Development of a risk-adjusted capitation model based on principal inpatient diagnoses in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) program has considered the use of capitation payments to health care providers as a method for control of the rising costs of the system. The establishment of capitation payments usually requires the performance of risk adjustment. The purposes of this study were to develop a diagnosis-based risk adjustment model for the NHI and to evaluate its predictability. METHODS: Using a 2% random sample of 371,620 NHI enrollees, the authors developed a Taiwan version of the Principal Inpatient Diagnosis Cost Groups (TPIPDCGs) from 1996 claim records to predict an individual's expenditure in 1997. Weighted least squares regression models were built in an estimation sample (two-thirds of the study sample), and were cross-validated in a validation sample (the remaining one-third of the study sample). Predictive R2 and predictive ratios were used to evaluate the model's predictability. RESULTS: Only 7.88% of the study sample could be classified into 1 of the 16 TPIPDCGs. Combined with demographic variables, which alone could explain 3.7% of the variation in an individual's future expenditure, the risk adjustment model based on TPIPDCGs could explain 12.2% of expenditure variation. In addition, the finding that the predictive ratios of the TPIPDCG model approximated unity better than those of the demographic model in all subgroups indicates that the capitation payment as predicted by the TPIPDCG model for each subgroup would better correlate to the actual spending. CONCLUSION: Taiwan's risk-adjusted capitation model based on principal inpatient diagnoses has higher predictability on individual's future expenditure than its counterpart in the USA. This finding provides insight into not only the development of Taiwan's diagnosis-based risk adjustment models but also the necessity of modification when applying foreign-developed risk adjustment models to the NHI.     

Enhancing laboratory report contents to improve outpatient management of test results

In today''s environment, providers are extremely time-constrained. Assembling relevant contextual data to make decisions on laboratory results can take a significant amount of time from the day. The Regenstrief Institute has created a system which leverages data within Indiana Health Information Exchange''s (IHIE''s) repository, the Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC), to provide well-organized and contextual information on returning laboratory results to outpatient providers. The system described here uses data extracted from INPC to add historical test results, medication-dispensing events, visit information, and clinical reminders to traditional laboratory result reports. These “Enhanced Laboratory Reports” (ELRs) are seamlessly delivered to outpatient practices connected through IHIE via the DOCS4DOCS clinical messaging service. All practices, including those without electronic medical record systems, can receive ELRs. In this paper, the design and implementation issues in creating this system are discussed, and generally favorable preliminary results of attitudes by providers towards ELRs are reported.     

Feasibility of establishing cerebral ischemia models by using aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery of piglets Imaging assessment

BACKGROUND: The cerebral ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion animal models are used to simulate the human cerebrovascular diseases is one of the popular topics of neurological science recently. To study the pathophysiology, pathogenesis, prophylaxis and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and to establish the ideal animal model that is the most similar to the human cerebral ischemia, are the topics that the people generally cared about. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery on the establishment of cerebral ischemia models by using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). DESIGN: Repetitive measure animal experiment. SETTING: Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Animal Laboratory (Provincial Laboratory), Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian Univeristy from January to May 2006. A total of 14 domestic piglets, of 6 months old, weighing 12–15 kg, of either gender, were selected from Animal Experimental Center, Dalian University. Multistar T.O.P digital subtraction angiography machine was provided by Siemens Company, German. METHODS: Aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery was used to establish cerebral ischemia models. And then, Multistar T.O.P. DSA was used for imaging of cerebral vessels before blocking, during blocking and at 0.5 and 2 hours after ischemia perfusion. GE Signa 1.5 T supraconduction magnetic resonance imaging was used for DWI examination; in addition, PWI was used based on focal sites and areas. Otherwise, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect signal changes of T1WI and T2WI in ischemic areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analytic results of DSA, DWI, PWI and MRI. RESULTS: All 14 experimental piglets were involved in the final analysis. ① DSA: The blood flow of bilateral ascending pharyngeal arteries and its branch were blocked at blocking phase, which restored 0.5 and 2 hours after reperfusion. ② DWI and PWI: There were no observable abnormalities in PWI and DWI at pre-blocking. Abnormal increased signals were found on both DWI and PWI at during and post-blocking. There were reduction in ADC and rCBF and delay in rTTP at all time points except pre-blocking. ③ MRI: There were no abnormal signals observable at any time of pre- and post-blocking in T1WI and T2WI. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to establish this kind of animal experimental models, and it can simulate the ischemic state; meanwhile, the existence and extent can be showed directly by DSA, DWI, and PWI.     

Synovial sarcoma of the temporomandibular joint area: report of a case.

Synovial cell sarcoma is a relatively rare tumor of mesenchymal origin. It is a high-grade neoplasm that microscopically shows a monophasic or biphasic cellular pattern and includes epithelial features as well as supporting tissue features. Surgical excision is the primary mode of treatment. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy also is seen to be helpful. Between 3% and 10% of cases originate in the head and neck. A review of relevant literature shows less than 10 cases of synovial cell sarcoma of the temporomandibular joint area reported in the English literature. We report an additional case of biphasic synovial cell sarcoma arising in the temporomandibular joint area, which caused ear pain, tinnitus, and hearing loss, and we further discuss the clinical features, histopathology, differential diagnosis, and treatment modality.     

