Ninety-eight patients returned the retest questionnaire. Data quality was also assessed. Assessment of psychometric properties included examination of data quality, construct validity, test-retest reliability and factor analysis.
The quality of data was good with no missing answers and a little floor effect. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure. Reliability expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88 (95 % CI 0.84-0.92) for the
overall COMI score and was generally good for most of individual core items. The minimum detectable change (MDC95%) was 1.97.
This version of the COMI-neck is a valid and Stem Cell Compound Library cell assay reliable instrument, with good psychometric properties. It can be recommended for Polish-speaking patients.”
“Background: Little is known about the use of warfarin in hemodialysis (HD)
patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We studied temporal trends of AF among older HD patients, and of warfarin use among those with AF.
Methods: We linked US Medicare and prescription claims from older patients undergoing HD in 2 Eastern US states. We established annual cohorts of prevalent HD patients; AF was ascertained CX-6258 molecular weight from >2 claims (>7 days apart) in the same year, with a diagnosis code indicating AF. Among those with AF, we defined current and past warfarin use. Demographic and clinical characteristics were also ascertained for each cohort. We used repeated-measures logistic regression to define the odds of AF and of current or past versus absence of warfarin use.
Results: Of 6,563 unique patients,
2,185 were determined to have AF. The prevalence of AF increased from 26% in 1998 to 32% in 2005. In 2005, current warfarin use was present in 24% of AF patients and past use in 25%; 51% had no evidence of any warfarin use. No significant trends in utilization were observed from 1998 through 2005. Patients aged >= 85 years and nonwhites Volasertib clinical trial were less likely to have received warfarin; most comorbidities were not associated with warfarin use except for patients with past pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis who were more likely than those without such history.
Conclusion: While the prevalence of AF has been increasing among older HD patients, warfarin use was low and unchanged over time, perhaps reflecting the lack of evidence supporting its use.”
“Objective: The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with worse physical and emotional functioning of breast cancer survivors with upper extremity lymphedema.
Methods: 1250 sets of questionnaires consisting of WHO-DAS II, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BR23 and GHQ-30 were mailed to women who underwent a breast cancer surgery at the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Poland between January 1998 and December 2005.
Results and conclusions: The response rate was 33.47%. 117 women were included into a lymphedema group and 211 into a group without this complication.