Health State Preference Weights for the Glasgow Outcome Scale Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Mapping Study.

BACKGROUND: Valid and relevant estimates of health state preference weights (HSPWs) for Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) categories are a key input of economic models evaluating treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVES: To characterize existing HSPW estimates, and model the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D) from the GOS, to inform parameterization of future economic models. METHODS: A systematic review of HSPWs for GOS categories following TBI was conducted using a highly sensitive search strategy implemented in an extensive range of information sources between 1975 and 2016. A cross-sectional mapping study of GOS health states onto the three-level EQ-5D UK tariff index values was also performed in patients with significant TBI (head region Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥3) from the Victoria State Trauma Registry. A limited dependent variable mixture model was used to estimate the 12-month EQ-5D UK value set as a function of GOS category, age, and other explanatory variables. RESULTS: Six unique HSPWs from five eligible studies were identified. All studies were at high risk of bias with limited applicability. The magnitude of HSPWs differed significantly between studies. Three class mixture models demonstrated excellent goodness of fit to the observed Victoria State Trauma Registry data. GOS category, age at injury, sex, comorbidity, and major extracranial injury all had significant independent effects on mean EQ-5D utility values. CONCLUSIONS: The few available HSPWs for GOS categories are challenged by potential biases and restricted generalizability. Mixture models are presented to provide HSPWs for GOS categories consistent with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence reference case.

The effectiveness of specialist neuroscience care in severe traumatic brain injury: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: UK trauma services are currently undergoing reconfiguration, but the optimum management pathway for head-injured patients is uncertain. We therefore performed a systematic review to assess the effects of routine inter-hospital transfer and specialist neuroscience care on mortality and disability in patients with non-surgical severe traumatic brain injury injured nearest to a non-specialist acute hospital. METHODS: A protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42012002021) and review methodology followed Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. A peer reviewed search strategy was implemented in an exhaustive range of information sources, including all major bibliographic databases, between 1973 and July 2013. Selection of eligible studies, extraction of relevant data and bias assessment were then performed by two independent reviewers. In the absence of homogeneous effect estimates at low risk of bias a narrative synthesis was pre-specified. RESULTS: Four cohort studies, including a total of 4688 patients, were identified as potentially eligible after screening and bias assessment. Confounding by indication, arising from selective transfer of less severely injured patients, was the main limitation of included studies, with overall risk of bias rated as high for both mortality and disability effect estimates. Adjusted odds ratios for mortality favoured secondary transfer, ranging from 1.92 (95% CI 1.25-2.95) to 2.09 (95% CI 1.59-2.74). No convincing association was observed between non-specialist care and unfavourable outcome with a conditional odds ratio of 1.13 (95% CI 0.36-3.6). CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence supporting a strategy of secondary transfer of severe non-surgical traumatic brain injury patients to specialist neuroscience centres. Randomised controlled trials powered to detect clinically plausible treatment effects should be considered to definitively investigate effectiveness.

Distribution of serotonin and its effect on insulin and glucagon secretion in normal and diabetic pancreatic tissues in rat.

OBJECTIVES: The distribution of serotonin (5-HT) and its effect on insulin and glucagon secretion were investigated to examine whether there are changes in the pattern of distribution and effect of 5-HT after the onset of experimental diabetes. METHODS: The pattern of 5-HT and its effect of insulin and glucagon secretion was examined using immunohistochemical and radioimmunoassay techniques, respectively. RESULTS: 5-HT was demonstrated mainly in the neural elements of the pancreas. 5-HT-containing fine varicose nerve fibers were discerned in the wall of blood vessels and pancreatic ducts. 5-HT-containing nerves were also observed in the periacinar and periinsular regions of normal pancreas. The pattern or intensity of the distribution of serotonergic nerves did not change after the onset of diabetes. The perivascular, periductal, periacinar and periinsular regions of diabetic pancreas all contained 5-HT positive nerves. 5-HT elicited marked increases in insulin secretion from normal pancreas but had an inhibitory effect on insulin secretion from diabetic pancreatic tissues. In contrast, 5HT inhibited glucagon secretion from normal pancreatic tissue fragments but stimulated glucagon release from diabetic pancreatic tissue fragments. conclusion: 5-HT is well distributed in normal and diabetic pancreatic tissues and has stimulatory effects on insulin secretion from normal pancreas and glucagon secretion from diabetic pancreas. This result indicates that although 5-HT may help in the maintenance of the blood sugar level in normal pancreas by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon secretion, it may also aggravate the hyperglycemia observed in diabetes mellitus and hence exacerbate the symptoms of hyperglycemia in poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

Use of Peristeen® transanal colonic irrigation for bowel management in children: a single-center experience.

AIMS: Transanal colonic irrigation has been shown to be effective in bowel management program in adults. However, there exist limited data in children. We appraised the effectiveness of this technique in a series of children with incontinence or constipation and overflow soiling. METHODS: Following ethical approval, a review of children with incontinence or constipation on a bowel management program with Peristeen® transanal colonic irrigation treated between 2007 and 2012 was performed. Irrigations were performed with a volume of 10-20 ml/kg of water with schedules depending on patient response. Data are reported as median (range). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were reviewed. Median age at commencement of irrigations was 7 (2-15) years. Median follow-up is 2 (0.7-3.4) years. Diagnoses include the following: spina bifida (n=11), anorectal anomaly (n=6), Hirschsprung's (n=1), and other complex anomalies (n=5). Sixteen (70%) patients had associated anomalies. Twelve (52%) had constipation and overflow soiling, and 11 (48%) had fecal incontinence. Twenty (87%) had associated urinary wetting. Sixteen (70%) children used alternate-day irrigations, 4 (17%) daily irrigations, and 3 (13%) every third-day irrigations. Nine (39%) patients were taking oral laxatives. Sixteen (70%) reported to be clean and 3 (13%) reported a significant improvement, although were having occasional soiling. Four patients (17%) did not tolerate the irrigations and underwent subsequent colostomy formation for intractable soiling. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, Peristeen® transanal colonic irrigation is an effective method of managing patients with focal soiling in childhood. Majority (83%) of children achieve social fecal continence or a significant improvement with occasional soiling. This was accompanied by high parental satisfaction. Peristeen® transanal colonic irrigation is a valid alternative to invasive surgical procedures and should be considered the first line of treatment for bowel management in children with soiling where simple pharmacological maneuvers failed to be effective.