Comparison of local influenza vaccine effectiveness using two methods

BackgroundIn some settings, research methods to determine influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) may not be appropriate because of cost, time constraints, or other factors. Administrative database analysis of viral testing results and vaccination history may be a viable alternative. This study compared VE estimates from outpatient research and administrative databases.MethodsUsing the test-negative, case-control design, data for 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 influenza seasons were collected using: 1) consent, specimen collection, RT-PCR testing and vaccine verification using multiple methods; and 2) an administrative database of outpatients with a clinical respiratory viral panel combined with electronic immunization records. Odds ratios for likelihood of influenza infection by vaccination status were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. VE = (1 ? aOR) × 100.ResultsResearch participants were significantly younger (P < 0.001), more often white (69% vs. 59%; P < 0.001) than non-white and less frequently enrolled through the emergency department (35% vs. 72%; P < 0.001) than administrative database participants. VE was significant against all influenza and influenza A in each season and both seasons combined (37–49%). Point estimate differences between methods were evident, with higher VE in the research database, but insignificant due to low sample sizes. When enrollment sites were separately analyzed, there were significant differences in VE estimates for all influenza (66% research vs. 46% administrative P < 0.001) and influenza A (67% research vs. 49% administrative; P < 0.001) in the emergency department.Conclusions:The selection of the appropriate method for determining influenza vaccine effectiveness depends on many factors, including sample size, subgroups of interest, etc., suggesting that research estimates may be more generalizable. Other advantages of research databases for VE estimates include lack of clinician-related selection bias for testing and less misclassification of vaccination status. The advantages of the administrative databases are potentially shorter time to VE results and lower cost.     

Human leukocyte response to an endurance race

Summary The response of circulating leukocytes (WBC's) with regard to changes in number, proportion of neutrophils versus lymphocytes and changes in lymphocyte function as well as proportions of T and B cells was studied in eleven men who ran a 20-mile race. A marked leukocytosis was noted 10–15 min after the race with the predominant increase being polymorphonuclear leukocytes (P<0.001). A significant rise in mean serum cortisol levels was also noted (P<0.001) which correlated with both the increase in total WBC's (P< 0.001) and granulocytes (P<0.001), but not lymphocytes. The increase in serum cortisol was inversely correlated with miles of prior training (P<0.001). An increase in lymphocytes from 1767±112/mm³ to 2431±202/mm³ was less than that previously described in short-term exercise. As with short-term exercise the most significant increase in lymphocytes was in B lymphocytes bearing surface immunoglobulin (P<0.0025). However, in contrast to short-term exercise lymphocytes maintained good in vitro response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin.This study demonstrates that endurance racing produces a more marked granulocytosis and less lymphocytosis than short bouts of exercise. It is suggested that the degree of leukocytosis is stress dependent in that it was positively correlated with serum cortisol and inversely correlated with prior training.Supported in part by a joint fellowship from the National and Wisconsin Kidney Foundations     

Intramuscular picenadol in patients with postoperative pain

1. The analgesic efficacy and safety of a single 50 mg intramuscular dose of rac-picenadol, a centrally acting agonist-antagonist opioid analgesic, were compared with pethidine (meperidine) 100 mg and placebo in 60 patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain using hourly pain intensity and relief measurements for up to 6 h following injection of the study medications. 2. Both picenadol and pethidine were statistically significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than placebo in reducing pain intensity and in increasing total relief. Patients receiving picenadol and pethidine had higher frequency of somnolence than patients receiving placebo. In addition, patients receiving picenadol 50 mg experienced a higher incidence of confusion (30%), speech disorders (30%), and tremors (25%) than the patients receiving either pethidine or placebo. 3. These results were compared with those of a similar study which investigated the effects of a 25 mg intramuscular dose of picenadol vs pethidine and placebo. This comparison suggests that 25 mg of picenadol is a more acceptable dosage since both 25 and 50 mg were effective dosages.     

