Tag: nevin manimala

Res Synth Methods. 2022 Aug 10. doi: 10.1002/jrsm.1597. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Meta-analysis allows researchers to combine evidence from multiple studies, making it a powerful tool for synthesizing information on the safety profiles of new medical interventions. There is a critical need to identify subgroups at high risk of experiencing treatment-related toxicities. However, this remains quite challenging from a statistical perspective as there are a variety of clinical risk factors that may be relevant for different types of adverse events, and adverse events of interest may be rare or incompletely reported. We frame this challenge as a variable selection problem and propose a Bayesian hierarchical model which incorporates a horseshoe prior on the interaction terms to identify high-risk groups. Our proposed model is motivated by a meta-analysis of adverse events in cancer immunotherapy, and our results uncover key factors driving the risk of specific types of treatment-related adverse events.

PMID:36054779 | DOI:10.1002/jrsm.1597

Int J Cancer. 2022 Aug 19. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34252. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The underlying biological mechanisms causing persistent fatigue complaints after colorectal cancer treatment need further investigation. We investigated longitudinal associations of circulating concentrations of 138 metabolites with total fatigue and subdomains of fatigue between 6 weeks and 2 years after colorectal cancer treatment. Among stage I-III colorectal cancer survivors (n = 252), blood samples were obtained at 6 weeks, and 6, 12 and 24 months posttreatment. Total fatigue and fatigue subdomains were measured using a validated questionnaire. Tandem mass spectrometry was applied to measure metabolite concentrations (BIOCRATES AbsoluteIDQp180 kit). Confounder-adjusted longitudinal associations were analyzed using linear mixed models, with false discovery rate (FDR) correction. We assessed interindividual (between-participant differences) and intraindividual longitudinal associations (within-participant changes over time). In the overall longitudinal analysis, statistically significant associations were observed for 12, 32, 17 and three metabolites with total fatigue and the subscales “fatigue severity,” “reduced motivation” and “reduced activity,” respectively. Specifically, higher concentrations of several amino acids, lysophosphatidylcholines, diacylphosphatidylcholines, acyl-alkylphosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins were associated with less fatigue, while higher concentrations of acylcarnitines were associated with more fatigue. For “fatigue severity,” associations appeared mainly driven by intraindividual associations, while for “reduced motivation” stronger interindividual associations were found. We observed longitudinal associations of several metabolites with total fatigue and fatigue subscales, and that intraindividual changes in metabolites over time were associated with fatigue severity. These findings point toward inflammation and an impaired energy metabolism due to mitochondrial dysfunction as underlying mechanisms. Mechanistic studies are necessary to determine whether these metabolites could be targets for intervention.

PMID:36054767 | DOI:10.1002/ijc.34252

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Aug 29. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system seeks to expand access to comprehensive geriatric assessments, evidence-based models of care are needed to support community-dwelling older persons. We evaluated the VA Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (VA-GRACE) program’s effect on mortality and readmissions, as well as patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort included patients admitted to the Richard L. Roudebush VA hospital (2010-2019) who received VA-GRACE services post-discharge and usual care controls who were potentially eligible for VA-GRACE but did not receive services. The VA-GRACE program provided home-based comprehensive, multi-disciplinary geriatrics assessment, and ongoing care. Primary outcomes included 90-day and 1-year all-cause readmissions and mortality, and patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction. We used propensity score modeling with overlapping weighting to adjust for differences in characteristics between groups.

RESULTS: VA-GRACE patients (N = 683) were older than controls (N = 4313) (mean age 78.3 ± 8.2 standard deviation vs. 72.2 ± 6.9 years; p < 0.001) and had greater comorbidity (median Charlson Comorbidity Index 3 vs. 0; p < 0.001). VA-GRACE patients had higher 90-day readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.55 [95%CI 1.01-2.38]) and higher 1-year readmissions (aOR 1.74 [95%CI 1.22-2.48]). However, VA-GRACE patients had lower 90-day mortality (aOR 0.31 [95%CI 0.11-0.92]), but no statistically significant difference in 1-year mortality was observed (aOR 0.88 [95%CI 0.55-1.41]). Patients and caregivers reported that VA-GRACE home visits reduced travel burden and the program linked Veterans and caregivers to needed resources. Primary care providers reported that the VA-GRACE team helped to reduce their workload, improved medication management for their patients, and provided a view into patients’ daily living situation.

