An Efficient Validation Method of Probabilistic Record Linkage Including Readmissions and Twins

2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 356-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. J. Ravelli ◽  
N. Méray ◽  
J. B. Reitsma ◽  
G. J. Bonsel ◽  
M. Tromp
Keyword(s):  
Record Linkage ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
External Information ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Probabilistic Record Linkage ◽  
Registry File ◽  
Validation Procedure

Summary Objective: To describe an efficient, generalizable approach to validate probabilistic record linkage results, in particular by a model-guided detection of linking errors, and to apply this approach to validate linkage of admissions of newborns. Methods: Our double-blind validation procedure consisted of three steps: sample selection, data collection and data analysis. The linked Dutch national newborn admission registry contained 30,082 records for 2001 including readmissions (7.4%) and twins (9.7%). A highly informative sample was selected from the linked file by oversampling uncertain links based on modelderived linking weight. Four hundred and eight fax forms with minimal registry information (admissions of 191 children) were sent out to different pediatric units. The pediatricians were asked to create a short detailed patient history from independent sources. The linkage status and additional record data was validated against this external information. Results: Response rate was 97% (395/408 faxes). Accuracy of the linkage of singleton admissions was high: except for some expected errors in the uncertain area (0.02% of record pairs), linkage was error-free. Validation of multiple birth readmissions showed 37% linkage errors due to low data quality of the multiple birth variables. The quality of the linked registry file was still high; only 1.7% of the children were from a multiple birth with multiple admissions, resulting in less than 1% linking error. Conclusions: Our external validation procedure of record linkage was feasible, efficient, and informative about identifying the source of the errors.

Quality of life in Hungarian polio survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Viktória Miszory ◽  
Melinda Járomi ◽  
Annamária Pakai
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Emotional Role ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Polio Survivors

Abstract Aim The number of Hungarian polio patients can be estimated at approximately 3000. Polio infection is currently affecting people 56–65 years of age. The aim of the study was to reveal the quality of life of patients living with polio virus in Hungary. Subject and methods The quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in January–April 2017 among polyomyelitis patients living in Hungary. In the non-random, targeted, expert sample selection, the target group was composed of patients infected with poliovirus (N = 268). We have excluded those who refused to sign the consent statement. Our data collection method was an SF-36 questionnaire. Using the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22 program, descriptive and mathematical statistics (χ2-test) were calculated (p < 0.05). Results The mean age of the members of the examined population is 63.5 years; 68.1% were women and 31.90% were men. The majority of the respondents were infected by the polyovirus in 1956 (11.9%), 1957 (24.3%), and 1959 (19.5%). Polio patients, with the exception of two dimensions (mental health, social operation), on the scale of 100 do not reach the “average” quality of life (physical functioning 23 points, functional role 36 points, emotional role 47 points, body pain 48 points, general health 42 points, vitality 50 points, health change 31 points). Conclusion The quality of life of polio patients is far below the dimensions of physical function, while the difference in mental health compared to healthy people is minimal. It would be important to educate health professionals about the existing disease, to develop an effective rehabilitation method.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Use of Sterilized and Non-Sterilized Peruibe Black Mud in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Fávio Macedo Gouvêa ◽  
Zélia Maria Nogueira Britschka ◽  
Cristina de Oliveira Massoco Salles Gomes ◽  
Nicolle Gilda Teixeira de Queiroz ◽  
Pablo Antonio Vásquez Salvador ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Radiographic Grade ◽  
Physical Functions ◽  
Kellgren And Lawrence

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with Peruíbe Black Mud (PBM) on the clinical parameters and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis and to compare the effects of PBM samples simply matured in seawater and PBM sterilized by gamma radiation. A controlled, double-blind trial was conducted with 41 patients divided into two treatment groups composed of 20 and 21 patients: one group was treated with matured PBM and the other with sterilized PBM. Evaluations were done using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires, the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) radiographic scale, and the quantification of the serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers. An improvement in pain, physical functions, and quality of life was observed in all of the patients who underwent treatment with both simply matured and sterilized PBM. Nine patients showed remission in the KL radiographic scale, but no statistically significant differences were observed in the serum levels of inflammatory mediators before or after treatment. Peruíbe Black Mud proves to be a useful tool as an adjuvant treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA), as shown by the results of the WOMAC and SF-36 questionnaires and by the remission of the radiographic grade of some patients on the Kellgren and Lawrence scale.

