Frequency Of Comorbid Conditions Research Articles

РАННЯЯ ДИАГНОСТИКА ПОЗДНЕЙ БРОНХИАЛЬНОЙ АСТМЫ У КОМОРБИДНЫХ ПАЦИЕНТОВ

Abstract. Introduction. Underdiagnosis of late-onset bronchial asthma and improvement of methods for its early detection is an important trend in medicine, which is associated with the increasing number of adult patients with variable respiratory symptoms, allergologic history, and comorbid background. It seems reasonable to improve the early diagnosis of late-onset asthma in comorbid patients using screening scales. Aim. To assess the risk of late-onset bronchial asthma in comorbid patients, using the Adult Epidemiologic Asthma Scale (A2) and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire. Material and Methods. Eighty patients aged 59.9±11.6 (–51.3% of them being female patients) were examined. Group 1: Comorbid patients with the established asthma; group 2: Comorbid patients without asthma. Asthma risk factors, respiratory symptoms, frequency of comorbid conditions, and blood eosinophil count were evaluated. Additionally, questionnaires including A2 and ECRHS scales were used in asthma screening. The diagnostic significance of questionnaires for early detection of late-onset asthma was assessed using ROC analysis. Results and Discussion: The patients examined were comparable in age, sex, and adherence to smoking. Over 63% of the group 1 patients had hereditary history of asthma and sensitization to allergens in contrast to the group 2 patients (0%). Patients in both groups frequently reported choking (group 1: 100%, group 2: 85.1%), cough (100% and 57.4%, respectively), and wheezing (69.7% and 38.3%, respectively). Among comorbidities, the frequency of which was comparable between the groups (p>0.05), arterial hypertension (group 1: 66.7%, group 2: 59.6%) and obesity (60.6% and 42.6%, respectively) were predominant. Over 35% of patients in each group had chronic heart failure. There was a trend toward more frequent development of diabetes mellitus in patients with asthma (30.3% and 12.8%; p=0.054). The sum of A2 and ECRHS scale scores exceeded 4 in all patients with asthma. In group 2, “Probable asthma” was reported by 46.8% of patients in the A2 questionnaire and by 27.7% on the ECRHS scale. According to ROC-analysis, “Probable asthma” in the group 2 patients on A2 scale was recorded at the sum of scores > 6 (100% sensitivity and 82.9% specificity) and > 4 scores (87.8% sensitivity and 87.2% specificity) for ECRHS questionnaire. Conclusions. High diagnostic value of A2 and ECRHS questionnaires was determined in comorbid patients with respiratory symptoms without asthma. In 30% of cases, the questionnaire results established “Probable asthma” in this category of patients.

Mal de Débarquement Syndrome in Children: A Case Series

Currently, mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS) has been reported only among adults. This case series describes three pediatric MdDS patients. MdDS presentation in children is similar to that of adults, although frequency of comorbid conditions is greater. Diagnostic delays are common and likely due to under recognition of MdDS among children.

Activation of oxidative stress, comorbidity and survival of end-stage renal disease patients treated with hemodialysis

