe that it should only be used as part of a clinical trial protocol. Most physicians did not recommend this drug to their patients (n=311; 78.1%). Oncologists in Southeast, South and Midwest Brazil were more likely to have patients taking the drug compared to the Northern and Northeastern regions. Conclusion: This is the first survey to assess the opinion and experience of oncologists about this alternative therapy. Most oncologists in Brazil do not believe that synthetic phosphoethanolamine is active in cancer treatment, do not recommend its use without proper evaluation, and state that it should only be available to patients in the context of clinical trials.

scholarly journals The Reliability of Iodine Concentration in Diaper-Retrieved Infant Urine Using Urine Collection Pads, and in Their Mothers’ Breastmilk

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 295
Author(s):  
Kjersti Sletten Bakken ◽  
Ingvild Oma ◽  
Synne Groufh-Jacobsen ◽  
Beate Stokke Solvik ◽  
Lise Mette Mosand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Iodine Concentration ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Iodine Intake ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Urinary Iodine Concentration ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional

Mild to moderate iodine deficiency is common among women of childbearing age. Data on iodine status in infants are sparse, partly due to the challenges in collecting urine. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is considered a good marker for recent dietary iodine intake and status in populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of iodine concentration measured in two spot-samples from the same day of diaper-retrieved infant urine and in their mothers’ breastmilk. We collected urine and breastmilk from a sample of 27 infants and 25 mothers participating in a cross-sectional study at two public healthcare clinics in Norway. The reliability of iodine concentration was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CV). The ICC for infants’ urine was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.82), while the ICC for breastmilk was 0.83 (95% CI 0.65–0.92) Similarly, the intraindividual CV for UIC was 0.25 and 0.14 for breastmilk iodine concentration (BIC). Compared to standard methods of collecting urine for measuring iodine concentration, the diaper-pad collection method does not substantially affect the reliability of the measurements.

scholarly journals Association of Visual Defects and Occlusal Molar Class in Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Caruso ◽  
Roberto Gatto ◽  
Mario Capogreco ◽  
Alessandro Nota
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dental Occlusion ◽  
Clinical Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Second Molar ◽  
Visual Defects ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Relationship Of

Purpose. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the presence of any correlations between dysfunctions related to visual impairments and dental occlusion. Methods. The test group included 34 subjects (21 males and 13 females; mean age 11 ± 2 years) randomly selected with the following inclusion criteria: absence of any diagnosis for problems at visual level except those related to refractive defects, visual acuity of at least 1.0, absence of any syndrome or malformation in the craniofacial area, good general health, and absence of any systemic disease able to influence the vision or the craniofacial growth. They underwent visual clinical tests to evaluate the presence of fusional vergence defects and amplitude. Each patient underwent an orthodontic clinical exam and the occlusal molar relationship of each subject was recorded and considered as occlusal variable. A statistical analysis with Chi-Squared test was performed in order to analyze the associations between the visual defects and the occlusal variable. Results. A statistically significant association between the molar occlusal relationship and the occurrence of exodeviations was observed. The percentage of subjects presenting fusional amplitudes with convergence lower of the cut-off value was statistically significantly higher in the group of occlusal molar second class. Conclusions. The results obtained show that there is an association between occlusal second molar class and fusional vergence defects.

scholarly journals Liver ultrasound elastography for the evaluation of periportal fibrosis in schistosomiasis mansoni: A cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joelma Carvalho Santos ◽  
Andrea Dória Batista ◽  
Carla Maria Mola Vasconcelos ◽  
Roberto Souza Lemos ◽  
Valter Romão de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Shear Wave Elastography ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cutoff Point ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Cutoff Value ◽  
Periportal Fibrosis ◽  
Schistosomiasis Mansoni

AbstractBackgroundARFI elastrography has been used as a noninvasive method to assess the severity of liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis, although with few studies in schistosomiasis mansoni. We aimed to evaluate the performance of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for predicting significant periportal fibrosis (PPF) in schistosomotic patients and to determine its best cutoff point.Methodology/Principal findingsThis cross-sectional study included 358 adult schistosomotic patients subjected to US and pSWE on the right lobe. Two hundred two patients (62.0%) were women, with a median age of 54 (ranging 18-92) years. The pSWE measurements were compared to the US patterns of PPF, as gold standard, according to the Niamey classification. The performance of pSWE was calculated as the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Patients were further classified into two groups: 86 patients with mild PPF and 272 patients with significant PPF. The median pSWE of the significant fibrosis group was higher (1.40 m/s) than that of mild fibrosis group (1.14 m/s, p<0.001). AUC was 0.719 with ≤1.11 m/s as the best cutoff value for excluding significant PPF. Sensitivity and negative predictive values were 80.5% and 40.5%, respectively. Whereas, for confirming significant PPF, the best cutoff value was >1.39 m/s, with specificity of 86.1% and positive predictive value of 92.0%.Conclusions/SignificancepSWE was able to differentiate significant from mild PPF, with better performance to predict significant PPF.Author summaryIn the developing world, over 207 million people are infected with parasitic Schistosoma worms. Among the species of Schistosoma that infect humans Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most common causes of illness. Here, we investigated the performance of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) for predicting significant periportal fibrosis (PPF) in schistosomotic patients and to determine its best cutoff point. We examined 358 people from northeast of Brazil for Schistosoma infections. The present study showed that pSWE was able to differentiate significant from mild PPF, with better performance to predict significant PPF.

