Repeated Rater-Subject Contacts in Measurement of Change: Some Theoretical and Methodological Issues

1967 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-707
Author(s):  
Mary Helen Michaux ◽  
Kay Y. Ota ◽  
Thomas E. Hanlon ◽  
Vander Lettie Zwaag
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scales ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Group I ◽  
Evaluation Point ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Behavioral Rating Scales ◽  
Phenothiazine Drugs

90 newly admitted, acutely ill psychiatric patients referred for double-blind treatment with phenothiazine drugs were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Each S was evaluated before starting treatment and at the 5th, 15th, and 30th days of medication by 2 clinicians, using the MSRPP and IMPS behavioral rating scales. Group I was evaluated by a constant (or continuing) rater and simultaneously by a second clinician who was replaced by a new rater at the 5th day; Groups II and III by the constant rater and a second rater replaced at the 15th and 30th days, respectively. 3 clinicians were responsible for rating all patients; individual raters were equally represented in both regular ratings and alternate ratings for each group. The design permitted comparisons to be made at each evaluation point between the mean rating of clinicians X, Y, and Z as continuing raters and their mean rating (of the same patients) as fresh raters. The hypothesized generalized effect of repeated rater-ratee contacts was not found. Occasion-judge-contact interaction was, however, the largest single source of variation in scores of two primary factor components (symptom scales) of an illustrative morbidity measure. Experimental data are used to elucidate the thesis that effects of previous rater-subject contacts on scores derived from behavioral scales have not been adequately isolated or related to psychological theory.

The Antiaggressive Action of Combined Haloperidol-Propranolol Treatment in Schizophrenia

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadi Maoz ◽  
Daniel Stein ◽  
Sorin Meged ◽  
Larisa Kurzman ◽  
Joseph Levine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scales ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Propranolol Group ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Propranolol Treatment ◽  
Simultaneous Decrease ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Haloperidol Treatment ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Drug Free

Psychopharmacological interventions for managing aggression in schizophrenia have thus far yielded inconsistent results. This study evaluates the antiaggressive efficacy of combined haloperidol-propranolol treatment. Thirty-four newly admitted schizophrenic patients were studied in a controlled double-blind trial. Following a 3-day drug-free period and 7 days of haloperidol treatment, patients were randomly assigned to receive either haloperidol-propranolol or haloperidol-placebo for eight consecutive weeks. Doses of medications were adjusted as necessary; biperiden was administered if required. Rating scales were applied to assess aggression, anger, psychosis, depression, anxiety and extrapyramidal symptoms. The mean daily dose of haloperidol was 21 mg (SD = 6.4) in the research group and 29 mg (SD = 6.9) in the controls. Mean and maximal daily doses of propranolol were 159 mg (SD = 61) and 192 mg (SD = 83), and of placebo, 145 mg (SD = 50) and 180 mg (SD = 70), respectively. Compared with the controls, the scores for the research patients decreased significantly from baseline, particularly after 4 weeks of treatment, for some dimensions of anger, psychosis, anxiety, and neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. A tendency for reduced aggression was shown in the combined haloperidol-propranolol group for some dimensions but not others. These patients also required significantly less biperiden. The tendency toward elevated antiaggressive effect of combined haloperidol-propranolol treatment compared to haloperidol alone may be explained by a simultaneous decrease in aggression, psychotic symptomatology, and anxiety.

Aspirin, Dipyridamole and Platelet Survival in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Tindall ◽  
R. Colin Paton ◽  
George P. McNicol
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Regeneration Time ◽  
Dose Aspirin ◽  
Platelet Survival ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
High Dose Aspirin

