Prevalence Rate Of Patients Research Articles

Depression and Insomnia in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Taking Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists.

Psoriasis patients with moderate to severe disease often present with depression and insomnia. Treatment targeting both psoriasis and psychological comorbidities is needed to improve the quality of life of these patients.In this nationwide cohort study, a total of 980 patients with psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis who had received nonbiological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics therapy between 2009 and 2012 were identified. The prevalence rates of patients taking medications for depression and insomnia were compared before and after biologics therapy. Logistic regression method was used to investigate the risk factors for depression and insomnia. Further stratified analyses were performed to examine the prevalence of use of medications for depression and insomnia among different patient subgroups.The prevalence of patients taking regular antidepressants before starting biologics therapy was about 20%. There was a more than 40% reduction in this prevalence after biologics therapy for 2 years. Age higher than 45 years, female sex, presence of comorbidities, and psoriatic arthritis were independently associated with depression and insomnia. Further stratified analyses revealed a more rapid and significant reduction in depression/insomnia in those undergoing continuous biologics therapy, younger than 45 years, without psoriatic arthritis and not taking concomitant methotrexate, when compared with their counterparts.The results suggest that biologics therapy may be associated with reduced rates of depression and insomnia, and a reduced rate of regular antidepressants use in psoriasis patients.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Seroprevalence in a Senegalese “Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV” Cohort

Introduction Senegal is classified by WHO among the countries where the prevalence of HBV is high To better address the management and prevention in both HBV infected and uninfected patients in decentralized areas of Senegal we investigated the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in a Prevent Mother to Child Transmission of HIV PMTCT for Dried Bloot Spots in Senegal Objective The objective of our work is to find the frequency of hepatitis B infection in both HIV positive and ndash negative patients from a PMTCT cohort From Dried Blood spot in Senegal Materials and Methods We analyzed patients from a PMTCT cohort among whom were HIV positive were HIV negative and was questionable HIV positive The samples were was submitted to the test kit Determine HBsAg the ELISA kit Microscreen HBsAg and HBsAg ELISA Qualitative Architect II kit for the detection of HBsAg Result The average age was weeks and the sex ratio was M F Patients were predominantly male with The overall frequency of HBsAg was in HIV patients and in HIV negative the highest prevalence was in HIV negative patient rsquo s under weeks which was The second highest prevalence was in HIV negative patients weeks with positive for HBsAg followed by prevalence rate in patients weeks In the group of HIV negative patients HBsAg was more prevalent among women than in men Table In addition the overall analysis of HIV prophylactic status showed that the majority of the mothers used the combination AZT TC NVP Finally HIV negative patients are more likely exposed to HBV infection Conclusion The incidence of hepatitis B is high in children not infected with HIV with the prophylactic status of mothers showing a majority use of the combination AZT TC NVP Finally HIV negative patients are more likely exposed to HBV infection

Clinically Meaningful Rehabilitation Outcomes of Low Vision Patients Served by Outpatient Clinical Centers

To facilitate comparative clinical outcome research in low vision rehabilitation, we must use patient-centered measurements that reflect clinically meaningful changes in visual ability. To quantify the effects of currently provided low vision rehabilitation (LVR) on patients who present for outpatient LVR services in the United States. Prospective, observational study of new patients seeking outpatient LVR services. From April 2008 through May 2011, 779 patients from 28 clinical centers in the United States were enrolled in the Low Vision Rehabilitation Outcomes Study. The Activity Inventory, a visual function questionnaire, was administered to measure overall visual ability and visual ability in 4 functional domains (reading, mobility, visual motor function, and visual information processing) at baseline and 6 to 9 months after usual LVR care. The Geriatric Depression Scale, Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical functioning questionnaires were also administered to measure patients' psychological, cognitive, and physical health states, respectively, and clinical findings of patients were provided by study centers. Mean changes in the study population and minimum clinically important differences in the individual in overall visual ability and in visual ability in 4 functional domains as measured by the Activity Inventory. Baseline and post-rehabilitation measures were obtained for 468 patients. Minimum clinically important differences (95% CIs) were observed in nearly half (47% [95% CI, 44%-50%]) of patients in overall visual ability. The prevalence rates of patients with minimum clinically important differences in visual ability in functional domains were reading (44% [95% CI, 42%-48%]), visual motor function (38% [95% CI, 36%-42%]), visual information processing (33% [95% CI, 31%-37%]), and mobility (27% [95% CI, 25%-31%]). The largest average effect size (Cohen d = 0.87) for the population was observed in overall visual ability. Age (P = .006) was an independent predictor of changes in overall visual ability, and logMAR visual acuity (P = .002) was predictive of changes in visual information processing. Forty-four to fifty percent of patients presenting for outpatient LVR show clinically meaningful differences in overall visual ability after LVR, and the average effect sizes in overall visual ability are large, close to 1 SD.

