The results of clinical studies are usually described with statistical data. When we conduct systematic reviews of clinical studies it is important that the statistical methods used in the original research are evaluated. By doing so, we can assess the validity and reliability of the evidence.
Objective To evaluate the performance of emergency medical rescue (EMR) within 1 month after Lushan earthquake, and to prove and enrich the experience from Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide useful references for global earthquake EMR with regard to decreasing death and disability rates. Methods All the following date published within 1 month after 4.20 Lushan earthquake were collected and analyzed, including official information, public documents, news release, relevant information from websites and victims’ medical records in the West China Hospital, then the relevant domestic and foreign literature about EMR (including EMR of Wenchuan earthquake). And then comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of EMR in Lushan earthquake. Results a) Being 87 km apart from each other, the main seismic zones of Lushan and Wenchuan located in the south west and middle north of Longmenshan fault zone, respectively. Although only 1 earthquake magnitude differed between them, the disaster area, and the number of affected population, deaths, disappearances, injured, severe injured and migration population in Wenchuan earthquake were 40, 23, 353, 853, 27, 14 and 51 times higher than those in Lushan earthquake, respectively. b) Learned from Wenchuan experience, the manpower scheduling in Lushan earthquake was quicker: the assembled medical personnel peak of Lushan vs. Wenchuan was 87.62% vs. 56.06 % in golden 72 hours post-quake. c) Supplies scheduling was more rational: the utilization rate was higher under the guidance of accurate information of demand. d) Medical treatment was more rational and efficient: the critical injured were treated following “Four concentration treatment principles”; saving life and restoring function at the same time; treatment and physical-mental rehabilitation at the same time; treatment and evidence production and implementation at the same time. e) Medical institutions and service returned to normal in time: 96.7% (440/455) of government owned township medical institutions in 21 affected towns returned to normal and provided medical services at their original sites. Conclusion By learning form Wenchuan experience, the following performance is implemented in Lushan earthquake: medical rescue guided by the accurate information; supplies scheduling guided by the accurate demand; both critical injured treatment,and physical-mental rehabilitation guided by the accurate assessment of injuries. So the medical rescue within 1 month after Lushan earthquake is quicker, more rational and efficient. After 20 days post quake zero death of critical injured was achieved. The early physical-mental rehabilitation fastens the functional reconstruction of the injured and helps them return to the society. So it suggests that the Lushan EMR enriches and develops the reference value of EMR experience of Wenchuan earthquake.
Objective To evaluate the quality of controlled trials on 131I therapy for thyroglobulin positive and radioactive iodine negative metastases（131I WBS-/Tg+）. Methods We electronically searched MEDLINE (1966 to Mar. 2004), EMBASE (1984 to 2003), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, CENTRAL (Issue 2, 2004), CBMdisc (1978 to 2004) and CNKI (1994 to 2004), and handsearched 5 radiotherapy and endocrinology journals (Jan. 1980 to Apr. 2003). The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by using quality assessment criteria of the Cochrane systematic review guideline. Results Three non-randomized controlled trials were included. One was historical controlled trial, and two prospective trials. The sample sizes of three trials were 26, 60 and 70 respectively without mentioning the calculation base. The comparability of baseline was mentioned but not comparable across the trials. No double blind studies were used in the assessment of 131I efficacy. The time of follow-up varied from 2 to 15 years. None studies mentioned the side effects of 131I therapy for 131I WBS-/Tg+ metastases. Only two studies applied statistical methods properly. Conclusions Problems about allocation of groups, double blind, sample size, and follow-up period continue to exist in published controlled trials. RCT or prospective controlled trials of high quality are urgently needed in order to define the efficacy and safety of 131I therapy for 131I WBS-/Tg+ metastases.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at the end of December 2019, more than 85% of the population in China has been infected. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly affects the respiratory system, especially the lungs. The mortality rate of patients with severe infection is high. A percentage of 6% to 10% of patients will eventually develop into COVID-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS), which requires mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Some patients who survive acute lung injury will subsequently develop post COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF). Both fully treated CARDS and severe PCPF are suitable candidates for lung transplantation. Due to the special course, evaluation strategies are different from those used in patients with common end-stage lung disease. After lung transplantation in COVID-19 patients, special treatment is required, including standardized nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus, adjustment strategy of immunosuppressive drugs, and rational use of antiviral drugs, which is a big challenge for the postoperative management of lung transplantation. This consensus was evidence-based written and was reached by experts after multiple rounds of discussions, providing reference for assessment and postoperative management of patients with interstitial pneumonia after COVID-19 infection.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the health economic evaluation studies in which externalities of antibacterial drug uses were identified.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect health economic evaluation studies in which externalities of antibacterial drug uses were identified from inception to December 31st, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Descriptive analysis was then performed.ResultsA total of 14 studies were included. Negative externalities and their impacts on costs and/or effectiveness were examined in 13 literature, and positive externalities in terms of an improvement in disease control were included in only one study. No study was found in which both negative and positive externalities were included. The methods used to quantify negative externalities included: only costs associated with drug resistance per prescription or per unit were calculated; both costs and health impacts associated with the second/third line treatments followed a treatment failure (due to drug resistance) were calculated using a decision tree. In one study in which positive externalities were measured, both health gain and cost reduction from an improvement in disease control (as a benefit of antibacterial drug uses) were calculated by constructing a dynamic model at the population level.ConclusionsWe propose that both the positive and negative externalities should be included in health economic evaluation. This can be achieved by measuring the relevant costs and health impacts in a broader perspective, using a disease-transmission dynamic model. In addition, to achieve an improved health utility measurement, disability-adjusted-life years rather than quality-adjusted-life years should be encouraged for use. Finally, both costs and effectiveness should be discounted.
