Development of an EQ-5D Value Set for India Using an Extended Design (DEVINE) Study: The Indian 5-Level Version EQ-5D Value Set

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop the Indian 5-level version EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) value set, which is a key input in health technology assessment for resource allocation in healthcare.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using the EuroQol Group’s Valuation Technology was undertaken in a representative sample of 3548 adult respondents, selected from 5 different states of India using a multistage stratified random sampling technique. The participants were interviewed using a computer-assisted personal interviewing technique. This study adopted a novel extended EuroQol Group’s Valuation Technology design that included 18 blocks of 10 composite time trade-off (c-TTO) tasks, comprising 150 unique health states, and 36 blocks of 7 discrete choice experiment (DCE) tasks, comprising 252 DCE pairs. Different models were explored for their predictive performance. Hybrid modeling approach using both c-TTO and DCE data was used to estimate the value set.ResultsA total of 2409 interviews were included in the analysis. The hybrid heteroscedastic model with censoring at ?1 combining c-TTO and DCE data yielded the most consistent results and was used for the generation of the value set. The predicted values for all 3125 health states ranged from ?0.923 to 1. The preference values were most affected by the pain/discomfort dimension.ConclusionsThis is the largest EQ-5D-5L valuation study conducted so far in the world. The Indian EQ-5D-5L value set will promote the effective conduct of health technology assessment studies in India, thereby generating credible evidence for efficient resource use in healthcare.     

利用信息技术提高河南省出生缺陷防治管理水平

目的总结通过信息平台,提高出生缺陷防控水平的经验和挑战。方法回顾性总结系统中出生缺陷三级预防措施落实,沿胎儿生命周期获取功能和代谢障碍缺陷个案的数据并进行总结分析。结果平台促进了出生缺陷三级预防措施落实。系统包括11912例有遗传病或缺陷儿家族史的孕妇信息,433例染色体和基因异常胎儿产前诊断记录,7977例结构、功能和代谢障碍儿的体检记录,1266例听力障碍儿;553例苯丙酮尿症儿,2627例先天性甲低代谢障碍儿,并提供随访等技术支持。结论通过信息技术,实现河南省内母代和子代信息互连,建成了出生缺陷从医院监测发展为人群监测的省级平台。     

Genetic association of the PERIOD3 (PER3) Clock gene with extreme obesity

BackgroundObesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, affecting life quality and span. Susceptibility to obesity is partly mediated by genetic differences. Indeed, several genes from the clock gene family have already been shown to be intimately associated with obesity in diverse ethnic groups. In the present study, an association between BMI and the rs707467, rs228697 and rs228729 PER3 (Period Circadian Clock 3) polymorphisms in subjects with class II (BMI ≥ 35.0–39.9 kg/m²) and class III obesity (>40 kg/m², extreme obesity) were carried out using TaqMan real-time PCR. Overall, 259 Brazilian adults were genotyped, of whom 122 had class II or III obesity (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m²) and 137 were controls having normal weight (BMI > 18.5 and <24.9 kg/m²).ResultsPER3 tag SNP (rs228729) shows a significant association with extreme obesity (1000 permutation p = 0.03 and p = 0.04), for genotype and allele frequency respectively) and a haplotype among the three assessed SNPs (alleles G/T/A, rs228697, rs228729, and rs707467, respectively, 1000 permutation p = 0.03) was significantly more prevalent in the group with obesity.ConclusionThis exploratory association study suggests that PER3 rs228729 may be associated with extreme obesity in Brazilian adults, however, replication is needed.     

Micronutrients and Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Related to Cardiometabolic Health: Results from the EHES-LUX Study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics include chronic inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. This study assessed associations between circulating concentrations of micronutrients/phytochemicals and inflammatory/oxidative stress markers with MetS and MetS components. Adults (N = 606) from the European Health Examination Survey in Luxembourg (2013–2015) were randomly selected. We performed a multivariable logistic regression model using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to identify MetS-associated variables. Participants with MetS had higher concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, leptin, insulin, and vitamins E/A, but lower concentrations of adiponectin, beta-carotene, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. A one-unit increase in log-CRP was associated with 51% greater odds of MetS (OR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.98)). Adults with a one-unit increase in log-leptin were 3.1 times more likely to have MetS (3.10 (2.10, 4.72)). Women with a one-unit increase in vitamin A were associated with 3% increased odds of MetS (1.03 (1.01, 1.05)), while those with a one-unit increase in log-adiponectin were associated with 82% decreased odds (0.18 (0.07, 0.46)). Chronic inflammation best characterized adults with MetS, as CRP, adiponectin, and leptin were selected as the main MetS determinants. Micronutrients did not seem to affect MetS, except for vitamin A in women.     

Measuring quality and level of care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia: protocol for a systematic review of validated instruments

BackgroundChanges in the quality-of-life (QoL) of family caregivers as they care for their loved ones with dementia over time may affect the quality or level of care that these caregivers provide. We do not know if validated instruments exist to directly measure this quality or level of care. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify validated instruments for measuring the quality or level of care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia.MethodsWe will include articles containing a validated instrument or questionnaire designed to measure quality or level of care provided by the aforementioned group of caregivers. The included articles may utilize the tools in primary or secondary data analyses, or evaluate the tools'' psychometric properties. The following electronic databases will be searched from inception date to the present: Medline, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central, and PsycINFO. We will also search the gray literature, the reference lists of included articles, and contact experts in the field to help identify relevant instruments. Included articles will be required to report on an instrument measuring at least one of the following outcomes: quality of care, level of care, appropriateness of care, amount of time spent providing care, and caregiver performance. Two reviewers will independently screen retrieved citations, extract data, and assess the methodological quality of each included article. A narrative synthesis method will be used to describe the findings.DiscussionResults of this systematic review will show whether validated instruments exist to measure the quality or level of care provided by family caregivers of persons living with dementia. This will make it possible to develop initiatives that are targeted towards improving the quality or level of care provided by family caregivers.     

