Análise do perfil epidemiológico dos exames citopatológico do colo do útero em Altamira no período de 2014 a 2020: dados a partir do SISCAN / Analysis of the epidemiological profile of cervical cytopathological exams in Altamira in the period from 2014 to 2020: data from SISCAN / Análisis del perfil epidemiológico de los exámenes citopatológicos de cérvix en Altamira en el periodo de 2014 a 2020: datos del SISCAN

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho aborda sobre características referente aos exames citopatológicos do colo do útero em Altamira, coletado no Sistema de Informação do Câncer, dentro do período de 2014 a 2020. Observou-se também a qualidade da interpretação dos principais resultados encontrados, sobre a técnica de coleta e qualidade de exames. O objetivo é analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos exames citopatológicos do colo do útero do município. MÉTODO: A metodologia realizada foi estudo quantitativo, de corte transversal, epidemiológico, descritiva e analítico. RESULTADOS: Verificou- se um crescimento anual na taxa de cobertura do exame do preventivo no período de 2014 a 2019, que está ligado à implementação do Plano de Desenvolvimento Regional Sustentável do Xingu, e que esse crescimento mostra uma diferença estatística significativa entre a taxa de cobertura de Altamira, Pará, Brasil. Observou-se presença de falhas no preenchimento da ficha de notificação é referente ao campo da escolaridade das pacientes que não apresentam registro. Quanto a faixa etária mais frequente que realizam o exame do preventivo está entre 25 a 34 anos e as lesões intraepiteliais do colo uterino mais frequentes são: a de baixo grau que corresponde à população jovem (<34 anos) e de alto grau entre 25 a 44 anos.

OBJECTIVE: This paper deals with characteristics related to cytopathological examinations of the cervix in Altamira, collected in the Cancer Information System, within the period from 2014 to 2020. It was also observed the quality of interpretation of the main results found, on the technique collection and quality of exams. The objective is to analyze the epidemiological profile of cytopathological tests of the cervix in the city. METHOD: The methodology used was a quantitative, cross- sectional, epidemiological study, descriptive and analytical approach. RESULTS: As a result, there was an annual growth in the coverage rate of the preventive exam in the period from 2014 to 2019, which is linked to the implementation of the Xingu Sustainable Regional Development Plan, and that this growth shows a significant statistical difference between the coverage rate of Altamira, Pará, Brazil. It was observed the presence of failures in completing the notification form referring to the field of education of patients who do not have a record. As for the most frequent age group that undergoes the preventive examination, it is between 25 and 34 years old and the most frequent intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix are: low-grade, which corresponds to the young population (<34 years) and high-grade, between 25 and 34 years old. 44 years.

OBJETIVO: En este trabajo se abordan las características relacionadas con los exámenes citopatológicos de cérvix en Altamira, recogidos en el Sistema de Información del Cáncer, en el periodo comprendido entre 2014 y 2020. También se observó la calidad de interpretación de los principales resultados encontrados, sobre la técnica de recolección y calidad de los exámenes. El objetivo es analizar el perfil epidemiológico de los exámenes citopatológicos de cuello uterino en la ciudad. MÉTODO: La metodología utilizada fue un estudio cuantitativo, transversal, epidemiológico, de abordaje descriptivo y analítico. RESULTADOS: Como resultado, se observó un crecimiento anual de la tasa de cobertura del examen preventivo en el período de 2014 a 2019, que está vinculado a la implementación del Plan de Desarrollo Regional Sostenible Xingu, y que este crecimiento muestra una diferencia estadística significativa entre la tasa de cobertura de Altamira, Pará, Brasil. Se observó la presencia de fallas en el llenado del formulario de notificación referente al campo de la educación de los pacientes que no tienen un registro. En cuanto al grupo de edad más frecuente que se somete al examen preventivo, es entre 25 y 34 años y las lesiones intraepiteliales del cuello uterino más frecuentes son: de bajo grado, que corresponde a la población joven (<34 años) y de alto grado, entre 25 y 44 años.

