scholarly journals Diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic description of a splenic mass or nodule as cavitated in 106 dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Millar ◽  
Kristin M. Zersen
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Splenic Mass ◽  
Preoperative Diagnostic ◽  
Short And Long Term

Abstract OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic description of a splenic mass or nodule as cavitated in dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen. ANIMALS 106 dogs with a nontraumatic hemoabdomen that underwent abdominal ultrasonography and splenectomy with histologic examination of splenic lesions between 2005 and 2018. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed for abdominal ultrasonographic and histologic findings. Diagnostic performance of ultrasonographic description of a splenic mass or nodule as cavitated as evidence of hemangiosarcoma or any malignancy was evaluated. RESULTS Ultrasonographic description of splenic lesions as cavitated had poor diagnostic utility in predicting presence of hemangiosarcoma or malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity of this test were 41.9% (95% CI, 30.5% to 54.3%) and 51.2% (95% CI, 36.8% to 65.4%), respectively, for detecting hemangiosarcoma, with positive and negative predictive values of 55.3% (95% CI, 41.2% to 68.6%) and 37.9% (95% CI, 26.6% to 50.8%), respectively. Results were similar for detecting malignancy. Cavitated lesions outside of the spleen were too rare for statistical analysis to be of value. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that relying on ultrasonographic description of cavitation to diagnose splenic lesions as malignant in dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen is unfounded. Other preoperative diagnostic tests may be more valuable in determining short- and long-term prognoses.

The short- and long-term risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with acute spinal cord injury

2013 ◽  
Vol 109 (01) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco P. Donadini ◽  
Francesco Dentali ◽  
Walter Ageno ◽  
Marina Marazzi ◽  
Romeo Bocchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Acute Setting ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Short And Long Term

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in the acute setting after spinal cord injury (SCI). Less is known about the long-term risk of VTE in these patients. It was the aim of this study to prospectively evaluate the short- and long-term risk of VTE in a cohort of patients after acute SCI and during rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation follow-up period. From January 2003 to November 2007 all consecutive adult patients admitted to a Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (RU) after surgical treatment in three Neurosurgical Units for SCI, were enrolled. After an accurate evaluation of their neurosurgical medical records the patients were prospectively evaluated for VTE occurrence. Ninety-four patients (80 males; mean age 40.3 years, SD 15.9) were recruited. All the patients received thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin combined with compressive stockings during hospitalization (median duration 7 months, IQR 4.5–8.8). Over a median follow-up period of 36.3 months (IQR 4.4–48) after SCI, VTE was diagnosed in 22 patients (23.4%) The majority of VTE events were recorded during the first three months of follow-up (34.4 VTE events/100 patient-years in the first 3 months and 0.3 VTE events/100 patient-years thereafter); age over 45 years (HR 8.4, 95% CI 3–23.5), previous VTE (HR 6.0, 95% CI 1.6–23.3) and paraplegia (HR 4.7, 95% CI 1.6–13.7) were independently associated with the occurrence of VTE. In conclusion, the risk of VTE in patients suffering from SCI is high despite the use of thromboprophylaxis, in particular in some patients categories. However, this risk appears to be limited to the first 3 months after the index event.

scholarly journals Validity of urges to smoke measures in predicting smoking relapse during treatment in primary care

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kotz ◽  
Carolien van Rossem ◽  
Wolfgang Viechtbauer ◽  
Mark Spigt ◽  
Onno C. P. van Schayck
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Smoking Cessation Treatment ◽  
Cut Point ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Cessation Treatment ◽  
Measured Time

AbstractIn the context of smoking cessation treatment in primary care, identifying patients at the highest risk of relapse is relevant. We explored data from a primary care trial to assess the validity of two simple urges to smoke questions in predicting long-term relapse and their diagnostic value. Of 295 patients who received behavioural support and varenicline, 180 were abstinent at week 9. In this subgroup, we measured time spent with urges to smoke (TSU) and strength of urges to smoke (SUT; both scales 1 to 6 = highest). We used separate regression models with TSU or SUT as predictor and relapse from week 9–26 or week 9–52 as an outcome. We also calculated the sensitivity (SP), specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) of TSU and SUT in correctly identifying patients who relapsed at follow-up. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for predicting relapse from week 9–26 were 1.74 per point increase (95% CI = 1.05–2.89) for TSU and 1.59 (95% CI = 1.11–2.28) for SUT. The aORs for predicting relapse from week 9–52 were 2.41 (95% CI = 1.33–4.37) and 1.71 (95% CI = 1.14–2.56), respectively. Applying a cut-point of ≥3 on TSU resulted in SP = 97.1 and PPV = 70.0 in week 9–26, and SP = 98.8 and PPV = 90.0 in week 9–52. Applying a cut-point of ≥4 on SUT resulted in SP = 99.0 and PPV = 85.7 in week 9–26, and SP = 98.8 and PPV = 85.7 in week 9–52. Both TSU and SUT were valid predictors of long-term relapse in patients under smoking cessation treatment in primary care. These simple questions may be useful to implement in primary care.Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register (NTR3067).