Prevalence of Scedosporium species and Lomentospora prolificans in patients with cystic fibrosis in a multicenter trial by use of a selective medium

ObjectiveDetection of hyphomycetes of the Scedosporium apiospermum complex and Lomentospora prolificans (Sac-Lp) is not yet standardized. Prevalence rates in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the resistance pattern of these pathogens in Germany are unknown. MethodsIn a one-year prospective study 11 laboratories used a selective medium for isolation of Sac-Lp, examining >11,600 respiratory samples from 2346 patients with CF. Isolates were identified by molecular methods and tested for susceptibility to antifungal drugs. ResultsThe prevalence of Sac-Lp in patients with CF in Germany varied from 0.0 to 10.5% (mean: 3.1%) among the clinical centres. The benefit of the selective medium SceSel+ compared to standard media for fungi was documented for >5000 samples. High antifungal resistance was detected in the S. apiospermum complex, and the multiresistance of L. prolificans was confirmed. ConclusionMicrobiology laboratories should be aware of these resistant species in patients with CF and consider using a selective medium.

海员慢性酒精肝的超声诊断探析

目的：采用超声诊断在酒精肝疾病诊断中的临床应用价值进行系统性分析与研究。方法：从海员体检病例中选取100例腹部超声检查患者，其中男性有84例，女性有16例，他们的年龄在20~50岁之间。利用超声影像学特征分析的方法，对酒精肝患者的患病率与饮酒量、性别、年龄的关系进行对比性分析(P Objective: The clinical applied value of ultrasonic diagnosis in alcoholic liver disease is analyzed and researched. Methods: 100 cases were selected from the seafarers’ medical of patients with abdominal ultrasound examination, with 84 cases of men and women in 16 cases, their age between 20 to 50 years old. By using the method of ultrasonic imaging characteristics analysis, the relationship between prevalence rate with alcoholic liver and the drinking, sex, age is compared and analyzed (P < 0.05). Results: After a period of observation the study found that patients with alcoholic liver of male patients with 84 cases, occupied 84% of the total, while female patients with 16 cases, occupied 16% of the total; the contrast has obvious difference. The prevalence of three groups of patients with age 20 - 30, 31 - 40 and 41 - 50, has obvious difference. The prevalence rate of patients who drink a lot is higher than those who drink little (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Diagnosis of alcoholic liver patients by ultrasound examination helps to improve the effect of clinical diagnosis which has minimal positive influence on patients and has high value on clinical application and research.

Quantitative and Pattern Analyses of Continuous-Wave Doppler–Derived Pulmonary Regurgitant Flow Velocity for the Diagnosis of Constrictive Pericarditis

Many echocardiographic features of constrictive pericarditis (CP) have been reported, but each alone has a limitation either in sensitivity or in specificity. Continuous-wave Doppler-derived flow velocity of pulmonary regurgitation can reflect the diastolic right ventricular pressure pattern characteristic of CP and be useful for its detection. Fifteen patients with CP, 18 patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy, and 20 normal subjects were studied retrospectively. Using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary regurgitation velocities were measured at the early diastolic peak (VMAx), mid-diastolic inflection point (VIFL), and late diastolic minimal point (VMIN). VIFL, VIFL/VMAx, VMIN, and VMIN/VMAx were significantly lower in the CP group compared with the restrictive cardiomyopathy and normal groups. Prevalence rates of patients with early mid-diastolic inflection, VIFL/VMAx < 0.5, VMIN < 50 cm/sec, and VMIN/VMAx < 0.33 were significantly greater in the CP group compared with the other groups. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CP were 93% and 74%, respectively, forthe presence of early mid-diastolic inflection, 73% and 100% for VIFL/VMAx < 0.5, 73% and 97% for VMIN < 50 cm/sec, and 93% and 92% for VMIN/VMAx < 0.33. The quantitative and pattern analyses of continuous-wave Doppler-derived pulmonary regurgitation velocity could enhance the accuracy of echocardiographic detection of CP.

