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Estimated Prevalence (estimated + prevalence)
Selected AbstractsLevels of literacy among juvenile offenders: the incidence of specific reading difficultiesCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2000Margaret J. Snowling Introduction Academic achievement is low among offenders. Yet there is little evidence that prisoners are less literate than the general population. Do they have more dyslexia? This paper considers three definitions of dyslexia to see whether they relate to young offenders' literacy difficulties. Method The reading and spelling skills of 91 15- to 17-year-old male juvenile offenders who were incarcerated are reported, together with assessments of their vocabulary and non-verbal (spatial) skills. Estimates of the prevalence of reading disability are considered in relation to different definitions of dyslexia. Results The regression of literacy skills on non-verbal ability yielded an estimated prevalence of 57% while a more conservative estimate of 43% followed from the regression of literacy skill on verbal ability, and 38% of the sample had specific phonological deficits. Many of the offenders had experienced social and family adversity and reported poor school attendance. Discussion It is proposed that as a group, juvenile offenders are best described as having general verbal deficits encompassing problems of language and literacy. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Original article: The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in the US: estimates from a simulation model confirmed by SEER dataDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 6 2010T. J. Hayeck SUMMARY Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the precursor and the biggest risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), the solid cancer with the fastest rising incidence in the US and western world. Current strategies to decrease morbidity and mortality from EAC have focused on identifying and surveying patients with BE using upper endoscopy. An accurate estimate of the number of patients with BE in the population is important to inform public health policy and to prioritize resources for potential screening and management programs. However, the true prevalence of BE is difficult to ascertain because the condition frequently is symptomatically silent, and the numerous clinical studies that have analyzed BE prevalence have produced a wide range of estimates. The aim of this study was to use a computer simulation disease model of EAC to determine the estimates for BE prevalence that best align with US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data. A previously developed mathematical model of EAC was modified to perform this analysis. The model consists of six health states: normal, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), BE, undetected cancer, detected cancer, and death. Published literature regarding the transition rates between these states were used to provide boundaries. During the one million computer simulations that were performed, these transition rates were systematically varied, producing differing prevalences for the numerous health states. Two filters were sequentially applied to select out superior simulations that were most consistent with clinical data. First, among these million simulations, the 1000 that best reproduced SEER cancer incidence data were selected. Next, of those 1000 best simulations, the 100 with an overall calculated BE to Detected Cancer rates closest to published estimates were selected. Finally, the prevalence of BE in the final set of best 100 simulations was analyzed. We present histogram data depicting BE prevalences for all one million simulations, the 1000 simulations that best approximate SEER data, and the final set of 100 simulations. Using the best 100 simulations, we estimate the prevalence of BE to be 5.6% (5.49,5.70%). Using our model, an estimated prevalence for BE in the general population of 5.6% (5.49,5.70%) accurately predicts incidence rates for EAC reported to the US SEER cancer registry. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm our estimate. [source] Prevalence of illicit drug use in Asia and the PacificDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 1 2007MADONNA L. DEVANEY Abstract This paper reports on the prevalence of drug use in Asia and the Pacific. It is based on the report "Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in Asia and the Pacific", commissioned by the Australian National Council on Drugs Asia Pacific Drug Issues Committee. Review of existing estimates of the prevalence of people who use illicit drugs from published and unpublished literature and information from key informants and regional institutions was undertaken for the period 1998-2004. Estimates of the prevalence of people who use illicit drugs were conducted for 12 Asian and six Pacific Island countries. The estimated prevalence of those using illicit drugs ranges from less than 0.01% to 4.6%. Countries with estimated prevalence rates higher than 2% are Cambodia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia. China, Myanmar and Vietnam have estimated prevalence rates ranging between less than 0.01% and 2%. Data to estimate prevalence rates was not available for Pacific Island countries and Brunei. Estimates of the prevalence of drug use are critical to policy development, planning responses and measuring the coverage of programs. However, reliable estimates of the numbers of people using illicit drugs are rare in Asia, particularly the Pacific. [source] Randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention for problematic prescription drug use in non-treatment-seeking patientsADDICTION, Issue 1 2009Anne Zahradnik ABSTRACT