scholarly journals Plasma Gelsolin Reinforces the Diagnostic Value of FGF-21 and GDF-15 for Mitochondrial Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6396
Author(s):  
Ana Peñas ◽  
Miguel Fernández-De la Torre ◽  
Sara Laine-Menéndez ◽  
David Lora ◽  
María Illescas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Mitochondrial Disorders ◽  
Protein Biomarkers ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Discrimination Ability ◽  
Plasma Gelsolin ◽  
And Gender

Mitochondrial disorders (MD) comprise a group of heterogeneous clinical disorders for which non-invasive diagnosis remains a challenge. Two protein biomarkers have so far emerged for MD detection, FGF-21 and GDF-15, but the identification of additional biomarkers capable of improving their diagnostic accuracy is highly relevant. Previous studies identified Gelsolin as a regulator of cell survival adaptations triggered by mitochondrial defects. Gelsolin presents a circulating plasma isoform (pGSN), whose altered levels could be a hallmark of mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the diagnostic performance of pGSN for MD relative to FGF-21 and GDF-15. Using ELISA assays, we quantified plasma levels of pGSN, FGF-21, and GDF-15 in three age- and gender-matched adult cohorts: 60 genetically diagnosed MD patients, 56 healthy donors, and 41 patients with unrelated neuromuscular pathologies (non-MD). Clinical variables and biomarkers’ plasma levels were compared between groups. Discrimination ability was calculated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Optimal cut-offs and the following diagnostic parameters were determined: sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and efficiency. Comprehensive statistical analyses revealed significant discrimination ability for the three biomarkers to classify between MD and healthy individuals, with the best diagnostic performance for the GDF-15/pGSN combination. pGSN and GDF-15 preferentially discriminated between MD and non-MD patients under 50 years, whereas FGF-21 best classified older subjects. Conclusion: pGSN improves the diagnosis accuracy for MD provided by FGF-21 and GDF-15.

Enteroplication in cats with intussusception: a retrospective study (2001–2016)

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 488-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Haider ◽  
Katharina Leschnik ◽  
Nikola Katic ◽  
Gilles Dupré
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
Duration Of Surgery ◽  
Previously Treated ◽  
Short And Long Term

Objectives The aim of this study was to report complications, as well as short- and long-term clinical outcomes of cats suffering from surgically reduced intussusception with and without enteroplication. Methods Medical records of cats presented at our institution with intussusception between 2001 and 2016 were reviewed. The following data were retrieved: signalment; history; physical examination; diagnostic imaging, surgical and histological findings; and outcomes. Animals were grouped as with or without enteroplication. Duration of surgery, survival, complication and recurrence rates, duration of hospitalisation, and short- and long-term outcomes were compared. Results Cats with intussusception presented with unspecific type and duration of clinical signs. Male or male castrated cats and Maine Coons were over-represented in both groups. Enteroplication was performed in 48% (10/21) of the cats. Cats in the enteroplication group were significantly younger than those in the non-enteroplication group ( P = 0.023). Duration of surgery, time of hospitalisation, complication rate and outcomes did not differ between the two groups. Two complications in the short term and one complication in the long term were possibly associated with enteroplication. A recurrence of intussusception was seen in 2/17 cats approximately 12 months after initial surgery, both previously treated with enteroplication. Conclusions and relevance Although the number of cases was limited, our results suggest that enteroplication should be cautiously performed in cats with intussusception as it may be associated with major complications in the short and long term, and its efficacy remains unclear. Based on this study, the need for enteroplication in cats following a correction of intussusception could be questioned.

scholarly journals Short and long-term outcome following surgical stabilization of tarsocrural instability in dogs

