10,174 research outputs found
Cancer expected relative survival in Italian regions and provinces: comparison between regional and provincial models based on socio-economic variables and health resources
No full textINTRODUCTION -The ISES Working Group built models for calculating regional and provincial expected relative survival in Italy using demographic, socio-economic and health resources variables (SEH).
OBJECTIVES - The aim is to compare the contents of provincial and regional SERTS models in terms of variables which influence the expected relative survival for the main considered cancer sites and to validate the results.
MATERIALS AND METHODS - The 5-years relative survival (RS-5%) of 1995-1999 patients’ cohorts was considered for all
cancers (but non melanoma skin cancers) and the most levant sites (e.g. colon-rectum, prostate, breast). The SEH are collected at the regional and provincial levels for 1995-2005 period. The principal components factor analysis on SEH extracted two groups of factors, used in multiple linear regression models to compute expected RS-5% at the regional and provincial levels.
RESULTS - The extraction of two groups of factors (composed by different SEH) developed the 86% of variance at the egional level and the 73% at the provincial one. The two groups have produced two sets of regression factorial models for each of the considered cancer sites at both geographical levels. The models present good correlations, particularly for all cancers and colon-rectum, stomach, lung, kidney and NHL in both sexes, prostate in men and breast, cervix and melanoma in women. The models allow the calculation of expected RS-5% very similar to the observed RS-5% of the same area. The homogeneity between provincial expected RS-5% and the one of the same region seems to validate the results. The comparison between the observed and expected provincial survival in the regions completely covered by CRs (Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Romagna, Umbria) will be the next validation step.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS - The differences in the groups of factors express the different role in deciding of the regional and provincial administrative levels in allocating and using resources for diagnosis and treatment. The calculation of expected RS-5% seems to produce encouraging results and can explain the differences in outcome and the characteristics of resources management, allowing the calculation even in those areas where no CR works
Use of SERTS (Socio-Economic, health Resources and Technologic Supplies) models to estimate cancer survival at provincial geographical level.
No full textAbstract
AIM: The main aim of this work is to compute expected cancer survival for Italian provinces by Socio-Economic and health Resources and Technologic Supplies (SERTS) models, based on demographic, socioeconomic variables and information describing the health care system (SEH).
METHODS: Five-year age-standardised relative survival rates by gender for 11 cancer sites and all cancers combined of patients diagnosed in 1995-1999, were obtained from the Italian Association of Cancer Registries (CRs) database. The SEH variables describe at provincial level macro-economy, demography, labour market, health resources in 1995-2005. A principal components factor analysis was applied to the SEH variables to control their strong mutual correlation. For every considered cancer site, linear regression models were estimated considering the 5-RS% as dependent variable and the principal components factors of the SEH variables as independent variables.
RESULTS: The model composition was correlated to the characteristics of take in charge of patients. SEH factors were correlated with the observed survival for all cancer combined and colon-rectum in both sexes, prostate, kidney and non Hodgkin's lymphomas in men, breast, corpus uteri and melanoma in women (R(2) from 40% to 85%). In the provinces without any CR the survival was very similar with that of neighbouring provinces with analogous social, economic and health characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS: The SERTS models allowed us to interpret the survival outcome of oncologic patients with respect to the role of the socio-economic and health related system characteristics, stressing how the peculiarities of the take in charge at the province level could address the decisions regarding the allocation of resources
Magnetic resonance imaging of pelvic floor dysfunction - joint recommendations of the ESUR and ESGAR Pelvic Floor Working Group
No full textObjective: To develop recommendations that can be used as guidance for standardized approach regarding indications, patient preparation, sequences acquisition, interpretation and reporting of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis and grading of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Methods: The technique included critical literature between 1993 and 2013 and expert consensus about MRI protocols by the pelvic floor-imaging working group of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) and the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) from one Egyptian and seven European institutions. Data collection and analysis were achieved in 5 consecutive steps. Eighty-two items were scored to be eligible for further analysis and scaling. Agreement of at least 80 % was defined as consensus finding. Results: Consensus was reached for 88 % of 82 items. Recommended reporting template should include two main sections for measurements and grading. The pubococcygeal line (PCL) is recommended as the reference line to measure pelvic organ prolapse. The recommended grading scheme is the “Rule of three” for Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), while a rectocele and ARJ descent each has its specific grading system. Conclusion: This literature review and expert consensus recommendations can be used as guidance for MR imaging and reporting of PFD. Key points: • These recommendations highlight the most important prerequisites to obtain a diagnostic PFD-MRI.• Static, dynamic and evacuation sequences should be generally performed for PFD evaluation.• The recommendations were constructed through consensus among 13 radiologists from 8 institutions. © 2016 The Author(s
