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Screening Examination (screening + examination)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	92%

Selected Abstracts

Depressive symptoms among cognitively normal versus cognitively impaired elderly subjects

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 5 2001
Yan-sheng Li
Abstract Objectives The present cross-sectional study analyzed the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms among patients with Alzheimer's disease (DAT), vascular dementia (VAD), and among the cognitively normal elderly. Putative risk factors contributing to depression were likewise evaluated. Methods Seventy-six DAT patients, 51 VAD patients, and 121 cognitively normal subjects were admitted to the study. Questionnaires concerning demography and their vascular and familial risk factors together with results of neuropsychological testing by combined Mini-Mental Status Examinations (MMSE), Cognitive Capacity Screening Examinations (CCSE), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HDRS) were obtained so that resulting data would be statistically analyzed. Results Prevalence of depressive symptoms among VAD, DAT, and cognitively normal elderly were 31.4%, 19.9%, and 13.2%, respectively. 25.5% of VAD and 13.2% of DAT patients had depression of mild to moderate degrees. Regression analysis revealed that diagnosis of VAD and DAT, heart disease, and past history of depression was significantly associated with high HDRS scores. There was no correlation between degree of depression and severity of cognitive impairments. Conclusion Mild to moderate depression is a common comorbidity with organic dementia, especially VAD, but associated depression is independent of severity of cognitive impairments. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source]

OPTICAL/DIGITAL CHROMOENDOSCOPY DURING COLONOSCOPY USING NARROW-BAND IMAGING SYSTEM

DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2005
Yasushi Sano
This review is regarding the narrow-band imaging (NBI) system which has been developed at National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan. The technology of the NBI system is based on modifying the spectral features by narrowing the bandwidth of spectral transmittance using various optical filters. The NBI system consists of three filters, 415,30 nm, 445,30 nm, and 500,30 nm, which are used as observing the fine capillaries in the superficial mucosa is essential to identify gastrointestinal neoplasms. The NBI system has been in development since 1999 and the first report of it's efficacy for gastrointestinal tract use was reported in 2001. In our pilot study, the NBI system may be sufficient to differentiate hyperplastic polyp from adenomatous polyp, and to visualize neoplasia with image processing in real-time during colonoscopy without the need for dye spraying. Herein, we propose the term ,optical/digital chromoendoscopy' using the NBI system and hope that this instrument will become standard endoscopy for in the 21st century. To estimate the feasibility and efficacy of using the NBI system for surveillance or screening examination, randomized control trials should be conducted in the future. [source]

Symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders and oral parafunctions among Saudi children

JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 12 2003
N. M. A. Farsi
summary, This study aimed to record the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and oral parafunctions among Saudi children. A questionnaire and a clinical examination of signs and symptoms of TMD were performed on 1940 stratified randomly selected schoolchildren. The sample was divided into three groups, 505 with primary, 737 with mixed and 734 with permanent dentition. The prevalence of TMD signs was found to be 20·7% and the most common sign of TMD was joint sounds (11·8%). The second most common sign was restricted mouth opening (5·3%). Muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain as well as deviation upon jaw opening appeared infrequently. TMJ sounds were significantly increasing with age (P < 0·05). TMD symptoms as reported by the parents were evident in 24·2% of the returned questionnaires (1113). The most common symptoms were headache (13·6%) and pain on chewing (11·1%). The incidence of headache was found to be significantly increasing from primary to permanent dentition (P < 0·01). No sex difference in the prevalence of any symptom was reported. Nail biting was the most common oral parafunction (27·7%) while bruxism was the least common (8·4%). All parafunctions except bruxism were significantly related to age. Cheek biting and thumb sucking were reported more in females than in males. The importance of a screening examination for symptoms and signs of TMD should not be overlooked in the clinical assessment of the pediatric patient. [source]

The prevalence and treatment needs of symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders among young adult males

JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 9 2003
N. J. Nassif
Summary, A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) screening history and screening examination was performed on 523 young adult males. The screening forms were similar to those TMD forms developed and formulated under the auspices of the American College of Prosthodontists. In turn, the substance of the latter forms was initially derived from the recommendations of the President's TMD Conference of the American Dental Association, with 62 eminent researchers, educators and clinicians as participants. Each subject was given a TMD self-administered screening history form to complete, formatted in a check , the block format. It included all items considered to be classic TMD symptoms. The screening examination was performed extraorally and included (i) range of jaw movement, (ii) digital palpation of selected masticatory muscles and palpation over the pre-auricular temporomandibula joint (TMJ) area and (iii) digital palpation for TMJ sounds during jaw movement. The subjects were categorized into the following four categories: 0 = no symptoms/signs, 1 = insignificant moderate symptoms and/or signs, 2 = significant moderate symptoms and/or signs, and 3 = severe symptoms and/or signs. The overall results showed that 75% of the subjects had TMD symptoms and/or signs. There were 6·9% in category 1, 51·4% in category 2, and 16·7% in category 3. It was recommended that subjects in category 2 and 3 should have a comprehensive TMD evaluation, in order to further identify the recommended need for TMD Therapy. [source]

