Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 212
Filter
1.
J Am Coll Radiol ; 21(6S): S168-S202, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38823943

ABSTRACT

As the proportion of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer increases, the role of imaging for staging and surveillance purposes should be determined based on evidence-based guidelines. It is important to understand the indications for extent of disease evaluation and staging, as unnecessary imaging can delay care and even result in adverse outcomes. In asymptomatic patients that received treatment for curative intent, there is no role for imaging to screen for distant recurrence. Routine surveillance with an annual 2-D mammogram and/or tomosynthesis is recommended to detect an in-breast recurrence or a new primary breast cancer in women with a history of breast cancer, and MRI is increasingly used as an additional screening tool in this population, especially in women with dense breasts. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Evidence-Based Medicine , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Societies, Medical , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Female , United States , Neoplasm Invasiveness/diagnostic imaging , Neoplasm Staging , Mammography/standards , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
3.
J Am Coll Radiol ; 2024 Jan 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38176672

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of radiologists categorizing the method of detection (MOD) when performing image-guided breast biopsies. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study was conducted across a health care enterprise that provides breast imaging services at 18 imaging sites across four US states. Radiologists used standardized templates to categorize the MOD, defined as the first test, sign, or symptom that triggered the subsequent workup and recommendation for biopsy. All image-guided breast biopsies since the implementation of the MOD-inclusive standardized template-from October 31, 2017 to July 6, 2023-were extracted. A random sample of biopsy reports was manually reviewed to evaluate the accuracy of MOD categorization. RESULTS: A total of 29,999 biopsies were analyzed. MOD was reported in 29,423 biopsies (98.1%) at a sustained rate that improved over time. The 10 MOD categories in this study included the following: 15,184 mammograms (51.6%); 4,561 MRIs (15.5%); 3,473 ultrasounds (11.8%); 2,382 self-examinations (8.1%); 2,073 tomosynthesis studies (7.0%); 432 clinical examinations (1.5%); 421 molecular breast imaging studies (1.4%); 357 other studies (1.2%); 338 contrast-enhanced digital mammograms (1.1%); and 202 PET studies (0.7%). Original assignments of the MOD agreed with author assignments in 87% of manually reviewed biopsies (n = 100, 95% confidence interval: [80.4%, 93.6%]). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that US radiologists can consistently and accurately categorize the MOD over an extended time across a health care enterprise.

4.
J Med Screen ; 31(1): 1-2, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37624726

ABSTRACT

Debates about breast cancer screening have continued in part because the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, which began in 1974, has never included the method of detection so that it has been impossible to determine the role that early detection has played in the major decline in deaths from breast cancer that we have seen in the US since 1990. Method of detection should be added to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database as soon as possible.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Mammography/methods , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Databases, Factual , Mass Screening/methods
7.
Radiographics ; 43(12): e230100, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38032823

ABSTRACT

Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a relatively new breast imaging modality that uses intravenous contrast material to increase detection of breast cancer. CEM combines the structural information of conventional mammography with the functional information of tumor neovascularity. Initial studies have demonstrated that CEM and MRI perform with similar accuracies, with CEM having a slightly higher specificity (fewer false positives), although larger studies are needed. There are various reasons for false positives and false negatives at CEM. False positives at CEM can be caused by benign lesions with vascularity, including benign tumors, infection or inflammation, benign lesions in the skin, and imaging artifacts. False negatives at CEM can be attributed to incomplete or inadequate visualization of lesions, marked background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) obscuring cancer, lack of lesion contrast enhancement due to technical issues or less-vascular cancers, artifacts, and errors of lesion perception or characterization. When possible, real-time interpretation of CEM studies is ideal. If additional views are necessary, they may be obtained while contrast material is still in the breast parenchyma. Until recently, a limitation of CEM was the lack of CEM-guided biopsy capability. However, in 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared two devices to support CEM-guided biopsy using a stereotactic biopsy technique. The authors review various causes of false-positive and false-negative contrast-enhanced mammograms and discuss strategies to reduce these diagnostic errors to improve cancer detection while mitigating unnecessary additional imaging and procedures. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Contrast Media , Humans , Female , Mammography/methods , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast/diagnostic imaging , Diagnostic Errors/prevention & control , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
9.
Pilot Feasibility Stud ; 9(1): 170, 2023 Oct 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37798752