1. Platelet survival in 27 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with severe retinopathy was studied in a double-blind cross-over trial using placebo, aspirin (990 mg/day) and a combination of dipyridamole (225 mg/day) with aspirin at two dosage levels (330 mg and 990 mg/day). 2. Twenty patients (group I) had 51Cr-labelled-platelet survival after treatment with placebo and the high-dose-aspirin/dipyridamole combination. The remaining seven patients (group II) had platelet-regeneration times measured after each of the four treatment periods. 3. Treatment of group I patients with the high-dose-aspirin/dipyridamole combination resulted in significant (P < 0·001) prolongation of platelet survival from 7·3 ± 0·2 (mean ± sem) days to 8·4 ± 0·1 days. 4. In group II patients, when compared with the mean placebo result of 7·2 ± 0·2 days, the mean aspirin-labelled-platelet-regeneration time was significantly (P < 0·01) longer only after high-dose-aspirin/dipyridamole (9·8 ± 0·5 days) but not after low-dose-aspirin/dipyridamole (8·3 ± 0·5 days) or aspirin alone (7·3 ± 0·3 days). 5. These results suggest that it may be premature to consider reducing the dose of aspirin in aspirin/dipyridamole combinations below 1 g/day when used as antithrombotic therapy.

scholarly journals High Dose Intrathecal Morphine for Major Abdominal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Double-Blind, Dose-Finding Clinical Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 3;17 (3;5) ◽  
pp. 255-264
Author(s):  
Hala S. Abdel-Ghaffar
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Intrathecal Morphine ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Peripheral Arterial

Background: Despite 30 years of clinical research, we still do not know the optimal dose of intrathecal morphine (ITM) when used alone. Objectives: A safety investigation and comparison of the analgesic efficacy of ITM 0.2 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg in patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery. Study Design: A randomized, double-blind trial. Setting: Academic medical center. Methods: Ninety patients were randomly assigned to receive morphine intrathecally either 0.2 mg (Group I, ITM 0.2 mg, n = 30), 0.5 mg (Group II, ITM 0.5 mg, n = 30), or 1 mg (Group III, ITM 1 mg, n = 30) dissolved in 5 mL physiological saline before general anesthesia. Assessment parameters included hemodynamics, respiratory rate, peripheral arterial oxygenation, sedation score, pain severity, time of first analgesic request, total analgesic consumption, and side effects in the first 72 hours. Results: The mean time to first request for rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group II (22.13 ± 5.21 hours, P < 0.001) and Group III (30.83 ± 4.89 h, P < 0.001), compared with Group I (0.50 ± 0.66 hours). The mean tramadol consumption dose was significantly reduced in Group II (383.33 ± 91.28 mg, P < 0.001) and Group III (300 ± 69.48 mg, P < 0.001) compared with Group I (770 ± 114.92 mg). Patients received 1 mg ITM showed lower VAS scores in the first 48 h postoperative (P < 0.04) compared with Group I and Group II. No significant differences were observed in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, respiratory rate, and peripheral arterial oxygen saturation between groups. Lower mean heart rate values were observed in Group III patients at 6 hours (P < 0.01) and 12 hours (P < 0.03) postoperative compared with Group I and Group II patients. Six patients (20%) in Group II and 8 (26.7%) in Group III exhibited pruritus compared with 2 patients (6.66%) in Group I (P < 0.01). No intergroup statistical differences were observed for other studied side effects. Limitations: This study is limited by its small sample size. Conclusion: One mg ITM provided superior analgesia for 48 hours postoperative compared with 0.2 mg and 0.5 mg ITM with a nonsignificant difference in the incidence of side effects. Further studies of larger sample size are recommended to confirm these findings. Key words: Anesthesia, analgesia, abdominal cancer, opioids, intrathecal, morphine

The Effect of Desmopressin on Reducing Blood Loss in Cardiac Surgery – A Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (04) ◽  
pp. 1064-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Cattaneo ◽  
Alan S Harris ◽  
Ulf Strömberg ◽  
Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Blood Loss ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Postoperative Blood Loss ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Transfusion Requirements ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Excessive Blood Loss