CONCLUSIONS: The VA-GRACE program provides comprehensive geriatric assessments and care to high-risk, community-dwelling older persons with high rates of satisfaction from patients, caregivers, and providers. Widespread deployment of programs like VA-GRACE will be required to support Veterans aging in place.

PMID:36054760 | DOI:10.1111/jgs.18013

BJOG. 2022 Aug 25. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17284. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To understand the effect of changing from cytology-based to primary HPV screening on the positive predictive value (PPV) of colposcopy referrals for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in a cohort offered HPV vaccination.

DESIGN: Retrospective pre/post observational cohort study.

SETTING: Scotland POPULATION OR SAMPLE: 2193 women referred to colposcopy between September 2019 – February 2020 from cytology-based screening and September 2020 – February 2021 from primary high-risk HPV (hrHPV) screening.

METHODS: Calculating Positive Predictive Values (PPVs) for 2 cohorts of women; one having liquid-based cytology screening and the subsequent high-risk HPV hrHPV cervical screening as a pre/post observational study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive predictive values of LBC and hrHPV cut-offs for colposcopy referral for CIN at colposcopy.

RESULTS: Narrative review: Three papers fitted our criteria; these reported results only for cytology-based screening. The PPV was lower for women in HPV vaccinated cohorts indicating the lower prevalence of disease. Vaccination underage of 17 had the lowest PPV reported. Scottish colposcopy data: hrHPV and cytology showed a non-significant difference between PPV (17.5%, CI 95%=14.3-20.7; 20.6, CI 95%=16.7-24.5) for referrals with a cut-off of low grade dyskaryosis (LGD); both met the standard set of 8-25%. hrHPV PPV (66.7, CI 95%=56.8-76.6) was comparable to cytology (64.1, CI 95%=55.8-72.4) for referrals with a cut-off of high grade dyskaryosis (HGD) but neither met the standard set of 77-92%.

CONCLUSIONS: Current literature only provided PPVs for LBC and overall, the vaccinated cohort had lower PPVs. Only LG dyskaryosis met PHE criteria. The PPV for HPV vaccinated women undergoing either LBC or HR-HPV screening were not statistically different. However, similar to the papers in current literature, HG dyskaryosis (HGD) PPVs of both techniques did not meet the PHE threshold of 76.6-91.6% outlined in the cervical standards data report..

PMID:36054732 | DOI:10.1111/1471-0528.17284

Am J Hum Biol. 2022 Aug 26:e23793. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23793. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dimorphism in deciduous tooth crown size is often used to identify sex in sub-adults from archeological sites and forensic settings. Yet sexual dimorphism in deciduous dental attributes is less well documented than in permanent teeth. This analysis was conducted to document variation in sexual dimorphism within and between a global sample of populations.

METHODS: Mean deciduous tooth crown size was culled from published literature, yielding a sample of 37 groups. Mean mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) crown dimensions are the basis for computing percent sexual dimorphism [(M/F-1) * 100]. Three analyses were conducted: (1) a statistical analysis of mean % sex dimorphism (%SD) within and between populations, (2) an evaluation of rank-ordered %SD by tooth, and (3) an assessment of intergroup patterns in degree of sexual dimorphism. Univariate tests of significance, correlation and regression, and multivariate cluster analysis were used.

RESULTS: Mean %SD is low overall (1.77) for 26 groups and the level of dimorphism is not significantly different for MD (1.68) and BL (1.72) dimensions. The most sexual dimorphic deciduous teeth include incisor, canine and molar tooth types, while in the permanent dentition canines are consistently most sexual dimorphic. Global variation in sexual dimorphism of deciduous tooth size is low with little inter-ethnic variation.

CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dimorphism in crown size is lower and more variably expressed than in permanent teeth. Differences may relate to developmental, chromosomal, and hormonal factors. Degree of sexual dimorphism is not associated with ethnicity in this global sample.

PMID:36054733 | DOI:10.1002/ajhb.23793

Int J Cancer. 2022 Aug 10. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34237. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Colon cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in Norway, where incidence rates of colon cancer increased 3-fold between 1955 and 2014, for unknown reasons. We aimed to assess the burden of colon cancer attributable to modifiable risk factors in Norwegian women using the data from the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study. Self-reported information from 35 525 women from the NOWAC study were available. These included the following exposures: smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, physical activity, intake of calcium, fibers, and red and processed meat. Colon cancer cases were identified from the Cancer Registry of Norway. A parametric piecewise constant hazards model was used to estimate the strength of exposure-cancer associations. Population attributable fractions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated considering competing risk of death. The fraction of incident colon cancer attributable to ever smoking was 18.7% (95% CI 4.7%-30.6%), low physical activity 10.8% (95% CI -0.7% to 21.0%), alcohol consumption 14.5% (95% CI -2.8% to 28.9%), and low intake of calcium 10.0% (95% CI -7.8% to 24.8%). A small proportion of colon cancer cases was attributable to combined intake of red and processed meat over 500 g/week, overweight/obesity, and low intake of fibers. Jointly, these seven risk factors could explain 46.0% (95% CI 23.0%-62.4%) of the colon cancer incidence burden. Between 23% and 62% of the colon cancer burden among women in Norway was attributable to modifiable risk factors, indicating an important preventive potential of a healthy lifestyle.

PMID:36054722 | DOI:10.1002/ijc.34237

J Genet Couns. 2022 Aug 25. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1625. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bullying is reported in around 20% of children according to the US Department of Education and has been reported in the histories of individuals with genetic disorders. To our knowledge, there has never been a study surveying whether genetic counselors screen their pediatric patients for bullying. This is despite guidelines that pediatric healthcare providers should screen for bullying. The purpose of this study was to assess North American genetic counselors who see pediatric patients and enquire about their practices, attitudes, self-confidence, knowledge, and potential training needs in relation to bullying screening. In an anonymous online survey, 139 genetic counselors from the United States and Canada completed a modified version of the previously validated Healthcare Providers Practices, Attitudes, Self-Confidence, and Knowledge (HCP-PACK) instrument. Among our participant population, 85% reported they did not screen for bullying. This is despite no statistically significant difference in the amount of reported time spent on either initial or follow-up appointments between those who did or did not screen. Those who screened for bullying among their pediatric patients were more likely to view bullying as a healthcare problem (as measured on the attitude subscale) (t[135] = -2.07, p = 0.04) and had greater confidence in their ability to know how to assess for bullying (as measured on the self-confidence subscale) (t[135] = -2.90, p = 0.004) compared with participants who did not screen for bullying. Responses from genetic counselors who screened their patients for bullying demonstrated how screening for bullying can be aligned with the American Board of Genetic Counseling practice-based competencies. Even though the majority of participants did not view screening for bullying as a genetic counselor’s role, 82.5% agreed that bullying was a healthcare problem and 63.6% thought genetic counselors should have additional educational opportunities to learn about bullying. Evidence-based guidance is needed to help genetic counselors interested in including screening for bullying in their practice.