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression programme ('TTad'; formerly Improving Access to Psychological Therapies 'IAPT') delivers high-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to over 200,000 individuals each year for common mental health problems like depression and anxiety. More than half of these individuals experience comorbid personality difficulties, who show poorer treatment outcomes. TTad therapists report feeling unskilled to work with clients with personality difficulties, and enhancing the training of TTad therapists may lead to improved treatment outcomes for individuals presenting with secondary personality difficulties alongside depression and anxiety. METHODS: This is a pre-post non-randomised mixed-method feasibility study, exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a 1-day training workshop for high-intensity (HI) CBT therapists. The workshop is focused on understanding and assessing personality difficulties and adapting HICBT treatments for anxiety and depression to accommodate client needs. The feasibility and acceptability of the workshop and the evaluation procedures will be investigated. It will be examined to what extent the workshop provision leads to improvements in therapist skills and confidence and explored to what extent the training has the potential to enhance clinical outcomes for this client group. DISCUSSION: This feasibility study will provide data on the acceptability and feasibility of delivering brief therapist training to adapt usual HICBT to optimise care for individuals with secondary personality difficulties seeking treatment in TTad services for a primary problem of depression and/or anxiety. The study will also evaluate proof of concept that such an approach has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for those with secondary personality difficulties and report any possible harms identified. The study will inform the design of a future randomised controlled trial designed to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN81104604 . Submitted on 6th June 2022. Registration date: 3rd January 2023.

10.
Campbell Syst Rev ; 19(4): e1355, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37795424

ABSTRACT

Background: Opportunities for social connection between generations have diminished over the last few decades around the world as a result of changes in the way that we live and work. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many with young and old being kept apart for safety. The Public Health England prevention concordat for better mental health (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) aims to bring a prevention-focused approach to improving public mental health. The concordat promotes evidence-based planning and commissioning to increase the impact on reducing health inequalities using sustainable and cost-effective interventions that impact on the wider determinants of mental health and wellbeing for children and young people and older people. Intergenerational activities could provide an opportunity to support both populations. In 2023, we produced an evidence and gap map to illustrate the amount and variety of research on intergenerational interventions and the gaps in research that still exist in this area. The review conducted here is based on the evidence in that map. Objectives: This systematic review examines the impact of intergenerational interventions on the wellbeing and mental health of older people and identifies areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners. Search Methods: We searched an evidence and gap map published in 2022 (comprehensive searches conducted July 2021 and updated June 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that report mental health and wellbeing outcomes for older people. Selection Criteria: Randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that involved unrelated younger and older people with at least one skipped generation between them and reported mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older people were included in this review. Data Collection and Analysis: We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration. We conducted data extraction and Cochrane risk of bias assessments in EPPI reviewer. Where data allowed meta-analyses were conducted in STATA. Main Results: This review includes 14 trials from six different countries. The trials had some important methodological weaknesses. Interventions were mainly delivered in-person and often in groups. They included visiting programmes, school volunteering programmes, music-based interventions and task-oriented interventions such as activities set in a multigenerational park, reminiscing activities, aggression management programmes, learning a language, making local environmental changes and in-school project work. Intergenerational interventions showed a small positive trend towards improving self-esteem (effect size [ES]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.35, 1.01) and depression (ES: 0.19, 95% CI: -0.23, 0.60) for older people participating. However, due to the small study sizes and low number of studies available, we cannot be confident about any effects. The results for other mental health and wellbeing outcomes are reported but due to little overlap in similar assessments across the studies, we could not combine them to assess the strength of evidence. There were no data about social isolation, spiritual health or sense of community. There are no long-term studies and no data on equity. We still know very little about what works and how or why. Whilst some interventions do use theories and logic to inform their development others do not. More exploration of this is needed. Authors' Conclusions: Commissioners and intervention developers should ensure interventions provide sufficient theoretical evidence for the logic behind the proposed intervention and should improve their consideration of equity within the interventions Research on intergenerational interventions need more consistent and agreed measures for reporting outcomes including community outcomes (core outcome sets). More understanding is needed on how best to measure 'community' outcomes. Research on intergenerational interventions should measure outcomes for BOTH the older and younger population engaged in the intervention-these may or may not be the same outcomes reflected in both populations. Further research is needed on the long-term impact of interventions on outcomes (whether participants need to keep being involved in an 'intervention' to continue to benefit) and sustainability of interventions beyond the initial funding of the research project. Supporting this our stakeholders highlighted that interventions that are initiated for research and then end (usually within a year) are not helpful.

