The Relationship Between Intact Parathyroid Hormone and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in United Kingdom Resident South Asians and Whites: A Comparative, Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Ethnic differences in intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) at similar total 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been reported between US resident Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics, but this has not been studied between South Asians and Whites. We, therefore, compared the iPTH relationship to 25(OH)D in UK resident South Asians and Whites. A comparative, cross-sectional observational study in which demographic and laboratory data on South Asian and White residents of Wolverhampton, UK were analyzed. Log-log models measured the association between 25(OH)D and the interaction term of ethnicity and iPTH. Seven hundred and seventy-two patients consisting of 315 white subjects (208 women) and 457 South Asian subjects (331 women) were studied. Compared to South Asians, White subjects were older, had higher serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, creatinine (lower eGFR), adjusted calcium and magnesium, but similar concentrations of iPTH and phosphate. In an adjusted model, variables significantly associated with 25(OH)D included age, creatinine, adjusted calcium and ethnicity; but not iPTH and the interaction term of ethnicity and iPTH (beta coefficient -0.071, 95% CI -0.209, 0.067, p=0.32). In our study cohort, iPTH was not, per se, influenced by 25 (OH)D. We found no ethnic differences in the association between iPTH and 25(OH)D between South Asians and White UK residents.

Prevalence of admission plasma glucose in 'diabetes' or 'at risk' ranges in hospital emergencies with no prior diagnosis of diabetes by gender, age and ethnicity.

AIMS: To establish the prevalence of admission plasma glucose in 'diabetes' and 'at risk' ranges in emergency hospital admissions with no prior diagnosis of diabetes; characteristics of people with hyperglycaemia; and factors influencing glucose measurement. METHODS: Electronic patient records for 113 097 hospital admissions over 1 year from 2014 to 2015 included 43 201 emergencies with glucose available for 31 927 (74%) admissions, comprising 22 045 people. Data are presented for 18 965 people with no prior diagnosis of diabetes and glucose available on first attendance. RESULTS: Three quarters (14 214) were White Europeans aged 62 (43-78) years, median (IQ range); 12% (2241) South Asians 46 (32-64) years; 9% (1726) Unknown/Other ethnicities 43 (29-61) years; and 4% (784) Afro-Caribbeans 49 (33-63) years, P < .001. Overall, 5% (1003) had glucose in the 'diabetes' range (≥11.1 mmol/L) higher at 8% (175) for South Asians; 16% (3042) were 'at risk' (7.8-11.0 mmol/L), that is 17% (2379) White Europeans, 15% (338) South Asians, 14% (236) Unknown/Others and 11% (89) Afro-Caribbeans, P < .001. The prevalence for South Asians aged <30 years was 2.1% and 5.2%, respectively, 2.6% and 8.6% for Afro-Caribbeans <30 years, and 2.0% and 8.4% for White Europeans <40 years. Glucose increased with age and was more often in the 'diabetes' range for South Asians than White Europeans with South Asian men particularly affected. One third of all emergency admissions were for <24 hours with 58% of these having glucose measured compared to 82% with duration >24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycaemia was evident in 21% of adults admitted as an emergency; various aspects related to follow-up and initial testing, age and ethnicity need to be considered by professional bodies addressing undiagnosed diabetes in hospital admissions.

Randomised controlled trial of a theory-based intervention to prompt front-line staff to take up the seasonal influenza vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of reminder letters informed by social normative theory (a type of 'nudge theory') on uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination by front-line hospital staff. DESIGN: Individually randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A large acute care hospital in England. PARTICIPANTS: Front-line staff employed by the hospital (n=7540) were randomly allocated to one of four reminder types in a factorial design. INTERVENTIONS: The standard letter included only general information directing the staff to take up the vaccine. A second letter highlighted a type of social norm based on peer comparisons. A third letter highlighted a type of social norm based on an appeal to authority. A fourth letter included a combination of the social norms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The proportion of hospital staff vaccinated on-site. RESULTS: Vaccine coverage was 43% (812/1885) in the standard letter group, 43% (818/1885) in the descriptive norms group, 43% (814/1885) in the injunctive norms group and 43% (812/1885) in the combination group. There were no statistically significant effects of either norm or the interaction. The OR for the descriptive norms factor is 1.01 (0.89-1.15) in the absence of the injunctive norms factor and 1.00 (0.88-1.13) in its presence. The OR for the injunctive norms factor is 1.00 (0.88-1.14) in the absence of the descriptive norms factor and 0.99 (0.87-1.12) in its presence. CONCLUSIONS: We find no evidence that the uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccination is affected by reminders using social norms to motivate uptake.

