• Title/Summary/Keyword: statistical assessment

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Development and Evaluation of a Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Scale for Breast Cancer

  • Zhang, Jun;Yao, Yu-Feng;Zha, Xiao-Ming;Pan, Li-Qun;Bian, Wei-He;Tang, Jin Hai
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.18
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    • pp.8573-8578
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    • 2016
  • Background: This study was guided by principles of the theoretical system of evidence-based medicine. In particular, when searching for evidence of breast cancer, a measuring scale is an instrument for evaluating curative effects in accordance with the laws and characteristics of medicine and exploring the establishment of a system for medically assessing curative effects. At present, there exist few tools for evaluating curative effects. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) refer to outcomes directly reported by patients (without input or explanations from doctors or other intermediaries) with respect to all aspects of their health. Data obtained from PROs provide evidence of treatment effects. Materials and Methods: In accordance with the tenets of theoretical medicine and ancient medical theory regarding breast cancer, principles for developing a PRO scale were established, and a theoretical model was developed and a literature review was performed, items from this pool were combined and split, and an initial scale was constructed. After a pilot survey and additional modifications, a pre-questionnaire scale was formed and used in a field investigation. After the application of statistical methods, the item pool was used to create a formal scale. The reliability, validity and feasibility of this formal scale were then assessed. Results: In a clinical investigation, 479 responses were recovered, with an acceptance rate of 95%. a combination of various methods was employed, and the items that were selected by all methods or more than half of the methods were employed in the questionnaire. In these cases, the screening methods were combined with certain features of the item, A total of four domains and 38 items were reserved. The reliability analysis indicated that the PRO scale was relatively reliable. Conclusions: Scientific assessment proved that the proposed scale exhibited good reliability and validity. This scale was readily accepted and could be used to assess the curative effects of medical therapy. However, given the limited scope of this investigation, the capacity for adapting this scale to incorporate other theories could not be determined.

The Assessment of Management Practices on Foodservice , Clinical Nutrition Service in Hospital Foodservice Operations (병원 급식소의 급식 및 임상영양 서비스 업무 실태 조사)

  • Hong, Wan-Su;Kim, Hye-Jin;Jang, Eun-Jae
    • Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.136-147
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    • 2000
  • The aim of this research was to examine the management practices related to foodservice.clinical nutrition service provided by hospital foodservice operations. A survey of 30 hospital food nutrition service departments was undertaken and detailed information was collected from each, including surveys of 176 dietitians and 30 foodservice managers. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SAS/win 6.11 package for descriptive analysis and t-test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : Out of 30 hospitals, 73.3%(22) were directly operated and 26.7%(8) were under contract foodservice management. Licensed number of beds were 768.7, with an average length of 11.4 days. The general characteristics of the dietitians were that 49.4% were aged between 25-29, and 60.8% were ordinary dietitians. 76.7% had bachelor's degree, 15.9% with master's degree and 7.4% were college graduates. Most hospital dietitians had internship training and 35.2% took a training course of 6 to 12 months. The average space of kitchen was 452.52 $m^2$, with 133.63$m^2$ for modified diet space and 18.13$m^2$ for nutrition counselling room space. The total number of normal meals was 1,255.47, with 502.93 of modified meals. The average calorie of normal meals was 2,145.04kcal, with 91.9g of protein contained in normal meal. The total food waste was 351.40kg. An average monthly cost for disposing food waste was 745,171.67 won. 83.3% of the kitchens were on the 1st basement and only 66.7%(20) of 30 hospitals had its own nutrition counselling room. 80% used dishwashers and 66.7% had an exclusive elevator for delivering meals. 80.0% of hospitals used centralized delivery service. 90% had established an area for hygiene division, 70% used dry zone within the dishwashers for sterilization, 66.7% provided spoon and chopstick, and 100% used dish cover. As means of food waste treatment, most hospitals(56.7%) used animal feed by contracters, followed by means of collection by contracters(30%) and in-house high speed fermentation machines(13.3%). It was found that only 33.3% hospitals regularly checked temperatures of the meals given to patients. Total productivity index was 3.72(meals/hour) in average, with an average productivity index for normal diet of 5.41. Average productivity index for modified diet was 4.62. Productivity indices for patient meals and clinical nutrition were 5.01(meals/hour) and 1.12(cases/hour) respectively and hospitals under self-operated foodservice management received higher points on clinical nutrition productivity index(P<0.01) than hospitals under contract foodservice management.