11.
Radiographics ; 43(10): e230016, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37768862

ABSTRACT

High-risk lesions of the breast are frequently encountered in percutaneous biopsy specimens. While benign, these lesions have historically undergone surgical excision due to their potential to be upgraded to malignancy. However, there is emerging evidence that a tailored management approach should be considered to reduce overtreatment of these lesions. Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) are two of the most commonly encountered high-risk lesions. FEA has been shown to have a relatively low rate of progression to malignancy, and some guidelines are now recommending observation over routine excision in select cases. Selective observation may be reasonable in cases where the target lesion is small and completely removed at biopsy and when there are no underlying risk factors, such as a history of breast cancer or genetic mutation or concurrent ADH. ADH has the highest potential upgrade rate to malignancy of all the high-risk lesions. Most society guidelines continue to recommend surgical excision of this lesion. More recently, some literature suggests that ADH lesions that appear completely removed at biopsy, involve limited foci (less than two or three) with no necrosis or significant atypia, manifest as a small group of mammographic calcifications, or demonstrate no enhancement at MRI may be reasonable for observation. Ultimately, management of all high-risk lesions must be based on a multidisciplinary approach that considers all patient, radiologic, clinical, and histopathologic factors. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

12.
J Am Coll Radiol ; 20(5S): S125-S145, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37236739

ABSTRACT

Imaging plays a vital role in managing patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as treatment decisions rely heavily on accurate assessment of response to therapy. This document provides evidence-based guidelines for imaging breast cancer before, during, and after initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Humans , United States , Female , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Societies, Medical , Evidence-Based Medicine , Diagnostic Imaging/methods
13.
Campbell Syst Rev ; 19(2): e1325, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37131457

ABSTRACT

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: This systematic review will examine the impact of intergenerational interventions on the mental health and wellbeing of older people and will identify areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners.

14.
J Am Coll Radiol ; 20(7): 699-711, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37230234

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Peer learning (PL) programs seek to improve upon the limitations of score-based peer review and incorporate modern approaches to improve patient care. The aim of this study was to further understand the landscape of PL among members of the ACR in the first quarter of 2022. METHODS: Members of the ACR were surveyed to evaluate the incidence, current practices, perceptions, and outcomes of PL in radiology practice. The survey was administered via e-mail to 20,850 ACR members. The demographic and practice characteristics of the 1,153 respondents (6%) were similar to those of the ACR radiologist membership and correspond to a normal distribution of the population of radiologists and can therefore be described as representative of that population. Therefore, the error range for the results from this survey is ±2.9% at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Among the total sample, 610 respondents (53%) currently use PL, and 334 (29%) do not. Users of PL are younger (mode age ranges, 45-54 years for users and 55-64 years for nonusers; P < .01), more likely to be female (29% vs 23%, P < .05), and more likely to practice in urban settings (52% vs 40%, P = .0002). Users of PL feel that it supports an improved culture of safety and wellness (543 of 610 [89%]) and fosters continuous improvement initiatives (523 of 610 [86%]). Users of PL are more likely than nonusers to identify learning opportunities from routine clinical practice (83% vs 50%, P < .00001), engage in programming inclusive of more team members, and implement more practice improvement projects (P < .00001). PL users' net promoter score of 65% strongly suggests that users of PL are highly likely to recommend the program to colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists across a breadth of radiology practices are engaged in PL activities, which are perceived to align with emerging principles of improving health care and enhance culture, quality, and engagement.