Objective To discuss shortterm effect of rotating hinge knee prosthesis. Methods From July 2002 to April 2005, 17 cases of severe knee joint deformity and instability received rotating hinge knee prosthesis for total knee arthroplasty. There were 8 males and 9 females, aging from 41 to 79 years. The left joints were involved in 10 cases and right joint in 7 cases. All patients were admitted because of pain. The course of disease was from 1 to 7 years. There were 10 cases of osteoarthritis，5 cases of rheumatoid arthritis，1 case of traumatic arthritis after operation of left femur fracture，and 1 case of traumatic arthritis with injury of anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus medialis and medial collateral ligament after operation of left fracture of tibial plateau. According to HSS(hospital for special surgery) scoring system，the preoperative score was 36 to 58 with an average of 48.6. The preoperative flexed motion range of articulation was 21° to 80° with an average of 57.4°. Results All patients were followed up from 7 months to 3 years with an average of 23.6 months. There were no complications of thrombogenesis of veins of lower extremity, pulmonary embolism, palsy of peroneal nerve, fracture, and breakage of extended knee structure. Infection occurred in 1 case at 3 months postoperatively，the prosthesis was dislodged，antibiotic-impregnated cement was filed with knee joint，twostage arthroplasty was expected. At the last follow-up,the HSS score was 78 to 98 with an average of 91.1 in 16 patients. The flexed motion range of articulation was 75° to 100° with an average of 852° at 2 weeks postoperatively. The flexed motionrange of articular was 85° to 123° with an average of 1083° at the last followup. There were significant differences in HSS score and motion range of articular between preoperation and thelast follow-up (P＜0.05). Conclusion The short-term outcome of rotating hinge knee prosthesis is good and a long term followup is necessary.
ObjectiveTo investigate the essential healthcare system performance in Xinjin county of Chengdu city from 2009 to 2010, so as to provide baseline data for further study. MethodsThe general information of the essential healthcare, such as the numbers of out and in-patients, service and profits were collected and then analyzed using the software of Microsoft Excel 2003 and SPSS 13.0. Resultsa) The results showed that the numbers of out and in-patients were in the rank of the county, township and community hospital. The numbers of out and emergency patients has been decreased 31.0% and 25.3% in the community hospital from 2009 to 2010, while patients in the county and township hospital has been increased. The numbers of in-patients has been increased by year; b) hospital bed occupancy has been increased by year, and the hospital bed occupancy of county hospitals was 8% lower than national level in 2009, 33.5% higher in 2010, the hospital bed occupancy of township hospitals from 2009 to 2010 was higher than national level, the ones of community hospital was lower than national level; c) there is an annual decreasing tendency for average days for hospitalization in county and community hospital, which were higher than national level; d) it was lower than national average rate; e) the inpatient fee per time was lower than national average rate; f) in the components of the in-patients expense, drug expense, operation expense and diagnose expense were constituted more than 86% in all eight costs; and g) the receipts and expenditure of Xinjin hospital throughout the year increased by years, the income and expenses showed 39.3% and 37.7%. ConclusionThe hospital bed occupancy, average hospitalization days and the inpatient fee per time in Xinjin county of Chengdu city during 2009-2010, were higher than national level. The overall health performance of hospitals in Xinjin county was satisfied. However, there was significant difference between the best and the worst. In order to distribute health resources, both benefit and efficient should be emphasized.
After the May 12th Wenchuan earthquake, the Department of Architecture and Operation of West China Hospital took prompt action to examine the damage of the hospital buildings. And then experts were invited to perform a safety evaluation of all the hospital buildings. Meanwhile, a real-time monitoring system was initiated to identify any subsequent damage caused by after-shocks. In timely response to the clinical demand, potential dangers were removed so as to ensure the medical rescue work for the wounded.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo compare the reliability of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and APACHE Ⅲ to estimate mortality of critical patients in abdominal surgery. MethodsTwo hundred and sixtyone critical patients in abdominal surgery were included in this study. The clinical data of the first day in ICU were collected and evaluated with both APACHE Ⅱand APACHE Ⅲ prognostic systems and statistical analysis were performed. Probability of survival (Ps) was compared with actual mortality. ResultsThe scores of APACHE Ⅱ and APACHE Ⅲ of death group were significantly higher than those of survival group respectively (P＜0.01). The actual mortality of patients whose Ps was no more than 0.5 was higher than that whose Ps was over 0.5 (P＜0.01). With two prognostic systems, the scores and mortality were the highest in pancreatitis patients and the lowest in patients with gastrointestinal malignant tumor. ConclusionAPACHE Ⅱ and APACHE Ⅲ prognostic systems can be effectively applied to the estimation of mortality of critical patients in abdominal surgery. For certain diagnostic categories, APACHE Ⅲ is better than APACHE Ⅱprognostic system.
Objective To evaluate the quality of undergraduate medical education so as to provide useful and effective feedback information for medical schools and to extend GMER (Global Minimum Essential Requirements in Medical Education) standard. Methods Through questionnaires, 205 resident doctors self-evaluated their abilities or qualities based on GMER standard. The unconditioned logistic regression model was used for data analysis. Results Graduates from undergraduate medical programs mastered the abilities or qualities required in 4 GMER domains i.e. “professional values, attitudes, behaviors and ethics”, “clinical skills”, “communication skills”, and “scientific foundation of medicine”. But the abilities or qualities required in “information management”, “population health and health systems” as well as “critical thinking and research” domains have not been obtained. The main factors that affected the evaluation results were corresponding training to the essentials, learner’s attitude, teaching models and teaching hours. Conclusion Educational sectors should adjust curriculum design so as to help medical students master the abilities required in the 3 domains stated above. Medical schools should conduct some educational research to formulate the most beneficial teaching methods, and import advanced ones to raise the quality of medical education in China.