Early Predictor (early + predictor)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Early predictors of antisocial developmental pathways among boys and girls

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2010
M. Pitzer
Objective:, We investigated in a high-risk sample the differential impact of biological and psychosocial risk factors on antisocial behaviour pathways. Method:, One hundred and thirty-eight boys and 155 girls born at differing degrees of obstetric and psychosocial risk were examined from birth until adolescence. Childhood temperament was assessed by a highly-structured parent-interview and standardized behavioural observations, adolescent temperament was measured by self-report. Neurodevelopmental variables were assessed by age-specific developmental tests. Emotional and behaviour problems were measured at the ages of 8 and 15 by the Achenbach scales. Results:, In both genders, psychosocial adversity and early self-control temperament were strongly associated with early-onset persistent (EOP) antisocial behaviour. Psychosocial adversity and more severe externalizing problems differentiated the EOP from childhood-limited (CL) pathway. In girls, adolescent-onset (AO) antisocial behaviour was strongly associated with novelty seeking at 15 years. Conclusion:, Our findings emphasize the need for early support and intervention in psychosocially disadvantaged families. [source]


Parental capacities for triadic relationships during pregnancy: Early predictors of children's behavioral and representational functioning at preschool age

INFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005
Kai von Klitzing
This study examines associations between parental capacities for triadic (mother,father,child) relationships, assessed prenatally, and the representational and behavioral functioning of their offspring at preschool age. Thirty-eight parental couples were given an intensive psychodynamic interview during their first pregnancy to assess how they anticipated their future parenthood and their relationships as threesomes (mother,father,child). The capacity for triadic relationships ("triadic capacity") was defined as the capacity of fathers and mothers to anticipate their family relationships without excluding either themselves or their partners from the relationship with the infant. Four years later, the representational and behavioral functioning of their children were assessed in depth using child narrative interviews and parental behavior ratings. The coherence of the children's narratives and the number of positive themes they expressed were significantly negatively correlated with the number of behavioral problems. In the longitudinal analyses, there were significant positive correlations between the parental triadic capacities and the coherence/number of positive themes in the children's narratives whereas parental triadic capacities showed a significant negative correlation with the number of the children's externalizing problems. The significance of triadic relational family processes for the development of children's representational world and behavioral functioning is discussed. ©2005 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. [source]


Early predictors of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients treated in the intensive care unit

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 8 2010
O. BRATTSTRÖM
Background: We investigated the incidence and severity of post-injury morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU)-treated trauma patients. We also identified risk factors in the early phase after injury that predicted the later development of complications. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study design was used. One hundred and sixty-four adult patients admitted to the ICU for more than 24 h were included during a 21-month period. The incidence and severity of morbidity such as multiple organ failure (MOF), acute lung injury (ALI), severe sepsis and 30-day post-injury mortality were calculated and risk factors were analyzed with uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The median age was 40 years, the injury severity score was 24, the new injury severity score was 29, the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score was 15, sequential organ failure assessment maximum was 7 and ICU length of stay was 3.1 days. The incidences of post-injury MOF were 40.2%, ALI 25.6%, severe sepsis 31.1% and 30-day mortality 10.4%. The independent risk factors differed to some extent between the outcome parameters. Age, severity of injury, significant head injury and massive transfusion were independent risk factors for several outcome parameters. Positive blood alcohol was only a predictor of MOF, whereas prolonged rescue time only predicted death. Unexpectedly, injury severity was not an independent risk factor for mortality. Conclusions: Although the incidence of morbidity was considerable, mortality was relatively low. Early post-injury risk factors that predicted later development of complications differed between morbidity and mortality. [source]