Subject(s)
Radiology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Male , Radiologists , Radiography , Surveys and Questionnaires , Peer Review
15.
J Am Coll Radiol ; 20(3): 324-334, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36922106

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Use principles of implementation science to improve the diagnosis and management of potentially significant imaging findings. METHODS: Multidisciplinary stakeholders codified the diagnosis and management of potentially significant imaging findings in eight organs and created a finding tracking management system that was embedded in radiologist workflows and IT systems. Radiologists were trained to use this system. An automated finding tracking management system was created to support consistent high-quality care through care pathway visualizations, increased awareness of specific findings in the electronic medical record, templated notifications, and creation of an electronic safety net. Primary outcome was the rate of quality reviews related to eight targeted imaging findings. Secondary outcome was radiologist use of the finding tracking management tool. RESULTS: In the 4 years after implementation, the tool was used to track findings in 7,843 patients who received 10,015 ultrasound, CT, MRI, x-ray, and nuclear medicine examinations that were interpreted by all 34 radiologists. Use of the tool lead to a decrease in related quality reviews (from 8.0% to 0.0%, P < .007). Use of the system increased from 1.7% of examinations in the early implementation phase to 3.1% (+82%, P < .00001) in the postimplementation phase. Each radiologist used the tool on an average of 294.6 unique examinations (SD 404.8). Overall, radiologists currently use the tool approximately 4,000 times per year. DISCUSSION: Radiologists frequently used a finding tracking management system to ensure effective communication and raise awareness of the importance of recommended future follow-up studies. Use of this system was associated with a decrease in the rate of quality review requests in this domain.


Subject(s)
Implementation Science , Radiologists , Humans , Radiography , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Quality of Health Care
16.
Campbell Syst Rev ; 19(1): e1306, 2023 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36913218