Association of Creatinine-to-Cystatin C Ratio with Myosteatosis and Physical Performance in Older Adults: The Japan Shimanami Health Promoting Program

ObjectiveSarcopenia is a risk factor for poor outcomes in older adults. Identification of plasma markers may facilitate screening of sarcopenia. We previously reported that creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio is a simple marker of muscle mass. To further assess the clinical relevance of the creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio, we investigated its association with myosteatosis and physical performance.DesignObservational study.Setting and ParticipantsCross-sectional analysis of the dataset obtained from a Japanese population consisting of 1468 older (≥60 years of age) community residents.MethodsThe mean attenuation values of the skeletal muscle calculated from computed tomography images of the midthigh were used as an index of myosteatosis, while the cross-sectional area of the muscle was used as a proxy for muscle mass. Physical performance was assessed by 1-leg standing time.ResultsCreatinine-to-cystatin C ratio was positively associated with the cross-sectional area of muscle fiber-rich muscles, while it showed an inverse association with fat-rich muscle areas, resulting in the positive association between creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio and the mean attenuation value of the skeletal muscle [creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio quartiles (Q), Q1: 47.4 ± 4.8, Q2: 48.9 ± 4.4, Q3: 49.8 ± 4.1, Q4: 50.9 ± 3.7, P < .001]. The results of the linear regression analysis adjusted for major covariates (including muscle cross-sectional area) identified creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio as an independent determinant of the mean attenuation value (Q1: reference, Q2: β = 0.07, P = .019, Q3: β = 0.11, P < .001, Q4: β = 0.16, P < .001). Low creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio was independently associated with 1-leg standing time, although the association was attenuated substantially by adjusting for skeletal muscle cross-sectional area and mean attenuation value.Conclusion and ImplicationsCreatinine-to-cystatin C ratio was associated with myosteatosis in older adults, independent of the muscle mass. Creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio may serve as a convenient marker of sarcopenia.     

肺癌高危人群癌症防治核心知识认知情况调查

目的 探讨肺癌高危人群对癌症防治核心知识认知情况并对其影响因素进行分析。方法 以2017年3月至2019年12月在上海市某医院胸外科完成肺癌高危人群筛查并判断为肺癌高危人群的居民为研究对象,开展癌症防治核心知识知晓情况调查,采用描述流行病学分析方法对癌症防治核心知识掌握情况进行分析,并采用单、多因素分析方法对知识掌握影响因素进行分析。结果 共纳入肺癌高危人群416例,年龄40~72岁,男性269例,女性147例,分别占64.66%、35.34%。癌症防治核心知识知晓326例,知晓率为78.4%。知晓率最高的为“体检或癌症筛查有利于早期发现癌症”、“癌症无传染性;癌症早期可无明显症状;癌症检查价格并非越高效果越好”、“戒烟有利于预防肺癌”,知晓率分别为92.79%、92.31%、90.38%。知晓率最低的为“适龄生育、母乳喂养、多进行身体活动、保持合适体重、少饮酒和定期体检有利于预防乳腺癌”、“肺癌早期筛查的有效方法”、“导致癌症发病的高风险因素”,知晓率分别为50.24%、37.98%、34.86%。二分类Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄60~72岁（OR=0.418）、文化程度为大专及以上（OR=2.309）、职业类型为医疗卫生行业（OR=4.121）是肺癌高危人群癌症防治核心知识知晓的影响因素。结论 肺癌高危人群防癌认知的总体知晓情况较好,但还应针对年龄较大、文化程度较低及非医疗卫生行业人群进一步加强癌症防治宣传,不断提高广大居民群众的防癌知识认知水平。     

SARS-CoV-2 Serial Interval Variation,Montana, USA,March 1–July 31, 2020

We report mean severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 serial intervals for Montana, USA, from 583 transmission pairs; infectors’ symptom onset dates occurred during March 1–July 31, 2020. Our estimate was 5.68 (95% CI 5.27–6.08) days, SD 4.77 (95% CI 4.33–5.19) days. Subperiod estimates varied temporally by nonpharmaceutical intervention type and fluctuating incidence.     

1986～1999年珠海市疟疾流行趋势分析

目的 掌握珠海市疟疾流行特点,为制定相应控制措施提供科学依据。方法 通过比较不同时间、地点和人群疟疾分布情况分析珠海市1986—1999年疟疾流行趋势和特点。结果 自80年代中期到现在,珠海市疟疾流行经历了低流行期、高流行期及有效控制期三个不同阶段,流动人口对于该地区疟疾的流行构成了一个极重要的影响因素。结论 针对流动人口开展的疟疾防治工作仍有待进一步完善,应在流动人口登记或就业查询等方面加强流动人口疟疾病例追踪和查治工作。