What represents treatment efficacy in long-term studies of gout flare prevention? An interview study of people with gout

Objective The patient experience of gout flares is multidimensional with several contributing factors, including pain intensity, duration and frequency. There is currently no consistent method for reporting gout flare burden in long-term studies. This study aimed to determine which factors contribute to patient perceptions of treatment efficacy in long-term studies of gout flare prevention. Methods This study involved face-to-face interviews with people with gout using visual representations of gout flare patterns. Participants were shown different flare scenarios over a hypothetical 6-month treatment period portraying varying flare frequency, pain intensity and flare duration. The participants were asked to indicate and discuss which scenario they believed was most indicative of successful treatment over time. Quantitative data relating to the proportion of participants selecting each scenario were reported using descriptive statistics. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to code and categorize the data from the interview transcripts. Results Twenty-two people with gout participated in the semi-structured interviews. All three factors of pain intensity, flare duration and flare frequency influenced participants' perception of treatment efficacy. However, a shorter flare duration was the most common indicator of successful treatment, with half of participants (n = 11, 50%) selecting the scenario with a shorter flare duration over those with less painful flares. Conclusion Flare duration, flare frequency, and pain severity are all considered by patients with gout when considering treatment efficacy over time. Long term studies of gout should ideally capture all of these factors to better represent patients' experience of treatment success.

Download Full-text

A retrospective look at 80 years of silvicultural research at Petawawa

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc75385-3 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 385-388

Author(s):

Steve D'Eon

Keyword(s):

Experimental Design ◽

Key Words ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Factorial Designs ◽

Forest Research ◽

Permanent Sample Plots ◽

Site Characteristics ◽

Over Time ◽

Long Term Studies

Canada's oldest forest research plot was laid out at Petawawa in 1918. Since then, hundreds of researchers have established plots, gathered data, and published results utilizing the Petawawa Research Forest. Many of the projects and plots were designed as long-term studies meant to endure and be re-measured over the decades. Although control plots were utilized, these early experiments were established prior to the benefits of repetition and experimental design. Later experiments were installed with three or more reps and factorial designs strengthening their analytical capabilities. Research priorities have shifted over time from documenting the results of a particular silvicultural treatment to understanding why silvicultural responses are obtained. Factors that influenced the continuance of some studies and the discarding of others are reviewed.Some studies achieved their original goals and have been continued for longer periods or utilized for additional goals. Characteristics such as tenure, experimental design, and site characteristics are described for several of these studies. Key words: long-term research, permanent sample plots, Petawawa

Download Full-text

Progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia: a challenge to current thinking

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.105.014779 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 189 (5) ◽

pp. 399-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Anja Busse ◽

Matthias C. Angermeyer ◽

Steffi G. Riedel-Heller

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Community Sample ◽

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Time Dependent ◽

Current Thinking ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Over Time ◽

Long Term Studies

BackgroundStudies of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia suggest a linear progression over time. Conversion rates during lifetime may extend to 80–90%.AimsThis study examines the time-dependent evolution from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Current assumptions regarding yearly and lifetime conversion rates are challenged.MethodA community sample of 1045 dementia-free individuals aged 75 years and over was examined by neuropsychological testing based on 6 years of observation.ResultsApproximately 60–65% of people with mild cognitive impairment develop clinical dementia during their life. Progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia appears to be time dependent, occurring primarily within the initial 18 months.ConclusionsFurther long-term studies are needed to examine the time-dependent evolution from mild cognitive impairment to dementia and to establish age-specific conversion rates during lifetime.

Download Full-text

877 The Transobturator Male Sling: Does It Stand the Test of Time?

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab134.586 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

R Sohawon ◽

I G Rizvi ◽

P Ravindra ◽

M Pipe ◽

T King ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Salvage Surgery ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Success Rates ◽

