Publications by authors named "Cindy J Wong"
Background & Aims: Methotrexate and infliximab are effective therapies for Crohn's disease (CD). In the combination of maintenance methotrexate-infliximab trial, we evaluated the potential superiority of combination therapy over infliximab alone.
Methods: In a 50-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared methotrexate and infliximab with infliximab alone in 126 patients with CD who had initiated prednisone induction therapy (15-40 mg/day) within the preceding 6 weeks.
Background: Notwithstanding improving rates of hypertension control in North America, management of patients with both hypertension and dyslipidemia remains problematic. Based on evidence of improved control utilizing a simplified algorithm for management of hypertension (STITCH), we questioned whether a simplified comprehensive treatment algorithm featuring initial use of single-pill combinations (SPCs) would improve management of participants with both hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Method: We randomized 35 primary care practices in Ontario to either Guidelines-care (following current Canadian guidelines) or STITCH2-care (following a treatment algorithm featuring SPCs).
Background & Aims: Interobserver differences in endoscopic assessments contribute to variations in rates of response to placebo in ulcerative colitis (UC) trials. We investigated whether centralized review of images could reduce these variations.
Methods: We performed a 10-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 281 patients with mildly to moderately active UC, defined by an Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index (UCDAI) sigmoidoscopy score ≥2, that evaluated the efficacy of delayed-release mesalamine (Asacol 800-mg tablet) 4.
Despite improvements in blood pressure (BP) control, a substantial percentage of patients do not achieve target. The relative importance of determinants of poor BP control is unclear. Therefore, the authors conducted a post hoc exploratory analysis to assess determinants of BP control.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFatigue in patients with COPD participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis
October 2010
Background: Fatigue is a distressing, complex, multidimensional sensation common in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While fatigue negatively impacts functional performance and quality of life, there has been little study of the fatigue that affects participants in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and physical dimensions of fatigue and their relationships to dyspnea, mental health, sleep, and physiologic factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNotwithstanding the availability of antihypertensive drugs and practice guidelines, blood pressure control remains suboptimal. The complexity of current treatment guidelines may contribute to this problem. To determine whether a simplified treatment algorithm is more effective than guideline-based management, we studied 45 family practices in southwestern Ontario, Canada, using a cluster randomization trial comparing the simplified treatment algorithm with the Canadian Hypertension Education Program guidelines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The efficacy of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is unknown.
Methods: We conducted a single-center, randomized, controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients were randomly assigned to surgical lavage and arthroscopic débridement together with optimized physical and medical therapy or to treatment with physical and medical therapy alone.
Background & Aims: Activated granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages are implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Open-label studies and clinical experience in Japan and Europe have suggested that granulocyte/monocyte apheresis is safe and effective in treating ulcerative colitis.
Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of granulocyte/monocyte apheresis in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial in patients with active moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (Mayo score 6-11) in community-based and tertiary care centers.
Context: Maintenance therapy for Crohn disease features the use of immunosuppressive drugs, which are associated with an increased risk of infection. Identification of safe and effective maintenance strategies is a priority.
Objective: To determine whether the oral administration of omega-3 free fatty acids is more effective than placebo for prevention of relapse of Crohn disease.
Background: The optimum strategy for reducing allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing total hip joint arthroplasty (THJA) is unknown.
Study Design And Methods: The effectiveness of a comprehensive blood conservation algorithm (BCA) was evaluated by means of a cluster randomization trial. Thirty hospitals performing primary THJA were randomly assigned to implement the algorithm or to continue with usual care (UC).
Purpose: To compare nurse staffing measures derived from two widely used data sources: the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey of Hospitals and the California Office for Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study with measures of nurse staffing level and skill mix constructed from each database for 372 nonfederal, acute care hospitals in California.
Methods: Discrepancies in nurse staffing estimates between the two databases were examined.
Objectives: To develop the 1996 MENQOL questionnaire further with advice regarding summary score computation, missing-data management, readability, recall period and assessment of the vasomotor domain reliability and construct validity. To develop a modified version, the MENQOL-Intervention questionnaire, for use where certain treatment side effects could negatively impact the quality of life.
Methods: MENQOL-Intervention modifications involved the addition of three items to the physical domain.
Background: Most patients undergoing allogeneic marrow transplantation (alloBMT) require transfusions of RBCs. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the utilization and risk factors for RBC transfusions including age and sex of recipient, HLA matching between donor and recipient, disease status at time of BMT, the occurrence of GVHD, ABO blood group compatibility, the source of progenitor cells and the Hb level before BMT (PT-Hb).
Study Design And Methods: Data from 519 consecutive patients receiving transplants between January 1995 and March 2000 were reviewed.
Background & Aims: Although antibiotics are frequently used to treat Crohn's disease, this practice is not supported by strong evidence from randomized trials.
Methods: We conducted a double-blind multicenter study of patients with active Crohn's disease of the ileum, right colon, or both. Patients were randomized to receive oral ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, both 500 mg twice daily, or placebo for 8 weeks.
Background: Use of blood conservation techniques in elective surgery reduces the risk of infection and transfusion reactions that result from using allogeneic blood products. We examined the transfusion practice and blood conservation strategies for elective orthopedic procedures in 19 Canadian hospitals.
Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent total hip or knee joint arthroplasty between June 1998 and January 1999 in a convenience sample of 19 hospitals to determine the pre- and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, concurrent medical conditions, participation status in an autologous blood donation program, use of other blood conservation techniques, and occurrence of allogeneic and autologous transfusions.