scholarly journals Reliability of Geneological Cemetery Records in Ascertaining Vital Status in an Historical Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Gwini ◽  
Ewan MacFarlane ◽  
Geza Benke ◽  
Malcolm Sim
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Vital Status ◽  
The Past ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Death Registry ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

ABSTRACTBackground Ascertainment of vital status is a particular challenge in studies of historical cohorts, particularly when the time last known to be alive precedes available and linkable death databases. In Australia, vital status is typically ascertained by linkage to the National Death Index (NDI) which contains detailed information on all deaths occurring after 1 January 1980. While the Australian National Death registry has electronic records dating back to the 18th century searching for deaths prior to this date can only be undertaken on an individual basis by requesting specific death certificates from state/territory registrars of births, deaths and marriages, which is unfeasible for a whole cohort. In the past decade, a number of publically accessible online genealogical databases containing either details of burials/cremations or tombstone inscriptions have become available. While genealogical cemetery records are a potential source of mortality ascertainment, their reliability for this purpose is unknown. We used the Australian NDI, as a gold standard, to assess the reliability of electronic cemetery records in ascertaining vital status in a cohort study. MethodsIn a historical cohort of former workers employed at a Tasmanian cement factory from 1936, Tasmanian electronic cemetery and tombstone inscription databases were checked for ‘fact of death’ for workers last known to be alive after 01 January 1980 (N=867, 31% of the cohort). The same cohort was also linked to the NDI. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of cemetery records were calculated. ResultsThe NDI identified 78 deaths (9%) while we identified 50 deaths (6%) through cemetery record checks. The sensitivity of cemetery matching was low (53.8%; 95% CI 42.2-65.2) while specificity was 99.0% (95% CI 98.0-99.6). Positive and negative predictive values were also good, 84.0% (95% CI 70.9-92.8) and 95.6% (95% CI 94.0-96.9), respectively. ConclusionsThe results show that deaths identified from electronic cemetery records can be reliable (i.e. high PPV), even though this method correctly identified about half of deaths (i.e. low sensitivity). This methodology can be useful when sources of vital status ascertainment are limited.

Validity of hearTest Smartphone-Based Audiometry for Hearing Screening in Workers Exposed to Noise

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luma Cordeiro Rodrigues ◽  
Silvia Ferrite ◽  
Ana Paula Corona
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Hearing Level ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Auditory Thresholds ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Purpose This article investigates the validity of a smartphone-based audiometry for hearing screening to identify hearing loss in workers exposed to noise. Research Design This is a validation study comparing hearing screening with the hearTest to conventional audiometry. The study population included all workers who attended the Brazilian Social Service of Industry to undergo periodic examinations. Sensitivity, specificity, the Youden index, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) for hearing screening obtained by the hearTest were estimated according to three definitions of hearing loss: any threshold greater than 25 dB hearing level (HL), the mean auditory thresholds for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz greater than 25 dB HL, and the mean thresholds for 3, 4, and 6 kHz greater than 25 dB HL. Note that 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all measurements. Results A total of 232 workers participated in the study. Hearing screening with the hearTest presented good sensitivity (93.8%), specificity (83.9%), and Youden index (77.7%) values, a NPV (97.2%), and a low PPV (69.0%) for the identification of hearing loss defined as any auditory threshold greater than 25 dB HL. For the other definitions of hearing loss, we observed high specificity, PPV and NPV, as well as low sensitivity and Youden index. Conclusion The hearTest is an accurate hearing screening tool to identify hearing loss in workers exposed to noise, including those with noise-induced hearing loss, although it does not replace conventional audiometry.

scholarly journals Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 204-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliningaya John Kweka ◽  
Asanterabi Lowassa ◽  
Shandala Msangi ◽  
Epiphania E Kimaro ◽  
Ester E Lyatuu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Test ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Rural Tanzania ◽  
Northern Tanzania ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Malaria Test

