Search results for "Testing"
showing 10 items of 1769 documents
The impact of age on prevalence of positive skin prick tests and specific IgE tests
2011
SummaryAging is associated with modifications of the immune system, defined as immunosenescence. This could contribute to a reduced prevalence of allergic disease in the elderly population. In this regard, atopy has rarely been considered in the clinical assessment of the geriatric respiratory patient. This article is a review of the available literature assessing the impact of age on atopy. In the majority of papers, we found a lower prevalence of atopy in the most advanced ages, both in healthy subjects and in individuals affected by allergic respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, no large, longitudinal studies performed in the general population have been conducted to further explore this …
Similarity and differences in elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction by asthma and by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2008
SummaryBackgroundEpidemiologic studies have demonstrated that elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction can be affected by asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsWe studied 49 consecutive elderly outpatients, presenting fixed airflow obstruction, by clinical history (smoking), pulmonary function tests, blood gas analysis, and induced sputum.ResultsThe age was not different in patients with COPD (n=28) and asthma (n=21) (70.2±3.9 years vs. 69.6±3.7 years), also the degree of fixed airflow obstruction was similar (FEV1: 58.3±1.5% vs. 59.0±1.4% of predicted). Patients with asthma had significantly more eosinophils in peripheral blood (0.43±0.05×10−3μL vs. 0.27±0.1×…
Alternative ways of expressing forced expiratory volume in the first second and long-term mortality in elderly patients with asthma
2013
Abstract Background Clinical and epidemiologic evidence on asthma in the elderly is scant. There is evidence that forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ), a commonly used indicator of overall pulmonary function, might not be an independent predictor of 5-year mortality in elderly patients with asthma. Objective To investigate the association between FEV 1 expressed using 3 alternative methods and 5-, 10-, and 15-year mortality in a population of elderly patients with asthma. Methods Participants in the Salute Respiratoria nell' Anziano study were included. Asthma was diagnosed at baseline according to spirometric and clinical data. Vital status at 15 years was assessed using d…
Assessment of a qualitative serological assay to screen for allergic sensitization in elderly subjects
2013
We used a commercially available specific IgE qualitative serological assay to screen for allergic sensitization. Two hundred twenty-eight elderly subjects took part in the study. Skin-prick tests (SPTs) to a panel of relevant aeroallergens present in the study area were used as the diagnostic reference procedure (gold standard). Subjects with at least one positive SPT (≥3 mml n = 76) were considered to have developed an allergic sensitization. The qualitative assay correctly classified subjects as sensitized to an allergen or not sensitized in 257 of 288 cases (accuracy, 88.9%; 95% CI, 85.0-92.0%). The qualitative assay sensitivity was 70.0 (95% CI, 58.1-79.7) and specificity was 95.7 (95%…
Assessing quality of care for the dying from the bereaved relatives' perspective: Using pre-testing survey methods across seven countries to develop …
2019
Background: The provision of care for dying cancer patients varies on a global basis. In order to improve care, we need to be able to evaluate the current level of care. One method of assessment is to use the views from the bereaved relatives. Aim: The aim of this study is to translate and pre-test the ‘Care Of the Dying Evaluation’ (CODETM) questionnaire across seven participating countries prior to conducting an evaluation of current quality of care. Design: The three stages were as follows: (1) translation of CODE in keeping with standardised international principles; (2) pre-testing using patient and public involvement and cognitive interviews with bereaved relatives; and (3) utilising …
Stigma and functioning in patients with bipolar disorder
2011
Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of self-rated stigma and functioning in patients with bipolar disorder in Latin-America. Methods Two-hundred and forty-one participants with bipolar disorder were recruited from three Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia). Functional impairment was assessed with the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) and experiences with and impact of perceived stigma was evaluated using the Inventory of Stigmatizing Experiences (ISE). Results Higher scores of self-perceived stigma were correlated with lower scores of functioning. After multiple regression analysis, being on disability benefit, current mood sym…
A population-based screening for hepatitis C antibodies and active infection using a point-of-care test in a low prevalence area
2020
Background Data on the true prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the general population is essential. We evaluated a program implementing free universal HCV screening using a non-invasive point-of-care test (POCT) (OraQuick-HCV rapid test) in oral fluid in an urban area in Valencia, South-Eastern Spain. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed during 2015–2017. Free HCV screening was offered by regular mail to 11,500 individuals aged 18 and over, randomly selected from all census residents in the Health Department. All responding participants filled in a questionnaire about HCV infection risk factors and were tested in their tertiary Hospital. In those with a positive POC…
The assessment of successful emotion regulation skills use: Development and validation of an English version of the Emotion Regulation Skills Questio…
2018
Emotion regulation has become an important topic in mental health and psychotherapy research. Skills supposingly relevant for adaptive responses towards emotions include the abilities to be consciously aware of emotions, identify and correctly label emotions, understand what has caused and maintains one's present emotions, modify the intensity or duration of one's emotions, accept and tolerate undesired emotions, confront situations likely to cue negative emotions, and provide effective self-support when working to cope with challenging emotions. To economically assess these abilities, a self-report measure has been developed in German and validated in various studies. To facilitate the use…
Management of suspected COVID-19 patients in a low prevalence region
2020
The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection among population has imposed a re-organization of healthcare services, aiming at stratifying patients and dedicating specific areas where patients with suspected COVID-related respiratory disease could receive the necessary health care assistance while waiting for the confirmation of the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. In this scenario, the pathway defined as a “grey zone” is strongly advocated. We describe the application of rules and pathways in a regional context with low diffusion of the infection among the general population in the attempt to provide the best care to respiratory patients with suspected COVID-19. To date, this process has avoided t…
Restrictive pulmonary dysfunction at spirometry and mortality in the elderly
2008
SummaryObjectivesTo evaluate the association between pulmonary restriction and mortality in the elderly, taking into account potential confounders not considered in the past (disability, cognitive dysfunction, diabetes, and visceral obesity).DesignLongitudinal study.SettingCommunity-based.ParticipantsTwelve hundred sixty-five patients (51.9% men) aged 65–97 years old from the Salute Respiratoria nell'Anziano (SaRA) Italian multicentric study.MeasurementsParticipants were divided in 4 groups: normal spirometry (NS): FEV1/FVC≥70%, FVC≥80% of predicted; restrictive ventilatory pattern (RVP): FEV1/FVC≥70%, FVC<80%; obstructive ventilatory pattern (OVP): FEV1/FVC<70%, FVC≥80%, and mixed ventilat…