Abstract. The aim of the study was to analyze the characteristics of serum concentrations of oxidative stress (OS) markers depending on the quantitative assessment of comorbidity and taking into account the most informative indicators of OS, to prospectively assess changes in comorbid status, death rates and individual comorbid conditions in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with hemodialysis (HD).
 Methods. The cohort prospective open-label study included 156 patients with ESRD, treated with HD. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first – the structure and quantitative assessment of comorbid diseases, determination of serum concentrations of oxidative stress (OS) markers and their analysis depending on the comorbid status were studied. On the second – taking into account the defined threshold values (Cut-off) of the most informative markers of the OS, an assessment of changes in comorbid status, frequency of comorbid conditions and fatal events done. A modified polymorbidity index (MPI) was calculated to assess comorbid status. The concentration of OS serum markers was determined by spectrophotometric method. Statistical analysis was performed by using "MedCalc", version 19.3 (Ostend, Belgium).
 Results. Serum concentrations of all prooxidant markers were significantly higher and antioxidant markers were significantly lower in the HD patients with high comorbid status compared to those of patients with low comorbidity (p<0.0001). Correlation analysis between MIP and the studied OS markers showed that the largest correlation (rho=0.874) was established with the serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDAs). During the observation period in the group of patients with a concentration of MDAs > 668.72 μmol/ml found a significant, compared with the group with a biomarker content ≤ 668.72 μmol/ml, an increase in the proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (by 81.84 % vs 28.48 %; p<0.0001), cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (by 56.0 % vs 36.4 %; p=0.019) and cerebrovascular (CEVD) diseases (by 73.33 % vs 30.42 %; p<0.0001). The proportion of patients with fractures in the group of patients with MDAs > 668.72 μmol/l increased fourfold (p=0.0140). The increase in MIP is 34.11 % vs 17.1 % (p<0.0001), five-year cumulative survival – 45.3 % vs 63.3 % (p=0.0312; HR – 2,1527, 95% CI: 1,2458 –3,7199), five-year CV survival – 61,6 % vs 80.8 % (p=0.0094; HR – 2.7955, 95% CI: 1.3664 – 5.7191) in groups with MDAs > 668.72 and ≤ 668.72 μmol/ml, respectively.
 Conclusions. In patients with ESRD, treated with HD, serum concentrations of MDAs > 668.72 μmol/l is a biochemical determinant of a significant increase, in the medium term, the number of comorbid conditions, deaths, fatal CV and CEVD events, the proportion of patients with COPD, fractures, CVD and CEVD, reduction of cumulative and CV survival.

Comorbidity in patients with lobular panniculitis-lipodermatosclerosis

Lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) is one of the variants of lobular panniculitis. The onset of LDS falls on the age of 50–60 years, when many patients already have comorbid pathology requiring complex therapy, which affects the course, the choice of treatment and prognosis of LDS, as well as the quality of life.Objective: to study the structure and frequency of comorbid conditions in patients with LDS.Patients and methods. 53 patients (3 men and 50 women), 18–80 years old, with a verified diagnosis of LDS were included, all of them had an average follow up of 10 years (they were observed in the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology). The duration of the disease ranged from 2 weeks to 20 years. During clinical examination, the localization, prevalence, color and number of affected skin areas and sub cutaneous fat were determined. The intensity of pain on palpation of the node was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Laboratory and instrumental research included: blood and urine tests, computed tomography of the chest and ultrasound Doppler of the lower extremities with registration of the linear blood flow velocity in the affected veins (femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, foot veins). Clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination of patients was carried out 2 times a year. The CIRS and Charlson indices were used to assess the relationship between comorbid pathology and LDS.Results and discussion. Most patients (60.3%) were women with increased body weight (91.5±21.8 kg). Depending on the duration of the disease, the main variants of the LDS course were: acute (<3 months), subacute (3–6 months), and chronic (>6 months). Skin changes were associated with polyarthralgia (34%) and/or myalgia (22.6%), mainly on the side of the affected limb. In 16 patients, an increase in ESR, on average 23.8±7.8 mm per hour, was detected, in 7 patients, including 4 with an acute course of LDS, – more than a threefold increase in the level of CRP. No comorbid diseases had 17 patients, 64.7% of them were under 50 years and had an acute course of LDS (p=0.02). In 68% of patients, mainly with chronic LDS, the following concomitant diseases was recorded: chronic venous insufficiency (CVI; in 67.9%); exogenous constitutional obesity (in 60.3%); rheumatic diseases (45.2%), including osteoarthritis (75%), rheumatoid arthritis (17%), antiphospholipid syndrome (8%), and arterial hypertension (39.6%). Most patients had 1 concomitant disease, and almost one fifth of patients had 2 concomitant diseases. The proportion of patients with 3 comorbid pathologies was 11.1%, with 4 – 8.3% and with 5 – 5.5%. When assessing the Charlson index, a 10-year survival rate of >90% (index values from 0 to 2 points) was observed in 66% of patients, 53–77% (3–4 points) – in 26.4% and <21% (≥5 points) – in 7.5%. There was correlation between the comorbidity index and the age of patients (r=0.8, p<0.05); no association with the duration of LDS was found (r=0.3, p=0.2). Patients over 61 years had ≥1 comorbid disease. The average CIRS index for this group was 4.2±0.3 points (0–10), in most patients (45.2%) it was <5 points. Analysis of the Charlson and CIRS scales confirmed their statistically significant relationship (r=0.5, p=0.0000001).Conclusion. In patients with LDS, a high incidence of comorbid pathology was noted. Interdisciplinary approach with interaction between doctors of different specialties is required for treatment of these patients.

