Personal Invitation Research Articles

Screening SSRI-users for diabetes in a general practice

Purpose – A pragmatic evaluation of the practicality of diabetes screening for users of serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – This study audited the response of SSRI-users to personal invitation for diabetes screening. One-third of such patients had been screened during the past year. The remaining 217 patients were invited for fasting blood glucose tests and the improvement in screening rates measured. The rate of positive results was compared to a cohort who received fasting blood glucose screening due to physical risk factors for diabetes. Findings – Specific invitation increased the take-up of screening from 34 to 52 per cent of SSRI-users. Engagement was significantly better when patients could be contacted by telephone rather than letter. The SSRI-using cohort had a greater rate of identified diabetes than a cohort with physical risk factors for diabetes. Practical implications – SSRI-users are a difficult group to engage in medical screening and an assertive approach is of value. It is likely that the physical care of these patients would be enhanced by the active maintenance of contact by a practice healthcare professional. Screening of SSRI-users for diabetes is justified by both detection rate and the importance of establishing co-morbidity in terms of treatment decisions. Originality/value – Co-morbidity of diabetes and depression has been observed to result in a poor prognosis for the patient which can be tempered if successful engagement leads to early treatment of both conditions with a more tailored choice of medication and care.

RusNet on the Offensive

RusNet on the Offensive

Do personalised e-mail invitations increase the response rates of breast cancer survivors invited to participate in a web-based behaviour change intervention? A quasi-randomised 2-arm controlled trial.

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that the personalisation of study invitations improves response rates in survey-based research. To examine if this finding extends to experimental studies, we examined the impact of personalised study invitation e-mails on the response rates of potentially eligible breast cancer survivors for participation in a 6 month randomised controlled trial testing the efficacy of a physical activity intervention.MethodsPotential participants (n = 344) were sent either a personalised email or a generic email.ResultsThose sent the personalised email were 1.5 times (95 % CI = 1.18–1.93) more likely to respond than those sent the generic email.ConclusionThese findings suggest that personalisation may be a useful and potentially powerful tool that can be utilised when recruiting participants into experimental studies in order to boost response rates.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12874-015-0063-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Swing and a Hit

A Swing and a Hit

Gender effects and cooperation styles in the Facebook community: A quasi-experimental assessment

This paper examines gender effects reported in a quasi-experimental implementation of a social dilemma using Facebook profile owners as subjects. By sending personal invitations via Facebook interest groups, we were able to recruit a fairly large number of participants (N=216) who participated in a “one-shot” variation of the Voluntary Contribution Mechanism (VCM). In addition to participating in the social dilemma, participants provided information about their online profile and their attitude towards Facebook. We observed gender effects on the cooperation style of participants who use Facebook frequently in order to communicate not only with friends and family but also with work colleagues and business acquaintances.

Inequalities in cervical screening practices in Europe

Cervical cancer is an important public health problem in Europe. The overall incidence of cervical cancer in Europe is 11.6 per 105 but morbidity and mortality rates differ significantly, country by country, being much lower in Western Europe where prevention programmes are better developed as compared to Central and Eastern Europe where the screening facilities – for several reasons – are underdeveloped. The effectiveness is in close correlation with the intensity of organized screening. Ideally, cervical cancer screening should reduce the burden of disease in terms of death, morbidity, and improved quality of life. Unfortunately, not everyone benefits equally from the screening due to inequalities of various kinds, such as differences in geopolitical status, diversity in health care systems, access to screening services, socioeconomic and demographic status, lack of knowledge and education. Personal invitation has a major role to play. The acceptance of the offered screening is positively influenced by better access to screening facilities, health consciousness of the invitees, and the quality of prescreening information. Increasing the uptake of cervical screening remains a challenge in reducing health inequalities in European countries.

