Epidemiological Survey Of Patients Research Articles

An Automated Analysis Framework for Epidemiological Survey on COVID-19.

For a long time, the prevention and control of COVID-19 has received significant attention. A crucial aspect of controlling the disease's spread is the epidemiological survey of patients and the subsequent analysis of epidemiological survey reports (case reports). However, current mainstream analysis approaches are all made manually. This manual method is time-consuming and manpower-intensive. This paper designs an automated visual epidemiological survey analysis (AVESA) framework for the epidemiological survey on COVID-19. AVESA designs a deep neural network for information extraction from case reports and automatically constructs an epidemiological knowledge graph based on predefined pattern. Moreover, a multi-dimensional knowledge reasoning model is developed for conducting knowledge reasoning in the complete COVID-19 epidemiological knowledge graph. In the entity extraction sub-task and multi-task extraction sub-task, AVESA achieved F1 scores of 85.12% and 92.29% respectively on the constructed dataset, significantly outperforming the standalone information extraction models. In full-graph computing, all three experiments align closely with manual analysis standards. In the risk analysis experiment, the weighted PageRank algorithm showed an average improvement of 11.21% in Top_Recall_n% over the standard PageRank algorithm. In the community detection experiment, the weighted Louvain algorithm showed a mere 4.34% community difference rate compared to manual analysis.

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders among Individuals Enrolled in an Emergency Response Program for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Background:Psychiatric co-occurring disorders among individuals with opioid use disorder has primarily focused on epidemiological surveys of patients in continuous or long-term treatment, yet little is known about the socio-economically vulnerable who are non-treatment seeking prior to an emergency response.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed data from patients who had enrolled in a study involving home outreach to patients referred from police, emergency medical services (EMS), or hospital emergency departments following an emergency response. The sample is largely socio-economically vulnerable with high rates of unemployment and uninsured. Eligible consenting patients received an intervention consisting of medication (buprenorphine), behavioral counseling, and peer support. Participants completed semi-structured, psychological instruments to assess current and prior history for both substance use and mental health disorders. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate rates of co-occurring mental health comorbidity.Results:Among 102 patients (average age = 36.5 years old), approximately 61 (59.8%) reported a prior mental health diagnosis, with 31 (30.3%) currently on medications for their diagnoses. Mood and anxiety disorders were most frequently recorded. Just over half (51%) had received any prior treatment for their substance use. Of those with dual disorders, 67.2% had experienced prior suicidal thoughts, and 63.7% reported polysubstance use of 5 or more substances.Conclusion:Co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and specifically mood and anxiety disorders, appear to be prevalent in vulnerable populations at an increased rate. Mental health assessments should routinely be performed in the emergency setting and in early stages of treatment.

Population-based Study of 24 Autoimmune Diseases Carried Out in a Brazilian Microregion

In Brazil, epidemiological data on autoimmune diseases are scarce due to the lack of a specific policy of attention to this group of diseases. This study aimed to estimate the general and relative prevalence of the diseases presented, as well as to know the sociodemographic profile of the identified cases. This cross-sectional study was conducted with an epidemiological survey of patients with confirmed diagnosis of autoimmune diseases from primary health care in the Aguas Formosas microregion, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We have included all new and old cases found of individuals of both sexes and all ages, including those who died and emigrated during this period. A total of 407 carriers and 24 different autoimmune diseases were identified. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in this region was 673.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants [95% confidence interval (CI): 609.8–742.4]. Highest prevalence was identified for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis 140.6 cases per 100,000 (95% CI: 112.4–173.9), followed by vitiligo 132.4 cases per 100,000 (95% CI: 105.0–164.8), and rheumatoid arthritis 105.9 cases per 100,000 (95% CI: 81.6–135.3). The sex ratio was higher in females (69%), the most affected age group was over 60 years (30.5%), with greater predominance in the urban area (81.3%). Our data showed the general and relative prevalence of the identified diseases, allowing to know the sociodemographic profile of the identified cases and the epidemiological trend of these morbidities in a low-income Brazilian region.

