Monitoring Changes In Health Research Articles

Geriatric Health Charts for Individual Assessment and Prediction of Care Needs: A Population-Based Prospective Study.

BackgroundGeriatric health charts that are similar to pediatric growth charts could facilitate monitoring health changes and predicting care needs in older adults. We aimed to validate an existing composite score (Health Assessment Tool [HAT]) and provide provisional age-specific reference curves for the general older population.MethodsData came from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (N = 3,363 participants aged 60 years and over examined clinically at baseline and 3 years later). HAT was validated by exploring its relationship with health indicators (logistic regression) and comparing its ability to predict care consumption with that of two of its components, morbidity and disability (receiver operating characteristic curve areas). A flowchart was developed to obtain individual-level HAT scores (nominal response method). Sex-specific health charts were derived by graphing seven percentile curves of age-related HAT change (logistic quantile regression).ResultsHAT scores above the age- and sex-specific median were related to good performance in chair-stand tests (odds ratio [OR] = 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07–3.31), balance and grip tests (interaction balance grip test, OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05–1.25), and good self-rated health (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.77–2.71). Receiver operating characteristic curve areas (HAT vs number of chronic disorders) were formal care, 0.76 versus 0.58 (p value < .001); informal care, 0.74 versus 0.59 (p value < .001); hospital admission, 0.70 versus 0.66 (p value < .001); primary care visits, 0.71 versus 0.69 (p value > .05); and specialty care visits, 0.62 versus 0.65 (p value < .001). HAT consistently predicted medical and social care service use better than disability.ConclusionsHAT is a valid tool that predicts care consumption well and could be useful in developing geriatric health charts to better monitor health changes in older populations.

Gruppenhaltung von tragenden Sauen: Indikatoren zum Verhaltens- und Gesundheitsmonitoring

In a collaborative research project, funded by the BLE, the partners in this project University of Hohenheim, Claas Agrosystems KGaA mbH & Co KG and gridsolut GmbH & Co. KG are going to develop a model for monitoring changes in health and behavior of group housed pregnant sows. The overall aim is to implement this monitoring model into a management system, so farmers can use it for managing purposes. This article will demonstrate the methods and present first results of preliminary experiments.

Phenology and Distribution of Caddisflies (Trichoptera) in Oak Creek, A High-desert Perennial Stream in Arizona

We collected 58 species of caddisflies representing 30 genera and 16 families during a 5- year period in Oak Creek, Coconino Co., Arizona. This is the largest number of species of caddisflies reported in any drainage in Arizona and includes .50% of species reported from the state. Species assemblages changed dramatically along the 767-m descent of Oak Creek over a 70-km distance. Discharge records suggest reduced winter and spring surges of water and increased embeddedness of the channel have caused changes in assemblages of caddisflies in Oak Creek over the past several decades. Increased numbers of hydroptilids, hydropsychids, and leptocerids have replaced limnephi- lids. We conducted a 2-year phenological study at monthly intervals at two sites separated by ,400 m in elevation and a distance of 14 km. Spring surges of water played a selective role in larval success and ultimately in number and composition of captures of adults between years. We increased the number of recorded species of caddisflies to 109 in the state. A baseline on assemblages of caddisflies was provided for monitoring changes in health of ecosystem in Oak Creek during the predicted, long-term drought in the Southwest.

Baseline health situation of communities affected by the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project in central Lao PDR and indicators for monitoring