How Do Investment Ideas Spread through Social Interaction? Evidence from a Ponzi Scheme

A unique dataset from a large Ponzi scheme shows that investment ideas can spread epidemically through social contagion. Investors could join the scheme only by personal invitation from an existing member, and I can observe how the idea spreads from one person to the next based on the inviter-invitee relationships. The social network has so-called scale-free connectivity structure where the distribution of the number of invited people approximately follows a power law. The structure differs significantly from randomly formed networks and explains why word-of-mouth information can spread rapidly even if the average investor does not share it with many others.

Results of the Czech National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme

The nationwide Cervical Cancer Screening Programme in the Czech Republic was introduced in 2009. The aim of this article is to describe the results of this programme in the first few years after its transformation into a fully-fledged, organised programme. During the first few years, a network of 37 accredited laboratories was stabilised, ensuring that examinations would be readily available across the Czech Republic. Although all women aged between 25 and 70 years fall within the target group of the current personalised invitation programme, women not in this age group are reimbursed for preventive screening examinations as well. The programme is equipped with an information support provided by the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses of the Masaryk University, which runs the Cervical Cancer Screening Registry. Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in the Czech Republic have seen a significant decrease over the last decade. By the end of 2013, more than 11 million examinations were reported to the registry by the accredited laboratories, and more than 15,000 serious cervical lesions were detected. Analysis of the data from the registry makes it possible to monitor the quality of individual laboratories and the effectiveness of the entire programme. The promising start of the programme provides a strong argument for its continuation. The program--me has the potential to decrease cervical cancer incidence rates in the Czech Republic to values comparable with those reported by countries with advanced health care systems.

Recruiting and Retaining Older Adults in Volunteer Programs: Best Practices and Next Steps

The baby boomer generation has begun to reach retirement age. What this highly-educated and racially-diverse cohort does in its retirement years has implications for the boomers, their communities, and society. Formal volunteering has been suggested as a mechanism for engaging older adults, as it has been associated with physical and emotional health benefits. However, older adults from underrepresented groups are not as likely to engage in formal volunteer activities and may miss out on these benefits. A review of the literature identifies seven best practices for engaging older adults, including those from minority groups, in formal volunteer activities. These include: personal invitation, role flexibility, stipends, social interaction, support from staff, meaningfulness, and recognition. Using the framework of the Strengths Perspective, identifying and utilizing the strengths of individuals and communities and volunteer goal setting are suggested as additional best practices that may be particularly relevant in attracting a diverse set of older adult volunteers.

Evaluation of health-care providers’ knowledge of childhood tuberculosis in Lima, Peru

Background:As most national tuberculosis programmes (NTPs) focus on adult tuberculosis (TB), NTP providers may not appreciate differences in the pathophysiology and presentation of childhood TB.Objectives:This study aimed to identify strengths and weaknesses in knowledge of childhood TB among the 326 NTP providers in Lima Ciudad and Lima Este—two of the Peruvian capital’s four health districts.Methods:310 providers—103 physicians, 106 nurses, 101 nursing technicians—accepted personal invitations to complete self-administered surveys, which included 14 childhood TB questions grouped into five sections: transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Physicians were asked ten additional questions targeting their NTP diagnostic and management responsibilities.Results:All three groups scored 97–99% on the transmission section and 83–85% on the treatment section; however, no group scored above 66% on any other section. Fewer than 50% of nurses and technicians recognised young children’s high risk of extrapulmonary TB, extrapulmonary TB symptoms or the causes of false negative tuberculin skin tests. Twenty-three per cent of physicians correctly identified gastric aspirate culture sensitivity, and 42% the radiographical findings of pulmonary TB. Less than two-thirds of providers recognised the definition of latent TB infection (LTBI), young children’s high risk of progression from LTBI to disease or indications for isoniazid preventive therapy.Conclusions:Providers at the frontline of Peru’s TB control efforts demonstrated weaknesses in the areas of extrapulmonary disease, diagnosis and prevention. These knowledge gaps are likely to have resulted in delayed or missed diagnoses and lost opportunities for prevention. Educational interventions targeting NTP personnel may improve childhood TB care and outcomes.