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (02) ◽  
pp. 142-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Beever ◽  
Elvin Kulendra ◽  
Richard Meeson
Keyword(s):  
External Fixator ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Brief Pain Inventory ◽  
Subsequent Removal ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Major Complications ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Internal Fracture

SummaryObjectives: To evaluate the outcome and complications following surgical stabilization of canine tarsocrural luxations.Methods: Medical records of dogs which were surgically treated for tarsocrural joint instability between February 2007 and June 2014 were reviewed. Surgical technique, complications and long-term outcome (via questionnaire and Canine Brief Pain Inventory) were assessed.Results: Twenty-four dogs (26 joints) were included. All injuries were traumatic. All joints had associated fractures; malleolar in 21/26 limbs (13/26 medial). Eight joints had internal fracture fixation and transarticular external skeletal fixator, six had external fixator alone, four had prosthetic ligaments with external fixator, and four had prosthetic ligaments with external coaptation. Two joints had pantarsal arthrodesis and two primary ligament repair. Complications occurred in 24/26 limbs giving 45 distinct complications; 16 were minor, 29 major, and 31 complications were external fixator associated. Prosthetic ligaments were significantly associated with major complications (p = 0.017); five out of eight required subsequent removal between 105–1006 days. Cost was significantly associated with major complications (p = 0.017) and soft tissue wounds (p = 0.03). Long-term lameness was seen in nine of 14 dogs. There was no association between pain severity (p = 0.3) and pain interference scores (p = 0.198) when comparing stabilization methods.Clinical significance: Complications are common; however many are external fixator related. Prosthetic ligaments are significantly associated with major complications. Regardless of technique, a degree of ongoing lameness is likely.

Parents' Versus Physicians' Values for Clinical Outcomes in Young Febrile Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Kramer ◽  
Jamshid Etezadi-Amoli ◽  
Antonio Ciampi ◽  
Susan M. Tange ◽  
Keith N. Drummond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract Infection ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Bacterial Meningitis ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Group 2

Objective. To compare how parents and physicians value potential clinical outcomes in young children who have a fever but no focus of bacterial infection. Methods. Cross-sectional study of 100 parents of well children aged 3 to 24 months, 61 parents of febrile children aged 3 to 24 months, and 56 attending staff physicians working in a children's hospital emergency department. A pretested visual analog scale was used to assess values on a 0-to-1 scale (where 0 is the value of the worst possible outcome, and 1 is the value for the best) for 22 scenarios, grouped in three categories according to severity. Based on the three or four common attributes comprising the scenarios in a given group, each respondent's value function was estimated statistically based on multiattribute utility theory. Results. For outcomes in group 1 (rapidly resolving viral infection with one or more diagnostic tests), no significant group differences were observed. For outcomes in groups 2 (acute infections without long-term sequelae) and 3 (long-term sequelae of urinary tract infection or bacterial meningitis), parents of well children and parents of febrile children had values that were similar to each other but significantly lower than physicians' values for pneumonia with delayed diagnosis, false-positive diagnosis of urinary tract infection, viral meningitis, and unilateral hearing loss. For bacterial meningitis with or without delay, however, the reverse pattern was observed; physicians' values were lower than parents'. In arriving at their judgment for group 2 and 3 scenarios, parents gave significantly greater weight to attributes involving the pain and discomfort of diagnostic tests and to diagnostic error, whereas physicians gave significantly greater weight to attributes involving both short- and long-term morbidity and long-term worry and inconvenience. Parents were significantly more likely to be risk-seeking in the way they weighted the attributes comprising group 2 and 3 scenarios than physicians, ie, they were more willing to risk rare but severe morbidity to avoid the short-term adverse effects of testing. Conclusions. Parents and physicians show fundamental value differences concerning diagnostic testing, diagnostic error, and short- and long-term morbidity; these differences have important implications for diagnostic decision making in the young febrile child.

scholarly journals FAST and abnormal urinalysis: the effective screening tools in pediatric abdominal trauma

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Majid Zamani ◽  
Farhad Heydari ◽  
Mehrdad Esmailian
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Abdominal Trauma ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Accuracy Evaluation ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Predictive Values