Introduction: Several rapid diagnostic tools for malaria are currently available in local markets. However, diagnostic accuracy varies widely. The present study was conducted to evaluate a cheaply and easily available rapid diagnostic malaria test (ParaHIT-f) in rural Tanzania. Methodology: Participants presenting with fever at health centers in the Kilimanjaro and Manyara regions were eligible. Parasitological thin and thick smears were examined from finger-prick blood samples and compared to ParaHIT-f test results. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated using microscopic parasitological examination as the gold standard. Results: In total, 236/743 (31.8%) individuals had a positive malaria microscopy, and 25/715 (3.4%) were positive in the rapid diagnostic test. The sensitivity of ParaHIT-f was 10.7% (95% CI, 6.7-14.7) and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 97.4-102), with positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of 100% (95% CI, 99.1-100.2) and 70.9% (95% CI, 66.9-74.9) respectively. Sensitivity of ParaHIT-f increased with increasing P. falciparum density (P > 0.003) from 5.8% (95% CI, 0-12.9) at < 100 parasites/μl to 20.5% (95% CI, 13.5-27) at ≥ 100 parasites/μl. Conclusions: Sensitivity of the ParaHIT-f rapid test was very low in this setting, therefore concomitant use of rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy is recommended. In the case of positive test results, confirmation by parasitological techniques is not necessary. Further monitoring of ParaHIT-f in various epidemiological settings in Tanzania is warranted. 

scholarly journals Accuracy of a new hysteroscopic method in the assessment of tubal patency: Hysteroscopic Chromotubation

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Burak Yucel ◽  
Emine Demirel ◽  
Sefa Kelekci ◽  
Kerem Doga Seckin ◽  
Osama Shawki
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Uterine Cavity ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Office Hysteroscopy ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Tubal Patency ◽  
Infertile Women ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

<p><strong>Objective</strong></p><p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hysteroscopic chromopertubation (HCT) in the assessment of tubal patency by comparing its results with laparoscopic chromopertubation (LCT).</p><p><strong>Study Design</strong></p><p>The population of this prospective cohort study consisted of both fertile and infertile women. Sixty-four women were included to the study. HCT was assessed by the observation of the transport of highly concentrated methylene blue from uterine cavity to tubal ostia. The results of HCT were compared with the results of LCT as a gold standard. The accuracy of HCT, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values in diagnosing tubal patency were calculated.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results</strong></p><p>The results of HCT and LCT were evaluated for right and left tubes, separately. One hundred and twenty-eight tubes were determined. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for HCT were; 85.85%, 59.09%, 91% and 46.43%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion </strong></p><p>This study’s result showed that HCT had high sensitivity and moderate specificity values in the assessment of tubal patency. HCT during office hysteroscopy could give the chance to practitioners to assess tubal patency without subjecting the patient to multiple procedures.<strong></strong></p>

Haematological Parameters in Early Diagnosis of Clinically Suspected Neonatal Septicemia

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Neonatal Septicemia ◽  
Mature Neutrophil ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Neonatal septicemia is a life-threatening yet treatable condition. It is one of the major health problems throughout the world. Blood culture is the gold standard for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia and should be performed in all cases of suspected septicemia prior to starting antibiotics. But in the present study, the use of the haematological parameters was evaluated to determine the early diagnosis of neonatal septicemia. It was carried out in the neonatal unit of Mandalay Children’s Hospital from September 2012 to August 2013. Out of 68 cases of clinically suspected neonatal septicemia, bacterial pathogens were isolated from 33 cases. Early onset neonatal septicemia was more common than late onset. Among 33 cases of culture-proven neonatal septicemia, septicemia is not likely in 1 case (3%) while borderline for septicemia and septicemia in 6 cases (18.2%) is very likely in 26 cases (78.8%) according to haematological scoring system (HSS). HSS assigns a score of one for each of seven haematological parameters. Out of the seven haematological parameters, immature to total neutrophil ratio (I:T) and immature to mature neutrophil ratio (I:M) were the most reliable test for the neonatal septicemia. Thrombocytopenia had low sensitivity. The haematolgical parameters are simple, quick, cost effective and readily available. The sensitivity, specificity and the predictive values of haematological parameters could be enhanced by combination of these parameters rather than the use of single parameter.

scholarly journals EPID-14. ECHOES FROM THE PAST- AN HISTORICAL COHORT STUDY OF LOW DOSE RADIATION FOR TINEA CAPITIS AND BRAIN TUMOR INCIDENCE IN ISRAEL