Hydroelectric projects offer opportunities for infrastructure development and economic growth; yet, if not well designed, implemented and operated, they have the potential to negatively affect the health and well-being of local and distant downstream communities. Remote rural populations are particularly vulnerable to the sudden influx of men, materials and money, and associated population mixing that accompany project construction phases. Two large-scale baseline health surveys, carried out in 2001/2002 in two communities that were affected by the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project in central Lao PDR, were analysed. For the population to be resettled on the Nakai plateau it was observed that access to clean water and basic sanitation facilities was lacking. Faecal examinations revealed a high infection prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides (67.7%), but relatively low prevalences for hookworm (9.7%), Taenia spp. (4.8%), Enterobius vermicularis (4.4%), Trichuris trichiura (3.9%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.4%) and Opisthorchis viverrini (0.9%). For the population in the Xe Bang Fai downstream area, rapid diagnostic tests for malaria carried out in the rainy season found a prevalence below 1%, which might be explained by the complete coverage of households with insecticide-treated nets (99.8%). Anthropometric measurements in both populations suggest that wasting, stunting and underweight in under 5-year-old children were moderate to high; 15.9–17.5%, 40.4–55.7% and 35.8–55.7%, respectively. One out of six individuals aged above 14 years were malnourished, most likely as a result of early childhood wasting. Moderate anaemia, assessed by age- and sex-specific haemoglobin levels, was present in 43.8% (Nakai) and 54.9% of the individuals examined (Xe Bang Fai). Several indicators were extracted that can be utilised for monitoring changes in health, well-being and equity, as the project is implemented and operated.

Morbidity and associated factors in rural and urban populations of South Lebanon: a cross‐sectional community‐based study of self‐reported health in 2000

To assess self-reported morbidity and its determining factors in South Lebanon, with an emphasis on the influence of the habitat location (urban vs. rural) and gender. Cross-sectional survey in 2000 among 524 South Lebanon residents >/=14 years sampled from a random sample of households using a multi-level cluster sampling technique. Data on self-reported morbidity, lifestyle and socioeconomic status were collected through interviews, using a standardized questionnaire. To evaluate deprivation, a new index was created; the modified 'Living Conditions Index'. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to test the effect of habitat and gender on self-reported morbidity. People in one-fifth of the households lived in precarious conditions. Illiteracy was significantly higher in rural than urban settings. Urban residents reported obesity, varicose veins, anxiety/depression and visual disorders more often. Illiteracy, headaches, lumbar pain, varicose veins and anxiety/depression were more frequently reported by women, whereas ulcers, hearing disorders, cardio-vascular diseases and their risk factors were more frequently reported by men. Precarious living conditions were associated with headaches, lumbar pains and insomnia. Individuals covered by a health insurance sought care more often than the uninsured. Habitat location had only a minor influence on self-reported morbidity; women perceived their health as poorer than men and a number of disease conditions were influenced by deprivation. Our study confirms that the epidemiological transition phenomenon had occurred in South Lebanon in 2000. Our community-based data can serve as a baseline for monitoring changes in health in South Lebanon in the future and especially those because of the war that emerged in July 2006.

Automatic On-Line Analysis Of Milk Constituents (Urea, Ketones, Enzymes And Hormones) Using Biosensors

Traditional methods of monitoring health changes in animals are based entirely on the human senses. However, in modern dairy production systems humans are rarely present, this is particularly the case with the introduction of robotic milking. In these systems all the functions of milking are automated and cows visit at times of their own choosing. Systems of automatic health monitoring are therefore a priority for research to ensure that the health and reproductive status of the animals can be assessed for management purposes. These systems must be automatic, work in field conditions without technical support and cost a few pence per analysis. The first task is to obtain representative biological samples automatically and non-invasively. As milk is flowing into the milking machine from the cow this can be achieved with ease, except that milk is non-homogeneous with a changing lipid fraction during milking. Lipid soluble components such as progesterone and vitamin A are affected by this change and a model has to be established to determine thresholds at different times during milking. Our main interests in dairy cows are in predicting ovulation, detecting metabolic imbalance and detecting preclinical mastitis inflammatory response. Our team is developing a fully automated ovulation prediction system based on the screen-printed carbon electrode biosensor for progesterone demonstrated by Pemberton et al. (1998). In recent experiments the automated system was able to detect concentrations of progesterone between 2 and 30 ng/ml in stored milk samples (r2= 0.96). The results of field tests are presented showing a good correlation between ELISA and the biosensor (r2= 0.91) on samples of fresh milk. The results of the recent field tests show the ability of the biosensor to characterise ovulation cycles of cows and to detect pregnancy. We have identified a major lack of other biological models to detect disease with on-line sensors. Our next objective is to create an integrated system for biological research with sensor systems for urea, ketones, lipids and enzymes in milk. This will allow the development of diagnostic models based on analysing numerical sensor-derived data rather than human visual observations for signs of ill health in dairy cows.

