Causal analyses with target trial emulation for real-world evidence removed large self-inflicted biases: systematic bias assessment of ovarian cancer treatment effectiveness.

Background And Objectives: Drawing causal conclusions from real-world data (RWD) poses methodological challenges and risk of bias. We aimed to systematically assess the type and impact of potential biases that may occur when analyzing RWD using the case of progressive ovarian cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively compared overall survival with and without second-line chemotherapy (LOT2) using electronic medical records.

Energy metabolism measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the healthy human brain.

Background And Purpose: Phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) allows a non-invasive analysis of phosphorus-containing compounds in vivo. The present study investigated the influence of brain region, hemisphere, age, sex and brain volume on 31P-MRS metabolites in healthy adults.

Materials And Methods: Supratentorial brain 31P-MRS spectra of 125 prospectively recruited healthy volunteers (64 female, 61 male) aged 20 to 85 years (mean: 49.

Onset features and time to diagnosis in Friedreich's Ataxia.

Background: In rare disorders diagnosis may be delayed due to limited awareness and unspecific presenting symptoms. Herein, we address the issue of diagnostic delay in Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), a genetic disorder usually caused by homozygous GAA-repeat expansions.

Methods: Six hundred eleven genetically confirmed FRDA patients were recruited within a multicentric natural history study conducted by the EFACTS (European FRDA Consortium for Translational Studies, ClinicalTrials.

[Linkage of Clinical and Claims Data in the Evaluation of Post-Stroke Care - SeDaStro: Experiences from the Tyrolian StrokeCard Program].

Aims And Objectives: Data linkage is of paramount importance in the evaluation of treatment regimens for chronic diseases where different health care sectors are involved. A comprehensive picture of long-term treatment effects and, in particular, the cost-effectiveness ratio of treatment approaches can only be drawn when data from various sources are merged and analyzed together.

Methodological Problems And Challenges: Regarding post-acute stroke care, the present study gives an example of an exact deterministic data linkage procedure including clinical patient records and claims data of TGKK, the main Tyrolean statutory health insurance fund.

Recurrence of genitals warts in pre-HPV vaccine era after laser treatment.

Purpose: Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause condylomata acuminata, also known as genital warts. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term recurrence of genital warts after primary carbon dioxide laser treatment before the introduction of the vaccination against HPV.

Methods: Recurrence rate and localization of genital warts were analysed in a retrospective study in 1798 women presenting with a new diagnosis of genital warts from 1992 to 2009 at a University hospital and had received laser treatment.

Mediator Effect of Balance Problems on Association Between Grip Strength and Falls in Older Adults: Results From the KORA-Age Study.

To examine the association between grip strength and history of falls among older individuals, and to assess the possible mediating effect of balance problems on this relationship. Data originate from KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age Study of 808 individuals (65 years and above). Follow-up assessment occurred 3 years later.

Self-Reported Questionnaire of Functional Health of Home-Dwelling Elderly People Living in Austria: Based on the Patient Questionnaire of the Standardized Assessment of Elderly People in Primary Care.

Aim: The aim was to review the construct validity and reliability of a functional health assessment questionnaire (Questionnaire on Functional Health 2 [Q-FH2]).

Methods: The Q-FH2 was used to assess 344 elderly people in a home setting. A polychoric correlation matrix was applied to conduct a principal axis factor analysis with oblique rotation.

A bias-adjusted evidence synthesis of RCT and observational data: the case of total hip replacement.

Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of medical devices differs in some aspects from the evaluation of pharmaceuticals. One of the main challenges identified is lack of robust evidence and a will to make use of experimental and observational studies (OSs) in quantitative evidence synthesis accounting for internal and external biases. Using a case study of total hip replacement to compare the risk of revision of cemented and uncemented implant fixation modalities, we pooled treatment effect estimates from OS and RCTs, and simplified existing methods for bias-adjusted evidence synthesis to enhance practical application.

Gender differences in the association between grip strength and mortality in older adults: results from the KORA-age study.

Background: Reduced muscular strength in the old age is strongly related to activity impairment and mortality. However, studies evaluating the gender-specific association between muscularity and mortality among older adults are lacking. Thus, the objective of the present study was to examine gender differences in the association between muscular strength and mortality in a prospective population-based cohort study.

[Nurses' Attitudes toward the “Advanced Nursing Process” before and after an educational intervention – a quasi-experimental study].

Background: The attitude of nurses influences their application of the Advanced Nursing Process. Studies reveal deficits in the application of the Advanced Nursing Process that is based on valid assessments and nursing classifications. These deficits affect decision-making and – as a result – nursing care quality.

Remote ischemic preconditioning in the prevention of ischemic brain damage during intracranial aneurysm treatment (RIPAT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The treatment of intracranial aneurysms may be associated with cerebral ischemia. We hypothesize that pre-interventional remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces ischemic cerebral tissue damage in patients undergoing elective intracranial aneurysm treatment.

Methods/design: This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind explorative trial.

Diagnosis and prediction of the occurrence of acute mountain sickness measuring oxygen saturation--independent of absolute altitude?

Purpose: Commercialization of trekking tourism enables untrained persons to participate in trekking tours. Because hypoxia is one of the main purported triggers for acute mountain sickness (AMS), pulse oximetry, which measures arterial oxygen saturation (SPO2), is discussed to be a possible and useful tool for the diagnosis of AMS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible associations between SPO2 values and the occurrence of AMS.

Short-term effects of bright light therapy in adults with chronic nonspecific back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The present trial evaluated incorporation of bright light therapy in the treatment of chronic nonspecific back pain (CNBP).

Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, open design with three parallel trial arms was used.

Setting: Subjects received a novel therapeutic, an expected therapeutic ineffective low dose, or no light exposure at three different medical centers.

Effects of long-term head-down-tilt bed rest and different training regimes on the coagulation system of healthy men.

Immobility plus preexisting chronic disease or acute trauma can activate the coagulation system, thus increasing the risk for thromboembolic events. The effects of long-term bed-rest immobility and microgravity on the coagulation system of healthy persons (e.g.

Recall responses to tetanus and diphtheria vaccination are frequently insufficient in elderly persons.

Unlabelled: Demographic changes and a more active life-style in older age have contributed to an increasing public awareness of the need for lifelong vaccination. Currently many older persons have been vaccinated against selected pathogens during childhood but lack regular booster immunizations. The impact of regular vaccinations when started late in life was analyzed in an open, explorative trial by evaluating the immune response against tetanus and diphtheria in healthy older individuals.

Predictors of temporary and permanent work disability in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results of the swiss inflammatory bowel disease cohort study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease can decrease the quality of life and induce work disability. We sought to (1) identify and quantify the predictors of disease-specific work disability in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and (2) assess the suitability of using cross-sectional data to predict future outcomes, using the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study data.

Methods: A total of 1187 patients were enrolled and followed up for an average of 13 months.

Bright light therapy: Minimizing light induced side effects with an innovative light setup.

Abstract Objective. Bright light therapy (BLT) is regarded to be an effective treatment against seasonal depression (SAD). Conventional BLT devices are reported to evoke few, but inconvenient symptoms.

Mercury as a serious health hazard for children in gold mining areas.

In many developing countries, mercury is used to extract gold from ore in small-scale mining areas. Exposure through mercury in these small-scale mining communities is a serious health hazard, especially to the children living and working there. Many children begin working with immediate contact to mercury from the very early age of seven.

Randomized comparison of dexamethasone-eluting stents with bare metal stent implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome: serial angiographic and sonographic analysis.

Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the anti-inflammatory effect of the dexamethasone preloaded stent (Dexamet, Abbott, Galway, Ireland) with the bare metal stent (BMS; BiodivYsio, Biocompatibles Cardiovascular LTD, Galway, Ireland) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) assessed by angiographic (QCA) and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS).

Methods And Results: One hundred twenty patients with ACS were randomly assigned to revascularization using the Dexamet stent (n = 60) or BMS (n = 60). Serial QCA analysis and ICUS analysis were performed during long-term follow-up (2.