Male Sling ◽

Medium Term ◽

Predicting Success ◽

Male Patients ◽

Over Time

Abstract Introduction The commonest cause of stress urinary incontinence in men is radical prostatectomy. We aimed to determine the efficacy, complication rate and need for salvage surgery in the medium-long term for male sling insertion. Method Retrospective review of all patients undergoing male sling insertion at one centre between 2009-2018. Data was collected on complications, patient satisfaction and need for further surgery. Preoperative severity was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. We assessed ICIQ score, 24h-pad usage, patient satisfaction and identified risk factors for treatment success/failure. Results 91 men had slings inserted (median age- 67.3). Three months success rates in mild, moderate and severe SUI groups were 96%, 86% and 80% respectively which dropped to 65%, 62% and 47% in the medium term. The rate of AUS implantation was 6%, 15% and 33% respectively. Complications included pain, infection, retention and OAB. Patient satisfaction at 5-years was 57%. Only factor predicting success or failure was pre-operative ICIQ-UI(SF) score. Conclusions Male sling success rates deteriorate over time. 15% will have an AUS. The risk of complications is low and transient. A pre-operative ICIQ-UI(SF) score of > 18 is a predictor of failure. Sling insertion remains a reasonable treatment option for male patients suffering with SUI.

Download Full-text

The Voices of Outdoor Adventure: An Examination of the Long-Term Meanings and Impacts of Adventure Experiences for New Zealand University Students

10.26686/wgtn.16985470 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Deepak Dathatri

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Adventure Education ◽

Outdoor Adventure ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Education Students ◽

Outdoor Adventure Education ◽

Physical Education Students ◽

Over Time

The purpose of this study was to explore how past participants of a New Zealand-based university outdoor adventure programme have perceived the meanings and impacts of former adventure experiences over time. This study employed a phenomenological case-study design which used in-depth, semi-structured interviews with former participants of a New-Zealand university outdoor adventure programme called the Mountains-to-Sea expedition. Six participants, former physical education students who had gone on the expedition between four and five years ago, were chosen to gain retrospective insight. The results from this study generated detailed narratives which revealed that the perceived meanings and impacts of participants‟ experiences were generally positive but there were subtleties and nuances to these perceptions which changed over time. Individuals made meaning in finely distinctive ways and impacts tended to dissipate in perceived intensity over time, though there were some exceptions. The participants embodied a very unique culture which impacted their understanding of outdoor adventure education philosophy. These findings have far-reaching implications on the future of outdoor learning and warrant greater attention from practitioners and researchers. The results bolster an argument for more qualitative research into the long-term meaning and impact of adventure experiences, particularly for the New Zealand context.

Download Full-text

The Voices of Outdoor Adventure: An Examination of the Long-Term Meanings and Impacts of Adventure Experiences for New Zealand University Students

10.26686/wgtn.16985470.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Deepak Dathatri

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Adventure Education ◽

Outdoor Adventure ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Education Students ◽

Outdoor Adventure Education ◽

Physical Education Students ◽

Over Time

Download Full-text

Sensitivity analysis of weight reduction results of an observational cohort study in overweight and obese children and adolescents in Germany: the EvAKuJ Study

Pediatric Reports ◽

10.4081/pr.2013.e16 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas Böhler ◽

Cornelia Goldapp ◽

Reinhard Mann ◽

Thomas Reinehr ◽

Monika Bullinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Successful Treatment ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Observational Cohort Study ◽

Good Treatment ◽

Obese Children ◽

Observational Cohort

In the German EvAKuJ observational cohort study, changes in the body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) of overweight and obese children and adolescents as primary outcome of multimodal (short, inpatient or long, outpatient) weight-loss interventions are difficult to interpret. Published intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol data obtained at the end of the intervention (T1), one year (T2), and two years (T3) after its end were used for sensitivity analysis of treatment success rates. The odds ratio and the number needed to treat (NNT) for BMI-SDS reduction of at least −0.2 (successful treatment) and at least −0.5 (good treatment success) were related to spontaneous BMI-SDS reduction rates in a hypothetical control group (control event rate, CER). At T1, treatment seems to be effective up to a CER of 10% in inpatients and of 5% in outpatients. ITT analysis, compromised by a loss to follow-up of 81 to 90% (inpatients) and 57 to 66% (outpatients), indicated that treatment may become less effective at a CER above 1% in inpatients (e.g., successful treatment at T2: NNT=106, at T3: NNT=51), and above 5% in outpatients (successful treatment at T2: NNT=7, at T3: NNT=8; good treatment success at T2 and T3: NNT=25). Positive short-term effects of inpatient treatment of overweight and obese children and adolescents may not be maintained in the long term. Long-term effectiveness of outpatient treatment may depend on age and the degree of overweight.

