Prediction of cardiovascular risk factors from retinal fundus photographs: Validation of a deep learning algorithm in a prospective non-interventional study in Kenya.

Aim: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are major causes of morbidity and mortality, with growing burdens in low-income countries where they are underdiagnosed and undertreated. Advances in machine learning may provide opportunities to enhance diagnostics in settings with limited medical infrastructure.

Materials And Methods: A non-interventional study was conducted to develop and validate a machine learning algorithm to estimate cardiovascular clinical and laboratory parameters.

Health-related quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes initiating a second-line glucose-lowering therapy: The DISCOVER study.

Aim: To investigate factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) at initiation of second-line glucose-lowering therapy.

Methods: DISCOVER is a 3-year, prospective observational study of patients with T2D initiating second-line glucose-lowering therapy, conducted in 38 countries. HRQoL at baseline was assessed using the physical and mental component summary (PCS; MCS) scores of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) in 31 countries (n = 8309) and the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey-II (HFS-II) in 23 countries (n = 6516).

What are the factors associated with long-term glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated glycated haemoglobin (≥7.0%) at initiation of second-line therapy? Results from the DISCOVER study.

Aims: Glycaemic control is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes (T2D) management. We assessed factors associated with good long-term glycaemic control in patients with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥7.0% at initiation of second-line glucose-lowering therapy, using data from DISCOVER, a global, prospective, 3-year observational study of patients with T2D.

Associations between second-line glucose-lowering combination therapies with metformin and HbA1c, body weight, quality of life, hypoglycaemic events and glucose-lowering treatment intensification: The DISCOVER study.

Aim: To explore the effects of second-line combination therapies with metformin on body weight, HbA1c and health-related quality of life, as well as the risks of hypoglycaemia and further treatment intensification in the DISCOVER study, a 3-year, prospective, global observational study of patients with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line glucose-lowering therapy.

Materials And Methods: Adjusted changes from baseline in weight, HbA1c and 36-item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) summary scores at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months were assessed using linear mixed models. Risk of hypoglycaemia and further intensification were assessed using interval censored analyses.

Pakistan: the new target of terrorism. Are Karachi's emergency medical response systems adequately prepared?

Objective: To assess the efficacy and preparedness of the pre-hospital and hospital emergency medical systems and post graduate trainees in the city to deal with a massive terrorist strike.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of postgraduate trainees was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and Civil Hospital Karachi from 21st July 2007 to 24th July 2007, to evaluate the preparedness and self identified deficiencies of doctors involved in massive trauma casualty management. To assess the pre-hospital care in Karachi, structured telephonic interviews were conducted of administrators of two private run charity based ambulance services.