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Biomedical subjects

L Concheiro Carro

Publications and source records attributed to L Concheiro Carro.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

[The legibility of written informed consent forms].

BACKGROUND: The generation of the use of informed consent forms makes necessary to grant their legibility for patients. Up to now, we didn't have in Spain a suitable yardstick for evaluating the reading levels. METHODS: A sample of 10 texts of diverse procedence, 8 journals and 16 informed consent forms were collected. They were analyzed using the Grammatik 6.0 utility of the word processor Word Perfect 6.1, and four parameters were obtained: number of words, number of sentences, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Sentence Complexity. In addition an Integrated Readability Level (LEGIN) was calculated. RESULTS: Flesch Level and Sentence Complexity give a suitable and complementary analysis of readability, which is enhanced by the LEGIN. The acceptably reading level is obtained when the Flesch-Kincaid Level is above 10, the Sentence Complexity is under 40 and, overcoat, the LEGIN is above 70. Just 5 of the 16 consent forms had the adequate LEGIN level. Another 5 had the Flesch correct levels and 7 the adequate Sentence Complexity. CONCLUSIONS: The Grammatik utility of the word processor Word Perfect 6.1 is a suitable yardstick to analyze the readability, but is necessary to complete the analysis with the LEGIN, to render more sensibility and especificity. It's mandatory to enhance the readability of written forms to grant the ethical quality of the informed consent process.

Forms and Records Control↗
PubMed1993

[Evaluation of various criteria for the interpretation of western blot for the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Spanish Group for the Study of HIV-2].

BACKGROUND: The Western blot (WB) is the most commonly used test to confirm the presence of antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Different criteria of interpretation of the band profile have been proposed with there being no unanimity as to its reliability. The sensitivity and specificity of several criteria proposed for the interpretation of WB were evaluated and the individual significance of the reactivity of each band of the WB was analyzed. METHODS: The presence of antibodies against HIV-1 was prospectively studied in 8,073 samples of subjects with risk of infection. A total of 1,993 (25%) were reactive by ELISA and 1,261 were analyzed by WB, with a semiquantitative reading of the bands with a point scale from 0 to 2 being performed. The final interpretation of the WB (negative, doubtful, or positive) was carried out following 5 recommendations of usage. A test designed with synthetic peptides (Pepti-lav) was used as a reference and in discordant cases, other more specific serologic tests and/or genetic analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed. RESULTS: In order of frequency, the greater sensitivity was found to be for the CRSS (Consortium for Retrovirus Serology Standardization) criteria (97.9%), OMS (96.6%), CDC (Center for Disease Control) (95.9%), ARC (American Red Cross) (95.6%) and FDA (99.8%). The greatest specificity was for the criteria of the OMS, and FDA (99.8%). In order of frequency, the most frequent bands in HIV-1 + individuals were gp160 (99%), gp120, p24, p31, p55, p68, gp41, and p17 (68%). In non infected individuals, the recognized bands were, in decreasing order, p24, p17, p55, p68, p31, and glucoproteins. CONCLUSIONS: Different criteria of interpretation of the Western blot provide different degrees of sensitivity and specificity. The Western blot is a non standardized, expensive, laborious technique of subjective interpretation which provides an appreciable number of undetermined results.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