Description of cardiovascular event rates in patients initiating chronic opioid therapy for noncancer pain in observational cohort studies in the US, UK, and Germany.

Previous observational studies in the US suggest that opioid analgesic use increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. The current study provides additional background event rates for five prespecified CV outcomes of interest in patients from three countries. Three observational cohort studies were conducted in patients from the US (N = 17,604), the UK (N = 9,823), and Germany (N = 9,412). Patients were new opioid users who had undergone ≥6 months of chronic, continuous therapy. De-identified data were collated from electronic healthcare databases in the respective countries. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and opioid use were examined. Overall rates, prevalence rates in patients with established CV disease, and incidence rates in patients without established CV disease were determined for myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, transient ischemic attack, unstable angina, and congestive heart failure (CHF). Cardiovascular disease at baseline was more prevalent in US and German patients. Back pain and depression were prevalent preexisting comorbidities. The majority of patients were using various weak opioids (based on receptor affinities), CV medications, and antidepressants. Overall rates by individual CV outcome per 1,000 patient-years by country were greatest for CHF (US 37.2, 95% CI 24.1-40.5), unstable angina (UK 8.2, 95% CI 7.0-9.6), and stroke (Germany 5.3, 95% CI 4.1-6.7). Overall rates for MI were: US, 10.7 (95% CI 9.1-12.5), UK, 6.7 (95% CI 5.6-8.0), and Germany, 2.7 (95% CI 1.9-3.7). Overall rates for each CV outcome, prevalence rates in patients with preexisting CV disease, and incidence rates in patients without established CV disease differed by country. Rates were higher in patients with preexisting CV disease. CV risk for new opioid users with ≥6 months of therapy was increased in patients with established CV disease compared with those without established CV disease, and the risk for specific outcomes differed by country. Assessment of CV safety events of new therapies introduced to chronic opioid users should consider sample size and population heterogeneity in the design of an observational study.

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in ulcerative colitis patients with clinical and endoscopic evidence of remission: prospective multicenter study

Objective. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms are often found in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients in remission. However, the prevalence of those symptoms in UC patients with endoscopic evidence of remission shown by mucosal healing remains unknown. Material and methods. IBS diagnosis was evaluated by questionnaire results according to the Rome III criteria. Clinical remission was assessed by clinical activity index (CAI), whereas endoscopic remission was evaluated by endoscopic index (Matts grade). Results. We enrolled 172 patients in clinical remission (CAI ≤ 4), after excluding 36 for incomplete questionnaire results or nonremission findings, as well as 330 control subjects. Of the 172 UC patients, 46 (26.7%) met the Rome III criteria, which was a significantly higher rate as compared with the controls (4.8%). The prevalence rate of IBS-like symptoms in UC patients with endoscopic remission findings (Matts grade ≤2) was 25.6%, which was similar to that of those with clinical remission. When endoscopic remission was defined as Matts grade 1, the prevalence rate of IBS-like symptoms was decreased to 15.4%, although the prevalence rate remained higher than that of the control subjects. Conclusions. The prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in UC patients with clinical and endoscopic remission findings was significantly higher than that of control subjects. Furthermore, the prevalence rate in patients with complete endoscopic remission was decreased. These findings suggest that residual low-grade inflammation may influence the presence of IBS-like symptoms in UC patients in remission.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinomas

Upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) have high prevalence rates in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. Analgesic nephropathy, Balkan endemic nephropathy, and aristolochic acid (AA) nephropathy share the common association with the development of CKD and UTUC. Genome studies allow identification of patients with genetic predisposition to Balkan endemic nephropathy and AA nephropathy. Furthermore, the identification of aristolactam deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) adducts now provides robust evidence for AA exposure in UTUC patients, even in the absence of recallable exposure history. Diagnosis and treatment of UTUC in CKD patients are challenging. Clinical diagnosis of UTUCs in CKD patients with the available urological and imaging methods is much more difficult than in patients with normal renal function due to atrophic kidneys and poor excretory functions in these patients. High prevalence rates of contralateral upper tract and urinary bladder involvements of UC in CKD, either at presentation or recurrence, raise concerns of the necessity and techniques as well as perioperative risk of complete urinary tract exenteration. The standard treatment of radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision for UTUC patients may result in deterioration of renal function, rendering adjuvant chemotherapy unsuitable. This special issue collectively addresses these important topics regarding UTUC in CKD patients. The authors in one paper nominate three mutant genes (CELA1, HSPG2, and KCNK5) in Balkan endemic nephropathy patients, which are associated with angiogenesis. This finding suggests that angiogenesis might play an important role in the development of Balkan endemic nephropathy. Another paper shows an elevated risk of urothelial carcinomas (UC) in ESRD patients with the analysis of a national wide cohort in Taiwan. Female patients have 9–18 folds of increased risk of UC as compared to 4–14 folds in male ESRD patients, which may reflect female predominance in AA consumption. One paper discusses the challenges of UTUC diagnosis in CKD patients. It reviews the detection rate of UTUCs in dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients with the use of a variety of imaging and urological methods in the literature. Combination use of urological and imaging methods has been suggested for diagnosing UTUCs in symptomatic dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. Another paper develops a predictive model for postoperative renal insufficiency in UTUC patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy, which help in selecting eligible patients for cisplatin based adjuvant chemotherapy. Older age, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate before surgery, smaller tumor size, renal pelvis tumor, and absence of hydronephrosis or multifocal tumors are predictors for ineligibility for adjuvant chemotherapy. One paper describes modified incision complete urinary tract exenteration for UC in dialysis patients, providing short operative time, early oral feeding, and no major perioperative complications of this modified surgical procedure. Another paper reviews epidemiological evidence of AA exposure associated with occurrence of nephropathy and UC, including AA exposure scenarios in Belgium, Taiwan, and the Danube River as well as occupational exposure in Chinese herbalists. The identification of aristolactam DNA adducts in these patients further corroborates biological plausibility of AA exposure contributing to the occurrence of UTUC. Li-Jen Wang Joelle L. Nortier Bin Tean Teh Cheng-Keng Chuang Shen-Yang Lee

Clinical characteristics according to depression screening tools in patients with Alzheimer's disease: View from self, caregiver‐reported and drug‐intervention pattern

Depression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has different clinical manifestations from primary depression of non-demented patients. We designed the present study to explore the following: (i) to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with and without depression according to observational and subjective depression screening scale; and (ii) to examine the depression prevalence rate in patients with AD according to these criteria. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS, observational scale) and Neuropsychiatry Inventory Depression subscale (NPI-D; subjective scale) were administered to 257 patients with drug-naïve probable AD. The study groups were classified into the three subgroups of "no-depression", GDS depression and NPI-DS (NPI-D significant) depression group, and the clinical characteristics of these subgroups were examined. The NPI-DS depression group showed lower scores on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination compared with the no-depression group, and higher NPI subdomain scores compared with other groups. The GDS depression group showed higher NPI motor subdomain scores compared with the no-depression group. Depression defined by NPI-DS was the least frequent (10.5%), and NPI-DA (NPI-D any) was the most frequent (56.4%). The prevalence of depression defined by GDS and anti-depressant usage was 30.0% and 16.0% each. The level of agreement between the screening tools determined through the kappa index was from low to moderate. The present study showed that different depression screening tools revealed a different prevalence and poor concordance rate among depression screening tools. Considering lower cognitive functions and higher BPSD symptoms in the NPI-DS depression group, NPI-DS could be associated with disease severity in AD patients. However, the clinical significance of GDS remains uncertain.

