Estimating the incidence of dementia in New Zealand: a cohort study applying capture-recapture modelling to routinely collected linked health datasets.

Background: Issues of under-diagnosis and under-coding of dementia in routinely collected health data limit their utility for estimating dementia prevalence and incidence in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Capture-recapture techniques can be used to estimate the number of dementia cases missing from health datasets by modelling the relationships and interactions between linked data sources. The aim of this study was to apply this technique to routinely collected and linked health datasets and more accurately estimate the incidence of dementia in NZ.

Weight calibration in the joint modelling of medical cost and mortality.

Joint modelling of longitudinal and time-to-event data is a method that recognizes the dependency between the two data types, and combines the two outcomes into a single model, which leads to more precise estimates. These models are applicable when individuals are followed over a period of time, generally to monitor the progression of a disease or a medical condition, and also when longitudinal covariates are available. Medical cost datasets are often also available in longitudinal scenarios, but these datasets usually arise from a complex sampling design rather than simple random sampling and such complex sampling design needs to be accounted for in the statistical analysis.

Falls Risk in Long-Term Care Residents With Cognitive Impairment: Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on falls rates in long-term care residents with cognitive impairment.

Design: An observational study using routinely collected national interRAI data.

Setting And Participants: Participants were from long-term care residents (age ≥60 years) who received an interRAI Long Term Care Facility assessment anywhere in New Zealand between August 17, 2018, and August 16, 2022.

Exploring older peoples' attitudes and preferences around the use of their healthcare information.

Aims: Routinely collected health data can provide rich information for research and epidemiological monitoring of different diseases, but using the data presents many challenges. This study aims to explore the attitudes and preferences of people aged 55 and over regarding the use of their de-identified health data, and their concerns and comfort in different scenarios.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted with people aged 55 and over currently engaged with health services in a New Zealand health district during June-October 2022.

Identifying potential patients with diabetes-related dementia: a descriptive approach using routinely collected data.

Aims: Diabetes-related dementia (DRD) is a new dementia subtype associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, first described in 2013. This study investigated data from a local New Zealand memory service to identify patients that met the criteria for DRD.

Methods: Using routinely collected data from 2013-2021, we selected a sample of people with dementia, diabetes, and no CT evidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, or frontotemporal dementia.

Living with Dementia in Aotearoa (LiDiA): A Feasibility Study for a Dementia Prevalence Study in Māori and Non-Māori Living in New Zealand.

Introduction: Recent estimations have projected a threefold increase in dementia prevalence in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) by 2050, particularly in Maori and Pacific peoples. However, to date, there are no national data on dementia prevalence, and overseas data are used to estimate the NZ dementia statistics. The aim of this feasibility study was to prepare the groundwork for the first full-scale NZ dementia prevalence study that is representative of Māori, European, Pacific and Asian peoples living in NZ.

Impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on self-reported mood and self-rated health of community-dwelling adults with chronic illness.

Aim: To determine whether self-reported mood or self-rated health were affected in community-dwelling adults with chronic illness following COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional study using secondary data. We included New Zealanders aged 40+ who underwent International Residential Instrument (interRAI) assessments in the year prior to COVID-19 lockdown (25 March 2019-24 March 2020) or in the year following COVID-19 lockdown (25 March 2020-24 March 2021).

Dementia prevalence estimation among the main ethnic groups in New Zealand: a population-based descriptive study of routinely collected health data.

Objective: Estimates of dementia prevalence in New Zealand (NZ) have previously been extrapolated from limited Australasian studies, which may be neither accurate nor reflect NZ's unique population and diverse ethnic groups. This study used routinely collected health data to estimate the 1-year period prevalence for diagnosed dementia for each of the 4 years between July 2016 and June 2020 in the age 60+ and age 80+ populations and for the four main ethnic groups.

Design: A population-based descriptive study.

Anti-dementia medication use in Aotearoa New Zealand: An exploratory study using health data from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI).

