SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Predictors”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Restenosis or rapid progression in non-dilated sites are not predictors of late spontaneous coronary events.

The present study was designed to assess the prognostic value of clinical and angiographic factors, and especially restenosis or rapid progression in non-dilated sites, on major spontaneous coronary events at long-term follow-up after a first successful coronary angioplasty performed for angina pectoris. A second aim was to assess the prognostic factors and especially restenosis in asymptomatic patients after angioplasty. The first 352 consecutive patients undergoing a successful coronary angioplasty were selected and followed-up. The following variables: age, sex, unstable angina, previous myocardial infarction, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco consumption, hypertension, fibrinogen, coronary extent, single or multiple dilatation, restenosis, new progression, clinical deterioration of anginal status just before angiographic restudy or asymptomatic status were subjected to a stepwise regression analysis. Restenosis (a loss of 30% in diameter and/or a return to a >50% stenosis) and progression in non-dilated segments (a 20% reduction in diameter) were assessed by a computer-assisted method. Cardiac death, new myocardial infarction or new unstable angina, at long-term follow-up after angiographic restudy, were regarded as spontaneous coronary events and pooled in a single dependent variable. Thus 41 patients had a coronary event. In the overall population, clinical deterioration of anginal status (p<0.001, relative risk: 3.65) and fibrinogen (p<0.05, relative risk: 1.03) were independent predictors of spontaneous coronary events. Restenosis or new progression were not predictors. In asymptomatic patients (n=187), fibrinogen (p<0.01, relative risk=1.06) was the only predictor and restenosis was not an independent predictor of spontaneous coronary events. The best predictor of spontaneous coronary events at long-term follow-up after a first successful coronary angioplasty is clinical deterioration in anginal status in the months following the procedure. Restenosis does not appear as an independent predictor. Rapid progression observed in non-dilated sites is not an important prognostic factor.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Absolute and relative predictor values of some non-invasive and invasive studies for the outcome of anterior temporal lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy in the literature regarding the strategy used to obtain better outcomes after performing an anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Some investigators prefer to reduce the risks and costs of the predictor studies despite the fact that the number of patients cured after ATL (no seizures with no medication) is relatively small. Other investigators prefer to attempt a total cure in all patients by using all available predictor studies regardless of risks and costs. The latter strategy was the aim of the present work. METHODS: The absolute (%) and relative (ratio differences) predictor values of non-invasive and invasive studies for the outcome 24 months post-ATL were determined on 22 patients suffering from intractable non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy. RESULTS: Under these conditions, 11 (50%) patients had excellent outcomes (seizure-free, no medication), 8 ( 36%), good outcomes (only auras with medication), and 3 (13.6%), poor ou tcomes (1 with >70%-seizure reduction and two no changes in seizure frequency). Predictors of excellent (vs. poor outcome) include the following: complex partial seizures (CXP) alone or associated with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures; ictal motionless stare and postictal amnesia; abnormal bitemporal spikes (prominent ipsilateral to ATL) and secondary bilateral synchrony EEG activities; focal hippocampal ictal EEG activities, and the presence of focal anterior temporal delta EEG activity 3 months after ATL. Predictors of poor (vs. excellent) outcomes include the following: CXP associated with other generalized seizure types; CTS, MRI, and EEG extratemporal abnormalities, and generalized basotemporal ictal EEG activities and the presence of seizures and focal anterior temporal spikes 3 months after ATL. CONCLUSIONS: The present study corroborates that no single predictive study (including non-invasive MRI and invasive ictal EEG activity) is predictive of the success or failure of ATL. Rather, a concordant combination of non-invasive and invasive studies is more likely to be predictive of a high probability of success. The high efficiency of ATL (86% of patients seizure-free) was accomplished by using all available predictor studies.

