Accuracy of a PDA-based dietary assessment program

OBJECTIVE: Study objectives were to assess the accuracy of a food record delivered on a personal digital assistant (PDA) and to examine sources of error from the PDA-based food record. METHODS: Thirty-nine adults recruited with a newspaper advertisement were trained to record food intake using DietMatePro, a dietary assessment program delivered on a PDA. After 3 d of use, subjects returned for a follow-up visit in which a 24-h recall was conducted. Subjects also were timed while recording an observed, weighed lunch. Recalled and actual food intakes were compared with estimates recorded by the subjects when using the PDA. Paired sample t tests and Pearson's correlations assessed means and measurements of association between DietMatePro data compared with the 24-h recall data and observed meal data. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess bias in food recording. Sources of error were quantified by using calories as the unit for comparison. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in daily totals for calories and macronutrients between DietMatePro data and comparison measurements. Pearson's correlations of associations between DietMatePro data and the comparison measurement ranged from 0.505 to 0.797 (P < 0.005, n = 28) for the 24-h recall and from 0.419 to 0.786 (P < 0.005, n = 33) for the observed lunch, depending on the nutrient measured. The largest source of absolute error in caloric estimation was attributable to portion size estimation error (49%). CONCLUSIONS: DietMatePro, a PDA-based dietary assessment program, provides a method of assessing energy and macronutrient intakes comparable to the 24-h recall in samples lacking dietary restrictions.     

Short report: serological evidence of West Nile virus activity in El Salvador

Epizootics of encephalitis in El Salvador killed 203 equines between November 2001 and April 2003. During an investigation of the outbreaks, 18 (25%) of 73 serum samples collected from stablemates of deceased animals in 2003 had antibodies to West Nile virus. Ten of these infections were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization tests, suggesting West Nile virus has extended its range and spread to Central America.     

Fluticasone given once versus twice a day: meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of fluticasone administered once daily compared to twice daily in asthma. METHODOLOGY: A meta-analysis was performed of randomized double-blind trials of at least 4 weeks duration that compared fluticasone administered once versus twice a day and presented data on at least one clinical outcome measure. RESULTS: Six studies of 1517 children and adults with asthma met the inclusion criteria. Studies were predominantly in subjects with moderate asthma, treated with doses of fluticasone ranging from 200 to 500 microg per day. Twice-daily dosing was associated with significantly greater efficacy compared with once-daily dosing, for all outcome measures except night wakenings. The mean (95% CI) differences between twice and once-daily administration for FEV(1) and peak expiratory flow were 0.11 L (0.07-0.16) and 12.9 L/min (8.6-17.1), respectively. Twice-daily fluticasone was associated with significantly fewer withdrawals due to asthma than once-daily fluticasone, with an odds ratio of 0.44 (0.30-0.67). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that twice-daily administration of fluticasone will provide greater therapeutic benefit than a once-daily morning regimen.