Factors associated with completion of patient surveys 1 year after bariatric surgery

BackgroundPatient-reported outcomes (PRO) obtained from follow-up survey data are essential to understanding the longitudinal effects of bariatric surgery. However, capturing data among patients who are well beyond the recovery period of surgery remains a challenge, and little is known about what factors may influence follow-up rates for PRO.ObjectivesTo assess the effect of hospital practices and surgical outcomes on patient survey completion rates at 1 year after bariatric surgery.SettingProspective, statewide, bariatric-specific clinical registry.MethodsPatients at hospitals participating in the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative are surveyed annually to obtain information on weight loss, medication use, satisfaction, body image, and quality of life following bariatric surgery. Hospital program coordinators were surveyed in June 2017 about their practices for ensuring survey completion among their patients. Hospitals were ranked based on 1-year patient survey completion rates between 2011 and 2015. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify associations between hospital practices, as well as 30-day outcomes, on hospital survey completion rankings.ResultsOverall, patient survey completion rates at 1 year improved from 2011 (33.9% ± 14.5%) to 2015 (51.0% ± 13.0%), although there was wide variability between hospitals (21.1% versus 77.3% in 2015). Hospitals in the bottom quartile for survey completion rates had higher adjusted rates of 30-day severe complications (2.6% versus 1.7%, respectively; P = .0481), readmissions (5.0% versus 3.9%, respectively; P = .0157), and reoperations (1.5% versus .7%, respectively; P = .0216) than those in the top quartile. While most hospital practices did not significantly impact survey completion at 1 year, physically handing out surveys during clinic visits was independently associated with higher completion rates (odds ratio, 13.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.99?93.03; P =.0078).ConclusionsHospitals vary considerably in completion rates of patient surveys at 1 year after bariatric surgery, and lower rates were associated with hospitals that had higher complication rates. Hospitals with the highest completion rates were more likely to physically hand surveys to patients during clinic visits. Given the value of PRO on longitudinal outcomes of bariatric surgery, improving data collection across multiple hospital systems is imperative.     

The association between metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia in aging males: evidence based on propensity score matching

BackgroundTo investigate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in aging Chinese males.MethodsA dataset that included 3,568 non-MetS cases and 1,020 MetS cases (after data cleansing) was downloaded from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). To balance the intergroup covariates, propensity score matching (PSM) was employed in the analyses. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were then performed to investigate the relationship between LUTS/BPH and MetS in aging Chinese males.ResultsBefore PSM, multivariate logistic regression showed that participants with MetS had a 1.47 times higher risk of LUTS/BPH compared to non-MetS cases in the final model (P<0.001). It also revealed that participants with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), abdominal adiposity, or high triglycerides had a higher probability of LUTS/BPH [odds ratio (OR) =1.56 for low HDL; OR =1.50 for abdominal adiposity; and OR =1.48 for high triglyceride, P<0.001], while participants with hyperglycemia or hypertension had identical odds of LUTS/BPH (P>0.05). After PSM, 1,000 pairs were successfully matched. It was also found that MetS cases had a 1.60 times higher risk of LUTS/BPH compared to non-MetS cases (P<0.001), and participants with low HDL, abdominal adiposity, high triglycerides, or hyperglycemia had a higher likelihood of LUTS/BPH than their counterparts (P<0.001). However, the probability of LUTS/BPH in hypertensive patients remained similar to that in non-hypertensive patients (P>0.05).ConclusionsAging Chinese males with MetS had a higher probability of LUTS/BPH. Also, patients with low HDL, abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, or hyperglycemia had an increased risk of LUTS/BPH; however, this was not the case for hypertensive patients.     

