Impact of Melanoma Diagnosis on Sun-Awareness and Protection: Efficacy of Education Campaigns in a High-Risk Population

2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoli Freiman ◽  
John Yu ◽  
Antoine Loutfi ◽  
Beatrice Wang

Background: Malignant melanoma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Sun-awareness campaigns increase public knowledge but may not translate into behavioral changes in practice, which is particularly alarming when reported for individuals in high-risk groups. In particular, patients diagnosed with melanoma are at increased risk of developing subsequent primary melanomas compared with the general population. Objectives: The study was undertaken (1) to assess whether patients with known risk factors for developing melanoma had been exposed to preventative campaign messages prior to their diagnosis, (2) to quantify whether the diagnosis of melanoma changed sun-related attitudes and behavior, and (3) to assess the adequacy of sun-related advice given to patients with melanoma, as well as their compliance with the advice. Methods: Using an anonymous questionnaire, 217 patients previously diagnosed with melanoma were interviewed on the source and frequency of received sun-related advice, as well as on their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward sun protection before and after the diagnosis. Results: The number of patients who reported receiving sun-related advice after being diagnosed with melanoma increased by 36% (52% pre-vs. 88% postDiagnosis), with advice being given more frequently and more often by a physician (19% pre- vs. 49% postdiagnosis). Furthermore, sun-related attitudes and behavioral practices were positively altered. Yet, patients with known risk factors were not preferentially targeted for advice before their diagnosis. Conclusions: The diagnosis of melanoma leads to increased sunwareness and protection. While dermatologists should continue their efforts to promote and reinforce sun-awareness in patients with melanoma, additional emphasis on preventative targeting of high-risk individuals would be of marked benefit in decreasing the overall incidence of melanoma. Non-dermatologists, such as family physicians, can be key players in this preventative campign, and can be educated to recognize and educate patients at risk, as well as direct them to be followed under dermatology care.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Chmiel ◽  
M. Azor ◽  
F. Borca ◽  
M. J. Boniface ◽  
D. K. Burns ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTShort-term reattendances to emergency departments are a key quality of care indicator. Identifying patients at increased risk of early reattendance can help reduce the number of patients with missed or undertreated illness or injury, and could support appropriate discharges with focused interventions. In this manuscript we present a retrospective, single-centre study where we create and evaluate a machine-learnt classifier trained to identify patients at risk of reattendance within 72 hours of discharge from an emergency department. On a patient hold-out test set, our highest performing classifier obtained an AUROC of 0.748 and an average precision of 0.250; demonstrating that machine-learning algorithms can be used to classify patients, with moderate performance, into low and high-risk groups for reattendance. In parallel to our predictive model we train an explanation model, capable of explaining predictions at an attendance level, which can be used to help inform the design of interventional strategies.


1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy M. Geringer ◽  
Suzanne Marks ◽  
Winston J. Allen ◽  
Kay A. Armstrong