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Relationship between Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Levels of Asthma Control in Asthma Patients Treated with Inhaled Corticosteroid

  • Han, Chang-Hee;Park, You-Il;Kwak, Hyun-Jung;Kim, Sa-Il;Kim, Tae-Hyung;Sohn, Jang-Won;Yoon, Ho-Joo;Shin, Dong-Ho;Park, Sung-Soo;Kim, Sang-Heon
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.71 no.2
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    • pp.106-113
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    • 2011
  • Background: While asthma control is defined as the extent to which the various manifestations of asthma are reduced by treatment, current guidelines of asthma recommend assessment of asthma control without consideration of airway inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the relationships between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a reliable marker of airway inflammation, and levels of asthma control in patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Methods: We enrolled 71 adult patients with asthma who had been treated with ICS for more than four months. FeNO was measured and spirometry was performed at the time of enrollment. Asthma control was assessed (a) by the physician based on the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, (b) by the patients, and (c) by using the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Statistical analyses were done to analyze the relationships between (i) FeNO and (ii) measures of asthma control and clinical indices for asthma manifestations. Results: There was no significant difference in FeNO levels between the three groups according to levels of asthma control (controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled) as determined by the physician (p=0.81), or by the patients (p=0.81). In addition, FeNO values were not significantly correlated with the ACT scores (r=0.031, p=0.807), while FeNO showed a correlation with peripheral blood eosinophil counts (p<0.001). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that FeNO levels are not associated with measures of asthma control in patients treated with ICS. Information on airway inflammation from FeNO concentrations seems to be unrelated to levels of asthma control

A comparative study on the accuracy of the devices for measuring the implant stability

  • Cho, In-Ho;Lee, Young-Il;Kim, Young-Mi
    • The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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    • v.1 no.3
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    • pp.124-128
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    • 2009
  • STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. How the ISQ values measured by $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor are related, and whether the ISQ values acquired from the two machines changes in accordance with changes in implant stability are not yet fully understood. PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to find out correlation between the ISQ values acquired from $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor, and to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and accuracy of two devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Sixty two implants were inserted into 47 patients, and their ISQ values were measured using $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor. In the first stage surgery, the ISQ values of forty four implants inserted into thirty five patients were measured. In the second stage surgery, the values of fifty implants inserted into thirty seven patients were measured. The values were analyzed to determine the difference between the mean ISQ values of $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor. In addition, the correlation between implants used in the first and second stage of surgery with regard to their types and areas of insertion were analyzed. The difference between the ISQ values of 32 implants in each patient during the first and second stage was analyzed. The statistical assessment was carried out using SPSS V. 12.0 for Win. (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlation between $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor in the first and second stages of surgery, whereas the difference between their ISQ values was evaluated using a paired t-test. RESULTS. In the first stage, the mean ISQ value for $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor was 70.84 and 75.09, respectively, showing a significant difference (P < .01). In the second stage, the mean ISQ value of $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor was 71.76 and 75.94, respectively, also showing a significant difference (P < .01). The difference between the ISQ values in patients in the first and the second stages was significant with both instruments. CONCLUSION. The significant difference in the values obtained using the $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Osstell^{TM}$ Mentor between the first and second stages of implant surgery indicates that these values can be a convenient and precise way for evaluating the implant stability in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the change of lower lip sensation after inferior alveolar nerve block by using the electric pulp tester (하치조신경 마취 후 전기치수검사기(Electric pulp tester)를 이용한 하순부 감각 변화 평가)

  • Ku, Myong-Suk;Kim, Jin-Wook;Jeon, Young-Hoon;Kwon, Tae-Geon;Lee, Sang-Han
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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    • v.37 no.6
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    • pp.464-469
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    • 2011
  • Introduction: As dental implant surgery is becoming increasingly popular, it has become one of the causes for the hypesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve, along with other surgical procedures, such as a third molar extraction. In addition, it tends to cause legal problems between the operator and patient. Therefore, there must be a proper method that is reliable, objective and economical to assess the nerve impairment. For this reason, an attempt was made to use an Electric Pulp Tester to assess inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients were tested. Electric pulp testing of the lower jaw skin was performed at the three different times, before anesthesia, at the onset of sensory changes and after 15 minutes waiting from the onset, and on the 10 points of the chin, which produced 10 sections on the skin area. Results: Twenty seven patients (90%) could feel the electric stimulus on the chin at all 10 points before local anesthesia and the scores represent the statistical differences between the right and left points except R4 and L4. After anesthesia, the difference between the right and left points (L3-R3, L4-R4, L5-R5) increased significantly with time but two points (L2, R2) showed no significant difference. The scores on the left chin (L3, L4, L5) increased, whereas the other points (R1-R5, L1, L2) showed no significant differences. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential clinical use of an electric pulp tester for an assessment of inferior alveolar nerve impairment.

