scholarly journals Heterogeneity in Reports of Dementia Disease Duration and Severity: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Chiara C. Brück ◽  
Frank J. Wolters ◽  
M. Arfan Ikram ◽  
Inge M.C.M. de Kok
Keyword(s):  
Disease Burden ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
Dementia Severity ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Disease Stages ◽  
Study Setting

Background: The burden of dementia is changing due to population aging and changes in incidence and risk factor profiles. Reliable projections of future disease burden require accurate estimates of disease duration across different stages of dementia severity. Objective: To provide an overview of current evidence on severity stage and disease duration in patients with dementia. Methods: We reviewed the literature on duration of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, and various dementia severity stages. Data on study setting, country, sample size, severity stages, dementia type, and definition of disease duration was collected. Weighted averages and Q-statistics were calculated within severity stages and duration definitions. Results: Of 732 screened articles, 15 reported the duration of one or more severity stages and only half of those reported severity stage onset to conversion to the following stage. In those studies, MCI, very mild dementia, and mild dementia stages lasted 3-4 years and moderate and severe dementia stages lasted 1-2 years. Information on the disease duration was reported in 93 (13%) of screened articles and varied from 1 to 17 years. Reporting of dementia severity stage and disease duration in the literature was highly heterogeneous, which was accounted for only in part by dementia type, study setting, or continent of data collection. Conclusion: The duration of dementia disease stages shortens with advancing stage. However, reliable modelling of future dementia burden and informing of intervention strategies will require more consistently reported duration estimates from studies that follow individuals longitudinally throughout their entire disease course.

scholarly journals Sequential Dependencies in Solid and Fluid Intake in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A Multistate Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 915-915
Author(s):  
Wen Liu ◽  
Kristine Williams ◽  
Yong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Temporal Association ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Sequential Dependencies ◽  
Dementia Severity ◽  
Multinomial Logit Models

Abstract Nursing home (NH) residents with dementia commonly experience low food intake leading to negative consequences. While multilevel factors influence intake, evidence is lacking on how intake is sequentially associated. This study examined the temporal association between previous and current solid and fluid intake in NH residents with dementia. We analyzed 160 mealtime videos involving 27 residents and 36 staff (53 dyads) in 9 NHs. The dependent variable was the current intake state (fluid, solid, no-intake). Independent variables included the prior intake state, technique of current intake state (resident-initiated, staff-facilitated), duration between previous and current intakes. Covariates included resident and staff characteristics. Two-way interactions of duration and technique with the prior intake state, and resident comorbidity and dementia severity were examined using Multinomial Logit Models. Interactions were significant for technique by comorbidity, technique by dementia severity, technique by prior fluid and solid intake, and duration by prior fluid intake. Successful previous intake increased odds of current solid and fluid intake. Staff-facilitation (vs. resident-initiation) reduced odds of solid and fluid intake for residents with moderately severe (vs. severe) dementia. Higher morbidity decreased odds of solid intake (vs. no-intake) for staff-facilitated intake. Resident with severe dementia had smaller odds of solid and fluid intake for resident-initiated intake. Longer duration increased odds of transition from liquid to solid intake. Findings supported strong sequential dependencies in intake, indicating the promise of intervening behaviorally to modify transitions to successful intake during mealtime. Findings inform the development and implementation of innovative mealtime assistance programs to promote intake.

WoCoVA consensus on the clinical use of in-line filtration during intravenous infusions: Current evidence and recommendations for future research

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982198916
Author(s):  
Ton Van Boxtel ◽  
Mauro Pittiruti ◽  
Annemarie Arkema ◽  
Patrick Ball ◽  
Giovanni Barone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Benefit ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Venous Access ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Awareness ◽  
Current State ◽  
Intravenous Infusions ◽  
Proper Definition ◽  
Definition Of