Adrenal Incidentalomas are Tied to Increased Risk of Diabetes: Findings from a Prospective Study.

The frequency of adrenal incidentalomas and their association with comorbid conditions have been assessed mostly in retrospective studies that may be prone to ascertainment bias. The objective of this work is to evaluate the frequency of adrenal incidentalomas and their associated comorbid conditions. A prospective cohort study was conducted. This study took place at a radiology department at a public hospital. Unselected outpatients who underwent an abdominal computed tomography (CT) from January 2017 to June 2018. Patients with known or suspected adrenal disease or malignancy were excluded. All abdominal CT scans were evaluated by an experienced radiologist. Hormonal workup including a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test was performed in patients bearing adrenal incidentalomas. Frequency of adrenal incidentalomas in abdominal CT of unselected patients; frequency of comorbid conditions, and hormonal workup in patients bearing adrenal incidentalomas. We recruited 601 patients, and in 7.3% of them an adrenal tumor was found serendipitously. The patients bearing an adrenal incidentaloma had higher body mass index (P = .009) and waist circumference (P = .004) and were more frequently diabetic (P = .0038). At multivariable regression analysis, diabetes was significantly associated with the presence of adrenal incidentalomas (P = .003). Autonomous cortisol secretion was observed in 50% of patients who did not suppress cortisol less than 50 nmol/L after 1 mg dexamethasone. The frequency of adrenal incidentalomas is higher than previously reported. Moreover, adrenal incidentalomas are tied to increased risk of type 2 diabetes. This finding is free from ascertainment bias because patients with adrenal incidentalomas were drawn from a prospective cohort with the same risk of diabetes as the background population.

Childhood Trauma and Psychosis: An Updated Review.

There is growing evidence to support the link between childhood trauma and psychosis. Childhood trauma increases the risk for psychosis and affects severity and type of psychotic symptoms, and frequency of comorbid conditions, including depression and substance use. Childhood trauma is linked to more severe functional impairment in individuals with psychosis. There is evidence to support gender differences in the influence of childhood trauma on the course of psychotic illnesses, appearing to be more profound in girls and women. Other biological markers that may explain the link between childhood trauma and psychosis include brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other inflammatory markers.

Age and gender differences in phenotype of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with arterial hypertension

The aim — to determine differences in the structure and function of the heart, arterial stiffness, resistive and pulsative loads and ventricular‑arterial connection in patients with arterial hypertension, confirmed heart failure (HF) and preserved ejection fraction, depending on age and gender.Materials and methods. The study included 115 patients (62 (53.9 %) men and 53 (46.1 %) women, average age — 67.3 ± 9.7 years) with a diagnosis of HF with preserved EF of IIA or IIB stage, II — III functional class according to NYHA, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50 % and signs of LV diastolic dysfunction according to transthoracic echocardiography, who were divided into two groups by gender and two groups by age (≥ 65 years and 0.05). The glomerular filtration rate was lower in the elderly, and the frequency of anemia in these groups of patients was higher. In women of both age groups it was lower than in men (p 0.05) for both sexes. When assessing the pulse load, an increase in the augmentation index was detected, standardized to a heart rate of 75 per 1 min and a pulse wave velocity in older women, compared with older men (24.9 ± 4.3 and 22.4 ± 5.7; 13.04 ± 1.4 and 12.4 ± 1.9, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusions. Among patients with hypertension and verified HF with preserved EF, in younger women compared with men there was a greater degree of diastolic dysfunction in terms of diastolic elastance, left atrial volume index, DT, an increase in systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery and NT‑proBNP level at the same frequency atrial fibrillation and body mass index. With a greater resistive load on the LV in terms of systemic vascular resistance and Ea, women patients with hypertension and heart failure with preserved EF had a higher pulse load (according to ascending augmentation index standardized to heart rate of 75 per 1 min and pulse wave velocity) than men with comparable central systolic blood pressure, regardless of age.

