Adherence to Symptom-Based Care Guidelines for Down Syndrome

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Santoro ◽  
Han Yin ◽  
Robert J. Hopkin

To assess adherence to symptom-based studies recommended in the health supervision guidelines for Down syndrome from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 24 pediatric care sites participated in retrospective chart review. Symptom-based screening and 4 associated recommendations, including cervical spine radiograph, video swallow study, celiac study with tissue transglutaminase and sleep study were analyzed by reviewing well-child visit notes of 264 children with Down syndrome. Given trends toward symptom-based screens, Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to determine the association between symptom presence and receiving corresponding symptom-based screens. Adherence rates were widely variable ranging from 0% to 79% completion. Symptom-based studies were performed in 22% to 36% of patients. Symptom screens were documented positive in many patients, but the presence of symptoms did not correlate with completion of symptom-based screens. Symptom-based screening is low; associated studies were performed in patients without documented symptoms contrary to AAP recommendation.

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Eckerle ◽  
Heidi Sucharew ◽  
Kathleen Alwell ◽  
Charles J Moomaw ◽  
Matthew Flaherty ◽  
...  

Introduction: Non-invasive cardiac imaging is an important tool in evaluation of acute ischemic stroke, as a cardiac source can be implicated in approximately 20% of cases. However, the preferred imaging method is unclear due in part to the lack of consistent data regarding the yield of the two most commonly employed modalities, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE and TEE). Here we examine, in a large, biracial population, the prevalence of abnormalities detected by echocardiography during evaluation of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Acute ischemic stroke cases were identified from a population of 1.3 million in the Greater Cincinnati area in 2005. Medical history and echocardiography results were determined by retrospective chart review. Echocardiographic abnormalities were pre-defined based on possibility of change in clinical decision making. All cases were abstracted by study nurses and subsequently verified by study physicians. Results were stratified by cardiac history and choice of echocardiographic technique; groups were compared using chi-square test or Fisher’s Exact test. Results: There were 2197 hospital-ascertained ischemic stroke cases in 2005. Median age was 73 (IQR 61-81), 22% were black, and 55% were female. TTE was performed in 68% of cases; TEE was performed in 7%. TEE revealed at least one abnormality in 55% of cases with cardiac history and 32% of cases without (Table). Yield of TTE was 20% in cases with cardiac history and 3% in cases without. Discussion: TEE is of considerable yield in selected patients, irrespective of cardiac history. This is in keeping with prior cost-effectiveness analyses recommending TEE alone for patients in whom suspicion of occult source of cardiac embolism is high. Prevalence of abnormalities on TTE in this population is similar to that of previously published series.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariza Rumi Kataguiri ◽  
Edward Araujo Júnior ◽  
Luiz Claudio Silva Bussamra ◽  
Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza ◽  
Antonio Fernandes Moron

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of second-trimester ultrasound markers on the incidence of Down syndrome among pregnant women of advanced maternal age. This was a retrospective cohort study on 889 singleton pregnancies between the 14th and 30th weeks, with maternal age ≥ 35 years, which would undergo genetic amniocentesis. The second-trimester ultrasound assessed the following markers: increased nuchal fold thickness, cardiac hyperechogenic focus, mild ventriculomegaly, choroid plexus cysts, uni- or bilateral renal pyelectasis, intestinal hyperechogenicity, single umbilical artery, short femur and humerus length, hand/foot alterations, structural fetal malformation, and congenital heart disease. To investigate differences between the groups with and without markers, nonparametric tests consisting of the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used. Moreover, odds ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Out of the 889 pregnant women, 131 (17.3%) presented markers and 758 (82.7%) did not present markers on the second-trimester ultrasound. Increased nuchal fold (P<0.001) and structural malformation (P<0.001) were the markers most associated with Down syndrome. The presence of one marker increased the relative risk 10.5-fold, while the presence of two or more markers increased the risk 13.5-fold. The presence of markers on the second-trimester ultrasound, especially thickened nuchal fold and structural malformation, increased the risk of Down syndrome among pregnant women with advanced maternal age.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18643-e18643
Author(s):  
Julie Huang ◽  
Angela Ramdhanny ◽  
Alison Daly ◽  
Meredith Akerman ◽  
Marc Justin Braunstein