Oral Cancer: Epidemiological Survey of Patients at A Porto Alegre Reference Hospital – Rs/Brazil

Objective: In the year 2016, we expected 15,490 new cases of oral cancer. Survey data on ethnicity, tumor type, staging, treatment, and prognosis of the cases is required. Our goal in this study was to carry out a survey of patients who were treated/diagnosed at a reference hospital between 2001 and 2014.

Epidemiological Survey of Patients With Hemodialysis Complicated by Hepatitis C in Japan.

Nowadays, interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment is the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C patients. Some DAA regimens are highly effective and safe even for those with renal dysfunction/failure including those receiving HD. However, it remains unclear to what extent HD specialists gain knowledge about advances in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. To clarify the current situation and identify problems in the treatment of HD patients with chronic hepatitis C, we performed a questionnaire survey at 36 HD facilities between June 2016 and September 2017. In a total of 3418 HD patients, 179 (5.2%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody, and among these patients, 110/125 (88.0%) were positive for serum HCV RNA. Of the latter, only 42/110 (38.2%) patients received antiviral therapy. Moreover, HCV serotyping or genotyping was performed in 23/110 (20.9%) patients. In 26/49 (53.1%) of the remaining 68 untreated patients, "HD specialists do not know any HCV-specific treatments" and "HD specialists have no opportunity to consult with a hepatologist" were the reasons cited for the lack of anti-HCV treatment. This epidemiological study found that some HD patients with chronic hepatitis C had not yet received antiviral treatment despite the emergence of DAAs. To overcome such undesirable circumstances, medical cooperation between HD specialists and hepatologists should be required.

Epidemiological survey of patients with psoriasis in Matsumoto city, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

A local epidemiological survey of psoriasis was conducted from 19 February to 30 June 2016 in Matsumoto city, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Patients were predominantly male (268 cases, 71.5% males vs 107 cases, 28.5% females). We estimated that the prevalence of psoriasis was 0.097% in the Matsumoto area. The clinical types of psoriasis identified were psoriasis vulgaris (90.7%), psoriatic arthritis (5.9%), pustular psoriasis (2.1%), guttate psoriasis (1.0%) and psoriatic erythroderma (0.3%). The topical therapeutic agents included corticosteroids (84.0%), vitamin D3 analogs (61.5%), and a combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (31.0%). Current systemic treatments included cyclosporin (9.0%), etretinate (7.4%) and methotrexate (1.3%). Biologic treatments included adalimumab (4.0%), ustekinumab (2.7%), infliximab (1.3%) and secukinumab (0.8%). Ultraviolet B therapy (11.3%) was the predominant phototherapy in which narrow band ultraviolet B therapy accounted for the majority, followed by psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy (1.0%). According to the recent evolution of psoriasis treatment, the use of biologics has been increasing. This study demonstrates the changes of treatment trends of psoriasis in a non-metropolitan regional area.

A Retrospective and Epidemiological Survey of Patients with Esophagus Cancer in Ilam City During a 10 Years Period

Background: esophagus cancer is the sixth deadly cancer among other types with high rate of death which has made it one of the common cancers. Based on what mentioned, this retrospective study was designed to assess the tumor incidence rate in a 10 years period in Ilam city.Materials and methods: this is a retrospective study during 1385 till 1394 in Ilam city. Our source of patients was the afflicted patients. The sample size and the statistical society of research were determined based on census. The research materials included of two types first included the demographic information of patients (age, gender, tumor type, level of education, residency, smoking and lipid profile) and the second part was some information about the esophagus cancer (anatomical site, pathologic findings and lipid profile).using SPSS version 19, the data was analyzed. Results: the statistical society included 150 individuals afflicted with esophagus cancer in which the most prevalent age group was men older than 70 years (31.3%). In terms of anatomical site, the middle third of esophagus had 75 cases (50%), the last third had 45 cases (30%) and the first third had 30 (20%) individuals. Furthermore, as time went on, the number of new cases increased. Conclusion: the risk factors for occurring the cancer were the age group greater than 70 years, being male, lower educational situation, unemployment, living in an urban areas, smoking, hereditary, hyperlipidemia (LDL, TG, CHOL) and finding tumor in middle third of esophagus (because of existing helicobacter pylori virus and impropriate diet). Being able to identify endangered people, one could begin treating patients and thereby, saving time, cost and increasing the rate of survivors.

