Accountability in reminder-based adherence interventions: A review

ObjectiveInterventions to elicit accountability capitalize on social behaviors to improve adherence but are distinct from reminders. However, little is known about the impact of accountability in reminder-based adherence interventions. Through a literature review, we aim to identify the frequency and effectiveness of accountability in reminder-based intervention studies.MethodsPubMed and PsycArticles were searched for reminder-based adherence studies. Articles were categorized as reminder-only or reminder with accountability studies. Studies were characterized by outcome measures, and differences between control and intervention groups were compared for studies that used electronic monitoring devices.Results165 studies met the inclusion criteria; 154 used reminders without accountability (93%). 79 of the 154 reminder-only studies (51%) improved adherence in intervention groups compared to controls. Eleven of the 165 studies (6.6%) included an accountability aspect. The intervention group had better adherence than controls in 10 out of the 11 reminder with accountability studies (91%).ConclusionsAlthough distinct from reminders, accountability can be incorporated in reminder-based interventions. However, it is not commonly included in reminder-based interventions.Practice implicationsIt is important to consider accountability’s effects on encouraging patient medication adherence. The addition of accountability interventions may further boost adherence, but few studies currently incorporate these types of interventions.     

Accurate detection of reemergent anti-donor ABO antibody is crucial for safe transfusion in ABO major incompatible HSCT patient after achieved the stages of full switch to donor type

Dynamic monitoring ABO chimera including erythroid ABO antigen and anti-A/B is crucial to not only assess the status of erythroid engraftment but also achieve personalized safety transfusion in patients post ABO incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Transfusion support for ABO incompatible (ABOi) HSCT patients after achieved complete alteration to donor origin still remains cautious because the instant hematopoietic status on these transplant patients possibly returned to patient origin derived from early disease relapse and graft loss or failure. We reported that reemergent anti-B in a female patients (donor/patient: B/O) at the early phase after achievement complete donor type were not effectively found from partial automatic ABO blood grouping systems, which directly resulted in differential judgement of transplantation stage for about 15 days and disturbed the optimal recommendation on transfusion support. Meanwhile, the solely alteration of ABO chimera was found and earlier than changes of other markers such as MRD diagnosis, chimerism analysis by STR-PCR and sex chromosome assays, which can be an available predictors for bad transplant outcomes such as graft failure.     

Error rates in proficiency testing in Australia

ABSTRACT

Recent criticism of forensic science has focused on the fundamental aspects of the science, including the lack of supporting empirical studies, validation, accreditation, limitations and error rates. Proficiency tests are an essential component of accreditation and can be used to evaluate laboratory performance and identify systematic issues within components of the service provision. In 2016 we reported on the results of an analysis of 3176 CTS proficiency tests undertaken between 2005 and 2015 by Australian government service providers. The data analysed represented 43 unique CTS test types and covered 21 disciplines. Here we present further data from 2016 to 2017 and compare these results with those obtained from the previous study. These combined results further demonstrate that errors exist even though practitioners know they are examining proficiency tests and the tests undergo a review process. This study illustrates the need to continue to monitor trends in proficiency test results and also further highlights the need for well-designed, relevant, blind error rate studies to determine the approximate error rates for casework.     