Author(s):  
P Bachkangi ◽  
AH Taylor ◽  
JC Konje

Preterm birth (PTB) affects 9.6% of pregnancies worldwide and is associated with a very high perinatal mortality that depends on the gestational age at delivery. As a result, PTB has a significant health and financial impact on health systems, families and societies. Its aetiology is not fully understood, but in most cases it is multifactorial, with several maternal, paternal, and epidemiological factors associated with increased risk. Other factors include parental ethnicity, maternal age and body mass index, socioeconomic status, and where the families live. This review examines the influence of ethnicity as an individual risk factor for PTB. It also explores its influence on the epidemiology of PTB and demonstrates that data on certain ethnicities are lacking, despite the fact that these ethnic clusters are within the very ‘high-risk groups’ that are adequately represented in some Western societies. This review examines the influence of ethnicity as an individual risk factor for PTB and also explores its influence on the different epidemiological aspects. A thorough revisit of the ethnic epidemiology unveiled other unnoticed risk factors that if addressed appropriately prematurity can be prevented. Moreover, certain ethnicities were not within the attention of researchers, despite the facts that they are very ‘high-risk groups’ and are also adequately represented in some Western societies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumei Yang ◽  
Lingyu Li ◽  
Lei Feng ◽  
Xi Yang ◽  
Feifeng Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To investigate the exposure of risk factors and the characteristics of population distribution of elderly patients with high-risk of cerebral stroke in Sanlin Community, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, aiming to provide the evidence for the development of the prevention strategies for elderly patients with high-risk of stroke. Methods From 2015 to 2017, a cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct on-the-spot investigation and related physical examinations for resident populations ≥65 years old in Sanlin Community of Pudong New Area. The demographic characteristics, medical history, blood lipids, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, homocysteine and electrocardiogram were collected to screen the relative risk factors of ischemic stroke. Results 9,195 residents were surveyed between 2015 and 2017. 1,504 residents were high-risk population and 535 residents (5.82%) had a history of transient ischemic attack or stroke. There were 969 residents (10.54%) with ≥ 3 risk factors. Risk factors were hypertension, overweight, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, stroke history, smoking history, family history, lack of exercise and atrial fibrillation in turn. Among the high-risk groups of 969 risk factors ≥ 3, women's diabetes and hyperlipidemia exposure rate was higher than that of men, and male smoking rate and overweight were higher than females. Among the community members who participated in the screening, the detection rate of hyperhomocysteinemia for male was 63.8%, which was significantly higher than 45.7% for female. Conclusion The detection rate of high-risk groups in people over 65 years old in Sanlin area is similar to that in other areas in Shanghai. Hypertension, overweight and hyperlipidemia are the highest exposure risk factors. There are differences in exposure to certain risk factors between men and women. There is a high detection rate of hyperhomocysteinemia in the elderly and male population. Regular follow-up management should be implemented in combination with the occurrence of risk factors in different populations in order to prevent stroke.


Author(s):  
B. D. Kryvokulsky ◽  
I. V. Zhulkevich ◽  
D. B. Kryvokulsky ◽  
L. V. Shkrobot

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in women over 50 years of age. Age is a specific, significant predictor of the survival outcome in EC. Thrombotic complications (TC) are the other frequencies due to death in cancer patients. The problem of thrombosis is relevant and occupies a large proportion of the immediate causes of death in patients with oncological practice. Identification of risk groups, the implementation of a personalized approach to the prevention of TB is very practical in patients with EC.The aim of the study – to conduct an assessment of the Charleson Comorbidity Index and identify the link between an increased risk of thrombotic formation in patients with EС and associated pathology at the preoperative stage.Materials and Methods. The study used general clinical methods of examination: laboratory, specific for determining the state of hemostasis (D-dimer, antithrombin III, protein C, fibrinogen B, ACTH , IF, PM ), ultrasound examination (abdominal organs, small pelvis, lower vessels limbs and pelvic plexus; elastography of the vessels of the lower extremities and pelvic plexus). Histologic methods of tumor investigation – to determine the relationship between histological type, depth of invasion, degree of malignancy of the tumor. Mathematical, statistical – for analysis and generalization of data in the package "Statgraph" (v.3.0).Results and Discussion. On the basis of the obtained data and analysis of the risk factors of the occurrence of TC on the scale of Caprini, we came to the conclusion that the whole surveyed group of patients in the EC referred to the high risk of TC since they had 6 or more points. This is due to age, overweight, increased body surface area and body mass index, cancer pathology, concomitant pathology, which coincides with the data of world literature. Based on the integrated assessment of the Charleson Comorbidity Index and the assessment of the risk of developing TC on the Caprini scale, we noted that the most common risk factors for thrombosis are: abnormal fat metabolism, hypertonic disease, atherosclerosis, vascular disease. The combination of two or more risk factors for thrombosis was noted at 46.25 %. Relevant statistical discrepancies (p <0.05) in the hemostasis system in patients, depending on anthropometric indices, were confirmed by correlation bonds. We established a statistically significant (0.001 <p <0.05) positive relationship (r2> 0.17) between pelvic vein thrombosis and weight, age, BM I, Caprini scale, PPT , proper weight and PPT , PM , ACTCH Fibrinogen, D-dimer and a reliable negative (r2 <-0.17) relationship between thrombosis of the veins of the small pelvis and: the relation between the level of the MS and the level of D-dimer; PM / D-dimer; AT III / D-dimer.Conclusions. Based on the correlation data, it can be argued that the calculation of the Charleson Comorbidity Index is an important element in predicting survival rates in patients, but it does not provide an opportunity to predict the risk of thrombotic complications in patients with PE . The parallel compilation of the Charleson Comorbidity Index and the determination of the risk of developing thrombotic complications in endometrial cancer patients at the preoperative stage allows the isolation of high and high-risk groups of TU , especially in women over the age of 50 with existing comorbidity.


