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Hospital discharge diagnoses of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest were useful for epidemiologic research.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the validity of hospital discharge diagnosis regarding ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. METHODS: We identified patients whose record in the PHARMO record linkage system database showed a code for ventricular or unspecified cardiac arrhythmias according to codes of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification (ICD-9-CM). The validity of ICD codes for ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest (427.1, 427.4, 427.41, 427.42, 427.5, 427.69) and ICD codes for unspecified cardiac arrhythmias (427.2, 427.60, 427.8, 427.89, 427.9) was ascertained through manual review of hospital clinical records. The positive predictive value (PPV) was calculated, and differences between characteristics of true and false positives were evaluated. RESULTS: The PPV of ICD codes for ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest was 82% (95% confidence interval CI = 72-92). True positive results were associated with male gender (P = .09) and younger age (P = .05). Of the unspecified cardiac arrhythmias 10% (95% CI = 2-18) were identified as ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. CONCLUSION: Hospitalizations for ventricular cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest (coded according to ICD-9-CM as paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, ventricular premature beats, or cardiac arrest) have a high PPV and are useful for selecting events in epidemiological studies on drug-induced arrhythmias.

Data Collection↗

MMC--a high-performance Monte Carlo code for electron beam treatment planning.

The macro Monte Carlo (MMC) method has been developed to improve the speed of traditional Monte Carlo (MC) high-energy electron transport calculations without loss in accuracy. The MMC algorithm uses results derived from conventional MC simulations of electron transport through macroscopic spheres of various radii and consisting of a variety of media. Based on these results, electrons are transported in macroscopic steps through the absorber. The absorber geometry is represented by a three-dimensional (3D) density matrix, typically derived from computer tomographic (CT) data. Energy lost by the electrons along their paths through the absorber is scored in a 3D dose matrix. Transport of secondary electrons and bremsstrahlung photons is taken into account. Major modifications of the original implementation of the MMC algorithm have resulted in an improved version of the code, resolving earlier problems with electron transport across interfaces of different materials, and running at a substantially higher speed. Furthermore, the code has been integrated into a clinical 3D treatment planning system. MMC results are in good agreement with results from conventional MC codes and are obtained with a speed gain of about one order of magnitude for clinically relevant irradiation situations. Calculation times to obtain a relative statistical accuracy of 2% per dose grid voxel for small electron field sizes are short enough to be routinely useful in radiotherapy clinics on present day affordable workstation computers. Considering speed, accuracy and memory requirements, MMC is a promising alternative to currently available electron dose planning algorithms.

Algorithms↗

Accuracy of identification of patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura through administrative records: a data validation study.

Administrative data are commonly used to estimate the prevalence of a disease, but the validity of the coding system needs to be evaluated before its use. We assessed the validity of the International Classification of Disease, 9(th) version, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code of 287.3 for identifying patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Administrative data from inpatients and outpatients seen were retrieved if the patient or insurer was billed with one of three ICD-9-CM codes for thrombocytopenic disorders, 287.3, 287.4, and 287.5, as a primary or secondary diagnosis; or was physician-identified as having ITP. The electronic medical records for these patients were systematically reviewed to identify patients with ITP and with non-ITP diagnoses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and kappa scores were calculated separately for inpatients and outpatients. Four-hundred eighteen records were reviewed. Among inpatients, the sensitivity of code 287.3 for indicating a diagnosis of ITP was 100% [95% confidence interval 94-100%]. The specificity was 89% [95% confidence interval 84-94%]. The percent agreement was 92%, and the kappa statistic was 0.80. For outpatients, the sensitivity of the billing code 287.3 was 84% [95% confidence interval 76-91%], a conservative estimate because of how the patients with other diagnoses were selected. The specificity for outpatients was 66% [95% confidence interval 56-76%]. ICD-9-CM code 287.3 in administrative billing data is likely to be sufficiently sensitive and specific, particularly when inpatient data are used, for the estimation of the prevalence of ITP.

Accounts Payable and Receivable↗

An endometrial antibody assay in the clinical diagnosis and management of endometriosis.

