Is interleukin-2 an optimal marker for diagnosing tuberculosis infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a huge reservoir for the deadlier TB disease. Accurate identification of LTBI is a key strategy to eliminate TB. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis approach was used to assess diagnostic potential of IL-2 for LTBI.     

Developing a national undergraduate standardized curriculum for future healthcare professionals on “Making Every Contact Count” for chronic disease prevention in the Republic of Ireland

ABSTRACT

This report describes the development of the first national undergraduate interprofessional standardized curriculum in chronic disease prevention for healthcare professionals in the Republic of Ireland. This project brought together for the first time all higher education institutions nationwide in a novel collaboration with the national health service i.e. the Health Service Executive (HSE), to develop a standardized national curriculum for undergraduate health care professions. The curriculum sits within the framework of Making Every Contact Count, the goal of which is to re-orientate health services to embed the ethos of prevention through lifestyle behavior change as part of the routine care of health professionals. The core focus of Making Every Contact Count is chronic disease prevention, targeting four main lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease; tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating. Making Every Contact Count is a key component of Healthy Ireland, the Irish national framework for health and wellbeing. The aim of the curriculum is to prepare newly qualified health professionals with the skills needed to support patients to achieve lifestyle behavior change delivered as part of routine clinical care.     

Patterns of Uveitis among Patients Attending Jimma University Department of Ophthalmology,Jimma, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Uveitis is an important cause of blindness and ocular morbidity in the world. The patterns of uveitis have not been well characterized in sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of uveitis among patients presenting to Jimma University Department of Ophthalmology (JUDO) from July 2013 to December 2014.

Methods: This hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study included all new uveitis patients visiting JUDO outpatient department during the study period.

Results: Among 98 patients diagnosed with uveitis, anterior uveitis was found in 74.5% of patients. Majority of the patients, 83.7%, had unilateral uveitis. A uveitis syndrome was identified in 22.5% of cases; of these 15 (68.2%) were infectious. Herpes simplex uveitis was the commonest infectious cause (53.3%) while Toxoplasmosis was the most common cause of posterior uveitis (60%).

Conclusion: Anterior uveitis was the most common pattern found among uveitis patients. Herpes simplex and toxoplasmic chorioretinitis were the most common-identified infectious causes.     

Construct validity of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10)

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) by determining its dimensionality, rating scale integrity, item-person match, precision and relationship with the degree of airway invasion and functional oral intake.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients’ EAT-10 scores. We used the Rasch rating scale model. We investigated correlations between the EAT-10 and scores on the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS).

Results: The median score of the EAT-10 from 127 patients was 16 of 40 (range 0–40). Confirmatory factor analysis supported unidimensionality. The 5-point rating scale categories met published criteria. Two items misfit the Rasch model and two other items displayed differential item functioning. Rasch person reliability was 0.79. Our patient cohort was divided into three person-strata. Correlations between the EAT-10 and the PAS and FOIS were weak to moderate in strength (respectively: r?=?0.26, p?=?0.0036; r?=??0.27, p?=?0.0027).

Conclusions: Our analyses identified deficits in the construct validity of the EAT-10 suggestive of a need to improve the EAT-10 to support its frequent use in clinical practice and research.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Swallowing disorders are associated with severe complications, such as pneumonia and malnutrition, and impose both social and psychological burdens on patients.

• The Eating Assessment Tool is a self-report instrument developed to estimate initial dysphagia severity and monitor change in patient-reported dysphagia symptoms as a response to treatment.

• This study shows that the Eating Assessment Tool has deficits in its construct validity and a need to improve the instrument to support its frequent use in clinical practice and research.