SummaryThe effect of desmopressin (DDAVP) on reducing postoperative blood loss after cardiac surgery has been studied in several randomized clinical trials, with conflicting outcomes. Since most trials had insufficient statistical power to detect true differences in blood loss, we performed a meta-analysis of data from relevant studies. Seventeen randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were analyzed, which included 1171 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for various indications; 579 of them were treated with desmopressin and 592 with placebo. Efficacy parameters were blood loss volumes and transfusion requirements. Desmopressin significantly reduced postoperative blood loss by 9%, but had no statistically significant effect on transfusion requirements. A subanalysis revealed that desmopressin had no protective effects in trials in which the mean blood loss in placebo-treated patients fell in the lower and middle thirds of distribution of blood losses (687-1108 ml/24 h). In contrast, in trials in which the mean blood loss in placebo-treated patients fell in the upper third of distribution (>1109 ml/24 h), desmopressin significantly decreased postoperative blood loss by 34%. Insufficient data were available to perform a sub-analysis on transfusion requirements. Therefore, desmopressin significantly reduces blood loss only in cardiac operations which induce excessive blood loss. Further studies are called to validate the results of this meta-analysis and to identify predictors of excessive blood loss after cardiac surgery.

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Factor XIII Concentrates Prepared from Human Placenta or Plasma: a Crossover Randomised Study

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (02) ◽  
pp. 622-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
H H Brackmann ◽  
R Egbring ◽  
A Ferster ◽  
P Fondu ◽  
J M Girardel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Xiii ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Randomised Study ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Blind Crossover Study ◽  
Double Blind Crossover Study ◽  
Fxiii Activity ◽  
Observation Period

SummaryThe pharmacokinetics and tolerability of factor XIII (FXIII) from plasma were compared with those of FXIII from placenta in a randomised, double-blind, crossover study involving 13 patients with congenital FXIII deficiency. Both FXIII activity and FXIII antigen were monitored. No difference was seen in the mean half-lives of the two preparations (9.3 days and 9.1 days for plasma and placenta FXIII activity, respectively). Response was similar for both preparations, but was slightly greater for FXIII from plasma.Similar results were found for recovery (65% vs 60%). The area under the data completed by extrapolation was significantly higher for FXIII from plasma. No differences between preparations in terms of efficacy or tolerability were observed. It can be concluded that treatment with FXIII concentrate from plasma is as efficient as with FXIII concentrate from placenta in terms of recovery and half-life. Both preparations were equivalent in terms of safety during the observation period. With the administration of monthly injections of approximately 30 U/kg serious bleeding events were prevented and no other serious adverse events occurred.

Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
ABMM Alam ◽  
M Moniruzzaman ◽  
MB Alam ◽  
N Islam ◽  
F Khatoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Contrast Media ◽  
Creatinine Level ◽  
Ace Inhibitor ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Group I ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

Background: CIN has gained increased attention in the clinical setting, particularly during cardiac intervention but also in many other radiological procedures in which iodinated contrast media are used. There is at present good clinical evidence from well-controlled randomized studies that CIN is a common cause of acute renal dysfunction.Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted among the patients who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention in the Department of Cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital during January 2010 to December 2010. A total of 111 patients age range from 25 to 75 years were included in the study. Serum creatinine level at baseline and at the end of 48 hours was done in all these patients. Study population was divided into two groups according to development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Group-I = AKI, Group II = Not developed AKI. Results: AKI developed 11.7% of the study patient. DM and Preexisting renal insufficiency were significantly higher in group I patients. HTN was (61.5% Vs 44.9%) higher in group I but not significantly. History of ACE inhibitor/ARB, NSAID intake and LVEF <40% were significantly higher in group I patients. The mean±SD volume of CM (Contrast Media) were 156.9±44.8 ml and 115.4±30.0 ml in group I and group II respectively, which was significant. The mean±SD of serum creatinine after 48-72 hours of CAG/PCI was 1.4±0.37 mg/dl and 1.1±0.2 mg/dl in group I and group II respectively. The serum creatinine level increased significantly (p<0.05) after 48-72 hours of CAG/PCI in group I. In group II, S. creatinine level increased but not significant (p>0.05). Impaired renal function was found 76.9% and 2.0% in group I and group II respectively. DM, HTN, preexisting renal insufficiency, ACE inhibitor/ARB, NSAIDs, contrast volume (>150 ml), eGFR (<60 ml/min/ 1.73m2) and LVEF (<40%) are significantly (p0.05) associated for CIN development.Conclusion: CIN is an iatrogenic but preventable disorder results from the administration of contract media. Although rare in the general population, CIN occurs frequently in patients with underlying renal dysfunction and diabetes. In patients with pre angiographic normal renal function, the prevalence is low but in pre-existing renal impairment it may pose a serious threat. Thus risk factors are synergistic in their ability to predispose to the development of CIN. A careful risk-benefit analysis must always be performed prior to the administration of contrast media to patients at risk for CIN. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i1.12227 Cardiovasc. j. 2012; 5(1): 37-43