Aetiology and prognostic factors in acute liver failure in India

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 3 2003
M. S. Khuroo
Summary., The early prognostic indicators for acute liver failure in endemic zones for hepatitis E virus have not been determined. All consecutive patients with acute liver failure from a geographically defined region endemic for hepatitis E virus were studied over the period April 1989,April 1996. Demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters were recorded at presentation and serum samples were analysed for known viral hepatitis (A,E) markers. Multiple parameters were compared in survivors and non-survivors in a univariate analysis. All significant factors on univariate analysis were entered into a stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify independent variables of prognosis. The sensitivity and specificity of significant prognostic factors was then assessed. A total of 180 [69 males and 111 females: age (mean ± SD) 31.1 ± 14.7 years] with acute liver failure were studied. Of these, 131 (72.8%) patients died. Hepatitis E virus was the aetiological cause in 79 (43.9%) patients, while hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and non-A, non-E agent/'s could be incriminated in four (2.1%), 25 (13.9%), 13 (7.2%) and 56 (31.1%) patients respectively. Of 83 women in childbearing age, 49 (59.0%) were pregnant, 33 (67.3%) of these were in the third trimester. Forty-seven (95.8%) pregnant women had HEV infection. Nine variables differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors on univariate analysis. Of these, four variables which predicted the adverse outcome on multivariate analysis were non-hepatitis-E aetiology, prothrombin time >30 s, grade of coma >2 and age >40 years in that order of significance. Pregnancy per se or duration of gestation did not adversely affect the prognosis. In endemic areas, hepatitis E virus is the commonest cause of acute liver failure. Acute liver failure occurs in a high proportion of pregnant women, mostly in third trimester. Early predictors of a poor outcome are non-E aetiology, prothrombin time >30 s, grade of coma >2 and age >40 years. [source]


Joint attention training for children with autism using behavior modification procedures

THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 3 2003
Christina Whalen
Background: Deficits in joint attention are considered by many researchers to be an early predictor of childhood autism (e.g., Osterling & Dawson, 1994) and are considered to be pivotal to deficits in language, play, and social development in this population (Mundy, 1995). Although many researchers have noted the importance of joint attention deficits in the development of children with autism (e.g., Mundy, Sigman, & Kasari, 1994) and have called for intervention strategies (e.g., Mundy & Crowson, 1997), few studies have attempted to target joint attention. In this study, joint attention behaviors were taught to children with autism using a behavior modification procedure. Methods: A multiple-baseline design was implemented to evaluate intervention effects. The following target behaviors were included in the intervention: 1) Responding to showing, pointing, and gaze shifting of adult; 2) Coordinated gaze shifting (i.e., coordinated joint attention); and 3) Pointing (with the purpose of sharing, not requesting). Generalization to setting and parent, follow-up sessions, and social validation measures were also analyzed. Results: Joint attention behaviors were effectively trained and targeted behaviors generalized to other settings. In addition, positive changes were noted by naïve observers using social validation measures. Conclusions: Integrating joint attention training into existing interventions may be important for children with autism. In addition, training parents in these techniques may help to maintain joint attention skills outside of the treatment setting. [source]


HLA-DR expression and differential trafficking of monocyte subsets following low to intermediate risk surgery,

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2010
J. M. Handy
Summary Reduced HLA-DR expression on monocytes has been suggested as a predictive marker of immunosuppression following very high risk surgery, but there are few reports in lower risk surgery. In 32 patients undergoing low to intermediate risk surgery, blood samples were analysed by flow cytometry for HLA-DR expression and numbers in both CD14high and CD14lowCD16+ monocyte subsets. The numbers of CD14high monocytes increased at 24 h (mean (SD), 5.0 (2.2) vs 7.6 (3.9) × 105 cells.ml,1; p < 0.01) while CD14lowCD16+ monocytes decreased (0.68 (0.36) vs 0.44 (0.36) × 105 cells.ml,1; p < 0.01). HLA-DR expression was significantly reduced in both subsets by 24 h (mean (SD) fluorescent intensity 440 (310) vs 160 (130) for CD14high and 1000 (410) vs 560 (380) for CD14lowCD16+ subsets; p < 0.01). This reduction of monocyte HLA-DR expression 24 h following lower risk surgery raises questions about the purported clinical utility of this biomarker as an early predictor of postoperative complications. Our results also suggest that surgery induces significant trafficking (i.e. mobilisation, margination and extravasation) of monocyte subsets, and that monocyte HLA-DR depression is the result of a down-regulatory phenomenon (decreased protein expression on each cell) rather than the differential trafficking of monocyte subsets. [source]