Assessment of buccal bone thickness of aesthetic maxillary region: a cone-beam computed tomography study

  • Fuentes, Ramon;Flores, Tania;Navarro, Pablo;Salamanca, Carlos;Beltran, Victor;Borie, Eduardo
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.45 no.5
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    • pp.162-168
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the anatomical dimensions of the buccal bone walls of the aesthetic maxillary region for immediate implant placement, based upon cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans in a sample of adult patients. Methods: Two calibrated examiners analyzed a sample of 50 CBCT scans, performing morphometric analyses of both incisors and canines on the left and right sides. Subsequently, in the sagittal view, a line was traced through the major axis of the selected tooth. Then, a second line (E) was traced from the buccal to the palatal wall at the level of the observed bone ridges. The heights of the buccal and palatal bone ridges were determined at the major axis of the tooth. The buccal bone thickness was measured across five lines. The first was at the level of line E. The second was at the most apical point of the tooth, and the other three lines were equidistant between the apical and the cervical lines, and parallel to them. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of $P{\leq}0.05$ for the bone thickness means and standard deviations per tooth and patient for the five lines at varying depths. Results: The means of the buccal wall thicknesses in the central incisors, lateral incisors and canines were $1.14{\pm}0.65mm$, $0.95{\pm}0.67mm$ and $1.15{\pm}0.68mm$, respectively. Additionally, only on the left side were significant differences in some measurements of buccal bone thickness observed according to age and gender. However, age and gender did not show significant differences in heights between the palatal and buccal plates. In a few cases, the buccal wall had a greater height than the palatal wall. Conclusions: Less than 10% of sites showed more than a 2-mm thickness of the buccal bone wall, with the exception of the central incisor region, wherein 14.4% of cases were ${\geq}2mm$.

The Comparison of Fatigue of the Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia (류마티스 관절염.루프스.섬유조직염 환자의 피로 양상 비교)

  • Lee, Kyung-Sook;Song, Kyung-Ja;Lee, Eun-Ok
    • Journal of muscle and joint health
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.131-147
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    • 2000
  • Almost all patients with rheumatic disease experience fatigue. The fatigue affects the patient's life extensively at home and at work, therefore it is necessary to investigate the nature of the fatigue which the patients perceive. The purpose of this study is to explore the nature and pattern of fatigue of the patients with rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is typical disease for its joint involvement which leads to deformity. Whereas lupus is a characteristic systemic autoimmune disease and the fibromyalgia is characterized by the general bodyache and multiple local tenderness. The prevalence of these diseases and the fatigue was known to be higher in women than men. Therefore the subjects were woman patient diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or fibromyalgia, and they were recruited from the H-Rheumatic Disease Hospital. The two instruments, the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue by Belza(1995) and the Piper Fatigue Scale by Piper, et al(1995) were used to explore the nature and pattern of self-reported fatigue. In total, the data from 157 patients were analysed by the SPSS-PC program for statistical analysis. The results were as follows: 1. Most patients with rheumatic disease experienced fatigue and the degree of fatigue was at the middle range by the scores of the two instruments. 2. The degree of fatigue of the patients with fibromyalgia was the highest and the next was that of the patients with lupus and the fatigue of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. But there were no statistically significant differences among the patients with three rheumatic diseases, except the subcategory, the meaning of fatigue of the Piper Fatigue Scale. 3. Even when the period of the symptom and pain were covariated, there were no statistically significant differences among patients with three rheumatic diseases. The fatigue of the patients with lupus and fibromyalgia is rarely investigated in Korea and this study can be the base for the further understanding of the patients with rheumatic diseases. Therefore repeated studies are required to identify the factors to affect the fatigue and to understanding the nature of the diseases and to develop the nursing interventions to alleviate the fatigue.