Correlations Between the Values of Maternal Glycemia from the Last Trimester of Pregnancy and Fetal Birth Weight

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-265
Author(s):  
Monica Vereş ◽  
Aurel Babeş ◽  
Szidonia Lacziko
Keyword(s):  
First Trimester ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Fetal Macrosomia ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
The Third ◽  
Group I ◽  
Fetal Birth Weight ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background and aims: Gestational diabetes represents a form of diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that is not clearly overt diabetes. In the last trimester of gestation the growth of fetoplacental unit takes place, thus maternal hyperglycemia will determine an increased transplacental passage, hyperinsulinemia and fetal macrosomia. The aim of our study was that o analyzing the effect of maternal glycemia from the last trimester of pregnancy over fetal weight. Material and method: We run an observational study on a group of 46 pregnant women taken into evidence from the first trimester of pregnancy, separated in two groups according to blood glucose determined in the third trimester (before birth): group I normoglycemic and group II with hyperglycemia (>92mg/dl). Results: The mean value of third trimester glycemia for the entire group was of 87.13±22.03. The mean value of the glycemia determined in the third trimester of pregnancy was higher in the second group (109.17 mg/dl) in comparison to the first group (74.,21 mg/dl). The ROC curve for third trimester glycemia as fetal macrosomia appreciation test has an AUC of 0.517. Conclusions: Glycemia determined in the last trimester of pregnancy cannot be used alone as the predictive factor for fetal macrosomia.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of ST2 and NT-proBNP in the Diagnosis and Prediction of Short- Term Prognosis in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivananda B Nayak ◽  
Dharindra Sawh ◽  
Brandon Scott ◽  
Vestra Sears ◽  
Kareshma Seebalack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Cardiac Biomarkers ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: i) To determine the relationship between the cardiac biomarkers ST2 and NT-proBNP with ejection fraction (EF) in heart failure (HF) patients. ii) Assess whether a superiority existed between the aforementioned cardiac markers in diagnosing the HF with reduced EF. iii) Determine the efficacy of both biomarkers in predicting a 30-day cardiovascular event and rehospitalization in patients with HF with reduced EF iv) To assess the influence of age, gender, BMI, anaemia and renal failure on the ST2 and NT-proBNP levels. Design and Methods: A prospective double-blind study was conducted to obtain data from a sample of 64 cardiology patients. A blood sample was collected to test for ST2 and NT-proBNP. An echocardiogram (to obtain EF value), electrocardiogram and questionnaire were also obtained. Results: Of the 64 patients enrolled, 59.4% of the population had an EF less than 40%. At the end of the 30- day period, 7 patients were warded, 37 were not warded, one died and 17 were non respondent. Both biomarkers were efficacious at diagnosing HF with a reduced EF. However, neither of them were efficacious in predicting 30-day rehospitalization. The mean NT-proBNP values being: not rehospitalized (2114.7486) and 30 day rehospitalization (1008.42860) and the mean ST2 values being: not rehospitalized (336.1975), and 30-day rehospitalization. (281.9657). Conclusion: Neither ST2 or NT-proBNP was efficacious in predicting the short- term prognosis in HF with reduced EF. Both however were successful at confirming the diagnosis of HF in HF patients with reduced EF.