Coded serum samples from 11 normal fertile men and 17 fertile women without endometriosis (control groups) and 41 women with endometriosis were tested blindly for the presence of endometrial antibodies by use of a passive hemagglutination assay. Endometrial antibodies were either absent or present in low baseline titers in the serum samples from the control group. In contrast, 17 of the 23 (74%) patients with untreated endometriosis had elevated titers of endometrial antibodies in their serum. Of the 18 patients treated with danazol, endometrial antibodies were absent in 7 women who showed a good response at repeat laparoscopy, whereas 4 of 5 women with a poor response had significantly positive titers of antibodies. Six patients treated with danazol did not have repeat laparoscopy, but were found to have endometrial antibody titers in the baseline control range. Endometrial antibody titers in women with a good response to danazol were significantly lower than those in women with untreated endometriosis or with a poor response to danazol (P = 0.003). No correlation was observed between the antibody titers and the stage of endometriosis. The results suggest that the assay for serum endometrial antibodies may prove to be a clinically useful, noninvasive aid in the diagnosis of endometriosis. Sequential determination of endometrial antibody titers may be helpful in assessing the efficacy of pharmacologic therapy for endometriosis and evaluating the cases of patients with possible recurrence of the disease.

Antibodies↗

Reliability in assigning ICF codes to children with special health care needs using a developmentally structured interview.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if two teams of raters could reliably assign codes and performance qualifiers from the Activities and Participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) to children with special health care needs based on the results of a developmentally structured interview. METHOD: Children (N = 40), ages 11 months to 12 years 10 months, with a range of health conditions, were evaluated using a structured interview consisting of open-ended questions and scored using developmental guidelines. For each child, two raters made a binary decision indicating whether codes represented an area of need or no need for that child. Raters assigned a performance qualifier, based on the ICF guidelines, to each code designated as an area of need. Cohen's kappa statistic was used as the measure of inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: Team I reached good to excellent agreement on 39/39 codes and Team II on 38/39 codes. Team I reached good to excellent agreement on 5/5 qualifiers and Team II on 10/14 qualifiers. CONCLUSIONS: A developmentally structured interview was an effective clinical tool for assigning ICF codes to children with special health care needs. The interview resulted in higher rates of agreement than did results from standardized functional assessments. Guidelines for assigning performance qualifiers must be modified for use with children.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Lack of evidence for protease evolution in HIV-1-infected patients after 2 years of successful highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The mechanisms involved in maintaining a latent replication-competent integrated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reservoir after successful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have not been fully described. The objective of this study was to assess whether low-level, persistent HIV-1 replication can be detected in the protease gene, in 10 HIV-1-infected patients who have undergone 2 years of successful HAART. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 10 HIV-1-infected patients receiving a triple-drug combination therapy (2 nucleoside analogues and 1 protease inhibitor). HIV-1 RNA levels and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts were longitudinally determined during a follow-up period of 108 weeks. Similarly, proviral fragments of the protease-coding region, obtained at baseline and at week 108 of HAART, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from PBMCs, and 10-25 individual clones were sequenced for each time point. Only 1 of 271 individual protease clones showed a major resistance substitution (M46I [patient D]). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that, in all patients, the genetic distances from the deduced most recent common ancestor, in samples obtained at week 108 of HAART, were not longer than those in samples obtained at baseline. Moreover, the pattern of amino acid divergence during therapy showed an absence of positive selection in the protease-coding region. Taken together, these results show a lack of clinically relevant evolution in the protease-coding region after 2 years of successful HAART.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) randomized trial of pre-enucleation radiation of large choroidal melanoma II: initial mortality findings. COMS report no. 10.

