Estimation of policy effects using parametric nonlinear models: a contextual critique of the generalized method of moments

The typical empirical study in health services and outcomes research is aimed at estimating the causal effect that an exogenously imposed condition (e.g. a policy mandate) will have (or has had) on a specified outcome of interest. Controlling for unobservable confounding influences is of primary importance in such analyses. The instrumental variables (IV) method has been widely used for this purpose in the linear regression context. The present paper examines the pros and cons of alternative versions of the generalized method of moments (GMM) [of which the IV estimator is a special case] for the estimation of policy effects when endogeneity is present in a nonlinear regression setting. We show that conventional GMM is difficult to implement for policy analysis because it does not typically accommodate symmetry—similar treatment of both observable and unobservable confounders in the regression specification. Although, simple additive (nonsymmetric) regression specifications afford practical GMM estimators, they are difficult to defend from both intuitive and conceptual standpoints. Moreover, as we show via simulation, if symmetry is ignored and conventional GMM is applied based on an incorrectly specified non-symmetric model, then policy analytic estimates can be seriously biased. As a result, prospects for the development and application of intuitive consistent GMM-based policy effect estimators are dim. The problem stems from the reasonable desire on the part of the researcher to derive GMM estimators in the nonlinear framework that are based solely upon the conventional minimalist linear IV assumptions. We show, in the context of our formulation of a simple but consistent alternative to GMM in the probit case, that intuitively appealing additional assumptions about the data generating process of the policy variable will often be sufficient for the development of desirable alternatives to the GMM.     

Renal Allograft Biopsies with Borderline Changes: Predictive Factors of Clinical Outcome

The clinical outcome and appropriate management for patients showing 'borderline changes' on allograft biopsy after renal transplantation is still controversial. In an attempt to identify predictive factors of clinical outcome of patients with such lesions, we reviewed the clinical course of 91 patients with borderline changes. Multivariate analysis revealed significant and independent effects of histological stage (i + t < or = or > 2) and time to borderline changes (< or = or > 3 months after transplant) on serum creatinine levels at 1 year from borderline changes episodes (respectively, p = 0.04 and p = 0.02) and only a significant effect of time to borderline changes on serum creatinine levels at 2 years (p = 0.005). Renal function at 1 year and 2 years as 5- and 8-year graft survival were not significantly different in the group of patients treated with antirejection therapy (T group, n = 49) compared with the untreated group (UT group, n = 42). This study strongly suggests that borderline changes with histological score (i + t) > 2 and late episodes of borderline changes should be considered to be of poor prognosis.     

Internal thoracic vessels as recipient vessels for free flap reconstruction in head and neck surgery.

In rare cases the usage of the internal thoracic vessels as recipient vessels in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck region with free tissue transfer is a challenging but valid alternative if local recipient vessels are unusable.     

Successful closure of spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave's syndrome) by endoscopic clipping.

Endoscopic clips have been used mainly for control of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and occasionally for closure of GI perforations. However, closure of spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave's syndrome) by clipping has not been reported. We described successful non-surgical closure of spontaneous esophageal perforation by endoscopic clipping in a patient with bilateral pyopneumothorax and septicemia.     

Fixed exanthema from systemic tobramycin.

Eye drops contain several ophthalmic medications which can produce allergic reactions. We report the case of a patient with contact dermatitis from neomycin and a probable fixed exanthema after parenteral administration of tobramycin who tolerated topical tobramycin and other aminoglycosides.     

Meta-analysis of drop-out rates in randomised clinical trials, comparing typical and atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess antipsychotic medication in the treatment of schizophrenia, based on trial drop-out rates. METHOD: The studies included were randomised controlled trials that compared any of the four clinically best-established atypical antipsychotics (quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone or clozapine) against either of two typical antipsychotics regarded as the gold standard (haloperidol or chlorpromazine). RESULTS: Meta-analysis indicated less risk of all-cause patient withdrawal from atypical medication trials where dosage was flexible, in both the short, relative risk (RR) 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76), P<0.00001, and long term, RR 0.72 (0.65-0.80), P<0.00001. Similar results were observed for withdrawal due to adverse events, RR: 0.54 (0.41-0.72), P<0.0001. Nevertheless, the favourable effects of atypical medication disappeared in trials relying on fixed dosage. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a significant positive effect in terms of the outcome of treatment discontinuation for atypical versus typical medication, though only where the use of flexible rather than fixed doses (closer to an experimental control situation) was possible.     

Cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with lung and anal carcinomas

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by a benign proliferation of mature plasma cells that appears as multiple dark-brown to purplish skin lesions, often associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. We present the case of a 55-year-old Caucasian man who suffered from a cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with two different carcinomas. Cutaneous plasmacytosis seems to be a reactive process because most cases reported are not associated with any apparent underlying disease. Nevertheless, because few reported cases were associated with malignancies, screening of additional neoplasms would be justified.