Glucocorticoid activation by 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes in relation to inflammation and glycaemic control in chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have dysregulated cortisol metabolism secondary to changes in 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD) enzymes. The determinants of this and its clinical implications are poorly defined. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study to characterize shifts in cortisol metabolism in relation to renal function, inflammation and glycaemic control. Systemic activation of cortisol by 11ß-HSD was measured as the metabolite ratio (tetrahydrocortisol [THF]+5α-tetrahydrocortisol [5αTHF])/tetrahydrocortisone (THE) in urine. RESULTS: The cohort included 342 participants with a median age of 63 years, median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 28 mL/min/1.73 m2 and median urine albumin-creatinine ratio of 35.5 mg/mmol. (THF+5αTHF)/THE correlated negatively with eGFR (Spearman's ρ = -0.116, P = 0.032) and positively with C-reactive protein (ρ = 0.208, P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, C-reactive protein remained a significant independent predictor of (THF+5αTHF)/THE, but eGFR did not. Elevated (THF+5αTHF)/THE was associated with HbA1c (ρ = 0.144, P = 0.008) and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio for high vs low tertile of (THF+5αTHF)/THE 2.57, 95% confidence interval 1.47-4.47). Associations with diabetes mellitus and with HbA1c among the diabetic subgroup were independent of eGFR, C-reactive protein, age, sex and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, glucocorticoid activation by 11ß-HSD in our cohort comprising a spectrum of renal function was associated with inflammation and impaired glucose control.

Can HbA1c detect undiagnosed diabetes in acute medical hospital admissions?

OBJECTIVE: To study hyperglycaemia in acute medical admissions to Irish regional hospital. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2007, 2061 white Caucasians, aged >18 years, were admitted by 1/7 physicians. Those with diabetes symptoms/complications but no previous record of hyperglycaemia (n=390), underwent OGTT with concurrent HbA1c in representative subgroup (n=148). Comparable data were obtained for 108 primary care patients at risk of diabetes. RESULTS: Diabetes was diagnosed immediately by routine practice in 1% (22/2061) [aged 36 (26-61) years (median IQ range)/55% (12/22) male] with pre-existing diabetes/dysglycaemia present in 19% (390/2061) [69 (58-80) years/60% (235/390) male]. Possible diabetes symptoms/complications were identified in 19% [70 (59-79) years/57% (223/390) male] with their HbA1c similar to primary care patients [54 (46-61) years], 5.7 (5.3-6.0)%/39 (34-42)mmol/mol (n=148) vs 5.7 (5.4-6.1)%/39 (36-43)mmol/mol, p=0.35, but lower than those diagnosed on admission, 10.2 (7.4-13.3)%/88 (57-122)mmol/mol, p<0.001. Their fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was similar to primary care patients, 5.2 (4.8-5.7) vs 5.2 (4.8-5.9) mmol/L, p=0.65, but 2hPG higher, 9.0 (7.3-11.4) vs 5.5 (4.4-7.5), p<0.001. HbA1c identified diabetes in 10% (15/148) with 14 confirmed on OGTT but overall 32% (48/148) were in diabetic range on OGTT. The specificity of HbA1c in 2061 admissions was similar to primary care, 99% vs 96%, p=0.20, but sensitivity lower, 38% vs 93%, p<0.001 (63% on FPG/23% on 2hPG, p=0.037, in those with possible symptoms/complications). CONCLUSION: HbA1c can play a diagnostic role in acute medicine as it diagnosed another 2% of admissions with diabetes but the discrepancy in sensitivity shows that it does not reflect transient/acute hyperglycaemia resulting from the acute medical event.

Comparison of IFCC-calibrated HbA(1c) from laboratory and point of care testing systems.