Factors associated with extubation failure in an intensive care unit: a case-control study / Fatores associados à falha de extubação em unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo de caso-controle / Factores asociados al fracaso de la extubación en unidad de cuidados intensivos: estudio de caso y control

Abstract Objective: to investigate the factors associated with extubation failure of patients in the intensive care unit. Method: unpaired, longitudinal, retrospective and quantitative case-control with the participation of 480 patients through clinical parameters for ventilator weaning. Data were analyzed by: Fisher's exact test or the chi-square test; unpaired two-tailed Student's t test; and Mann-Whitney test. Significant P values lower than or equal to 0.05 were admitted. Results: of the patients, 415 (86.5%) were successful and 65 (13.5%) failed. Success group: the most negative fluid balance, APACHE II in 20 (14-25), weak cough in 58 (13.9%). Failure group: the most positive fluid balance, APACHE II in 23 (19-29), weak cough in 31 (47.7%), abundant amount of pulmonary secretions in 47.7%. Conclusion: positive fluid balance and the presence of inefficient cough or inability to clear the airway were predictors of extubation failure.

Resumo Objetivo: investigar os fatores associados à falha de extubação de pacientes na unidade de terapia intensiva. Método: caso-controle não pareado, longitudinal, retrospectivo e quantitativo com a participação de 480 pacientes por meio de parâmetros clínicos para desmame ventilatório. Dados analisados por: Teste Exato de Fisher ou o teste Qui-quadrado; teste t de Student bicaudal não pareado; e teste de Mann-Whitney. Admitiram-se significantes valores de P menores ou iguais a 0,05. Resultados: dos pacientes, 415 (86,5%) tiveram sucesso e 65 (13,5%) falharam. Grupo sucesso: balanço hídrico mais negativo, APACHE II em 20 (14-25), tosse fraca em 58 (13,9%). Grupo falha: balanço hídrico mais positivo, APACHE II em 23 (19-29), tosse fraca em 31 (47,7 %), quantidade abundante de secreção pulmonar em 47,7 %. Conclusão: o balanço hídrico positivo e a presença de tosse ineficiente ou incapacidade de higienizar a via aérea foram preditores de falhas de extubação.

Resumen Objetivo: investigar los factores asociados al fracaso de la extubación de pacientes en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Método: caso y control no apareado, longitudinal, retrospectivo y cuantitativo con la participación de 480 pacientes mediante parámetros clínicos para el destete de la ventilación. Datos analizados por: Prueba Exacta de Fisher o prueba de Chi-cuadrado; prueba t de Student de dos colas para datos no apareados; y prueba de Mann-Whitney. Se admitieron valores de P significativos menores o iguales a 0,05. Resultados: de los pacientes, 415 (86,5%) tuvieron éxito y 65 (13,5%) fracasaron. Grupo de éxito: balance hídrico más negativo, APACHE II en 20 (14-25), tos débil en 58 (13,9%). Grupo de fracaso: balance de líquidos más positivo, APACHE II en 23 (19-29), tos débil en 31 (47,7%), abundante cantidad de secreciones pulmonares en 47,7%. Conclusión: el balance hídrico positivo y la presencia de tos ineficaz o incapacidad para higienizar la vía aérea fueron predictores de fracaso de la extubación.

Explorando la validez de constructo del índice de Barthel en una muestra de pacientes hospitalizados españoles / Exploring the construct validity of the Barthel index in a sample of Spanish hospitalised patients

Objetivo: Examinar la validez de constructo del índice de Barthel en unidades de hospitalización de adultos. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis secundario en una muestra de 1.342 pacientes adultos ingresados en unidades de hospitalización. El análisis factorial confirmatorio del índice de Barthel no confirma su estructura unidimensional (CFA-1). Se exploraron dos métodos para encontrar una solución con un mejor ajuste. Se realizó la secuencia de los métodos clásicos de análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio (CFA-2). Se realizó un modelo gráfico gaussiano y un análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA-3). Se compararon tres modelos sobre una base de varios indicadores de bondad de ajuste. Resultados: Los resultados del CFA-1 (χ2 = 161.616; p < 0,001; RMSEA = 0,183) indicaron un mal ajuste entre el modelo y los datos obtenidos. El análisis factorial exploratorio proporcionó un modelo con dos dimensiones que explicaba 86% de la varianza y mejoró el indicador de bondad de ajuste en CFA-2 (χ2 = 846; p < 0,001; RMSEA = 0,133). El modelo gráfico gaussiano ofreció una solución con tres dimensiones que mejoró la bondad de ajuste con respecto a los modelos anteriores al eliminar el ítem continencia vesical (χ2 = 493; p < 0,001; RMSEA = 0,09). Conclusiones: El índice de Barthel no es una medida unidimensional de la capacidad funcional cuando se aplica en unidades de hospitalización de adultos. El modelo que mejor se ajusta tiene una estructura tridimensional (higiene, alimentación y eliminación, movilidad) que se relaciona con los dominios de los cuidados básicos.(AU)