Objective: Anti-dementia medications such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are an important part of the management pathway for dementia. However, there are limited data in New Zealand that have examined the rates and patterns of use of funded anti-dementia medication and how use differs with ethnicity, age and sex.

Methods: This was a retrospective population-based descriptive study.

Optimal sampling allocation for outcome-dependent designs in cluster-correlated data settings.

In clinical and public health studies, it is often the case that some variables relevant to the analysis are too difficult or costly to measure for all individuals in the population of interest. Rather, a subsample of these individuals must be identified for additional data collection. A sampling scheme that incorporates readily-available information for the entire target population at the design stage can increase the statistical efficiency of the intended analysis.

Indigenous adolescent health in Aotearoa New Zealand: Trends, policy and advancing equity for rangatahi Maori, 2001-2019.

Background: Rangatahi Māori, the Indigenous adolescents of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), have poorer health outcomes than Pākehā (NZ European /other European/"White") adolescents. We explored the influence of policies for Indigenous youth by presenting health trends, inequities and contrasting policy case examples: tobacco control and healthcare access.

Methods: Cross-sectional representative surveys of NZ secondary school students were undertaken in 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2019.

Prevalence of young-onset dementia: nationwide analysis of routinely collected data.

Introduction: Young-onset dementia prevalence is understudied internationally. Previous studies have been limited by low case numbers, reliance on single sources of routinely collected health data for case identification and inclusion of a limited age range. Our objective was to determine the 1-year period prevalence of diagnosed dementia in people aged 0-64 in the entire New Zealand population using routinely collected health data.

Diagnostic accuracy of 10/66 dementia protocol in Māori kaumātua (elders) living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aims: Dementia is an important health concern for Māori and therefore it is essential to explore the extent and impact of dementia in this community. The 10/66 dementia protocol, a widely used research tool for measuring the prevalence of dementia, was developed to minimise cultural and educational bias in comparisons of dementia prevalence across different countries and/or cultures. The aims of this study are to (i) adapt the 10/66 dementia protocol for use in research within the Māori community and (ii) test the diagnostic accuracy of the adapted (ie, Māori-friendly) 10/66 dementia protocol against the reference standard of a clinical diagnosis of dementia (or no dementia).

Mixed progress in adolescent health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand 2001-2019: a population overview from the Youth2000 survey series.

We explored progress on key indicators of adolescent health and wellbeing among New Zealand secondary school students over the last two decades. We analysed data from comprehensive surveys conducted in 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2019 (n = 9546, 9098, 8487, and 7311, respectively). Schools, and students within schools, were randomly selected.

Impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on the health and psychosocial well-being of Māori, Pacific Peoples and New Zealand Europeans living in aged residential care.

Objective: To investigate the impact of New Zealand's (NZ) first wave of COVID-19, which included a nationwide lockdown, on the health and psychosocial well-being of Māori, Pacific Peoples and NZ Europeans in aged residential care (ARC).

Methods: interRAI assessments of Māori, Pacific Peoples and NZ Europeans (aged 60 years and older) completed between 21/3/2020 and 8/6/2020 were compared with assessments of the same ethnicities during the same period in the previous year (21/3/2019 to 8/6/2019). Physical, cognitive, psychosocial and service utilisation indicators were included in the bivariate analyses.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of 1350 Patients With Young Onset Dementia: A Comparison With Older Patients.

Objective: To determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of a large cohort of patients with young onset dementia (YOD) (aged below 65), and whether they differ from older (age 65+) adults with dementia.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Participants were New Zealanders who were assessed with International Residential Assessment Instrument (interRAI) assessments (including community-dwelling adults and those in long-term care) from 2016 to 2019 and had a diagnosis of dementia.

Diagnostic Accuracy of 10/66 Dementia Protocol in Fijian-Indian Elders Living in New Zealand.