Chronic Atrophic Gastritis and Metachronous Gastric Cancer in Japanese Alcoholic Men With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 5 2009
Akira Yokoyama
Background:, The risk of metachronous gastric cancer is high in Japanese with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), especially in alcoholic men, suggesting a common background underlying the gastric and esophageal cancers. Methods:, Endoscopic follow-up ranging from 7 to 160 months (median, 47 months) after the initial diagnosis was performed in 99 Japanese gastric-cancer-free alcoholic men (56.8 ± 6.4 years) with esophageal SCC detected by an endoscopic screening examination. Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) assessed by the serum pepsinogen test and Helicobacter pylori status was compared between 90 of the 99 esophageal SCC cases and 180 age-matched Japanese gastric- and esophageal-cancer-free alcoholic men. Results:, The serum pepsinogen test showed a higher seroprevalence of severe CAG among the cases than among the age-matched controls (35.4% vs. 14.2% for H. pylori -seropositive, 71.4% vs. 7.7% for H. pylori -indeterminate, and 17.1% vs. 9.8% for H. pylori -negative, respectively; H. pylori status-adjusted p = 0.0008), whereas their H. pylori status was similar. The accelerated progression of severe CAG observed in the Japanese alcoholic men with esophageal SCC suggests the existence of common mechanisms by which both esophageal SCC and H. pylori -related severe CAG develop in this population. Metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 11 of the 99 gastric-cancer-free patients, and the cumulative rate of metachronous gastric cancer within 5 years was estimated to be 15% according to the Kaplan,Meier method. The age-adjusted hazard ratios were 7.87 (95% confidence interval: 1.43 to 43.46) and 4.84 (1.16 to 20.21), respectively, in the patients with severe CAG in comparison with those without CAG and those without severe CAG. Inactive heterozygous aldehyde dehydrogenase-2, a very strong risk factor for esophageal SCC in the alcoholics, was not associated with an increased risk of metachronous gastric cancer. Conclusions:, Accelerated development of severe CAG at least partially explained the very high frequency of development of metachronous gastric cancer in this population. [source]

Delivery of Medical Care for Migrants in Germany: Delay of Diagnosis and Treatment

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2006
Katja Lenz MD
Background Migrants form 9% of Germany's population and 13% of its capital Berlin. Only limited data are available regarding general health status and prevalence of tropical diseases among migrants in Germany. This study was conducted to investigate the spectrum and frequency of tropical diseases among migrants in Berlin and to evaluate the quality of the medical care provided. The necessity of a routine screening for tropical diseases among migrants was assessed. Methods Anonymized data of migrants presenting to the Berlin Institute of Tropical Medicine between 1999 and 2004 with a stay in Germany below 1 year (n= 153) were analyzed. Results Of all examined migrants, 48% needed immediate medical treatment and 38% carried an infectious disease, mainly nematodes and intestinal protozoa. 19% suffered from a noninfectious disease, mainly anemia, and 12% were transferred to other specialists for further investigation. These figures were similar among asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. The median duration of stay in Germany until presentation was 42 days. While 40% of the migrants were examined within the first 4 weeks of their stay, 20% had not received a medical examination after 6 months. Of this population, 50% required treatment upon presentation. Conclusions The high proportion of delayed diagnosis and treatment indicates a lack of medical service for migrants. While this clearly translates into increased health risks for the individual patient, it also indicates a potential risk for transmission of communicable diseases in the community. The lack of a correlation between symptoms and detected infectious disease indicates the need for a standardized routine screening examination in all migrants. [source]

Life expectancy of screen-detected invasive breast cancer patients compared with women invited to the Nijmegen screening program

CANCER, Issue 3 2010
Johannes D. M. Otten
Abstract BACKGROUND: Screening can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and thus to an improvement in survival. The authors studied the life expectancy of women with screen-detected invasive breast cancer (patients) compared with women invited to the breast cancer screening program in Nijmegen, the Netherlands (comparison group). METHODS: Each patient diagnosed between 1975 and 2006 was randomly age-matched with a woman invited in the same calendar year and free from breast cancer at the time of diagnosis of the patient. Survival analyses were performed to study differences in life expectancy. RESULTS: The life expectancy for 858 patients was 6 years shorter than for the comparison group. However, for 360 patients with small (<15 mm) invasive breast cancer, life expectancy was similar to that of the comparison group. In contrast, for patients detected with larger tumors (,15 mm) the life expectancy was 6 to 12 years shorter, depending on tumor size. Furthermore, life expectancy was modified by screening history. For patients who had a negative screening examination 2 years before the detection of their breast cancer, the difference in life expectancy from the comparison group became smaller for the larger tumor sizes (,15 mm). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, about 40% (360 of 858) of all women with invasive screen-detected breast cancer have the same life expectancy as women from the comparison group (reflecting the general population). For women diagnosed with larger tumors at diagnosis, life expectancy diminishes with increasing tumor size and is modified by screening history. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source]

