The necessity of validity diagnostics when drawing causal inferences from observational data: lessons from a multi-database evaluation of the risk of non-infectious uveitis among patients exposed to Remicade.

Background: Autoimmune disorders have primary manifestations such as joint pain and bowel inflammation but can also have secondary manifestations such as non-infectious uveitis (NIU). A regulatory health authority raised concerns after receiving spontaneous reports for NIU following exposure to Remicade, a biologic therapy with multiple indications for which alternative therapies are available. In assessment of this clinical question, we applied validity diagnostics to support observational data causal inferences.

Keratoacanthoma as a postoperative complication of skin cancer excision.

Background: Keratoacanthomas usually occur spontaneously as a single rapidly growing tumor on sun-exposed skin. Multiple keratoacanthomas are rarely seen. Keratoacanthomas may also develop after trauma, laser resurfacing, radiation therapy, and at the donor site after skin grafting.

Outcomes of primary scleral buckling for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

Background: Scleral buckling is an option for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study evaluated the anatomic results of a primary scleral buckling procedure for the treatment of this condition.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of cases in which premature infants were treated solely with a primary scleral buckling procedure for stage 4 ROP by 1 retinal specialist between January 1990 and April 2001.