scholarly journals Scale-up and impact of digital and molecular diagnostic technologies on TB diagnosis and timely linkage to care in Tajikistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (09.1) ◽  
pp. 58S-65S
Author(s):  
Shodmon Khushvakhtov ◽  
Hayk Davtyan ◽  
Sevak Alaverdyan ◽  
Anthony Harries ◽  
Olim Kabirov ◽  
...  

Introduction: Tajikistan is scaling up molecular diagnostic and digital technologies to strengthen its fight against drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). The study aimed to document national scale-up GeneXpert/GxAlert and Open MRS from 2012-2019 and compare time taken from TB diagnosis to treatment and quality of data recording before and after the introduction of GxAlert. Methodology: This was a longitudinal study that included a comparison of historical cohorts. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and categorical variables using the chi square test. Results: GeneXpert was introduced in 2011 and scaled up to 46 instruments in 43 (51%) diagnostic laboratories by May 2019. GxAlert was introduced in August 2018 and connected with all GeneXpert instruments by February 2019. Open MRS was introduced in 2014 and implemented in all 108 treatment centers by mid-2018. Time from diagnosis to treatment pre-GxAlert (range 0-749, median 3, days) was significantly longer than with GxAlert (range 0-273, median 3, days) (p <0.001). The proportion of patients whose time from diagnosis to treatment was > 2 weeks was 16% (282/1740) pre-GxAlert and 11% (206/1902) with GxAlert (p < 0.001). Between 31%-34% of patients with DR-TB results in Open MRS did not have results available in GeneXpert/GxAlert systems. Where results were present in both systems, there were discrepancies in 8.2% of patients pre-GxAlert and 4.3% with GxAlert (p = 0.25). Conclusions: The scale-up of GeneXpert and digital technologies in Tajikistan was associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients with delays more than 2 weeks between diagnosis and treatment, but data quality recording improved only slightly.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Polycarp U. Nwoha ◽  
Florence O. Okoro ◽  
Emmanuel C. Nwoha ◽  
Fidelia N. Chukwu ◽  
Chidinma O. Nwoha ◽  
...  

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent stroke survivors who attended an herbal center knew of stroke risk factors and whether significant sex differences existed. Study Design. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January to June 2018 at Bebe Herbal Center, and it involved two well-trained assistants who interviewed 149 first-time stroke survivors after consent and ethical approval were obtained. The survivors self-reported their knowledge, attitude, and beliefs on risk factors before and after stroke. Statistical Analyses. Means of continuous variables were compared using Student’s unpaired t -test, while categorical variables between males and the females were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test. P < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results. Mean age of men ( 64.81 ± 1.24   yrs ) was significantly higher than that of women ( 61.39 ± 1.42   yrs ) ( F = 0.096 , t = 1.79 , df = 147 ; P < 0.05 ). More men than women were 60 years and above while more women than men were below 60 years. Pearson’s chi-square test showed significant association of sex with education ( χ 2 = 12.31 ; df = 3 , P < 0.006 ), occupation ( χ 2 = 23.65 ; df = 4 , P < 0.001 ), alcohol intake ( χ 2 = 24.23 ; df = 1 ; P < 0.001 ), and smoking ( χ 2 = 9.823 ; df = 1 ; P < 0.001 ). The commonest risk factor suffered was hypertension (73.1%), followed by alcohol intake (59.1%), smoking (31.5%), and diabetes mellitus (26.7%); these affected men more than women. Male survivors unaware of their hypertensive status were more likely to have stroke than females, and age had a significant effect on the likelihood of developing a stroke; the same was occupation. Conclusions. These survivors suffered mainly from hypertension, triggered by psychosocial problems and diabetes mellitus; their stroke seemed fueled by unrecognized hypertension, unrecognized diabetes mellitus, ignorance of hyperlipidemia, and wide-scale belief in witchcraft as risk factor. Awareness programs in the third world should take these observations into consideration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S244-S244
Author(s):  
Bharath Pendyala ◽  
Prasanth Lingamaneni ◽  
Patricia DeMarais ◽  
Lakshmi Warrior ◽  
Gregory Huhn