Uncooked rice of relatively low gelatinization degree resulted in lower metabolic glucose and insulin responses compared with cooked rice in female college students

Cooking processes that gelatinize granules or disrupt structure might increase the glucose and insulin responses because a disruption of the structure of starch by gelatinization increases its availability for digestion and absorption in the small intestine. We hypothesized that the uncooked form of rice, which has a relatively low degree of gelatinization even though in powder form, would result in lower metabolic glucose and insulin responses compared with cooked rice (CR). To assess the effects of the gelatinization of rice on metabolic response of glucose and insulin, we investigated the glucose and insulin responses to 3 rice meals of different gelatinization degree in female college students (n = 12): CR (76.9% gelatinized), uncooked rice powder (UP; 3.5% gelatinized), and uncooked freeze-dried rice powder (UFP; 5.4% gelatinized). Uncooked rice powders (UP and UFP) induced lower glucose and insulin responses compared with CR. The relatively low gelatinization degree of UPs resulted in low metabolic responses in terms of the glycemic index (CR: 72.4% vs UP: 49.7%, UFP: 59.8%) and insulin index (CR: 94.8% vs UP: 74.4%, UFP: 68.0%). In summary, UPs that were less gelatinized than CR induced low postprandial glucose and insulin responses.     

氨溴索对慢性阻塞性肺疾病大鼠模型肺的保护作用

①目的　探讨氨溴索对肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF α)在慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (COPD)大鼠模型肺内表达与分布的影响以及肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞超微结构的影响。②方法　实验大鼠随机分为 3组 :健康对照组 (n =8) ,COPD模型组 (n =1 2 ) ,氨溴索干预组 (n =1 2 )。采用熏吸香烟并气管内注入脂多糖法建立大鼠COPD模型 ,氨溴索干预组于COPD模型开始建立时腹腔注射氨溴索溶液 4 0mg/ (kg·d) ,连续 4 0d。观察各组气道炎症的病理特点、超微结构特点、血气指标、肺泡平均内衬间隔、平均肺泡数。应用原位杂交法检测TNF α基因表达的相对含量。③结果　所建COPD模型的病理以及病理生理学改变符合人类COPD的特点。氨溴索干预组肺泡平均内衬间隔、平均肺泡数、TNF α表达强度与健康对照组、COPD模型组比较差异有显著性 (F =3.2 4～ 1 1 .1 1 ,q =4 .74～ 36 .2 2 ,P <0 .0 1 ) ;动脉血氧分压、二氧化碳分压差异亦有显著性 (F =3.30、8.79,q =3.5 0～ 8.6 9,P <0 .0 5 )。 ④结论　长期应用氨溴索对COPD大鼠模型气道炎症有明显的抑制作用     

成人门静脉海绵样变性的诊断和治疗

目的　探讨成人门静脉海绵样变性的诊断方法和治疗。方法　对 31例成人门静脉海绵样变性患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果　 31例患者术前均有出血史 ,术前均经超声检查提示肝脏正常及门静脉海绵样变性 ,经脾穿刺门静脉造影或选择性肠系膜上动脉造影确诊。 12例行脾动脉结扎、胃冠状静脉及分支结扎、肠 腔C型架桥术 ,1例行脾 肾静脉架桥术。 8例已切脾断流后再出血患者 ,结扎冠状静脉主干后 ,6例行肠 腔C型架桥术 ,1例行肠系膜下静脉 下腔静脉C型架桥术 ,1例因静脉曲张和出血部位在空肠上段而行空肠节段切除术。 6例行脾 腔架桥术 ,2例行改良脾 肺固定术 ,脾 肾架桥术和门静脉 下腔静脉架桥术各 1例 ,1例行脾切除加贲门周围血管离断术。术后随访 6个月～ 4年 (随访率 10 0 % ) ,食管胃底曲张静脉均减轻或消失 ,无再出血和肝性脑病发生。结论　多普勒超声检查和经皮脾穿刺门静脉造影是诊断本病的理想方法 ;门 体分流术加门 奇断流术是治疗本病的最佳选择。     

Nutritional supplementation, psychosocial stimulation, and growth of stunted children: the Jamaican study

The benefits of nutritional supplementation, with or without psychosocial stimulation, on the growth of stunted children were evaluated. Children aged 9-24 mo with lengths less than -2 SD of the National Center for Health Statistics references (n = 129) were randomly assigned to four groups: control, nutritional supplementation, stimulation, and both interventions. A fifth group with lengths greater than -1 SD was also enrolled. Length, weight, head and arm circumferences, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured on enrollment and 6 and 12 mo later. Multiple-regression analysis was used to determine the effects of the interventions in which age, sex, initial status, initial dietary intake, and several socioeconomic variables were controlled for. Stimulation had no effect on growth and there was no interaction between the interventions. After 12 mo supplemented children had significantly increased length, weight, and head circumference (all P less than 0.01). The effects of supplementation were not cumulative but occurred in the first 6 mo.