Probably benign lesions at breast magnetic resonance imaging

CANCER, Issue 2 2003
Preliminary experience in high-risk women
Abstract BACKGROUND The purpose of the current study was to determine the frequency of ,probably benign' interpretations at breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging screening of high-risk women and the frequency of subsequent malignancy in these women. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of the records of 367 asymptomatic women with normal mammograms who had a high risk of developing breast cancer and whose first breast MR imaging screening examinations occurred during a 2-year period. The number of "probably benign" interpretations was determined, and follow-up data were obtained. RESULTS A "probably benign" interpretation was given to 89 (24%) of 367 women. Follow-up MR imaging was performed for 70 (79%) of 89 women, with a median follow-up time of 11 months (range, 1,24 months). Twenty women subsequently underwent biopsy at a median of 9 months (range, 1,18 months) after MR imaging, due to progression on follow-up MR imaging (n = 14) or for other reasons (n = 6). Malignancies were found in 9 women, constituting 45% of the 20 women who underwent biopsy and 10% of the 89 women with probably benign lesions. In 6 of the 9 women who developed malignant disease (7% of the 89 women in the study), the malignancy was detected by follow-up MR imaging of an area that previously was interpreted as probably benign. Tumor histology was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in five patients and infiltrating ductal carcinoma in four. CONCLUSIONS A "probably benign" interpretation was given to 24% of high-risk women at their first breast MR imaging screening examination. In 7,10% of women with "probably benign" interpretations, malignant disease subsequently developed in an area initially judged to be probably benign; of these malignancies, more than half were DCIS, and more than half were detected by MR imaging only. Cancer 2003;98:377,88. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11491 [source]

EXAMINATION OF RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY DYNAMICS DURING EXAMINATION USING A THIN GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPE IN ADVANCED-AGE SUBJECTS

DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2 2007
Miyako Niki
Background:, Endoscopic examination influences cardiovascular hemodynamics. Upper gastrointestinal examinations are currently performed with a thin endoscope. In the present study, respiratory and circulatory dynamics and autonomic nervous activity using a thin endoscope (XP260) or a standard endoscope (XQ240) were investigated. Methods:, The subjects were 25 healthy adults aged less than 60 years (middle-aged group) and 15 healthy adults aged 60 years or older (advanced-age group). Percutaneous oxygen saturation, tonometric blood pressure, heart rate, and autonomic nervous activity were evaluated before the examination. After the endoscopic procedure, a questionnaire survey regarding examination-related stress was conducted. Results:, In the questionnaire survey, the proportion of subjects who answered ,very stress free' in the thin endoscope group was significantly higher than that in the standard endoscope group. The low frequency power of blood pressure variability (LFBP), an indicator of sympathetic nervous activity, was significantly lower during the thin endoscopic procedure than during the standard endoscopic procedure. Moreover, the ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power of heart rate variability (LFRR/HFRR), an indicator of sympathetic nervous activity, was significantly lower during thin endoscopic procedure than during the standard endoscopic procedure. The maximum rates of change in the LFBP and HFRR powers in the advanced-age group using thin and standard endoscopic procedures were significantly lower than in the middle-aged group. Conclusions:, The findings, although not in cross-over study, suggest that a thin endoscope has a less marked influence on circulatory kinetics. Gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations using a thin endoscope might reduce complications related to endoscopic screening examinations in advanced-age subjects. [source]