OBJECTIVE: WHO, IDF and ADA recommend HbA(1c) ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) for diagnosis of diabetes with pre-diabetes 6.0% (42 mmol/mol) [WHO] or 5.7% (39 mmol/mol) [ADA] to 6.4% (47 mmol/mol). We have compared HbA(1c) from several methods for research relating glycaemic markers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: HbA1c was measured in EDTA blood from 128 patients with diabetes on IE HPLC analysers (Bio-Rad Variant II NU, Menarini HA8160 and Tosoh G8), point of care systems, POCT, (A1cNow+ disposable cartridges and DCA 2000(®)+ analyser), affinity chromatography (Primus Ultra2) and the IFCC secondary reference method (Menarini HA8160 calibrated using IFCC SRM protocol). RESULTS: Median (IQ range) on IFCC SRM was 7.5% (6.8-8.4) (58(51-68) mmol/mol) HbA(1c) with minimum 5.3%(34 mmol/mol)/maximum 11.9%(107 mmol/mol). There were positive offsets between IFCC SRM and Bio-Rad Variant II NU, mean difference (1SD), +0.33%(0.17) (+3.6(1.9) mmol/mol), r(2)=0.984, p<0.001 and Tosoh G8, +0.22%(0.20) (2.4(2.2) mmol/mol), r(2)=0.976, p<0.001 with a very small negative difference -0.04%(0.11) (-0.4(1.2) mmol/mol), r(2)=0.992, p<0.001 for Menarini HA8160. POCT methods were less precise with negative offsets for DCA 2000(®)+ analyser -0.13%(0.28) (-1.4(3.1) mmol/mol), r(2)=0.955, p<0.001 and A1cNow+ cartridges -0.70%(0.67) (-7.7(7.3) mmol/mol), r(2)=0.699, p<0.001 (n=113). Positive biases for Tosoh and Bio-Rad (compared with IFCC SRM) have been eliminated by subsequent revision of calibration. CONCLUSIONS: Small differences observed between IFCC-calibrated and NGSP certified methods across a wide HbA(1c) range were confirmed by quality control and external quality assurance. As these offsets affect estimates of diabetes prevalence, the analyser (and calibrator) employed should be considered when evaluating diagnostic data.

Should we educate about the risks of medication overuse headache?

BACKGROUND: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is caused by the regular use of medications to treat headache. There has been a lack of research into awareness of MOH. We distributed an electronic survey to undergraduate students and their contacts via social networking sites. Analgesic use, awareness of MOH, perceived change in behaviour following educational intervention about the risks of MOH and preferred terminology for MOH was evaluated. FINDINGS: 485 respondents completed the questionnaire (41% having received healthcare training). 77% were unaware of the possibility of MOH resulting from regular analgesic use for headache. Following education about MOH, 80% stated they would reduce analgesic consumption or seek medical advice. 83% indicated that over the counter analgesia should carry a warning of MOH. The preferred terminology for MOH was painkiller-induced headache. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the lack of awareness of MOH. Improved education about MOH and informative packaging of analgesics, highlighting the risks in preferred lay terminology (i.e., painkiller-induced headache), may reduce this iatrogenic morbidity and warrants further evaluation.

Rating papilloedema: an evaluation of the Frisén classification in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

The appearance of the optic disc is a key measure of disease status in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The Frisén classification describes stages of optic disc swelling (grades 0-5). It is the only classification of papilloedema, and is used internationally in clinical and research practice. Despite this, there has been very limited evaluation of the scale. We assessed the inter-rater reproducibility and ability to discriminate optic disc changes over time using the Frisén classification compared with a system of ranking papilloedema severity in patients with IIH. Paired disc photographs (before and after treatment) were obtained from 47 patients with IIH (25 acute and 22 chronic). Six neuro-ophthalmologists blinded to patient identity, clinical information and chronology of the photographs reviewed the discs and allocated a Frisén grade and ranked the paired discs in order of papilloedema severity (disc ranking). A total of 188 optic disc photographs were reviewed. All six reviewers agreed in only three comparisons (1.6%) when using the Frisén classification, compared with 42 comparisons (45.2%) when using disc ranking. The probability of agreement between any two reviewers was 36.1% for Frisén grade and 70.0% for disc ranking. Disc ranking had significantly greater sensitivity for finding differences in degree of disc oedema, identifying a difference in 75.3% of paired photographs compared to 53.2% detected using the Frisén classification (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated the limited reproducibility and discriminative ability of the Frisén classification in identifying changes in serial optic disc photographs in IIH. Simple optic disc ranking appears to be a more sensitive and reliable tool to monitor changes in optic disc appearance. The use of disc ranking in clinical practice and research studies is recommended to monitor alterations in optic disc appearance until alternative schemes, specific to IIH, have been developed.