Sub-threshold bipolar disorder in medication-free young subjects with major depression: Clinical characteristics and antidepressant treatment response

BackgroundThis study, for the first time, compared illness and antidepressant response characteristics of young subjects with major depression (MDD) at low (LRMDD) or high-risk (HRMDD) for developing bipolar disorder with characteristics of young bipolar (BPD) subjects and healthy controls (HC). MethodsOne hundred and six young (15–30 yr), medication-free subjects MDD subjects (HRMDD, N = 51; LRMDD, N = 55) were compared with 32 BPD (Type I: 14; Type II: 18) as well as 49 HC subjects. Baseline illness characteristics and frequency of comorbid conditions were examined using Analysis of Variance and Cochran-Armitage trend test. Additionally, in MDD subjects, the effect of open-label antidepressant treatment for up to 24 months with periodic assessments was compared between HRMDD and LRMDD groups for treatment response, remission and (hypo)mania switch while controlling for attrition. ResultsSignificant gradation from LRMDD to HRMDD to BPD groups was found for increasing occurrence of alcohol dependence (p = 0.006), comorbid PTSD (p = 0.006), borderline personality traits (p = 0.001), and occurrence of melancholic features (p < 0.005). Antidepressant treatment response was similar between the two groups except that for the 12-month period HRMDD showed a trend for a lower response. Switch to (hypo)mania was infrequent in both groups though the HRMDD showed a higher occurrence of spikes in (hypo)mania symptoms (>25% increase in YMRS scores)(p = 0.04). ConclusionFindings of the study indicate that a substantial proportion of young MDD subjects share BPD illness characteristics. These HRMDD subjects, if treated with antidepressants, need to be monitored for development of BPD. Trial registrationNCT01811147.

Clinical interventions for venous leg ulcers: Proposals to improve the quality of clinical leg ulcer research.

The present status of clinical leg ulcer healing research was reviewed by 25 experts over 2 days on September 28 and 29, 2015. Multiple clinical effectiveness reviews were presented suggesting that published clinical wound healing research often does not meet present (2015) evidence based standards. Specific areas requiring remediation were highlighted and approaches to overcoming existing challenges were proposed. Participants using anonymous voting technology developed an action plan to resolve perceived deficiencies. Statements were accepted if 75% of participants agreed. Older patients with a high frequency of comorbid conditions posed particular difficulties in designing clinical research protocols and better diagnostic categorization is necessary A standardized model template for collecting information about diagnosis and evaluation of the effect of interventions on healing of all types of leg ulcers was considered a high priority. Such a model template could be modified depending on the specific etiology of the leg ulcers. Generally agreed on quantifiable standards to establish degree of morbidity was considered a high priority. There was universal agreement that sources of funding and conflicts of interest needed to be disclosed in presentations and all publications. All clinical research studies should be registered with appropriate authorities. There was substantial enthusiasm for a clinical research network with quality standards for membership and an advisory research core available to investigators. Such a network should be funded and actively managed to insure long-term viability. The governance of such an entity needs to be established by the wound care community. The present trend to integrate patients into the clinical research process was endorsed and there was enthusiasm to develop patient advocacy for wound healing research.

Insurance Status and Outcome after Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Findings from Get With The Guidelines-Stroke

[corrected] Few studies have examined associations among insurance status, treatment, and outcomes in patients hospitalized for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Through retrospective analyses of the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)-Stroke database, a national prospective stroke registry, from April 2003 to April 2011, we identified 95,986 nontransferred subjects hospitalized with ICH. Insurance status was categorized as Private/Other, Medicaid, Medicare, or None/Not Documented (ND). Associations between insurance status and in-hospital outcomes and quality of care measures were analyzed using patient- and hospital-specific variables as covariates. There were significant differences in age and frequency of comorbid conditions by insurance group. Compliance with evidence-based quality of care indicators varied across all insurance status groups (P < .0001) but was generally high. In adjusted analysis with the Private insurance group as reference, the None/ND group most consistently demonstrated higher odds ratios (ORs) for quality of care measures (Dysphagia Screen: OR 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.17, P = .0096; Stroke Education: OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.29, P = .0042; and Rehabilitation: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08-1.44, P = .0027). In-hospital mortality rates were higher for None/ND, Medicaid, and Medicare patients; after risk adjustment, the None/ND group had the highest mortality risk (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.21-1.38, P < .0001). Medicare and Medicaid patients had lower adjusted odds for both independent ambulation at discharge and discharge to home when compared with the Private/Other group. GWTG-Stroke ICH patients demonstrated differences in mortality, functional status, discharge destination, and quality of care measures associated with insurance status.