The need for filtering intravenous infusions has long been recognized in the field of venous access, though hard scientific evidence about the actual indications for in-line filters has been scarce. In the last few years, several papers and a few clinical studies have raised again this issue, suggesting that the time has come for a proper definition of the type of filtration, of its potential benefit, and of its proper indications in clinical practice. The WoCoVA Foundation, whose goal is to increase the global awareness on the risk of intravenous access and on patients’ safety, developed the project of a consensus on intravenous filtration. A panel of experts in different aspects of intravenous infusion was chosen to express the current state of knowledge about filtration and to indicate the direction of future research in this field. The present document reports the final conclusions of the panel.

scholarly journals Current Evidence and Future Perspectives on the Effective Practice of Patient-Centered Laboratory Medicine

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike J Hallworth ◽  
Paul L Epner ◽  
Christoph Ebert ◽  
Corinne R Fantz ◽  
Sherry A Faye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Current Utilization ◽  
Measures Of Effectiveness ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Primary Measure

AbstractBACKGROUNDSystematic evidence of the contribution made by laboratory medicine to patient outcomes and the overall process of healthcare is difficult to find. An understanding of the value of laboratory medicine, how it can be determined, and the various factors that influence it is vital to ensuring that the service is provided and used optimally.CONTENTThis review summarizes existing evidence supporting the impact of laboratory medicine in healthcare and indicates the gaps in our understanding. It also identifies deficiencies in current utilization, suggests potential solutions, and offers a vision of a future in which laboratory medicine is used optimally to support patient care.SUMMARYTo maximize the value of laboratory medicine, work is required in 5 areas: (a) improved utilization of existing and new tests; (b) definition of new roles for laboratory professionals that are focused on optimizing patient outcomes by adding value at all points of the diagnostic brain-to-brain cycle; (c) development of standardized protocols for prospective patient-centered studies of biomarker clinical effectiveness or extraanalytical process effectiveness; (d) benchmarking of existing and new tests in specified situations with commonly accepted measures of effectiveness; (e) agreed definition and validation of effectiveness measures and use of checklists for articles submitted for publication. Progress in these areas is essential if we are to demonstrate and enhance the value of laboratory medicine and prevent valuable information being lost in meaningless data. This requires effective collaboration with clinicians, and a determination to accept patient outcome and patient experience as the primary measure of laboratory effectiveness.

scholarly journals What is a balanced knee replacement?

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 614-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy C. Walker ◽  
Nick D. Clement ◽  
Kanishka M. Ghosh ◽  
David J. Deehan
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Knee Replacement ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Soft Tissue Envelope ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Uneven Wear ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Revision Tka

For multifactorial reasons an estimated 20% of patients remain unsatisfied after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Appropriate tension of the soft tissue envelope encompassing the knee is important in total knee arthroplasty and soft tissue imbalance contributes to several of the foremost reasons for revision TKA, including instability, stiffness and aseptic loosening. There is debate in the literature surrounding the optimum way to achieve balancing of a total knee arthroplasty and there is also a lack of an accepted definition of what a balanced knee replacement is. It may be intuitive to use the native knee as a model for balancing; however, there are many difficulties with translating this into a successful prosthesis. One of the foundations of TKA, as described by Insall, was that although the native knee has more weight transmitted through the medial compartment this was to be avoided in a TKA as it would lead to uneven wear and early failure. There is a focus on achieving symmetrical tension and pressure and subsequent ‘balance’ in TKA, but the evidence from cadaveric studies is that the native knee is not symmetrically balanced. As we are currently trying to design an implant that is not based on its anatomical counterpart, is it possible to create a truly balanced prosthesis or to even to define what that balance is? The authors have reviewed the current evidence surrounding TKA balancing and its relationship with the native knee. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:614-619. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180008.

scholarly journals Defining “High-risk Sexual Behavior” in the Context of Substance Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishtha Chawla ◽  
Siddharth Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risky Sex ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
High Risk Sexual Behavior ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Risk Sexual Behavior

