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Patient Demographics (patient + demographic)
Terms modified by Patient Demographics Selected AbstractsTemporal Trends in the Use of Drug-eluting Stents for Approved and Off-label Indications: A Longitudinal Analysis of a Large Multicenter Percutaneous Coronary Intervention RegistryCLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Sarah K. Gualano MD Background We sought to examine the temporal variations in the rate of both bare-metal stent (BMS) and drug-eluting stent (DES) use for off-label indications after the reports of an increased risk of very late stent thrombosis in patients with DES at the 2006 meeting of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Hypothesis To determine whether the decrease in use of DES has affected both on and off-label indications. Methods The study cohort included patients undergoing coronary intervention in a large regional registry, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2). Patient demographic and clinical characteristics for patients with DES in the third quarter of 2006 (pre-ESC) were compared to those from the fourth quarter of 2008 (post-guideline changes). Use of DES for off-label indications, such as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in-stent restenosis (ISR), and saphenous vein graft (SVG) interventions, were evaluated. Results The overall deployment of DES fell sharply from 83% pre-ESC to a plateau of 58% in the first quarter of 2008. This corresponded to a rise in BMS use, while angioplasty procedures stayed the same. The STEMI subgroup showed the most dramatic change, from 78% to only 36%. Off-label use in SVGs showed a similar trend, from 74% to 43%. Drug-eluting stent deployment for ISR was less affected, though it also fell 25% (from 79%,56%). Conclusions The use of DES has fallen dramatically from June 2006 to December 2008, particularly for nonapproved indications. Our study provides a real-world assessment of contemporary change in DES use in response to the presentation of negative observational studies. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Side Effects and Complications of Fractional Laser Photothermolysis: Experience with 961 TreatmentsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2008EMMY M. GRABER MD BACKGROUND A novel 1,550-nm erbium-doped laser (Fraxel, Reliant Technologies Inc.) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of photodamaged skin and scars with minimal postoperative recovery; however, studies evaluating its side effects and complication rates have been limited. PURPOSE The purpose was to determine the frequency and range of side effects and complications associated with fractional photothermolysis treatment. METHODS A retrospective evaluation of 961 successive 1,550-nm erbium-doped laser treatments in patients of various skin phototypes (I,V) was conducted in a single center. Side effects and complications of treatment, including time of onset and duration, were identified and tabulated. Patient demographics and laser parameters were also assessed. RESULTS Seventy-three treatments (7.6%) resulted in development of complications. The most frequent complications were acneiform eruptions (1.87%) and herpes simplex virus outbreaks (1.77%). Side effects and complications were equally distributed across different ages, skin types, body locations, laser parameters, and underlying skin conditions, except for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which occurred with increased frequency in patients with darker skin phototypes. CONCLUSIONS Fractional laser skin treatment is associated with a relatively low complication rate. Side effects and complications observed in this study were temporary and did not result in long-term or significantly severe sequelae (e.g., scarring). [source] Impact of Body Mass Index on Markers of Left Ventricular Thickness and Mass Calculation: Results of a Pilot AnalysisECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2005Ranjini Krishnan M.D. Specific correlations between body mass index (BMI) and left ventricular (LV) thickness have been conflicting. Accordingly, we investigated if a particular correlation exists between BMI and echocardiographic markers of ventricular function. Methods: A total of 122 patients, referred for routine transthoracic echocardiography, were included in this prospective pilot study using a 3:1 randomization approach. Patient demographics were obtained using a questionnaire. Results: Group I consisted of 80 obese (BMI was >30 kg/m2), Group II of 16 overweight (BMI between 26 and 29 kg/m2), and Group III of 26 normal BMI (BMI < 25 kg/m2) individuals. No difference was found in left ventricular wall thickness, LV end-systolic cavity dimension, fractional shortening (FS), or pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) among the groups. However, mean LV end-diastolic cavity dimension was greater in Group I (5.0 ± 0.9 cm) than Group II (4.6 ± 0.8 cm) or Group III (4.4 ± 0.9 cm; P < 0.006). LV mass indexed to height2.7 was also significantly larger in Group I (61 ± 21) when compared to Group III (48 ± 19; P < 0.001). Finally, left atrial diameter (4.3 ± 0.7 cm) was also larger (3.8 ± 0.6 and 3.6 ± 0.7, respectively; P < 0.00001).Discussion: We found no correlation between BMI and LV wall thickness, FS, or PASP despite the high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in obese individuals. However, obese individuals had an increased LV end-diastolic cavity dimension, LV mass/height2.7, and left atrial diameter. These findings could represent early markers in the sequence of cardiac events occurring with obesity. A larger prospective study is needed to further define the sequence of cardiac abnormalities occurring with increasing BMI. [source] Comparative Analysis of Adult versus Adolescent Sexual Assault: Epidemiology and Patterns of Anogenital InjuryACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 8 2003Jeffrey S. Jones MD Abstract Objectives: To compare the characteristics of sexual assault in pubertal girls (<18 years old) and adults in a community-based population of women presenting to an urban sexual assault clinic. Methods: This case-series analysis evaluated consecutive female patients presenting to a sexual assault clinic during a three-year study period. The clinic is associated with a university-affiliated emergency medicine residency program and is staffed by forensic nurses trained to perform medicolegal examinations using colposcopy with nuclear staining. Patient demographics, assault characteristics, and injury patterns were recorded using a standardized classification system. Data from the two patient groups (adolescents vs. women ,18 years of age) were analyzed using chi-square test and t-test. Results: A total of 766 cases were identified: 43% of the victims were 13 to 17 years old (mean 15.0 years old), and 57% were older than 17 years old (mean 30.8 years old). Adolescents were more likely to be assaulted by an acquaintance or relative (84% vs. 50%, p < 0.001) and to delay medical evaluation (17 hours vs. 12 hours, p < 0.001) than were older women. Adolescent sexual assault was less likely to involve weapons or physical coercion (29% versus 57%, p < 0.001) and was associated with fewer nongenital injuries (33% vs. 