Five-year experience of organized colorectal cancer screening in a Swedish population – increased compliance with age, female gender, and subsequent screening round

To evaluate compliance by age, gender, and screening round in the population based Stockholm/Gotland colorectal cancer screening programme. All individuals aged between 60 and 69 living in the counties of Stockholm and Gotland (Sweden) have, since 2008, successively been included in a colorectal cancer screening programme using biennial faecal occult blood tests (Hemoccult®). Personal invitations including test kits have been sent to home addresses, and individuals with a positive test result have been called to a defined clinic for an assessment colonoscopy. Descriptive statistics have been used to evaluate different aspects of compliance. Over the five-year period 2008-2012, more than 200,000 individuals from nine different birth cohorts have been invited, with a compliance rate of approximately 60%, which increased by age, female gender, and subsequent screening round. In total, 4,300 individuals (2.1%) with positive tests were referred to assessment colonoscopy, where 213 colorectal cancers were diagnosed. The compliance with the follow-up colonoscopies varied by year, and ranged from 85.6-92.4%. The strong organization of the programme contributed to a high compliance rate, that increased by screening round. The lower participation rate among men and among individuals at younger ages needs further attention.

SAT0593-HPR Non-Pharmacological Care Provided in Clinical Practice to Treat Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: an International Survey Conducted on Behalf of the Eular Scleroderma Health Professionals Network (EUSHNET)

BackgroundEUSHNet aims to develop and disseminate non-pharmacological standards of care in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, to date there are no studies describing the current state of the art...

PWE-013 Bowel Cancer Screening In The Czech Republic : Current Status, Problems, Clinical View Of The Single Municipal Screening Centre And The News In 2014

IntroductionIncidence of CRC in the Czech Republic (CR)=7800–8200/in population of 10 M people. Approximately 50% of patients (pts.) die of CRC annualy, one of the reasons being late diagnosis (>50%...

What is the most effective strategy for improving the cancer screening rate in Japan?

Cancer screening rates in Japan are much lower than those in Western countries. This study evaluated the relationship between cancer screening rates and strategies used to improve screening rates, and determined which strategy is the most effective. All municipalities are responsible for conducting gastric, lung, colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screenings in Japan. Of the 1,746 municipalities in total, 92-99% were included in the analyses for each cancer screening. Using national data in 2009, the correlations between cancer screening rates and strategies for improving screening rates of all municipalities, both large (populations of over 30,000) and small (populations of under 30,000), were determined. The strategies used were as follows: sending personal invitation letters, personal visits by community health workers, use of a clinical setting for screening, and free screening. Of all four strategies used to improve cancer screening rates, sending personal invitation letters had the highest correlations with all screening rates, with the exception of breast cancer screening. The partial correlation coefficients linking this strategy with the screening rates in all municipalities were 0.28, 0.32, 0.30, and 0.26 for gastric, lung, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening, respectively. In large municipalities, the correlations between the number of examinees in a clinical setting and the screening rates were also relatively high, particularly for cervical cancer screening (r=0.41). Sending personal invitation letters appears to be particularly effective in improving cancer screening rates in all municipalities. All municipalities should implement a system that sends personal invitation letters for cancer screening. In large municipalities, increasing the availability of screening in a clinical setting is also effective in improving cancer screening rates.