Electroencephalography↗

PubMed2004

Predictors of preferences and utilities in men treated with 3D-CRT for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the preferences and utilities for prostate cancer health state scenarios of men treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and the predictors of treatment preferences. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The preferences and utilities for probabilistic health states of impotence and incontinence associated with prostate cancer therapies were elicited from prostate cancer registry participants using a modified time trade-off interview. Sociodemographic, disease, and treatment characteristics, as well as quality-of-life scores, were assessed to determine the predictors of preferences. RESULTS: Fifty-seven men treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy completed the time trade-off interview. Of these men, 83% had Stage T1-T2 and 30% were receiving hormonal therapy. The utilities followed a linear trend with declining scores for increasing risk of poorer health states. Men showed an increased preference for health states associated with radiotherapy compared with surgery or hormonal therapy. Univariate predictors of preference included income and marital status. Multivariate predictors of preferences included more aggressive therapy and better prognostic indicators. Current quality-of-life scores in terms of global, sexual, or urinary function were poor predictors of preferences. CONCLUSION: Preference elicitation can assist in decision-making, and understanding the predictors of patient preferences can assist in identifying factors that may increase patient perceptions of poorer outcomes.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta is an independent predictor of long-term neurologic events and mortality.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine whether atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta is a predictor of long-term neurologic events and mortality. BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta has been recently considered a significant predictor of neurologic events and peripheral embolism, but not of long-term mortality. METHODS: Long-term follow-up (a total of 5,859 person-years) was conducted of 1,957 consecutive patients > or =50 years old who underwent cardiac surgery. Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta was assessed intraoperatively (epiaortic ultrasound) and patients were divided into four groups according to severity (normal, mild, moderate or severe). Carotid artery disease was evaluated (carotid ultrasound) in 1,467 (75%) patients. Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was performed to assess the independent effect of predictors on neurologic events and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 491 events occurred in 472 patients (neurologic events 92, all-cause mortality 399). Independent predictors of long-term neurologic events were: hypertension (p = 0.009), ascending aorta atherosclerosis (p = 0.011) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.015). The independent predictors of mortality were advanced age (p < 0.0001), left ventricular dysfunction (p < 0.0001), ascending aorta atherosclerosis (p < 0.0001), hypertension (p = 0.0001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0002). There was >1.5-fold increase in the incidence of both neurologic events and mortality as the severity of atherosclerosis increased from normal-mild to moderate, and a greater than threefold increase in the incidence of both as the severity of atherosclerosis increased from normal-mild to severe. CONCLUSIONS: Atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta is an independent predictor of long-term neurologic events and mortality. These results provide additional evidence that in addition to being a direct cause of cerebral atheroembolism, an atherosclerotic ascending aorta may be a marker of generalized atherosclerosis and thus of increased morbidity and mortality.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

One- and two-year predictors of decline in physical activity among inner-city schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Alarming secular declines in physical activity (PA) have been observed among youth over the last decade. A better understanding of the predictors of these declines is crucial to identifying those children most at risk and to developing interventions that target youth before the onset of decline. This report identifies 1- and 2-year predictors of decline in PA among fourth- and fifth-grade students from inner-city neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada. METHODS: Data for this study were collected in classroom questionnaires each May/June from 1993 to 1997. Analyses for this paper were completed in 2001. The cohort included active (at least one PA per day) children with baseline and 1-year (n =1873) or 2-year (n =509) follow-up data. RESULTS: In boys, 1-year predictors of decline to an inactive status identified in generalized estimating equations analysis included moderate (vs high) baseline PA (odds ratio [OR]=1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.91-3.05); low PA self-efficacy (OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.03-2.71); born outside Canada (OR=2.13; 95% CI=1.31-3.46); Asian origin (OR=1.81; 95% CI=1.03-3.16) and no participation in school teams (OR=1.81, 95% CI=0.93-3.55). In girls, these 1-year predictors included moderate PA (OR=1.91, 95% CI=1.10-3.32); low PA self-efficacy (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.15-2.49); watching four or more TV programs per day (OR=1.40, 95% CI=0.97-2.02); mother unemployed (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.07-2.23); and grade five (vs grade four) (OR=1.35, 95% CI=0.94-1.93). Two-year predictors in boys included moderate baseline PA (OR=2.52, 95% CI=0.84-7.50), and born outside Canada (OR=1.96, 95% CI=0.91-4.20). In girls, these 2-year predictors included moderate baseline PA (OR=2.75, 95% CI=1.01-7.49); no participation in school teams (OR=2.14, 95% CI=0.92-5.00); watching four or more TV programs per day (OR=1.93, 95% CI=0.99-3.74); and born outside Canada (OR=1.85, 95% CI=0.96-3.55). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced TV viewing among girls and increased participation in school sports teams in boys and girls may prevent declines in PA among pre-adolescents from inner-city neighborhoods.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