Objective: The present study examines the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography and urinalysis test in children with blunt abdominal trauma, compared with CT scan. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of ultrasound and urinalysis test with CT scan as a golden standard diagnostic method in predicting abdominal peritoneal injury in these patients. Methods: This prospective study, based on diagnostic accuracy evaluation, was performed on children with blunt abdominal traumas less than 12 years of age who were referred to the emergency department from 2017-2018 and for whom abdominal ultrasonography, urinalysis and abdominal CT scans were requested. Demographic data, mechanism of trauma, the results of urine tests, ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were used to measure the diagnostic power of the tests. Results: In this study, 100 children with multiple traumas were included. The mean age of these patients was 5.75 ± 3 years with a range of 1-12 years. In terms of sexual distribution, 69 (69%) were boys and 31 (31%) were girls. According to the results, ultrasound with an abnormal urinalysis test had sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 91.9%, positive predictive value of 63.2% and negative predictive value of 97.5%. The accuracy was 91%. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the combination of ultrasonography and urinalysis resulted in a significant increase in diagnostic value (P <0.001). Pediatric patients with a negative ultrasonography and urinalysis test should be observed rather than subjected to the radiation risk of CT

scholarly journals Performance characteristics of five antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) for SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic infection: a head-to-head benchmark comparison

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bàrbara Baro ◽  
Pau Rodo ◽  
Dan Ouchi ◽  
Antoni E. Bordoy ◽  
Emilio N. Saya Amaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Antigen Test ◽  
Assay Sensitivity ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Respiratory Specimens

AbstractBackgroundMass testing for early identification and isolation of infectious COVID-19 individuals, irrespective of concurrent symptoms, is an efficacious strategy to reduce disease transmission. Antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) appear as a potentially suitable tool for mass testing on account of their ease-of-use, fast turnaround time, and low cost. However, benchmark comparisons are scarce, particularly in the context of unexposed asymptomatic individuals.MethodsWe used nasopharyngeal specimens from unexposed asymptomatic individuals to assess five Ag-RDTs: PanBio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid test (Abbott), CLINITEST® Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test (Siemens), SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test (Roche Diagnostics), SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit (Lepu Medical), and COVID-19 Coronavirus Rapid Antigen Test Cassette (Surescreen). Samples were collected between December 2020-January 2021 during the third wave of the epidemic in Spain.FindingsThe analysis included 101 specimens with confirmed positive PCR results and 185 with negative PCR. For the overall sample, the performance parameters of Ag-RDTs were as follows: Abbott assay, sensitivity 38·6% (95% CI 29·1–48·8) and specificity 99·5% (97–100%); Siemens, sensitivity 51·5% (41·3–61·6) and specificity 98·4% (95·3–99·6); Roche, sensitivity 43·6% (33·7–53·8) and specificity 96·2% (92·4–98·5); Lepu, sensitivity 45·5% (35·6–55·8) and specificity 89·2% (83·8–93·3%); Surescreen, sensitivity 28·8% (20·2–38·6) and specificity 97·8% (94·5–99·4%). For specimens with cycle threshold (Ct) <30 in RT-qPCR, all Ag-RDT achieved a sensitivity of at least 70%, with Siemens, Roche, and Lepu assays showing sensitivities higher than 80%. In models according to population prevalence, all Ag-RDTs will have a NPV >99% and a PPV<50% at 1% prevalence.InterpretationTwo commercial, widely available assays can be used for SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing to achieve sensitivity in specimens with a Ct<30 and specificity of at least 80% and 96%, respectively. Estimated negative and positive predictive values suggests the suitability of Ag-RDTs for mass screenings of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population.FundingBlueberry diagnostics, Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, and #YoMeCorono.org crowdfunding campaign.Research in contextEvidence before this studyIn December 2020, we searched on PubMed for articles containing the terms “antigen”, “test” (or Ag-RDT), and “SARS-CoV-2” or “COVID-19” either in the title or the abstract. Our search yielded 79 entries corresponding to articles written in English. Of them, 33 were articles presenting the diagnostic performance of qualitative lateral-flow antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT). Four of these articles reported the results of head-to-head comparisons of various Ag-RDTs; in all cases, the number of tests was lower than the recommended for retrospective assessments of diagnostic performance (i.e., minimum of 100 PCR positive and 100 PCR negative). Furthermore, all head-to-head comparisons found in the literature included specimens obtained among individuals with varying disease status (none of which asymptomatic), thus limiting the adequacy of the estimates for an asymptomatic screening strategy.Added value of this studyWe compared for the first time head-to-head five Ag-RDT using a powered set of fresh respiratory specimens PCR-confirmed positive or negative, collected from unexposed asymptomatic individuals during screening campaigns for early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sample size was large enough to draw robust conclusions. Our analysis identified four Ag-RDTs (i.e., assays marketed by Abbott, Siemens, Roche, and Surescreen) with specificity higher than 96%. Despite the low sensitivity for the overall sample (range 29% to 51%), the corresponding values for the subset of samples with Ct <30 were higher than 80% for Siemens, Roche, and Lepu assays. The estimated NPV for a screening performed in an area with 1% prevalence would be >99% for all tests, while the PPV would be <50%.Implications of all the available evidenceCurrent data on the diagnostic performance of Ag-RDTs is heterogeneous and precludes benchmark assessments. Furthermore, the screening of asymptomatic populations is currently not considered among the intended uses of Ag-RDT, mostly because of lack of evidence on test performance in samples from unexposed asymptomatic individuals. Our findings add to the current evidence in two ways: first, we provide benchmarking data on Ag-RDTs, assessed head-to-head in a single set of respiratory specimens; second, we provide data on the diagnostic performance of Ag-RDTs in unexposed asymptomatic individuals. Our findings support the idea that Ag-RDTs can be used for mass screening in low prevalence settings and accurately rule out a highly infectious case in such setting.