PMID:36054701 | DOI:10.1002/jgc4.1625

J Biophotonics. 2022 Aug 27:e202200187. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202200187. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a noninvasive optical technology, with applications including vital sign extraction and patient monitoring. The PPG acquisition skin type may be of importance. Skin is either non-glabrous (~90%) or glabrous (~10%). Clinical PPG collection is typically from glabrous (fingerpad), while proliferating wearables collecting PPG, which may perform critical functions like arrythmia detection, often acquire from atypical sites. Glabrous skin has significant differences from non-glabrous, including microcirculation, yet comparisons between their PPG signals have not been well reported. Using a smartphone-based remote/contactless PPG, a pilot dataset was collected from the hands (palmar/dorsal) of 5 healthy volunteers. The data shows statistically significant lead time (52±36ms) of glabrous over non-glabrous. Further, a trend of glabrous amplitude increase over non-glabrous (31%) was found. Although our study has a small number of participants, these results further the characterization of PPG skin differences, and can be used to inform development of PPG-based devices. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36054679 | DOI:10.1002/jbio.202200187

Autism Res. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.1002/aur.2801. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) has been widely used for ASD assessment. While prior studies investigated sensitivity and specificity of ADOS-2 Modules 1-3, there has been limited research addressing algorithm cut-off scores to optimize ADOS-2 classification. The goal of this study was to assess algorithm cut-off scores for diagnosing ASD with Modules 1-3, and to evaluate alignment of the ADOS-2 classification with the best estimate clinical diagnosis. Participants included 3144 children aged 31 months or older who received ADOS-2 Modules 1-3, as well as the best estimate clinical diagnosis. Five classification statistics were reported for each module: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy (i.e., Receiver Operator Classification Statistic), and these statistics were calculated for the optimal cut-off score. Frequency tables were used to compare ADOS-2 classification and the best estimate clinical diagnosis. Half of the sample received Module 3, 21% received Module 2, and 29% received Module 1. The overall prevalence of ASD was 60%; the male-to-female ratio was 4:1, and half of the sample was non-White. Across all modules, the autism spectrum cut-off score from the ADOS-2 manual resulted in high sensitivity (95%+) and low specificity (63%-73%). The autism cut-off score resulted in better specificity (76%-86%) with favorable sensitivity (81%-94%). The optimal cut-off scores for all modules based on the current sample were within the autism spectrum classification range except Module 2 Algorithm 2. In the No ASD group, 29% had false positives (ADOS-2 autism spectrum classification or autism classification). The ADOS-2 autism spectrum classification did not indicate directionality for diagnostic outcome (ASD 56% vs. No ASD 44%). While cut-off scores of ADOS-2 Modules 1-3 in the manual yielded good clinical utility in ASD assessment, false positives and low predictability of the autism spectrum classification remain challenging for clinicians. LAY SUMMARY: ADOS-2 Modules 1-3 have been widely used for ASD assessment, but there has been limited research on algorithm cut-off scores to optimize ADOS-2 clinical performance. Using a large independent sample, we examined alignment of the ADOS-2 classification with clinicians’ best estimate clinical diagnosis, assessing algorithm cut-off scores. Cut-off scores of ADOS-2 Modules 1-3 in the manual yielded good clinical utility in ASD classification. The optimal cut-off scores based on the current sample were generally within the autism spectrum classification range.

PMID:36054678 | DOI:10.1002/aur.2801

J Sleep Res. 2022 Aug 24. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13715. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There have been studies in the literature regarding the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on hearing function, but studies on the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on the peripheral vestibular system are limited. The aim of the present study was to determine whether obstructive sleep apnea syndrome causes functional neurological changes, particularly in the peripheral vestibular system, using the video head impulse test. Overall, 57 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were included; the ‘Snorers’ group comprised 20 volunteers diagnosed with simple snoring in the polysomnography test. The severity of apnea was assessed by monitoring cardiac and respiratory functions during sleep in both groups. The video head impulse test and audiological evaluations were performed in both groups. Statistically significant differences were found in the cochlea and semicircular canals of our patients in the video head impulse test and audiological battery tests. It may be assumed that decreased blood oxygen concentrations and chronic hypoxaemia have negative effects on the vestibule, cochlear sensory epithelium, and the auditory pathways. We think that inner ear structures and pathways may be affected due to hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Therefore, screening patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with an audiometry battery may help to detect inner ear pathologies early.

PMID:36054674 | DOI:10.1111/jsr.13715