Is cerebrospinal fluid shunting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension worthwhile? A 10-year review.

BACKGROUND: The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion in treating idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is disputed. METHOD: We conducted a 10-year, retrospective case note review to evaluate the effects of CSF diversion in IIH. Symptoms, signs and details of shunt type, complications and revisions were documented at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Fifty-three IIH patients were shunted [predominantly lumboperitoneal (92%)]. The most common symptom pre-surgery was headache (96%). Post-operatively, significantly fewer patients experienced declining vision and visual acuity improved at 6 (p = 0.001) and 12 months (p = 0.016). Headache continued in 68% at 6 months, 77% at 12 months and 79% at 2 years post-operatively. Additionally, post-operative low-pressure headache occurred in 28%. Shunt revision occurred in 51% of patients, with 30% requiring multiple revisions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that CSF diversion reduces visual decline and improves visual acuity. Unfortunately, headache remained in the majority of patients and low-pressure headache frequently complicated surgery. Over half of the patients required shunt revision with the majority of these requiring multiple revisions. We suggest that CSF shunting should be conducted as a last resort in those with otherwise untreatable, rapidly declining vision. Alternative treatments, such as weight reduction, may be more effective with less associated morbidity.

Can an electronic prescribing system detect doctors who are more likely to make a serious prescribing error?

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess whether routine data produced by an electronic prescribing system might be useful in identifying doctors at higher risk of making a serious prescribing error. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prescribing by junior doctors over 12 months using an electronic prescribing information and communication system. The system issues a graded series of prescribing alerts (low-level, intermediate, and high-level), and warnings and prompts to respond to abnormal test results. These may be overridden or heeded, except for high-level prescribing alerts, which are indicative of a potentially serious error and impose a 'hard stop'. SETTING: A large teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All junior doctors in the study setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of prescribing alerts and laboratory warnings and doctors' responses. RESULTS: Altogether 848,678 completed prescriptions issued by 381 doctors (median 1538 prescriptions per doctor, interquartile range [IQR] 328-3275) were analysed. We identified 895,029 low-level alerts (median 1033 per 1000 prescriptions per doctor, IQR 903-1205) with a median of 34% (IQR 31-39%) heeded; 172,434 intermediate alerts (median 196 per 1000 prescriptions per doctor, IQR 159-266), with a median of 23% (IQR 16-30%) heeded; and 11,940 high-level 'hard stop' alerts. Doctors vary greatly in the extent to which they trigger and respond to alerts of different types. The rate of high-level alerts showed weak correlation with the rate of intermediate prescribing alerts (correlation coefficient, r = 0.40, P = <0.001); very weak correlation with low-level alerts (r = 0.12, P = 0.019); and showed weak (and sometimes negative) correlation with propensity to heed test-related warnings or alarms. The degree of correlation between generation of intermediate and high-level alerts is insufficient to identify doctors at high risk of making serious errors. CONCLUSIONS: Routine data from an electronic prescribing system should not be used to identify doctors who are at risk of making serious errors. Careful evaluation of the kinds of quality assurance questions for which routine data are suitable will be increasingly valuable.

The metrics of glycaemic control in critical care.

INTRODUCTION: Trials of tight glucose control have compared measures of central tendency, such as average blood glucose, and yielded conflicting results. Other metrics, such as standard deviation, reflect different properties of glucose control and are also associated with changes in outcome. It is possible, therefore, that the conflicting results from interventional studies arise from effects on glycaemic control that have not been reported. METHODS: Using glucose measurements from patients admitted to four adult intensive care units in one UK hospital, we sought to identify metrics of glycaemic control, examine the relationship between them and identify the metrics that are both independently and most strongly associated with outcome. RESULTS: We examined nine previously described metrics and identified a further four. Cluster analysis classified these metrics into two families, namely, those reflecting measures of central tendency and those reflecting measures of dispersion. A measure of minimum glucose was also identified but related to neither family. Plots of the quintiles of these metrics against hospital mortality revealed population-specific relationships. Areas under receiver-operating characteristic curves could not identify an optimum metric of central tendency or dispersion. Using odds ratios, we were able to show that the effect of these metrics is independent of one another. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that glycaemic control is associated with outcome on the basis of three independent metrics, reflecting measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion and a measure of minimum glucose.