scholarly journals Contraception and Sexsual Activity as Factor Influenced Leucorrhea

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Sari Priyanti
Keyword(s):  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
First Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACTCervical cancer was non communicable desease that worries the public and causes an increase mortality in women. One of the first sign causes of cervical cancer is occourrence of Leucorrhoe. The incidence of Leucorrhoe in women Indonesia by 90% of which >75% of women experience once of leucorrhoe and experience ≥ 2 times by 25%. Leucorrhoe should not be considered an ordinary thing because can be caused to itchy on genetalia, pain during sexsual, infection  can be caused odema on genetalia, hot like burned on vagina even the impact if not treated promptly will caused infertility and cancer. Aims of study was to analyze factors of influenced on Leucorrhoe incident. Design of study was cross sectional study. Population was women of childbearing age who use contraceptives in the karang jeruk village, Jatirejo sub district, Mojokerto district in March of 2017. Sample in this study was 33 people. Data analyze with logistic regresion. Result of study showed contraceptive and sexsual activity has significant influenced with leucorrhoe (PR = 10.000; 95% CI= 1,732-57,722 dan PR=8,750; 95% CI=1,466-52,232). Suggestion: should be married and have first sexual intercourse for the first time at the age of  ≥ 20 years, limit the number of children not more than 2 as the greater the number of children the greater the risk of Leucorrhoe, and not using hormonal contraception for a along time that more than 2 years. Keywords: contraceptive,sexsual activity, leucorrhoe

scholarly journals Recurrent Miscarriage and Consanguinity among Omani Women– A Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Al Hoqani ◽  
Wadha Al Ghafri ◽  
Saneya El tayeb ◽  
Yahya Al Farsi ◽  
Vaidyanathan Gowri
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Miscarriage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recurrent Miscarriages ◽  
Sultan Qaboos University ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
History Of

Objective: to determine the prevalence of explained and unexplained recurrent miscarriages (RM) and to find out if there is a significant relationship between recurrent miscarriages and consanguinity. Methods: A cross sectional in which the cases group included all women with RM attending the outpatient clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital from July 2006 to April 2012 and the controls group included women with no history of RM after matching them with cases for age (case to control ratio was 1:1). The main outcome measures were the prevalence of consanguinity in women with or without recurrent miscarriages. Results: During study period a total of 290 women with RM were seen. Of which, 150 (51.7%) women had unexplained RM. Control group with no history of RM were 300 women. Consanguinity rate among cases (49.5%) %) was less than the controls (52.7 %%). Both first cousin and second cousin marriages were more common in the controls than the cases and it was not statistically significant (p value 0.476, chi squared test). Conclusion: In this study we found that more than half of RM cases were unexplained and there was no significant association between RM and consanguinity.

scholarly journals Factors related to duration of hospitalization and death in premature newborns

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosane Meire Munhak da Silva ◽  
Adriana Zilly ◽  
Helder Ferreira ◽  
Letícia Pancieri ◽  
Juliana Coelho Pina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Premature Newborns ◽  
Care Processes ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Duration Of Hospitalization ◽  
Retrospective Data Collection ◽  
Health Complications

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze factors related to prolonged hospitalization and death in premature newborns in a border region. Method: Cross-sectional study, with retrospective data collection, which analyzed 951 medical records of premature newborns hospitalized between 2013 and 2017. The independent variables were maternal age, nationality, prenatal appointments, maternal intercurrences, gestational age, weight at birth, Apgar, complications; the dependent variables were days of hospitalization, discharge, death, and transference. The tests Pearson Chi-squared and Fisher’s Exact were employed. Results: Premature birth amounted to 10.3%; out of these, 43.3% were hospitalized. The prevalence of mortality was 21.3%. Few prenatal appointments, maternal intercurrences, low fifth minute Apgar, and the baby’s health complications increased days of hospitalization. Lower weight and gestational age, low Apgar and complications with the baby increased death. Conclusion: Understanding hospitalization aspects enabled the identification of factors that lead to complications to the premature newborn, which are relevant to efforts to overcome unfavorable outcomes and face challenges posed by the sequels throughout life. The integration between countries and their borders is a notorious condition to accelerate care processes and promote better outcomes.

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