Associations between Presence of Relevant Information in Referrals to Radiology and Prevalence Rates in Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

The purpose of this study was to assess if the presence of information including the pretest probability (Wells score), other known risk factors, and symptoms given on referrals for computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography correlated with prevalence rates for pulmonary embolism (PE). Also, to evaluate for differences between a university and a regional hospital setting regarding patient characteristics, amount of relevant information provided on referrals, and prevalence rates for pulmonary embolism. Retrospective review of all consecutive referrals (emergency room, inpatient, and outpatient) for CT performed on children and adults for suspected PE from two sites: a tertiary (university) hospital (site 1) and a secondary (regional) hospital (site 2) over a 5-year period. The overall prevalence rate was 510/3641 or 14% of all referrals. Significantly higher number of males had a positive CT compared to women (18% versus 12%, P < .001). Although no statistically significant relationship between a greater amount of relevant information on the referral and the probability for positive finding existed, a slight trend was noted (P = .09). In two categories, "hypoxia" and "signs of deep vein thrombosis," the presence of this information conferred a higher probability for pulmonary embolism, P < .001. In the categories, "chest pain," "malaise," and "smoker/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease", the absence of information conferred a higher probability for pulmonary embolism. The amount of relevant clinical information on the request did not correlate with prevalence rates, which may reflect a lack of documentation on the part of emergency physicians who may use a "gestalt" approach. Request forms likely did not capture all relevant patient risks and many factors may interact with each other, both positively and negatively. Pretest probability estimations were rarely performed, despite their inclusion in major society guidelines.

Aortic Stenosis in the Elderly: Disease Prevalence and Number of Candidates for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Meta-Analysis and Modeling Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of aortic stenosis (AS) in the elderly and to estimate the current and future number of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Severe AS is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. A proportion of these patients is at high or prohibitive risk for surgical aortic valve replacement, and is now considered for TAVR. A systematic search was conducted in multiple databases, and prevalence rates of patients (>75 years) were pooled. A model was based on a second systematic literature search of studies on decision making in AS. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate the number of TAVR candidates in 19 European countries and North America. Data from 7 studies (n = 9,723 subjects) were used. The pooled prevalence of all AS in the elderly was 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.6% to 18.2%), and the prevalence of severe AS was 3.4% (95% CI: 1.1% to 5.7%). Among elderly patients with severe AS, 75.6% (95% CI: 65.8% to 85.4%) were symptomatic, and 40.5% (95% CI: 35.8% to 45.1%) of these patients were not treated surgically. Of those, 40.3% (95% CI: 33.8% to 46.7%) received TAVR. Of the high-risk patients, 5.2% were TAVR candidates. Projections showed that there are approximately 189,836 (95% CI: 80,281 to 347,372) TAVR candidates in the European countries and 102,558 (95% CI: 43,612 to 187,002) in North America. Annually, there are 17,712 (95% CI: 7,590 to 32,691) new TAVR candidates in the European countries and 9,189 (95% CI: 3,898 to 16,682) in North America. With a pooled prevalence of 3.4%, the burden of disease among the elderly due to severe AS is substantial. Under the current indications, approximately 290,000 elderly patients with severe AS are TAVR candidates. Nearly 27,000 patients become eligible for TAVR annually.

Coexistence of hypothyroidism with inflammatory arthritis is associated with cardiovascular disease in women

ObjectivesHypothyroidism and inflammatory arthritis tend to coexist, but data on this association are sparse. In terms of cardiovascular risk, this association may have clinical relevance as this coexistence may carry...

The treatment of the chronic cardiac failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in clinical practice

Ethnofactors of chronic cardiac failure (CCF) include type 2 diabetes (D-2). The treatment of patients with diabetes and chronic cardiac failure is very problematic. The aim is to reveal the CCF prevalence rate among D-2 patients in a representative sample of respondents in Orenburg and to assess their treatment. Two groups of D-2 patients were analyzed: the first group consisted of unorganized urban population patients, and the second group consisted of hospital patients. The CCF prevalence rate in patients of the second group (78%) was quite comparable with that in the first group (82%). The analysis of efficiency of CCF treatment in the representative sample has shown that drug treatment was not sufficient from the cardiologist’s point of view. CCF complicates D-2 in most patients. The current therapy aimed at the correction of cardiovascular disorders in patients with diabetes and cardiac failure calls for optimization in accordance with national recommendations.