PURPOSE: To report initial mortality findings from the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) randomized clinical trial of pre-enucleation radiation of large choroidal melanoma. METHODS: Patients were evaluated for eligibility at one of 43 participating centers in the United States and Canada. Eligible consenting patients were assigned randomly at the time of enrollment to standard enucleation or to external radiation of the orbit and globe prior to enucleation. Eligibility was confirmed at the COMS Coordinating Center, Echography Center, and Photograph Reading Center. Adherence to the radiotherapy protocol was monitored at the Radiological Physics Center. The diagnosis of choroidal melanoma was confirmed following enucleation by a three-member Pathology Review Committee. Patient accrual began in November 1986 and was completed in December 1994; 1,003 patients enrolled. Patients have been followed at annual clinical examinations. Cause of death was coded by a Mortality Coding Committee whose members were not involved in the care of COMS patients; the clinical trial was monitored by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee. RESULTS: A total of 1,003 patients were enrolled; 506 were assigned to enucleation alone and 497 to pre-enucleation radiation. Treatment groups were well balanced on baseline characteristics. Only nine patients were found to be ineligible after enrollment, seven in the interval between randomization and enucleation and two after enucleation based on histopathology. All but nine patients were treated as assigned; in only six of 491 eyes treated with pre-enucleation radiation was there a major deviation from the radiotherapy protocol. With 5-year outcome known for 801 patients enrolled (80%), the estimated 5-year survival rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 57% (95% CI, 52% to 62%) for enucleation alone and 62% (95% CI, 57% to 66%) for pre-enucleation radiation. Among the baseline covariates evaluated, only age and longest basal diameter of the melanoma affected the prognosis for survival to a statistically significant degree. The risk of death among patients treated with pre-enucleation radiation relative to those treated with enucleation alone after adjustment for baseline characteristics of patients, eyes, and tumors was 1.03 (95% CI, 0.85 to 1.25). Of 435 deaths classified by the Mortality Coding Committee, 269 patients had histologically confirmed melanoma metastases at the time of death. Estimated 5-year survival rates for this secondary outcome were 72% (95% CI, 68% to 76%) for enucleation alone and 74% (95% CI, 69% to 78%) for pre-enucleation radiation. CONCLUSIONS: No survival difference attributable to pre-enucleation radiation of large choroidal melanoma, using the COMS fractionation schedule, has been demonstrated to date in this randomized trial. The trial had statistical power of 90% to detect a relative difference in mortality rates between the two treatment arms of 20% or larger. A smaller difference is possible, but a clinically meaningful difference in mortality rates, whether from all causes or from metastatic melanoma, is unlikely.

Adult↗

Fatal colonic ischemia: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of fatal colonic ischaemia (CI) and the cause-specific mortality of CI, and to describe the localization and extension of colonic infarction and quantify the risk factors associated with CI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1970 and 1982 the autopsy rate in Malmö, Sweden, was 87%, creating the possibilities for a population-based study. Out of 23,446 clinical autopsies, 997 cases were coded for intestinal ischaemia in a database. In addition, 7569 forensic autopsy protocols were analysed. In a case-control study nested in the clinical autopsy cohort, four CI-free controls, matched for gender, age at death and year of death, were identified for each fatal CI case in order to evaluate the risk factors. RESULTS: The cause-specific mortality ratio was 1.7/1000 autopsies. The overall incidence of autopsy-verified fatal CI was 1.7/100,000 person years, increasing with age up to 23/100,000 person years in octogenarians. Fatal cardiac failure (odds ratio (OR) 5.2), fatal valvular disease (OR 4.3), previous stroke (OR 2.5) and recent surgery (OR 3.4) were risk factors for fatal CI. Narrowing/occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) at the aortic origin was present in 68% of the patients. The most common segments affected by transmural infarctions were the sigmoid (83%) and the descending (77%) colon. CONCLUSIONS: Heart failure, atherosclerotic occlusion/stenoses of the IMA and recent surgery were the main risk factors causing colonic hypoperfusion and infarction. Segments of transmural infarctions were observed within the left colon in 94% of the patients. Awareness of the diagnosis and its associated cardiac comorbidities might help to improve survival.

Aged↗

Fatal nonocclusive mesenteric ischaemia: population-based incidence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence and extension of visceral organ infarction, and to evaluate potential causes, in patients with autopsy-verified nonocclusive mesenteric ischaemia (NOMI) and transmural intestinal infarction. SETTING: In Malmö, Sweden, the autopsy rate between 1970 and 1982 was 87%, creating possibilities for a population-based study. DESIGN: Amongst 23 446 clinical autopsies, 997 cases were coded for intestinal ischaemia in a database. In addition, 7569 forensic autopsy protocols were analysed. In a nested case-control study within the clinical autopsy cohort, four NOMI-free controls, matched for gender, age at death and year of death, were identified for each fatal NOMI case to evaluate risk factors. RESULTS: The overall incidence of autopsy-verified fatal NOMI was 2.0/100,000 person-years, increasing with age up to 40/100,000 person-years in octogenarians. Patients with stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA; n = 25) were older (P = 0.002) than those without (n = 37), and had more often a concomitant stenosis of the coeliac trunk (P < 0.001). Synchronous infarction in the liver, spleen or kidney occurred in one-fifth of all patients. Fatal cardiac failure [OR 2.9 (1.7-5.2)], history of atrial fibrillation [OR 2.2 (1.2-4.0)] and recent surgery [OR 3.4 (1.6-6.9)] were risk factors for fatal NOMI. CONCLUSIONS: Fatal heart failure was the leading cause of intestinal hypoperfusion, although stenosis of the SMA and coeliac trunk, atrial fibrillation and recent surgery contributed significantly. Collaboration across specialties seems to be of utmost importance to improve the prognosis.