Colorectal cancer screening: 20 years of development and recent progress.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Europe and its incidence is steadily increasing. This trend could be reversed through timely secondary prevention (screening). In the last twenty years, CRC screening programs across Europe have experienced considerable improvements (fecal occult blood testing; transition from opportunistic to population based program settings). The Czech Republic is a typical example of a country with a long history of nationwide CRC screening programs in the face of very high CRC incidence and mortality rates. Each year, approximately 8000 people are diagnosed with CRC and some 4000 die from this malignancy. Twenty years ago, the first pilot studies on CRC screening led to the introduction of the opportunistic Czech National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in 2000. Originally, this program was based on the guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) offered by general practitioners, followed by colonoscopy in cases of FOBT positivity. The program has continuously evolved, namely with the implementation of immunochemical FOBTs and screening colonoscopy, as well as the involvement of gynecologists. Since the establishment of the Czech CRC Screening Registry in 2006, 2405850 FOBTs have been performed and 104565 preventive colonoscopies recorded within the screening program. The overall program expanded to cover 25.0% of the target population by 2011. However, stagnation in the annual number of performed FOBTs lately has led to switching to the option of a population-based program with personal invitation, which is currently being prepared.

Designing Viral Product Features for Broader Reach

Abstract Companies increasingly rely on “network” and “viral” marketing within their communication strategies. This study showed that providing viral products with specific features can increase their diffusion substantially. Products that were enabled to send automated notifications within a user’s local Facebook network upon adoption generated a 450 % higher adoption rate among Facebook friends compared with products without any viral features. Products that enabled adopters to send personal invitations to install the app generated an increase in the adoption rate by friends by 750 % more than in the control group. Although each personalized referral had a much stronger impact, notifications outperformed invitations in overall adoption. Automated notifications require no effort, and therefore substantially more messages were generated. The number of users who took the effort to send out personalized invitations was much smaller. A simulation of adoption beyond immediate individual networks showed that the passive-broadcast app experienced a 246 % increase in the rate of adoption, whereas adding active-personalized viral messaging capabilities generated only an additional 98 % increase, compared with the group without viral features.

Darmkrebsfrüherkennung im betriebsärztlichen Umfeld

If the diagnosis is made early the cure rate of bowel cancer is more than 90 %. Occupational preventative medical care required by law and carried out by company physicians can be supplemented by a medical consultation and by simple screenings to interest employees in cancer prevention and refer them to registered general practitioners and specialist doctors for further diagnosis and treatment. Since 2001, BASF SE in Ludwigshafen, Germany offers its employees aged 45 and more a program to detect intestinal cancer early. The employees receive personal invitations for this program once a year. The participants answer a standard questionnaire about risk factors for bowel cancer and an endoscopic diagnosis, if this has already been carried out, and receive a FOBT. Since 2010 an immunological test system was used. We compare the results from two consecutive years with a Guajacum test system (g-FOBT) and an immunological test (i-FOBT). The German Association of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, DGVS, recommends a colonoscopy if test results are positive or a family member has suffered from bowel cancer. Between 2008 and 2011, a total of 52,797 invitations were sent to employees aged 45 and over. Overall, 16,730 men (37.7 % of 46,245) and 1,585 women (24.4 % of 6,552) took part (in some cases more than once). The return rate of the FOBT increased from 66.7 % in 2008 to 79.5 % in 2011. Due to positive results and/or suspicious information in the questionnaire, 2,441 colonoscopies were recommended, 849 of them because of a positive FOBT. The medical department was informed of 224 endoscopy diagnoses. In 8 cases, manifested cancer (6 × colon, 2 × rectum) and in 57 cases adenomatous polyps were diagnosed as preliminary stages of cancer. Most of these diagnoses were made using the i-FOBT, the simultaneous increase in positive test results and therefore more frequent recommendations for a colonoscopy. The additional offer of a program for early detection of bowel cancer as part of an occupational surveillance examination helps detecting bowel cancer early in employees who show no symptoms. Since men on average fall ill earlier, it makes sense to offer these tests at the age of 45. Personal invitations lead to consistently high participant rates and the simplicity of the i-FOBT leads to high return rates of tests. The rate of positive test results is higher compared to g-FOBT. In our follow-up, significantly more intestinal cancer and possible preliminary stages were detected through screening with the immunological test.