Overactive Bladder in Female Patients with Chronic Diseases Visiting Primary Care Doctors: Effect of Age on Prevalence and Bothersomeness

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of age on the prevalence and bothersomeness of overactive bladder (OAB) in female patients with chronic diseases visiting primary care doctors.Methods: We used the pooled data of the SURPRISE survey in which 121 doctors and 1388 female patients aged 40 years or older responded to questionnaires.Results: The OAB prevalence rate in patients was estimated by doctors to be 9.5%. However, the OAB prevalence rate according to patients, as defined by the OAB symptom score, was 22.3%. The rate was increased with age. The number of patients with OAB was much higher than estimated by doctors. Approximately 25% of patients were dissatisfied with their present urinary condition. The rate was increased with age. Dissatisfaction with present urinary condition was strongly correlated with severe urgency score in all age groups. In elderly patients, contribution of urgency incontinence and nocturia to dissatisfaction was also increased. Thirteen percent of patients were receiving treatment for their OAB. However, 15.8% were untreated, regardless of having OAB, suggesting that treated patients comprise less than half of all OAB patients. This tendency was observed in all age groups. In the correlation between satisfaction with pharmacological treatment and each OAB symptom, contribution of urgency to satisfaction with pharmacological treatment was the highest.Conclusion: Urgency is the most bothersome symptom and shows the highest contribution to treatment satisfaction. In elderly patients, urgency incontinence and nocturia are proportionally greater problems. Management of urgency is essential for improving quality of life and satisfaction with treatment in OAB patients.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Sleep-disordered breathing encompasses a broad spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, as well as sleep-related hypoventilation and hypoxemia. Diagnostic criteria have been updated in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for Scoring Sleep and Associated Events. Neurologic providers should have basic knowledge and skills to identify at-risk patients, as these disorders are associated with substantial morbidity, the treatment of which is largely reversible. OSA is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and is highly prevalent and grossly underdiagnosed. Recent studies suggest that prevalence rates in patients with neurologic disorders including epilepsy and stroke exceed general population estimates. The physiologic changes that occur in OSA are vast and involve complex mechanisms that play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and, although largely unproven, likely impact brain health and disease progression in neurologic patients. A tailored sleep history and examination as well as validated screening instruments are effective in identifying patients with sleep-disordered breathing, although sleep testing is necessary for diagnostic confirmation. While continuous positive airway pressure therapy and other forms of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation remain gold standard treatments, newer therapies, including mandibular advancement, oral appliance devices, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation, have become available. Emerging evidence of the beneficial effects of treatment of sleep-disordered breathing on neurologic outcomes underscores the importance of sleep education and awareness for neurologic providers. Sleep-disordered breathing is highly prevalent and grossly underrecognized. The adverse medical and psychosocial consequences of OSA and other sleep-related breathing disorders are considerable. The impact of sleep therapies on highly prevalent neurologic disorders associated with substantial morbidity and health care costs is becoming increasingly recognized.

Prevalence of Brugada sign and syndrome in patients presenting with arrhythmic symptoms at a Heart Rhythm Clinic in Singapore

Southeast Asia is endemic for Brugada syndrome; however, its prevalence in Singapore is unknown. We aimed to determine the prevalence of Brugada sign [Types 1, 2, and 3 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG)] and syndrome at an arrhythmia clinic in Singapore. Patients who presented with pre-syncope, syncope, and/or palpitations without a known cause at an arrhythmia clinic between 2005 and 2007 were included in the study. The study criteria were met by 392 patients (age: 49.6 +/- 19.1 years, 55.9% male); 675 patients were excluded because they were referred for the management of known diagnoses. The 12-lead ECGs of these patients were analysed and clinical information was abstracted. Brugada sign was observed in 28 patients, and 12 patients were determined to have Brugada syndrome (age: 36.3 +/- 15.4 years, 100% male), yielding a prevalence of 7.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.8-10.2] and 3.1% (95% CI: 1.6-5.3), respectively. The prevalence rates of patients with Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Brugada signs were 4.8% (95% CI: 2.9-7.5), 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7-3.6), and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.06-1.8), respectively. Over 30.4 person-years of follow-up, there was one inappropriate defibrillation shock but no appropriate shocks or sudden cardiac deaths among patients with Brugada sign or syndrome. The prevalence of both Brugada sign and syndrome in a hospital-based population in Singapore was found to be high. Further population-based investigation is warranted to confirm these findings.