55%, p < 0.001). Adolescents had a greater frequency of anogenital injuries (83% vs. 64%, p < 0.001), however, compared with older women. Common sites of injury in adolescents were posterior, including the fossa navicularis, hymen, fourchette, and labia minora. The injuries showed consistent topologic features, varying with the site and nature of tissue. Adult victims of sexual assault had a less consistent pattern of anogenital injuries with fewer hymenal injuries, greater injury to the perianal area, and widespread erythema. Conclusions: Of women presenting to an urban sexual assault clinic, 43% were adolescents. The epidemiology of sexual trauma and the pattern of anogenital trauma in this age group are unique and may pose special challenges to emergency health care providers. [source] Hospital Economics of the HospitalistHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003Douglas Gregory Objective To determine the economic impact on the hospital of a hospitalist program and to develop insights into the relative economic importance of variables such as reductions in mean length of stay and cost, improvements in throughput (patients discharged per unit time), payer methods of reimbursement, and the cost of the hospitalist program. Data Sources The primary data source was Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. Patient demographics, utilization, cost, and revenue data were obtained from the hospital's cost accounting system and medical records. Study Design The hospitalist admitted and managed all patients during a six-week period on the general medical unit of Tufts-New England Medical Center. Reimbursement, cost, length of stay, and throughput outcomes during this period were contrasted with patients admitted to the unit in the same period in the prior year, in the preceding period, and in the following period. Principal Findings The hospitalist group compared with the control group demonstrated: length of stay reduced to 2.19 days from 3.45 days (p<.001); total hospital costs per admission reduced to $1,775 from $2,332 (p<.001); costs per day increased to $811 from $679 (p<.001); no differences for readmission within 30 days of discharge to extended care facilities. The hospital's expected incremental profitability with the hospitalist was,$1.44 per admission excluding incremental throughput effects, and it was most sensitive to changes in the ratio of per diem to case rate reimbursement. Incremental throughput with the hospitalist was estimated at 266 patients annually with an associated incremental profitability of $1.3 million. Conclusion Hospital interventions designed to reduce length of stay, such as the hospitalist, should be evaluated in terms of cost, throughput, and reimbursement effects. Excluding throughput effects, the hospitalist program was not economically viable due to the influence of per diem reimbursement. Throughput improvements occasioned by the hospitalist program with high baseline occupancy levels are substantial and tend to favor a hospitalist program. [source] The advanced practice nurse,nephrologist care model: Effect on patient outcomes and hemodialysis unit team satisfactionHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2004Lori Harwood Abstract The tertiary care nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist (NP/CNS) is an advanced practice nurse with a relatively new role within the health-care system. It is stated that care provided by the NP/CNS is cost-effective and of high quality but little research exists to document these outcomes in an acute-care setting. The clinical coverage pattern by nephrologists and NP/CNS of a hemodialysis unit in a large academic center allowed such a study. Two NP/CNS plus a nephrologist followed two of three hemodialysis treatment shifts per day; only a nephrologist followed the third shift. The influence of this care pattern of patients was examined using a cross-sectional review of outcomes such as adequacy of delivered dialysis, anemia management, phosphate control, hospitalizations, etc. In addition, the level of satisfaction of the dialysis team and perceptions of care delivered with the care models was assessed. The care model staff-to-patient-number ratio was similar in both groups (1:27 for NP/CNS plus nephrologist; 1:29 for nephrologist alone). Patient demographics were similar in both groups but the NP/CNS,nephrologist group had patients with more comorbidities. No statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences existed between the groups in patient laboratory data, adherence to standards, medications, inter- and intradialytic blood pressure, achievement of target postdialysis weights, and hospitalizations or emergency room visits. Significantly more adjustments were made to target weights and medications and more investigations were ordered by the NP/CNS,nephrologist team. Team satisfaction and perceptions of care delivery were higher with the NP/CNS,nephrologist model. It is concluded that the NP/CNS,nephrologist care model may increase the efficiency of the care provided by nephrologists to chronic hemodialysis patients. The model may also be a solution to the problem of providing nephrologic care to an ever-growing hemodialysis population. [source] Adjuvant lipiodol I-131 after curative resection/ablation of hepatocellular carcinomaHPB, Issue 6 2008K. M. Ng Abstract Aim. A total of 329 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have been treated at our unit since 1990. Following the randomized controlled trial in Hong Kong by Lau et al. in 1999, patients have been offered adjuvant lipiodol I-131. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of adjuvant lipiodol I-131, following potentially curative surgery with resection and/or ablation, on overall and disease-free survival rates. Material and methods. The prospectively updated hepatocellular carcinoma database was analysed retrospectively. A total of 34 patients were identified to have received adjuvant lipiodol I-131 post-curative treatment with surgical resection and/or ablation. Patient demographics, clinical, surgical, pathology, and survival data were collected and analysed. Results. Three patients received ablation alone, 24 resection, and 7 resection and ablation. Of the 34 patients treated, there were 2 possible cases of treatment-related fatality (pneumonitis and liver failure). Potential prognostic factors studied for effect on survival included age, gender, serum AFP concentration, Child-Pugh score, cirrhosis, tumor size, portal vein tumor thrombus, tumor rupture, and vascular and margin involvement. The median follow-up duration was 23.3 months. The overall median survival was 40.1 months, while the overall survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 87.1%, 71.7%, 60.7%, and 49.6%, respectively. Median duration to recurrence was 22.3 months. Conclusion. Administration of adjuvant lipiodol I-131 is associated with good overall survival. [source] Indeterminate colitis: A significant subgroup of pediatric IBDINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 4 2006Ryan S. Carvalho MD Abstract Background: Indeterminate colitis (IC) is a subgroup of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that cannot be characterized as either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). Our