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (suppl_6) ◽  
pp. vi83-vi83
Author(s):  
Shlomit Yust Katz ◽  
Tali Siegal ◽  
Alexandra Amiel ◽  
Eatela Derazne ◽  
Jeremy Kark
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Tumor Incidence ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
The Past ◽  
Historical Cohort Study ◽  
Dose Radiation

scholarly journals Reliability of Cobas Amplicor PCR test in detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory and nonorespiratory specimens

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 992-997
Author(s):  
Zorica Lepsanovic ◽  
Dejana Savic ◽  
Branka Tomanovic
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background/Aim. Traditional methods for detection of mycobacteria, such as microscopic examination for the presence of acid-fast bacilli and isolation of the organism by culture, have either a low sensitivity and/or specificity, or take weeks before a definite result is available. Molecular methods, especially those based on nucleic acid amplification, are rapid diagnostic methods which combine high sensitivity and high specificity. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction (CAPCR) assay in detecting the tuberculosis cause in respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens (compared to culture). Methods. Specimens were decontaminated by the N-acetyl-L-cystein- NaOH method. A 500 ?L aliquot of the processed specimen were used for inoculation of L?wenstein-Jensen (L-J) slants, a drop for acid-fast staining, and 100 ?L for PCR. The Cobas Amplicor PCR was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results. A total of 110 respiratory and 355 nonrespiratory specimens were investigated. After resolving discrepancies by reviewing medical history, overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for CA-PCR assay compared to culture, were 83%, 100%, 100%, and 96.8%, respectively. In comparison, they were 50%, 99.7%, 87.5%, and 98%, respectively, for the nonrespiratory specimens. The inhibition rate was 2.8% for respiratory, and 7.6% for nonrespiratory specimens. Conclusion. CA-PCR is a reliable assay that enables specialists to start treatment promptly on a positive test result. Lower value for specificity in a group of nonrespiratory specimens is a consequence of an extremely small number of mycobacteria in some of them.

Predictive Value of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors for Mortality in Septic Patients: A Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Serrano-Gomez ◽  
Gabriel Burgos-Angulo ◽  
Daniela Camila Niño-Vargas ◽  
María Eugenia Niño ◽  
María Eugenia Cárdenas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Tissue Inhibitor Of Metalloproteinase ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Purpose: Over 170 biomarkers are being investigated regarding their prognostic and diagnostic accuracy in sepsis in order to find new tools to reduce morbidity and mortality. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors have been recently studied as promising new prognostic biomarkers in patients with sepsis. This study is aimed at determining the utility of several cutoff points of these biomarkers to predict mortality in patients with sepsis. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, prospective, analytic cohort study was performed in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga, Colombia. A total of 289 patients with sepsis and septic shock were included. MMP-9, MMP-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), TIMP-2, TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, and TIMP-2/MMP-2 ratio were determined in blood samples. Value ranges were correlated with mortality to estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiving operating characteristic curve. Results: Sensitivity ranged from 33.3% (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio) to 60.6% (TIMP-1) and specificity varied from 38.8% (MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio) to 58.5% (TIMP-1). As for predictive values, positive predictive value range was from 17.5% (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio) to 70.4% (MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio), whereas negative predictive values were between 23.2% (MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio) and 80.9% (TIMP-1). Finally, area under the curve scores ranged from 0.31 (MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio) to 0.623 (TIMP-1). Conclusion: Although TIMP-1 showed higher sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value, with a representative population sample, we conclude that none of the evaluated biomarkers had significant predictive value for mortality.

scholarly journals Assessment of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Typhoid Diagnosis and Assessment of Febrile Illness Outbreaks in Fiji