Abstract Background Neurocysticercosis is a Neglected Tropical Disease and an important public health issue. Our goal was to collect and analyze data regarding clinically significant gender differences among our Neurocysticercosis patients. Methods A retrospective chart search with ICD 9/ ICD 10 diagnostic code for Neurocysticercosis and neuroimaging suggestive of Neurocysticercosis was performed for clinical encounters in the hospital or affiliated clinics between years 2013–2018. After a careful chart review, patients who were clinically diagnosed with Neurocysticercosis were included in the study. T-test was used to compare means of continuous variables and chi-square test to compare proportions of categorical variables. Results Among 90 total patients included, male (49.4%) and female (50.6%) distribution were nearly identical. The mean age in females was found to be higher than males (52.5 vs 42.0, P &lt; 0.0001). Almost an equal number of males and females presented with either seizures (63.6% vs 57.8%, P= 0.85), headaches (25.0% vs 28.9%, p= 0.85), or other symptoms (11.4% vs 13.3%, p= 0.85). Males had more generalized seizures compared to females (60% vs 38%, P= 0.37), although this result was not statistically significant. Females were more likely to present with &gt; 1 lesion (82.2% vs 56.8%, P= 0.01). Males were more likely to have cystic lesions (64.7% vs 27.9%, P &lt; 0.001) compared to females who had more calcified lesions on presentation (65.1% vs 20.6%, P &lt; 0.001). Male patients were more likely to have contrast enhancement or edema surrounding the lesions (61.4% vs 33.3%, P= 0.01) and were more likely to require treatment with Albendazole/Praziquantel (75.8% vs 31.7%, P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Although previously reported data is limited, there is a suggestion that there are gender differences in host immune response and that inflammation surrounding parenchymal lesions is more intense in females. This study suggests that men either present early in the disease phase or have different immune responses than women and require anti-parasitic therapy more frequently. More research in this aspect is needed. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Luo ◽  
Xuewen Tang ◽  
Lingling Ding ◽  
Zhujun Shao ◽  
Jianxing Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-prescription antibiotic use at community is a main driver of antimicrobial resistance. Cough is a common condition and prevalent in all communities, including China. This study aims to investigate the non-prescription antibiotic use for cough in China and explore to which extent antibiotic use knowledge was correctly instructed in communities.Methods A probability-proportionate-to-size (PPS) sampling method was adopted to survey from all 14 communities in Yiwu city, China. All participants were investigated by face-to-face interview on Portable Android Devices (PADs). The continuous variables were presented by mean and standard deviation (SD) or medium and inter-quartile range (IQR). The categorical variables were presented using percentage or constituent ratio. Chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were conducted to assess the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), respectively.Results A total of 3034 respondents across the 14 communities and the 50 natural villages/streets completed all key items of the questionnaire. Of 2400 (79.10%) respondents stated that they experienced cough in the past 12 months with the medium age of 36.5 (IQR: 26-49) and 12.21% (293/2400) respondents had the non-prescription antibiotic use behavior. Among those 293 respondents, the proportion of non-prescription antibiotic use for cough peaked at around 16% among people aged 30-39 years old. The major sources of antibiotics were pharmacy (77.70%) and/or family storage (43.92%). As for antibiotic knowledge in 3034 participants, 61.8% participants had minimal knowledge on broad-spectrum antibiotic and 53.76% were not familiar about the effects of joint use.Conclusions Non-prescription antibiotics use for cough is prevalent in the community, especially among people in their thirties. Strengthened drug purchase regulation and well-trained professional pharmacists would be promising alternatives to ameliorate AMR. Moreover, penetrating antibiotics knowledge to common citizens and is an urgent task to alleviate antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, proactive policies and regulations should be made to improve current situations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Víctor O. Costa ◽  
Eveline M. Nicolini ◽  
Bruna M. A. da Costa ◽  
Fabrício M. Teixeira ◽  
Júlia P. Ferreira ◽  
...  

This study aims to assess the risk of severe forms of COVID-19, based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging markers in patients initially admitted to the ward. This is a retrospective observational study, with data from electronic medical records of inpatients, with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19, between March and September 2020, in a hospital from Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil. Participants (n = 74) were separated into two groups by clinical evolution: those who remained in the ward and those who progressed to the ICU. Mann–Whitney U test was taken for continuous variables and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Comparing the proposed groups, lower values of lymphocytes ( p  = <0.001) and increases in serum creatinine ( p  = 0.009), LDH ( p  = 0.057), troponin ( p  = 0.018), IL-6 ( p  = 0.053), complement C4 ( p  = 0.040), and CRP ( p  = 0.053) showed significant differences or statistical tendency for clinical deterioration. The average age of the groups was 47.9 ± 16.5 and 66.5 ± 7.3 years ( p  = 0.001). Hypertension ( p  = 0.064), heart disease ( p  = 0.048), and COPD ( p  = 0.039) were more linked to ICU admission, as well as the presence of tachypnea on admission ( p  = 0.051). Ground-glass involvement >25% of the lung parenchyma or pleural effusion on chest CT showed association with evolution to ICU ( p  = 0.027), as well as bilateral opacifications ( p  = 0.030) when compared to unilateral ones. Laboratory, clinical, and imaging markers may have significant relation with worse outcomes and the need for intensive treatment, being helpful as predictive factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-75
Author(s):  
Md Abdul Quader ◽  
Quazi Tarikul Islam