Necessity of including medico-legal autopsy data in epidemiological surveys of individuals with major trauma

BackgroundIt is rare that epidemiological surveys of patients with major trauma include both those admitted to the emergency department and those sent for medico-legal autopsy. The main aim of the present population-based study of major trauma was to examine the importance of medico-legal autopsy data. MethodsA new injury severity score (NISS)>15 or lethal outcome was used as criteria for major trauma and to identify patients at the emergency, anaesthesiology and forensic departments and/or being within the jurisdiction of the Malmö police authority and subjected to a medico-legal autopsy between 2011 and 2013. According to Swedish legislation all trauma related deaths should be reported to the police who refer these cases for medico-legal autopsy. ResultsAmong the 174 individuals included, 92 (53%) died and 81 (47%) underwent medico-legal autopsy. One hundred twenty-six patients were primarily admitted to hospital and 48 died before admission to hospital and were sent directly for medico-legal autopsy. Forty-four in-hospital deaths occurred, of whom 33 (75%) were sent to medico-legal autopsy. In those sent directly to the department of forensic medicine the proportion of accidents was lower (p<0.001), self-inflicted injuries higher (p<0.001) and gunshot wounds higher (p=0.002) in comparison with those sent to hospital. The most prevalent drugs detected by forensic toxicology screening in the 81 fatalities were ethanol (20%), sedatives (16%), anti-depressives (15%) and illicit narcotics (9%). Forty-four cases (54%) were positive for at least one drug, and twenty-eight cases (35%) were positive for two or more drugs. Factors associated with a lower rate of medico-legal autopsies among trauma-related deaths at hospital were high age (p<0.001), lower NISS (p<0.001), a longer duration between trauma and death (p<0.001), falls (p=0.030) and trauma-related infections (p<0.001). ConclusionThis population based study covering clinical and forensic data shows that more than half of the individuals sustaining major trauma died. An additional 25% of the in-hospital fatalities should have undergone medico-legal autopsy according to legislation, but did not. The high proportion of positive toxicological findings among fatalities examined at medico-legal autopsy implies that toxicology screening should be routine in major trauma patients, in order to improve treatment and prevention.

A Semmelweis Egyetem Bôr-, Nemikórtani és Bôronkológiai Klinika melanomás betegeinek epidemiológiai vizsgálata

A Semmelweis Egyetem Bôr-, Nemikórtani és Bôronkológiai Klinika melanomás betegeinek epidemiológiai vizsgálata

Are multifocal motor neuropathy patients underdiagnosed? An epidemiological survey in Japan.

Our objective was to do an epidemiologic survey of patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in comparison with those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Japan. In this retrospective study, we examined 46 patients with MMN and 1,051 patients with ALS from major neuromuscular centers in Japan from 2005 to 2009. Diagnosis was based on the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) and the revised El Escorial criteria. The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was also taken into consideration in the diagnosis of MMN. The ratio of MMN to ALS patients (0–0.10) varied among the centers, but mostly converged to 0.05. The prevalence was estimated to be 0.29 MMN patients and 6.63 ALS patients per 100,000 population. The frequency of MMN patients was around 1 out of 20 ALS patients, and MMN was possibly underdiagnosed in some centers.

Epidemiologic survey of patients with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome in Japan