One year outcome in first episode psychosis: influence of DUP and other predictors.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have reported evidence of a relationship between longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and poorer outcome at 1 year while others have failed to find such evidence. It is possible that several other predictors may confound this relationship and there may be different predictors for different dimensions of outcome. In the current study we examined relationship between DUP and several other predictors, and 1 year outcome on rate and level of remission as well as level of positive, negative, depressive and anxiety symptoms in a community cohort of first episode psychosis patients. METHOD: All potential cases of a first episode of non-affective psychosis were assessed and offered treatment in a comprehensive treatment program. Data were collected on all patients who completed 1 year of treatment on a number of predictor variables (DUP, length of the prodromal period, age of onset, gender, pre-morbid adjustment during childhood and adolescence, diagnosis) and outcome variables (level of remission, positive, negative, depression and anxiety symptoms based on ratings on SAPS, SANS, CDS and HAS, respectively). Data were analysed using an analysis of variance, bivariate correlations and hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 130 patients were offered treatment, 106 completed 1 year of treatment and complete data were available on 88 subjects, 80% of whom met criteria for schizophrenia spectrum psychosis. The rate and level of remission were significantly higher for patients with shorter DUP (<22 weeks). DUP was the only independent predictor of the level of remission as well as reality distortion at 1 year; for disorganization syndrome and negative symptoms it was the age of onset and level of premorbid adjustment in adolescence, respectively; while the level of anxiety was predicted by the length of the prodrome. Additional predictors increased the variance explained by each model. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed the independent role of DUP in remission and positive symptom outcome at 1 year, thus providing support for the enthusiasm for early intervention. However, the model including DUP and premorbid adjustment in early adolescence explained a greater amount of variance in outcome on positive symptoms than DUP alone. On the other hand, outcome on negative symptoms, disorganization and anxiety are more likely to be influenced by longer term characteristics such as premorbid adjustment, earlier age of onset, gender and the length of the prodromal period, and therefore may not be as responsive to effects of early intervention.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

A study of the effect of measurement error in predictor variables in nondestructive assay