Vascular ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maged M Metias ◽  
Naomi Eisenberg ◽  
Michael D Clemente ◽  
Elizabeth M Wooster ◽  
Andrew D Dueck ◽  
...  

Background The level of knowledge of stroke risk factors and stroke symptoms within a population may determine their ability to recognize and ultimately react to a stroke. Independent agencies have addressed this through extensive awareness campaigns. The aim of this study was to determine the change in baseline knowledge of stroke risk factors, symptoms, and source of stroke knowledge in a high-risk Toronto population between 2010 and 2015. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to adults presenting to cardiovascular clinics at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. In 2010 and 2015, a total of 207 and 818 individuals, respectively, participated in the study. Participants were identified as stroke literate if they identified (1) at least one stroke risk factor and (2) at least one stroke symptom. Results A total of 198 (95.6%) and 791 (96.7%) participants, respectively, completed the questionnaire in 2010 and 2015. The most frequently identified risk factors for stroke in 2010 and 2015 were, respectively, smoking (58.1%) and hypertension (49.0%). The most common stroke symptom identified was trouble speaking (56.6%) in 2010 and weakness, numbness or paralysis (67.1%) in 2015. Approximately equal percentages of respondents were able to identify ≥1 risk factor (80.3% vs. 83.1%, p = 0.34) and ≥1 symptom (90.9% vs. 88.7%, p = 0.38). Overall, the proportion of respondents who were able to correctly list ≥1 stroke risk factors and stroke symptoms was similar in both groups.(76.8% vs. 75.5%, p = 0.70). The most commonly reported stroke information resource was television (61.1% vs. 67.6%, p = 0.09). Conclusion Stroke literacy has remained stable in this selected high-risk population despite large investments in public campaigns over recent years. However, the baseline remains high over the study period. Evaluation of previous campaigns and development of targeted advertisements using more commonly used media sources offer opportunities to enhance education.


Author(s):  
Satish Sankaran ◽  
Jyoti Bajpai Dikshit ◽  
Chandra Prakash SV ◽  
SE Mallikarjuna ◽  
SP Somashekhar ◽  
...  

AbstractCanAssist Breast (CAB) has thus far been validated on a retrospective cohort of 1123 patients who are mostly Indians. Distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS) of more than 95% was observed with significant separation (P < 0.0001) between low-risk and high-risk groups. In this study, we demonstrate the usefulness of CAB in guiding physicians to assess risk of cancer recurrence and to make informed treatment decisions for patients. Of more than 500 patients who have undergone CAB test, detailed analysis of 455 patients who were treated based on CAB-based risk predictions by more than 140 doctors across India is presented here. Majority of patients tested had node negative, T2, and grade 2 disease. Age and luminal subtypes did not affect the performance of CAB. On comparison with Adjuvant! Online (AOL), CAB categorized twice the number of patients into low risk indicating potential of overtreatment by AOL-based risk categorization. We assessed the impact of CAB testing on treatment decisions for 254 patients and observed that 92% low-risk patients were not given chemotherapy. Overall, we observed that 88% patients were either given or not given chemotherapy based on whether they were stratified as high risk or low risk for distant recurrence respectively. Based on these results, we conclude that CAB has been accepted by physicians to make treatment planning and provides a cost-effective alternative to other similar multigene prognostic tests currently available.