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Assessment of PM-10 Monitoring Stations in Daegu using GIS Interpolation (공간 보간법을 이용한 도시지역 미세먼지 측정소의 배치 적절성 평가)

  • Kim, Hyo-Jeong;Jo, Wan-Kuen
    • Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.3-13
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    • 2012
  • This study evaluated the feasibility of the location for PM-10 Monitoring Stations utilizing through GIS analysis. In addition, optimal sites were investigated to properly manage PM-10 which are closely related with public health. There are 11 PM-10 monitoring stations in Daegu area and the PM-10 data monitored at these stations are utilized to understand the overall status of PM-10 pollution. However, there are contrastive issues on the locations of current monitoring stations. Thus, this study prepared the map of PM-10 concentrations in Daegu area using IDW and Kriging techniques. Furthermore, average PM-10 concentrations were calculated using zonal statistical methods according to legal divisions and then, the current monitoring stations were evaluated whether their location is appropriate or not for PM-10 pollution distribution. It was found that, on the basis of yearly, seasonal and daily concentration analysis, the location of current PM-10 monitoring stations were not appropriate, particularly as they could not represent regional PM-10 pollution characteristics. In order to supplement this deficiency, seven sites(Namsandong, Namildong, Dongildong, Buksungro 1, Jongro 1, Hyangchondong and Haejeondong) commonly selected from each analytical step are suggested as additional PM-10 monitoring sites. It is further suggested that this kind of scientific evaluation for the location of PM-10 monitoring stations are needed in order to properly manage public heath in other cities as well as Daegu area.

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality and the Eye Symptom of Occupants in Newly-built Office Building after Planting Indoor Plants (신축사무실 내 식물 적용 후 재실자 안구 증상 및 실내공기질 평가)

  • Kim, Hyojin;Kim, Ho-Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.265-274
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between worker's ophthalmoxerosis symptom and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) variation after planting indoor plants at newly-built office building. Methods: We selected a new office building located in Sejong-si and occupants who work in the Office for study. The indoor air pollutant was investigated according to applying indoor plants. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: There was VOCs' reduction effect according to placing indoor plants because the concentration of VOCs in newly-built government office (Sejong-si) was highly decreased when the indoor plants was placed at the office. The occupants' SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score was gradually decreased in accordance with applying indoor plants. However, SBS symptoms score was increased when the office was not applied indoor plants. There was not statistical significance in workers' dry eye questionnaire results. Conclusions: There was reduction effect of indoor air pollutant in applied indoor plants office. Also, in case of questionnaire results of ophthalmoxerosis and SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score were showed positive effect. This study is needed longer-term study because of complements of difference of individual sensitivity and there are some limitations due to field survey research.

Community-Based Health Education and Communication Model Development for Opisthorchiasis Prevention in a High Risk Area, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

  • Promthet, Paitoon;Kessomboon, Pattapong;Promthet, Supannee
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.17
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    • pp.7789-7794
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    • 2015
  • Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a community-based health education and communication programme on reducing liver fluke infections caused by the consumption of uncooked fish among people in a high-risk area of Thailand. Materials and Methods: The study was quasi-experimental in nature, with three-stages. Stage 1 involved a situational and capacity analysis of designated communities in Khon Kaen province. This was followed by the development of a model for community-based health education and communication to prevent liver fluke infections among high-risk people, and, lastly, implementation and evaluation of the model were performed. Data were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. In total, 390 people were surveyed, and quasi-experimental and comparison groups, each with 90 people, were assessed between May 2011 and April 2012. Analysis was using statistical OR, 95 % CI, the Willcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test, the chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The findings showed that most respondents had a high level of knowledge and understanding of liver fluke disease (89.5%, 95% CI:86.0-92.4), and positive attitudes toward the prevention of the disease (94.4%, 95% CI:91.6-96.4). However, with regard to changes in consumption of uncooked fish, most respondents were still in the pre-contemplation phase (55.1%, 95% CI:50.0-60.1), followed by the contemplation phase, 22.6%. Furthermore, four factors were found to be associated with the consumption of uncooked fish - the consumption of alcohol (OR 4.16, 95% CI:1.79-9.65), gender (OR 3.17, 95% CI:1.53-6.54), smoking (OR 3.03, 95% CI:1.31-7.05), and age 40 years and above (OR 2.68, 95% CI:1.02-7.05). After nine months of the health education and communication programme using local media based on local wisdom, culture and persons, the results showed that, compared to the control group, members of the experimental group had a higher level of knowledge, a better attitude and lower levels of ill-advised consumption behaviour. Also, it was found that consumption of uncooked fish, by an assessment of the level of stage of change, was reduced. (p-value 0.002). Conclusions: The health education and communication programme developed as part of the study was effective in changing the consumption of uncooked fish. Therefore, this approach should be promoted in other high-risk areas in Thailand in the future.