Dumb animals and smart machines: the implications of modern milking systems for integrated management of dairy cows

AbstractThe dairy industry has continued to innovate to meet the needs of the consumers' specification of milk at a low price, of good hygienic quality and with rising expectations of animal welfare. The introduction of robotic milking offers the opportunity for the cost effective deployment of novel sensors for a variety of milk analytes. Traditional methods of monitoring health changes in animals are based entirely on the human senses. However, in modern milking systems humans rarely have enough time to see the cows to observe for signs of ill health, the extreme case is that of robotic milking. Novel sensors will allow closed loop control systems where the early detection of deviations from optimal performance will enable the farm manager to make management decisions before damage to potential milk yields is irreversible. Where a biological model already exists, for example, in the prediction of ovulation with milk progesterone analysis, rapid progress is being made towards an automated prediction system. Integrated management systems for dairy cows will not only have the traditional goals of efficient milk production but can also be tuned to reduce polluting outputs of ammonia, phosphorus and methane. The main metabolic markers in milk to be monitored are urea, fat, ketones and protein. The detection of mastitis can be achieved by the development of sensor systems to detect enzyme markers of inflammatory response such as Nagase. Multi-disciplinary research is needed to develop integrated management systems drawing all the different elements of dairy cow management into a single system. The major cause of death in dairy cows is dystocia and monitoring systems are needed to ensure that parturition is better managed.

Evidence for validity of a health status measure in assessing short term outcomes of cholecystectomy.

To assess the validity of the Nottingham health profile (NHP) as an indicator of short term outcome of cholecystectomy. Prospective assessment of outcome. One teaching hospital. Patients--161 consecutive patients admitted for cholecystectomy between January 1989 and September 1990. Patients' reported symptoms and self assessed NHP scores before cholecystectomy and at follow up at three and 12 months (76 patients); assessment before admission (19). Complete data were obtained preoperatively and at three months' follow up from 154 patients; seven did not respond to the follow up questionnaire. 76/84(90%) patients in the study 12 months or more answered the 12 month follow up questionnaire; eight did not respond. Significant changes in score before and at three months after the operation were observed for four of the six dimensions: energy (35.34 v 19.53, p < 0.0001), pain (27.38 v 9.8, p < 0.0001), sleep (26.99 v 17.51, p = 0.0002), and emotional reactions (16.12 v 7.56, p = 0.001). The mean scores for 76 patients followed up at three and 12 months showed little subsequent change. Scores in readmitted patients were all significantly higher, suggesting poor health. Patients with five reported symptoms had significantly worse scores for all dimensions. Scores were similar before cholecystectomy whether the questionnaire was completed before or after admission. The NHP is an appropriate tool for monitoring changes in health after cholecystectomy.

A fetal-infant life table based on single births in Norway, 1967--1973.

The study is based on 440,452 single births occurring in Norway, 1967--1973, with known gestational age. The information was collected through a notification system known as "Medical Registration of Births," covering all births occurring in Norway, and the data are made available through the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, which allows for linkage between births and infant deaths. The life table describes the experience of women still pregnant at a gestational age of 16 completed weeks, and states for each subsequent week the number of pregnancy terminations, the outcome, and the number of women still pregnant. Seven outcomes of pregnancy are considered: fetal death prior to labor, fetal death during labor, death within 24 hours, death 1--6 days, death 7--27 days, death 28 days--1 year, and survival of one year or more. The data in the life table provide information on the probability of pregnancy termination in each week of gestation (after 16 completed weeks), and the probabilities of the various outcomes. The fetal-infant life table is considered as an extension of descriptive perinatal statistics and is of value in monitoring health changes and in comparing perinatal mortality between populations. It also provides information on time of pregnancy termination and outcome, which has some clinical applications.