Introduction: Sexual behavior is a behavior exhibited by individuals to gratify one of their basic needs, that is the sexual need. Often the way in which sexual behavior is practiced may lead to negative consequences. However, the definition of a sexual behavior as risky varies with regards to culture, gender, age, and the threshold. Objectives: This review aims to study different definitions of high-risk sexual behavior available in literature, the differences in the prevalence of various risks associated with risky sex in substance-using population as compared to general population, and eventually formulating a tentative definition of “high-risk sexual behavior” in the context of substance use. Current evidence and results of literature search as we have entered into the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus globally, it is important clinically as well as from the public health perspective to define high-risk sexual behavior discretely helping the researchers quantify the burden and the clinicians focus on the population at risk. High-risk sexual behavior has often been discussed and studied in various studies till date. However, literature lacks a discrete definition of high-risk sexual behavior. Risky sex (or high-risk sexual behavior) has been variably defined in different studies. Majority of the definitions in the studies focus on sexually transmitted infection, especially human immunodeficiency virus. A few studies talk about unintended pregnancies or abortions. Conclusion: The association between high-risk sexual behavior and substance use has been well established. Further research is warranted to obtain a definition which has greater precision and clinical utility, and which can be integrated in preventive and promotive pursuits.

ECONOMIC-DEMOGRAPHIC DEPENDENCY RATIO IN A LIFE-CYCLE MODEL

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1635-1673
Author(s):  
Sau-Him P. Lau ◽  
Albert K. Tsui
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
Dependency Ratio ◽  
Life Cycle Model ◽  
Cycle Model ◽  
Stochastic Mortality ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Parameter Values

The conventional dependency ratio based on cohort-invariant cutoff points could overstate the true burden of population aging. Using optimal cohort-varying years of schooling and retirement age in a life-cycle model, we propose a modified definition of dependency ratio. We compare the proposed economic-demographic dependency ratio (EDDR) with the conventional definition and find that the conventional dependency ratio of the USA is projected to increase by 0.105 from 2010 to 2060, which is an over-projection of 86% when compared with the projected increase of 0.015 in the EDDR over the same period. Sensitivity analysis suggests that our finding is quite robust to reasonable changes in parameter values (except for one parameter), and the magnitude of over-projection ranges mainly from 0.079 to 0.102 (i.e., 75% to 97%). We follow the well-established Lee–Carter model to forecast stochastic mortality and employ the method of expanding duration to decompose the sources of over-projection.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a comparison of different rating scales and correlation to clinical parameters

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Flachenecker ◽  
T Kümpfel ◽  
B Kallmann ◽  
M Gottschalk ◽  
O Grauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Impact Scale ◽  
Fatigue Severity ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Definition Of

Objectives: Fatigue is one of the most common, yet poorly defined, disabling symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). To delineate more clearly the frequency and type of fatigue, we first compared four widely used fatigue scales in consecutive MS patients. Secondly, to further clarify the nature of fatigue, we investigated its relation to physical disability, course of the disease, immunotherapy, and depression. Patients and Methods: Between February and September 2000, 151 consecutive MS patients entering our outpatient clinic (94 relapsing-remitting, 50 secondary progressive, and 7 primary progressive patients; mean age 29.0-7.3 years, mean disease duration 9.9-6.7 years, median EDSS 3.5) filled in a standardized questionnaire including four fatigue scales - Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), MS-specific FSS (MFSS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were included in the ‘MS-related fatigue group’ (MS-F) when they stated in the questionnaire that fatigue: 1) is one of their three most disabling symptoms; 2) occurs daily or on most of the days; and 3) limits their activities at home or at work. Patients fulfilling none of these criteria were classified as ‘MS-related nonfatigue group’ (MS-NF). Depression was measured by Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Although all scales showed significant differences between MS-F and MS-NF, correlation between these scales was, at best, moderate (correlation coefficients ranging from 0.06 to 0.56). The most discriminative scales were FSS and MFIS, showing no overlap of the 10th and 90th percentiles for the MS-F and MS-NF groups, with cut-off values of 4.6 and 38, respectively. Depression (BDI≥18) was present in 24 of 148 patients who filled in the BDI (16%). FSS was significantly correlated with physical disability (r =0.33, p <0.0001) and BDI (r =0.41, p<0.0001), but not with age, disease duration, clinical activity, and treatment with interferon-b. In multivariate analysis, however, only BDI independently predicted fatigue. Conclusions: The association of fatigue and depression suggests that there might be either common underlying mechanisms or interdependence by a cause-and-effect relationship that requires further investigation. The weak correlation within various fatigue scales is best explained by the fact that fatigue is a multidimensional symptom and, therefore, the available tests measure and weight different aspects of fatigue. Our findings underline the necessity for a more exact definition of fatigue and the development of more valid tools if these are to be used to evaluate treatments.