aims are to determine the prevalence of IC in our pediatric patient population and to describe its clinical presentation, natural history,and disease distribution. Methods: We performed a retrospective database analysis of all children diagnosed with IBD at the Johns Hopkins Children's IBD Center between 1996 and 2001. Patient demographics, including age, sex, and age at disease onset, were tallied. Disease distribution was identified on the basis of a review of all endoscopic, colonoscopic, histopathological, and radiological records. All of the patients were followed up clinically to determine the extent of disease progression on the basis of the initial diagnosis of IC. Results: Among 250 children registered in the database, 127 (50.8%) had a diagnosis of CD, 49 (19.6%) had UC, and 74(29.6%) had IC. Patients with IC had a significantly younger mean ± SEM age (9.53 ± 4.8 years) at diagnosis compared with patients with CD (12.4 ± 3.8 years; P < 0.001) but not compared with patients with UC (7.41 ± 3.5 years). Among the patients with IC, 59 (79.7%) had a pancolitis at diagnosis, and the remaining 15had left-sided disease that progressed to a pancolitis within a mean of 6 years. Twenty-five patients (33.7%) with an initial diagnosis of IC were reclassified to either CD or UC after a median follow-up of 1.9 years (range 0.6,4.5 years). Forty-nine patients (66.2%) maintained their diagnosis of IC after a mean follow-up of 7years (SEM 2.5 years). Conclusions: IC is a distinct pediatric subgroup of IBD with a prevalence that is higher than that observed in adults. Children with IC have an early age of disease onset and a disease that rapidly progresses to pancolitis. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of this pediatric IBD subgroup. [source] Prevalence of pigmentary disorders and their impact on quality of life: a prospective cohort studyJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Anne Taylor PA-S Summary Background, Pigmentary disorders are commonly seen in dermatology practice and can have a negative psychosocial impact on patients. Objective, This study aims to examine the prevalence of pigmentary disorders and their level of psychological and physical impact on patients. Methods, A prospective cohort study involved a sample of 140 patients undergoing skin exams at a private dermatology practice in North Carolina. Patient demographics and pigmentary diagnoses were obtained, and participants were asked to fill out a skin discoloration impact evaluation questionnaire. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed. Results, Around 80% of the participants were diagnosed with one or more pigmentary disorders. About 47.3% of patients admitted of feeling self-conscious about their skin to some degree, 21.8% felt others focused on their skin, 32.7% felt unattractive because of their skin, 32.7% put effort into hiding pigment changes, and 23.6% felt their skin affected their activities. A limitation was the lack of diversity in the population studied (gender and skin type). Conclusions, Pigmentary disorders such as melasma, vitiligo, and lentigo pose significant negative impact on a person's health-related quality of life. Hence, there is a need for effective treatments of pigmentary disorders based on their prevalence and effect on quality of life. Healthcare providers should consider the impact of pigmentary disorders on health-related quality of life and educate patients on possible treatments. [source] Live donor liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure in childrenLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2003Chi-Leung Liu The mortality rate among children with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) on the waiting list for cadaveric donor liver transplantation (CDLT) is high. Results of emergency CDLT in this situation often are unsatisfactory, and a long-term survival rate less than 30% has been reported. Live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for FHF in children has been advocated, but is reported rarely. We present our experience with LDLT in children with FHF. Between September 1993 and December 2002, primary LDLT was performed for 26 children; 8 of these children had FHF. Patient demographics, clinical and laboratory data, surgical details, complications, and graft and patient survival are reviewed. Four boys and four girls received left-lateral segment (n = 7) and full left-lobe (n = 1) grafts. Mean age was 2.9 ± 1.2 years (range, 3 months to 11 years). Causes of FHF were drug induced in 2 patients and idiopathic in 6 patients. One child received a blood group-incompatible graft. Two patients died; 1 patient of cytomegalovirus infection at 8.6 months and 1 patient of recurrent hepatitis of unknown cause at 2.8 months after LDLT. The child who received a mismatched graft had refractory rejection and underwent a second LDLT with a blood group-compatible graft 19 days afterward. He eventually died of lymphoproliferative disease. Another patient developed graft failure related to venous outflow obstruction and survived after retransplantation with a cadaveric graft. With a median follow-up of 13.2 months (range, 2.8 to 60.3 months), actuarial graft and patient survival rates were 50% and 62.5%, respectively. Survival results appear inferior compared with those of 18 children who underwent LDLT for elective conditions during the same study period (graft survival, 89%; P = .051; patient survival, 89%; P = .281). Although survival outcomes are inferior to those in elective situations, LDLT is a timely and lifesaving procedure for children with FHF. [source] Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased incidence of vascular complications after liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2002Surakit Pungpapong Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and other vascular complications are significant causes of morbidity after liver transplantation. Although cigarette smoking increases the risk of vascular complications after renal transplantation, its impact after liver transplantation remains unknown. Between May 1995 and April 2001, 288 liver transplantations were performed in 263 patients. Vascular complications developed in 39 patients (13.5%) (arterial complications, 28 patients [9.7%]; venous complications, 11 patients [3.8%]). Patient demographics, comorbid illnesses, and risk factors were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test. In patients with a history of cigarette smoking, incidence of vascular complications was higher than in those without history of cigarette smoking (17.8% v 8%, P = .02). Having quit cigarette smoking 2 years before liver transplantation reduced the incidence of vascular complications by 58.6% (24.4% v 11.8%, P = .04). The incidence of arterial complications was also higher in patients with a history of cigarette smoking compared with those without such history (13.5% v 4.8%, P = .015). Cigarette smoking cessation for 2 years also reduced the risk of arterial complications by 77.6% (21.8% v 5.9%, P =.005). However, the incidence of venous complications was not associated with cigarette smoking. Furthermore, there was no significant association between development of vascular complications and all other characteristics studied. Cigarette smoking is associated with a higher risk for developing vascular complications, especially arterial complications after liver transplantation. Cigarette smoking cessation at least 2 years before liver transplantation can significantly reduce the risk for vascular complications. Cigarette smoking cessation should be an essential requirement for liver transplantation candidates to decrease the morbidity arising from vascular complication after liver transplantation. [source] Is a repeat urine culture useful during antibiotic therapy for febrile urinary tract infection?NEPHROLOGY, Issue 7 2009NATTACHAI ANANTASIT SUMMARY: Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a repeat urine culture after a few days of antibiotic therapy in childhood urinary tract infection (UTI) in southern Thailand. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical record of children diagnosed with UTI aged less than 15 years in Songklanagarind Hospital from January 1995 to December 2004 was performed. Patient demographics were collected. The results of repeat urine culture after starting antibiotic were evaluated. The risk factors that indicated positive repeat urine culture were determined. Results: Four hundred and forty-nine patients (245 boys and 204 girls) with 533 UTI episodes were analyzed, of which 49 (9.2%) had a repeat urine culture with significant growth. Multivariate analysis showed that age less than 1 year, aetiological agents Enterococci spp., fever of more than 72 h, inappropriate antibiotics and kidney, ureter and bladder anomalies were the most significant risk factors for a positive repeat culture, while sex, vesicoureteral reflux and recurrent UTI episodes were not significant risk factors. If the treatment protocol during the study period had indicated that children with at least one of the above risk factors should receive a repeat urine culture, then only 356 cases (66.8% ± 2.0%) would have received a repeat test and $US 655 would have been saved, while five positive repeat urine cultures would have been missed. Conclusion: The present study in a group of Thai children indicates that a repeat urine culture during antibiotic therapy should still be recommended. [source] Medication-related problems commonly occurring in an Australian community setting,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 2 2004E. E. Roughead PhD Abstract Purpose This study characterised medication-related problems in 1000 Australian patients living in the community, and who were considered at risk of medication misadventure. Methods A review was undertaken of 1000 clinical case notes, developed during the delivery of medication management reviews. Patient demographics, medications used, medical conditions and medication-related problems were categorised according to established classification systems. Descriptive analyses were undertaken. Results Overall, 2222 problems were identified. Ninety per cent of patients had at least one medication-related problem. One in three people were found to require additional monitoring, one in four required additional medication, one in four were using the wrong or inappropriate medication and one in five were using insufficient medication. Cardiovascular, nervous system, alimentary and respiratory medicines were most commonly implicated, accounting for 69% of the medication-related problems. Conclusion This analysis reveals the need for ongoing vigilance of, and support for, people at high risk of medication misadventure. This information is also useful for informing the design of public health or health promotion strategies aiming to reduce the prevalence of these problems. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Worldwide trends in bilateral cochlear implantation,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue S2 2010B. Robert Peters MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The goal of this study is to ascertain worldwide experience with bilateral cochlear implantation (BCI) with regard to patient demographics, trends in provision of BCI to adult and child patient populations, differences and similarities in BCI candidacy criteria, diagnostic requirements, and treatment approaches among clinicians in high-volume cochlear implant centers. Study Design: Retrospective/prospective. Methods: An electronic survey consisting of 59 mainly multiple-choice questions was developed for online completion. It examined the implant experience and clinical opinion of expert cochlear implant (CI) centers worldwide on the indications, motivations, and contraindications for adult and pediatric, simultaneous and sequential BCI candidacy. Centers were chosen to complete the survey based on their known reputation as a center of excellence. Patient demographics were queried for two time periods to elucidate trends: 2006 and prior, and for the year 2007. Results: Seventy-one percent (25/35) of the CI clinics approached completed the survey. Collectively, these 25 clinics represent experience with approximately 23,200 CI users globally, representing 15% of the total estimated CI population worldwide. The total number of BCI surgeries reflected in their experience (2,880) represents 36% of the estimated number worldwide as of December 2007. Cumulatively to the end of 2007, 70% of all BCI surgeries have occurred in children, with the 3- to 10-year-old age group having the highest representation (33% of all BCIs), followed in order by adults (30%), children under 3 years of age (26%), and children between 11 and 18 years of age (11%). Seventy-two percent of all BCI surgeries were performed sequentially (70% of children, 76% of adults). Children <3 years of age represent the only age group of all patients in which simultaneous surgeries predominate (58% simultaneous). For all other age groups, sequential surgeries far outnumber simultaneous (3,10 years, 84% sequential; 11,18 years, 94% sequential; adults, 76% sequential). Prior to January 2007, 68% of BCIs were performed in children. This increased to 79% for the year 2007 (P < .001). With regard to children only, a change is apparent over time in terms of the age group making up the majority of pediatric BCI surgeries performed. Prior to 2007, children 3 to 10 years of age made up 50% of the children undergoing BCI, whereas those <3 years made up only 33%. In 2007 this shifted more toward the younger age group (47% for those <3 years and 40% for 3,10-year-olds; P < .001). United States clinics had a higher proportion of adult BCI patients (59% children, 41% adults) than the non-United States clinics (78% children, 22% adults; P < .001). The majority of responders do not hold to a minimum or maximum age by which they limit BCI. Conclusions: Worldwide experience with BCI is now quite extensive and provides a useful base for evaluating clinical outcomes across patient categories and for providing further support during the patient/parent counseling process. Laryngoscope, 120:S17,S44, 2010 [source] An Early Regional Experience with Expansion of Milan Criteria for Liver Transplant RecipientsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 9 2010J. J. Guiteau The Milan Criteria (MC) showed that orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was an effective treatment for patients with nonresectable, nonmetastatic HCC. There