Aims Dependence on or problematic use of prescription drugs (PD) is estimated to be between 1 and 2% in the general population. In contrast, the proportion of substance-specific treatment in PD use disorders at 0.5% is comparatively low. With an estimated prevalence of 4.7%, PD-specific disorders are widespread in general hospitals compared to the general population. Brief intervention delivered in general hospitals might be useful to promote discontinuation or reduction of problematic prescription drug use. Design A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting Internal, surgical and gynaecological wards of a general and a university hospital. Participants One hundred and twenty-six patients fulfilling criteria for either regular use of PD (more than 60 days within the last 3 months) or dependence on or abuse of PD, respectively, were allocated randomly to two conditions. Intervention Subjects received two counselling sessions based on Motivational Interviewing plus an individualized written feedback (intervention group, IG) or a booklet on health behaviour (control group, CG). Measurements The outcome was measured as reduction (>25%) and discontinuation of PD intake in terms of defined daily dosages (DDD). Findings After 3 months, more participants in the IG reduced their DDD compared to the participants in the CG (51.8% versus 30%; ,2 = 6.17; P = 0.017). In the IG 17.9%, in the CG 8.6% discontinued use of PD (,2 = 2.42; P = 0.17). Conclusions Brief intervention based on Motivational Interviewing is effective in reducing PD intake in non-treatment-seeking patients. [source] Management of type 2 diabetes: the GLP-1 pathwayFUTURE PRESCRIBER, Issue 3 2008Abd A Tahrani MMedSci Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major challenge to healthcare systems around the world, with an estimated prevalence of 6% (246 million) in 2007 rising to 7.3% (380 million) in 2025 worldwide.1,5 In this article, the authors consider the significance of the GLP-1 path-way in the management of T2DM, and some of the advantages of incretin-based therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The significance of dyslexia screening for the assessment of dementia in older peopleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 7 2008Claudia Metzler-Baddeley Abstract Dyslexia and Dementia are disorders that share cognitive impairments in attention, language, and working memory. It is therefore possible that the presence of dyslexia may influence the assessment of the severity of dementia and potentially lead to the development of atypical forms of dementia. The present study investigated the prevalence of problems suggestive of dyslexia with a brief self-report questionnaire in a sample of 195 older adults referred to a Memory Clinic for dementia assessment. Ten percent reported problems suggestive of dyslexia consistent with the estimated prevalence in the general population. This group performed significantly lower in a number of attention and language related tests but not in other cognitive domains. These results highlight the importance of dyslexia screening for the assessment of dementia, not least because the choice of treatment is guided by the outcome of the assessment of the severity and the type of dementia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Epidemiology of Intracranial StenosisJOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue S1 2009M. Fareed K. Suri MD ABSTRACT Intracranial stenosis is a common etiology for ischemic stroke. Due to limitations of imaging studies, there are limited data on the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial stenosis. Intracranial stenosis is more prevalent in Asian, Hispanic, and African-American populations. The reported proportion of patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis among those hospitalized for ischemic cerebral events varies from 1% in non-Hispanic whites to as high as 50% in Asian populations. In population-based studies, the estimated prevalence of symptomatic intracranial disease varies from 1 in 100,000 for whites to 15 in 100,000 in African Americans. A Chinese population-based study reported intracranial stenosis in 7% of the population aged more than 40 years. Autopsy studies have noted intracranial atherosclerotic disease in about 23% of population in the 6th decade and 80% of population in the 9th decade of life. Angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms, plasma endostatin/vascular endothelial growth factor ratio, glutathione S-transferase omega-1 gene polymorphism, and plasma homocysteine levels are non-modifiable risk factors noted to be associated with intracranial stenosis. Hypertension and serum lipid profile are major modifiable risk factors, whereas sickle cell disease is an uncommon risk factor that can be managed to reduce risk. Associations of intracranial atherosclerosis with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, aortic plaques, radiotherapy, and meningitis are less well documented. [source] Paediatric bronchiectasis in the twenty-first century: Experience of a tertiary children's hospital in New ZealandJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 2 2003EA Edwards Objective: Despite its decline in developed countries, bronchiectasis appeared to be a common diagnosis in Auckland, New Zealand children. The aims of this study were: to document the number of children in Auckland with bronchiectasis, their severity, clinical characteristics and possible aetiologies; to assess whether there was a relationship between ethnicity and poverty; and to estimate a crude bronchiectasis prevalence rate for New Zealand. Methods: A retrospective review of the case histories of all children attending a tertiary children's hospital in Auckland with bronchiectasis