472 Addressing the Quality of Hospital Care of Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: What Did We Learn from the National Bowel Cancer Audit?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Li ◽  
S Z Y Ooi ◽  
T Woo ◽  
P H M Chan
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Bowel Cancer ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Quality Outcomes ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract Aim To identify the most relevant clinical factors in the National Bowel Cancer Audit (NBOCA) that contribute to the variation in the quality of care provided in different hospitals for colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery. Method Data from 36,116 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone surgery were retrospectively collected from the NBOCA and analysed from 145 and 146 hospitals over two years. A validated multiple linear regression was performed to compare the identified clinical factors with various quality outcomes. The quality outcomes defined in this study were the length of hospitalisation, 2-year mortality, readmission rate, 90-day mortality, and 18-month stoma rate. Results Four clinical factors (laparoscopy rate, abdominal-perineal-resection-of-rectum (APER), pre-operative radiotherapy and patients with distant metastases) were shown to have a significant (p &lt; 0.05) impact on the length of hospitalisation and 18-month stoma rate. 18-month stoma rate was also significantly associated with 2-year mortality. External validation of the regression model demonstrated the Root-Mean-Square-Error of 0.811 and 4.62 for 18-month stoma rate and 2-year mortality respectively. Conclusions Hospitals should monitor the four clinical factors for patients with colorectal cancer during perioperative care. Clinicians should consider these factors along with the individual patients’ history when formulating a management plan for patients with colorectal cancer.

scholarly journals Adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Mangosteen) Pericarp for Schizophrenia: A 24-Week Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Efficacy Trial: Péricarpe d’appoint Garcinia mangostana Linn (mangoustan) pour la schizophrénie : un essai d’efficacité de 24 semaines, à double insu, randomisé et contrôlé par placebo

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372098243
Author(s):  
Alyna Turner ◽  
Andrea Baker ◽  
Olivia M. Dean ◽  
Adam J. Walker ◽  
Seetal Dodd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Schizoaffective Disorder ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Garcinia Mangostana ◽  
Double Blind

Objectives: Garcinia mangostana Linn. (“mangosteen”) pericarp contains bioactive compounds that may target biological pathways implicated in schizophrenia. We conducted a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp, compared to placebo, in the treatment of schizophrenia. Methods: People diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), recruited across 2 sites (Brisbane and Victoria, Australia), were randomized to receive 24 weeks of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp (1,000 mg/day) or matched placebo. The primary outcome measure was the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale total score. Secondary outcomes included positive and negative symptoms, general psychopathology, clinical global severity and improvement, participant reported overall improvement, depressive symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and safety data at 24 and 28 weeks (4 weeks postdiscontinuation). Data were collected from July 2016 to February 2019. Results: Baseline assessments were conducted on 148 people (mangosteen = 74, placebo = 74); data analyses were conducted on 136 (92%) participants with postbaseline data. The treatment group had significantly higher symptom severity compared to placebo, and both groups significantly improved on all symptom, functioning, and quality of life measures over time. No between-group differences were found for the rate of change between baseline and 24 or 28 weeks. Conclusion: Despite promising preclinical and clinical work, our results do not support mangosteen pericarp extract as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of ovarian suspension in preventing postoperative ovarian adhesions in patients with severe pelvic endometriosis—a case-control study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Dehbashi ◽  
Shaheen Khazali ◽  
Fateme Davari Tanha ◽  
Farnaz Mottahedian ◽  
Mahsa Ghajarzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Clinical Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis ◽  
Pelvic Endometriosis ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Entire Study