Objective: Examine the construct validity of the Barthel Index in adult inpatient units. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on a sample of 1342 adult patients admitted to inpatient units. A confirmatory factor analysis of the Barthel Index did not confirm its unidimensional structure (CFA-1). Therefore, two methods were explored to find a solution with a better fit. The sequence of the classical exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods was carried out (CFA-2). In contrast, a Gaussian graphical model and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA-3) were performed. Three models were compared on the basis of several goodness-of-fit indicators. Results: CFA-1 results (χ2 = 161616; P < .001; RMSEA = .183) indicated a poor fit between the model and the data. Exploratory factor analysis provided a model with two dimensions that explained 86% of the variance and improved the goodness-of-fit in CFA-2 (χ2 = 846; P < .001; RMSEA = .133). The Gaussian graphical model, by removing the item ‘Bladder’, offered a solution with three dimensions that improved the goodness-of-fit compared to the previous models (χ2 = 492; P < .001; RMSEA = .09). Conclusions: The Barthel Index is not a unidimensional measure of functional capacity when applied to adult inpatient units. The best-fitting model has a three-dimensional structure (Hygiene; Feeding and disposal; Mobility) that relates to the domains of care needs.

Facilitators of and barriers to patient and public involvement in building learning health systems in community health services settings: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The development of learning health systems (LHSs) has often focused on optimally leveraging data. More attention should be paid to patient and public involvement or community engagement in forming learning communities that work together to build LHS. This scoping review aims to identify facilitators of and barriers to involving patients and the public in building LHSs in community health services settings. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use the Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review methodology. We will review literature in English published from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2022. The databases that will be searched are MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, AgeLine, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Key inclusion and exclusion criteria include the following: we will only consider a learning community in a community health services context (eg, home care, long-term care, primary care); we will exclude literature on acute care settings; and we will consider any research designs apart from big data analytics. We will review all sources, including university student theses and dissertations. The review will proceed in three steps: (1) we will identify keywords and index terms from the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases; (2) using the keywords and index terms identified in step (1), we will search other databases and (3) we will handsearch the reference lists of the selected literature and will search for grey literature using Google. Two research assistants will screen the titles and abstracts separately, with reference to the inclusion criteria. Two researchers will then assess the full text of selected studies, also in reference to the inclusion criteria. We will present the findings in a charting table and provide a narrative summary. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This work does not require ethics approval because the data for this scoping review are publicly available. The findings will be presented in a journal article and at conferences.

Mental Health Outcomes Among Patients Living in US Counties Lacking Broadband Access and Psychiatrists.

This cross-sectional study identifies the prevalence of counties without psychiatrists and broadband coverage, describes their sociodemographic characteristics, and quantifies their mental health outcomes.

Management of long bone fractures in patients with pycnodysostosis.

Pycnodysostosis is a rare genetic condition that leads to generalised bony sclerosis and increased fracture risk. Orthopaedic specialists play a crucial role in managing affected children due to their susceptibility to frequent fractures. We had a case of a middle childhood female patient with pycnodysostosis and a femur fracture. Initially, an attempt using the Titanium Elastic Nailing System was made, but the sclerotic metaphyseal bone made it challenging. So, we opted for a 4.5 mm locked compressive plate, with multiple drill bits as a backup due to potential drill breakage. Though elastic nailing is preferred for paediatric long bone fractures, surgeons must be prepared for extremely sclerotic cortices and a narrow medullary canal when dealing with patients with pycnodysostosis. Open fixation and multiple drill bits in the toolkit are essential to overcome the potential obstacles during the procedure.