The relationship between varicoceles and obesity in a young adult population

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Chih-Wei Tsao
Summary To determine whether a relationship between obesity and varicocele occurrence exists, the prevalence and severity of varicoceles related to obesity were investigated in a general population of young males. A total of 1050 young males attending the Navy Recruit Training Center were evaluated from their physical screening examinations. All subjects underwent history taking and physical examinations to evaluate for the presence and severity of varicocele. The anthropometric indexes including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were recorded. All subjects were categorized by quartiles according to each anthropometric index. Means were compared with the Student's t -test. Severity was compared by analysis of variance testing and frequency was analysed using the chi-square method. Statistical significance was considered at p <0.05. A total of 490 (46.67%) subjects had varicoceles. The means of BMI, WC and WHR of those without varicoceles was 23.99 ± 3.82 kg/m2, 83.20 ± 9.97 cm and 0.85 ± 0.05, respectively. These judged values were greater than those with varicoceles (22.02 ± 3.18 kg/m2, 79.19 ± 9.01 cm and 0.83 ± 0.05) (p < 0.001). In the univariate regression analysis, BMI, WC and WHR all had a significantly negative correlation with severity of varicocele (all p < 0.001). Analysis comparing varicocele frequency based on each grade per anthropometric index group was performed. The logistic regression revealed that the prevalence of grade II and III varicoceles showed a statistically inverse association with all three anthropometric indexes. The prevalence and severity of varicoceles inversely correlated with obesity. The present data support the explanation that obesity may result in a decreased nutcracker effect, which accounts for prevention of the renal vein compression by the adipose tissue. [source]

Dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection in early childhood in a high-risk group living in Germany: loss of infection higher than acquisition

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2002
D. Rothenbacher
SUMMARY Background : The dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection in early childhood are not yet well understood. Aim : To conduct a prospective study in a population of children known to be at high risk of H. pylori infection to elucidate the incidence and loss of infection in childhood. Methods : Asymptomatic Turkish children [aged 1 (n = 56 children), 2 (n = 55 children) and 4 years (n = 69 children)] at baseline, on whom participating paediatricians had performed routine health screening examinations between September 1997 and October 1998, were included in the study. A follow-up was performed about 1 year later. The infection status was defined by means of an antigen-based stool assay. Results : In total, for 137 of 180 (76%) children, follow-up information was available. At baseline examination, the prevalence of infection in children with follow-up information was 27%[95% confidence interval (CI), 20,35%]. The incidence of H. pylori infection amongpreviously uninfected children was 7% (95% CI, 3,14%) and the loss of infection among previously infected children was 35% (95% CI, 20,54%) during follow-up. Conclusions : This prospective cohort study in a high-risk group of children living in Germany showed that H. pylori colonization may often not persist at an early age. Furthermore, the use of penicillins and macrolides may be associated with the loss of infection at an early age. [source]

Prevalence and Etiology of Hearing Loss in Rural Nicaraguan Children

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2007
James E. Saunders MD
Abstract Objective/Hypothesis: The prevalence and causes of pediatric hearing loss (HL) in the developing world are largely unknown. Infectious sequelae, ototoxic medications, and genetic causes may play a larger role in developing countries. In addition, the significance of GJB2 mutation gene in poorly developed areas remains unclear. The intent of this study is to investigate the prevalence and etiology of HL in children living in a remote, impoverished region of northern Nicaragua. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Clinical data from two sources were analyzed: data from screening examinations performed in rural schools in the Department of Jinotega, Nicaragua (group A) and pediatric HL patients seen at the Otolaryngology and Audiology Clinic in Jinotega, Nicaragua (group B). Patients with congenital HL were offered a genetic test for GJB2 mutations. Comparisons were made using parametric (analysis of variance) and nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests. Results: School-based screening examinations (group A) revealed a high prevalence of significant HL (>30 dB) of 18%. The majority of these children had normal otoscopic examinations (58%). A family history of HL was seen in 24% of children who failed screening exams. Positive family history was more common in patients with HL (P < .01) and in specific schools (P < .05). Clinic-based evaluations (group B) reveal a population with predominantly severe-profound HL. Physical dysmorphism was common, yet identifiable syndromic HL was rare. Although familial HL was common (33%), there were no pathologic GJB2 mutations. Other common risk factors in this population were maternal infection during pregnancy, neonatal distress, low birth weight or prematurity, and gentamicin exposure. Conclusions: HL in this rural, third world environment is more prevalent, and the etiologies responsible in this study group are different from those encountered in industrialized nations. Poor perinatal health care, infectious causes, gentamicin exposure, and hereditary HL are potentially preventable causes that play a major role in this population. [source]

MLE and Bayesian Inference of Age-Dependent Sensitivity and Transition Probability in Periodic Screening

BIOMETRICS, Issue 4 2005
Dongfeng Wu
Summary This article extends previous probability models for periodic breast cancer screening examinations. The specific aim is to provide statistical inference for age dependence of sensitivity and the transition probability from the disease free to the preclinical state. The setting is a periodic screening program in which a cohort of initially asymptomatic women undergo a sequence of breast cancer screening exams. We use age as a covariate in the estimation of screening sensitivity and the transition probability simultaneously, both from a frequentist point of view and within a Bayesian framework. We apply our method to the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York study of female breast cancer and give age-dependent sensitivity and transition probability density estimates. The inferential methodology we develop is also applicable when analyzing studies of modalities for early detection of other types of progressive chronic diseases. [source]