Abstract Background Endometriosis can exert obvious negative effects on women’s quality of life. Excisional surgery is among the most effective treatments for severe pelvic endometriosis. The prevalence of severe pelvic adhesions following a laparoscopic examination of severe endometriosis varies between 50 and 100%. Temporary intraoperative ovarian suspension is a method for the reduction of adhesions is in the treatment of severe pelvic endometriosis. Given the importance and the prevalence of endometriosis and its complications, we conducted the present study to determine more effective adhesion-reducing methods with a view to improving the quality of the treatments provided. Methods The present prospective double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 women of reproductive age (≥ 19 years) diagnosed with severe pelvic endometriosis on transvaginal ultrasound scans and vaginal examinations at Yas Hospital between 2014 and 2017. Women with severe endometriosis (stage III, stage IV, and deep infiltrating endometriosis) requiring an extensive bilateral dissection of the pelvic walls and the rectovaginal space, with preserved uterus and ovaries, were included in the study. The preoperative severity of ovarian adhesions was assessed in terms of ovarian motility, measured through a combination of gentle pressures applied with the vaginal probe and abdominal pressures applied with the examiner’s free hand. A table of random numbers was used to choose which ovary to suspend. The entire study population received standard general anesthesia. In the laparoscopic examination of the cases with severe endometriosis, both ovaries were routinely suspended to the anterior abdominal wall with PROLENE sutures. At the end of the surgery, one of the ovaries was kept suspended for 7 days, whereas the other ovarian suspension suture was cut. At 3 months postoperatively, all the patients underwent ultrasound scans for the assessment of ovarian motility and adhesions. The severity of pelvic pain was defined according to a visual analog score. After surgery, infertile women were followed for 2-4 years, and were contacted regarding the infertility treatment. Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates was compered between the two groups. Results Three months after laparoscopy, the adhesions were mild in 41 (82%) patients and moderate in 9 (18%) on the suspended side, and mild in 12 (24%) patients and moderate in 38 (76%) on the control side (P < 0.001). The mean dysmenorrhea score was 6.8 ± 1.5 before surgery and 4.5 ± 1.4 after surgery (P < 0.001). The chemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate were not different in the suspended and control groups (P = 0. 62, P = 0.64). Conclusions The reduction in adhesions via ovarian suspension surgery promises reductions in the complications of endometriosis.

A Hybrid Inpainting Model Combining Diffusion and Enhanced Exemplar Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Sreelakshmy I. J. ◽  
Binsu C. Kovoor
Keyword(s):  
Patch Size ◽  
Image Inpainting ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Natural Images ◽  
External Information ◽  
Image Editing ◽  
Model Combining ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The World

Image inpainting is a technique in the world of image editing where missing portions of the image are estimated and filled with the help of available or external information. In the proposed model, a novel hybrid inpainting algorithm is implemented, which adds the benefits of a diffusion-based inpainting method to an enhanced exemplar algorithm. The structure part of the image is dealt with a diffusion-based method, followed by applying an adaptive patch size–based exemplar inpainting. Due to its hybrid nature, the proposed model exceeds the quality of output obtained by applying conventional methods individually. A new term, coefficient of smoothness, is introduced in the model, which is used in the computation of adaptive patch size for the enhanced exemplar method. An automatic mask generation module relieves the user from the burden of creating additional mask input. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation is performed on images from various datasets. The results provide a testimonial to the fact that the proposed model is faster in the case of smooth images. Moreover, the proposed model provides good quality results while inpainting natural images with both texture and structure regions.

scholarly journals Reclink: aplicativo para o relacionamento de bases de dados, implementando o método probabilistic record linkage

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. de Camargo Jr. ◽  
Cláudia M. Coeli
Keyword(s):  
Record Linkage ◽  
Probabilistic Record Linkage ◽  
A Performance

Apresenta-se um sistema de relacionamento de bases de dados fundamentado na técnica de relacionamento probabilístico de registros, desenvolvido na linguagem C++ com o ambiente de programação Borland C++ Builder versão 3.0. O sistema foi testado a partir de fontes de dados de diferentes tamanhos, tendo sido avaliado em tempo de processamento e sensibilidade para a identificação de pares verdadeiros. O tempo gasto com o processamento dos registros foi menor quando se empregou o programa do que ao ser realizado manualmente, em especial, quando envolveram bases de maior tamanho. As sensibilidades do processo manual e do processo automático foram equivalentes quando utilizaram bases com menor número de registros; entretanto, à medida que as bases aumentaram, percebeu-se tendência de diminuição na sensibilidade apenas no processo manual. Ainda que em fase inicial de desenvolvimento, o sistema apresentou boa performance tanto em velocidade quanto em sensibilidade. Embora a performance dos algoritmos utilizados tenha sido satisfatória, o objetivo é avaliar outras rotinas, buscando aprimorar o desempenho do sistema.

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