ABSTRACT

Background: Opportunities for social connection between generations in the UK have diminished over the last few decades because of changes in the way that we live and work. The decline in communal spaces such as libraries, youth clubs and community centres mean that there are fewer opportunities to meet and mix socially with other generations outside our own families. Increased working hours, improved technology, changes in family patterns, relationship breakdowns within families and migration are also believed to be contributory factors to generation segregation. There are many potential economic, social and political impacts of generations living separate and parallel lives, for example, higher health and social care costs, an undermining of trust between generations reduced social capital, a reliance on the media to form understanding of others' viewpoints and higher levels of anxiety and loneliness. Intergenerational programmes and activities can take many forms and are delivered in many settings.  Evidence suggests that intergenerational activity can have a positive impact on participants, for example, in reducing loneliness and exclusion for both older people and children and young people, improving mental health, increasing mutual understanding and addressing important issues such as ageism, housing and care. There are currently no other EGMs that exist that address this type of intervention; however, it would complement existing EGMs addressing child welfare. Objectives: To identify, appraise and bring together the evidence on the use of intergenerational practice, to answer the following specific research questions: What is the volume, nature and diversity of research on, and evaluation of, intergenerational practice and learning?What approaches have been used to deliver intergenerational activities and programmes that may be relevant to providing such services during and in the subsequent recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic?What promising intergenerational activities and programmes have been developed and are being used but have not yet been subject to formal evaluation? Search Methods: We searched MEDLINE (via OvidSp), EMBASE (via OvidSp), PsycINFO (via OvidSp), CINAHL (via EBSCOHost), Social Policy and Practice (via OvidSp), Health Management Information Consortium (via OvidSp), Ageline (via EBSCOhost), ASSIA (via ProQuest), Social Science Citations Index (via Web of Science), ERIC (via EBSCOhost), Community Care Inform Children, Research in Practice for Children, ChildData (via Social Policy and Practice), the Campbell Library, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the CENTRAL database between 22 and 30 July 2021. We searched for additional grey literature via the Conference Proceedings Citation Index (via Web of Science) and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global and via relevant organisation websites, for example, Age UK, Age International, the Centre for Ageing Better, Barnado's, Children's Commission, UNICEF, Generations Working Together, the Intergenerational Foundation, Linking Generations and The Beth Johnson Foundation) and the Ottawa initiative called Older Adults and Students for Intergenerational support. Selection Criteria: Any intervention that brings older and younger people together with the purpose of interacting to achieve positive health and/or social and/or educational outcomes from any study design including systematic reviews, randomised controlled studies, observational studies, surveys and qualitative studies are included. The titles and abstracts, and later full texts, of records identified by the search methods were screened against inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Data Collection and Analysis: Data extraction was undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second with any inconsistencies identified and resolved through discussion. The data extraction tool was developed on EPPI reviewer and was modified and tested through stakeholder and advisor consultation, and piloting of the process. The tool was informed by the research question and the structure of the map. We did not undertake quality appraisal of the included studies. Main Results: Our searches identified 12,056 references, after screening 500 research articles were included in the evidence gap map conducted across 27 countries. We identified 26 systematic reviews, 236 quantitative comparative studies (of which 38 were randomised controlled trials), 227 were qualitative studies (or had a qualitative element), 105 were observational studies (or had elements of observational methods) and 82 used a mixed methods approach. The outcomes reported in the research cover mental health (n = 73), physical health (n = 62), attainment and knowledge (n = 165), agency (n = 174), mental wellbeing (n = 224), loneliness and social isolation (n = 54), attitudes towards the other generation (n = 283), intergenerational interactions (n = 196), peer interactions (n = 30) and health promotion (n = 23) and including mutual outcomes such as the impact on community (n = 37) and perceptions on the sense of community (n = 43). Gaps in the evidence that were identified include: research that reports on mutual, societal and community outcomes of intergenerational interventions; more research on interventions classified as levels 1-4 and level 7 on the Intergenerational Engagement Scale, mental health, loneliness, social isolation, peer interactions, physical health and health promotion outcomes in children and young people; health promotion in older people; outcomes centred on care giver wellbeing, mental health and attitudes; economic outcomes; process outcomes and adverse or unexpected outcomes. Authors' Conclusions: Whilst a substantional amount of research on intergenerational interventions has been identified in this EGM, as well as the gaps identified above, there is a need to explore promising interventions not yet formally evaluated. Research on this topic is gradually increasing, and systematic reviews will be important to determine how and why interventions are or are not beneficial. However, the primary research needs to build more cohesively so that the findings can be comparable and avoid research waste. The EGM presented here will nevertheless be a useful resource for decision-makers allowing them to explore the evidence with regard to the different interventions that may be relevant to their population needs and the settings or resources available to them.

17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36673833

ABSTRACT

(1) Background: Poor air quality affects health and causes premature death and disease. Outdoor air quality has received significant attention, but there has been less focus on indoor air quality and what drives levels of diverse pollutants in the home, such as particulate matter, and the impact this has on health; (2) Methods: This study conducts analysis of cross-sectional data from the Smartline project. Analyses of data from 279 social housing properties with indoor sensor data were used to assess multiple factors that could impact levels of particulate matter. T-Tests and Anova tests were used to explore associations between elevated PM2.5 and building, household and smoking and vaping characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to test the association between elevated particulate matter and self-reported health; (3) Results: Of the multiple potential drivers of the particulate matter investigated, smoking and vaping were significantly associated with mean PM2.5. Following multivariate analysis, only smoking remained significantly associated with higher mean concentrations. Properties in which <15 cigarettes/day were smoked were predicted to have PM2.5 concentrations 9.06 µg/m3 higher (95% CI 6.4, 12.82, p ≤ 0.001) than those in which residents were non-smokers and 11.82 µg/m3 higher (95% CI 7.67, 18.19, p ≤ 0.001) where >15 cigarettes were smoked; (4) Conclusions: A total of 25% of social housing properties in this study experienced levels of indoor PM greater than WHO guideline levels for ambient air pollution. Although there are many factors that impact air quality, in this study the main driver was smoking. This highlights the importance of targeting smoking in indoor environments in future smoking cessation and control policy and practice and of understanding how pollutants interact in the home environment. There is also a need for further research into the impact on indoor air quality of vaping, particularly due to the rise in use and uncertainty of its long-term impact.