The 10/66 dementia protocol was developed as a language and culture-fair instrument to estimate the prevalence of dementia in non-English speaking communities. The aim of this study was to validate the 10/66 dementia protocol in elders of Indian ethnicity born in the Fiji Islands (Fijian-Indian) living in New Zealand. To our knowledge, this is the first time a dementia diagnostic tool has been evaluated in the Fijian-Indian population in New Zealand.

Living with Dementia in Aotearoa (LiDiA): a cross-sectional feasibility study protocol for a multiethnic dementia prevalence study in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Introduction: Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) is officially recognised as a bicultural country composed of Māori and non-Māori. Recent estimations have projected a threefold increase in dementia prevalence in NZ by 2050, with the greatest increase in non-NZ-Europeans. The NZ government will need to develop policies and plan services to meet the demands of the rapid rise in dementia cases.

Small-sample inference for cluster-based outcome-dependent sampling schemes in resource-limited settings: Investigating low birthweight in Rwanda.

The neonatal mortality rate in Rwanda remains above the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 target of 12 deaths per 1000 live births. As part of a larger effort to reduce preventable neonatal deaths in the country, we conducted a study to examine risk factors for low birthweight. The data were collected via a cost-efficient cluster-based outcome-dependent sampling (ODS) scheme wherein clusters of individuals (health centers) were selected on the basis of, in part, the outcome rate of the individuals.

Using Big Data to Estimate Dementia Prevalence in New Zealand: Protocol for an Observational Study.

Background: Dementia describes a cluster of symptoms that includes memory loss; difficulties with thinking, problem solving, or language; and functional impairment. Dementia can be caused by a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease and cerebrovascular disease. Currently in New Zealand, most of the systematically collected and detailed information on dementia is obtained through a suite of International Residential Assessment Instrument (interRAI) assessments, including the home care, contact assessment, and long-term care facility versions.

Predicting Hospital Demand During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Bogotá, Colombia.

Colombia, like many developing nations, does not have a strong health system able to respond to a pandemic of the magnitude of Covid-19. There is an increasing need to create a model that allows particular clinics and hospitals to estimate the number of patients that require Intensive Care Units-ICU care (critical), and the number of patients that require hospital care (severe), but not ICU care, in order to manage their limited resources. This paper presents a prediction of the total number of ICU and regular beds that will be needed in Bogotá, Colombia, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on the health and psychosocial status of vulnerable older adults: study protocol for an observational study.

Background: Many countries around the world have adopted social distancing as one of the public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmissions in the community. Such measures could have negative effects on the mental health of the population. The aims of this study are to (1) track the impact of COVID-19 on self-reported mood, self-rated health, other health and psychosocial indicators, and health services utilization of people who have an interRAI assessment during the first year of COVID-19; (2) compare these indicators with the same indicators in people who had an interRAI assessment in the year before COVID-19; and (3) report these indicators publicly as soon as data analysis is completed every 3 months.

Correction: Improved calibration estimators for the total cost of health programs and application to immunization in Brazil.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Improved calibration estimators for the total cost of health programs and application to immunization in Brazil.

Multi-stage/level sampling designs have been widely used by survey statisticians as a means of obtaining reliable and efficient estimates at a reasonable implementation cost. This method has been particularly useful in National country-wide surveys to assess the costs of delivering public health programs, which are generally originated in different levels of service management and delivery. Unbiased and efficient estimates of costs are essential to adequately allocate resources and inform policy and planning.

Augmented pseudo-likelihood estimation for two-phase studies.

In many public health and medical research settings, information on key covariates may not be readily available or too expensive to gather for all individuals in the study. In such settings, the two-phase design provides a way forward by first stratifying an initial (large) phase I sample on the basis of covariates readily available (including, possibly, the outcome), and sub-sampling participants at phase II to collect the expensive measure(s). When the outcome of interest is binary, several methods have been proposed for estimation and inference for the parameters of a logistic regression model, including weighted likelihood, pseudo-likelihood and maximum likelihood.