基于计划行为理论的孕妇关于婴儿睡眠安全行为意向影响因素研究

目的 探究孕妇关于婴儿睡眠安全实践意向的影响因素。方法 本研究采用方便抽样选取青岛市某三甲医院四个院区来院孕检的孕妇，使用基于计划行为理论的自编问卷，调查其对于婴儿睡眠安全的行为态度、主观规范、知觉行为控制及行为意向，应用多元线性回归分析其行为意向的影响因素。结果 孕妇对于婴儿睡眠安全的行为态度、主观规范、知觉行为控制及行为意向得分分别为(22.26±5.27)、(16.65±4.17)、(13.35±4.23)、(20.77±5.62)分。是否为独生子女(t = - 3.555, P＜0.001)，年龄(F = 3.764, P = 0.011)、文化程度(F = 5.983, P＜0.001)、居住地(F = 5.865, P = 0.003)和家庭人均月收入(F = 8.485, P＜0.001)不同的孕妇关于婴儿睡眠安全的行为意向有统计学差异。多元线性回归分析结果示文化程度(β = 0.655, t = 3.659, P＜0.001)、是否为独生子女(β = 1.214, t = 3.131, P = 0.002)、行为态度(β = 0.373, t = 9.598, P＜0.001)、主观规范(β = 0.328, t = 6.426, P＜0.001)及知觉行为控制(β = 0.231, t = 5.371, P＜0.001)是行为意向的主要影响因素。结论 孕妇对于婴儿睡眠安全实践的认知及行为意向较积极，但其知觉行为控制力有待提高。孕期健康教育应增加婴儿睡眠安全内容，提高孕妇对其认知及自我效能感，展开公众教育以增强孕妇的社会支持，改善其与婴儿睡眠有关的养育行为。     

Development of a new tool for predicting the behavior of individuals with intellectual disability in the dental office: A pilot study

BackgroundThe dental treatment of individuals with intellectual disability can represent a considerable professional challenge.ObjectiveTo develop a model for predicting the behavior of patients with intellectual disability in the dental office.MethodsThe study group comprised 250 patients with Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), idiopathic cognitive impairment or rare disorders. We collected their demographic, medical, social and behavioral information and identified potential predictors (chi-squared test). We developed stratified models (Akaike information criterion) to anticipate the patients'behavior during intraoral examinations and to discern whether the dental treatment should be performed under general anesthesia. These models were validated in a new study group consisting of 80 patients. Goodness of fit was quantified with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We developed a mathematical algorithm for executing the models and developed software for its practical implementation (PREdictors of BEhavior in Dentistry, “PREBED”).ResultsFor patients with DS, ASD and CP, the model predicting the need for physical restraint during examination achieved a PPV of 0.90, 0.85 and 1.00, respectively, and an NPV of 0.66, 0.76 and 1.00, respectively. The model predicting the need for performing treatment under general anesthesia achieved a PPV of 0.63, 1.00 and 1.00, respectively, and an NPV of 1.00, 1.00 and 0.73, respectively. However, when validating the stratified models, the percentage of poorly classified individuals (false negatives + false positives) ranged from 24% to 46.6%.ConclusionsThe results of the PREBED tool open the door to establishing new models implementing other potentially predictive variables.     

Neurophysiological evaluation of visual function in iRBD: potential role in stratifying RBD conversion risk

Study objectivesTo evaluate neurophysiological alterations of visual function in idiopathic REM sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) both as markers and predictors of neurodegenerative disorders.MethodsIn a longitudinal follow-up study of 46 consecutive iRBD patients (follow-up duration 8.4 ± 3.4 years), the baseline parameters in luminance-contrast pattern (VEPp), red-green color (VEPc) and motion-onset (VEPm) Visual Evoked Potentials in iRBD were compared to early (ePD) and advanced (aPD) Parkinson's Disease subjects. Parameters of latency and amplitude of iRBD converters to neurodegenerative disease were compared with those of the non-converters.ResultsThe VEP P100 mean latency values for both eyes and for both stimulation checks (30′ and 15’) were significantly longer in all the three groups of patients as compared to controls; moreover latencies were longer in aPD than in the iRBD group who did not differ from the ePD group. The same held true when we analyzed the number of abnormal subjects belonging to each diagnostic group with a higher number of abnormal subjects in the aPD group compared to both the ePD and in iRBD groups. Chromatic and motion potentials were not different from controls and did not differ in the 3 diagnostic groups. The iRBD subjects who converted to a neurodegenerative disorder showed longer P100 latencies and a higher occurrence of VEPp abnormalities than those who did not convert. Again chromatic and motion VEPs were not different depending on conversion.ConclusionsIn iRBD patients the detection of an abnormal VEPp should be considered as a red flag for possible synnucleinopathy, eventually contributing in stratifying the risk of phenoconversion.