Age Distribution↗

Five-day storage of platelet concentrates. II. In-vivo studies.

Following in-vitro tests it was concluded that platelet concentrates stored for 5 days at 22 degrees C in polyolefin containers, coded PL732, should be as effective in clinical practice as similar concentrates stored in the standard PVC containers, coded PL146. These predictions have been confirmed by the following in-vivo tests; autologous survival studies in volunteers, determination of recovery, platelet increment calculations 1 and 24 h after transfusion and clinical appraisal after transfusion of haemorrhagic thrombocytopenic patients. Bacteriological cultures of the platelet concentrates were sterile after storage for more than 5 days. It can be concluded that the 5-day storage of platelet concentrates in these containers is a practical proposition.

Blood↗

The response styles of post-acute traumatic brain-injured patients on the MMPI.

A retrospective descriptive study (n = 44) was conducted on the response styles of post-acute traumatic brain-injured patients on the MMPI. The sample profiles were examined on indices of consistency, random responding, and bias to look good or bad. The results showed that about 20% of the profiles were markedly inconsistent, including two profiles which met the criteria for random responding. Depending on the cut-off score used, between 0 and 9% were identified as biased to look bad, while between 18 and 30% were identified as biased to look good. A mean profile on the primary clinical and research scales was developed and a frequency count of the high two-point codes was conducted. This profile approached clinically significant levels on the Psychopathic deviant, Schizophrenia, Depression, and Mania scales, respectively. The three most frequently occurring two-point codes (2-4, 4-8, and 4-9) have been classified as characterological in nature. The primary implication of these results for clinicians was the need for careful scrutiny of indices of consistency, random responding and bias to look good when interpreting self-report measures such as the MMPI with the TBI population.

Adolescent↗

Teaching residents coding and documentation: effectiveness of a problem-oriented approach.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effectiveness of a problem-oriented approach to teaching residents accurate coding and documentation of ambulatory gynecology visits. STUDY DESIGN: This was a pilot before-and-after study. Nine resident volunteers underwent 4 individual instructional sessions on coding and documentation with a trained faculty member over 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed by comparing the appropriateness of procedure and diagnostic codes billed in participant continuity clinic prior to and in the 6 to 9 months following the intervention. RESULTS: Following the intervention, participants demonstrated an increase in the accuracy of coding the correct category of the evaluation and management service, an increase in the appropriate use of modifiers, and a decline in undercoding errors. CONCLUSION: Problem-oriented interactive learning appears to be an effective method of teaching residents proper coding and documentation.

Feasibility Studies↗

Endovascular placement of self-expanding nitinol coil stents for the treatment of femoropopliteal obstructive disease.

PURPOSE: To report on a prospective two-center study to evaluate safety and effectiveness of a self-expanding nitinol coil stent in patients with femoropopliteal obstructive disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IntraCoil nitinol stent was used in 37 patients (28 men and nine women; mean age, 62.4 y plus minus 10.7; range, 43-81 y) presenting with high-grade stenoses (n = 23) or short (<3 cm) occlusions (n = 17) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA; n = 33) or popliteal artery (n = 4). Indications for stent placement were significant residual stenosis (>30%) or dissection after angioplasty. Follow-up evaluations with measurement of the Doppler ankle-brachial index (ABI), assessment of Rutherford clinical stage, and color-coded duplex sonography were performed at discharge and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months thereafter. Primary endpoints of the study were immediate technical and clinical success and 1-year patency. RESULTS: Initial technical success was achieved in all patients. In 10 patients (27%), more than one 40-mm-long device had to be implanted for total lesion coverage; in three patients (8.1%), stents were placed in two separate segments of the SFA simultaneously. The total number of stents deployed was 50. Stent placement induced an initial improvement of the ABI from 0.54 plus minus 0.2 to 0.92 plus minus 0.11 (P <.01). Follow-up data for 12 months after treatment are available for 29 of 37 patients (78.4%); mean follow-up is 15.6 months (range, 1-26 mo). Primary patency rates at 6 and 12 months were 97.1% (SE = 2.9) and 86.2% (SE = 6.5). The primary assisted patency rate was 100% at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Endovascular placement of the IntraCoil self-expanding nitinol coil stent for salvage of failed angioplasty in patients with femoropopliteal obstructive disease is an effective and safe procedure with promising mid-term results.

Adult↗

MMPI diagnosis of psychosis in epilepsy.