Progressive spinal destruction secondary to minimal vertebral fracture in a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: a case report.

Early operative fixation is widely recognized as essential for managing spinal fractures in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). However, no report to date has addressed the occurrence of minimal vertebral fractures diagnosable only through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in these patients and the associated temporal changes in the fracture site. In this report, we describe a rare clinical case involving an 81-year-old man who developed progressive spinal destruction secondary to a minimal vertebral fracture. MRI showed minimum-intensity changes in the T12 vertebral body, whereas X-ray and computed tomography examinations showed DISH and no spinal fracture. Despite experiencing severe low back pain, the patient did not undergo operative therapy for 2 months, resulting in progressive spinal destruction. Spinal fusion with posterior instrumentation was performed, and the patient was followed for 1 year with no symptoms and good functional status. This case emphasizes the importance of clinicians being cautious to avoid overlooking and undervaluing minimal vertebral fractures diagnosable only through MRI in patients with DISH.

The Determination of Assistance-as-Needed Support by an Ankle-Foot Orthosis for Patients with Foot Drop.

Patients who suffer from foot drop have impaired gait pattern functions and a higher risk of stumbling and falling. Therefore, they are usually treated with an assistive device, a so-called ankle-foot orthosis. The support of the orthosis should be in accordance with the motor requirements of the patient and should only be provided when needed, which is referred to as assistance-as-needed. Thus, in this publication, an approach is presented to determine the assistance-as-needed support using musculoskeletal human models. Based on motion capture recordings of multiple subjects performing gaits at different speeds, a parameter study varying the optimal force of a reserve actuator representing the ankle-foot orthosis added in the musculoskeletal simulation is conducted. The results show the dependency of the simulation results on the selected optimal force of the reserve actuator but with a possible identification of the assistance-as-needed support required from the ankle-foot orthosis. The required increase in support due to the increasing severity of foot drop is especially demonstrated with the approach. With this approach, information for the required support of individual subjects can be gathered, which can further be used to derive the design of an ankle-foot orthosis that optimally assists the subjects.

Effects of Epley procedure on BPPV patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trails.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to assess the effects of the Epley maneuver on patients with BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: International libraries such as MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and PubMed, among others, were used to evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of Epley's procedure on BPPV published between January 2000 and December 2022. For accessing the articles, several search phrases, such as "Epley Maneuver", "BPPV", "Vertigo", "Vestibular Rehabilitation", and "Physical Therapy" were utilized. A total of 69 papers were retrieved and assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the article title, abstract, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following that, the quality of the chosen studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Only seven studies fulfilled the eligibility criterion and were evaluated out of a potential 69 records found. A total of 413 BPPV-screened individuals were examined. The findings of the studies chosen for review revealed that Epley's technique had a considerable, significantly positive influence on the alleviation of symptoms for BPPV patients, including nystagmus, dizziness, and quality of life. The patients described feeling better after performing the Epley maneuver for a prolonged time. CONCLUSIONS: The research ended with data confirming the benefit of the Epley maneuver in relieving symptoms in BPPV patients.