It is not widely known that ordinary least squares estimates exhibit bias if there are errors in the predictor variables. For example, enrichment measurements are often fit to two predictors: Poisson-distributed count rates in the region of interest and in the background. Both count rates have at least random variation due to counting statistics. Therefore, the parameter estimates will be biased. In this case, the effect of bias is a minor issue because there is almost no interest in the parameters themselves. Instead, the parameters will be used to convert count rates into estimated enrichment. In other cases, this bias source is potentially more important. For example, in tomographic gamma scanning, there is an emission stage which depends on predictors (the "system matrix") that are estimated with error during the transmission stage. In this paper, we (1) provide background information for the impact and treatment of errors in predictors, (2) present results of candidate methods of compensating for the effect, (3) review some of the nondestructive assay situations where errors in predictors occurs, and (4) provide guidance for when errors in predictors should be considered in nondestructive assay.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Intravascular ultrasound predictors of restenosis after balloon angioplasty of the femoropopliteal artery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine intravascular ultrasound parameters related to restenosis following percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) of the femoropopliteal artery. DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were studies with intravascular ultrasound before and after angiographic successful PTA (n = 114). Intravascular ultrasound cross-sections obtained with 1 cm interval in the dilated segment were analysed. A distinction was made between anatomic (duplex scanning) and clinical (Rutherford criteria) restenosis assessed within 1 month and at 6 months after PTA. RESULTS: Intravascular ultrasound predictors of 1 month anatomic outcome were lumen area stenosis after PTA, lumen area increase, plaque area decrease, and area stenosis decrease; predictor of 6 months anatomic outcome was area stenosis after PTA. Multivariate analysis revealed that area stenosis after PTA was the only independent predictor of both 1 and 6 months anatomic outcome. Intravascular ultrasound predictors of 1 month clinical outcome were the presence of hard lesion and the mean arc of hard lesion. Multivariate analysis revealed that the mean arc of hard lesion was the only independent predictor of 1 month clinical outcome. No predictors for 6 months clinical outcome were found. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular ultrasound can elucidate parameters predictive of restonosis after PTA. The strongest intravascular ultrasound parameter predictive of anatomic restenosis was a large area stenosis after PTA.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Differential prediction and the use of multiple predictors: the omitted variables problem.

Moderated regression is widely used to examine differential prediction by race or gender. When using multiple predictors in a selection system, guidance as to whether differential prediction analysis should be conducted on each predictor individually, or on the set of predictors in combination, is lacking. Analyzing predictors individually creates the possibility of an omitted variable problem. Army Project A data were used to examine differential prediction by race with the use of personality measures for 79 predictor-criterion combinations. Traditional analysis indicated predictive bias by intercept in 45 instances and by slope in 7 instances; the inclusion of an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery general factor as an additional predictor changed the conclusion in 32 cases for the intercept and in 3 cases for the slope.

Forecasting↗

PubMed2001

Academic and non-academic predictors of success on the Nottingham undergraduate medical course 1970-1995.

OBJECTIVES: To identify academic and non-academic predictors of success of entrants to the Nottingham medical course over the first 25 completed years of the course's existence. SETTING, DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retrospective study of academic and non-academic characteristics of 2270 entrants between 1970 and 1990, and their subsequent success. Analyses were undertaken of two cohorts (entrants between 1970 and 1985 and entrants between 1986 and 1990). RESULTS: Overall, 148 of 2270 (6.5%) entrants left the course, with the highest proportion being from the first 6 years (10.7%). Of the 148 leavers, 58 (39.2%) did so after obtaining their BMedSci degree. Concerning non-academic factors, in the 1970-85 cohort, applicants from the later years and those not taking a year out were more successful. However, these two factors had no influence on outcome in 1986-90. In contrast, ethnicity and gender were highly significant predictors of success in obtaining honours at BMBS in 1986-90 but at no other exam nor in the earlier years. Older, mature or graduate entrants were more successful at obtaining a first-class degree at BMedSci for the whole 21 years. However, they were less likely to be successful at passing the BMBS. With regard to academic factors, overall, A grades at Ordinary level/General Certificate of Secondary Education (O-Level/GCSE) were inconsistent independent predictors of success. However, for 1986-90, high grades at O-Level/GCSE chemistry and biology were strong independent predictors of success at BMedSci and BMBS. Very few Advanced level (A-Level) criteria were independent predictors of success for 1970-85. In contrast, for 1986-90 entrants, achieving a high grade at A-Level chemistry predicted success at obtaining a first-class degree at BMedSci, and a high grade at A-Level biology predicted success at BMBS. Over the 21 years, the majority of entrants achieved significantly lower grades at A-Level than predicted. General Studies A-Level was a poor predictor of achievement. CONCLUSIONS: On balance our current GCSE A-grade requirements should remain. Biology should be added to Chemistry as a compulsory A-Level subject. If predicted A-Level grades are borderline then the lower estimate should be used. General Studies should continue not to be used in selection. Performance of more recent mature entrants at BMBS needs further study. The recent gender and ethnic biases in obtaining honours at BMBS is currently being examined. The motivation of applicants planning to take deferred entry should be carefully explored at interview.