scholarly journals Incidence and predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia in a tertiary endocrine surgical unit

2014 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Edafe ◽  
P Prasad ◽  
BJ Harrison ◽  
SP Balasubramanian
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Central Lymph Node ◽  
Central Lymph Node Dissection ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Central Lymph ◽  
Surgical Unit

Background Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia is a common complication with significant short and long term morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia (as defined by a corrected calcium <2.1 mmol/l) in a tertiary endocrine surgical unit. Methods A total of 238 consecutive patients who underwent completion or bilateral thyroid surgery between 2008 and 2011 were included in this retrospective study. Clinical and biochemical data were obtained from electronic and hard copy medical records. Results The incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia on first postoperative day (POD1) was 29.0%. There was variation in the incidence of hypocalcaemia depending on the timing of measurement on the first postoperative day. At six months following surgery, 5.5% of patients were on calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation. Factors associated with post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia were lower preoperative corrected calcium (p=0.005) and parathyroid gland (PTG) auto-transplant (p=0.001). Other clinical factors such as central lymph node dissection, inadvertent PTG excision, ethnicity, preoperative diagnosis and Lugol’s iodine were not associated with post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Conclusion The incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia was underestimated by 6% when only POD1 measurements were considered. The timing of measurement on POD1 has an impact on the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Auto-transplantation and lower preoperative calcium were associated with post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.

scholarly journals Short- and long-term reliability of adult recall of vegetarian dietary patterns in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2)

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia C. Teixeira Martins ◽  
Karen Jaceldo-Siegl ◽  
Jing Fan ◽  
Pramil Singh ◽  
Gary E. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Long Latency ◽  
Overlap Population ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Adventist Health Study

AbstractPast dietary patterns may be more important than recent dietary patterns in the aetiology of chronic diseases because of the long latency in their development. We developed an instrument to recall vegetarian dietary patterns during the lifetime and examined its reliability of recall over 5·3 and 32·6 years on average. The short-term/5-year recall ability study (5-RAS) was done using 24 690 participants from the cohort of the Adventist Health Study-2 (mean age 62·2 years). The long-term/33-year recall ability study (33-RAS) included an overlap population of 1721 individuals who joined the Adventist Health Study-1 and Adventist Health Study-2 (mean age 72·5 years). Spearman correlation coefficients for recall of vegetarian status were 0·78 and 0·72 for the 5-RAS and 33-RAS, respectively, when compared with ‘reference’ data. For both time periods sensitivity and positive predictive values were highest for the lacto-ovo-vegetarian and non-vegetarian patterns (vegans, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, pesco-vegetarians, semi-vegetarians and non-vegetarians). In the 5-RAS analyses, male, non-black, younger, and more educated participants, lifetime Adventists, and those with more stability of consumption of animal products generally showed higher recall ability. Somewhat similar tendencies were shown for the 33-RAS analyses. Our findings show that the instrument has higher reliability for recalled lacto-ovo-vegetarian and non-vegetarian than for vegan, semi- and pesco-vegetarian dietary patterns in both short- and long-term recalls. This is in part because these last dietary patterns were greatly contaminated by recalls that correctly would have belonged in the adjoining category that consumed more animal products.

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