Combined Digital Interventions for Pain Reduction in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Digital technology represents an opportunity to improve outcomes following total knee replacement (TKR). Digitally delivered interventions have been shown to be similar to face-to-face interventions and to increase participation levels in people with osteoarthritis. Objective: To assess the effect of a digital technology package in reducing pain compared with usual care following TKR. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial recruited 102 adults after they received TKR in 3 rehabilitation hospitals in Sydney, Australia, between June 2020 and July 2021. Interventions: All participants underwent usual care. In addition to usual care, 51 participants received a digital technology package consisting of an exercise app, fitness tracker, and online health coaching. In the usual care group, 51 participants received a fitness tracker but with all notifications turned off and goals for step count, sleep, and active hours removed. Participants were followed up for 12 months (June 2021 to July 2022). Main Outcome and Measures: The primary outcome was mean knee pain during the past week assessed using a numerical rating scale (range, 0-10, with 10 indicating worst possible pain) at 3 months. In unadjusted analyses, considered primary and based on multiple imputations, independent t tests were used to compare means between groups. Secondary outcomes, including measures of function, activity participation, and quality of life, were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation model that accounted for repeated measurements. Results: Of 102 participants (mean [SD] age, 67.9 [7.2] years; 68 [67%] female; and 92 [90%] White) randomly assigned to intervention or usual care groups, 47 (92%) in each group completed the 3-month follow up. At 3 months, participants in the intervention group demonstrated small but not clinically meaningful improvements in pain compared with the usual care group in the unadjusted intention-to-treat analysis (mean difference, -0.84; 95% CI, -1.59 to -0.10; P = .03). Secondary outcomes indicated a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity, (mean difference, -0.94; 95% CI, -1.82 to -0.06), pain disability (mean difference, -5.42; 95% CI, -10.00 to -0.83), and sedentary behavior (mean difference, -9.76; 95% CI, -19.17 to -0.34) favoring the intervention from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, a combined digital technology program provided small but not clinically meaningful improvements in pain at 3 months and other longer-term favorable outcomes following TKR compared with usual care. Future studies should tailor digital interventions based on participants' abilities and preferences to ensure that the intervention is appropriate and fosters long-term self-management. Trial Registration: Anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12618001448235.

Patients' experiences of temporomandibular disorders and related treatment.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common and therefore managed by dentists on a daily basis. However, patients with TMD consistently go undetected and therefore untreated in dentistry. The reasons for these shortcomings have not been fully explored, specifically with regard to patients' perspectives. Therefore, this study aimed to explore patients' experiences of TMD and related treatment, with special focus on the experiences of having TMD, factors related to seeking care, and perspectives on received treatment. METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to recruit adult patients at the Public Dental Health services (PDHS) in the Region of Västerbotten, Sweden, during 2019. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Qualitative Content Analysis. Sixteen patients were interviewed (ten women and six men, 20-65 years). The interviews probed the patients' perspectives of having TMD, seeking care, and receiving treatment. All participants were also examined according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) and qualified for at least one DC/TMD diagnosis. RESULTS: The data analysis led to the main theme Seeking care when the situation becomes untenable, but dental care fails to meet all needs. The patients expressed worry and social discomfort because of the symptoms but still strived to have an as normal daily life as possible. However, severe symptoms and associated consequences compelled them to seek professional help. Experiences of distrust together with challenges to access the PDHS were identified and related to the patients' unfulfilled expectations. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' reported experiences indicate that receiving timely and appropriate care is more of an unfulfilled expectation than the current state of management of patients with TMD in dentistry.

Remote interventions for informal caregivers of patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear whether remote interventions are effective in improving outcomes of informal caregivers of patients who had a stroke. We synthesised evidence for the impact of remote interventions on informal caregivers of patients who had a stroke. Moreover, we also analysed its potential effects on patients who had a stroke. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and China Science and Technology Journal Database were searched from inception up to 1 February 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effect of remote interventions on informal caregivers who provide unpaid care for patients who had a stroke living at home compared with traditional interventions, including with respect to caregivers' mood, care burden, life satisfaction and perceived competence. Moreover, we considered the potential impact of remote interventions on the depressive and anxiety symptoms, functional rehabilitation and re-admission of patients who had a stroke. Only studies published in Chinese or English were included. We excluded studies of interventions aimed at healthcare professionals or patients who had a stroke and those that could not provide complete data. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data analyses were performed using RevMan V.5.3. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool for RCTs was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies, and the review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. For continuous outcomes, we calculated the mean difference or standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% CIs. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations method was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. RESULTS: Eight RCTs with a total of 733 participants were included. Compared with traditional interventions, for informal caregivers, we found that remote interventions did not produce significant effects on depressive symptoms (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.15), anxiety symptoms (SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.94 to 0.43), care burden (SMD -0.06, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.45), life satisfaction (SMD -0.16, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.11), or perceived competence (SMD 0.37, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.96). Similarly, for patients who had a stroke, remote interventions had no significant effect on depression (SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.61 to 0.93) or anxiety symptoms (SMD -0.34, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.04). The effects of remote interventions on functional rehabilitation and re-admission in patients who had a stroke were evaluated by three studies and two studies, respectively, but the studies were too varied to combine their data in meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests that remote interventions for informal caregivers of patients who had a stroke have no significant superiority over traditional interventions. However, the quality of the included studies was low and more high-quality evidence is required to determine the possible impacts of remote interventions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022313544.