Download Full-text

Odonata (Insecta) diversity of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas, Odisha, eastern India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.3463.10.15.12969-12978 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (15) ◽

pp. 12969-12978

Author(s):

Subrat Debata ◽

Kedar Kumar Swain

Keyword(s):

Eastern India ◽

Wildlife Sanctuary ◽

Insect Fauna ◽

The Family ◽

Over Time ◽

Long Term Studies

A study was carried out to assess the Odonata fauna of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, eastern India from November 2012 to October 2013. During the study a total of 54 species of odonates including 37 species of dragonflies (Anisoptera) and 17 species of damselflies (Zygoptera) were recorded. Among the dragonflies, the family Libellulidae was well represented with 30 species whereas among the damselflies, Coenagrionidae was well represented with seven species. Overall, the odonate fauna of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary accounted for 49.09% of the odonate species known from Odisha and 10.73% of India. Therefore, further long-term studies on these lesser-known insect fauna in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary will be useful in understanding their status over time.

Download Full-text

Improving Cure Rates in Onychomycosis

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1203475416653734 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 517-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Aditya K. Gupta ◽

Maria Cernea ◽

Kelly A. Foley

Keyword(s):

Disease Management ◽

Treatment Regimen ◽

Successful Treatment ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Treatment Approaches ◽

Improve Treatment ◽

The Individual ◽

Cure Rates ◽

Nail Infection

Background: Onychomycosis is a persistent fungal nail infection that is notoriously hard to treat. Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with onychomycosis do not respond to treatment, and 10% to 53% of patients relapse. As such, successful treatment is imperative for long-term disease management. Objective: To identify ways to improve cure rates for onychomycosis. Method: The literature on onychomycosis treatment and recurrence was reviewed to summarize treatment approaches and suggest strategies to increase cure rates. Results and Conclusion: To improve treatment success in onychomycosis, we suggest the following measures be followed: (1) onychomycosis must be correctly diagnosed, (2) the treatment regimen should be tailored to the individual patient, (3) the efficacy of antifungals must be maximized, and (4) recurrence must be prevented.

Download Full-text

Resilience of Medication Adherence Practices in Response to Life Changes: Learning from Qualitative Data Obtained during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9081048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1048

Author(s):

Mushfique Ahmed ◽

Carly Wheeler ◽

Bryony Dean Franklin ◽

Rabia Begum ◽

Sara Garfield

Keyword(s):

Medication Adherence ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Life Changes ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

The Uk ◽

Over Time

Nonadherence to medicines is widespread and can adversely affect health outcomes. Previous research has identified that patients develop their own strategies to assist with adherence. However, such research has not focused on how the helpfulness of these strategies may change in response to changes in patients’ circumstances. This study aimed to explore resilience of medication adherence to life changes. It involved secondary thematic analysis of the verbatim transcripts of 50 semi-structured interviews that were conducted with adults who were advised to shield or were over the age of 70 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Interview data suggested that resilience of medication adherence varied between participants. Participants either reported that they had not used any specific strategies to remind them to take their medicines prior to the pandemic, that the strategies that they had employed prior to the pandemic remained effective during the pandemic, that they had needed to make some adjustments to the strategies used, or that the strategies they had used were no longer effective. In addition, beliefs about medicines and motivation to take them were altered for some participants. These findings suggest that challenges associated with medication adherence do not always remain stable over time and that healthcare professionals need to continue to monitor and support medication adherence long-term.

Download Full-text

DIY Automated Feeding and Motion Recording System for the Analysis of Fish Behavior

SLAS TECHNOLOGY Translating Life Sciences Innovation ◽

10.1177/2472630319841412 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 394-398

Author(s):

Christian Pylatiuk ◽

Haiyu Zhao ◽

Eduard Gursky ◽

Markus Reischl ◽

Ravindra Peravali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Interactions ◽

Treatment Efficacy ◽

Feeding Activity ◽

Recording System ◽

Fish Behavior ◽

Demand System ◽

On Demand ◽

General Locomotor Activity ◽

Long Term Studies

Fish species such as medaka or zebrafish are widely used as animal models to study physiology, disease development, and treatment efficacy. They are also used to study the rapidly growing field of behavior research, such as social interactions, anxiety, and the influence of environmental factors. Here we describe an automated experimental setup allowing the recording of general locomotor activity in combination with a food-on-demand system. It can simply be built with some basic electronic knowledge. Our setup enables the recording of locomotor and feeding activity of several fish for long-term studies, excluding disturbing external influences. A description of the automated recording system is given, as well as examples of recordings to illustrate its applicability for the study of fish behavior. The construction manual and operation instructions can be downloaded for free.

Download Full-text