Monradlindegaard0759

In total, 102 patients had IBD (54% ulcerative colitis), 67 had IBS, and 71 had other GI disorders. Median fecal calprotectin levels were significantly higher in patients with IBD [522 μg/g; 95% confidence interval (CI) 354-970 μg/g] compared with IBS (34.5 μg/g; 95% CI 19.7-44.2 μg/g, P less then 0.001) and other GI disorders (28.6 μg/g; 95% CI 18.7-40.3 μg/g, P less then 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated a fecal calprotectin cutoff of 94 μg/g for distinguishing IBD from other GI disorders with an area under the curve of 0.964 (sensitivity=92.2%, specificity=88.4%). CONCLUSION The automated LIAISON Calprotectin assay brings efficient calprotectin testing to the laboratory with a time to the first result of 35 minutes and is a sensitive marker for distinguishing IBD from IBS with a cutoff of ∼100 μg/g.BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology has shifted from the baby-boomer generation to young women of childbearing age. The health benefits and cost-effectiveness (CE) of screening pregnant women remain controversial. AIM To systematically review published studies evaluating the CE of screening pregnant women for HCV in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search of CE studies evaluating the costs and benefits of screening pregnant women for HCV. Pertinent information including antiviral agent, drug costs, incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER), and infant care was collected. The authors' definition of the threshold price at which screening was deemed CE was also recorded. The quality of studies was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reports Standards (CHEERS) checklist. RESULTS We identified 5 studies that evaluated the ICER of screening pregnant women for HCV. Of these, 2 utilized all oral DAAs, with universal screening CE. The ICER of these 2 studies was $3000 and $41,000 per quality of life-years gained. The remaining studies were interferon-based regimens. Most studies did not include screening of infants. CONCLUSIONS Universally screening pregnant women for HCV was CE in studies that utilized oral DAAs. Most pharmacoeconomic studies failed to incorporate the impact of vertical transmission on infants.Improvement in life satisfaction is hard to achieve for any patient with personality psychopathology, and possibly even moreso for those who feel hopeless at the start of treatment. The present research investigated the potential influence of hopelessness in the treatment of patients with personality dysfunction, using data from patients who completed an intensive group therapy program designed to reduce symptom distress and support optimal psychosocial functioning (N = 80). find more In the present study, we sought to examine whether hopelessness would moderate (i.e., strengthen or weaken) relations between compatibility ratings and life satisfaction outcome. Hopelessness had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between compatibility and outcome, suggesting that, for patients who entered treatment feeling more hopeless, higher appraisals of fit within the group facilitated better gains in life satisfaction. If replicated, the findings underlie the importance of focusing on increasing hope and perceived group affiliation in the treatment of personality dysfunction.STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate independent demographic and perioperative factors associated with lower Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) survey completion rates after spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There has not been a study evaluating factors related to PROMIS PF survey completion following spine surgery. METHODS Patients undergoing spine procedures were retrospectively reviewed. The number of PROMIS PF surveys that were completed at each time period and the number of surveys that were completed in succession starting with the first survey were tabulated and reported using descriptive statistics. Independent preoperative and perioperative factors associated with full survey completion up to the 12-month period were identified using χ analysis and Poisson regression with robust error variance. A final multivariate model was created using a backward, stepwise multivariate regression. RESULTS A total of 713 patienical signs of depression were more likely to fill out surveys. Understanding variables associated with survey completion may provide the clinician with insight into which demographic groups are the most at-risk for not responding to surveys.STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective study of 2 surgeons' use of a single polyetheretherketone (PEEK) device. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate the fusion adjunct placed within PEEK devices to examine the likelihood of an arthrodesis, regardless of the PEEK interbody device itself. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The effectiveness of PEEK interbody devices in anterior cervical arthrodesis has been questioned. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the results of 121 patients with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and 96 with local autograft bone placed within identical PEEK devices for anterior cervical arthrodesis (from 2011 to 2018); 1 surgeon used DBM and another local autograft bone. Arthrodesis was determined independently by a surgeon and 2 blinded neuroradiologists. RESULTS For DBM versus autograft; mean age was 60 versus 61 years, smoking status 42.1% versus 31%, diabetes mellitus 18.2% versus 28%, mean body mass index 31 versus 30, and follow up averaged 17 months in both groups. For DBM versus autograft; a radiographic arthrodesis was observed in 22.3% versus 76% of patients. Refusion at the index level was required in 5.8% of the DBM and 0% of the autograft patients. CONCLUSIONS A PEEK interbody device filled with local autograft resulted in a higher radiographic fusion rate and a lower need for reoperation at the index level than an identical device filled with DBM. Caution is warranted in assigning fusion failure to the PEEK device alone in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery.