Evaluation of an automated phenotyping algorithm for rheumatoid arthritis.

To better understand the challenges of generally implementing and adapting computational phenotyping approaches, the performance of a Phenotype KnowledgeBase (PheKB) algorithm for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was evaluated on a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) patient population, focusing on examining its performance on ambiguous cases. The algorithm was evaluated on a cohort of 4,766 patients, along with a chart review of 300 patients by rheumatologists against accepted diagnostic guidelines. The performance revealed low sensitivity towards specific subtypes of positive RA cases, which suggests revisions in features used for phenotyping.

A Panel of Biomarkers Associates With Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: The increase in cardiovascular events (CVEs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not fully explained by traditional risk factors. We previously identified four biomarkers (proinflammatory high-density lipoprotein, leptin, soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK), and homocysteine) that we combined with age and diabetes to create the predictors of risk for elevated flares, damage progression, and increased cardiovascular diseasein patients with SLE (PREDICTS) risk profile. PREDICTS more accurately identified patients with SLE at risk for progression of subclinical atherosclerosis than any individual variable.

TRENDS IN DENTAL VISITS AMONG THE US NON-INSTITUTIONALIZED CIVILIAN POPULATION: FINDINGS FROM BRFSS 1995 - 2008.

Objective: To examine the 13-year trend in annual dental care utilization among the US non-institutionalized civilian population.

Methods: Data from the BRFSS from 1995-2008 for adults' age 18 and older were abstracted and analyzed using the NIDCR/CDC data query system. Point-estimates, confidence-intervals, trends and differences in trends for self-reported annual dental visits by socio-demographic factors and behavioral factor (smoking) were tested with chi-square tests using Stata® (v11).