Achievement↗

PubMed2003

Biological predictors of lithium response in bipolar disorder.

In order to prescribe lithium appropriately to patients with bipolar disorder, predictors of lithium response are helpful. The present paper reviews the biological predictors of lithium response. As a positive predictor of lithium response, the following have been reported: strong loudness dependence of the auditory-evoked N1/P2-response; higher brain lithium concentration; lower inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) mRNA expression; higher serotonin-induced calcium mobilization; increased N-acetyl-aspartate peak and decreased myo-inositol peak; white matter hyperintensity; decreased intracellular pH; higher frequency of phospholipase C gamma-1 (PLCG1)-5 repeat and PLCG1-8 repeat; and C973A polymorphism in the inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase gene. In contrast the following have been reported as a predictor of negative lithium response: epileptiform abnormality of electroencephalography; human leukocyte antigen type A3; decreased phosphocreatine peak area after photic stimulation; and homozygotes for the short variant of the serotonin transporter gene. Most of the possible biological predictors of better lithium response, such as lower IMPase mRNA levels, white matter hyperintensity, lower brain intracellular pH, enhanced calcium response, and PLCG1-5 repeat had been detected as risk factors for bipolar disorder, suggesting that bipolar disorder responding well to maintenance lithium treatment is a distinct category having a certain neurobiological basis, although these findings need further replication. The search for biological predictors of lithium response is still in its infancy. Most of the laboratory or neuroimaging techniques used in these studies are not easily performed in clinical settings, so the development of an easy and useful laboratory test is needed.

Antimanic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Systolic blood pressure diurnal variation is not a predictor of renal target organ damage in kidney transplant recipients.

Elevated blood pressure and diurnal blood pressure variation detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has been shown to be predictive of worse outcome in end-stage renal disease patients in small studies. What has been lacking is a large study to determine whether these ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)-derived variables are predictors of worse outcome in renal transplant recipients. All the patients that underwent renal transplantation and follow up at this institution from January 1998 till October 2002 were involved in this study (n=177). All patients were followed up for at least 48 weeks. Last creatinine correlated positively with duration of dialysis (p=0.035, r=0.158), kidney-donor age (p<0.0001, r=0.377), early kidney function (p<0.0001, r=0.610, r=0.683), 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) load (p=0.002, r=0.228), and ABPM-derived pulse pressure (p<0.0001, r=0.269). However neither office blood pressure nor SBP diurnal variation were predictors of kidney outcome. Regression analysis showed that early kidney function was the only independent predictor of transplant outcome (p<0.0001). Systolic blood pressure diurnal variation, though an important predictor of target organ damage in chronic kidney disease patients, was not a predictor of renal transplant function in renal transplant recipients. Only early kidney function was an independent predictor of later serum creatinine.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Charlson comorbidity index as a predictor of outcomes in incident peritoneal dialysis patients.

A previous study at our center used the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (an index of comorbidity that includes age) to predict outcomes in a mixed group of incident and prevalent dialysis patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the CCI as a predictor in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and to examine whether it was a better predictor than simply the number of comorbid conditions or other known predictors, such as age, albumin level, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Since 1990, we have collected prospectively comorbidity data at the start of PD. All patients with known comorbidity and serum albumin and who did not have a prior history of hemodialysis or transplant were included (n = 268). Time at risk began at day 1 of PD training. Cox proportional hazards best subset selection was used to screen models to predict patient survival. Candidate models were analyzed further for proportionality and other model assumptions. Univariate analysis showed that significant predictors of mortality were CCI (chi-square = 43.3, P < 0.0001), age (chi-square = 23.7, P < 0.0001), cardiac disease (chi-square = 19.9, P <0.0001), number of comorbid conditions (chi-square = 15.6, P < 0.0001), serum albumin at the start of dialysis (chi-square = 15.3, P = 0.0001), and diabetes (chi-square = 4, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, CCI alone was the best predictor. The addition of serum albumin did not improve the model significantly (chi-square = 51.86 versus 49.34). For every increase of 1 in the CCI score, the relative risk of death was 1.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.36 to 1.74). CCI alone scored at the start of PD is a strong predictor of patient survival in incident end-stage renal disease patients on PD. This simple-to-calculate index would be useful to adjust for confounding in future studies and in the adjustment of case mix if Medicare moves to a capitated payment system.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

