Left ventricular dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is associated with progressive cardiorespiratory failure, including left ventricular dysfunction.

Methods And Results: Males with probable or definite diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, diagnosed between 1 January, 1982 and 31 December, 2011, were identified from the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance Tracking and Research Network database. Two non-mutually exclusive groups were created: patients with ≥2 echocardiograms and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation-compliant patients with ≥1 recorded ejection fraction.

Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network pilot: Population-based surveillance of major muscular dystrophies at four U.S. sites, 2007-2011.

Background: For 10 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network (MD STARnet) conducted surveillance for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DBMD). We piloted expanding surveillance to other MDs that vary in severity, onset, and sources of care.

Methods: Our retrospective surveillance included individuals diagnosed with one of nine eligible MDs before or during the study period (January 2007-December 2011), one or more health encounters, and residence in one of four U.

Restructuring Data Reported from Jurisdictional Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Programs: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, benefits, and challenges surrounding individual-level versus aggregate data reporting by jurisdictional EHDI programs to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Method: Using data reported to CDC by three jurisdictions in 2011, descriptive statistics were used to assess the feasibility of collecting and reporting individual-level data. Comparisons were made on what can be learned from individual-level data as opposed to CDC's aggregate survey data.

Knowledge, Awareness and Medical Practice of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders on Chronic Hepatitis B Infection: Review of Current Psychosocial Evidence.

The purpose of this review is to conduct a concise review of the literature to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and medical practice of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (API) supporting the relationship of chronic hepatitis B infection. Liver cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in men and the ninth most common cause of death in women in the United States. On average, Asian Americans are three times more likely to die from liver cancer than other racial/ethnic groups, with Chinese Americans at six times, Koreans eight times and Vietnamese 13 times higher than non-Hispanic Whites.