diagnosed by high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) scan, during the period 1998,2000 was undertaken. Data collected included patient demographics, number of hospitalizations pre- and post-diagnosis, lung function tests, radiology and investigations. The New Zealand deprivation 1996 index was applied to the data to obtain a measure of socio-economic status. Results: Bronchiectasis was found to be common, with an estimated prevalence of approximately one in 6000 in the Auckland paediatric population. It was disproportionately more common in the Pacific Island and Maori children. In Pacific Island children, bronchiectasis not caused by cystic fibrosis was nearly twice as common in the general population than cystic fibrosis. Socio-economic deprivation and low immunization rates may be significant contributing factors. The bronchiectasis seen was extensive. Ninety-three percent had bilateral disease and 64% had involvement of four or more lobes on chest CT scan. A wide range of comorbidities and underlying aetiologies were evident. Conclusions: Paediatric bronchiectasis in Auckland, New Zealand, is common but underresourced. Only the most severe cases are being recognized, providing a significant challenge for paediatric health professionals. [source] Breakpoint of a balanced translocation (X:14) (q27.1;q32.3) in a girl with severe hemophilia B maps proximal to the factor IX geneJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 3 2004J. Di Paola Summary., Hemophilia B is an X-linked bleeding disorder caused by the deficiency of coagulation factor (F)IX, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 30 000 male births. It is almost exclusively seen in males with rare exceptions. We report a girl who was diagnosed with severe (<1%) FIX deficiency at 4 months of age. Cytogenetic studies in the patient showed a balanced translocation between one of the X-chromosomes and chromosome 14, with breakpoints at bands Xq27.1 and 14q32.3. Both parents were found to have normal chromosomes. Late replication studies by incorporation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine showed non-random inactivation of the normal X-chromosome, a phenomenon frequently seen in balanced X/autosome translocations. To map the breakpoint, fluorescent in-situ hybridization was performed. A PAC DNA probe, RP6-88D7 (which contains the FIX gene) hybridized only on the normal chromosome X as well as onto the derivative 14. Using a PAC DNA probe, RP11-963P9 that is located proximal to the FIX gene, we obtained signals on the normal and derivative X and also on the derivative 14. We conclude that the breakpoint is located within the DNA sequence of this clone mapping proximal to the FIX gene. Since the FIX gene seems to be intact in the derivative 14, the breakpoint may affect an upstream regulatory sequence that subjects the gene to position effect variegation (PEV). [source] The pharmacological treatment for uremic restless legs syndrome: Evidence-based review,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2010Márcio Moysés de Oliveira MD Abstract Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common and often misdiagnosed entity among the general population and it may be more common among dialysis patients, with an estimated prevalence of 6.6 to 21.5%. The treatment for uremic RLS has been controversial and therefore a systematic synthesis of the evidence is needed in order to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatments for uremic RLS. This was a systematic review of randomized or quasi-randomized double-blind trials on treatments for uremic RLS. The outcomes considered were relief of RLS symptoms marked on a validated scale, subjective sleep quality, sleep quality measured using night polysomnography and actigraphy, quality of life measured subjectively, and adverse events associated with these treatments. Six eligible clinical trials were included. The results from subjective analyses in these studies were divergent, although objective analyses in one trial showed that there was a statistically significant improvement in periodic leg movement while asleep in the treatment group. No combined analysis (meta-analysis) was performed. The most common adverse event seen was gastrointestinal symptoms. Only a few therapeutic trials on patients with uremia with RLS have been published, and there is insufficient scientific evidence to favor any specific therapeutic regimen for uremic-associated RLS. Therapy using levodopa, dopaminergic agonists, anticonvulsants, and clonidine tend to be effective, but further studies are needed. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society [source] A systematic review of prevalence studies of dementia in Parkinson's diseaseMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2005Dag Aarsland MD Abstract Substantial variation in the prevalence of dementia in Parkinson's disease (PDD) has been reported. The aim of this study was to review systematically and critically previous studies of the prevalence of PDD using PubMed to search the literature. Studies focusing on PD and PDD, as well as those examining on the epidemiology of dementia subtypes, were included. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used and the quality of the studies included was rated. Articles were included if: (1) the proportion of PDD among patients with either PD or dementia was reported in an original study; (2) patients had been subjected to prospective clinical examination; and (3) strategies to include all subjects with either PD or dementia within the community or hospital clinics within a geographical area were employed. Twelve studies of the prevalence of PD or PDD (1,767 patients included) and 24 prevalence studies of dementia subtypes (4,711 patients included) met the inclusion criteria. In the PD/PDD studies, the proportion (mean and 95% confidence interval) with PDD in PD was 24.5% (17.4,31.5). There were significant methodological variations between studies and in the four studies that matched the quality criteria most closely, the rate of PDD was 31.1% (20.1,42.1). The prevalence of PDD was estimated as 0.5% in subjects 65 years or older. The percentage of PDD among those with dementia was 3.6% (3.1,4.1), with an estimated prevalence of PDD of 0.2% in subjects aged 65 years or older. Despite methodological variation, this systematic review suggests that 24 to 31% of PD patients have dementia, and that 3 to 4% of the dementia in the population would be due to PDD. The estimated prevalence of PDD in the general population aged 65 years and over is 0.2 to 0.5%. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society [source] Prevalence of cholinesterase inhibitors in subjects with dementia in Europe,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 7 2008Antoine Pariente MD Abstract Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChI) treatment in subjects with dementia in European countries. Methods We studied the prevalence of treatment in subjects with dementia among European countries in 2004 (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) by using estimates of prevalence of dementia and of ChI treatments according to sales and reimbursement data. Results In 2004, estimated prevalence of ChI use among subjects with dementia ranged from 3.0% in the Netherlands to 20.3% in France. It was 17.5% in Spain, 6.7% in the UK and 5.9% in Italy. Donepezil was used by more than 60% of patients using a single ChI and represented almost 50% of reimbursements for patients that had used at least two different ChIs during the year. Galantamine and rivastigmine were respectively used by 22 and 18% of subjects using a single drug and 27 and 23% of reimbursements for patients that had used at least two different ChIs. Nevertheless, different patterns of use were found for individual countries. Conclusions Prevalence of treatment by ChIs among subjects with dementia remains weak and varies greatly across Europe. Differences in reimbursement rates and health policies could partly explain these variations, as ChIs could have failed to convince health authorities because the outcomes considered for trials are not used by clinicians in their everyday practice. If donepezil was highly predominant across countries, variations in rivastigmine and galantamine importance could reflect local market specificities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH: Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction and Impact of Contraception in Female German Medical StudentsTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Christian W. Wallwiener MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a very common disorder, with an estimated prevalence of having at least one sexual dysfunction of about 40%. Aim., To investigate the prevalence and types of FSD and the relationship between hormonal contraception (HC) and FSD in female German medical students. Main Outcome Measures., Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) with additional questions on contraception, sexual activity, and other factors that may influence sexual function. Methods., An online questionnaire based on the FSFI was completed by students from six medical schools. Obtained data were screened for inconsistencies by programmed algorithms. Results., A total of 1,219 completed questionnaires were received, and 1,086 were included in the analyses after screening. The mean total FSFI score was 28.6 +/, 4.5. 32.4% of women were at risk for FSD according to FSFI definitions. Based on domain scores, 8.7% for were at risk for FSD concerning orgasm, 5.8% for desire, 2.6% for satisfaction, 1.2% for lubrication, 1.1% for pain and 1.0% for arousal. The method of contraception and smoking were factors with significant effect on the total FSFI score whereby hormonal contraception was associated with lower total FSFI scores and lower desire and arousal scores than no contraception and non-hormonal contraception only. Other variables such as stress, pregnancy, smoking, relationship and wish for children had an important impact on sexual function as expected according to earlier studies. Conclusions., The prevalence of students at high risk for FSD was consistent with the literature although domain subscores differed from samples previously described. The contraception method has a significant effect on the sexual functioning score and women using contraception, especially hormonal contraception, had lower sexual functioning scores. Stress and relationship among other variables were found to be associated with sexual function and may thus provide insight into the etiology of sexual disorders. Wallwiener CW, Wallwiener L-M, Seeger H, Mück AO, Bitzer J, and Wallwiener M. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction and impact of contraception in female german medical students. J Sex Med 2010;7:2139,2148. [source] Sleep Disordered Breathing in Renal Transplant PatientsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2009F. Mallamaci Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a prevalent, important nontraditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor in end-stage renal disease patients. The prevalence of SDB in renal transplant patients is unknown. We compared polysomnographic studies in 163 transplant patients with matched samples in the general population and explored longitudinally the effect of return to dialysis after graft failure on SDB in three consecutive cases. Episodes of nocturnal hypoxemia, average and minimal O2 saturation overnight in transplant patients did not differ from those in individuals in the general population matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe SBD in these patients did not exceed the estimated prevalence of the same disturbance in the general population. The respiratory disturbance index in transplant patients was directly associated with BMI (p < 0.001). In the longitudinal study all indicators of SDB coherently increased after transplant failure. The prevalence of SDB in transplant patients does not differ from that in well-matched individuals in the general population. The favorable effect of renal transplantation on CV risk may be at least partially explained by the lack of risk excess for SDB in this population. Longitudinal observations after transplant failure are compatible with the hypothesis that renal transplantation reverses SDB. [source] Prevalence of Cysticercus bovis in Australian cattleAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2010BHG Pearse Objective The first national abattoir survey of Cysticercus bovis (,beef measles') in cattle was conducted in February 2008. Methods During the data collection period, 493,316 cattle were subjected to standard postmortem procedures, including incision of the masseter and heart muscles. On-site veterinarians were asked to record the location of any C. bovis cysts, as well as the National Livestock Identification System ear tag numbers of infected animals. Veterinarians were asked to submit samples for laboratory confirmation by histology and polymerase chain reaction testing. Results Of the 23 samples submitted, none was positive for C. bovis by either diagnostic method. Conclusions Occasional, isolated diagnoses of beef measles are still made in most states of Australia, but since the last regional surveys were conducted 30 years ago, when the estimated prevalence was 50 to 200 per 100,000 cattle slaughtered, the parasite has become extremely rare. [source] A Bayesian Sensitivity Analysis of Out-of-hospital 12-lead Electrocardiograms: Implications for Regionalization of Cardiac CareACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2007Scott T. Youngquist MD Background The effectiveness of out-of-hospital regionalization of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to hospitals providing primary percutaneous coronary intervention depends on the accuracy of the out-of-hospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (PHTL). Although estimates of sensitivity and specificity of PHTL for STEMI have been reported, the impact of out-of-hospital STEMI prevalence on positive predictive value (PPV) has not been evaluated. Objectives To describe the relationship between varying population STEMI prevalences and PHTL predictive values, using ranges of PHTL sensitivity and specificity. Methods The authors performed a Bayesian analysis using PHTL, where values for sensitivities (60%,70%), specificities (98%), and two prevalence ranges (0.5%,5% and 5%,20%) were derived from a literature review. PPV prediction intervals were compared with three months of prospective data from the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency STEMI regionalization program. Results When the estimated prevalence of STEMI in the out-of-hospital population is 5%,20%, the median PPV of the PHTL is 83% (95% credible interval [CrI] = 53% to 97%). However, if the population prevalence of STEMI is between 0.5% and 5%, the median PPV is 43% (95% CrI = 12% to 86%). When the PPV prediction intervals were incorporated with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency data, the PPV was 66%. Conclusions Even when assuming high specificity for PHTL, the false-positive rate will be considerable if applied to a population at low risk for STEMI. Before broadening application of PHTL to low-risk patients, the implications of a high false-positive rate should be considered. [source] Titanium allergy in dental implant patients: a clinical study on 1500 consecutive patientsCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 8 2008Alberto Sicilia Abstract Background: In dentistry, allergic reactions to Ti implants have not been studied, nor considered by professionals. Placing permanent metal dental implants in allergic patients can provoke type IV or I reactions. Several symptoms have been described, from skin rashes and implant failure, to non-specific immune suppression. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the presence of titanium allergy by the anamnesis and examination of patients, together with the selective use of cutaneous and epicutaneous testing, in patients treated with or intending to receive dental implants of such material. Material and methods: Thirty-five subjects out of 1500 implant patients treated and/or examined (2002,2004) were selected for Ti allergy analysis. Sixteen presented allergic symptoms after implant placement or unexplained implant failures [allergy compatible response group (ACRG)], while 19 had a history of other allergies, or were heavily Ti exposed during implant surgeries or had explained implant failures [predisposing factors group (PFG)]. Thirty-five controls were randomly selected (CG) in the Allergy Centre. Cutaneous and epicutaneous tests were carried out. Results: Nine out of the 1500 patients displayed positive (+) reactions to Ti allergy tests (0.6%): eight in the ACRG (50%), one in the PFG (5.3%)(P=0.009) and zero in the control group. Five positives were unexplained implant failures (five out of eight). Conclusions: Ti allergy can be detected in dental implant patients, even though its estimated prevalence is low (0.6%). A significantly higher risk of positive allergic reaction was found in patients showing post-op allergy compatible response (ACRG), in which cases allergy tests could be recommended. [source] | |||||||||||||