Clinical experience suggests that the diagnosis of psychosis in epilepsy with the MMPI is problematic, perhaps because the symptomatology of epilepsy and psychosis overlap. This study attempted to differentiate psychotic and nonpsychotic epileptics using the MMPI clinical and content scales, code-type categories, and modified Goldberg rule. A comparison group of schizophrenics was employed to explore differences between epileptic and schizophrenic psychoses. The failure of clinical scales and profile classification systems to differentiate the two epileptic groups implies that the MMPI might be insensitive to differential psychopathology in seizure-type subgroups.

Analysis of Variance↗

Witnessed and unwitnessed esophageal foreign bodies in children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation of children with either an unwitnessed or witnessed esophageal foreign body. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed. Patients were identified using ICD-9 code for esophageal foreign body. Clinical data and management techniques, along with complications were abstracted. RESULTS: For the 5-year period of review, 255 patients were identified with an esophageal foreign body. 214 children had a witnessed ingestion. The mean age of the unwitnessed ingestion group was 2.3 years, compared to 4.6 years for a witnessed ingestion. In both groups, males and females were distributed equally and the most common ingested object was a coin. Bivariate, unadjusted analysis revealed that history of wheeze (OR, 4.35) and fever (OR, 11.15) had the largest association with patients who had an unwitnessed ingestion. Multivariate analysis indicated that any physical findings of wheeze, rhonchi, stridor, or retractions were associated significantly with a diagnosis of an unwitnessed foreign body. Children less than 2 years of age and with a documented fever are also predictive of an unwitnessed ingestion. Eleven children (4.3%) with esophageal abnormalities were also noted to have foreign bodies. CONCLUSIONS: Children who present to the emergency department two years old and younger, who have a documented fever and with respiratory findings should be considered at risk for having a retained esophageal foreign body. Children with esophageal abnormalities may also be at risk for retained esophageal foreign bodies.

Adolescent↗

How much observational data is enough? An empirical test using marital interaction coding.

Using three different samples of couples (clinic, nondistressed community, and engaged), we found that 15 minutes was sufficient to witness enough behavior to make reliable (i.e., internally consistent) estimations of most Rapid Marital Interaction Coding System (Heyman & Vivian, 1993) code frequencies. Ten minutes is sufficient for many codes of interest. The ease in which "how much time is necessary" calculations can be made should entice behavioral investigators from a variety of content areas to publish such figures. By empirically investigating a factor that in most fields becomes reified through convention, investigators can conduct observational research that is both maximally efficient and maximally scientifically defensible.

Journal Article↗

Genotype/phenotype correlations in X-linked dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

We have studied the relationship between genotype, clinical phenotype, and pathology in 13 families with dominant X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy. Connexin32 (Cx32) gene mutations were spread throughout the coding region and included eight missense mutations, one 8-bp deletion/4-bp insertion frame shifting mutation, two nonsense mutations, and one deletion of the entire coding sequence. One hundred sixteen affected CMTX patients (53 males and 63 females) and 63 unaffected, at-risk individuals were compared by neurological and electrophysiological examinations and analyzed by gender; nerve biopsies were available from seven index cases. It was found that mutations within all regions of the Cx32 gene coding sequence caused an identical clinical phenotype. Male CMTX patients were affected more severely and showed an age-dependent progression of clinical signs and of the pathology; there was, however, variability in the severity of disease expression, irrespective of age, among males within families of defined genotype. All but 10% of female CMTX patients had only mild signs. Motor nerve conduction velocities were moderately slowed (median nerve MNCV: males 34.5 +/- 6.2 m/sec; females 45.8 +/- 7.3 m/sec), and motor and sensory nerve amplitudes were reduced (median nerve CMAP: males 3.7 +/- 3.7 mV; females 7.8 +/- 3.4 mV), with electromyographic evidence of chronic denervation. Differences were significant between gender and between affected and unaffected individuals. In agreement with the electrophysiological observations, pathological studies showed evidence of paranodal demyelination and of a length-related axonal degeneration in motor and sensory nerve fibers. Correlations between genotype and clinical phenotype suggested that missense mutations located within the second transmembrane domain and/or cytoplasmic loop might be associated with milder clinical phenotype, and therefore might be less disruptive of connexin32 gap junction function. Missense, chain-terminating, or deletion mutations in all other locations of the connexin32 protein caused severe forms of CMTX and disease onset in the first decade. Observed variability of disease severity among males within kinships suggests the influence of other modifying factors.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease↗