1988 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 799-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Persinger

Luminous phenomena and anomalous physical forces have been hypothesized to be generated by focal tectonic strain fields that precede earthquakes. If these geophysical processes exist, then their spatial and temporal density should be greatest during periods of protracted, localized UFO reports; they might be used as dosimetric indicators. Contemporary epidemiological data concerning the health risks of power frequency electromagnetic fields and radon gas levels (expected correlates of certain tectonic strain fields), suggest that increased incidence (odds ratios greater 1:3) of brain tumors and leukemia should be evident within “flap” areas. In addition the frequency of variants of temporal lobe lability, psychological depression and posttraumatic stress should be significantly elevated. UFO field investigators, because they have repeated, intermittent close proximity to these fields, are considered to be a particularly high risk population for these disorders.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junxiong Yin ◽  
Chuanyong Yu ◽  
Hongxing Liu ◽  
Mingyang Du ◽  
Feng Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To establish a predictive model of carotid vulnerable plaque through systematic screening of high-risk population for stroke.Patients and methods: All community residents who participated in the screening of stroke high-risk population by the China National Stroke Screening and Prevention Project (CNSSPP). A total of 19 risk factors were analyzed. Individuals were randomly divided into Derivation Set group and Validation Set group. According to carotid ultrasonography, the derivation set group patients were divided into instability plaque group and non-instability plaque group. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were taken for risk factors. A predictive model scoring system were established by the coefficient. The AUC value of both derivation and validation set group were used to verify the effectiveness of the model.Results: A total of 2841 high-risk stroke patients were enrolled in this study, 266 (9.4%) patients were found instability plaque. According to the results of Doppler ultrasound, Derivation Set group were divided into instability plaque group (174 cases) and non-instability plaque group (1720 cases). The independent risk factors for carotid instability plaque were: male (OR 1.966, 95%CI 1.406-2.749),older age (50-59, OR 6.012, 95%CI 1.410-25.629; 60-69, OR 13.915, 95%CI 3.381-57.267;≥70, OR 31.267, 95%CI 7.472-130.83) , married(OR 1.780, 95%CI 1.186-2.672),LDL-c(OR 2.015, 95%CI 1.443-2.814), and HDL-C(OR 2.130, 95%CI 1.360-3.338). A predictive scoring system was created, range 0-10. The cut-off value of prediction model score is 6.5. The AUC value of derivation and validation set group were 0.738 and 0.737.Conclusion:For a high risk group of stroke individual, We provide a model that could distinguishing those who have a high probability of having carotid instability plaque. When resident’s predictive model score exceeds 6.5, the incidence of carotid instability plaque is high, carotid artery Doppler ultrasound would be checked immediately. This model can be helpful in the primary prevention of stroke.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Ottosson ◽  
Einar Smith ◽  
Ulrika Ericson ◽  
Salvatore Di Somma ◽  
Paola Antonini ◽  
...  

Background Obesity is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes, however, up to 20% of patients are normal weight. Our aim was to identify metabolite patterns reproducibly predictive of BMI, and subsequently to test if lean individuals who carry an obese metabolome are at hidden high risk of obesity related diseases, such as diabetes. Methods We measured 109 metabolites in fasted plasma samples of 7663 individuals from two Swedish and one Italian population-based cohort. Ridge regression models were used to predict BMI using the plasma metabolites. Individuals with a predicted BMI either more than 5 kg/m2 higher (overestimated) or lower (underestimated) than their actual BMI were characterized as outliers and further investigated for obesity related risk factors and future risk of diabetes and mortality. Results The plasma metabolome could predict BMI in all cohorts (r2 = 0.48, 0.26 and 0.19). The overestimated group had a BMI similar to individuals correctly predicted as normal weight, similar waist circumference, were not more likely to change weight over time but had a 2 times higher risk of future diabetes and an 80 % increased risk of all-cause mortality. These associations remained after adjustments for obesity-related risk factors and lifestyle parameters. Conclusions We found that lean individuals with an obese metabolome, have an increased risk for diabetes and all-cause mortality compared to lean individuals with a healthy metabolome. Metabolomics may be used to identify hidden high-risk individuals, in order to initiate lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.


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