is growing evidence that expanding the MC does not adversely affect patient or allograft survival following OLT. The adult OLT programs in UNOS Region 4 reached an agreement allowing lesions outside MC (one lesion <6 cm, ,3 lesions, none >5 cm and total diameter <9 cm,[R4 T3]) to receive the same exception points as MC lesions. Kaplan,Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to compare survival data. Chi-squared and Mann,Whitney U tests were used to compare patient data. A p - value of <0.05 was considered significant. All statistical analyses were performed on SPSS 15 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). Four hundred and forty-five patients were transplanted for HCC (363-MC and 82-R4 T3). Patient demographics were found to be similar between the two groups. Three year patient, allograft and recurrence free survival between MC and R4 T3 were found to be 72.9% and 77.1%, 71% and 70.2% and 90.5% and 86.9%, respectively (all p > 0.05). We report the first regionalized multicenter, prospective study showing benefit of OLT in patients exceeding MC based on preoperative imaging. [source] QUADRAPOD MESH FOR POSTERIOR WALL RECONSTRUCTION IN ADULT INGUINAL HERNIASANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 3 2008Shih-Chung Wu Inguinal hernia repairs are the most frequently carried out operations worldwide, and open-mesh herniorrhaphies have gained wide acceptance for advantages of little tension, less pain and lower recurrence rates. Even so, potential drawbacks of original open-mesh repairs exist, and we accordingly make some modifications, suggesting a new ,quadrapod' marlex mesh as an alternative. From July 2002 to March 2004, we carried out 288 consecutive inguinal hernia repairs using quadrapod mesh in 273 patients, all of them were male and aged older than 35 years. Patient demographics, operative parameters, morbidity and outcomes were collected in detail. After surgery, patients were followed up every 6 months at one surgeon's clinic and any major abnormality was recorded. Mean age of the 273 patients was 58.7 years. Twenty-eight patients had recurrent hernias and 15 bilateral hernias. Mean surgical duration was 50.7 min. One patient suffered from major wound infection and needed prolonged hospitalization for parenteral antibiotics. Owing to old age and benign prostatic hyperplasia, 11 patients receiving spinal anaesthesia had temporary postoperative urine retention and needed short-term urinary catheter insertion. Most patients were discharged 1 day following surgery. Acute wound pain generally improved within days, and no patients complained of chronic pain or debility necessitating special interventions. With a mean follow up of 40.7 months, no case of recurrent herniation was detected to date. Open-mesh herniorrhaphy using quadrapod mesh provides a cheap, feasible and effective alternative choice in centres with limited resources. Preliminary results are encouraging, and a formal prospective study may be warranted. [source] Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anakinra, a recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, in combination with methotrexate: Results of a twenty-four,week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2002Stanley Cohen Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Patients with moderate-to-severe active RA who were receiving MTX for 6 consecutive months, with stable doses for ,3 months (those with disease duration of >6 months but <12 years) were randomized into 6 groups: placebo or 0.04, 0.1, 0.4, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg of anakinra administered in a single, daily, subcutaneous injection. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of subjects who met the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (attained an ACR20 response) at week 12. Results A total of 419 patients were randomized in the study. Patient demographics and disease status were similar in the 6 treatment groups. The ACR20 responses at week 12 in the 5 active treatment plus MTX groups demonstrated a statistically significant (P = 0.001) dose-response relationship compared with the ACR20 response in the placebo plus MTX group. The ACR20 response rate in the anakinra 1.0-mg/kg (46%; P = 0.001) and 2.0-mg/kg (38%; P = 0.007) dose groups was significantly greater than that in the placebo group (19%). The ACR20 responses at 24 weeks were consistent with those at 12 weeks. Similar improvements in anakinra-treated subjects were noted in individual ACR components, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, onset of ACR20 response, sustainability of ACR20 response, and magnitude of ACR response. Anakinra was safe and well tolerated. Injection site reaction was the most frequently noted adverse event, and this led to premature study withdrawal in 7% (1.0-mg/kg group) to 10% (2.0-mg/kg group) of patients receiving higher doses. Conclusion In patients with persistently active RA, the combination of anakinra and MTX was safe and well tolerated and provided significantly greater clinical benefit than MTX alone. [source] Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A comparative study in 106 initial casesASIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2010JH Kim Abstract Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been the standard of care for gallbladder diseases since the late 1980s. Many surgeons have rapidly adopted single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder pathologies. The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical outcome in initial single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Data from 106 consecutive single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomies between May 2008 and April 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. We divided the patients into two groups , an early group (group I, n=56) and a late group (group II, n=50) , to compare clinical outcomes. During each procedure, only one longitudinal transumbilical incision, 1.5 to 2.0 cm in length, was made to access the abdominal cavity. A multichannel port system was assembled with existing devices. Standard laparoscopic instruments were used to perform each cholecystectomy. Results: Patient demographics did not differ between the two groups. Of the eight cases that were converted to conventional laparoscopic surgery, seven were part of group I (P=0.063). Mean operation time for single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy was significantly shorter in group II (58.2 versus 71.6 min, P=0.004). There were two operative complications in group I, which were successfully managed with laparoscopic surgery. There was no statistical difference in occurrence of operative complication and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusion: Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed for various gallbladder lesions in selected cases, and the operation time improved with accumulation of cases. [source] Does the presence of significant risk factors affect perioperative outcomes after robot-assisted radical cystectomy?BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2009Zubair M. Butt OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of preoperative risk factors on perioperative outcomes up to 3 months