scholarly journals The value of the added diffusion-weighted images to multiparametric MRI in the early diagnosis of uterine cervix cancers and nodal assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasr Mohamed Osman ◽  
Mohamed Aboul-fotouh Mourad
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Multiparametric Mri ◽  
Lesion Group ◽  
Cervical Lesions ◽  
Adc Value ◽  
Diffusion Weighted ◽  
Group I ◽  
Malignant Lesions ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Cervical cancer still one of the most common causes of tumor-related death in developing countries presented in younger women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted MRI in early diagnosis of malignant cervical lesions, to assess metastatic adenopathy, peritoneal dissemination, and possible tumor recurrence, and determine treatment response. This study included 60 patients with abnormal vaginal bleeding and suspected cervical lesion by US. A histopathological biopsy was done. Pelvic MR with DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI were done for all patients. Results According to the histopathological findings, we divided our studied 60 patents into two groups: group I, malignant lesions (46 lesions; 76.7%), and group II, benign lesions (14 lesions; 23.3%). Multiparametric MRI could detect all cervical lesions but with poor pathologic characterization, achieving 72.37% sensitivity, 37.50% specificity, 63.33% accuracy, 76.19% PPV, and 33.33% NPV. When compared with DWI with ADC value measurements at high b value (b = 800) to MRI exam, it showed a higher diagnostic accuracy with good lesion pathological characterization that achieved 95.65% sensitivity, 71.43% specificity, 90% accuracy, 91.67 PPV, and 83.33% NPV. The mean ADC value for malignant lesions was 0.86–1.1, mean = 0.92 ± 0.71 × 10−3 mm2/s, while the mean ADC value in the benign lesion group was 1.18 ± 0.1 × 10–3 mm2/s. Conclusion Comparing DWI with ADC values measurements at high b value to the multiparametric MRI examination of the female pelvis increases the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of characterization and early diagnosis of cervical malignant focal lesions and reduces the need for intravenous contrast administration.

scholarly journals A prospective study on effectiveness of drotaverine in acceleration of labor

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-141
Author(s):  
Padma Raj Dhungana ◽  
Rajesh Adhikari ◽  
Prem Raj Pageni ◽  
Apsara Koirala ◽  
Anand Nepal
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Normal Delivery ◽  
Group I ◽  
Vacuum Delivery ◽  
Drotaverine Hydrochloride ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

Background: Labor is a naturally occurring physiological process associated with uterine contractions, effacement, dilatation of cervix and descent of presenting part. Drotaverine hydrochloride is a non-anticholinergic isoquinoline derivative which acts by elevating intracellular cyclic Adenosine Mono Phosphate (cAMP) and cyclic Guanosine Mono Phosphate (cGMP) promoting smooth muscle relaxation. Materials and Method: This was a hospital based prospective study on effectiveness of Drotaverine Hydrochloride on enhancing dilatation of cervix and acceleration of active phase of labor. The sample size was 100. Fifty cases of women in active phase of labor received injection drotaverine hydrochloride 40 mg (group i) and fifty cases of women did not receive any drug (group ii) among those at term with singleton pregnancy and vertex presentation. Variables like maternal age, interval between administration of drug and delivery, mode of delivery, apgar score at 5 minutes, NCU (Neonatal Care Unit) admission and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Data analysis was done with the help of SPSS program. Results: The mean interval between drug administration to delivery in primipara and multipara in group i was 3.05 hours and 2.31 hours while in group ii was 4.5 hours and 3.75 hours respectively. The mean interval between drug administration and delivery was shorter in both groups of multipara. In group i, 96% had normal delivery and 4 % had vacuum delivery and in group ii 90% and 10% had normal delivery and vacuum delivery respectively. None of the participants had caeserian section. There were no perinatal mortalities. Conclusion: The administration of drug Drotaverine Hydrochloride is effective in shortening duration of labor with favorable feto-maternal outcome.  

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