Diabetes Prevention and the Role of Risk Factor Reduction in the Medicare Population

Medicare is keenly aware of the secular changes in weight gain and of the nearly parallel increases in both the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes throughout the U.S. population. The Medicare population, however, differs from the population at large because of its advanced age and frequency of comorbid conditions and/or disability. These factors affect life span as well as participation in and potential benefit from lifestyle modification and risk-factor reduction activities. Further, macrovascular disease is the greatest burden for older beneficiaries with diabetes, and its risks may antedate the appearance of hyperglycemia. Both diabetes prevention and treatment must be considered in this context. Medicare benefits focus on reduction of cardiovascular risk and mitigation of more temporally immediate complications of weight gain and glucose elevation. These preventive services and interventions are described.

Stroke Subtypes and Comorbidity among Ischemic Stroke Patients in Brasilia and Cuenca: A Brazilian–Spanish Cross-cultural Study

With the increase in life expectancy worldwide, changes in stroke subtypes and burden of stroke population are expected in both developing and developed countries. Prevalence of stroke subtypes and comorbidity in ischemic stroke patients was assessed in Brasilia, Brazil, and Cuenca, Spain. This was an international (Brazilian-Spanish) cross-sectional study. Stroke subtypes were assessed by means of Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. Modified Rankin scale was used to measure functional recovery and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) was used to assess comorbidity. A total of 500 patients (mean age 66.2±16.4 years; 48% female; 48.2% Spanish) were included in the study. Spanish patients were significantly older than Brazilian ones (76.4±11.2 versus 56.7±14.6 years; P<.0001). Prevalence of ischemic cardiopathy (20.3% versus 6.2%) and atrial fibrillation (25.7% versus 6.6%) was significantly higher in Spanish stroke patients, whereas they less frequently used tobacco (28.3% versus 52.9%); P less than .0001. Prevalence of stroke subtypes in Spanish and Brazilian stroke patients was: stroke of undetermined etiology (58.1% versus 32.4%), cardioembolism (24.5% versus 11.6%), lacunar infarct (11.6% versus 25.5%), atherothrombotic (3.7% versus 19.7%), and other causes (2.1% versus 10.8%); P less than .0001. The Spanish sample had a significantly higher frequency of comorbidities. The CIRS-G total score and CIRS-G mean number of affected organs significantly increased with age, and correlated with the level of functional dependence as measured by Rankin scale (rS=0.50; P=.0005). Spanish stroke people had a higher frequency of comorbid conditions, atrial fibrillation, and cardioembolism and these facts were associated with age. Atherothrombotic and lacunar strokes were more common in the younger Brazilian stroke population.

Medical conditions in fibromyalgia patients and their relationship to pregabalin efficacy: pooled analysis of Phase III clinical trials

Objective: Patients with fibromyalgia demonstrate high rates of comorbid somatic and psychiatric disorders. The current post hoc study analyzed the prevalence of comorbid conditions and their relationship to pregabalin efficacy in patients with fibromyalgia pooled from four Phase III clinical trials.Methods: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, randomized to placebo or 300, 450, or 600 mg/day pregabalin, and with ≥ 1 postbaseline pain score were included. The frequency of comorbid conditions was obtained from patient-reported, voluntary medical histories. Patients were categorized based on the presence of a medical condition (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome) or a group of medical conditions (e.g., neurological disorders). Two efficacy variables were examined within each comorbid category: endpoint changes from baseline in weekly mean pain diary scores (11-point numeric rating scale) and Patient Global Impression of Change.Results: A large proportion of patients exhibited concomitant headache, immunological (allergy), gastroesophageal, and/or psychiatric disorders. The efficacy analyses performed on these subgroups of patients, amongst others, showed – with few exceptions – consistent pain reductions of similar magnitude with pregabalin.Conclusion: Comorbid conditions are common among patients with fibromyalgia and their presence is not associated with altered pregabalin efficacy.

