Publications by authors named "V Higgins"
Introduction: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal banding (OCB) analysis aids in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite its clinical importance, there is profound variation in processes, reporting, and interpretation of CSF OCB and associated tests/indices across Canadian laboratories. This is likely due to the lack of clear, evidence-based recommendations on CSF OCB analysis processes and reporting.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnmet weight loss targets in real-world clinical practice: weight management and perceptions in China.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to investigate weight management practices and perceptions related to obesity in China through a survey conducted between April and July 2022 involving 100 physicians and 801 patients with overweight or obesity.
- A significant number of patients were not diagnosed with obesity until their BMI reached 30 kg/m², and most were undergoing treatment for at least one obesity-related complication, with numerous patients struggling to meet weight loss targets set by themselves or their physicians.
- The findings indicate that there is a substantial gap in effective weight management, highlighting the necessity for earlier interventions and improved strategies to support patients in achieving their weight loss goals.
Objectives: This study aimed to employ big data analysis to harmonize reference intervals (RI) for thyroid function tests, with refinement to the TSH upper reference limit, and to optimize the TSH reflex algorithm to improve clinical management and test utilization.
Design & Methods: TSH, free T4, and free T3 results tested in Alberta, Canada, on Roche Cobas and Siemens Atellica were extracted from the laboratory information system (N = 1,144,155 for TSH, N = 183,354 for free T4 and N = 92,632 for free T3). Results from specialists, inpatients, or repeat testing, as well as from positive thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, and pregnancy biomarkers were excluded.
Background: Although the estimated prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in Italy is 4-6%, little is known about patient characteristics and care pathways.
Aim: To describe patient characteristics and management approaches for patients with NASH or suspected NASH in Italy.
Methods: Data were drawn from the Adelphi Real World NASH Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey of endocrinologists and gastroenterologists in Italy from January to March 2018.