after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC), as RC continues to be associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 2005 to 2007, 66 consecutive patients had RARC at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Patient demographics, preoperative risk factors and complications up to 3 months after RARC were reviewed from a prospective quality-assurance database. Patients were stratified into high- and low risk groups based on age, previous abdominal surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), body mass index (BMI), Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. RESULTS Age, previous abdominal surgery, COPD, BMI, RCRI score and ASA score did not significantly influence complications during or up to 3 months following RARC (P > 0.05). Advanced age was associated with a higher RCRI score (P = 0.014) and an increased likelihood of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (P = 0.007). A higher ASA score was associated with an increased overall hospital stay (P = 0.039). Previous abdominal surgery was associated with more frequent unscheduled postoperative clinic visits (P = 0.014). Operative duration did not significantly influence complication rates (P > 0.05). Fifteen of 62 patients (24%) had a major complication, while 15 (24%) had minor complications within 3 months of surgery. The reoperation rate was 11% and the overall mortality rate was 1.6%. CONCLUSIONS RARC appears to be well tolerated, independent of comorbid risk factors such as age, BMI, RCRI and ASA score. [source] Use of donor aorta for arterial reconstruction in paediatric liver and multivisceral transplantationBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 6 2004S. Nishida Background: Arterial reconstruction remains the most important technical issue in paediatric transplantation. The arteries of paediatric donors as well as recipients are small and friable. The aim of this study was to assess the use of the donor aorta as a conduit for arterial reconstruction in paediatric liver and multivisceral transplantation. Methods: Between June 1994 and January 2002, 284 paediatric transplants, including 197 cadaveric liver and multivisceral transplants, were performed in children at this centre. Of these, 41 (20·8 per cent), including nine cadaveric liver transplants and 32 multivisceral transplants, were revascularized by donor aortic reconstruction. Patient demographics, types of donor arterial reconstruction, technical complications and incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis were reviewed. Results: None of the 41 donor aortic reconstructions used in revascularization of paediatric liver and multivisceral transplants thrombosed. There were no bleeding complications and no pseudoaneurysms developed. Conclusion: Arterial reconstruction using donor aorta is a useful option with a low incidence of thrombosis in paediatric transplantation. Copyright © 2004 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Is there a benefit to sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with T4 melanoma?CANCER, Issue 24 2009Csaba Gajdos MD Abstract BACKGROUND: Controversy exists as to whether patients with thick (Breslow depth >4 mm), clinically lymph node-negative melanoma require sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. The authors examined the impact of SLN biopsy on prognosis and outcome in this patient population. METHODS: A review of the authors' institutional review board-approved melanoma database identified 293 patients with T4 melanoma who underwent surgical excision between 1998 and 2007. Patient demographics, histologic features, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 227 T4 patients who had an SLN biopsy, 107 (47%) were positive. The strongest predictors of a positive SLN included angiolymphatic invasion, satellitosis, or ulceration of the primary tumor. Patients with a T4 melanoma and a negative SLN had a significantly better 5-year distant disease-free survival (DDFS) (85.3% vs 47.8%; P < .0001) and overall survival (OS) (80% vs 47%; P < .0001) compared with those with metastases to the SLN. For SLN-positive patients, only angiolymphatic invasion was a significant predictor of DDFS, with a hazard ratio of 2.29 (P = .007). Ulceration was not significant when examining SLN-positive patients but the most significant factor among SLN-negative patients, with a hazard ratio of 5.78 (P = .02). Increasing Breslow thickness and mitotic rate were also significantly associated with poorer outcome. Patients without ulceration or SLN metastases had an extremely good prognosis, with a 5-year OS >90% and a 5-year DDFS of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically lymph node-negative T4 melanoma cases should be strongly considered for SLN biopsy, regardless of Breslow depth. SLN lymph node status is the most significant prognostic sign among these patients. T4 patients with a negative SLN have an excellent prognosis in the absence of ulceration and should not be considered candidates for adjuvant high-dose interferon. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source] Five-Year Survival Distributions of Short-Length (10 mm or less) Machined-Surfaced and Osseotite® ImplantsCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Sylvan Feldman DDS ABSTRACT Background: In cases of reduced alveolar bone height, implants of short length (10 mm or less) may be employed although there is a perceived risk that because of their small stature they will be unable to tolerate occlusal loads and will fail to osseointegrate. Purpose: This report describes an analysis of prospective multicenter clinical studies evaluating the risk for failure of short-length implants, comparing dual acid-etched (DAE) Osseotite® implants (Implant Innovations, Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA) to machined-surfaced implants. Materials and Methods: Admission criteria were the same for both data sets. Baseline variables of demographics including age, gender and smoking status, bone quality, location, implant dimensions, and types of prostheses were compared to ensure balance among groups. Cumulative survival rates (CSRs) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results: The implant data included 2,294 implants for the DAE series and 2,597 implants for the machined-surfaced series. Patient demographics showed similar percentages of occurrence for all variables. The distributions of implants between short- and standard-length data sets for baseline variables including width, location, and restorative type were similar, qualifying these data sets for comparison of the independent variable of length. Overall, there was a 2.2% difference in 5-year CSRs between the machined-surfaced short- and the standard-length implants. For these implants a 7.1% difference was observed in the posterior maxilla and an 8.5% difference in the anterior maxilla. For DAE implants the overall difference between "standards" and "shorts" was 0.7%, which is not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this analysis the difference in CSRs between short- and standard-length implants was greater for machined-surfaced implants than for DAE implants. [source] Use of myocutaneous flaps for perineal closure following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum for adenocarcinomaCOLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 6 2010S. Chan Abstract Introduction, Abdominoperineal excision (APE) following radiotherapy is associated with a high rate of perineal wound complications. The use of myocutaneous flaps may improve wound healing. We present our experience using myocutaneous flaps for immediate reconstruction. Method, Prospective data were collected on patients undergoing APE from October 2003 to December 2008. Patient demographics, operating time, wound complications and length of stay were recorded. Results, Fifty-one patients underwent APE for rectal adenocarcinoma, 21 had primary closure and 30 had myocutaneous flap closure (24 VRAM, 6 gracilis). The proportion of patients undergoing preoperative radiotherapy in each group were 62% and 93% respectively (P = 0.011). There were no major complications following primary closure of the unirradiated perineum. Major perineal wound complications requiring reoperation or debridement were seen in three (14%) patients following primary closure and five (17%) patients with flap closure. After radiotherapy, closure with a flap reduced the length of stay from 20 to 15 days, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.36). Conclusion, The use of flap closure in irradiated patients is associated with fewer perineal complications and a shorter hospital stay. [source] A retrospective review of chronic anal fistulae treated by anal fistulae plugCOLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 5 2010G. El-Gazzaz Abstract Objective, The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of the anal fistulae plug (Cook Surgisis® AFPÔ) for the management of complex anal fistulae. Method, A review of patients with anal fistulae treated using Cook Surgisis® AFPÔ between October 2005 and 2007 was undertaken. Patient's demographics, fistulae aetiology and success rates were recorded. Results, Thirty-three patients underwent 49 plug insertions. The median age was 44.4 years; 18 females. The fistulae aetiology was cryptoglandular in 61% and Crohn's disease in 39%. The median follow up 221.5 days (range 44,684). Twenty-one patients had previous failed surgery. Twenty-eight patients had draining setons in situ at time of plug placement. The overall success rate was 8/32 patients (25%). Two of the 22 Crohn's fistulae healed (9.1%) and 9/26(34.6%) cryptoglandular fistulae healed. The reasons for failure were sepsis in 87% and plug dislodgement in 13%. Significant predictor factors for improved outcome were African-Americans patients (P = 0.009), and presence of seton (P = 0.05). Conclusions, Anal fistulae plug was associated with a lower success rate than previously reported. Septic complications were the main reason for failure. [source] 3143: Management of iris melanomas with 125 iodine plaque radiotherapyACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010BF FERNANDES Purpose The experience with 125Iodine (I125) plaque brachytherapy in the treatment of IM at the Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network is the subject of the report to follow. Methods All cases of IM submitted to I125 plaque radiotherapy were included. Patients' demographic, clinical, management, and follow-up data were reviewed. Outcome measures included rates of tumor control, eye preservation, systemic metastases, and brachytherapy-related complications. Results Fourteen IMs were included in the study. All patients had blue/green irises. Mean largest basal dimension and thickness were 7.1 +/- 2.1 mm (range, 4.0 to 11.5 mm) and 2.2 +/- 0.8 mm (range, 1.0 to 3.5 mm), respectively. Ten patients (71%) had seeding and 2 (14%) had glaucoma at presentation. Median follow-up was 26.6 +/- 19.5 months (range, 6 to 72 months). Tumor control was achieved in 100% of the cases and no eye was enucleated because of radiation-induced complications. At last visit, all patients were alive and free of metastasis. Final visual acuity was the same as or better than before treatment in 9 patients (75%). Cataract was the most common complication (8; 75%), followed by persistent glaucoma (2; 17%) and anterior uveitis (1; 8%). No other significant complication was seen during the follow-up period. Conclusion Plaque radiotherapy is a safe and effective conservative treatment option for IM, although cataract is a common, yet treatable, complication. This treatment scheme circumvents an intraocular procedure and may avoid the dissemination of malignant cells, and provides a margin of safety in the treatment of clinically undetectable disease. [source] Determinants of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Chinese HIV/AIDS patientsHIV MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003OW Fong Objective Drug adherence is crucial to the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the treatment of HIV disease. Adherence to HAART and its determinants may, however, differ across HIV/AIDS populations. Methods We retrospectively studied drug adherence by self-report in HIV-1 infected Chinese patients who have been on HAART for at least 1 year as at the end of year 2000. HAART is defined as three or more antiretrovirals with at least one protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Results The last drug adherence level assessed by self-report in 161 Chinese patients were: grade A (100%) , 130, 80.7%; grade B (95,99%) , 25, 15.5%; grade C (90,94%) , three, 1.9% and grade D (< 90%) , three, 1.9%. Patients with full adherence were more likely to have undetectable (< 500 copies/mL) plasma virus level (adjusted OR, 4.22; 95% CI, 1.75,12.33). Patients' demographics, HIV disease status and antiretroviral regimen did not affect adherence. Partial drug adherence was, however, independently associated with the psychosocial factors of missing clinic appointments (adjusted OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.23,8.33), forgetfulness (adjusted OR, 4.55; 95% CI, 1.64,12.5) and a busy work life (adjusted OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.75,25). Conclusion There were similarities and differences in determinants affecting HAART adherence in Chinese compared with other patients. Psychosocial factors rather than HIV disease or treatment were more important factors in our Chinese patients. The relevance of patient populations and care setting for adherence to HAART shall be further studied. [source] Low donor-to-recipient weight ratio does not negatively impact survival of pediatric heart transplant patientsPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2010Liwen Tang Tang L, Du W, Delius RE, L'Ecuyer TJ, Zilberman MV. Low donor-to-recipient weight ratio does not negatively impact survival of pediatric heart transplant patients. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:741,745. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:, A major limitation to success in pediatric heart transplantation is donor organ shortage. While the use of allografts from donors larger than the recipient is accepted, the use of undersized donor grafts is generally discouraged. Using the UNOS database, we wanted to evaluate whether using smaller donor hearts affects the short- and long-term survival of pediatric heart transplant patients. A retrospective analysis of data entered into the UNOS database from April 1994 to May 2008 was performed. Pediatric heart transplant recipients (ages 0,18 yr) with DRWR <2.0 were identified and divided into two groups: Low-DRWR (<0.8) and Ideal-DRWR (0.8,2.0). Patients' demographics, pretransplant diagnoses, age at transplantation, severity of pretransplant condition, and rate of complications prior to hospital discharge after transplantation were noted. Fisher's exact, chi-square, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare patients' baseline characteristics. Kaplan,Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to compare patients' survival and to identify independent risk factors for outcomes. There were 3048 patients (204 with Low- and 2844 with Ideal-DRWR). The Low-ratio group patients were older (8.3 vs. 6.9 yr; p = 0.001), there was a slight male predominance in the Low-DRWR group (p = 0.055). The Low-DRWR group had longer transplant wait time than the Ideal-DRWR group (97 vs. 85 days; p = 0.04). The groups did not differ in race, primary diagnoses, severity of pretransplant condition (medical urgency status, need for ventilation, inotropic support, ECMO, nitric oxide, or dialysis, the PVR for those with bi-ventricular anatomy), or post-transplant complications (length of stay, need for inotropic support, dialysis, and rate of infections). The Low-DRWR patients had less episodes of acute rejection during the first-post-transplant month. Infants with DRWR 0.5,0.59 had lower 30-day survival rate (p = 0.045). There was no difference in short- and long-term survival between the patients with DRWR 0.6,0.79 and DRWR 0.8,2.0. Use of smaller allografts (DRWR 0.6,0.8) has no negative impact on the short- and long-term survival of pediatric heart transplant patients. [source] Sleep Disturbances Reported by Refractory Partial-onset Epilepsy Patients Receiving PolytherapyEPILEPSIA, Issue 7 2006Xiao Xu Summary:,Purpose: Although sleep disturbances are common in epilepsy, few studies examined the prevalence and impact of sleep disturbance in epilepsy patients. This study investigates these in a cross-sectional survey. Methods: We surveyed 201 adult partial-onset epilepsy patients taking stable regimens of two or more antiepileptic medications. Community-based U.S. neurologists recorded patient demographic and clinical information. Patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 instrument (QOLIE-10), and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). We evaluated the associations of sleep with health-related quality of life and clinical and demographic characteristics by using correlation coefficients and analysis of variance. Results: Mean (SD) age was 44.2 (12.5); 34% of patients had diagnosed sleep disturbances; 10% received prescription sleep medications. Patients with sleep disturbance reported poorer mean QOLIE-10 (55.2 vs. 63.7; p = 0.006) and EQ-5D (0.49 vs. 0.71; p < 0.001) scores relative to those without sleep disturbances. The mean (SD) MOS Sleep Problems Index score was 36.2 (20.8), worse than the general population mean of 26. Patients with physician-reported anxiety or depression had more sleep problems than did those without these comorbidities. Higher Sleep Problems Index scores were significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with poorer QOLIE-10 (r=,0.49) and EQ-5D (r=,0.56) scores. Patients experiencing a seizure within the past week reported higher MOS Sleep Problems Index scores than did those with a less-recent seizure (41.5 vs. 32.8; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Diagnosed and self-reported sleep disturbances in patients with partial-onset epilepsy are frequently overlooked, but are negatively associated with everyday functioning and well-being, and therefore contribute significantly to the burden of epilepsy. [source] Asthma Pharmacotherapy Prescribing in the Ambulatory Population of the United States: Evidence of Nonadherence to National Guidelines and Implications for Elderly PeopleJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2008Prakash Navaratnam MPH OBJECTIVES: To examine the level of physician adherence to the Expert Panel Report 2 (EPR-2) pharmacotherapy guidelines of the asthma population, specifically in the elderly ambulatory patient population of the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study using a national survey. SETTING: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data of U.S. elderly patients from 1998 through 2004. PARTICIPANTS: The weighted population sample size was 82,020,318 patients. There were 1,540 observations in this study (preweighted sample size) and 96 strata, with 446 population sampling units (PSUs). There were 11,868,340 patients that were elderly, and they accounted for 14.5% of the overall population sampled. MEASUREMENTS: Specific patient demographic variables, physician demographic variables, and information about asthma medications prescribed were extracted from the data set and analyzed. Descriptive statistics for the patient demographic, physician demographic, and asthma pharmacotherapy variables were generated. A series of logistic regression models were created, with the choice of asthma pharmacotherapy agent used as the dependent variable and patient and physician demographic variables as the independent variables. RESULTS: A major finding was that physicians were not adherent to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program EPR-2 asthma pharmacotherapy guidelines. Another finding was that, although elderly patients (aged ,65) were exposed to more-stable patterns of care, they were less likely to be prescribed controller medications, long-acting bronchodilators (LABAs), combinations of inhaled corticosteroids and LABAs, and short-acting beta agonists than patients aged 35 to 64. CONCLUSION: A more-concerted effort needs to be undertaken to improve physician adherence to the EPR-2 guidelines, especially in prescribing asthma pharmacotherapy to elderly patients. [source] Use of Clinical Guidelines for Treatment of Anemia Among Hemodialysis PatientsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 2 2000Mae Thamer Abstract: Changing financial incentives have strongly influenced dosing patterns of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) since its introduction in 1989. Although guidelines for prescribing rHuEPO exist, the extent to which they are adhered to is unknown. Using a retrospective cohort observational study design, the factors influencing the initial dosing of rHuEPO prescribed to 413 hemodialysis patients in 1994 were examined. Patient weight, the only recommended guideline, was not found to be a significant predictor of dosing of rHuEPO after controlling for selected patient demographic and clinical characteristics. The strongest predictor for initial rHuEPO dosing was hematocrit followed by White race (p < 0.05). Finally, each subsequent month was associated with a significantly larger initial rHuEPO dose, reflecting the general trend in increasing dose since 1991 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, despite the recent DOQI guidelines for treatment of anemia among persons with chronic renal failure, providers are not using patient weight as an independent criterion for determining dosing of rHuEPO. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||