Patient relevant outcome 7 years after total hip replacement for OA - a prospective study

BackgroundTo investigate prospectively the patient-relevant outcome 7 years after total hip replacement (THR) for osteoarthritis (OA).Methods219 consecutive patients (120 women) with primary OA, mean age 71 (range 50-92) were assigned for THR. They were examined preoperatively, at 3, 6, 12 months, and at 4, 5 and 7 years postoperatively with the self-administered questionnaires SF-36 and WOMAC. Supplementary questions regarding postoperative complications, general co-morbidity, social circumstances and patient satisfaction were asked at the three last follow-ups. A reference group, 117 subjects (67 women), mean age 72 (range 52-92) without hip complaints were recruited from the community and investigated at the same times.Results151/170 (89%) of the patients and 65/74 (88%) of the reference group participated at the 7 year follow-up. The best postoperative result was reported one year postoperatively. At the 7 year follow up there was a significant difference between the patients and controls in SF-36 physical function (PF) and role physical (RP) but not of WOMAC function. There was no difference in frequency of co-morbid conditions between those operated and the reference group, but those operated were in greater need of walking aid (46% vs. 8% p < 0.0001) and reported more regional and widespread pain (68% vs. 53% p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study shows that in an unselected cohort the patients experience a similar health-related quality of life as a reference group of a similar age and sex structure 7 years after THR except for general physical function where the patients score worse.

Primary revision of mid-vein stenoses in venous bypass conduits: Venous patch versus interposition vein

Patients after infrainguinal vein bypasses are a group at risk of graft stenosis and occlusion. Revision of failing grafts has been shown to significantly improve bypass patency and limb salvage. Options for surgical revision of mid bypass stenosis includes either patch angioplasty (PA) or interposition grafting (IG). We reviewed our experience with surgical revision of vein bypass stenosis. From April 1968 to March 2006, 7557 autogenous vein bypasses were performed at Albany Medical Center and its affiliated institutions, of these 316 required single or multiple revision of vein grafts with patch angioplasty or interposition vein grafting. Excluded were proximal and distal anastomotic revisions. Only 235 bypasses had single revisions as either patch angioplasty (n = 108) or interposition grafting (n = 127) and are the focus of this review. The initial bypass revisions in these two groups are analyzed for indications, clinical parameters, operative strategies, and long-term patencies and clinical outcomes. There were no significant differences in mean age, gender, or frequency of comorbid conditions (coronary artery disease, pulmonary disease, hypertension, and diabetes) between the two patient groups. Secondary patency of patch angioplasty revision at 5 years was 79%. Patencies for interposition grafting revision at 5 years were equivalent to patch angioplasty group at 75%. When bypasses were evaluated on the basis of initial reconstructions (ie, in situ vs excised vein bypass), the results showed that in situ bypasses that required initial revision had similar 5-year patencies when interposition grafting was used as the first revision strategy vs patch angioplasty (80% vs 73%). Excised vein bypasses had similar patency when patch was their first revision strategy vs interposition grafting (4 year secondary patency 92% vs 75% respectively). Autogenous vein bypasses are at risk for developing significant stenosis and occlusion with time. Bypass stenosis that develops in the main body of the graft can be effectively repaired using either patch angioplasty or interposition grafting. Depending on the host of other factors, such as availability of autogenous venous conduit, location of stenosis, accessibility for operative repair, and the patient's anatomic characteristics, either operative strategy is effective in prolonging the patency of the bypass.