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) causing the COVID 19 pandemic infection has affected one and all across the world and halting mosthuman activities. During the disease outbreak and country lockdown, Blood Transfusion Services faced numerous challenges to maintain the sustainability in service provision. We intend to identify the challenges faced during COVID-19 outbreak and the following imposed national lockdown. Methods: This retrospective study was done during the lockdown period from26/03/2020 to 30/05/2020 comprising 66 days to detect donor inflow declination and to compare the donor inflow with pre lockdown and post lockdown period of same duration. The periods were divided into six equal intervals to compare donor distribution patterns in lockdown, pre lockdown and post lockdown period. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for continuous variables and chi square test was done for categorical variables. Results: The donations collected during the lockdown period and post lockdown period were almost 71.37% and 62.82% less respectively when compared with the pre lockdown collection (211and 274 versus 737).While in interval periods, donor inflow was declined substantially in lockdown period and in post lockdown period, inflow was declined as of lockdown period initially but it increases as time passed. But the increment was not as such of pre lockdown period. Donor inflow in age group and time interval of donation frequency were statistically significant (p <0.00005 and p< 0.0037 respectively). Conclusion: Concerns of being infected through hospital contact, lack of public transport facilities, travel restrictions imposed by the police department, and no availability of medical student donors in the hospital setting were the main attributing factors for donor inflow. Bangladesh J Medicine July 2022; 33(1) : 70-75


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16109-e16109
Author(s):  
Miguel Salazar ◽  
Estefania Gauto ◽  
Shristi Upadhyay Upadhyay Banskota ◽  
Pedro Palacios ◽  
Trilok Shrivastava ◽  
...  

e16109 Background: Total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is curative for early gastric malignancy which accounts for 1.5% of cancer cases in the U.S. Readmissions are common postoperatively, and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital costs and decreased quality of life. We hence aim to identify incidence, impact and independent predictors for readmission in patients who underwent total gastrectomy in gastric malignancy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the 2017 National Readmission Database (NRD) of adult patients readmitted within 30 days after an index admission for total gastrectomy with a concomitant diagnosis of gastric malignancy. T-test was used for continuous variables and chi square test was used for categorical variables. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors for unplanned readmissions. ICD 10 codes were used to identify diagnoses and procedures. Results: A total of 1,779 patients with gastric malignancy underwent total gastrectomy. The 30-day readmission rate was 18.5%. Main causes for readmission were sepsis, ventricular fibrillation, recurrent STEMI. Readmitted patients were more likely to be on chemotherapy. (40.1% vs 27.2%; P<0.01) and more likely to be discharged to a skilled facility (13.5% vs 17.9%; P<0.01). The total health care in-hospital economic burden of readmission was $6.5 million in total charges and $25 million in total costs. Independent predictors of readmission were major bleeding, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, peripheral parenteral nutrition, history of non-alcoholic hepato-steatosis, and prolonged length of stay. Conclusions: Readmissions after gastrectomy in patients with gastric malignancies are associated with lower in-hospital mortality yet pose a substantial economic burden on healthcare. The lower mortality might be explained by the relatively stable course and lower comorbidities of patients who become eligible for discharge after surgery. Further studies are suggested. Modifiable risk factors like malnutrition and sepsis warrant special attention to decrease readmissions and improve overall outcomes.[Table: see text]


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 208-208
Author(s):  
Jordan R. Sasson ◽  
Gary Schwartz ◽  
Sadiq Rehmani ◽  
Hassan S Moghaddas ◽  
Sarah Almubarak ◽  
...  