Theoretical Background of Occupational-Exposure Models—Report of an Expert Workshop of the ISES Europe Working Group “Exposure Models”
No full textOn 20 October 2020, the Working Group “Exposure Models” of the Europe Regional Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES Europe) organised an online workshop to discuss the theoretical background of models for the assessment of occupational exposure to chemicals. In this report, participants of the workshop with an active role before and during the workshop summarise the most relevant discussion points and conclusions of this well-attended workshop. ISES Europe has identified exposure modelling as one priority area for the strategic development of exposure science in Europe in the coming years. This specific workshop aimed to discuss the main challenges in developing, validating, and using occupational-exposure models for regulatory purposes. The theoretical background, application domain, and limitations of different modelling approaches were presented and discussed, focusing on empirical “modifying-factor” or “mass-balance-based” approaches. During the discussions, these approaches were compared and analysed. Possibilities to address the discussed challenges could be a validation study involving alternative modelling approaches. The wider discussion touched upon the close relationship between modelling and monitoring and the need for better linkage of the methods and the need for common monitoring databases that include data on model parameters
Theoretical Background of Occupational-Exposure Models—Report of an Expert Workshop of the ISES Europe Working Group “Exposure Models”
No full textOn 20 October 2020, the Working Group “Exposure Models” of the Europe Regional Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES Europe) organised an online workshop to discuss the theoretical background of models for the assessment of occupational exposure to chemicals. In this report, participants of the workshop with an active role before and during the workshop summarise the most relevant discussion points and conclusions of this well-attended workshop. ISES Europe has identified exposure modelling as one priority area for the strategic development of exposure science in Europe in the coming years. This specific workshop aimed to discuss the main challenges in developing, validating, and using occupational-exposure models for regulatory purposes. The theoretical background, application domain, and limitations of different modelling approaches were presented and discussed, focusing on empirical “modifying-factor” or “mass-balance-based” approaches. During the discussions, these approaches were compared and analysed. Possibilities to address the discussed challenges could be a validation study involving alternative modelling approaches. The wider discussion touched upon the close relationship between modelling and monitoring and the need for better linkage of the methods and the need for common monitoring databases that include data on model parameters.</p
Data Quality and Standards
No full textThe Data Quality and Standards Working Group determined where current administrative data quality standards exist and where additional guidance are needed. The group used a hypothetical example to illustrate how improved data quality can make administrative data research better.
Chair and Lead Author: Amy O\u27Hara (Stanford University)https://repository.upenn.edu/admindata_reports/1001/thumbnail.jp
Data Sharing Governance and Management
No full textThe Data Sharing Governance and Management Working Group focused on data intermediaries that help to expand access to administrative data for a broad range of researchers. The group interviewed 11 data intermediaries and identified 9 unique functions that they serve to facilitate the data sharing process between data providers and researchers.
Chair: Ken Poole (Center for Regional and Economic Competitiveness)Lead Author: Monica King (ADRF Network)https://repository.upenn.edu/admindata_reports/1002/thumbnail.jp
Communicating about Data Privacy and Security
No full textThe working group on Communicating about Data Privacy and Security identified six core stages of the administrative data research lifecycle and developed a framework for how researchers can conduct stakeholder engagement throughout the research lifecycle.
Co-Chair and Lead Author: Kelsey Finch (Future of Privacy Forum)Co-Chair: Jules Polonetsky (Future of Privacy Forum)https://repository.upenn.edu/admindata_reports/1003/thumbnail.jp
Investing in educated British Columbians: 1995 BC colleges and institutes student outcome report
No full textReportPrepared for the Colleges and Institutes of BC by the BC Outcomes Working Grou
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