Long-term outcome of children with cortical visual impairment

Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is now the most common cause of visual impairment in children. Little is known about the long-term visual outcome. This study evaluates the outcome of children with congenital CVI. Using medical records, 423 children (225 males, 198 females) were identified with congenital CVI. Of these children, 259 had follow-up visual acuity assessments. The children's gestational age varied with 32 weeks or less representing 15.9%; 33 to 36 weeks representing 10.7%; 37 to 42 weeks representing 61.2%; and 43 weeks or greater representing 0.9% (11.3% of patients’gestational age was unrecorded). Clinical data were extracted and information regarding outcome was gathered. The majority of children showed improvement in their visual acuity levels after 2 or more years of follow-up. For the 194 children initially assessed before 3 years of age, 97 had improved, 75 were unchanged, 18 had deteriorated, and 4 had sub-optimal assessments. For the 74 children initially assessed at 3 or more years of age, 23 had improved, 44 remained unchanged, 3 had deteriorated, and 4 had sub-optimal testing. Children with better visual acuity levels at follow-up were more likely to have favourable cognitive outcomes (non-mental retardation)* in 12.2% versus 2.8% (p<0.01). Similarly, favourable motor outcomes (independent ambulation) were present in 20.1% for those with better visual acuities versus 7.9% for those with poorer visual acuities (p<0.01). Our study demonstrates that the majority of children with CVI underwent improvement in visual acuity. Additional disabilities were common, but those children with better visual acuity outcomes faired better. Given the frequency of comorbid conditions, appropriate diagnostic assessment services are needed.

Long-term outcome of children with cortical visual impairment

Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is now the most common cause of visual impairment in children. Little is known about the long-term visual outcome. This study evaluates the outcome of children with congenital CVI. Using medical records, 423 children (225 males, 198 females) were identified with congenital CVI. Of these children, 259 had follow-up visual acuity assessments. The children's gestational age varied with 32 weeks or less representing 15.9%; 33 to 36 weeks representing 10.7%; 37 to 42 weeks representing 61.2%; and 43 weeks or greater representing 0.9% (11.3% of patients' gestational age was unrecorded). Clinical data were extracted and information regarding outcome was gathered. The majority of children showed improvement in their visual acuity levels after 2 or more years of follow-up. For the 194 children initially assessed before 3 years of age, 97 had improved, 75 were unchanged, 18 had deteriorated, and 4 had sub-optimal assessments. For the 74 children initially assessed at 3 or more years of age, 23 had improved, 44 remained unchanged, 3 had deteriorated, and 4 had sub-optimal testing. Children with better visual acuity levels at follow-up were more likely to have favourable cognitive outcomes (non-mental retardation) in 12.2% versus 2.8% (p<0.01). Similarly, favourable motor outcomes (independent ambulation) were present in 20.1% for those with better visual acuities versus 7.9% for those with poorer visual acuities (p<0.01). Our study demonstrates that the majority of children with CVI underwent improvement in visual acuity. Additional disabilities were common, but those children with better visual acuity outcomes faired better. Given the frequency of comorbid conditions, appropriate diagnostic assessment services are needed.

Direct health care costs for treatment of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in an IPA-group-model HMO.

The differences in direct health care costs and use between HMO enrollees with both diabetes mellitus and hypertension and enrollees with either disease alone were studied. Two years' worth of medical and pharmacy claims data from a hybrid (independent practice association and group)-model HMO were evaluated. Diagnoses were determined from medical claims data and cross-referenced with prescription information from pharmacy claims data. Aggregate costs associated with each disease, including pharmacy costs, costs of physician office visits, and laboratory costs, were compiled. Comparisons were made of all costs (any cost incurred by the health plan for the member, regardless of disease) and disease-specific costs. The frequency of comorbid conditions was identified. A total of 6195 patients (670 with diabetes and hypertension, 1756 with diabetes alone, and 3769 with hypertension alone) were assessed. Patients with both diseases incurred much higher costs per year than patients with diabetes or hypertension alone (mean costs, $13,446, $8,493, and $8,424, respectively). Hospitalization costs contributed the greatest amount to total costs, while emergency room costs contributed the least. Disease-specific costs for diabetes and hypertension represented less than one quarter of total health care costs per patient. Average disease-specific costs were highest for patients with both diseases ($2,955), followed by costs for patients with hypertension alone ($1,803) and patients with diabetes alone ($689). The percentage spent on prescriptions was much higher for disease-specific costs than for total costs. The three most common comorbid conditions were dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with the frequency of cerebrovascular disease and myocardial infarction more than double in patients with diabetes and hypertension compared with patients with either disease alone. The cost of care for a patient with both diabetes and hypertension, although not double that for a patient with diabetes or hypertension alone, was higher than the cost of treating either disease.