The long-term behavior and predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The long-term behavior of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was evaluated and potential predictors of change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hemodialysis (HD) patients were determined. METHODS: One hundred eight patients on regular HD treatment were included. In addition to hematologic and biochemical evaluations, annual echocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in all patients. During the median follow-up of 50 months (range, 12 to 63 months), a median of 4 echocardiographic examinations were performed in each patient. The presence of LVH was defined on the basis of an LVMI greater than 131 g/m2 for men and greater than 100 g/m2 for women. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (75.9%) had LVH at baseline. LVH status was stable in 64 patients, whereas it changed on at least 1 occasion in the remaining patients (40.7%). LVH disappeared during the first year in 8 patients and beyond the first year of dialysis therapy in an additional 9 patients. An 8.0 +/- 39.6-g/m2 decrease in LVMI was detected between the first and final evaluations. Independent predictors of change in LVMI were C-reactive protein level (P < 0.001), baseline hemoglobin level (P = 0.025), and baseline postdialysis systolic blood pressure (P = 0.003). Twenty-four-hour systolic blood pressure was the only independent predictor of both LVMI (P < 0.001) and LVH (P = 0.001) at baseline. Nighttime systolic blood pressure and C-reactive protein level were found to be independent predictors of final LVMI (P < 0.001 for both). Independent predictors of LVH at the end of the study were 24-hour systolic blood pressure (P = 0.022) and C-reactive protein level (P = 0.003), whereas hemoglobin level had marginal significance (P = 0.051). CONCLUSION: Progressive LVH is not inevitable in HD patients. Aggressive treatment against the predictors may result in regression of LVMI and may improve patient outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Clinical predictors for prolonged intensive care unit stay in adults undergoing thoracic aortic surgery requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe clinical predictors for prolonged length of stay in the intensive care unit (PLOS-ICU) after adult thoracic aortic surgery requiring standardized deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA); and to determine the incidence of PLOS-ICU after DHCA, univariate predictors for PLOS-ICU, and multivariate predictors for PLOS-ICU. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective and observational study. PLOS-ICU was defined as longer than 5 days in the ICU. STUDY SETTING: Cardiothoracic operating rooms and the ICU. PARTICIPANTS: All adults requiring thoracic aortic repair with DHCA INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN RESULTS: The cohort size was 144. The incidence of PLOS-ICU was 27.8%. The mortality rate was 11.1%. Univariate predictors for PLOS-ICU were age, stroke, DHCA duration, vasopressor dependence >72 hours, mediastinal re-exploration for bleeding, and renal dysfunction. Multivariate predictors for PLOS-ICU were stroke, vasopressor dependence >72 hours, and renal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: PLOS-ICU after DHCA is common. The identified multivariate predictors merit further hypothesis-driven research to enhance perioperative protection of the brain, kidney, and cardiovascular system.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Some dietary predictors of plasma organochlorine concentrations in an elderly German population.

