Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Targeting Inflammation Using Salsalate In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Effects On Flow-Mediated Dilation (Tinsal-Fmd)., Allison B Goldfine, J Stewart Buck, Cyrus Desouza, Vivian Fonseca, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Steven E Shoelson, Kathleen A. Jablonski, Mark A Creager, The Tinsal-Fmd Team

GW Biostatistics Center

OBJECTIVE: To test whether inhibiting inflammation with salsalate improves endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted an ancillary study to the National Institutes of Health-sponsored, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of salsalate in targeting inflammation to improve glycemia in patients with T2D. Flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent dilation (FMD) and endothelium-independent, nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) of the brachial artery were assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months following randomization to either salsalate 3.5 g/day or placebo. The primary end point was change in FMD at 6 months.

RESULTS: A total …

Patients’ Attitudes Towards Patient Involvement In Safety Interventions: Results Of Two Exploratory Studies, Rachel Davis, Nick Sevdalis, Anna Pinto, Ara Darzi, Charles A. Vincent

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: In recent years, patient-focused interventions have been introduced aimed at increasing patient involvement in safety-related behaviours. However, patients' attitudes towards these interventions and comfort in participating in the recommended behaviours remain largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients' attitudes towards a video and leaflet aimed at encouraging patient involvement in safety-related behaviours. DESIGN: Two exploratory studies employing a within-subjects mixed-methods design. SETTING: Six hospital wards on an inner-city London teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Medical and surgical inpatients: 80 patients in study 1 (mean age 55; 69% men) and 80 patients in study 2 (mean age 52; 60% men). INTERVENTION: Patients watched …

Analyzing The Health Care Cost Curve: A Case Study., Robert D. Lieberthal

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

This case study uses data from a self-insured employer plan to perform an analysis into the properties of the health care cost curve. The analysis shows that one statistical property of the health care cost curve is that costs rise continuously, not on an annual or monthly basis. Graphical analysis indicates that managed care techniques used to restrain costs can also smooth utilization, producing the continuously growing cost curve observed. The analysis further illustrates that there is no one "cost curve"-analysis must be segmented by population. Finally, the power of predictive models to fit the cost curve varies by population. …

Support For A Smoke-Free Bylaw In Parks And On Beaches, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Ann Pederson, Wendy Rice

Nursing Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: In September 2010, Vancouver, Canada enacted a smoke-free bylaw in parks and on beaches.

OBJECTIVE: To examine demographic and attitudinal factors associated with the public opinion on Vancouver's outdoor smoke-free bylaw.

METHODS: From 496 randomly selected Vancouver residents, information on demographics, smoking status, and opinions and support for or opposition to the smoke-free bylaw were obtained by telephone surveys.

RESULTS: Approximately 84.2% of the sample endorsed the legislation; a greater proportion of non-smokers supported the bylaw than smokers (88.6% vs. 52.0%). In multivariate analysis, demographic variables significantly associated with supporting the smoke-free bylaw were being female, having completed community …

Significant Sequelae After Bacterial Meningitis In Niger: A Cohort Study, Jean-François Jusot, Zilahatou Tohon, Abdoul Aziz Yazi, Jean-Marc Collard

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Beside high mortality, acute bacterial meningitis may lead to a high frequency of neuropsychological sequelae. The Sahelian countries belonging to the meningitis belt experience approximately 50% of the meningitis cases occurring in the world. Studies in Africa have shown that N. meningitidis could cause hearing loss in up to 30% of the cases, exceeding sometimes measles. The situation is similar in Niger which experiences yearly meningitis epidemics and where rehabilitation wards are rare and hearing aids remain unaffordable. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of neuropsychological sequelae after acute bacterial meningitis in four of the …

Task-Based Noise Exposures For Farmers Involved In Grain Production, Michael J. Humann, Wayne T. Sanderson, Kelley J. Donham, Kevin M. Kelly

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Few studies have been done examining noise exposures associated with agricultural tasks. This study was conducted to address that research gap by calculating the noise exposures for tasks and equipment associated with grain production and assessing the variability in those exposures. An additional aim of this study was to identify tasks and equipment that could be targeted for intervention strategies as a means toward reducing the total noise exposures of farmers and farm workers. Through the use of personal noise dosimetry and direct observation, over 30,000 one-minute noise exposure measurements and corresponding task and equipment data were collected on 18 …

Cattle-Related Injuries And Farm Management Practices On Kentucky Beef Cattle Farms, Steven R. Browning, Susan C. Westneat, Wayne T. Sanderson, Deborah B. Reed

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

While working on farms with livestock increases the risk of injury among farm workers in comparison to other commodity farms, few studies have examined the role offarm management practices in association with the risk of cattle-related injury. We examined the farm management practices of Kentucky beef cattle farms in association with self-reported rates of cattle-related injuries among workers. We conducted a mail survey of a random sample of 2,500 members of the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association. Results from 1,149 farm operators who were currently raising beef cattle and provided complete survey response are reported. During the busy season, the principal operator …

Community Knowledge, Attitude And Practice About Malaria In A Low Endemic Setting Of Shewa Robit Town, Northeastern Ethiopia, Andargie Abate, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Since malaria is one of the foremost public health problems in Ethiopia, assessment of situation of the disease, and communities' knowledge and perceptions about malaria is necesary to institute appropriate preventive and control measures. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess malaria prevalence and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about the disease among ShewaRobit Town community, northeastern Ethiopia.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Shewa Robit Town from October to November 2011. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A total of 425 individuals were examined for malaria using thin …