Cerebrospinal fluid corticosteroid levels and cortisol metabolism in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a link between 11beta-HSD1 and intracranial pressure regulation?

CONTEXT: The etiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is unknown. We hypothesized that obesity and elevated intracranial pressure may be linked through increased 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1) activity. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to characterize 11ß-HSD1 in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretory [choroid plexus (CP)] and drainage [arachnoid granulation tissue (AGT)] structures, and to evaluate 11ß-HSD1 activity after therapeutic weight loss in IIH. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted in vitro analysis of CP and AGT and a prospective in vivo cohort study set in two tertiary care centers. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five obese adult female patients with active IIH were studied, and 22 completed the study. INTERVENTION: Fasted serum, CSF, and 24-h urine samples were collected at baseline, after 3-month observation, and after a 3-month diet. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in urine, serum, and CSF glucocorticoids (measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry) after weight loss were measured. RESULTS: 11ß-HSD1 and key elements of the glucocorticoid signaling pathway were expressed in CP and AGT. After weight loss (14.2±7.8 kg; P<0.001), global 11ß-HSD1 activity decreased (P=0.001) and correlated with reduction in intracranial pressure (r=0.504; P=0.028). CSF and serum glucocorticoids remained stable, although the change in CSF cortisone levels correlated with weight loss (r=-0.512; P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic weight loss in IIH is associated with a reduction in global 11ß-HSD1 activity. Elevated 11ß-HSD1 may represent a pathogenic mechanism in IIH, potentially via manipulation of CSF dynamics at the CP and AGT. Although further clarification of the functional role of 11ß-HSD1 in IIH is needed, our results suggest that 11ß-HSD1 inhibition may have therapeutic potential in IIH.

Low energy diet and intracranial pressure in women with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To observe intracranial pressure in women with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who follow a low energy diet. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient department and the clinical research facility based at two separate hospitals within the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 25 women with body mass index (BMI) >25, with active (papilloedema and intracranial pressure >25 cm H(2)O), chronic (over three months) idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Women who had undergone surgery to treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension were excluded. INTERVENTION: Stage 1: no new intervention; stage 2: nutritionally complete low energy (calorie) diet (1777 kJ/day (425 kcal/day)); stage 3: follow-up period after the diet. Each stage lasted three months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was reduction in intracranial pressure after the diet. Secondary measures included score on headache impact test-6, papilloedema (as measured by ultrasonography of the elevation of the optic disc and diameter of the nerve sheath, together with thickness of the peripapillary retina measured by optical coherence tomography), mean deviation of Humphrey visual field, LogMAR visual acuity, and symptoms. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and three, six, and nine months. Lumbar puncture, to quantify intracranial pressure, was measured at baseline and three and six months. RESULTS: All variables remained stable over stage 1. During stage 2, there were significant reductions in weight (mean 15.7 (SD 8.0) kg, P<0.001), intracranial pressure (mean 8.0 (SD 4.2) cm H(2)O, P<0.001), score on headache impact test (7.6 (SD 10.1), P=0.004), and papilloedema (optic disc elevation (mean 0.15 (SD 0.23) mm, P=0.002), diameter of the nerve sheath (mean 0.7 (SD 0.8) mm, P=0.004), and thickness of the peripapillary retina (mean 25.7 (SD 36.1) micro, P=0.001)). Mean deviation of the Humphrey visual field remained stable, and in only five patients, the LogMAR visual acuity improved by one line. Fewer women reported symptoms including tinnitus, diplopia, and obscurations (10 v 4, P=0.004; 7 v 0, P=0.008; and 4 v 0, P=0.025, respectively). Re-evaluation at three months after the diet showed no significant change in weight (0.21 (SD 6.8) kg), and all outcome measures were maintained. CONCLUSION: Women with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who followed a low energy diet for three months had significantly reduced intracranial pressure compared with pressure measured in the three months before the diet, as well as improved symptoms and reduced papilloedema. These reductions persisted for three months after they stopped the diet.

Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy: what are the long-term prospects?