Optimizing fracture prevention: the fracture liaison service, an observational study

The response rate to the invitation to the fracture liaison service and reasons for non-response were evaluated in 2,207 fragility fracture patients. Fifty-one percent responded; non-responders were most often not interested (38 %) or were hip fracture patients. After 1 year of treatment, 88 % was still persistent and 2 % had a new fracture. To increase the percentage of elderly fracture patients undergoing a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement, and to investigate why some patients did not respond to invitation to our fracture liaison service (FLS). In four Dutch hospitals, fracture patients ≥ 50 years were invited through a written or personal invitation at the surgical outpatient department, for a DXA measurement and visit to our FLS. Patients who did not respond were contacted by telephone. In patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, treatment was started. Patients were contacted every 3 months during 1 year to assess drug persistence and the occurrence of subsequent fractures. Of the 2,207 patients who were invited, 50.6 % responded. Most frequent reasons for not responding included: not interested (38 %), already screened/under treatment for osteoporosis (15.7 %), physically unable to attend the clinic (11.5 %), and death (5.2 %). Hip fracture patients responded less frequently (29 %) while patients with a wrist (60 %) or ankle fracture (65.2 %) were more likely to visit the clinic. In 337 responding patients, osteoporosis was diagnosed and treatment was initiated. After 12 months of follow-up, 88 % of the patients were still persistent with anti-osteoporosis therapy and only 2 % suffered a subsequent clinical fracture. In elderly fracture patients, the use of a FLS leads to an increased response rate, a high persistence to drug treatment, and a low rate of subsequent clinical fractures. Additional programs for hip fracture patients are required, as these patients have a low response rate.

Large ongoing measles outbreak in a religious community in the Netherlands since May 2013

Despite vaccination coverage over 95%, a measles outbreak started in May 2013 in the Netherlands. As of 28 August, there were 1,226 reported cases, including 82 hospitalisations. It is anticipated that the outbreak will continue. Most cases were orthodox Protestants (n=1,087/1,186; 91.7%) and unvaccinated (n=1,174/1,217; 96.5%). A unique outbreak control intervention was implemented: a personal invitation for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination was sent for all children aged 6–14 months living in municipalities with MMR vaccination coverage below 90%.

Clasificación Internacional y Multidisciplinaria de la Pancreatitis Aguda: Edición española 2013

ObjectiveTo develop a new classification of acute pancreatitis severity on the basis of a sound conceptual framework, comprehensive review of the published evidence, and worldwide consultation. BackgroundsThe Atlanta definitions of acute pancreatitis severity are ingrained in the lexicon of specialist in pancreatic diseases, but are suboptimal because these definitions are based on the empiric description of events not associated with severity. MethodsA personal invitation to contribute to the development of a new classification of acute pancreatitis severity was sent to all surgeons, gastroenterologists, internists, intensivists and radiologists currently active in the field of clinical acute pancreatitis. The invitation was not limited to members of certain associations or residents of certain countries. A global web-based survey was conducted, and a dedicated international symposium was organized to bring contributors from different disciplines together and discuss the concept and definitions. ResultsThe new classification of severity is based on the actual local and systemic determinants of severity, rather than on the description of events that are non-causally associated with severity. The local determinant relates to whether there is (peri) pancreatic necrosis or not, and if present, whether it is sterile or infected. The systemic determinant relates to whether there is organ failure or not, and if present, whether it is transient or persistent. The presence of one determinant can modify the effect of another, whereby the presence of both infected (peri) pancreatic necrosis and persistent organ failure has a greater impact upon severity than either determinant alone. The derivation of a classification based on the above principles results in four categories of severity: mild, moderate, severe, and critical. ConclusionsThis classification is the result of a consultative process among specialists in pancreatic diseases from 49 countries spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. It provides a set of concise up to date definitions of all the main entities pertinent to classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis in clinical practice and research. This ensures that the determinant-based classification can be used in a uniform manner throughout the world.