Novel methodology for the evaluation of symptoms reported by patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: Application of natural language processing to electronic medical records data.

Introduction: Understanding symptom patterns in atrial fibrillation (AF) can help in disease management. We report on the application of natural language processing (NLP) to electronic medical records (EMRs) to capture symptom reports in patients with newly diagnosed (incident) AF.

Methods And Results: This observational retrospective study included adult patients with an index diagnosis of incident AF during January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018, in the Optum datasets.

Healthcare resource utilization in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in the United States.

Objectives: To summarize healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in patients with newly diagnosed (incident) paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study assessed HCRU among patients with incident paroxysmal or persistent AF using data from 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2019 in the IBM MarketScan® Research Databases.

Results: A total of 50,796 patients were identified in the overall incident AF cohort.

Comparative Safety and Effectiveness of Sotalol Versus Dronedarone After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background Atrial tachyarrhythmias are common after atrial fibrillation ablation, so adjunctive antiarrhythmic drug therapy is often used. Data on the effectiveness and safety of dronedarone and sotalol after AF ablation are limited. Here, we compared health outcomes of ablated patients treated with dronedarone versus sotalol.

US Antiarrhythmic Drug Treatment for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Insurance Claims-Based Report.

Background Current American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society guidelines and European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) for maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. We assessed the concordance between healthcare provider real-world practice and current guidelines with respect to first-line AAD rhythm management. Methods and Results Administrative claims data from the deidentified Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database were used.

The role of genotoxicity in asbestos-induced mesothelioma: an explanation for the differences in carcinogenic potential among fiber types.

The mechanism(s) underlying asbestos toxicity associated with the pathogenesis of mesothelioma has been a challenge to unravel for more than 60 years. A significant amount of research has focused on the characteristics of different fiber types and their potential to induce mesothelioma. These mechanistic studies of fiber toxicity have proceeded along two lines: those demonstrating biochemical mechanisms by which fibers induce disease and those investigating human susceptibility.

Evaluation of pulmonary function within a cohort of flavorings workers.

Objectives: We present a re-analysis of a recent Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) that was performed by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regarding the pulmonary status of workers at a flavorings manufacturing facility. This facility has used acetaldehyde, acetoin, benzaldehyde, butyric acid, diacetyl and many other flavoring chemicals for many years.

Methods: Ten years of spirometry testing and job descriptions data on 112 workers were analyzed by the authors and by NIOSH.

Is renovation riskier than new construction?: an observational comparison of risk factors for stepladder-related falls.

Background: Stepladder-related injuries at construction sites have increased in recent years. We aimed to quantify the prevalence of stepladder-related fall hazards in general construction and to compare the risks on renovation worksites to new construction build sites.

Methods: Eighteen worksites were visited, resulting in the observation of 771 stepladders.

Portable ladder assessment tool development and validation-quantifying best practices in the field.

Many causes for falls from ladders in construction are related to the user's activities; however, the extent to which users comply with ladder use best practices is unknown and has not been well quantified before. We developed and tested an audit tool that assesses compliance with best practices guidelines for portable ladder use designed for applications in the construction industry. Implemented on a hand-held computer, the assessment tool consisted of a series of checklists categorized in four groups; ladder condition, setup, moving on a ladder, and completing tasks from a ladder.