Predicting seizure control: Cortical excitability and antiepileptic medication

ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Radwa A. B. Badawy MBBCh
Objective Approximately 30% of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy do not respond to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), but this is not predictable. We used transcranial magnetic stimulation to determine the effect of AEDs on cortical excitability in patients with epilepsy and correlated this with a successful response to treatment. Methods Ninety-nine drug-naïve patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy (55 idiopathic generalized epilepsy, 44 focal epilepsy) were evaluated. Motor threshold and cortical excitability on recovery curve analysis were measured before and 4 to 16 weeks after starting medication. After 1 year of treatment, 43 of 55 idiopathic generalized epilepsy and 26 of 44 focal epilepsy patients were seizure free. Results A decrease in cortical excitability occurred in the seizure-free group as indicated by an increase in motor threshold (p < 0.05) and intracortical inhibition on recovery curve analysis, maximum at the 250-millisecond interstimulus interval (p < 0.01) compared with pretreatment values. These changes were not present in the group with ongoing seizures. Interpretation Seizure freedom is marked by a reduction in transcranial magnetic stimulation measures of cortical excitability, evident shortly after beginning therapy. This virtual normalization of cortical excitability occurred regardless of the seizure characteristics or AED used. Failure to show this response to AED treatment may be valuable as an early predictor of pharmacoresistance in individual patients. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:64,73 [source]


Predictors of androgen independence in metastatic prostate cancer

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2004
H.G. Sim
OBJECTIVE To assess the factors that influence the onset of androgen independence (AI, which heralds a dismal outcome) in patients with metastatic prostate carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of 361 consecutive patients with prostate carcinoma diagnosed and treated in the authors' institution from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999 were reviewed retrospectively; 92 with metastatic prostate carcinoma were assessed (median age 71.0 years, range 42,93). Patients were included if they developed metastatic disease from prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis. The nadir for prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was defined as the date of the lowest PSA level after hormonal therapy, and AI was defined as the date of the third consecutive PSA increase above the nadir value by any threshold. RESULTS The median Gleason sum was 8 and the modal Gleason score 4 + 5. The median (range) pretreatment PSA level was 274.0 (1.3,2179) ng/mL. Of the 92 men, 57 (62%) attained a nadir PSA, including 23 with a nadir of <,2 ng/mL; 32 (35%) progressed to AI within 2 years and 27% reached a nadir PSA but did not develop AI. The mean (sd) time from diagnosis to the nadir PSA was 13.7 (11.8) months, while the mean time from diagnosis to progression to AI was 30.3 (15.6) months. Univariate analysis showed that a nadir PSA level after treatment of ,,1 ng/mL (P = 0.0128) was an early predictor of progression to AI; a nadir PSA level of ,,2 ng/mL (P = 0.0216) was a predictor of poor overall survival. CONCLUSION Failure to attain a nadir PSA of <,1 ng/mL after treatment predicts progression to AI and a nadir PSA of >,2 ng/mL predicts poorer overall survival. The development of skeletal events predicts the onset of AI but occurs late in the disease and is unsuitable as an early prognostic marker. [source]


Serum amyloid A is a better early predictor of severity than C-reactive protein in acute pancreatitis,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 2 2002
J. M. Mayer
Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an early and sensitive marker of the extent of tissue trauma and inflammation. The aim of this study was to compare the early prognostic accuracy of SAA with that of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute pancreatitis. Methods: In a prospective multicentre trial, plasma SAA and CRP levels were measured in patients with severe and mild acute pancreatitis, and in a control group with acute abdominal pain. Plasma samples were collected on admission and at 6-h intervals for 48 h, every 12 h between 48 and 72 h, then daily for 5 days. Plasma SAA was measured by a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and CRP was measured by immunoturbidometry. Results: There were 137 patients with mild and 35 with severe acute pancreatitis, and 74 control patients. SAA levels were significantly higher in patients with severe acute pancreatitis than in those with mild acute pancreatitis, on admission, at 24 h or less after symptom onset, and subsequently. Whereas plasma CRP concentration was also significantly higher in patients with severe acute pancreatitis on admission, it failed to distinguish mild from severe acute pancreatitis until 30,36 h after symptom onset. SAA levels predicted severity (sensitivity 67 per cent, specificity 70 per cent, negative predictive value 89 per cent, mean(s.d.) area under curve 0·7(0·05)) significantly better than CRP (57 per cent, 60 per cent, 84 per cent, 0·59(0·06) respectively) on admission (P = 0·02) and at 24 h following symptom onset (area under curve 0·65(0·09) versus 0·58(0·09) respectively; P , 0·02). Conclusion: Plasma SAA concentration is an early marker of severity in acute pancreatitis and is superior to CRP estimation on hospital admission and at 24 h or less after symptom onset. This study suggests that plasma SAA concentration is clinically useful, with the potential to replace CRP in the management of acute pancreatitis. © 2002 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]