Subject(s)
Air Pollutants , Air Pollution, Indoor , Air Pollution , Humans , Air Pollutants/analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Environmental Monitoring , Air Pollution/analysis , Particulate Matter/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis
18.
Prim Health Care Res Dev ; 23: e79, 2022 12 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36515013

ABSTRACT

AIM: The present study aimed to investigate barriers to healthcare and their relationships to social and emotional well-being and intersectional inequalities for autistic adults during COVID-19 restrictions in the UK. BACKGROUND: Autistic adults experience severe health inequalities and report more barriers to accessing health services compared to other both disabled and non-disabled populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many areas of society that may have increased vulnerability of autistic people to social and health inequalities, including delivery of healthcare from in-person to remote methods. METHOD: One hundred twenty-eight autistic adults who lived in the UK took part in an online survey. Measures included the Barriers to Healthcare Checklist (Short Form) and PROMIS outcome measure bank to assess emotional well-being and social support. Participants rated their agreement with items, retrospectively considering three different points of the trajectory of COVID-19 restrictions: before COVID-19, during the first lockdown in spring 2020, and in the month prior to taking the survey during autumn 2020. They completed a follow-up survey six months later to continue to assess change as restrictions in the UK were eased. FINDINGS: The average number of barriers to healthcare showed no significant change between all four time points. However, the nature of barriers to healthcare changed at the point of lockdown and persisted beyond the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Barriers to healthcare were associated with some social and emotional well-being variables and demographic groups including gender, education and presence of additional disabilities. The findings may help to identify areas to target to improve access to both remote and in-person health systems for autistic people as modes of delivery continue to change over time.


Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder , COVID-19 , Adult , Humans , Autistic Disorder/therapy , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , Communicable Disease Control , Social Support , Health Services Accessibility
19.
J Am Coll Radiol ; 19(11S): S304-S318, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36436958

ABSTRACT

The type of nipple discharge dictates the appropriate imaging study. Physiologic nipple discharge is common and does not require diagnostic imaging. Pathologic nipple discharge in women, men, and transgender patients necessitates breast imaging. Evidence-based guidelines were used to evaluate breast imaging modalities for appropriateness based on patient age and gender. For an adult female or male 40 years of age or greater, mammography or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is performed initially. Breast ultrasound is usually performed at the same time with rare exception. For males or females 30 to 39 years of age, mammography/DBT or breast ultrasound is performed based on institutional preference and individual patient considerations. For young women less than 30 years of age, ultrasound is performed first with mammography/DBT added if there are suspicious findings or if the patient is at elevated lifetime risk for developing breast cancer. There is a high incidence of breast cancer in males with pathologic discharge. Men 25 years and older should be evaluated using mammography/DBT and ultrasound added when indicted. In transfeminine (male-to-female) patients, mammography/DBT and ultrasound are useful due to the increased incidence of breast cancer. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer-reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer-reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Nipple Discharge , Adult , Humans , Female , Male , Societies, Medical , Evidence-Based Medicine , Mammography , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
20.
Data Brief ; 45: 108611, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36164303

ABSTRACT

Prunus avium cv. 'Stella' total cellular DNA was isolated from emerging leaf tissue and sequenced using Roche 454 GS FLX Titanium, and Illumina HiSeq 2000 High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) technologies. Sequence data were filtered and trimmed to retain nucleotides corresponding to Phred score 30, and assembled with CLC Genomics Workbench v.6.0.1. A total of 107,531 contigs were assembled with 185 scaffolds with a maximum length of 132,753 nucleotides and an N50 value of 4,601. The average depth of coverage was 135.87 nucleotides with a median depth of coverage equal to 31.50 nucleotides. The draft 'Stella' genome presented here covers 77.8% of the estimated 352.9Mb P. avium genome and is expected to facilitate genetics and genomics research focused on identifying genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying important agronomic and consumer traits.

SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...