An issue of identifying longitudinal biomarkers for competing risks data with masked causes of failure considering frailties model.

In this paper, we consider joint modeling of repeated measurements and competing risks failure time data to allow for more than one distinct failure type in the survival endpoint. Hence, we can fit a cause-specific hazards submodel to allow for competing risks, with a separate latent association between longitudinal measurements and each cause of failure. We also consider the possible masked causes of failure in joint modeling of repeated measurements and competing risks failure time data.

Randomized trial of an alternate human papillomavirus vaccine administration schedule in college-aged women.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers. The three-dose vaccination schedule at 0, 2, and 6 months may be inconvenient for college-aged women. This study assessed noninferiority of the immune response to an alternate vaccination schedule at 0, 2, and 12 months.

Sample size determination for a specific region in a multiregional trial.

Recently, geotherapeutics have attracted much attention from sponsors as well as regulatory authorities. A bridging study defined by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E5 is usually conducted in the new region after the test product has been approved for commercial marketing in the original region due to its proven efficacy and safety. However, extensive duplication of clinical evaluation in the new region not only requires valuable development resources but also delays availability of the test product to the needed patients in the new regions.

Alternative strategies for adult pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination (PPV) to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is recommended at age 65 for most persons in the US. We used a Markov model to examine alternative PPV strategies, finding that vaccination at ages 50 and 65 prevented more IPD than present vaccination policies; four decennial vaccinations were most effective. The present vaccination policy costs $3341/QALY gained, vaccinations at 50/65 cost $23,120/QALY and four vaccinations (50/60/70/80) cost $54,451/QALY; results were sensitive to vaccine uptake assumptions, with current policy no longer favored at present vaccination rates.

An evaluation of immunization education resources by family medicine residency directors.

Background And Objectives: Immunization is a rapidly evolving field, and teachers of family medicine are responsible for ensuring that they and their students are knowledgeable about the latest vaccine recommendations.

Methods: A survey was mailed to 456 family medicine residency directors across the United States to obtain their evaluation of immunization resources developed by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine's Group on Immunization Education. Frequencies, measures of central tendency, and differences between responses from 2001 to 2005 were analyzed.

Changes in parents' perceptions of infant influenza vaccination over two years.

Background: Inner-city health centers serving large proportions of low-income and minority children participated in a study to introduce influenza vaccination among healthy infants in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004.

Methods: Following the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 influenza vaccination seasons, a short, low-literacy level survey was mailed to parents of vaccine-eligible children. Factors related to vaccination status were determined using Chi-squared and logistic regression procedures.

Improving influenza vaccination rates of high-risk inner-city children over 2 intervention years.

Purpose: Influenza immunization rates among children with high-risk medical conditions are disappointingly low, and relatively few data are available on raising rates, particularly over 2 years. We wanted to determine whether interventions tailored to individual practice sites improve influenza immunization rates among high-risk children in inner-city health centers over 2 years.

Method: A before-after trial to improve influenza immunization of children was conducted at 5 inner-city health centers (residencies and faith-based).

Beliefs and attitudes about influenza immunization among parents of children with chronic medical conditions over a two-year period.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for children with chronic medical conditions yet is infrequently performed. The reasons for low influenza vaccination rates in this group have not been well studied. We assessed and compared parents of children with chronic medical conditions regarding their beliefs and attitudes about influenza vaccination in 2003 and 2004.

Interventions over 2 years to increase influenza vaccination of children aged 6-23 months in inner-city family health centers.

The purposes of this study were to test the ability of tailored interventions to raise influenza immunization rates and assess the effect on timely receipt of other vaccines. We conducted a before/after trial over 2 years to increase influenza vaccination rates of patients 6-23 months old in five inner-city family health centers serving low-income children with a sixth site as a concurrent control. Influenza vaccination rates improved significantly from a baseline of 4.

Parental perspectives on influenza immunization of children aged 6 to 23 months.

Background: For the first time, in 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices encouraged the vaccination of healthy children 6 to 23 months against influenza, whenever feasible. Participating inner-city health centers designed interventions to introduce influenza vaccination among this group of children. The study was designed to assess parents' attitudes toward the vaccine.