Effect of statin treatment on mortality in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The effects of statins on the reduction of mortality in individuals aged 75 years or older remain controversial. We conducted this study to investigate whether there is an association between statin therapy and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are over the age of 75 years. METHODS: The present study used data from the Staged Diabetes Targeting Management Study, which began in 2005. A total of 518 T2DM patients older than 75 years were included. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between statins and specific causes of death in patients with T2DM. RESULTS: After a follow-up period of 6.09 years (interquartile range 3.94-8.81 years), 111 out of 518 patients died. The results of Cox regression analyses showed that there was no significant association between statin use and all-cause mortality (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.47, 1.19) after adjustment for all potential confounders. Subgroup analysis indicated that statins had no association with the risk of all-cause mortality or deaths caused by ischemic cardiovascular diseases in T2DM patients with or without coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no significant association between all-cause mortality and statin use in T2DM patients over the age of 75 years. More evidence is needed to support the use of statins in the elderly T2DM patients.

Seizure control by adding on other anti-seizure medication on seizure during levetiracetam administration in patients with glioma-related epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a major symptom in patients with glioma. Levetiracetam (LEV) is recognized as a first-line treatment for glioma-related epilepsy. Increasing the LEV dose is allowed into patients with seizure occurrence against its initial dose. However, the therapeutic efficacy of increasing the LEV dose in response to seizure occurrence remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 236 glioma patients who were treated with antiseizure medications (ASMs) internally at our institute between September 2010 and December 2017. Of these, the analysis focused on 156 patients treated with LEV who had a clear history of administration. RESULTS: Seizure occurrences were observed in 21 of 75 patients (26.7%) who received LEV as first-line therapy and in 33 of 81 patients (40.7%) who received LEV as non-first-line treatment. The seizure control rate for seizure occurrence with LEV as first-line treatment was significantly higher in patients treated with addition of other ASMs (72.7%) than in those treated with increasing dose of LEV (20.0%) (p = 0.016). The seizure control rate for seizure occurrence with LEV as non-first-line treatment did not differ significantly between patients with addition of other ASMs (58.3%) and those treated with increasing dose of LEV (47.6%) (p = 0.554). CONCLUSIONS: Adding other ASMs was more effective than increasing the LEV dose for seizure control in patients treated with LEV as first-line treatment, but they demonstrated comparable efficacy in patients treated with LEV as non-first-line treatment.

Association of Magnesium Depletion Score With Cardiovascular Disease and Its Association With Longitudinal Mortality in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease.

Background Dietary magnesium and serum magnesium play an important part in cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between magnesium depletion score (MDS) and CVD development and prognosis remains unclear. This analysis examines the cross-sectional relationship between MDS and CVD, and the longitudinal association between MDS and all-cause and CVD mortality in individuals with CVD. Methods and Results In all, 42 711 individuals were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including 5015 subjects with CVD. The association between MDS and total and individual CVDs was examined using the survey-weighted multiple logistic regression analysis. Among 5011 patients with CVD, 2285 and 927 participants were recorded with all-cause and CVD deaths, respectively. We applied survey-weighted Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to investigate the impact of MDS on the mortality of individuals with CVD. The CVD group had higher MDS levels than the non-CVD groups. After controlling all confounding factors, individuals with MDS of 2 and ≥3 had higher odds of total CVD and specific CVD than those with MDS of 0. Besides, each 1-unit increase in MDS was strongly related to the risk of total CVD and specific CVD. The relationship between MDS and total CVD was stable and significant in all subgroups. The fully adjusted Cox regression model indicated that high MDS, irrespective of MDS as a categorical or continuous variable, was significantly associated with an elevated risk of all-cause and CVD deaths. Conclusions MDS is a vital risk factor for the prevalence and mortality of individuals with CVD.