Modelling lifetime cost consequences of toric compared with standard IOLs in cataract surgery of astigmatic patients in four European countries

Objective: To compare the lifetime costs of freeing astigmatic patients from spectacles after bilateral cataract surgery implanting toric intraocular lenses (IOLs: i.e., Acrysof Toric) versus monofocal IOLs, in France, Italy, Germany and Spain.Methods: A Markov model followed patient cohorts from cataract surgery until death. Prevalence rates of patients not needing spectacles and the types of spectacles prescribed for those requiring them were obtained from clinical trials and national surveys. The economic perspective was societal. Mortality rates were incorporated into the model. Discount rates were applied. A sensitivity analysis was performed on non-discounted costs.Results: Fewer patients with toric IOLs needed spectacles for distance vision than patients with monofocal IOLs. With monofocal IOLs more than 66% of patients needed complex spectacles compared to less than 25% implanted with toric IOLs. In France and Italy, toric IOLs reduced overall costs relative to otherwise high spectacle costs after cataract surgery. Savings were €897.0 (France), €822.5 (Germany), €895.8 (Italy) and €391.6 (Spain), without discounting. On applying a 3% discount rate the costs became €691.7, €646.4, €693.9 and €308.2, respectively.Conclusions: Bilateral toric IOL implants in astigmatic patients decreased spectacle dependence for distance vision and the need for complex spectacles. The economic consequences for patients depended on the national spectacle costs usually incurred after cataract surgery.

Modelling lifetime cost consequences of ReSTOR® for presbyopia in four European countries

To compare the lifetime cost consequences, in France, Italy, Germany and Spain, of liberating presbyopic patients from spectacles by implanting the multifocal intraocular lens ReSTOR. A Markov model was created to compare a patient cohort implanted with ReSTOR at age 45 years, with a cohort using spectacles, until death or age 100 years. Prevalence rates of patients not requiring spectacles after surgery were obtained from clinical trials. Resource utilisation included implant surgery, spectacles, visits to ophthalmologists and optic centres, transport and time lost by patients. Economic perspectives were those of society and sickness funds. Mortality rates were introduced into the model. Cataract surgery was allowed just for the spectacles-only cohort. Rate of spectacle independence was fixed at 80% for ReSTOR. When time spent to care for refraction was not taken into account, lifelong ReSTOR cost was higher than spectacles in all countries (293 euro; 1013 euro), according to the societal perspective. When time was included, cost saving was observed in Italy (136 euro) and the incremental cost to be free of spectacles comprised between \[euro]11 and \[euro]816. According to the NHS perspective, ReSTOR is a cost saving strategy (-274 euro; -605 euro). At a 3% discount rate, savings achieved by liberating patients from spectacles counterbalanced partially the initially higher cost of ReSTOR according to the society perspective. ReSTOR could be considered as cost-effective in the four countries provided that the willingness to pay of patients to be free of spectacles would be lower than 23.65 euro/year.

Modelling lifetime cost consequences of ReSTOR®in cataract surgery in four European countries

BackgroundTo compare the lifetime costs of liberating patients from spectacles after cataract surgery by implanting the multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) 'ReSTOR®' versus monofocal IOLs in France, Italy, Germany and Spain.MethodsA Markov model was created to follow patient cohorts from cataract surgery until death. Prevalence rates of patients not needing spectacles after cataract surgery were obtained from clinical trials. Resource utilisation included implant surgery, IOLs, spectacles, visits to ophthalmologists and eye centres, transport, and time lost by patients. Economic perspectives were those of Society and Sickness Funds (SFs).ResultsThe mean number of spectacles purchased after ReSTOR® was 1.34–1.61 and after monofocal IOLs 6.05–7.27. From the societal perspective, total cost estimates discounted by 3% were between €3,551 and €4,052 with ReSTOR® compared to €3,989 and €5,548 with monofocal IOLs. Undiscounted savings related to ReSTOR® ranged from €815 to €2,164. From the SFs' perspective total cost estimates discounted by 3% were between €2,150 and €2,524 with ReSTOR® compared to €2,324 and €2,610 with monofocal IOLs. Savings related to ReSTOR®, once costs discounted, ranged from €61 to €219. Discount and spectacle freedom prevalence rates were the most sensitive parameters.ConclusionThe bulk of the savings related to ReSTOR® were realized outside the SF. From both a societal and SF perspective, savings, after a 3% discounting, achieved by liberating patients from spectacles counterbalanced the initially higher cost of ReSTOR®. ReSTOR® is a cost saving alternative to spectacles for patients requiring cataract surgery.