INTRODUCTION: Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy has known psychological and financial advantages but it is difficult to compare the outcome of various methods of reconstruction. Re-operation rates are an objective measure of surgical intervention required to attain and maintain acceptable cosmesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 95 patients (110 immediate reconstructions) was analysed for number of re-operations required within 5 years of initial surgery, magnitude of procedures, 'survival' of the reconstruction and effect of radiotherapy. RESULTS: Although more intervention was seen in patients with implant-based reconstruction and the time-course over which autologous and implant-based reconstructions fail is different these did not reach statistical significance. Radiotherapy has a significant effect on failure of implant-based reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term, large studies of immediate reconstruction are required to assess adequately the impact of type of reconstruction on re-operation rates. The National Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Audit is ideally placed to provide answers to remaining questions about longevity of immediate breast reconstruction and the effect that late failure has on patient satisfaction.

Self-organizing maps can determine outcome and match recipients and donors at orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: There is a relative lack of donor organs for liver transplantation. Ideally, to maximize the utility of those livers that are offered, donor and recipient characteristics should be matched to ensure the best possible posttransplant survival of the recipient. METHODS: With prospectively collected data on 827 patients receiving a primary liver graft for chronic liver disease, we used a self-organizing map (SOM) (one form of a neural network) to predict outcome after transplantation using both donor and recipient factors. The SOM was then validated using a data set of 2622 patients undergoing transplantation in the United Kingdom at other centers. RESULTS: SOM analysis using 72 inputs and two survival intervals (3 and 12 months) yielded three neurons with either higher or lower probabilities of survival. The model was validated using the independent data set. With 20 patients on the waiting list and 10 sequential donor livers, it was possible to demonstrate that the model could be used to identify which potential recipients were likely to benefit most from each liver offered. CONCLUSIONS: With this approach to matching donor livers and recipients, it is possible to inform transplant clinicians about the optimum use of donor livers and thereby effectively make the best use of a scarce resource.

Improving outcomes in gastric cancer over 20 years.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer has in the past proven to be a difficult disease to cure. Surgery is the most effective treatment, although the extent of lymphadenectomy undertaken is controversial. This paper examines trends in the detection and treatment of gastric cancer, the move toward targeted surgery, and their impact on survival. METHODS: From 1982 to 2001, 430 patients with gastric cancer were under the care of a single surgeon at the same institution. Copies of the operation records, discharge summaries, and histology reports were retained and subsequently reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were excluded from the analysis. Two hundred and five patients (52%) had potentially curative surgery for adenocarcinoma and 189 had incurable disease. During the 20-year period, overall 5-year survival increased significantly, from 15% to 41% (P < 0.01). The number of curative procedures also increased significantly, from 33% to 73% (P1 < 0.001) as disease was detected earlier, and 5-year survival in these patients increased from 26% to 46%. Eighty-seven D1, 92 D2, and 26 targeted procedures were performed, with 30-day mortalities of 5%, 9%, and 5%, respectively. The 5-year survival was 47% for D1, 42% for D2, and 66% for targeted surgery. CONCLUSION: This paper demonstrates an improvement in the stage at which disease was detected and improvement in long-term survival for patients with gastric cancer. The development of targeted surgery has shown promising early results.

Influence of calibration on densitometric studies of emphysema progression using computed tomography.

The fundamental importance of calibration for any measuring device is indisputable, but computed tomography (CT) calibration in longitudinal lung densitometry studies is largely unexplored. Although the validity of CT as a measure of emphysema has been confirmed in cross-sectional studies, there are limited data on long-term reproducibility, and this is critically important for validating its use as an outcome measure in therapeutic trials. A general understanding of the strengths and pitfalls of CT densitometry is critical for physicians reviewing the published literature using this methodology. In our study of 57 patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (phenotype PiZ), progression of voxel index determined from three successive annual scans acquired with a fully calibrated scanner was intimately associated with changes in CT air densitometry, sampled from patient images. Images were therefore reanalyzed, using a correction technique validated in phantom studies that adjusted for changes in measured air density, and the reliability of the voxel index as a measure of emphysema progression was improved. Comparison of adjusted voxel index thresholds indicated the optimum threshold was -950 Hounsfield units. Internal air calibration is therefore critical in longitudinal and multicenter lung densitometry studies of emphysema and incorporation of a correction factor is essential for quantitative image analysis.