208 Background: Considerable data exists examining disparities in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Black patients, in particular those of lower socioeconomic status (SES), are less likely to receive appropriate care, including induction therapy and resection of surgically treatable lesions. We analyzed the outcomes of resection of NSCLC among a racially and financially diverse patient population at a large urban hospital network with a comprehensive thoracic oncology program. In this system, a patient navigation support team helped overcome barriers to preoperative preparation and multidisciplinary referral. Methods: A retrospective review of 345 patients who underwent lobectomy at our institution from 2002 - 2011 was performed. Data was retrieved from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database and patient charts. Patient demographics, payor information and preoperative characteristics were noted. Postoperative complications, 30-day survival and 3-year survival were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and Student's t-test was used to compare continuous variables. Results: Demographics of black and non-black patients were similar. There were more black patients within the Medicaid group than non-Medicaid (48.9% and 25.3%, p=0.001). Physiologic characteristics, risk factors and use of pre-operative RT and chemotherapy were similar. Post-operative complications were comparable in Medicaid vs. non-Medicaid (11.1% and 14.7%, p=0.524), however black patients had a lower rate of complications vs. non-black (6.1% and 17.4%, p=0.007). 3-year survival was similar in the black vs. non-black (82.3% and 78.6%, p=0.879) and Medicaid vs. non-Medicaid (66.7% and 78.8%, p=0.342) groups. Conclusions: We demonstrated equivalent surgical outcomes for NSCLC in addition to the similar use of induction therapy. Surprisingly, complications were lower in the black cohort. Our results reveal that appropriate treatment is being provided regardless of race or SES, and postulate that our system of preoperative patient support eliminates potential barriers to care.


KnE Medicine ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Budi Wiweko

<p>Introduction: Preimplantation Genetic Testing is one of the methods to screen genetic defects in embryos created through In Vitro Fertilization. In developing country this technique is still new and expensive method. Thus, knowing several factors in predicting the occurrence of three-pronuclear zygote can help much.</p><p>Method: 472 cycles in 449 subjects who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF cycles between January 2013 and August 2014 were included in the study. Categorical variables were compared using Chi Square test and continuous variables were analyzed using Independent t-test, and statistically significant was considered when p &lt; 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed in order to correlate clinical variables and the occurrence of three-pronuclear zygote (3pn). </p><p>Results: There were 38 3pn was identified in this study (8.05%). No correlation was found between age of the women, number of mature follicles, which are less than six with the incidence of 3pn. However, level of Anti Mullerian Hormones (AMH) found to be the strongest predictor with the incidence of 3PN (p &lt; 0,01, RR 2.5, CI95% 1,55; 4.16).</p><p>Conclusion: level of AMH is known to be strong predictor of thee pronuclear zygote after IVF cycle.</p>


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14720-e14720
Author(s):  
Brian I. Carr

e14720 Background: Clinical phenotypes of small and larger HCCs are not well characterized. Aims. To characterize small HCC phenotypes. Methods: A cohort of 430 small HCCs that were diagnosed through screening, were dichotomized by size of < 3cm or > 3cm maximum tumor diameter and compared for radiologic and blood test parameters and analyzed by Chi-square test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. Results: Significant differences between the tumor size groups included AFP values and platelet counts, with thrombocytopenia and elevated bilirubin levels being associated with smaller tumors. In comparing PVT+ and PVT- patients, AFP levels and platelet counts were also significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Larger tumors were associated with normal platelets and bilirubin levels, compared to smaller tumors that were more typically found in the presence of thrombocytopenia, suggesting that smaller and larger HCCs might have different developmental pathways.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanli Gu ◽  
Donghui Wang ◽  
Cen Chen ◽  
Wanjun Lu ◽  
Hongbing Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims: To identify the risk factors of mortality for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), we conducted a retrospective analysis.Methods: The demographic characteristics, laboratory findings and chest X-ray data of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU of Huoshenshan Hospital from February 10 to April 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Student's t test and chi-square test were used to compare continuous variables, categorical variables respectively. Logistic regression model was used to seek risk factors of mortality.Results: A total of 57 patients (38 males and 19 females) were included in this retrospective study, including 20 patients in deceased group and 37 patients in surviving group. Leukocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, eosinophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), arterial partial pressure of oxygen/oxygen concentration (PaO2/FiO2) and imaging findings were statistically different between the two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified IL-6 and PaO2/FiO2 as independent risk factors of mortality. The area of under curves (AUC) of IL-6 and PaO2/FiO2 were 0.9 (95%CI:0.823-0.977, p<0.0001) and 0.865 (95%CI:0.774-0.956, p<0.0001) respectively. The cut-off value of IL-6 was 25.69 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 95% and the specificity was 75.7%, while the cut-off value of PaO2/FiO2 was 167.79 mmHg, the sensitivity was 75.7% and the specificity was 85%.Conclusion: Clinicians should pay enough attention to IL-6 and PaO2/FiO2, especially when IL-6>25.69 pg/ml and PaO2/FiO2<167.79 mmHg, and take active intervention measures as early as possible.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document