Evaluation of faecal calprotectin as a valuable non-invasive marker in distinguishing gut pathogens in young children with acute gastroenteritis

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2010
Josef Sýkora
Abstract Aim:, The aim of the study is to evaluate faecal calprotectin (f-CP) in children ,3 years of age with acute gastroenteritis (AG) as an early predictor of bacterial inflammation. Methods:, We prospectively analysed f-CP levels and diagnostic workup in 107 consecutive children (66 AG, 41 controls). Results:, Children with bacterial AG (BAG) was found to have higher diarrheal frequency (p < 0.01), fever (p < 0.01), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p < 0.001), white blood count (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001) compared with viral AG (VAG). Vomiting was frequent in VAG (p < 0.001). f-CP negatively correlated with age in controls (r = ,0.5998). BAG demonstrated significantly higher f-CP levels [median, 219 ,g/g, interquartile range (IQR): 119,350.2] compared with VAG (49.3 ,g/g, IQR: 8.8,131.1) as well as controls (26.5 ,g/g, IQR: 14.9,55.1) (p < 0.001). VAG and control f-CP levels were similar. f-CP was the best-rated marker of BAG with a diagnostic accuracy of 92%. Receiver,operator characteristic analysis revealed an area under curve of 0.95 for identifying BAG; sensitivity and specificity of f-CP were 93% and 88%, respectively, at an adjusted cut-off point of 103.9 ,g/g faeces. Combined f-CP and CRP yield improved diagnostic accuracy of 94% for BAG. Conclusion:, f-CP facilitates early discrimination between bacterial and viral causes of AG in young children. Combining f-CP with CRP increases the diagnostic power of diagnosing BAG. [source]


Skin abnormalities as an early predictor of neurologic outcome in Gaucher disease

CLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2006
WM Holleran
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Hematology and coagulation parameters predict outcome in Taiwanese patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2005
H.-Y. Fang
Volume of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, peripheral edema around the hematoma, and hydrocephalus are good predictors of mortality in patients with spontaneous ICH from western countries. However, the significance of hematologic and biochemical parameters associated with spontaneous ICH has not been extensively studied. This study was designed to determine prognostic factors for spontaneous ICH in Taiwanese patients. We prospectively studied 109 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH admitted to Changhua Christian Medical Center. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Mean age was 62.3 years. There were 63 men (58%) and 46 women (42%). Differences in GCS score, ICH score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score between the survival and non-survival groups were statistically significant. Laboratory data were statistically different using multivariate analysis for platelet count, prothrombin time, and white cell count. This is the first study providing information on predictors of spontaneous ICH mortality in Taiwanese patients. The prothrombin time and platelet count on the first day were good early predictors of mortality. This finding in ethnically Chinese patients appears to be different from the profile for patients from western countries. [source]


Is it possible to identify early predictors of the future cost of chronic arthritis?

FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
The VErA project
Abstract This study was conducted to identify early predictors of the total cost of inflammatory arthritis (IA). One hundred and eighty patients affected by undifferentiated arthritis (UA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included in the French Very Early rheumatoid Arthritis (VErA) cohort between 1998 and 2001. Health economic data for 2003 were collected using a patient self-questionnaire. Results were analysed in terms of direct, indirect and total costs in 2003 euros (2003,) for the population as a whole and in diagnostic subgroups. A payor perspective (the French National Health Insurance, in this case) was adopted. Multiple linear regression models were used to identify predictors of total cost from among the criteria assessed on recruitment. Results of the study showed that for the study population as a whole, the mean total cost was ,4700 per patient. The costs attributable to the RA and UA sub-groups were ,5928 and ,2424 per patient, respectively. In a univariate analysis, certain parameters were significantly correlated with a higher cost of illness. In the multivariate analysis, some of these parameters were further identified as being predictive of higher cost. Two strong significant, early predictors of total cost were identified: higher pain (P = 0.002) and the presence of rheumatoid factor (P = 0.004). In the RA sub-group, lower grip strength of the dominant hand (P = 0.039) was another predictor of the illness's subsequent economic impact. In conclusion, our data show that simple clinical and laboratory parameters can be used early in the course of IA to predict the condition's impact on healthcare budgets. [source]