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disease characterized by hypoventilation during sleep. This study discusses the first epidemiologic survey of patients with CCHS in Japan. The first survey was conducted between September and December 2006 and involved 507 registered institutes for pediatric training in Japan. The second survey was conducted between January and April 2007 and involved only those institutes that confirmed diagnosis of CCHS in the first survey or reported on CCHS at a conference during the preceding decade. Thirty-seven patients with CCHS were reported from 23 hospitals. Patient characteristics were as follows: 18 were male, 19 were female; and age range 4 months to 34 years. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms in 37/37 patients; blood gas analysis in 25/37; ventilatory response to inhaled CO(2) in 14/37; and genetic analysis (paired-like homeobox gene 2B) in 11/37. Complications included Hirschsprung's disease in 13/37 and central nervous system disorders in 15/37. Prognoses were as follows: 3/37 died in hospital, 1/37 remained in hospital, 33/37 were on home mechanical ventilation (died 4/33, survived 29/33), and 0/37 were cured. Ventilation methods included tracheostomy (21/37), use of a nasal mask (9/37), use of a facemask (5/37), and diaphragmatic pacing (1/37). There is currently no consensus on the most appropriate methods for diagnosing and treating patients with CCHS in Japan. More CCHS-related data need to be collected in the near future in order to enable appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with CCHS.

Simple Method to Accurately Differentiate Candida albicans Isolates Concurrently Using Polymorphic Patterns of PCR-Amplified, Species-Specific Nuclear and Mitochondrial Targets

We describe a simple method to accurately differentiate Candida albicans isolates by concurrent use of the restriction enzyme digestion patterns for PCR products, targeting two species-specific DNA regions originating from genetically different sources, the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The target sequence we used as the nuclear gene was derived from the PHO85 gene, a negative regulator of the PHO system, in which we found a restriction size polymorphism within the two alleles of PHO85 in the diploid genome of this fungus. The mitochondrial target was derived from EO3, a species-specific DNA fragment possessing a small size polymorphism among various clinical isolates. Our results should provide a new tool for molecular epidemiological surveys of patients suffering from candidiasis caused by C. albicans.

Estudio epidemiológico de un brote epidémico de sífilis en Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Introduction In the last times there has been an increased incidence of syphilis especially among homosexual men. In our department we have diagnosed 11 cases of early syphilis in 6months during 2006, thus confirming an epidemic outbreak. Material and methods We carried out an epidemiological survey of patients with early syphilis. Results Syphilis was secondary in five cases and primary in six. All patients were men, 70 % homosexual with a mean age of 38.1 years. All patients had or have had other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), six were HIV positive. Ninety percent of the patients admitted having had promiscuous sexual contacts in the past year, and among these, 50 % never used protection, no protection was taken in cases of oral sex and only 25 % reported protection during anal sex. Conclusions Currently, there is excessive slackening of protection practices as a method of STD prophylaxis, which leads to an increased number of cases. We consider relevant to insist in the use of barrier methods during oral sex as it is an important source of infection.

Epidemiological Study of an Epidemic Outbreak of Syphilis in Palmas de Gran Canaria

Introduction In the last times there has been an increased incidence of syphilis especially among homosexual men. In our department we have diagnosed 11 cases of early syphilis in 6months during 2006, thus confirming an epidemic outbreak. Material and methods We carried out an epidemiological survey of patients with early syphilis. Results Syphilis was secondary in five cases and primary in six. All patients were men, 70% homosexual with a mean age of 38.1 years. All patients had or have had other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), six were HIV positive. Ninety percent of the patients admitted having had promiscuous sexual contacts in the past year, and among these, 50% never used protection, no protection was taken in cases of oral sex and only 25% reported protection during anal sex. Conclusions Currently, there is excessive slackening of protection practices as a method of STD prophylaxis, which leads to an increased number of cases. We consider relevant to insist in the use of barrier methods during oral sex as it is an important source of infection.

Dermatology and the cosmetic industry

Synopsis Co-operation between the cosmetic industry and dermatology is essential for identifying potentially hazardous substances and ensuring optimal product safety. With dermatological consultation, epidemiological surveys of patients or employees in the cosmetic, toiletry or chemical industry provide useful information to distinguish product-induced or occupational dermatitis from other types of contact dermatitis or constitutional disease (such as psoriasis, lichen planus, or disorders of collagen or immune response). Some examples of the inherent complexities of this process and the solutions that have been achieved are presented. Care is necessary by dermatologists and cosmetic scientists in carrying out controlled use trials and interpreting patch test results in the search for an offending ingredient. Some medical conditions and treatment regimens of the patient/consumer that may affect the response to a cosmetic ingredient are mentioned.