体质指数正常人群中的代谢综合征患病情况

目的 了解体质指数（BMI）正常人群多代谢异常与代谢综合征（MS）的患病情况。方法 选取2016年1月—2017年12月健康体检人群为研究对象,以2004年中华医学会糖尿病学分会制订的MS诊断标准,符合纳入标准的正常BMI对象共5 781名（男3 069名,女2 712名）。根据BMI的四分位数将调查对象分成Q1～Q4组计算性别、年龄别MS的患病率。结果 5 781名对象的MS患病率为12.71％（男性9.22％,女性16.67％,χ2 = 71.92,P＜0.001）。专业技术人员的MS患病率较其它职业人群显著增高（χ2 = 19.76,P = 0.001）,低学历人群的MS患病率较高学历人群显著增高（χ2 = 10.79,P = 0.005）。男性随BMI升高（Q1～Q4）MS患病率由3.21％增至17.54％（χ2 = 87.11,P＜0.001）;女性（Q1～Q4）MS患病率由7.32％增至29.78％（χ2 = 147.66,P＜0.001）。男性各个BMI组MS患病率均低于女性（Q1:3.21% vs 7.32%,χ2 = 10.31,P＜0.001;Q2:6.35% vs 10.26%,χ2 = 8.64, P＜0.001;Q3:9.72% vs 19.27%,χ2 = 27.39, P＜0.001;Q4:17.54% vs 29.79%,χ2 = 28.11,P＜0.001）。男性随年龄升高（≤40岁～≥60岁）MS患病率由3.43％增至13.15％（χ2 = 67.09,P＜0.001）、女性（≤40岁～≥60岁）MS患病率由10.72％增至24.25％（χ2 = 54.43,P＜0.001）;随BMI升高（Q1～Q4）,伴有MS组分异常的患病率由28.51％增至40.56％（χ2 = 77.39,P＜0.001）。结论 BMI正常人群仍有一定多代谢异常和MS患病率,要注意BMI正常人群的代谢性健康风险管理。     

Synthesis of merozoite proteins and glycoproteins during the schizogony of Plasmodium falciparum

We have investigated the protein and glycoprotein content of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites by metabolically labeling cultures of schizont-stage parasites with [³⁵S]methionine or with [³H]glucosamine followed by incubation in nonradioactive medium to allow the schizonts to mature into merozoites, infect new erythrocytes, and develop into ring-stage parasites. The ring stages were separated from schizonts by sedimentation through Percoll. Labeled proteins were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by fluorography. Using [³⁵S]methionine, four major proteins (p) with apparent relative molecular weights (M_r) = 202k, 136k, 82k, and 46k and two proteins of intermediate labeling (M_r = 185k and 142k) were observed in the schizont-labeled ring-stage parasites. Because corresponding proteins were also observed in the schizont stage, we conclude that they had been present in the invading merozoite. In contrast, prominent proteins which were generally labeled during the ring stage and some major schizont-stage proteins were virtually absent in the schizont-labeled ring-stage. By labeling the parasite proteins with [³H]glucosamine followed by separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, five major glycoproteins (gp) of apparent M_r = 185k, 88k, 56k, 46k, and 34k were identified. Their presence in both the schizont and the schizont-labeled ring stage demonstrated that the merozoite contains glycoproteins. Immune owl monkey serum recognized all five glycoproteins. A comparison of proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) suggested that p185 and gp185 were identical, as were p46 and gp46.     

Glomerular function and microalbuminuria in children with insulin-dependent diabetes

Renal function has been evaluated in 45 diabetic children (age 12.5±4 years) with a mean diabetes duration of 4.9±3.5 years. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin and creatinine clearances), renal plasma flow (RPF; PAH clearance), resting urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were measured and compared with indexes of metabolic control: Hb A₁C and blood glucose values (mean, post-prandial and maximal excursion) on the same day. GFR (inulin clearance) and RPF were significantly increased in the diabetic group (171±31 and 778±172 ml/min per 1.73 m²) compared with controls (124±18 and 631±128 ml/min per 1.73 m²). Both parameters were strongly correlated (r=0.73;P<0.001). Creatinine clearance was not correlated to inulin clearance. Hyperfiltration (inulin clearance above 160 ml/min per 1.73 m²) was noted in 61% of the patients and was independent of diabetes duration. Five diabetic children had a UAE level above 15 g/min. No relationship could be established between UAE and any of the metabolic indexes; GFR was weakly correlated to HbA₁C (r=0.35;P<0.05), to mean (r=0.35;P<0.05) and post-prandial blood glucose (r=0.37;P<0.05). In contrast, there was a strong correlation between GFR and the maximal blood excursion (r=0.62;P<0.001). The study shows that renal abnormalities can be detected with a high frequency in diabetic subjects characterized by both an early onset and a short duration of diabetes and suggests the need for a more systematic evaluation of renal parameters in this population.     