Child and adolescent predictors for eating disorders in a community population of young adult women

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 1 2003
Debra J. Moorhead
Abstract Objective This study investigated early predictors for developing eating disorders by young adulthood in a community sample of women participating in a 22-year longitudinal study. Method Twenty-one women were identified at age 27 with lifetime full or partial eating disorders. These women were compared with 47 women with no history of eating disorders on predictive factors from three broad domains. Results The women with eating disorders had more serious health problems before age 5 and mother-reported anxiety-depression at age 9. At 15, mothers described them as having more behavior problems. Before age 15, families of the eating disorder group had more histories of depression, eating problems and changes in family financial circumstances. Discussion This study identifies early predictors distinguishing girls who develop eating disorders. Findings point to the need for continued research in the area of early health to comprehensively examine the biologic, behavioral, and environmental risks for eating disorders. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 33: 1,9, 2003. [source]


Predicting Cognitive Impairment in High-Functioning Community-Dwelling Older Persons: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 6 2002
Joshua Chodosh MD, MSHS
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether simple cognitive tests, when applied to cognitively intact older persons, are useful predictors of cognitive impairment 7 years later. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Durham, North Carolina; East Boston, Massachusetts; and New Haven, Connecticut, areas that are part of the National Institute on Aging Established Populations for Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly. PARTICIPANTS: Participants, aged 70 to 79, from three community-based studies, who were in the top third of this age group, based on physical and cognitive functional status. MEASUREMENTS: New onset of cognitive impairment as defined by a score of less than 7 on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) in 1995. RESULTS: At 7 years, 21.8% (149 of 684 subjects) scored lower than 7 on the SPMSQ. Using multivariate logistic regression, three baseline (1988) cognitive tests predicted impairment in 1995. These included two simple tests of delayed recall,the ability to remember up to six items from a short story and up to 18 words from recall of Boston Naming Test items. For each story item missed, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for cognitive impairment was 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16,1.78, P < .001). For each missed item from the word list, the AOR was 1.20 (95% CI = 1.09,1.31, P < .001). The Delayed Recognition Span, which assesses nonverbal memory, also predicted cognitive impairment, albeit less strongly (odds ratio = 1.06 per each missed answer, 95% CI = 1.003,1.13, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies measures of delayed recall and recognition as significant early predictors of subsequent cognitive decline in high-functioning older persons. Future efforts to identify those at greatest risk of cognitive impairment may benefit by including these measures. [source]


Family, demographic and illness-related determinants of HRQL in children with brain tumours in the first year after diagnosis,

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 6 2009
Anthony Penn MBBCh, MRCPCH
Abstract Aims To evaluate the relationship between parent- and child-report Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) and demographic, tumour and family variables in children with a brain tumour in the first year after diagnosis and to identify determinants of HRQL at 12 months. Procedure Longitudinal prospective study: Semi-structured interviews took place approximately 1, 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. HRQL was measured using the self- and parent-report PedsQL 4.0 Total Scale Score. Tumour and treatment variables considered included tumour site and grade, hydrocephalus at diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Family variables included measures of family function, family support and family stress, the primary carer's coping strategies and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Univariate analyses were used at all three time points, and to identify potential early predictors of HRQL at 1 year. Regression analysis was then used to identify the most important determinants of HRQL at 1 year. Results Thirty-five patients completed the 12-month interviews. There were consistent significant negative correlations between concurrent family impact of illness and parent and self-report HRQL, and positive correlations between concurrent family support and parent-report HRQL. Treatment with radio- or chemotherapy correlated with child-report HRQL only at some time points. Multivariate analysis showed infratentorial tumour site, and poor HRQL at 1 month best predicted poor self- and parent-report HRQL at 12 months. Conclusion Children with infratentorial tumours and poor HRQL early after diagnosis tend to have poor HRQL at 1 year. While family factors are important modulators of concurrent HRQL, they do not appear important in predicting HRQL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:1092,1099. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]