"Could it be asthma?": the impact of a mass media campaign aimed at raising awareness about asthma in Australia

Asthma is a very common chronic illness in Australia; however,unrecognized and undertreated asthma is responsible for muchpreventable morbidity in the community. In 1988, a coalitionof private and public sector agencies was formed to conducta national mass communications program aimed at increasing awarenessabout asthma. This pilot campaign comprised a mailout to allprimary care physicians and a mass media campaign, entitled"Could it be asthma?". The impact of this media-based strategywas assessed using population surveys of 1300 adults beforeand after the campaign. Following the campaign, recall of recentasthma media messages increased from 24 to 49% (P < 0.001)and the proportion who recognized possible asthma symptoms intheir household increased from 3.4 to 5.5% following the campaign.Of those with symptoms, twice as many reported that they visiteda doctor to have their symptoms assessed after the campaign.Knowledge of asthma symptoms was significantly higher followingthe campaign (P < 0.001), after adjustment for age, sex andthe presence of asthma in the respondents family. The campaignappeared to have some success in raising awareness about asthma,and has been followed by the development of a National AsthmaCampaign in Australia focusing on reducing asthma morbidityand improving its management.     

Who is Hispanic? Definitions and their consequences.

What is the appropriate method for classifying Spanish-speaking-origin inhabitants of the United States? This paper presents relevant data from the first wave of a longitudinal study of adolescents in the greater Miami area. As expected, the broadest definition--"up to third generation" Hispanic--identified the largest proportion of the sample as Hispanic, whereas parent self-report placed the smallest proportion into the Hispanic category. When policymakers are concerned about enumerating the entire Hispanic population, a definition broader than self-identification should be used; in estimating prevalence rates, however, the use of self-identification may be adequate.     

Using control charts to analyze serial patient-related data

The authors collected data from the record of a patient who had recently undergone coronary bypass surgery and used these data to construct control charts. The control charts helped them to interpret the variation in several clinical parameters and to evaluate the clinical responses to this variation.     

Lowering the age for routine influenza vaccination to 50 years: AAFP leads the nation in influenza vaccine policy. American Academy of Family Physicians

The American Academy of Family Physicians now recommends that all persons 50 years of age and older receive an annual influenza vaccination, because the rates of morbidity and mortality associated with influenza are high and vaccination is cost-effective. Reasons for lowering the recommended age for routine vaccination from 65 to 50 years of age include reductions in office visits, hospitalizations, time taken off work and associated costs. In working adults 18 to 64 years of age, the cost savings were estimated at $46.85 per person vaccinated. Furthermore, the fatality rate from influenza begins to rise at age 45 and is highest in persons with multiple chronic medical conditions. As in the past, recommendations target persons at high risk for complications, such as those with cardiac disease, lung disease and diabetes, as well as health care workers and residents of nursing homes. Severe allergy to eggs is a contraindication to influenza vaccination.     

Doppler sonographic parameters for detection of carotid stenosis: is there an optimum method for their selection?

OBJECTIVE: A wide range of Doppler threshold values for carotid stenosis is found in the literature. We undertook this study to compare methods of derivation and to determine if an optimum strategy of threshold selection exists for a high-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the sonograms of all patent internal carotid arteries, peak systolic velocity in the internal carotid artery (ICA(PSV)) and the ratio of peak systolic velocity in the internal carotid artery to that of the common carotid artery (ICA(PSV)/ CCA(PSV)) were compared with the percentage of angiographically determined stenosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for levels of stenosis > or =60% and > or =70%. Doppler thresholds were chosen on the basis of maximum accuracy and on the basis of > or =90% sensitivity and specificity. Patients were then segregated into symptomatic and asymptomatic cohorts, and the above process was repeated. An effectiveness analysis was also conducted using various Doppler thresholds. Thresholds derived using these three methods were compared and optimal values chosen. RESULTS. Of 333 carotid arteries that fit inclusion criteria, 132 were found in asymptomatic patients and 201 in symptomatic patients. Maximum accuracy, > or =90% sensitivity and specificity, and effectiveness analysis each produced different ranges of thresholds. We chose final thresholds that maintained patient outcome profiles. For asymptomatic patients at the > or =60% stenosis level, thresholds were ICA(PSV) = 200 cm/sec and ICA(PSV)/CCA(PSV) = 3.0. For symptomatic patients with stenosis > or =70%, thresholds were ICA(PSV) = 175 cm/sec and ICA(PSV)/CCA(PSV) = 2.5. CONCLUSION: Considerable latitude exists in the choice of carotid Doppler thresholds. We propose a rational strategy for threshold selection based on a combination of three commonly used methods. Our observations indicate that it appears advisable to consider symptomatic and asymptomatic patients separately and to apply appropriately derived thresholds.