Clinical Validation of a New Immunoradiometric Assay for Intact Human Osteocalcin

The purpose of this study was to estimate clinical validity of a new available immunoradiometric assay for circulating intact human BGP (N-tact Osteo SP) by measuring this protein in a large number of normal subjects and patients with the most common metabolic bone diseases. One hundred normal subjects were studied in order to obtain our normal ranges (4.9 ± 1.7 ng/ml). The mean values found in 28 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (17.5 ± 22.8 ng/ml, P < 0.001), 15 glucocorticoid-treated patients (1.9 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), 10 patients with hypoparathyroidism (1.5 ± 0.7, P < 0.001), 9 with hyperthyroidism (8.3 ± 3.8, P < 0.001), 8 with skeletal metastases (7.2 ± 2.3, P < 0.001), and 4 with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (2.42 ± 1.91, P < 0.005) were significantly different from mean values found in normal subjects. Mean decrease of serum osteocalcin T-score values was significantly greater when evaluated by N-tact Osteo SP assay in 15 steroid-treated patients (−1.4 ± 1.0) and 19 primary hyperparathyroid (PHPT) patients (3.6 ± 1.9), compared with the mean values obtained with the Elsa-Osteo assay (−0.67 ± 1.2, P < 0.002 and 4.3 ± 2.8, P < 0.04, respectively). We found significant correlations between the global skeletal uptake of 99mTc-methylendiphosphonate and serum BGP levels assayed by both N-tact Osteo SP (P < 0.01) and Elsa-Ost-Nat assay (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that this new immunoradiometric assay for the intact human osteocalcin has the potential for good discrimination between normal subjects and patients with both low and high bone turnover. Furthermore, our findings emphasize the fact that, in the absence of available standardized commercial assays, one should rely on only one assay because different results are obtained by different assays under different clinical conditions. Received: 22 January / Accepted: 22 September 1998     

The Relationship of Diastereomer Hydrolysis Kinetics to Shelf-Life Predictions for Cefuroxime Axetil

Cefuroxime axetil, an ester prodrug of cefuroxime, is comprised of a 50:50 mixture of diastereomers A and B. The first-order hydrolysis kinetics of cefuroxime axetil were investigated as a function of pH, temperature, buffers, and ionic strength. Chromatographically identified hydrolysis products were cefuroxime, ²-cefuroxime axetil, and ,-sulfoxides. Buffer catalysis was observed in acetate and phosphate buffers. No significant kinetic effect was observed for ionic strength in the range µ = 0.1-1.0. The pH–rate profiles for hydrolysis of cefuroxime axetil isomeric mixture were obtained at 45, 35, and 25°C. The equation defining the cefuroxime axetil hydrolysis rate constant as a function of pH was k _obs = k _H(a _H) + k _s + k _OH(K _w/a _H), exhibiting maximal stability in the pH range 3.5 to 5.5. The predicted profile at 5°C was in excellent agreement with experimental data in the pH range 3.6 to 5.5. In the pH range 1 to 9, the maximum difference observed for individual hydrolysis constants of isomers was 27%. Shelf-life estimates based on the hydrolysis rate constants for cefuroxime axetil as an isomeric mixture were shown to be equivalent to those based on individual hydrolysis rate constants for isomers A and B.     

Mutagenicity studies with praziquantel,a new anthelmintic drug: Tissue-, host-, and urine-mediated mutagenicity assays

Praziquantel, a new anthelmintic drug with activity against all species of schistosomes pathogenic to man, and against a wide range of Cestodes, was tested for mutagenic potential. For the detection of both base substitutions and frameshift mutations, Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 and TA 98 were used as tester strains. Using the plate assay with and without added S-9, host-mediated assay and urine-mediated assay without and after incubation with -glucuronidase/arylsulfatase, no mutagenic activity could be detected.