e18643 Background: Admission to a physical rehabilitation facility (RF) can improve mobility and quality of life metrics in cancer patients, however, limited data exist on how these admissions impact cancer-related outcomes. We hypothesized that admissions to a RF following hospitalization delays cancer-directed treatment and increases mortality compared to those who are discharged home. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified oncology patients who were being treated with either intravenous or subcutaneous cancer-directed therapy between 2010-2020 and admitted to either a RF or home following hospitalization. Exclusion criteria were patients not on active cancer-directed treatment or going to hospice. Comparisons of RF vs. home were made using a chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical outcomes. Median days to next chemotherapy for each group were assessed with Kaplan-Meier/Product-Limit Estimates with a corresponding 95% confidence interval. Results: Of 189 patients, 24 were admitted to a RF and 165 went home. The median age of the study population was 65.6 years, with more males (66.7%) admitted to a RF vs. discharged home (49.7%), and both groups having >50% advanced stage cancer; primarily GI malignancies (25.9%) (Table). There was a statistically significant increase in the percent of patients who experienced delays in the time to their next anticipated chemotherapy date in the RF group vs. home (70.8% vs. 30.3%, P<0.0001), as well as median days to next chemotherapy (38.5 vs. 22, P<0.007). 30-day readmission rates were higher in patients at a RF vs. home (50% vs 29%, P<0.04). There were no significant differences in mortality comparing RF vs. home at 3, 6, or 12 months from the index inpatient hospitalization. Conclusions: Hospitalized oncology patients who were admitted to a RF had significant delays in cancer-directed therapy. Despite the smaller sample size of patients in a RF, their 30-day readmission rates were higher, suggesting a need to carefully select patients who can afford delays in cancer treatment.[Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
pp. 153857442110225
Author(s):  
Joel Mathew John ◽  
Vimalin Samuel ◽  
Dheepak Selvaraj ◽  
Prabhu Premkumar ◽  
Albert A Kota ◽  
...  

Objective: The use of drug coated balloon (DCB) for angioplasty has shown superior efficacy against plain balloons for treating complex infrainguinal arterial disease. We report and compare the clinical outcomes following application of DCB(Paclitaxel) and plain angioplasty (POBA) in our tertiary care centre. Methods: A retrospective, single centre analysis of 301 patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia involving the infrainguinal segment was conducted between September 2014 and September 2018, after approval from the Institutional review board. We analyzed clinical outcomes by measuring postoperative ABI improvement, restenosis requiring reintervention procedure, minor and major amputations at the end of 18 months. . To find the association between the group variables (POBA and DCB) and other risk variables, Chi-square test/Fisher’s exact test was used. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Results: Patients who underwent treatment with plain balloon (POBA) and DCB(Paclitaxel) angioplasty were 246(81.7%) and 55(18.3%) respectively. Our study group was predominantly male (Male: Female = 6.7:1), most patients were more than 50 years of age (n = 251, 83.4%). Smoking (n = 199, 66.1%) and diabetes (n = 210, 69.8%) were the most common atherosclerotic risk factors. Postoperative Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABI) improvement were similar in both groups (POBA = 57.7%; DCB = 69.8%; p = 0.103). Minor and major amputations following POBA were 26% and 22%; and DCB were 12.7% and 16.4% respectively. Re-stenosis requiring a re-interventional procedure within 18 months was 15%, (n = 37) following POBA; and 12.7% (n = 7) following DCB (p = 0.661). Conclusions: This retrospective study shows similar clinical limb related outcomes following POBA and DCB at 18 months. However, our comparative analysis between the POBA and DCB groups was totally unadjusted and not adjusted for common confounders such as age and sex. Hence, for one to draw definitive conclusions leading to changes in clinical practice; a randomized, prospective study with a larger patient cohort is needed.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1424
Author(s):  
Esben Nyborg Poulsen ◽  
Anna Olsson ◽  
Stefan Gustavsen ◽  
Annika Reynberg Langkilde ◽  
Annette Bang Oturai ◽  
...  

Spinal cord lesions are included in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet spinal cord MRI is not mandatory for diagnosis according to the latest revisions of the McDonald Criteria. We investigated the distribution of spinal cord lesions in MS patients and examined how it influences the fulfillment of the 2017 McDonald Criteria. Seventy-four patients with relapsing-remitting MS were examined with brain and entire spinal cord MRI. Sixty-five patients received contrast. The number and anatomical location of MS lesions were assessed along with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). A Chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test, and one-sided McNemar’s test were used to test distributions. MS lesions were distributed throughout the spinal cord. Diagnosis of dissemination in space (DIS) was increased from 58/74 (78.4%) to 67/74 (90.5%) when adding cervical spinal cord MRI to brain MRI alone (p = 0.004). Diagnosis of dissemination in time (DIT) was not significantly increased when adding entire spinal cord MRI to brain MRI alone (p = 0.04). There was no association between the number of spinal cord lesions and the EDSS score (p = 0.71). MS lesions are present throughout the spinal cord, and spinal cord MRI may play an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of MS patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S792-S792
Author(s):  
Alfredo Traversa ◽  
Linda Poggensee ◽  
Geneva M Wilson ◽  
Katie J Suda ◽  
Charlesnika T Evans ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are classified as an “urgent threat” to public health. Historically, colistin and tigecycline had been considered the drugs of choice for CRE infections, while other agents such as aminoglycosides and carbapenems had been used as adjunctive therapy. However, the FDA approval of ceftazidime-avibactam in 2015, meropenem-vaborbactam in 2017, and plazomicin in 2018 has expanded treatment options. Our purpose was to assess trends in CRE treatment for “new” antibiotics (ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, plazomicin) as compared with other antibiotics with CRE activity. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study describing treatment of CRE blood stream infections (BSI) across 134 VA facilities from 2012-2018. Patients were censored at their first positive blood culture with CRE. Categorical data was assessed with a Fisher’s exact test or chi-square test. Trends test and logistic regression were used to describe changes in CRE treatment over time. Results 724 patients with positive blood cultures for CRE were identified during the study period. Most patients were male (94%), white (32%) or Hispanic (38%), and the mean age was 71.5+11.9. Of those patients that received antibiotics (N=697), 53.4% carbapenems, 40.3% received aminoglycosides, 39.3% received polymyxins, 32.9% penicillins, 32.6% extended spectrum cephalosporins, 26.1% fluoroquinolones, 11.6% ceftazidime/avibactam, and 0.4% ceftolazone/tazobactam. Over the study period, there was decreased utilization of aminoglycosides (P &lt; 0.0026) and colistin (P&lt; 0.002) and increases in extended spectrum cephalosporins (P &lt; 0.001) and ceftazidime/avibactam (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Utilization of “older” agents such as aminoglycosides and polymyxins for the treatment of CRE blood stream infections is decreasing in the VA. Treating CRE with ceftazidime/avibactam, a newly approved antibiotic, and extended spectrum cephalosporins are increasing. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Zhen Dai ◽  
Yi Qiu ◽  
Xing-Hong Di ◽  
Wei-Wu Shi ◽  
Hui-Hui Xu

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 accounts for a larger share of cervical cancer and has been a major health problem worldwide for decades. The progression of initial infection to cervical cancer has been linked to viral sequence properties; however, the role of HPV16 variants in the risk of cervical carcinogenesis, especially with longitudinal follow-up, is not fully understood in China. Methods We aimed to investigate the genetic variability of HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogenes in isolates from cervical exfoliated cells. Between December 2012 and December 2014, a total of 310 single HPV16-positive samples were selected from women living in the Taizhou area, China. Sequences of all E6 and E7 oncogenes were analysed by PCR-sequencing assay. Detailed sequence comparison, genetic heterogeneity analyses and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree construction were performed with BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor and MEGA X software. Data for cytology tests and histological diagnoses were obtained from our Taizhou Area Study with longitudinal follow-up for at least 5 years. The relationship between HPV16 variants and cervical carcinogenesis risk was analysed by the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Results In this study, we obtained 64 distinct variation patterns with the accession GenBank numbers MT681266-MT681329. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 98.3% of HPV16 variants belong to lineage A, in which the A4 (Asian) sublineage was dominant (64.8%), followed by A2 (12.1%), A1 (11.4%), and A3 (10.0%). The A4 (Asian) sublineage had a higher risk of CIN2+ than the A1–3 (European) sublineages (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.04–6.97, P < 0.05). Furthermore, nucleotide variation in HPV16 E6 T178G is associated with the development of cervical cancer. Conclusion These data could provide novel insights into the role of HPV16 variants in cervical carcinogenesis risk in China.


Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 1965-1975
Author(s):  
Lauren M McIntyre ◽  
B S Weir

Abstract Estimation of allelic and genotypic distributions for continuous data using kernel density estimation is discussed and illustrated for some variable number of tandem repeat data. These kernel density estimates provide a useful representation of data when only some of the many variants at a locus are present in a sample. Two Hardy-Weinberg test procedures are introduced for continuous data: a continuous chi-square test with test statistic TCCS and a test based on Hellinger's distance with test statistic TCCS. Simulations are used to compare the powers of these tests to each other and to the powers of a test of intraclass correlation TIC, as well as to the power of Fisher's exact test TFET applied to discretized data. Results indicate that the power of TCCS is better than that of THD but neither is as powerful as TFET. The intraclass correlation test does not perform as well as the other tests examined in this article.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3916
Author(s):  
Ingrida Košičiarová ◽  
Zdenka Kádeková ◽  
Peter Štarchoň

Although the issue of corporate culture has been taken over and addressed in the literature from various perspectives, there are very few researchers about the role of leadership and motivation in it, respectively very few researchers have addressed them as important components of the international company’s corporate culture. The present paper aims to point out that leadership and motivation can be perceived as important aspects of the international company’s corporate culture. The object of the investigation was an international company (situated in Italy) and its five subsidiaries (situated in Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, and Turkey). As the main research method, there was chosen the method of the questionnaire survey, which was attempted by all the company’s employees (totally 270 respondents). The questionnaire was divided into three separate, but logically related parts—leadership, motivation, and corporate culture, and submitted to two groups of respondents—the company’s management and its employees. In total 11 hypotheses were formulated and further evaluated by the methods of Pearson Chi-square Test, Fisher’s Exact Test, Cramer’s V coefficient, Kendall rank correlation coefficient, Eta coefficient, Spearman coefficient, Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon W statistics, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Friedman’s test. The results of the research have proven that leadership and motivation are important parts of the corporate culture.


1983 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Overall ◽  
Robert R. Starbuck

A binomial model is proposed for testing the significance of differences in binary response probabilities in two independent treatment groups. Without correction for continuity, the binomial statistic is essentially equivalent to Fisher’s exact probability. With correction for continuity, the binomial statistic approaches Pearson’s chi-square. Due to mutual dependence of the binomial and F distributions on the beta distribution, a simple F statistic can be used for computation instead of the binomial.


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