The importance of causal relationships in medicine and health care

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Elwood
Keyword(s):  
Disease Duration ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Epidemiological Methods ◽  
Direct Test ◽  
Causal Relationships ◽  
Randomised Trials ◽  
Mortality Incidence ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

This shows the importance and relevance of causal relationships in clinical medicine, public health, and wider healthcare and social issues. It gives a definition of causation, and distinguishes necessary, sufficient, and general quantitative causation. Randomised trials are discussed as showing a direct test of causation. Epidemiological methods of counting disease are explained, showing mortality, incidence, prevalence, disease duration, the relationship between these, and cumulative incidence.

scholarly journals Nutrition and Muscle Strength, As the Key Component of Sarcopenia: An Overview of Current Evidence

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sian Robinson ◽  
Antoneta Granic ◽  
Avan Aihie Sayer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Nutritional Support ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Muscle Health ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Older Populations ◽  
Main Message

Much has been achieved by recent research to increase understanding of the links between nutrition and muscle health. Focusing on muscle strength as the key component of sarcopenia, the aim of this overview was to evaluate its links to nutrition, both to variation in habitual diets in older populations, as well as considering supplementation effects in trials. A main message from the reviewed studies is that while many provide suggestive evidence of benefits of higher nutrient intakes and diets of higher quality, findings are inconsistent, and data on muscle strength are often lacking. To assess the potential of optimising diets as a strategy to promote and maintain muscle strength, gaps in current evidence need to be addressed. These include the need for (i) better understanding of individual differences in responsiveness to dietary change, and the need for targeted nutritional support; (ii) clearer distinction between protective and therapeutic actions of diet; and (iii) definition of the role of dietary patterns and their influence on muscle strength, to allow effects of changes in food consumption to be evaluated—particularly when combined with physical activity. Development of this evidence is needed to enable translation into appropriate dietary recommendations for older populations.

Characterizing the symptom of misplacing objects in people with dementia: findings from an online tracking tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1635-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa McGarrigle ◽  
Susan E. Howlett ◽  
Helen Wong ◽  
Justin Stanley ◽  
Kenneth Rockwood
Keyword(s):  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Dementia Severity ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Important Symptom ◽  
Online Tracking ◽  
Important Therapeutic Target

ABSTRACTObjectives:Misplacing objects is often reported as a clinically important symptom in dementia. Here we explored misplacing objects in relation to dementia type and stage in an online sample of individuals with dementia and their caregivers.Methods:Participants were recruited from www.dementiaguide.com, a web-based tracker for common dementia symptoms. Users provided information about symptoms that they selected as important for monitoring. We analysed cross-sectional data from respondents who tracked at least three symptoms, which allowed for staging dementia severity.Results:Of 2,775 users with three-plus symptoms, 787 (28%) identified misplacing objects for symptom tracking. Misplacing objects was monitored by users across all stages of dementia, but was more prevalent in mild and severe dementia. Three common clinical subtypes of misplacing were investigated: lost & found (forgetting the location of items), hidden away (hiding items so others would not find them), and odd places (putting items in usual spots). Of the 787, 96% targeted lost & found, the most frequent type. Odd places (targeted in 56%) significantly increased with dementia severity (p < 0.001). Misplacing objects was most strongly associated with the symptoms of interaction with strangers (OR 4.60, 95% CI: 3.20-6.62), reading (3.68: 2.86-4.73), shopping (3.55: 2.73-4.61) and travel/vacationing (3.31: 2.54-4.31).Conclusions:Misplacing objects was most often selected for tracking in mild and severe stages of dementia. As disease advances, misplacing more often reflects odd placement of objects rather than their simple loss. Misplacing objects may be a clinically important therapeutic target for improving patients’ quality of life and lessening caregiver burden.

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