Associations between reported consumption of animal products and chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations were examined in 297 elderly people who lived in Germany. Consumption of beef and lamb was correlated positively with hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and total dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) (r = .13-.19, p < .05). Consumption of saltwater fish was correlated positively with alpha-HCH, dieldrin, and PCBs (r = .12-.26, p < .05). Other univariate predictors were body mass index, plasma cholesterol, pork consumption, poultry consumption, and age. Multivariate linear models of predictors of each chlorinated species were constructed, and some form of meat was used as the main predictor; the sum of all meats (exclusive of fish) was the best predictor of dieldrin and In(alpha-HCH) concentrations. Beef and lamb consumption was a positive predictor of HCB, heptachlor epoxide, total DDT, and beta-HCH. Saltwater fish was the major dietary predictor of PCBs.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Symptomatic predictors of influenza virus positivity in children during the influenza season.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic predictors of the etiology of infectious diseases are necessary when quick action is required in treatment, as with cases of influenza or anthrax, or for when patient isolation is required, as with cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Predictors of influenza virus infection during the influenza season have previously been evaluated in adult studies of the antiviral agent zanamivir; cough and temperature > or =37.8 degrees C predicted influenza virus positivity in 79% of those evaluated. METHODS: Fever and other respiratory symptoms were examined to determine their value in predicting influenza virus-positive status in children. Data analyzed were from a clinical trial of zanamivir in children 5-12 years of age and from a trial of oseltamivir in children 1-12 years of age. RESULTS: In the pediatric study of zanamivir, as in the adult zanamivir study, cough and fever were the best predictors of influenza virus infection; a temperature > or =38.2 degrees C plus cough predicted 83% (95% CI, 79%-88%) of illnesses that were determined to be influenza virus positive. Cough (positive predictive value, 70%; 95% CI, 64%-75%), but not fever, was the best predictor of influenza virus-positive status in children aged 5-12 years in the oseltamivir trials, but neither cough nor fever were successful predictors in young children 1-4 years of age. The latter findings appeared to be the result of less symptomatic diversity among patients recruited for this trial, such that subjects who were determined to be influenza virus positive and subjects who were influenza virus negative had similar symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of these studies suggest that, during the influenza season, symptomatic predictors of influenza virus infection are applicable to identification of cases in children, although confirmation of predictive values in subjects 1-4 years of age may require further study of additional signs/symptoms.

Acetamides↗

PubMed2006

Predictors of stroke within 30 days in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

AIMS: Stroke is an uncommon but serious complication after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). We aimed to identify predictors of stroke within 30 days in patients who suffered NSTE-ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We pooled data from six trials (n=31 402) that randomized NSTE-ACS patients either to platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor blockers or to placebo/control therapy. Potential predictors of stroke included treatment, demographic, and clinical characteristics. We identified predictors using univariable and multivariable logistic models, and their performance was evaluated with calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test) and discrimination (c-statistic). We found 228 (0.7%) all-cause strokes: 155 (0.5%) non-haemorrhagic, 20 (0.06%) haemorrhagic, and 53 without computed tomography (CT) confirmation. Patients with any type of stroke had a 30-day mortality of 25%. Randomization to GP IIb/IIIa receptor blockers was not significantly associated with all-cause stroke [OR (95% CI) 1.08 (0.83-1.41)]. Older age [OR per 10-year increase 1.5 (1.3-1.7)], prior stroke [2.1 (1.4-3.1)], and elevated heart rate [per 10-beat increase 1.1 (1.0-1.2)] were the strongest predictors of 30-day all-cause stroke. Similar predictors were found for non-haemorrhagic and haemorrhagic strokes. Smoking, previous myocardial infarction, diabetes, and hypertension were not independent predictors of all-cause stroke. The multivariable model to predict all-cause stroke was well calibrated, but its discrimination was only moderate [c-statistic 0.69 (0.65-0.72)]. CONCLUSION: Stroke is a rare complication occurring early after NSTE-ACS, but is associated with high mortality. We found no evidence that GP IIb/IIIa receptor blockers increase stroke risks. A few clinical characteristics predicted higher stroke risks. Thus, incident strokes in NSTE-ACS patients remain largely unexplained.

Adult↗