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneley Getahun Strobel ◽  
Stephanie Airs ◽  
Cattram Nguyen ◽  
Taina Rokobuli Vadei ◽  
Silivia Matanitobua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Culture ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
The Public ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Typhoid is an endemic in Fiji with increases observed since the early 2000s and frequent outbreaks reported. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of currently available typhoid rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) (TUBEX, Typhidot Rapid, and Test-It assay) to establish their performance against blood culture in Fiji and to examine their suitability for rapid typhoid outbreak identification. The performance of RDTs was assessed in the public health reference laboratory in Suva, Fiji, according to the manufacturers’ instructions. A simulation was used to examine the potential use of RDTs for attribution of a febrile illness outbreak to typhoid. For the diagnostic evaluation, 179 patients were included; 49 had blood culture–confirmed typhoid, 76 had fever as a result of non-typhoid etiologies, and 54 were age-matched community controls. The median (interquartile range) age was 29 (20–46) years. Of the participants, 92 (51.4%) were male and 131 (73.2%) were indigenous Fijians. The sensitivities of the tests were 77.6% for TUBEX, 75.5% for Typhidot Rapid, and 57.1% for Test-It assay. The Test-It assay had the highest specificity of 93.4%, followed by Typhidot Rapid 85.5% and TUBEX 60.5%. Typhidot Rapid had the best performance in the simulation for attribution of a febrile illness outbreak to typhoid. Typhoid RDTs performed suboptimally for individual patient diagnosis due to low sensitivity and variable specificity. We demonstrate that RDTs could be useful in the field for rapid attribution of febrile illness outbreaks to typhoid. Typhidot Rapid had the best combination of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, cost, and ease of use for this purpose.

scholarly journals The Association Between History of an Ankle Sprain and Traumatic Meniscal Injury Among Infantry Combat Soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces: A Historical Cohort Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 185 (5-6) ◽  
pp. e748-e754
Author(s):  
Oren Schwartz ◽  
Shir Bulis ◽  
Cara H Olsen ◽  
Elon Glasberg ◽  
Israel Dudkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Ankle Sprain ◽  
Cox Model ◽  
Meniscal Injury ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Leg Injuries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ankle Inversion ◽  
Historical Cohort Study ◽  
Combat Soldiers

Abstract Introduction The high frequency and number of ankle inversion injuries and meniscal injuries in military populations is an area of concern due to the debilitating effects and cumulative consequences of these particular injuries on the soldiers sustaining injury and the consequences on the operational effectiveness of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). This study examines the possible relationship between ankle inversion injury and potential for subsequent meniscal injury in infantry soldiers in the IDF. Material and Methods All 89,069 infantry combat soldiers (including special units), recruited to the IDF between 2007 and 2017 were included in this study. A historical cohort study was conducted. The cohort was divided into two groups: The exposure group included all participants that had suffered at least one ankle sprain in the past and the unexposed group that included all participants who did not suffer an ankle sprain in the past. A Cox proportional-hazards model (COX) model was used in order to obtain the adjusted to confounders association between exposure and outcome expressed in hazard ratio (HR). Results The crude association between ankle sprain in the past and the development of meniscal injury in this study was 0.87 (Relative risk = 0.87, P = 0.007). After adjusting for unit type, Body Mass Index (BMI), previous fracture of the lower limb, and the use of eyeglasses, using a COX model, the adjusted association between ankle sprain in the past and the development of meniscal injury was 0.8 (HR = 0.8, P = 0.001, confidence interval (95%) 0.74, 0.88). Conclusion The results of this study indicate ankle sprains to be a protective factor for meniscal injury. Our main conclusion from the results of this study is that the assumption that those with previous leg injuries are at a greater risk for further leg injuries is questionable and cannot be generalized. Hence, the association between different types of injuries should be investigated separately.

scholarly journals Accuracy of waist circumference for predicting other components of metabolic syndrome: evidence from the Bambuí cohort study of the elderly

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-371
Author(s):  
Keila Bacelar Duarte de Morais ◽  
Cibele Comini César ◽  
Sérgio Viana Peixoto ◽  
Maria Fernanda Lima-Costa
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Objectives: To examine the accuracy of waist circumference to predict two or more metabolic syndrome (MS) components among the elderly and to compare it with the recommendations of the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) for adults. Method: The study was conducted among participants of the baseline of the Bambuí (Minas Gerais) Cohort Study. The best waist circumference cut-off point for the outcome was determined by the Younden Index. The accuracy of such cut-off points was assessed by the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) and the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values. Results: The prevalence of MS was 63.8% among women and 43.4% among men. Of these, the waist circumference cut-off that best predicted two or more components of MS (≥88 cm) was similar to that recommended by JIS (≥90 cm) (AUROC=0.673 and 0.672, respectively). Among women, the corresponding value was higher (≥92 cm) than recommended by the JIS (≥80 cm) (AUROC=0.605 and 0.560, respectively). Conclusion: The overall accuracy of waist circumference (AUROC) for the outcome was low for both genders, indicating that this measure is not an effective predictor of other components of MS in the study population.

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